First off I will say that the story didn't really have much going for it. So at that point I thought it would be hard to keep myself interested. But there was one thing that no matter what happened in the movie, always had me smiling. It was Patrick Warburton. He is an actor that has a very distinct voice that you will always remember. Every time he talked in the movie, I was laughing. Some of the dialog he used was cheesy, but worked since he had such a funny voice. There were some other interesting characters, but they were not as good. Andy Dick was the so called bad guy. It is hard to like Andy Dick as certain characters. He seemed to fit as this one though. The girl that was working for Warburton was Elaine Hendrix. I didn't like her as the character she was. She was a bit annoying. So overall if it wasn't for Warburton and some of his interesting and funny lines, I am not sure if I would of liked the movie at all.
11 Reviews
Humorous But Not Perfect
gavin694212 September 2013
A down and out private detective (Patrick Warburton) engages in a turf war with a upstart quasi-religious cult, run by the Blessed Guru Bart (Andy Dick).
What I liked about this film was that Warburton had a role that was not terribly different in humor from "The Tick", possibly his best character ever. He has a wonderful voice and when used for comedy it really hits an audience in a way no other actor's voice can.
I also liked Eric Roberts being here. While he has fallen harder than almost any celebrity (his appearance in "The Dead Want Women" is lamentable) he does a great cameo here and I think it might almost be the last good comedy performance he has had (as of 2013).
What I liked about this film was that Warburton had a role that was not terribly different in humor from "The Tick", possibly his best character ever. He has a wonderful voice and when used for comedy it really hits an audience in a way no other actor's voice can.
I also liked Eric Roberts being here. While he has fallen harder than almost any celebrity (his appearance in "The Dead Want Women" is lamentable) he does a great cameo here and I think it might almost be the last good comedy performance he has had (as of 2013).
Rock Slyde AFI Dallas review
cwair139 April 2009
"Andy Dick and Patrick Warburton appear on screen in top comedic form in the Independent feature, Rock Slyde, which premiered at the AFI Dallas Film Festival this past week.
The idea for the off-beat film was inspired by the handsome director's mother, Chris Dowling noted on the red carpet, with a sly smile on his face.
"Can't you make a movie that doesn't have any violence or gratuitous sex in it," she pointedly asked the talented screenwriter one day.
The Clark Kent look-a-like rose to the occasion by penning a script that hits the funny bone more often than not.
Patrick Warburton (private dick Rock Slyde) adeptly plays the role to the hilt - with a droll unaffected approach, mind you - that ultimately takes a poke at the film noir genre it sprang from.
Andy Dick - who sports a beard in this part - is hilarious in a zany role that is decidedly off- beat.
Part of the reason the cult figure the TV personality plays on screen succeeds so admirably is due to inpeccable timing on the part of Dick and his innate ability to create a character that resonates with its own truth within a specific context.
Unfortunately, Rock Slyde - the movie - lags at times.
Although Dowling is a competent writer with original ideas, the script should have been tightened a smidgen, to ensure lazy minds didn't wander a tad.
In fact, when I exchanged notes with a couple of other industry-types, they admitted they - too - started to snooze a little about three-quarters of the way through Slyde beneath the floodlights.
In its current incarnation, the full-length feature tends to lurch and burp a bit; then, roll over and die a second or two, before unexpecedly picking up again as it races to a hilarious finale.
In many respects the entertaining piece of fluff is uneven - but fixable - in my estimation.
For a low-budget feature (shot on an old soundstage at Sunset Blvd & Gower Street in the heart of Hollywood) that wrapped in a six short creatively-stuffed weeks, I found the production values to be surprisingly rich.
Warburton and Dick also manage to rise above the material and make it an inviting popcorn movie film buffs on the edge of the mainstream may be able to warm up to.
Teens may guffaw a lot, too, quite possibly transforming the little-movie-that-could into an unexpected hit come the lazy days of summer.
Of course, such a scenario is only within reach, if distribution is forthcoming, and a visionary studio backs Rock Slyde with eye-catching promos geared toward the market, of course!
1 thumb & 1 half-knuckle up!"
