Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story

When I checked out "Blackballed" on IMDb I thought it might be an enjoyable movie. The rating was pretty high, and all available comments were very positive. Now, after I have seen this movie I think it is necessary to warn people like me who know nothing about it: First of all this sure isn't an "awesome" and "hilarious" film to everybody. I would say not even 10 percent of all IMDb people would like it.

It's a very flat documentary. A simple story is stretched out to one-and -a-half hours. It's very American and of very poor quality. What fascinated me though: It's all made up. It's all fake. They are actors playing roles of paintballers. The only problem is: It's so well done, it's very hard to realize it. That actually makes it a critique of people with very little braincells playing paintball all day long. A horrible mirror of todays society.

So if you are not completely into the sport of paintball and if you don't know the people from that TV show who did this and if you are not an American citizen, you most likely won't have too much fun watching this.

This movie reminds me of the Christopher Guest mockumentaries that follow odd-ball groups of people around, discussing their hobbies. I've never seen a paintball-related comedy before, so that was a first. I enjoyed seeing a lot of comedians that have gone on to be on The Office, the Daily Show, Hot Tob Time Machine, and The League. Also Jack McBrayer from 30 Rock is in it for a second. Overall, it's a pretty funny, independent venture for this group of performers. You could tell in the performances that they were really just enjoying each others' characters, and that's always an entertaining addition to a interesting premise.

I was instantly attracted to the title of this film when I was walking by the Sarasota Film Festival box office. Blackballed….what could that possibly be about? Moving closer to the film poster I realized that the man in the shot had his back to the frame and was carrying a helmet and a gun with paint splattered on the floor behind him. All I was thinking…this is going to be interesting.

"Blackballed:The Bobby Dukes Story" stars Rob Corddy of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart fame. Corddy plays Bobby Dukes, a once famous paint baller who infamously "wiped" ten years ago (i.e. tried to wipe the paint off of himself in order to stay in the game). Dukes has come back to his roots in New York to prove himself in "The Classics", a paint ball tournament in which he has to face his former friend now nemesis Sam Brown who is married to Dukes' old flame Jill. Dukes' problem: no one wants to play with a "has been", so he has to formulate a new team in a very short period of time.

Enter a Canadian, a drill sergeant, a paint ball referee, a video game enthusiast and Dukes' sister and we have the "Rounds". While the "Rounds" may not be the most compatible group of players, we see the way they connect while preparing for one of the greatest paint ball moments in their lives. Preparation includes drills, kick boxing and facials, (of course…) In the end, the various personalities unite to form a fierce front on the paint ball field with a surprising twist at the end of the tournament, making this a little less cliché than other films we have seen about sports teams.

The film stars some of the folks we see on VH1's popular "Best Week Ever" such as Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel. The other less notable actors make the story that much funnier and add originality to the storyline. The film is shot in a mockumentary style, much like Christopher Guest films such as "Best in Show" according to director Brant Sersen. Sersen, a recreational paint baller, got the idea for the film when he would go out to play on the weekends. He took note of the odd characters around him and was inspired to write the script for "Blackballed". Sersen also mentioned that about 90% of the film was improvised allowing for a lot of original humorous moments, something many Hollywood comedies try to capture, but the timing is frequently off.

I enjoyed "Blackballed" immensely for its' honest characters and storyline as well as the amateur-looking format in which it was filmed. The entire film was shot on digital video, but it works for the comedic, yet simple, story being told. There is never a dull moment in "Blackballed" and the cast of the film plays off each other in refreshing performances. I would recommend this film for anyone looking for a good film about sportsmanship, but also understands the wacky humor attached.

This movie was HILARIOUS! Just saw it last night at the University of Delaware, and I couldn't stop laughing. Great cast + great dialog= great movie! In case you have no idea what this movie is, it's pretty much a mockumentary (think Best in Show, Mighty Wind) on paintballing. And it just so happens to be casted with most of the best comedians on Comedy Central. I would recommend this movie to anyone that likes real humor.. this isn't the Will Ferrall or Adam Sandler kind of funny.. Sometimes, its hard to tell that they aren't being serious. GREAT film.. everyone involved worked so hard on this film.. help it get out there!! pure masterpiece!!

This is a hilarious film with some of the funniest people on earth, seriously. You can find these guys at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City if you're lucky. The film is a moucumentary about a great paint ball player named Bobby Dukes who is blacklisted from the paint ball league for "wiping". 10 years later he returns with a bunch of misfits to win one more competition. Rob Corddry (from the Daily Show) is great as the leader of this team. Rob Riggle (Saturday Night Live) will make you pee your pants in laughter as he plays a zany ex-marine. If you get an opportunity to see this movie, do yourself a favor and go!!! Seriously go right now!!! Why are you reading this still!?!?