Sunday, April 30, 2006

Cheech At Friday's BMW Pro-AM

On Friday, Cheech played at BMW's Pro-AM golf tournament. This is his fourth year participating in this event and he says it's a lot of fun.

Cheech began playing golf after starring in the film Tin Cup. Since that time, he's actually become very good.

"Marin exhibited his chipping abilities Friday on hole No. 4, lofting a 30-yard shot into the cup for a birdie on the par-4, 420-yard layout.

"It bounced once, hit the pin and went in," Buffamoyer said. "Everybody was giving high-fives. That was his moment."

There was just one problem -- "no one was there (to see it)," Marin said.
"I just wish there had been some (television) cameras there," Buffamoyer said. "I told him we could always go back and re-do it."

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Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Chong Discusses Bush And The Environment

TimeOFF conducted a phone interview with Tommy Chong, who was promoting his May 5th Marijuana-logues performance at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, NJ.

During the interview, Chong accuses Bush of turning "back the clock on everything positive that's been done for the environment...nature is not on Bush's side. Look at the hurricanes last year."

Tommy goes on to say that everyone in his family, except his wife, drives a hybrid. He's still working on converting his wife, Shelby.

For tickets, click on the venue under "current events."

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Friday, April 21, 2006

Today's NORML Conference Shut Down

Tommy Chong gave a great keynote speech at the NORML conference in San Francisco today. Tommy said "The government is so weird. When I was in jail, they made me take a drug education class.

After the speech, they had a screening of Josh Gilbert's a/k/a Tommy Chong. However, at the halfway point, the Holiday Inn shut it down.

According to the San Francisco Bay Guardian, everyone had been encouraged to "fire up." The Holiday Inn saw what was going on and told everyone to leave. California law says there is no smoking allowed indoors.

Read Here and Here

Yellowbeard And Others Coming To DVD

Yellowbeard is finally coming to DVD June 27th. Although there are a lot of great actors in this film, including Monty Python's Graham Chapman and Eric Idle, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong are most prominently displayed on the DVD box. This demonstrates how huge they still are.

This DVD contains no special features. However, the film has been digitally remastered. It'll be a relief to no longer have to watch your twenty-year old VHS tape or the bootleg you may have purchased on ebay.

Yellowbeard is one of the best films of all time. It's legendary.

Also coming to DVD is Cheech Marin and Friends. In March 2006, Cheech Marin hosted "Cheech Marin and Friends Live From South Beach". Marin returns to stand-up comedy, as he and other comics riff on American and Hispanic culture.

Comedy Central aired a censored 30 minute version of the performance. This DVD contains the entire performance, uncensored.

Last, but not least Nice Dreams is being re-released with new DVD box art. The content is the same, but it features cool new artwork.

NOW TAKING PRE-ORDERS.
Nice Dreams: May 9th
Yellowbeard: June 27th
Cheech Marin And Friends: July 3rd

Thursday, April 20, 2006

REVIEW: a/k/a Tommy Chong

The creators of the award-winning documentary, a/k/a Tommy Chong, were gracious enough to provide us with a screener to review.

a/k/a Tommy Chong depicts the government's wrongful persecution of Tommy Chong via Operation Pipedream. I don't care if you're a pothead, college professor, pro-drugs, anti-drugs, or never even heard of Tommy chong...you'll enjoy this film.

For Cheech and Chong fans, they've included tons of rare home movies, Tommy's stand-up act, old interviews and tv appearances. Director Lou Adler, Cheech and Chong's first agent, Chong's family and other people supply candid stories about Cheech and Chong.

For those interested in free speech and politics, the film discusses how Tommy was the only person from Operation Pipedream to receive a prison sentence. The film also talks about how 9/11 and Tommy Chong's bust helped launch US Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan's career.

The frame job...Did you know that an undercover DEA agent repeatedly called and emailed employee's of Chong Glass trying to get them to ship to Pennsylvania? They repeatedly told him no. Josh Gilbert, this film's director, includes the audio of these phone calls.

The DEA agent called and emailed them approximately twenty times stating that he has a tobacco license and asking what the problem was. The employees kept telling him it's against the law. The agent said he spoke to his lawyer and his lawyer said it was legal.

The DEA agent then visited the Chong Glass factory and ordered anything that wasn't in stock. After creating the glass, the DEA agent said he couldn't make it back there to pick up the order. Unfortunately for Chong Glass, this order was taking up a lot of space in the warehouse and was preventing them from fullfilling other orders. Out of desperation, Chong Glass shipped the order to PA.

Forty-five armed agents raided factory which only had one employee there at the time.

It was a setup from the start. Tommy was completely railroaded.

