3 1/2 stars-A smartly done send up of pop culture!
Added 11/21/2009
June of /99 saw the original US release of Free Enterprise.This special two disc edition was released in 2005 with added additional footage to the original version.It is a smartly done spoof on pop culture and the lives of those that are wrapped up in it.
The story involves two good friends Robert(Rafer Weigal) and Mark(Eric McCormack).Robert is the Yin to Mark's Yang.Robert's work life(in film editing)is inconsistent and sporadic at best while Mark has a steady job(film writing and conception).As a result Robert is usually broke while Mark is not.While Robert has relationships(even though they don't last long),Mark has never had a meaningful relationship.One common thread running through both is their common knowledge(some may say obsession) of pop culture references especially pertaining to movies and more specifically to the world of Star Trek.Another commonality resides in their love lives in that neither,for different reasons, have been able to find a partner that truly understands both for who they are.
One day while in a book shop who should the guys spot but William Shatner,their idol,in the flesh.They try and act cool and almost end up scaring him off.They somehow manage to find out that Mr Shatner is having a writing block and when Mark mentions his writing abilities and contacts in that field,a friendship is struck;much to the guys amazement.As the film progresses Shatner pops in and out of the picture drinking with them and playing pool with them,while all the while trying to pitch his idea to do a musical of Julius Caesar;with Shatner playing almost every part!Shatner they find out,is not only a human being like them,but also quite the flake!
As the movie progresses we see the guys interacting not only with themselves but their many friends.All can spout off a line or scenario from their favourite movie and/or TV show at any given moment.The quotes and references come fast and furious throughout,along with the dope on the latest collectible or movie,which again gives a commonality to them all;they're pop culture geeks.It's the birds of a feather,flock together scenario.
As the movie winds down Robert springs a surprise birthday party on Mark.At this point things finally come around for the main characters.Mark and Robert finally settle in with women that are on their level of understanding;ones that "get" them.Shatners' "crazy" idea of a musical Julius Caesar,not so crazy after all, comes to fruition as he(impressively)does it in rap(!)style to end the film.
Not only is this film a send up of the pop culture idiom there is also a lesson here to not create false "idols" out of ordinary human beings;William Shatner being the case in point.The film does this in a marvellously entertaining way and all involved play it straight and infuse a recognizable realism into each character.There will very few people that watch this that won't be able to relate to what they see on the screen,especially if they're well versed in movies and the Sci-Fi genre;I know I could....maybe way too much! While "the rest" of society might consider these people geeks or even morons for their so called obsession with movies and collectibles,there is something else working concurrently on another level here;these people are smart,they are not idiots.To be able to flip off the date of a TV show,or quote a Kirk soliloquy at a moments notice,or to know a lines nuances and dynamics and its connection to the greater wholetakes alot of grey matter.These are no dummies,they just have a different point of life reference than the rest of"normal"society.And what's wrong with that,as long as it's not in the extreme?
Technically the transfer of the film onto DVD is quite well done.This was an indy film so the grade of film stock while not consistently the best is certainly not bad by any stretch.It is presented here in a nice widescreen format.
Special features are here aplenty....and I mean aplenty.There is commentary from the director/producer,commentary from some of its' stars including Mr. Shatner,an over hour(!)featurette on the making of the movie,numerous deleted scenes,screentests,the trailer and TV spots,the music video of the Julius Caesar number with Shatner and a 20 page booklet.
In conclusion while this isn't OSCAR material,this indy film is quite refreshing in its' self deprecation and one MANY of us(maybe too many?)can easily identify with.It takes an affectionate look at pop culture immersion and the false "idols" that are created as a result,but never takes it all too seriously.The leads played by McCormack and Weigal are bang on in their portrayals for their realism and immediacy.This certainly was a leap of faith for its' main star William Shatner and he too is to be praised for his portrayal and the guts to do this film at all.It's indy "slip" may show from time to time but this is a great example of "from small acorns,giant oaks grow".And with all the material available on these two discs,you are certainly getting alot of "oak" for the buck.I recommend it.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Pure Unadulterated TRASH
Added 8/10/2009
I am an original trekkie. I love the original Star Trek, but I hated this piece of garbage. I watched enough of this trashy DVD to decide to throw it in the garbage. (I broke both discs in half first). the bad language is rediculous. The bedroom scenes are revolting. Some of the deleted scenes would have been best deleted from the second disc too. I'm shocked that William Shatner would have had anything to do with it. And was more shocked that the first bad language came from him. He is an Excellent actor and this was a shameless waste of his talent. This 2 DVD set was a TOTAL waste of money.
