Wait, wait, don’t have me committed! I’ve been planning on steering as clear as humanly possible from Adam Sandler’s latest attempt to destroy the fine legacy he built with classics like Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison. Another movie based on borderline-homophobic stereotypes, and this time he had the boundless chutzpah to jack his title from a Big Lebowski catchphrase (link very NSFW, but oh so necessary)? No thanks.
Then today I caught sight of an online report (h/t) that Zohan features "a two-pronged attack on Mel Gibson for his anti-Semitic comments of a couple of years ago." Hmm…as an inveterate Gibson-hater, this certainly appeals to me. Still, I feel like I might have gotten that urge out of my system somewhat by loudly booing every time I saw the Apocalypto trailer in theaters throughout 2006 (true story) and adding a masterful treatment of the Gibson question to my DVD collection. There’s gotta be something more to get me interested in this horrendous-looking Sandler movie. Something like the following revelation from the same report: Gibson’s "movies are used to underscore the neo Nazi rantings of a redneck" — wait for it — "played by rocker Dave Matthews."
Whoa, whoa, whoa! The Dave Matthews? As a virulently bigoted film buff?! I might be tempted to pay money to see that, just for the head-spinning cognitive dissonance of it all. I can hardly imagine how Dave — that frat-tastic yet politically outspoken bundle of contradictions — interpreted a racist diatribe, let alone a defense of Mel Gibson’s offensively bad oeuvre. Does he play it funny or straight? Does Dave Matthews, the man, the legend, really have a problem with Mel Gibson (as well he should), or was he just going along with the Sandman’s directions? Everything about this casting choice boggles the mind.
What do you say? Should I take precious time out of my weekend to see this no-doubt-awful movie for that one scene — or just wait til it shows up on YouTube? (Note: Under no circumstances should this be construed as encouraging PopWatchers to bootleg the relevant portion of Zohan with their cameraphones and put it up on YouTube. Don’t do that!)
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Oh dear lord no. Don’t spend one penny on this movie. I saw a screening earlier this week and it was the longest two hours I’d spent in a while. Matthews was fine but incredibly stereotypical and one note (in fact, he didn’t even come up on the list of potential redeeming factors we were discussing after the movie). Don’t do it!!
You’re WAY overthinking this.
Matthews had a silent cameo a silent and inexplicable cameo in “Chuck and Larry” (which I HATED) so I wouldn’t expect too much of this alleged scene. (In fact, I might not even expect dialogue).
I generally like your writing, Simon, so I wouldn’t subject you to this flick. I would only save that for people I don’t think too highly of.
Then again, maybe you should go see this on your own as punishment for writing a few weeks ago about Indiana Jones running away from a boulder, “Temple of Doom style”. It’s the least you can do…then make an “I Saw it so you don’t have to” out of it.
Wait for the youtube clip! Don’t waste your money on Zohan.
no. absolutely not.
just…no.
If only so I don’t have to see it.
The fact that you would consider seeing this movie at all, let alone for spite, makes you almost as bad as Mel.
Relax with the Gibson hatred. Tell me that you or one of your friends hasn’t said a completely politically incorrect thing while drunk. Then tell me how freaking embarrassing it would be to have it broadcast to the whole world. Especially when you sober up.
By the way, Apocalypto has nothing to do with anti-semitism or neo Nazi rednecks. I guess that means I should have banned seeing The Pianist because Roman Polanski banged a 13 year old girl. Or maybe I should just keep my opinions to myself.
There is no reason to hate Mel Gibson. He’s got three good movies under his belt (Braveheart, Apocalypto, and yeah, The Passion), and made a big mistake with the drunken tirade, but he (gasp!) took responsibility for his actions and has tried to be as humble as possible since then. What more is he supposed to do? But anyway, see “Zohan” if you think it’s funny. I’ll be steering clear.
Waaaaaah. Let’s booo a guy who obviously has mental problems. Grow up.
Cruise is a wackjob but still makes a good movies that I’ll see. Same goes for Gibson.
I think you should see it for the popwatch “I saw it so you don’t have to.” That way you can see it, but have the helpful excuse that it’s for your job.
Why? Why, oh why?…
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks Simon should have kept the Mel vitriol to himself, or better yet rethink it. Of all the Hollywood a-holes who have run to rehab in the past few years, Gibson’s the only one who went for the right reasons.
As the only person who remembers the Mel Gibson spectacle, I’m surprised you devoted a whole blog to it. Also, if I didn’t watch all the movies that ever insulted Christianity, I would have so much time I took up something else..like exercising : ). Lighten up!!!!
