Open Mic - Dave Chappelle

Starring:Dave Chappelle, Bobcat Goldthwait, Shawn Wayans, Richard Jeni, Jim Breuer, Victoria Jackson, Tony Rock, Dom Irrera, Jackie Martling, Charles Fleischer, Jeffrey Ross, Butch Bradley, Brian Regan, Bobby Collins
Director: Jason Dudek
Studio: Ark Distribution
Product Type: DVD

Description

Who wants to be a star? Who has what it takes? How do they think up all that funny stuff?!? For every comedian that you see knockin' 'em dead on Jay Leno or the Letterman Show, there are thousands more who battle each week...not for the national spotlight but for survival, five minutes at a time, on the stage of comedy clubs, roadway dinners or hole-in-the-wall bars across America. These are the next generation of star comedians, and their stories are central to understanding what it takes to make it big. "Open Mic" is a revealing look behind the veil of Hollywood's glamour into the competitive and crazy world of stand-up comedy. Featuring comedy performances and interviews from some of today's hottest comedians, this is the breakout film that proves: dying is easy...comedy is hard!

Customer Reviews:

Good idea. Poor Execution........2006-06-25

First off, Amazon needs to remove "Dave Chappelle" from the title of this documentary. Yes, Dave is in it. Briefly. Though he is quite insightful, this is not about him at all. Instead, it's about two men trying to be comics, paying dues by going through "open mic nights".

There are those who are stating that this is an "excellent" view for anyone wanting to be a comedian. Having seen "Comedian" with Jerry Seinfeld, as well as every season of "Last Comic Standing" (among other shows), I can accept the idea that this was not going to be a "rolling on the floor" laughfest, but, instead, a view of two men trying to take the next step, interspersed with advice from many relatively successful comedians (though Shawn Wayans? Really?) This piece was so poor in quality, I wondered whether someone decided to distribute their film school project.

Someone mentioned the horrible music. Much of it is written by one man, so I wonder if he also got school credit for the same project. I could hardly hear the boring audio because the sucky music was so loud (to be fair, I probably would not hate the music so much if it weren't mixed in so badly). I could appreciate the smackdown that everyone seemed to give to so-called "comedy instruction"; the theme of "practice, practice, practice" in front of audiences was really hammered home. Plus, one would think that the "comedy instructor", realizing he is being filmed, would, perhaps, attempt a bit of humor himself?

Too much time was spent with one of the comics - Dan. Granted, Dan is just starting out, but he is Horrible. And why this "Nice Jewish Boy" is doing so many sets on what is apparently called "Def Jam Nights" (mostly black audiences) is beyond me. It would have been more interesting to follow the other guy - Butch, I think - around, as even though he is somewhat in the early part of his career, he is believable as a comic. I can only imagine Dan is in here as a bad example of comic relief.

If comedians really want to see something about how rough stand-up can be in the early stages, buy "Comedian" instead. I know it stars Jerry Seinfeld, who is hardly struggling. But it a) shows Jerry trying to create a brand new act, so he might as well be new, b) also features Orny Adams, a rising comic, and c) actually is funny, as (surprise) comedians can be humorous even when they are not doing their material.

Keith Whitener is a total sick sad dude; Open Mic is a Comedy Treasure........2006-06-22

Whitener has never done anything in his life except try to bring down talented people and their work to his miserable bottom feeding level. Open Mic is far from that jealous wanna-be's description. Where's his movie? What a pathetic loser!!! He also says a monkey could write better than George Lucas. Open Mic is mesmerizing, funny and enlightening, a great first work from a young director. It's a true accounting on Stand-up Comedy from some of the nation's best comics like the brilliant Richard Jeni who gives you an awesome inspiring lesson. Open Mic is so real and interesting. It's a Comedy Appreciation Treasure Chest. Open Mic is already a classic and a must see.

