#36 We just watched this on Netflix streaming: Spinal Tap

The Film: Spinal Tap

Spinal Tap is actually I don’t love. I’m one of the few people who think it is just good. I don’t think it is the best comedy of all time, which many claim it to be. Again, I think it is just good. It inspired my favorite show of all time, The Office, with Gervais saying he was directly influenced by Tap. This movie is a must-see for anyone who wants to know what has influenced moder television so mcuh

Why to watch it: It popularized a technique

It sort-of invented a genre. I say sort-of because the style had never really been used like Spinal Tap used it. It was genius that Reiner picked up the camera and actually shot it full-on like he was making a documentary. These days you can’t turn on the TV without seeing this technique, but trust me, it was really unusual at the time.

The technique has really been exhausted and the ironic, quiet satire is a staple of modern, American television. This is mostly due to the success of the American office. I’m not complain, because it is a step away from copy-cats of Seinfeld. But still, the comedy wasn’t as ground breaking from my perspective as it would have been when the film was first released.

Pay attention to this: Dialing it to 11.