A failed attempt at parody

I'd never heard of 'American Dreamz' before I came across it on Netflix one night. Now that I've seen the movie (I only watched it because I'm guilty of tuning in to those talent-based reality shows from time to time, so I was curious), I kind of wish that I could still say I'd never heard of it.

'American Dreamz' attempts to parody both "American Idol" and the Bush administration. Dennis Quaid, in an unfunny performance, stars as a United States President known primarily for being stupid (how clever! how original!) who's for some contrived reason set up to make a Very Special Appearance as a guest judge on some faux "American Idol" talent show. Hugh Grant plays the host of the talent show; I guess he's supposed to be like Simon Cowell. Other actors in the movie include: Mandy Moore (as an "America's sweetheart"-but-only-on-the-surface girl from the Midwest who competes on the show); Chris Klein (as her boyfriend); Willem Dafoe (as the "evil puppetmaster" behind Quaid's so-called President); and Marcia Gay Harden (as the First Lady). None of these actors is very memorable.

Well -- I suppose Klein is *somewhat* memorable. But that's only because his character plays a major part in the movie's ridiculous climactic scene (which is pathetically the "best" scene in the movie, though I won't give anything away).

Ultimately, everything about 'American Dreamz' is as annoying and lame as spelling "dreams" with a 'z' (what was the deal with THAT, anyway? Just spell it correctly.) (2/10)

2/10