Fredo Lives!

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Last week I decided against linking to Jeffrey Ressner's 7.23 Politico story about David Zucker's An American Carol because the basic plot -- a documentarian named Michael Malone [read: Moore] finally sees the conservative light in the way Ebenezer Scrooge got beyond being a selfish miser -- sounded sickening to me. Three or four graphs into Ressner's story and I was muttering, "I don't know want to know about this...I've read enough."

Jon Voight as George Washington and Kelsey Grammer as Gen. George S. Patton in An American Carol

But people here and there started writing about Zucker's film anyway, the latest being CHUD's Devin Faraci. He was so struck by one of Ressner's graphs that he ran it twice. "In a climactic scene, Malone finds political clarity at the smoking ruins of the World Trade Center," it reads, "while the admonishing ghost of George Washington (played by Jon Voight) hovers nearby."

This evening a reliable source passed along this verbatim quote from a friend who's seen An American Carol: "This thing goes beyond heavy handed. It reminds one of the sensation of watching Burn, Holllywood Burn. It tries to be outrageous but just comes off as a paean from a Republican who wants to continue getting tax breaks. I rank it right out there with Skidoo and Can Hieronymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness as far as the WTF nature of it all. The laugh quotient is right up there with The Love Guru and confirms that David Zucker was always the Fredo of the ZAZ comedy mafia."

Vivendi Entertainment will release An American Carol on 10.3. Keep in mind that the major distributors all saw it and passed, even the Weinsteins.

David Zucker

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on July 31, 2008 at 9:42 PM

comment #1

BurmaShave says ...

Wow.

Posted by BurmaShave at July 31, 2008 10:48 PM

comment #2

SmilingPolitely says ...

OMG! John Voight's op-ed makes sense now.

Posted by SmilingPolitely at July 31, 2008 10:54 PM

comment #3

Scott Mendelson says ...

Tragically, in its skewered wrongheaded train-wreck fashion, this could be the funniest ZAZ movie since The Naked Gun 2 1/2, if not Top Secret. It's an entirely different kind of garbage all together.

Posted by Scott Mendelson at July 31, 2008 10:56 PM

comment #4

messiahcomplexio says ...

I, for one, can't wait to see it!

How often do you get advance notice on a career suicide?!

I will be there opening night with a big tub of popcorn lathered in extra butter to watch the carnage.

Voight as George Washington at the WTC? Awesome!

It will keep comedians well-fed for months.

Years even.

Posted by messiahcomplexio at July 31, 2008 11:10 PM

comment #5

Walter Sobchak says ...

Okay, I get it.... pretending to be conservatives when in fact they're double-agents working for the other side...(Daily Kos, George Soros, etc.)

We're on to you! Nice try....

Posted by Walter Sobchak at July 31, 2008 11:57 PM

comment #6

Marty Melville says ...

Interesting that this sorry spectacle comes on the heels of McCain's "Barack = Hilton" ad, considering Hilton has a part in Zucker's knuckle-headed knee-slapper.

Posted by Marty Melville at August 1, 2008 12:41 AM

comment #7

The Winchester says ...

I'm first in line for ANYTHING from the director of BASEketball!

Posted by The Winchester at August 1, 2008 12:45 AM

comment #8

Terry McCarty says ...

Vivendi Entertainment will release An American Carol on 10.3. Keep in mind that the major distributors all saw it and passed, even the Weinsteins.

From the way the still photo looks, it reminds one of those Sunn Classic four-wallers of the 70s.

So this means that David Zucker can appear on Hannity, O'Reilly, Medved and Beck's shows in various media and claim bias against Hollywood conservatives as pre-release publicity/propaganda.

Posted by Terry McCarty at August 1, 2008 1:36 AM

comment #9

Marty Melville says ...

"Okay, I get it.... pretending to be conservatives when in fact they're double-agents working for the other side...(Daily Kos, George Soros, etc.)

We're on to you! Nice try...."

Yeah, way to trash conservatives by repeating their talking points verbatim.

Posted by Marty Melville at August 1, 2008 1:55 AM

comment #10

SmilingPolitely says ...

David Zucker's last piece of work...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h3GPc_yMCE

Posted by SmilingPolitely at August 1, 2008 3:41 AM

comment #11

swordandpen says ...

I'd say this would be an embarrassment to all involved, but look at the recent resumes of the cast and director.

As far as the George Washington at the ruins of the WTC scene, it still demonstrates how those on the right continue to exploit the deaths of 3,000 people for the stupidest things.

Posted by swordandpen at August 1, 2008 4:30 AM

comment #12

Indeed says ...

So, basically itll be a Republican version of In The Valley of Elah?

Posted by Indeed at August 1, 2008 4:48 AM

comment #13

tophertilson says ...

