DAN'S PAPERS, May 2, 2008 Page 59 www.danshamptons.com
When Harold and Kumar went to White Castle in 2004, the idea that it would be a landmark film in that its leading actors were of rarely-used ethnicities in such roles was gently floated, while more importantly pointing out that this was a buddy tale revolving around being high and searching for a fast food “munchie” relief. The end result was achieved and most young-minded people of diverse backgrounds ate up the comedy (on DVD, as it was only a minor box office success), while seemingly not caring that the heroes of the movie were IndianAmerican and Korean-American. Whether or not that’s a tribute to skilled filmmakers who refused to employ stereotypes, thereby helping ignorant audience members get past their hang-ups, or if it’s that people really don’t hold stars of screwball comedy to biases they hold elsewhere in their lives has never really been decided. Perhaps that’s why the writers of White Castle needed to do it again, and indeed they (Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg) have returned, this time to not only to pen but to also direct, and the two have made it clear that they expect their main characters to be treated as many feel minorities have been in the past – badly. Directly following their exploits in New Jersey, Harold (John Cho) – the “Felix” of this odd couple – and Kumar (Kal Penn), the counterbalance crass, have just finished their quested burgers and now decide to fly after the traveling girl of Harold’s dreams, Maria (Paula Garcés). But not just because of the love for a woman, mind you, but more so the passion for pot…yes, she’s in Amsterdam, the worldwide capital of legal toking. So you have a man of Middle-Eastern descent, another of Asian and a plane full of post 9-11 white Americans…yes, the writers go there. Within moments, the duo is already on the run from Guantanamo Bay, on their way to Texas to seek the help of Colton (Eric Winter); a well-connected friend who they feel can clear their names. Kumar has other reasons too – this guy is
Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
of the film revolves around the supposition that people view Harold and Kumar as Indian and Korean – outsiders — not American, which they both are. Since it’s hard to say if the first film drove this point home enough, this time the movie-makers make it crystal clear by steering the pair through the South from Florida to Texas. (Whether or not racism is truly any worse there than it is in the North or anywhere else, the portrait of a true racist seems easily accepted when it’s painted below the Mason-Dixon Line…fighting stereotype with stereotype, eh?) The jabs don’t end with Southern inhospitality, however, as the slovenly Homeland Security Chief Ron Fox (Rob Corddry, The Daily Show) is in hot hateful pursuit of the escapees. They also happen to meet up with President Bush, who somehow escapes the splash of unbridled partisan venom, coming off as not much more than a cool dope. Don’t worry, comedy fans, the stoner gags and sexual innuendo are again the main focus, but all the political stuff raises the question: is the writer/ director team pointing out hatreds or exercising their own demons? Nonetheless, they at least deserve credit for working so hard to make this raunchy ruckus so informed. Furthermore, with only a small percentage of the film focusing – albeit with maximum firepower – on political and racial issues, most of the time you’re not thinking but laughing, because the sexual and drug-inspired slapstick in this movie is flat-out outrageous. P.S. Yes, Doogie Howser fans, Neil Patrick Harris is back too. Ian Stark is a frequent TV and radio commentator on the film industry, and consults with private organizations on their collections. He is widely published on film and other arts/culture topics.
marrying his ex, Vanessa (Danneel Harris). To give any more major detail would ruin the broad gags, but it is imperative to mention a significant portion
This Movie: * Raunchy Romp * Fun With Racial Relations
MOVIES ....
COMING UP
Upcoming events can be seen in the following sections:
Art Events – pg.64 Benefits – pg. 47 Movies – pg. 59 Day by Day – pg. 47 Kids’ Events – pg. 48
Schedule for the week of Friday, March 28 to Thursday, April 3. Movie Schedules are subject to change. Always call to confirm shows and times.
