I know, I’m a little late to the Mel Brooks fan club but I’m here and that’s all that matters. Up until a couple days ago I had never seen a Mel Brooks film. I’d heard about them and even seen snippets of them on YouTube (yay copyright infringement!). But now I’m a fan.
Blazing Saddles
The first film I saw this weekend was Blazing Saddles. I’m 28 years old and I’ve never seen this movie … hard to believe, I know. In one viewing this film quite effortlessly muscled its way to the top of my favorites list.
How can you not love this movie? Well, OK, maybe the excessive use of the word “nigger”, “shit” and “faggot” will turn you off. Or maybe it’s the lascivious sexual references. I can understand that.
You know, I can see how a homosexual or a black person would be offended by those words. I certainly would be if that were my heritage or lifestyle. But the odd thing is this: as I was watching Blazing Saddles, and I’d see these white guys using these words I felt that the film was directly making fun of ignorant white people more than those of other races or sexual orientations. Maybe it’s just me … I don’t know.
At any rate, I thought the film was ingenious. It would never be produced today though. The best quote of the movie was when the black Sheriff said to the KKK members, “Where all the white women at?”
The Producers
There’s just something about a middle-aged fat man seducing elderly women for their money that’s amusing. I don’t know what it is. That facet alone makes The Producers) hilarious to me.
It’s not as “in your face” with the insulting references but it’s still definitely a Mel Brooks flick. L.S.D. made this movie great for me. If you don’t know what I’m talking about then you’ll just have to rent the movie for yourself. You’ll see what I mean.
I’ve never watched many movies with Gene Wilder in them. I think Willy Wonka was the last role I saw him play. But due to The Producers and Blazing Saddles he’s become one of my favorite actors. Is it me or does Nicholas Cage’s acting style remind you of Gene Wilder?
So at any rate, yeah, Mel Brooks FTW.
8 Comments
I would disagree that Nicholas Cage is like Gene Wilder, except maybe in the fact that they both keep straight faces while saying ridiculous things.
I’m surprised you had not seen Blazing Saddles as I always took you as a natural fan of that movie and never asked because it seems like the kind of thing you would watch.
You ought to see “Young Frankenstein”
Yes! Exactly! But it’s also the way they say those ridiculous things. Anyway. I’d love to see Young Frankenstein but I don’t think the rest of my family would appreciate the humor as much as I do.
I watched The Producers play at the West End here in London and it was hilarious. Haven’t watched the movie though, probably should. Guten tag hop clop anyone? LOL. Oh not to mention the song ‘Springtime with Hitler’ it’s funny as hell, the lyrics are very witty. The fact that it’s written by Mel Brooks, who’s Jewish, makes it all the more ironic!
Another movie of his I enjoyed was Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Personally I didn’t really enjoy Blazing Saddles, I think some of the humour was lost on me.
What are you doing posting instead of watching spaceballs and robin hood?
Oh man, I completely forgot that Mel Brooks did Robin Hood Men In Tights. I guess that means I have seen a Mel Brooks film. It’s freakin’ hilarious.
Watch Young Frankenstein anyways.
Oh yes how could I forget Spaceballs! And the fearsome Dark Helmet.
Hahaha – i remember his appearance in Frasier (am i un-cool for watching that?). He is fantastic, wish i was around to see him frollocking in his younger days though. chants mel brooks! mel brooks! mel brooks! =D