We could write about this film for hours. There is so much content which is edited together brilliantly. The film is very touching. Check out a/k/a Tommy Chong when it comes to your neighborhood.

Happy 4/20

Happy 4/20 everyone. Here's a clip of when Cheech and Chong were on the Howard Stern Channel 9 show. Stern says it's his favorite episode.

View Here

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Chong In Calgary

The Calgary Herald had a chance to interview Tommy Chong while he's in town for the Calgary Film Festival. Tommy mainly speaks about the film a/k/a Tommy Chong. He also mentions that when he was younger, he spent one night in a Calgary jail because his friend stole a car which wouldn't run.

When asked about the reunion: "Well, we're working on a play called Up In Smoke: The Play," he says. "And it's going to feature young actors playing the young Tommy and the young Cheech. . . We're hoping to have ours out in about a year."

When asked about his relationship with Cheech: "Cheech and I keep in touch a lot. We insult each other through the press, but that's just purely for political purposes. No one's interested if you're getting along -- you're only news if you rag on each other."

Read Here

Monday, April 17, 2006

Chong To Appear In VH1 Documentary

VH1, in association with Sundance Channel, have produced the original documentary series "The Drug Years," a four-part look at the rise of illicit drug use and its cultural impact in the second half of the twentieth century. Based on the book Can't Find My Way Home: America in the Great Stoned Age, by Martin Torgoff, "The Drug Years" premieres on VH1 on June 12 at 9:00PM* with encore showings on the Sundance Channel beginning June 16 at 8:00PM*.

This epic recounting of American drug culture is told through dozens of exclusive interviews with actors, musicians, journalists, policy advocates, former drug smugglers, and former drug enforcement agents. Exclusive interviews include Peter Coyote, Jackson Browne, Ray Manzarek from The Doors, Ice-T, Liz Phair, Juliette Lewis, Rob Thomas, Tommy Chong, Common, Richard Belzer, ?uestlove, Richard Lewis, Chuck D., Russell Simmons, B-Real, John Mellencamp and Henry Rollins.

When: June 14th, 9PM New YorkWhere: VH1
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Thursday, April 13, 2006

a/k/a Tommy Chong Opens in NYC June

a/k/a Tommy Chong will premiere at the illustrious Film Forum in New York City on June 14th, 2006! Josh Gilbert's documentary about the entrapment and incarceration of comedic legend Tommy Chong will have at least a two week at one of the most prestigious theaters in the country.

Chong To Appear At NORML Conference In San Francisco

Washington, DC: Veteran actor/comedian Tommy Chong has announced that he, along with writer/director Josh Gilbert, will appear at next week's 2006 national NORML Conference in San Francisco to screen their award-winning documentary a/k/a Tommy Chong. The duo will appear on Friday, April 21, from 1 to 3 pm.

Chong will also speak to conference attendees on the need to reform America's laws criminalizing the use and possession of cannabis. Chong also plans on discussing the appearance of the typical marijuana protestor:
"They should all start dressing like Montel Williams, " said Chong.

"NORML is pleased to bring Thomas Chong to San Francisco to speak first-hand of the injustices of the government's war on cannabis," said NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre. "This will not be an appearance of Tommy Chong the comedian. Rather, this will be an appearance by a man who was targeted by the federal government and served time in prison as a result of this country's misguided pot policies, and who has pledged to use his fame to bring about their long-overdue repeal."

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Friday, April 07, 2006

Cheech Presenting At Autorox Awards

Cheech Marin is one of the presenters at Spike TV's Autorox awards. The award show pays tribute to automobiles. The event takes place this evening in Vegas, but will be televised April 18th at 10PM NY on Spike.

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Thursday, April 06, 2006

Unreturned Cheech and Chong Rentals

Cheech and Chong videos are on Victorian Video's top unreturned rental list. Others include Monty Python and Pulp Fiction.

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Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Cheech and Chong Stickers Now In Stock

Brand new Cheech and Chong stickers are now in stock. This 6-pack includes: Maui Wowie, Rush, Fiberweed Van, Double Bubble, Cheech & Chong Black and White, Up In Smoke Window Rub-On.

Contraband Store

Monday, April 03, 2006

Englewood Marijuana-Logues Show Cancelled

Due to scheduling conflicts, the Thursday, April 6th Marijuana-Logues show in Englewood has been cancelled. Refunds can be gotten by calling the Bergen PAC's Box office at 201-227-1030.

Interview With a/k/a Tommy Chong Director

Independent Film posted a video interview with Josh Gilbert, director of the award-winning documentary a/k/a Tommy Chong.

Watch Here