"Snob Classics" - Mike dumps on some comedies

[Petey Wheatstraw]

Wow, I hope he wasn't being serious about the quality of those movies. I wouldn't want to think that Mike was a pretentious jackass in real life.

Bar none, if you don't like Dr. Strangelove, you have absolutely no sense of humor. Being John Malkovich is one of the best films of recent years (it's actually not really a comedy. It's funny, but if you're in the mood some nice huge laughs every five seconds, it's not the film for you) as was Rushmore, and Annie Hall is brilliant, as is Woody Allen (and Soon-Yi was Keaton's adopted daughter, not Woody's).

This piece was simply not funny. I don't know if Mike was trying some kind of reverse-psychology thing, but it didn't work. Sorry. It's sad that Mike would turn in this kind of shoddy work trashing some of the great films (and a movie that I've never seen--Diner). Did Mike really need money that badly? There's nothing snobbish about liking any of these films (except for Diner, which I have no idea about).

Let's mock some real snobs -- how about the nerds who think that the Lord of the Rings trilogy is the three greatest movies of all time? Or people who think that Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is actually good?

[Joe Don Faker]

See, I thought Mike's piece worked, because his criticisms aren't a wholesale condemnation of the movies, but rather (humorous) attacks on selected aspects of them (Strangelove's interminable bomber scenes, Allen's latter-day creepiness, to some).  He actually calls Strangelove's performances "fine" and admits that Annie Hall is one of Woody's "best" comedies.  I'm guessing that, as in the case of Diner, Mike does have some affection or admiration for a few of these movies, and he is just ripping on choice aspects of them to deflate the reverence that some movie buffs have, and also to have some fun.  I enjoyed it.

If it's any consolation, I think people will keep watching the likes of Annie Hall years after the Cracked article is yellowed with age.  (How the yellowing takes place online is another topic altogether.)

[Cibernético II]

hmm looks like there be a few snobs in the midst *adjusts imaginary tie*

[JonnyFrag]

Mike does indeed say Annie Hall is Woody Allen's best comedy. And that it is not funny.
Woody Allen has never been funny.
He never will...

[Bob M.]

Wow, I thought it was a fairly typical amusing essay from our own Capt. Mike of the SS Rifftrax. Nothing to get riled up about, or so venomously defensive about. Some good points, but it's all in good fun; you did notice where the column appears, didn't you? Hmmm...

Great essay Mike. All in good fun, as always.

[Joe Don Faker]

Mike does indeed say Annie Hall is Woody Allen's best comedy. And that it is not funny.

Er, ah, technically, er -- Mike doesn't say Annie Hall is unfunny.  Rather, he er, ah, (adjusts glasses) says the more recent Woody real-life antics have colored the viewing of his past work, rendering it unappealing.

Ideally at this point in the post, I would find Michael J. Nelson standing conveniently nearby, wearing a jacket with patched elbows and drinking an aged single malt, and he would confirm for you that the above is true.

[Dr.Impossible]

hmm looks like there be a few snobs in the midst *adjusts imaginary tie*

Oh your god, where?!? Hold on, let me get my pitchfork and torch!

[Petey Wheatstraw]

Mike does indeed say Annie Hall is Woody Allen's best comedy. And that it is not funny.
Woody Allen has never been funny.
He never will...

Well, that's simply not true.

I'll admit that Annie Hall isn't my personal favorite of Allen's work, but he has been extremely funny on many occasions. My favorite film of his is Bananas.

[LadyKenobi]

Bar none, if you don't like Dr. Strangelove, you have absolutely no sense of humor.

Wow, really?  I didn't know that about myself.  Thanks for the headsup.

Me and the non-sense-of-humor-having Mike Nelson will just be standing over here, blowing a little air through the nose and nodding the head knowingly.

[mrbasehart]

I gotta admit, I like or love every single one of the movies Mike mentions in his article.  But then, I think I'm probably a movie snob.  

[starfighter]

  Annie Hall wasn't the right film of Woody's for Mike to use for his criticism. He should have picked Manhattan where Woody is living with a 17-year-old Mariel Hemingway. That's a much closer fit to the tone of creepiness Mike expressed.
   I'm going to assume that a few of you did not see Mike's column in the first issue of the new Cracked where he wrote of "five awful comedies you need to avoid."  So don't look for any Rifftraxs on Junior, The Master of Disguise, Little Nicky, It's Pat: The Movie, or Chairman of the Board.

[Dr.Impossible]

  Annie Hall wasn't the right film of Woody's for Mike to use for his criticism. He should have picked Manhattan where Woody is living with a 17-year-old Mariel Hemingway. That's a much closer fit to the tone of creepiness Mike expressed.
   I'm going to assume that a few of you did not see Mike's column in the first issue of the new Cracked where he wrote of "five awful comedies you need to avoid."  So don't look for any Rifftraxs on Junior, The Master of Disguise, Little Nicky, It's Pat: The Movie, or Chairman of the Board.

Isn't "Rifftrax" already plural? I don't think you need to add an S.

[LadyKenobi]

Annie Hall wasn't the right film of Woody's for Mike to use for his criticism. He should have picked Manhattan where Woody is living with a 17-year-old Mariel Hemingway.

I see where you're coming from, but comedy snobs tend to cite Annie Hall over Manhattan.  I think that's why he picked it.

[ScottotD]

from the replies on this thread I probably won't read the column, I like Mike and this sounds like the sort of thing that might sour that.

[PlayMSTie]

Wow, I hope he wasn't being serious about the quality of those movies. I wouldn't want to think that Mike was a pretentious jackass in real life.

What's pretentious about mocking pretentiousness?  I loved every word of the article, because with Mike, I'm repulsed by any movie or TV show that thinks it's just too, too clever and cute -- Aaron Sorkin, call your office -- and let's face it, these movies (those I'm familiar with, anyway) all have at least something of that in them. A movie about a group of people running an actor's life from inside his head? How precious can you get?