Saturday 4 December 2004

This Is Spinal Tap (1984) - ickleReview (DVD)

A mock rockumentary ripping it out of the likes of Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Kiss. The band tries to "tap" the USA, but slowly crumbles as gigs are cancelled, the album (Smell My Glove) is delayed, and publicity stunts crash and burn. Some great cameos by Bruno Kirby as the limo driver, who, in the outtakes, gets Charles Fostered* and sings Sinatra in his underpants; and Billy Crystal as a mime artist, from the catering company Shut Up and Eat, serving hors d'oeuvres at a promotional drinks party.

Given the recent documentary, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, it seems that maybe this stuff isn't really satyrical: it's not just close to the bone; it's scratching it. The Darkness certainly prove that camp rock is still cool to some people.

Nugget: for funnier Christopher Guest movies, see Best in Show (about pedigree dog breeders) and Waiting for Guffman (about amateur theatre).

* Charles Fostered > Citizen Kane > Charles Foster Kane > Kaned > caned (stoned).

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