AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

Lawbolisted Powerful

BeSummers Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

Scarlet The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

atlasmb When Howard Stern, the self-acclaimed "King of All Media", was promoting this film before its release (and even during its production), he said it was going to be a great film. He has never failed to tout himself, professionally, as a powerful force. On the other hand, he has always been self-deprecating on a personal level, saying he is inadequate in terms of sexual equipment, etc. This strange dichotomy is central, I believe, to Stern's appeal, both to women and men.The film follows his personal and professional lives, including his stops at small radio stations on the way to dominating the New York market. And again Stern is unafraid of looking the fool. This is a comedy and much of the comedy revolves around his self-deprecation.At the same time, he lampoons (always with humor) those he met along the way who predicted his failure. And those who tried to rein in his brand of irreverent and titillating humor. Paul Giamatti is both amazing and hilarious as the producer who fails to recognize the unstoppable force that Stern becomes.Robin Quivers, playing herself, is the one-in-a-million on-air companion who can channel Stern's efforts and lend an unexpected air of respectability to the proceedings. Not everyone will appreciate this film, but it will pleasantly surprise some people. Though it is not strictly the truth, it is no more improbable than the reality of Howard Stern's life.

Michael_Elliott Private Parts (1997) *** 1/2 (out of 4) Taken from Howard Stern's best selling autobiography, this film follows Sterns early years as a loser in high school all the way up to becoming the king of radio in New York City. While the majority of the film deals with his struggle of making it on the radio, we also get the story of his relationship with wife Alison (Mary McCormack). No matter what you think of Stern I think anyone will be able to enjoy this film and in fact I still remember going to see it when it was first released with someone who hated the guy with a passion and even they walked out liking him. I think a large portion of the film and the original book wanted to make people understand Stern and there's no question that the film is a bit one-sided but in the end it accomplishes what it set out to do and that is show people the real person. The film is full of raunchy humor including a great take-off on the Match Game and another terrific sequence with Stern having sex with a woman over the radio and while these comic bits are terrific what really makes the film so memorable is its charm. The film is incredibly charming and one can't help but really fall in love with Stern's character and especially the way he's determined not to stop until he reaches the top. I think the film is rather remarkable in that it can be downright filthy one moment but then sweet the next. It's really hard to mix those two things but the screenplay and director Thomas really make it work and by doing so they've created a rather special movie that keeps getting better with each new viewing. It should come as no shock but Stern makes for a terrific actor even though he's playing himself. I've heard many great actors say that playing themselves would be a very difficult thing to do but Stern handles it with no troubles as does his supporting mates Robin Quivers, Fred Norris and Jackie Martling. McCormack is also extremely good as the wife and her chemistry with Stern comes off as real and they make you feel as if you're watching a real couple. Even better is Paul Giamatti who plays Kenny, aka Pig Vomit, the man who tries to tame Stern when he gets to NBC. The fire and passion that Giamatti brings to the role is rather remarkable to watch and you can't help but laugh at loud when he and Stern are going at it. PRIVATE PARKS is a hilarious movie and a touching one that tells the rise of Stern with loving care and in the end it really delivers everything you'd want it to.

Jackson Booth-Millard I saw a clip of this featured in one of those Channel 4 countdowns, I didn't acknowledge that the film was based on reality, so I was very keen, from director Betty Thomas (Doctor Dolittle, John Tucker Must Die). Basically, Howard Stern always wanted to be a disc jockey, working for a radio station, playing popular music and speaking his mind, and during the 1970's it was his goal to do it. Howard started out in college with not a lot of zing in his approach and hardly any personality on the Mic, but then he got his big break on a Detroit radio station. It is soon after starting out that Howard has a snap, his glasses and moustache come off, and his more vibrant and opinionated personality is brought out. He is joined on his own show with news anchor Robin Quivers, who shares his unorthodox approach to expressing his opinions, talking whatever he wants to, and doing whatever he can to get high ratings. The radio heads don't share all of Howard's ideas of what the listeners want, but his hilarious off-the-wall antics are getting the listeners, to the point where he is the most famous disc jockey on air. After a little misunderstanding between Howard and wife Alison (Mary McCormack) about her baby miscarriage, where he joked about it, and her forgiving him, Howard gains a bigger opportunity with NBC in New York. Howard also has the good fortune to have Alison pregnant again, but with his new bosses not understanding how he got such high ratings, it is only after taking him on board that they experience it. It is the job of Kenny Rushton (Paul Giamatti) and one or two other crew members to keep Howard in line, or force him to quit with the limitations of what he can do on radio, but this won't stop him. He has many troubles on and off Mic, high demands, including having Robin with him once again, and of course another hit with being the number one disc jockey again, but he also stays true to his family. Also starring Fred Norris, Gary Dell'Abate, Jackie Martling, Carol Alt as Gloria, Richard Portnow as Ben Stern, Allison Janney as Dee Dee, Jenna Jameson as Mandy, Ozzy Osbourne, Mia Farrow, David Letterman, AC-DC (including Brian Johnson, Iggy Pop and Wendy Whoppers as Big-Breasted Woman. Stern completely steals the show with his madcap radio hosting, and the real people playing their own parts keeps the momentum high. The best sequence is Stern using his voice with a stripping woman turning the bass up high on her speakers to have vibration style sex, it was number 28 on The 100 Greatest Funny Moments. A hilarious shock jock, a cast of well-knowns as themselves and in cameos, sexually explicit radio broadcasts, the story is based on facts, this is everything you wants in a biographical comedy. Very good!

nixskits Howard Stern is a polarizing figure in entertainment, probably the most hated and loved figure of the last half century, depending on whether you are an opponent or a fan of his. As the stats are laid out in this film, Stern's enemies are just as, if not more, likely to be found listening to his show. The program he hosts is like millions of people's cup of coffee in the morning.This room rocker of a movie is the first chapter in the big screen project of his life, showing what a crazy thirty plus years it was. Rabid fans want another instalment showing what has developed since the mid 80's when "Private Parts" ends. He's since been divorced, remarried, seen his daughters become young adults, had his head writer Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling walk away and replaced by stand up comic Artie Lange and, last but not least, left terrestrial broadcasting to become the most popular talent now on satellite radio, where millions pay to hear the show that still offends and amuses with it's political satire, prank calls, more candid than anywhere else celebrity interviews and cast of characters who make up a very broad spectrum of voices in society."Private Parts" is one of the few comedies that's funnier each time I watch it. The showdown Stern has with his nemesis at WnnnnNBC is one of the ten most hilarious scenes in history as far as I'm concerned. Paul Giamatti is so good as Kenny (or "Pig Vomit"), you'll practically throw up with laughter when he's on screen. Not so pleasant moments before Howard found his true voice are recreated, as are classics like "The Match Game" and "Fartman" (with friend of the show John Stamos filling in for Luke Perry at the MTV appearance).Radio has it's share of popular talent, but Stern has really achieved something unique with his approach. His phenomenon doesn't come around once a generation. Just once, period!