Love crappy movies but are too ashamed to admit it? Are you a big Rob Schneider fan but you're tired of being burned? Not sure if you want to waste your money on the same old movie? That's why you have Joe.
Joe Loves Crappy Movies is by Joseph Dunn. Joe willingly goes to see the very worst that Hollywood has to offer. Whenever a crappy movie comes out Joe will be there to see it, make fun of it, and actually review it. Nothing is safe, and nothing is sacred. From the big budget action disasters to the low brow fart based comedies, to anything starring Martin Lawrence? Joe will tear it apart.
With each entry you'll get not only a comic poking fun at the movie, but also a detailed review. Joe's not educated in film or cinematography or acting, he's just a guy that draws comics and likes movies. So if you're looking for the everyman perspective and a little joke in comic form... you're in the right place.
The Ringer
Released: 12/23/05
Viewed: 12:00pm 01/07/06
Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Katherine Higl, Brian Cox, Jed Rees , Bill Chot, Edward Barbanell, Geoffrey arend
Directed by: Barry W. Blaustein
Fox Searchlight - Official Site of the movie
In the movie business, a mentally handicapped character can definitely have an affect on the over all success of the film. It's a sensitive subject that can result in critical acclaim (Forrest Gump, Rain man) or not so critical acclaim (Gigli). Either way it's rough water to wade through especially when you're potentially poking fun at it. No one wants to offend anybody, and that's good. So why risk it by setting your movie at the Special Olympics?
Well, a good idea is a good idea, and the premise of this movie is one that offends and amuses. But how funny does it have to be to take that risk?
The movie itself is never derogatory towards the mentally handicapped, except with two characters including Brian Cox who ignorantly thinks a mentally capable person could whoop ass at the Special Olympics. He's portrayed as an oaf so the fact that he's oblivious to the abilities of handicapped just fits with his part. His not being mean, he's being stupid. The second character is being mean, but he's the villain and we're supposed to hate him, so it's cool.
Still, there had to be an obscene amount of meetings about how far they could go, how far they should go, and if they should bother going at all. When people make a movie that in any way questions or challenges God, they have to know that it's going to bring heat from religious organizations. But when you make a movie that targets the handicapped... some people will think it's a funny idea, but how many would admit that in public.
I'm not going to lie, the first moments play very awkwardly, but ultimately the selling point is the script itself. It heart warming, and justified. They make it work. Honestly, Johnny Knoxville's character has a legitimate reason to rig the Special Olympics. And even though all along you know what he's doing is wrong, you secretly support him. You know it will work out.
A lot of that credit can go to Knoxville's performance. I think we're all used to seeing him as a confident cool guy that takes no crap and will hurt himself for amusement. It's nice to see him as shy, unsure, and a bit of a push over. The kind of guy a crooked uncle could talk into pretending to be retarded. He does ham it up in a few scenes, I'm sure for laughter's sake, but his quieter moments really shine through.
The movie won me over when a small group of handicapped athletes learn Knoxville's secret and decide to help him cheat so that Jimmy (The Deon Sanders of the Special Olympics) won't always win. Them all banding together and training was hysterical, and very cool. I think bringing that core group together was crucial in making the movie a positive experience instead of just a movie about some low life taking advantage of people.
It gives us something to route for. Something to distract us from how weird the situation really is. And the support group is terrific. 5 guys that I know at least two weren't actually handicapped. One is the guy in Super Troopers that eats all the weed. And the second is Jed Rees, aka Teb from Galaxy Quest. He completely plays a mentally handicapped person the same way he plays an alien historian, but it was hilarious. He stole the show.
There's a love story between Knoxville and the beautiful Katherine Hieigl from Roswell and Grey's Anatomy that is sweet at times but definitely uncomfortable. It works for the most part because you believe her as a kind and caring person. And even though you really know they're going to end up together, it never feels like a possibility. It never feels like it could happen because of this huge lie. When it does happen it feels weird and forced. It's not like I didn't want them to end up together it was just part of a tacked on ending that was as unnatural as it was unfunny.
Overall the filmmakers tread through difficult territory and come out with a positive film, and a positive experience. 6.5 out of 10 It's got a few strong laughs, but could have had more if it didn't have to spend most of their time justifying the situation. It's worth a watch, but don't expect to be too comfortable.
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DVD worthy?: Nope. It hits the right notes emotionally, but doesn't have enough outrageous humor, and any of the good stuff in it, is outbalanced by the awkwardness of the situation.
If you liked this movie check out: Dodgeball: A true Underdog Story
I was reminded a lot of Dodgeball as I watched this. I couldn't figure out if it was because Knoxville plays the underdog trying to win the big race, or because the crew from Dodgeball seems a little "special" in their own right, or because I kept wishing it would bring out the same laughs.
