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Hey!! Wanna Laugh Your Balls Off'! Free OLD SCHOOL Screening In LA!!
Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
OLD SCHOOL is not high art, and thank God for that. OLD SCHOOL is, on the other hand, very, very funny. Mr. Beaks was the first one to tell me that, and when I saw the film, I agreed completely. Since then, everyone I’ve talked to who has seen the film agrees.
Hell, check out this review from our occasional contributor, Dr. Strangelove:
Hey all,
Dr. Strangelove here with a review of OLD SCHOOL, directed by Todd Phillips (ROAD TRIP, FRAT HOUSE), and starring Luke Wilson (as Mitch), Vince Vaughn (as Beanie) and Will Ferrell (as Frank “The Tank”) as a merry bunch of 30-something slackers looking for some quality good ol’ frat action, along with a cast of dozens of off-the-wall characters.
When I first saw OLD SCHOOL, last Friday, it was love at first sight, I found myself in constant laughter for the full 100 minutes, realizing just in the first ten minutes of it’s running time, it has to be one of the funniest things I’ve seen in a while. At first, I did not indent to write a review; I have felt that both Moriarty and Mr. Beaks respectfully, have done the movie justice with their great reviews, perfectly conveying the comic genius it is made of. Yet now, almost a week later, I still cannot stop thinking about the gags and the lines; occasionally, awkwardly breaking out into chuckle, in all the wrong moments; my whole manner of social communication curtailing just into constant retelling of the best antics and jokes. This has hardly ever happened to me, such is the power of OLD SCHOOL… It is THAT good.
Todd Phillips and DreamWorks SKG have a clear winner in their hands. Phillips has skillfully crafted OLD SCHOOL into a tour de force of Wilson’s, Vaughn's and Ferrell’s usually immensely underused, but vast comic talents; all three have not been this good in years; In OLD SCHOOL, they’re a comic dream team. A star is born, to Ferrell, this is his big break after being an essential pillar of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE for the last few years, a perfectly cast role with great material that allows him to use his immense comic abilities to the max. His performance as Frank “The Tank”, a newlywed disgruntled with prospects of abandoning his party and bachelor habits, has in opinion created one of the funniest and most memorable comedic characters of our time, along with being a centerpiece of a dozen gags that are just predestined to become instant classics. You laugh all through OLD SCHOOL, you laugh even harder when Ferrell’s on-screen, and yet even more when he displays full-frontal nudity…at times…it gets to a point of massively agonizing abdomen muscle ache.
Vince is back and kicking, after going nowhere in the past few years as a result of a couple of bad drama trips (THE CELL, and the utterly dreadful DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE) that served nothing but to waste his talents. Vaughn’s made a great comeback to good comedy by playing Beanie, the family man of the trio and a colossally massive but equally likeable sleek asshole (with a heart of gold), who at times steals the show even from the seemingly unstoppable Ferrell. I’ve not seen Vaughn in such a good mode and having so much fun since SWINGERS. Vaughn has made Beanie transgress meager character status and along with Ferrell’s Frank “The Tank” become a full-blown icon for the struggle against maturity and all the things it brings… i.e. responsibility, family, parenthood and questionable quality and quantity of sex life. The main cast is rounded up by Luke Wilson who with his turn as Mitch, builds up on the good inkling from his work in the ROYAL TENNENBAUMS. Wilson’s character serves as the main catalyst of the movie as he is the one that gets in the house next to the campus, after going through a rather unfortunate situation with his girlfriend. One could say Beanie is the brain, Mitch the heart and “Tank” the soul of the mischievous trio.
The leads are supported by a strong secondary cast; Jeremy Piven as the Dean, a dull, coke-bottle glassed, stuck-up, dreary nerd and a raging prick who has old high-school scores to settle with the ill-behaving trio, and in turn does his worst to end the partying; creating OLD SCHOOL into somewhat of an antithesis of the REVENGE OF THE NERDS. Great cameos and smaller roles are provided by Snoop Dog, Juliette Lewis, Sean William Scott, Craig Killborn, Andy Dick, Leah Remini as well as numerous others; indeed, a great collection of well used comic talent all in one place, along with utterly hot Elisha Cuthbert being prominently utilized among the obligatory eye candy. Indeed, Great work from Phillips all across the board.
OLD SCHOOL is low on plot points but high on the laugh factor, the story having the primary service of connecting the smartly written sketches into a semblance of a movie form, great execution of whom being its main advantage along with the grade A performances. It is of that rare brand of comedy that comes out just every few years, pure, constant enjoyment; it is of sort that leaves an imprint on the pop culture for years to come, mainly because it successfully manages to play to completely different audiences, its comedic themes having an appeal both to the teen and mature public. Moreover, it is funny as hell. OLD SCHOOL is for DreamWorks an ace card set for release on February 21st.
