Postal (film)

Infobox Film
name = Postal


caption = Promotional poster
director = Uwe Boll
producer = Uwe Boll
Dan Clarke
Shawn Williamson
writer = Uwe Boll
Bryan C. Knight
starring = Zack Ward
Dave Foley
Julia Sandberg Hansson
Chris Coppola
Jackie Tohn
Ralf Moeller
J.K. Simmons
Michela Mann
Michael Paré
Verne Troyer
Chris Spencer
Rick Hoffman
David Huddleston
Seymour Cassel
Carrie Genzel
Mike Dopud
music = Jessica de Rooij
cinematography = Mathias Neumann
editing = Julian Clarke
distributor = Freestyle Releasing
released = May 23, 2008
runtime = 100 min (cut) 102 min (unrated). 114 min (directors cut).
country = flagicon|CanadaCanada
language = English, German
budget = $142,761
gross = $18,000,000
amg_id = 1:352906
imdb_id = 0486640

"Postal" is a 2007 film based on the 2003 computer game series of the same name. The film is directed by filmmaker Uwe Boll, and filmed in Cloverdale, British Columbia.Fact | date=May 2008 "Postal" premiered in Montreal on July 22 2007 during the Fantasia Festival.

Initial trailers market the film as a shock comedy, and have caused controversy as they show a jet flying into the South Tower of the World Trade Center, reminiscent of the September 11, 2001 attacks. [ [http://www.nypost.com/seven/04152007/news/nationalnews/mockumentary_director_bares_towering_insult_nationalnews_jill_culora.htm 'Mockumentary' director bares towering insult] ] It was later revealed that this scene is in fact the opening scene of the movie, where two of the hijacker terrorists get to know that their sign-up deal for the "99 perfect virgins" might not work out due to the lack of resources after too many recent martyrs, and decide to hijack the plane to the Bahamas instead, only to be overpowered by the airplane passengers, who, in the struggle for the controls, end up driving the plane into one of the towers. [http://breakpoint.untergrund.net/torrents/BP07_Seminar_UweBoll_GamesToMovies_XVID.avi.torrent Uwe Boll - Transforming Games into Movies] - seminar video recording from Breakpoint 2007]

In his seminar at Breakpoint 2007, Boll has noted that he will "probably end up in jail for it", and claimed that he wanted to create a movie that is "ruthless, just like Monty Python movies used to be".

A cast listing on Boll's website shows that the film will also feature Richard Kyanka, one of Boll's opponents in his infamous "critic boxing" matches, as well as Vince Desiderio, the producer of the Postal video games. [http://www.boll-kg.de/sonstiges/postal/postal_cast.jpg]

The film opened in limited release in the United States on May 23, 2008 [ [http://www.geek.com/going-postal-with-running-with-scissors-ceo-vince-desi/ Going Postal with Running With Scissors CEO Vince Desi | Geek.com ] ] , although Uwe Boll claimed it would be released October 12 2007. [http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/feature/408] . On May 16, 2008 theater distributors pulled out of their deal with Boll for a wide release. Postal, as of May 16, was set to be released in only four screens, down significantly from the original 1,500 screens [ [http://www.cinemablend.com/new.php?id=8853 Uwe Boll's Postal Denied Theatrical Release] ] . As of May 20, its screen count has increased to 12 screens. The movie was released in German theatres October 18th. A rated and unrated DVD, and an unrated Blu-ray were released on August 26th. Some editions come with the full version of "Postal 2" on a bonus DVD. [ [http://gopostal.com/postaldvd/ Go POSTAL: Official Website of POSTAL 2 ] ] [The Canadian release of the film does not include the video game.]

Plot

The plot of the film loosely incorporates elements of the "Postal 2" videogame (although the end credits identify it as being based upon the original "Postal" game. The unnamed protagonist, in desperation to leave the depraved city of Paradise, Arizona, conspires with his Uncle Dave, a cult leader, to steal a shipment of rare Krotchy dolls (a parody of the Tickle Me Elmo scenario of the late 1990s). Meanwhile, Osama bin Laden and the Taliban are also after the shipment for their own purposes. Along the way, "Postal Dude" has to deal with religious fanatics, insane townsfolk, corrupt cops and an obese and unfaithful wife. The original "Postal 2" is notable for including cameo appearances by Gary Coleman as himself; Coleman does not appear in the film version; instead the celebrity-parodying-himself role is fulfilled by Verne Troyer.

