Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth (2000)

(On VHS, December 2001) I have a soft spot for silly satiric comedies, and Shriek… definitely hits the right notes by lampooning the Scream-derivatives. Sure, it’s not that funny, nor is it very clever. A lot of the jokes are just duds, such as the “rules of a parody”. And yet, it’s just silly enough that I hopped up on the ride and enjoyed myself. It’s also somewhat good-natured, which works very well: Even if it’s not as hysterically funny or inspired as parts of the similar-themed Scary Movie, it’s more solid overall, and would definitely get my recommendation over the theatrically-released Wayans film. Favorite moments include incidental background murders in school, a pop-up video chase and five flashbacks over “what they did last summer”. No nudity, alas, which is sorely needed in these films. (The lead actress isn’t particularly attractive either, but never mind…) It’s naturally not in the same league as the classic Airplane! or Top Secret!, but if you saw -and liked- stuff like The Silence Of The Hams, rest assured that Shriek… is going to make you laugh for a while. Plus, hey, it’s better than most of the awful Leslie Neilsen spoofs.