A Tribe Called Bleek

S5 - E6: The Munchie Mission of Harold and Kumar's Epic White Castle Quest

• Season 5 • Episode 6

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We revisit the cult classic Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, exploring its standing as a quintessential stoner comedy film and how it delivers a genuinely entertaining adventure despite relying on early 2000s frat boy humor.

• Two Asian-American roommates, Harold and Kumar, embark on an epic journey to satisfy their White Castle cravings after getting high
• The film tackles cultural stereotypes through Harold's experience as an overworked investment banker and Kumar's resistance to medical school expectations
• Celebrity cameos from Ryan Reynolds, Neil Patrick Harris, and Anthony Anderson deliver some of the movie's most memorable moments
• The absurd adventure includes scenes with raccoon attacks, prison breaks, and riding a cheetah while high
• Beyond crude humor, the film succeeds in showing genuine friendship as the characters support each other through increasingly bizarre scenarios
• The movie captures nostalgic early 2000s culture with references to DVR limitations and pre-streaming entertainment
• While not consistently laugh-out-loud funny, the film deserves its cult classic status for its adventurous spirit and food quest relatability

To hear more 420-themed movie reviews, visit tribecalledbleak.com where you can listen to podcasts and leave feedback on this episode.

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Speaker 1:

Hey, what's up all there, to all my bleaks all across the globe, I appreciate y'all listening to the Tribe Called Bleak podcast and, as you guys all know, we're in our 420 season and we're going to talk about Harold and Kumar go to White Castle. This is season five, episode six, and you know guys, man, man, man, it's amazing when you relive some of these 420 moments. As far as watching these movies and everything and the comedy hype that they can bring uh, I will say this as a disclaimer for all the bleeps who haven't seen this this is a cult classic. I wouldn't really necessarily a like comedy, comedy, big, big hitter. Again, as you guys always know, I always say comedy is very, very subjective, but on the upside of this movie, I will say that this is more of a great adventure time just wilding out like because you just don't know what to expect. Things aren't going, these stoners away just for one common goal and we all been there. If you've experienced 420 is when you get fucking hungry and you got the munchies and this movie delivers on that golden moment once you get that meal, that specific meal that you're craving because you had some good 420. And it's like yo, that's it, that's the one, even if you got to go way out the way just in order to eat that and you're craving that because you had some good 420, this is the movie that you're going to want to experience with your friends and watch. And I have to say, just watching that comedy from that era, um, again, I didn't laugh as much, but I could appreciate the adventure within itself and pretty much it's just a plot uh, about you know two Asian roommates, um, one is in, you know, med school.

Speaker 1:

The other one's in his career as an investment banker, uh Kumar, who happens to be, you know, med school. The other ones in his career as an investment banker, uh Kumar, who happens to be, you know, indian descent. I believe he's like first generation, uh, within the States. And then, uh, you know, harold, who I believe is of Korean descent. Uh, he's, you know, first generation as well. It's interesting to see their experiences as far as, like you know, we can call them geeks for sure, because they're definitely that but just their perspective on what they experience.

Speaker 1:

And you know, one thing I can say about this movie that I really did enjoy was that, you know, sometimes it's nice to see other cultural experiences and their point of views, uh, you know being a minority and everything else, because you know, one actor for all the bleaks y'all know, uh, you know he plays uncle ruckus and his name is because I gotta pull it up real fast, so bear with me gary anthony williams. Uh, you know, I think this, this will, for that scene in particular, hit me the hardest as far as his black experience. He's definitely oblique, he plays that character, but his voice is just so iconic because you can still kind of hear the uncle ruckus. But I want to talk in great detail about this movie Because one thing I totally forgot, uh, is a they had such a huge cast, you know, when I re-watched this movie and it's been years since I've seen it, you know, and it was definitely a great friday night movie as far as fun, but you know there's a lot of actors who careers probably has started from this and just manifested and then flourished afterwards. Because you know, harold and Kumar go to White Castle has been become a cult classic and I know there's the sequels, harold and Kumar Escape on Guantanamo Bay, and I think Harold and Kumar's Christmas for the bleaks out there. You guys can definitely correct me on that because I'm definitely going to research more into that as far as that movie, but it was amazing to see some of these you know actors who I'm definitely going to go over as far as like the plot itself, but pretty much you know in the beginning you know you have Harold and Kumar.

Speaker 1:

You know Kumar. He's having an interview as far as getting to a med school and he has great scores, but he's definitely a stoner so he's not really putting much effort into getting into the school and his reason behind that is because he just wants his father to pay his rent. So that's the thing for Kumar. Harold's character is an investment banker, very neat, very clean cut. He likes to be organized and unfortunately he gets slapped with like playing with some work. That's not even his and it's these two white guys who kind of capitalize on him being Asian and there's that stereotype. Well, he's Asian, so he likes to work hard. He probably has no life and I thought that was interesting how they touched up on that.

Speaker 1:

And you know, once Harold gets off from Perk and gives for all the bleaks out there, I used to live in the tri-state area so I can relate to this scene and shout out to all my bleaks in the tri-state area. You guys know what I'm talking about. If you're in like jersey or new york, parking can be a bitch, and so when harold is going home from work, there's these like big assholes who fuck with them, taking a parking spot right in front of the building. Therefore he has to like drive like 10 blocks away just to get home. And I will say, for all the bleeks out there, for you guys who don't know, I decided to watch the unrated version I had to see.

Speaker 1:

If you know, this version was far more I guess just more engaging rather, but that was more so. On the sexual content and let's be honest, harold and Kumar, yes, it's a cult classic, it's more 420 culture, but this movie is more catered to, I would say more to frat boy humor. You know early 2000s. So you know, if that's not your thing, don't go on it too hard as far as, like, that's comedy that you're not gonna relate to, but just appreciate the adventure that they do go on, both of those characters. There's definitely some crude moments and what I did enjoy is that, you know, as a person who's experienced 420 back years ago, I've had some crazy 420 moments as far as you know, getting that bud and then having the munchies. They get really stoned once they get home.

Speaker 1:

Then there's a moment where, okay, hey, we're craving that food, we need to eat it. What's it going to be? Kumar has a great idea. He's like no bro, I want something that we haven't had in a while, something that's really going to do it and really hit the spot. And I know for you bleaks out there and for you non-bleaks out there who've experienced 420 y'all been there where y'all have to have that particular is that it. You just scratch it for it for something to eat, to crave that hunger from that 420 experience. And what it was for them was White Castle, and so you know them living in New Jersey. I guess they didn't get out too much of their area because that White Castle was no longer in the area that they originally went to, and before they even went.

Speaker 1:

Harold he has like a crush in his apartment building, so he's really invested in this girl that he wants to speak to. But he's real nervous. So he has some embarrassing moments and Kumar calls him out on there, which is pretty cool. So you guys will get some chuckles out of that. But there's some stoner guys who are their neighbors down the way, who happen to both be Jewish, and so they seem really cool and they're like, hey, you know what guys like you guys want to come with us, like it's time to get something Like no, no, no, no, no, we're going to go ahead and watch this movie because Katie Holmes is going to expose herself we can see her breasts, you know and so that's what I mean by that college white boy kind of frat humor. But so it's a great movie but definitely has more of that being the focus as far as the comedy and delivery.

Speaker 1:

But I will say one thing that was just very nostalgic with that movie and for the young bleaks you guys didn't grow up on this DVR, you know, or the lack of back in that time because one of the things is that there's a scene with the two Jewish roommates and I forget the characters names. So for you bleaks out there, you guys will have to forgive me and you know what? Just for correction, I'll look it up right now. Right, so, seth and Andy, those are the two Jewish guys which were, you know, passed it extremely well for this movie. One of the things about those characters is that one of them steps away and there's this scene where Katie Holmes is about to expose herself and the roommate's like taking a hit on the bong. He's like, bro, you gotta hurry up, you gotta hurry up because you're gonna miss it, you're gonna miss it, you're gonna miss it.

Speaker 1:

And so you know, for the bleaks out there, for the young bleaks, you know, if you missed a moment in television, that was it. There was no getting past that. Like you were gonna miss it, you were gonna miss it. And so I always told bleaks, you know, for the ones you guys are very fortunate to have streaming platform and streaming services. Because for the older bleaks, you guys know, you know if you miss something you had to catch up on it. If you didn't have DVR, you know that's another thing to consider. But you know these were things where you know, watching that movie it really brought back just that nostalgia. And you know, one of the scenes I thought was interesting is where they ran the toll while they're in transit to this white castle and they go to north new jersey.

