Comedy is hard and Louis C.K., and Dave Chappelle have traversed changing times and attitudes, trying to make sense of it all while making us laugh.
Occasionally, a comedian is lucky enough to have a concert filmed for cinema or TV release. With a low budget and the potential for high return, it is surprising there aren't more comic performance pieces released for the big and small screen. Here are 10 of the best stand-up shows today.
Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005)
Dave Chappelle was an up and coming comedian for far too long. When he scored his deal with Comedy Central for a 30-minute sketch comedy show in 2002, and following the premiere in January of 2003, all of that changed and Chappelle became one of the most respected and inventive comedians working today.
Directed by Michel Gondry, Dave Chappelle's Block Party was a celebration of culture through music and comedy. The film featured a bevy of musical acts (Erykah Badu, The Fugees, Common) with Chappelle hosting and peppering the film with his comedy. Critics and audiences were in unison with their praise, as the film did well and received positive reviews.
Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic (2005)
Always a controversial comedian in how she deals with America's racism, Sarah Silverman found magic with her well-received 2005 concert film.
Silverman's honest and fiercely funny observations on racism, culture, politics, and sex were shocking for those not already familiar with the comedian's style of comedy. Those in the know (and most critics) agreed that the film and its star were funny and ferocious and a welcome relief from the timid climate comedians find themselves in these days.
Denis Leary: No Cure For Cancer (1993)
While originally made for television, Denis Leary's stand up found its way to a limited theatrical release due to the positive reviews and desire to further push the comedian into the bigger spotlight.
Leary blasts through his special like a strung-out fighter pilot, taking aim at celebrity rehab, drugs, smoking, and family life. A famous detractor from comic styles like Jerry Seinfeld's, Denis Leary: No Cure For Cancer is a comedian unhinged (on purpose) taking his comedy to brilliant levels.
Gilda Live! (1980)
Director Mike Nichols directed this film version of Gilda Radner's Broadway show, Gilda Live! The comedian does sketches and comedy in front of a live Broadway audience, mixing new characters with some of her most popular from her days on Saturday Night Live.
The film did so-so business at the box office but was critically lauded and gave Radner a proper chance at being a film star.
The Original Kings Of Comedy (2000)
D.L. Hughley, and Bernie Mac toured the country with their successful stand-up concert and Lee brought it to even wider praise with his film.
A big box office hit in the summer of 2000, Lee's movie became one of the most critically praised and successful concert films of them all, ushering in greater acclaim for each comedian, especially Bernie Mac, who became a comedy sensation after the release of this film.
Bill Hicks: Relentless (1992)
Another video concert that was allowed a theatrical release due to its popularity, Bill Hicks: Relentless didn't make much of a mark in theaters but became a beloved stand-up concert that ended up playing the "Midnight Movie" circuit for a couple of years.
Bill Hicks is rightfully spoken in the same breath as Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, and Richard Pryor. This blisteringly brilliant film has the comedian taking no prisoners as he attacks religion, war, politics, sex, and drugs with wit and insight that is unmatched.
Richard Pryor ... Here and Now (1983)
For his third and final theatrical stand-up concert, Richard Pryor sidestepped a few hecklers and turned this film into critical and box-office gold.
Filmed in New Orleans, Pryor spoke on his issues with relationships and substance abuse while revealing a remarkable ability to do serious character work during a few bits where the comedian became the person he was portraying. A few critics even called for Pryor to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. Late comedian Mitch Hedberg spoke of how the film gave him the courage to do comedy.
Marc Maron: End Of Times Fun (2020)
a wonderful writer/filmmaker who died much too soon) and premiered on Netflix in early 2020.
It makes this list, as it is very much a theatrical film that could have played for movie audiences. Maron navigates the waters of America's shaky and unsure climate, as we all should, with wit and caution and a healthy dose of being unsure if we can ever recover. This film is a smart and immediate performance piece that rings true in every moment and Maron's humor has a marvelously organic feel and tone.
Richard Pryor Live On The Sunset Strip (1982)
Coming after the comedian's near-death accident, Richard Pryor made a glorious return to comedy with 1982's Richard Pryor Live On The Sunset Strip.
Featuring a powerfully funny and introspective look at his recovery and award-worthy monologues about his youth, Pryor found a renewed respect amongst fellow comedians, critics, and fans. Dave Chappelle ranks it amongst his favorites.
Richard Pryor Live In Concert (1979)
The film that started it all. Until 1979's Richard Pryor Live In Concert, stand-up comedy films were extremely rare and never made a blip at the box office. Pryor's first concert film was a smash hit and received good critical notices.
The comedian was in top form as he navigated the madness of his life at that time, speaking on his shaky marriage, childhood remembrances, heart attacks, and race. This film would prove that a comedian on stage could play to cinema audiences.