That Zucker/Albright commericial is beyond jaw-dropping. I wonder how Zucker would spin W's dealings with Iran of late.

There's a part of me that admires these people for getting out there and making movies that deliver their message, however misguided and wrongheaded I might think it to be. They've bitched and bitched and bitched for so long that Hollywood is liberally biased. Good for them for taking matters in their own hands. If only they had any discernible talent.

Posted by tophertilson at August 1, 2008 4:48 AM

comment #14

Mgmax says ...

I admit there seems to be little chance of this, but boy it would suck for you all if this was actually good. What a bitter pill it would be, for this to be a hit and Lions For Lambs to have failed...

Apropos of nothing, has anyone commeted on the fact that Swing Vote has the same plot as Garson Kanin's The Great Man Votes (1939), with John Barrymore?

Posted by Mgmax at August 1, 2008 5:07 AM

comment #15

The Hoyk says ...

That's nothing, Mgmax - SWING VOTE also has virtually the same plot as POPEYE FOR PRESIDENT!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY1AKX9iz6c

Personally, I am amused that Vivendi Visual, which is releasing AN AMERICAN CAROL, was also mostly responsible for releasing Uwe Boll's POSTAL earlier this year. Guess they wanted to be equal opportunity political offenders.

Posted by The Hoyk at August 1, 2008 5:29 AM

comment #16

nemo says ...

Robert Duvall has the good sense to steer clear of these guys.

Posted by nemo at August 1, 2008 7:27 AM

comment #17

vp19 says ...

I've met Kelsey Grammer, and he seems like a nice fellow, even though I personally disagree with some of his politics. But to see him as George Patton...well, he better prepare for the worst reviews he'll receive since he played MacBeth on Broadway some years back.

Posted by vp19 at August 1, 2008 7:34 AM

comment #18

SmilingPolitely says ...

And the actual Bill O' Reilly is in this movie, too. He has a part where he beats up this anti-American filmmaker in a bathroom stall.

Posted by SmilingPolitely at August 1, 2008 7:37 AM

comment #19

T. S. Idiot says ...

Never knew George Washington was a dead ringer for Howard Cosell.

Posted by T. S. Idiot at August 1, 2008 7:46 AM

comment #20

lonniechung says ...

I've never been one to dismiss a film based on subject alone, but there is something so petty and judgmental about the political discourse in this country that I agree with Mr. Wells; I do not want to know about this.

Posted by lonniechung at August 1, 2008 8:29 AM

comment #21

George Prager says ...

Awesome. Hopefully it's more like THE DAY THE CLOWN CRIED than a MItch Albom retread.

Posted by George Prager at August 1, 2008 8:35 AM

comment #22

George Prager says ...

What a bitter pill it would be, for this to be a hit and Lions For Lambs to have failed...

Yes, i was so rooting for LIONS FOR LAMBS to be a hit.

Posted by George Prager at August 1, 2008 8:37 AM

comment #23

Jean says ...

Scott M:

Everyone: "It's an entirely different garbage."

Posted by Jean at August 1, 2008 9:09 AM

comment #24

notjon says ...

Please, please let this be as funny as Half Hour News Hour!

Posted by notjon at August 1, 2008 9:09 AM

comment #25

Jean says ...

Scott M:

Everyone: "It's an entirely different kind of garbage."

Posted by Jean at August 1, 2008 9:10 AM

comment #26

ZayTonday says ...

I can't wait to see this myself, it's likely to be hilarious. I mean it IS David Zucker after all.

A lot of you are getting way too uptight about it, aren't the righties allowed to have a sense of humor?

Posted by ZayTonday at August 1, 2008 9:23 AM

comment #27

ZayTonday says ...

Indeed: "So, basically itll be a Republican version of In The Valley of Elah?"

Oh come off it already, that movie was more about the toll war takes even on our soldiers that make it home than anything. You probably think any movie done about war that isn't done in the vain of "The Green Berets" is "librul propoganda".

Posted by ZayTonday at August 1, 2008 9:30 AM

comment #28

bmcintire says ...

I still can't get over how much David Zucker looks like John Cassavettes.

Posted by bmcintire at August 1, 2008 9:48 AM

comment #29

tophertilson says ...

"aren't the righties allowed to have a sense of humor?"

Sure they are. But why is it so rarely funny? That Fox News comedy show is painfully unfunny and it's not just because it doesn't skewer the topics I'd prefer. It's just plain unfunny. Even if you can't stand what Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are hawking, you have to give them comedy props.

Libertarians can be funny; witness SOUTH PARK. But conservatives? Dennis Miller aside (possibly), are there are any funny right wingers out there? I'm legitimately asking.

Posted by tophertilson at August 1, 2008 10:08 AM

comment #30

Alan Cerny says ...

Right-wingers can't be funny unless they're picking on something or someone.

