The Corndog Man (1999) User Reviews (41)

Let's not fight, I'm HAPPY today!!! (spoil free)

[manalone923 · 8/10 · 4 December 2003]

This film was thrust upon me by one of my more assertive friends, Pat. Pat's tastes and mine rarely mesh when it comes to movies, and when he put it in the vcr and insisted I see it, I wasn't too thrilled. But I must admit, I found it interesting. I knew nothing about it, so when I see this boat salesman resembling Boss Hogg answering the phone and hearing a goofily - voiced prank caller, I assumed it would be just one of several things that would be annoying and pointless. And at first, that is what I got. With every phone ring, and every chant of the man answering "Triple K Marine!" I was annoyed and confused. Is this the whole movie?

Well, as it turns out, yes. But then a cool thing happened. The phone calls, while at first irritating, start to get less so when you do realize that they're the cornerstone of the entire film. Why does this prankster keep calling the boat salesman, and how much is the poor sap willing to take? Thus the movie became slowly more engrossing, and little by very little, more important information is revealed. It turns out there is more to this telephone terrorist than we at first think, and every new bit of information is awkwardly digested by the poor old boat salesman as we watch and wait to see what happens and what choices must be made.

The ending is open to debate as to whether it made the whole slow buildup worth it, but I myself think it was. It's a good movie with a good (albeit maybe sad) ultimate message, even if it does take a long time to slowly unroll. But I must give credit to the script and the actors who perform it, because what could be a relentlessly maddening hour and a half of uninteresting phone conversations, is skillfully turned into an interesting and funny (and finally dramatic) story of two lives intersecting for a very legitamite reason. It's worth watching, if not just to hear the goofy phone calls (one of which features my favorite line, quoted at the top) and the even goofier reactions of the beleagered boat guy. Unique fun and drama, and an interesting surprise.

How An Independent Film Should Be Made

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 2 July 2006]

This is a true independent film: a low budget, a strong story, no familiar actors, no familiar director and a production company I will probably never hear about again.

The story is about as simple as stories get: one man, employed at a boat shop, starts receiving harassing phone calls from another man who claims to be his son. The calls increase throughout the movie and we piece by piece see the connection between the two men.

This film relies almost entirely on dialogue and vulgar language (with such expressions as "you can kiss a good man's ass"). There is not much for action. The film could be considered a comedy with the humorous exchanges between the two men and the antics that ensue, but underneath it all is a drama and a social commentary on race relations.

This film will make you want to smoke and eat corn dogs. So make sure you purchase corn dogs before watching the movie or you will regret this. I recommend the film, although it's not something you would watch at a party or with a special friend. Invite over that kid who likes "Clerks" and "Slacker"... they'll appreciate this one.

Thought-provoking, funny, and disturbing

[Dr.X · 7/10 · 17 January 2000]

At a loss for anything decent at the video store I took a chance on Corndog Man. I'm really glad I did. This is an intriguing film that has you wondering who the antagonist is and what his motivation is throughout the film. There are moments of very good comedy and moments of very good yet tasteful social commentary about racism and how it heats up when biased people regress to their simpler emotions under stress. Mostly though, I found it an enjoyable mystery and character study that is well paced and well-developed. Definitely worth a look.

"Triple K Marine!"

[A_F_Waddell · 1 May 2001]

Alternately Titled: Would You Buy A Boat From This Man?

I was browsing in Blockbuster earlier this year and bought a copy of The Corndog Man. I saw the title and had a flashback to a review I'd read. Part Psychic Movie Reviewer, part compulsive reader of reviews, I knew that this one would be a winner. Plus it was marked down to $6.99 . . . a steal!

I highly recommend this film, which was a winner at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival.

First of all, let me say that the late character actor Noble Willingham has been on my radar for years. An all American type physically: The Marlboro Man meets That Squarejawed Guy Who Does Pain Relief Commercials. He is almost unrecognizable now, and totally believable as Southern racist boat salesman Ace Barker. He is compellingly, depressingly real in this role.

As good old boy Ace Barker plies his trade selling boats at Triple K Marine, the harassing phone calls and stalking begin. Ace becomes quite exasperated as he monitors for sales calls, only to be repeatedly confronted by a seemingly unbalanced young man who claims to be his son.

