I was absolutely convinced this film came out this year, but Virgin On Demand says 2007. Not that it matters at all, it just seems too long ago. Anyway.
Jerry (Jack Black) and Mike (Mos Def) are left in charge of a video rental shop while the owner goes on a recon mission to figure out how to make more money in order to save the building the shop is in from demolition. While he’s away, a freak accident magnetically charges Jerry, causing him to wipe all the tapes in the shop.
The bulk of the story then tells how Mike and Jerry attempt to re-enact all the wiped films themselves, soon getting a reputation locally for these homebrew versions (nicknamed “swedes”), and the money – and film requests – start pouring in.
If you know the films they’re remaking well, then the film is very funny. If not, you’re going to be a bit lost, and perhaps not enjoy it as much. It’s also a shame that many of the films made pass by far too quickly in a montage section. The sci-fi accident-and-antidote Jerry undergoes doesn’t really sit well with the rest of the film either, which in every other way is realistic. It’s still good, but just not one of Jack Black’s best.
Verdict: 3/5
It was definitely out this year. I asked a girl out to see it and got rejected…