Reviews (23)

It'll work...
You gotta love John Candy, but no matter what actor you have in mind, they have something in common: most of them have been in bad movies at some time or another. This is probably the closest John Candy ever got, at least until I watch Summer Rental. It seems like a lot of Candy's movies were made in 1989. Can you really cram all those films into one year and have them all be smash hits? In the words of Macaulay Culkin, "I don't think so."
Sure, John Candy was funny. He was amusing physically, because of his height, size, and his appealing face. And usually he was able to use his acting talent to flesh out badly written roles. Such as this one, in which he plays an incompetent private investigator named Harry Crumb. Let me give you my take on this personally: I almost think they made a really good version of this movie, and then did a really bad one, and then melted them down and mixed them together. The result is a faltering, almost mutated comedy featuring some good actors and some bad, as well as some good jokes and some bad. Harry Crumb is a guy who goes around getting into new and wacky predicaments, yet waters them down constantly with his tired, redundant dialogue.
Another problem is that there's nothing going on in this movie with Candy that you haven't seen before, except for maybe the time he's standing on the ceiling fan in a beachside restaurant. Crumb is also distracting because of his terrible hair, dyed just a little too red and styled just a little too badly. I really found some of the other characters just as interesting. Jennifer Downing (a rich girl who gets kidnapped), P.J. Downing (her incredibly dense father), Helen Downing (his wife, who constantly sleeps around), Detective Casey (pessimistic cop lady), and Vince Barnes (a "two-bit country club Romeo" who is the focus of Helen's current affair) are all very good. However, Nikki Downing (Jennifer's sister), who hangs around with Crumb a good deal in the movie, could have spent a little more time in acting school. Most of the time her performance comes off as unconvincing, especially when compared with Candy's considerable skill. Also weird is the head of Crumb's department, Eliot Draisen, played by Jeffrey Jones. That's right! The creepy-looking guy who got busted for child computer porn! Maybe they wanted an element of horror in the movie or something.
But this is still a fairly funny comedy. If you like John Candy, you can probably survive this. It's definitely not one of his better movies, but even Candy's worst stuff is worth a look. How many actors are that good? Not many.

John Candy is hilarious, as always
Like many of the movies in this genre(slapstick comdedy), "Who's Harry Crumb" has an absurd story line. But all of this is pretty much inconsequential with a person like John Candy as the star. People who have seen his other performances, know that he can turn the smallest role in to comedic masterpieces(such as "Tom Tuttle from Tacoma Washington" on Volunteers). And naturally, when he has a starring role, he can elevate a movie from mediocre to great, as evidenced by this particular movie. Without John Candy, I would rate this movie as one of the 5 worst ever, but since John Candy is in it, it's in the top 25(which is a pretty exclusive list!).

All I can say is, if you still havn't watched this movie, even though it's been out for almost a dozen years, you're missing out on a hilarious movie. The first time I watched it, I couldn't stop laughing, it's that funny.

Great movie for the collection
I was about seven or eight years old when I first saw This movie, but it was instantly my favorite. The only thing is that it's most physical comedy. Now that I'm older I realize that it's not his best movie, but it's still a great comedy classic.

John Candy Classic
This is simply John Candy at his best. I loved this movie and I think you will too. John Candy was at his prime when this movie premiered one year before his death. It's a shame we don't have more of his work. I highly recommend this movie! It is hilarious!

Better than the critics say
Most critics gave this movie a bad review, but if you're a fan of John Candy, there's no reason not to like this movie. This is one of his better movies. It's about a kidnapping that John's charactor is hired to solve...or not. He's hired because his boss is actually the kidnapper (don't worry, there's no suprise twist or anything like that) so he hires Harry Crumb because apparently he doesn't expect him to solve the case. All fans of John Candy should get this movie. It has a decent supporting cast as well, such as Jeffrey Jones, Annie Potts, Shawnee Smith, Tim Thomerson, Joe Flahrety and a few no-names. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Perhaps Stripes and Caddyshack screenwriter Harold Ramisand Commando director Mark Lester were not an ideal collaborative team.But while this 1986 misfit comedy is something of a misfire, SCTV fanscan take heart in watching John Candy and Eugene Levy triumph over weak materialas mismatched security guards who stumble upon mob corruption. Candy, inparticular, does wonders with a role that in lesser hands would have been a mere"fatty falls down" stereotype. He plays a cynical disgraced cop who takes Levy'scowardly former lawyer under his wing ("Stick with me, I'll keep you out oftrouble," he reassures him). Like Ramis's character in Stripes, Levyrises to the occasion under fire, and even gets the girl--Meg Ryan in earlyingénue mode, trying out the fetching grins and ingratiating smiles that wouldmake her America's sweetheart three years later in When Harry Met Sally.--Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Another classic film from the Candy man
John Candy and Eugene Levy have a great chemistry in this film. The addition of the sweet, innocent character played by Meg Ryan a great plus. Even though the story and filming is not the greatest, their characters in this film play off each other very well to provide for some hilarious, outlandish situations and a whole slew of laughs. For example, this is the only film that features a semi-truck hauling a tanker of rocket fuel playing demolition derby through a traffic jam. Even though some of the humor is a bit campy at times, I could watch this film over and over, and still laugh out loud. This movie is a good addition to you family library, and a must have for John Candy fans.

