Rating: NNNNN
**THIS IS SPINAL TAP (Rob Reiner, 1984) grows a bigger and bigger reputation each year, to the point where its cult status is now cranked all the way to 11. This movie is hilarious no matter how many times you watch it and still stands as the best-ever satire of rock ‘n’ roll pretension, excess and limited intellectual ability. Reiner directed it, but in hindsight it’s looking more and more like a Christopher Guest film. He scripted it, played band member Nigel Tufnel and penned many of the band’s hits. Since Spinal Tap, Reiner has gone on to make a succession of heartwarming liberalities. His only film to match Tap’s sting is The Princess Bride. Guest, however, is a National Lampoon alumnus and followed Tap with The Big Picture, Waiting For Guffman and this year’s Best In Show. He’s the sharpest working chronicler of American vanities. NNNNN (December 28 and 31, Revue)CAMERON BAILEY
