Tom's Corner:
Reefer Madness the Musical (2005, Andy Fickman, director)
Well everyone, here we are for another review. I thought I'd do something special in honor of 4/20...but I got...preoccupied. Better late than never, right? Today's journey into the dusty cobweb filled corners in the hallowed halls of filmdom takes us back to 2005, and to Reefer Madness: The Musical.
This was filmed in Canada, as was an earlier film I reviewed, Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter. I only mentioned this because hey, Jesus shows up in this one and he sings here too. What is it with Canadians and having Jesus sing wacky songs? Whatever it is, get it to American filmmakers, cause it is high-larious. Coincidentally, if you know of any other singing Jesus films that are funny and semi-blasphemous (no technicolor dreamcoats or superstars need apply, dig?) let me know. I so do love that singin', swingin' savior.
But I digress.
The casting in this film is superb. John Kassir (TV's Cryptkeeper from Tales From The Crypt) plays a raging dopefiend, Ralph. Steven Weber, of Wings fame plays Jack Stone, a dope pusher with a mouth that writes checks that his gun often cashes. Ana Gasteyer, a veteran of Saturday Night Live, plays Mae, his girl and the mistress of the reefer joint (see what I did there?). Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars herself, plays innocent ingenue Mary Lane. Christian Campbell plays our hero, Jimmy Harper. I'm not sure if they're related, but Neve Campbell plays Miss Poppy, owner of the five and dime. And of course, who could forget the brilliant Alan Cumming as the lecturer who presents the film to the shocked parents in 1936's Smalltown USA? Cumming also plays various characters throughout the film, such as FDR and Satan.
The film doesn't follow the exact plot of Reefer Madness, and for this I am thankful. This plot is much more interesting, and has reefer zombies. Alan Cumming, a government fearmonger, brings his salacious film to Smalltown, USA to shock the locals into siding with the governments' desired new policy, much like things actually occurred.
Unlike most musicals, the songs really don't get tiring. They are played up for laughs whenever possible. Our hero, Jimmy Harper, is an average boy, in love with schoolmate Mary Lane. However, she wants to dance for the soon to be visiting president Roosevelt, and Jimmy can't dance. Enter Jack Stone, who needs more kids to sell weed to, and happens to be an excellent dancer. Jimmy becomes an addict, and soon he joins demented Ralph and ditzy Sally (Amy Spanger) in Mae's weed den. Can Jimmy be redeemed? Will Jack pay for his crimes? Where will Alan Cumming show up next? Why do I ask so many questions? You'll find the answers to some of these questions in Reefer Madness: The Musical.
Reefer Madness the Musical (2005, Andy Fickman, director)
Well everyone, here we are for another review. I thought I'd do something special in honor of 4/20...but I got...preoccupied. Better late than never, right? Today's journey into the dusty cobweb filled corners in the hallowed halls of filmdom takes us back to 2005, and to Reefer Madness: The Musical.
This was filmed in Canada, as was an earlier film I reviewed, Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter. I only mentioned this because hey, Jesus shows up in this one and he sings here too. What is it with Canadians and having Jesus sing wacky songs? Whatever it is, get it to American filmmakers, cause it is high-larious. Coincidentally, if you know of any other singing Jesus films that are funny and semi-blasphemous (no technicolor dreamcoats or superstars need apply, dig?) let me know. I so do love that singin', swingin' savior.
But I digress.
The casting in this film is superb. John Kassir (TV's Cryptkeeper from Tales From The Crypt) plays a raging dopefiend, Ralph. Steven Weber, of Wings fame plays Jack Stone, a dope pusher with a mouth that writes checks that his gun often cashes. Ana Gasteyer, a veteran of Saturday Night Live, plays Mae, his girl and the mistress of the reefer joint (see what I did there?). Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars herself, plays innocent ingenue Mary Lane. Christian Campbell plays our hero, Jimmy Harper. I'm not sure if they're related, but Neve Campbell plays Miss Poppy, owner of the five and dime. And of course, who could forget the brilliant Alan Cumming as the lecturer who presents the film to the shocked parents in 1936's Smalltown USA? Cumming also plays various characters throughout the film, such as FDR and Satan.The film doesn't follow the exact plot of Reefer Madness, and for this I am thankful. This plot is much more interesting, and has reefer zombies. Alan Cumming, a government fearmonger, brings his salacious film to Smalltown, USA to shock the locals into siding with the governments' desired new policy, much like things actually occurred.
Unlike most musicals, the songs really don't get tiring. They are played up for laughs whenever possible. Our hero, Jimmy Harper, is an average boy, in love with schoolmate Mary Lane. However, she wants to dance for the soon to be visiting president Roosevelt, and Jimmy can't dance. Enter Jack Stone, who needs more kids to sell weed to, and happens to be an excellent dancer. Jimmy becomes an addict, and soon he joins demented Ralph and ditzy Sally (Amy Spanger) in Mae's weed den. Can Jimmy be redeemed? Will Jack pay for his crimes? Where will Alan Cumming show up next? Why do I ask so many questions? You'll find the answers to some of these questions in Reefer Madness: The Musical.
- Tom Trombley
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