-Julian Ayrs, The Tattler
The idea for the off-beat film was inspired by the handsome director's mother, Chris Dowling noted on the red carpet, with a sly smile on his face.
"Can't you make a movie that doesn't have any violence or gratuitous sex in it," she pointedly asked the talented screenwriter one day.
The Clark Kent look-a-like rose to the occasion by penning a script that hits the funny bone more often than not.
Patrick Warburton (private dick Rock Slyde) adeptly plays the role to the hilt - with a droll unaffected approach, mind you - that ultimately takes a poke at the film noir genre it sprang from.
Andy Dick - who sports a beard in this part - is hilarious in a zany role that is decidedly off- beat.
Part of the reason the cult figure the TV personality plays on screen succeeds so admirably is due to inpeccable timing on the part of Dick and his innate ability to create a character that resonates with its own truth within a specific context.
Unfortunately, Rock Slyde - the movie - lags at times.
Although Dowling is a competent writer with original ideas, the script should have been tightened a smidgen, to ensure lazy minds didn't wander a tad.
In fact, when I exchanged notes with a couple of other industry-types, they admitted they - too - started to snooze a little about three-quarters of the way through Slyde beneath the floodlights.
In its current incarnation, the full-length feature tends to lurch and burp a bit; then, roll over and die a second or two, before unexpecedly picking up again as it races to a hilarious finale.
In many respects the entertaining piece of fluff is uneven - but fixable - in my estimation.
For a low-budget feature (shot on an old soundstage at Sunset Blvd & Gower Street in the heart of Hollywood) that wrapped in a six short creatively-stuffed weeks, I found the production values to be surprisingly rich.
Warburton and Dick also manage to rise above the material and make it an inviting popcorn movie film buffs on the edge of the mainstream may be able to warm up to.
Teens may guffaw a lot, too, quite possibly transforming the little-movie-that-could into an unexpected hit come the lazy days of summer.
Of course, such a scenario is only within reach, if distribution is forthcoming, and a visionary studio backs Rock Slyde with eye-catching promos geared toward the market, of course!
1 thumb & 1 half-knuckle up!"
-Julian Ayrs, The Tattler
You've heard of the place where funny went to die? This movie is where the corpse of funny was taken to be cremated.
MBunge7 June 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Writer/director Chris Dowling is not funny. He might be able to pick funny out of a police lineup. Funny may have said "hi" to him in the office, one day. He may have even taken funny out for a drink. But after watching this film, I can say with absolute authority that Chris Dowling is NOT funny.
Now, he might be clever. I could believe that Dowling was one of those guys who floats along the edge of other's conversations and chimes in every so often with a pithy quip. There are a couple of notions rattling around inside this script and a few moments where you can tell that Dowling has at least put some thought into they way he's telling this story. But just as Tina Fay and the folks at 30 Rock have bitterly learned though years of poor ratings, clever is not at all the same thing as funny.
A meandering spoof of the 1940s private eye flick that turns into a toothless satire of Scientology, virtually every laugh, snicker or smile produced by this motion picture happens in spite of Dowling's efforts. Once you get beyond the basic concepts of the story, the writing is incredibly lazy with jokes that aren't so much told as put out of their misery. The plot is atrociously structured, with the first half of the movie turning out to be nothing more than an exercise in killing time. The cast is clearly giving it the old college try, but are far too often left to flounder around on screen by Dowling's witless direction.
Rock Slyde (Patrick Warburton) is a private investigator who looks, acts and self-narrates like a character out of a Raymond Chandler novel, except when the movie needs him to arbitrarily abandon those conceits for ever worsening punchlines. Sadly, within 30 seconds of watching him it become obvious that Warburton could be great at this kind of role. He's got the physical presence and total sincerity to make a guy like this really funny, which makes it doubly painful to see Warburton slide into lackadaisical indifference because Dowling hasn't got a clue what to do with him.
Slyde is hired by a beautiful woman (Rena Sofer) to find out who's following her, while also dealing with the bothersome cult leader (Andy Dick) who wants to evict Slyde from his office. Throw in Slyde's secretary getting brainwashed by the cult, a pointless scattering of celebrities in supporting roles and the use of gay pirate musicals as a major plot point, and that's the whole shebang.
