This Is Spinal Tap: Funnily enough I had never seen this 1983 movie in its entirety. Directed by Rob Reiner (who was good to see once again now that he is tragically gone) this rock band mockumentary stars Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer and a slew of various drummers who join the group after the previous drummer tragically passes away. That is one of the ongoing inside jokes. It is written by the director and the three principal actors along with the songs. It is all very tongue in cheek in a Beatles-like story fashion with concert footage along with backstage interviews. Reiner asks many of the questions to the band members, either individually or as a group. Other scenes just have a camera showing interactions. In the story we are told that the band was established a number of years before and then has been steadily fading. They are heading more and more into obscurity all the while dealing with less attractive gigs.
I principally wanted to see this because the sequel was released last year and I wanted to see where they would take it. It’s all very nostalgic. The actors all deliver their performances with dead pan seriousness. For me Christopher Guest playing the dim witted but talent guitar player who has issues with the direction of the band says plenty with his eyes and reactions than any lines delivered. The music is funny, with songs like Stonehenge being particularly funny with Anjelica Huston delivering a prop that wasn’t exactly what was expected. There are well known gags with the dial on the amps that go to “11” and Reiner dead pans whether they could just leave it at “10”. This is very similar to other projects by these actors like Best in Show where they poke fun at a topic that is treated more seriously. Both do so successfully, but this isn’t a movie for everyone. The dead pan style can be off putting for some. Much like Monty Python isn’t for everyone. But this was clever for me, and I think that the original songs prepared along with the Beatles themed confrontations with band members and managers make it a lark. I will look forward to seeing the sequel.
Black Mirror: I watched the episode entitled Joan Is Awful which has Selma Hayak in it along with Annie Murphy (Canadian from Schitt’s Creek) and Michael Cera. It is Season 6, episode 1. For this series I am catching episodes after reading the synopsis to see if it looks intriguing. I have written about other episodes before. Some are fairly short at about 40 mins while others can be 1.5 hours. For me I like those that have a technology bent to them and some more than others provide this feel of “this isn’t really that far away”. It explores some timely issues surrounding the use of technology. This episode I feel did quite a nice job of addressing the issues at hand. It begins showing the life of Joan, being played by Annie Murphy. She has a distinct hair colour, and is a middle manager for a company. In the episode she is shown releasing one of the employees showing little empathy for a dismissal that she likely had very little influence on. In addition she has a male partner and other issues happening in her life.
Joan’s partner mentioned that there is a new series on which is very popular starring Selma Hayak. It is on a Netflix-like streaming service, right down to the same music and introduction. Joan quickly realizes to her horror that the day that she just completed was being shown in this episode on her screen. The world is seeing her actions acted out, almost verbatim . She is being played by Selma Hayak. Same hair colour, same job, same music that she listened to in the car. It’s all a little creepy and disconcerting to her. Her partner sees some of the other things that she was doing in her day. Actions have consequences. Further the impact on her otherwise ordinary life is significant as all these strangers around her recognize her, and she is given side eye glances as they judge her. In horror, Joan seeks out legal advice, and is told in no uncertain terms that the employment contract that she signed had clauses that had her waive the rights to her image and her moral rights. In short, she had given up all that made her herself at least from the filming perspective. Things happen and become more intense as Joan decides to try and get the attention of Selma Hayak, and she certainly does. The following exchanges with lawyers once again are very eye opening. Note that during the Writer’s Strike for Hollywood, one of the key issues was the use of AI and whether AI can be used to write scripts with less work and pay for the writers. Actors also beagan to realize that computer generated images of their personna can act in roles. Note how actors who have passed away, in movies like Star Wars are still able to deliver lines and interact with living actors. Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing are notable. Back to Joan’s world, Michael Cera enters the conversation as a developer within the computer system as the plot unfolds and the situation turns even more complicated. It makes for a good episode, and the lawyer in me considers the myriad of issues at work. Time and again episodes in this seven season series impress me. I will add this one to the list. Check it out.
Mondays With Robbie 