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Python does Pirates

Yellowbeard only recently got a DVD release. It's one of those fringe Python films that star a few members of the original cast, but is otherwise unrelated. Graham Chapman, Eric Idle and John Cleese are joined by a number of American comedians, including Marty Feldman (who died during production), Madeline Kahn, Cheech & Chong, and Peter Boyle. The only person who puts on a laugh-worthy performance is Chapman, whose over-the-top ruthless pirate deserved far more screen time. Every other actor is simply disappointing, nowhere near the comedic value they attain in other films. C&C are especially unfunny. As a result, once Chapman vanishes from the plot for the center half of the movie, it drags very badly. Whether it's due to the generally poor direction or the bored, lazy, lackluster performances, I dunno. If you want to see all the Python performances, here's your chance to nab a rare one. Otherwise, there are better options.

** out of *****

Mocking the WTO.

The film follows a few of the exploits of The Yes Men, two guys and their friends who set up a WTO mockery site that garnered some mistaken invitations to WTO conferences that they took advantage of. As a result, they travel to these meetings around the world and pretend they're representatives from the WTO, but give hysterically deadpan presentations on ridiculous ideas and plans in the WTO's name to see how people will react and to shine a light on the poor global practices. This is a very liberal film, featuring some words from Michael Moore sprinkled throughout. It's nearly no-budget and almost didn't get seen in theaters. I'd rather it focused on exactly what they were protesting, but it felt more like an episode of The Real World for political pranksters. It's silly if you're in the mood for political humor.

*** out of *****

Two gay guys in the Israeli army

First, this film is very short at barely an hour. It's also rather predictably cliched, as if they'd seen American gay films and just mimicked that with what they had. Aside from the somewhat juvenile yet well-meant attempt, the film does have its funny moments which are communicated decently despite the dialogue being in Hebrew. It has some interesting facets of Don't Ask, Don't Tell as well, one wonders if that's actually the policies in Israel. If you like your guys in military gear, here's a good war movie for you.

**1/2 out of *****