I can't think of a single way that Rock Slyde could be considered a success. It sucks at making fun of 1940s private eye clichés. It sucks at making fun of Scientology. There are barely any laughs in it at all. It never looks any better than some low-rent sitcom.
Let me leave you with an example of how bad this thing is. There's a character here who is supposed to be funny because he has a German accent. That's it. He doesn't say anything particularly humorous or have any other comedic traits, not even a love for David Hasselhoff. He just has a German accent and that, by itself, is supposed to elicit guffaws from the viewer. Unless that sort of thing tickles you, take a pass on this film.
Now, he might be clever. I could believe that Dowling was one of those guys who floats along the edge of other's conversations and chimes in every so often with a pithy quip. There are a couple of notions rattling around inside this script and a few moments where you can tell that Dowling has at least put some thought into they way he's telling this story. But just as Tina Fay and the folks at 30 Rock have bitterly learned though years of poor ratings, clever is not at all the same thing as funny.
A meandering spoof of the 1940s private eye flick that turns into a toothless satire of Scientology, virtually every laugh, snicker or smile produced by this motion picture happens in spite of Dowling's efforts. Once you get beyond the basic concepts of the story, the writing is incredibly lazy with jokes that aren't so much told as put out of their misery. The plot is atrociously structured, with the first half of the movie turning out to be nothing more than an exercise in killing time. The cast is clearly giving it the old college try, but are far too often left to flounder around on screen by Dowling's witless direction.
Rock Slyde (Patrick Warburton) is a private investigator who looks, acts and self-narrates like a character out of a Raymond Chandler novel, except when the movie needs him to arbitrarily abandon those conceits for ever worsening punchlines. Sadly, within 30 seconds of watching him it become obvious that Warburton could be great at this kind of role. He's got the physical presence and total sincerity to make a guy like this really funny, which makes it doubly painful to see Warburton slide into lackadaisical indifference because Dowling hasn't got a clue what to do with him.
Slyde is hired by a beautiful woman (Rena Sofer) to find out who's following her, while also dealing with the bothersome cult leader (Andy Dick) who wants to evict Slyde from his office. Throw in Slyde's secretary getting brainwashed by the cult, a pointless scattering of celebrities in supporting roles and the use of gay pirate musicals as a major plot point, and that's the whole shebang.
I can't think of a single way that Rock Slyde could be considered a success. It sucks at making fun of 1940s private eye clichés. It sucks at making fun of Scientology. There are barely any laughs in it at all. It never looks any better than some low-rent sitcom.
Let me leave you with an example of how bad this thing is. There's a character here who is supposed to be funny because he has a German accent. That's it. He doesn't say anything particularly humorous or have any other comedic traits, not even a love for David Hasselhoff. He just has a German accent and that, by itself, is supposed to elicit guffaws from the viewer. Unless that sort of thing tickles you, take a pass on this film.
Beware of Falling Rocks sign missing
adrossan27 October 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Yet another example of a great idea gone to waste.
Patrick Warburton in the monotoned delivery of the hard-bitten private eye noire - what could be better ? Well, apparently even a rock slide would be better than this crapola, which is a total spoiler from the first minute to the last.
I watched it from start to finish, like you watch a stage act which goes from bad to worse - you want to look away but something compels you to keep looking.
The script must, repeat MUST, have been written by an 8 year old. And his uncle must be a film producer, and his dad a director - how else could this have actually made it to public release ? As I said, I watched every minute of this film, and there was not a single laugh, giggle, snicker, or guffaw in the entire thing. I did let loose an involuntary titter at the final fake gag reel, with the "rogue wave", but that was it.
Pure, unmitigated, 100%, grade A, totally and completely garbage, every single line, whisper, look and stance from all the actors.
Probably the shame being seen in this drivel was causing the actors to make small movements, so they weren't noticed, and run quickly off-set once their piece was finished.
Unfunny, un-clever, very boring, very dull, very dumb, and another huge waste of an idea that really could have gone somewhere and produced a great movie.
Flush it away and try & forget it was ever really there at all.
