Wednesday, December 2, 2009

January 18, 2010 - Waiting for Guffman & A Mighty Wind

If you know me, you're probably wondering how come the 40/40 series does not include This is Spinal Tap. One of the criteria I tried to use when setting the schedule was not screening something we have watched within the last several months. Since we celebrated Spinal Tap's 25th anniversary over the summer, I decided to go with the next best thing for this Martin Luther King Holiday Double Feature.

Christopher Guest took the improvisational form to new levels with films like Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind. I decided to pair the two musical features for this night of laugh out loud hilarity.

Guffman flew under our radar (and most everyone else's) until it was released on video. Eugene Levy, Fred Williard, Parker Posey and Guest himself all demonstrated an amazing ability to craft characters in such a way that even when exhibiting behaviors that border the absurd, they remain real and believable. I'm amazed that a film about a community theater's preparation for a show celebrating the town's sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) could be so much fun.

I was sure to catch his next films during their limited theatrical releases. In what may be his magnum opus, A Mighty Wind, we not only get another eclectic mix of characters, but a number of original folk tunes, including several by The Folksmen, who you may have seen live if you've ever been to a Spinal Tap concert. More great humor and more great songs combine for a night of great fun.

We hope you'll consider joining us for this special holiday double feature.

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