Over the course of its 50-year existence, Troma has helped launch the careers of filmmakers like Trey Parker & Matt Stone (South Park), James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy), and Eli Roth (Hostel), along with countless actors who went on to long careers, but their biggest export by any internal metric — financial success, brand recognition, franchisability, fan base — is 1984’s The Toxic Avenger.
The film is preceded by an “extreme violence” warning. The gore is indeed graphic — the first kill features a kid’s head being run over by a car, firmly establishing that no one is safe and nothing is off limits — but it could use about a dozen more trigger warnings by today’s standards. If you can be offended, you will be offended by the boundary-pushing content that includes (but is certainly not limited to) racism, homophobia, ableism, and sexual misconduct — yet there is substance behind the sleaze.
The film is preceded by an “extreme violence” warning. The gore is indeed graphic — the first kill features a kid’s head being run over by a car, firmly establishing that no one is safe and nothing is off limits — but it could use about a dozen more trigger warnings by today’s standards. If you can be offended, you will be offended by the boundary-pushing content that includes (but is certainly not limited to) racism, homophobia, ableism, and sexual misconduct — yet there is substance behind the sleaze.
- 11/17/2023
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
The Toxic Avenger is coming back to life in a brand new movie from Legendary Entertainment, with Macon Blair (I Don’t Feel At Home in This World Anymore, Green Room) directing the upcoming remake of the Troma classic. Thanks to IGN, a new Nsfw red band trailer teases the jaw-ripping R-rated mayhem.
Described as a “brand new reimagining of Lloyd Kaufman’s classic The Toxic Avenger,” the film centers on Winston Gooze, played by “Game of Thrones” star Peter Dinklage!
Check out the “Eyewitness Toxie” trailer below to get a feel for the zany horror-comedy fun along with a few notable Troma callbacks.
Troma previews, “While the original film (which premiered in 1984 – almost 40 years ago!) followed the fate of Melvin Ferd Junko III (Mitch Cohen), who goes from zero to toxic hero in a case of bullying gone awry, Macon Blair’s contemporary take follows a hideously deformed creature of...
Described as a “brand new reimagining of Lloyd Kaufman’s classic The Toxic Avenger,” the film centers on Winston Gooze, played by “Game of Thrones” star Peter Dinklage!
Check out the “Eyewitness Toxie” trailer below to get a feel for the zany horror-comedy fun along with a few notable Troma callbacks.
Troma previews, “While the original film (which premiered in 1984 – almost 40 years ago!) followed the fate of Melvin Ferd Junko III (Mitch Cohen), who goes from zero to toxic hero in a case of bullying gone awry, Macon Blair’s contemporary take follows a hideously deformed creature of...
- 9/29/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Writer/Director Macon Blair (I Don’t Feel At Home in This World Anymore) introduces a very different Toxie in his Troma remake, The Toxic Avenger. Here, it’s the downtrodden Winston Gooze (Peter Dinklage) who’s dunked into the toxic sludge that transforms him into a monstrous crusader against an evil corporation headed by greedy CEO Bob Garbinger (Kevin Bacon). Blair packs the contemporary update with reverent nods to the original but with a new approach that makes it accessible to those unfamiliar with the Troma classic.
Bloody Disgusting spoke with Macon Blair after The Toxic Avenger premiere at Fantastic Fest, where he shared what inspired his remake and the casting behind the new Toxie.
Like many, Blair connected with the 1984 film not just for its cartoonish violence but also for its relatable DIY filmmaking.
“It’s not like I’ve gone my whole life like ‘One day I will make The Toxic Avenger,...
Bloody Disgusting spoke with Macon Blair after The Toxic Avenger premiere at Fantastic Fest, where he shared what inspired his remake and the casting behind the new Toxie.
Like many, Blair connected with the 1984 film not just for its cartoonish violence but also for its relatable DIY filmmaking.
“It’s not like I’ve gone my whole life like ‘One day I will make The Toxic Avenger,...
- 9/26/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
The Toxic Avenger is coming back to life in a brand new movie from Legendary Entertainment, and Entertainment Weekly has scored a gallery of first-look images today.
Macon Blair (I Don’t Feel At Home in This World Anymore, Green Room) directed the upcoming remake of the Troma classic, which has one hell of a surprising cast.
