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Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy

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Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy

R

Released Apr 12, 1996

1h 28m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

44%

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39 Reviews

77%

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5,000+ Ratings

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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Critics Consensus

Despite its vibrant visual style and scattered moments of signature Kids in the Hall absurdity, Brain Candy labors to find laughs amidst its uneven and overextended story.

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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

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

A bold and totally off-the-wall comedy.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 16, 2017

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: F

Sep 7, 2011

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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

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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

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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

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Topher S

i remember being 16, my friend and i got his dad to drive us a half hour away to go to the only theater playing the movie and even though i was a huge fan of the show i was very underwhelmed with the film itself, but it was a fun day and a memory that stuck with me. ended up seeing the KITH live in theater later in life and it was amazing, so i guess i recommend that over this film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

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Crom M

Some days it's dark. Some days I work. I work alone. Unknown.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/22/24

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Mike S

Demented brilliance that gets more rewarding with every watch. Sure, it's an extended sketch, but why is that a bad thing? "You just don't get it up here."

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/06/24

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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

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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

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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

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Kelly Makin

Director

Dave Foley

Marv

Bruce McCulloch

Alice

Kevin McDonald

Dr. Chris Cooper

Mark McKinney

Simon

Scott Thompson

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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
Producer: Lorne Michaels
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
Runtime: 1h 28m
Sound Mix: Surround

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