Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead Blu-ray Review
Score: 53
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead serves as a nostalgic homage to National Lampoon's origins but suffers from incomplete storytelling and lacks technical polish.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 57
Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead's Blu-ray presentation features exceptional 1080p, AVC-encoded footage that blends meticulously sharp and detailed new interviews with less pristine archival clips and low-res digitized photos, achieving a visually engaging contrast despite unavoidable technical imperfections in vintage material.
Audio: 57
The DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack for 'Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead' is functional and straightforward, with clear interviews anchored to the front center and period pop hits enriching the surround array. However, occasional issues like blown-out dialog and low-quality music tracks detract from the overall audio experience.
Extra: 41
The Blu-ray of 'Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead' offers an extensive collection of deleted scenes and additional interview footage, featuring insights from notable figures like Stan Lee and Judd Apatow, anecdotes on 'Animal House' and SNL, and readings from John Hughes' works, ensuring a thorough yet fragmented exploration of National Lampoon's legacy.
Movie: 51
While 'Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead' evocatively chronicles the rise and chaotic brilliance of National Lampoon, its focus on iconic magazine highlights rather than a comprehensive narrative leaves notable gaps, especially regarding the transition to film and the magazine's decline, despite lively interviews and archival content.
Video: 57
The Blu-ray release of "Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead" presents a visually intriguing representation of the documentary, with its 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode combining sharp, high-definition interview footage with various lower-resolution archival materials. Directed by Douglas Tirola and photographed digitally under Sean Price Williams, the film strives to move beyond conventional talking heads, opting instead for long shots that capture the environment—whether at home or in the office—of each interviewee. This choice successfully juxtaposes the vintage clips and images from the National Lampoon archives, which are graphically animated and digitally harmonized. However, while this creative approach adds visual energy, it also spotlighted the disparity in the quality of new and old footage.
The newly recorded interviews are superbly crisp and detailed, displaying naturalistic colors that enhance the subjects and their settings. This high quality creates an almost jarring contrast when compared to the archival video and photo elements, which suffer from unavoidable quality limitations. Mastered on a BD-50 with a high average bitrate of 33.40 Mbps, these vintage clips often appear out-of-sync and tightly cropped, reflecting common issues associated with older source material. Additionally, the documentary incorporates scans of aged photos and animations of magazine cartoons that unfortunately exhibit low resolution, reminiscent of mid-'90s CG animation with visible pixelation and jagged lines. These visual inconsistencies occasionally detract from the overall viewing experience but are somewhat mitigated by the consistently excellent new footage.
Overall, while the varied quality of source material within "Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead" is noticeable, the high-definition interviews stand out as a testament to the documentary's modern production values. The meticulously mastered 1080p Blu-ray format ensures these segments are delivered with clarity and precision, enriching the visual narrative despite the inherent limitations of archival content.
Audio: 57
The audio presentation of "Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead" features a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track. As is typical for documentaries, the soundtrack is functional and straightforward with interviews anchored to the front center channel. The dialog, which primarily comprises interview material, is generally clean, clear, and intelligible. However, there are instances where vocal levels appear too high, causing occasional distortion, while other sequences exhibit low-level recordings subsequently amplified, introducing ambient hiss. The inclusion of great period pop hits, notably by artists like David Bowie and Kenny Loggins, underscores the nostalgic undertones and employs the surround array effectively for musical accompaniment.
Despite these elements, some notable flaws detract from the overall audio experience. Archival video footage understandably carries some warbly and distorted flaws due to age. More concerning is the inconsistent quality of music tracks; some songs suffer from a noticeable tinny sound, akin to poorly compressed MP3s ripped from low-quality sources. These moments disrupt the otherwise well-selected and nostalgic music ensemble. Additionally, snippets from radio shows and vinyls feature excellent left-right stereo separation, showcasing a contrast between well-executed elements and those that fall short due to low production values evident in both audio and video departments. Though the technical quality could have elevated the experience significantly, certain production missteps leave much to be desired.
Extras: 41
The Blu Ray extras for "Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead" offer a comprehensive insight into the creative minds and humorous history behind the National Lampoon. Compiling deleted scenes, extended interviews, and additional anecdotes, these features delve deeper into iconic pieces and talents associated with the brand. The technical presentation in HD across varied durations ensures a quality viewing experience that complements the main documentary. Highlights include John Goodman reading Doug Kenney's controversial article, recollections from the “Animal House” production, reflections on the early days of SNL, and a variety of personal favorite pieces from National Lampoon staff.
Extras included in this disc:
- Additional Interview Footage: Extended interviews with Stan Lee, Judd Apatow, Meatloaf, and others.
- John Goodman Reads Doug Kenney: Goodman reads an article from Kenney.
- Thoughts on Animal House: Anecdotes and personal reflections from the “Animal House” cast.
- Drugs in the Office: Controversial takes on drug use in the National Lampoon office.
- Jaws 3 People 0: Insights into a never-finished Jaws parody project.
- Working in NYC: Creators discuss life and work in 1970s New York.
- Thoughts on SNL: Opinions on SNL’s impact and legacy.
- Favorite National Lampoon Pieces: Personal favorite picks from key figures.
- Reading John Hughes: Notable actors read excerpts from Hughes' stories.
- Artists of the National Lampoon: Extended focus on illustrators and cartoonists.
- Chevy Chase Seeds Story: A hilarious marijuana-related tale involving Rodney Dangerfield.
