Oh, that sneaky little dude we all love named J.D. He nearly snuck his Endings Blog-a-Thon by me but he wasn’t quick enough!
When I think of endings, I think of the only movie that has multiple endings. Actually, it has multiple justified endings (Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, I shan’t say anything at all. Much) that make sense within the story, which is essentially a variant on playing the actual board game.
Given the fact that the premise of Clue is, as above, based on a board game, there was a lot for the writers to create.
Just as you played the board game with different endings, so ends Clue. Each ending retains certain similarities; the quote “Communism was just a red herring” is used in each, as is the chandelier crashing to the floor of the foyer.
That’s what could have happened, right? But here’s what really happened…
The final ending is just the icing on the cake. Instead of leaving anyone out, every character is guilty of something.
Mr. Green: “They all did it! But if you want to know who killed Mr. Boddy, I did. In the Hall, with the revolver. Take ‘em away, chief…I’m going to go home and sleep with my wife.”
For a movie based on a board game, Clue is sharply written even withstanding that fact. Such wittiness is reflected right there in the distinct endings portrayed, with the final being a well-intentioned wink and a nod to the game. Every character commits a crime with every weapon in every room. No viewer is left out, not even the lame guy in the back who was picked last for dodgeball and could never figure out that it was Professor Plum in the conservatory with the candlestick. Clue manages some incisively snarky humor throughout the film, directed more at ’50’s Americana than the game itself, but it returns to its humble roots in the end and that…that is where it really shines.
In this age of the forgettable adaptation of everything (I am looking at you, whoever is making Monopoly into a movie), you have to wonder…why don’t people look back as a guidepost to Clue? It’s a solid movie with a stunner series of endings – endings that can only work because of its pedestrian but unique inspiration.
I have been putting this off FOR.EVER, dude.
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“Netflixed.” Finally. Can’t wait to see it.
“Mrs Peacock was a MAN?” *slap* *slap*
“And monkey’s brains, though popular in Cantonese cuisine, are not often to be found in Washington DC.”
“Is THAT what we ate?”
“One plus TWO plus one plus one . . .”
(Mmmkay, I have to stop quoting or the whole script is going to be up here ^_^)
Oh, man. This movie is definitely awesome. The only problem is that the final ending doesn’t quite work (e.g. either Mrs Peacock or Professor Plum was present in the kitchen, but they say s/he wasn’t). Although, that’s not exactly a problem, per se. And I agree that the third ending is the best. I totally want to re-watch _Clue_ now.
Have you ever seen _Murder By Death_? It’s kind of along the same lines, only it’s a spoof on classic fictional detectives (Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, Nick & Nora Charles, Charlie Chan, Sam Spade). It has Truman Capote as the host, and Alec Guinness as the blind butler. It somehow manages to be even zanier (I think it’s not supposed to actually make sense?). If you like mysteries and haven’t seen it, I’d definitely recommend it.
And ahahahahaa the multiple endings on LotR: RotK . . . *dies*
J.D.: Seeing Clue, or your blog-a-thon?!
Kevin: YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS MOVIE? Oh, the shame! THE SHAME.
Erin: “Flames…flames…on the side of my face” is my favorite, but I also love, “I buttle, sir!” and “this is war, Peacock! Casualties are inevitable.” I think Clue is one of my favorite movies to quote!
Have you ever seen _Murder By Death_?
I remember seeing Murder By Death when I was MUCH younger in parts, but I haven’t seen it in a very long time. I actually have it in my Netflix queue, I think, but after I slog through some more awful movies, I’ll bump it to the top!
And ahahahahaa the multiple endings on LotR: RotK . . . *dies*
Seriously, man. I love Peter Jackson but there was a better way to end it than that herky-jerky stop and start kind of thing. Good Lord!
I was mesmerized when I saw this as a youngun… I do like the whole multiple ending thing on “Run Lola Run”
I do like the whole multiple ending thing on “Run Lola Run”
I do too, but it’s been a very long while since I’ve seen Run Lola Run, so… my memory, it is hazy. :D
Seeing Clue, duh. LMAO. I’m not that neglectfully sucky.
…right?
GOOD GOD, JD, GO SEE IT!
You sound like my mom. :P
Well, I am OLD like that. :p
Clue is the best.
“He was a lunatic! He didn’t like me very much, he had threatened to kill me in public.”
“Why would he want to kill you in public?”
Love it!
Also, I know I’ve said it here before, but Lee Ving is in it! That makes me happy. Yay FEAR! Woo!
Also, I know I’ve said it here before, but Lee Ving is in it! That makes me happy. Yay FEAR! Woo!
