Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights - Hollywood to the Heartland

This movie should be a stand-up concert film, but for some reason its a road movie instead. The comedians are funny when you do get to see them on stage, but most of the movie is spent looking at a "Raiders of the Lost Ark" map trace the trip across America, cut with footage of the tour bus and then an audience laughing. Insert a cliché song about the city we're about to visit. They pad the movie out with a last minute Katrina benefit show, which seemed kind of melodramatic (especially for a comedy). Vince Vaughn even shows up on occasion throughout the film to show us his range of talent (see wedding crashers...NOT!). The money shot is definitely Vince and his friend Peter Bilingsley acting out their parts from a steroids after-school special.

It seems as though a lot of people were expecting a comedy show, as opposed to a documentary on a comedy show. Its a shame they have to pan the film for not dazzling them with humor, when it has so much more to offer. I find the filmmaker's choices and the honesty of those on camera riveting (i.e. insecurity, heckling, bad jokes, good jokes, grateful to ungracious and back again) Maybe I wouldn't have enjoyed the show in person (on an off night), but I truly enjoyed the evolution of the show from Vince's eyes. I want to make love to him. A similar film is THE COMEDIAN, being in show business I find the material incredibly compelling, those of you who like sports or Larry the Cable Guy obviously, it wouldn't be for you. Interestingly there were no women on the crew or in the show . . . hmmmmm

This documentary took me by surprise because it not only made me laugh, but it showed me the struggle comedians have to go through to perform their material in different environments, and how their personal lives shape their material. The thing I liked about the movie was that it actually took me on a journey with these guys and I felt like I got to know them instead of just the same format most stand-up documentaries offer of strictly on stage performances. Again, Vince is pushing the envelope by doing things his way...resulting in a heartfelt, honest and hilarious journey on film. Great job, and keep doing things your way...it works!

Although I tried to forget it, I remember actually paying to see this when it was first released. I also remember thinking to myself..."Maybe Vince actually got his hands on some pretty funny talent. THis looks like it could be fun!" Absolutely not. Worst assumption I could've possibly made was thinking this was actually going to be a "funny" experience for me. I hardly remembered the dragged out jokes that were in this film until i tried viewing it again the other night. I figured that maybe, just maybe i missed something the first time and since i was in the comfort of home it'd be a little better the next go around, but yet again...with another bad assumption I was WRONG. Save your time...save your money...because this film represents and is all that is wrong with the words: NOT FUNNY.

Greetings again from the darkness. Not a bad idea from producers and best buds Vince Vaughn and Peter Billingsley. A documentary road trip with four comedians doing 30 shows in 30 cities over 30 days sets the stage for a wide range of emotions and activity. The first misstep was going with four mostly unknown comedians. Because of this, the movie really needs to help us get to know them ... which we just barely do.

The second misstep was that the actual stand-up was sparse and frankly, just not that funny. The back-stage stuff proved much better. I was actually kind of let down when the acts were performing.

Because there were so many cities, we really never get a flavor of any one particular town, although Buck Owens in Bakersfield was kind of cool. Sadly we get more shots of Billingsley sleeping than we do much interaction offstage between the comics. The side trip during Hurricane Katrina could have been much better.

Vince Vaughn is a very charismatic and talented guy so that gives the film a slight edge over what it probably deserves. The reality is that most of these guys just aren't very funny onstage and come across here as a bit sad off-stage.