Posted by Alan Cerny at August 1, 2008 10:24 AM

comment #31

anti-sardine says ...

That photo of Voight as George Washington really disturbs me. I don't know why. It just doesn't seem right that a face that you've seen in historical paintings and on currency for your entire life should suddenly leap in front of you looking like some kind of revolutionary tranny. Creepy.

Posted by anti-sardine at August 1, 2008 10:30 AM

comment #32

Cadavra says ...

Even Dennis Miller has lost his sense of humor. But yes, there are/were funny right-wingers: Bob Hope (pre-Vietnam), Don Rickles, Jackie Mason, Colin Quinn...

I mentioned the Kanin film on Hot Blog, whereupon someone posted a link to a Lou Lumenick column, so he was there first, at least in print.

Posted by Cadavra at August 1, 2008 10:33 AM

comment #33

Indeed says ...

ZayTonday: "Oh come off it already, that movie was more about the toll war takes even on our soldiers that make it home than anything. You probably think any movie done about war that isn't done in the vain of "The Green Berets" is "librul propoganda"."

Funny considering Im as against the war as most other people, and would like nothing more than to see our troops brought home.

I was referring to the alleged heavy handedness of the material. ITVOE was as shameless as crash.

But its good to know youre one of those close minded fellows who automatically assumes that whoever disagrees with them is...as Jeff would put it...a mouth breathing cretin.

Posted by Indeed at August 1, 2008 10:43 AM

comment #34

George Prager says ...

Glenn Close would've made a better George Washington.

Posted by George Prager at August 1, 2008 10:56 AM

comment #35

C-PhreekII says ...

Not that I agree with the sentiment that no right wingers can be funny, but it does seem many of them fail. I think it's because they always work in service to their philosophy and can't sacrifice it in favor of the joke. Colbert and Stewart have no problem with making any politician look foolish.

Consider Michael Ramirez, who's firing from the LA Times was a day of joy for me. Having grown up in the Carter years, I had come to expect that the job of the editorial cartoonist was to play court jester to the powers that be. I never took offense if they made "my" side look like idiots.

But for Ramirez, Bush and Co where sacred cows. While Dems would get the idiot treatment week in and week out, the other side was untouchable.

I think that inability to laugh at themselves goes hand in hand with the inability to admit mistakes, this schoolyard mindset that to do so is a sign of weakness. It also goes to the heart of why most artists are left-leaning, because you can only get at the truth of life if you are open to it. Conservatism is about putting up walls and sticking to dogma - not exactly conducive to learning something new about yourself or your world.

Posted by C-PhreekII at August 1, 2008 11:35 AM

comment #36

Terry McCarty says ...

Fun fact about AN AMERICAN CAROL: Chris Farley's brother Kevin plays the Michael Moore parody character.

Posted by Terry McCarty at August 1, 2008 12:07 PM

comment #37

astrophore says ...

I, too, will join in the rubbernecking on this one. I'd predict career lows for everyone involved, but these aren't exactly A-listers, are they?

Still, this is not a left-wing/right-wing issue. Like the rest of America, many of the "conservatives" and "liberals" in Hollywood are not principled adherents to a political philosophy. They are sycophantic followers of a political party.

And while the shills from both sides make preachy, pompous movies, what I love about the GOP shills is that they add an extra dollop of mawkishness and kitsch. And they are blissfully free of self-awareness. As a result, their bad art is more enjoyable.

Posted by astrophore at August 1, 2008 12:10 PM

comment #38

tophertilson says ...

"Bob Hope (pre-Vietnam), Don Rickles, Jackie Mason, Colin Quinn"

I only know what I know of them, but did any of these guys really make their names on political humor?

Posted by tophertilson at August 1, 2008 12:14 PM

comment #39

Mgmax says ...

What I learned today on Hollywood Elsewhere: conservatives aren't funny, but liberals are exuberant, joyful bon vivants with impish senses of humor and no sacred cows.

But we knew that from Katrina Vanden Heuvel already.

Posted by Mgmax at August 1, 2008 12:25 PM

comment #40

dangovich says ...

Well stated, C-PhreekII.

Although you have to admit, it was genius of Zucker to cast Bea Arthur as George Washington.

Posted by dangovich at August 1, 2008 1:20 PM

comment #41

nemo says ...

"And the actual Bill O' Reilly is in this movie, too. He has a part where he beats up this anti-American filmmaker in a bathroom stall."

After the filmmaker refuses O'Reilly's advances. "Hey! Get your hand and your foot back on your side of the wall!"

Posted by nemo at August 1, 2008 1:30 PM

comment #42

Mgmax says ...

"It also goes to the heart of why most artists are left-leaning, because you can only get at the truth of life if you are open to it. Conservatism is about putting up walls and sticking to dogma - not exactly conducive to learning something new about yourself or your world."

