Best friends, social trends and occasional murder.

Starring: Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty, Lisanne Falk, Kim Walker, Glenn Shadix, Patrick Labyorteaux

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"If you were happy every day of your life you wouldn't be a human being. You'd be a game-show host." - Veronica Sawyer

Why watch this? This was my first "dark" comedy. Once I "got it", it opened a new world.

Plot Summary: At Westerburg High, Veronica Sawyer is part of the popular, but cruel, clique known as "the Heathers" She becomes disillusioned with their behavior and finds herself drawn to the new rebellious student, J.D. Their relationship takes a dark turn, leading Veronica to question her choices and confront the dangerous path she's on.

Dad's Preview: This nasty flick features a clique of bitchy high school girls, all named Heather, except one, Veronica. Veronica is not happy hanging with these mean chicks, and she misses her old friends. This gets her crossways with the group's leader, Heather Chandler. Satirically, the movie visits such teen taboos as sex, suicide, revenge and murder, and it's all quite hilarious. Considered a failure upon release, it is now a cult classic. There is even a Heathers musical.

Cinemarque Entertainment; New World Pictures

The wild hot-line suspense comedy.

Starring: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn, Slim Pickens, Peter Bull, James Earl Jones, Tracy Reed

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!" - President Merkin Muffley

Why watch this? This is THE great black comedy about the Cold War.

Plot Summary: In this Cold War satire, a paranoid US General unilaterally initiates a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union. This forces the President, his advisors, and a British liaison officer to desperately try and recall the bombers before the situation escalates into global catastrophe. However, unforeseen obstacles and misunderstandings complicate their efforts to prevent a devastating worldwide nuclear exchange.

Dad's Preview: This film is often in the discussion for greatest comedy ever made. I do like it, but it's just too satirical for me. I guess I just don't think nuclear annihilation is that funny. From the film's standpoint, launching the bomb IS the point. This Kubrick project has an all-star cast, and features the brilliant Peter Sellers in several roles. The final scene, where Slim Pickens rides the missile, is a dark comedy scene for the ages.

Hawk Films; Columbia Pictures

An anti-hate satire.

Starring: Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Taika Waititi, Rebel Wilson, Stephen Merchant, Alfie Allen, Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"You're not a Nazi, Jojo. You're a ten-year-old kid who likes swastikas and likes dressing up in a funny uniform who wants to be part of a club. But you're not one of them." – Elsa Korr

Why watch this? If it's hard to describe, chances are it's a good film - this one certainly is.

Plot Summary: During World War II, a young German boy named Jojo, a devoted member of the Hitler Youth, discovers that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl named Elsa in their attic. Jojo, aided by his imaginary friend, a whimsical version of Adolf Hitler, must reconcile his deeply ingrained beliefs with this new reality. This unexpected encounter challenges Jojo's blind nationalism and forces him to confront the complexities of prejudice, love, and loss amidst a world gripped by war.

Dad's Preview: Uber-creative filmmaker Taika Waititi sets a comedy in Germany during World War II, AND, has a young boy receive frequent visits from the ghost of Adolph Hitler. What?! After that sentence, you want to know what I have been smokin', right? Yet, this film is delightful, engrossing, funny, and gut-wrenching. When the boy discovers a young Jewish girl hiding in his attic, he begins to realize that his idol, Adolph, might not be worthy of his adulation.

TSG Ent., Defender Films, Piki Films; Fox Searchlight Pictures

In This House... If You've Seen One Ghost... You Haven't Seen Them All.

Starring: Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O'Hara, Maurice Page, Hugo Stanger

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"I'm not scared of sheets. Are you gross under there? Are you Night of the Living Dead under there? Like all bloody veins and pus?" - Lydia

Why watch this? Tim Burton is a master at creating a world of the macabre.

Plot Summary: Adam and Barbara, a recently deceased couple, find themselves haunting their former home, unable to leave. When a new family moves in and tries to drastically alter the house, the ghosts attempt to scare them away. Their unsuccessful attempts lead them to seek help from a chaotic spirit named Beetlejuice, whose unconventional methods become dangerous for everyone involved.

Dad's Preview: This was a great collaboration between Tim Burton and Michael Keaton. The bold move here was to basically turn Keaton loose, capitalizing on his unique style of comedic genius. This inter-dimensional character is so freaking bizarre. However, it works. I particularly enjoy the family dinner séance and demonic Conga dance, but I'm a weirdo. I also cannot forget the Maitland's (who are undead) visit to the chain-smoking death counselor.

The Geffen Company; Warner Bros.

American Hustle (2013), Director: David O. Russell, rated R for language and sexual content

Everyone Hustles To Survive

Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner, Louis C.K., Jack Huston, Michael Peña, Shea Whigham, Alessandro Nivola, Robert De Niro

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"She was the Picasso of passive-aggressive karate. She was better than any con artist I ever met, including myself, and she had me like nobody had me." – Irving Rosenfeld, narrating

Why watch this? A great plot and an incredible cast doing their best.

Plot Summary: A con artist and his seductive partner are forced by an ambitious FBI agent to participate in a sprawling and dangerous sting operation to catch corrupt schemers and politicians. As the plan to expose the fraudsters, power brokers, and Mafia gets more complicated, the con artist's unpredictable wife threatens to unravel everything. The film details the volatile alliances and shifting loyalties that arise as everyone tries to hustle their way to the top.

Dad's Preview: For a story about some nefarious characters (based on the real-life Abscam scandal of late 70's), this film is exceedingly funny. This is in no small part due to a very talented director, and four movie stars at the absolute top of their game. This film, with a banging 70's soundtrack, has such a classy mood that you almost forget it's a movie. Each character drips of something: caution, sexuality, neglect, ambition - they're all damaged goods either searching for respect or a way out. The confrontation between Lawrence and Adams is one for the ages; my mouth was hanging open. The whole thing builds, and we feel something bad just has to happen to one, if not all, of our seedy quasi-criminals... and that is the fun of it. It gets better every time you watch it. 

Columbia Pictures, Atlas Ent., Annapurna Pictures; Sony Pictures Releasing

It took God six days to create the earth, and Monty Python just 90 minutes to screw it up.

Starring: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Carol Cleveland, Simon Jones

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"You always talk, you Americans. You talk and you talk and say 'let me tell you something' and 'I just wanna say this'. Well, you're dead now, so shut up!" - The Grim Reaper

Why watch this? If you don't mind a little fake blood, I recommend the segment called Live Organ Donors.

Plot Summary: This absurdist comedy explores the various stages of human existence from birth to death through a series of darkly humorous and often surreal sketches. The film delves into themes such as religion, sex, war, and the mundanity of everyday life, all with the unique and irreverent style of the Monty Python troupe. Ultimately, it offers a comedic and philosophical inquiry into the nature and purpose of life itself.

Dad's Preview: This Python offering is a series of skits pertaining to life, and humanity's search for the "why". If you are easily offended, then you might want move along. It pokes fun at everything... and everybody. It's absurdist satire at its most vitriolic. If you can get past that, it also happens to be extremely hilarious. Mature audiences ONLY!

Celandine Films, Monty Python Partnership; Universal Pictures

They'll never get caught. They're on a mission from God.

Starring: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Carrie Fisher, Aretha Franklin, Henry Gibson, James Brown, John Candy, John Lee Hooker, Twiggy, Charles Napier, Steve Lawrence, Frank Oz

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Use of unnecessary violence in the apprehension of the Blues Brothers HAS been approved." - Police Dispatcher

Why watch this? Great blues music, edgy humor and the car crashes are off the charts!

Plot Summary: Newly released convict brothers, Jake and Elwood Blues, embark on a "mission from God" to save the Catholic orphanage where they were raised from foreclosure. To do this, they must reunite their old band and perform to raise the $5,000 needed to pay the property taxes. Their efforts lead them on a chaotic adventure across Illinois, encountering a series of zany characters and being pursued by various groups, including the police, a vengeful ex-girlfriend, and a neo-Nazi group.

Dad's Preview: How is it possible to take an Saturday Night Live skit and turn it into this spectacle?! On the heels of the raunchy Animal House, John Belushi had more cred with the studio execs, so he brought in John Landis to direct. Beside being a wonderful homage to Chicago blues, it manages to be a road/buddy, car-chase-filled action/comedy. Hell, there are even Nazi's. Not to mention cameo's from Carrie Fisher, James Brown, Twiggy, Ray Charles and the goddess of soul herself, Aretha Franklin.

