Wow, what a year!

Taking a bit during these holiday time frame to say thank you anyone who watched, and sent in a bracket for The Great Comedy Playoffs. I had no idea how many I would end up getting, but was happy with the result. What I didn't anticipate was how much time I would have to put forth into editing the episodes. But it's a labor of love. It feels like both Jay and I are getting better with every show we do.
At this point, we just began to look at the 2nd round, with a few left to go.
You can watch all the episodes here on this playlist.

More to come, just getting back into the grove after a nasty cold hit me hard on Christmas Day.

DVD Review: The Captains

This is one I've been looking forward to for a while.

As a Star Trek Fan, or Trekkie if you will, I grew up on Star Trek The Next Gen. My father watched the original series, we both enjoyed the movies..... as bad as some of them were..... but it was one of just a few topics he and I both REALLY got into.
Over the years, I enjoyed all the Star Trek shows. My personal fav was DS9 even though at first, I thought it was a terrible concept. A Trek show that doesn't go trekking.
So a few years now without any Trek, I have been watching the shows on Netflix, and came across something I wasn't expecting. A documentary directed by William Shatner, is a look at Captain Kirk paying a visit to all the actors who have sat in that iconic chair.
With his unique interview style of listening mostly, then interrupting the speaker with a spot on piece of insight, he talks with Patrick Stewart, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula, and even Chris Pine, the new Captain Kirk.
His interviews with Avery Brooks, aka Captain Sisko, are some of the strangest, yet hauntingly mesmerizing conversations I have ever witnessed. I ended up second guessing myself if I was watching a jazz enthusiast stoned of out his mind singing his answers from behind a piano, or if this was someone on pure-air gone off the deep end.
He also stops at a Star Trek Convention, and terrorizes a number of guests. With photos, signatures, and crowd speaking.
It is a very interesting, if not a slow paced interview piece that fits Shatner well.


Physical: There's not much to talk about the box art with all actors dressed in their Starfleet uniforms mid-beem-up on the cover.
Extras: Barely anything at all. A simple "Making of" special, but no shocker here. Documentary's rarely get much if any special features.


So how would I rate this DVD? If your a big Star Trek fan like me, it's worth spending the $10 on Amazon to get it. If your interested, but not such a huge Trekkie, it's a renter, or like I said earlier, Netflix it.

Round 1 Brooks Bracket

The hits keep coming!
The review of the Brooks Bracket just went up, and even though the run time in nearly triple what the solo look at The Allen Bracket was, this is much more entertaining. Again, all thanks go to Jay for his work on this project.


For Halloween I am dressing up as Walter Sobchak from The BIG Lebowski. Even got a haircut for it!

The Coen Bracket is in "post-production". One more after that, then the first half of Round 1 will be complete.

We are live!

Did you see it? The Great Comedy Playoffs have started!! The first look at 1 of 8 brackets is now online, and the 2nd will be up before the end of the weekend, if not the day!

You can watch round 1 of the Allen Bracket here.

Next time, when you see Round 1 of the Brooks Bracket, you will notice a familiar face. I was lucky enough to get Jay (formally from "Jay's Junk") to add his two cents to the mix. Both you, and I benefit from Jay in 3 ways: 1- You aren't stuck with just me stuttering with a badly written script, 2- He offers, at times, a different view point then just my own, and 3- Jay brings a speech elegance that is both informative, interesting, and witty, something I look up to in him.

I am making it my goal to get a video up each week. A challenge with a full time job, a wife, 2 kids under the age of 5, and a pug.... but I'm up for it!

The Audio Booth Updates however will be sporadic. But when I get enough ideas/thoughts/questions/whatever, I'll throw them together and let you know.

Questions? Comments? Wanna make fun of my fat baby T-Rex-like arms? Say so here!

My Cousin Vinny vs South Park

This is a match up of two movies that shocked the Oscars.

