Movie Monday: Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie

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I used to HATE Tim and Eric. Ever since Tom Goes to the Mayor, their first Adult Swim show debuted, I wanted nothing to do with their misanthropic brand of comedy on that show, where hapless Tom is denied any chance at success at every turn by the seemingly devilish Mayor. I didn’t get it, didn’t get why others thought it was funny, and was all together uncomfortable by it.

Then Tim and Eric’s Awesome Show Great Job! debuted and knowing them I skipped it. My friends around me extolled its virtues, but I wanted nothing to do with it. I was expecting more of the same brand of comedy that Tom Goes to the Mayor exhibited.

But then I saw a Steve Brule sketch.

Something about the Steve Brule segments on their show just made it all click for me. Seeing this complete oaf, naive and unaware of even his show sometimes made everything click for me. Watching more and more of Awesome Show just produced more gems and I was actually mad at myself for missing it. I didn’t know that they made their own version of public access hell, spoofing and paying homage to the weird and bizarre you find sometimes in the twilight hours. Awesome Show made me go back and give Tom Goes to the Mayor a second chance and I loved that even more too.

This leads us back to today’s movie recommendation which is Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie. Available on Netflix and Amazon Instant Video, Tim and Eric graduate to the movie leagues with a film that is just as crazy and funny as their TV show. Tim and Eric have been given a billion dollars from the Schlaaang Corporation to make a movie. After spending all the money on personal makeovers and a full diamond suit for a Johnny Depp impersonator, they turn in a 2 minute film. Tommy Schlaaang (Robert Loggia) wants his money back, but Tim and Eric skip town after seeing an commercial for the S’Wallow Valley Mall that promises a billion dollars to whoever can renovate and get it profitable again. In the process they have to deal with various weirdos, off-color shops, and Schlaaang himself.

The movie has more of a plot than anything Tim and Eric have probably done ever. That alone warrants a mention and your attention. While the plot is paper thin and only a means to get them into the mall, it still provides a valuable framework for the duo to hang their comedy on. Once they get to the mall, the shopping center becomes a delivery device for different characters and mini-sketches that you would see on Awesome Show Great Job! From shops like Reggie’s Used Toilet Paper Discount Warehouse to Taquito (John C. Reilly), a man-child who has lived in the mall ever since his mom left him there as a boy, Tim and Eric poke fun at everything and everyone in the film, approximating what a movie like this should be, from the two friends who are at each other over a woman cliche to the overcoming obstacles message which is completely trashed during the climax in a delightfully hilarious scene.

Be forewarned, Tim and Eric is not everyone’s cup of tea. Like I said, it took me a while to warm up to them. Yet once I did, I found a brand of comedy that is right up my alley. I intend to watch it again and again. So let’s just rewind it and get to that.

Watch it on Netflix or Watch it on Amazon Instant Video