Speaker 1:

And for the bleaks out there, some of you guys who know, who are aware of that area, can be pretty rough. And there's a scene where, like, there's like two guys who resemble them and they're like, oh yeah, they're two asian guys, just like this. And then they both get their ass beat and jump and so they drive off because they're scared. And you know, there's a scene where, like, it's like really random, where kumar has to, like you know, relieve himself off of the side of the road and some random guy comes up to him and he's like, bro, there's like all these bushes, why are you coming next to me? And it was like this awkward moment. And a raccoon jumps in the car and, mind you, harold is having to finish up this work that he's been assigned from his colleagues, uh, who are trying to, you know, use him and manipulate him, and they just raccoon attacks harold while they're driving. He thinks he has rabies.

Speaker 1:

And for you, bleaks out there, if you've seen the movie, there is someone very iconic to this day who was in this movie. He had a small cameo and it's Ryan Reynolds. And Ryan Reynolds, I'm going to tell you, bleaks straight up. When I was watching this movie again, I definitely had seen Deadpool tendencies with him, his acting in this specifically. I would dare say. If there was a way that they could incorporate this, that moment, those scenes with him in it, that would be somewhat of an origin story in some type of Marvel universe, because him playing a surgeon, where he's like, you know, kumar does this thing and he just happens to try to get some you know medicinal marijuana and he, you know, lies to his father and you know there's Kumar doing all his stuff and Harold is, you know, completely oblivious to this but he's just going through with the moment. He, you know, completely oblivious to this, but he's just going through with the moment he. You know Ryan Reynolds just steals that scene, you know.

Speaker 1:

And one thing I will say about this movie too is that I love the cameos and some of the big name actors. Right, just to backtrack a little bit too, because you know, kind of all over the place with this movie and that's how the movie was. Movie was too so for the bleaks out there. You guys kind of have to forgive me as far as the timeline on some of these scenes, but another actor who's in there and to me this was more of his like funny prime time and I spoke to one of my friends about this and she laughed because she agreed Anthony Anderson's in there and he's working at some burger spot and the thing that was so interesting about this is that that's where the White Castle used to be.

Speaker 1:

And so he's one of the cashier intercom guys who's like speaking to Harold and Kumar and he's like, hey, look, you know I understand, but the nearest white castle is like way out in Sherry Hill and you know, I highly recommend it over this bullshit. And so Anthony Anderson acts a fool and starts like breaking everything and burning, saying burn this motherfucker down, burn this motherfucker down. And then he says, hey, I put semen in the sauce. I wouldn't get that if I were you guys. He starts laughing and he says, hey, you know, I put semen in the sauce. I wouldn't get that if I were you guys. He starts laughing.

Speaker 1:

But Anthony Anderson, let's be all honest, you know I'm happy for that man's. You know his career I was involved in. You know the opportunities he's getting on TV. But to me Anthony Anderson was funny when he was fat. All right, the fat Anthony Anderson is the Anthony Anderson that I grew up with and remember, because I think he just had that more raw, visceral comedy. But you know I'm not happy for himself. You know he's lost weight and everything. But and I understand people mature and they want to have a different image going forward within their career. But it's like when you think about Chris Tucker as Smokey, right, we know him, we love him. That was the most iconic character he's ever played throughout cinema history. But yet, you know, he's not the same, at least for me I'll speak for myself he's not the same comedic presence as he once was when he was a lot younger, playing Smokey, and so you know, I felt that way about Anthony Anderson, and so to see that it was really really nice.

Speaker 1:

Now, another iconic actor that was in there was Neil Patrick Harris, and they randomly pick him up off the side of the road and this guy was tripping on some ecstasy. You know, I think he's like licking the leather seats of the Toyota Camry and then he steals the damn car. It's out of nowhere, and there's like a scene where they're at this gas station. There are these white guys who like trip out saying everything has to be extreme and they're doing some racial jokes and whatnot, and there's like some redneck scene up in there where this redneck pop arrest Harold and Kumar for jaywalking. But then again there was like nobody nobody driving on the road and he just cop car appears out of nowhere. And then we get the infamous Uncle Ruckus actor, gary Anthony Williams, where he's in jail and he says they go, why are you in here? And he's like being Black, he's like no, but why are you in here being Black? I didn't do anything. He goes. I accept the fact that you know various circumstances happened to me just because of me being Black, you know. So he says I'm going to wait this out, but I promise you I'm going to get justice. And justice was right. Well, harold is incarcerated at the time due to Kumar. Kumar breaks into prison to get him out and you know you get some out of there and the police are after him. But at the same time, when they break out of prison, they harass and beat Gary Anthony's character, you know, and forget about Harold and Kumar at the time.

