If this movie has a penis, Mel Gibson is totally sucking it right now.

Rating: 8/10 (10 March 2007)

TENACIOUS D IN 'THE PICK OF DESTINY' 2006 (JACK BLACK, KYLE GASS) DIRECTED BY: LIAM LYNCH ~ THE RUNDOWN: JB-Naysayers beware - the guy is actually very funny and completely proves himself in this absolutely hilarious, immensely entertaining, well-made and completely original comedic masterpiece. ~ In a Utopian society, as*s-kicking movies like this would be the ones winning Oscars and getting acclaim instead of pieces-of-sh*t like Braveheart. The very poor box-office results of POD prove that Jack Black doesn't get the respect he deserves, yet he consistently gives amazing performances. In POD, for instance (which he co-wrote with Gass and Lynch), his usual on-screen energy returns again full-force and he makes the audience share in it whether they want to or not making the film a totally refreshing and involving experience. And at the same time he manages to brilliantly combine that Carrey-like energy with hilarious subtlety in every scene he's in, in every line he delivers, and in every look he gives. He's also a really good singer, and really just an all-around fun actor to watch. ~ The movie itself is also invigorating. Ninety five minutes is usually a little long for a comedy of this type but POD is actually very well paced and very entertaining as well. Furthermore, the movie isn't just for some good laughs; I mean, there's some serious sh*t going on here. The movie could actually be called groundbreaking for its genre and could easily take the title of a modern rock opera with a soundtrack that, by no means meets the caliber of The Wall or Rocky Horror, but definitely gets the job done when it comes to totally rocking. As for the story...well, it's as intelligent as possible without stepping out of its boundaries, and, at times, when accompanied with the music, is genuinely inspirational. I also absorbed the clean, well-polished look of the movie and got an overwhelming impression it was made and orchestrated with care. ~ Overall, 'Pick of Destiny' really just embodies ass-kicking in a tastefully vulgar manner, and I really hope more Tenacious D movies are on the way.