Hello, all.
Today's pick is a jewel of a comedy that prominently features a couple of folks from the Monty Python troupe. The "jewel" pun combined with the casting hint is probably enough to give this one away, but just in case it wasn't, it's one of the few comedies to have won an Oscar [very deservedly given for Best Supporting Actor]. A flick with a name that probably kept a few folks away, but hopefully that will change after today's brief write-up.
A FISH CALLED WANDA
From IMDb, the plot is about how "In London, four very different people team up to commit armed robbery, then try to doublecross each other for the loot."
It almost sounds like the synopsis of a Guy Ritchie flick [and, by the way, THE GENTLEMEN is actually a pretty good flick, tho' I prefer SNATCH to it], but where Ritchie tends to overproduce his movies a bit, John Cleese lets his very clever script and the actors performing it take center stage. Jamie Lee Curtis plays the titular character [pun more than likely intended], with Cleese playing the barrister defending her lover, with Michael Palin and Kevin Kline also serving up some sublime performances... especially Kline, who serves as foil to Palin's animal aficionado assassin as much as to Cleese, as well as the faux-Italian speaking former CIA wetboy who is Wanda's other lover.
On its face, it sounds convoluted, but it really is a terrific and clever comedy. If you don't believe me, just check out the trailer embedded below:
Just the "Oh, dear" line does a better job of capturing that confining British propriety than a whole season of Downton Abbey, in my opinion. But, editorial sidebars notwithstanding, it's a great, great flick. The odds are good that it seemed like some sort of goofy Brit comedy once upon a time and you passed on it, but it really is top notch stuff, so please do give it a shot.
Pass on the quasi sequel FIERCE CREATURES, tho'. This is the one that more than deserves your 100-plus minutes... including the clever stinger at the end [also a pun (if you watch it, you'll get it)].
Enjoy!
Other films recommended:
[Day 1 - GROUNDHOG DAY, Day 2 - KINGPIN, Day 3 - TRADING PLACES, Day 4 - FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF; Day 5 - MODERN TIMES; Day 6 - AIRPLANE!; Day 7 - CHEECH AND CHONG'S NEXT MOVIE; Day 8 - STRIPES; Day 9 - I MARRIED A STRANGE PERSON!; Day 10 - STRANGE BREW; Day 11 - CLERKS; Day 12 - GHOSTBUSTERS; Day 13 - MONTY PYTHON'S THE MEANING OF LIFE; Day 14 - DUMB AND DUMBER; Day 15 - THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN; Day 16 - THE NAKED GUN: FROM THE FILES OF POLICE SQUAD!; Day 17 - VALLEY GIRL; Day 18 - THANK YOU FOR SMOKING]
Today's pick is a jewel of a comedy that prominently features a couple of folks from the Monty Python troupe. The "jewel" pun combined with the casting hint is probably enough to give this one away, but just in case it wasn't, it's one of the few comedies to have won an Oscar [very deservedly given for Best Supporting Actor]. A flick with a name that probably kept a few folks away, but hopefully that will change after today's brief write-up.
A FISH CALLED WANDA
From IMDb, the plot is about how "In London, four very different people team up to commit armed robbery, then try to doublecross each other for the loot."
It almost sounds like the synopsis of a Guy Ritchie flick [and, by the way, THE GENTLEMEN is actually a pretty good flick, tho' I prefer SNATCH to it], but where Ritchie tends to overproduce his movies a bit, John Cleese lets his very clever script and the actors performing it take center stage. Jamie Lee Curtis plays the titular character [pun more than likely intended], with Cleese playing the barrister defending her lover, with Michael Palin and Kevin Kline also serving up some sublime performances... especially Kline, who serves as foil to Palin's animal aficionado assassin as much as to Cleese, as well as the faux-Italian speaking former CIA wetboy who is Wanda's other lover.
On its face, it sounds convoluted, but it really is a terrific and clever comedy. If you don't believe me, just check out the trailer embedded below:
Just the "Oh, dear" line does a better job of capturing that confining British propriety than a whole season of Downton Abbey, in my opinion. But, editorial sidebars notwithstanding, it's a great, great flick. The odds are good that it seemed like some sort of goofy Brit comedy once upon a time and you passed on it, but it really is top notch stuff, so please do give it a shot.
Pass on the quasi sequel FIERCE CREATURES, tho'. This is the one that more than deserves your 100-plus minutes... including the clever stinger at the end [also a pun (if you watch it, you'll get it)].
Enjoy!
Other films recommended:
[Day 1 - GROUNDHOG DAY, Day 2 - KINGPIN, Day 3 - TRADING PLACES, Day 4 - FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF; Day 5 - MODERN TIMES; Day 6 - AIRPLANE!; Day 7 - CHEECH AND CHONG'S NEXT MOVIE; Day 8 - STRIPES; Day 9 - I MARRIED A STRANGE PERSON!; Day 10 - STRANGE BREW; Day 11 - CLERKS; Day 12 - GHOSTBUSTERS; Day 13 - MONTY PYTHON'S THE MEANING OF LIFE; Day 14 - DUMB AND DUMBER; Day 15 - THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN; Day 16 - THE NAKED GUN: FROM THE FILES OF POLICE SQUAD!; Day 17 - VALLEY GIRL; Day 18 - THANK YOU FOR SMOKING]
