When I first saw this DVD I had great expectations. I mean, when you call your movie "Beer: The Movie" you expect one of those great beer comedy movies, such as Animal House, Spinal Tap, any Adam Sandler movie, etc. Instead, what you get are a collection of comedy sketches that ultimately fall flat. Sure, a few of the sketches are slightly funny. Jesus showing up at a house is one of these. Plus, the bit about duct taping beers to your hands and wearing adult diapers has potential. But some parts, like the parody of side effects of medicines has been done much better (in the medicine example, Mad TV's version cannot be beat!). Instead of a great beer flick, you get a painfully slow collection of "home movies" that trod along at a snails pace. And like "home movies", I guess you have to actually know the guys in this film to see the humor. No amount of beer can make this funny. However, this is part of a 3-DVD series and maybe they can inject some actual humor in the subsequent installments. The only saving grace of this film is the soundtrack featuring indie rock acts such as The Sleeping, Taking Back Sunday, Brand New, Fight Paris, Aeroplane Pageant, Kevin Devine, Atmosphere, and more. If you want a true beer-comedy, you'd better pass on this one.
Wow, this was really a blast from the past. I loved Sid and Marty Krofft's TV creations as a kid. I was a big fan of "HR Puffnstuff" and their second series "The Bugaloos". But "The Bugaloos" (1970-1972) was the more musical of the two series as they featured a made-for-TV "group" ala The Monkees. And the Bugaloos music was definitely a notch above your standard TV "kids show" music of the time - with a heavy nod to the music of The Association, with heavy emphasis on psychedelic-like harmony. The show was a fantasy, featuring the singing group as "bugs" with wings (a reference to The Beatles?) living in "Tranquility Forest" in a constant battle with evil Benita Bizarre (played by Martha Raye) who lives in a big jukebox. Their sidekick, Sparky the Firefly (Billy Barty) acting as comic relief. Sure, the special effects are a little dated and the DJ Peter Platter even has a vinyl-album tongue - but otherwise the show has aged well! Of course I really liked seeing Caroline Ellis (Joy) in her skimpy little costume - although I was only 6 and really didn't understand why (at the time!). And of course there are the expected DVD extras, including interviews with 3 of the 4 Bugaloos (John McIndoe, John Philpott, Caroline Ellis. Conspicuously missing is Wayne Laryea!) as they reminisce about their time as "teen sensations". John Philpott also talks about hanging out at Apple Records and hearing about the audition! Every episode is shown, as well as a special "Bugaloos Jukebox" where you can view their music-only videos. A special note on one episode: you get to see Sparky the Firefly (Billy Barty) play drums and he could really play! And there are even a couple of Beatles references in the show, delivered by The Bugaloos overly emphasized cockney accent (supposedly done to make the show "understandable" to Americans). I'm sure that the release of this DVD will bring a whole new generation of fans to The Bugaloos. Too bad they don't make shows like this anymore!
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"Beer: The Movie"
"The World of Sid & Marty Krofft - The Bugaloos Complete Series"