Windy City Heat
by Bobcat Goldthwait
List Price:
Our Price: $6.25
You Save: $13.74 (69%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $4.98 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Bobcat Goldthwait, Don Barris, Lisa Arch, Perry Caravello, Tony BarbieriDirector: Bobcat Goldthwait
Brand: Paramount
Writer: Don Barris
Writer: Tony Barbieri
Producer: Bobcat Goldthwait
Writer: Jimmy Kimmel
Producer: Adam Carolla
Producer: Brad Morrison
Producer: Chris Fraticelli
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 92 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-09-26
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Comedy Central
DVD Reviews of Windy City Heat
DVD Review: One of a kind
Summary: 4 Stars
If one had to rate something merely on ambition, 'Windy City Heat' would, without question, deserve five stars. It is perhaps both the best and worst example of cinematic exploitation I've ever seen, and because I've become so desensitized over the course of my life, I commend the film far more for the former than the latter.
Now the question of whether this is 'real' or a [...] has come up, and frankly here's my thoughts on it: it's real, or at least, most of it is. If anyone is doubtful of this, they need but to watch the extra features on the DVD. Perry Caravello, the real-life 'actor' and the film's focal point for mockery, is indeed a real person. In 'Windy City Heat', he plays the role of himself, to us, the audience; to his deluded mind, he plays the role of 'Stone Fury', the star of a Hollywood action film in the making. Questions inevitably arise because, naturally, anyone with half a brain watches with utmost skepticism. Surely nobody in Caravello's position could be so ignorant of the events that take place? But, yes, somebody could -- Caravello himself. The story, as one becomes familiar with through the extra features, goes a bit like this:
The two guys who play Caravello's sidekicks in 'Windy City Heat' (the absurd, fake film) -- Tony Barbieri as "Mole" and Don Barris as "Big Lou" -- have actually been screwing around with him for like, a decade. This becomes apparent as one views the extra footage on the dvd, which demonstrates short clips of Barbieri and Barris harassing Caravello, all the way back to 1996. And it's not staged... completely real. Barbieri and Barris -- who I might add are ...awesome... here -- are the type of guys who transcend shame and empathy for outrageous, condescending comedy at the sake of a mentally challenged 'entertainer', in this case Caravello. They had basically mastered this circus act over many years, and that it all comes together so perfectly in this film isn't quite as perplexing when you're able to understand this. And, again -- especially after viewing the films numerous times; I have seen it four -- one ultimately realizes that Caravello is, in many respects, retarded; his obviously demented behavior lends credibility to the whole 'it's real' thing. If, in fact, Caravello 'was' performing all of this as an act, I'd personally think him to be the next Pacino, because no Human being can emulate a persona like his so utterly convincing.
And so, the joke goes on from there. Everyone in the film takes stabs at the situation, and while it's usually hit and miss, it's always entertaining if only for the premise. Take, for example, Perry getting thrown into a dumpster of manurer for a 'more realistic approach'. Or Perry chugging a blended pizza, donut, and beer not once, but twice for a scene. And these are just the most obvious examples of how they mentally screw with the guy; subtle gags literally run through the entire thing, rarely letting up. My favorite, personally, is when they get to the "merchandising" of the film, and each of the three leads are shown their action figures. Mole and Big Lou's are presented first, completely normal and visually representative of themselves; Perry, on the other hand -- after a drum role by the crew, to add effect -- is shown his figure... the most grotesque little doll imaginable, with a green face, huge gut, his face gawking sideways, seemingly ready to hurl. The figure is "so" impeccably perfect that just the thought gets me rolling. Perry's reaction is cut quickly but obvious -- he doesn't know what to make of it, but is somewhat sure that something isn't right.
The film needs to be seen to be respected, though it's definitely not for everyone. The bottom line is most of us 'DO' find this stuff hilarious, even if it's in bad taste. There are a variety of human beings on this Earth, some smart, some not so smart. It's part of the ever-progressing humor we seem to take on as a whole collective these days; cynical mockery of the bizarre circumstances found within the reality we live in. And hey, if a guy like Caravello can make it through this impossible set of circumstances shown in the film, I'm pretty confident that, at whatever point he found out the trick was on him, he didn't sink into an everlasting state of psychological despair.
