Spaceballs Tagged Articles at Cinematical
Our Five Favorite Hunk of Junk Spaceships
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Fandom », Lists »
Their engines whine; their walls creak. These spaceships may look like antiques from the future, but many pack more punch under the hood than they let on. Never judge a book by its cover, and never judge a spaceship by its rust-holes and sputtering warp drive. What space-faring rattletraps make the cut in our top five list of "hunk of junk" spaceships?
5. EAGLE V from Spaceballs
The most impressive thing about the Eagle V is its amazingly pristine (and retro-hideous) 1973 Winnebago chassis. Piloted by Captain Lone Starr and his Mawg co-pilot, Barf, the Eagle V is a ship-for-hire last seen crash landing on the surface of MoonaVega. I would say it was last seen on the recent Spaceballs cartoon series, but that would imply that people actually watched it.
FEATURES: Interior shag carpeting, perfect for camping.
DRAWBACKS: Screen door, chemical toilet, small fuel tank.
4. THUNDER ROAD from The Explorers
The only ship on this list named after a Bruce Springsteen song, this is the vessel that carried Ethan Hawke, River Phoenix, and Jason Presson into outer space where they made first contact with a rubbery alien who could lip-sync to "Yakety Yak". Higher forms of intelligence, indeed. This bold trio built a craptacular capsule out of a rusty tilt-a-whirl, a garbage can, a busted TV, and Charles Foster Kane's sled, and somehow, not only managed to get it into space without imminent death, but impressed Dick Miller in the process. The vast loneliness of space caused so much psychological damage amongst the children that Phoenix OD'ed years later, Presson went off-the-grid, and Ethan Hawke married Uma Thurman.
FEATURES: Bubble-based technology provides the ship with its own oxygen supply.
DRAWBACKS: Bubble-based technology does not prevent the ship from sinking into the ocean at the end of the film.
Read the rest over at SciFi Squad
The Pretty Princesses of Sci-Fi and Fantasy
Filed under: Fandom », Lists »
Actually, I find the genre's obsession with princesses rather strange. Not on the fantasy end, mind you, as that genre draws heavily on European fairy tales and dynastic history, and will always find room for royal courts. But you'd think those galaxies far, far away would steer clear of European titles and class systems, and invent new systems of government. But let's face it, few labels evoke such a specific and exotic image as that of "princess," and slapping it onto your heroine does half your screenwriting for you. All you have to decide is if she carries a weapon or prefers a tiara, or if she's comfortable enough to coolly wield both in the name of duty. Luckily, the sci-fi / fantasy genre is rife with examples of all three. So drop a curtsy, and check out the list of my favorite genre princesses. And bow to Erik Davis for hatching the idea while you're at it.
1. Princess Leia Organa (Star Wars)
Princess Leia may not have been science fiction's first princess, but she's the one they all have to measure up to. Every girl since 1977 has thrilled to the fact that the head of the Rebel Alliance was a woman, and that no one (not even the cocky Han Solo, who needed her more than she needed him) raised an eyebrow at the fact. As if being fearless, diplomatic, intelligent, and one hell of a shot wasn't enough, she was also a Jedi like her father before her. No wonder Yoda seemed so calm when Luke flew off to his possible doom. Leia was the ace in the hole.
Read the rest at SciFi Squad
List This: Top Ten Sci-Fi Comedies
Filed under: Comedy », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Fandom », Lists », Summer Movies »
In spite of the some rather negative early reviews, I plan on plunking down my cash to see Land of the Lost this weekend. It's a silly move, but I can't help myself; I blame my addiction to Danny McBride. Plus, I wasn't around for the original series, so it's not like Ferrell can mess up any childhood memories. But it did get me thinking; sci-fi and comedy are two genres that usually work pretty well together, right? So what does any movie geek do in this situation? That's right, we make a list. So now I present in no particular order, my top ten sci-fi comedies:
1. Hellboy
So technically, maybe not a pure sci-fi flick (it has gadgets...does that count?). But you definitely can't argue with funny; and it made for a nice departure for those of us tired of seeing our heroes 'brood' all the time.
2. Innerspace
Most people I know hate this movie; and to be fair, it hasn't aged well. The F/X are a little creaky, and Meg Ryan is downright annoying, but when I saw this film as a kid it was the height of hilarity -- score one for nostalgia.
3. Idiocracy
How could you not love Mike Judge's vision of a dystopic future where the #1 rated TV show is Ow! My Balls!
4. Ghostbusters
When it comes to sci-fi comedy, Ghostbusters is the granddaddy. To this day I consider it one of the funniest films ever made; and thanks to Bill Murray, I grew up to be the smart-a** that my family and friends know and love.
5. Sleeper
Woody Allen and sci-fi probably aren't two things that most people think would work well together. But Allen transplanted his nebbish New Yorker into the future, and still managed to make jokes about sex and health food stores.
After the jump; the final five...
