MelissaAq
"Frat boys and binge drinking, oh my."
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A 2009 movie based on the book of the same name.
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Rating:
+1
This story is based on a true story…unfortunately. “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell” is a film directed by Bob Gosse and is based on the book with the same name. The film, however, is not a direct retelling of the book but is loosely based on “The Austin Road Trip Story” in the book. According to author Tucker Max (played by Matt Czuchry) each incident really happened in real life albeit in a different time and a different place and all that kind ‘a crap. Now I haven‘t read the book, so all I can judge on this movie is just how entertaining it is and maybe how the movie was made.
I looked it up and the book opens as:"My name is Tucker Max, and I am an asshole. I get excessively drunk at inappropriate times, disregard social norms, indulge every whim, ignore the consequences of my actions, mock idiots and posers, sleep with more women than is safe or reasonable, and just generally act like a raging dickhead. But, I do contribute to humanity in one very important way. I share my adventures with the world."
I looked it up and the book opens as:"My name is Tucker Max, and I am an asshole. I get excessively drunk at inappropriate times, disregard social norms, indulge every whim, ignore the consequences of my actions, mock idiots and posers, sleep with more women than is safe or reasonable, and just generally act like a raging dickhead. But, I do contribute to humanity in one very important way. I share my adventures with the world."
Tucker Max is a womanizer; he has this fetish about sleeping with…well, how can I say this, women who have physical shortcomings? After having sex with a deaf woman, Tucker hatches a scheme to throw a Bachelor’s party for his bud Dan (Geoff Stults) in a special “touch allowed” strip joint somewhere in Salem. Dragging their broken hearted friend Drew (whose girlfriend had just recently cheated on him), the three embark on one last adventure as single men while withholding the vital info from Dan’s fiancé (played by Keri Lynn Pratt) that they are driving 200 miles to go to a strip bar. Things are looking up and it looks like the three are having, well, their sort of fun. Until things go awry and Dan ends up in jail and badly messed up. Tucker has put Dan’s wedding in jeopardy and may just end up losing both Dan’s and Drew’s friendship.
It’s hard to like a movie like “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell” but admittedly, one has to see what the movie is intended to be; an episodic dramatization of the sheer stupidity of one guy named Tucker Max. The film is very light in characterization as was intended and to be honest there are people out there who actually talk and behave like Tucker Max. If your point of reference for the average sex-comedy is “Van Wilder” and you think it isn’t sexist or bigoted enough for you, then this is the one film for you. Again, I didn’t read the book, but this is a movie that uses the excuse as a raunchy sex comedy for its offensive, sexist behavior just to try and generate some laughs.
Ok, so a movie such as this can be funny right? Yes, it can, I have to admit I laughed at some of the scenes in the movie. I guess I just had a problem with the manner the film is developed. The direction makes all its cues rather predictable and relies on going to excesses of scenes of disgust to try to distract the viewer from the flimsy plot. I know that there are actually men like Tucker and I’ve actually met some like them; they are fun to hang out with for an hour or so and not a minute longer. They are the type who deserves whatever predicament that comes their way. I am not sure, while the film does try to incorporate certain touching moments to generate some sympathy for Tucker, it all felt rather hollow. It is obvious that Tucker is this grade-A asshole and even the revelation of his experiences near the film’s final act feels a little fake and contrived. I guess, it’s the lack of characterization that hampers the scenes. Oh, Tucker is an asshole, and Drew is an asshole (with an excuse), Dan is an asshole for letting Tucker drag him around. The film relies on the viewer to connect the characters with a sense of humanity by showing us just how irresponsible, selfish and sexist they are; they are unlikable but realistic.
I guess if there is a ‘saving grace’ (every film has one) it would be Drew and the stripper named Lara (sexy Marika Dominczyk). I found the exchanges between them very funny as they go back and forth with insults about the opposite sex. Their exchanges are actually quite good, as we see Drew, the depressed newly proclaimed woman-hater and the stripper with a heart of gold. True, they’re pretty routine but I still found them fun. I actually found the female comebacks more entertaining than Tucker and company’s stupid lines. I suppose this is a way for the film to establish that “women don’t need this kind of crap”. Keri Lynn Pratt plays Kristy quite well. I was impressed with the way she stood by her man despite his bad decisions. In a subtle way, the film does preach that women have the power to change a man and men can change for a woman; provided they are strong enough.
