The Jakarta Post writers introduce you to "classic" movies you may have missed but in some way changed their lives.

There are many successful comedy troupes out there, but few are willing to go further than expected. Broken Lizard is one of the most underrated creative ensembles in Hollywood and Beerfest (2006) is their masterpiece.

They make "stupid" movies, sure, but stupid movies can be one of the hardest kinds to make. Try telling jokes to one of your chums, chances are that if you aren't good at your craft, it's you who will feel tickled rather than not them.

Beerfest is almost a homage to the brew as a great intercultural concoction. It's a romantic ode to one of the world's most celebrated beverages. There is no better way to flare up the idea than through a comical medium.

The movie starts with two American siblings, Jan and Todd Wolfhouse. They visited Germany after their grandfather passed away as they wanted to take their grandfather's ashes to be sheltered there.

However, the brothers find out that there is an underground festival called Beerfest in which no American team has joined. In order to win the crazy contest and regain their dignity, the brothers recruit three old malt-guzzling school friends.

Although you may have not participated in college drinking games, there are plenty of classic gags and hilarious lines along the way. The way they gouged comedy out of interracial relations is intriguing, even admirable.

The film is neither a heartwarming chick flick or a sinister, offensive comedy.

The Broken Lizard, which started a sketch comedy group in Colgate University before moving to New York City to perform live comedy shows, consists of Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske. All of them take the credit for writing the film as a group. They have an unmistakable chemistry as a group and are flexible enough to act as different characters from one movie to another.

Their previous flicks are Club Dread (2004), Super Troopers (2002) and Puddle Cruiser (1996).

My wish is that they would be more productive in the future, stick together as a team, and top this monumental work.

So gather up all your crazy friends and slide Beerfest disc into your player. A pitcher of beer is optional.

-- Alvin Darlanika Soedarjo

Popular

RI, Australia strengthen partnership on taxing crypto assets

Analysis: Indonesia denies normalization with Israel to enter OECD

Citroen to produce electric cars in Indonesia