I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to watch this film because you were worried that it was exploitive of those with disabilities. I felt the same way before I watched it. I feel different now. If you could see how proud the "How's Your News?" crew are of their work, you'd realize what an accomplishment this was for them. I really admire the courage it must have taken to go out and meet the world face to face. They have a truly amazing perspective on the American experience. I think they probably have a better understanding of how "we" are doing as a society than any of the people who refused to talk with them. They really earned my respect.
9 Reviews
Let's talk about the comedy...
lunchers4231 July 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Let me preface this by saying that I rarely get high. Therefore, the views portrayed in this comment may be biased.
That said, on the particular day that I watched How's Your News, I was high. I had, in fact, recently participated in the "high-ing" event, and walked into a house that was playing this movie. I promptly sat down, and spent the next half hour trying to determine whether this was, in fact, real, or simply some type of Matt Stone and Trey Parker joke. Ironically, it was both. So, let's put it this way: Are you looking for humor that goes far beyond the boundaries of what even the creators of South Park could deem fictionalized? Do you fantasize about jokes that involve people in wheel chairs or with IQ's below 20? Have you ever had the need to laugh at a hippie that, through his own ignorance, herded up a group of physically and developmentally disabled adults, got them on a van, and paraded them to America as some sort of therapeutic exercise? Well, then, you've found your dream movie. Somehow, Matt Stone and Trey Parker learned of a guy that, at some rich Northeastern summer camp for the mentally and physically challenged, had his clients run a grass roots news show. So, he handed a guy with down syndrome a microphone, had him walk up to unsuspecting folks, and ask them anything that came to mind.
Yes, there are some touching moments in the movie. And, since it is Matt Stone and Trey Parker, they really do capture important points about how people treat and even try to avoid mentally or physically disabled citizens. But the meat of the comedic attempt is that, for a group of guys that cartooned Ben Afflick jerking off a 10-year-old, even THEY couldn't make something up like this and get away with it. So, they funded this guy to take his top group and travel from the Northeast all the way to the land of people that could only compare to their oddness: Venice Beach.
You'll get hymnals. A man with severe cerebral palsy being left in wheel chairs on the streets of New York with nothing but a microphone and a "please talk to me" sign. Show tunes. And, ultimately, psychics paid for palm readings by people that can't even form full sentences.
If you need to come up with some heart warming story of why this movie really touched you personally, by all means, do so. There really are important points to be made. But those points are made, as Matt Stone and Trey Parker often do, through the completely politically incorrect humor of it all. Rent it. Laugh your butt off. Then, when the guy at the party talks about how "Chuck and Buck" or "Happiness", or even "Gummo" was the most shocking thing he'd ever seen, you can tell them this...ever see a developmentally disabled adult question a high farm worker about the Fonz? I have.
That said, on the particular day that I watched How's Your News, I was high. I had, in fact, recently participated in the "high-ing" event, and walked into a house that was playing this movie. I promptly sat down, and spent the next half hour trying to determine whether this was, in fact, real, or simply some type of Matt Stone and Trey Parker joke. Ironically, it was both. So, let's put it this way: Are you looking for humor that goes far beyond the boundaries of what even the creators of South Park could deem fictionalized? Do you fantasize about jokes that involve people in wheel chairs or with IQ's below 20? Have you ever had the need to laugh at a hippie that, through his own ignorance, herded up a group of physically and developmentally disabled adults, got them on a van, and paraded them to America as some sort of therapeutic exercise? Well, then, you've found your dream movie. Somehow, Matt Stone and Trey Parker learned of a guy that, at some rich Northeastern summer camp for the mentally and physically challenged, had his clients run a grass roots news show. So, he handed a guy with down syndrome a microphone, had him walk up to unsuspecting folks, and ask them anything that came to mind.
Yes, there are some touching moments in the movie. And, since it is Matt Stone and Trey Parker, they really do capture important points about how people treat and even try to avoid mentally or physically disabled citizens. But the meat of the comedic attempt is that, for a group of guys that cartooned Ben Afflick jerking off a 10-year-old, even THEY couldn't make something up like this and get away with it. So, they funded this guy to take his top group and travel from the Northeast all the way to the land of people that could only compare to their oddness: Venice Beach.
You'll get hymnals. A man with severe cerebral palsy being left in wheel chairs on the streets of New York with nothing but a microphone and a "please talk to me" sign. Show tunes. And, ultimately, psychics paid for palm readings by people that can't even form full sentences.
If you need to come up with some heart warming story of why this movie really touched you personally, by all means, do so. There really are important points to be made. But those points are made, as Matt Stone and Trey Parker often do, through the completely politically incorrect humor of it all. Rent it. Laugh your butt off. Then, when the guy at the party talks about how "Chuck and Buck" or "Happiness", or even "Gummo" was the most shocking thing he'd ever seen, you can tell them this...ever see a developmentally disabled adult question a high farm worker about the Fonz? I have.
