The Godfather of Green Bay

For a low budget movie, this movie was more then I expected. It had a good plot line and most of the character relationships were believable. I did have a problem with the relationship between the main character and his old school teacher. The age difference did not seem believable. It was well shot and did not look too "low budget". There were many different locations and even some aerial shots. It kept my attention with quite a lot of good comedy. Some of the improvisation from the secondary cast is great. Keep an eye on the character of "Ratboy", he kept me laughing through most of the movie. Drama, suspense, comedy, farce, romance, the movie has it all. If you get a chance to see it in the theatre or on video, check it out. If you are from Wisconsin or Upper Michigan, this movie should not be missed.

Non-stop laughs throughout this Sideways meets Fargo type buddy movie. Its filled with original, colorful characters that you end up loving by the end. The main character is full of quick lines, but really plays the straight man to a dine and dash buddy who pulls him back to his hometown in a backdoor attempt to get on the Tonight Show. The characters in the town of Pine Lake really make the film. Dug, played by Thomas Lennon, steals every scene he is in. Ratboy, is the funniest character of all with his brilliant facial expressions and love of hunting. The Godfather's creepy but ridiculous fascination with the Macarena will make you bust out laughing. You begin to see the whole town the way the main character does, at first skeptical and weird and by the end laughing at everything. This movie is guaranteed to make you laugh.

I have heard for quite some time about THE GODFATHER OF GREEN BAY because it's quite a forgotten movie and being the major expert on these movies (judging also from what I mostly rate and review when I don't go to theater) I knew that sooner or later I would have seen it, and I did last July tho it wasn't that great in the end.

Joe Keegan is a failed stand up comedian that has a chance of reviving his career by traveling to a Wisconsin town during the Rocktober fest and if he succedds, he will even end up on the TONIGHT SHOW. At the same time the title character, Big Jake Norquist (Tony Goldwyn) is not only a difficult and raucous audience member but is also interested in Joe's girlfriend and of course, trouble ensues.

The first part wasn't that bad I admit it. There were some occasional funny moments and jokes but as the movie progressed, the more it became like I said in the summary. A gratuitous scene of horse having intercourse (something reminiscent of Tom Green's FREDDY GOT FINGERED), a shoot-out in a toilet and the unfunniness of the lead's humour aren't exactly what I call great entertainment.

Overall, a misfire that tried to launch the career of someone who would never work again in the industry and overall, watchable for some occasional laughs here and there.

People compare this film to sideways, including those involved, but as a film, I think it's better. No, there's no pretentious wine tasting, but unlike sideways, you don't hate the characters by the end.

Anyway, I admit I was invited to the screening by Pete, but I only know him because we both write at the same coffee shop in LA. I never actually talked to him before he handed me the flier.

I was nervous that I'd have to say nice things about a bad film, but this was one of the most enjoyable films I've seen in a long while, and the whole audience laughed a lot. Very impressive.

And Thomas Lennon, who plays D.U.G. was fantastic. For those who don't know the name, he plays Lt. Dangle on Reno 911. Well written and acted role for him in this film.

If you want to laugh and have a good time, see this movie if you can. They are trying to get distribution, an uphill battle, but if any Indy comedy deserves to be seen, it's this one!

BTW - the 1 star guy? He has something against pete, and should be ignored. Even if you don't like a movie, it takes a lot to give it a 1 out of 10. even catwoman and electra aren't 1 out of 10. giving a 1 star to "balance" things is not how ratings are supposed to work.

there's enough backbiting and hatred in Hollywood. let's not take down a nice little movie that is fun to watch just out of spite.

I saw this movie at the Wisconsin Film Festival in Madison on April 1 and it was great!- no April Fools. The movie does a great job poking fun at the way of life of people from Northern Wisconsin. The laughs are constant and not the same jokes and situations seen in every Hollywood comedy. The music was written by the BoDeans, a Wisconsin group, famous for the the lead song from the "Party of Five" television show. (Song's name was Closer to Free). From it's Packers/Bears jokes to referencing the "Macarena", this movie kept you laughing. The movie stars Pete Schwaba ( A Guy Thing) who wrote the story, Lauren Holly (Dumb and Dumber) who plays his love interest, Thomas Lennon (Reno 911) as local comedian, and Tony Goldwyn (Ghost) as the Godfather himself. The movie also includes Mark Borchardt, a successful independent movie maker (American Movie) who plays a local dj.