I see someone else has my name. Anyway, DON’T! PLEASE!!! I watched it so that you don’t have to. Didn’t pay for it and I wish I could get back the two hours I lost Tuesday night. The movie offends Israelis, Palestinians, gays, geriatrics, Jews, Muslims, Cab drivers, hairdressers, restaurant franchises, animals, soccer lovers, disco lovers…need I go on?
I agree with everyone else on three points:
1) The movie, should it follow the pattern of the last Adam Sandler flick, will probably suck and run amok in Middle Eastern stereotypes the way Chuck and Larry delved into typecast homosexuality
2) Even if you do watch it, do an ‘I saw it so you won’t have to’ style blog article. (though I think you already redeemed your worst blog entries by the informative Sex and the City debate you posted last week)
3) The Mel Gibson vitriol should’ve been kept to yourself. The rant was unquestionably bad, but he hasn’t gotten in trouble since and doesn’t seem bitter in the aftermath. Give him a bit of leeway.
Don’t bother with the movie. But please, keep bashing Gibson. I hate to be alone in loathing a misogynist, bigoted twit.
Colleen – what horde of movies bashing Christianity are you talking about? I recall an enormous stink about the Golden Compass, even though the movie left out the end of the book. “Is it safe to take your children” was all over. The media did not belay us with worries on whether it was safe to take humanists to The Chronicles of Narnia.
Its been two years and Gibson has been clean after a very bad mistake. Even the judge commended him. But you hold a grudge, and forgive Lindsay Lohan, who was in rehab 3 times in one year and claime to be more important because she’s famous, so she can break the law?
http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2007/11/lohan-ugly-bett.html
Actually, the taxi driver (played by a former Gibson co-star in LW4) has one of the funniest lines in the movie.
And, hey, I thought old schoold standup Shelly Berman (who plays Zohan’s dad) was dead. Glad to see he’s still with us! BTW, the movie is only marginally funny.
Erm. No. Don’t do it. It’s not worth it. You’ll regret it for a thousand years, I promise.
Simon, if we are to presume that you’re a mindless idiot looking for a huge pile of unintelligent, useless trash to watch on the screen, then yes, by all means, go see this movie. In fact, go see ANY Adam Sandler movie if you’re looking to leave the movie theater just a little dumber than you already were when you surrendered your time and money to see something like this.
where does this no talent ass clown get off ranting about mel gibson again? keep it in your personal diary that no one cares about and off this blog which only a few people barely care about.
I actually enjoyed ‘The Wedding Singer’ a whole lot, liked ‘Big Daddy’ and appreciated ‘Spanglish.’ Dude can act. But ‘Zohan looks waaaaaaaaay too over the top for me. Still, I bet the movie does well. And Simon, can I safely assume that if I wanted to borrow a ‘Lethal Weapon’ DVD, I shouldn’t call you?
I’m with tel, please keep bashing Mel Gibson. I’ve thought he was a jerk for years. The incident a couple of years ago was only one example of it.
As for the movie, I’ve no idea if you should see it. I’d say no but it’s because I don’t find Sandler remotely interesting or funny.
Oh my lord, I’m (not) suprised to see how many idiots in this talkback think Mel Gibson is being trashed for drinking or being in rehab (one idiot even compares him to Lindsey Lohan). Seriously folks… nobody cares who gets drunk or goes to rehab. Mel Gibson has less dignity than dog-poop because he a raging outspoken anti-semite. He’s a hater. No one cares about rehab.
Wow, you really think you’re something, don’t you? You should be doing something waaaay more important with your time, considering you’re so above all the rest of us “idiots.” You, dear sir, personify the phrase “legend in his own mind.”
I love Dave Mathews happy to hear he is in it
I thought Chuck and Larry was funny as did the group of people I saw it with. I loved the Wedding Singer it is my favorite of Adam Sandlers. I think his movies are funny except for a few he has made here and there that were bad.
I saw a clip on Conan last night, and there’s no way I’d see that movie for free. The accents were horrendous.
Why not do a “I saw it so you don’t have to” piece? I’m all for bashing the racist Gibson and would like to hear about the scene.
Adam Sandler, as well as many of these other “man-child” actors, can actually act, so why do they do these dumbed down comedies? I thought “50 First Dates” was a nice balance between his trademark goofball and his warm heartedness, but I guess that didn’t make as much money as “The Waterboy” did
Nice save in the last comment there, Sugar-T*Ts.