Movie: 51
"Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead," directed by Douglas Tirola, meticulously chronicles the anarchic rise and fall of National Lampoon. Founded in 1969 by Harvard grads Doug Kenney and Henry Beard, this magazine redefined humor with its sharp intelligence, raunchy wit, and disdain for authority. Tirola's documentary weaves a lively narrative from interviews and seminal magazine content, deftly capturing the unpredictable chaos that birthed groundbreaking comedy. Featuring notable contributors such as illustrator Rick Meyerowitz and former editor P.J. O'Rourke, the film explores how NatLamp became a creative nexus for future luminaries like John Hughes, Harold Ramis, and Anne Beatts.
Despite its rich tapestry of influential contributors and iconic moments, "Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead" sometimes struggles to balance exposure of famous magazine features with a coherent storyline. While it highlights pivotal moments like the success of "Animal House" and the talent exodus to "Saturday Night Live," it glosses over significant details about the magazine's final years and its broader cinematic impact. Additionally, an assumption that viewers are already familiar with NatLamp's principal characters leaves newcomers adrift amidst a sea of names and anecdotes.
Overall, Tirola's film serves as both an homage to Doug Kenney's tragic genius and a testament to National Lampoon's enduring legacy. Although the documentary occasionally falters in narrative scope, it captures the essence of a creative powerhouse that reshaped American comedy. This vivid portrayal is a treasure trove for fans and historians but may leave casual viewers wanting a more structured narrative context.
Total: 53
"Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead" offers an intriguing exploration into the history of the National Lampoon magazine, a cultural landmark that significantly influenced satire and comedy during its prime. Through a mix of interviews, archival footage, and magazine excerpts, the documentary presents a lively retrospection of the rise and impact of this iconic publication. However, while the film captures the essence of the humor that defined the brand, it often struggles to cohesively narrate its history. The emphasis on humorous excerpts and personal anecdotes from select founders splinters the narrative, leaving viewers with only a fragmented understanding of the magazine's broader cultural footprint.
Technically, the Blu-ray presentation is commendable but not without flaws. The video quality varies, likely due to the mixed source materials ranging from clear contemporary interviews to grainy historical footage. The audio follows a similar trend, adequate in parts but occasionally marred by inconsistent levels and clarity. These aspects can distract from the viewing experience, particularly for those not already invested in the subject matter. Despite these issues, fans of National Lampoon will appreciate the nostalgia and depth of content, even if casual viewers may find the documentary less engaging due to its uneven storytelling.
After the demise of NatLamp as a magazine, its name became the property of a licensing corporation, which has degraded the brand by attaching it to a string of amateurish comedies devoid of the wit that made the original publication distinctive (e.g., National Lampoon's The Legend of Awesomest Maximus). It's an unfortunate development to which Tirola's film is a belated but welcome antidote. "Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead" is a reminder of what made Kenney's and Beard's original creation a success. Highly recommended.
Blu-ray.com review by Michael ReubenRead review here
Video: 80
The interviews are interspersed and overlaid with excerpts from the pages of the National Lampoon, which have been graphically animated....
Audio: 80
The surround array is utilized for the musical accompaniment, with scoring by Bryce Jacobs (Drive Hard) and, more memorably, a careful selection of period pop hits that underscore the wistful nostalgia...
Extras: 70
Chevy Chase "Seeds" Story (1080p; 1.78:1; 2:16): A story about Rodney Dangerfield during the making of Caddyshack....
Movie: 70
Besides providing a history of NatLamp, Tirola's film serves as a memorial to Kenney, who wrote much of the magazine's copy during its formative years and whose friends and colleagues still miss him....
Total: 70
After the demise of NatLamp as a magazine, its name became the property of a licensing corporation, which has degraded the brand by attaching it to a string of amateurish comedies devoid of the wit that...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 60
Instead of using high-res scans of photos, it's like they Google-seached "National Lampoon magazine" and used the several dozen free poor quality photo scans they could find....
Audio: 60
Most of it is clean and clear, but occasionally the vocals have a blown-out quality as if the levels were too high during the recording....
Extras: 20
Thoughts on SNL (HD, 2:11) – I waited for the film to extress the stance that National Lampoon took on 'SNL,' but it never does, which makes the hit NBC series seem insignificant in the history of National...
Movie: 40
First and foremost, the film tends to focus more on highlighting the most iconic covers, features, cartoons and controversies than telling the full story of the brand....
Total: 40
With audio and video qualities just as messy as the movie itself, the only people who will get anything out of this Blu-ray are the familiy members of those involved and the die-hard fans of the National...
Director: Douglas Tirola
Actors: Danny Abelson, Judd Apatow, Kevin Bacon
PlotIn the early 1970s, a group of unconventional writers and artists in New York City came together to create a subversive humor magazine that would go on to shake the foundations of American comedy and satire. With its irreverent take on politics, culture, and social norms, the publication quickly gained notoriety for its groundbreaking, no-holds-barred approach to humor. The magazine's creators, a mix of counterculture figures and young, disaffected intellectuals, cultivated a unique voice that spoke to a generation disillusioned with mainstream media and societal expectations. Through interviews, archival footage, and animated sequences, the early struggles, creative processes, and audacious spirit of these mavericks are brought to life, offering a glimpse into the turbulent era that gave rise to their wild ideas.
As the magazine's popularity surged, its influence expanded beyond print media, permeating various facets of entertainment and pop culture. The eclectic ensemble of writers, artists, and editors behind the publication included future legends in comedy and writing, many of whom would go on to have significant careers in film, television, and literature. The documentary chronicles their groundbreaking work while delving into the personal stories and relationships that fueled their creative endeavors. As tensions and drug-fueled antics escalated within the group, the impact of their contentious yet transformative legacy became undeniable, leaving an indelible mark on subsequent generations of comedians and satirists.
Writers: Mark Monroe, Douglas Tirola
Release Date: 25 Sep 2015
Runtime: 98 min
Rating: Not Rated
Country: United States, United Kingdom
Language: English