Described as a “brand new reimagining of Lloyd Kaufman’s classic The Toxic Avenger,” the film centers on Winston Gooze, played by “Game of Thrones” star Peter Dinklage!
Elijah Wood, Julia Davis, Taylour Paige, Kevin Bacon, and Jacob Tremblay also star in The Toxic Avenger, and you can meet their characters in the images below.
Of particular note, Elijah Wood is playing a villain named Fritz Garbinger, and the character’s over-the-top look is partially inspired by Danny DeVito’s Penguin from Batman Returns.
Macon Blair tells EW that Elijah Wood’s Fritz Garbinger...
Macon Blair (I Don’t Feel At Home in This World Anymore, Green Room) directed the upcoming remake of the Troma classic, which has one hell of a surprising cast.
Described as a “brand new reimagining of Lloyd Kaufman’s classic The Toxic Avenger,” the film centers on Winston Gooze, played by “Game of Thrones” star Peter Dinklage!
Elijah Wood, Julia Davis, Taylour Paige, Kevin Bacon, and Jacob Tremblay also star in The Toxic Avenger, and you can meet their characters in the images below.
Of particular note, Elijah Wood is playing a villain named Fritz Garbinger, and the character’s over-the-top look is partially inspired by Danny DeVito’s Penguin from Batman Returns.
Macon Blair tells EW that Elijah Wood’s Fritz Garbinger...
- 9/20/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
The Toxic Avenger is coming back to life in a brand new movie from Legendary Entertainment, with Macon Blair (I Don’t Feel At Home in This World Anymore, Green Room) directing the upcoming remake of the Troma classic. The film is premiering at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas (which runs from September 21-28), and the full official synopsis has arrived.
Described as a “brand new reimagining of Lloyd Kaufman’s classic The Toxic Avenger,” the film centers on Winston Gooze, played by “Game of Thrones” star Peter Dinklage!
Troma previews, “While the original film (which premiered in 1984 – almost 40 years ago!) followed the fate of Melvin Ferd Junko III (Mitch Cohen), who goes from zero to toxic hero in a case of bullying gone awry, Macon Blair’s contemporary take follows a hideously deformed creature of superhuman size and strength all his own.
“Peter Dinklage stars as downtrodden janitor Winston Gooze who,...
Described as a “brand new reimagining of Lloyd Kaufman’s classic The Toxic Avenger,” the film centers on Winston Gooze, played by “Game of Thrones” star Peter Dinklage!
Troma previews, “While the original film (which premiered in 1984 – almost 40 years ago!) followed the fate of Melvin Ferd Junko III (Mitch Cohen), who goes from zero to toxic hero in a case of bullying gone awry, Macon Blair’s contemporary take follows a hideously deformed creature of superhuman size and strength all his own.
“Peter Dinklage stars as downtrodden janitor Winston Gooze who,...
- 8/16/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Get ready to meet Winston Gooze in The Toxic Avenger remake, which will have its World Premiere at this year’s Fantastic Fest, in Austin, Texas (September 21 – 28).
“A horrible toxic accident transforms downtrodden janitor Winston Gooze into a new evolution of hero: The Toxic Avenger!” Fantastic Fest writes of writer/director Macon Blair‘s (I Don’t Feel At Home in This World Anymore, Green Room) fresh take on the Troma classic.
The above image teases a first look at the new Toxie, an appropriately named Winston Gooze, played by “Game of Thrones” star Peter Dinklage. While there’s no release date just yet, expect that to follow soon after its Fantastic Fest debut. Also check out teaser art below.
The 1984 original film revolved around nerdy janitor Melvin Ferd Junko III (Mitch Cohen) and his unwitting transformation into the toxic sludge hero; it’s clear that Blair won’t retell...
“A horrible toxic accident transforms downtrodden janitor Winston Gooze into a new evolution of hero: The Toxic Avenger!” Fantastic Fest writes of writer/director Macon Blair‘s (I Don’t Feel At Home in This World Anymore, Green Room) fresh take on the Troma classic.
The above image teases a first look at the new Toxie, an appropriately named Winston Gooze, played by “Game of Thrones” star Peter Dinklage. While there’s no release date just yet, expect that to follow soon after its Fantastic Fest debut. Also check out teaser art below.
