Steineded How sad is this?

Spidersecu Don't Believe the Hype

Kailansorac Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

Josephina Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Sean Lamberger A politically-conscious documentary that steps in to cover the months after world-famous doper Tommy Chong's arrest (for the illegal cross-state sale of glass pipes) but before his nine-month prison sentence. Along the way, we get a quick-and-dirty look at the polarizing comedian's life and times, the roots of his legendary partnership with Cheech Marin, and the state's over-ambitious case against him. Judging by the facts we're presented, there's little question Tommy was entrapped and railroaded by a media-hungry federal watchdog group, but to his credit Chong takes it all in stride, serves his time and emerges ready to take up the cause as a rejuvenated activist. Pro-legalisation viewers will be nodding their heads like a bobble-head from start to finish, while the peek into our government's priorities, practices and punishments might give fence-sitters a few new things to consider. Moral crusaders, on the other hand, will see an entirely different story. At just shy of 80 minutes, it only scratches the surface of an intrinsically deep, complicated political debate. Light viewing with a few mild laughs, it reports the facts and offers a take but isn't equipped to do any really heavy digging.

MisterWhiplash ...and those others, in essence, might be most people in America. As the subject of a/k/a Tommy Chong states himself in the film- after being incarcerated for nine months for selling bongs to one state- his arrest and conviction was meant as a symbol for what could be done to practically anybody. When the current administration puts forth the notion of drug use being equal to terrorism all bets are off as to who's next. So the documentary here, maybe one of the better ones out this summer, works pretty much for two sides. Those interested in seeing a story of a case about the drug issue and civil rights, calling into question the constitution, and what's done by the attorney general's office is on one side. On the other side is the far and wide fan-base of Chong's from his stand-up, albums, and movies. The director Josh Gilbert does a very good job at balancing out the facts and interviews about the bong case and Chong's stay in prison with his personal and career histories. Some of this archival footage has not been seen in years, if at all, which brings out many good laughs alongside the classic clips interspersed in the film.It's not really 'polished' style-wise, and it is mostly filmed with digital cameras at times capturing even the mundane moments of Chong days before going off to prison. Scenes like this usually wouldn't be in some documentaries, even as this is very independently made and wont be seen by as many people as other documentaries coming out this year. But in Chong's own testimonies, both of the facts and then how he puts it on in recent stand-up footage, and then through the legal and personal ramifications of the case, there's a lot to ponder and feel from the material. There's sadness, there's humor, there's outrage, and even moments of clarity and catharsis- Chong's now, apparently, been made a martyr through this happening, more popular and more counter-culture than ever in his late sixties. It's imperfect, but it has a crucial topic that is made all the more human by who is put at the center of "operation pipe dreams".

systems-student This is a hilarious and frightening look at the career and persecution of Tommy Chong. Loaded with hilarious clips of Tommy's classics like "Up In Smoke", the real subject of the movie is, of course, very serious. The manner in which Chong was targeted and the resources spent on his arrest and prosecution were both somewhat shocking. Bill Maher said it best: "Don't you feel safer knowing the Tommy Chong is in prison?"Whether the viewer is a relic of the 70's or just interested in constitutional rights, (these people actually do exist) this movie is definitely worth seeing.

pcarone I caught a screening of "a/k/a Tommy Chong" at the Toronto Film Festival, and I have to say it's one of the best docs I've seen in a long time. The subject itself is fascinating, but what's even cooler is the access the filmmakers had to Chong himself. The film reveals the personality behind the persona--all while giving an in-depth look into the life of a comic legend. In addition,the film gives an extremely eye-opening look at drug policy in this country. I don't think that most people realize the roots of the most of the drug laws in the U.S. are based in racism, and this film does a great job of exposing that in a non-preachy (even hilarious!) manner. Anyone who has the chance should absolutely catch "a/k/a Tommy Chong."