Thursday Movie Picks: Spoofs / Satires / Mockumentaries

A weekly series hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves

The bar where I work closed on Monday due to Coronavirus which leaves me with a lot of free time, the time I need to watch all those series I started on Netflix but never finished — and never will because I realized watching series and movies all day is no longer my thing. Anyways, the series I restarted watching is Brooklyn Nine-Nine which obviously brought back my Andy Samberg phase. Why am I telling you this? Because for this multiple themed Thursday Movie Picks I decided to go with three mockumentaries starring him. Plus a bonus pick because it's the greatest mockumentary ever. 


7 Days in Hell (2015) - Review

Plot: It focuses on the rivalry between an American tennis player, Aaron Williams (Andy Samberg), and an English tennis player, Charles Poole (Kit Harrington), specifically on the 2001 Wimbledon match between the two of them that lasted seven days. 

While it's easier the weaker of the three, this is an entertaining and fun mockumentary about a boring sport such as tennis (I love tennis but watching it is kinda boring, you have to admit it). And Andy is hilarious as Williams. 

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016) - Review

Plot: A famous popstar who became rich and famous at a young age, Connor 4 Real (Andy Samberg) is used to people loving him and his music. So when his latest album turns out to be a major flop, he's willing to do anything to maintain his celebrity status. Anything except reuniting with his old group. 

It is such a dumb film but one of my favourites because it's hilarious and entertaining, it has a lot to say about our popular culture, the soundtrack is a killer and Samberg is terrific as the selfish, self-absorbed popstar. 

Tour de Pharmacy (2017) - Review

Plot: It follows the (fictitious) 1982 Tour de France through the perspective of five riders — the Italian JuJu Peppi (Orlando Bloom), the "Nigerian" Marty Hass (Andy Samberg), the French Adrian Baton (Freddie Highmore), the African-American Slim Robinson (Daveed Diggs), and the Austrian Gustav Ditters (John Cena).

I was expecting to hate this as I'm not a fan of cycling but I loved it. It's quite brilliant, I loved how Lance Armstrong pokes fun at his own use of drugs and steroids for comedy, and I loved Samberg but my favourite part will always be Dolph Lundgren. That whole cheetah/cheater thing will never be not funny.  

Bonus Pick: What We Do in the Shadows (2014) - Review

Plot: It follows the everyday life of Viago (Taika Waititi), Deacon (Jonathan Brugh), and Vladislav (Jemaine Clement), three vampire flatmates in Wellington, New Zealand, as they struggle with the most mundane things in life like paying rent, keeping up with the chore wheel, and more. 

I had to pick this Waititi because it's the only film that makes me laugh so much that my stomach hurts every single time I watch it. It's absolutely brilliant, the writing is excellent, it's hilarious and the cast is fantastic. If you haven't seen it what are you even doing with your life?!

18 comments :

  1. The only one of these I haven't seen is Popstar but we match on 7 Days in Hell! Love that movie.

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  2. Sorry your work has been affected by this craziness. Hope you are well.

    I'm a big fan of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Andy Samberg as well! I've seen those first two and while both had their ups and downs they were funny overall. I'll have to keep an eye out for the third.

    I've heard of What We Do in the Shadows but so far haven't caught up with it.

    I'm not always the biggest fan of spoofs etc. but I did enjoy these three mockumentaries.

    A Hard Day’s Night (1964)-John, Paul, George and Ringo portray themselves in this skewed view of “a day in the life” of The Beatles as they enjoy their first brush with fame and the craziness that went along with it. Just this side of reality the film takes you for a fun ride with the lads from Liverpool who sell this by being so effortlessly appealing.

    The Big Tease (1999)-Scottish hairdresser Crawford Mackenzie (Craig Ferguson) dreams of leaving his small village to compete at the World Hairdresser International Federation annual contest and winning the coveted Platinum Scissors Award. It looks like his wish is about to become a reality when he receives an invitation. Determined to immortalize his shining moment for posterity he heads for the contest in LA with a documentary crew but comes crashing down to earth when he finds he was only invited as an observer. Unwilling to be cowed and with the help of PR agent Candy (Frances Fisher) he pursues his goal with relentless zeal all recorded by his tagalong crew.

    Confetti (2006)-Faux documentary follows three couples as they battle for the coveted title of Confetti magazine’s “Most Original Wedding of the Year” along with a house and a cover shoot. Fitness enthusiasts Josef & Isabelle (Meredith MacNeill and Stephen Mangan) want a tennis-themed wedding. Romantic movie fans Matt & Sam's (Jessica Stevenson and Martin Freeman) are determined to have a ceremony inspired by Hollywood musicals. Finally naturalists Michael & Joanna (Robert Webb and recent Oscar winner Olivia Colman) want their big day to a celebration of the great outdoors with Michael adamantly insisting that he be nude during the ceremony. Hit and miss but funny overall.

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    1. I'm still fine but people are getting sicker and sicker and it's getting crazy here. We can barely leave our houses, we have to stay 1.5 meters from each other, wear cloves... it's insane!

      Anyways, I'm glad to find another Samberg lover, yay! And you really need to watch What We Do in the Shadows (preferably the series too because it's just as brilliant).

      I haven't seen any of your picks.

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  3. CHEETAH BLOOD!!!! Oh... I fucking love Tour de Pharmacy. It is insane as fuck. Plus, I think Orlando Bloom should do more comedies. He's known for being Legolas in the LOTR series and has often struggled to really break out of that role. I think in doing comedy, he would prove that he can be interesting.

    All these picks are awesome, I hope you and your family are doing OK. So far, myself, my mother, my sister, my brother-in-law, my nephew, and their dog are doing fine.

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    1. That is so true! He's either Legolas or Will Turner to people, but it should change because he has the potential.

      So far we are fine. But I'm not sure it'll be that way for long.

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  4. I've seen "What We Do in the Shadows" around on many lists. I need to check that movie out! Great list!

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  5. I haven't seen the Andy Samberg one yet, but now that I know it exist, it's a must see for me!

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    1. I hope you'll give them a chance and enjoy them :)

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  6. Hi Sonia, Brittani also picked 7 Days in Hell, now I'm curious to see that one. Glad we share What We Do in the Shadows, LOVE LOVE LOVE that movie!! I haven't seen Popstar either, might give that a shot.

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    1. Have you seen the What We Do in the Shadows series? I'm not sure it's even possible but it's maybe even better than the movie.

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  7. You have a theme within a theme and I haven’t seen any of these but they seem funny especially like to see the one about cycling. So this is where Lance Armstrong is. I really want to see your bonus pick

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  8. I love Brooklyn Nine nine but haven't seen any of the Samberg movies you picked.

    I haven't seen the movie yet but have seen the TV series remake of the What We Do in the Shadows, I did not like it though. I do hope the movie is better.

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    1. I'm so so sorry to hear What We Do int the Shadows didn't work for you. In that case, I doubt you'll like the movie as they are essentially the same.

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