Sometimes Clever Comedy but John Candy`s Classic.
When an Honest Cop (John Candy) was framed for stealing and Ex-Lawyer (Eugene Levy), they become together Private Security Guards but when a Conspiracy that is happining at the Private Security Guards. The Ex-Cop and the Ex-Lawyer are going to solve the case together, if they like it or not.

Directed by Mark L. Lester (Class of 1984 and 1999, Commando) shows a great fun of Comedy and Action. Candy and Levy are great together, the supporting cast are:Robert Loggia, Kenneth McMillian, Meg Ryan, Jonathan Banks, Brion James and Steve Ralisback (In a Cameo). DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) transfer (also in Pan & Scan) with the Original:Dolby Stereo 2.0 Surround Sound. This was a box office disappointment in 1986 but it does way better on Video. John Candy and Brion James died years later after this fun. This is a fun cop comedy. Grade:A-.

Very Funny
One of the best comedys of the late 80s. In one scene..John Candy dressed as Divine and Eugene Levy in assless chaps(are'nt you the cheeky one)worth the price of admission.

Great John Candy romp!
Like many of the action comedies of the time this one delivers an entertaining story with John Candy's wacky humor. Candy and Levy star as the protagonists who are forced to join a security agency when all other options fail. Revolving around a plot involving corruption and crooked cops Candy and Levy aim to get to the bottom of all that is wrong while [complicating matters] frequently. I really laughed a lot at this film. Candy and Levy make a great team and offer up some very hysterical scenes. Levy's attempts at being a defense attorney, Candy fishing at a pier, and the two crashing a ball thrown for the chief of police all seem like harmless events but these two always know how to screw them all up. If you are a fan of the SCTV or SNL crews then you definately have to see this movie. It is lesser known but very funny.

good movie
good movie,only good john candy movie made....if u like chevy chase movies, u might like this one ... Read more

Amazon.com

Bill Murray was heading toward a career peak on the back of comedies such as this one from 1981, the second film in his ongoing collaboration with director Ivan Reitman (the two went on to make Ghostbusters). Murray plays a chronic loser who joins the army and fails to find a fan for his ironic sensibilities in his by-the-book sergeant (Warren Oates). When push comes to shove, however, the smirking hero takes charge of his ragtag unit and turns them into fighting machines, albeit to the rhythm of hit songs by Manfred Mann and Sly Stone. The film is occasionally funny, but it mostly plays like any one of a dozen underachieving comedies featuring players from Saturday Night Live and SCTV. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (58)

Bill Murray wants you
In one atypical morning, loser Murray loses his job, car, apartment, and girlfriend. This was pretty much his own doing, and since one stupid move deserves another, he and pal Ramis enlist in the army. His whole platoon is comprised of misfits,who give drill sergeant Warren Oates a run for his money. But when he's injured during basic training, Murray leads the platoon in completing basic training by themselves. This captures the attention of the general, who decides that these go-getters must be assigned to a special mission in Italy. The assignment in question is the EM-50, a killing machine disguised as an RV. Murray and Ramis, while on post, decide to take it for a little joyride. This results in the rest of their platoon being captured and held behind the iron curtain. Murray and a reluctant Ramis set off to rescue their counterparts. Very funny start to finish, with a hilarious scene in a mud wrestling club. Great supporting cast includes John Larroquette, John Candy, Judge Reinhold, and P.J. Soles. Screenwriter Ramis shines in his first on camera role. A welcome member of the "Animal House" genre.

A very funny movie!
When John Winger (played by Bill Murray) finds his life sliding away from him, a television commercial shows him an organization that can help him turn his life around, the United States Army! Dragging his friend Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis), he joins up, and runs into a stone wall in the shape of Drill-Sergeant Hulka (Warren Oates). Together with the other misfits in his outfit (John Candy, Judge Reinhold, John Diehl, and others), Winger games the system and turns the US Army every which way but loose! [Color, released in 1981, with a running time of 1 hour, 41 minutes.]

This is a very funny movie! Unfortunately, it is rated R, and is NOT for younger viewers. The violence is pretty tame, and there are a few swear words used, but the main problem is that there are several nude scenes. So, if you buy this, you will need to watch it when the kids aren't around, just like me. But, it is a hilarious movie, and one that you will enjoy watching over and over again.

Lighten up, Francis...
I'm a bit perplexed by the reviews criticizing this movie because of its unrealistic depiction of the Army. Do these same people complain that "Animal House" doesn't accurately display college life or that "Vacation" isn't what a family trip across the country is really like? (Hey, I live in St. Louis and could easily take exception to the outright offensive inaccuracies in "Vacation", but I still love the movie!) This is a comedy, folks. It's not "Saving Private Ryan" or "Band of Brothers", and it never claims or tries to be. It uses exaggeration and absurdities to make us laugh. It isn't striving for realism, although to its credit, I have heard plenty of people say that this is the best movie they've ever seen at giving you the feel for what its like going into the service, and that their own drill instructor was identical to Sgt Hulka.

