Every week at SiftPop.com, we challenge our writers to choose what they think is the best movie under a certain topic related to a recent release. So this week, with the release of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, we’re counting down our favorite movies with an exclamation point in the title! Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
Crime dramas can often suffer from being a bit of a slog with all of their legal and business talk. The Informant! get around that problem in two ways. Firstly, the casting of Matt Damon, one of the most compelling wordy actors, in the lead role. Secondly, it adds an interesting extra level of comedy with the internal monologue by Damon’s character Mark Whitacre. As well as acting as the story’s narrator, Mark will, from time to time, go off on a tangent about some random thought or idea that has just popped into his head. I especially love how random many of these thoughts are, as they reflect the odd way our minds wonder sometimes. It feels like the screenwriter admitting that the premise of this story is so tedious at times that even their minds wandered while they were writing it. Mark’s arc has the vibes of Jerry in Fargo, with how he has an arrogant and slightly moronic view of his situation, and assumes it will be easy for him to wriggle out of by just telling lie upon lie. The two FBI agents he’s working with (Scott Bakula and Joel McHale) do what they can to help him, but he doesn’t understand the gravity of his situation. I know Damon does have an Oscar for writing, but it’s high time he won one for acting as well. (John Tillyard)
It’s September 2017. I’m in my junior year of college living in The Middle of Nowhere, Illinois. One of my best friends from back home asks me about mother! Having a reputation amongst my friends of seeing EVERY movie that comes out, he wants to know what I think of it. After divulging that it was not on my plans to see it that weekend, he offers to cover my ticket via Venmo if I go see it. Not one to turn down a free trip to the cineplex, I accept. After two hours of general confusion while staring at the silver screen, I call Jake and tell him, “It’s not the worst movie ever, but it’s very weird.” And now five and a half years later, I stand by that. But my appreciation of the movie has grown. First and foremost, Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem are absolute dynamite. Lawrence does not hold back, and she forces her way onto the screen with her actions. She has a lot of quieter subtle moments as well, but that just speaks to her range. Bardem is the epitome of the mystery man. With the elusive and hovering performance, he plants a seed of curiosity into our hearts, but he also has kind and tender moments too. When you add in some insane cinematography and production design that feels more like a dream than any other movie I’ve seen, it’s amazing to watch. It is a terrific movie in every sense of the word. (Sam Nichols)
Before Tombstone, Top Gun, and even Real Genius, Val Kilmer took on his first starring role as Nick Rivers in the beyond bonkers Top Secret! This filmmarks the third team effort from the kings of parody, Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, and this time they take on the zaniest aspects of the espionage and beach genres. The best description is to pretend Elvis is plucked off the set of Blue Hawaii to take James Bond’s place in From Russia with Love; throw in about 100 sight gags, and you have Top Secret! Kilmer is all in as the rocker turned accidental agent, actually performing all the songs on screen; he is even credited as Nick Rivers on the official soundtrack. Like Kilmer, everyone from the main characters, down to the background extras, act as if they are in an epic prestige film, and not a screwball spy spoof. That, combined with some impressive technical work (an entire underwater fight scene, as well as an uninterrupted 90 second scene, shot and acted in reverse), result in nonstop lampoon laughs from beginning to end. However, this fantastic flick does come with a warning: Put away your phone and laptop for 90 minutes and really watch! If you’re a big movie time multitasker, you’re gong to miss a lot of the best jokes. It’s definitely harder to laugh at a cow walking around in wellies if you don’t actually see it. (Patrice Downing)
Over the years, the Coen brothers have made several films where lots of stuff happens over the runtime, and Hail, Caesar! follows that trend. The film tells the story of Hollywood fixer, Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin), who spends his days covering up any controversy that his movie stars would find themselves in, until one day when everything seems to happen, including the kidnapping of star Baird Whitlock (George Clooney), which causes Mannix to do whatever it takes to get his star back. The film comes with an excellent stacked cast, including Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Channing Tatum, Frances McDormand, and many others. Everybody works well together to bring this great story to the screen. Having only ever watched two other Coen brothers pictures myself, this is one I am glad to have finally watched. It is funny and has an interesting story. (Austen Terry)
