My Big Fat Independent Movie Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
A low brow comedy, for the high brow crowd.
"My Big Fat Independent Movie" is a spoof along the lines of "Scary Movie" and "Not Another Teen Movie." It includes parodies of some of the indie film world's most renowned movies such as "Memento," "Pulp Fiction," "Magnolia," "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," "Amelie," "Run Lola Run," "El Mariachi," "The Good Girl," "Pi," "Swingers" and many others.
| Paget Brewster | Julianne |
| Neil Barton | Sam |
| Eric Hoffman | Harvey |
| Darren Keefe | Johnny Vince |
| Ashley Head | Anomalie |
| Brian Krow | Memento Guy |
| Neil Hopkins | Lanky Man |
| Rob Schrab | Bald Genius |
| Eric Campos | Mexican Standoff Extra |
| Neil Dooley | Greek Father |
| David Douglas | Spike |
| Robert Eaton | Creepy Security Guard |
| John Fortson | Spader |
| Gregory Giles | Gay Husband |
| Philip Zlotorynski |
3.20 out of 10 (1026 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Silly, funny slap in the face to pompous art-house films!!!
posted on 05 Apr 2009Whoever wrote a review claiming this movie was a rip-off of DATE MOVIE has obviously drunk the Kool-Aid. Let's set the record straight. MY BIG FAT INDEPENDENT MOVIE came first; it was screening at film festivals almost a year before DATE MOVIE was released. Also, DATE MOVIE is obviously not a spoof of independent films, and it doesn't claim to be. Get your facts straight!
On top of all that, DATE MOVIE isn't funny. I could hear crickets mating through the deadened silence in the theater. To the contrary, I laughed out loud and often during MY BIG FAT INDEPENDENT MOVIE. It combines smart parodies of many independent films with the standard potty-humor of modern spoofs, and it blends the styles pretty well.
The special features are endless. This DVD set includes 2 discs: DISC ONE= an UNRATED version of the movie with 3 audio commentary tracks and a text commentary track that you can watch with the movie as it gives you funny insights into the making of the film and educates you on independent film trivia. DISC TWO= more special features! You get 10 behind-the-scenes featurettes, lots of outtakes, deleted scenes with optional commentary, over a dozen hidden easter eggs, hundreds of photos from the production, and the shooting script for your PC. But the best part of this DVD is the bonus short film WALKENTALK.
Chris Gore's "My Big Fat Drunken Mid-life Crisis"
posted on 03 Mar 2009without a doubt this is the dumbest movie I have ever seen.Exploitation producer, Chris Gore, came up with a title and a nifty poster and then, as an afterthought, the movie... and it shows! he even made up a totally fake sounding name director pseudo-name, Philip Zyozixgisijjti or something. that was the only joke that made me smile. the movie quickly went downhill from there and then hit a tree, burst into flames, killed all the forest animals, burned down the forest, and make Smokey the Bear cry. it was that offensively bad.this movie reminded me of a UWE BOLL film if Boll decided to direct his own Scary Movie spoof- style film.chris gore shouldn't be allowed to direct a film again. ever. stick to writing about movies, gore. clearly you don't know anything about making. them.
Worst Movie of the Century
posted on 14 Jan 2009Movies like this give me hope as an aspiring screenwriter because if crap like this can make it out there, there has to be hope for me. This movie sucked, make that S-U-C-K-E-D, with a capital S! It TRIES to be funny but just redoing scenes from great movies doesn't make it funny. This movie was a waste of my life and waste of my time. If I were part of this film, I would NEVER include this film on my resume. It was disastrous, boring, uninteresting and not the least bit funny. I didn't laugh once, and I laugh very easily as anyone could tell you. It doesn't take much to entertain me, however this film doesn't even come close to being entertaining. DO NOT RENT THIS MOVIE!! You'll be sorely disappointed. 1 star out of 10.
