Editor's Note: Before I even start my review of Cornman, I want to lay a few issues to rest. No I'm not insane, no I haven't been tied up gagged and beaten and no the filmmakers of Cornman have not paid me any sum of money (or corn) to write this review. Believe me, when this DVD landed on my desk I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. I questioned my ethics as a reviewer and I questioned the status of the site. The bottom line here is that no matter how stupid any of the words I'm about to utter sound and at the very moment that you're about to lose faith in both me and Monsters at Play just remember these two little words that I'm about to softly whisper into your tender ear. "Trust me". Now... on to Cornman.

Cornman is an oddball comedy (with some blood spattering gore mixed in for good measure) set in the stylings of the best that classic Troma has to offer. The story involves Cornman (of course) and his sidekick Butter Boy (he's covered in butter and wears a box of popcorn on his head). The two are trying to thwart the plans of the evil Dr. Hoe (who has a spatula for a hand), his henchmen Starch (complete bumblefuck hick) and their evil creation of Cornsparagus (big guy with green paint all over his shirtless body). The film lays down scene after scene of insanely off the wall set-ups and the jokes fly pretty fast and furious. As far as a linear story goes with a beginning, middle and end for ya, well not really. Which is actually part of the films charm and effectiveness. Through flashback (Super 8 footage of the original Cornman short film) we're given the back-story of how Cornman came to be (toxic waste dumped on him in a cornfield, what else?). Things come to a screeching halt when Cornman attempts to pick up his superhero costume from the Laundromat but winds up with Mexican superhero El Gordo's outfit instead (except the fact that El Gordo isn't really a Mexican). With the help of Butter Boy and Psychic Nose (he can smell things before they happen) as well as Sheila #1, #2 and #3 (Cornman's main squeeze(s)), Cornman sets out to put an end to Dr. Hoe and his foot soldiers before their evil creations can... well, do something evil I suppose.

It's really hard to pinpoint the charm of Cornman because it's just plain silly, sometimes too silly (is that possible?). I think that part of the appeal lies within the fact that everyone involved obviously had a great time making this flick and it really does show. There are some truly inspired bits of comedy that really had me laughing out loud. The scene in which Butter Boy goes to the bathroom transcends the most lowbrow toilet humor you've ever seen in a flick like this. I don't want to spoil the effectiveness of the scene so I'll just leave it at that. From beginning to end this flick plays off like classic Troma fare from the 80's (Toxic Avenger, Nuke 'em High) and I think that's what I really dug about it the most, it gave off a really fun vibe throughout.

Like I said earlier, the jokes and gags fly by pretty quickly (some of which are ongoing throughout the flick) and I could sit here and relay them to you but I fear they would lose their effectiveness. I'll give you a few bits though to tide you over. Clever scenes like when the action breaks down 20 minutes into the film and Cornman is replaced with a completely different actor, and Sheila #2 is killed so Sheila #3 can step in. Or the aforementioned bathroom break that Butter Boy takes (or even the scene in which he becomes Butter Boy). How about the scene in which Dr. Hoe and Starch go house hunting for a new "lair". Scenes like these are truly priceless and handled in such a tongue and cheek manner that you can't help but just settle in and go along for the ride. Now, there are some bits that don't go over as well which is to be expected. I mean, how many times are we gonna have to sit through the kung fu bit where the voices don't match the dialogue, haha very funny. Minus one point for that one, but plus many other points for the countless jokes that did work (as well as the bikini shower scene and the bikini creamed corn wrestling scene).

Considering the fact that Cornman was shot on film, very quickly and on a very modest budget it looks pretty spectacular on this DVD. For starters, the print looks extremely clean with only a few instances of mild print damage (very minimal). For 16mm film stock colors are fairly sharp and bright. There are no compression artifacts to speak of either, all things considered this is a nice clean transfer.

Extras include a trailer, a deleted scene (with Troma head honcho Lloyd Kaufman) and some super 8 footage of the original version of Cornman set to film. Other extras include a brief (yet very entertaining) behind the scenes segment (with some cool behind the scenes FX footage) and 3 audio commentaries. The first two commentaries are cast and crew based and are both very enjoyable, just like sitting around listening to a bunch of pals talking about their flick (among other things). The third track features a grunting Cornsparagus throughout the entire running time of the film. You're not going to want to listen to the whole flick like this, but it's a very funny idea nonetheless. The film also features an introduction with Lloyd Kaufman as well.

I must admit that I really dug Cornman and all it had to offer. The disc is packed with fun extras as well. Only those with the oddest sense of humor need apply. If you fit the bill, Cornman comes highly recommended.

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