Only one musical ever helped me get the correct answer on a fourth grade spelling test… O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A! Beautifully remastered since my initial viewing on the Disney Channel in the early ‘80s, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s first joint venture is a trailblazer in the way musical storytelling exists today. The melodies of Oklahoma! are not only well crafted in tone and cadence, but it is also the first musical to advance the plot and characters through the use of song, and not just between them. In addition to the billboard-topping soundtrack (it was number one on the 1956 charts), the visuals are much more detailed than most musicals-turned-films. The background goes deep into the setting: You can see cows flicking their tails in the pastures, chickens pecking around, and wagons filled with characters riding into the scene, in addition to fully fleshed-out sets, complete with era-specific detailing. The visual brilliance doesn’t end there either, as the costumes find the perfect balance of contrast and vibrance; it’s more colorful than the typical monochromatic browns of a Clint Eastwood western, without going full Marty McFly at the drive-in. Whether you enjoy musicals or not, Oklahoma! has something for everybody, from dancing, fighting, and love triangles to a runaway wagon, speeding train, and even a Little Wonder (I’ll let you discover that one on your own). (Patrice Downing)
Based on the almost forgotten TV show called Police Squad!, which only lasted six episodes, The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! continues with the silliness the ZAZ trio were famous for. If you don’t know what ZAZ trio is, it’s Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams and David Zucker, the minds behind Airplane!, and the puppet masters of all things goofy and silly. Also, it is because of those three Leslie Nielsen had a second career as a comedic actor, despite working for over three decades as a dramatic actor before getting the role in Airplane! But one can argue it was the Naked Gun trilogy that cemented Nielsen’s legacy as the straightest of men who appeared in the middle of the goofiest of situations. The first Naked Gun is a classic that aged pretty well (depending on where you stand on one O.J. Simpson and seeing him before he became infamous for something else), and is still funny. It is insane how many quick lines, background comedy bits, or puns the ZAZ trio delivers at every minute of this film. And possibly the most insane thing is that most of these jokes still land even today. The Naked Gun is an absolute blast, and if you haven’t heard of the show that preceded it, I’d give that a shot too. (Luke Burian)
The story of a band forming, rising to success, and finding inevitable failure is a tale as old as time. It has happened to so many bands that it’s become a trope in both real and fictional portrayals of musical groups. That’s what makes That Thing You Do! so unique: It follows this blueprint exactly, while still managing to be well-written, humorous, and compelling. The film is the directorial debut of none other than Tom Hanks, who also wrote the script and has a supporting role as the band’s manager. Drummer Guy Patterson’s (Tom Everett Scott) friends, Lenny (Steve Zahn) and the cleverly titled bass player, T.B. Player (Ethan Embry), approach him to play in their talent show performance. Guy agrees, and after changing the tempo to one of the songs written by the lead singer, the band slowly rises to success, eventually cutting a record and going on tour, bringing along Jimmy’s girlfriend, Faye (Liv Tyler). They finds themselves in the typical trappings of fame as they navigate through this experience together. This film is so charming, well acted, and really amusing. Scott is at peak-level coolness, Zahn is the perfect comic relief, and Hanks shines as the grown-up in the room who guides the band to success. My favorite part, though, is all the original music. There are several songs that are so catchy, and which perfectly execute the ‘60s pop vibe of the film. That Thing You Do! is an underseen gem. (Jacob Kinman)
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” It’s one of those lines that has stuck with me since the moment I first heard the soundtrack of Moulin Rouge! It’s a quote that I incorporate into my life frequently, whether its something I saw to the high school students I work with at my church, or even just something I say to my family. That doesn’t happen without Moulin Rouge! Baz Luhrmann brings magic to the screen in one of the best musicals of the 21st century. This was the movie where I fell in love with Ewan McGregor. That guy has some pipes on him, and to this day this is still my favorite movie of his. Nicole Kidman is absolutely stunning in her role as Satine. She’s a tragic character, built on dreams and caught in a bad situation. The music is gorgeous, and the story is beautiful. Moulin Rouge! is one of my favorite movies of all time, and is a severely underrated gem. (Mike Hilty)