A definite must see for social critics and stoner's alike!
ApeCreature26 July 2004
This movie from start to finish was an in-depth look into the developing minds of the mental and physically challenged. I must say that it puts away the fears that the general public reserve for the less fortunate, including the severely retarded. I, being one of these people, have a new understanding and tolerance. The line between "laughing at them" and "laughing with them" is not even an issue. The sheer joy, dedication and child-like determination makes this film shine. Whether it be the "goofiness" of the characters or the ignorance of the people they encounter. You will undoubtedly be laughing your head off from start to end and left with a warm, fuzzy feeling deep down. This movie is an instant cult classic and has already been copied and recopied through my friends. The reaction is ALWAYS the same...
"Tell us, "How's Your News?"".
"Tell us, "How's Your News?"".
Simply Wonderful!
delbruk5 February 2002
If you noticed that Trey Parker and Matt Stone were listed as Executive Producers for this film you may wonder how much that would translate into this being a snide comedy. Well, You would be right about the comedy at least but this film extends so far to the human capabilities in us all that South Park is not even on the map. Arthur Bradford has accomplished an amazing feat just by allowing his camera to catch the human interactions of his friends who star in this film as "man on the street" reporters. The success and joy of this road trip across the US comes directly from the actors/stars who along their way meet and interact with people from all walks of life. This uniqueness and honesty is all caught perfectly on camera as the ability of each reporter is highlighted and becomes as much an accomplishment as the trip itself. I had the privilege of meeting many members of the film including Arthur Bradford and Susan Harrington during its showing at the Woodstock Film Festival. After meeting them it was apparent that the energy, honesty, and humor that culminates this film was natural and in abundance.
So if you want to take a road trip with some unique, interesting, and genuinely funny individuals then find this film!
Bravo!
So if you want to take a road trip with some unique, interesting, and genuinely funny individuals then find this film!
Bravo!
A humorous and inspiring journey through the hearts and souls of severely disabled people
jeffmartin15 January 2002
This documentary is the kind of film that makes you want to be alive! At first glance, the idea of severely disabled people trekking across the country and interviewing people for their "news" show seems kind of depressing. While many people talk to the reporters, others are jerks and ignore them. Yet through scene after scene, the spirit of the cast will warm your heart. The people in this film are truly inspiring. Plus, it's funny as hell ! Best documentary I've seen since "I'm from Hollywood."
After you watch this film, you will be able to divide your life into two parts: before and after
Justin198326 December 2007
I have seen this film so many times I have lost count. I remember one time, when I was watching it with some girls who I was hanging out with from this class I was in at the time, we were about a fourth or a third of the way through the film and one of them had to use the bathroom. We paused the film, and then one of them was silent for a bit and then turned to me and said in all sincerity, "This is going to be one of those films where there is my life before and then there is my life after, isn't it?" I knew that I adored the film, but I was never able to verbalize its importance until she said that. Now, that is entirely how I describe the film to people who haven't seen it, and yes, everyone who has seen it that pitch has agreed with me afterwards, this is indeed just that type of movie.
There are people who claim that the movie is exploitative of the handicapped cast, but if that was true then how come the entire cast and their families and friends and co-workers and camp staff fully endorse the movie 100%? The a-holes who think the movie is exploitative believe that the handicapped and mentally challenged individuals in society should be "protected" and that they should be kept out of the public eye where they might possibly be teased (they think that they should just stay in their houses, away from where they can mix with society, and that they shouldn't be allowed to experience life like "normal" people).
See, in How's Your News, they constantly put the handicapped and mentally challenged right in "normal" people's faces in the public. This is where the movie shines because people have to then deal with the handicapped, whether they become uncomfortable, laugh, cry, get depressed, whatever--the point is that they have to deal with the handicapped people that the "normal" people in society would often like to forget even exist.
The handicapped and mentally challenged cast in this film challenge social norms and affect the people's lives that they encounter along their roadtrip. Many people become uncomfortable, some get to re-examine their lives spurred on by the cast's innocent questions, some smile, others are rude, some get angry, and others become utterly confused. But whatever the case, the people in the documentary have to deal with them because they are right in their face, and they have to acknowledge that the handicapped and mentally challenged are people too (and if they don't, honestly they just look like a-holes).
The people who think that the handicapped and mentally challenged should stay "protected" in their houses while being separated from society are the true bigots. Once you see this movie, you will understand, it is hilarious, heartwarming, and well-made--see this film!
NOTE: Yes, the very first time you see it, it is absolutely normal to be uncomfortable for the first 10 to 15 minutes (20 for some, even). But trust me, stick it out because this film will change your life. I can't recommend this film enough.
