Postal

Wide Release of Divisive Film ‘Postal’ From Controversial Director Uwe Boll Canceled

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:13:57 -0700

CHICAGO – In response to our negative review of the divisive new film “Postal” from controversial director Uwe Boll, Boll e-mailed us with these simple words:

Uwe Boll wrote:“You should ask yourself: Who gave me my moral rules? Question yourself. Too bad you didn’t like the movie.”

Uwe Boll’s “Postal”.
Photo credit: MovieSet

We responded requesting an interview and he’s amenable. Before we had the chance, Boll at 7:43 p.m. on May 15, 2008 issued to us a statement announcing the cancellation of his film’s wide theatrical release by U.S. theater exhibitors.

Unless the boycott lifts, Boll says it’s his latest film that many audiences won’t see at most theaters.

“Theatrical distributors are boycotting ‘Postal’ because of its political content,” Boll said in the Thursday statement. “We were prepared to open on 1,500 screens all across America on May 23, 2008. Any multiplex in the U.S. should have space for us, but they’re afraid.”

Boll continued: “We have even tried to buy a few screens in New York and Los Angeles. They won’t let us even rent the theaters! I urge independent exhibitors to contact us and book ‘Postal’. Audiences have been expecting the film. I don’t think exhibitors should censor what gets played in U.S. theaters.”

As it currently stands, Boll says Event Film will only release the “R”-rated film in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver and Tucson, Ariz. Our full “Postal” image gallery can be found here. The film’s plotline is described from the studio with these words:

A religious charlatan (Dave Foley), his mild-mannered nephew (Zack Ward) and a gang of bosomy commandos face off against Osama bin Laden and the Taliban in an epic battle that will determine the fate of the world in “Postal,” which is the latest film from controversial director Uwe Boll (“BloodRayne”).

Boll roasts an entire herd of sacred cows and smashes taboos to smithereens in this over-the-top and hilariously subversive critique of modern-day America.

Inspired by the notorious video game of the same name, “Postal” is a jaw-droppingly original spoof of contemporary culture and an equal-opportunity offender that lampoons religious extremists, minorities, bureaucrats, immigrants, cops, women, the Holocaust, gun nuts and more with even-handed abandon.

The outrageous political and social satire stars Zack Ward (“Transformers”), Dave Foley (“News Radio”), J.K. Simmons (“Spider-Man”), Jackie Tohn (“On the Lot”), Larry Thomas, the Soup Nazi from “Seinfeld,” Erick Avari (“Mr. Deeds”) and Verne Troyer (“Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me”).

The film is produced by Boll, Dan Clarke and Shawn Williamson.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Uwe Boll Pukes Out Another Opus of Insufferable Screen Time in ‘Postal’

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:08:27 -0700

CHICAGO – At the Chicago screening of “Postal” for critics, director Uwe Boll introduced his new film as a personal “The Kentucky Fried Movie” attacking the heart of America. Boll – a German national – has produced several “B”-grade movies in both Germany and the U.S. However, “Postal” is his first attempt at writing and directing within the American market.

Including “Postal,” his last few films have all been notorious cinematic adaptations of controversial video games. Boll’s opening rant prior to the “Postal” screening offered his personal disgust for this forced and depraved genre.

Poking fun at himself and his filmmaking, this charismatic director expressed his political angst and outlandish humor to the audience and had them laughing and commiserating before the screening even began.

Read Allison Pitaccio’s full review of “Postal” in our reviews section.

View our full “Postal” image gallery.

I initially took this as a good omen and my previous notions of “B” cinema began to quell. That said, Boll’s final remark “if you were all drunk, you will like it” became an accurate adage of the film’s overall character.

This film offensively opens with two terrorists flying a plane and arguing over the amount of virgins they will each receive in Paradise. They end up settling the dispute by calling Osama bin Laden on the phone and are both perturbed that the number is less than they had originally thought.

Therefore, they change the plane’s direction for the Bahamas. While the plane changes course, the angry mob of American passengers storms the cockpit and the plane crashes into the World Trade Center. This commences Sept. 11, 2001 and sets the tone for a despicable, 109 minutes of cinema.

“Postal”.
Photo credit: MovieSet

Read Allison Pitaccio’s full “Postal” review.

Hookup: 10 Advance-Screening Passes to New Uwe Boll Comedy ‘Postal’ on April 3, 2008 in Chicago

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 01:35:08 -0700

CHICAGO – Following our sold-out ticket giveaway to the upcoming Ellen Page comedy “Smart People,” HollywoodChicago.com now announces another ticket giveaway to the advance screening of the new Uwe Boll comedy “Postal”. The film, which opens on May 23, 2008, will show to downtown Chicagoans at a screening on April 3, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

“Postal”.
Photo credit: MovieSet

In this edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, each winning ticket allows you to bring one guest. We have 10 admit-two tickets available in total for this special screening. Before we share your simple task to score free tickets, let’s explore its plotline.

“Postal” is insulting, irreverent, politically incorrect and funny as hell. It follows two days in the life of the Postal Dude in the regrettably named town of Paradise. Just when he thinks he has hit rock bottom, things get worse.

After a humiliating job interview and a nearly lethal trip to the welfare office, Dude finds himself on the doorstep of his Uncle Dave. Despite being the successful leader of the town cult, Dave is also finding himself in financial difficulties. Together, Dude and Dave hatch a plan to steal some valuable merchandise.

Unfortunately for them, the much better organized and much better equipped Taliban has converged on Paradise for more sinister reasons. Things spiral out of control when Osama bin Laden is forced to call in friend George W. Bush as back up. Few are left standing by the time Dude turns his back on Paradise.

The movie poster for “Postal”.
Image credit: IMDb

To snag your tickets now, make sure you’re logged into your HollywoodChicago.com account. If you don’t yet have one, you can quickly register here. Next, click “Add new comment” below. You must include your real name in the comment as all winning names will be on a list at the screening. In your comment with your full name, include your answer to the following question:

If you were to meet Osama bin Laden in person and could
say one sentence to him, what would you say?

Disclaimer: Winners must be present at least 10 minutes prior to the start
of the film or their seat is not guaranteed.

In partnership with:

Click here for our full “Postal” image gallery!

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com