It was great to hear last week’s episode of SiftPop Writer’s Room correct history and give the Best Actor Oscar to Andrew Garfield in the 2022 review. tick, tick… BOOM! makes great use of onomatopoeia, as the ticks represent Jonathan Larson (Garfield) rapidly approaching his 30th birthday with a dreadful sense of woe at his seeming lack of accomplishment, a sort of one-third life crisis. The boom earns every bit of the exclamation mark while representing several explosive situations: the struggles of his relationship, the impact of AIDS, the reviews from his showcase, and more. This film is confidently and wisely edited, intercutting a stage performance of tick, tick… BOOM! with the events that inspired it. Lin Manuel Miranda also shines in his directorial creativity, with shots like the diner wall coming down and the swimming lanes becoming a music staff with the top-down view. It feels like there is no song more relatable than “30/90” as the opener, but then you come across “Therapy” midway through. The recreation of the music is handled expertly, especially considering Garfield never previously sang professionally or played piano. His dedication to doing it right is admirable, and it makes the movie all the more memorable. More importantly, his portrayal of Larson’s fear of failing to live up to his perceived potential is visceral. With Garfield’s performance, excellent portrayals of Larson’s music, Miranda’s promising directorial debut and a great supporting cast, this should have been the Netflix Best Picture nominee over Don’t Look Up. (Jason Mack)
Who are the kings of the parody film? While Mel Brooks created a long and illustrious career out of spoofing genres, and making films with a deft and biting commentary on the world, that is just one approach. Another is going straight for the pure absurdity of existence, and shooting a little lower… below the belt. Those Zucker brothers and Jim Abrahams found the perfect recipe with their silly romp in the sky, Airplane! This film is one of the most quotable films ever… period. I could write 10 pages of just hilarious quotes that take shots at everything and anything. The true king of the Zuckers’ approach is the serious-turned-deadpan genius, Leslie Nielsen. Honestly, one of those 10 pages could just be the absurd lines that come out of Nielsen’s mouth. He is counting on all of us, and you better not call him Shirley. This disaster movie turned lampoon has groping inflatable auto-pilots, disco dancing pilots, and Jeff Bridges’ dad, who picks the wrong day to give up on all of his addictions. What else could you possibly want in a comedy? (Shane Conto)
Hello, Dolly!
Directed by Gene Kelly, one of the kings of musicals, and starring Barbara Streisand, one of the queens of musicals, Hello, Dolly! is a fun time. Though it doesn’t quite capture all the magic of the stage production, this film adaptation is still a great time. It’s brimming with over-the-top performances, beautiful costumes, amazing choreography, and some wonderful songs. Personally, I’m in line with WALL-E: It’s hard not to love “Put on Your Sunday Clothes.” You’ve got a lovably cranky performance from Walter Matthau, an eccentric lead performance from Streisand, and a bunch of solid supporting roles to match. There are even fun cameos from Louis Armstrong and Scatman Crothers. Plus, this was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture, and it won three of them. If you’re a fan of musicals, this is a timeless classic worth checking out. (Heath Lynch)
Teen Titans GO! To the Movies
When it comes to the TV show, be careful when asking OG Teen Titans fans about their thoughts about the more comedic Teen Titans Go! However, when you look at Teen Titans GO! To the Movies in comparison to the recent DC Comics’ theatrical film slate, this joke fest is a refreshing fun time. It follows our titular Titans as they make a madcap dash to Hollywood in an attempt to get their time in the limelight, as every other hero is seemingly getting their own cinematic treatment. Insanity then ensues. It’s a fun time filled with meta references — perhaps too much at times — but the hits far outweigh the misses, and the 85-minute runtime absolutely flies. It gets bonus points for the Nicolas Cage Superman casting. Genius. (Jake Bourgeois)
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
The original Mamma Mia features a lot of great songs. That’s about the only good thing I can say about it. But fortunately, the sequel takes a lesson from perhaps the greatest sequel of all time, The Godfather Part II, and features parallel storylines of a parent and their child. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again isn’t comparable to The Godfather in any other way, really, but it’s a cool parallel, especially because Here We Go Again is a whole lot of fun! It still has an amazing score full of ABBA songs, but there is an actual storyline, and the character-based humor delivers a good amount of laughs. (Robert Bouffard)
Saved!
If you’re in the mood for a unique teen dramedy, 2004’ Saved! might be the film for you. It stars Jena Malone as Mary, a newly ostracized teen at her high school due to the discovery that she is pregnant. It also doesn’t help that she goes to a highly structured and strict Christian school. There are a few standouts in the film, like Mandy Moore as Hilary Faye and Macaulay Culkin, who plays Hilary’s brother Roland. They are perfect in their respective roles: Moore’s Hilary is two faced and an insufferable suck-up, while Culkin as Roland is just trying to find himself, and is far more rebellious. Malone is great as the lead, and you can feel her loneliness throughout the film, until she finds her highly unusual support system. Saved! is fun to revisit and has a kind of indie charm to it. (Joe Vargas)
Brink!
