The Secret Policeman's Ball—USA

The Secret Policeman's Ball—USA is the most recent (and also first American-based) concert-film in the series of benefit music-and-comedy revues (partially originated by members of the Monty Python troupe) for Amnesty International. Marking its 50th anniversary in 2012, this Secret Policeman's Ball moves from London to Radio City Music Hall in NYC, and features a blended U.K./U.S. cast. Eddie Izzard starts off by bashing the Tea Party as a bunch of crazies (it's an election year), and denying the existence of God (rather odd, considering the intro by Archbishop Desmond Tutu). Fred Armisen of Saturday Night Live sends up WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Tim Roth admits he's best known for intense roles wherein he shoots people, but nonetheless acquits himself well in the humorous milieu. Statler and Waldorf of The Muppet Show are informed that their heckling is a bastion of free speech, while Beavis and Butt-head affirm the basic human right to call someone a "bunghole." One guest, Burmese storyteller Zarganar, actually served prison time for wisecracking against his military government; unsurprisingly, he plays it straight here, leaving the laughs to Russell Brand, Ben Stiller, and Sarah Silverman. Original revue founders Eric Idle, Michael Palin, and Terry Jones, seen in pre-taped bits, all send their regrets/alibis for not attending, and the show closes with a 15-minute music set by Coldplay (and a post-credit taped comedy skit starring Robert De Niro and Whoopi Goldberg). Extras include bonus backstage interviews. A sure-to-be-popular helping of political-tinged entertainment, this is highly recommended. Aud: P. (C. Cassady)