Review: The Richard Pryor Movie Collection
DVD: The Richard Pryor Movie Collection
Richard Pryor was a comedy legend both on the movie screen in his acting roles, and on stage in his stand-up routines, where his social satire often cut close to the bone. Thanks to Fabulous Films, you can now buy a boxset of 4 of his movies that will have you laughing no matter which one you decide to watch.
Brewster’s Millions (1985) is one of my all time favourite Richard Pryor movies and always sparks some lively chat with whoever I watch it with. How would YOU send $30M in 30 days and have nothing at all to show for it? Thats exactly what Montgomery Brewster (Pryor) has to do when he finds out that he’s the only living relative of an eccentric multi-millionaire who wants him to do just that and inherit $300M, or fail and have nothing.
With a cast that includes the great John Candy and a screenplay from the writers of Trading Places, this is a comedy that keeps eliciting laughs no matter how many times you watch it. A fantastic starring role for Pryor.
The Wiz (1978) is a movie which divides a lot of viewers. An urban African-American re-imagining of The Wizard of Oz (1939), this is aimed at an older audience than the original and features a mixture of Mowtown songs. Starring Diana Ross as Dorothy and Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow, it is the titular role of ‘The Wiz’ that Pryor plays. Not with his usual bravado, but against type as a cowering scared fraud. A movie worth watching though as very often you can’t believe what you’re seeing!
Car Wash (1976) is another movie where Pryor isn’t the lead but has a memorable part as Rev. Daddy Rich; a fast talking guy whose mouth runs faster than most cars that pass through the car wash. His role is little more than a cameo, but I defy you to forget the scenes that he is in.
Which Way is Up? (1977) has Pryor playing 3 different roles: an orange picker named Leroy Jones, who gets laid off from work in an unfortunate mixup, Leroy’s father, and the Reverend Lenox Thomas, who gets involved with Leroy’s wife.
Pryor really gets to flex his acting chops in this movie and no matter what character he appears os onscreen, you are transfixed by him…and also laughing like crazy.
The Richard Pryor Movie Collection is a welcome addition to anyones collection, especially if you may be unfamiliar with his work. This is an excellent starter package where you will no doubt go on to pursue his other work.
Another great boxset release from the always reliable Fabulous Films.
You can buy The Richard Pryor Collection by clicking HERE. ALL money raised by purchasing from Amazon via our website is given back to our listeners and followers in upcoming competition prizes. The more people buy, the bigger our prizes!
Review by Dave (host of 60 Minutes With) from discs kindly supplied by Fabulous Films.