Robert K. Weiss; Universal Pictures

Act like you own the place

Starring: Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik, Park So-dam, Lee Jung-eun, Jang Hye-jin

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"So, there's no need for a plan. You can't go wrong with no plans. We don't need to make a plan for anything. It doesn't matter what will happen next. Even if the country gets destroyed or sold out, nobody cares. Got it?" - Ki-Taek

Why watch this? ... it starts to build, gets crazier, crazier, until the jaw-dropping finale.

Plot Summary: The impoverished Kim family schemes to become employed by the wealthy Park family, eventually infiltrating their household one by one by posing as unrelated, highly qualified individuals. This deception allows the Kims to enjoy the luxurious lifestyle of the Parks, living off their resources without the Parks realizing their true intentions. However, this carefully constructed plan faces a threat when an unexpected discovery within the Park household destabilizes the Kims' newfound comfort.

Dad's Preview: You'll need to get used to subtitles to watch this Korean film (called a "black comedy thriller") about a poor Korean family in Seoul. The entire family schemes their way into the employment of a wealthy family, the Parks. When the Parks go on vacation, the Kim's party in the luxurious home. That is just the beginning! After that we are taken on a rollercoaster ride into the expected, bordering on surreal. This is the first non-English film to win the Oscar for Best Picture. It's that good!

Barunson E&A; CJ Entertainment

Yule crack up!

Starring: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, E. G. Marshall, William Hickey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"WORSE? How could things get any worse? Take a look around here, Ellen. We're at the threshold of hell." – Clark Griswold

Why watch this? ... to see Chevy lose this mind after receiving his Jelly of the Month Christmas bonus.

Plot Summary: Clark Griswold is determined to create a perfect old-fashioned family Christmas, complete with a massive light display and a festive dinner. However, his plans are consistently derailed by a series of unfortunate events, including a problematic Christmas tree, dysfunctional relatives, and the delayed arrival of his expected Christmas bonus. As the holiday descends into chaos, Clark struggles to maintain his sanity while trying to find the true meaning of Christmas amidst the mayhem.

Dad's Preview: After European Vacation (1985), I lowered my standards on the franchise. However, this side-splitting third film is perhaps the funniest of them all. "The holidays" is great fodder for comedy anyway, but the Griswald family takes it to a new level of excess. Every scene is hilarious. When Clark and his multi-generational, highly-dysfunctional family is chasing the squirrel, destroying the entire house, oh man, I can't stop laughing.


Hughes Entertainment; Warner Bros.

Mel Brooks' comic saga of cowboys and imbeciles.

Starring: Clevon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens, David Huddleston, Harvey Korman, Madeline Kahn, Mel Brooks, Alex Karras, Claude E. Starrett Jr., Carol Arthur

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Where the white women at?" - Sheriff Bart

Why watch this? ... because this hilarious comedy could not be made today.

Plot Summary: In order to drive away the townspeople of Rock Ridge and acquire their land, a corrupt politician appoints a Black man, Bart, as their new sheriff, expecting him to be run out of town. However, the new sheriff, aided by a skilled but troubled gunslinger, The Waco Kid, defies expectations and rallies the reluctant citizens to defend their home. Together, they face down a variety of absurd and dangerous obstacles, ultimately exposing the villain's scheme.

Dad's Preview: How do you talk about racism in 1974 - make a comedy about it, of course! Then you set it in the most racist chapter of American history - the Old West. Thank you Mel Brooks. Oh, it's funny, like off the charts funny. It also would never have happened this way in real life. That absurdity makes the whole thing even more humorous. The white townsfolk serve as the film's "comic relief", turning the typical Western trope on its head. Little and Wilder are wisely allowed to steal the show. Madeline Kahn is at her loveable, sleazy best. Warning - the "N" word is used a lot.

Crossbow Productions; Warner Bros.

The monster movie that breaks new ground.

Starring: Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter, Michael Gross, Reba McEntire, Bobby Jacoby, Tony Genaro, Ariana Richards, Richard Marcus

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Run for it? Running is not a plan. Running is what you do when a plan fails!" - Earl

Why watch this? Gigantic, underground, man-eating worms! That's a hard YES for me.

