BILLY JACK is one of those movies I’ve heard talked about so many times from so many different people that I sometimes forget I haven’t actually seen it. Do you have movies like that? I’ve got about a dozen. BILLY JACK in particular is one I feel I must have seen. It’s entirely in my wheelhouse, a heartfelt tale of vengeance about a high-kicking Green Beret who takes on a motorcycle gang. The star, Tom Laughlin, made the film with his own money, as he did a few other movies featuring the character. Tom Laughlin produced BILLY JACK (under the name Mary Rose Salti), directed it (under the name T.C. Frank), and wrote it (as Frank Christina) with his wife and co-star Delores Taylor (as Teresa Christina, but only as writer). I love that.

I never get tired of hearing people talk about BILLY JACK. They always sound delighted. And comedic actor Nick Offerman is one person whose delight is always contagious. Best known as “Ron Swanson” on Parks & Recreation, Offerman has given killer supporting performances in movies as varied as SMASHED, 21 JUMP STREET, CASA DE MI PADRE, THE KINGS OF SUMMER, IN A WORLD…, and THE LEGO MOVIE. He’s also a gift to late-night talk shows. Because he’s so tremendously skilled at deadpan, it’s all the more a nice surprise to hear Nick Offerman laugh. Nick Offerman’s giggle ought to be sold as a ringtone. Beats the Pillsbury Doughboy to shit.

As BILLY JACK is apparently one of Nick Offerman’s favorite movies, Nick Offerman will be at the IFC Center tonight to discuss the movie after the screening. Afterwards, he’ll be signing copies of his book, Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man’s Fundamentals For Delicious Living. I’ve only encountered Nick Offerman in the wild one time but even that was inspirational — I don’t think I can make it to this event tonight but I highly recommend that you do!

Movie Night With Nick Offerman is an event held in conjunction with New York Super-Week. Click on this sentence for details and tickets.

— JON ABRAMS (@jonnyabomb)

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Jon Abrams

Editor-In-Chief at Daily Grindhouse

Jon Abrams is a New York-based writer, cartoonist, and committed cinemaniac whose complete work and credits can be found at his site, Demon’s Resume. You can contact him on Twitter as @JonZilla___.

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Tags: Action Film, Delores Taylor, Hapkido, New York, Nick Offerman, Revenge, Screenings, Tom Laughlin