I bought this DVD primarily because I had heard Penn Jillette talking about it during his 'Penn Point' Youtube videos. I had heard the name of the piece before, but had imagined it to me similar to an awful film I watched many years ago which I think was called 'The Producers'. This is what had put me off for all this time. Since I had become accustomed to Penn's views and outlook on life, I figured that any major production that he had been involved in would carry merit for me as a viewer. As I often do, I purposely avoided any information as to the 'plot' of the production and so, as I loaded the DVD, I had no knowledge of the content atall. To discover that the film was a documentary was the first surprise, and it was welcomed. As the film evolves, the more details of the actual subject matter of the piece becomes apparent. Once the viewer finally understands the implication of the title of the film, then there is no holds barred. If you got this far then you are in for a treat. This is NOT a film to be watched with parents or children. Ideally this should be watched alone! I'm amazed it was produced, but I'm very glad it was!Read full review
The Aristocrats is the lame punchline to a joke which is based on imagination and a filthy mind. Ever heard the phrase "the journey is more important than the destination"? Well that's what you have here. Some of the greatest names in comedy let you into their private world of showing off to one another. If you are a swearing enthusiast, this is the art form at its best.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
After the first 10 minutes, I thought I would take the DVD out of the player and throw it away. But somehow I couldn't stop watching. I had read about it, and I read all the comments on the outside of the DVD box, about how filthy, disgusting, shocking, obscene it was, but I thought, "What the heck, I'm not that easily shocked by a dirty joke!" But I was. Soon I realized, the thing to do is stop visualizing everything they say when the joke is told. That was important! Then it's easier to get into the spirit of the thing. It turned out the movie gave an interesting perspective on the many comedians and other performers who told the joke. I haven't lived in the US for 23 years, so alot of the comedians were completely unknown to me, but I enjoyed watching all the same. As George Carlin points out in the film, it's about crossing boundaries, and it's fascinating, just as people are fascinating. I might even have marked it "excellent" but something about the disgustingness of it all holds me back. That must be the percentage of "prude" that lives on in my heart. Whaddayagonna do. :-)Read full review
A documentary that follows different comedians telling the same basic joke in new and innovativce ways. First of all the negatives : - we only see comedians performing the joke live in front of an audience once or twice. Which means we don't get an impresion of how it works in reality. We hear a lot of stories about it etc etc but rarely get to see it used. And whilst it can be funny hearing someone repeat the joke to a camera in an office, the performer inevitably is relaxed and not at their adrenalin fuelled joke telling best. - many of the comedians are boring, and rather unfunny. Too many bring filthy, disgusting and original twists to the joke, but they don't necessarily work. There are a few that turn the joke on it's head, or play with it a little, and these are the funniest moments. But they are rare. - comedians seriously deconstructing a joke, and the thoughts behind it, at times can be very tiresome. Positives: - in parts it is very funny. Some of the participants do not take it seriously and mockingly talk through their piece. This is when genuine laughs arise. Or when banter starts between interviewer and comic (see Jon Stewart in make-up chair) again the natural comedic talents of all shine through. - Kevin Pollak's telling of the joke as Christopher Walken is worth the price alone. - As a stand-up comic, you could find it very useful to analyse the structure, writing and composition that goes into joke telling. Overall, I'm glad I bought it used, as I'd be a bit miffed if I'd paid full priceRead full review
I brought this DVD as I am a massive Eddie Izzard fan and he features in this documentary. I really can't tell you how much Eddie features in it though as I turned the DVD off after 10 minutes. Basically the documentary is about one dirty joke, don't get me wrong I love comedy and dirty jokes don't bother me but this joke I just didn't get. If you love the likes of Chubby Brown and Bernard Manning then you'll like this but to me bigging up a punchline but talking about fathers raping their daughters just is sick. I dare anyone to watch it and see how long it takes them to turn it off!!!
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