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!***
144. MacGruber (2010) Directed by Jorma Taccone
The Movie: A ruthless arms dealer Dieter Von Cunth (Val Kilmer) has in his possession a nuclear X-5 warhead and intends to use it. The United States knows only one man can stop him. He’s a former Navy SEAL, Green Beret and Army Ranger. He is MacGruber (Will Forte)!
MacGruber has been out of action since the murder of his fiancée Casey (Maya Rudolph) by Von Cunth, on their wedding day! Colonel Jim Faith (Powers Boothe) and Lieutenant Dixon Piper (Ryan Philippe) are unsuccessful in convincing MacGruber to help them.
That night, MacGruber is haunted in his dreams about Casey’s death and he goes to Washington to accept the mission. MacGruber does have one condition, he gets to pick his team, but not Piper, he “fucking hates” him.
MacGruber asks Vicki St. Elmo (Kristen Wiig) for help, she accepts. MacGruber next locates all the best men he knows (Chris Jericho, Mark Henry, Hassan Hamin Assad, Dalip Singh, Glenn Jacobs and Paul Wight). And then accidentally blows them up. MacGruber begs Piper to join him after he tells him “Just point to something in the room and I’ll fuck it for you! Just tell me what you want me to fuck!”
After announcing that he is alive and is looking for Von Cunth and where he will be, MacGruber, Piper and Vicki set up a sting operation, with Vicki disguised as MacGruber. This lures Von Cunth’s henchman Hoss Bender (Andy Mackenzie) out whom MacGruber kills, “Hoss Bender, dead at the age of who the fuck cares.”
After MacGruber and his team crash Von Cunth’s party, MacGruber explains to Piper why he and Von Cunth hate each other. In college they were all friends, until MacGruber had an affair with Casey and told her to abort Von Cunth’s baby.
After using Piper as a body shield and not knowing Piper was wearing a bullet proof vest, Piper leaves the team. Vicki and MacGruber return to her home and have sex. Ashamed, MacGruber visits Casey’s grave, where she appears as a ghost and gives her blessing for MacGruber and Vicki to date, and then he has sex with her ghost.
When MacGruber returns to Vicki’s he finds Von Cunth has kidnapped her. MacGruber begs Piper to hep him stop Von Cunth and rescue Vicki, Piper agrees. Before Von Cunth can launch the warhead, MacGruber and Piper defeat him and his goons. MacGruber removes the missile’s guidance system and makes it so it can’t fly, handcuffs Von Cunth to the missile and leaves him to die. The missile explodes, but we see Von Cunth has cut his hand off and escapes as well.
Six months later at Vicki and MacGruber’s wedding, Von Cunth returns. Determined to kill MacGruber he pulls out a rocket launcher. MacGruber, however beats Von Cunth again, throws him off a cliff and shoots him with a machine gun and blows him up with a RPG as he falls. When his charred corpse lies on the canyon floor, MacGruber pees all over it. MacGruber!
Why I Love MacGruber: Easy, it’s funny and stupid and profane. A silly skit on Saturday Night Live, morphed into a hard R-rated film that aims to make you laugh and cringe at the same time. I could quote this movie all day;
Col. Faith: They were nice funerals.
MacGruber: Yeah. What did you think of my eulogies?
Col. Faith: Very touching. I might have cut back on the F-words a little.
MacGruber: Well, they were fucking great guys. And this is a fucking asshole of a day.
The only way a movie like this works is if all the actors are committed to the premise. And they are and then some. The hardest part is easily Ryan Phillippe’s. He has to be the straight man to all of MacGruber’s shenanigans and he excels. His performance relies on him believing that MacGruber is an idiot, but following him anyways. Kristen Wiig is an all-star too. She is incredibly talented and funny and her love for MacGruber makes her endearing. Will Forte is the crutch that holds it all together. He needs to think he’s cool when he is not, but when the chips are down he shows how great MacGruber is.
Directed with a break neck pace and understanding of absurd humor, Jorma Taccone flexes his comedic muscle and timing with great results.
My wife hates this movie. I took her to see it in theaters and she hasn’t forgiven me, almost 13 years later. Although she will never laugh at the film, I will leave you with another classic MacGruber exchange;
MacGruber: Looks like you’re keeping your bod pretty tight.
Korver: You’re looking pretty good yourself.
MacGruber: Well, everyday’s a workout when you gotta carry around a twenty pound python in your jeans.
Korver: You and your dick comments.
MacGruber: It’s fun to say them.
Korver: It’s fun to hear them.
MacGruber: That’s why I say them.
Korver: And that’s why I listen.