Best movies like The American Ruling Class
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
This inventive, mildly fictionalized documentary follows noted editor Lewis Lapham as he introduces two Ivy League graduates to America's elite in an effort to examine the role of class and moneyed privilege in American democracy. With stops at the Pentagon, posh Manhattan parties and more, Lapham encounters luminaries -- including James Baker III and Walter Cronkite -- who each share their perspectives on America's ruling class.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 343
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, realistic, cynical, semi serious, political, clever, witty, biting, suspense, fake documentary
Best tv shows and movies like The American Ruling Class (2005):
Similar in 90%
American Dreamz (2006)
Plot Summary:
The new season of "American Dreamz," the wildly popular television singing contest, has captured the country's attention, as the competition looks to be between a young Midwestern gal (Moore) and a showtunes-loving young man from Orange County (Golzari). Recently awakened President Staton (Quaid) even wants in on the craze, as he signs up for the potential explosive season finale.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 25000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: humorous, feel good, parody, light, entertaining, melancholic, semi serious, political, satirical, hilarious
Similar in 79%
Cut'n It Up: Dallas (2009)
Plot Summary:
Seven comedians bring down the house in the second line up of comic stylings from Producer Cecil Chambers series "Cut'N It Up". In this set the city of Dallas is on display as Rodney Perry, Juan Villereal, Joey Wells, Rayzor, Mark Fernandez and Q put on a blistering set with a special appearance by Sonja D. This series isn't for sissies though as it features the funniest comedians doing some of the rawest comedy you've ever heard.
IMDB Rating:
IMDB Votes:
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 83 min
Plot tags: humorous, witty, cynical, realistic, talky, not serious, biting, suspense, live comedy
Similar in 86%
The Career of Nikos Dyzma (2002)
Plot Summary:
Nikos is a master of funeral ceremonies (that's undertaker to you and me) who doesn't expect much from life. After drunkenly insulting a diplomat at a party, weird things begin to happen for Nikos. The news that a mysterious stranger offended the hated Deputy Prime Minister galvanizes the political elite assembled at the banquet, and a rumor that Nikos can take care of anything spreads like wildfire, making him an idol of the masses.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy
Country: Poland
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, entertaining, realistic, biting, suspense
Similar in 83%
Never Been Thawed (2005)
Plot Summary:
A hilarious mockumentary about the delicious hobby of frozen food collecting and Christian rock band, The Christers. The film follows the Mesa Frozen Entree Enthusiast's Club as they plan their first Frozen Entree Enthusiasts Convention.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 393
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: humorous, witty, cynical, not serious, mockumentary, clever, offbeat, realistic, biting, suspense
Similar in 75%
Marci X (2003)
Plot Summary:
A Jewish-American Princess is forced to take control of a hard-core hip-hop record label and tries to rein the one of the label's most controversial rappers.
IMDB Rating: 3.0
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: Germany, USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, semi serious, realistic, witty, spooky, satirical, controversial
Similar in 80%
Tapeheads (1988)
Plot Summary:
The story of Ivan and Josh, two dim witted ex-security guards who love music videos. Out of work, with no job prospects, they form a music video production company. They soon learn the in's and out's of the business in LA and with some help from Mo Fuzz, they soon become hot property. But not all goes smoothly when they try to resurrect the career of their favorite R&B duo, the Swanky Modes.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: humorous, light, satirical, semi serious, cult classic, intense, offbeat, realistic, witty, independent film
Similar in 88%
The Love Guide (2011)
Plot Summary:
A comedy about a woman who saves her chicken farm and her family by agreeing to be the subject of a "reality show" with a celebrity Hollywood weight loss expert. Both women change and discover the true meaning of success (Imdb.com).
IMDB Rating: 3.8
IMDB Votes: 344
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 78 min
Plot tags: feel good, semi serious, humorous, realistic, offbeat, independent film, biting, suspense
Similar in 84%
Bill Maher: Victory Begins at Home (2003)
Plot Summary:
Maher addresses contemporary political, social and cultural topics -- Iraq, President Bush and the so called Axis of Evil. The opinionated Maher said about Victory Begins at Home: "We've heard everything about the War on Terrorism except what we can actually do to help win it. The government used to do that for us through propaganda (the positive kind) posters, so taking my cue from the great old posters of World War I and World War II ('Loose Lips Sink Ships,' 'Buy War Bonds,' 'Plant a Victory Garden,' etc.) I commissioned artists to paint the posters our government today should be putting out to help us win this war.".
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 968
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, witty, cynical, parody, clever, realistic, talky, biting, spoof
Similar in 82%
Bill Burr: Why Do I Do This? (2008)
Plot Summary:
One of America's fastest-rising comedians, Bill Burr wields his razor-sharp wit with rare skill. In this brand-new stand-up performance, Bill takes aim at the stuff that drives us crazy, political correctness gone haywire, and girlfriends, or as he calls them: relentless psycho robots. A keenly observant social commentator, Bill Burr is also one of the funniest voices in comedy today.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 55 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, witty, cynical, not serious, offbeat, biting, suspense
Similar in 80%
And the Winner Is... (2009)
Plot Summary:
Comedy - The hypocrisy lurking behind politics and small-town life is revealed in this sharp, hilarious satire that finds Centerville shaking up its mayoral election by forcing the candidates to participate in an "Election Pageant." Seven eccentric, competitive locals run for office despite their many flaws, and during the pageant, show off their skills at baby kissing, photo ops, handshaking and other skills needed by a savvy politician. - Jerry Springer, Kevin McClatchy, Doug Kusak.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 38
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, feel good, captivating, realistic, mockumentary
Similar in 76%
Bill Maher: But I'm Not Wrong (2010)
Plot Summary:
In front of a live audience at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Emmy-nominated host of Real Time with Bill Maher performs an all-new hour of stand-up comedy. Among the topics Bill discusses in his ninth HBO solo special are: Whether the "Great Recession" is really over; the fake patriotism of the right wing; what goes on in the mind of a terrorist; why Obama needs a posse instead of the secret service; the drug war; Michael Jackson; getting out of Iraq and Afghanistan; racism; the Teabagger movement; religion; the health-care fight; why Gov. Mark Sanford will come out looking good, and how silly it is to ask "Why do men cheat?"; and why comedy most definitely didn't die when George Bush left office.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 79 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, realistic, witty, cynical, clever, talky, biting, black comedy, dark comedy
Similar in 84%
Open Season (1995)
Plot Summary:
When the television ratings machines suddenly malfunction, public television suddenly, but mistakenly, soars to #1 in this humorous satire.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 247
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: independent film, humorous, realistic, semi serious, biting, sexy, clever, unusual plot structure, suspense, entertaining
Similar in 82%
The Last Days of Switzerland (1999)
Plot Summary:
A naive girl's love for Switzerland is put to the test in this satiric comedy. Irina (Yelena Panova) is a woman from Russia who all her life has always been fascinated by Switzerland and longs to live there some day, though her notion of Swiss life has more to do with Heidi and old movies set in the Alps than reality.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 596
Genere: Comedy
Country: Switzerland, Germany, Austria
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, realistic, witty, sexy, clever, cynical, biting, sexual, suspense
Similar in 86%
Dead Ringers (2002)
Plot Summary:
Dead Ringers is a United Kingdom radio and television comedy impressions show broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and later BBC Two. The programme was devised by producer Bill Dare and developed with Jon Holmes, Andy Hurst and Simon Blackwell. It starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Phil Cornwell, Kevin Connelly and Mark Perry. The main writers for season 1-3 on Radio were Jon Holmes and Andy Hurst with Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain coming on board in Series 4. Other writers have included Simon Blackwell, Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, John Finnemore, David Mitchell, Richard Ward, Terry Newman, Jonathan Morris, Colin Birch, Carl Carter and Tony Cooke. It was revealed by star Jan Ravens that the BBC quietly cancelled the television run in 2007 after five years of broadcast.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 403
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: humorous, witty, talky, cynical, not serious, political, sketch comedy, spoof, clever, realistic
Similar in 86%
Tanner on Tanner (2004)
Plot Summary:
Tanner on Tanner is a follow up to celebrated filmmaker Robert Altman and DOONESBURY cartoonist Gary Trudeau's political satire TANNER '88, a mockumentary following a fictional democratic presidential candidate (Michael Murphy) on his campaign trail. This sequel, TANNER ON TANNER, finds Tanner's daughter, Alex (Cynthia Nixon, SEX AND THE CITY), producing a new documentary about her father's failed presidential bid. Shot partly during the 2004 Democratic National Convention, TANNER ON TANNER boasts many cameos by familiar politicians, political commentators, and celebrities who make appearances or share their views. Featured are Madeleine Albright, Steve Buscemi, Howard Dean, Al Franken, Janeane Garofalo, Alexandra Kerry, Chris Matthews, and Martin Scorsese.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 340
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: humorous, witty, cynical, semi serious, mockumentary, political, realistic, biting, suspense
Similar in 75%
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer (1970)
Plot Summary:
Fresh-faced young Michael Rimmer worms his way into an opinion poll company and is soon running the place. He uses this as a springboard to get into politics and in the mini-skirted flared-trousered world of 1970 Britain starts to rise through the Tory ranks.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 706
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: political, clever, humorous, realistic, witty, cynical, not serious, biting, suspense, cult film
Similar in 85%
The Comedy (2012)
Plot Summary:
Indifferent to the notion of inheriting his father's estate, a restless, aging New Yorker passes time with his friends in games of mock sincerity, irreverence, and recreational cruelty towards those around them.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, realistic, cynical, mumblecore, psychological, humorous, captivating, cult classic, witty, semi serious
