Hello, all.
Or to those of you who click to read these little write-ups, anyway!
So, you've got to admit that it's pretty impressive when a person can go from success in one medium to equal success in another. I mean, there are a lot of failed attempts in that regard... Bruce Willis, Eddie Murphy, Russell Crowe, and even Kevin Costner tried to do the music thing, and I think with mixed results, at best.
It's all technically under the umbrella of entertainment, perhaps, but it doesn't make it any less surprising when someone actually does it. Such is the case with today's recommendation, with the director of the flick having first found real success with a pair of delinquent teenagers ["Beavis and Butt-Head"] and later to have both written and directed one of the best and most enduring comedies of the last twenty-five years.
OFFICE SPACE
From the trusty IMDb, the plot is about "Three company workers who hate their jobs [and] decide to rebel against their greedy boss."
Back when everyone was freaking out about the impending Y2K monster, this comedy [based on the Dilbert clone "Milton" series, also by the director, Mike Judge] hit all kinds of great notes. While it was likely geared toward those stuck in their nine-to-five cubicle life, it still managed to connect with folks whether or not they were employed in the fluorescent purgatory of [NAME YOUR COMPANY]. Just in case you're one of the few who hasn't seen this one, and you're wondering if it, too, would connect with your funny bone, just check out the trailer embedded below:
The film's success isn't just grounded in its quasi anti-establishment roots, but it certainly shines there largely because we've all had that job or that boss. Or both. Happily, it branches out from that somewhat narrow focus to include a nice rom-com subplot, too. It probably still could have succeeded even if it had been myopically centered around the joys of corporate indentured servitude... but Judge smartly keeps the film from becoming an economic morality play.
As an aside, Brad Bird had the same sort of progression, moving from some really fantastic animated projects [ironically including "King of the Hill," which Judge also created] like THE IRON GIANT, RATATOUILLE, and THE INCREDIBLES to live-action success in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL.
But for now, I just want to make sure you got the memo about OFFICE SPACE.
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; Day 19 - A FISH CALLED WANDA; Day 20 - THIS IS SPINAL TAP; Day 21 - REAL GENIUS; Day 22 - I LOVE YOU, MAN; Day 23 - TOMMY BOY; Day 24 - NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION]
Or to those of you who click to read these little write-ups, anyway!
So, you've got to admit that it's pretty impressive when a person can go from success in one medium to equal success in another. I mean, there are a lot of failed attempts in that regard... Bruce Willis, Eddie Murphy, Russell Crowe, and even Kevin Costner tried to do the music thing, and I think with mixed results, at best.
It's all technically under the umbrella of entertainment, perhaps, but it doesn't make it any less surprising when someone actually does it. Such is the case with today's recommendation, with the director of the flick having first found real success with a pair of delinquent teenagers ["Beavis and Butt-Head"] and later to have both written and directed one of the best and most enduring comedies of the last twenty-five years.
OFFICE SPACE
From the trusty IMDb, the plot is about "Three company workers who hate their jobs [and] decide to rebel against their greedy boss."
Back when everyone was freaking out about the impending Y2K monster, this comedy [based on the Dilbert clone "Milton" series, also by the director, Mike Judge] hit all kinds of great notes. While it was likely geared toward those stuck in their nine-to-five cubicle life, it still managed to connect with folks whether or not they were employed in the fluorescent purgatory of [NAME YOUR COMPANY]. Just in case you're one of the few who hasn't seen this one, and you're wondering if it, too, would connect with your funny bone, just check out the trailer embedded below:
The film's success isn't just grounded in its quasi anti-establishment roots, but it certainly shines there largely because we've all had that job or that boss. Or both. Happily, it branches out from that somewhat narrow focus to include a nice rom-com subplot, too. It probably still could have succeeded even if it had been myopically centered around the joys of corporate indentured servitude... but Judge smartly keeps the film from becoming an economic morality play.
As an aside, Brad Bird had the same sort of progression, moving from some really fantastic animated projects [ironically including "King of the Hill," which Judge also created] like THE IRON GIANT, RATATOUILLE, and THE INCREDIBLES to live-action success in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL.
But for now, I just want to make sure you got the memo about OFFICE SPACE.
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; Day 19 - A FISH CALLED WANDA; Day 20 - THIS IS SPINAL TAP; Day 21 - REAL GENIUS; Day 22 - I LOVE YOU, MAN; Day 23 - TOMMY BOY; Day 24 - NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION]
