Earlier this summer, to celebrate Mel Brooks’s 95th birthday, we watched two of his movies. The first was his parody of Star Wars, Spaceballs, a delightful and spot-on skewering of its target. Memorable characters abound, including John Candy as the Wookie-like Barf, Rick Moranis as the not-so-menacing Dark Helmet, and Brooks himself as President Skroob, the ruler of the bad guys, and also as the Yogurt, sage and canny marketer. Bill Pullman (Lone Starr) and Daphne Zuniga (Princess Vespa) carry their weight as the freewheeling loner and the princess on the run. John Hurt has a brief memorable bit, too, which should not be missed. Lots of laughs.

  Recommended. Otto finds this one pleasing enough to relax.

Movie 357 for 2021.