The first half of this movie is just about the funniest comedy ever made. Bill Murray and Harold Ramis are the perfect slobs with shiftless lives who try to maintain what's left of their dignity by enlisting in the Army. Their chemistry is wonderful and they truly are believable as out-of-shape but likable losers. Virtually every line and every character is memorable (Psycho, Ox, Cruiser, that lady in the cab, John Laroquette, and of course Russell and Winger), and this has to be the most quotable movie in history. No, John Candy would not have spoken to a superior officer that way when he gets off the bus (or at least not have gotten away with it), but that's what's so funny about it! And speaking of Sgt. Hulka, Warren Oates should have been given an Oscar nomination for this role. He's the high point of the movie for me, and his intense, over the top performance reminds me of Robert Shaw in "Jaws"- some actors are so good that they can chew scenery and get away with it. So for the first half of the movie, there's not an unfunny moment. Maybe basic training isn't like this, but the scenes are so well-done that a generation of adolescent guys has grown up thinking that it is and have no doubt gone into the military with this movie in the back of their minds.

The second half of the movie sort of devolves into a bearable but not great action movie, with its contrived plot about the stolen military RV and the rescue mission across the Czech border. Still, the same characters are present and continue to sustain the movie until the end. Great music, too- I don't think this has ever been issued as a soundtrack but it contains one of the most memorable themes ever written for a movie.

The DVD itself is passable- no extras, somewhat grainy video, unspectacular sound. But we surived watching it over and over again on basic cable with plenty of edits and subpar picture quality, so I can't complain too much. I suppose someday it will be given a "Special Edition" with a commentary and a retrospective from the stars, but the movie stands on its own without anything fancy.

Bill's in the army now!
John Winger(Bill Murray) quits driving taxicabs and enlists in the army with his teacher roommate(Harold Ramis). They experience the typical army life,filled with commanders,guns and best of all,pretty girls. The late John Candy gives great moral support as one of the soldiers. The then-little-known Sean Young is one of the girls whom the guys meet while in the army. One of Murray's most memorable post-Saturday Night Live films. Murray and Ramis later filmed the two GHOSTBUSTERS movies and Ramis directed 1993's GROUNDHOG DAY,starring Murray and Andie MacDowell.

This is why I joined the Army...
What? You mean the Army isn't really like this movie? Okay, so it's a comedy and it isn't meant to be like the Army, but it is meant to be funny, which it really is.

Bill Murray and Harold Ramis play the part of unlikely Army recruits bumbling their way through their training to somehow manage to get their entire platoon transferred to Europe for a top secret assignment, which Murray manages to ruin and get his platoon captured behind the iron curtain.

This comical movie is packed with one-liners and gags that typify comedies of the early 80's, and like many other movies of this era, the occasional gratuitious nude scene help keep the movie interesing if you like that kind of thing.

John Laroquette and John Candy round out the cast. Laroquette plays the part of the company commander. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Not so awful...but jinxed.
I've heard that any movie in which the star dies during filming will be "jinxed"; that is, people will lambaste it. "Wagons East" is a perfect example of this phenomenon. I'm not sure why I decided to watch this film after all I'd heard about it...but, for some reason, I did.

And what did I find? Not a horrible movie...but what *could* have actually been a *good* movie (among other things, it's based on actual events-settlers *did* often decide to return east), made mediocre by the fact that the footage filmed after John Candy's death was so easy to spot. And some of the anachronistic humor (including the very presence of the Richard Lewis character), admittedly, did not help.

But there were quite a few good laughs. The gay guy turning out to be a masterful gunslinger comes to mind. And the scuzzy Ferguson brothers (even the most distinctive of them made unrecognizable by blank expressions and layers of filth) were hilarious.

Funny!
I was really pleased with this movie. It had lots of funny parts, and I think that if you like comedy, you should watch it.

Mediocre Comedy
Although I love Candy in every film I have seen him in, I was disappointed in this one.... it is slow, looks like it had rewrites along the way, possibly due to his death, but good for a few chuckles along the way. The characters, except for the two leads, are very good and really shine. But Candy is weak in his role, leaving much of his talent by the wayside... again maybe because of his death and scene cutting. I never cared for Richard Lewis and his is just as weak as Candy in this film. The price is right and the editing, photography, and supporting cast make it a worthwhile purchase. The film was poorly written, but comes out as a C+ film overall on DVD.

One of John's Best
This is one of John Candy's best movies, even though he passed away while filming. Some reviewers are much too harsh on this very funny movie. Richard Lewis is very well cast and anyone should enjoy this great Western Comedy, similar to Blazing Saddles!

Good Movie
I highly enjoyed this movie. Some reviewers say you have to know your history, but [thats not true]. All you have to know is who the Donner Party was. John Candy's death was unfortunate, but it did not "jinx" the movie. I think it is one of his best. The gay book store owner, Julian, does steal the show, however. All in all a good movie. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Watching this director's cut, it's finally possible to see why the studio made Spielberg mercilessly hack up this comedy: it's a screaming movie (everyone screams a lot), and screaming movies do not need character development. So all those character-development scenes hit the cutting-room floor and, surprise, they were all critical to Spielberg's pace for the humor in this film. The screaming wasn't that funny then--and it still isn't--but what is funny are the reinserted development scenes, showcasing the now-evident sense of hysteria in the Los Angeles community, post-Pearl Harbor. A bunch of certified nitwits, and a few certified lunatics, act as if Tojo Hideki's entire Imperial force is just off the mainland. Actually, one Japanese submarine is, and it helps fuel the frenzy. John Belushi is Wild Bill Kelso, an insane fighter pilot, and Dan Aykroyd plays a conciliatory tank commander. Robert Stack's performance as General Stilwell, one of the best of the film, finally makes sense. Also fun for the numerous cameos, Spielberg's inside jokes, and John Williams's great score. --Keith Simanton ... Read more