The 1984 original film revolved around nerdy janitor Melvin Ferd Junko III (Mitch Cohen) and his unwitting transformation into the toxic sludge hero; it’s clear that Blair won’t retell...
- 8/15/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Troma Entertainment, the beloved independent film distributor and production house, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year – and as part of the celebration, they’re bringing their iconic Toxic Avenger franchise to 4K in an eight disc “Tox Box” collection! Also known as the “Tox Set”, the collection is available for pre-order on Amazon (get it Here) and has a release date of August 29th.
For this collection, all four films in the Toxic Avenger franchise have been given new 4K scans and restorations from the original camera negatives. They’re presented in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio in Hdr with English DTS 2.0 stereo audio. Lloyd Kaufman, the President of Troma Entertainment and creator of The Toxic Avenger, has recorded new introductions for each movie. And the set also comes with a collectible Toxic Avenger postcard.
Here’s the list of bonus features that will be found in the Tox...
For this collection, all four films in the Toxic Avenger franchise have been given new 4K scans and restorations from the original camera negatives. They’re presented in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio in Hdr with English DTS 2.0 stereo audio. Lloyd Kaufman, the President of Troma Entertainment and creator of The Toxic Avenger, has recorded new introductions for each movie. And the set also comes with a collectible Toxic Avenger postcard.
Here’s the list of bonus features that will be found in the Tox...
- 7/13/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Longtime readers of Arrow in the Head will probably remember the article series The Test of Time. Now The Test of Time has been revived as a video series, and you can check out the new episode in the embed above! With this one, we’re looking back at Troma’s 1984 cult classic The Toxic Avenger (watch it Here). Does it still hold up nearly forty years after its initial release? Find out by watching the video embedded above.
Directed by Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman from a screenplay by Joe Ritter (based on a story by Kaufman), The Toxic Avenger has the following synopsis: What’s faster than a spreading germ… more powerful than Mr. Clean… and more lethal than nuclear waste? Is it a floorcleaner? Is it a waste site? No… it is the Toxic Avenger, the first super hero from New Jersey! He french fries his foes…...
Directed by Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman from a screenplay by Joe Ritter (based on a story by Kaufman), The Toxic Avenger has the following synopsis: What’s faster than a spreading germ… more powerful than Mr. Clean… and more lethal than nuclear waste? Is it a floorcleaner? Is it a waste site? No… it is the Toxic Avenger, the first super hero from New Jersey! He french fries his foes…...
- 2/28/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Ask any handful of cinephiles and television heads about their favorite performance from Eugene Levy’s almost five-decade-long career, and you likely won’t receive the same answer twice.
From his days in the 1970s with the Second City improv troupe in Toronto that turned into “Sctv” in the 1970s, to partnering with Christopher Guest for a series of mockumentaries, including “Waiting for Guffman,” “Best in Show” and a “Mighty Wind” in the 1990s and early aughts; to turning a protagonist’s parental figure into an icon with “American Pie”; voicing a fish in “Finding Dory”; and starring as his real-life son Dan Levy’s on-screen dad in “Schitt’s Creek,” Levy is the kind of actor who captivates with every comment and creates comedy with even the simplest of looks.
“He’s a good man and I respect him. Every day is fun and funny and peaceful and enjoyable,” says Catherine O’Hara,...
From his days in the 1970s with the Second City improv troupe in Toronto that turned into “Sctv” in the 1970s, to partnering with Christopher Guest for a series of mockumentaries, including “Waiting for Guffman,” “Best in Show” and a “Mighty Wind” in the 1990s and early aughts; to turning a protagonist’s parental figure into an icon with “American Pie”; voicing a fish in “Finding Dory”; and starring as his real-life son Dan Levy’s on-screen dad in “Schitt’s Creek,” Levy is the kind of actor who captivates with every comment and creates comedy with even the simplest of looks.
“He’s a good man and I respect him. Every day is fun and funny and peaceful and enjoyable,” says Catherine O’Hara,...
