Blackballed – The Bobby
Dukes Story (Mockumentary)
Picture: C
Sound: C Extras: C Feature: C
How about a mockumentary comedy about paintball? Could it even be funny? Brant Sersen’s Blackballed – The Bobby
Dukes Story (2004) is a tall tale about the title “first superstar” of the
sport who was banned for cheating. Back
from obscurity, he is out to get even with the sport and anyone else who has
stood or stands in his way. Rob Corddry
(of TV’s The Daily Show) is Dukes, somewhat convincing as the kind of
guy who would have done what his character supposedly did. However, instead of going all out (and a
lack of budget is absolutely no excuse) with the idea, it is whittled down to a
one-joke project that could have been on a skit show, but extended to 91
minutes. Even if you like and play
paintball, this is a disappointment.
The 1.33 X 1 image was shot on NTSC analog videotape and
has some detail issues that smack of micro-digititis. This was shot cheaply all the way and it shows, which extends to
the low-volume Dolby Digital 2.0 sound, which itself is barely stereo. When you stop laughing at anything funny
here, the lack of technical quality will make this wear thin quickly. Extras might extend the replayability a bit
if you care, including deleted scenes, outtakes, a video diary and two audio
commentary tracks. Otherwise, you are
not missing much.
- Nicholas Sheffo