Reviews (85)

1941
Steven Spielberg's overblown comedy is nethertheless a sporadically fun farce set during 1941. When viewed in comparison to other over-the-top comedies in the late 70s and early 80s (The Blues Brothers), it's one of the better ones, yet still dissapointingly glib considering the amount of talent on board. Dan Akroyd and John Belushi are the standout guys, making the whole messy carnage at least sometimes comic. And John William's score fits the film very well. But overall, the action is too loud, the comedy for the most part, is badly timed and goes too far. The main problem is the whole thing is based on the oh-so-wrong assumption that explosions and ferris wheels falling into the sea makes a good comedy. While it has it's moments, it's one of Spielberg's notable flubs. The extras are surprisingly good, with trailers, interviews with Steven Spielberg, Bob Gale, John Milius, Robert Zemeckis, John Williams, and and others, Steven Spielberg' behind-the-scenes footage, outtakes from the movie, storyboards and productions photographs and production notes.

The Most Explosive Comedy Spectacular of All Times!
I have to admit; I love 1941. There's some insane part of me that gets a cheap thrill from watching Hollywood Boulevard being destroyed by a bunch of total morons. 1941 may not be a great movie, but then again, no one was expecting it to be GONE WITH THE WIND. It's just an insane comedy that I happen to love.

The film has several different plots, all of which come crashing together during the last hour and a half of the movie. The Japanese, parked off the coast of California in a large Japanese submarine, make plans to blow up Hollywood. They are led by Japanese commander Commander Mitamura (played by Toshiro Mifune) and Nazi Captain Vonkleinschmidt (played by Christopher Lee). Back on land, Wally (Bobby DiCicco), aided by best friend Dennis (Perry Lang), hopes to win the jitterbug contest with Betty Douglas (Diane Kay), who is chased around by serviceman Chuck "Stretch" Sitarski (Treat Williams). Betty's friend Maxine (Wendy Jo Sperber) lusts after Sitarski, and Betty's father Ward (Ned Beatty) recieves an anti-aircraft gun that bears a striking resemblance to an army tank. Meanwhile, General's aide Loumis Birkhead (Tim Matheson) lusts after Donna Stratton (Nancy Allen), who is turned on by planes. And bursting through all of this is loud and crude nutcase pilot Wild Bill Kelso (John Belushi) who makes it his business to blow everything up.

The first hour or so is far more calm than the last hour and a half. During this, writers Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale (who went on to do BACK TO THE FUTURE) set up all the characters and plot lines, not all of which I have mentioned yet. The gags are slowly milked out to their fullest extent, and Slim Pickens has a funny role as a drunk captured by the Japanese The last hour and a half, however, is a blast in the face of music, sound and imagry. There's lots to see here; a ferris wheel rolling off a peir, with two guys (Murray Hamilton, Eddie Deezen and Deezen's wooden dummy) on top of it; Beatty's wife Lorraine Gary watching in horror as he drives a tank through their home; and, of course, Kelso and all the others blowing up half of Hollywood Boulevard while General Stillwell (Robert Stack) watches DUMBO in the local theatre.

The music by John Williams is unforgettable, hummable and, as usual, absolutely perfect. The visual effects are amazing for their time, and even more amazing when you consider the fact that they're better than most of today's computer effects. All the technichal elements in the film are superb.

Will you like this movie? I don't know. I did, but then again, my sense of humor isn't exactly sophisticated. I thought 1941 was crazy fun, but don't see it if you have weak ears, and if you have the volume on high, brace yourself. The last hour and a half is basically people screaming and stuff blowing up, and it's LOUD. But I still found 1941 to be, in a goofy way, loud and insane fun.

The DVD is great. There's an excellent 110 minute documentary on the making of the film, and no wonder it's excellent; it was directed by documentary maker extraordinaire Laurent Bozereau. By the way, the cut on the disc is an extended cut that has about 26 minutes of extra footage. I don't remember the original version well enough to comment on the difference however. Also included are excellent production notes, great photo galleries, three fun trailers (the first of which has specially prepared footage), original reviews (which are, for the most part, really, really nasty), and some interesting deleted scenes. Also, Universal has graciously cut the movie up into 60 (!) different chapters. Talk about packaging!

It may not be a classic, and it may not really be about anything besides stuff getting destroyed, but 1941 is still VERY, VERY FUNNY. I recommend it both for the movie and this EXCELLENT DVD.

Animal House Goes To War -- Big Budget Comedy Noir
Do not forget to remember that this is supposed to be SATIRE, otherwise you may find "1941" to be a rather crude, over-extended joke. With US military personnel more interested in "gettin' some" than in defending America, it becomes clear immeditately that priorities are considerably confused. Two of the lead characters in particular seem hormone-raged and obcessed with "scoring".