The Ringer is entertaining, but Dodgeball achieves the same heartfelt effect with bigger guilt free laughs.
Trailer Hitch: Date Movie
I just heard about Date Movie yesterday when I read about how it came together. 2 of the 6 writers of Scary movie (that line is used in the trailer and made me laugh out loud) bring a brand new spoof on Date Movies, in the same tradition of Scary Movie.
The big red flag is that it boasts two new directors on their first film, and I know in my heart of hearts that it will suck hard, but it doesn't look terrible. It's slapstick targeting a new genre and it stars Alyson Hannigan who I find very cute, and very funny. Who knows if it will work, but there's certainly enough garbage for them to sample from.
Tonight's incentive will show you a possible future role for Johnny inspired by the comic. Perhaps in a crappy horror a crappy horror sequle?
Joe – The creator of the strip who has embraced giving crappy movies the chance they deserve. Like the majority of the cast he’s obsessed with boobs.
First Appearance - The Introduction
Yeo – Yeo is Joe’s wife and often the voice of reason in the strip. Having her act rational allows the rest of the cast to embrace being in a comic strip which primarily involves randomly punching people, interacting with fictional characters and talking about boobs. Yeo is smart, beautiful and way too good for Joe. Don’t tip her off.
First Appearance - Fever Pitch
Irv – Joe’s movie-going sidekick who’s always down for watching Jason Statham crescent moon kick some thug through a plate glass window and getting some drinks before after and during a Vin Diesel movie. Like the majority of the cast he’s obsessed with boobs.
First Appearance - Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior
Agent 337 George Jones – A government Agent that took over for Joe after he was bad-mouthing President Bush in the V for Vendetta strip. George ran the show for over a month bring a much needed sense of patriotism and justice to both the strips and reviews. He eventually got too attached to his work, empathizing with Joe’s plight to give crappy movies a fair shake. In a way he came to love crappy movies as well and was pushed out of the position. He spiraled out of control and ended up in prison. His adventures will be told in the limited series JLCM Presents: 337 Locked Up which is set to début Christmas of 09.
First Appearance - V for Vendetta
Other Notable Appearances: Stay Alive, Ice age 2, Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector, Slither, Here Comes Guest week, Let’s Go To Prison
Leonidas – The former king of Sparta who has traveled into the future and is having trouble coping with the modern times. Yelling loudly and kicking people into giant holes doesn’t really work the same way it did in the olden days. As time as gone by he’s adjusted but it’s a safe bet that he’s always one bad message away from throwing a spear through someone.
First Appearance - 300
Other Notable Appearances: Four Brothers, Strip# 300, The Golden Compass, Rambo, Untraceable, The Ladies of Max Paybe
Palpatine – Former Senator, Emperor of the Galactic Empire, Sith Lord... He shows up in the Joe Loves Crappy movies galaxy on occasion to let people know that they’re being stupid. No one’s really sure how he shows up in this universe but chances are it breaks all kinds of copywrite laws.
First Appearance - Episode III: The Dark Side
Other Notable Appearances: Four Brothers, Night Watch, Saw 3, Are We Done Yet
Slow Billy – Billy is a sweet kid but he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed. If you’re watching him for the day be prepared to explain to him the plot of the movie or how popcorn works or, not so much where babies come from, but what babies are. He’s a complete moron.
First Appearance - Four Brothers
Other Notable Appearances: The Chronicles of Narnia, The Da Vinci Code, Vantage Point, Journey to the Center of the Earth
Kyle the Movie Snob – Be careful what fun facts about movies you tell your friends at a friendly gathering or in line for the latest blockbuster, because if you’re even slightly wrong, Kyle will be more than happy to let you know. He usually gets what’s coming to him though. Poor guy has cracked three ribs since joining the JLCM cast.
First Appearance - Ultraviolet
Other Notable Appearances: 16 Blocks, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Transformers, Journey to the Center of the Earth
Jean-Luc Picard – Another lawsuit waiting to happen is Jean Luc Picard who, towards the end of the strip’s first year, became the go-to background character. If there was ever a seat to fill or a random person to place wandering around in the background, nine times out of ten it was Picard. While Picard has crossed paths with Irv he and Joe have never met. Perhaps they will some day but for now just can an eye on the background.
First Appearance - The Producers
Other Notable Appearances: I’m not telling you, that’s no fun. It’ like Where’s Waldo – go find him!
Ice Cream Sandwich – Delicious and… deadly? Usually when you see someone eating an Ice Cream sandwich, someone else is experiencing a substantial amount of pain. Still, how nice is an ice cream sandwich on a hot summer day?
First Appearance - Saw IV
Other Notable Appearances: Bee Movie, Run Fatboy Run, Saw V
