{"id":2674,"date":"2026-09-18T04:17:45","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T11:17:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/?p=2674"},"modified":"2026-09-18T17:06:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T00:06:12","slug":"funny-money-the-dane-cook-story-a-brothers-betrayal-true-crime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/juror\/blog\/2026\/funny-money-the-dane-cook-story-a-brothers-betrayal-true-crime\/","title":{"rendered":"Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story * A Brother\u2019s Betrayal; True Crime"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"At the height of his career, Dane Cook wasn\u2019t just selling out arenas, he was redefining what a stand-up comedian could be. Then, in a shocking betrayal, the person he trusted most stole multi-millions of dollars, forever changing his life.\u00a0Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story <\/em>is a gripping documentary about fame, family, greed, and survival, revealing the extraordinary true story behind one of comedy\u2019s biggest icons.<\/p>\n

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Valerie M. comments, \u201cFunny Money: The Dane Cook Story<\/em>\u00a0is a gripping documentary with an amazing directorial vision and a compelling story, it\u2019s a must watch for anyone who loves true crime.\u201d Gavin S. adds, \u201cThe documentary shows both Dane\u2019s success and the difficult experiences that he has gone through. It makes his story feel personal and meaningful. The film\u2019s message serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes the biggest threats come from the people closest to us, but they still can’t take away our inner strength.\u201d See their full reviews below.<\/p>\n

Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story
\nBy Valerie M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic age 13<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/3pXj3Hs9Xeo<\/p>\n

\"\"Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story<\/em>\u00a0is a gripping documentary with an amazing directorial vision and a compelling story, it\u2019s a must watch for anyone who loves true crime.<\/p>\n

The storyline\u00a0follows Dane Cook, one of the most popular comedians of the 2000s, as he reveals the story of how his half-brother, Darryl Cook, tried to steal all of his money. We see Dane react to new evidence and documents as well as statements from Dane and Darryl\u2019s friends and family.<\/p>\n

\"\"Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story<\/em>\u00a0is an interesting watch. The editing has a very unique style, almost like a scrapbook or evidence log intertwined with interview shots combined with background music that sets the mood. It creates a setup using narration, bits from interviews, and visuals. The story kept me guessing even though I know how it is going to end\u2014I still found that combining all the various aspects of the story created an amazing experience! My favorite part is the people. Each interviewee brings unique energy, flair, and personality, making them entertaining to watch. Even though they are interviewed separately, the family and friends often sound like they are having an argument. I was fascinated by their reactions to seeing new court documents and evidence, as well as learning surprising details about people they had previously misjudged.<\/p>\n

\"\"Watching it all click into place on screen was interesting.\u00a0 Although I really enjoyed this documentary, a few noticeable flaws hold it back. The opening scene and conclusion drag on longer than necessary, and a few jokes fall flat. However, these are minor flaws in an otherwise great documentary that I highly recommend.<\/p>\n

The film’s core message is clear: trust no one, not even family. As Dane Cook puts it, ‘Sign your own checks.’ Note that there is a lot of profanity, discussions of theft and a few mentions of violence.<\/p>\n

I give\u00a0Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story<\/em>\u00a04 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults.\u00a0It releases on VOD and digital platforms on September 29, 2026.<\/p>\n

Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story
\nBy Gavin S, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15<\/p>\n