Remembering Gene Wilder Offers Laughs And Tears

Remembering Gene Wilder is a moving and well made documentary about a comedian that provided us with many laughs in his career. It’s hard to believe that this summer will mark eight years since Wilder’s passing. I still remember learning the news and wanting to watch a film in tribute. This was before we had a surplus of screeners, not to mention my physical collection on hand. Luckily enough, The Crowd Theater announced a screening…

"Remembering Gene Wilder Offers Laughs And Tears"

History of the World, Part II is Worth The Wait

At long last, History of the World, Part II is finally seeing the light of day and the sketch comedy series is worth the 40-plus year wait. I never thought I’d see the day. I binge-watched the eight episodes almost as quickly as Hulu sent the screeners. Listen, I know the series is premiering on a Jewish holiday but try and fit in some time to watch the two episodes as soon as possible. Believe…

"History of the World, Part II is Worth The Wait"

Blazing Saddles: One of the Best Comedies Ever

Blazing Saddles, the 1974 film starring Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder, is one of the best comedies ever made in the history of cinema. “You’ve got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know…morons.” – Jim the Waco Kid. Mel Brooks movies are among the films that I watch when battling depression. While I almost opted to watch The Producers,…

"Blazing Saddles: One of the Best Comedies Ever"

Spaceballs: Mel Brooks Spoof Arrives on 4K UHD

Spaceballs finally reaches ludicrous speed with today’s Kino Lorber release of a new 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray of the classic Mel Brooks spoof. The celebrated Star Wars spoof hits 4K with a number of bonus features. Unless noted, all bonus features appear on the Blu-ray disc and not the 4k UHD disc. What follows is my film review from the 32nd anniversary: Planet Spaceball–led by the inept President Skroob (Mel Brooks)–is out of clean air…

"Spaceballs: Mel Brooks Spoof Arrives on 4K UHD"

The Producers: Mel Brooks Classic Gets New Blu-ray

The Producers gets a new Blu-ray from Kino Lorber and while the laughs are still there, the bonus features fall short of previous editions. While the film isn’t being released in 4K Ultra HD, this version is a 4K restoration. The bonus features are a bit different from Shout! Factory’s 2013 collector’s edition. The key difference being a Playhouse outtake substitutes for Mel and His Movies: The Producers. Since the Shout! Blu-ray is now unavailable,…

"The Producers: Mel Brooks Classic Gets New Blu-ray"

Mel Brooks Unwrapped Airs on HBO

Mel Brooks Unwrapped is the result of almost forty years of interviews between the legendary actor-writer-comedian and BBC’s Alan Yentob. If you’re looking for a groundbreaking documentary that offers something new to say about Brooks, it’s not going to be found in this comedy special.  You’ll have better luck by watching the American Masters documentary a few years ago.  This isn’t to say you won’t have a fun time because you most definitely will!  It…

"Mel Brooks Unwrapped Airs on HBO"

The Producers: One Of The Best Comedies Ever

Mel Brooks’ feature directorial debut starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, The Producers, is one of the best comedies of all-time. When producer Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) learns from accountant Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder) that he can turn flops into money-makers, it changes everything.  Hysterics ensue for a solid hour and a half.  There’s nothing more to say about the plot.  Mostly, this is because the film is over 50 years old.  You know what…

"The Producers: One Of The Best Comedies Ever"

Funny Man: Mel Brooks by Patrick McGilligan

In Funny Man: Mel Brooks, author Patrick McGilligan takes an in-depth look at the life of the legendary comedian Mel Brooks. The legendary comedian has gifted us both films, television series, records, and Broadway musicals.  He is one of a number of entertainers to win the coveted EGOT.  But the Mel Brooks that we see in public is a wholly different person from the Mel Brooks on set or in his private life. If there’s…

"Funny Man: Mel Brooks by Patrick McGilligan"

Spaceballs: Mel Brooks’ Star Wars Spoof Marks 32 Years

Spaceballs, Mel Brooks’ celebrated classic spoof of Star Wars and similar sci-fi films, marks its 32nd anniversary this year. Planet Spaceball–led by the inept President Skroob (Mel Brooks)–is out of clean air so they’re heading to planet Druida to suck all the fresh air.  As soon as the opening crawl finishes, the camera tracks Spaceball One from the start of the ship all the way to the rear.  The ship is so huge to the…

"Spaceballs: Mel Brooks’ Star Wars Spoof Marks 32 Years"

Chicago Comedy 2019: Olympians

Olympians takes a satirical look at Greek gods as if they decided to live as immigrants in America under the current administration. The premise here is that Zeus (Mel Brooks), Aphrodite (Meghan Sunder), and Ares (Samuel Hunt) have immigrated to America.  They are basically locked up in a beautiful house because they’re illegal immigrants.  Suddenly, Aphrodite  finds herself arrested and thrown in jail.  The cops essentially treat her like a Mexican immigrant especially with the accents…

"Chicago Comedy 2019: Olympians"