Medusa: Dare to Be Truthful

In the spoof-crazy 1990s, it was a good idea to send-up the reigning queen of MTV, Madonna. Impeccably copying the look and style of 1991's "Madonna: Truth or Dare", star and co-creator Julie Brown was not only precise in her satirical prodding, she was quite timely as well. This Showtime production runs just under an hour, with maniacal Brown not simply singing and dancing à la Maddy, but lampooning the video vamp to the nth degree. The original songs--take-offs on Madonna's proved hits--are bits of pop-genius in their own right, and Brown sells this catty, nasty, silly special with unabashed vigor. The alternating black-and-white and color photography gets the look of "Truth or Dare" down pat, while our new heroine, Medusa, battles with her ass-kissing staff until she gets her way on everything. Some ideas don't come to fruition, and many are simply run into the ground without benefit of nimble handling. Still, Brown is so compulsively watchable (and likable), she kicks this thing into campy high gear with her unstoppable energy and unflagging chutzpah.

This parody is cleverly done: from the songs (Express Yourself becomes Expose Yourself, Like a Prayer is now Party in my Pants and Vogue is now Vague) to the fake interviews of the cast of the show, this movie is hilarious. Remember Madonna saying she didn't know about the rain season in Asia? In this one, she doesn't know about the volcano season. It is a precious jewel. They got a lot of money on that spoof, and it pays off. Highly recommended!!!

Julie Brown hilariously demolishes Madonna's attempt at a rockumentary with gut ripping humor and truly original and catchy songs that rival Madonna's own. Cinematography and sets are top notch.

Kathy Griffin and Chris Elliott offer their own injections of comedy that enhances and compliments this film. Appearances by Bobcat Goldthwait and Wink Martindale, as themselves, is an added bonus.

It's hard to tell if Brown's performance is meant to insult or playfully tease Madonna, though I hardly think the Material Girl would find humor in it.

My Favorite line: "Why don't you come here (to the Phillipines); all they eat is dog and I'm a vegetarian."

"Medusa: Dare to be Truthful" is an outrageously funny parody that is a fine companion to the original, "Madonna: Truth or Dare". Julie Brown's brilliant creation skewers Madonna's highly entertaining documentary (although it wasn't exactly daring, insightful, candid, or truthful) with a faithfulness to detail, right down to the packaging. I highly recommend this for Madonna fans, Julie Brown fans, or anyone who enjoys sharp and clever parody.

This movie was a riot, it pokes fun of "Madonna - Truth Or Dare" in all the right places. I love Madonna & I love Julie Brown. How could I ask for more..Julie's spoof of "Vogue", entitled "Vague" was hysterical.. "Kelly LeBrock thinks she's great, she's just cold boogers on a paper plate". "Brooke Shields, Dawber, Pam personality of Spam"!! I could've died! And just wait till you see what she can do with a watermelon!!