Season 3, Episode 9—”Mystery Men”
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Mystery Men was a film released in 1999. It is based on a comic book series (1939-1942), and more of a direct connection from a comic book series in the 1980s. From the web site….
http://20yearsb42000.blogspot.com/2021/01/a-brief-history-of-mystery-men.html
“In 1987 the Mystery men made their debut in Flaming Carrot comics #16. This band of unreal heroes was brought together, well because no one else wanted them. Their powers are weird, their tempers are high and their clothing choices are questionable, but that never stopped them from trying to save the world. The roster has included such classic characters as The Shoveler, Mr. Furious, Screwball, Bondo man and The Spleen to name a few.”
Posted by Spyda-Man at 3:30 AM – January 21, 2021
For those who have seen the film, they either think it is a great film or a not-so great film. That phrase, “You either love it or you hate it” was never more applicable. The most notable character appearing in The Dark Horse comic “Mystery Men” created by Bob Burden that was not included in the movie was “The Flaming Carrot.”
So, why watch the 1999 movie?
Because, you may be one of those that absolutely loves it. The main cast and supporting cast are terrific.
Cast (in credits order – from IMDB)
Hank Azaria … Blue Raja / Jeff
Janeane Garofalo … Bowler
William H. Macy … Shoveler / Eddy
Kel Mitchell … Invisible Boy
Paul Reubens … Spleen
Ben Stiller … Furious / Roy
Wes Studi … Sphinx
Greg Kinnear … Captain Amazing / Lance
Geoffrey Rush … Casanova Frankenstein
Lena Olin … Dr. Anabel Leek
Eddie Izzard … Tony P
Artie Lange … Big Red
Pras Michel … Tony C (as Prakazrel Michel)
Claire Forlani … Monica
Tom Waits … Doc Heller
Louise Lasser … Violet
Ricky Jay … Vic Weems
Jenifer Lewis … Lucille
Beyond the cast, there are moments of hilarity. If you are someone who likes the reviewing of Roger Ebert, he recognized its brilliance, but was also aware of its failings:
“Mystery Men” has moments of brilliance waving their arms to attract attention in a sea of dreck. = Roger Ebert
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mystery-men-1999
Ira Nayman joins Troy and David as their special guest for this episode. Please see his bio below. Ira has made an appearance on TOF in each of its three seasons, and is affectionately known as “The Third Fart.”
ALSO:
Troy and David and Ira will look at recasting the film, with a “Dream Cast” = the best actor or actress, living or dead, to play the roles; and a “Schrodinger’s Cast” = unusual casting. Please note that David mentions three films that have won all four Oscars for Best Film; Best Director; Best Actor; and Best Actress, and he made a mistake. The three films that won all those awards are: It Happened One Night; One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest; and The Silence of the Lambs. David mistakenly put in “As Good As It Gets” instead of Cuckoo’s Nest. His excuse: “We are all getting old.” As Good As It Gets won both feature actor categories (Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt), but best film and best director were both won by Titanic.
AKA: The Third Fart
Ira Nayman writes humour featuring a heavy dose of satire.
The Ugly Truth, his 8th novel with Elsewhen Press, was published in June, 2022.
His two dozenth published short story, “Girls Rule the Steampunk World” appeared in Brave New Girls: Chronicles of Misses and Machines.
In September, 2022, Ira will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the weekly publication of Les Pages aux Folles, his web site of political and social satire.
Ira was our guest for two previous episodes:
season one, episode five podcast:
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
season two, episode eleven podcast:
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Across the 8th Dimension.