Thursday, June 26, 2008

DVD Review: The Hammer

This is why my leader was on Dancing with the Stars. He was on to promote this movie, which was in limited release (mostly just the cities his morning drive-time radio show can be heard).

I have to admit I was a little worried about the quality of this movie. Although it got great reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and Ebert & Roeper gave it Two Thumbs Up, I've seen The Man Show. Adam Carolla, while fantastic on the radio ranting about everyday annoyances, he's a stiff on camera.

Well, he's improved a little. But no one will mistake him for Alec Baldwin when it comes to great comedic acting.

But despite his limited acting ability, this is still a funny, sweet romantic comedy. That's right. I said romantic comedy.

This is the semi-autobiographical story of Jerry Ferro (Carolla) who, on his 40th birthday loses both his job and his girlfriend. While coaching a boxing class at a local gym, he finds his way out of rock bottom. He meets a new woman and he begins working his way up the armature ranks to make the US Olympic boxing team. OK, maybe a little unbelievable. But he's got a really good left.

By the way, it was while working as a boxing instructor at the gym this movie was filmed (where he was also a handyman) that Adam met Jimmy Kimmel. From that meeting he would go on to host Loveline and The Man Show and is now, as he'll tell you often, literally a millionaire.

In a world of craphole movies like Don't Mess with the Zohan and The Love Guru, why couldn't a movie like this get a wider release? It may not rise to the level of a Sideways, Juno or Little Miss Sunshine. But it is still a worthy indie comedy.

  • 0 breasts
  • 1 beast
  • belt-sander fu
  • Nicaraguan punch-in-the-nuts fu
Academy award nomination for Oswaldo Castillo for playing the very difficult role of himself.

King Wally says check it out. I bought the DVD, so if anyone wants to borrow it, let me know.

B+



No comments:

Vanabout 2019 Day 28: Aberdeen

Still South Dakota. Found a cute campground that most of the year is a hopping family holiday retreat. But it’s cold and snowy and latish Oc...