Customer Reviews

Recut Madness: Favorite Movies Retold for Your Partisan Pleasure

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I have all but given up the hope that Mr. Garner will write another volume with the charm and hilarity of his "Politically Correct Bedtime Stories." Luckily, since I believe I have read all of his works, here is none left for me to try.

This very small book rewrites a variety of popular movies -- Pulp Fiction, Charlotte's Web, Network, etc. -- to satisfy the point of view of someone from a Red State (Republican) or Blue State (Democrat). There is promise in this approach to satirize both the left, the right. This is a common stance of the popular media writer -- see Time, Newsweek or your large hometown newspaper -- that provides vague satisfaction to both camps. But Garner evidently has neither he wit nor the insight to make more of his approach than to offer dimly-snarky --and very short! -- rewrites. His "Wizard of Dubya" is a huge ripoff of the original. All of its characters -- Dorothy, Auntie Em, Miss Gulch, Glinda, the WW of the W and the munchkins are preserved nearly untouched, as is the plot. You might think he would call the Yellow Brick Road something different, at least. His satiric darts pierce no pretensions and flit about aimlessly and without point. Alas, Mr. Garner's only goal seems to be to put yet another book into print, and to wend his swag-loaded wheelbarrow gleefully to the bank.

My advice? Don't even bother with "Recut Madness." You and you friends are twice as funny at lunchtime.

Recut Madness is a unique blend of current events, satire, and popular culture. I enjoyed the sheer absurdity and of having Forest Gump find a downed National Guard pilot who bears a striking resemblance to one G.W. Bush. as well as the anachronistic, but perfectly executed, piece based on Spartacus. The main feature, The Wizard of Dubya is, in its self, funny and complet enough to have been a stand alone piece.

This book was well researched well written and points out the stupidity on both sides of the American political system. I highly recommend this read to anyone, regardless of weather or not they have seen all the movies lampooned in this book, though it would help.

The only way Garner got away with publishing this was under 'fair use' as a parody. I hated this collection because it was all 'Democrats/Liberal Issue this' and 'Republicans/Conservative Issue that' instead of good writing. Garner steals the plots of old movies, doesn't change any names, botches the endings, and I found no pleasure in his partisanship. He overdoes hyperbole, and if it's a choice between a hack political joke and story structure, he makes the cliche joke. After reading, felt like some of my favorites movies were ruined.

Do not buy.

I read this when the book first came out, and now am glad to see there's an e-version. These movie parodies are clever as hell, and really a form of re-interpretation that makes you remember the movie differently even while you can't stop grinning. I especially love Garner's take on (take out?) of Miracle on 34th Street, and of course the multi-part Wizard of Oz rewrite, which has priceless moments. I don't know how well the red state / blue state divisions work, but that doesn't detract from the subversive wit and wisdom here. There ought to be an audio version, actually, because the full silliness comes out best when you read some of the dialogue aloud. To borrow a phrase from a different kind of movie criticism: Thumbs up!