The Corndog Man takes Southern stereotypes to a new level. ACTING! I hope.

Filmed on location near Charleston SC, it is an atmospheric film with a bluesy soundtrack. Oppressively small-town conspiratorial --- could this be an omen for visitors: simply stay on I-95 and drive.

An unpredictable tale of harassment, revenge, desperation, and old secrets, The Corndog Man reminds us that what goes around, comes around. Watch your back. Watch your front. Watch your future. Watch your past. Change it if possible.

Got 83 minutes, and a desire to see something different? Shock and confuse the movie clerk by asking for this one.

Potentially disturbing . . . not recommended for all tastes!

Great, original movie with a killer soundtrack

[aschuller1 · 10/10 · 3 July 2004]

This is a great movie on a bunch of levels. First of all, Jerry Bruckheimer, eat your heart out. You don't need $200 million and CGI explosions to make a good movie. Second, whatever you are expecting of this movie will be wrong. I try to explain it to my friends as a man moving to a small South Carolina town, and messing with this old redneck on the phone. I know how scintillating that sounds, but once you see it, you will get it. It is laugh out loud funny at many points. You are highly entertained, but puzzled throughout the movie, and then the ending ties it all together in a way that hits you hard emotionally in a completely unexpected way. It also manages the social commentary on racism in a roundabout non-preachy way that maximizes its effectiveness. As a native small town southerner, the atmosphere created is dead on accurate, and the great soundtrack of blues music puts the perfect finishing touches on. My friend made me watch this movie, and now I recommend it to everyone I know (except the people who saw biker boyz, if you liked that movie, please never watch Corn Dog Man). Watch this movie, you will be exchanging Ace and Penrod comments on the back and forth on the phone with all your friends for months.

Damn good for what it is.

[=G= · 6/10 · 6 April 2001]

In "The Corndog Man" a redneck boat salesman in a small SC town is psychologically dismembered by a phone caller as payback for a past transgression. This obviously low budget, no frills flick is a love it or hate it psychodrama which will likely intrigue a niche audience with it's insidious plot and gathering momentum. The film will have limited appeal because of the subject but will resonate most with those who have known disgusting and flagrantly profane and bigoted characters such as the redneck victim played by Willingham. A excellent piece of work for what it is.

My Favorite Obscure Movie

[noveltylibrary · 10/10 · 27 April 2005]

Triple K Marine! This little known movie (and I mean little known, there are no reviews at Rotten Tomatoes) has been my favorite ensure film ever since it came out. I was lucky to find it on a Blockbuster shelf. I am not even sure it ever came out in the theaters. I've passed this film onto family members since no one I know has ever heard of it either. I can't even find anyone to talk about it on the Net! Put simply, there is nothing else like it. The scenes are quite simple, a man's voice (we never get to see his face, and I love that) is calling Noble Willingham's character over and over on the phone and calling him "Daddy". Why? In my opinion who cares, I just love seeing how Noble's character breaks down with each call! And the interplay between the two men is even funny at times. We do find out why this man (voice) has come to town with one mission only. The soundtrack alone is terrific, and I wish it were on a CD. The acting is...well it doesn't even seem like acting! Trust me if you like offbeat films, see it!

Great Work from a Great Professor of Mine

[JayHarry · 7/10 · 10 May 2005]

I actually had the privilege of taking a directing class with Andrew Shea. I think this film was very successful cinematic ally and in many different ways, but I ultimately I think the narrative structure amazingly innovative. It doesn't break the narrative rules by not being linear, but does something totally different that I can't even explain. My only critique of the movie is I didn't feel established enough with his past, so the memory of the rape felt a little to sudden and not developed enough, not enough transition. I was felt the transvesite character kind of swung the story out of wack a little but not too drastically, it just brought out this other element of the character's life that the movie didn't have time to deal with. Although the parts with the drag queen were treated with enough decency and was not too attention seeking that it didn't take to much away from the movie, and in its defense it did drive the narrative at certain points. You can see Andrew's genius come out through the characters considering the difficulty of the material. I also think that not showing the caller, which is a critique of most of the poor reviews, is actually a threshold of the film. It makes us sympathize and experience with the main character, because he never really sees this person either, and one of the greatest powers of this antagonist is his anonymity. Another critique is why does the man keep answering the phone which I think is another threshold of the film. He keeps answering because he has a guilt complex. He knows what he has done, even if its a repressed and subconscious memory, so he can't avoid it because he has an indescribable attraction to the situation. What these characters have to express to each other is complex and subtle (by this I mean the undercurrent of the humor, swearing, and the son toying with the father), which is accomplished by Andrew's amazing skills of working with actors. Ultimately a great film, even though it may take a few viewings, and I gave it only a 7 simply because I have been recently watching amazing films by Bergman, Wilder, and Hawks. Inspiring to see what you can do on a really low budget.