0 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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Free Enterprise: Love Long and Party
Added 1/8/2009
Although this might not be everyone's type of humor, William Shatner is always wonderful, especially when he's laughing at himself and allowing us to laugh too...
There are so many quick references to all things 60's, 70's, and 80's, that many people wouldn't catch the inuendos, but I thought this was hilarious...
Highly recommended to anyone who can remember all of the tv series and music and games from that era...
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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These are my people!
Added 4/14/2008
So let me just say that this movie is NOT going to appeal to the mainstream. If you're not a sci-fi/horror movie/comics geek you will probably loathe this movie to the core of your very being. In fact, even if you are a geek you may not like this movie for whatever reason. There are parts that make me squirm, like with Moaning Girl faking an orgasm on the answering machine for like 20 minutes and I could have done without the threesome scene. The production values aren't alway fantastic (direction, acting in some scenes) and sometimes it's maybe just a bit too self-conscious and clever.
However, let me just say that when I first watched this movie in my late teens it was like a life-changing epiphany for me. I was like holy crap, these are my people. They do exist out there in the world. I'm not the only one. (I was a bit sheltered growing up.)
I don't love everything about this movie, but I do love most of it. I love Eric McCormack's manic monologue at the beginning about his idea for the Bradykiller movie (serial killer kills women named Marcia, Jan, and Cindy) and his pitch-perfect Shatner impersonation. I love how Rafer Wiegel tells off some snotty bimbo who makes fun of his action figure collection, by pointing out that her fifty some pairs of shoes aren't much better. I love how Shatner plays himself as a bumbling, goofy kook. I love how when Claire spouts off the list of comics titles that she reads I have this urge to pull out a pad of paper and take notes so I can check out the titles she references. I love any movie with the line "you're as transparent as Wonder Woman's invisible jet", as well as the Aliens reference "bad call Ripley, it was a bad call."
All in all this movie seems like an affectionate love letter to geek culture. It really captures the dynamic of a group of friends who have bonded over an intense passion for sci-fi and comics, so much so that they have their own vocabulary and verbal shorthand for certain situations--just like groups of close friends in real life. An entertaining, weird little indie movie that I recommend to fans of Star Trek, science fiction movies, and comics.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Funny but not the life changing ordeal others make it out to be
Added 11/16/2007
There were good parts to this movie, but overall I wasn't that thrilled with it. The whole rap thing at the end everyone raves about was not that funny. I did like Shatner however and found him to be honest and realistic in his portrayal.
0 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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3 1/2 stars-A smartly done send up of pop culture!
Added 11/21/2009
June of /99 saw the original US release of Free Enterprise.This special two disc edition was released in 2005 with added additional footage to the original version.It is a smartly done spoof on pop culture and the lives of those that are wrapped up in it.
The story involves two good friends Robert(Rafer Weigal) and Mark(Eric McCormack).Robert is the Yin to Mark's Yang.Robert's work life(in film editing)is inconsistent and sporadic at best while Mark has a steady job(film writing and conception).As a result Robert is usually broke while Mark is not.While Robert has relationships(even though they don't last long),Mark has never had a meaningful relationship.One common thread running through both is their common knowledge(some may say obsession) of pop culture references especially pertaining to movies and more specifically to the world of Star Trek.Another commonality resides in their love lives in that neither,for different reasons, have been able to find a partner that truly understands both for who they are.