“I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell” is the type of movie that stays aloft because of its displays of gratuitous nudity, disgusting scenes, booze, offensive behavior and harsh language. It's all well and good, I like me some raunchy comedy but after all those scenes are played out, it all feels derivative and boring. This movie just openly insults women and it is the film’s draw, but let’s be honest, the persona of Max in the movie is very exaggerated. At the end of the movie, it all feels empty that it seemed to have missed its point. I guess as much as the movie tried to be offensively funny, the only thing I found offensive is the fact that it was just so dull.
Somewhat funny, and definitely dumb and unimaginative. Some movies can generate entertainment by being insensitive, disrespectful and stupid; However, this movie never makes it as something dumb but interesting or even clever. If the portrayal of Tucker Max is spot on in the film, and his book sold millions of copies, then we just made another insensitive prick a millionaire. I sure hope he isn’t this much of a prick.
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Count_Orlok_22
February 02, 2010
Great review title. Sounds like what I should call my autobiography.
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QUEENBFLIX
January 29, 2010
I only read this for you Woop. This is so much the opposite of anything I would ever consider watching that I can barely express it in words.
woopak_the_thrill
January 29, 2010
That's why I luv u. :-)
QUEENBFLIX
January 29, 2010
It's just a regular love fest around here isn't it?
woopak_the_thrill
January 29, 2010
it is close to V-day LOL!
QUEENBFLIX
January 29, 2010
Is that what it is?
woopak_the_thrill
January 29, 2010
;-)
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More I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell... reviews
review by MelissaAq.
September 30, 2009
Oh, Tucker Max. How controversial you always are, making headlines for everything from misogyny to midget degradation. Ticker Max published his first book "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell" after gaining popularity from the short stories posted on his blog, TuckerMax.com. I won't get detailed (you can read specifics anywhere on thed internet, duh), but his stories are composed of the stuff that make frat boys FRAT BOYS..in fact the book's genre as lised on … more
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I thought this movie was funny not sure why it has low ratings good flic
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William (woopak_the_thrill)
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Please "Like" Film and Movies and Keep the Economy strong....LOL!! My Interests: Movies, Anime, History, Martial … more
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About this movie
I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell is an American comedy film released on September 25, 2009. The film is loosely based on 'The Austin Road Trip Story' from I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell by Tucker Max. The film is being produced by Darko Entertainment and distributed by Freestyle Releasing. Bob Gosse directed the film and Matt Czuchry stars as Tucker Max. According to Max, sequels may be produced if the film performs well financially.
Plot summary
Based on the real life Tucker Max's alcohol-fueled adventures, the film follows Max to a friend's bachelor party, where he ensnares the groom in a lie that threatens the wedding, then abandons him to pursue further carnal knowledge. After being banned from the nuptials, Max attempts to get back into his friend's good graces.
Cast
* Matt Czuchry as Tucker Max
* Jesse Bradford as Drew ("Slingblade")
* Geoff Stults as Dan (El Bingeroso/PWJ/GoldenBoy)
* Keri Lynn Pratt as Kristy
* Marika Dominczyk as Lara; Denise Quiñones was originally cast as Lara. She dropped out two days before filming started. Marika Dominczyk, who was the original first choice but had passed months earlier due to a scheduling conflict, was available and immediately stepped into the role.
* Nicole Muirbrook-Wagner as Christina
UFC fighters Forrest Griffin and Mac Danzig will make cameo appearances as well as rapper ...
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Plot summary
Based on the real life Tucker Max's alcohol-fueled adventures, the film follows Max to a friend's bachelor party, where he ensnares the groom in a lie that threatens the wedding, then abandons him to pursue further carnal knowledge. After being banned from the nuptials, Max attempts to get back into his friend's good graces.
Cast
* Matt Czuchry as Tucker Max
* Jesse Bradford as Drew ("Slingblade")
* Geoff Stults as Dan (El Bingeroso/PWJ/GoldenBoy)
* Keri Lynn Pratt as Kristy
* Marika Dominczyk as Lara; Denise Quiñones was originally cast as Lara. She dropped out two days before filming started. Marika Dominczyk, who was the original first choice but had passed months earlier due to a scheduling conflict, was available and immediately stepped into the role.
* Nicole Muirbrook-Wagner as Christina
UFC fighters Forrest Griffin and Mac Danzig will make cameo appearances as well as rapper ...
Cast:
Meagen Fay,
Geoff Stults,
Matt Czuchry,
Jesse Bradford,
Marika Dominczyk,
Keri Lynn Pratt,
Traci Lords
Director:
Bob Gosse
Genre:
Comedy
Release Date:
27 September 2009
MPAA Rating:
R
Screen Writer:
Tucker Max
Runtime:
105 minutes
Studio:
Rudius Films,
Bih,
Collective Studios
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