One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.
As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.
Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.
I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”
When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.
See you at the movies!
***Spoilers Ahead!!!***
87. Wayne’s World (1992) Directed by Penelope Spheeris
The Movie: Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) is the host of Wayne’s World a popular show on public access TV in Aurora, Illinois. His co-host/best friend Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) broadcast from Wayne’s parents basement. One night TV executive Benjamin Kane (Rob Lowe) watches the episode, and while he doesn’t understand the appeal, he thinks he has the perfect show to pair with Noah’s Arcade.
Wayne and Garth decide to go out in Garth’s Mirthmobile. Around town Wayne stops to admire a 1964 Fender Stratocaster, that he declares “it will be mine, oh yes it will be mine.” The guys also stop by Mikita Donuts, where we meet the manager, Glen (Ed O’Neil) and Garth’s dream woman (Donna Dixon). And Wayne’s crazy ex-girlfriend Stacy (Lara Flynn Boyle) who gifts Wayne a gun rack.
The guys next hit up the nightclub Gasworks and meet Cassandra (Tia Carrere). Bass player and lead singer of the band Crucial Taunt. Wayne immediately is attracted to her and decides to see her the following week.
Benjamin meets with Wayne and Garth and offers them $5,000 each to bring Wayne’s World to a network. Wayne and Garth agree and it’s on to the big time. Wayne meets Cassandra and she too likes him. She is impressed that Wayne has taken the time to learn Cantonese. Benjamin also meets Cassandra through Wayne and begins to try and move in on her.
In a ploy to spend time alone with Cassandra, Benjamin secures tickets and backstage passes to Alice Cooper for Wayne and Garth in Milwaukee and finances Crucial Taunt’s music video. In Milwaukee Wayne and Garth meet Alice Cooper and a security guard (Chris Farley) who knows a lot about the itinerary of Frankie Sharp (Frank DiLeo) head of Sharp Records and music producer.
At their new studio setup, Wayne dislikes that he has to have a sponsor. Noah Vanderhoff (Brian Murray) is required to be on the show, much to his chagrin. Wayne, has ideas of his own and writes jokes on the back of the cards Benjamin asked him to read. This infuriates Benjamin who fires Wayne in the middle of the show, leaving Garth all alone.
Later that night, Garth tells Wayne that he is being selfish and tells Wayne off, leaving Wayne alone. The next morning at Cassandra’s, Wayne is still pissed and belittles Cassandra who tells Wayne to leave as well. Wayne, realizing that he has not been a good friend or boyfriend devises a plan to show Crucial Taunt to Frankie Sharp in his limo.
Garth’s plan is to infiltrate the satellite systems and Wayne goes to Cassandra in an attempt to expose Benjamin and confess his love for her. Wayne is able to get Cassandra to appear on his show, and she and Crucial Taunt perform. Frankie Sharp arrives at Wayne’s home and…
Sharp refuses to give Crucial Taunt a record contract. Cassandra breaks up with him and leaves with Benjamin to paradise. Stacy also reveals that she is pregnant with Wayne’s baby. An electrical fire breaks out in the basement and it kills Garth.
At that moment, Wayne and Garth tell the viewers that they dislike that ending and change it to the Scooby-Doo ending. In this ending, Wayne unmasks Benjamin and reveals him to be “Old Man Withers” the guy who runs the haunted amusement park! Although they like that ending more, they decide to do the “Mega Happy Ending”.
Cassandra is offered a contract and kisses Wayne. Dream woman and Garth get together and Benjamin learns that money can’t buy everything.
Why I Love Wayne’s World (1992): Insanely quotable, I fell in love with Wayne’s World the moment I begged my mom to take me to see it in theaters. And when my mom asked what I wanted for Christmas that year, it was the VHS of Wayne’s World.
I must have watched it a hundred times and I still laugh every time I watch it. The film is incredibly silly, but it also has a lot of heart. By not taking itself seriously, and with every actor buying into the world make it comedy gold.
Myers’ breaking of the fourth wall lets us the viewers into his world and immediately part of his group. He and Carvey want us to be a member of his crew and by constantly talking to “you” as if you are the one filming the movie lets us join in the fun. The cameos are great, with my favorite being Ed O’Neil as the disgruntled manager of Mikita Donuts. “Why is it, when a man kills another man in battle, it’s called heroic, yet if he kills a man in the heat of passion, it’s called murder?”