The Aristocrats (DVD, 2006, Unrated)

The concept is simple - top comedians tell the same joke, "The Aristocrats", in their own style and with their own filthy mannerisms and words. The result is a very guilty pleasure as the Aristocrats DVD is filthy and funny. The cast is stupendous (Gilbert Godfried is hands down the funniest!) and the DVD is well worth the purchase because the extra footage and scenes are as funny (if not better) than the films!

A great movie for a humorous date or a night with some beers and BBQ.

Comedians: Andy Dick, Billy Connolly, Bob Saget, Carrie Fisher, Dana Gould, Dave Thomas, David Brenner, David Steinberg, Don Rickles, Drew Carey, Eddie Izzard, Emo Philips, Eric Idle, Fred Willard, George Carlin, Gilbert Gottfried, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Howie Mandel, Jason Alexander, Joe Franklin, Jon Stewart, Judy Gold, Lewis Black, Martin Mull, Michael McKean, Pat Cooper, Paul Reiser, Phyllis Diller, Rita Rudner, Robin Williams, Shelley Berman, Steven Wright, Susie Essman, Tim Conway, Wayne Cotter, Whoopi Goldberg


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Let me give some background here. The first time I ever saw an Aristocrats joke was admittedly only about 1.5 years ago when I saw the clip of Cartman's rendition of the joke. Yes, while one of the most offensive things I had ever heard, I laughed hysterically. Couple this with how difficult it usually is to offend me, and you can imagine how excited I was when I heard of a full DVD with many well known comedians' renditions. I informed my roommates, my girlfriend; gathered up anyone I could to see what I was sure would be a riot. I was almost completely dissapointed, and embarassed that my friends had to sit through this movie. I know in the sake of keeping the movie from getting monotonous, the editors deliberately chose to cut the jokes up and combine weird parts, along with having large portions of time which simply describe how offensive the joke is (which is completely unnecessary by the way, WE KNOW IT IS OFFENSIVE, WE GET IT, LET US SEE THE JOKE.) Honestly, I bought this movie simply in hopes of seeing comedians try to outdo one another. I would have been perfectly fine watching 1.5 hours of the same joke told different ways. That is not what you get at all, in many cases you never hear the complete version of the joke. So stupid, there was so much potential. Even Bob Saget, with his incredible knack for offensive humor, can't even get the complete version of what was shaping up to be a hilarious rendition of the joke. I will admit, that in this movie, there were 3 or 4 parts where I was hysterical... but that is not worth the 19 bucks I paid. I know the critics were patting each other on the back for having been in love with something so offensive, such toilet humor. But I honestly believe that the only reason they raved is because the caliber of comedians on this DVD would make it seem impossible to dissent. Only worth it at very cheap prices; keep your expectations low.

This movie is not just about a joke... it's about culture and censorship and art and creativity. While you can enjoy the creative process and the examination of individual comedians' styles, you also have to ask yourself what is offensive, and who decides it? Watching it with a group of people really highlights that aspect of the movie: no two people have the same lines drawn at the same place, and this movie crosses everyone's at some point or another. Interesting to realize how few of those different lines you've ever noticed before among your friends.
Aside from those more intellectual and academic aspects, the movie is also flat out funny. If there's a bit that doesn't grab you, in just a few minutes, something else will. No two ways about it. I have never seen any other movie with as many big and varied laughs as this one - no matter what the budget or how much slicker than this one.
THIS MOVIE IS FANTASTIC.

I would give it a rating lower than poor if I could . I bought it because I heard from a source that I would've considered reliable at the time, but I no longer do, that it was pretty funny. I got through maybe 40 minutes of it when I realized it was a whole bunch of famous comedians talking dirty ,but not the good dirty. Vomit and urine and "aunt flow" dirty. It would really rock a third grader out of his mind, so if that's your humor , go for it!

I love raunchy humor, but was expecting to hear more comedians actually tell the joke, than talk about it. Most were too afraid to tell their version or even talk about it much. Bob Saget and Gilbert Gottfried were great, rest of movie fell very flat for me. I loved the comedians' other jokes in the extras more than the movie.