Run Ronnie Run! (2002)

Way below par for these funnymen

David Cross and Bob Odenkirk vigorously warned their fans to steer clear of this film, and brother, they weren't kidding. This thing is unbelievably disappointing. And it's not because I don't appreciate Cross and Odenkirk's brand of humor. On the contrary, I find their MR. SHOW program to be a smart, inspired, outrageous, wickedly funny TV series -- which won a loyal audience despite the fact that HBO never promoted it properly. Perhaps their freewheeling, satirical, sketch-comedy style would have worn out its welcome in a feature-length format, but we don't get to see exactly what their true artistic intentions were, since they had no control over the final edit of RUN RONNIE RUN. It was severely revised without their approval. Which begs this question to those decision-makers: Was the original cut really worse than this version?

A fine supporting cast is wasted. Jill Talley, so wonderful on MR. SHOW, is handed the thankless role of Ronnie's (Cross's) loyal spouse. Other great MR. SHOW players -- Tom Kenny, Brian Posehn, Mary Lynn Rajskub -- are also ill-served, though it's hard to tell if they were underutilized in the original version or whether they fell victim to the editor's scalpel.

Likewise, there's cameo appearances by Ben Stiller, Trey Parker, Matt Stone, David Foley, Andy Richter, Gary Shandling, Patrick Warburton, Laura Kightlinger, Scott Thompson, Jeff Goldblum and other folks who don't get much funny stuff to do. Instead, there's footage of Nikki Cox running around in a bikini -- a welcome factor in any movie, although it doesn't add anything to the comedy content.

If you enjoy watching Cross and Odenkirk strut their stuff, my advice is to stick with MR. SHOW instead. Each episode is everything RUN RONNIE RUN should have been.
September 12, 2008

JOE DIRT + COPS + GROOVE TUBE = HILARIOUS!

Don't let that mullet fool you because this is one funny movie! The story centers around Ronnie Dobbs who is one "Crazy Redneck", but he's really just a Skynyrd lovin' "good old boy" trying to stay out of trouble. Although the film has a loose plot, there are several hysterically funny skits with some hilarious cameos from a lot of my favorite funny people!

From the opening faux theater announcements to the gut busting "scene that was removed from the film" this is a hilarious crack up of a satire! I can't remember when I laughed this hard watching a comedy film! It's short in length, but long on laughs and is a must see film that is sure to have a cult following.

CB, Geri, C, Morph, JP and all my A m a z o n buddies, if you haven't seen this yet, see this one today! Too Mucking Fuch!:-D September 10, 2008

A True Classic

Whether you are a fan of Mr. Show or just like silly movies with a lot of cameos this is a must see. August 6, 2008

A fun Romp with Ronnie

In a day when it's hard to find a comedy that you can actually laugh aloud, Run Ronnie Run is just that. The characters are off-beat, and David Cross is at his funniest in this silly comedy. I highly recommend this movie to anyone that wants or needs a good laugh. March 21, 2008

RONNIE RUNS WITH LAUGHTER

Fans of MR SHOW are well familiar with actors/writers David Cross and Bob Odenkirk. But for those of us who have never had the chance to see the show, we might have no idea what to expect from this film. Here's the scoop on it: it's funny. Laugh out loud funny.

The story revolves around Ronnie Dobbs (Cross), a mullet headed trouble maker whose major successes in life are getting arrested. Always on the lookout for trouble, Ronnie gets picked up at the drop of a hat. One of his arrests is viewed on a C.O.P.S. like show and he develops fans from this appearance.

British inventor and infomercial host Terry Twillstein (Odenkirk) see the effects watching Ronnie has on his staff. He immediately tracks Dobbs down and posts his bail with the promise to remove him from the county. Taking Dobbs to Hollywood, Twillstein gets a weekly series featuring Ronnie being arrested in cities all across America. This redneck, backwoods character strikes a chord with viewers that catapults him to the number one show on TV, knocking out a show that's a dig on the reality series SURVIVOR (a clip of which is hilarious).

With all of the money he ever needed, with his friends living with him, with a chance to even meet the woman of his dreams, the beer poster lady (Nikki Cox), Ronnie still finds himself unhappy. All he wants is his wife of three times Tammy (Jill Talley) to be with him. But he even messes that up.

When Ronnie makes a return visit home for a parade, the ex-sheriff (now governor) keeps his word, arresting Ronnie and tossing him in jail (on death row even!). But terrorists kidnap the Governor's son and hold him hostage, demanding that Ronnie be released into their hands.

If you want to find out what happens, then go rent this one. It's filled with so many jokes and laughs that there is no way to list them all (nor would I want to) here and now. Take offs on television shows (the infomercial one had me laughing so hard I had to pause the disc), censored portions of films (with one of the crudest songs I've ever heard) and even pre-film cartoons supporting the concession stand (right at the beginning so you know what to expect the rest of the way) are all done so well that you can't help but smile after watching.

Cross has always done a great job in the things I've seen him in. One of those familiar yet not recognized faces that you need to know, he makes Ronnie Dobbs come to life.

The film is also filled with cameos galore, featuring stars like Garry Shandling, John and Rebecca Romijn Stamos, Jeff Goldblum, Jack Black, Dave Foley, Andy Richter, Kent McCord, Mandy Patinkin, Ben Stiller, Patrick Wharburton and more.

A word to the wise: this movie is not meant for children. A few off color words and a lot of dark humor pervade that adults will understand and laugh at all the more, while children have no business learning. So don't use this one as a plug in baby sitter. Send the kids to bed and try not to laugh too loud and wake them. It's one of those movies you don't know what to expect and find hilarious.

By the way...I knew Ronnie's growing up. And that makes the movie all the more funny. I think we all did at one time or another. Let's just hope they're not all as successful as this one.
March 15, 2008

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