Speaker 1:

Another scene in that movie that was kind of like more way in ish to me was when they went to the college and they were trying to get some marijuana and there was supposed to be a like a party. And it's Harold's people, more so the Asian community people that he knows, and there's these two girls, these two girls from England. They're like twin sisters and Kumar's trying to hook up with them and they're getting chased around the campus because one of the security guards he smells the 420 all over the spot and so he goes with Kumar and they hide in a girl's bathroom and the two twins come up in there and then Harold I mean not Harold but Kumar, he's like yo those are the twins of those two baddies, like you know, I'm trying to link up with, so we definitely got to do something. Two baddies, like you know, I'm trying to like link up with, so we definitely got to do something. But they both go into the bathroom and let's just say it definitely wasn't pleasant and it was like more of that white chicks move like moment, like move bitch, where you know the toilet scene with both of them and they have like this disgusting interaction. So you bleak scout there you can go ahead and use your imagination of what I'm talking about, but that definitely killed the mood. But another thing and again I am so sorry for all the bleaks out there, I'm all over the place.

Speaker 1:

But this movie, when I watched it granted, it was only like 80 minutes a lot of shit happened on their way to white castle. Like I cannot tell you guys that there's like I think the last well, not the last, but one of the other scenes in there was where they get picked up by like some inbred looking fucker who has like these warts and boils all over his face. He has this beautiful wife and then him and his wife want to have an orgy and they run up out of there. So again, this movie it just really hit me where I'm like damn, not only did they have a lot of iconic actors whose careers have extremely, extremely blossomed I'm talking like we all know Neil Patrick Harris if you watch how I Met your Mother and other things, but especially Ryan Reynolds, you know just to see him, and I really think Ryan Reynolds was just being himself in that movie. Honestly, nothing scripted, I just really think that's just how he is.

Speaker 1:

But that was definitely Deadpool right there in the making, and so I have to give credit for him for making that cameo as iconic as it was for him being in there. But it was, like you know, for the bleaks out there. If you check this movie out again, you're definitely going to see the whole Deadpool moment as far as like him whispering, saying awkward things, touching on somebody, making them feel uncomfortable, and just having a serious look and I was like, okay. So I don't know if ryan runnels just grabbed that and was like, okay, this is how I'm going to behave as deadpool and just read some comic books and just made that work. But for all the bleaks out there, if you watch that movie not highly recommended and again, comedy subjective, but it definitely just had some you know, wild fun moments for fun in there that I would tell anybody you would enjoy. Um, so let me see here.

Speaker 1:

I would say my first impression overall with harold and kumar go to white castle was that it was definitely again, as I mentioned earlier, more of a friday night, saturday night fun adventure movie to watch. Um, this is definitely more 420-ish as far as that type of comedy, that real crude, over-the-top adventurous comedy. And then as far as it being a cult classic, I'm sure it is in its own right. This is one of those movies where you can't forget it did exceptionally well as far as like Rotten Tomatoes. So therefore I know it's definitely a cult classic.

Speaker 1:

People have spoken about it and before I had gotten into 420 culture, that was a franchise I had heard but I had never seen, you know. So it was one of those things where it was advertised a lot with those movies. But, you know, for all the bleaks out there, this is before, like YouTube and all these other social media platforms who really, you know, do reviews for movies and whatnot, this is now, I'm sure, just a great cult classic in its own right for people who, you know, want that extreme sense of humor and that type of funny delivery with, you know, some of the most outrageous scenarios. Oh see, definitely gear for young adults, I would say overall. But one thing I can appreciate the movie, appreciate about the movie, is that, you know, I would say overall. But one thing I can appreciate about the movie is that, you know I'm a foodie. Okay, so, for all the bleaks out there, even if you're not into 420, you know.

Speaker 1:

One thing I will also consider about this movie is that, you know, we've been there while we've craved something, you know, no matter what time of day, what year it is, you know it's like one of those meals where it's like you know what hey, you know I forgot about that spot I spent a minute. Since I've had that, you know, let me, let me hit that up. And once they do have that meal, you know it hits just right and it's like, from that point on, everything goes their way. You know, know, harold, he, you know, has the confidence to talk to the girl that he wants and he stands up to these bullies. And there's a scene in there too, where they stand up to the bullies up around their apartment complex and they stole. They stole their car, but you know where they enjoyed their white castle when they were like yo, that hit the spot.