Plot Summary: Set in the remote desert town of Perfection, Nevada, two handymen, Val and Earl, decide to leave their dull lives. Before they can depart, strange tremors and a series of mysterious deaths suggest a dangerous threat lurks beneath the surface. Along with other residents, including a seismologist and a survivalist couple, they must fight to survive against unseen, giant creatures that hunt by sensing vibrations.

Dad's Preview: I cannot say enough about Kevin Bacon. In Animal House (1978) I hated him as a snobby frat boy. He has since earned my respect. He certainly is a hard-working actor. This monster film hits the right blend of horror/gore, action and comedy from start to finish. Scientifically it's preposterous, so don't waste your time trying to make it make sense. Just go with it. Fred Ward also shines as Bacon's hillbilly sidekick, Earl. The two become unlikely protectors as giant worms threaten a small, desert hamlet. Despite the topic, the film is well-done and very fun to watch. 

No Frills Prod., Pacific Western Prod.; Universal Pictures

Life is a state of mind.

Starring: Peter Sellers, Shirley McLaine, Melvyn Douglas, Jack Warden, Richard Dysart,  Richard Basehart, Than Wyenn, David Clennon

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"As long as the roots are not severed, all is well. And all will be well in the garden." - Chauncey The Gardener

Why watch this? It's a creative story about powerful men who see simplicity as wisdom... which it is.

Plot Summary: A simple gardener, Chance, is forced to leave the only home he has ever known after his employer's death. Having only ever see the world through television and gardening, his quaint observations are misinterpreted as profound wisdom by those he encounters in the outside world. Through a series of miscommunications and societal projections, he finds himself becoming an influential figure in Washington politics. Chance even gets the ear of the U.S. President.

Dad's Preview: This tale skirts the borderline between what is and what people want to believe. Nominated for two Academy Awards, I feel this film is its generation's Forrest Gump (1994). As a film pre-viewer, I ask that you be patient, and let this slow-burn film develop. Your reward will be a thought-provoking film ending, and perhaps a little added wisdom.

Lorimar Productions; United Artists

Movie-wise, there has never been anything like "THE APARTMENT" love-wise, laugh-wise or otherwise-wise!

Starring: Shirley McLaine, Jack Lemmon, Fred MacMurray, Ray Walston, David Lewis, Jack Kruschen, Edie Adams, Hope Holiday

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"When you're in love with a married man, you shouldn't wear mascara." - Fran Kubelik

Why watch this? What did romance look like in the '50's? This charming film sheds some insight.

Plot Summary: C.C. "Bud" Baxter is a lonely man working at a large insurance company. He tries to climb the corporate ladder by lending his apartment key to executives for their extramarital affairs. This arrangement complicates matters when he falls for an elevator operator, Fran Kubelik, who becomes involved with his manipulative boss.

Dad's Preview: Once I discovered this gem, it grew on me. In this romantic comedy drama, McLaine and Lemon are so stinkin' loveable. They are two lost souls, doing what they can, to navigate through the ruthless high-rise office culture. Both are being used by those in power. That's why you will root for Bud and Fran, hoping they can somehow find a way to each other.

The Mirisch Company; United Artists

A Film from Daniels

Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong, Tallie Medel, Jenny Slate, Harry Shum Jr., Biff Wiff, Sunita Mani, Brian Le

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Every rejection, every disappointment has led you here to this moment." - Waymond Wang

Why watch this? There are mind-trip films - then there is this chaotic eye-candy.

Plot Summary: This mind-bending story centers on Evelyn Wang, a laundromat owner who feels her life has been filled with missed opportunities and regrets. During a stressful IRS audit, she discovers, with help from her husband, the existence of the multiverse. To her amazement, she can access the memories, skills, and experiences of her alternative selves across countless universes. Evelyn is tasked with using these newfound abilities to fight against a powerful being threatening to destroy the multiverse, while also navigating complex family relationships, particularly with her daughter, Joy.

Dad's Preview: I read about this film, and purchased the Blu-ray disc before seeing it. I was THAT sure a) it would be great, and b) I would love it. Both were correct. It's unlike any film I have ever seen, anywhere, anytime. It was nominated for 11 Oscars, winning 7 including Best Picture, Director, Actress (Yeoh), Supporting Actor (Quan), Supporting Actress (Curtis), Original Screenplay and Editing. It is one hell of a mind-trip.

IAC Films, Gozie AGBO, Year of the Rat, Ley Line Ent.; A24

American Beauty (1999), Director: Sam Mendes, rated R strong sexuality, nudity, language, violence

... look closer

Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Mena Suvari, Wes Bentley, Allison Janney, Peter Gallagher, Chris Cooper

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"I feel like I've been in a coma for the past twenty years. And I'm just now waking up." – Lester Burnham

Why watch this? It's such a uniquely American tragedy, both beautiful and brutally painful.

Plot Summary: Lester Burnham is a man slogging through a suburban marriage, and a midlife crisis, who becomes infatuated with his daughter's best friend. This sexual obsession leads him to question and significantly change his life, including his career and his relationships. These changes are a bit too radical for his wife to handle.

Dad's Preview: This film takes a critical look at the American way of life, and how the insatiable quest for material happiness can screw people up. We have a man in the midst of a mid-life crisis. His tightly wound wife is losing her mind, and having an affair, too. Their teenage daughter desperately just wants to be seen. Their neighbor is a hard-ass ex-military man, who's hell-bent on toughing up his sensitive son. Mix this all together, and the result is a cinematic climax you won't soon forget. 

Jinks/Cohen Company; DreamWorks Pictures

The World is Watching

Starring: Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich, Natascha McElhone, Holland Taylor, Ed Harris

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented, it's as simple as that." - Christof

Why watch this? This is a masterpiece for director Peter Weir and star Jim Carrey.

Plot Summary: Truman Burbank is an average man who lives a seemingly normal life in a picturesque town. Unknown to him, his entire world is a meticulously constructed set, and everyone he knows – his family, friends, and neighbors – are actors in a globally-televised reality show called The Truman Show. As strange occurrences begin to disrupt his routine, Truman slowly starts to question the reality of his existence and seeks to discover the truth about his life.

Dad's Preview: This is exactly the kind of reality-bending film that attracts me. Truman is the unknowing star of a TV show about his fabricated life. He lives in a bubble, all his interactions are with actors. This "project" is the vision of the mysterious Christof. There is so much wrong with this concept, but hey, the ratings are through the roof. Truman starts to wonder about his life, and wants more. It's creative, brilliant and deeply thought-provoking. Carey dials down the zany antics and it really pays off.  

Scott Rudin Productions; Paramount Pictures

Work sucks.

Starring: Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, Stephen Root, Gary Cole, David Herman, Ajay Naidu, Diedrich Bader

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #45 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review of Office Space

"Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer screens all day, filling out useless forms and listening to eight different bosses drone on about mission statements!" - Peter Gibbons

Why watch this? ... a whole generation of US workers filled corporate buildings... this is for them...

Plot Summary: Peter Gibbons, a disgruntled software engineer at the soul-crushing company Initech, feels trapped in the monotonous cycle of his unfulfilling job. After a series of misfortunes, including his hypnotherapist's unexpected demise, Peter finds himself in a state of blissful indifference towards his work. This newfound apathy leads to a series of unexpected events that challenge the oppressive corporate structure, including a blossoming romance and a daring plan concocted with his equally frustrated coworkers, Samir and Michael.

Dad's Preview: For 40 years I slaved away at the oars of this ship. Don't get me wrong, corporations aren't all bad - they do pay well and provide adequate retirement funds for millions. But they are far from perfect. This comedy nicely sums it up in a neat little package. Corporations are chock full of comedic fodder, and this film hits it all: stupid initiatives, bad managers, lay-offs, even that one guy with too much affection for his red stapler... you know that guy!

Judgmental Films; 20th Century Fox

In Search of Wine. In Search of Women. In Search of Themselves.

Starring: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh, Marylouise Burke, Jessica Hecht, MC Gainey

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #42 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Sideways

"Half my life is over and I have nothing to show for it. Nothing. I am a thumbprint on the window of a skyscraper. I'm a smudge of excrement on a tissue surging out to sea with a million tons of raw sewage." – Miles

Why watch this? ... comedy, wine, romance, golf, depression, infidelity, more wine...

