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Movies / On DVD / Hebrew Hammer
Hebrew Hammer

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Hebrew Hammer (2003)

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Reviews Counted:23

Fresh:12

Rotten:11

Average Rating:5.1/10

Runtime: 86 mins

Genre: Comedies

Synopsis: THE HEBREW HAMMER is a holiday movie that is most definitely not for kids. Adam Goldberg stars as Mordechai Jefferson Carver, also known as the Hebrew Hammer, a private detective who has an... THE HEBREW HAMMER is a holiday movie that is most definitely not for kids. Adam Goldberg stars as Mordechai Jefferson Carver, also known as the Hebrew Hammer, a private detective who has an overbearing mother (Nora Dunn) and a propensity to whine when things get difficult. He is hired by Bloomenbergensteinthal (Peter Coyote), chief of the Jewish Justice League, to prevent Damian Claus (Andy Dick) from killing Hanukkah. The Semitic Stallion seeks out help in the form of the Kwanzaa Liberation Front, headed by Mohammed Ali (Mario Van Peebles in a great afro), while also falling for the JJL chief's daughter, Esther (Judy Greer). Damian, who has his father brutally murdered by reindeer, Santa (Richard Riehle), is supported by his right-hand man, low-grade hood Tiny Tim (Sean Whalen). It's hard to tell which side Jamal is on--but this foul-mouthed decadent elf is played by Tony Cox, who handles a similar role in the later BAD SANTA. The ultimate battle between good and evil awaits in this riotous Jewxploitation film that never met a stereotype or offensive joke it didn't like. Writer-director Jonathan Kesselman's debut feature film pays homage to SHAFT, SWEET SWEETBACK'S BAADASSSS SONG, and other blaxploitation favorites, filled with shootouts, curses, and sex, so leave the children at home. But don't look away for a second or you'll miss another groan-inducing hysterical joke or funny cameo. And the theme song, a takeoff on Isaac Hayes's theme from SHAFT, is a classic. [More]

Starring: Adam Goldberg, Judy Greer, Andy Dick, Sean Whalen

Starring: Adam Goldberg, Judy Greer, Andy Dick, Sean Whalen, Mario Van Peebles, Nora Dunn, Peter Coyote, Tony Cox

Director: Jonathan Kesselman

Director: Jonathan Kesselman
Screenwriter: Jonathan Kesselman
Producer: Sofia Sondervan, Josh Kesselman, Lisa Fragner
Composer: Michael Cohen
Studio: Strand Releasing

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Hebrew Hammer

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/18/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

Corny and crude at times, but effective in its single-minded pursuit of laughs.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
02/09/05
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

[E]nds up veering from ridiculous but pointed commentary into abusing and insulting those [the film] intends to champion...

Full Review Source: Flick Filosopher | comment Comment
12/21/04
MaryAnn Johanson
MaryAnn Johanson
Flick Filosopher

Profane, shockingly un-PC and often laugh-out-loud hilarious, this is the sort of parody that the folks who made the Airplane and Naked Gun movies used to make -- funny.

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
04/29/04
Roger Moore
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
04/17/04
Geoff Pevere
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star

Everybody needs a little burlesque fun with his digital reprogramming, and the politically incorrect good times barely let up in this story.

Full Review Source: Orlando Weekly | comment Comment
04/09/04
Steve Schneider
Steve Schneider
Orlando Weekly

A scattershot assortment of jokes that is funniest when it sticks to its neat premise.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
04/08/04
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

Kesselman keeps the movie crackling with the raucous energy absent since Mel Brooks' heyday.

Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
04/08/04
Colin Covert
Colin Covert
Minneapolis Star Tribune

Desperation is the project's principal quality.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
01/30/04
Mark Jenkins
Mark Jenkins
Washington Post

The movie starts out hilarious but like The Hammer's Jewish mother, it starts to nag at you after awhile.

Full Review Source: TheMovieChicks.com | comment Comment
01/09/04
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
TheMovieChicks.com

The movie hits as much as it misses, with enough witty observations to ensure that somewhere, Kesselman's mother is kvelling.

Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment Comment
01/02/04
Elizabeth Weitzman
Elizabeth Weitzman
New York Daily News

Kesselman's thin script generally is funniest when it's riffing on Jewish stereotypes and goyish bigotry.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
12/23/03
David Rooney
David Rooney
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An insubstantial but highly entertaining flick.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
12/20/03
Matt Weitz
Matt Weitz
Dallas Morning News

A crass, sophomoric and, more to the point, offensively unfunny parody.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
12/19/03
Michael Rechtshaffen
Michael Rechtshaffen
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Doesn't quite nail it, but it's not as bad as it sounds, either.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
12/19/03
E! Online

Uneven, profane and occasionally flat-out hilarious.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
12/19/03
Maitland McDonagh
Maitland McDonagh
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A hit-and-miss affair.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
12/19/03
Megan Lehmann
Megan Lehmann
New York Post

plays like a lower (much, much lower) budgeted, Jewish version of Malcolm Lee’s funnier Undercover Brother

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
12/19/03
Chris Barsanti
Chris Barsanti
Filmcritic.com

Would have worked brilliantly as a five-minute late-night comedy sketch.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
12/18/03
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Unfunny rather than outrageous as intended.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
12/18/03
Kevin Thomas
Kevin Thomas
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for Hebrew Hammer

May 18, 2005: Weinsteins Are "Hoodwinked" by CGI Red Riding Hood Comedy
Although their new company has yet to receive an official name, that's not stopping the Weinstein brothers from making a few Cannes purchases. The brothers just snapped up North... More...

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