Homer makes a different kind of pig of himself in THE SIMPSONS MOVIE
THE SIMPSONS MOVIE (David Silverman, 2007)
Nitehawk Cinema
136 Metropolitan Ave. between Berry St. & Wythe Ave.
Monday, March 31, 10:00
718-384-3980
www.nitehawkcinema.com
www.simpsonsmovie.com
In 1999, Comedy Central’s South Park hit the big screen, announcing it was “Bigger Longer & Uncut.” After eighteen years, perennial Fox favorite The Simpsons finally went bigger and longer as well, although not nearly as uncut. (However, it does include the hysterical appearance of Bart’s [Nancy Cartwright] little willie in addition to a few hints of bestiality and other family-friendly no-nos.) After Grandpa Abe (Dan Castalleneta) has an apocalyptic vision at church, Homer (Castalleneta) adopts a pig (don’t ask) and eventually creates an environmental disaster that devastates Springfield, leading President Arnold Schwarzenegger (Harry Shearer) and EPA head Russ Cargill (Albert Brooks) to place the town in a dome, cutting it off from the rest of the world. Forced to flee in a Frankenstein-like manner, the Simpsons make a run for it, but can they leave their beloved Springfield behind? Directed by longtime Simpsons team member David Silverman and written by nearly a dozen regulars (including co-executive producer James L. Brooks and creator Matt Groening), the movie starts out impressively, much like the TV series did, then gets confused along the way, much like the TV series did, and then devolves into some ridiculous scenarios, much like the TV series does now. The Simpsons always works better the more realistic it is, so things do get out of hand here. Although not a blockbuster, The Simpsons Movie is still an entertaining hour and a half that is more than just a very long episode; it has bigger ideas, a grander look, Green Day playing the theme song, and numerous self-referential jokes to ensure that you don’t feel like you’re sitting on your couch on Sunday night. Nearly all the regulars make at least a cameo appearance, and maybe, just maybe, Maggie speaks. The jokes continue through the closing credits. The Simpsons Movie is screening March 31 at 10:00 as part of Nitehawk Cinema’s “One Nite Only” Series in honor of the one-year anniversary of the Brooklyn venue’s Simpsons Club and will be preceded by its all-time-favorite Simpsons episode, along with a Simpsons-inspired cocktail menu and a raffle of Simpsons goodies.