The Comic Critic Reviews "Stranger than Paradise"

The date I went to see Stranger than Paradise was one of the, if not the worst, dating experiences of my life. The bleak, dark humor of the movie didn’t help the situation. If anything, the movie only amplified the confused and disjointed emotions I felt that evening. Going to a movie with happy friends and family can create a memorable experience that fills your heart with joy every time you think of that film. Unfortunately, a regrettable outing to the theater can also produce a strong negative association with a film. My take on Stranger than Paradise is heavily swayed by the sheer anguish I felt that evening. Never had I hoped so hard for a movie to carry me away somewhere else. Unfortunately for me, Stranger than Paradise’s theme was all about being stuck right where you were—forever. Oh, god. It felt like forever. The only way I could review this movie was by drawing just a small sliver of the pain of that miserable, horrible evening.

It was only after I was putting the final touches on this strip that I realized I already reviewed this movie back in 2005! Apparently the rating the movie received suffered with age. Also, I got the release date wrong last time.

The Comic Critic Reviews This Is Spinal Tap

Mockumentaries have been around for a long time, since the ‘60s. The earliest music-themed one I can think of is “A Hard Day’s Night” by the Beatles. This is Spinal Tap breathed new life into the genre in the ‘80s. The movie created a set of memorable scenes and enduring lines of petulant behavior, making it an immediate sensation. A flood of mockumentaries, followed, each seeking to make its own mark on the genre. But few would break away from the formula of success blazed by Spinal Tap. Decades later, in a world filled with found-footage, reality-footage, and YouTube videos, Spinal Tap remains at a pinnacle that other faux attempts still attempt to achieve.