If you know the Tube Bar and Allied Motors....

[Mesi · 9/10 · 27 July 2002]

What a great film. Corndog Man is loosely based on two series of prank phone calls. The classic Red and the Tube Bar calls from the 1970s and a less well-known series of calls to Allied Motors made (I believe) in the late 80s. Comments about blue britches and snappy dressing are right out of the Allied Motors tapes as is Ace Barker's phone answering technique. Many stories circulated about the ultimate fate of Red from the Tube Bar in Jersey City, this film is a witty southern version of one of those tales.

You Got a Rubber Neck?

[mgreene-2 · 7/10 · 16 May 2001]

The Corndog Man is a highly original tale of one man's tulmultuous downfall because he can't stop answering the telephone. A good movie, with some witty, but repetitive dialogue and scenes. I just can't figure out what the symbolism of the corndog represented. Good for a low budget flick, but I still would have liked to see some other supporting characters developed more in this movie. Personally, it gets a little boring to watch a whole movie focusing on only one character, especially one who happens to be an ignoramus.

Definitely be prepared to suspend your disbelief when watching this one because of the all-knowing mystery man. The overall focus and scope of the movie was too narrow and repetitive to be really compelling and dramatic. Still, the movie was disturbing, edgy, and unique and the scenes were well illustrated by the director. Definitely worth seeing- but only once. 7/10

No need to suspend disbelief...

[revnickie · 5/10 · 19 March 2011]

All the comments about "suspension of disbelief" in here are making me LOL. This really happened people. Pretty much word for word. "Al White Motors." The tapes are REAL. I did not know someone made a movie out of them. They are much more interesting and extensive than the Tube Bar calls. It sure is making me feel like I have some secret information, which is a really hard thing to do these days, what with everyone and everything on the Internet. Do some research! Not trying to be confrontational. I just think it is hilarious. This movie is a tribute to the Greatest Practical Joke of all time. I'm happy I knew about it in its original form, because no movie could ever do it justice.

Sorry, but the existential merits of corndogs have nothing to do with this film.

[deankeaton44 · 8/10 · 8 May 2001]

Aronofsky didn't make this film. However, it may be little more than the dialect that separates this uniquely disturbing bent of storytelling from his. As a third generation piece of poor white trash, I can vouch for the language. Dead on, trust me. And as a native Southerner, I must sadly confirm that in certain rural pockets, this brand of racist garbage still exists. But the ultimate fate, and apparent past, of the protagonist of this film proved strange enough to wreck my sleep for at least three nights. To say that I liked this film would be amiss. A-way-the-hell-miss, in fact. But the storytelling is taut and cerebral. And it's cinematic impact is pretty powerful. Next time you feel like you're going to scream at another Meg Ryan romantic comedy or another Bruce Willis explosion movie, try this one on for size.

Why don't you kiss a good man's @$$?

[jfgibson73 · 6/10 · 8 June 2010]

Corndog Man was a pleasant surprise. Slow to start, it drew me in and kept me interested to the surprising end.

The movie consists of an unseen man calling up a boat salesmen and repeatedly harassing him. I never see any trace that the actor is performing--I totally believe every moment of Ace Barker, except for a subplot exposing him as a hypocrite that didn't work for me. The inventive profanity, along the lines of the drill sergeant in Full Metal Jacket, makes for memorable dialog, which is what the movie relies on, along with the performance of the lead actor. The movie builds scene by scene, and the reveal of the backstory was an interesting surprise. Worth multiple viewings.

