Saturday, August 26, 2006

Beerfest

"Bring it on, mein bitch"

This has truly been an odd year for movies. There have been some real stinkers, but there have been just as many very funny movies that failed to find any kind of audience.

I'm afraid "Beerfest" is bound to become the latter, judging by the fact that we got a private screening today at the multiplex on only day two.

So add this to the growing list of 2006 movies that I loved (with "Clerks II," "Slither," and, it seems, "SoaP") but the rest of the world just seems to have little time for.

Maybe the world is just too sophisticated for a very cleverly constructed ode to fart, or in the cast of "Beerfest", belch jokes. Luckily, the boys of Broken Lizard haven't moved beyond this level, and I'm glad to join them in raising a glass (or three) to the art of low-brow humor.

"Beerfest," like "Soap," delivers exactly what the title promises, a celebration of that sudsy sensation in the form of a top-secret beer-drinking competition. Though you won't hear how from me, the Broken Lizard crew ends up representing the USA, and you can guess who wins. Before you find out how, though, I guarantee you'll laugh. A lot.

The BL team operates in the realm of the Zucker brothers, with one big difference: They bother with a plot, as silly as it may be. Like the Zuckers, BL keeps the jokes flying very fast, and relies heavily on the spoof. With "Beerfest," it's largely a sendup of sports movies, with a healthy dose of "Fight Club" thrown in for good measure. And when it hits, which for me was more often than not, it's very funny.

A word of warning: This one earns its R rating the juvenile way. However, if you went into a R-rated movie called "Beerfest" and were shocked to see a good number of topless women, you've led a fairly shelted life thus far.

The bottom line: If you liked "Super Troopers" (which I did, quite a bit), you'll like "Beerfest." If not, there are plenty of other movies out there for you. This one's for me and everyone else who likes their humor clever but extremely crude. Cheers, Broken Lizard.

13 comments:

Stella M Accorinti said...

Thanks for visiting Andy klog. (Indeed, comedy and tragedy are two faces of life...)

Unknown said...

Thanks for visiting... stop by when ever you like!

Reel Fanatic said...

I hope folks will catch on long before DVD, Coonrod, but signs aren't good ... Broken Lizard deserves boffo box office for this one!

Emma said...

This is coming out in UK in September... seems very weird indeed.

Kelly said...

The theater was practically empty when we saw Super Troopers years ago. Seems like Broken Lizard's stuff never does good until DVD. I still don't understand why it's such a badge of honor to have seen something in the theater over DVD, though.

I'm still not sure if I want to see this movie, but I've been reading stuff that's making me more and more interested, including your great review here. And the fact that you enjoyed Slither makes me much more inclined to trust your judgement. :-)

Reel Fanatic said...

I would recommend it highly, Kelly .. it's a more cohesive work than "Super Troopers," and often funnier .. but be prepared, of course, for some very, very juvenile humor

Sadie Lou said...

if you went into a R-rated movie called "Beerfest" and were shocked to see a good number of topless women, you've led a fairly shelted life thus far.

Oh man, you are a Reel Fanatic if you liked Super Troopers and you even bothered to go see trash like this! I liked your little line that I quoted. Good stuff.
Thanks for visiting me--I have bookmarked your site here. i could talk movies forever.

Reel Fanatic said...

I am indeed, Sadie Lou, and as long as its funny, I'm not ashamed to admit that I can be a big fan of "trash"

Unknown said...

The husband unit wants to see this and taking in your thoughts, I may be persuaded to tag along.

Reel Fanatic said...

As long as you're not easily offended, Marina, I can virtually guarantee you will laugh quite a bit!

Rachel said...

Clerks II was only in theaters for about 5 minutes. I was hoping to see it, but by the time I got the chance it was no longer at my local multiplex.

Reel Fanatic said...

I think it only played here for a week or two also, Rachel, so I rushed out to see it ... Take solace in the fact that Kevin Smith always rewards his fans with DVDs packed with fun extras, and Clerks II should be no exception

Chuck said...

Wow, your blog on funny movies is excellent. I'll be back to read more on funny movies.Keep up the good work on funny movies.