1.5 Stars 2 Bucks

An American Carol

by Amy Nicholson

posted October 6, 2008 6:36 PM

Conservative comedy shouldn't get many votes

anamericancarol.jpg

Pity conservatives. They've got the lamest politicians and the lamest comics. Outrage and bluster make for fine pundits, but as Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert have proven, brilliant political humor takes restraint and class. Naked Gun director David Zucker is rarely associated with the latter; his latest, an airless send up of liberal values, ensures it. The dwindling class of right wingers who align with Zucker's hawkishness might applaud his politics, but likely from the safety of their couches, miles away from the nearest theater.

Kevin P. Farley, a veteran comedian stuck doing negligible walk-ons even in his late brother Chris' movies, by virtue of his girth has ascended to star as Michael Malone, a translucently-veiled documentary filmmaker from Michigan with a passion for Twinkies and pissing off right wingers. Malone's latest crusades are a troop-bashing film and a movement to ban the Fourth of July. On July 3rd Eve, he's visited by John F. Kennedy (Chriss Anglin) by way of Jacob Marley who rather than mumbling through a doorknob interrupts a rerun of his inaugural address and climbs out of the TV to point out all the tough talk Malone and his cronies have forgotten. (That fact Kennedy's promise to "oppose any foe" resulted in the Bay of Pigs is conveniently overlooked here.) Kennedy warns that Malone will be visited by three ghosts. I only counted two, but hey, numbers have truthiness. The heavy conscience-lifting is born by Kelsey Grammer's George S. Patton, who takes Malone on a whirlwind tour of his past, present and future—an ease of plot structure Charles Dickens didn't consider—and for good measure throws in some past and present stuff Malone wasn't enlightened enough to have been around for, such as that time British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlin (Oliver Muirhead) shined Hitler's boots. Zucker and Patton's strategy is a defense of war—not of the war on terror, though Malone learns that if we hadn't fought the Civil War, he'd own Gary Coleman as a slave, and that if we don't fight Iraq (or Al Qaeda, same difference) Hollywood will be renamed Bin Laden Land. Meanwhile, Malone goes on an ACLU zombie killing spree, gets recruited by terrorists, and learns to love his enlisted nephew Josh (Travis Schuldt) and his fleet of tiny sick kids, who would get better health care by pestering their dad to vote for Obama.

Conservative actors John Voight and Dennis Hopper—fine Americans who deserve to have their opinions heard, not like that traitor Barbra Streisand—are members of Zucker's right-wing schmooze group who deign to make cameos. (The gang must not have many writers—the best credits co-writers Myrna Sokoloff and Lewis Friedman have on their resumes are awards shows.) Less surprising are country singer Trace Adkins as himself/The Angel of Death and a pirouette by Bill O' Reilly playing himself against a fake Rosie O' Donnell (Vickie Brown) whose claim that Christians are war-mongering zealots is followed by a montage of shoe-bombers for Jesus that would be hilarious except Bill Maher's Religulous does it better. Putting politics aside as much as you can for a film that holds them central, Zucker just ain't funny. As entertainment, An American Carol ranks below YouTube clips of Sarah Palin. The fact that (Diebold-willing) Palin might make it to the White House is no laughing matter—even if it precludes Zucker from making a sequel.


Distributor: Vivendi Entertainment
Cast: Kein P. Farley and Kelsey Grammer
Director: David Zucker
Screenwriters: David Zucker, Myrna Sokoloff and Lewis Friedman
Producers: Stephen McEveety, John Shepard and David Zucker
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13 for rude and irreverent content, and for language and brief drug material
Running time: 83 min.
Release date: October 3

35 Comments

Tony Zimmon said:

Aren"t you supposed to be a critic of movies ? Why the knock on sara palin?you should be happy a woman has made this far in a mans world

October 7, 2008 12:17 AM

jimb said:

Now now miss liberal...where is your objective tolerance...it's just fun to watch you have a melt down...when the comedy is about you...you can't take it...it was funny!

October 7, 2008 8:31 AM

jimb said:

Now now miss liberal...where is your objective tolerance...it's just fun to watch you have a melt down...when the comedy is about you...you can't take it...it was funny!

October 7, 2008 8:31 AM

Kary said:

The verdict is in...right wingers just aren't funny, and shouldn't even try to be funny.

October 7, 2008 11:00 AM

Paul said:

Kary's wrong. I've seen plenty of funny right wingers but we find things funnier than you do, don't be thick.

October 7, 2008 1:39 PM

Chris said:

It's amazing when Conservatives, who by the way shaped this very country that allows all the liberal morons to run their mouths, poke fun at the left wing...It's just not funny. However when bill maher (intentionally lowercase) slams Christians...That's freaking hilarious. Christians and Conservatives alike need to rise up and quit taking these left wing liberal morons crap anymore. If you hate MY country this much...LEAVE. Otherwise...SHUT THE HELL UP!