Whether you love indie movies or hate them, this spoof will make you laugh!
posted on 18 Nov 2008This is an industry first, the only true parody of independent films ever made. This film has plenty of laughs; whether you're giggling at the potty-mouthed dialogue or bursting at the seems watching Amelie make out with the answering machine from Swingers (yes, you heard me right, an answering machine voiced by the always vulgar Jason Mewes) or sitting in awe of the greatest Christopher Walken impression you're likely ever to see, this movie has something funny waiting for you.
The only TRUE spoof of independent films
posted on 19 Sep 2008This movie is the only film of its kind, spoofing independent films with the same fervor as Scary Movie or Not Another Teen Movie, but with one major difference-- this movie is spoofing films that are highly regarded (maybe unfairly so) as untouchable works of art. It's job is to remind indie films and the fans who love them that they are not above lambasting. This movie has guts, and it does what most independent comedies fail to do-- it generates laughs.
Best Special Edition comedy DVD I've ever owned !!!
posted on 17 Sep 2008No kidding, I liked the movie when I saw it in theaters, but this DVD is the best I've bought in a year. This DVD set includes 2 discs: DISC ONE= a raunchier UNRATED version of the movie with 3 audio commentary tracks and a text commentary track that you can watch with the movie as it gives you funny insights into the making of the film and educates you on independent film trivia. DISC TWO= more special features than you can shake a stick at! You get 10 behind-the-scenes featurettes, lots of outtakes, deleted scenes with optional commentary, over a dozen hilarious hidden (but easily found) easter eggs, hundreds of photos from the production, and the shooting script for your PC. But the best part of this DVD is the bonus short film WALKENTALK, which I saw at the AFI Fest in 2003 and thought I'd never find. If you like Christopher Walken, this short alone is worth the price of the DVD!
Terrible
posted on 16 Sep 2008I don't expect movies like this to be good, but I don't expect them to be this bad. This was awful. It was an extremely disjointed, low budget spoof of independent films, including Pulp Fiction, Amelie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Memento and many more. Where I enjoyed all of those films, I hated this with a passion. It was painfully unfunny and not one of the stupid jokes made me laugh. It had a cast of some semi-known celebrities including Jason Mewes from the View Askew films doing the voice of an answering machine, and Clint Howard (from practically everything) as the mechanic. I found all of the movies this parodied funnier than this.My rating: 0/****. 98 mins. Rated R
Great, funny tribute to indie films
posted on 20 Aug 2008Philip Zlotorynski and his film, My Big Fat Independent Movie accomplished the humor and wit that the Scary Movie trilogy attempted and failed. This movie is one of the better spoofs that have been created to date. Zlotorynski's knowledge of the indie genre is apparent in this film's plot, which spoofs a variety of the biggest films in the indie genre.
The main storyline is a mixed up version of Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. Though we first are introduced to the film's protagonists in a spoof of the naming sequence of Reservoir Dogs, the resemblance of Harvey and Mr. Fuchsia to Pulp Fiction's John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson is unmistakable. The plot of the two films becomes even more intertwined when the audience is told that they are on a journey to an empty warehouse for a robbery (they are supposed to steal a suitcase). Zlotorynski even included the famous cutting of the police officer's ear scene from Reservoir Dogs. As a huge Tarantino fan, I was impressed with the director and author's brilliant portrayal of these two favorites.
Though Tarantino's works are some of the best in the indie genre, My Big Fat Independent Movie would not have been as good without the intrusion of Memento into the plot. Leonard Shelby was the perfect choice for an antagonist and possible foil to the robbery plans of Harvey and his cohorts. Staying true to the plot of Memento, Leonard's character still has little memory and recollection of his past, and is still in search of revenge through his tattoos and photographs. However, this time he believes that Harvey is involved in the murder of his wife. I loved the part in which Johnny has the same pictures as Leonard because they came with his wallet.
Also, one could not discuss this film without mentioning Zlotorynski's use of Pi, though in an extremely distorted fashion. I was upset with the distance in which the director traveled from Pi's plot in his spoof, but that didn't stop me from laughing. Instead of trying to decode the stock exchange and find a number that controls the universe, Maximillian is looking for the secret of the perfect corned beef sandwich recipe. I wish the electric drill gun scene could somehow have been added and spoofed as well in the film.