Considered by many an overlooked Steven Spielberg Classic, I agree only with the technical aspects. Visually and acustically stunning, the macabre handling of serious historical subject matter and often repelling actions of bullies make this a less than "great comedy" for me.

Viewing this film on the now-obsolete laser disc format was a visual treat, maily due to the lavish cinematography and brilliant score. Sadly, I do not intend to view this film a second time. For fans of the original SNL "not-ready-for-prime-time Players", their "involvement" is an added bonus. Not enough for me, sorry.***

Ahead of its time, but not one of Speilberg's best...
I had never seen the film in 1979, so I had an open mind about the film. I have to say that the worst thing that happened to this film is that Speilberg directed it and has his imprint all over the film, which should have been a darker comedy than it turned out to be. However, you wouldn't have had the cast that wound up being in the film (early appearances of Ackroyd, John Candy and Mickey Rourke in film, and Bob Zemeckis' first real break into film), a nod to Kurosawa (Toshiro Mifume is the sub captain), Speilberg's own "Duel", and to Kubrick (Slim Pickens from Dr. Strangelove shows up). Considering John Belushi did few films, it's worth having on that alone. The dance sequences and cinematography are definitely worth the awards they would wind up picking up.

The film can overwhelm you a bit and confuse you, but that was the point. However, there's a lot in the film that can be applied in 2004, like Robert Stack's character (think Rumsfeld). Had Zemeckis had the pull to make what he envisioned it to be, it would have been a classic black comedy without a doubt,although in Europe it always has been.

Much overlooked.
I love this film!!! This is Spielberg's wildest, most frantic film. The jokes are hilarious, the action is aplenty and the sets are huge. A great film that never received the attention it so deserved. ... Read more

Amazon.com

He's had some good performances in supporting parts, but Richard Pryor never starred in a film that captured his comic brilliance the way his concert films did--proving that magic isn't something you can bottle. This 1985 film is no exception, even though it was directed by Walter Hill three years after he turned Eddie Murphy into a movie star with 48 HRS. The seventh film reworking of a warhorse stage play, this movie stars Pryor and John Candy as a pair of minor-league baseball players whose best days are behind them. Then Pryor is informed that he's just inherited a fortune--$300 million. But it comes with a condition: he must spend $30 million in one month, with a number of rules about how much he can spend at one time and how many of any one thing he can buy. Both Pryor and Candy were at the top of their comedy game at this point in time but were utterly failed both by ham-handed direction and by a script that left them higher and drier than seems humanly possible, given the comic talents involved. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Candy & Pryor! What more do you want?
This was great. Imaging inheriting $300 million. All the things that you could do and accomplish. But, there's a catch. In order to get the money, you have to do something first.

You have to spend $30 million in 30 days. Not too bad you say... At the end of the 30 days, you can't have a single dime left. Nothing but the clothes on you back. And, while you are spending the money, you can't tell anyone why....

Now, throw Pryor in as the person doing the inheriting and Candy in as his best friend. They are both down on their luck minor league baseball players. Pryor is spending millions and Candy is along for the ride. After several days, Candy tries to get Pryor to stop "wasting" the cash....

The things they buy and do.... So funny.

What would you do in these circumstances? Don't forget, nothing must remain at the end of 30 days.....

They don't make them this funny any more
Richard Pryor, John Candy, what a movie! When this came out I died laughing, and now that I own it on DVD there is no difference! Trying to spend $30 million in one month seems hard for Richard Pryor (he needs to meet my wife!) but he has a blast trying. The movie stays a step ahead of what I am expecting and that's good, because I tire quickly of predictive movies. This one is a classic!

Great comedy!
Brewster's millions is laugh after laugh! It features and all star cast! And look fast for an appearence by Jeffrey M. Mylett, of "Godspel" fame!

Funny script, this is one of the funniest comedies around
This edge of your seat comedy has lots of jokes, comedy and a great star cast, one of the best stories i've seen and perfectly plotted. Richard Pryor is the greatest comedian of all time, feel free to buy this because it is worth it, you know, a guy has to spend $30 million in 30 days, if he spends it all, he gets $300 million. Now that is comedy.

Even after years, it is still a good comedy............
I recently purchased this movie. It has been years since I last saw the movie and I still enjoy Richard Pryor and John Candy. These two men, Pryor, and Candy, posthumous, were giants of comedy.

Many thanks & I take my hat off to them for many years of entertainment.

Diego
Chicago ... Read more

Amazon.com

Before Tom Hanks was an Oscar-winning megacelebrity, before he became a serious and only sometimes comedic actor, before he won that second Oscar, he starred in both romantic comedies (Splash) and lowbrow comedies (Bachelor Party). More lowbrow than romantic (though he did end up marrying costar Rita Wilson), Volunteers is set in 1962, back when the Peace Corps was all the rage. Hanks, speaking with an unfortunate accent meant to represent aristocratic wealth, plays a compulsive gambler, recently graduated from Yale, whose father suddenly refuses to pay his debts. To escape some particularly shady characters, he joins the Peace Corpsand boards a plane headed to Southeast Asia.