Want to critic the critic? Send me love letters?...What ever it is i'd be happy to reply. I've tried my best to keep this review spoiler free, but if you want some more meet from OLD SCHOOL, feel free to message me. Be warned though, nothing ruins a comedy like a spoilerThis is one of those comedies where the chemistry of the cast and the simple silly streamlined plot combine to create something memorably hilarious. Hats off to Todd Phillips for putting together a film that deserves to be a major hit this spring.
In fact, I like the film so much that I want you to see it early. Next Wednesday night, February 12th, I’ve arranged to show it to you for free in Sherman Oaks. I’ll give you details about the screening as we get closer to the actual date, but for now, I want to give away 50 pairs of tickets to you guys first before I open it up to first-come, first-serve.
If you want the passes (and trust me... you do), then write me at this address with the header “OLD SCHOOL Screening” and tell me what your favorite film is that features a SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE cast member. Starring, co-starring, cameo, or even behind the camera as a writer or director. Any cast, any year of SNL’s entire run. It can be Dan Aykroyd in GROSSE POINT BLANK or Bill Murray in RUSHMORE or Chris Kattan in CORKY ROMANO or Billy Crystal in MONSTERS INC.
Although if it’s Chris Kattan in CORKY ROMANO, I’m not sure I’m going to let you in.
Point being, I’ll give these tickets away next Monday morning, and that’s when I’ll announce the details of the screening for the rest of you. When we showed THE RING in Pasadena, we had a great time, and I look forward to seeing you guys next week, and to seeing this film again.
"Moriarty" out.
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Feb 06, 2003 2:09:14 AM CST
"OLD SCHOOL?!", I thought it was gonna be a prequel to "WILD STY
by seven hooks
Dang!
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Now gimme my tickets...I've been dying to see this movie ever since I saw the trailer...stoned and drunk...and peed myself...
For the record I also had that reaction when I watched Battlefield Earth... -
Don't let these reviews fool you; this movie sucks flaming balrog-balls!!! I was also in the audience at last Friday's screening in Century City, CA. So were Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn, and Will Ferrell, and a bunch of crickets who you could hear loud and clear during the many times the audience quietly waited for something funny to happen. Even though Farrel/Wilson/Ferrell makes more in a week than I do in a year, I actually felt sorry for them, because watching this shitpile was one of the lamest two hours I've ever spent in a theater. It's not just weak on plot, it HAS no plot, and that's about the best thing I can say for it. The WORST thing I could ever say about a comedy is that it's not funny, and this one was downright depressing. It's basically "Fight Club" meets "Animal House," and if that makes any sense to you, by all means, go buy a ticket. But don't say I didn't warn you.
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Earlier this week we got the 12 year old who ruined Tears of the Sun for those who were interested in going, I didn't think this site could get any sadder. Now Harry has obviously opened the door to any studio to plant 'reviews' of their movies. I cringed when watching the trailer for this mess - some guy gets dumped by his girlfriend and somehow ends up at a school creating a fraternity. WTF? I think of better movie ideas while sitting on the john taking a Clinton.
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Playa Hata's dont't hate the funny hate the game!this movie looks the only hope i have of laffin' in these dismal times,been lookin forward to it ever since the first trailer!god i hate all you whiny bitches!lighten up! this is only my second post in four years,and it's all because of you twerps !you little tramps need some yoga or sumthin!dartfrodo the 10th Natural Ice has spoken!!!!Onward and Upward!
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Bitter 40 year old internet geeks are already hating on this movie.
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"Utterly hot Elisha Cuthbert"...you took the words right out of my diary. Um, I mean, my man novel. What? Did I say that out loud?
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I am seeing this movie the weekend it opens because it's an R-rated comedy, and they are few and far between. Plus, Vince Vaughn was hilarious in MADE from almost two years ago.
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First you complain about the twelve yr old with the amputated tit fixation, now you whining cos someone who seems to have a vocabulary and a spell checker writes a fairly lucid review of a film Harrys heard good things about and you call him a fucking plant. Maybe you're just pissed that Harry stopped putting the dirty pictures up and you have to go to another site to whack off over Princess Leia or something. Anyway, MORE TALK ABOUT FILMS, less insults to the guys who run this site, and finally if when you've finished writing your post, take a look at it, if it contains nothing but swearing, flaming and frankly unsettling defences of Disney, do NOT click post. Go and lie down, take some sleeping pills, maybe a whole bottle. Follow these rules and make the world a better place. I have spoke and you will obay.