My Cousin Vinny

Why should it move on?: This is a role that Joe Pesci was born for. The acting with he, and the late Fred Gwynne, make some of the best film-making ever. "Two Youts" along with other lines are some of the most memorable. Marisa Tomei is easy on the eyes too, and she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, which to this day some believe there is a conspiracy surrounding it.

Why Not?: Anyone got anything?..........


DYK:Joe Pesci "reprises" the roll on a CD called "Vincent LaGuardia Gambini Sings For You" with the same character but as a lounge singer style.
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South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut

Why are people applauding 2 minutes in?

Why should it move on?: Yes, that is the Oscars, and yes that song was nominated for Best Song. 
Which I found shocking because Hollywood acted terrified of the FCC at the time, and South Park was everything they hated! But the movie- It was what I expected it to be: A cused filled, musical about boys wanting to sneak into movies..... actually, not what I expected.
 
Why Not?: It didn't really deliver anything new that fans of South Park haven't seen before. Some of the shows are more shocking then the entire movie.
 
DYK: The movie holds the world record for most swearing in an English speaking movie (399 profane words). The word "fuck" alone is said 139 times (not a record, not even in top 100- 1999's Summer of Sam- 435 times, non-documentary). With the running time of the film, it averages to a profane word about every 6 seconds.

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So it is The Lying Lawyer from NY, or the Cussing Kids from The Rockies?

Either way, leave a comment to vote. And don't forget to fill out a bracket, then send it to billybobsmovies@gmail.com. Winners will get some great prizes, while losers will not get fruit cup!! Subscribe to our youtube channel to watch debates, updates, and details about the entire contest.

Where have you been?

I'll admit it. I have no real excuse.......


Expect my computer died, and my second son was born.


So I've been very busy the past 4 months, and unable to even get online for a bit. For those of you still with me, I thank you.


To speed things along, we will return to the Great Comedy Playoffs, but we may fast forward a bit. I do still have the prizes, and when the youtube series starts back up, which should be soon, you'll see how it will play out.


Again, I'm sorry about the delay, and thank you for staying tuned.

Happy Gilmore vs Mallrats

Now a pair of mid 90's cult favorites. Kevin Smith's "Mallrats" vs "Happy Gilmore" staring Adam Sandler.

Why should it move on?: The fight scene with Bob Baker is all I have to say.

Why Not?: Some of the biggest complaints is the amount of product placement throughout the entire movie. This was before it became absolute common practice. 


DYK: Bob Baker wasn't sure if he wanted to be in the movie. When he learned that he was going to win the fight, he accepted the role.
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Why should it move on?: This telling into the View Askew Universe introduces one of the most popular characters with Brodie. And who hasn't thought of beating up the Easter Bunny? A cameo of Stan Lee was a nice touch.


Why not?: Most people have a Kevin Smith movie they like, and they hate. This one was his follow up to the indy-favorite Clerks, but it never made the money everyone thought it would. It took years in VHS, and DVD sales to make up the cash lost on making the film.


DYK: Seth Green was picked by the studio to play Jay, but Kevin Smith had Jason Mewes audition for the role he played before, and the studio agreed.

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So is it the Golf Phenom, or the Shopping Slackers? 
Either way, leave a comment to vote. And don't forget to fill out a bracket, then send it to billybobsmovies@gmail.com. Winners will get some great prizes, while losers will not get fruit cup!! Subscribe to our youtube channel to watch debates, updates, and details about the entire contest.

The Hangover vs The Naked Gun

Here are a pair of movies that did much better then what the studios thought they could.

The Hangover was a blockbuster from 2009 made for $35million, but earned over $465million.

Why should it move on?: This movie is insanely popular. Warner Bros. thought that at best, it's opening weekend would draw 3rd place. But word of mouth drove people in herds into theaters to watch it. It was also the top rental, dvd, and blu-ray sales for it's opening week. Currently, it owns the record for most disc sales OF ALL TIME.


