At The Movies

To Be or Not to Be Runtime: 102 minutes Rating: R Release Date: December 23, 1983 Studio: 20th Century Fox Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 12 Run time in minutes: 102 Tagline: This time, the joke is on Hitler! Ratings My rating: 7.2 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 7.1 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 74% Metacritic rating: 67% Plot Summary A remake of the 1942 classic, this film follows a troupe of actors in Nazi-occupied Poland who become involved in espionage to outwit the Nazis through disguise and wit. Critics Review Generally positive reviews praised its smart comedy and timely political satire, highlighting Brooks’ ability to blend humor with serious themes. Christian Perspective Highlights courage against evil and the importance of standing up for what’s right. Some mature themes and language require viewer discretion. Family Friendliness Rated R for language and some mature content; best for adults.

Life Stinks Runtime: 97 minutes Rating: R Release Date: July 26, 1991 Studio: Warner Bros. Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 11 Run time in minutes: 97 Tagline: Can a rich man learn to live like a poor man? Ratings My rating: 6.3 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 6.1 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 33% Metacritic rating: 53% Plot Summary A wealthy businessman loses a bet and must live as a homeless person for 30 days. The film explores themes of poverty, compassion, and societal neglect with Brooks’ trademark humor. Critics Review Mixed reviews; some appreciated the social commentary, others found the humor uneven and the message muddled. Christian Perspective The film promotes compassion for the poor and critiques materialism, aligning with Christian values of charity, though it contains language and situations that might be objectionable. Family Friendliness Rated R for language and mature themes; intended for adult audiences.

Dracula, Dead and Loving It Runtime: 86 minutes Rating: PG-13 Release Date: August 18, 1995 Studio: Universal Pictures Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 10 Run time in minutes: 86 Tagline: The bite is back! Ratings My rating: 6.4 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 5.9 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 49% Metacritic rating: 48% Plot Summary A comedic take on the Dracula story, following the bumbling vampire Count Dracula as he tries to claim his latest victim. Full of slapstick and parody of classic vampire tropes. Critics Review Received mostly negative to mixed reviews, considered a weaker Brooks film. Critics felt the humor was less fresh and more predictable. Christian Perspective Contains vampire and occult themes, which some Christians may find objectionable. Overall light in tone, but supernatural elements may be concerning to sensitive viewers. Family Friendliness Rated PG-13 for some scary images and mild language. Suitable for older teens and adults.

Robin Hood: Men in Tights Runtime: 94 minutes Rating: PG-13 Release Date: July 9, 1993 Studio: 20th Century Fox Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 9 Run time in minutes: 94 Tagline: The legend continues. Ratings My rating: 6.6 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 6.7 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 54% Metacritic rating: 56% Plot Summary A goofy parody of Robin Hood legends where Robin and his Merry Men fight the evil Prince John with slapstick and puns. Critics Review Mixed reviews; some enjoyed silly humor, others saw it as weaker than Brooks’ earlier works. Christian Perspective Mild language and some adult jokes; less suitable for younger viewers. Family Friendliness Rated PG-13 for language and mild suggestive content; better for teens and adults.

Spaceballs Runtime: 96 minutes Rating: PG Release Date: June 24, 1987 Studio: MGM/UA Entertainment Franchise: Mel Brooks / Spaceballs  Franchise Position: 8 / 1 Run time in minutes: 96 Tagline: May the schwartz be with you. Ratings My rating: 7.1 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 7.1 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 57% Metacritic rating: 51% Plot Summary Spaceballs is a 1987 sci-fi parody film directed by Mel Brooks. The story follows Lone Starr, a rogue pilot, and his half-man, half-dog sidekick Barf, who are hired to rescue Princess Vespa from the clutches of the evil Dark Helmet. Dark Helmet, under the command of President Skroob, plans to steal the air from the peaceful planet Druidia. Along the way, Lone Starr and Barf encounter comedic obstacles and characters, including the wise Yogurt, who teaches them the ways of the Schwartz, a mystical force. The film parodies popular science fiction franchises, particularly Star Wars, and is known for its slapstick humor and memo...

