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Disco Pigs
In Film.com's latest movie of the week, Disco Pigs, two Irish kids (Pig and Runt), inseparable since birth, find their close relationship challenged by growing pains.
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  Cultural Impact Battle Royale: Swingers Versus The Daily Show
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Editor's Note: This column is the first in a series of "you decide" columns. The question presented is: Which 90's phenomenon has had the most cultural impact? The competition is stiff. Today's column pits Swingers vs. The Daily Show. The matchups for the rest of the week are: The year was 1996. On the far reaches of the cable universe, Comedy Central debuted a little late-night comedy show on the evening of July 22. It was called The Daily Show (with Jon Stewart wouldn't be added till 1999, when he replaced Craig Kilborn as host), and it has gone on to become a pop culture touchstone and arguably one of the most influential comedy shows in TV history. On October 18 of that same year, Miramax released a little film called Swingers. It cost $200,0000 to make, and on its opening weekend, during which it played on eight screens, it earned $74,000. It eventually expanded to 160 screens, and earned a little over $4.5 million during its theatrical run, but its biggest impact was as a cult hit on home video. Each of these entertainment enterprises spawned a slew of new talent who have, individually, gone on to dramatically impact pop culture in the early 21st century, and who look to continue to have major influence. But does one have more mojo than the other? You decide, based on the evidence presented here. The case for Swingers: It was written by and starred Jon Favreau, who went on to direct Made (2001) and Elf (2003). And he may well have one of the biggest movies of summer 2008 with Iron Man, which he directed. Other notable alum of the film include: Vince Vaughn (The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Clay Pigeons, The Cell, Old School, Dodgeball, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Wedding Crashers, and Fred Claus); Ron Livingston (Office Space, Band of Brothers, Sex and the City, Music Within, and the upcoming The Time Traveler's Wife); and Heather Graham (Boogie Nights, Bowfinger, Scrubs, and Bobby). The case for The Daily Show: It was the first showcase for Steve Carell, who first appeared as a correspondent in 1999. He went on to such projects as Bruce Almighty (2003), Anchorman (2004), The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005), TV's The Office (2005-today), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), and Dan in Real Life (2007). And he is starring in another possible summer blockbuster, Get Smart, as the iconically bumbling secret agent. Other notable alum of the show include: Stephen Colbert (Strangers With Candy, The Colbert Report); Aasif Mandvi (CSI, Jericho); Mo Rocca (I Love the 70s, Best Week Ever); Beth Littleford (Spin City, Drillbit Taylor); and John Hodgman (the Mac commercials, Baby Mama, the upcoming Coraline). Let the battle begin. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Comments
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