Patrick Warburton in the monotoned delivery of the hard-bitten private eye noire - what could be better ? Well, apparently even a rock slide would be better than this crapola, which is a total spoiler from the first minute to the last.
I watched it from start to finish, like you watch a stage act which goes from bad to worse - you want to look away but something compels you to keep looking.
The script must, repeat MUST, have been written by an 8 year old. And his uncle must be a film producer, and his dad a director - how else could this have actually made it to public release ? As I said, I watched every minute of this film, and there was not a single laugh, giggle, snicker, or guffaw in the entire thing. I did let loose an involuntary titter at the final fake gag reel, with the "rogue wave", but that was it.
Pure, unmitigated, 100%, grade A, totally and completely garbage, every single line, whisper, look and stance from all the actors.
Probably the shame being seen in this drivel was causing the actors to make small movements, so they weren't noticed, and run quickly off-set once their piece was finished.
Unfunny, un-clever, very boring, very dull, very dumb, and another huge waste of an idea that really could have gone somewhere and produced a great movie.
Flush it away and try & forget it was ever really there at all.
IIFC Film Fest Review
dieseltrucker29 March 2010
"A laugh-out-loud send-up of Hollywood...and the film noir detective genre, "Rock Slyde" starts with what many big Hollywood films lack — a really good and very funny script.
Patrick Warburton as Rock Slyde, a cognitively clueless detective whose nose for crime is better than his noggin, was sad eyed, pitch perfect and endearing. Resisting the advances of femme fatale Rena Sofer's delicious Sara Lee because of a childhood spent watching "Soul Train" (but that's another story), Slyde faces down adversary cult leader Andy Dick (Bart of Bartology) to save his holdout office space in the ever-expanding Bartology building and rescue his brainwashed secretary. And if you think that sentence is pointedly pithy, "Slyde" is even more crammed full with over-the-top winks, asides and jokes including a cameo by Jason Alexander as a Jewish U.S. postal carrier enamored of Slyde's turn as an actor in a gay porn musical (but that too is another story).
"Rock Slyde" performances, cinematography, original score and songs (if you don't leave the theater singing, "swashbuckle me, swashbuckle, down on your knees," you're probably dead), and script are brilliant and of a piece — a carefully crafted piece that is a testament to creativity on the cheap — brilliance without big budgets. "
Patrick Warburton as Rock Slyde, a cognitively clueless detective whose nose for crime is better than his noggin, was sad eyed, pitch perfect and endearing. Resisting the advances of femme fatale Rena Sofer's delicious Sara Lee because of a childhood spent watching "Soul Train" (but that's another story), Slyde faces down adversary cult leader Andy Dick (Bart of Bartology) to save his holdout office space in the ever-expanding Bartology building and rescue his brainwashed secretary. And if you think that sentence is pointedly pithy, "Slyde" is even more crammed full with over-the-top winks, asides and jokes including a cameo by Jason Alexander as a Jewish U.S. postal carrier enamored of Slyde's turn as an actor in a gay porn musical (but that too is another story).
"Rock Slyde" performances, cinematography, original score and songs (if you don't leave the theater singing, "swashbuckle me, swashbuckle, down on your knees," you're probably dead), and script are brilliant and of a piece — a carefully crafted piece that is a testament to creativity on the cheap — brilliance without big budgets. "
- Idyllwild Town Crier
Film review from AFI Dallas screener of "Rock Slyde"
rainyflynn3 April 2009
I was fortunate enough to see this film at the 2009 AFI Dallas Int'l Film Festival as press for a new show to launch exclusively on demand in the Dallas market for Time Warner Cable called "Indie Scene".
I laughed my head off and so did the rest of the audience at both sold out screenings of this film, where people were turned away due to seating shortages. With all the laughing; some follow up lines were missed so the movie was even funnier at the second screening. This is a lighthearted poke fun at film movie that I really appreciated because of the absents of sex, drugs and violence. Will this film win an Oscar, no, they don't recognize comedies anyway but you will be quoting lines from the film with your friends. So with that being said if your looking to have a good time watching an Indie film, check out "Rock Slyde".