Cast

*Zack Ward as The Postal Dude
*Dave Foley as Uncle Dave
*Julia Sandberg Hansson as Mitzi
*Jackie Tohn as Faith
*Chris Coppola as Richard
*Michael Benyaer as Mohammed
*Erick Avari as Habib
*Ralf Moeller as Officer John
*Chris Spencer as Officer Greg
*Seymour Cassel as Paul
*David Huddleston as Peter
*Verne Troyer as Himself
*Uwe Boll as Himself
*Vince Desiderio as Himself
*Larry Thomas as Osama bin Laden
*Paulino Nunes as Asif
*Merik Tadros as Nabi
*Michaela Mann as Jenny
*Lorielle New as Starr
*Holly Eglington as Karen
*Lucie Guest as Cindy
*J.K. Simmons as Candidate Wells
*Brent Mendenhall as George W. Bush
*Carrie Genzel as Reporter Gayle
*Michael Paré as The Aggressive Panhandler
*Mike Dopud as Shepard Security Guard #2

Boll regular Zack Ward ("Bloodrayne 2") appears as the lead in the film, while Ralf Moeller (star of Boll's " Seed") appears as a dim-witted police officer.

Dave Foley is the supporting lead, Uncle Dave. During one of his first scenes in the film, Foley is completely nude for over a minute of screen time. After filming the scene, Boll informed him that it was a full body shot and that "everything" would appear in the film. Foley expressed no hesitation at the news.Fact|date=April 2008

Director Boll appears in the movie, playing a parody of himself — what he calls a "mini-Nazi", who, clad in Lederhosen, opens a "mini-Auschwitz entertainment palace" in Paradise City. In a scene set at this amusement park, he also says his movies are financed with Nazi gold (a response to an actual accusation rumored on the Internet). Soon after, the Krotchy doll mascot removes its head to reveal Vince Desiderio, the creator of the Postal 2 game, and he and Boll begin fighting (boxing gloves suddenly appear on Boll's hands, a reference to his infamous boxing match against critics, footage of which is included with the DVD release of "Postal"). The fight over the Krotchy dolls ultimately escalates into a wild gunfight during which Boll is being shot in the scrotum, his last line being "I hate video games."

Box office performance

"Postal" opened at number 27 in the German box office, taking in $79,353 from 48 screens and has banked $133,568 as of November 11. In Austria it ended its box office run after two weeks with $5,165. As of February 10, 2008, it has grossed a total of $142,761 worldwide.cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=postal.htm |title=Postal (2008) - International Box Office Results |accessdate=2008-05-23 |publisher=Box Office Mojo]

The film opened in limited release in the United States on May 23, 2008, playing in 21 theaters. [cite web|url=http://www.movieset.com/postal/news/postal-theater-list/ |title=UPDATED: Is Postal at a theater near you? |accessdate=2008-05-23 |publisher=Movieset] With 2 more following on later dates. Fact|date=August 2008

Recently Uwe Boll stated that he would make a "Postal 2", even if it went direct-to-video, considering that his film "" was a successful direct-to-video sequel.'

Controversy

Due to the film's controversial subject nature regarding 9/11, Uwe Boll has claimed that the movie was banned in all but 4 theaters in the United States. This is because it has scenes of planes crashing into buildings. Even a critic (Kam Williams of NewzBlaze) said in her positive review of the movie concerning these scenes "I suppose since almost seven years have passed since 9/11, America might finally be ready to laugh at the tragedy."

Theatrical distributors are boycotting Postal because of its political content. We were prepared to open on 1500 screens all across America on May 23rd. Any multiplex in the U.S. should have space for us, but they're afraid... We have even tried to buy a few screens in New York and Los Angeles, and 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 and I don't think exhibitors should censor what gets played in U.S. theaters.

[ [http://kotaku.com/391105/postal-opening-on-four-screens-yes-four Hollywood: Postal Opening On Four Screens (Yes, FOUR) ] ]

On May 23, 2008 the official Postal movie website reported that the movie would open on one day in 21 theaters with two more following suit at later times in America. [ [http://www.movieset.com/postal/news/postal-theater-list UPDATED: Is Postal at a theater near you? | MovieSet ] ]

Critical reception

"Postal" received generally negative reviews from critics. Postal is rated 4/10 on IMDB and is considered to be one of Boll's better films. As of July 1, 2008, the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 9% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 34 reviews (with two of the three positive reviews coming from the same website.)

Awards

Despite the controvesy, Postal won two awards at the Hoboken International Film Festival, Uwe Boll won the best director award along with $500 while the film won the Best of Showing Award. [http://kotaku.com/5016721/postal-wins-award-really]

References

External links

* [http://www.postal-the-movie.com/ Official site]
*imdb title|id=0486640|title=Postal
*rotten-tomatoes|id=postal|title=Postal
*metacritic film|id=postal|title=Postal
*mojo title|id=postal|title=Postal
*amg movie|id=1:352906|title=Postal
* [http://www.movieset.com/postal Postal] at MoviesSet
* [http://www.gopostal.com/pr/postal57.php "Postal" press release]
* [http://www.justpressplay.net/viewarticle/postal-one-on-three-with-uwe-boll-zack-ward-and-larry-thomas.html Interview with Uwe Boll, Zack Ward and Larry Thomas]
* [http://www.g-wie-gorilla.de/content/view/540/18/ Postal-Interview with Uwe Boll]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePGkrn03Fzw&feature=related Postal-Message from Verne Troyer]
* [http://www.movieset.com/node/4790/play Verne Troyer interview On Postal]