HAMPTON ARTS (+) (631-288-2600) Smart People – Fri. 7:30, 9:45 Sat. 2, 5, 7:45, 9:45 Sun. 2, 5, 7:45 Mon.-Thurs. 7:30 Ironman – Fri. 7, 9:30 Sat. 1, 4, 7, 9:30 Sun. 1, 4, 7 Mon.Thurs. 7
UA EAST HAMPTON (+) (631-324-0448) Forgetting Sarah Marshall – Fri.-Sun. 11, 2:15, 4:45, 7:20, 10 Mon.-Thurs. 4:45, 7:20 Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay – Fri.-Sun. 11:30, 1:50, 4:10, 7:10, 9:45 Mon.-Thurs. 4:10, 7:10 Counterfeiters – Fri.-Sun. 11:15, 1:45, 4, 7, 9:30 Mon.-
Thurs. 4, 7 Baby Mama – Fri.-Sun. 12:20, 2:45, 5:10, 7:40, 10:10 Mon.-Thurs. 5:10, 7:40 Made of Honor – Fri.-Sun. 12, 2:30, 5, 7:50, 10:20 Mon.Thurs. 5, 7:50 Iron Man – Fri.-Sun. 10:30, 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 10:30 Mon.Thurs. 4:30, 7:30
SAG HARBOR CINEMA (+) (631-725-0010) The Bank Job – Sat. 3 Smart People – Fri.-Mon., Thurs. 5:05 Flawless – Fri.-Mon., Thurs. 7 My Blueberry Nights – Fri.-Mon., Thurs. 9
MATTITUCK CINEMAS (+) (631-298-SHOW) Call for show times. Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, Baby Mama, Deception, Nim’s Island, 21, Iron Man, 88 Minutes, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Made of Honor
MONTAUK MOVIE (+) (631-668-2393) Ironman – Fri. 3, 7, 9:20 Sat.-Sun. 7, 9:20 Mon.-Thurs. 7
UA HAMPTON BAYS (+) (631-728-8535) Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay – Fri. 1:45, 4:45, 7:45, 10:20 Sat. 10:45, 1:45, 4:45, 7:45, 10:20 Sun. 10:45, 1:45, 4:45, 7:45 Mon.-Thurs. 4:45, 7:45
Forgetting Sarah Marshall – Fri.-Sat. 1:20, 4:20, 7:20, 10:10 Sun. 1:20, 4:20, 7:20 Mon.-Thurs. 4:20, 7:20 Forbidden Kingdom – Fri.-Sat. 1, 4, 7, 9:45 Sun. 1, 4, 7 Mon.-Thurs. 4, 7 Made of Honor – Fri. 1:10, 4:10, 7:10, 10 Sat. 10:15, 1:10, 4:10, 7:10, 10 Sun. 10:15, 1:10, 4:10, 7:10 Mon.-Thurs. 4:10, 7:10 Iron Man – Fri. 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 10:30 Sat. 10:30, 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 10:30 Sun. 10:30, 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 Mon.-Thurs. 4:30, 7:30
UA SOUTHAMPTON (+) (631-287-2774) Iron Man – Fri. 4:30, 7:30, 10:30 Sat. 10:30, 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 10:30 Sun. 10:30, 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 Mon.-Wed. 4:30, 7:30 Thurs. 4:30, 7:30, 10:30 Baby Mama – Fri. 4:15, 7:15, 9:50 Sat. 10:50, 1:15, 4:15, 7:15, 9:50 Sun. 10:50, 1:15, 4:15, 7:15 Mon.-Wed. 4:15, 7:15 Thurs. 4:15, 7:15, 9:50 Smart People – Fri. 4:45, 7:40, 10 Sat. 11, 1:45, 4:45, 7:40, 10 Sun. 11, 1:45, 4:45, 7:40 Mon.-Wed. 4:45, 7:40 Thurs. 4:45, 7:40, 10 Nim’s Island – Fri. 4 Sat. 10:40, 1, 4 Sun. 10:40, 1 Mon.Thurs. 1, 4 Deception – Fri.- Sat. 7, 9:30 Sun. 7 Mon.-Wed. 7 Thurs. 7, 9:30 What Happens in Vegas – Fri. (5/9) 12:01 a.m. The sign (+) when following the name of a theatre indicates that a show has an infrared assistive listening device. Please confirm with the theatre before arriving to make sure they are available.