Review of This Is Spinal Tap (1984) by Sam W — 14 May 2012

This fake documentary, which set the standard for everything from Best in Show to The Office, follows the declining fortunes of an aging heavy metal band. The group goes on a tour that's reflective of how desperate, pathetic, and unintentionally hilarious pop music can often be.

The dialogue and action was mostly improvised by director Rob Reiner and the cast, but it contains more nuggets of hilarity than the entire careers of many famous comedians. This is Spinal Tap works as a spoof of excessive hard rock music, but it also functions as a mirthful, quotable, and endlessly rewatchable comedy.