One day while in a book shop who should the guys spot but William Shatner,their idol,in the flesh.They try and act cool and almost end up scaring him off.They somehow manage to find out that Mr Shatner is having a writing block and when Mark mentions his writing abilities and contacts in that field,a friendship is struck;much to the guys amazement.As the film progresses Shatner pops in and out of the picture drinking with them and playing pool with them,while all the while trying to pitch his idea to do a musical of Julius Caesar;with Shatner playing almost every part!Shatner they find out,is not only a human being like them,but also quite the flake!
As the movie progresses we see the guys interacting not only with themselves but their many friends.All can spout off a line or scenario from their favourite movie and/or TV show at any given moment.The quotes and references come fast and furious throughout,along with the dope on the latest collectible or movie,which again gives a commonality to them all;they're pop culture geeks.It's the birds of a feather,flock together scenario.
As the movie winds down Robert springs a surprise birthday party on Mark.At this point things finally come around for the main characters.Mark and Robert finally settle in with women that are on their level of understanding;ones that "get" them.Shatners' "crazy" idea of a musical Julius Caesar,not so crazy after all, comes to fruition as he(impressively)does it in rap(!)style to end the film.
Not only is this film a send up of the pop culture idiom there is also a lesson here to not create false "idols" out of ordinary human beings;William Shatner being the case in point.The film does this in a marvellously entertaining way and all involved play it straight and infuse a recognizable realism into each character.There will very few people that watch this that won't be able to relate to what they see on the screen,especially if they're well versed in movies and the Sci-Fi genre;I know I could....maybe way too much! While "the rest" of society might consider these people geeks or even morons for their so called obsession with movies and collectibles,there is something else working concurrently on another level here;these people are smart,they are not idiots.To be able to flip off the date of a TV show,or quote a Kirk soliloquy at a moments notice,or to know a lines nuances and dynamics and its connection to the greater wholetakes alot of grey matter.These are no dummies,they just have a different point of life reference than the rest of"normal"society.And what's wrong with that,as long as it's not in the extreme?
Technically the transfer of the film onto DVD is quite well done.This was an indy film so the grade of film stock while not consistently the best is certainly not bad by any stretch.It is presented here in a nice widescreen format.
Special features are here aplenty....and I mean aplenty.There is commentary from the director/producer,commentary from some of its' stars including Mr. Shatner,an over hour(!)featurette on the making of the movie,numerous deleted scenes,screentests,the trailer and TV spots,the music video of the Julius Caesar number with Shatner and a 20 page booklet.
In conclusion while this isn't OSCAR material,this indy film is quite refreshing in its' self deprecation and one MANY of us(maybe too many?)can easily identify with.It takes an affectionate look at pop culture immersion and the false "idols" that are created as a result,but never takes it all too seriously.The leads played by McCormack and Weigal are bang on in their portrayals for their realism and immediacy.This certainly was a leap of faith for its' main star William Shatner and he too is to be praised for his portrayal and the guts to do this film at all.It's indy "slip" may show from time to time but this is a great example of "from small acorns,giant oaks grow".And with all the material available on these two discs,you are certainly getting alot of "oak" for the buck.I recommend it.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Pure Unadulterated TRASH
Added 8/10/2009
I am an original trekkie. I love the original Star Trek, but I hated this piece of garbage. I watched enough of this trashy DVD to decide to throw it in the garbage. (I broke both discs in half first). the bad language is rediculous. The bedroom scenes are revolting. Some of the deleted scenes would have been best deleted from the second disc too. I'm shocked that William Shatner would have had anything to do with it. And was more shocked that the first bad language came from him. He is an Excellent actor and this was a shameless waste of his talent. This 2 DVD set was a TOTAL waste of money.
0 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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Free Enterprise: Love Long and Party
Added 1/8/2009
Although this might not be everyone's type of humor, William Shatner is always wonderful, especially when he's laughing at himself and allowing us to laugh too...
There are so many quick references to all things 60's, 70's, and 80's, that many people wouldn't catch the inuendos, but I thought this was hilarious...
Highly recommended to anyone who can remember all of the tv series and music and games from that era...
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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