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OTHER A & E STORIES - A tale of Argentinian war prisoners - Jennifer Lopez pushes the limit in Enough - Brian thinks you should... - A marriage of sounds gives Hot Hot Heat a truly original album - Pretentions (submissions from SCC students) Jackass kicks you in the balls and leaves you urting for more Brian Kerin A & E Editor Never in all my life have I seen an audience so involved in a movie. During the screening of "Jackass the Movie" everyone in the theater was upright in their seats waiting to see what stunt, prank, or form of self mutilation the Jackass crew was going to attempt next. I guess I should tell you now that some of the viewer attentiveness is also attributed to real concern for the safety of the movie's participants and sometimes out of utter disgust at what ends these people will do to get a laugh. The Jackass phenomenon started as a television show on MTV. But right at the peak of the show's popularity the producers pitched the idea of a full-length film and the rest is history. The shows talent includes Johnny Knoxville, a charismatic ex-writer who will let any amounts of pain to be inflicted on him for the sake of the show. His cohorts include a handful of professional skateboarders, general exhibitionists, a fat guy and a midget skater named Wee-Man. The producers of the show are Knoxville, Jeff Tremaine and none other than Spike Jonze of "Being John Malkovich" fame. Tremaine also took on directing duties, weaving together over 20 separate displays of chaos and insanity. Stevo asks, "Would you like wasabi with that?" Photo courtesy www.mtv.com "Jackass the Movie" starts out the same as the show with the familiar skull insignia overtop a pair of crutches with the familiar words paraphrased as "don't try this at home" underneath. The chaos begins with Knoxville renting a car only to take it to a demolition derby, where as the driver he helps to utterly destroy the vehicle. When he takes it back to the rental car place he tries to convince the owners that the damage was caused from hitting a dog after he blacked out from drinking and that the owners should help pay for the damage of the car. Knoxville continues to leave the office, grab two blow-up dolls from the backseat of demolished sedan and run from the scene. The majority of the stunts are new, yet some are favorites from the popular TV show. Professional skateboarder Bam Margera's parents continue to be a target of torment. Receiving 3 a.m. elaborate wake up calls and unexpected houseguests, I bet these people are glad to have Margera as a son. As well, Chris Pontious can be seen in his oh-so familiar g-string bikini playing the hilarious character Party Boy. And, of course Steve-O is back and ready to do all the stunts that no one will even touch. From snorting wasabi through a straw to crawling across a tightrope with chicken hanging from his backside overtop a pen of hungry leaping alligators. The film also has its fair share of guest appearances from pro BMX rider Matt Hoffman, to Tony Hawk, to ex-punk Henry Rollins; even Tough Man Butterbean gets a round with Knoxville in a department store (can you say concussion, boys and girls). The soundtrack for the film is filled with a perfect mixture of punk, hip-hop, and other appropriate songs, including the Jackass theme song, "Corona," by the Minutemen. The Jackass crew also gets a change of setting by filming in Tokyo, where their brand of humor is even more shocking to the overtly timid Japanese culture. Jackass goes international: Nothin like a Sumo match between a midget and a fat man in a Tokyo intersection. Photo courtesy www.mtv.com I feel it is important to give warning to anyone that thinks they might go see this film. It is not all fun and games. Knoxville gets seriously hurt three times, warranting at least one trip to the hospital. Enough vomiting is shown to make you wish you didn't eat that extra slice of pizza before the show. The movie also has an R-rating allowing the guys to show a lot more than could normally be seen on the TV show, including Steve-O's package and a rather soiled pair of tighty-whiteys. As well, just as a warning if you have a paper-cut phobia, don't even go see this movie. Overall, "Jackass the Movie" was two hours of hilarity that left my face hurting with laughter. Every bit was just as exciting as the one before it. If anything, the film ended too early. If you think this movie is going to be full of stupid stunts performed by idiots, you're right, but it's all about the fun and this movie is packed with it. © 2002 Shoreline Community College™