Movie spotlight: 'Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie'

It goes without saying that "Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie" -- a moderately funny feature based on the cult cable-TV sketch comedy show "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" -- didn't cost much to make. At times, the movie has the feel of the cheaply made late-night commercials that it mercilessly, and occasionally hilariously, mocks. The title, in fact, is the film's first joke. It may also be its last one. Writer/director/producer/stars Tim Heidecker (the pudgy one) and Eric Wareheim (the other pudgy one, with glasses) don't really do "jokes" so much as they specialize in a brand of post-modern comedy that wrings laughter out of moments of awkwardness and ineptitude. If something is funny -- or merely uncomfortable, gross, inappropriate or vaguely disturbing -- they stretch it out, ad nauseam, or until it somehow transcends itself. It's a strangely effective technique. For Tim and Eric, a groan is as good as a guffaw. (Rating: R.)

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