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I am an Internet Plant payed well by the Industry that is geared toward Taking Your Money. See this movie! Pay no attention to the losers that tell you otherwise! Don't you want to see Will Ferrel get shot in the neck with a dart? Vince Vaughn was the BOMB in Phantoms! Luke Wilson has the flattest and SEXIEST nose in the industry! This movie is NOW a MUST SEE! EvilSamNeil, outtie to masturbate to the soothing glow of the Animatrix. PS If I wasn't in South Dakota, raping cattle, I'd be there in spirit on Wed.
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Feb 06, 2003 7:27:05 AM CST
It's good but not great (some spoilers; who cares, it's a comedy
by billbrasky2620
I saw it last week and while I will agree with Moriarty that the first two-thirds are really funny (especially the opening scene set at Ferrell's wedding), after a while it starts to run out of steam and in the last half hour or so it becomes really lame. It becomes another one of those college-set comedies where the wacky, underdog members of a frat have to band against the evil dean to save their house. They even slightly ripped off "Back to School" in the last act, with the frat guys having to pass a ridiculously hard series of tests and exams to stay on campus. There's also a romantic subplot going on between Luke Wilson and Ellen Pompeo which slows the movie down too. There are people in the cast who are wasted; Leah Remini isn't given much to do as Vince Vaughn's wife, and Artie Lange and the very funny Matt Walsh from the Upright Citizens Brigade are similarly underused as Luke's coworkers.
However, there is some stuff in the movie that is hilarious. The wedding scene, the children's birthday party scene (slightly spoiled by the trailers though), and Andy Dick's cameo role is pretty funny. Once again, the director Todd Phillips gave himself a small role as a pervert, after his stellar work in ROAD TRIP as the guy who wants to suck Amy Smart's toes on the bus. It's just a shame the movie kind of peters out at the end, with a stronger finish it could have been as funny as ROAD TRIP, but wasn't. -
Just a warning. Don't say anything negative about Harry, Mori, or this site. You will be banned. I should know. If fact I will probably be banned just for pointing this out. Stop the insanity!
Oh, and if this movie is too low-brow for some you. Don't go see it. It looks funny as hell to me. -
Thats (St)Anne of Green Gables actually...
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Feb 06, 2003 9:35:07 AM CST
There's a sneak preview this saturday anyway, isn't there?
by terry_1978
Or did I hear the commercials wrong?
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I share your sentiments but look below
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I'm a regular reader here at AICN, but have obviously missed all of Fettacular's posts. Who is this person, what is his crime (I gather he loves Disney and is like 10 years old?), and have his TBs been banned? I'd love to read some of them....how bout some quotes? Thanks!
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...but don't live in Cali. So I'll just put in my 2 cents for favorite film that features an SNL cast member. This one was easy for me, since it's one of my all-time favorite comedies. Of course, I'm talking about "This is Spinal Tap", starring Christopher Guest as Nigel Tufnel. "No, don't touch it. Don't even look at it."_________Thank yoooouuuu.
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...but really really bored at work. And anyway, a limeys attached balls are to be admired, so go right ahead.
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I couldn't stop laughing (and neither could the audience I saw it with - about three weeks ago at the AMC 14 @ Beverly Center). No, it's "not high art" as Mori suggests, but my God is it fucking hysterical. I read a couple of the talkbacks that said it has no plot and all that and yeah, the plot just kind of weaves in and out, but it doesn't feel vignette-y like most SNL-type movies. For me, the movie was just insanely funny and I'll be going back in to see it again when it comes out.
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I think you'll find
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Feb 06, 2003 11:20:52 AM CST
Rather than AICN Talk Back why not call it AICN randomly shat ou
by earthworm
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Thanks Randle for the info...just wanted a little background on the whole story so I could understand and enjoy these hilarious TBs!
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"Dog Soldiers" tomorrow. Whoopee!
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As long as Will Ferrell takes his shirt off and yells a lot then this is going to be the best movie since HeavyWeights. When guys take their shirts of and yell it's really funny, loud = funny.
Aww Yeah
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until I saw the words "Will" and "Ferrell" next to each other. Man, I'd rather have my TV locked on an Adam Sandler weekend marathon than sit through another Will Farrell yawner. He was the turd in the punch bowl for "Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back". Gack - - I'll wait for video - and only watch it if the school lunch menu channel is offline.
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and catch the heavily-advertised preview.
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