Why not?: It's not the first "gone wrong in Vegas" movie (and sure not to be the last either). Some say you can for-see the jokes before they happen. Some of the cameo's feel cheap, but still deliver.


DYK: Lindsay Lohan was offered the part of the stripper, Jade, but turned it down. She didn't like the script and thought the movie would bomb.
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Now we have another classic from Team Z.A.Z. staring the late-great Leslie Nielsen.

Why Should it move on?: Like most Z.A.Z. movies, you have slapstick antics, memorable one liners, and some of the goofiest humor you can find. Having Leslie Nielsen deliver most of the laughs with his dead pan acting is what sold most of it.


Why Not?: It's hard to find a real reason not to like this movie. Never is the movie serious. The humor is not too highbrow, or too lowbrow. And who doesn't enjoy watching OJ Simpson get his ass kicked either back then or now?


DYK: A 4th movie was reported to be in the early stages of production and qualified for production tax credits at the time of Nielsen's death.
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So, for some of you, this is a hard choice to make. Whatever it maybe, leave a comment to vote. And don't forget to fill out a bracket, then send it to billybobsmovies@gmail.com. Winners will get some great prizes, while losers will not get fruit cup!! Subscribe to our youtube channel to watch debates, updates, and details about the entire contest.

The dude adbides.... for 1/10th ownership

I forgot how hard it is to keep up with these with a 19 month old running around, and a wife who is 8 months pregnant!

 

Now I'm going to take a look at the first round of the Brooks Bracket, and first up: The Big Lebowski vs The Producers.
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 The Coen Brothers' biggest cult hit stars a long list of high rollers. Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, and Julianna Moore are just the top of this iceberg of awesomeness.

 Why should it move on?: Have you ever met someone who hated this movie? Cry for them if you have, because they are both rare, and sadly closed minded. You can; not like, not enjoy, or even don't care for it. But not hate.
It is such a cult classic, it could be the front-runner to win the whole tournament. It'll be interesting to see where it lands.


Why not?: The movie is all over the place. Starts slow, builds, then goes out of control, then slows again to a stop. Never was a sequel, and I still feel there should had been one.


DYK: This is a movie with a bowling theme, but you never see the main characters bowl. The Dude never throws a lane expect in a dream.

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Going up against "The Big Lebowski" is "The Producers", Mel Brook's first directing job, and Oscar winning screenplay.

Why should it move on?: Not many movies become a smash Broadway play (normally it's the play that becomes a movie). The Producers is such a classic story, it almost makes me wonder if anyone had tried this scam before. It gave Zero Mostel a second chance after getting blacklisted by Hollywood. It also was the first staring role for Gene Wilder which he earned a nomination for best supporting actor.

Why Not?: The movie is terribly dated with 1968 references. After the Broadway Musical broken award records, the film was remade with actors from the play, and with new scenes.


DYK: Brooks wanted to title the movie "Springtime for Hitler" after one of the songs. The studio said no, but the name stuck when it played in Sweden. 
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So which moves on? Will The Dude have another White Russian, or is it really Springtime for Hitler? 


Leave a comment below for a vote, and don't forget to fill out an entire bracket to win prizes, then tell me to Achtung, Baby!

The Great Comedy Playoffs GAME RULES

Here is what you do:

-Entries: 
Here is where to enter your bracket: billybobsmovies@gmail.com Vote with your heart, not with your head. Only one bracket per email. You can copy the image above, and fill it out, or give a text only response, or any other way you wish as long as it is clear to understand.
Movies advance in the brackets based on popular vote. Votes are counted both by each bracket received, and by comments for each match up on our youtube channel for that episode. In the unlikely case of equal votes in head to head, a coin will be flipped with the higher seed being heads. This will happen live to tape and posted on youtube. 

-ALL bracket entry's must have a tie-breaking number between 1 and 1,138 selected for the overall title match up tie-breaker. Closest number to my pre selected, sealed number.