Woo hoo! :D
I love everyone in that movie, period, end of story. They all did a fantastic job.
“….THE COOK!”
I love everyone in that movie, period, end of story. They all did a fantastic job.
Pretty much, yeah.
So, I’ve been out of commission for like a week. I had to catch up on all the shitty movies you reviewed. Nice work! Glad to see you made it through Armaggedon. That movie makes my ears bleed.
I had to catch up on all the shitty movies you reviewed. Nice work!
Hee, I’m technically running behind. I try and do one a day, since the list is so long and eventually I fear people will get worn down on it, but trust me: I would rather watch Armageddon any day any time over I Know Who Killed Me, The Number 23 or 88 Minutes, because all of those? Awful.
Especially I Know Who Killed Me. It will make you palsied, I think. I haven’t had the courage to really even think about any of them.
I hope you and the Mrs. had a very lovely Christmas and that y’all have an enjoyable new year!
Especially I Know Who Killed Me. It will make you palsied, I think.
Which is why I will not be watching it! Can’t do it. Just can’t.
I hope you and the Mrs. had a very lovely Christmas and that y’all have an enjoyable new year!
We did! And we will! You too!
I scored a couple of movies for Christmas. Nothing Earth shattering (most of my family is cinematically challenged, so if I want movies they have to be ones that you can find at Target). I’ve got to say, I got a copy of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and I was very impressed. I freaking loved it.
Which is why I will not be watching it! Can’t do it. Just can’t.
I think the worst part about it is that it made me very sad for Lindsay Lohan. She’s not a bad actress, but … she is not good in this one. She also looks high through most of it. But she’s actually the strongest part of the movie, in my opinion.
I’ve got to say, I got a copy of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and I was very impressed. I freaking loved it.
Ooh, I still need to watch it. (I’m so behind on “new” movies that it’s not even funny.) I got gift cards from extended family, which worked out nicely because I picked up The Dark Knight on DVD and then ordered the first series of Black Books … that got here yesterday.
You know what’s awesome, andrew? Fake Michael Bay twitter accounts.
http://twitter.com/michael_bay
She also looks high through most of it. But she’s actually the strongest part of the movie, in my opinion.
Ouch. You know what? I’m trying to think of a single movie that I’ve seen with her in it. I can’t. I don’t think I have ever seen her in a film, ever. Huh.
I picked up The Dark Knight on DVD and then ordered the first series of Black Books … that got here yesterday.
Cool. I got 2 copies of the Dark Knight, so I gotta take one back. And honestly, between the two of us (being two people who hate most romcoms), FSM was possibly one of the best romcoms I have ever seen. Short of Shaun of the Dead, of course.
What’s Black Books?
That Twitter account is great.
“New years resolution three: blow up the rest of the pyramids”
You know what’s not awesome about that? Nothing.
I don’t think I have ever seen her in a film, ever. Huh.
She was really good in Mean Girls. And I watched her version of The Parent Trap years ago, which wasn’t bad at all. She was very charming in it.
What’s Black Books?
Black Books is a comedy series about a bitter, mean, misanthropic type who owns a bookshop in London. It focuses on him, his put-upon assistant and the equally neurotic best friend of his that owns the shop next door. Very funny stuff.
Dylan Moran (David from Shaun of the Dead!) plays the bookshop owner.
The Wikipedia entry gets a little more in depth:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Books
You know what’s not awesome about that? Nothing.
Concurred! My personal favorite is: “Does anyone know the best way to slice deer meat? Because hitting one with a Maserati at 130mph on mulholland was the wrong way to do it.”
She was really good in Mean Girls.
I suppose I should see that. Isn’t Tina Fey in it? Unfortunately The Parent Trap (or Herbie for that matter) hold absolutely no interest for me. I dno’t see myself renting either of ‘em.
It focuses on him, his put-upon assistant and the equally neurotic best friend of his that owns the shop next door. Very funny stuff.
Sounds cool. I’ll have to check it out.
“Does anyone know the best way to slice deer meat? Because hitting one with a Maserati at 130mph on mulholland was the wrong way to do it.”
That is awesome.
suppose I should see that. Isn’t Tina Fey in it?
Yes, and she wrote it too. Very funny.
That is awesome.
I know, right? I love Fake Michael Bay! He’s vastly more entertaining than Real Michael Bay.
I know, right? I love Fake Michael Bay! He’s vastly more entertaining than Real Michael Bay.
Did you see the fake Wayne Gretzky twitter account mentioned on Puck Daddy the other day? I got a kick out of that one too.