Lastly, other films that were alluded to in the My Big Fat Independent Movie are Amelie, Run Lola Run, The Good Girl and My Big Fat Greek Wedding, of course. This film is perfect for anyone who loves the indie genre and films in general. Even a non-indie person will laugh throughout the feature due to Zlotorynski's wonderful directing and the writing genius of Chris Gore.
In the spirit of Scary Movie or Not Another Teen Movie- Indie Spoof.
posted on 18 Jul 2008The only reason I was able to enjoy this movie is because I had seen every movie referenced in the script.. I DON'T think that most people are going to "get" this flick because it is so reliant on identifying with what movie they are spoofing.In the same way Scary Movie required knowledge of the material to get the jokes- so does this movie require that you have seen a long list of indie films. If you are not into this genre you will miss a LOT of the jokes!!This weakness aside it's pretty cool fun as an Airplane! style adventure through various spoofed indie moments.So like I said- if you haven't seen Mullholland Drive and Secretary- maybe you will be scratching your head? Understanding who Amelie is would help with 60% of the movie's jokes. Is El Mariachi a restaurant to you? Don't bother then.For the thin sliver of a crowd this movie spoofs on- it does OK.I suggest watching the following films before attempting to watch this film: Pulp Fiction, Memento, Amelie, El Mariachi, The Secretary, Waking Life, Reservoir Dogs, Swingers, and if you can stand it.. Pi. There may be some jokes that still escape you- this is an indie lover's film fer sure.
Eh
posted on 10 Jun 2008The movie was slightly funny, bearable to watch maybe. Unoriginal script is probably my main issue. If there is nothing else to do, go ahead watch it, don't expect it to be that novel independent film.It probably would have been better if they didn't attack good films, normally attacking the bad ones is a slightly better approach. I'm not defending all movies portrayed in this film, ie; Big Fat Greek Wedding. The movie was well put together except for the script, so at least you wont be completely disappointed, and like I said it is funny in a sort of monotonous, "cliched"-(sorry) way.All things being fair, I probably couldn't have done better.
I love these spoof movies
posted on 06 May 2008I love these spoof movies, this one really holds my interest. I can't wait to see how they make fun of my favorite indie movies. I ordered this online a couple days ago, might order another copy for my friends birthday. The trailer makes me become so impatient waiting to get my copy, this movie just looks really funny and exciting!!
awful
posted on 11 Apr 2008This was one of the absolute worst films I have ever seen. Every single "joke" had no substance. The film makers expected that pointing out what characterizes Indy films would be funny enough to not have to actually write a movie. The jokes weren't jokes, but explanations of plot techniques used in the films it satirized. On top of that, a good amount of what it made fun of for being "unoriginal" were unique elements giving the films the "Indy" feel. Films like Pulp Fiction, Amelie, and Reservoir Dogs are films whose worst offenses are starting cliché's, not supporting them. I will say that i laughed at seeing Pauly Shore. But a cameo shouldn't be the highlight of any movie, comedy or not. I can't urge you enough not to see this film. Granted, parodies are hard to make work. But this was so bad it was embarrassing. Movies like this shouldn't be paid attention.
Oh hell yes!
posted on 03 Dec 2007Frankly as an Indy film lover and guy who works with Indy filmmakers myself. I've seen most of or know enough about most of the films being ripped on here I have to say this is so dead on. Don't get me wrong I love Pulp Fiction, Swingers, Run Lola Run and all the rest (except The Good Girl which this film so burns so rightly) but yes this film rips each one of them a new one. And the rip on "The Good Girl" OMG I couldn't have done or said it better.I know some people will see this film and lose their minds over the fact someone has the nerve to parody their sacred cows but yes someone did it and did it well. Even going after Momento and Amelie. By the way, the actress that parodied Amelie, she was great! The other actors were wonderful too. I can't say enough about how funny and in your face this movie was.