- 8/6/2020
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
You might know him as the dad from ‘“American Pie,” or maybe he’s just “that guy” from one of his many cameo roles. Most recently he appeared in the critically acclaimed TV comedy “Schitt’s Creek,” the comedy about a rich family stuck in a one-horse town that he co-created with his son, Dan Levy. No matter where you know him from, Eugene Levy has been a welcome sight in funny movies for decades, from the lowest of the lowbrow to some of the most well-respected of all comedic films. His signature character is a well-meaning dork, completely out of touch and utterly oblivious to how he comes across to other people even though his heart is in the right place. Let’s take a look back at some of his most memorable roles by counting down his 20 greatest films, ranked worst to best.
See ‘Schitt’s Creek’: Experts say...
See ‘Schitt’s Creek’: Experts say...
- 7/14/2020
- by Zach Moore and Zach Laws
- Gold Derby
You might know him as the dad from ‘“American Pie,” or maybe he’s just “that guy” from one of his many cameo roles. Most recently he appeared in the critically acclaimed TV comedy “Schitt’s Creek,” the comedy about a rich family stuck in a one-horse town that he co-created with his son, Dan Levy. No matter where you know him from, Eugene Levy has been a welcome sight in funny movies for decades, from the lowest of the lowbrow to some of the most well-respected of all comedic films. His signature character is a well-meaning dork, completely out of touch and utterly oblivious to how he comes across to other people even though his heart is in the right place. Let’s take a look back at some of his most memorable roles by counting down his 20 greatest films, ranked worst to best.
Levy got his start on the...
Levy got his start on the...
- 7/6/2020
- by Zach Moore and Zach Laws
- Gold Derby
Legendary Entertainment has acquired feature film rights to The Toxic Avenger, with a reboot of the iconic Troma horror franchise in the works. Original directors Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz of Kaufman’s iconic b-movie studio Troma Entertainment will serve as producers on the new film.
The Toxic Avenger centers on Toxie, born when the mild-mannered Melvin from Tromaville, NJ, falls into a vat of toxic waste. He’s transformed into a repulsive-yet-lovable mutant hero who stands up to bullies and corruption with irreverent zeal.
The original film premiered in 1984 starring Mitch Cohen as Toxie. It spawned three sequel films, a stage musical, a children’s cartoon TV series and a Marvel comic.
Alex Garcia and Jay Ashenfelter will oversee the film for Legendary.
The Toxic Avenger centers on Toxie, born when the mild-mannered Melvin from Tromaville, NJ, falls into a vat of toxic waste. He’s transformed into a repulsive-yet-lovable mutant hero who stands up to bullies and corruption with irreverent zeal.
The original film premiered in 1984 starring Mitch Cohen as Toxie. It spawned three sequel films, a stage musical, a children’s cartoon TV series and a Marvel comic.
Alex Garcia and Jay Ashenfelter will oversee the film for Legendary.
- 12/10/2018
- by Geoff Boucher
- Deadline Film + TV
For the second week of August, horror fans can look forward to a fun array of titles arriving on DVD and Blu-ray this week, including the Troma classic The Toxic Avenger, the cult classic Motel Hell from Scream Factory and the recent indie horror film Proxy.
Also arriving this week are the latest animated Batman feature, A Haunted House 2, a few more indie slasher films, including Crawl or Die and Bunnyman Massacre, as well as the long-awaited re-release of Santa Sangre on DVD from Severin Films.
Spotlight Titles:
Motel Hell Collector’s Edition (Scream Factory, Blu-ray & DVD Combo)
You really are what you eat with Farmer Vincent’s smoked meat in this creepy horror yarn that ’packs a punch that goes way beyond mere terror’ (Boxoffice). Vincent’s popular products contain a special ingredient that the psychotic farmer and his sister would literally kill to keep a secret! Starring...
Also arriving this week are the latest animated Batman feature, A Haunted House 2, a few more indie slasher films, including Crawl or Die and Bunnyman Massacre, as well as the long-awaited re-release of Santa Sangre on DVD from Severin Films.
Spotlight Titles:
Motel Hell Collector’s Edition (Scream Factory, Blu-ray & DVD Combo)
You really are what you eat with Farmer Vincent’s smoked meat in this creepy horror yarn that ’packs a punch that goes way beyond mere terror’ (Boxoffice). Vincent’s popular products contain a special ingredient that the psychotic farmer and his sister would literally kill to keep a secret! Starring...