I hated this movie

[johnnythornton-92111 · 4/10 · 21 August 2017]

Being from the South I felt the movie was a bit cheesy, As if the writer imagined how it would be way down there with the people that eat corn dogs everyday. Probably how I felt about New York City after watching "Midnight Cowboy". Too dependent on stereo types. Easy to demonize the South and its culture passes all PC standards. The movie dragged on too long.

Racism gets a kick in the face like never before

[phrogXIX · 26 January 2001]

In modern movie making, an unfortunate trend has surfaced. In order to keep people interested in a film, too much of the story is given away right away, due to lack of ability to properly develop characters in a subtle fashion. And this may be why Corndog Man receives rather mixed reviews. In reality, Corndog Man is a skillful work which purposely doesn't portray Ace Barker, our main character, as an evil man or a vicious one for a purpose. This is a work not only about the torture of an evil man, but about the difficulty to pin evil on him. Wonderful acting and plot development make you somewhat sympathetic for Ace, as his life is shredded, because you don't know why it's happening until the end. It's a quick reversal when your emotions see the truth, an all too common feeling in real life when things and people aren't as they originally seem. Not too often does a movie properly invoke real reactions. Yes, the sound of a phone ringing does tempt one to pull out some hair, but all in all it's worth it. My highest recommendations for Corndog Man.

you still wearin' them blue britches?

[rollitup · 9/10 · 20 August 2001]

loved it! what's better than seeing a racist idiot get the crap scared out of him by a smart little scumbag? heeelarious! i guess i grew up around too many people like the old fat white guy to have any sympathy for him. some funny, memorable lines. worth the price of a rental if only to find out what one might be able to do if one has a rubber neck!

Creative Modern Greek Tragedy

[partikle · 8/10 · 25 July 2000]

Unique storytelling in the age of the three act script. While the mechanics of this narrative may begin to grate on you, remember the difference between performative and descriptive art - this movie succeeds in conveying harrassment of its moral corrupt character by making you feel like *you* are being harrassed. "You got rubber neck buddy?"

Did ANYONE get the "Triple K" reference?

[craigman · 8/10 · 21 November 2005]

I read through most of the reviews here, and unless I missed it, did anyone get that triple K is KKK, for Ku Klux Klan? Maybe it was so obvious that no one bothered mentioning it.. Maybe not. Well, my brother forced this video on me a while back, and I must admit I enjoyed it, mainly for its originality and mean spirited sense of humor. Like someone else mentioned, its a breath of fresh air from all of the huge budgeted, over-produced CGI-fests that Hollywood keeps pooping out! For those of you who didn't like it, don't worry. I'm sure there's a new Ben Stiller "comedy" coming out soon. The only reason I didn't give it a ten is that it does strain your patience a bit.

Cell phones CAN be detrimental to one's mental health.

[finemot · 5/10 · 1 January 2000]

"The Corndog Man" goes far in supporting current health professionals' advisories regarding the possible life-shortening effects of heavy cell phone exposure, Unfortunately, this liability is passed on as much to the audience as it is to the central character, "Ace Barker." We are introduced to "Ace" as a happily fouled-mouthed boat salesman, whose sales record is charted on a wall by means of little painted boats, much like the decals used by WW II fighter pilots in keeping score on their "kills." He's a producer, even though there's not much competition from his co-workers, who spend most of their time peeping into an adjoining rest room... when they're not eating corn dogs. Ole "Ace" can sell you a boat "quickeren' [here we're introduced to Ace's favorite figure of speech, dealing with feline hygiene]. The cholesterol-laden bliss of the tranquil sales office deteriorates when "Ace" starts getting hale and hearty phone calls from a prospective buyer, who happens at first to call back to express little tidbits he'd forgotten to mention, like Lt. Colombo annoyed us with for so many years. The calls go on ad nauseam as the film becomes a shaggy dog story with an unrelenting theme that annoys, instead of involving the audience. The calls become incessant, increasingly personal and threatening - mixed with tiny niceties, and we realize that Ace is being not only harassed, but visually stalked as well. His productivity declines along with his personality; as his past, and even his clandestine "love life" are laid bare by the caller. The relationship between stalker and prey is revealed; but for this viewer, the unnecessarily protracted harassing calls are deadening. We just don't care. Ace is eventually smart enough to devise a plan for tracking down his tormentor. However, a dead fish incredibly discourages both Ace and the local law, so the only logical move made by the protagonist in his own defense is summarily dicarded, without explanation. Noble Willingham is excellent as Ace. However, he's riding a one trick pony that, for too long a time, takes us nowhere.