Plot Summary: Two middle-aged friends, Miles and Jack, are on a week-long road trip through California's Santa Barbara wine country as a celebration of Jack's upcoming wedding. Miles, a wine enthusiast and struggling writer, hopes for a peaceful escape from his recent divorce and stalled career. Jack, a carefree actor, is more focused on having one last fling before getting married.

Dad's Preview: Set in Santa Barbara wine country, this film's heart is wine-tasting, however its soul is the relationship between two best friends, Miles and Jack. One is an intelligent, struggling writer. The other is an over-confident, calloused, has-been actor. They are nothing alike. They fight a lot, as many best friends do, and they are often brutally honest. Yet deep down, the lugs love each other. Giamatti is quickly becoming my go-to actor, and Haden Church never disappoints.

Michael London Productions; Fox Searchlight Pictures

A family on the verge of a breakdown

Starring: Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston, Beth Grant

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #33 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Little Miss Sunshine

"I'd like to dedicate this to my grandpa, who showed me these moves." - Olive Hoover

Why watch this? Imagine the family road trip from hell. Then multiply it by 100.

Plot Summary: The Hoover family embarks on a chaotic cross-country road trip to get their young daughter, Olive, to the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant in California. Along the way, the eccentric family faces a series of setbacks and personal struggles that force them to re-evaluate their notions of success and happiness. The journey culminates in Olive's unconventional performance at the pageant.

Dad's Preview: This film is a superb ode to the wonderfulness that resides in families that are blessed to be 'non-normal'. I am proud to say this fits my family. Each family member is thoroughly fleshed out, and it's pretty clear that every one of them (except sweet tween Olive) is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Together they load up their yellow VW van to take Olive to compete in the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant. You will laugh until you cry during this dysfunction-laden road trip. It's pure genius - mostly because it reminds us our own family dynamics.

Big Beach Films, Bona Fide Prod., Third Gear Prod.; Fox Searchlight Pictures

Sets the Cinema Back 900 Years!

Starring: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Connie Booth, Carol Cleveland, Neil Innes, Bee Duffell

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #22 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Rabbit Hole of Monty Python and the Holy Grail

"We better not risk another frontal assault. That rabbit's dynamite!" - King Arthur

Why watch this? This irreverent, Medieval comedy from Python is legendary.

Plot Summary: King Arthur gathers his Knights of the Round Table and is instructed by God to embark on a quest to find the Holy Grail. Their journey is filled with absurd and surreal encounters, including taunting French soldiers, the Black Knight, a killer rabbit, and the Knights Who Say Ni. The film follows their individual and collective misadventures as they brave various obstacles in pursuit of the mythical relic.

Dad's Preview: This may seem adolescent, but I am certain there is genius within some offensive comedies. Said genius is on par with classic films, the likes of Casablanca (1942), Pulp Fiction (1994), Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010). However, critics will always dismiss these gems as "in poor taste", "vulgar" or "you need therapy". I get it - not classy enough... One too many jokes about flatulence. Fie! What a disservice! Holy Grail is entertaining from start to finish. It will always make ME laugh, and therein lies its genius.

Python Pictures, Michael White Prod., National Film Trustee Co; EMI Films

a homespun murder story

Starring: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Harve Presnell, Peter Stormare

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #12 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Fargo

"Sir, you have no call to get snippy with me. I'm just doing my job here." - Marge Gunderson

Why watch this? Brutal violence. Quirky characters. As only the Coen brothers can.

Plot Summary: Desperate for money, a Minnesota car salesman hires two men to kidnap his wife, intending to extort a ransom from her wealthy father. The seemingly foolproof scheme quickly unravels as events take a violent turn, leading to multiple deaths. A pregnant police chief in Brainerd, Minnesota, launches a tenacious investigation to uncover the truth behind the escalating crimes.

Dad's Preview: It's hard to hit the 'sweet spot' where a film can be violent, yet occasionally humorous. This is Fargo's genius. It centers on a kidnapping plot gone wrong, and a series of brutal, cold-blooded murders. Yet, half the time, I am chuckling at the odd mannerisms of the overly-nice, Mid-Western yokels. McDormand shines as 7-month-pregnant Police Chief Marge Gunderson.

Working Title Films; Gramercy Pictures

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