Airplane

For those of you who don't really know me that well, I often like to spend time on the back of movie theater lines chanting, "Bring back the spoof!" Sure, it's not the most normal thing to do and security can be a bit rough at times, but it pains me that there haven't been any quality spoof or parody movies in a long time. You'd think, with all the crap Hollywood's filtered through our brains over the last few years, that someone would be brave enough to make fun of it.We need to rise up people. We need to take a stand. Long live the spoof!

This winter, Aaron Seltzer and Jason Friedberg (Scary Movie, Spy Hard) will bring us Date Movie. Pic, said to be spoofing the romantic comedy genre and films like Meet the Fockers, My Best Friend's Wedding, Bridget Jones Diary and When Harry Met Sally will be the latest film that tries to successfully bring back the spoof. So, while I sit here (triple-crossing my fingers), hoping this movie revives a deteriorating genre, why don't we take a look back at a few of the most memorable spoof films of all time:

  1. Airplane is the kind of film that most people probably sneak onto their top ten list when no one is looking. Some may consider this the greatest spoof movie of all time and it's kind of hard to argue that because this one is simply non-stop funny. Coming at a time when disaster movies were popular, Airplane spun it around and killed us with laughter. Re-watching this masterpiece, it always amazes me how many jokes are crammed in. Anyone dare to count?  Memorable Quote: "There's no reason to be alarmed, and we hope you'll enjoy the rest of the flight. By the way, is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?"
  2. Spaceballs is the definitive spoof film. How can another filmmaker even attempt to spoof Sci-Fi after this hilarious Mel Brooks film? Not only does it have classic performances by John Candy, Bill Pullman and Rick Moranis, but I never thought, in a million years, that I would ever utter the words, "Wow, Joan Rivers was pretty good, huh?" Memorable Quote: Merchandising, merchandising, where the real money from the movie is made. Spaceballs the T-shirt. Spaceballs the lunchbox. Spaceballs the coloring book. Spaceballs...the flame thrower! Kids love it. And my favorite, Spaceballs the doll -- me!"
  3. Scary Movie came along at just the right time. After a plethora of scary movies invaded the screen (due mainly to the film Scream), the Wayans brothers stumbled in and secured their spot as the new comedic heroes of the spoof. Although a sequel pops up every couple years (spoofing the latest crop of scary), it will be damn hard to top the original. Memorable Quote: "Kenny, I know you're probably crappin' in a bag right now, but when I say move it that means get your plasma packin' I.V. draggin, bed-sore havin butt over here now!"
  4. Hot Shots always reminds me of how much I miss Lloyd Bridges. Director Jim Abrahams, minus the Zucker boys, scored big with this Top Gun  spoof from 1991. Among some of the other films on the chopping block were 9-1/2 Weeks, Superman, Gone with the Wind and Rocky. If you're ever in the mood to watch a good Charlie Sheen movie, then I recommend a trip to the SS Essess. Memorable Quote: "My eyes are ceramic. Caught a bazooka round at Little Big Horn. Or was it Okinawa? The one without the Indians."
  5. Robin Hood: Men in Tights arrived shortly after Kevin Costner's attempt at a serious Sherwood Forest flick. Though Men in Tights spoofs all things Robin Hood, it makes sure to take plenty of shots at Prince of Thieves; most notably at the fact that Costner plays the role minus an English accent. Memorable Quote: "I tell you that tonight, we shall have a wedding. Or a hanging. Either way, we ought to have a lot of fun, huh?"
  6. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad brought a bunch of the gags from the original Police Squad TV series to the big screen, in what has to be one of the greatest spoof films of all time. The guys behind Airplane do not disappoint here, as Leslie Nielsen cemented himself as the king of all spoof. Memorable Quote: "It's the same old story. Boy finds girl, boy loses girl, girl finds boy, boy forgets girl, boy remembers girl, girl dies in a tragic blimp accident over the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day."
  7. Monty Python and the Holy Grail convinced me a long time ago that, contrary to what other people say, those Brits are pretty damn funny. In this film, the Monty Python troupe spoof the legendary King Arthur tale, and in doing so, introduce us to a killer rabbit and the bridge of Death. This is comedy at its very best folks.  Memorable Quote: "I don't want to talk to you no more, you empty headed animal food trough wiper. I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries."
Okay, so let's have a little fun: What are your favorites? What did I leave out? What shouldn't be on this list in the first place. Oh, and I know you've got quotes people!