Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny

Positive—When approaching a film or album created by the twisted minds of Tenacious D'd Kyle Gass and Jack Black, it is imperative to remember that their style of humor focuses on crude language and bathroom humor. A person cannot watch a few of JB’s films which were safely rated PG and than decry his genious when a movie is made with crude language and humor. Tenacious D was making music before movies and the music made is not kid friendly, even though some films are, the music was crude language and humor. A movie about the band Tenacious D is not going to be full of “safe” topics. That said I will now say what I thought of the movie. I thoroughly enjoyed the film and laughed out loud on many occasions. The fact that I enjoy the works of both Jack Black and Tenacious D makes my opinion slightly biased. The film itself in terms of moviemaking quality wasn’t the best I have seen but I don’t think that that was the initial vision for the film. The language was crude and the humor as well. If you are easily offended by strong language, crude humor and drug and alcohol references than stay away from this movie. If you still want to see the film, knowing full well what is in store for your eyes, ears, and mind. Than prepare to be rocked by two energetic and amusing over-weight Americans.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 4

Positive—I love Tenacious D, they are an awsome band who are equal parts comedy and true musical talent. Having said that I have to say I enjoyed the movie. It’s not the funniest movie ever and there are numerous drug and sexual references but that is what Tenacious D is like. If you enjoy the movie check out their old HBO show, extremly funny stuff!
My Ratings: Very Offensive / 3½

Neutral—This movie is one drawn out joke about two grown men trapped in a teenage rock and roll fantasy who crack the jokes and talk the talk that public school kids talked on the bus in 6th grade. They swear—they swear a lot. I can stand a fair amount of profanity in the movies I watch, but they do it to the point of hyperbole to make a joke. The real difference to notice here is that the swearing isn’t really supposed to be a part of casual speech like it is in a lot of “gritty” R-movies, it’s excessive to the point of comedy. Whether or not that offends you depends on how you take the joke I guess.

Other elements that made the movie “offensive” mostly surrounded the ___ push-ups/sexual attitudes and their treatment of the occult. The issue I take with anyone claiming they support or portray showing the devil in a positive light is just that the whole movie is lighthearted. Satan is not really like that. They don’t pretend that he is—it’s a joke, a joke made from the hundreds of (unintentionally) funny album covers and ignorant references made by hard rock bands of the last 30 years. The sexual attitudes aren’t really developed very much, and like I mentioned earlier—the way they see women and talk about themselves is reminiscent of the vulgarity of adolescence, not adult obscenity.

Overall, the movie made me laugh. It made me laugh, but also flinch a little bit. Even in jest, profanity this prevalent makes me feel uneasy. I can see laughing about the movie right now by myself as a college student—but families should steer clear of this movie if they expect it to be another “School of Rock.”
My Ratings: Very Offensive / 3

Negative—Well, let me start off by saying that I should have read these reviews prior to watching this extremely filthy film. I watched about 5 minutes of the movie with my family… Absolutely disgusting and downright filth! I expected to be entertained like the other Jack Black film (School of Rock). This film was nowhere in the same universe.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 1

Negative—I am a fan of Jack Black, but after seeing this movie, I am questioning his character, for making such a film. The dialog is a plethora of “F” this and “F” that… Very tasteless language. Several scenes have despicable moments (i.e., the main character, JB, attempts to perform push-ups with his hands behind his back, face down using his penis to raise and lower his body). He later uses this method to push a button otherwise out of his reach. The entire movie is a satire about Satan relishing rock and roll music as an evil tool. Genuinely tasteless.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 5

Negative—I have also been a fan of Jack Black in the past, but this movie made me regret it at times. I was well aware of JB’s foul mouth from his past work, but this movie takes it to a whole other level. Practically the entire movie was one string of profanity from beginning to end. In addition to the language, there were also rampantly unnecessary sexual references. Not to mention the glorification of the devil on a number of occassions, ridiculous as the claims may have been. In particular, one scene makes the claim that everyone has a “devil inside them,” as if it is a source of strength or inspiration. I am still a fan of Jack Black’s high energy, ridiculous style of humor, but the negative aspects of this movie far outweigh any redeeming humorous qualities. If you decide to see it, be prepared to feel tainted as you leave the theater.
My Ratings: Offensive / 2½

Negative—The “F” word is used too much. Also talked about the private parts of man. This is like watching rate “X movie.” I only watch 30 minutes or less because it was so bad.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 1½

Negative—WOW!!! I never heard so many f-words in a movie until now!! Jack Black is a great actor. This movie is definitely not for me. If you want to pollute your mind, then this movie is a good choice for that.
My Ratings: Extremely Offensive / 3½

Negative—I’m sure that most of not all the comments about “Tenacious D…” are very old, but I thought I’d share something, too. I am a very big fan of Jack Black, but you’re right about all the negativity of the film. I’m a Christian and I also have some Hebrew in me, as does Jack Black. I don’t believe he’s a devil worshipper, cause he’s claimed he’s an atheist, but I do believe that the devil put the thoughts into Jack Black’s head to make this film. It’s very sad, but it’s also very sad when I hear that a fellow Jew is an atheist:/ it’s a real shame for anyone to not know Christ, but when I hear of someone of Jewish heritage not even simply believing in God… not involved in any belief, that’s just sad.

I think Jack Black’s movie’s have gotten better, more family-friendly. I’d say “Kung Fu Panda” was the begin of him getting better, but “Year One” the following year was very blasphemous too, and it was sad to see other Jewish actors in their insulting God, and it was sad seeing another Jewish man who’s also an atheist: David Cross who was also coincidentally in “Kung Fu Panda.”

I don’t know if it was cause of his wife, his children that were born, his own growth or all of the above but I’d say by the time “Gulliver’s Travels” came out he became strictly family-friendly and God bless him, he’s a very talented actor, very talented musician (rspecially his work in “The School of Rock”), and he seems like a great guy; he’s hilarious too of course and he’s inspired me to be an actor and voice actor. God bless him, I pray he finds The Lord one day soon. Even though he’s an atheist, I do admire the fact that he’s raising his kids in Judaism.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: ½

Comment—I have not seen this movie, nor will I allow my children to see this movie. I first heard of Tenacious D a couple of years ago and decided to look them up on the net. If you do the same the first thing you will see on their Web site is a devil-looking figure standing in back of them. I looked up their lyrics and found that they are very crude and repeat their to hail Satan.

I am not sure whether or not these folks do this type of stuff for publicity or are truely worshippers of satan. It never ceases to amaze me that a movie like this can get great reviews and no one question their beliefs but a movie like “The Passion of the Christ” will get run through the mill and all involved criticized. I pray that all Christians around the world can see through the darkness that is trying to blind them from the light of the world.