Delightfully intelligent, stupid movie
posted on 05 Nov 2007The most surprising thing about My Big Fat Independent Movie is that no one had made it sooner. Crammed full of every cliché it can lay it's hands on, and openly disparaging of every independent movie made from Pulp Fiction to Run Lola Run its crude, disgusting, full of sexual innuendo, stupid dialogue, foul language and is hysterically funny from beginning to end.Oh sure it's as subtle as a brick wall and as intellectually challenging as professional wrestling, but that's half the fun. Billing itself as the lowbrow comedy for the highbrow crowd, it makes no pretensions to being anything more than a brilliantly stupid movie. High art this isn't and thank goodness for that.Like a scythe in a cheap horror movie it cuts everything down in size so no ones a head and shoulders above anyone. All your favorites are seen minus their aspirations to art hood. Oh sure some of the jokes are more stupid than funny, but that's to be expected when you're shooting target practice with a grenade launcher. You'll blow everything up, but stuff is bound to be a little messy around the edges.In case you were wondering, there is a plot to this movie, mainly useful for bringing in the stunning variety of clichés and allusions to other movies that pepper the film, but it does provide a semblance of structure for the fun. Two thugs Sam (Neil Barton) and Harvey (Eric Hoffman) are sent to Las Vegas by their employer to botch a robbery of a suitcase.On their way, they are supposed to pick up a guy with a guitar case full of weapons. Unfortunately, he has a tragic encounter with a semi-trailer while engaged in conversation with a French girl, Anomalie (Ashley Head) who just wants to make everyone happy. (If their idea of happiness is winding up dead in horrific accidents than she does a bang up job) Instead, they pick up a guy with a trombone case, with a trombone in it; Johnny Vince (Darren Keefe) He's happy to go along because he's still recovering from breaking up with his girl friend, who he went out with twice five years ago. What with the restraining order and all, it's been difficult to try and get back together with her, and the lure of Las Vegas irresistible to the want to be hep-cat.What independent movie would be complete without the confused and disillusioned woman who just can't be happy with her lot in life? With that in mind, they kidnap Julianne (Paget Brewster) after some really gratuitous violence in a grocery store. Julianne is so confused that she can't decide if her husband ignored her because he lusted after the male black gardener, or if she was dissatisfied with the life of being waited on hand and foot by a devoted husband.As they continue along on their trip they stop for lunch at My Big Fat Greek Restaurant (the highest grossing independent restaurant ever), run over a German woman jogging, and meet up with the Lanky Man (Neil Hopkins doing a remarkable impression of Christopher Walken) who has the key to the warehouse where they are supposed to botch the robbery.He also has the key to their obligatory fantasy scenes, until he gets so disgusted with the clichés involved he throws them all out. One of the sillier aspects, but still nicely done, of the movie is having the characters commenting on the "independent" aspects of what's happening in the scene. Whether it's choosing appropriately ironic music for a torture sequence, or deciding on the best way to get the audience to relate to your anti-hero psychotic tendencies, they're very concerned about ensuring that they make the grade.Along with two sub plots; a trio of Hassidic hit men intent on discovering the formula for the ideal corn beef sandwich, and a guy who can't remember anything except Kenny G. is responsible for his wife's death, our companions finally make it to the warehouse. After the obligatory surreal dance sequence, the final showdown can take place. Suffice to say it's just what you'd expect, but more.My Big Fat Independent Movie is stupid, inane, pointless and howling funny. It is obviously made by people who are both fans of independent movies and who are aware of how contradictory that term is becoming. To genuinely appreciate this movie, it will help if you've seen the movies they're teasing. I'm sure part of the fun for some people will be trying to identify the thirty or more features referred to in the movie.Watching Pauly Shore getting his head blown off with what looked like a rocket launcher, and Jason Mewes as a sex starved answering machine are just added bonuses to this delightfully intelligent, stupid movie.