For a comedy made in the '80s, there is less of a reliance on (Asian) stereotypes for punch lines than one would predict, though the movie is far from being politically sensitive. And speaking of politics, the politics of the movie are all messed up, ending up as a huge indictment of the Peace Corps as a corrupt tool of the government, despite some kind words at the end. Perhaps the biggest drawback of the movie, though, is its 107-minute running time; there's just too much emphasis on plot. Whenever costar John Candy appears, everything picks up, making you wish he was the star and the movie was about his character, Tom Tuttle from Tacoma, Washington. Ultimately, Volunteers ends up a better legacy for Candy than Hanks. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (13)

John Candy's remake of "The Manchurian Candidate"
Lawrence Bourne III (Tom Hanks) is escaping a domestic debt. In the process he takes someone else's place in the Pease Corps. Finding the people around him a little too obsessed with their mission, He attempts of add a little civilization to it.
This movie shows glimpses into the way governments are run and the people that make it happen. How the Peace Corps makes a difference in the lives of the natives and the people in the Corps. Bridging the gap among factions (why build a bridge and its eventual use). Some are manipulators and some are sincere. The best are gung-ho (John Candy).

Worth seeing. It gets better with each viewing.

Tom Hanks Funniest Movie!
This offbeat comedy was simply hysterical. With John Candy, Rita Wilson (who later married Tom)the cast could not be funnier. If you thought "Splash" and "Big" were funny, you had better see this one!

Great Laughs
This comedy really struck me as great. Some have bashed Tom Hanks in this movie as unfunny and John Candy as the highlight, but I think Tom Hanks is just plain hilarious, but then again I've always loved deap-pan humor. Candy on the other hand is the fallguy to Hanks straightman.
The basic plot is Hanks is a rich prick in serious debt and joins the peace corps to get away from it all. While in Thailand, Tom Hanks has to learn to become a better person. Simple premise, but, like I said earlier, you'll love it.
Also, this film features and early score by James Horner, which is a nice bonus for soundtrack fans.
Truthfully the only reason this film did not get 5 stars was the lack of DVD features, but the flick itself is great. Worth your cash.

A Movie Tom Hanks would like to forget
I'd actually like to give this 0 stars.
This lame film set in Southeast Asia is a complete waste of time.
I love John Candy and miss him very much, but would not watch this film again even if it was the only way to see John. And Tom Hanks has become one of greatest livingg actors.
That being said this film stinks. It is a poorly written about some peace corps types dealing with some way over done CIA types.
Rent or by Plains, Trains or Automobiles, you'll be a lot happier.

Volunteers
The movie is a classic with many quotable lines, Tom Hanks' portrayal of an arrogant, shameless womanizing, gambling rich kid from the Northeast makes the movie as well as John Candy's over grown Boy Scout character, Tom Tuttle from Takoma ... Read more

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Groundhog Day
Bill Murray does warmth in his most consistently effective post-Stripes comedy, a romantic fantasy about a wacky weatherman forced to relive one strange day over and over again, until he gets it right. Snowed in during a road-trip expedition to watch the famous groundhog encounter his shadow, Murray falls into a time warp that is never explained but pays off so richly that it doesn't need to be. The elaborate loop-the-loop plot structure cooked up by screenwriter Danny Rubin is crystal-clear every step of the way, but it's Murray's world-class reactive timing that makes the jokes explode, and we end up looking forward to each new variation. He squeezes all the available juice out of every scene. Without forcing the issue, he makes us understand why this fly-away personality responds so intensely to the radiant sanity of the TV producer played by Andie MacDowell. The blissfully clueless Chris Elliott (Cabin Boy) is Murray's nudnik cameraman. --David Chute

Stripes
Bill Murray was heading toward a career peak on the back of comedies such as this one from 1981, the second film in his ongoing collaboration with director Ivan Reitman (the two went on to make Ghostbusters). Murray plays a chronic loser who joins the army and fails to find a fan for his ironic sensibilities in his by-the-book sergeant (Warren Oates). When push comes to shove, however, the smirking hero takes charge of his ragtag unit and turns them into fighting machines, albeit to the rhythm of hit songs by Manfred Mann and Sly Stone. The film is occasionally funny, but it mostly plays like any one of a dozen underachieving comedies featuring players from Saturday Night Live and SCTV. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

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Tom Hanks was a relatively unknown TV actor with a sitcom as his biggest credit when relatively unknown director Ron Howard (best known for his own sitcom acting) cast him in this surprise hit. It made stars of Hanks, Daryl Hannah, and John Candy and an A-list director out of Howard. Hannah is a mermaid who comes to Manhattan in search of Hanks, the guy she has twice saved from drowning. Hanks runs a business with his lovable blowhard brother (Candy), whose goal in life is to have a letter published in Penthouse. When this perfect woman shows up, Hanks can't believe his luck and plunges into a dizzyingly romantic relationship, unaware of her sea-water secret. But the mermaid needs to soak and unfurl her tail from time to time, which leads to complications, including her capture by the government for scientific study (what else?). Hanks is winningly charming and Hannah is a perfect match in this enjoyably high-spirited comedy, though the biggest laughs belong to Candy. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (36)

A movie that made a big splash
"Splash" was a big hit when it first hit the screens back in the 80's and it's still fairly popular today. A man (Tom Hanks) that has been waiting to find the right woman for a long time finally finds her. But there's one problem that he doesn't understand until he really gets to know her, she's a mermaid (Daryl Hannah). How will a man and a mermaid work it out and stay together?

