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In this opus from writer/director John Waters, Stephen Dorff (Blade, The Gate) plays the title character, a cult movie director who gathers a flock of teen drug addicts and whores to join him in a literal war against mainstream film making. Their efforts attract media attention when they kidnap a Hollywood star (Melanie Griffith) and force her to be in their underground flick. I can certainly appreciate the desire to obliterate an industry that markets drivel to the masses, but I'd have preferred a little more meat on these bones. Griffith's character in particular is hard to get a handle on, her transformation from bitchy diva to Demented acolyte fitting too conveniently into the needs of the plotting. And I'd like for Waters to have pushed Dorff further over the edge as well. Everyone is a neat stereotype and things are played strictly for laughs. But, hey - that's the Waters way.

Cecil B. Demented stretches its premise to the max, almost outstaying its welcome, but if you more often than not find yourself rolling your eyes at Hollywood’s endless buffet of bullshit, you’re sure to enjoy many scenes. My favorite is when Demented’s crew invade a movie theater and liberate an audience watching Patch Adams: The Director’s Cut. “You don’t have to like this movie,” they passionately cry to the brain-washed viewers.

Supporting players make the most of their small parts, including Michael Shannon, Alicia Witt, Jack Noseworthy (Event Horizon), Adrian Grenier (Entourage), and Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Secretary).