Jewish Post, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 December 2003 — Page 8

IN 8 December 17. 2003

Critic’s Comer

‘The Hebrew Hammer’ gets nailed

By CHARLES EPSTEIN While perusing television schedules, I came across a curious title, "The Hebrew Ham-

mer," a 2003 motion picture release presented on Comedy Central cable. With such an intriguing title, I just had to see it.

First, the Hammer in the title refers to "Mike Hammer, Private Eye," not a boxing nickname, which I had assumed. This movie is so bad it is funny. The fantastic plot is ridiculous. Santa Claus' evil son kills his father to take over the business and at the same time eliminate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. However the Hebrew Hammer is called upon to save Hanukkah from extinction. The real name of the Hebrew Hammer is Mordechai Jefferson Carver. This film is a very bad parody - of what, I don't know.

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The humor reaches far out, stretching reality to its furthest. Most of the foul language is bleeped for television, but it is easy to read lips for comprehension. The Hebrew Hammer is a certified circumcised detective (my words). Many times he is asked to reveal his credentials, especially when he is called to the JJL - the Jewish Justice League. You must be certified to enter the sanctum. At the JJL we found Peter Coyote portraying a Moshe Dayan character complete with eye patch that has an embroidered Mogen David on it. There is also an incontinent cat named Mazeltov in this terrible but funny film. With the multitude of commercials, it was hard to keep the continuity of the film. Jokes (good and bad) come fast and furious. One might have to see this film twice to comprehend all that it has to offer. For instance, the Hebrew

Hammer just got back from Israel, so he pays a man with a fistful of shekels. One maniacal scheme the villain has to get rid of Hanukkah is to give away to young Jewish children bootleg VHS copies of Frank Capra's classic film "It's a Wonderful Life." The villain is also referred to as the Goy who stole Hanukkah. Near the end of the film our hero and his girlfriend are trapped in a Kmart and are

rescued by the UJR - the Underground Jewish Railroad Besides Peter Coyote, the cast includes Adam Goldberg in the title role and the talented Andy Dick as the evil Santa. Others in the cast are unknown and probably will stay that way for a while. Unfortunately, this ridiculous movie, "The Hebrew Hammer," is entertaining in a weird sort of way. The film ends with "Happy Jew Year."

At the JJL we found Peter Coyote portraying a Moshe Dayan character complete with eye patch that has an embroidered Mogen David on it. There is also an incontinent cat named Mazeltov in this terrible but funny film.

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