October 7, 2008 2:15 PM

Rob, Frederick MD said:

You should have filed this under political rants.

October 7, 2008 2:35 PM

Ted said:

Hilarious movie! Not sure what got the reviewer so upset...if we can't laugh at ourselves, we've got a problem.

October 7, 2008 4:14 PM

David said:

I wonder if Amy even watched the movie, I heard Kelsey Grammer say they were making fun of people without a sense of humor. I guess it's true, it's just too bad that Amy had to take all the satire in this great film literally although I do think most of the jokes would be a little to close for comfort for anybody not intelligent enough to think for themselves (que hilarious college professor scene)

October 7, 2008 9:24 PM

John said:

Jeez Amy, pout much? Be a movie critic, nobody is paying you to air your political leanings. Try a little objectivity.

October 8, 2008 9:26 AM

Trevor McCloskey said:

The problem with libs is everything's about YOU and your AGENDAS. Relax a little and be objective. You knew the message before you saw the movie (if you even did that). The issue is- was it entertaining? For me it was and I'm pretty independent politically. Just as Mike Moore has his moments, this movie got a few laughs out of me. You libs are sooo predictable- because you're so insecure of your belief system and morality as it's challenged by regular Americans, you're always on the defense. Kinda type a-ish don't you think? The only question I have is- is it arrogance or narcissism (there's a difference)?
Have fun hating your country!!

October 8, 2008 10:47 AM

Millenium_King said:

HAHAHAHA!!! From your VERY FIRST SENTENCE your bias is obvious. Surprise surprise! A big liberal hates a movie that makes fun of liberals!

You're right, watching the hugely biased Daily Show mock Bush the same exact way night after night is way funnier.

October 8, 2008 11:09 AM

Bill said:

Bias or no bias this movie is terrible. I don't care who you are voting for, the reviewr is right, this thing's about as funny as "High School High" which by the way was made by the same people, and is also painfully NOT FUNNY.

October 8, 2008 11:52 AM

Eva Anderson said:

Wow, these comments are so smart and insightful! Way to go, conservatives!

October 8, 2008 11:54 AM

Joe said:

Plain and simple, to be movie critic one should rate a movie without showing how upset they are over comedy from the opposite side of the politcal spectrum. Being an independent voter, I can say I didn't think your review gave justice to the average person who wanted to know if the movie was good. You pretty much wrote if you are liberal, you won't like this movie. Bravo, what an excellent observation. I wish I could do your job.

October 8, 2008 11:54 AM

Daniel said:

I just saw the movie! Hilarious! It was double the fun because I am a conservative. But even someone who's not conservative can enjoy the movie big time. If you are a liberal / democrat / far-left and have a double standard (one for you, one for us) don't watch it. You will be offended.

October 8, 2008 7:08 PM

Mike said:

Was this supposed to be a comedy with a political message? It seemed more like a documentary with some comedy mixed in. The reason nobody finds it funny is because it was too close to the sad reality of the situation. The parts that weren't funny made me want to cry.

October 8, 2008 9:16 PM

Big Jim said:


You need to lighten up. Anyone who tries to find anything deeper in this film than simple slapstick humor and a few ultra-light swipes at the left is -- what, a left-wing loon who writes movie "reviews?" Poor Mike: he couldn't laugh and he couldn't cry. Why'd you even go, Mike?

October 8, 2008 9:32 PM

rachel said:

It's amazing that a supposed unbiased objective review begins with your first statement! Even the liberal media is a little more discreet than that! Oh, let me guess who you're voting for! I thought that reviews were supposed to be objective opinions and not a stage for stating your personal political agenda! The left shoves all of their liberal movies and satires down our throats all of the time and you have a fit when a satire about liberals comes out. In other words, you can dish it out, but you can't take it. Come on, Amy, use your head and listen for a change - be "open-minded" - isn't that what liberals claim to be! It was funny, just don't take it so personally! Also, remember 95% of taxes are paid by 5% of the people. Most of that 5% are conservatives! You should be thanking us for picking up your slack! Stop biting the hand that feeds you!

October 9, 2008 6:45 AM

Bob said:

Awesome movie... Finally a great movie of Idiot Mikey Moore.. truth hurts sometimes Mikey

October 9, 2008 8:04 PM

kbiel said:

Another sensitive liberal who is bad at counting. What's wrong, pumpkin, did mean old David Zucker hurt your poor little feelings? He must have had you crying as you couldn't count ghosts. John Kennedy said there would be three ghosts and there were: Gen. George Patton, Gen. George Washington, and "the freakin' Angel of Death, you turdhead".