I laughed my head off and so did the rest of the audience at both sold out screenings of this film, where people were turned away due to seating shortages. With all the laughing; some follow up lines were missed so the movie was even funnier at the second screening. This is a lighthearted poke fun at film movie that I really appreciated because of the absents of sex, drugs and violence. Will this film win an Oscar, no, they don't recognize comedies anyway but you will be quoting lines from the film with your friends. So with that being said if your looking to have a good time watching an Indie film, check out "Rock Slyde".
Incredibly funny movie
aribisbee18 May 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Not since Anchorman have I seen a movie with more quotable lines. This movie is laugh-out- loud funny. I have watched it a couple of times now and it never fails to make me laugh. I can't picture anybody but Patrick Warburton in the role of Rock Slyde. He nails it. And seeing him in that teeny tiny car was so funny. Andy Dick as the Blessed Guru and just the whole concept of Bartology was funny. Patrick and Andy were great. They are given a run for their money though by Jamie Alexander. I have no idea how anybody could keep a straight face during his scenes. In fact, in one outtake we see during the credits, we learn that not everyone could keep a straight face! It was fun spotting the cameo appearances too. Cherry on top? A song that will be forever stuck in your head! In fact, I'm humming it right now and wishing for cookies! Can't say enough about this movie!
Review
jason-177510 April 2009
"Patrick Warburton and Andy Dick ham up the detective genre. Warburton is Rock Slyde, a Smart Car-driving private dick so droll, so disaffected that he can't be bothered with come-ons from Rena Sofer's beautiful dame when he takes on her case to find out who's tailing her. Dick plays the wacky leader of The Cult of Bartology, whose main objective is to take over Slyde's office space to gain control of the building.
Director Chris Dowling takes full advantage of the genre's wide-open spaces for gags and comic allusions to film noir's past. And as the screenwriter, he chooses his shots and doesn't let the script fall into a punny mess.
Cameos from Jason Alexander, Jerry Cantrell, Brian Bosworth and others add to the fun. And Andy's real life followers will enjoy seeing him as a brunette."
-Marc Lee
Director Chris Dowling takes full advantage of the genre's wide-open spaces for gags and comic allusions to film noir's past. And as the screenwriter, he chooses his shots and doesn't let the script fall into a punny mess.
Cameos from Jason Alexander, Jerry Cantrell, Brian Bosworth and others add to the fun. And Andy's real life followers will enjoy seeing him as a brunette."
-Marc Lee
Rock Slyde
check12329 June 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I can't tell how long it's been since I watched a movie that had me smiling and laughing from the time it began to the end. It was so refreshing to watch this movie because it was just clean fun. The writers skills are exceptional followed by the talented cast. Some names have new meaning to me as I will never think of a Jolly Roger as a piece of boring candy again. I still won't eat a Jolly Roger but I will laugh and smile each time I hear the name. Patrick Warburton performance was outstanding as the dimwit detective Rock Slyde. Andy Dick who played the character Bart the obnoxious cult leader, I had to asked myself was that part written exclusively for him? That answer is yes. Rena Sofer did an awesome job playing the denzel in distress. Elaine Hendrix's performance wonderful as her performance reminded me at times of Miss Wiggins from Carol Burnett. Line after line scene after scene I smiled, giggled, I laughed. The writer hit home with silly things that so many people chose to judge their own self worth by. Rock Slyde in my opinion is a family friendly movie.
Well done.
Well done.
Absolutely fantastic!
firemanmatt2325 November 2010
Saw this recently, and absolutely loved it! Cannot believe this is the directors first effort, shows the marks of an established and confident director...great script, great actors, hilarious set pieces - a movie to watch over again and again in order to pick up all the little throw away gags. Andy Dick was fantastic, and as has been mentioned in other reviews, Patrick Warburton plays the title character as a perfect straight comedy character.
Mixing two great story strands works well and keeps you interested all the way through, along with the great sight gags. Will have to look out for more from Mr Dowling in the future!
Mixing two great story strands works well and keeps you interested all the way through, along with the great sight gags. Will have to look out for more from Mr Dowling in the future!
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