-Prizes
-The entry with the 3rd highest correct brackets will win a copy of "Film Flubs". A book cataloging many mistakes left in final prints of famous movies.
-The entry with the 2nd highest correct brackets will win copy's of  "Spaceballs", "Blazing Saddles" & "Young Frankenstein" on DVD.
-The entry with the HIGHEST correct brackets will win a Blu-Ray copy of the movie that is declared the greatest comedy of all time, or another of your choice from the field of 64. Also included will be a free 1997 Toyoda! A showcase of all prizes can be viewed here!

Any questions, please ask.
Good luck.

Total Shenaniganz Goingz On Here!

Here we have the final opening round head-to-head match up in the Allen bracket between 2001's Super Troopers and 2005's Waiting...
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Super Troopers was the first major film by the then unknown comedy trope "Broken Lizard". It was a box office smash hit, and quickly became a cult, and critcal sucesses. Green lit for $1.2 million, the movie earned 20 times+ that amount.

Damn that's a great movie!


Why should it move on?: Think about the classics. They have either high brow, or low brow humor, and this movie uses both like a samuri sword! The repeatable, yet not-annoying, catch pharses are greats. It may be able to stand the test of time. Check back in 10 years. How many other movies can say that they have Brian Cox pissing drunk?


Why Not?: Broken Lizard never really struck gold again like they did with Super Troopers. "Beerfest" and "Club Dread" we watchable, but didn't carry the magic like the first time around. This makes some consider Super Troopers a fluke.


DYK: The restaurant from "Waiting..." is mentioned in "Super Troopers" 


Favorite Scene: The meow scene always sat in a special place of my heart. I once dared a weatherman to say it as many times as possible on air in a single report. For the record he only got 4. (I hate the fact I couldn't find a better clip, but the audio will do just fine)

 

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Waiting... is another independent smash hit directed, and written by Rob McKittrick.

Why should it move on?: If there anything this movie taught you (if you already didn't know), it's never be a douche to people who handle your food. Be honest, who hasn't worked in a place like this? Every time I see this movie, I tip my servers a little better for a month.

Why Not?: The story takes away from the high-jinks, but they're not in short supply. It's crude, but not the crudest. It's gross, but not the grossest. It spawned a direct-to-DVD sequel that some of the actors said they were "embarrassed" to be a part of.


DYK: It was made for $3 million, and earned double that in it's opening weekend, and $18 million overall at the box office. DVD sales have spiked the world gross to over $68 million.

Favorite Scene: Like Super Troopers, I had many scene's that left me laughing in tears. This is just one of them

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So what's my choice?: Super Troopers. But not by a landslide. Waiting may had stood stronger with me if I had a job like their's. But I haven't been a Highway cop either meow, so I stand with the boys of Broken Lizard and my liter of Cola!
That is it for the opening round of of the Allen Bracket. Up next is the first round of the Brooks Bracket!


Am I right, am I dead wrong? Which indy flick do you repeat while at work the next day?


Leave a feedback, and vote for either movie, then tell me what a bitch/bastard I am.

There's something awesome about Zombies

Now let's take a look at the 4vs5 match up in the Allen Bracket. 1998's There's Something about Mary vs 2004's Shaun of the Dead. 
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I can remember when "There's Something About Mary" came out, I had absolutely no interest in seeing it. And to this day, I can't remember the true reason why. People loved this movie, and I should had too. It was made by the Farrelly Brothers, had Cameron Diaz in it (whom I fell in love with after "The Mask"), and was another politically incorrect "raunchy-comedy" which is right up my alley!
But I held off for a few years, and even then I still wasn't thrilled with it. I didn't think it was horrible, just not for me. Maybe I don't like Ben Stiller? That can't be so because I loved "Mystery Men", "Envy", and "Tropic Thunder". Maybe I had a long lost love of my own? No, I've moved on since getting my heart broken by Rachel Weisz. I really can't figure out why this movie never made it's way onto my shelf with the hundreds of other DVD's. So I encourage people to make a vote with a reason.

