Matilda (1996)

Before “Matilda the Musical,” “Madeline” and “Coraline,” there was Danny DeVito’s 1996 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda,” a film the entire Shat Crew enjoyed — for very different reasons.

Ash was the most familiar with “Matilda,” having seen it in theaters. Gene had read other Dahl books and knew what to expect. Dick, once again, confused it with another movie.

And that devolved into the tangential conversations you’d expect from the Shat Crew: What constitutes child abuse? Did J. K. Rowling rip off Roald Dahl? Which kid in the movie is cutest? Was Bruce Bogtrotter a hero because was fat? Or was he a hero who happened to be fat?

Was Trunchbull “Eastern Bloc?” Was Matilda a bully? Did Miss Honey’s secret really qualify as “dark?” It was all up to debate. As was the question of whether DeVito’s choices worked.

One thing’s for sure, his casting was spot-on, wrangling comedic talent like Paul Reubens, Jon Lovitz and Rhea Perlman to score this movie some serious Weird Points.

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