- 8/12/2014
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
Stars: Mark Torgl, Mitch Cohen, Andree Maranda, Cindy Manion, Gary Schneider, Robert Prichard, Pat Ryan, Dick Martinsen, Patrick Kilpatrick | Written by Lloyd Kaufman, Joe Ritter | Directed by Michael Herz, Lloyd Kaufman (as Samuel Weil)
For those who haven’t seen The Toxic Avenger, first of all why not? (stop reading this review and go pre-order the Blu-ray now), it is essentially the film that made Troma. Having picked up numerous films for distribution and being predominantly known for sex comedies such as Squeeze Play, Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman decided to lense their own horror film and thus The Toxic Avenger was born; in turn Troma became known for campy, over the top, “horror” movies and the rest, they say, is history.
The film tells the story of Melvin Junko, a health club janitor who is the butt of a cruel joke that goes horribly wrong after he is tricked...
For those who haven’t seen The Toxic Avenger, first of all why not? (stop reading this review and go pre-order the Blu-ray now), it is essentially the film that made Troma. Having picked up numerous films for distribution and being predominantly known for sex comedies such as Squeeze Play, Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman decided to lense their own horror film and thus The Toxic Avenger was born; in turn Troma became known for campy, over the top, “horror” movies and the rest, they say, is history.
The film tells the story of Melvin Junko, a health club janitor who is the butt of a cruel joke that goes horribly wrong after he is tricked...
- 7/25/2014
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
The reboot of the 1980s cult film Toxic Avenger has Arnold Schwarzenegger in talks. Steve Pink and Daniel C. Mitchell wrote the script for the film which is being produced by Elysium Films as well as Richard Saperstein, Akiva Goldsman, Charlie Corwin and Michael Benaroya. The story follows Melvin Ferd III, a skinny, feeble guy who falls into toxic waste and transforms into a creature who fights crime. Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman directed the original film which starred Andrew Maranda, Mitch Cohen, Jennifer Babtist, Cindy Manion and Robert Prichard. There were three films: The Toxic Avenger (1984), The Toxic Avenger Part II (1989) and The Toxic Avenger: The Last Temptation of Toxie (1989).
- 5/14/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
This summer Colin Farrell stepped into the amnesiac action hero role originated by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Total Recall. This fall Karl Urban will take to theaters in Dredd, playing a part previously defined by Sylvester Stallone and Richard Waters. And next summer Joel Kinnaman will be the new (and improved?) Robocop, following in the clunking footsteps of Peter Weller and Robert John Burke. But beyond that John Travolta could re-define the role originated by Mitch Cohen in 1987's The Toxic Avenger. Obviously, the last possibility is strange on a few levels. First up, when a reboot is discussed, it's often with a mind to bring in young audience unfamiliar with the prior version. To attract this crowd, it's frequently a young, and often rising star that is attached to the project, not an established and aging A-lister. Then, there's the fact that of all the titles above The Toxic Avenger...
- 8/22/2012
- cinemablend.com
We start the Top 7. You finish the Top 10.
I’ve heard my share of great music in movies, bought more than one soundtrack that’s introduced me to a band I’ve grown to love. I’ve heard songs in a context that makes me think of it in a new way. But sometimes, the band I love doesn’t really exist outside the world of the movie. Some bands are too over-the-top, too fabulous, or too truly, truly, truly outrageous to live in the real world. This Top 7 list is dedicated to Aldous Snow (Russell Brand) from Forgetting Sarah Marshall and now Get Him to the Greek.
7. Mitch and Mickey from A Mighty Wind (2003)
Recap: Christopher Guest’s mockumentary about a folk reunion concert features many of his regular collaborators, including Eugene Levy as Mitch Cohen and Catherine O’Hara as Mickey Crabbe. They used to be a couple,...
I’ve heard my share of great music in movies, bought more than one soundtrack that’s introduced me to a band I’ve grown to love. I’ve heard songs in a context that makes me think of it in a new way. But sometimes, the band I love doesn’t really exist outside the world of the movie. Some bands are too over-the-top, too fabulous, or too truly, truly, truly outrageous to live in the real world. This Top 7 list is dedicated to Aldous Snow (Russell Brand) from Forgetting Sarah Marshall and now Get Him to the Greek.