There are people who claim that the movie is exploitative of the handicapped cast, but if that was true then how come the entire cast and their families and friends and co-workers and camp staff fully endorse the movie 100%? The a-holes who think the movie is exploitative believe that the handicapped and mentally challenged individuals in society should be "protected" and that they should be kept out of the public eye where they might possibly be teased (they think that they should just stay in their houses, away from where they can mix with society, and that they shouldn't be allowed to experience life like "normal" people).
See, in How's Your News, they constantly put the handicapped and mentally challenged right in "normal" people's faces in the public. This is where the movie shines because people have to then deal with the handicapped, whether they become uncomfortable, laugh, cry, get depressed, whatever--the point is that they have to deal with the handicapped people that the "normal" people in society would often like to forget even exist.
The handicapped and mentally challenged cast in this film challenge social norms and affect the people's lives that they encounter along their roadtrip. Many people become uncomfortable, some get to re-examine their lives spurred on by the cast's innocent questions, some smile, others are rude, some get angry, and others become utterly confused. But whatever the case, the people in the documentary have to deal with them because they are right in their face, and they have to acknowledge that the handicapped and mentally challenged are people too (and if they don't, honestly they just look like a-holes).
The people who think that the handicapped and mentally challenged should stay "protected" in their houses while being separated from society are the true bigots. Once you see this movie, you will understand, it is hilarious, heartwarming, and well-made--see this film!
NOTE: Yes, the very first time you see it, it is absolutely normal to be uncomfortable for the first 10 to 15 minutes (20 for some, even). But trust me, stick it out because this film will change your life. I can't recommend this film enough.
An inspirational film
FOURMARTIN21 January 2002
weak effort
jfa4211 January 2005
Overall weak effort given the possibilities. There's simply not enough context presented for the viewer to be more involved in the story. I thought the totally blown opportunity would have been for the director Bradford to become more involved in the story and present his commentary from time to time, or other crew members for that matter. It would have lended a more rounded view and been more compelling.
Quite frankly, after the first 10 minutes or so, the interviewing of people on the street gets pretty repetitive. I had the FF button on my DVD remote working overtime. A little bit went a long way. Again there were so many possibilities and chances to make this a much more interesting film. There's no doubt in my mind that any positive response to this film has much more to do w/ the PC nature of the subject matter than anything else. In terms of style there really is none to speak of, the film is made in an unpretentious way, but is also totally unremarkable in every way. very flat! The short film that was included on the DVD was a much better effort imo.
Quite frankly, after the first 10 minutes or so, the interviewing of people on the street gets pretty repetitive. I had the FF button on my DVD remote working overtime. A little bit went a long way. Again there were so many possibilities and chances to make this a much more interesting film. There's no doubt in my mind that any positive response to this film has much more to do w/ the PC nature of the subject matter than anything else. In terms of style there really is none to speak of, the film is made in an unpretentious way, but is also totally unremarkable in every way. very flat! The short film that was included on the DVD was a much better effort imo.
Awesome film!
paula-900-15044824 July 2011
Heartfelt, moving, inspiring!
I found this film to be wonderful - respectful - and life affirming all at the same time - the reporters - a group of people with so much heart and verve for life that you cannot help but learn from them "what's your biggest dream?" is about the most profound and elemental question known to humankind - and these reporters dare to ask.
Kudos to everyone involved - if you've ever felt like an "other" and outsider, or someone behind the glass - watch this film and then join all of us - each person striving to be, do, learn and become - the best the can.
What's not to love - the people driven to realize the film - the reporters on a quest to explore America - they each have a valuable mission - to become themselves by interacting with others, where they will learn.
As cheesy as the story could have been, it wasn't - nor clichéd - which of us on this planet has not a single quality which stands in our way? We are all coping as well as we are able - and my favorite feeling at the end wasn't just for what the entire group accomplished - but how the film reflected some aspect of the viewer - whether they were looking or not.
I found this film to be wonderful - respectful - and life affirming all at the same time - the reporters - a group of people with so much heart and verve for life that you cannot help but learn from them "what's your biggest dream?" is about the most profound and elemental question known to humankind - and these reporters dare to ask.
Kudos to everyone involved - if you've ever felt like an "other" and outsider, or someone behind the glass - watch this film and then join all of us - each person striving to be, do, learn and become - the best the can.
What's not to love - the people driven to realize the film - the reporters on a quest to explore America - they each have a valuable mission - to become themselves by interacting with others, where they will learn.
As cheesy as the story could have been, it wasn't - nor clichéd - which of us on this planet has not a single quality which stands in our way? We are all coping as well as we are able - and my favorite feeling at the end wasn't just for what the entire group accomplished - but how the film reflected some aspect of the viewer - whether they were looking or not.
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