Introduction to Killer B’s Comedy: Wild

There’s nothing in this world as subjective as comedy. As Buck Henry says, "The scary thing is, no one really knows what’s funny."* On the other hand, we all know what makes us laugh.

While there are dozens of subgenres of comedy movies, one major division we can make is between those that are mild and those that are wild. Mild comedies are often described as quiet, gentle, low-key, understated, laid back, subtle or understated, and wild comedies with words like loud, dark, edgy, madcap, anarchic, rowdy, raucous, exaggerated, over the top, boisterous, twisted, outrageous, uproarious, or just plain crazy.

Killer B’s Comedy: Wild collects 101 of the wildest, loudest, darkest, edgiest, most madcap, anarchic, rowdy, raucous, exaggerated, over the top, boisterous, twisted, outrageous, uproarious, and just plain crazy comedy movies you’ve (probably) never seen. (And you can find even more wild comedies in other volumes in the Killer B’s Movie Guide series—not to mention 101 more sedate, but every bit as funny, films in Killer B’s Comedy: Mild.)

As we used to say in the old days of the web, prepare to LOL, LYAO and ROTFL. OK?

* Henry’s statement is not entirely accurate. There is, in point of fact, one thing that is indisputably, universally and eternally funny: monkeys.

The Killer B’s

Movie Guide Series

The Killer B’s Movie Guides are your golden ticket to unseen cinema: noteworthy films that few movie viewers have discovered. These guidebooks take full advantage of on demand movie services, with their easy access to an abundance of films. It’s just as easy to find a hidden gem as a recent blockbuster...if you know what to look for. The Killer B’s Movie Guides let you know what to look for.

If you enjoyed the selections in Killer B’s Comedy: Wild, you can find even more underseen and undiscovered films in these genres in Killer B’s, Vol. 1 & 2. You might also want to explore some of the other ebooks in the Killer B’s series, including:

Killer B’s, Volume 1 (1980-1995)

The 237 best movies on demand you’ve (probably) never seen. Includes all the major film genres (Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Family & Kids, Horror, Mystery, Suspense & Thriller, and Westerns) as well as some surprises. (Note: Some of the selections in Killer B’s Comedy: Wild were excerpted from this volume, but you can find many more comedies, both wild and mild, in Killer B’s, Vol. 1.)

Killer B’s, Volume 2: Son of a Killer B (1996-2016)

237 MORE great movies on demand you’ve (probably) never seen. Includes all the major film genres plus a bonus chapter of 11 undiscovered but binge-watchable TV series. (Note: Some of the selections in Killer B’s Comedy: Wild were excerpted from this volume, but you can find many more comedies, both wild and mild, in Killer B’s, Vol. 2.)

Killer B’s: The Hive

The 487 best movies (and a few TV shows) on demand you’ve (probably) never seen. Combines the contents of Killer B’s, Volume 1 (1980-1995) and Killer B’s, Volume 2: Son of a Killer B (1996-2016) into a single volume—and includes annual updates!

Killer B’s Comedy: Mild

101 great unknown low-key comedy movies excerpted from Killer B’s, Vols. 1 & 2.

Killer B’s: Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror

113 great unknown science fiction, fantasy and horror movies excerpted from Killer B’s, Vols. 1 & 2.

Killer B’s: Action & Thriller

123 great unknown action, thriller, suspense and mystery films excerpted from Killer B’s, Vols. 1 & 2.

Killer B’s: Drama

117 great unknown dramatic movies excerpted from Killer B’s, Vols. 1 & 2.

Available wherever fine ebooks are sold.

Killer B’s:

A Detailed Definition

(or, "Why is that in this book?")

Just what is a Killer B?

It’s a minor (B) movie that is excellent, outstanding, and awesome (i.e., killer). It’s a relatively unknown film that’s every bit as first-rate as most first-run features. It’s a bit of undiscovered cinema exceptional enough to excite even jaded movie viewers.

Killer B’s are terrific but little-known films that never got the publicity, distribution or attention they needed to allow their audience to find them. They are commendable movies that were lost in the tsunami of hundreds of new movie and video releases every year. They are movies that Entertainment Weekly calls criminally underrated. And they’re the kind of serendipitous cinematic discovery you yourself stumble across on rare occasions, get excited about, and feel compelled to recommend to friends.