Excellent Validation Film for New Comics.......2006-03-26

This film does give stand-up comics the validation they need to succeed. Everybody sucks when they start out, so don't get discouraged. You will see some bad jokes, some of the worst ever told, but you will see comics make some real progress too. The production is not big studio quality but that's what gives this film its charm and the feel of reality. The big name comics tell their formerly untold horror stories of how they got started, usually in a funny way, and their secrets to success. You see them as real people just like you and not just that super funny person you see on stage. Some of the stuff in here could be a considered a little cheesy but in general is shows a talented filmmaker on the rise. I've never seen a better documentary film on comedy, especially with all the big names. If you want to be a comic, see this film. It will save you from wasting money and time on those ridiculous comedy classes. If you want to see pure comedy performance watch Open Mic director Jason Dudek's new HD release "Live from the Laugh Factory, Vol. 1" with Butch Bradley from Open Mic, Bob Marley, Ruben Paul and Freddy Soto.

Phenomenal, Engrossing, Funny/Sad Documentary Film on Standup Comedy.......2006-03-23

Comedy? Tragedy? It's a Fine line. This brilliant, powerful, reality film shows us how new open mic standup comics struggle to find elusive laughs, most times with tragic results. You'll hear true accurate accounts from the industries' best standup comedians, including Dave Chappelle, on the realities of what they went through to become funny and famous. Open Mic is not to be missed by real standup comedy students and enthusiasts. It's enlightening and empowering. If you want to be a comic, you must Get Open Mic, Watch it and Go for it.

have to be honest.......2006-03-19

i thought anything with dave chappelle had to be funny..welll* this dvd sucked it was boring there was like no comedy IN this it showed bad comedians who couldnt make it..not interesting..stupid..do N O T WASTE UR MONEY LOOK ELSEWHERE--id never recommend this movie to anyone

Average customer rating:

Movie shows it's low budget clearly
See Open Mic!!!
It's like Comedian only for the little people.
Definitive Stand-up Comedy Film
Shame on Amazon for this misleading item description

Open Mic
Starring: Dave Chappelle
Manufacturer: Filmworks/Hannover House
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( O ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Television | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0006N2EQY
Release Date: 2004-11-23

Customer Reviews:

Movie shows it's low budget clearly.......2005-09-23

The sound track drowned out the interviews with "known" comics. No sets from other comics at open mics were shown, as far as I can tell. If you can pick up the movie for less than $5, and you are an open mic comic, it is probably worth it, but definitely not worth buying if you are not a comic.

See Open Mic!!!.......2005-02-16

You have to see this movie, I loved it! Open Mic follows an amatuer named Dan Aubrey and seeing some of the stuff he goes through, you really feel for him, but you laugh at him all at the same time. That guy is hilarious for so many reasons, I hope he makes it big one day. plus there are interesting interviews with famous comedians like Dave Chappelle and Jim Breuer. Definately see this movie and watch it with a group of friends.

It's like Comedian only for the little people........2005-01-26

Anybody who loves stand-up comedy or is just starting out as a comedian should definately buy Open Mic. Open Mic is a DOCUMENTARY that takes a rare look into the world of stand-up comedy. It follows an open mic'er named Dan and describes his trials and tribulations as he tries to make it as a professional comedian. The film also offers clips of valuable advice and inights from comedians such as Richard Jeni, Dom Irrera, Dave Chappelle, and Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada. Buy Open Mic if you are an aspiring comedian, a friend of an aspiring comedian, a comedian, or you just plain love stand-up.

Definitive Stand-up Comedy Film.......2005-01-02

This film is the most revealing, intelligent, accurate, funny and entertaining look behind stand-up comedy ever made. Dave Chappelle, Victoria Jackson, Richard Jeni, Bobcat Goldthwait, Shawn Wayans and many more national comics entertainingly share their failures and secrets to success. You'll laugh and cringe as you follow two new stand-up comics on their journey up and down the road of comedy. If you are into stand-up comedy, Director Jason Dudek's Open Mic is a must see.

Shame on Amazon for this misleading item description.......2004-12-30

Don't get excited. Thinking I had stumbled upon some great moment in Dave Chappelle's catalog that I had overlooked, I ordered this DVD. I come to find out it's really just some sh*tty documentary about stand-up comedians. Not at ALL what I had expected. Sure, Dave Chappelle is a "primary contributor" but this is definitely NOT a Dave Chappelle DVD. Shame on Amazon for misleading their customers like this. I've had a great relationship with Amazon for years and have always ordered from them without hesitation. Now when I order I'll be combing the fine-print like I'm trying to decipher the rip-off disclaimer on someone's bullsh*t eBay listing. Oh well, the honeymoon had to end sometime.

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