7. Mitch and Mickey from A Mighty Wind (2003)
Recap: Christopher Guest’s mockumentary about a folk reunion concert features many of his regular collaborators, including Eugene Levy as Mitch Cohen and Catherine O’Hara as Mickey Crabbe. They used to be a couple,...
- 6/2/2010
- by Megan Lehar
- The Scorecard Review
A remake of "The Toxic Avenger" is in the works and will be produced by Akiva Goldsman, Richard Saperstein and Charlie Corwin. Original Media has acquired the rights to franchise that includes sequels, an animated TV series and comic books. The company will finance the development of a script. Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman directed the 1984 original, which starred Andree Maranda, Mitchell Cohen, Pat Ryan Jr., Jennifer Baptist, Robert Pritchard, Cindy Manion, Gary Schneider and Mark Torgl. The film is set in Tromaville, New Jersey - a small American town, terrorized by criminals. Among the residents of Tromaville is Melvin, a nerdy emaciated janitor at the local health club. A gang of thugs devise a cruel hoax that goes horribly wrong as Melvin is cast through a third story window...
- 4/10/2010
- www.ohmygore.com/
A remake of The Toxic Avenger is in the works and will be produced by Akiva Goldsman, Richard Saperstein and Charlie Corwin. Original Media has acquired the rights to franchise that includes sequels, an animated TV series and comic books. The company will finance the development of a script. Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman directed the 1984 original, which starred Andree Maranda, Mitchell Cohen, Pat Ryan Jr., Jennifer Baptist, Robert Pritchard, Cindy Manion, Gary Schneider and Mark Torgl. The film is set in Tromaville, New Jersey - a small American town, terrorized by criminals. Among the residents of Tromaville is Melvin, a nerdy emaciated janitor at the local health club. A gang of thugs devise a cruel hoax that goes horribly wrong as Melvin is cast through a third story...
- 4/7/2010
- Superherohype
A remake of The Toxic Avenger is in the works and will be produced by Akiva Goldsman, Richard Saperstein and Charlie Corwin. Original Media has acquired the rights to franchise that includes sequels, an animated TV series and comic books. The company will finance the development of a script. Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman directed the 1984 original, which starred Andree Maranda, Mitchell Cohen, Pat Ryan Jr., Jennifer Baptist, Robert Pritchard, Cindy Manion, Gary Schneider and Mark Torgl. The film is set in Tromaville, New Jersey - a small American town, terrorized by criminals. Among the residents of Tromaville is Melvin, a nerdy emaciated janitor at the local health club. A gang of thugs devise a cruel hoax that goes horribly wrong as Melvin is cast through a third story...
- 4/7/2010
- Comingsoon.net
There's not much that I love more than the comedic mind of Christopher Guest. No man, not even retro Mel Brooks, has made me cry with laughter like Guest -- the wacky dancing of Corky St. Clair, the dysfunctional yuppiedom of the Swans, the bleary sadness of Mitch Cohen, and the plastic surgery of Marilyn Hack. But For Your Consideration might be the end.
In a discussion with MTV, Jane Lynch revealed some good, and not so good news about the world-o-Guest. On the bright side, it seems like Waiting for Guffman might be headed to Broadway, which is just about the best idea to come out of the world of movies-on-Broadway. Unfortunately, she also says that she thinks Guest's done making movies: "I haven't heard any rumblings. Parker Posey and I have put our heads together and decided we think it might be over." Granted, this is only rumor at this point,...
In a discussion with MTV, Jane Lynch revealed some good, and not so good news about the world-o-Guest. On the bright side, it seems like Waiting for Guffman might be headed to Broadway, which is just about the best idea to come out of the world of movies-on-Broadway. Unfortunately, she also says that she thinks Guest's done making movies: "I haven't heard any rumblings. Parker Posey and I have put our heads together and decided we think it might be over." Granted, this is only rumor at this point,...
- 1/27/2009
- by Monika Bartyzel
- Cinematical
Opens
Friday, April 18
While it doesn't quite reach the blissfully inspired heights of "Best in Show" or "Waiting for Guffman", Christopher Guest's latest nevertheless makes a worthy addition to his canon of brilliantly improvised mockumentaries.
