George Carlin: Complaints & Grievances (2001)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Awesome Movie

n my opinion it was a great movie with some interesting elements, even though having some plot holes and the ending probably was just too messy and crammed together, but still fun to watch and not your casual movie that is similar to all other ones.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

I like Carlin, but this was just sad. When did he cross the line from exasperated/frustrated to meanspirited? Now he sounds like nothing more than a grumpy old man who doesn't like answering machines or the lack of tits on Xmas cards.The fart jokes were just sad - that's the cheapest, lamest, sophomoric laugh and no famous comedian should have to fall back on that!This was followed by a warhawk call to arms praising plans to attack & praising Guiliani. (the sort of unthinking kneejerk call for a violent revenge) that seems to have caused the US to jump in & attack/destabilize the entire middle east over the action of a few Saudis).I almost stopped there. For some reason I decided to persist. Surely there had to be a great segment in there from such a great comedian....Instead I'm treated to a discussion of "lip crud", toenail clippings, asspicking and other things you find on the body? Who cares? Why is this funny? This - from the man who did the classic "Religion is bullshit" sketch? Several minutes discussion of how much he loves scabs and masturbates over scabs?? From the comedian who brilliantly called out the anti-choicers for their illogic and unchristian attitudes?I counted ONE laugh in the first half hour.Out of a respect for his past humor, I persevered on and at a little over half way through (about 30.24 min.) he slipped back into his usual rant style attacking conformism, consumerism and conservatives christians, etc. and it was more amusing but still pretty uneven and not up to his usual standards.His condensing of the 10 commandments almost made the DVD watching. And you certainly don't hear a lot of comedians bring up and condemming FGM (female genital mutilation).However, there were a few uncomfortably sexist and homophobic sections. For example - his instance on "traditional" boring American names just made him seem ignorant. Why does he assume wish death on those with what he calls "fruity" names? Many of us prefer original, interesting names and don't want everyone called Bill & Bob. I don't happen to think having the name Tyler or Blaine(or whichever he was ranting about) emasculates anyone.I watched this the same night as a Lewis Black DVD and I definitely preferred Lewis Black's rants. Somehow Black's swearing and sex jokes fit better. Maybe it's cuz Black has better material (how Bush et al has screwed our country) vs. Carlin ranting about Xmas cards that don't have tits in them.As he states towards the end Respect must be earned. Carlin gained my respect in the past from his books & shows, but he's kind of slipping now.

Thou shalt always be honest and faithful to the provider of thy nookie; and thou shalt try really hard not to kill anyone unless they pray to a different invisible man than you do." This is the stuff that dreams are made of. George Carlin takes on a heavy issue a little less than two months after September 11, 2001 and the crowd loved it. The biggest problem with this show, besides a bodily function segment that is only partially funny, is that George seems nervous. He must have been preparing the new material in a rush and it shows in the opening "Fart Squad" joke and in the brilliant, but rushed two commandments. There were at least a couple times when he paused during applause to not offend anyone, which seemed out of character. The bodily functions stuff has a great lead in, where George talks about disgusting things that even the most depraved mind has a hard time with. Then, he opens up with Lip Crud? Pushing aside these two problems, you can still see a fearless and mostly fresh comedian who still has a lot of edge. How many comedians could list people who should die without sounding like a jerk?"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors goods. This one is just plain f**king stupid. Coveting is what keeps the economy going. Your neighbor has a vibrator that plays "O' Come All Ye Faithful," you want one too!"

Very few true geniuses in the comedy world. Bruce, Williams and a few more. Carlin is professor emeritus of any that have been or may ever be. Long after you've laughed till you're crying you'll begin to think about what he said. Then, watch out! You're in for a long night.

Yes, he does talk about toenails and lip crud....but the thing about this material is that its TRUE. All the people that said it wasn't funny said that because they know they do all that all the time and are embarassed! We are just human! Our bodies and minds have evolved enough to the point where we find it amusing to flatulate and play with our toenails. Live with it! Classic Carlin does include him noticing things we do but don't talk about! You are not any better of a person to say you do not do this things, so get over it. Anyways, this was a good show, not one of his best i agree, but good none-the-less. Get both of his books (Brain Droppings, and Napalm and Silly Putty) to get all his A material throughout the years, trust me.