Dirty Work

Rating:
Summary: Note to Self...This is a Funny Movie!
Review: DIRTY WORK sets out what it accomplishes and that is to entertain on an uncomplicated low denominator level. Norm MacDonald (Mitch) and Arte Lange (Sam)--(SNL meets MAD TV)-- are two losers who open up a revenge-for-hire business in order to raise money for Sam's Dad (Jack Warden) who needs a heart transplant. This sets up several gags as people hire these guys for various pranks most of which are hilarious (shaving the evil "Beared Lady" at a carnival sideshow hired by a jilted "little person"). This leads up to the main plot of an evil real estate developer Cole (Chris McDonald-HAPPY GILMORE) who hires the pranksters to do his 'dirty work' to have a building condemned. Realising, that they may hurt the very people they're trying to fight for, they must undo their destruction. Norm MacDonald's SNL persona is evident here as he uses some of his dead-pan, understated schtick he used during his tenure on the show especially when he did the Weekend Update segments (i.e. "Note to Self.." etc). This is helped by the casting of Arte Lange who had his moments on Mad-TV and is now one of Howard Stern's posse on Stern's syndicated radio show. Lastly, the movie has some funny cameos to help the plot along (John Goodman, Chevy Chase, Chris Farley, Gary Coleman and Adam Sandler and Don Rickles) along with love interest played by Traylor Howard (who seems to be on a failed TV pilot a few times during a televison season) as Kathy. Overall, sophomoric and low brow on a very hilarious level. Note: Classic line as Mitch and Sam are in a bar fight. Mitch (MacDonald) takes out his pocket recorder after getting beat up and say's "Note to self...Learn how to fight!"

Rating:
Summary: Underrated Norm Macdonald classic
Review: Of course the term "Norm Macdonald classic" may seem like kind of an oxymoron, since he really hasn't been in enough films to necessitate the term "classic" for any of them, but the idea still remains. That is, if there is one and only one flick that can be defined as a Norm Macdonald classic, then Dirty Work is it.

We follow Norm Macdonald, and Artie Lang through various misadventures as they run their own "business" created especially for the purpose of "getting back at people." There are numerous humorous (rhyme intended) scenes throughout, as well as obscure cameos by several veteran comedic actors from SNL and other classic comedy shows. All the standard Norm Macdonald character cliches are there. Chevey Chase plays the misfit doctor who suffers from compulsive gambling habits. Jack Warden portrays the impotent old fart father of Artie Lang who also just happens to be the father of Norm, as well. Don Rickles makes a cameo appearance as a disgruntled movie theater manager, rattling off his trademark insults at his entire staff along the way. The renowned Christopher Mcdonald pulls off yet another one of his infamous scumbag roles as the tyrannical billionaire who exploits Norm Macdonald and Artie Lang's enterprise. Chris Farley also loans his talent as a degenerate barfly who lost half his nose to the teeth of a Saigon prostitute. And who could forget Adam Sandler's standout scene as Satin, opposite the often neglected, but always interesting Gary Coleman? This is just a handful of the numerous talents that work together to make Dirty Work great, but as is often the case, this film escaped the notice of the critics far and wide in most areas, and simply bred their contempt in others, but since when do Norm fans listen to the critics, anyway, am I right?

So, buy this DVD damn it, and give Norm your undying support. Lord knows, he needs it. He's had a rough couple of years.

Uncle Floyd

Rating:
Summary: Fruitcaking funny
Review: A desperately underrated flick - downbeat, but hilarious from beginning to end. Norm McDonald is a modern-day genius, and it is a travesty that this film is not much better known. Up there with 'Office Space' as a genuinely underrated comic masterpiece.

The plot, such as it is, has been outlined elsewhere. The performances are majestic, from Chevvy Chase as the hopeless gambler / heart doctor to Chris Farley as the loveable loser (who has had his nose bitten off by 'a Saigon [hooker]. Dry, off the wall humor, with priceless moments.

Favorite scene? Well, it is a pretty puerile movie, but Norm's comments to the prison convicts, after he has been gang-raped, are up there with the best Oscar Wilde had to offer -

'Ridiculous. . .' (tucks in shirt, walks out on bail) 'You guys have a lot of growing up to do!'

Rating:
Summary: Very funny lowbrow humor with great cast
Review: Dirty Work is a very funny movie that is along the lines of Dumb and Dumber or Saving Silverman. Mitch and Sam are childhood friends who have now grown up and don't know what to do with themselves. When Sam's father has a heart attack, the two friends must work together to get $50,000 for a new heart. However, everything they try fails miserably. Then, Mitch figures out what they can do, something they have always been good at. Get revenge on people. Soon, plenty of people are hiring them to get revenge on others which results in some of the funniest scenes in the movie, especially the "it smells like fish in here" bit. This is a hilarious movie with a great cast and far too many great lines to mention. For an enjoyable lowbrow humor movie, check out Dirty Work.

Norm Macdonald and Artie Lange are perfect together as childhood friends, Mitch and Sam. Macdonald's sarcasm is never better than it is here. Christopher McDonald as Travis Cole, the evil businessman trying to screw over Mitch and Sam. There are also very funny appearances by Chevy Chase, Jack Warden, Rebecca Romijn Stamos, Gary Coleman, Don Rickles, and in a hilarious role, Chris Farley. Also look out for John Goodman, Traylor Howard, and Adam Sandler. The DVD offers widescreen presentations, production notes, collectible booklet, and theatrical trailers. For a hilarious movie that will keep you laughing throughout, check out Dirty Work!

Rating:
Summary: Oh my filth flarn filth gosh darn tootin shnikies
Review: Norm MacDonald is just plain hilarious. I've been a fan of his since back in the old SNL days, and this is his masterpiece. The story centers around Norm and his best friend (Artie Lang) needing to get $50,000 for Artie's father to get a heart transplant. After several failed attempts at earning the money from regular jobs, they decide to open up a revenge for hire business and hilarity ensues. This movie also features brief appearances by Chevy Chase, Adam Sandler, Gary Coleman, and Chris Farley. If you are at all a fan of Norm MacDonald or just comedies in general, I would highly recommend this comic masterpiece.