Killer B’s are very similar to movies that have long been referred to as buried treasures or sleepers. What is it, then, that differentiates a Killer B from these other types of undiscovered little films? My selection criteria were, for the most part, arbitrary but logical (as far as I know. I am neither Sherlock nor Spock, however.)

First, I eliminated titles that are too well known. Most movies that were popular enough to make any theatrical or rental top ten list, for example, were rejected. Second, I tried to chart an MOR (middle of the road) course to ensure that the majority of these titles are suitable for general audiences; I therefore rejected as candidates most sub-sub-genres (kaiju, kung fu, exploitation, splatter/slasher, etc.) and cult films (which deserve their own book, but most of which aren’t for general audiences, or they wouldn’t be cult flicks, duh). You also won’t find any grade Z, so bad they’re good trash flicks here. Killer B’s are good movies. (Details on the selection process can be found in the Deep Dive, located at the back of this ebook.)

Finally, there’s The Unwritten Rule—one additional, important criterion: I had to like it. If I didn’t like a film, it’s not in here. Not all blind dates inspire a spark—but some create real chemistry.

So what did I look for in a great overlooked or minor film? Primarily, excellence in one or more aspects: exceptional performances, a smart script, lush photography, appropriate pace, masterful direction. I looked for originality, intelligence, uniqueness, sincerity. I looked for overall engaging entertainment and for lasting impressions. Above of all, however, I looked for genuinely affecting emotion. Whether the film was intended to inspire laughter or tears, awe or chills, I looked for an experience—for films that touched and affected me, with the hope that they will affect you similarly.

You’re holding 101 perfect examples of Killer B’s. (And can find hundreds more in Killer B’s, Vols. 1 & 2.) Enjoy them...and get ready to find a few new films to love!

Front Matter

• Information You Will Not Find in Killer B’s Comedy: Wild

• The Killer B Challenge

• The Skeleton Key

• Caveat Videor

Information You Will Not Find in Killer B’s Comedy: Wild

• Distributor (the label under which a film was released on DVD, Blu-ray, etc.). Studio information has also been eliminated because, really, who cares? Never once in the history of watching films at home has anyone ever said, Hey, you know what I’d really like to see tonight? One of those great Columbia TriStar classics!

• Availability information—that is, which on demand movie services carry which titles—is not included, since this is a moving target. Movies are added to and rotated out of all online services on a daily basis. If you want to find out where you can rent or purchase a title, Rotten Tomatoes provides this information online. And the current trend is for apps that check availability across platforms and providers, built into devices like AppleTV.

• Ranking information by the various on demand movie services (and IMDb) is not included, since it is fluid and dynamic. A snapshot of a movie’s rating taken on January first might be totally irrelevant by December 31st...or even on January second.

Full disclosure: As of publication time, not all titles in this book are in fact available from on demand services. However, most of those titles unavailable on demand as of press time are available on DVD (or on YouTube), and it is our firm belief (and observation) that the titles currently unavailable on demand will become available as time goes on. If you fail to find a Killer B title on an on demand service, check YouTube, Netflix DVD rentals, or Amazon for purchase—or just wait a few weeks or months...it’ll undoubtedly show up on demand sooner or later.

The Killer B Challenge

The astute, extremely observant (or incredibly anal-retentive) reader might notice that there are actually 102 titles in this book. This is not a mistake; it’s a challenge. One of these Killer B’s is not a movie at all, but is in fact a fake.

Your mission (should you decide to accept it) is to spot the ringer. Can you determine which is the faux film?

This is not a contest—just a challenge. There are no prizes to be won, other than the personal satisfaction of knowing that you really know your Killer B’s.

Good luck—and happy hunting.

The Skeleton Key

Each review is formatted in the following manner:

1. Title

2. (Subgenre, where applicable)

3. (Miscellaneous information, where applicable)

4. (Year of theatrical release; 5. MPAA rating; 6. Running time)

HEADING INFORMATION

7. Cast (Starring/Featuring)

8. Writer (and source material, where applicable)

8A. Music (where appropriate)

9. Director

BODY INFORMATION

10. Synopsis

11. Discussion

12. Rent this one for

13. You’ll (probably) like this if you liked

13A. Similar Killer B’s in this volume you might enjoy

14. Critical Credentials/Dissenting Opinion

15. Vidbits

A more detailed key, including definitions and an explanation of the methodology used in each section, can be found in the Deep Dive, located at the end of this ebook.

Caveat Videor

(Let the watcher beware)

Taste.