Money tight? Movie going on a budget? Well, don’t forget the value of “Budget Theatres” - The same movie for a third of the price. Film Reviewer Sam Hendrix gives us Regular Joes his perspective on the Jack Black comedy, “Be Kind Rewind.”
Be Kind? Be Real!By Sam Hendrix
For many avid movie collectors, the switch from VHS to DVD was a very painful and agonizing process. Many even referred to this leap in technology as a “fad” that would soon parish much like Laserdisc. This was the case for a tiny video rental store in
With larger rental chains and big businesses moving into town, this left the small, independently owned, Be Kind Rewind Video hanging on by the outdated video tape keeping it on its feet. When Mr. Fletcher (Danny Glover) leaves town to research this up-and-coming technology fad known as DVD, he leaves Mike (Mos Def) in charge of the video store with specific instructions to keep his less than run-of-the-mill friend, Jerry (Jack Black), away from the store.
After Jerry’s debauched plan to sabotage the local power plant that is “melting his brain,” he is left magnetized and disconcerted leading to the erasing of every video tape in the store. When Miss Falewicz (Mia Farrow), one of the few regular customers left, comes to the store seeking a copy of Ghostbusters, the comedic duo take the matter into their own hands and resort to producing their own twenty minute version of the film. This homemade attempt at keeping business flowing sets off a chain reaction and a local cult following is formed resulting in a number of “sweded” recreations including Rush Hour 2, The Lion King, Robocop and Driving Miss Daisy, among many others throughout the film.
Writer and director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Science of Sleep), tells a story of hope, big dreams and bringing together a community in the film Be Kind Rewind. Jack Black returns to the screen as the same over-the-top obnoxious character that he has long since perfected and Mos Def characterizes a young man still seeking the approval of his idealized father figure played by Danny Glover.
Previews of the movie give the impression of the typical Jack Black slap-stick comedy (which it does not lack) but with a combination of Black’s humor and Gondry’s direction and story telling, Be Kind Rewind hits audiences on multiple levels appealing to a wide range of movie goers. The backbone of the movie revolves around the factual history of legendary pianist Fats Waller, which adds a new dimension to the fictional story and creates a setting that is believable and gives a sense of nostalgia bringing back the days of that rewind button.
Be Kind Rewind is no doubt an entertaining flick with the comedic likings of Jack Black and the heartfelt vision of Michel Gondry seen in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Whichever one you’re looking for, this is sure to satisfy what you want.