SYRACUSE -- Coming home to Syracuse to shoot scenes for his new movie had advantages for Bobcat Goldthwait. He grew up in East Syracuse, knew his way around all of the locations he needed and knew who to call.

"The other advantage was my family made really inexpensive extras," said Goldthwait with a laugh.

Acting and stand up comedy made Bobcat Goldthwait famous in the 1980's but he's become just as well known in Hollywood for his skill behind the camera as a director.

On Wednesday Goldthwaite hosted a screening of "God Bless America" at the Palace Theater in Syracuse.  "God Bless America" is a dark comedy about a man who goes on a violent rampage after being frustrated by reality television. The film's violent content has generated some controversy but critics have applauded the film's warped sense of humor and social commentary.

"I don't have much of a problem with reality shows. I have a bigger problem with our appetite for it," said Goldthwaite on Wednesday in Syracuse. "What does it say about us that this is our distraction and these are our heroes?"

Goldthwait is one of the most respected comedic talents in Hollywood but he stays close to his roots.  Clinton Square and downtown Syracuse were locations for the movie  - along with some other very specific Syracuse-area touches.
"The groceries the guys are eating are Price Chopper, there's an empty bag of Hinerwadel's potatoes, there's some Dinosaur Bar-B-Que sauce. These are things only folks in Central New York will notice but I made the effort so hopefully people do notice," said Goldthwait.

Another Syracuse-area star also appears in "God Bless America".  Tom Kenny, best known as the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants, was a classmate of Goldthwait at St. Matthews School in East Syracuse. The two have been good friends ever since and Goldthwait said he was excited to have Kenny in the film.

Goldthwaite still performs standup but says he doesn't do as much acting anymore.

"I joke I retired from acting at the same time they stopped hiring me," said Goldthwait. His writing and directing skills have been in high demand, both in the movies and on TV shows. Goldthwait said he's fortunate that he can work in so many different things in comedy.

"I'm turning 50 at the end of May and usually you don't get a second or third shot so I've been pretty lucky," said Goldthwait.