Similar in 88%
Stella Street (2004)
Plot Summary:
Michael Caine, Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson and Roger Moore all live on a quiet street in Surbiton and Mick Jagger and Keith Richards run their corner shop - who knew?.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 493
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: humorous, witty, semi serious, clever, realistic, parody, mockumentary, offbeat, biting, suspense
Similar in 83%
Nashville (1975)
Plot Summary:
This movie tells the intersecting stories of various people connected to the music business in Nashville. Barbara Jean is the reigning queen of Nashville but is near collapse. Linnea and Delbert Reese have a shaky marriage and 2 deaf children. Opal is a British journalist touring the area. These and other stories come together in a dramatic climax.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 28000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 160 min
Plot tags: political, stylized, independent film, cult classic, anthology, clever, talky, biting, mind blowing, satirical
Similar in 76%
Down and Out with the Dolls (2001)
Plot Summary:
The raunchy, spunky tale of the rise and fall of an all-girl rock band from Portland, Oregon.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 215
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, suspense, erotic, offbeat, independent film, biting, campy
Similar in 75%
The Cult of Sincerity (2008)
Plot Summary:
A New York hipster sets out on a a quest to create the most sincere T-shirt ever.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 22
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: semi serious, humorous, realistic, witty, talky, cynical, offbeat, independent film
Similar in 87%
Lisa Picard Is Famous (2000)
Plot Summary:
A documentarian decides to follow the career of New York actress Lisa Picard, believing she is on the brink of fame. Instead, he bears witness to Lisa's continued, humorous, struggles as an actress, as well as the conflict that arises when Lisa's best friend Tate hits it big with an off-Broadway one-man show.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 620
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, witty, cynical, semi serious, mockumentary, independent film, clever, offbeat, talky
Similar in 89%
Embedded Live (2004)
Plot Summary:
Embedded is a ripped-from-the-headlines satire about the madness surrounding brave men and women on the front lines of a Middle East conflict. It skewers lapdog embedded journalists, scheming government officials and the media's insatiable desire for heroes. Beautifully captured (by 9 cameras) directly from the controversial Tim Robbins' play in New York City, Embedded Live puts the audience in the front-row to this thought-provoking and timely production.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 249
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: realistic, disturbing, controversial, cynical, semi serious, suspense, thought provoking, clever, offbeat, humorous
Similar in 76%
Amazing Grace (1974)
Plot Summary:
Amazing Grace is a 1974 light comedy featuring black comedienne Moms Mabley as a widow who tries to influence the local mayoral election in Baltimore, Maryland, after she discovers that a black candidate is being used by the incumbent mayor to further his own reelection efforts. Mabley appeared in the film, along with veteran actors Butterfly McQueen and Stepin Fetchit, only a year before her death at the age of 81. The film does not deal with the popular Christian hymn (with words by John Newton) but is a play on Mabley's character, who happens to be named Grace. It has been released on home video.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 275
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: offbeat, humorous, realistic, cynical, semi serious, slapstick, biting, suspense
Similar in 76%
LateLine (1998)
Plot Summary:
LateLine is an American TV sitcom that ran on NBC from March 17, 1998, through March 16, 1999. Due to an abrupt cancellation, there were seven unaired episodes. Created by John Markus and Al Franken, LateLine depicted the behind-the-scenes goings-on of a fictitious late-night television news broadcast, patterned in part after the long-running ABC program Nightline. Many plotlines in the series were satirical, dealing with topics like Deep Throat and the Watergate break-in, and the episodes often had cameos by famous politicians. On August 17, 2004, Paramount released a DVD set containing all nineteen episodes on three discs.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 176
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, clever, offbeat, humorous, realistic, witty, cynical, semi serious, biting, suspense
Similar in 76%
HealtH (1980)
Plot Summary:
HealtH is set at a health food convention at a Florida luxury hotel, where a powerful political organization is deciding on a new president.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 911
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: political, clever, humorous, realistic, witty, cynical, semi serious, biting, postmodern, suspense
Similar in 79%
Spinning Boris (2003)
Plot Summary:
Russian political elite hires American consultants to help with President Yeltsin's re-election campaign when his approval rating is down to single digits.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: clever, realistic, political, humorous, witty, talky, semi serious
Similar in 82%
Conventioneers (2005)
Plot Summary:
At the 2004 Republican Nation Convention, love blooms between a Republican delegate and a Democrat protesting the event.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 195
Genere: Comedy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, political, biting, suspense
Similar in 75%
Grassroots (2012)
Plot Summary:
Grant Cogswell, a liberal music critic decides to run for city council against a popular black incumbent and is assisted by a reporter who recently lost his job. Initially given no chance, things turn dark when Cogswell makes it into the general election. Based on a true story.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, political, clever, biting, suspense
Similar in 76%
Running Mates (2000)
Plot Summary:
A governor running for President gets revealed to be a serial philanderer.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 693
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, political, biting, suspense