Aahh ... National Lampoon. Humorous. Rambunctious. Heroes. Maniacs. There are maybe 100 words to define it. But if you wanna go beyond those few words that describe them and into the story of one of the most successful humour magazine and it's cultural impact, you've got to see Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead.
DSBD documents the rise, reign and fall of a social revolution called National Lampoon. So what is this National Lampoon? The right question is not what, but who. Born in the 70’s (unlike most of our readers) National Lampoon is the brainchild of Doug Kenney and Henry Beard, both Harvard students. Brought together by their love of humour, these two students came up with a magazine (limited distribution) named Harvard Lampoon. Jokes, sex, social events, nudity -- the lampoon had it all to fuel its flight. It spread wide, famous amongst students and slowly to outsiders. In no time it was a national magazine. By then the team had grown quite larger than just two Harvard geniuses. Slowly they started a radio show, standup acts and eventually movies (pretty much the only surviving presence of the legacy).
What makes DSBD interesting is the way it allows the younger generation to relive an era that gave birth to several mediums/genres of comedy as we know them today as well as provide a chance to reminiscent for those who experienced the movement in person. It consists of appearances by actors (Kevin Bacon, Chevy Chase), writers, illustrators, comics, and all who helped shape National Lampoon. With unseen footage, notes and interviews this documentary creates a complete experience that every National Lampoon fan would cherish. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Douglas Triola (writer, director) has done his homework.
So if you are a fan of National Lampoon or just want to experience their journey, Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead is one documentary you don't wanna miss. Oh and as a fair warning, this movie is not for kids and please watch it without the company of anyone who's related to you, to avoid being embarrassed. Moments of gratuitous graphic nudity guaranteed.
Grade: B
What makes DSBD interesting is the way it allows the younger generation to relive an era that gave birth to several mediums/genres of comedy as we know them today as well as provide a chance to reminiscent for those who experienced the movement in person. It consists of appearances by actors (Kevin Bacon, Chevy Chase), writers, illustrators, comics, and all who helped shape National Lampoon. With unseen footage, notes and interviews this documentary creates a complete experience that every National Lampoon fan would cherish. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Douglas Triola (writer, director) has done his homework.
So if you are a fan of National Lampoon or just want to experience their journey, Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead is one documentary you don't wanna miss. Oh and as a fair warning, this movie is not for kids and please watch it without the company of anyone who's related to you, to avoid being embarrassed. Moments of gratuitous graphic nudity guaranteed.
Grade: B
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