Tag Archives: Mel Brooks

White Dog + Blazing Saddles

White Dog + Blazing Saddles

A conversation on race in America from the last two people to learn the results of the disastrous election. Like, actually. Also, an art problem: Racial satire + enough time = film that just looks racist. Can racists in 2017 be saved or is it time to move on to more productive challenges? Racist dogs, on the surface and far below. Double Feature Year 9: The year of rape, sexual assault, blurry lines in erotica and also dogs. Just regular type dogs. When the racism pendulum swings the back the other direction. The inevitability of human hatred – to channel or ignore? Natural, nurture, and who is to blame for a person’s racism. How Blazing Saddles suffers (or triumphs) from today’s freshly racist America. Does the intention of art matter? The notion of not considering the artist and only considering the art is a complete fantasy. Continue reading

Young Frankenstein + O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Young Frankenstein + O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Two films that build upon legend. Spoilers, but not really. Gene Wilder is a crazy person. Mel Brooks and Young Frankenstein. Marty Feldman. The signature of Mel Brooks comedy. Post-joke comedic timing. The Roger Corman monster house. The advantages of “a relative to the known hero” over “a retelling of the known hero.” The film itself as the straight man. The Apple Final Cut Studip Color application. Learning about filmmaking for free at the Apple store. How a mall psychic is different than someone with a premonition. Natural explanations, even when you don’t need it. Ulysses Everett, defying expectation. John Goodman is fucking awesome. The infamous soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou? Diving your film into episodes. Continue reading

Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother + The Postman Always Rings Twice

Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother + The Postman Always Rings Twice

Classic film noir recast with Quentin Tarantino actors! The Kitty Genovese myth. And the money goes to? Sherlock Holmes primer. The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother. Homage or mockery? Comedy in the 70s. Is this rotten or wonderfully brave? Musical and stage. Sight gags. HAMSTER STYLE. James M. Cain and The Postman Always Rings Twice. More than symbolism. Wait, what is the murder plot? Crime in a different light. Cast and characters. The moral of the story always rings twice. The recasting. Continue reading