Hacks

Hacks is a refreshingly aggressive mockumentary (think: Christopher Guest, director of Best in Show and A Mighty Wind, minus all civilized restraint) that lacks any sense of political correctness (a massive understatement) in its demented “exposé” of the Diamond & Hutz comedy talent agency. Writer/director Glenn Rockowitz's film dares to be more vulgar than mainstream audiences will tolerate, accustomed as they are to movies with no teeth that deliberately strive to be as inoffensive as possible even when they're wallowing in crudity (this isn't Meet the Parents-style comedy). Rockowitz introduces viewers to an array of awful standup comics whose racist, sexist, moronic "humor" will force the audience to think about combative feminists, militant homeboys, self-hating nebbishes, the terminally ignorant, and the entertainment industry, as well as the general narcissism of entertainers--though the term "entertainers" must necessarily be used loosely here, as the best thing these standups could do would be to sit down. Recommended for more adventurous collections. [Note: DVD extras include 40 minutes of deleted scenes and comedy coach Arty Hittle's hilarious parody "How to Break Into Stand-up Comedy." Bottom line: a fine extras package for a daring indie mockumentary.] (M. Johanson)