History of the World, Part I Runtime: 93 minutes Rating: R Release Date: June 12, 1981 Studio: 20th Century Fox Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 7 Run time in minutes: 93 Tagline: You’ll laugh till your jaw falls off! Ratings My rating: 6.8 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 6.7 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 64% Metacritic rating: 56% Plot Summary Sketch comedy movie parodying world history from Stone Age to French Revolution, full of absurd and often crude humor. Critics Review Mixed reviews with praise for some sketches but uneven quality; now a cult favorite. Christian Perspective Contains crude and irreverent content; mocks historical and religious figures, may offend conservative viewers. Family Friendliness Rated R for language and sexual content; adult audiences only.

High Anxiety Runtime: 89 minutes Rating: R Release Date: June 23, 1977 Studio: 20th Century Fox Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 6 Run time in minutes: 89 Tagline: The ultimate Hitchcock parody. Ratings My rating: 6.9 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 6.7 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 77% Metacritic rating: 54% Plot Summary A psychiatrist with a fear of heights investigates strange events at a mental institute, spoofing Hitchcock thrillers with classic Brooks humor. Critics Review Mixed to positive reviews; praised for parody but less energetic than earlier works. Christian Perspective Some adult themes and language; offers humorous yet exaggerated look at mental health. Family Friendliness Rated R for language and adult situations. For mature viewers.

Silent Movie Runtime: 83 minutes Rating: PG Release Date: July 15, 1976 Studio: Paramount Pictures Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 5 Run time in minutes: 83 Tagline: The funniest silent movie ever made. Ratings My rating: 6.5 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 6.3 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 75% Metacritic rating: 41% Plot Summary A mostly silent comedy about filmmakers trying to save their studio by making a silent movie. Full of slapstick and visual gags paying homage to early cinema. Critics Review Mixed at release but now appreciated for nostalgia and inventive visual comedy. Christian Perspective Clean humor with little objectionable content. Lighthearted and family-friendly. Family Friendliness Rated PG; suitable for families and children who enjoy slapstick.

The Producers Runtime: 88 minutes Rating: PG Release Date: December 19, 1967 Studio: Embassy Pictures Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 1 Run time in minutes: 88 Tagline: The riskiest thing ever attempted... a guaranteed flop! Ratings My rating: 8.2 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 7.3 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 91% Metacritic rating: 81% Plot Summary A down-on-his-luck Broadway producer teams up with a nervous accountant to create the worst play ever. Their plan is to collect extra investment, sabotage the show, and make money off the flop. But the play unexpectedly becomes a smash hit, turning their scheme upside down. Critics Review Widely praised for its clever script and sharp satire, The Producers was initially controversial but became a cult classic, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Critics love its wit and performances. Christian Perspective The film deals with themes of greed and dishonesty, which clash with biblical teachings about i...

Young Frankenstein Runtime: 105 minutes Rating: PG Release Date: December 15, 1974 Studio: 20th Century Fox Franchise: Mel Brooks Franchise Position: 4 Runtime in minutes: 105 Tagline: The Legend Lives Again! Ratings My rating: 8.4 /10 Dove Foundation rating: N/A IMDb rating: 8.0 /10 Rotten Tomatoes rating: 94% Metacritic rating: 84% Plot Summary In this loving parody of classic horror films, a descendant of Dr. Frankenstein inherits the family estate and decides to continue his grandfather’s experiments, leading to hilarious and spooky adventures. The film masterfully blends slapstick comedy with classic horror elements. Critics Review Young Frankenstein is celebrated for its brilliant comedic timing, clever script, and respectful parody of the horror genre. It remains one of Mel Brooks’ most beloved works. Christian Perspective Though primarily comedy, the film contains little objectionable content. It mocks superstition and encourages rational thinking, which can align with Christia...