Speaker 1:

You know, I definitely understand that Sometimes you just have that meal where it's like yo, that's it, that was right, right there. You know it did that. And so for the bleaks out there, for all my foodies, y'all could definitely understand where I'm coming from with that, because you know whether you know you like Texas fries with brisket or a cheesesteak, or sushi or tacos or something you know, whatever it is. You know we all have that moment where you just sit back and like now, like y'all ever had that meal, where y'all just reminisce over it because it hit that good you know and I'm not even talking about like hunger is the best spice like it was just right.

Speaker 1:

That's the type of moment in Harold and Kumar go to White Castle towards the end of the get and that's all compliments to Neil Patrick Harris, because he stole their car. They randomly run into this guy at the White Castle and he pays for the meal after he sobers up and he tells him it was like hey, look man, I left some love things on your uh you. And he tells him like hey look man, I left some love things on your camera. So just so you're aware. But at that moment they didn't even care because they were just so happy to have the food and enjoy it, and so that's just one of those things I really appreciated about that comedy is that, you know, it was relatable as far as the food aspect and the adventure, definitely over the top, because I don't know anybody, you know who's riding cheetahs and getting them high, because that was another thing too. There was like a cheetah, they got high, they definitely put them on with some butt and they rode them and then they did a hang glide session. So again, you know, I'm trying to recollect as much as I can as far as this movie, but there was just so many fucking scenes and wild moments in here where I was like, okay, this is definitely, definitely something where if you just want over the top adventures doesn't make any damn sense and have a great time with it.

Speaker 1:

This is definitely, definitely that stoner movie for the blinks out there. You know, you guys could tell me, is that what you guys appreciate about certain stoner movies? Because you know, um, you know, when it comes to like you know, friday whole classic, there was some serious aspects in there too which I could appreciate from ice cube that he put in there, you know. And again, comedy subjective, so that could be more relatable for as far as, like the black experience to a degree, and so, even though it's like that's a movie love all over the world, but you know, it's more relatable to us in that sense. But you know, when it comes to harold and kumar go to white castle, it was one of those movies where I had to remind myself, I'm like, oh, you know, this is very different but still relatable in some ways, but still funny all at the same time, which I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed. And for the bleaks out there, you know, I would definitely recommend it.

Speaker 1:

I don't know if this is a movie that's leapt on in the world of 420, but I doubt it. I think it's one of those things where now it's just a cult classic and people know but probably don't speak about too much. And you know, for the bleaks out there, you know how I have to end it. If Harold and Kumar go to White Castle was a strain of bud there. You know how I have to end it. If Harold and Kumar go to White Castle was a strain of bud, how many puffs would I have to puff on it before passing it off to someone else? I'm going to say three and a half.

Speaker 1:

It didn't hit as far as the comedy that I would like to make me laugh real hard because I believe they, you know, relied on so much as far as the antics and the over-the-top and crazy things that happen in that universe. But I can appreciate the adventure itself, you know, seeing the scenarios that they get themselves into and how they get themselves out of that. And that's one thing I can appreciate about, you know, harold and Kumar go to White Castle is that it really delivered on those moments where it's like man, you know, I know that shit wouldn't happen, but it was funny as hell to watch and to see their souls get out of that and you know they're definitely best friends. They definitely have that support and love for each other. Uh, there were some moments where, you know, even kumar, he went over the top and he apologized to errol, like, hey, you know what that's my bad, let me go ahead and like, fix that, let's get you back home. And so I appreciate that. That didn't compromise their friendship and they were definitely there for each other.

Speaker 1:

But you know, for all the bleaks out there, you know I would definitely love to hear your feedback. I do have FAML on the site itself for our tribe called bleakcom, so you know you can listen to the podcast from there and you can respond, because I would definitely love to hear your feedback as far as this 420 classic movie right here. I hope all the bleaks are doing well across the globe. I appreciate all the support and I'll be coming back with more content. You know to be more consistent. So I appreciate you guys, patience and just working with me and I hope all the bleaks out there and for all the knob leaks, you guys are staying safe out there in the world until next time. Be safe out there, bleakers. You.