Our Favorite Summers: 1987
Filed under: Fandom », Summer Movies »
There are no songs written about the summer of '87, but I remember well. As well as someone who is in her 30's can remember when she was 11, anyway. There were some fine movies out that summer, and when I say fine, I mean "I'm Netflixing this ASAP" fine or "this was totally awesome when I was 11" fine. There were the Bangles, the Borscht Belt, big schwartzes, and much more.
5/1 -- The Allnighter: Did someone forget to tell me that there's a romcom beach bunny movie starring Susanna "Manic Monday" Hoffs and Joan Cusack with a Pam Grier cameo? I don't care if it got 0% on Rotten Tomatoes, I am adding this to my Netflix Slumber Party list right now.
5/8 -- Hot Pursuit // River's Edge: Another "I'm so lovable yet dorky" John Cusack vehicle versus Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper dancing with a blow-up doll, and a dead body? The grown-up me says River's Edge all the way! If you've ever heard Crispin Glover humor audiences with his actual Southern Cali accent as heard in River's Edge, you'll know it's a treat. On the other hand, Hot Pursuit was written and directed by Steven Lisberger, who wrote the original Tron as well as its remake!
TV Incarnations of 'Spaceballs' and 'Crash' Land Promos
Filed under: Comedy », Drama », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Trailers and Clips »
Well, it's sure been quite the week for movie-inspired television series that no one asked for. First up, by way of Ain't It Cool News, is a spot for G4's Spaceballs: The Animated Series. I'm not sure what prompted this Flash-animated wonder -- I mean, it's not like I want to give The Clone Wars that much credit for anything, let alone the likes of this -- but at least we know that something's keeping Mel Brooks and Daphne Zuniga from over-twiddling their thumbs.
Secondly, via /Film, is a promo for Starz' Crash, inspired by Paul Haggis' awards-sapping drama (and not David Cronenberg's psycho-sexual noir of the same name). Apparently, every other character is a corrupt cop, Dennis Hopper is the biggest actor in the cast, and it's shot like a faux-Showtime dose of pay cable conflict. Yeah, let's see the Emmys try and stay away...
I'll be impressed if one or the other lasts beyond a single season (the former premieres on September 21st; the latter, on October 17th). Are any of you genuinely compelled by either prospect? How about a show of hands for those who'll be driven by morbid curiosity and/or mere DVR convenience to give an episode of each the once-over?
Ten Minutes of 'Family Guy's' 'Star Wars' Episode Online Now!
Filed under: Animation », Comedy », Fandom », Home Entertainment »
I'm sure there's a ton of you disgruntled Simpsons fans out there who hate Family Guy because, as you see it, the show steals everything from Springfield. That may be the case (and some go to great lengths to prove this theory), however, I happen to be one of those guys who digs both shows. Yup, I love The Simpsons AND Family Guy! Shoot me now! Here's where you begin to wonder why I'm writing about Family Guy on Cinematical? Well, apparently the show will open their next season with a one-hour episode based solely on the original Star Wars film. With George Lucas' blessing, series creator Seth MacFarlane and his band of merry morons have re-created the flick using Family Guy characters. Freakin' sweet!
Our siblings over at TV Squad have uncovered a video that was shown to fans at last month's Celebration IV Star Wars convention which includes ten minutes of footage from the episode. Divided into three clips (opening attack on Princess Leia's ship, rescuing Leia from the Death Star and escaping the Death Star), it looks like everyone involved had a blast with this one. I don't want to give away too many of the jokes (for those who would rather wait to see it), but you'll notice a couple nods to Mel Brooks' Spaceballs; one of which jumps right out during the opening shot. Fun stuff. Family Guy isn't the only show spoofing Star Wars this year; Robot Chicken will also have some Star Wars fun in a special that will air June 17 and include both Mark Hamill (as Luke Skywalker) and George Lucas (as himself). Is it just me, or is Lucas finally letting his guard down a bit? Seeing as MacFarlane and Seth Green are heavily involved in both shows, I imagine both deals went down on or around the same time. Hmm, or maybe MacFarlane is stealing from his best pal this time? Or maybe Green is stealing from MacFarlane? Or maybe I couldn't care less. I've included the video after the jump. Enjoy!
Cinematical Seven: Sequels That Should Happen -- But Won't
Filed under: Action », Classics », Comedy », Documentary », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Fandom », George Lucas », Cinematical Seven », Remakes and Sequels », Lists »
There aren't too many movies that necessitate sequels. Unless a movie is part of a pre-proposed series or is an adaptation of a series of books, it should probably be able to stand alone. But a lot of sequels come from movies that are perfect by themselves -- sometimes the sequels compliment nicely; sometimes they are easily ignored; occasionally they actually take away from the previously regarded original.
It isn't often that a movie screams out for a sequel, but I think I've come up with seven that at least whisper a request for one. Two actually have source sequels that they would be adapted from. One has a lot of history to mine material from. Three of them have been discussed at length at different points in time by makers of the original(s). The problem is that none of these sequels is likely to ever grace your DVD player let alone your local theater. For whatever reason, they simply have too much against them in the minds of studio execs. For now, though, we can dream.
1. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (sequel to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)
Even with the incredible cast and the surprisingly faithful-enough script, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was not the epic that I was hoping for. It also wasn't the blockbuster that Disney was hoping for. The filmmakers, Garth Jennings and Nick Goldsmith (aka Hammer and Tongs) and the necessary actors had signed on for the sequel, to be adapted from Adam's follow-up, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, but it appears to be dead in the water. Despite my few reservations with the first film, I would love to see the sequel, as well as the rest of the series (they could end before The Salmon of Doubt, I guess). I remember being bored with some of the prehistoric Earth sequences in Restaurant, but I think they'd make for great cinema. In any event, I think Martin Freeman and Mos Def were a great duo in the original, and they alone should have been propelled to stardom following its release. Maybe they can appear in something else together.
RIP: Reel Important People -- February 12, 2007
Filed under: Obits »
Richard Curnock (1922-2007) - British actor who appears in Paradise. He died February 6, in Stratford, Ontario. (CBC) - Donfeld (1934-2007) - Oscar-nominated costume designer for Prizzi's Honor, Days of Wine and Roses, Tom Sawyer and They Shoot Horses, Don't They? His other credits include Spaceballs, Viva Las Vegas, The Great Race and the television series Wonder Woman. He had a brief stint as a set director in the mid-'70s. He died February 3, in Los Angeles (LA Times)
- Victor Griffin (c.1918-2007) - Singer, dancer and actor who appears in Annie. He died February 3, in Syosset, New York. (Variety)
- Griffith Jones (1910-2007) - British actor who appears in Olivier's The Chronicle History of King Henry the Fift with His Battell Fought at Agincourt in France, as well as The Wicked Lady and Miranda. He died January 30. (Telegraph)
- Frankie Laine (1913-2007) - Singer of the title songs to a number of westerns, including 3:10 to Yuma, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and Blazing Saddles. He also appears in Blake Edwards' He Laughed Last and Bring Your Smile Along, as well as Meet Me in Las Vegas and Make Believe Ballroom. He died of complications from hip surgery February 6. (LA Times)
Spaceballs: The Search for More Money
Filed under: Action », Animation », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Deals », Games and Game Movies »
Here's a doozy straight from the 80s for you: MGM TV has commissioned an animated television series based on Mel Brooks' movie Spaceballs. Hmm, so it looks like the thing will happen after all. They've sold exclusive rights for US broadcast to G4 (which probably means nobody will watch it and it will only last one season) and it will begin airing in the fall of 2007. The first run will be comprised of a one hour pilot "movie," to be followed by 13 original, half-hour episodes. The pilot will be penned by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, who co-wrote the film, and the 13 additional episodes will be handled by Meehan alone. Brooks will voice characters Yogurt and President Skroob for the entire run.While I have a heavy dose of skepticism regarding this series ever finding its legs on television, I am actually ecstatic about it happening because it means more Spaceballs in my life. With Brooks and Meehan directly involved, there is strong hope for the series retaining the comedic feel of the movie, although it has been a good twenty years since they originally put it together. This does mean, however, they've got a whole new trilogy to lampoon ...
Quickhits: Bratz on the Big Screen, Hudson, Watanabe Dream of Red Mansions and Spaceballs: The Animated Series?
Filed under: Animation », Comedy », Drama », Casting », RumorMonger », Fandom », Family Films », DIY/Filmmaking », Newsstand »
Odds and ends from Tuesday:
- Seeing as I'm a 29-year-old man who, as of this minute, does not father any children nor hang out with and/or babysit the little buggers, it's safe to say I'm probably not the world's greatest expert on Bratz dolls. Apparently, they seem to be pretty popular, with over 400 licenses and distribution across 65 countries. How come I don't have one yet? Anyway, Variety reports that MGA Entertainment, Crystal Sky Pictures and Avi Arad are teaming up to produce and finance a live-action Bratz film. John Doolittle will write the screenplay, with production to begin this fall. Yay!
- Kate Hudson and Ken Watanabe have signed on to star in A Dream of Red Mansions, to be directed by Bruce Beresford. Set in 1949 and using the Chinese Revolution as a backdrop, pic is inspired by a true story and will focus on the romance between an American photojournalist (Hudson) and an idealistic revolutionary (Watanabe). Damn you Ken -- why can't she fall for some dorky movie news writer instead?
- While it may not be considered his greatest film, you have to admit there's something inside of you that craves Mel Brooks' Spaceballs. C'mon, you've got John Candy, Bill Pullman and Rick Moranis in their prime ... not to mention Daphne Zuniga! Wait, whatever happened to her? In a recent interview with TV Guide, Brooks admits that more Spaceballs may indeed be on the way. "There is a shot at Spaceballs becoming a half-hour animated TV series. I wouldn't mind doing the voice for President Skroob or Yoghurt, if they wanted me to. So I'm hoping that will happen with Spaceballs." Hey, I'm hoping it happens too!
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