Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy

R

Released Apr 12, 1996

1 hr. 28 min.

Comedy

List

44%

39 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A pharmaceutical firm's fortunes rise and fall after executives pressure a scientist (Kevin McDonald) to release a hastily tested antidepressant.

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james M

These negative reviewers are just trying to sound cool. This is a movie from 1998 that is not supposed to be some blockbuster. It's supposed to be a weird quirky movie from a Canadian comedy sketch comedy group, which is exactly what it is. These reviewers are comparing it to mainstream 90's big movie comedies. This is one of my favorite movies. It's great.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/12/23

Full Review

Jason E

"Women! Uh, not you two." In college, my friends and I could recite this movie word for word. A classic!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/03/23

Full Review

Devin S

Hands-down, top 10 comedy of all time for me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/23/22

Full Review

Audience Member

I liked this one when it came out, and love it more now. It's a film the Kids weren't completely happy with, which seems to be the case for any TV sketch comedy group trying to present a film, but, it's one of my favorite films to brighten my mood when I'm in a funk. It's a musical-not-a-musical, and the song sketches are fabulous, especially the short "I'm Gay!" parade through the suburbs. It's also a beautifully composed film, especially the corporate boardroom scenes. I don't want to outline any of the themes regarding prescription medications and the probing comedic questions this film asks, but, they are themes Scientologists would enjoy. And even if you aren't a Scientologist, and are merely a Scientist, or just bored and non-religiously affiliated, this one is for YOU!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It's a movie that perfectly defines this generation's sense of humor. This generation grew up with Monty Python, classic SNL, In Living Color, MST3K, and anything by Christopher Guest. That being said, you may have to be of this generation to really get how truly special this movie is. Chances are, if you love the previous list of classic comedies, you are guaranteed to love Brain Candy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

You have to be a KITH fan to really enjoy this movie, but I am, so I love it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

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Kelly Makin

Director

Dave Foley

Marv

Bruce McCulloch

Alice

Kevin McDonald

Dr. Chris Cooper

Mark McKinney

Simon

Scott Thompson

Baxter

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34%

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0%

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TRAILER

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60%

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The Actors

88%

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

I think it’s supposed to be a comedy. Perhaps because no one in the cast adjusted his performance style to the big screen, I may have thought about laughing three times over the 90-some minutes.

Jun 14, 2022

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

A bold and totally off-the-wall comedy.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 16, 2017

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: F

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Geoff Gordon

The Advocate

Unfortunately, what works for the Kids on TV doesn't work as well in their first feature film.

Jun 1, 2022

Full Review

Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

Despite a subject matter that deals with misery, the picture is very funny, with sharp visual style to support this often wild journey into the business of being unhappy.

Rated: B+

May 14, 2022

Full Review

Peter Sobczynski

The Spool

Yet despite its unevenness, Brain Candy is a very funny movie whose principal comedic concerns are as viable today as they were a quarter-century ago.

Apr 14, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

A pharmaceutical firm's fortunes rise and fall after executives pressure a scientist (Kevin McDonald) to release a hastily tested antidepressant.

Director: Kelly Makin
Executive Producer: Tom Rosenberg, Sigurjon Sighvatsson, David Steinberg
Screenwriter: Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, Scott Thompson, Bruce McCulloch
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Lakeshore Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 12, 1996, Original
Release Date (DVD): Mar 18, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.2M
Sound Mix: Surround