Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Monday, March 17, 2008

Flashback Movies:"Joe Dirt"(2001)

"Joe Dirt" DVD cover
David Spade as "Joe Dirt"

I had the opportunity today to watch one of my favorite movies on Comedy Central,the 2001 comedy "Joe Dirt",starring the sarcastic dry comic & SNL alumni David Spade.In a departure from his usual smart-aleck characters,he plays a loveable white-trash mullet wearing orphaned janitor who is "discovered" by talk radio DJ Zander Kelly(Dennis Miller),who encourages Joe to share his life story with listeners.Joe Dirt was abandoned by his parents as a child at the Grand Canyon and spends 20 years roaming the country,seeking his parents and meeting a variety of colorful characters,including a former mob accountant in Witness Protection(Christopher Walken) and a beautiful country girl named Brandy(Brittany Daniel),and even spends time in a basement dungeon pit reminiscent of "Silence of the Lambs"after meeting a man calling himself"Buffalo Bob".The soundtrack is chock full of classic rock tunes by the likes of Bachman-Turner Overdrive,Bob Seger,Lynyrd Skynyrd and Joe Walsh,to name a few.He sports a variety of cool T-shirts,including one that says"I choked Linda Lovelace"!
Despite his being bullied and disappointed at every turn,Joe remains positive and his mottos are "Lifes a Garden,Dig It!' and "You cant have "NO" in your heart".He goes on to meet his greedy parents,and realizes that he had a family all along,in his friends AND there is a happy ending!He not only gets the girl,he gets his Hemi Plymouth convertible back and in the closing scene,leaves bully and romantic rival Robby(played very badly by Kid Rock) and his "slant-six" Firebird in the dust.
While the movie cost 33 million to make and only made 30 million at the box office,DVD sales were phenomenal and it is a modern cult classic.In my opinion,Spade hasn't done anything nearly as funny since this film!
The movie also features appearances by comic Bob Zany,actress Rosanna Arquette and Kevin Farley,brother to the late comic and Spade sidekick Chris Farley,as well as Kevin Nealon from SNL.And heres a bit of trivia-in the scene where Joe meets Indian firecracker vendor "Kickin' Wing",there are two huge arrows sticking out of the ground that are actually all that is left from the abandoned"Twin Arrows" Rest Stop ,a former landmark on the famous Route 66.
If you have never seen it,give it a chance.It is a hysterical and heartwarming comedy.
Best lines from the movie:
"Sometimes the boila acts up and you have to hit it with a hamma"-Christopher Walken as Clem the Janitor
"Thats the wrong tone-you're talkin' to my guy all wrong-I just might have to stab you in the face widda sodderin' iron"-also Christopher Walken
"Ma'am,you should never DRINK the bong water"-Carson Daly as himself to Joes Mom when she calls in to TRL
"DANG!"-Joe Dirt

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Joe Dirt...

You dare to comment on this great Americana classic fil of all time.

....

Anonymous said...

Definately a family favorite, with lines from scenes recited and applied daily. "Life's a Garden Joe Dirt; Dig it", and "You got the pooh on you"!

Anonymous said...

You're not my Sister....You're not my Sister!

Awesome movie!!!

Chimera said...

Ohhh-youre my sister!You're my sister!!!LOL
Any movie that opens with a Lynyrd Skynyrd song (Joe Dirt has an 8 track!) and a bad ass Plymouth superbird is a GOOD movie!
Another quote:
"Corn OFF the cob!"

Anonymous said...

Come on blutojthetotmom....you should know a 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona when you see one.

You know....the sister to the 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird.

Chimera said...

LOL Sorry-I was wrong-the tailfin spoiler threw me off.Weren't they outlawed by Nascar in the 70's?I recall that Richard Petty had one.

Anonymous said...

The Dodge version raced in the 1969 season, and the Superbird joined in in 1970. The following season (1971) the "Winged Cars" were still legal but restricted to only 355 cubic inch engines, and all other body styles allowed well over 400 c.i.

Only (1) team decided to attempt racing this BIG wing/small engine combination, and that car was driven by Dick Brooks at only a couple tracks during the 1971 season. He actually took the lead in the Talladega race, then was bumped out of contention.

Yes, Richard Petty raced a Plymouth Superbird in 1970, actually fielding (2) cars with the other driven by Pete Hamilton, who won the Daytona 500 that same year.

Richard was also responsible for the creation of the 'Bird. He was a Plymouth driver and requested a Plymouth version of the Dodge Daytona to be built for the 1969 season. Plymouth said, "Nope...not gonna happen." His response? Richard drove a Ford in 1969. Plymouth wanted him back, and at any cost. The 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird was born.

Chimera said...

Anon 7:30

Thanks for the lesson!!!You clearly know your Mopar and Nascar history!!!!I remember Pete Hamiltons car too.

Anonymous said...

You're very welcome! And you also seem to have some MoPar & NASCAR knowledge.

And yes....people are always confusing the two cars (Superbird & Daytona). Very similar, but few interchangeable parts.

Chimera said...

I SHOULD know Mopar-LOL-my Dad & Uncles are Chrysler enthusiasts.My Dad has two or three different Dodge pickups and 2 Dodge vans he is always tinkering with.And while I am no longer a "Nextel/Winston" fan now,I grew up watching it and used to follow it closely.My favorite drivers were Tim Richmond and Dave Marcus,and of course Kyle Petty!

Anonymous said...

You are telling your age with your favorite driver pics. lol

I have to say that my list of favorites would also include Tim Richmond...along with Alan Kulwicki, Bill Elliott, and of course, Richard Petty. Dave Marcus...a class act!