With the holidays on the horizon, what better time than now to relax, take a deep breath and have a good laugh with some of the funniest films in the Mechanics' collection? Below are just a few of our personal favorites. Be sure to stop by the 2nd floor DVD display and discover some new titles and revisit old favorites!
Heather recommends Tampopo
A much-lauded film in the “Spaghetti Western” tradition -- with a Japanese twist. The heroes who ride into town are determined to improve the offerings of a truly terrible ramen restaurant, and all of the usual hijinks ensue (fights, trickery, alliances made and broken). The main plot is also interspersed with various satirical food-related vignettes which amuse and delight.
Chris recommends Withnail and I
As the 1960's wind down, two actors, both out of work and luck, ditch London for what they hope to be a refreshing vacation in the countryside. Upon arriving they find the elements harsh, the neighbors unpredictable, and their personalities grating on one another. As they cope in a decidedly unsober manner, they push each other to the brink of sanity. Bleakly funny and endlessly quotable, this comes highly recommended to fans of dark British comedy. The same actor/director team was responsible for the equally hilarious, but significantly lighter How to Get Ahead in Advertising.
Chris also recommends The Player
Robert Altman simultaneously pays tribute to and mocks Hollywood in this career highlight. Tim Robbins plays a successful movie executive who may have turned down the wrong screenwriter. Hijinks lifted straight from the pulpiest of noir ensue. Altman's signature long shots, celebrity cameos, and curious sound mixes are all in fine form, as is his usual zigging and zagging dialogue.
