a/k/a Tommy Chong
a/k/a Tommy Chong | |
---|---|
Directed by | Josh Gilbert |
Written by | Josh Gilbert Steven Hager[1] |
Produced by | Josh Gilbert |
Starring | Tommy Chong Eric Schlosser Lou Adler Bill Maher Jay Leno Cheech Marin |
Distributed by | Blue Chief Entertainment |
Release date |
|
Running time | 78 minutes |
Language | English |
a/k/a Tommy Chong is a 2006 documentary film written, produced, and directed by
The film was shown at film festivals in 2005 and 2006 and had its first, art-house theatrical release on June 14, 2006, at the
The film received positive reviews.Synopsis
The film depicts Tommy Chong of
The documentary discloses that Tommy Chong's son, who actually ran the company which sold the paraphernalia was never charged or indicted by the Federal government. In May 2008 federal agents raided the owner of the distribution rights to this DVD.
The documentary is critical of the prosecution of Chong by the U.S. federal government led by the U.S. attorney for western Pennsylvania, Mary Beth Buchanan.[4]
Reception
Reviews
The film received positive reviews. Entertainment Weekly gave it a "B", calling it a "slender, revealing documentary, ... is a portrait of resilience: Chong does his time (nine months) and has the last laugh, emerging as a born-again activist-survivor of the culture wars."[5] In the New York Daily News, Elizabeth Weltzmen gave the film 2 1/2 stars (of 4), writing, "... even those unimpressed with [Cheech and Chong's] genially lowbrow work will be intrigued by the political tenor of this portrait." She continues, "Gilbert blatantly takes Chong's side, so your level of empathy will rise or fall depending on how strongly you connect with his subject."[6]
Wesley Morris of the
Recognition
- Official Selection – Toronto International Film Festival[9]
- Official Selection – IDFA: International Documentary Festival Amsterdam
- Official Selection – Palm Springs International Film Festival[10]
- Official Selection – Miami International Film Festival[11]
- Official Selection – SXSW Film Festival
- Official Selection – Full Frame Documentary Festival
- Winner, Best Documentary – HBO US Comedy Arts Festival[12]
- Audience Award, Best Documentary – San Francisco Independent Film Festival
- Audience Award Runner Up, Best International Film – Vancouver International Film Festival[13]
Seizure of DVDs
On May 7, 2008, federal agents raided Spectrum Labs as part of an investigation related to "drug masking products" used to fool drug tests. Chong alleges that 8,000 to 10,000 copies of his yet-to-be released documentary, which he claims were seized by the authorities, were the actual focal point of the raid. "It's a way to punish the distributor financially," Mr. Chong said. "There's no way to get the DVDs back until the investigation is over." However, attorneys for Spectrum Labs have said no copies of the documentary were seized. U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan, who led the investigation, refused to comment on Mr. Chong's allegation.[14]
References
- ^ a b Dargis, Manohla (June 14, 2006). "A/K/A Tommy Chong, a Documentary About the Comedian and the Law". The New York Times. p. B5. Archived from the original on August 18, 2008.
- ^ Anonymous (November 9, 2008). "The Watcher recommends". Chicago Tribune. p. 1.(subscription required)
- ^ According to the director, it was shown over 100 times as of September 5, 2010: Karassik, Neil (May 3, 2010). "Tommy, can you hear me". Eye Weekly. Toronto Star Newspapers.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Murphy, Mekado (2012). "Movie Reviews, Showtimes and Trailers – Movies". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
- ^ Gleiberman, Owen (June 14, 2006). "A/K/A Tommy Chong (2006)". Entertainment Weekly
- ^ Weitzman, Elizabeth (June 6, 2006). "Movie Reviews – Short Takes – Bong Show". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on November 14, 2006.
- Boston Globe. Archived from the originalon May 10, 2007.
- ^ A/K/A Tommy Chong at Rotten Tomatoes
- ^ "Toronto film fest unveils list of documentaries". CTV.ca (Canadian Press). August 11, 2005.[dead link]
- ^ "Festival a blockbuster". The Desert Sun. January 16, 2006. (fee required).
- Sun-Sentinel. March 3, 2006]
- ^ "U.S. attorney not high on Chong movie" Archived January 15, 2012, at WebCite. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. August 27, 2008.
- ^ "Press" Archived September 19, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. a/k/a Tommy Chong website.
- ^ Ward, Paula Reed (May 11, 2008). "Buchanan picks new target: products that mask drug use". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
External links
- Official website
- a/k/a Tommy Chong at IMDb