Posted: 04/09/2010 |
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 The Slammin’ Salmon (2010)by Michael J. Nicholas | |
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The Broken Lizard Comedy Troupe, one of my favorite writing teams, is about to release their latest effort on DVD and Blu-ray through Anchor Bay Home Entertainment. ‘The Slammin’ Salmon’ comes from the same minds who have brought us ‘Super Troopers’, ‘Club Dread’ and ‘Beerfest’. This group of funnymen include Jay Chandrasekhar, Erik Stolhanske, Steve Lemme, Kevin Heffernan and Paul Soter- who all act in their films, usually playing the main characters. Slammin’ Cleon Salmon(Michael Clarke Duncan) plays a former heavyweight boxing champion who owns an upscale restaurant in downtown Miami. Known for being a tyrant that uses fear tactics as a means of persuasion, Salmon has his screwball waitstaff under constant control. The team of misfit employees get played by the Broken Lizard Troupe along with April Bowlby and Cobie Smulders, who do a great job mixing in with the chemistry. On a particular evening, Salmon challenges his waitstaff to a contest in order to see who can sell the most food in order to pay off a gambling debt to the Japanese Yakuza. The winner receives $10,000 and the loser gets a broken rib sandwich from their beloved boss. Well, all this excitement over the cash prize and feared last place position, throws the employees into a frenzy, where kindness and teamwork turns into a workplace of backstabbing and sabotage. This film(directed by Kevin Heffernan) has many hilarious moments that are not too over the top compared to previous Broken Lizard films, but don’t include predictable movie moments either. The film also has several guest stars such as Will Forte, Morgan Fairchild and Vivica A. Fox; all who pull their weight by giving more than just a brief cameo. ‘The Slammin’ Salmon’ premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival in January and just appeared at the SXSW Fest. Additionally, the comedy troupe are currently touring this year under the name ‘Broken Lizard Live’, hitting over 40 cities until December. ‘The Slammin’ Salmon’ has more than enough laughs to make it worth the view, so forget about getting the romantic comedy and order the fish. ‘The Slammin’ Salmon’ DVD Bonus Features: Audio Commentary with writer/director Kevin Heffernan and writer/actor Steve Lemme; Audio Commentary with Broken Lizard’s Jay Chandrasekhar, Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske; “Hellish Kitchens: Art Imitates Restaurant Life” Featurette; Theatrical Trailer Blu-ray Bonus Features: Audio Commentary with writer/director Kevin Heffernan and writer/actor Steve Lemme; Audio Commentary with Broken Lizard’s Jay Chandrasekhar, Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske; “Hellish Kitchens: Art Imitates Restaurant Life” Featurette; Theatrical Trailer
Michael J. Nicholas - a.k.a. Nicky The Note - reviews, opinions & life lessons. Got a problem? E-mail us at filmmonthly@gmail.com |