A spot-on parody of '60s folk music and its acoustically leaning purveyors, "A Mighty Wind" also functions as something of a "This Is Spinal Tap" reunion, with Harry Shearer joining ensemble regulars Guest and Michael McKean to form the Folksmen, a Kingston Trio-esque outfit who get back together three decades later along with other groups for a PBS-style concert special.
Fans of the previous Guest pictures will no doubt rise to the occasion, though, with folk music admittedly not carrying the contemporary commercial appeal of, say, competitive canines, "Wind" will probably be doing a serious chunk of its business on DVD.
Determined to organize a fitting tribute to his late folk-artist-manager father, the fastidious Jonathan Steinbloom (Bob Balaban) teams with Public Broadcasting Network executive Lars Olfen (Ed Begley Jr.) to put on a show featuring his dad's most popular acts.
Filling the bill, in addition to the above-mentioned Folksmen, would be the excruciatingly sunny New Main Street Singers (think the New Christy Minstrels or The New Seekers) and Mitch & Mickey (Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara), a romantic duo clearly inspired by Canadian folkies Ian & Sylvia.
That's the plan, anyway. But while the Folksmen's Alan Barrows (Guest), basso Mark Shubb (Shearer) and Jerry Palter (McKean) survived the '60s relatively intact, the same can't be said for poor Mitch Cohen, who had been doing an extended sanitarium gig prior to finding out whether or not he and his former wife (now married to a catheter salesman and model train enthusiast played by Jim Piddock) can conjure up any of the old magic.
The New Main Street Singers, meanwhile, were known as the Main Street Singers until all but one of their original members (Paul Dooley's George Menschell) died. The "neuftet" is now fronted by Terry Bohner John Michael Higgins) and his lovely wife Laurie (Jane Lynch), who in their spare time are deeply immersed in a religion guided by the power of colors.
Will the show go on?
Only Guest and Levy, who again share scripting duties, know for sure, while their dream ensemble come up with their own winning lines.
While the satirical element is again very finely tuned, Guest clearly has a great deal of affection for the music and the musicians, which translates into a kinder, gentler brand of parody. There's even a moment in the film, provided by O'Hara and Levy, that's downright touching.
Not that there's any shortfall in the laughter department. In addition to those already cited, Fred Willard, who practically stole "Best in Show" as an outrageous commentator, turns up here as a spiky-haired comic-turned-talent manager whose questionable claim to fame involves coining dumb catchphrases like "Wha' happened?"
And the always welcome Jennifer Coolidge puts in a couple of too brief but memorable turns as half of a public relations team (the other is played by Larry Miller) who speaks with a vague European accent and whose offhanded observation about model trains is a comedy keeper.
So are the pitch-perfect songs. Not since "Nashville" has a cast done such a good job of providing their own tunes, especially the irresistibly hokey "Old Joe's Place" (penned by Guest, Shearer and McKean) and O'Hara's destined-to-be-immortal "The Catheter Song".
A MIGHTY WIND
Warner Bros. Pictures
A Castle Rock Entertainment presentation
Credits:
Director: Christopher Guest
Screenwriters: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy
Producer: Karen Murphy
Director of photography: Arlene Donnelly Nelson
Production designer: Joseph T. Garrity
Editor: Robert Leighton
Costume designer: Durinda Wood
Music producer: Jeffrey CJ Vanston
Cast:
Jonathan Steinbloom: Bob Balaban
Lars Olfen: Ed Begley Jr.
Amber Cole: Jennifer Coolidge
Terry Bohner: John Michael Higgins
Lawrence F Turpin: Michael Hitchcock
Mitch Cohen: Eugene Levy
Laurie Bohner: Jane Lynch
Jerry Palter: Michael McKean
Wally Fenton: Larry Miller
Mickey Devlin Crabbe: Catherine O'Hara
Sissy Knox: Parker Posey
Mark Shubb: Harry Shearer
Naomi Steinbloom: Deborah Theaker
Mike LaFontaine: Fred Willard
George Menschell: Paul Dooley
Leonard Crabbe: Jim Piddock
Running time -- 92 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
Friday, April 18
While it doesn't quite reach the blissfully inspired heights of "Best in Show" or "Waiting for Guffman", Christopher Guest's latest nevertheless makes a worthy addition to his canon of brilliantly improvised mockumentaries.