Jesus Jew-boy Christ, it's getting thick in here.

Posted by Mgmax at August 1, 2008 1:34 PM

comment #43

Mjs says ...

He's right. Conservatives tend to discourage curiousity. They want everything to be the way it was several decades ago.

Posted by Mjs at August 1, 2008 2:31 PM

comment #44

Terry McCarty says ...

Cadavra wrote:
"Bob Hope (pre-Vietnam)" in terms of funny right-wingers.

For a taste of Vietnam-era Hope being unfunny and homophobic (when it was still au courant) at a White House state function, check out Emile de Antonio's MILLHOUSE: A WHITE COMEDY, where Hope jokes about the then-new 1969 film STAIRCASE, with Richard Burton and Rex Harrison as an aging gay couple in London.

Posted by Terry McCarty at August 1, 2008 2:36 PM

comment #45

Mgmax says ...

"He's right. Conservatives tend to discourage curiousity. They want everything to be the way it was several decades ago."

So that explains why Bush wanted to shake up the middle east, and liberals wanted to preserve its "stability" even at the cost of leaving dictators in power; why Reagan confronted the Soviets instead of continuing the detente of the Nixon-Ford-Carter years; why Thatcher implemented Friedmanite free market reforms in England against the wishes of leftist Labour...

Thanks for explaining everything to my pore dumm brane.

Posted by Mgmax at August 1, 2008 2:45 PM

comment #46

Mjs says ...

Well, first of all, I'm not about to get into a debate about why Bush decided to invade Iraq.

But we're not talking about global politics. We're talking about your everyday, regular citizen that would consider getting into showbiz. And the fact is, most conservatives in this country are afraid of change. They're afraid of shaking things up.

And you're welcome for explaining it to you. That's another thing about conservatives. Most of them are too arrogant to realize how idiotic they are.

I assure you, your response to this is unimportant. I know how you think, it disgusts me, so I leave the thread knowing you were wrong.

Later MG

Posted by Mjs at August 1, 2008 3:19 PM

comment #47

bmcintire says ...

mgmax - just a brief review: Nixon/Ford = Republicans.
kthxby

Posted by bmcintire at August 1, 2008 3:34 PM

comment #48

C-PhreekII says ...

"What a bitter pill it would be, for this to be a hit and Lions For Lambs to have failed..."

Another difference between us and you, we could care less what movie succeeds or fails based on our political leanings. And certainly not a film like LIONS FOR LAMBS. It's rather telling of the Right's mindset that even in the realm of art they need box office success to validate their position.

It's also rather telling of the talking points memo bubble you live in that you forget that all these "Icons of the Left" that drive you and your GOP buddies nuts (Streisand, Redford, Baldwin, Penn) do not occupy even a tenth of our attention that they seem to for you.

Posted by C-PhreekII at August 1, 2008 4:39 PM

comment #49

Mgmax says ...

Oh honestly, Cinemaphreek, go take another look at that exact same post to see how much I have invested in the success of this film I hadn't heard of until yesterday.

I'll be crying myself to sleep when it bombs, yeah.

"mgmax - just a brief review: Nixon/Ford = Republicans."

mgmax = Truman liberal Democrat

Posted by Mgmax at August 1, 2008 4:55 PM

comment #50

/3rtfu11 says ...

"He's right. Conservatives tend to discourage curiousity. They want everything to be the way it was several decades ago."

Like having black people in chains.

Posted by /3rtfu11 at August 1, 2008 6:28 PM

comment #51

Mgmax says ...

And liberals want to force you to have a third-trimester partial birth abortion so you can divorce your husband and have a gay marriage to a unionized schoolteacher who doesn't get merit pay but if it did they'd send it STRAIGHT TO AL-QAEDA!

Posted by Mgmax at August 1, 2008 8:05 PM

comment #52

messiahcomplexio says ...

"liberals want to force you to have a third-trimester partial birth abortion so you can divorce your husband and have a gay marriage to a unionized schoolteacher who doesn't get merit pay but if it did they'd send it STRAIGHT TO AL-QAEDA!"

I think that's the title of Ann Coulter's new book.

Posted by messiahcomplexio at August 2, 2008 3:22 AM

comment #53

MoroccoMole says ...

What do contemporary Republicans have against Scrooge? They've adopted his business model for credit card companies, S&Ls, and mortgage brokers.

Posted by MoroccoMole at August 2, 2008 11:13 AM

comment #54

Cadavra says ...

"Bob Hope (pre-Vietnam), Don Rickles, Jackie Mason, Colin Quinn

I only know what I know of them, but did any of these guys really make their names on political humor?"

Rickles not so much, but the other three definitely traffic in such humor, though they may not have "made their names" on it. Often it's more of a "left/right" thing than jokes about politics per se.

Posted by Cadavra at August 2, 2008 12:46 PM