Film Review: “Jackass Forever”

  • JACKASS FOREVER
  • Starring:  Johnny Knoxville, SteveO,, and Chris Pontius
  • Directed by:  Jeff Tremaine
  • Rated:  R
  • Running time:  1 hr 36 mins
  • Paramount

 

 

HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS?

 

OK, since we have younger readers, the word HATS is code for something else.  A place on the body that many men, this one included, consider very special.  Thankfully the group that make up the JACKASS gang have different feelings, and their pain is our laughter.

 

It’s been almost 20 years since Johnny Knoxville and his band of idiots amused viewers with such harmless pranks as sneaking up on someone and shaving part of their heads, or blowing an air horn at a fancy golf course during people’s backswings.  My how the times have changed.

“Jackass Forever” is exactly what you think it is.  A group of friends hanging out and doing all kinds of things to each others, and some times their own, private parts.  And as unusual as that may sound, it’s truly mesmerizing.  It’s like when people slow down to look at a car accident but in this case you’re stopping to  to watch someone wearing only a protective cup take a direct hit from a soft ball, an NHL player’s slap shot or even a pogo stick.

 

With some of the Jackass gang getting up there in age, a majority of the pranks are done by a new generation of pranksters, including one who answers to the name “Poopies.”  There is also a father/son team who seem to put their fears aside (anyone want a giant spider crawling on their heads?) in order to spend some quality time together.

 

Is it fine art?  No.  But it’s hilarious.  This is probably the hardest my wife and I have laughed since “BORAT.”  As the credits rolled my wife said to me, “everybody needs to laugh like this…especially now.”  My thoughts exactly.

Digital Film Review “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa .5”

Actors: Johnny Knoxville, Greg Harris, Spike Jonze, Jackson Nicoll
Director: Jeff Tremaine
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: June 3, 2014
Run Time: 86 minutes

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

If you are familiar with the “Jackass” film series, you should be used to the “.5” films in the series since everyone of the films has had one, like “Jackass 3.5” etc. Basically what they consist of are brand new never-before-seen pranks. “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa .5” is being sold as an “all-new, uncensored movie” and normally it would be fine but “Bad Grandpa” had somewhat of a plot. This is more of a behind-the-scenes look into the film with additional gags throughout. So I really do not feel that is so much of a movie as it is a special feature. Now don’t get me wrong it is still very funny, there are some really solid jokes in there but definitely not as as good as “Bad Grandpa”.

Official Premise: BAD GRANDPA .5 gives you a whole new perspective on the world of Irving Zisman with unbelievable bonus scenes and hilarious pranks also featuring Academy Award-winner Spike Jonze (as “Gloria”) and Oscar®-nominee Catherine Keener (as Irving’s wife “Ellie”)…plus a look at the evolution of Johnny Knoxville’s naughty alter-ego, the Academy Award-nominated makeup effects, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at the idiocy it takes to make a hidden camera movie in public.

The Unrated film is available now exclusively to download or stream at digital stores including Amazon Instant Video, CinemaNow, Google Play, iTunes, Sony Entertainment Network, Target Ticket, VUDU and Xbox Video. When the film comes out Blu-ray on July 8th, there will be over 40 minutes of additional footage including a round table discussion with Johnny Knoxville, Spike Jonze and director Jeff Tremaine about the evolution of Irving Zisman, a series of pranks gone bad, outtakes and more. If you enjoyed “Bad Grandpa” and just looking for a little more pranks, I could recommend checking this out.

Blu-ray Review “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa”

Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Spike Jonze, Jackson Nicoll, Jack Polick, Catherine Keener
Director: Jeff Tremaine
Rated: R (Restricted) / Unrated
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Run Time: 91 / 102 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

If you saw “Jackass 3D”, then you will remember Johnny Knoxville running around in old man makeup and it was epic. When you see this title, “Jackass Presents”, you might think this to be expect just gross ass stunts and funny antics but “Bad Grandpa” is much more. The film has quite a bit of heart…mixed in with the crazy stunts and funny antics.  Jackson Nicoll adds a different level of funny and balances out Johnny Knoxville quite well who again rocks that make-up.  Fan of “Jackass” series or not, I would highly recommend checking out.

Official Premise: Jackass ringleader Johnny Knoxville reprises his role as 86-year-old Irving Zisman in the story of a crotchety old man unexpectedly saddled with the care of his 8-year-old grandson, Billy (Jackson Nicoll). The two generations of troublemakers soon develop a bond, as they hustle their way across the heartland of America pursuing hijinks and pulling pranks on unsuspecting, real-life people—all of whom had no idea they were starring in a hidden camera film.

Paramount is releasing this film in a combo pack with a Blu-ray + DVD + HD Digital Copy. It also includes two different version of the film, the 91 minute theatrical cut and a 102 minute new unrated cut with more hilarious footage not shown in theaters! This is not your typical two minute longer unrated cut, this packs some impressive new footage. The 1080p transfer is good but you have to remember that a lot of this was shot with hidden cams. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track works ok but I had some issues here some of the talking over the louder music.

In terms of special features, the fun doesn’t stop with the film. There are eight Behind-the-Scenes featurettes including, “The Funeral”, “Estate Sale”, “Window Launch”, “Shipping Billy”, “The Penguin”, “Wedding Crashers”, “The Drop Off” and “Beauty Pageant”. There six different Alternate Reactions takes from Real People with “Meet Billy”, “Meet Irving”, “The Skype Call”, “Billy Shops for Parents” and “Irving Hits on Women 1 & 2”. Lastly there are three deleted scenes included.

 

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Film Review “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa”

Starring: Johnny Knoxville and Jackson Nicoll
Directed by: Jeff Tremaine
Rated: R
Running time: 1 hour 32 mins
Paramount

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

When you think of a film by the people behind “Jackass” what words come to mind? “Outrageous?” “Over the top?” “How in the hell did they do that?” Well their latest collaboration, “Bad Grandpa,” can certainly be described by those words. And don’t forget “Hilarious.” Heck, I’d even add “Even Touching.”

No, I’m not kidding.

We meet 86 year old Irving Zisman (Knoxville in some incredible make-up) shortly after his wife has passed away. To add to his bad news his daughter (Georgina Cates) informs him that she is heading back to prison. She asks her pop to please take her 8 year old son, Billy (Nicoll) from Nebraska to North Carolina to drop him off with his father. Irving is reluctant at first but, seeing she has no other choice, agrees. Thus begins the ultimate road trip.

Like “Borat” before it, “Bad Grandpa” is a hidden camera experiment taken to new heights. Knoxville is so skilled in his performance that he manages to convince anyone he encounters that he is a kindly old man who’s just having a string of bad luck. Be it an estate sale gone bad, a funeral service gone even worse or a night of drinking at a St. Louis bar featuring male dancers, director Tremaine’s cameras catch everyday people at their best (and, to be honest, most of the people do take a liking to gramps and Billy). I think it has something to do with respecting your elders. When in one scene Grandpa tries to ship Billy to North Carolina packed in a box at a local shipping store, the ladies assisting him go to great lengths to help him. EVEN AFTER THEY LEARN THERE IS A LITTLE BOY IN THE BOX!

What makes the film special are the moments between the “bits” — when Billy and Grandpa are alone, talking about fishing and the future. You almost forget you’re watching a seriously “R” rated comedy, so endearing are Knoxville and Nicoll. I’d love to see these two characters on screen again.