I Like Killing Flies

It's OK for private business owners to have rules, but it's not OK to be unreasonable about their enforcement. So, he has a rule no parties over 4 people, fine. But when a party of 5, 6, 7-8 politely agrees to split in half, kicking them out is unacceptable. Especially when foul language, totally unprovoked, is involved.

As other reviewers have said, this is a nice slice of life in our largest and meanest city. I love food, and good restaurants. I totally support mom and pop's and spurn chains whenever I can. Usually the quality is much higher, because mom and pop's aren't being driven by Wall Street investors looking for the max return on investment at all costs to the consumer. The M&P's are actually run by real humans who, of course, need to make a profit and living, like the rest of us, but *may* still have some pride (and some shame) in what they are doing. Usually a much better bet than the investor backed chains.

I found it a very entertaining little documentary, and I wish the family the best, but it is no accident that the YouTube page I found it on also has many links that debate the difference between psychopath/sociopath, and some serial killer docs as well.

New York's "friendly" neighborhood restaurant proprietor has a marked mental illness. Mostly I feel sorry for him, his family and his masochistic patrons.

Don't believe me? Look up reviews on Yelp.

What a great little film! Having worked in the village for many years, this film really embodies what it used to be like. Creating a space for friends, having your own rules and forming a community out of a business is so far gone now. But this doc will stand the test of time. When people want to know what the Village was really like near the end of its days, tell them to watch this film. Say what you will about Kenny and family but they are true human beings. The film has a great pace and is a true doc in the Maysles bros. tradition. It has the perfect blend of customers comments, kitchen action, family dynamics and New York sights. I am happy that after another move, Shopsin's is still around. Rent it on Netflix and enjoy!

I saw this movie the other night and was completely delighted by it. What passes for funny in most movies these days is usually recycled drivel that is apparent way before the punchline comes. Kenny Shopsin made me laugh at things I couldn't have imagined might come out of a human being's mouth-- and the best part is that a beat or two after you stop laughing, you realize how oddly thoughtful, intelligent and even tragic he is.

For what it's worth, the night I went, the director was there to talk about the movies afterwords and he came across as a very good guy who deserves to have people see his movie so he can go on making more like it. Also, if you take the advice of one of the other reviewers and visit Shopsin's while you're in Manhattan, don't tell him you're there because of the movie-- he'll throw you out.

I loved this documentary! Kenny is a fascinating personality with some of the funniest philosophies ever. I watched this movie in complete awe of the way he incorporates profanity into his ideas of what life is all about; he makes it work.

I read that he closed his restaurant. I suppose 32 years was enough. I saw at the end of the movie that his beloved wife died; my deepest sympathy for a lady that seemed deeply satisfied and happy with her family. As a matter of fact, the whole family seemed very content and enjoyed working together most of the time. Hats off to a great documentary that was funny, sensitive and timely. Mickie

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.