"Splash" is a real entertaining movie and it's not all drama. It tells a story of true love and it does have a lot of drama in it, but it also has a little bit of comedy to it in some parts, and most of that is credit to one of the best comedy actors ever, John Candy, who plays as Tom Hanks's brother. If you like good movies, I definitely recommend getting "Splash." It's bound to make a big splash while you watch it.

One Of My All Time Favourite Comedys!
I will never forget the first time I saw the movie "Splash". It was in California 6 years ago and I watched the tape with my cousin. I thought it was so creative and the acting was so good. It was also a very humorous and did have a few sad parts in it, but all in all, I still liked it and watched it as many times as I could on TV because it was on alot. I then ended up buying my own copy. Ok, enough about me, let me tell you a bit about the storyline

Tom Hanks plays Allen Bauer, a single bachelor who is looking for a love. After a boating accident, he is rescued by a mermaid (Daryl Hannah) and falls in love with her and names her Madison. For he thinks she is a normal, everyday American woman, he has no clue he is dating a mermaid who has 6 days to have legs and not fins!!! Of course this film has lots and lots of surprises, it never tires me out when I watch it!

What a film! No wonder why it is a classic! Rated PG for Language.

SWEET, FUNNY, ROMANTIC, ORIGINAL, WHAT ELSE CAN YOU ASK FOR?
Usually when I hear "an 80's comedy" I really hear "a silly, gross, stupid comedy"...but not this time my friends, because "Splash" is one of the funniest films of the 1980s. You see, it really has it all: funny jokes, tender moments, romance, an intelligent script, and a very charismatic cast.

In "Splash" we can see a very young Tom Hanks (in his comedic period), a promising Darryl Hannah (she didn't quite reach stardom, but in this movie she is great), a hilarious John Candy (in one of his finest and funniest performances), and Eugene Levy, he plays a wacky and clueless scientist.

"Splash" is a movie that effectively combines comedy with romance and fantasy, perhaps the movie succeeded so well because the people involved in the film were youthful and energetic, and they put their hearts in the making of "Splash". This movie is highly recommendable.

Hilarious romantic comedy
I just watched Splash over the weekend on video, for the umpteenth time and I have to say is one of my all time favourite comedies. It still has me laughing out loud and makes me want to weep over the romantic scenes.

A young Tom Hanks plays Allen Bauer, a fruit wholesaler who has just been dumped by his girlfriend. He goes off to Cape Cod one evening after getting drunk and is rescued by a naked beautiful girl (Daryl Hannah) when he falls into the sea. The naked beautiful girl later arrives in New York at the Statue of Liberty in search of Allen whom she also saved from drowning many years ago when they were children. Allen immediately falls for her and spends the happiest days of his life steaming up his appartment and seeing the sights of New York. The only problem is the naked beautiful girl (now named Madison) is in fact a mermaid but Allen doesn't know this.

She has six whole days to stay with Allen and then she must return to the sea. Allen thinks that Madison is an illegal immigrant and offers to marry her so that she can stay with him. She refuses at first and then accepts his offer but before she can tell him her big secret she is exposed to the whole world by a scientist (Eugene Levy) that she is a mermaid. Allen is shocked and backs away from Madison but later realises his mistake and with his brother (John Candy) and the help of Eugene Levy they save her from imprisonment by the scientists.

John Candy who plays Allen's playboy brother is absolutely hilarious. His character is literally larger than life. The comic timing between Tom Hanks and John Candy is spot on. Daryl Hannah is also great as the mermaid who learns to be human in literally a few days. There are some brilliant laugh out loud scenes such as when Daryl Hannah is at Bloomingdales watching television for 6 hours to educate herself in the English language and when she's in a restaurant eating lobster including the shell. There are some great lines aswell such as when Allen mentions about getting married and having children and Madison innocently asks what kind.

Splash is a timeless comedy and is highly recommended to all those who love a bit of romance along with a good laugh.

Lealing

A "Slash" of a Romantic Comedy!
Here's a true piece of Hollywood Candy, a sweet as they come! An 8-year old boy falls off of a tour boat at Cape Cod and is saved from drowning by what appears to be a little girl mermaid. The boy never forgets about what happened that day, although everyone insists he was hallucinating.

Years later, now a man (and played by Tom Hanks), another trip to Cape Cod brings a dejavu: Hanks falls off of a tour boat and is rescued by an all grown mermaid (played by Daryl Hannah). Could it be the same mermaid that saved him when he was a boy? -- The mermaid has normal legs when kept dry, but once douced with water, the legs turn into fish finns. Hannah is able to conseal her true identity, until a "bad guy" exposes her. There are complications, but eventually everything comes up roses.

One great scene is where the grown up mermaid spends 6 hours in the electronics department of a store, and learns the English language fluently by watching tv non-stop. Cute! -- This film is very entertaining and helps us feel compassion for anyone who is somehow different from what society considers the norm. The somewhat predictable ending is beautiful! Highly recommended, especially to the hopelessly romantic cinema enthusiasts out there!***** ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Drivel
As a tribute to the ROCKY AND HIS FRIENDS (1959-1961) and THE BULLWINKLE SHOW (1961-1964) television series, David Thomas and Sally Kellerman star respectively as BORIS AND NATASHA, the two inept East European spies appearing in the original cartoon animation as adversaries of Bullwinkle and the squirrel. (Yeah, ok, even "old time" TV wasn't necessarily scintillating.)

