SPIKE AND MIKE’S SICK & TWISTED FESTIVAL OF ANIMATION is not just a collection of animated shorts—it’s an event. Before going, one must
prepare for this crass collection of vulgar animation by either ingesting an ample amount of alcohol or smoking a big fatty. As the brochure claims, “Every
pre-show freak show is shocking and unpredictable.” Unfortunately, the little shenanigans put on by the emcees were wholly unoriginal and included cardboard
cutouts from last year: Emcees choose opposite-sex volunteers and have them dry-hump a blow-up doll. The audience picks the winner. Funny the first... oh, all
right, funny the second time, too.
This year, S&M dish 15 new films to provoke guffaws, vomiting, and even crying (from laughing too hard, of course). The selection of animation had a quicker
pace and a greater energy than last year. Although I lamented the absence of “Stinky Monkey,” shorts like festival mainstays “No Neck Joe,” “Harry Pothead and
the Magical Herb,” and Bill Plympton’s “Eat” helped wash away my primate woes.
Everyone loves VH1’s investigatory “Behind the Music.” Heavy.com puts a new spin on the favorite behind-the-scenes show, and delves into the “real” lives of
pop icons (ha) Eminem and Britney Spears, revealing why Slim substitutes money for love and Britney reeks of trailer trash. But y’all knew that already, right?
A highlight of Spike & Mike’s was “Bad Phone Sex,” wherein Chris Rock (his head superimposed on an animated body) tries to seduce a prude over the phone,
but she just doesn’t give Rock what he’s looking for.
Another treat came in the form of Tenacious D’s video, “Fuck Her Gently.” Jack Black and bandmate Kyle Gass play animated roly-poly cherubs trying to make
sweet love to an angel. Animation can’t get any better than musical accompaniment provided by the “D.”
Other festival ’toons included “Hello, Dad, I’m in Jail,” “Of Mice and Men and Mama Cass,” “Pornoless,” and “Love That Pussy.” Spike & Mike think of
everything. Just when you think the night has been oversaturated with smut and things can’t get any nastier—or better—the ‘Ikes whip out a classic encore: Don
Hertzfeldt’s Academy Award-nominated “Rejected.” His parade of stick-figures-gone-gross vomit, bleed out their anuses, and even come equipped with
unusually large spoons.
With all the hoopla accompanying it, the Spike & Mike show remains true to its roots—animators’ best friends and parents’ worst nightmares.
—Jennifer Prestigiacomo
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While we would never encourage anyone to destroy a video... 
