The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia

Produced by the doyens of dumb, Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine (Jackass), this documentary follows the notoriously naughty White family of Boone County, WV, most of whom are state-certified crazies busy shooting, stabbing, robbing, or getting high (or low, as it were) on Xanax. While more than a few clan members are infamous for their recidivist local criminal activities—everything from petty drug crime to blowing a relative's face off with a shotgun—part of the focus is on Jesco White, well-known for his mountain-dancing skills (immortalized in Dancing Outlaw), and now suffering the effects of 10 years of recreational gas huffing. The film also showcases faux-hick Hank Williams III, who receives ample interview time and shares soundtrack duties with ace guitar picker Deke Dickerson, whose up-tempo 1950s rockabilly sound dominates rather than accompanies the visuals. Although the first half of director Julien Nitzberg's presentation comes off as equal parts outlaw-myth glorification and white-trash mockery, the filmmaker doesn't know how to handle the second half's more obviously bleak moments, such as when pitiful Xanax addict Kirk White has an illegitimate child snatched from her by the state because of her chronic drug use. What we're left with is the White family as hip hillbilly spectacle. DVD extras include audio commentary, a “making-of” featurette, interviews with Nitzberg and Williams, previously unseen tapes of Jesco, and deleted scenes. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (M. Sandlin)