Great film; the inspiration for "Date Movie"
posted on 07 Oct 2007NOTE TO READERS- the other user that wrote a review of this movie in my name is an imposter. Here's the REAL DEAL--
Anchor Bay treats the film like an indie classic. The transfer is sharp and clear, and the digital blood effects come off nicely. My Big Fat Independent Movie was shot in HD digital video, so everything looks amazingly polished. The surround sound is punchy, and the climatic shoot-out delivers the appropriate bombast. The "making of" featurette is a lot of fun. There's a trailer that is remarkably well cut, and pretty dang funny (they knew where the best jokes are). Click on the guns of the hit men in the special features menu, and you'll find an Easter Egg featuring Jason Mewes recording his part as the "Swinger's" answering machine.
The Video:
Presented in a very sharp 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, My Big Fat Independent Movie looks absolutely great with cinematographer Scott Peck's images popping off the screen. Slick and free of any trace of a blemish, this is a sterling visual representation.
The Audio:
A very active Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is included, with an immersive soundfield and clearly heard dialogue. The effects and score don't intrude upon the rapid-fire exchanges, with the occasional gunplay given surprisingly robust life. Dolby 2.0 stereo is also on board.
Delightfully intelligent, stupid movie.
posted on 01 Oct 2007The most surprising thing about My Big Fat Independent Movie is that no one had made it sooner. Crammed full of every cliché it can lay it's hands on, and openly disparaging of every independent movie made from Pulp Fiction to Run Lola Run its crude, disgusting, full of sexual innuendo, stupid dialogue, foul language and is hysterically funny from beginning to end.
Oh sure it's as subtle as a brick wall and as intellectually challenging as professional wrestling, but that's half the fun. Billing itself as the lowbrow comedy for the highbrow crowd, it makes no pretensions to being anything more than a brilliantly stupid movie. High art this isn't and thank goodness for that.
Like a scythe in a cheap horror movie it cuts everything down in size so no ones a head and shoulders above anyone. All your favourites are seen minus their aspirations to art hood. Oh sure some of the jokes are more stupid than funny, but that's to be expected when you're shooting target practice with a grenade launcher. You'll blow everything up, but stuff is bound to be a little messy around the edges.
In case you were wondering, there is a plot to this movie, mainly useful for bringing in the stunning variety of clichés and allusions to other movies that pepper the film, but it does provide a semblance of structure for the fun. Two thugs Sam (Neil Barton) and Harvey (Eric Hoffman) are sent to Las Vegas by their employer to botch a robbery of a suitcase.
On their way, they are supposed to pick up a guy with a guitar case full of weapons. Unfortunately, he has a tragic encounter with a semi-trailer while engaged in conversation with a French girl, Anomalie (Ashley Head) who just wants to make everyone happy. (If their idea of happiness is winding up dead in horrific accidents than she does a bang up job)
Instead, they pick up a guy with a trombone case, with a trombone in it; Johnny Vince (Darren Keefe) He's happy to go along because he's still recovering from breaking up with his girl friend, who he went out with twice five years ago. What with the restraining order and all, it's been difficult to try and get back together with her, and the lure of Las Vegas irresistible to the want to be hep-cat.
What independent movie would be complete without the confused and disillusioned woman who just can't be happy with her lot in life? With that in mind, they kidnap Julianne (Paget Brewster) after some really gratuitous violence in a grocery store. Julianne is so confused that she can't decide if her husband ignored her because he lusted after the male black gardener, or if she was dissatisfied with the life of being waited on hand and foot by a devoted husband.
As they continue along on their trip they stop for lunch at My Big Fat Greek Restaurant (the highest grossing independent restaurant ever), run over a German woman jogging, and meet up with the Lanky Man (Neil Hopkins doing a remarkable impression of Christopher Walken) who has the key to the warehouse where they are supposed to botch the robbery.
He also has the key to their obligatory fantasy scenes, until he gets so disgusted with the clichés involved he throws them all out. One of the sillier aspects, but still nicely done, of the movie is having the characters commenting on the "independent" aspects of what's happening in the scene. Whether it's choosing appropriately ironic music for a torture sequence, or deciding on the best way to get the audience to relate to your anti-hero psychotic tendencies, they're very concerned about ensuring that they make the grade.
Along with two sub plots; a trio of Hassidic hit men intent on discovering the formulae for the ideal corn beef sandwich, and a guy who can't remember anything except Kenny G. is responsible for his wife's death, our companions finally make it to the warehouse. After the obligatory surreal dance sequence, the final showdown can take place. Suffice to say it's just what you'd expect, but more.
My Big Fat Independent Movie is stupid, inane, pointless and howling funny. It is obviously made by people who are both fans of independent movies and who are aware of how contradictory that term is becoming. To genuinely appreciate this movie, it will help if you've seen the movies they're teasing. I'm sure part of the fun for some people will be trying to identify the thirty or more features referred to in the movie.
Watching Pauly Shore getting his head blown off with what looked like a rocket launcher, and Jason Mewes as a sex starved answering machine are just added bonuses to this delightfully intelligent, stupid movie.
Spoofing Good Movies...
posted on 23 Sep 2007Why is it nowadays producers find the need to spoof good movies? That's all this film does in an attempt to be funny. I was already taken back in the beginning when they started off by making fun of Pulp Fiction, one of the greatest movies ever. I'm all for making fun of Bring It On and such but leave the great films alone.
What I don't understand is in order to even understand most of the films they mock, the viewer would have to be in their mid-twenties yet the humor is that of a middle-schooler. Either society is dumbing down with age or the younger are getting old way too fast. The only reason it gets two stars is in hope that whoever watches this will go out and rent the films this "movie" trashed on.
earnest and true to its design
posted on 06 Sep 2007Watched this movie at home the other day. It wasn't great. It has a real student project feel, over that of an independent film. But I set the bar low, and in my opinion, it wasn't as awful as some are making it sound here.It was a spoof, so really wasn't trying to do much of a story on its own. It was trying to comment on a lot of the clichés you find in a lot of 'high brow' independent films. That it did a pretty good job of.I like independent films. But if you don't, you probably wouldn't like this movie much. I laughed as it exaggerated devices and nuances one just accepts in these 'indy' films. I think it's nearly as smart as the films it mocks (which it never does in a spiteful way), even if it's not the funniest movie around. But if you wouldn't watch The Secretary or Amelie or Memento, why would you be angry at this film? It was funny. Not, Airplane! gag-a-minute funny, but worth a watch if you enjoy its fodder. But if you think those films are too good to be joked about, move on.
R-rated version review
posted on 01 Jun 2009Though it puts me in the minority to say so, the successful independent films of the past dozen years have been pretty awful. For every great picture like Clerks, there's a vast number of unwatchable ones like The Good Girl, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Memento, Waking Life, and The Blair Witch Project. The talent behind My Big Fat Independent Movie realizes that just because a movie is independent and successful, it doesn't that the flick is any good. Taking a cue from the relatively recent hit parodies such as the Scary Movie franchise and Not Another Teen Movie, screenwriters Chris Gore (editor of Film Threat) and Adam Schwartz along with director Philip Zlotorynski have crafted an enjoyable, well cast, and occasionally hilarious spoof of most of (if not all) the indies of the 1990s and 2000s so far. Some of the best material comes from the Pulp Fiction and Reservior Dogs jabs, but where 'Independent Movie' really hits gold with its low brow, bluer than blue humor. It's very easy to make a jokes about excrement and sex. It takes certain skill to make the joke actually funny without seeming unnecessary. Finally, a comedy that knows exactly how to use its raunchiness correctly. None of that American Pie "let's throw it in there to meet a running time" found here. However, like with most spoofs, 'Independent Movie' runs pretty thin by the hour mark. Once the final act begins, the laughs become almost nonexistent. For that, I can only recommend the R-rated version as a rental. The unrated version may be slightly better. 6/10