Iffy for 14+
Right-wing political comedy just isn't funny.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this independent comedy from one of the directors of Airplane! is designed to articulate politically conservative ideas and criticisms -- specifically alleging that the movie industry is liberal through and through. It depicts suicide bombing and terrorist acts in a broadly humorous light and paints pacifism as a naive, dangerous luxury. There's extensive crude and coarse comedy (including jokes about sex), plenty of pratfalls, strong language ("s--t," the "N" word), and some drinking and smoking.
- Families can talk about the cultural clash between liberals and conservatives. How does this conflict play out in the media? Families can also discuss the film's varying tone. Is it appropriate to mix slapstick comedy with depictions of the aftermath of 9-11? Finally, families can talk about the film's central thesis: Is mainstream Hollywood really anti-conservative and pro-liberal? What real-life evidence can you point to on either side of the argument? Do you think the media influences your own social and political beliefs? How?
The good stuff
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Messages: Extensive discussion of political ideas, mostly in order to mock "liberal" political beliefs; topics discussed include school prayer, left-leaning academia, Islamic terrorism, pacifism, the separation of church and state, 9-11, and much more. The film also features a segment of a fake film on "radical Christian terrorists" which suggests that Islam is an intrinsically violent religion in a way that Christianity is not. A blind child is depicted for comedy purposes.
What to watch for
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Violence: Frequent, extensive slapstick falls and blows to the head; firearms are used against zombie-like ACLU lawyers; depictions of, and jokes about, suicide bombing. Crosses and bibles are used as weapons. Depictions of wartime violence; footage from World War II. A "dirty bomb" attack on Detroit is depicted. A disembodied set of buttocks is viewed on an autopsy table. Discussion of the 9-11 attack and depiction of its aftermath. A security-screening rectal exam is depicted on screen.
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Sex: Kissing; discussions of sexual activity; jokes about promiscuity, homosexuality, cleavage, and lust.
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Language: Occasional strong language, including "ass," "s--t," "douchebag," "son of a bitch," "damn," and "balls." A platoon of Nazi soldiers chants "I don't know but I've been told/Kill the Jews and take their gold." A depiction of an America in which the Civil War was never fought involves racial language, including the "N" word.
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Consumerism: Some brands are visible, like Big Gulp and Twinkies; Bill O'Reilly and country singer Trace Adkins make cameos as themselves.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Characters drink beer and wine; some drug paraphernalia is briefly visible; cigars are smoked.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
It's About Time!!! by TWright49
Finally a movie for the "silent majority" to see & totally appreciate! And there wasn't a silent person in the theater. It was non-stop laughs from start to finish and brought a resounding round of applause from the audience at the end. It pretty much took "politcally correct" to task and it's about time that something so honest and so funny came out of Hollywood. Too bad the liberal film-making fools don't understand what a huge market there is in this country for this side of the story to be told. I encourage everyone who is fed up with all the conservative-bashing, religion-bashing, America-bashing to go see it at least once if not more than once and do your part to make this movie a total box office hit. We all need to support the brave souls who put this film together and to let them know we want more of it!!!
5
American Carol by Golden Retriever
Finally there is a movie that is Pro-American. I am sick and tired of all the Communist Propaganda by the so called liberal leftists. As a legal naturalized proud American who came here with my family from behind the iron curtain I feel that this country, and what is was founded upon is dying. George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are turning over in there graves. Unfortunately, the average American has never lived under a different system so they are easily brainwashed. This movie, (even though it's a silly comedy) should be embraced. And I hope American people will wake up, and take their country back. Be proud of your country. It's still the best in the world.
5
C'mon you idiots! by oljw00
For those that lack perspective, this film is a COMEDY, a SPOOF if you will.
Has anyone ever watched one of the director's films?
And to those that are inferring that this film is a cousin of Nazi type propaganda....I mean, really? Are you serious?
Here are the facts:
Progressive/Left Wing Nuts are going to lose their minds over the fact that someone pokes fun at them. Imagine the horror once you come fae-to-face that your opinions might be mocked in a society that embraces a concept called Free Speech.
The term, "I can dish it out but can't take it" applies here.
Just watch how this film catches fire and watch them loose their minds.
I for one can't wait!!!
5
Extremely funny by Prijador
It even better than I expected, and I am certainly not a religious, anti-abortion etc etc neocon.
Funny is funny. If we can all laugh at the Daily Show, the Colbert Report, and Lil' Bush, then we can laugh at this too.
I will say, if you are a liberal, you will just be outraged, but then again, if you are a liberal, being outraged is your full-time job, anyway, and would be no matter what was happening.
5
A couple of years late, but a treat for those sick & tired of Hollywood's hate-America/hate-JudeoChristian paradigm by deanyc
Went to see Zucker's movie last night. Not his best, but loved it. Like Zucker, my political persuasions were influenced by 9-11, not least by the fact that I was near the towers that day. Wrapped around the premise that America is a force for good in the world, it has all of Zucker's trademark slapstick gags, timing and execution - a welcome relief from the inferior drivel permeating the market (i.e., Meet the Spartans, Epic Movie, etc.) Zucker uses a caricature of Michael Moore as the vehicle for delivering the message that the U.S. is, in fact, engaged in a war against radical Islam. He also skewers the idealism of college students, the burnt-out, bitter ranks of liberal university professors who enable them and the myriad leftist/anti-capitalist special-interest groups that march on the streets brandishing puppets and signs, and denouncing America. This movie is unlikely to change the mind of liberals. But it is a wish that people like Michael Moore will some day grow up.
5
Hilarious! by janimarie0207
It was great to see Michael Moore fet slammed!. And I LOVED the depiction of the ACLU!...LMAO! Highly Recommend!
5
An American Carol - FUNNY!! by GrtflMark
This movie breaks NEW boundaries in humor. It's funny throughout - but from a Conservative perspective for the first time, rather than a liberal perspective - as every movie which has preceeded it.
The entire packed Theatre CLAPPED at the end of the Movie this evening - something I have not seen in a long time.
I rate it an "A", and the person who went with me rated it a "B"
DEFINITELY worth seeing!! You WILL laugh through this movie! The scenes mocking Terrorists, and the scene with George Washington and Jimmy Carter are PRICELESS! Kelsey Grammer is EXCELLENT as it Kevin Farley. Robert Davi turns in what may be one of the best performances EVER as The Terrorist.
5
Perfect 10 for An American Carol by cookiebev
An American Carol is one of the best movies I've seen coming out of Hollywood. Nice to know that there are some in Hollywood not afraid of the Left. It refreshing and funny!
5
First time The ACLU amused me! by moviemombo
Funny movie! It's what a lot of us are thinking but don't feel free to say! If you are not for us than you are against us.
5
Very Very Funny with a serious side by mahanson
This is a must see for anyone who cares about this country and needs a little humor to offset the harm liberal americans are doing to this country. My wife and son also went to see this movie and loved it. There will be some people who will not like this movie as they will expect more humor and less real life situations. When you keep the movie in the context it was intended it was very funny.