Sometimes the best movies are the kind that just stick with you for their charm and vibe. The Disney Channel Original movie Brink! from 1998 hits at the peak of inline skating craze, and definitely had me motivated as a 10 year old to rollerblade all over town. Anywhere I went, the skates had to come with me. The story follows Andy “Brink” Brinker (Erik von Detten), a kid whose one-track mind is on skating. When his family is in financial trouble, it makes him think about how he can turn his passion into something that could bring in some cash. The characters all feel wonderfully real, and while some moments can feel kinda hokey, life can be kind of hokey. For a ‘90s made-for-TV movie, they actually pull some pretty cool cinematography for the skating, and some of the actors do their own stunts. It’s a pretty breezy film thats just over 90 minutes, and the soundtrack is actually something that I still pull a song up from time to time; “Look before you leap” just slaps. Brink! caughtmy imagination as a kid and stuck with me for over 20 years. It’s silly and heartfelt, and gives some good lessons about doing what you love and not selling out, as well as the most important lesson of all: When things are hard, all you have to remind yourself to do is to “skate better.” (Evan Lucken)
Shazam!
It looks like Deadpool isn’t the only character with a funny side to him, because DC finally brought us David F. Sandberg’s Shazam! DC films usually take somber and dark tones to their projects, but Shazam! does things a little differently by taking a more comedic tone. 14-year-oldfoster kid Billy Batson(Asher Angel)is on a mission to find his mother, a journey which leads him to encountering an ancient wizard (Djimon Hounsou)who gives him magic. Billy soon discovers that by saying “shazam,” he gets special powers and turns into an adult body (Zachary Levi). However, Billy learns the struggles with being a hero as he faces off against the villainous Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong), who had the chance to be the champion as a boy, but was denied because his heart wasn’t pure. Since that experience, Dr. Sivana has been seeking to regain that power for himself. The action scenes keep you at the edge of your seat, and the film really punches important messages about family and being selfless. The film does well with its twists and makes for a very funny DC film project. (Christian Grullon)
Three Amigos!
One of the few genres that tends to be very hit or miss in the “does it hold up?” category is comedy. Comedy evolves and changes over time, so I was a little nervous revisiting The Three Amigos! The last time I saw it was in college and like most people in college, I was kind of an idiot back then. I am very happy to report, The Three Amigos! holds up! The basic premise is a small town in Mexico is being terrorized by bandits. One of the townswomen and her son see a movie of the titular Amigos and believes them to be real heroes. Not realizing they are actors, she sends them a telegram asking for help, so naturally, they come thinking they were being hired to put on a show. From there, comedy ensues, and I had a lot of fun watching the shenanigans throughout. The comedy is pretty clean for the most part, so I wouldn’t have a problem showing it to the kids, which is always a plus. I can’t believe I ever doubted Steve Martin and Martin Short would let me down. If you are in the mood for a short lighthearted comedy, then you can’t go wrong with The Three Amigos! *Does signature Amigos’ arm-crossing-pelvic-thrust* (Nick Ferro)
Mars Attacks!
Tim Burton’s Mars Attacks! is a comedy that blends ‘90s pop culture icons with the nostalgia of ‘50s sci-fi films. In this fictional world, Jack Nicholson and Glenn Close are President and First Lady, and America is under attack by devious (and silly looking) Martians. It’s up to President Dale to save the country, but not without the help of some unlikely heroes. Mars Attacks! is a movie that’s in on the joke, and that’s what makes it so endearing. Its ridiculous plot, wacky costumes, and impressive cast of A-Listers, make it a true camp film. Notable cast members include Pierce Brosnan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Martin Short, Jack Black, Christina Applegate, Danny DeVito, and Pam Grier. As if that weren’t cool enough, there’s also a performance from Tom Jones! To top it all off, its wonderful, extraterrestrial sounding score was done by Danny Elfman. Mars Attacks! might not have gotten the reception it deserved when it was first released, but, almost 30 years later, people are finally seeing it for the campy good time it is. Better late than never! (Diana Gebbia)
Also See: Everybody Wants Some!!, Oliver!, Safety Last!, Tora! Tora!, Good Bye, Lenin!, Help!