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!
114. Hot Shots! (1991) Directed by Jim Abrahams
The Movie: Pilot Leland “Buzz” Harley (Bill Irwin) is suffering a malfunction on his jet. Buzz ejects a leaves behind his co-pilot Dominic “Mailman” Farnham (Ryan Stiles) to go down with the plane. Mailman survives, but as he sticks his head out from a tree, is helmet is now fashioned with branches that look like deer antlers. It so happens to be deer season and Mailman is shot and killed by hunters. This is a nightmare that hot shot pilot Topper Harley (Charlie Sheen) has almost every night.
Harley is asked to return to active duty by Lieutenant Commander Block (Kevin Dunn) for the U.S. Navy on a top secret mission called Operation Sleepy Weasel, being overseen by Admiral Benson (Lloyd Bridges). Harley can’t seem to shake his psychological problems that arise whenever someone mentions his father. He is ordered to see a psychiatrist, Dr. Ramada Thompson (Valeria Golino), who just so happens to be beautiful and the object of Topper’s desire.
Ramada however has a suave and dapper ex-boyfriend, Kent Gregory (Cary Elwes) who also happens to Mailman’s son and Gregory blames Topper’s father for his fathers death and thinks Topper is dangerous. Topper’s co-pilot and eater of Mailman Jim “Wash Out” Pfaffenbach (Jon Cryer) is one of the few people that give Topper a chance.
We learn that Lt. Block has brought Topper back for nefarious reasons. He has made a deal with a business tycoon Wilson (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) for his new super planes, and if the mission fails then the Navy will be compelled to buy new planes.
On one of the last training missions, Topper oversleeps and Wash Out pretends to be Topper to keep him out of trouble. An accident occurs and kills Pete “Dead Meat” Thompson (William O’Leary). After the accident Block believes with the death of Dead Meat that should be enough for the Navy to buy Wilson’s jets, he however believes they need to fail in a mission.
The mission is finally revealed, they will attack an Iraqi Nuclear Plant. Topper is assigned to lead the mission, which upsets Gregory. During the mission Block mentions Buzz to Topper. Topper has a panic attack and is unable to perform. Block sensing that he has done what needed to be done is about to abort the mission. Before he can a squadron of Iraqi fighters intercept the Navy pilots. Block can’t allow the men to die so he sets the record straight and tells Topper that what he was told about his dad was not true. Buzz did everything he could to save Mailman but he was unsuccessful.
Topper snaps out of his panic attack and goes on to complete the mission. He even drops a bomb right on Saddam Hussein. The US is successful and Wilson’s plan is revealed. Back on the ship Gregory calls out Topper, but only to tell him he is a damn good pilot. He also gives Topper and Ramada his blessing to be a couple.
Why I Love Hot Shots! (1991): Jim Abrahams is responsible for some of my favorite comedies. (See #140 Airplane! and #133 Top Secret!). I just love parodies that have silly dialogue but the actors treat it 100% serious. Case in point after Topper is explaining why you play to win;
“My father used to say that not playing to win is like sleeping with your sister. Sure she’s a great piece of tail, with a blouse full of goodies, but it’s just illegal. Then you got into that whole inbred thing. Kids with no teeth, who do nothing but play the banjo, eat apple sauce through a straw, pork farm animals.”
There is an art to making films like this. Everybody has to by in. From Charlie Sheen carrying the movie to his love interest Valeria Golino being totally game and also delivering a hell of a performance. But maybe the MVP is Cary Elwes. His deadpan, on point delivery would serve him well here and he would parlay this role into another great spoof in 1993, Robin Hood: Men in Tights.
The plot doesn’t matter, just as long as it functions as a way to get to the next set piece. And Hot Shots! breezes by at a relentless pace that begs for repeat viewings.
Hot Shots! is a non-stop, Mach 3 comedy.