Laughology (2009/Disinformation Company DVD)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: C+     Documentary: C+

 

 

A few years ago, an exceptionally funny documentary by Albert Nerenberg called Stupidity as released and I thought it deserved more attention than it received.  Now, he has made an equally long (just over an hour) look at humor and called it Laughology.  Though it is not quite as good, it has its moments and finds out some odd things about laughing, along with scientific research on the matter by people who have some interesting ideas.

 

While some of this is informative, the tone tries too hard to be comical and that backfires on itself, though it does not cause this to implode.  There are also things unquestioned, like phony laughter by phony people, though they do deal with laugh tracks on TV shows and professional laughers, who are hired to get others to laugh.  It is also true that this is a subject many might not like to talk about since they don’t want their good times overanalyzed and maybe ruined, but the overall result of the show is not bad and worth seeking out for the most curious among you.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image mixes a generous amount of archive footage, which is a plus, though it is generic, it works.  Newer interviews are taped in HD and it is as well-edited as its predecessor.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is just fine for the subject matter, including the interviews and some monophonic vintage audio.  Extras include additional interviews and side information.  You can also go to the following link for more:

 

www.laughology.info

 

 

For more on Stupidity, try this link:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/4569/Stupidity+(2006/Documentary)

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo