Kenny [2007] [2006]

Average customer rating:

Clean Toilet Humour

Toilet Humour!

a fun way to spend an evening

A stone cold classic... Aussie style!

Unusual but very good

Kenny [2007] [2006]
Starring: Shane Jacobson , Chris Davis , Alf Scerri , Travis Golland , and Hayley Preusker
Director: Clayton Jacobson
Manufacturer: Contender Entertainment Group
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

All Comedy | Comedy | Categories | DVD | Video
DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Eagle Vs. Shark [2007]

Hot Rod [2007]

Superbad (2 Disc Extended Edition) [2007]

The Hoax [2007]

Sicko [2007]

ASIN: B000X21LY4
Release Date: 2008-01-21

Amazon.co.uk Review

It's been a while since the dependable Australian movie industry served up another of the quirky, enjoyable comedies it became famed for in the 1990s. But Kenny proves that there's no shortage of talent down under, with a well put together marriage of comedy and drama that pays off handsomely.

The film is a spoof documentary surrounding plumber Kenny Smyth, played by Shane Jacobson. Building its character up carefully and diligently, Kenny then takes us through the lows (unpleasant father, equally unpleasant ex-wife, not altogether pleasant job), and then better days. These come when Kenny heads off to the International Pumper & Cleaner Expo in America, and while we won't spoil what happens here, it's a well-told, rounded story that emerges.

There are plenty of reasons to like Kenny, and its lead actor is one of the main ones. Shane Jacobson's performance is strong and engaging, capturing the optimistic outlook of the central character very well. The film is then directed by Shane's brother, Clayton, and his work too is full of promise. Mock documentaries haven't been scarce in recent times, yet the two Jacobsons nonetheless carve out a warm and engaging story within the confines of the genre.

Kenny isn't a film without a couple of problems, and there are a couple of lulls that come with the journey. But it's a film with a rounded central character who you'll laugh at, care about, and ultimately, enjoy spending time with. An easy recommendation. --Jon Foster

Customer Reviews:

Clean Toilet Humour.......2008-03-04

Another addition to the ever expanding waistline of fake comedy documentaries. This time we get to spy on Kenny, a portaloo delivery man, as tries to make the most of life. There's very little in the way of toilet humour in "Kenny", instead Clayton Jacorbson paints a surprisingly tender picture of a sweet man with an unmoveably positive worldview. His life is literally s**t but nothing gets him down. The opening ten minutes are a little hard to understand what with Kenny's lisp, thick accent and (purposely) poorly recorded sound but once you get by this you are rewarded with a original and funny slab of entertainment. A massively uplifting experience.

Toilet Humour!.......2008-02-21

If you like this then you'll really like it. It has an endearing quality and the mock documentary style is fantastically realistic. If you're not into 'toilet humour' then you probably wouldn't be amused.

I found the fun more in the mock documentary style and the delivery of 'Kenny' - you could really buy into the whole thing.

Enjoyable but not a movie of any real depth. However - did you really expect it to be!

a fun way to spend an evening.......2008-02-20

I'd heard various good things about Kenny, and was glad to discover that they're all true. Whilst it's not a constant stream of laugh-out-loud humour it is a nice little story about our titular hero and his daily life amongst the portaloos, his relationship with his father and son (and ex-wife) and the good folk of Australia.

That's not to say there aren't some hilarious scenes - there are - but it's a film that leaves you smiling and wishing our Kenny well on his road through life.

Shane Jacobson is brilliant as Kenny, and his supporting cast is fabulous too, especially his cantankerous old father.

A great way to spend a night in.

A stone cold classic... Aussie style!.......2008-02-20

The story of Kenny Smyth, an average 'Aussie Bloke' getting along in the world, is a film which came at me sideways and filled an evening with unexpected mirth! This is a very modern tale, about a man who finds delight in developing expertise in a (seemingly) mundane existence as a 'Sh*t Kicker', delivering and managing portable toilets for festivals etc. The pleasure in having a job you like and doing it well is brought out through Kenny's tenacity and humility, even as he gets treated like the very thing he's disposing of by festival goers, his family and his co-workers. This is a real tale of adversity, as Kenny has to juggle a hard job, a demanding and sickly father, a selfish brother, a difficul ex-wife, a son he rarely sees, and all the other elements of his life. That he does so with a rare falter in his grin or upbeat outlook is a real pleasure to watch. He has a way with a one liner that is to be envied, and it is his opinions and perspective on the world that make the movie and provide most of the humour.

The Jacobson's are clearly a family on the up, if this movie is anything to go by. They have somehow managed to involve three generations of their family in the making of this film (their roles echoing their real-life personas) and the chemistry and reality of their relationships is incredible. Its extremely easy to forget that Kenny and his co-stars are in fact figments, and that this is a 'mockumentary'.
Buy, rent or borrow this movie. It made a star of 'Kenny'in Australia and it deserves to do so everywhere else too.

Unusual but very good.......2008-02-20

I had my doubts when this turned up (fearing that it may be in the vein of Adam Sandler comedies) but fortunately it was just the kind of black comedy that I had hoped for. The acting is so convincing that you would certainly assume it was a genuine documentary, if you stumbled in on the middle. The toilet humour is extremely funny and surprisingly does not come across cheaply, as one might have expected. The dramatic side of the film is also extremely well done, although it is a little strange the way the film is broken into distinct two halves (in which the 2nd half is in a completely different tone, without anywhere near as much humour- I think it could have been sustained a little more without compromising the dramatic elements that they clearly wished to bring out). After the toilet jokes have been covered, things become more serious. You see the shame with which members of his own family view him, but also the dignity with which he carries out his life. You are also taken into Kenny's world and allowed to share in his amazement and apparent love for toilets and toilet technology at the expo. Surprisingly, he becomes increasingly portrayed as an admirable person who is worthy of genuine respect, rather than as the butt of jokes. Indeed, I found myself feeling guilty at having laughed at some things earlier in the film. In addition to the humour, this film has an interesting message behind it.

Rocky Balboa (US Edition) [Blu-ray] [2006] [2007] [US Import]

Average customer rating:

Rocky rocks!
Poor
Squares the Circle
I hope Rocky Balboa is the end
Very Good

Rocky Balboa (US Edition) [Blu-ray] [2006] [2007] [US Import]
Starring: Michael Buffer , Tony Burton , Jim Lampley , Leroy Neiman , and Talia Shire
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

Blu-ray | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000N3AXQU
Release Date: 2007-03-20

Amazon.co.uk Review

The sixth installment of the Rocky series picks up the story of the Italian Stallion 16 years after the morose Rocky V. And sure, at his advanced age, Sylvester Stallone now looks like one of those sides of beef his character used to pound on. No matter. Somehow you buy the premise after all these years, even if it takes forever for Rocky Balboa to stop wallowing in self-pity (Adrian is dead, his old haunts are demolished) and get down to the business of drinking raw eggs and running up staircases. The business at hand is an unlikely exhibition fight with champeen Mason Dixon (Antonio Tarver), which the near-sexagenarian Mr. Balboa has no business accepting. Of course, just as sure as the horns of Bill Conti's theme music are even now trumpeting through your head, the ol' Rock might have a punch or two left in him. Stallone wrote and directed, and there isn't much to say except that the movie steps in its pre-determined paces with a canny sense of what has come before (it's practically an homage to all the previous Rocky pictures, complete with fleeting flashbacks). Burt Young is around again, and Geraldine Hughes makes an appealing, rather chaste female companion for Rocky. Stallone's Rocky has gotten suspiciously articulate over the years, but he still knows how to slouch. If Stallone never forgets that, he can probably keep the franchise rolling. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

Rocky rocks!.......2008-02-20

No point going through the plot. Just to say arguably the best Rocky film. Stallone is great and, apart from the original, real Rocky stuff. Brilliant.

Poor.......2008-02-14

I read a lot of good reviews for this film, from critics and fans alike, so I was looking forward to seeing it. What a massive let down. It is a very short film and yet it felt like a life time. The film is bacially two parts. The first part is about an hour of lame, sentimental monolgues about "following your dreams" and "nobody having the right to stop you doing what you want to do" and "life is hard but you have to keep boucing back". I couldn't believe quite how much dross dialogue they managed to include in one film, oh off he goes again telling us about life and how it throws you some bad punches but you gotta be able to take a punch blah blah. Then you have part two the fight which isnt too bad, but in no way makes up for the nonsense that goes before it. Then it ends, which was a favourite moment. Throughly unsatisfying and cheesy. Love films 1-4, this is nonsense.

Squares the Circle.......2008-02-02

There's probably little point in going through Plot as it's well documented already. SO I'll cut straight to the chase. Being around at the time of the original Rocky movies, I can say that this is an excellent way to finish off the series.

Needless to say, Stallone reprises the role of Balboa with consummate ease. Makes him as endearing as he was in the original films. The settings back in Philly and the cinematography retain the same feel that is evident in the first film. Paulie is still around and played as well as ever by Burt Young. He's still as obnoxious as ever.

The one downside is the presence of Rocky's son, the presence of whom is rather one dimensional. He feels overshadowed by his father and can't step out of that shadow. But ultimately that kind of works itself out.

All in all, this is a hugely enjoyable film. True to the spirit of the first two films and good enough to erase soured memories created by Rocky 4 and 5. It finishes off where the first one began and that's a great thing.

I hope Rocky Balboa is the end.......2007-12-01

I regretfully have to say this but this film was quite a disappointment. After seeing the trailer I thought it would be another great Rocky story but it didn't live up to its predecessors Rocky 1 to Rocky 5. In fact if you have seen the trailer, in essence you have seen the whole film.
There was no solid story line unlike the previous Rocky films and the character representation was poor. Despite this it is still an OK family film. I think it is time that the Rocky series be left to rest in peace and become a forever classic.

Very Good.......2007-11-13

What I liked best about this was that it was Rocky at his best and back to basics. They have gone back to what made the franchise so great. The story is convincing, Stallone plays the tired out boxer telling stories in a suburban restaurant littered with pictures of his former glory. The story is a little slow to get going but it sets the scene well and is a great character insight. Stallone hits the tone really well but nothing can prepare you for when it kicks in with the famous Rocky sound track. It simply brilliant, especially with pop corn at the ready. The fight is well done and you get a choice of endings which is a decent enough idea. For me its well worth buying for the last 40 mins alone so I would definitely recommend it to those are big fans of the franchise.

UK DVD:

UK DVD List

UK DVD