October 10, 2008 7:39 AM

Jeff Baxter said:

Thanks precious! I haven't even seen this movie yet and I know it MUST be great. If it has you so bent out of shape, it now is a must see. Thanks for selling another 2 tickets for An American Carol! Taking shots at Sarah Palin? Bet you're just pissed because she's successful and beautiful. Please, take your tolerance and shove it. Liberals(you are a liberal right?) are only tolerant to those who agree with them.

October 10, 2008 2:37 PM

Jeni said:

Can't wait to see this movie - going tomorrow for my birthday present - as it got a full 2 stars from the same reviewers who tend to give my favorite movies way less than they're worth and give "ridigulugulious" movies WAY TOO MANY stars to still be good reviewers! COME ON. It's not like we're totally ignorant that you movie reviewers want to side with the majority of the Hollywood set and kiss their you-know-whats with your weak acting (meaning you can't even pretend you're not grading on a left-wing curve when the movie's clearly coming from the right.)

Oh, and since you chose to get your digs in about Governor Palin, I guess I'll add that I still can't believe that the liberals haven't figured out how badly they've exposed themselves by publicly hating and ridiculing her so much. I guess they want to hear a woman roar unless and until the roar they hear is one they disagree with. Maybe we should ask Governor Schwarzenegger just how "easy" and "lacking in experience" being a governor of a huge-budget state is. I understand he's quite popular and a pretty good governor, too.

So, thanks for your review and I'll have two more (full-price, mind you) tickets for this potentially severely underrated flick. Happy Birthday to Me!!

October 10, 2008 9:47 PM

jwilson07 said:

Another unhappy liberal reviewer with a massive axe to grind it seems from her"review". I guess killing innocent babies and wanting to free all people on death row isn't enough for these types. I'm going to see the movie, and see it again if I laugh once, then rent it, then buy it. Unlike the liberals who want to spend tax money to make a point, we conservatives use our own money.

October 11, 2008 10:13 AM

max said:

ahhh.... I love these comments sections - redneck-a-go-go!

October 13, 2008 7:45 AM

Principalman said:

I thought the movie did what it was intended to do - show the world how idiotic some of the left wing tripe is and continues to be. In a FUNNY way its shows the ongoing assault on our culture and country by elitist socialists who, in essence, have abandoned their own culture. When that culture finally collapses, let's see how the liberal elitists are treated then. I think they will find they have been duped and used.......

October 13, 2008 8:26 AM

Anonymous said:

I have read a couple of reviews from this site and i noticed anything that slams conservatives, Christians, and Republicans gets high marks from the critics. However, anything that goes the other direction gets a poor review. It is amazing how everything now is so biased.

October 13, 2008 8:46 AM

Ken said:

I'm looking forward to Amy's nomination of "W" for picture of the year.

October 15, 2008 6:22 AM

Proud American said:

I thought that An American Carol was a great movie!! It was funny and very refreshing to see a movie in which the political jokes and jabs were directed towards the right people. It's about time conservatives had the spotlight in hollywood. I have read lots of reviews about this movie and all I can say is, every single negative review has come from a whinney liberal. I say do your job and actually review the movie instead of deciding you hate it because you are liberal. I give this movie 10 stars and have already recommmended it to all my friends and family. Just remember all you liberal nut jobs, there are conservatives still out there in this country that you are so ashamed of being a part of, and we are EXTREMEMLY PROUD OF OUR COUNTRY AND OUR MILITARY!!! God Bless all past, present and future military personnel and their families!

October 15, 2008 7:07 AM

Pez said:

"Pity liberals. They've got the lamest movie reviewers and the lamest write ups. Outrage and bluster make for fine movies, but as Amy Nicholson has not shown, brilliant reviews takes restraint and class. Naked Gun director David Zucker is associated with the latter; his latest, an airful send up of liberal values, ensures it. The growing class of left wingers who comment on Zucker's movies hate his politics, but likely from the safety of their couches, miles away from the nearest theater."

Hey Amy, does that sound stupid? Well, now you know how we all feel about you!

October 16, 2008 3:12 PM

Jeremy said:

Well I have to agree. Michael Moore Comedies are much funnier. :)

October 17, 2008 7:51 AM

Richard said:

Ah, yes, we clearly have a responsible, thought-out review of the movie with no preconceived prejudices...oh, wait.

If this is an example of the reviewer's work, she is unfit for the duty. She could have given it a negative review without the obvious liberal lean.

October 17, 2008 6:52 PM

Rod said:

You need to find a different line of work, Amy. Its obvious you can't professionally review a movie. Oh, and maybe see a therapist. You are one angry and neurotic woman.

October 18, 2008 5:29 AM

Kevin Farley said:

Gee, a bad review - Im shocked. Think Ill go see it right away.

October 23, 2008 8:13 AM

nightazday said:

you take that back
Palin clips is ****ing funny and you know it

October 26, 2008 8:38 PM

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