Every dog has his day

[polysicsarebest · 10/10 · 4 January 2009]

Quite likely the funniest film I've ever seen in my life. I was crying from laughing so hard throughout most of it. Just unbelievably hilarious!!! "Triple K Marine!" "Triple K Marine!" "Triple K Marine!" That might get annoying to people but I thought it was great. This film is an endless tour-de-force of insults and clever jokes. A minor masterpiece but still a masterpiece. Spread the word and tell all your friends about this film. Amazing performances from both characters, though only one has to act. There's no actual scenes of dialog between two characters in the film, the entire film takes place on a telephone. Just amazing. Acts of revenge. With enough surrealism to keep the whole thing crazy. Great.

Simplistic, redundant, and sleep inducing ...........

[merklekranz · 2/10 · 13 September 2009]

No way this overly simplistic script, with basically one character, should be interpreted as feature entertainment. In reality it has about enough material for an eighteen minute short, and even that would seriously tax your attention span. Zero characters beyond Noble Willingham are developed. The never ending closeups of lips and telephones are sleep inducing, and the script is so underdeveloped that a chimpanzee could have written it. In fact this whole sad thing shouldn't have even been put on film. A tape recording would have been more than sufficient to put you to sleep. Definitely not recommended. - MERK

Hilarious, malicious fun.

[FATLOSER · 22 December 1999]

I just watched this gem on video and I immediately recognized the source of the story. About seven years ago I heard some crank call tapes that were circulating here in Florida. These calls victimized a southern car salesman and were made by some college students doing "cracker" type accents. The calls started out semi-legit but degenerate into total harassment just like the "Red" or "Tube Bar Bastard" calls. This film is worlds better than the "Red" movie because the director along with two other writers actually synthesize a feature length story(a little cliched- but good) around the premise and create a HILARIOUS movie. Noble Winningham really shines in this film and I give it TEN THUMBS UP, YOU WILL PISS IN YOUR PANTS FROM LAUGHING.(especially if you've heard those tapes)

ain't got no friends ( EXCEPT THAT RAT)!!!!!

[dat_thick_red_chick · 10/10 · 13 March 2007]

i love that movie ima mixed 33y old female and have a family member who acts like that so it brought some smile, and some tears, and some anger...everyone has there own opinion about the movie...and some seem to get very angry...i sometimes wonder if its because they have done dirt them selves!!i think what Jim Holmes did was a good way of revenge if that would have Ben me i would have done worse...lol..its Ben the best movie iv ever seen...and am happy that ppl... are showing racism for what it is..must be embarrassing for some so they cant stand to watch a film like that..just one question i have...WHY Didn't HE JUST NOT ANSWER THE PHONE??? LOL..great movie love it...its sad that some ppl...have so much hate...he is one angry man..over sum tin he did!!pay back is a Mutha...isn't it...

Where to find Corndog Man?

[tcrosslin · 10/10 · 23 December 2001]

I saw this movie on satellite one night and have been itching to see it again. I was hurting from laughing so much. The only problem I have now is where to find it.

Does anyone know where I can purchase the DVD of this movie? Someone please email me if so. Thanks.

"Shouldn't ought 'a done that Daddy...."

[glawritson-1 · 10/10 · 18 February 2005]

"... quicker than a cat can lick it's a_s!" LMAO!!! This movie is earthy and real. There ARE characters out there like Ace, his 'girlfriend', and his Colonel Sanders look-a-like boss. If you look real hard, I bet you see Karl and the lawnmower shop from Slingblade next door! hahahahaha The characters were outstanding, revenge was believable, the music was excellent (love Lousiana swamp blues!), and I about wet my pants with the brace-and-bit scene I laughed so hard. The only regret (and I mean the only regret) was that we never got to really see his tormentor! Buy this movie (don't just rent it), send the wife and kids to the mall, get serious with your favorite 6-pack, nuke up some 'corndogs', and prepare to laugh yourself into a coma!