Jan 23-29: Late Night Hosts in Movies

Dates: Jan 23-29, 2011
Theme: Late Night Talk Show Hosts in Movies
Films: The Benchwarmers (2006), Collision Course (1989), Fever Pitch (2005), Cabin Boy (1994), The Faculty (1998), I'll Be There (2003), Coming to America (1988)

Sunday Jan 23, 2011: The Benchwarmers [PG-13] (2006)
Featuring a TON of dorky in-jokes and an appearance from onetime Late Late Show and The Daily Show host Craig Kilborn; this comedy is standard fare for the Happy Madison Crowd. Still, it IS fun to see Jon Lovitz and the rest of these guys just having a blast.













Monday Jan 24, 2011: Collision Course [PG] (1989)
Let's see... There's the fish-out-of-water element, the buddy-cop element, an unorthodox Detroit cop, there's LOTS of racial stereotypes, one-sided shootouts, and a by-the-numbers 80's action movie villain. Beverly Hills Cop! Right? Nope! It's this laughable (and yet still oddly enjoyable) flop featuring The Tonight Show's Jay Leno and Pat "Mr. Miyagi" Morita. If you're a fan of BAMF's (Bad Action Movies are Fun), this is one you should definitely seek out!










Tuesday Jan 25, 2011: Fever Pitch [PG-13] (2005)
This Americanized adaptation of Nick Hornby's semi-autobiographical novel; which was already made into a British film in 1997 starring Ruth Gemmel and Colin Firth, fails to capture the punch of Hornby's writing altogether. The substitution of the Red Sox for the Arsenal football team works to some extent, but it's the casting of Late Night host Fallon that really put the nail in the coffin of this lackluster rom-com. He just wasn't meant to play a romantic lead, and let's face it, Colin Firth's are some pretty big shoes to fill in that department.









Wednesday Jan 26, 2011: Cabin Boy [PG-13] (1994)
It's a parody of such epics as The Iliad or The Odyssey, but with a spoiled prat as the protaganist and a slew of off-color jokes as the conquests on his journey. It's included here for a brief cameo by Late Show host David Letterman (appearing under one of his aliases "Earl Hofert") as a stuffed monkey peddler in a fishing village. It's crass, and obvious, and dumb; but that doesn't mean it isn't still kinda funny. :)











Thursday Jan 27, 2011: The Faculty [R] (1998)
This style-over-substance high school/sci-fi/horror crossbreed comes from one of my favorite directors, Robert Rodriguez. It's on the list for a brief appearance by The Daily Show's Jon Stewart as an evil alien teacher. This movie features a pretty great cast, and at the time it was released was considered something of a cult hit.












Friday Jan 28, 2011: I'll Be There [PG-13] (2003)
Craig Ferguson, current host of The Late Late Show, serves here as writer/director and star. This sugary-sweet comedy isn't exactly treading in new waters, but is still an enjoyable take on a familiar story. Throw in a solid cast and a great soundtrack and you can't help but feel good watching this movie.













Saturday Jan 29, 2011: Coming to America [R] (1988)
With more quotable lines and memorable characters than any ONE film should feasibly be allowed, this comedy classic features Arsenio Hall as Eddie Murphy's second banana. The talk show host shows off some real comedy chops and improv skill in this movie. After all, it's no small task to keep up w/ Eddie Murphy!