In B&N, Pottsylvania's despotic Fearless Leader (Christopher Neame) orders our two heroes to infiltrate America in order to track down a fugitive scientist, who's developed a microchip that can reverse time. Once in the U.S., Natasha is "discovered" by hair stylist Jose (Jose Eber), who makes Natasha a media star. Only Boris, troubled by his partner's loss of focus and dedication, keeps the assignment on track.

There are a few decent sight gags, e.g. Boris and Natasha in fat suit disguises and John Travolta in a fleeting cameo. For me, however, the best feature of the film is long-legged Sally Kellerman, who manages to be sexy in a ditzy sort of way. But otherwise, the storyline is drivel. Even a 5-minute scene that includes John Candy as retired Pottsylvania super agent Kallishak, who now has a shoe-shine stand in the Big Apple, adds nothing.

Only die-hard fans of the original small screen adventures may find this movie entertaining. Having said that, where are Dudley Do-Right and Snidely Whiplash when you need them? (Daniel Day-Lewis would make a great Whiplash!)

GET THAT CHIP BORIS & NATASHA !!!!!!!!!!!!
This is like The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle, only with a love story. But, don't get me wrong its got mystery,comedy,and a mysterious professer,agent,chip,man in weird shoes,& man named Manelli.Want to see how it all pulls together,well then, buy it! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Two classic movies on widescreen at a great price!
Despite what Turd suggests, it is clear that these are on widescreen.It also seems clear that these are the same as the regular versions that you can get all the detail you want on.
The best thing is the price.

What format?!
I wish I knew if this was widescreen or fullscreen. So much info missing on what you're buying. Buy them separate. At least you know what you're getting. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

It Came....and it went!
This movie was loosely based on the Medved brothers' book "The Golden Turkey Awards" which lampooned some of Hollywood's worst movies. Nowadays Michael Medved is best known for being the "family values" movie critic; but in the 1970's he and his brother, Harry, were among the pioneers who ushered in the bad movie lovers phenonmenon with a couple of hysterically funny books ripping some really awful movies to pieces. "It Came from Hollywood" was an attempt to capitalize on the growing cult of bad movie lovers by actually showing clips of some of the worst movies ever put on celluloid and having commentary done by big name comic actors.

Unfortunately, the movie is mixed a bag. It made the HUGE mistake of actually mixing footage of good movies in with the real horrors. Also the comic skits by Ackroyd, Candy, Radner, and, Cheech and Chong are mostly hit and miss. However, the film clips that illustrate such cinematic disasters as "Horror at Party Beach," "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes," and the work of Ed Wood are for the most part hilarious.

"It Came from Hollywood" was a finacial disaster. It disappeared from movie theaters in record time which prompted one writer to quip, "It Came. . .and it went!" The Medved brothers, who worked as consultants for the movie, would continue to write about bad movies. In the ultimate irony they placed "It Came from Hollywood" in their book on the filmdom's greatest flops- "The Hollywood Hall of Shame."

Very funny stuff, total camp!
I saw this film when I was a child on HBO. My siblings and I used to watch it multiple times, we loved it! It isn't high art but the clips are silly and the scenes inbetween them are a blast. The late John Candy, and Gilda Radner are both hysterical. I could see why this movie may not have made it on the big screen, it isn't really suited for that type of venue. But it is a campy video delight. If you like watching bad movies for fun, they you will love watching bad movies spoofed by some of the funniest people in comedy.

Worth renting for sure!
I don't know if I would buy this but it's definitely worth renting if you like the wit of the old SNL cast. Gilda Radner is great as well as John Candy, even Dan Akroyd is good even though he usually bothers me for a reason I still can't figure out. Cheech and Chong are very, very funny and I didn't even like them in the old days so that says something - somebody obviously held them back just a little bit (but not too much) and in this film it really works - there are some very funny parts. As for the clips of the various B movies they are GREAT - not too long but not too short. They give you just enough of each of these horrible movies without you getting bored (ever sat through the entire Killer Tomatoes?, if so you'll know what I mean). In retrospect I really can't complain about this film at all. I think they did a really good job of it and it's definitely worth a watch.

"What were they thinking?!?"
That's what you will ask yourself while you watch the worst collection of films ever made for audiences ever! You'll get a kick out of seeing how cheesy the sets and costumes were, and of course, they give a big HATS OFF! to Ed Wood, "King of the D Movie." Only for those who think today's movies are lousy -- think you have it bad now? Watch what audiences during the 50s-71 had to deal with!!

When I was a boy!
When I Was 8 years old my dad rented this film. I remember all the in-side jokes, SNL cast and of course Cheech& Chong. It became a staple of my pop culture world, I lost track over the years and now 20 years later I now go back the the place in my head. Most kids my age never saw or heard of this film, well I love Star Wars too, but I went beyond that. In 1982 Bill Paxton's Fish Heads video and It Came From Hollywood were my cult favorets at 8 years old, amazing how some things never change. ... Read more