Crude Jokes Overshadow Clever Concepts

Read Time:4 Minute, 42 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Tunnel Vision
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Genre: Parody, Satire, Sketch, Comedy
Year Released: 1976, MVD Entertainment Blu-ray 2025
Runtime: 1h 10m
Director(s): Neal Israel, Bradley R. Swirnoff
Writer(s): Michael Mislove, Neal Israel
Cast: Phil Proctor, Howard Hesseman, Dan Barrows, Stephen Feinberg, Chevy Chase, John Candy, Tom Davis, Ron Silver, Ernie Anderson, Edwina Gough, Kurt Andon, Lorry Goldmanr
Where to Watch: Available May 13, 2025, pre-order your copy here: www.mvdshop.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: The intentions might be grand—poke fun at media, hold a mirror to pop culture—but it doesn’t take long for the cracks to show when the punchlines land with a thud. TUNNEL VISION tries at that high-wire balancing act, proposing a chaotic near-future where unfiltered television dominates and offends in equal measure. And while the setup teases provocations, what unfolds is more exhausting than enlightening.

Positioned in a not-so-distant version of 1985, the premise centers on a fictional TV station broadcasting without censorship—a concept that might have raised eyebrows in the ‘70s but now feels more like a warmed-over concept than cutting satire. The narrative device of a Senate investigation provides the film’s loose structure, allowing it to present a supposed day’s worth of programming from this provocative channel. The result is a parade of sketches, ranging from faux commercials to sitcom spoofs, that play less like a clever send-up and more like a chaotic, blooper reel stitched together with barely a breath in between.

What could have worked as a biting commentary on media excess instead turns into an awkward collision of outdated gags, half-hearted character sketches, and attempts at boundary-pushing humor that frequently confuse shock with substance. Some moments seem designed to get a reaction from the audience or the fictitious Senate panel, but those moments rarely manage more than a groan. The humor leans heavily on stereotypes, leaning into offensive caricatures and flippant treatment of serious issues. Satire isn’t just about being outrageous; it’s about having a point, and that’s where the film consistently stumbles.

The cast reads like a who’s who of future comedy royalty—faces that would later headline household-name series or iconic films. Yet here, their presence feels more like a novelty than an asset. Chevy Chase, John Candy, Al Franken, and others make brief appearances, but the sketches they’re given lack the cleverness needed to showcase their talents. Their roles are blink-and-you’ll miss-it contributions to a film that feels far more interested in rapid-fire provocation than sustained comedic value. Even the more substantial roles—like Phil Proctor as the network head or Howard Hesseman as a skeptical senator—are drowned out by the sheer volume of unrefined content.

A more focused approach could have salvaged much of this. It might have said something interesting about censorship, media consumption, or cultural values. Instead, the sheer number of gags will compensate for their lack of depth. Spoiler: it doesn’t. A few segments tease promise—like the absurd game show confessionals or a detective spoof involving a dismembered head—but those glimpses of inventiveness are buried beneath layers of stale, cringe-inducing material.

Ultimately, TUNNEL VISION is more interesting for what it tries to be than what it accomplishes. As a snapshot of a comedic sensibility from the 1970s, it’s a curiosity. But it fizzles as a work of satire or even basic sketch comedy. There’s a seed of a good idea here that might have delivered something more memorable with tighter writing, better structure, and a more nuanced voice. Instead, we get undercooked jokes, shallow impressions, and wasted talent. Whether you view it as an experimental misfire or a dated relic of its era, it’s hard to argue that TUNNEL VISION ever really finds its focus.

Bonus Materials:
Brand new 4K HD transfer presented in 1080p in both 1.66:1 and 1.33:1 aspect ratios
LPCM 2.0 Mono Audio
Optional English Subtitles
New! Feature Commentary from Cult Film Historian Marc Edward Heuck
New! Interview with Co-Writer & Co-Director Neal Israel conducted by Stuart Shapiro (HD, 45:07)
Tunnel Vision Continuity Script
Archival Photo Gallery (SD)
New! Photo Gallery
Radio Spots
Theatrical Trailer
Reversible Artwork
Collectible Mini-Poster
Limited Edition Slipcover (*FIRST PRESSING ONLY)

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