Why should it move on? Because it made more money that year then any other comedy, and 4th overall. It was incredibly popular, and stands as The Farrelly Brothers biggest hit.


Why not?: It doesn't appeal to everyone..... if you couldn't guess.


DYK: The same story line was redone later as a major Bollywood film.


Favorite scene: I tried to find one I could call a "favorite" but it would be a lie. So here:

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Shaun of the Dead is less of a spoof of Zombie movies, but more of a romance/buddy/horror/doomsday/zombie comedy.

Here is a movie I stumbled across, but would had found it eventually. I had almost no knowledge of Shaun of the Dead when I saw it in the theaters, but I was blown away by it! It was funny, gross, and from start to finish was great. Shaun, played by Simon Pegg, is having issues with his roommate, his best friend, his girlfriend, his parents, and his job while the zombie apocalypse is going on around him.


Why should it move on?: Not many movies top the charts and become classics & cult hits in 2 different country's.


Why not?: Not your traditional comedy. To light hearted to be called a dark-comedy, To sinister to be known as a slapstick/goofball flick.


DYK: (again, I swear I didn't plan this) One of first zombies in the movie was named Mary. The DVD has a comic strip look at the details of how she became one. It's titled "There's something about Mary"


Favorite scene: Normally, when I can't find the scene I like, or if it's not embedded-able, I move on, but this scene is both awesome, and my true favorite.
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So, whats my choice? Shaun of the Dead by a mile. But that is no shocker. I really, REALLY want people to tell me if I'm wrong here. If everyone agrees with me, it would be the first "upset" in these playoffs.

Now there is just one more in the Allen Bracket's opening round. After that, is the first round of the Brooks Bracket. I'm going to try and get around 3 reviews a week done, and I'm working on a contest as well. Stay tuned for that one

Leave a feedback for a vote for either flick, and tell me what an zombie-lover I am.

It's a mock-fest!! Spin̈al Tap vs Top Secret!

Are you ready to ROCK?!?! Both are musicals, both from 1984, and both are cult hits. (I swear I didn't plan this)
"This Is Spin̈al Tap" was the directorial debut for Rob Reiner, while "Top Secret!" would mark the 3rd time ZAZ would team up as tri-directors.
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"This Is Spin̈al Tap" was the first to use the term "mockumentary" and was so effective as a film that some people felt the story was true. In a ways, it was. Many musicians have come forward stating that events in the movie have happened to them such as on stage mishaps, getting lost in backstage corridors, and going on Japanese tours. This is a case of a project becoming bigger then it was intended to be when they actually formed the real band Spin̈al Tap and went on tour.

Why should it move on?: Few, if any other movie has had such an impact on music like this film has. Add on it's non-stop laughs, and documentary style of a band falling apart makes this one of the greats. The anniversary DVD has even more footage and extra's you wish were in the final product.


Why not?: I honestly can't find a reason. Please, give me something bad about this flick!!


DYK: I would play the song "Gimme Some Money" over the lotto graphics for newscast.


Favorite scene: This is not even part of the movie, but shows the influence it had.

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Top Secret! was the movie acting debut of Val Kilmer (who still is trying to get it down). The movie is just what you'd think it would be, stupid-funny.

Why should it move on?: A great war/spy spoof from the team that also made Airplane! The Naked Gun, and The Kentucky Fried Movie. So odds are, you know exactly what your getting. Goofball antics, nonsensical madness, and some of the guiltiest laughter ever belted out.


Why not?: It may be the least known of ZAZ's work. Not a classic or groundbreaking, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it!


DYK: Would you had guessed that Top Secret! has more songs then Spin̈al Tap, and made more money at the box office!


