OT: Sci-Fi and Fantasy Thread - SPOILERS Part Three

[bauer]

The original was terrible, and I think I know why. Mel Brooks understood Westerns, horror films, Hitchcock thrillers and historical epics - that's why he was able to satirize them successfully with Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety and History of the World - he took our expectations and subverted them. He didn't understand Star Wars at all, and because of that, his satire was too broad and unfocused. Like "Pizza Face" and "Barf" just had nothing to do with anything, so they came off as lame gross-outs. The space camper had no tie-in to anything either - it was just a random vehicle switch. There was room for funny Jewish jokes about the princess and Yoda, but because he didn't tie them back in any way to the actual Star Wars characters (i.e., by goofing on the way Yoda speaks instead of just his appearance), they just sat there. It failed massively, especially when you consider that (most of) the rest of his work is some of the best comedy we have ever seen.

i do think pizza face and barf are some of the weaker scenes in the movie, but i feel there's far more that works than doesn't. every scene with Rick Moranis is hilarious. without him the movie takes a massive hit. i'm glad they got him back but i have very little hope for the sequel. that style of comedy just doesn't really work anymore.

 

[Magua]

The original was terrible, and I think I know why. Mel Brooks understood Westerns, horror films, Hitchcock thrillers and historical epics - that's why he was able to satirize them successfully with Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety and History of the World - he took our expectations and subverted them. He didn't understand Star Wars at all, and because of that, his satire was too broad and unfocused. Like "Pizza Face" and "Barf" just had nothing to do with anything, so they came off as lame gross-outs. The space camper had no tie-in to anything either - it was just a random vehicle switch. There was room for funny Jewish jokes about the princess and Yoda, but because he didn't tie them back in any way to the actual Star Wars characters (i.e., by goofing on the way Yoda speaks instead of just his appearance), they just sat there. It failed massively, especially when you consider that (most of) the rest of his work is some of the best comedy we have ever seen.

Bingo. I’m also someone who shrugs at Spaceballs, while cherishing Mel Brooks. The best parodies are love letters. Can add Silent Movie to that list. Young Frankenstein is a better Frankenstein movie than the original James Whale ones.

Similar thing with Airplane! and Naked Gun and Top Secret. Or Monty Python or Edgar Wright. They clearly LOVE those genres and know them intimately. If you don’t like the genre, it veers into over-simplistic shlocky mocking. We can also get into the artistry: the best parodies have the same level of technique — they’re not SNL skits.

 

[Surrounded By Ahos]

Knocked out another decent chunk of House of Chains, thoughts below.

Spoiler: House of Chains

Hoooo boy, things keep escalating.


First off, Bidithal has jumped right onto the top of my shit list. f*** that guy with a rusty harpoon, and Silgar too for participating in that nonsense.


Sha'ik is in a pretty precarious spot, everybody around her has their own schemes, and only Heboric (who just had a really weird journey after eating too much weird tea) is on her side, and even then, I'm not entirely sure where his loyalties lie.

Tavore is also not doing too well. So far as she knows, the Empress doesn't really trust her, and she was supposed to play second fiddle behind Dujek, which isn't happening now due to the events in Memories of Ice. Still, she has to march out into Raraku to fight the Whirlwind.


Krull and Onrack have the potential to be another all time bromance. They just escaped after the ritual with the Tiste Liosan (more f***ing Tiste! How many of these f***s are there lol?)

Karsa continues to be a force of nature. Ignorance, honed into a weapon as Aramala put it. He's learned the truth about the Teblor gods 'just' being some beat up T'Lan Imass, and has decided to become the champion of the House of Chains, which has the potential to be disastrous. His run-in with Mappo and Icharium was hilarious. "He broke my sword!" Shit is gonna go down if/when he runs into them again.


Kalam has been taking a beating. He just managed to barely take out an ancient demon, and got 'rescued' Iskaral Pust, which is a fate nobody deserves.


Apsalar and Cutter managed to help fight off the Edur attack on the Throne of Shadow, with the help of Cotillion and Traveler, who I'm very intrigued by. Darist put up one hell of a last stand in that fight.

I think that's most of the major revelations. Every time I think I'm getting a handle on things another layer of the onion is exposed. I'm just trying to enjoy the ride.


And f*** Bidithal.

 

[Surrounded By Ahos]

Bingo. I’m also someone who shrugs at Spaceballs, while cherishing Mel Brooks. The best parodies are love letters. Can add Silent Movie to that list. Young Frankenstein is a better Frankenstein movie than the original James Whale ones.

Similar thing with Airplane! and Naked Gun and Top Secret. Or Monty Python or Edgar Wright. They clearly LOVE those genres and know them intimately. If you don’t like the genre, it veers into over-simplistic shlocky mocking. We can also get into the artistry: the best parodies have the same level of technique — they’re not SNL skits.

Galaxy Quest is one of the better Star Trek movies, tbh.