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Movies / On DVD / The Original Kings of Comedy
The Original Kings of Comedy

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The Original Kings of Comedy (2000)

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Reviews Counted:86

Fresh:74

Rotten:12

Average Rating:6.9/10

Consensus: If you want lots of laughs and don't mind some profanity, The Original Kings of Comedy can deliver.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] language and sex related humor

Runtime: 1 hr 55 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:Aug 18, 2000 Wide

Box Office: $11,053,832

Synopsis: When four of the world's funniest black stand-up comics came together to celebrate their crownings as the "Kings of Comedy," acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee decided to film two of their most... When four of the world's funniest black stand-up comics came together to celebrate their crownings as the "Kings of Comedy," acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee decided to film two of their most memorable shows. The result is THE ORIGINAL KINGS OF COMEDY, a raucous concert film that takes its cue from classic performers such as Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy. The host of the evening, Steve Harvey, spends most of his time criticizing modern music--namely hip-hop--for forgetting to include love in its songs, missing the days when black music was passionate and romantic. D.L. Hughley focuses on universal topics such as work, as well as taking his time to criticize certain unfortunate audience members. Cedric "The Entertainer" makes a series of clever points about the differences between white and black people in addition to using his large frame to dance and run around the stage to hilarious effect. Capping off the film is Bernie Mac, a frustrated 42-year-old who is sick of sex and believes that people should tell it like it is, no matter whom they might offend. As funny as each individual is, they also take the time to make poignant observations about race, relationships, and popular culture, giving the film a sincerity that is truly refreshing. [More]

Starring: Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley, Bernie Mac, Steve Harvey

Starring: Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley, Bernie Mac, Steve Harvey

Director: Spike Lee

Director: Spike Lee
Producer: Walter Latham, David Gale, Spike Lee
Studio: Paramount Pictures

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jun 5, 2001

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Reviews for The Original Kings of Comedy

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21 - 40 (sorted by date)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Some of the humor on display in the movie is very funny, but much of it is offensive and demeaning.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Houston Chronicle

A fresh, intimate, gloriously unpolished performance film which measures up to the classics of the genre.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Bill Gallo
Bill Gallo
New Times

This is an interesting experience, not so much for the four gentlemen named above, who all are very fine comedians. No, it is more for the cultural significance of this venture.

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
01/01/00
Bob Bloom
Bob Bloom
rec.arts.movies.reviews

If you really want to laugh, The Original Kings of Comedy is the picture to see.

Full Review Source: Kansas City Star | comment Comment
01/01/00
Calvin Wilson
Calvin Wilson
Kansas City Star

The jokes fly so quickly and hard that you may find yourself laughing through many of the punch lines.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Candice Y. Rigon
Candice Y. Rigon
Associated Press

Boasts the highest laughs-per-minute ratio of any in this season's hilarity.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Carrie Rickey
Carrie Rickey
Philadelphia Inquirer
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This is not cutting-edge comedy at all, but four strangely repetitive stand-up routines.

Full Review Source: Ottawa Citizen | comment Comment
01/01/00
Chris Cobb
Chris Cobb
Ottawa Citizen

For about 3/4 of its length, The Original Kings of Comedy feels like the funniest movie of the year.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

They form a hilarious and even poignant conscience for a brand of black humor much deeper and wiser than what we've seen on screen this year.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
01/01/00
Chris Vognar
Chris Vognar
Dallas Morning News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

If they're not yet kings, they're pretty strong contenders to the throne.

Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
01/01/00
Colin Covert
Colin Covert
Minneapolis Star Tribune

This is what the Kings do best, reflect the culture back to itself, exposing its faults and celebrating its occasional brilliance and compassion.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia City Paper | comment Comment
01/01/00
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
Philadelphia City Paper

Lee seems well aware that the reason to catch the flick is to catch the comics.

Full Review Source: Nitrate Online | comment Comment
01/01/00
Dan Lybarger
Dan Lybarger
Nitrate Online

The four share a wondrous camaraderie and Lee just lets the camera roll on them as they improvise on a basketball court and break each other up.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
01/01/00
David Noh
David Noh
Film Journal International

What comes out of these comedians' hearts hits the most powerful chord, and the audience wants more of it.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Elvis Mitchell
Elvis Mitchell
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The comics really are good at what they do, provoking laughter from people of any race.

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Eric D. Snider
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

The Original Kings of Comedy, with its 10 cameras and backstage footage, may be the most innovatively directed stand-up concert film ever made.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Erik Lundegaard
Erik Lundegaard
Seattle Times

What makes the film an almost nonstop ride of hilarity is the poetry in each comedian's profanity.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Ernest Hardy
Ernest Hardy
Film.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

As there can only be one king, the crown goes to Bernie Mac, a goggle-eyed marvel of old-school Chicago weirdness.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
01/01/00
Gary Dauphin
Gary Dauphin
Village Voice

Live comedy ... is a singularly difficult experience to capture on film, but Lee's done his level best here.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Gemma Files
Gemma Files
Film.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Mac fires his comic salvos with the authoritative ease of a champion boxer.

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
01/01/00
Gene Seymour
Gene Seymour
Newsday
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
21 - 40 (sorted by date)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
all

Latest News for The Original Kings of Comedy

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