Thursday Movie Picks: Political Comedies
1) In The Loop
Sati recommended this to me years ago and in 2018, I finally made it happen. I haven't seen The Thick of It, which the main character, a man who works for the prime minister was based, but it was hilarious nonetheless. I didn't feel I missed much of anything not seeing the show, and now I plan on watching that too. Hopefully it doesn't take me another few years.
2) Dick
I loved this movie when I was a tween. Back then, a lot of the political stuff went over my head, but I was obsessed with Kirsten Dunst and this was a fun watch.
3) Black Sheep
A politician hiring a man to keep his moron brother out of trouble makes for great TV. This is another movie I loved in my tween years. I watched this back to back with Tommy Boy quite often. I miss Chris Farley and what he brought to the comedic table.
YEEEEEY! You are gonna love The Thick of It. Some of the references to British stuff are tricky but it's still the funniest thing ever
ReplyDeleteI love British comedies I'm glad HULU has it!
DeleteI'm not a fan of Chris Farley so I've never seen Black Sheep and I've been meaning in a roundabout way to watch In the Loop but haven't however this is the second time I've seen it today so I'll make it happen soon.
ReplyDeleteWe match!! It took me a long time to get around to Dick, it just looked foolish, but when Michelle Williams rose to prominence I decided to give it a shot and was glad I did. Funny, sharp film.
Other than our match I reached back a bit for my choices.
State of the Union (1948)-Successful businessman Grant Matthews (Spencer Tracy) is convinced to run for president by newspaper publisher Kay Thorndyke (23 year old Angela Lansbury believably playing a controlling 40ish shrew), his politically ambitious longtime girlfriend. At the instigation of his cynical campaign manager Spike McManus (Van Johnson), Grant and his long-estranged wife, Mary (Katharine Hepburn-who stepped in for Claudette Colbert at the last minute), attempt a reconciliation to increase his changes of a win. But when the idealistic Mary learns of Kay's behind-the-scenes role and sees how the campaign is changing Grant, it throws everything into turmoil. Frank Capra directed comedy/drama is one of Tracy & Hepburn’s best.
The Mouse That Roared (1959)-The Duchy of Grand Fenwick, the world’s smallest country, decides that the only way to get out of their economic woes is to declare war on the United States, lose and accept foreign aid. But things do not go as planned and suddenly it seems they are going to be the victors! What to do now? Cold War satire with Peter Sellers in a trio of roles was followed by the sequel The Mouse on the Moon.
Dick (1999)-Teenage airheads Betsy (Kirsten Dunst) and Arlene (Michelle Williams) accidentally stumble into the middle of the infamous Watergate robbery in 1976. Anxious to keep them quiet Nixon (Dan Hedaya) appoints them honorary dog walkers at the White House. While doing so their innocent actions start a chain of events that may eventually lead to Nixon's resignation as president of the United States.
I love it when we match! To be honest the first time I saw Dick a lot of it went over my head. I was 12 when that came out, but I appreciate it even more now that I'm older. I haven't seen your first two picks.
DeleteSO GLAD you finally watched In The Loop! It's my favorite - when I saw it in the theater, I laughed so loudly and uncontrollably in the first ten minutes that people sitting near me actually got up and moved. My sister and I have taken to ending our phone calls with "Fuckity-bye" just like Malcolm does in his first scene. SO MANY great lines!
ReplyDeleteSince you liked that, I also highly recommend Four Lions if you haven't seen it. SUPER funny British comedy about a group of bumbling wannabe suicide bombers. I know it doesn't sound funny, but I promise it is.
Dick is SO GOOD. Ahead of its time, really.
I think I saw Four Lions come up on a Netflix suggestion once. I'll have to check it out.
DeleteAgreed on Dick being ahead of its time.
Didn't have time this week...but I was thinking life is a political comedy. We have a mental leader in America, Belarus, Turkey, Philipinnes, Saudi Arabia and now Brazil (and these are the ones I can think of).
ReplyDeleteFrom you films I've seen In The Loop. Peter Capaldi turned swearing into an art form
Life is a political tragedy at this point lol.
DeleteYes, yes he did. That's a great way to put it.
Haha. True. I think the word i meant was satire...i mean it has to be right...?
DeleteI have to see In The Loop just from the great use of foul language which is brilliant. Dick sounds like a good movie which i didn't give much thought when it came out but now I want to see it. I can't stand Chris Farley and I never thought he was funny so I will miss the last one. I have read this so, I don't mean anything bad ...Fuckety-bye....hahahaaaa
ReplyDeletelmao yes please watch In The Loop!
DeleteAh, all 3 films are awesome. Dick is the best of the bunch as it's still hilarious and it does serve its point as a form of political history.
ReplyDeleteIn the Loop is a fucking classic from start to finish while I also have a fondness for Black Sheep as I do miss Chris Farley.
I do too. He was so funny. I could see him doing movies with Will Ferrell.
DeleteIn the Loop is a popular choice for this theme - it's a fantastic film.
ReplyDeleteIt is!
DeleteLooks like I'm the only one who didn't like In the Loop
ReplyDeleteThat's okay! It's far from perfect, IMO. It's just got so many funny quotes.
DeleteOMFG I love Dick! I feel like it's a forgotten classic. So hilarious...I still quote it.
ReplyDeleteThat and Drop Dead Gorgeous I LOVE that movie
DeleteHaha - I watched Dick for Kirsten Dunst too. She was like the teen actress then.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to be her. lol
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