Rated R for language, sexual content and some drug references.

82 Minutes

Synopsis

Pauly Shore Is Dead answers the ever prevalent question of “What happened to Pauly Shore?”  If you watch this film you will find out an over-exaggerated version of his accounts on his life since he disappeared from the Hollywood limelight.  Pauly’s fall from grace hit with considerable force as he lost his house, his popularity, his money, his respect, and most unfortunately any possibility of a future career.  To make some form of money Pauly parks cars at a comedy club Sam Kinnisen once told jokes at.  The ghost of Sam implores Pauly to fake his own death, and like other artists, he will suddenly become lovable and popular again.  In his most desperate hour, craving the adoration of Hollywood back again, he decides to go through with the hoax.

Review

Like Pauly himself, this film was highly eccentric.  Moments that were supposed to be funny seemedon the depressing end, and moments that were supposed to be lamentable were funny.  The oddities this film exudes are endless, and often the intentions of scenes aren’t very clear either.  A lot of the film is spent shaking the head in confusion as to whether it’s funny or just some random outlet for Pauly to evoke some monstrous build up of professional frustration.

In truth, part of what makes some of the movie funny is the fact that some of the outrageous events that Pauly goes through are based on real occurrences.  It is a shame that he was built up so largely in his career to have such a sinister downfall due to the pigeon holing of the roles he could play.  I unfortunately see the same type of future for Will Ferrell.  Maybe not the harsh fall, but the character’s he plays in most of his movies are all the same and fairly one dimensional.  If he can branch himself out more like he did with Stranger Than Fiction, he may survive it yet. 

The first portion of the movie works pretty well and when he fakes his death the reactions of other celebrities and whatnot comes across as funny, but by the time he’s punished and in prison, the mind-numbing delusions of grandeur masquerade too blatantly.  Though Pauly may regret the Wiezel, I still love him.

Cast

• Pauly Shore as Himself
• Pamela Anderson as Herself
• Camillia Anderson as Michael Madsen’s Girlfriend
• Todd Bridges as Himself
• Micheal Madsen as Himself
• Carson Daly as Himself
• Ellen Degeneres as Herself
• Dustin Diamond as Himself
• Snoop Dogg as Himself
• Dr. dre as Himself
• Andy Dick as Himself
• Fred Durst as Himself
• Perry Farral as Himself
• Kurt Loder as Himself
• Heidi Fleiss as Herself
• Jerry Springer as Himself
• Kato Kaelin
• Tommy Lee as Himself
• Mario Lopez as Himself
• Bill Maher as Himself
• Sean Penn as Himself
• Sam Rubin as Himself
• Chris Rock as Himslf
• Adam Sandler as Himself
• Ja Rule as Himself
• Tom Sizemore as Himself
• Charlie Sheen as Himself
• Sritney Spears as Herself
• Tommy Chong as Himself
• Vince Vaughn as Himself

There was very little acting to speak of.  Most of the character’s just read lines and played themselves.  Nothing impressing or worth mentioning in this category.

Ratings and Suggestions

A good deal of the film was full of shameless jokes that will be forgotten about after hearing, just like this movie will be forgotten about after watching.  While the film is blatantly satirical, Pauly Shore often comes across as bitter and ungrateful.  I’m really somewhere in the middle on this one.  It had moments of pure genius humour and moments of such obvious aggression towards even his fans (for example, myself), he may have done more alienating than good.  A word of advice, thank the people who supported the Wiezal Pauly, and then graciously move forward, instead of wallowing in your past.  I really had hoped I liked this more than I did.  I recommend it to fans of the Weizel or people who would enjoy a massive celebrity cameo-fest only.  Two out of Four Stars.