A spot-on parody of '60s folk music and its acoustically leaning purveyors, "A Mighty Wind" also functions as something of a "This Is Spinal Tap" reunion, with Harry Shearer joining ensemble regulars Guest and Michael McKean to form the Folksmen, a Kingston Trio-esque outfit who get back together three decades later along with other groups for a PBS-style concert special.
Fans of the previous Guest pictures will no doubt rise to the occasion, though, with folk music admittedly not carrying the contemporary commercial appeal of, say, competitive canines, "Wind" will probably be doing a serious chunk of its business on DVD.
Determined to organize a fitting tribute to his late folk-artist-manager father, the fastidious Jonathan Steinbloom (Bob Balaban) teams with Public Broadcasting Network executive Lars Olfen (Ed Begley Jr.) to put on a show featuring his dad's most popular acts.
Filling the bill, in addition to the above-mentioned Folksmen, would be the excruciatingly sunny New Main Street Singers (think the New Christy Minstrels or The New Seekers) and Mitch & Mickey (Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara), a romantic duo clearly inspired by Canadian folkies Ian & Sylvia.
That's the plan, anyway. But while the Folksmen's Alan Barrows (Guest), basso Mark Shubb (Shearer) and Jerry Palter (McKean) survived the '60s relatively intact, the same can't be said for poor Mitch Cohen, who had been doing an extended sanitarium gig prior to finding out whether or not he and his former wife (now married to a catheter salesman and model train enthusiast played by Jim Piddock) can conjure up any of the old magic.
The New Main Street Singers, meanwhile, were known as the Main Street Singers until all but one of their original members (Paul Dooley's George Menschell) died. The "neuftet" is now fronted by Terry Bohner John Michael Higgins) and his lovely wife Laurie (Jane Lynch), who in their spare time are deeply immersed in a religion guided by the power of colors.
Will the show go on?
Only Guest and Levy, who again share scripting duties, know for sure, while their dream ensemble come up with their own winning lines.
While the satirical element is again very finely tuned, Guest clearly has a great deal of affection for the music and the musicians, which translates into a kinder, gentler brand of parody. There's even a moment in the film, provided by O'Hara and Levy, that's downright touching.
Not that there's any shortfall in the laughter department. In addition to those already cited, Fred Willard, who practically stole "Best in Show" as an outrageous commentator, turns up here as a spiky-haired comic-turned-talent manager whose questionable claim to fame involves coining dumb catchphrases like "Wha' happened?"
And the always welcome Jennifer Coolidge puts in a couple of too brief but memorable turns as half of a public relations team (the other is played by Larry Miller) who speaks with a vague European accent and whose offhanded observation about model trains is a comedy keeper.
So are the pitch-perfect songs. Not since "Nashville" has a cast done such a good job of providing their own tunes, especially the irresistibly hokey "Old Joe's Place" (penned by Guest, Shearer and McKean) and O'Hara's destined-to-be-immortal "The Catheter Song".
A MIGHTY WIND
Warner Bros. Pictures
A Castle Rock Entertainment presentation
Credits:
Director: Christopher Guest
Screenwriters: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy
Producer: Karen Murphy
Director of photography: Arlene Donnelly Nelson
Production designer: Joseph T. Garrity
Editor: Robert Leighton
Costume designer: Durinda Wood
Music producer: Jeffrey CJ Vanston
Cast:
Jonathan Steinbloom: Bob Balaban
Lars Olfen: Ed Begley Jr.
Amber Cole: Jennifer Coolidge
Terry Bohner: John Michael Higgins
Lawrence F Turpin: Michael Hitchcock
Mitch Cohen: Eugene Levy
Laurie Bohner: Jane Lynch
Jerry Palter: Michael McKean
Wally Fenton: Larry Miller
Mickey Devlin Crabbe: Catherine O'Hara
Sissy Knox: Parker Posey
Mark Shubb: Harry Shearer
Naomi Steinbloom: Deborah Theaker
Mike LaFontaine: Fred Willard
George Menschell: Paul Dooley
Leonard Crabbe: Jim Piddock
Running time -- 92 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 4/14/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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