I Like Killing Flies

What a great idea: a documentary that just wants to entertain. Killing Flies is a restaurant-sized slice of life about Kenny Shopsin and his diner in Greenwich Village. The place is one of a kind and Shopsin's ad lib rants are as entertaining as any screenwriter could contrive. Watch this film and you will go out of your way to visit this restaurant when in New York, not just because of the eccentric owner, but because the food has the same eclectic appeal. Directed by Matt Mahurin, who got the idea as a regular Shopsin customer, Killing Flies is fun and captivating entertainment without the usual documentary pedagogy. (OK, I did learn a few things: You can put about anything into pancakes. And DON'T bring a party of five into Shopsin's!)

What a great idea-a documentary that just wants to entertain. Killing Flies is a restaurant-sized slice of life about Kenny Shopsin and his diner in Greenwich Village. The place is one of a kind and Shopsin's ad lib rants are as entertaining as any screenwriter could contrive. Watch this film and you will go out of your way to visit this restaurant when in New York, not just because of the eccentric owner, but because the food has the same eclectic appeal.

Directed by Matt Mahurin, who got the idea as a regular Shopsin customer, Killing Flies is fun and captivating entertainment without the usual documentary pedagogy. (OK, I did learn a few things: You can put about anything into pancakes. And DON'T bring a party of five into Shopsin's!)

This was a rather enjoyable film about a New York institution, a hole in the wall restaurant named "Shopsins". What makes this very mundane topic interesting is the owner and chef, Kenny Shopsin. Kenny is a man that is hard to describe without using expletives, as he's one of the nastiest and crustiest men I've even seen on film--and yet his customers adore him and his place. I guess it's a New York thing, as he often heaps abuse and invectives on people--many times, it seems, just because he likes being a jerk. Oddly, despite being a rather horrible person who throws out customers as often as the Yankees used to throw out managers, he's got some interesting and perhaps endearing qualities. First, while he talks like a sailor, he's no dummy--you can hear some pearls of wisdom buried between filthy comments. My favorite, though not especially deep or true is listed above in the summary! Second, he is truly an amazing chef who has concocted hundreds of unique dishes. Third, and I have no idea how, despite being a critical and horrible person, he's got a family that loves him, puts up with him and is loyal. I assume he's either got them drugged or has some voodoo spell to keep them in line!

The documentary IS Kenny. Seeing him in action may at times be repellent but it certainly never is dull! So I recommend you definitely watch this odd little confection. Now would I recommend you eat at his restaurant? Maybe not, as his favorite thing to do on the job is to smash flies with his swatter (hence the title of the film) and a place with that many dead flies in the kitchen scares me! Although, next time I'm in New York and I want some verbal abuse, perhaps I'll stop in with four of my friends for a bite or just to have a cup of coffee and make a phone call.

By the way, this is one of the only films I have ever seen that is rated R simply because of very, very harsh language. There is no violence or nudity--just a constant stream of cursing from this world champion misanthrope.

This movie feels like an art school film project that caught fire and ended up being something bigger than anyone expected. From the ludicrous commentary of the madman that is Kenny Shopsin, to the real, applicable life lessons throughout, this documentary style film should be viewed by anyone with a love for food, family and of course, restaurant culture. Within each scene, comment, incident, lies small truths and realities that we all face as humans in this society. Alongside the daily struggles of the family system, is the restaurant itself which is as eccentric and charismatic as the family that owns it... This movie represents the city of New York, the neighborhood, and ultimately the PEOPLE that make any community what it is... I try and show this film to as many people as I can because I know the rise of popularity in a cult classic is a slow one, but that's what this production is... a true cult classic.

Well, first off, I watched this because it deals with a restaurant in one of my favorite places, Greenwich Village, New York. Still the best place to bar hop, watch weirdo's and have a cheeseburger. I'm sorry to say I have never eaten at Shopsins, the topic of this fun little documentary. It's just a slice of life little movie about the struggles involved in running a successful restaurant. The topic is mainly how Kenny Shopsin, the eccentric owner, runs the place. Just the fact that many people believed that the, "Soup Nazi" of Seinfeld fame was based on him (although not true) should give you a small idea of what he's like. If you go into the place with a party of five (even if the place is empty) you will be immediately kicked out. The director, Matt Mahurin got the idea for the movie as a regular of the restaurant. To be honest, even with his strict ways and unusual rants, I found Kenny Shopsin to be a pretty decent guy. The documentary captures things at the right time. The place is going to shut down and relocated due to financial reasons and there is some emotion between him and his family, who happen to help him run the place. You may not learn a whole lot watching this but you will likely be entertained. In fact, I just might give the new location a visit when in New York, although I hear if you mention you're there because of the movie, you get kicked out so I may avoid a conversation with Kenny.