Favorite scene: This scene was acted out and filmed all 88 seconds in reverse!

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So, whats my choice? This Is Spin̈al Tap will live on long after we are all bones and dust. I love Top Secret!, but eons from now, and people will still know the phrase "Turning it to eleven"

Leave a feedback for a vote for either flick, and tell me what an asshat I am.

Round one... FIGHT!! Caddyshack vs Kingpin

So let's just focus on the opening matches here.

- First up is a pair of sports movies: The classic from 1980, Caddyshack directed by Harold Ramis vs 1996's Farrelly Brothers' Kingpin.


Caddyshack will go down in history as one of the greatest movies of all time mainly due to it's allstar cast of Chase, Murray, and Dangerfeild who seem to take turns stealing the show in their own way.

 

Why should it move on: Because it's fucking Caddyshack!! Not a good enough reason? It comes off as a movie that Ramis gave to it's stars, and said "What are you going to do with this?" The movie has tons of repeatable lines, memorable gags, and is not only a great comedy, but one of the best (if not the VERY best) sports movies of all time!

Why Not?: It may seem a tad dated for today's audience, but some would agree it's the Mona Lisa of Comedy's.

DYK- The movie only cost $6million to make, but took in over $39million in the theaters. In 1980's Hollywood numbers, that is gold.

Favorite scene: There is so much to chose from, but I had to go with the "Pool Scene" (I can't post a video of it here because it has a quick shot of tits in it)

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Kingpin is not without it's own stellar cast With Randy Quaid, Woody Harrelson, and Bill Murray (you'll see his name more times then I can fart).

Why should it move on?: Quick, how many bowling movies can you name? (aside from The Big Lebowski). . . Let me know if you can. This film is one of those that will have you laughing just as much as gagging in disgust. Harrelson plays both sympathetic, and scumbag at the same time, while Murray is in a role where I truly ended up hating the character. The jokes come out of no-where, and even the one's that you do see coming are hilarious.


Why Not?: The landlady scene almost made me puke in my pants. I still have nightmares about that......'full-body-shiver'

Favorite scene: This fight scene is both crude, and funny as hell. You gotta love the shots Roy does connect with. The music just adds to the magic.

 

DYK: The next time both Harrelson, and Murray would share screen time together would be 13 years later in Zombieland.
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So, whats my pick? Both are crass, crude, and rude. Caddyshack is historic, while Kingpin is a quick giggle. My love for Kingpin is great but my vote has to go for the slobs of Caddyshack.


Leave a feedback for a vote for either flick, and tell me what a douche I am.

We have our heading!!!

The brackets are filled out, and the debate can now begin! Each bracket section is named after a famous comedic director

The breakdown will start with Caddyshack vs Kingpin, in the Allen bracket, and work it's way down over the following days. This should be fun.

The Great Comedy Playoffs!!

So, it's right after March Madness, and before the NBA playoffs. I'm really into the whole bracket thing, when it dawns upon me while talking movies with my co-workers. What is the greatest ever?
I asked people around me, on facebook, and on the street to name as many comedy's as they could. I did get a list of over 64 films, and now I have stacked them up against each other. I can't give the entire list right now as I am still working out the positions, but I can give the Number 1 seeds.

My bracket works somewhat like the NCAA's, but I have eight number 1's, instead of four. The number 1's in no order of importance are:
-Caddyshack, Animal House, The Big Lebowski, Young Frankenstein, Monty Python & the Search of the Holy Grail, Airplane, Blazing Saddles, The Blues Brothers


The tricky part of this list was picking the final 64. Popular opinion played a large role, but some had to be omitted due to various reason. One example was Good Morning Vietnam. A film that had me laughing my ass off, but the heart of the movie was a war-story that used humor. So there maybe some controversy as to the picks, but hopefully not the results.


Over the next few weeks I'll present a match up, and welcome opinions. If it becomes popular, then it may become a video series on our youtube channel.