"American" way

Published Sep 16 2008, 03:44 PM by Peter Keough

Even some Republicans were skeptical about the box office potential of David Zucker’s conservative satire, “An American Carol,” in which, as I’ve mentioned before, a Scrooge-like Michael Moore-ish filmmaker is taken through a tour of American History by George Washington and other patriotic spooks. But maybe the success this Spring of Nathan Frankowski's anti-evolution documentary “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” changed some minds, because Vivendi plans to release the film on October 3 on 2,000 screens. On the other hand, last weekend another right wing documentary, Nathan Frankowski’s “Proud American,” took in the lowest per screen average ($180 on 750 screens) of any film in Hollywood history. Perhaps not coincidentally that was the same weekend that Lehman Brothers folded and caused the Dow to have its biggest decline since 9/11.

Nonetheless, the jolt of energy that the Sarah Palin nomination has injected into the right wing has convinced the “Carol” people that this is the perfect time for releasing the movie. Plus, according to producer Steve McEveety (he was also behind “The Passion of the Christ” ) the film is a comedy in the mold of previous, non-political Zucker farces as “Airplane!” “Sure, it takes a position, but it's fun,” McEveety told the “Hollywood Reporter.” “Can’t we have a little fun during this election?”

I guess it depends on whether or not your idea of fun is Dennis Hopper as a judge gunning down ACLU lawyers trying to take down the Ten Commandments from his courthouse. Or whether this trailer leaves you rocking with laughter. What do I know? Lots of people seem to think this is as much fun as a barrel of monkeys.

Speaking of Palin, the people promoting “Carol” are taking a hint from those marketing the VP nominee by keeping the film away from the press. There will be no preview screenings of “An American Carol” before its opening. However, the press is invited to interview Zucker and other members of the cast and crew beforehand. Without seeing the film, that is.

This is a first in my experience. Say what you will about Michael Moore, but at least he has enough backbone to let you see his movie before you interview him about it.

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3 Comments

gordon marshall said:

Right-wing humor can be great. Remember "Mallard Fillmore"? Plus, it's a way for liberals to test their tolerance, which they claim to have so much of, but which it is their bane that as often as not they lack it.

September 16, 2008 4:29 PM
Steve said:

Don't compare "Carol's" potential to "Proud American" if for no other reason than promotion. I'd never heard of "Proud American." Nor "Expelled" for that matter either. But I've been so unentertained by movies for so long, I never even look at the "coming soon" posters at the mall, let alone see a preview in the theatre. So, if that's how Frankowski promoted his films, it's no wonder I've never heard of them.

As for the "No Preview" comment, if you had been at the RNC, you would have seen it. But judging by the 90+% articles that hate the subject, hate the trailer, hate the fact that anyone would slam Moore, et cetera, I'm glad they chose not to preview it to an obviously unfriendly crowd (critics). They would probably spoil the movie anyway by giving away "the good parts" while complaining.

It will be interesting to see if this experiment succeeds. I hope it will, and I will be at the theatre on October 3 for the first time since Star Wars rerelease of Empire Strikes Back.

September 17, 2008 7:26 AM
Mike Devx said:

The attitude of this author makes it clear that previewing this movie for him would be like showing a crucifix to a vampire. Why bother?

September 20, 2008 11:18 PM