If 'Windy City Heat' were more consistent through its run, I'd be honored to award it five stars. Due to its sheer originality and its stunning ability to ACTUALLY PULL IT OFF, I really want to give it a perfect rating, but alas it is slow at times without much laughs for often minutes at a time. But when it strikes, oh lord how it strikes the most radiant of gold.
Update: I was just reading about Perry's life, and I don't know if this information is correct, but it's been said that he was actually an intelligent, suave, good guy, but was in an automobile accident in late high school. This really makes me sad, actually, and I'm really interested in this weird guy now. Anyway, I just found it strangely profound, that he's possibly this way because of horrible circumstances early in his life, pondering the thought of how his 'previous' being -- before the brain damage -- would look upon all of this. Again, sad...
Description of Windy City Heat
A hilarious film & real-life prank where a no-name actor thinks hes been cast in the latest blockbuster hit windy city heat. Theres just one catch - there is no movie & he doesnt suspect a thing! Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 09/26/2006 Starring: Jimmy Kimmel Dane Cook Run time: 92 minutes Rating: RIt isn't Candid Camera, it isn't Punk'd--it's The Perry Project. "Scary" Perry Caravello, an out-of-shape, fuzzy-haired, gravel-voiced extra thinks he's scored the lead in "sports detective" spoof Windy City Heat. Everywhere he goes, the fanny pack-sporting "Stone Fury" is followed by cameras, presumably for a DVD featurette. In actuality, he's the unsuspecting victim of an elaborate practical joke. Bobcat Goldthwait (Chappelle's Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live) directs both the real movie and the mockumentary, while Dane Cook puts in an appearance as casting agent "Roman Polanski" and Toby Huss as photographer "Ansel Adams" (all the fake names have real-world counterparts). Caravello's buddies, Tony Barbieri ("The Mole") and Don Barris ("Big Lou"), are members of the same cast...or so he thinks. In reality, they're in on the prank. In fact, they co-wrote the screenplay with producer Jimmy Kimmel. Reportedly, Eminem, Johnny Knoxville, and Fall Out Boy are crazy about this cult classic in the making, but the humiliating, off-color humor won't be to all tastes. Recommended more to fans of the cautionary documentary Overnight and Goldthwait's own Shakes the Clown than to Martin Scorsese?s more sophisticated, yet strangely simpatico King of Comedy. Along with "The Big Three," Comedy Central's Windy City Heat features Carson Daly, co-producer Adam Carolla (Kimmel's former Man Show co-host), Ernie Banks, and William "The Refrigerator" Perry. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Bestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
The Man Show - Season ThreeUni; Release date: 2005-05-03; DVD
Best price: $13.25
Price in other shops:
World's Greatest DadMHE; Release date: 2009-12-08; DVD
Best price: $4.95
Price in other shops:
Sleeping Dogs LieFirst Look Pictures; Release date: 2007-04-10; DVD
Best price: $3.86
Price in other shops:
In Fifty Years We'll All Be Chicks: . . . And Other Complaints from an Angry Middle-Aged White Guyby Adam Carolla
Crown Archetype; Published: 2010-11-02; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $19.99
Price in other shops:
American MovieSony; Release date: 2000-05-23; DVD
Best price: $10.30
Price in other shops:
The Man Show - Season TwoUni; Release date: 2004-06-15; DVD
Best price: $4.98
Price in other shops:
Shakes the ClownSony; Release date: 2000-04-04; DVD
Best price: $6.94
Price in other shops:
Man Show - The Complete First SeasonRED Distribution; Release date: 2005-05-10; DVD
Best price: $11.87
Price in other shops:
OvernightImage Entertainment; Release date: 2006-07-27; DVD
Best price: $4.96
Price in other shops:
The HammerWellspring Media INC; Release date: 2008-06-24; DVD
Best price: $2.98
Price in other shops: