Amazon.com

The sixth Pink Panther comedy was the last to star Peter Sellers (the following film in the series incorporated previously unseen footage), and it was also the last in the series to show any signs of genuine inspiration. It's a weak entry in the Panther pantheon, involving a rather mundane plot about a "French Connection" drug deal that leads Inspector Clouseau--presumed murdered and now sleuthing incognito--to Hong Kong for a brash, slapstick finale that almost compensates for the routine gags that precede it. Sellers and director Blake Edwards are coasting along smoothly here, and some of the gags pay off in well-earned laughs--particularly with a clever nod to Dr. Strangelove when Clouseau dons a Toulouse-Lautrec costume. Another highlight finds Clouseau disguised as an old sea captain, complete with a leaky inflatable parrot (it looks more like a purple puffin) resting limply on his shoulder. But a later attempt to spoof Mafia kingpins is hardly up to snuff for a talent as original as Sellers, and Dyan Cannon lacks the comedic sensibility to make the most of her role as a druglord's vengeful ex-mistress. Some of the physical gags are amazingly elaborate, and it's still a riot to hear Sellers perfecting (or is that murdering?) his hilarious French accent, but while it's adequately enjoyable this movie makes you long for the glory days of the Pink Panther franchise. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Funny film, with a few faults
This movie in the Pink Panther series involves the Mafia, and Clouseau, is once again played by the talented Peter Sellers. This film is sadly, the last Pink Panther film he is actually alive in.

This film hardly has a plot, the only plot is that Dovier, a French buisnessman, wants Clouseau out of the way, just to impress the godfather. They actually think that Clouseau has been killed after a robber(mentioned earlier in the movie)sticks poor Clouseau up and steals his car and clothes. But the robber pays for it by being the the victim of the mafia instead of Clouseau! Oddly enough, Clouseau wants revenge for his murder attempt, and goes for it. This film sounds pretty good doesn't it? Well it's not what you'd call a good film, but a mixed bag. A good amount of the jokes just didn't make me laugh as much as they did in "The Pink Panther Strikes Again". The film lightens up during the chase scenes with Clouseau, Dreyfus, the police, and the mafia! The funniest thing about it is, Dreyfus started it! His main target: Inspector Clouseau! Overall, this film is on the halfway mark between the best Pink Panther film, and the worst.

The craziest, wackiest and most hilarious Clouseau adventure
"The Revenge of the Pink Panther" was the last Pink Panther film to star Peter Sellers, but I got the most laughs out of this one. The salty sea dog costume and inflatable parrot is extremely hilarious. "Naughty birdin afraid of the feug.", he replies. At his fake funeral, Clouseau dsguises himself as a priest, when he goes to the gathering at the churchyard, there is a 21-gun salute. When the rifles go off, he goes, "Ehh". Quite a bit of violence in this one, too. You want to laugh, go ahead and treat yourself to great comedy with this funny-bone tickler!

"Inflatable Goiters? Yes, The Valentine's Day Collection."
I am an enormous Peter Sellers fan, and love the whole "Pink Panther" series, but while still funny, this is not one of my favorite outings. Sellers is back as Jacques Clouseau, and this time is taking on "The French Connection" crime organization in the midst of a huge heroin transaction that takes them from France to Hong Kong. Robert Webber plays Philippe Douvier, chief of the organization, and while he is smooth, the interactions are more forced and formulaic than in the other "Panther" films. This time the beautiful vixen is played by Dyan Cannon (as Simone Legree), and series stalwart Burt Kwouk returns as the always helpful Cato (who starts his own business for a new twist...)

Also returning (somehow) is the wonderful Herbert Lom as Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus, although some suspension of belief is needed for the continuity to work inasmuch as he was last seen in "Strikes Again" being atomized by the doomsday machine. Notwithstanding that continuity gaffe, Lom gives the best performance of the film, and in fact single-handedly rescues this installment from a three star rating by virtue of the sublime funeral scene in which he has to give the giggling eulogy for "Clouseau" in what must be one of the funniest scenes ever caught on film.

Here the plot seems very contrived and the screenplay devolves frequently to only modestly amusing puns. Clouseau's disguise designer, for instance, is named "Auguste Balls", and you can see the hilarity that can result. Pretty grade school level, I'm afraid. Also devolving into tedium is the seemingly eternal chase scene at the close of the film, which looks like something the Three Stooges would have done, and set to extremely repetitive, annoying, whistle-laden vaudeville slapstick music. I remember seeing this a long time ago and thinking this scene lasted too long, but this time I actually started thumbing through a magazine to pass the time until it was over.

This movie is funny, and I do recommend it, with a couple of caveats. First, it is recommended only to people who are already fans of the series, and second, it is recommended only to those with patience to muddle through a bit more tedium than is typical of the rest of the "Pink Panther" films.

Watchable but flawed
"Revenge of the Pink Panther" is probably the weakest of the original five Panther movies. Considering it was the fifth installment in the franchise, it simply may have been too much. This time around, the story finds Inspector Clouseau in the sights of a drug lord named Philippe Douvier. Douvier wants to prove to his American counterparts how tough he still is and this is how he wants to do it: by killing Clouseau!! After several failed attempts (which include a bomb and sending out a superhuman assassin) Douvier and his goons think they have succeeded and the entire world thinks Clouseau is dead (upon hearing this news, Dreyfuss regains his sanity!!). But Clouseau is actually alive and is now sneaking around incognito in the hopes of finding his "killers" and bringing them to justice. There are quite a few problems in this film. First off, the writing in "Revenge of the Pink Panther" is inferior to the previous films. I mean, there isn't much of a plot; Douvier just wants to prove he's still strong. This wasn't a problem in the other entries which all had decent story lines that kept things a bit interesting. I think the writers would have done well to have made a better head bad guy as well; Douvier wasn't particularly engaging or interesting. And one more thing. I mentioned Dreyfuss is in the film. Wasn't he incinerated in "The Pink Panther Strikes Again"? I guess they chose to ignore that movie (makes sense considering it was so bizzare). But on comic side of things, you can still get a few decent laughs out of this one. Clouseau dons some pretty wacky disguises here, some of which include a peg-legged Swedish pirate (thar she blows!!), dwarf painter Toulouse Lautrec, and even a godfather disguise. There are some other scenes you'll like but I won't spoil them for you here. When all is said and done, "Revenge of the Pink Panther" isn't bad but it still falls short of its predecessors. I'll give this 2.5 stars. See it if you like but don't expect this reach the heights of the previous "Pink Panther" films.

Montezuma got his revenge. Now it's the Pink Panther's turn!
While I enjoyed this movie, I felt it just wasn't as strong as the previous ones. Maybe the series was running out of gas, as I felt it just didn't have the same level of hilarity as the previous movies, but a half funny Pink Panther movie is still funnier than most. Anyway, this one involves the inspector going up against the French connection. In a effort to show that they still have muscle, the syndicate decides to assasinate Chief Inspector Jacques Clouseau. To do this, they hire a sort of martial artist super assasin. I would have liked to seen more done with this part of the story, as they seemed to set it up really well, but the follow through just didn't seem that strong. Well, the assasin is unable to complete his mission, and the French syndicate tries another method. In a comic mishap, they end up killing the wrong man, and, thought to be dead, Chief Inspector Clouseau goes underground to try and flush out his would be killers. My favorite scene in this movie is when Chief Inspector Clouseau goes back to his apartment after he was thought to be dead, only to find that his manservant, Cato, has turned it into a 'Chinese nookie factory'. His 'meeting' with Lotus Eater Tanya, played by Valerie Leon, was really funny. A side note, Valerie Leon can also be seen in such movies as Never Say Never Again, The Spy Who Loved Me, Queen Kong, and Blood From The Mummy's Tomb...whotta babe! Anyway, Chief Inspector Clouseau eventually trails the French syndicate to Hong Kong with the movie basically culminating in a fireworks factory. Herbert Lom is also back, playing Chief Inspector Dreyfus. On hearing that Clouseau is dead, he makes a miraculous recovery and is released from the asylum. He is given is old position back as chief inspector and tasked to find and arrest Clouseau's killer, but given their past relationship, he would like nothing better than to thank them. There are a number of funny scenes where he sees Clouseau, who is presumed to be dead, and thinks he is having a relapse. One of my biggest perceived flaws with this movie was Dyan Cannon. While she is very attractive, and a capable actress, I just felt like she didn't fit in properly with the movie. She plays Simone Le Gree, one time secretary and lover to the head of the French connection. She gets mixed up with Clouseau when the French syndicate decides she's more of a liability alive with her intimate knowledge of their operation. Again, this was another storyline that could have been expanded more, but was glossed over. So, in closing, while not the best in the series, it certainly provided a number of laughs. ... Read more

Description

Get ready for a purrr-fectly hilarious comedy adventure starring Christina Ricci (THE ADDAMS FAMILY) and Doug E. Doug (OPERATION DUMBO DROP). When her faithful tomcat D.C. (aka "Darn Cat") brings home an important clue to a mysterious kidnapping, 16-year-old Patti Randall finds her ho-hum hometown suddenly turned into a hotbed of criminal excitement! And when she teams up with rookie FBI Agent Kelso to try to solve the baffling crime ... these would-be detectives follow THAT DARN CAT into some unexpected surprises! Outrageous double identities and sidesplitting misadventures abound in this hit remake of the comedy classic that's motion picture fun for everyone! ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Fun Movie!
Though some parts were predictable and the plot a little weak, it was all in all a fun remake. Besides, I'd watch anything with Christina Ricci. She's great. ;)

Awful!
This is one remake that shouldn't have been made! The only thing it has in common with the original is that a cat came home wearing a wristwatch on his neck, everything else is a totally new story that doesn't make any sense. It appears that the current producers disliked the original plot so they added a bunch of silly subplots just to fill space. The lady butcher in love with a security guard leaving packages of meat on his doorstep, the "bloody twig" clue which turned out to be a maraschino cherry stem, the person who hasn't left their apartment for years, etc. were all distracting elements that nobody would have missed had they been left out.

My sons hadn't seen the original yet, and they thought this movie was stupid. They did enjoy the original when I rented it the following week.

Not nearly as good as the original!
While the remake version of "That Darn Cat" was pretty good, it pales in comparison to the classic original with the Siamese Cat. Instead of spending my money on this version, I will anxiously await the day when the original 1965 version of "That Darn Cat" comes to DVD !

flaw entertainment
There are only a few movies where the remake is as good as or better than the original. This one is the worst I ever have seen. I have bought this on DVD in a PAL country expecting a reissue of a former released NTSC Laserdisc containing the original movie of 1965. What I have got was a production (1997) with shallow entertainment not even amusing or funny, created loveless.
Although the original movie exists in a restored version I don't understand why it is not yet released on DVD in place of that nonsense of 1997. Therefore I share the same opinion with the reviewer who said: "buy That Darn Cat (VHS) in place of That Darn Cat (DVD)"!

That Darn Cat
I don't see how they could've made us wait this long for this great movie on DVD. There probably won't be any good special features, but it will still be great. I'm not gonna give any spoilers except that it's about a cat (DUH!). It's a great movie. Fun for the family. (One of my favorite movies...lol.)

PEACE OUT ... Read more

Amazon.com

While its particulars remain rooted in the sexual revolution of the late 1960s, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice is remarkably timeless as a classic comedy of manners. Making an impressive, high-profile directorial debut after success as a screenwriter, Paul Mazursky took the pulse of California society better than anyone, especially with this well-cast, sharply observant comedy that begins when sophisticated couple Bob and Carol (Robert Culp, Natalie Wood) attend a weekend retreat that opens their eyes to the possibilities of open marriage and mutual acceptance of extramarital affairs. When they reveal their newfound liberties to straightlaced couple Ted and Alice (Elliott Gould, Dyan Cannon), the subtle, behavioral richness of the largely improvisational screenplay (by Mazursky and Larry Tucker) rises to the surface, conveyed through the kind of natural rhythms and pauses that were dramatically in vogue in the fast-changing Hollywood of 1969. The film hasn't lost any of its punch, perhaps because American sexual politics have returned to the conservatism that existed before Bob and Carol emerged as the signature comedy of the swinging sixties. The absence of the late Natalie Wood is the only drawback to the DVD's excellent commentary, which reunites Mazursky, Culp, Gould, and Cannon in a casual atmosphere of humorous reminiscence. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Contemporary Psychobabble Dates Badly
BOB AND CAROL AND TED AND ALICE starts off as if a stoned hippie with an 8mm cam began to film cinema verite and did not wish to infringe on the rights of an equally stoned cast to get the scene right in the first take. Somewhere in this turgid bloated mess of a psychodrama are some unpleasant truths about the way married couples confront personal and sexual disconnections, but this relevant set of subtexts is hidden under an annoying coating of a 60s mentality of free love, beads, primal scream therapy, and groupsex, all of which date what otherwise have been some eternal truisms.

Robert Culp is Bob, a 40 something successful businessman who is less a fully-fleshed individual than a stereotyped hippie weekend wannabe who wants the freedom to have affairs but is unwilling to give his wife Carol (Natalie Wood) the same right. Bob is not just a man in search of himself. He comes across as an annoying pest who likes to think of himself as a new age guru who believes that he personifies the adage of Do Your Own Thing. Naturally, anyone who dares to show conventional middle class moral objections to his philandering is dismissed as a fuddy duddy out of touch with his own feelings. Carol is even less of a believable person as she skates through life with her feet barely touching the moral ground of life. Director Paul Mazursky allows the viewer to get an idea of how and why Bob and Carol think and act. At the start of the film, they attend a group interaction session led by a therapist who exhorts his patients to engage in some questionable methods: they scream, beat pillows, gawk about the room, and stare into one another's eyes as if to connect on a visual level.

Ted (Eliot Gould) and Alice (Dyan Cannon) are more open with their vulnerabilities, and hence engage us more. Both are disgusted at first with the open fooling around of Bob and Carol. Ted wants more frequent sex with Alice but does not know how to handle her rejection of him. Despite his geekiness, Ted comes across as a reasonably moral man whose own limits are soon to be tested first by a wife whose burgeoning sexuality snaps to attention then later by his own crumbling wall of marital fidelity.

The second half of the film is more interesting than that of the first. The cloying irritability that dominates the first half is replaced by several humorous, yet revealing vignettes that culminate with all four in bed and not knowing or daring what to do. The hesitant expressions on their faces suggest that morality is not a blanket to be donned or doffed at will. BOB AND CAROL AND TED AND ALICE is a potent, if misguided moral fairy tale that warns us that the freedom to be superficially open may in fact be nothing more than a license to hide behind that blanket of openness.

Amusing and Intriguing
Certainly a movie that has publicized the sexual revolution of the sixties and seventies. Very interesting how Bob and Carol's carefree attitude about sex eventually loosens up Ted and Alice's more conservative ways.

Its interesting how Bob and Carol test their relationship with their affairs. Amusing how Carol is quicker to be more accepting of their individual affairs than Bob. Ted and Alice at first are appalled by each of their infidelities. However when they hear the reasons behind their actions, they lighten up their approaches. Bob and Carol truly love each other where their affairs are merely for recreational purposes.

Those who are intrigued by psychology or the free love generation of the late sixties will be specially interested in this video.

A Hip Sendup of the Sexual Revolution
"Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice" is an insightful film about the sexual revolution.

It deals with two couples -- one older and into "experimentation" (Bob & Carol), and the other younger and more square (Ted & Alice).

In a sense, the sexual experimentation of Bob and Carol epitomized the 60's ethos of (perhaps pathological) self-reflection and the idea that "if it feels good, do it." (We're still feeling the reverberations of that.)

But the ending of this enjoyably funny movie also indicates that most people can only go so far. Whether its cultural conditioning or innate, there are certain lines that most people simply cannot cross....

The movie does not pass judgment, but ultimately, there is a message there.

All the actors are good, but Elliot Gould and Dyan Cannon especially so. (They were both nominated for supporting Oscars.) Dyan Cannon is wonderful -- she's the best thing about the movie.

sexual revolution
I watched this movie on local television in the UK a couple of weeks ago, turning it on a half hour or so into it.

Once I got past the shallow critique of hair styles and clothing I was able to consider what was happening socially in the US during the late 60s when this movie was conceived/filmed.

I was only 3 when the movie was released but I imagine it was significant for adults at that time. Society was much more open/liberal re: sexuality and the challenging of stereotypes, such as the long-standing double standards afforded to men.

My '4 star' review may be slightly high, but what motivates me to do so has more to do with the subject this movie takes on, its willingness to challenge the status quo and collective consciousness of the public at that time, as well as the honesty in which it's delivered.

The final scene is hardly climactic compared with the latest Bond film but, like much of the film, there's an authentic message there.

Ill-conceived
"Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice" is widely applauded as a breakthrough film, but lets cut through the hype. First what Leonard Maltin calls "ultrasophisticated" is more an exposure of his own dimwittedness than a film commentary. 2 couples seek enlightenment and think they found the key: just have an affair and tell your partner about it...is that really the extent to which enlightenment was explored in the '60s? Such is the main flaw; 2 couples are sincere about transcending middle class limitation, but group encounter sessions do not "insight" make.

Robert Culp and Natalie Wood play the couple who think affair+honesty=enlightenment. As Horst observes, Culp is one hellofaguy. I wish Natalie Wood's husband would let me have her...I'd think he was a nice guy too. What would have made this film good is if at the end they decided to go to India and seek true enlightenment.

On the bright side we have '60s fashions and good Bacharach music...and the beautiful Natalie Wood. The final scene "Love Sweet Love" is an interesting ending to an otherwise disappointing film. ... Read more

Description

Thriller about a jet-setting game master who devises a deadly game of whodunit. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

A Whodunit With Superb Black Humor
The Last of Sheila is an excellent mystery with a terrific performance by the late James Coburn as 'Clinton' the wicked Hollywood producer who invites a group of 'friends' aboard his yacht for a sun filled week of games.

The game however, is not what it seems and as the character of Clinton is fleshed out, along with the other members of the cast, Mason, Benjamin, Hackett and Welch; we ultimately find out that the beautiful people under the sunny skies, swimming in the warm waters on the South of France will go to the extremes to maintain their facades and their secrets.

The screenplay was written by the late actor Anthony Perkins and Stephen Sondheim. This adult mystery is a satirical behind the scenes look at Hollywood and the pain it creates, intentionally and unintentionally. You'll laugh and you'll be riveted by the superb story that will keep you guessing until the very end. Please stay for the Bette Midler song, 'You Gotta Have Friends', every detail was thought out for this film and this last detail shouldn't be missed. Enjoy!

This movie is excellent - Where is the DVD? Hello, Earth to Warners...

Clever and Amusing, and Justice Really Triumphs
The Last of Sheila is a clever, witty, complicated murder mystery written by Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins. A movie mogul's wife is killed in a hit-and-run accident. A year later he gathers six friends, one of whom he suspects of being the driver, for a Mediterranean week on his yacht. There'll be sun, fun, games to play and puzzles to solve. The payoff for the mogul will be the identification of his wife's killer. Unfortunately, the mogul is murdered shortly after the games begin.

If you enjoy murder, puzzles and clever writing, you'll enjoy this. If you're amused by Hollywood and its pretensions, you'll also like it. The guests include a mediocre film writer (Richard Benjamin) and his rich, alcoholic wife (Joan Hackett), a has-been director (James Mason), a loud agent (Dyan Cannon), and a voluputous and dim movie queen (Raquel Welch) with her tough, sycophant husband (Ian McShane). James Coburn plays the mogul.

Mason is excellent among an excellent cast. He's thoughtful, a little seedy, crafty. Cannon nails her role as the self-involved but funny agent. Coburn focuses the movie. He's charming, dynamic, nasty.

The DVD transfer is fine although I found the audio a little variable, especially at first. The commentary by Benjamin, Cannnon and Welch is interesting and helps sort out the clues.

Sondheim and Perkins play scrupulously fair with the audience. There are clues all over the place. Some clues identify the nastier aspects of the guests, some help with the games being played, some help guess the method of the murders (there're more than one), and some will lead you to the murderer. You need to stay alert.

What is particularly clever is the way the murderer gets justice.

A Tale of Two Versions?
The one star is for the dvd. This 'version' as I've read in the other reviews *IS NOT* the same as the VHS that I own. There is a HUGE flaw in Chapter 18 as the Michigan viewer stated. I am not entirely satisfied as others are with this mess.

I bought my VHS from Amazon two years ago and my tape *do not* have the Chapter 18 mistake in it. So, there must be two versions - one mastered correctly and the mess with the mistake in Chapter 18. Warners needs to re-do this dvd without the mistakes that currently exists in this DVD.

A great movie done an injustice.

A lost classic!!!
The Last of Sheila is a fun, if overrated film, that sports a great title, terrific cast, and beautiful locations. Written by Psycho Anthony Perkins himself, with help from wonderful Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim, I was unfortunately overtaken by the hype and expected a little too much, therefore I was slightly disappointed upon first viewing. The more I thought about it though, the more I realized how much I liked it.

The plot is a unique rendition of Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians, which deals with several entertainment industry insiders who are invited aboard the yacht of prankster James Coburn for a weekend of "fun & games." Unfortunately, Coburn has a secret about each and every member aboard. Apparently someone will go to great lengths to keep their secret just that...or is it for something else? Perhaps Coburn himself has taken the game too far. Or maybe we haven't heard the last of Sheila....

The Last of Sheila is a twisted little film that starts off slow but quickly picks up. Pay attention early on because the clues are everywhere and the killer could be anyone, including Sheila herself. It did what Scream did many years later with the "Everybody's a suspect" formula. There are so many twists and turns, it will be difficult to figure them all out, so don't even bother. It all works brilliantly for a chilling mystery that fits each and every scene into the puzzle, and even has a clue in the title!!!! How many mysteries can you say that about?

The cast is fantastic. Dyan Cannon is terrific as usual in her role of a loud, obnoxious casting agent who just lost 30 pounds. Rachel Welch is the sexpot actress, a role she has down to perfection, and James Coburn is creepy as the director who wants to make a movie about Sheila, or perhaps something a bit more. They are joined by Richard Benjamin, Joan Hackett, James Mason, Ian McShane, and Yvonne Romain, among others.

The Last of Sheila is recommended for mystery lovers, film buffs, or fans of the cast. Everyone else should give it a try too. Agatha Christie would have been proud! It's a lost classic that deserves to be seen!!!

Last of Shiela? Too bad!
Funny how the past sneaks up on one. Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water wearing bell bottoms, smoking cigarettes, here comes "The Last of Sheila." Put aside your squeemishness on such PC topics as homosexuality, child enticement, celebrity murder, and drunken driving.

Dive in, try to figure it out, and you are missing all of the fun. Dastardly deeds are only part of the thrill. The rest is all dinner theatre audience participation. Can you find your own self in the picture? This pic bests every who-done-it because the machinations are not what is important, what matters is that we all see ourselves somewhere here, if only in our grasping consumerism. What matters to US is that you will rewind time and again to find the clues. Are the clues important? Sure, keep a scorecard to check your own Fruedian influences.

Important fact: Stehpen Sondheim collaborated with underrated writer Anthony Hopkins (check Psycho and Sweeny Todd.) Not for kiddies. ... Read more

Description

Ira Levin's cat-and-mouse Broadway suspense smash about a playwright's deadly game of murder gets diabolically comic screen treatment. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

More twists and turns than a roller coaster
I first saw "Deathtrap" in the theater when it came out in 1982. When VCRs became big, it was a film that I rented a few times, eventually buying my own VHS copy. Now I own the DVD. It's a great film.

The plot can't really be discussed here without depriving first-time viewers the opportunity of experiencing all the unexpected twists and turns for themselves. And there are twists and turns aplenty!

Christopher Reeve does a great job of breaking his "Superman" stereotype in this, his first post-Superman role. Reeve plays a homosexual playwright who's just written a sure-fire hit Broadway show, and Michael Caine plays a once-successful playwright, Reeve's mentor, who'd kill to have another hit. From this inauspicious beginning, the twists start coming fast and furious, and are a delight to watch.

If you've never seen "Deathtrap" you can still safely buy it sight unseen; I guarantee you'll enjoy it. Or maybe you saw the film years ago and want to see it again. Either way, I recommend picking yourself up a copy. You won't regret it.

"Even a gifted director couldn't hurt it.."
Movies adapted from plays may not always be "cinematic" in the traditional sense because they tend to only need one set. However, they can be very fun to watch because they allow actors to have great dialogue. Deathtrap is one such movie. Michael Caine gives one of his best, funniest performances as a washed-up playwright driven to murder. It is great to watch a great actor when he is finally allowed to ACT. The same goes for Christopher Reeve, who made this movie right after Superman. Here he seems more gangly than a man of steel (his stage training shows a little bit though).

If you are unfamiliar with the plot, I won't spoil it for you. It's just a joy to watch - great acting, great plot, and - most of all - great dialogue. The best I can say about this film is that it inspires me to write every time I see it.

A wonderfully clever comic thriller
Deathtrap is a truly underrated thriller. While it starts off slow considering most audience standards, it quickly dissolves into a clever, suspenseful, and ingenious comedy thriller. While the first act fares better than the second, the film is fun throughout, taking the audience on a ride of "Who is working against whom and why?" While not always surprising, it's an engrossing little puzzle to try and figure out, and the climax is a suspenseful nail biter. Ira Levin has brought us some true classics (The Stepford Wives, Rosemary's Baby) and this should be among them. It is a twisted good time. Highly recommended to mystery fans.

Drama, Comedy and classic Thriller all in one
This film is a lost gem. It's not a well known film however if you take the time to view it, you will be impressed. Its classic who kills who and why mixed with twists that unless you have seen it before, you will not suspect what comes next. It is edge of your seat entertainment, Not a lot of blood and guts however it has tons of thrills. Caine's acting is up to it's usual high marks and Reeve is excellant as Caine's gay lover. I would have to say that Reeve pulls the roll off very well. The story is not a gay theme as you may expect, in fact the gay relationship is only one of many plot devices that weave the overall story.
The production quality is good and the film would be excellant for mixed crowds and enjoyed by all. If your looking for a gay theme movie this is a good film but not what I would consider a gay theme film. (...)

WITTY & TWISTED WHO-DUN-IT...JUST THE WAY SUSPENSE SHOULD BE
..Or come to think of it, it's not really a "who-dun-it" but a "who-dun-whom-first". One of those little hidden masterpieces of film-making!

The theme can be summarized quite simply -- a dramatic semi-comedy about a playwright (Chris Reeves) trying to figure out how to keep his head above water after ideas run dry. But the simplicity pretty much ends there. The plot has a bunch of delectable twists until the finale, which is no less of a surprise itself. The acting is top-notch, Caine and Reeves are, well, Caine and Reeves -- marvellous talents.

A word may be said for the DVD. The transfer of this classic mystery is quite amazing, if the cover didn't tell me this was 1982 I could easily have thought this is a recent movie.

An absolute treat in every sense! ... Read more

Reviews (21)

not great but not bad
Joe Pesci, David Spade, and Todd Louiso are the ones who keep this movie interesting and funny. Oh, and the lady who plays the grandmother. Everyone else seems be going through a "bad acting" virus. Veterans George Hamilton and Dyan Cannon just seem like they'e only doing this movie because work for them is hard to come by these days. And who is that John Cusack wannabe who is the star of the movie? This movie would have better off with the real John Cusack. But joe, David, and Todd provide all the comic relief for this dark comedy.
The movie is about a duffel bag switch at the airport, one of which contains 8 heads being delivered for the mob. That says it all right there.
In some stores, this dvd is available for a very good price. If you find it at one of those stores, I definitely recommend this dvd. Fans of Joe Pesci will also be impressed with this dvd.

Great Comedy
8 Heads in A Duffel Bag is definitely not your average comedy, but i think its one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. The plot is a little odd, and at some points slightly weak, but overall it presents a very comical situation. Joe Pesci is fantastic as usual in his role as a retiring mobster. David Spade, although he plays a relatively small role, is also hillarious. I highly recomend this movie, if you haven't seen it yet you're missing out big time.

JOE PESCI IS FUNNY AS ALWAYS
A MOB HITMAN [JOE PESCI] LOSES A DUFFEL BAG THAT CONTAINS THE HEADS OF 8 DEAD PEOPLE AND HE GOES ON A QUEST TO GET IT BACK. GOOD IDEA AND IT WORKS OUT PRETTY WELL. OTHER THAN JOE PESCI, WHO'S FUNNY AS ALWAYS, DAVID SPADE HAD SOME FUNNY MOMENTS AS WELL. IF YOU NEED SOME GOOD LAUGHS, GET THIS MOVIE NOW.

poor
I really didn't like 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag--though the premise is a good one. It's just that Schulman's writing didn't quite work out. The dialogue was stilted and made little sense and there was a little too much ludicrous comedy in the film. Pesci gave a good performance, but far from its best. It was just a poor effort.

classic
i loved this movie but one scene really made me laugh. the scene where the heads were singing mr. sandman. overall it's really funny and completely dark. ... Read more

Description

Stop that 'Roo! The chase is on when two bumbling Brooklyn buddies sent to deliver a $50,000 mob pay envelope cross paths with a hip-hopping prankster of a kangaroo who sprints off with the loot. ... Read more

Reviews (52)

"Extremely funny, though I don't agree with the rating..."
Don't get me wrong, Kangaroo Jack was extremely funny. I laughed enough to last me three days, but I do agree with other reviewers, there is too much profanity and sexual humor to allow a PG rating. I'd go for a PG-13, but I guess, the humor isn't that bad. And then again, PG means Parental Guidance Suggested. Oh, and Donster, you need to lighten up, dude, you let your kids watch a teen slasher flick but not a mild comedy, you need counseling. Anyway, moving on, I thought this movie was very funny, in fact, I thought it was so good that I went to it three times. My favorite comedy scenes were when Louis (Anderson) and Charlie (O'Connel) were in the bathroom on the airplane talking about the money, but the flight attendants believed they were talking about "things" (that would be PG-13 comedy). The other would probably be G comedy, but still extremely funny, is the very loud and nauseating farts that these camels rip. OMG, I could swear that the next theatre over probably heard it. Okay, well, pretty much the only thing to review about this is the comedy, so I'll leave all other aspects to your thoughts and opinions. Thanks for reading.

Uninspired: Bruckheimer's "Family Picture" Is No Fun
No fun, I say, probably even for kids, for the plot is not simple and the situation is too labored. New York city hairstylist Jerry O'Connell and his buddy Anthony Anderson get in trouble when they accidentally caused a big financial damage to the local mobster (and Jerry's step-father) Christopher Walken. Walken (who obviously does not read script before signing contract), orders the two bumbling Americans to deliver a bag of $50,000 to Australia.

Now, they arrive at Sydney, but soon loses the money in the most ridiculous and incredible way -- a kangaroo wearing a red jacket that contains the envelope runs away in the middle of the deserts! In the meanwhile, unknown to them, gangsters are also sent there to follow Jerry and Anthony, possibly to get rid of them.

The cartoonish idea of two adults chasing the hopping kangaroo is not a bad one, but there is no fun in the chase scenes which are shot like an action movie. Such classic cartoons featuring Road Runner or Willy O Coyote are far superior and ingenious, and the director David McNally (of, incidentaly, the ordinary drama "Coyote Ugly" fame) should have learned a thing or two from these masterpieces.

I see nothing great in actors; they are just OK. Jerry O'Connell looks better than in cult comedy "Tomcats" and Anderson is always fun to watch even though his character (and Jerry's too) tend to scream to each other (like ten times) without particular meaning. Thankfully, Oscar winner (yes, he was, in "Deerhunter") Christopher Walken fare better simply because his role is small, and you get lovely Estella Warren and her swimming in the water (in the middle of Australia, right?) is eye candy for adults.

As is often the case with Bruckheimer films, the film is costly, and you can feel it everywhere. The city of "New York" is actually made in Sidney with the yellow cabs brought to the place for that purpose only, and "Kangaroo Jack" is convincingly made when he (and his pals) speak in rap music. But the awfully insipid and uninspired gags and actions are boring to me, and the character actors like Bill Hunter or Marton Csokas are painfully wasted.

this has a price tag?!?!?!?!?!?!?
let me get this straight....a kangaroo is beating up and out smarting humans(ok,jack is only dealing with oconnell and anderson)???????this junk should be included in some buy 1 movie get this one free deal.

One of the Most Surprising Entertainers of 2003!
When this film came out in theaters I thought it looked too darn silly. Tonight I saw it on Cinemax for the first time and found it very entertaining and funny. The commercial advertisement for the movie did cheat. They made it seem like Kangaroo Jack would be talking all through the film. It turned out he only talked in Charlie's ( Jerry O' Connell ) dream. This film is a very new approach to comedy. You don't get the cliched formula of most buddy films. Unlike other actors who've tackled the buddy films, ( Eddie Murphy & Owen Wilson, Chris Tucker & Charlie Sheen, Skeet Ulrich & Cuba Gooding Jr. ), Anthony Anderson and Jerry O'Connell are the only two I've seen with TRUE chemistry since the good old days of Pryer and Wilder. Both actors are hilarious in their roles. There are a few plot holes when it comes to the criminals in the end but this film is so entertaining you won't care if it gets a little unbelievable. You'll just want to go along with the ride. I strongly recommend this for comedy lovers and fun films for the family. Enjoy! Good clean fun!

Horrible
The commercials were a turnoff. The jokes were a turnoff. The actors were a turnoff. Conan O-Brian, for once, was right. This movie is not worth your money, time, or thought. Did the Raspberry Awards catch this one? I hope so. ... Read more

Description

Stop that 'Roo! The chase is on when two bumbling Brooklyn buddies sent to deliver a $50,000 mob pay envelope cross paths with a hip-hopping prankster of a kangaroo who sprints off with the loot. ... Read more

Reviews (52)

"Extremely funny, though I don't agree with the rating..."
Don't get me wrong, Kangaroo Jack was extremely funny. I laughed enough to last me three days, but I do agree with other reviewers, there is too much profanity and sexual humor to allow a PG rating. I'd go for a PG-13, but I guess, the humor isn't that bad. And then again, PG means Parental Guidance Suggested. Oh, and Donster, you need to lighten up, dude, you let your kids watch a teen slasher flick but not a mild comedy, you need counseling. Anyway, moving on, I thought this movie was very funny, in fact, I thought it was so good that I went to it three times. My favorite comedy scenes were when Louis (Anderson) and Charlie (O'Connel) were in the bathroom on the airplane talking about the money, but the flight attendants believed they were talking about "things" (that would be PG-13 comedy). The other would probably be G comedy, but still extremely funny, is the very loud and nauseating farts that these camels rip. OMG, I could swear that the next theatre over probably heard it. Okay, well, pretty much the only thing to review about this is the comedy, so I'll leave all other aspects to your thoughts and opinions. Thanks for reading.

Uninspired: Bruckheimer's "Family Picture" Is No Fun
No fun, I say, probably even for kids, for the plot is not simple and the situation is too labored. New York city hairstylist Jerry O'Connell and his buddy Anthony Anderson get in trouble when they accidentally caused a big financial damage to the local mobster (and Jerry's step-father) Christopher Walken. Walken (who obviously does not read script before signing contract), orders the two bumbling Americans to deliver a bag of $50,000 to Australia.

Now, they arrive at Sydney, but soon loses the money in the most ridiculous and incredible way -- a kangaroo wearing a red jacket that contains the envelope runs away in the middle of the deserts! In the meanwhile, unknown to them, gangsters are also sent there to follow Jerry and Anthony, possibly to get rid of them.

The cartoonish idea of two adults chasing the hopping kangaroo is not a bad one, but there is no fun in the chase scenes which are shot like an action movie. Such classic cartoons featuring Road Runner or Willy O Coyote are far superior and ingenious, and the director David McNally (of, incidentaly, the ordinary drama "Coyote Ugly" fame) should have learned a thing or two from these masterpieces.

I see nothing great in actors; they are just OK. Jerry O'Connell looks better than in cult comedy "Tomcats" and Anderson is always fun to watch even though his character (and Jerry's too) tend to scream to each other (like ten times) without particular meaning. Thankfully, Oscar winner (yes, he was, in "Deerhunter") Christopher Walken fare better simply because his role is small, and you get lovely Estella Warren and her swimming in the water (in the middle of Australia, right?) is eye candy for adults.

As is often the case with Bruckheimer films, the film is costly, and you can feel it everywhere. The city of "New York" is actually made in Sidney with the yellow cabs brought to the place for that purpose only, and "Kangaroo Jack" is convincingly made when he (and his pals) speak in rap music. But the awfully insipid and uninspired gags and actions are boring to me, and the character actors like Bill Hunter or Marton Csokas are painfully wasted.

this has a price tag?!?!?!?!?!?!?
let me get this straight....a kangaroo is beating up and out smarting humans(ok,jack is only dealing with oconnell and anderson)???????this junk should be included in some buy 1 movie get this one free deal.

One of the Most Surprising Entertainers of 2003!
When this film came out in theaters I thought it looked too darn silly. Tonight I saw it on Cinemax for the first time and found it very entertaining and funny. The commercial advertisement for the movie did cheat. They made it seem like Kangaroo Jack would be talking all through the film. It turned out he only talked in Charlie's ( Jerry O' Connell ) dream. This film is a very new approach to comedy. You don't get the cliched formula of most buddy films. Unlike other actors who've tackled the buddy films, ( Eddie Murphy & Owen Wilson, Chris Tucker & Charlie Sheen, Skeet Ulrich & Cuba Gooding Jr. ), Anthony Anderson and Jerry O'Connell are the only two I've seen with TRUE chemistry since the good old days of Pryer and Wilder. Both actors are hilarious in their roles. There are a few plot holes when it comes to the criminals in the end but this film is so entertaining you won't care if it gets a little unbelievable. You'll just want to go along with the ride. I strongly recommend this for comedy lovers and fun films for the family. Enjoy! Good clean fun!

Horrible
The commercials were a turnoff. The jokes were a turnoff. The actors were a turnoff. Conan O-Brian, for once, was right. This movie is not worth your money, time, or thought. Did the Raspberry Awards catch this one? I hope so. ... Read more

Description

A comedy about a construction tycoon who tries to join a snobby country club that doesn't want him as a member. The tycoon's solution is to buy the club where his fate boils down to a climactic golf match. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

It would have been better if I hadn't seen the first one.
This movie honestly wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it's pretty weak. Jackie Mason's one liners, the gophers eating habits, and Ty Webb's stupidity was funny in this movie. They really brought the film up higher than it would have been. However, since I've seen the first one, this movie really didn't win my favor. The original cast of characters was absent in this movie, the familiar setting of the Bushwood Country Club and golf course were not to be found, and the gopher had an uncomfortably different voice (it also gained a few extra pounds, but that's a different story). The only member of the original cast that returned to do "Caddyshack 2" was Chevy Chase, reprising his role as a more "out there" Ty Webb. The way they potrayed his character in this movie was very funny and refreshing, but he was much more down to earth in the first one, and a lot less weird. Jackie Mason's character sort of replaces Rodney Dangerfeild's character in the first one: a crude newcomer seeking to buy the club from the snobby owners. He does an okay job, but no one can replace Rodney. Robert Stack's character sort of replaces Ted Knight's character in the first one: a snobby high roller in charge of the club who will do anything he can to keep the newcomer from buying it. And of course, the thing I found most disappointing in this movie was Dan Akroyd's character, who desperately tried to replace Bill Murray's "Karl" from the first movie, but failed so badly. He tries to talk the same way Karl would talk, except he does it much higher. Just imagine that! Dan Akroyd trying to talk like Karl, except doing it at a much higher tone of voice. It really gets annoying. Dan Akroyd also doesn't fit in with the rest of the cast. This movie would have been much better if it hadn't have been a sequel to "Caddyshack." It doesn't even show a caddy shack in the movie! Even though that may not be a big deal, it expresses the way that I feel. If you have never seen the original "Caddyshack" or don't intend to, this more mild film should be viewed for satisfaction. However, if you love the movie "Caddyshack" just like I do, than prepare to be disappointed, because this movie is just not good enough. However, I give it credit for being an okay movie by itself. So no matter who you are, I at least recommend that you watch this movie once, just for the fun of it.

One of the worst movies in the history of mankind.
It's quite possible that not reprising his role as Al Czervik was the most intelligent decision Rodney Dangerfield ever made (aside from marrying a hot chick 40 years his junior). This movie is to "funny" what hammered rhino-dung is to haute cuisine. I'm certain that, when actors, directors, and golfers go to hell, they are condemned to an eternity of watching Caddyshack 2 (while being fed hammered rhino-dung).

This Film Is Actually Funny! Crazy, Huh?
Most people already have their minds made up on this one, and it is easy to see why. After all, Caddyshack is not a film that needed a sequel. Why would you need one? Well, the 80s was a great time for unecessary sequels. It's hard to top the cast from the first film; I mean, it was full of funny characters. This one tries for that and only succeeds to a limited degree. As much as you may hate this film, how can you not laugh your behind off at Chevy Chase? He's hilarious in this film. IN fact, his performance is reason enough to watch this film. Well, he is playing Ty Webb who was hilarious in the first film. How did they talk Chase into doing this film? My theory(and I could be wrong) is that Chase didn't need a paycheck so bad as much as he probably loved playing Ty Webb. Jackie Mason is no Rodney Dangerfield, not in a million years. His presence is okay, but he's just not that funny. Randy Quaid is a little over the top, but he has some pretty hilarious lines. The whole "putting with a wedgie" thing is great. And Dan Aykroyd. Oh Lord, poor Dan Aykroyd. He should leave Caddyshack 2 off his resume. He's trying to replace Bill Murray's chracter from the first film, but fails miserably. We all know Dan can be funny, but wow. He may say one or two fairly funny things, but that's the extent. The rest of the time you'll have to deal with his fingernails on a chalkboard voice. The voice would be okay if he were funny. These are the comedians of the film, everyone else is there just coz some nonfunny people were needed. Robert Stack(if you have any information call 1-800-876-5353) is always a good actor and plays a stiff snob convincingly, but it's surely an unsolved mystery why he chose to do this film. Jonathan Silverman isn't here for laughs, but I've always liked him either way, even though his role here is throwaway. All in all, the gags here are all hit and miss, but there are some pretty heavy hits I must say(like when Chevy Chase introduces Jackie Mason to some country club members in the men's locker room. I can't get too descriptive, but it's hilarious). If you put it up against the first film, well then you're doomed because Caddyshack this is not. There are worse ways to spend your time......like the remake of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre for instance.

Not the worst movie of all time, as some would suggest...
but still pretty bad. As others have pointed out, Jackie Mason is the only reason to see this movie. The rest of the movie falls flat. Still worth sitting through once, just to enjoy Mason. His years of being blacklisted really deprived us.

The other comment I wanted to make is that most people miss out on a great joke -- Jackie Mason's character in Caddyshack II is the same character he plays in The Jerk.

Just as funny as the first
This is one funny movie. I do wish Chevy Chase had a bigger part in this. Other than that, my two favorite characters are Dan Akroyd and Randy Quaid. The golpher is funny in this too, and his little voice is cute. I got this movie by surprise. I went to my movie collection to watch a movie, when I saw this sitting in there. I didn't remember buying it, but I watched it anyway. My wife was the one who bought it for me. This movie does have a couple bad parts, but it's still got some funny parts. I never knew that a PG rated movie could have the F word in it. But then again i kinda knew, because in beetlejuice he says the F word and also in Vacation. Harold Ramis didn't direct this film (he directed the first one) but he wrote it, so he did have a part in the making of this movie. It's funny what happens to the golf coarse, it's turned into a theme park. Anyway, this is a movie that should be in your collection no matter what. THE SHACK, IS BACK. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Update of a Christmas Classic
I actually rented this movie the first time by mistake after a freind had recommended the original with Barbara Stanwyck. After viewing both versions (both are excellent) I decided that I prefered this timely updated version. Dyan Carrol is charming as the Martha Stewart-type hostess of a tv cooking and home-craft show who dispite being unmarried and living in a sparse city loft, broadcasts a quite different image to her viewing audience. She talks on her show about her (totally fictitious) daughter, grandchild, husband and her big country house in Connecticut while cooking up gourmet dishes that are actually produced behind the scenes by her assistant. Her producer (played with hysterical results by Tony Curtis) cooks up a publicity scheme involving a live Christmas show broadcast from her Connecticut "home" where she will be surrounded by her "friends and family". When he also arranges for her to be playing hostess to a reluctant local hero (played by Kris Kristofferson), who is unaware that this is all a charade, an already humorous plotline becomes a series of hilarious mixups, mishaps and mistaken identities. This truly wonderful, heartwarming and funny movie is sure to become one of your holiday favorites too.

Wonderful Remake!
This movie is very good, I haven't seen the original yet and even if I do ever get to see it and I like it I will still like this wonderful modern remake, I have always liked Dyan Cannon and I thought she was great in this movie and so was Kris Kristofferson, I really hope that someday this movie is put on DVD! As far as remakes go this is probably one of the better remakes and I recommend it to anyone who collects Christmas movies!

Not an Oscar - Just Great Entertainment
While I agree with the previous reviewer regarding the original movie being a classically better production, I must say that I find this remake with Dyan Cannon and Kris Kristopherson a delightful and light holiday movie. It is one of those "feel good" holiday movies that gets you in the spirit of Christmas. Tony Curtis is halirious as the producer who is worried about ratings and network politics; the side stories are light and provide comic relief every few scenes. If you are looking for a deeply emotional movie like "It's a Wonderful Life", then this movie is not for you. However, if you, like me, want to intersperse George Bailey (admittedly a humourous movie in many areas) with a few laughs and a simple, light hearted movie during the Christmas season, give this movie a chance. If you're looking for light-hearted romance based on the spirit of Christmas, you won't be disappointed with this remake (or the original) Christmas in Connecticut.

WHY RELEASE THIS INFERIOR TV REMAKE?
Okay, so this isn't a review of the DVD, since it won't be released until October - but can anyone tell me why this awful 1992 television remake is being released on DVD but NOT the wonderful Barbara Stanwyck original from 1945? Please tell me it's not to "cash in" on the new-found popularity of its director, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (or however you spell his name). It was a most inauspicious directorial debut for the California governor, notably NOT propelling him into a directorial career. Film buffs can only hope that this release gets swept under the carpet quickly and that Warner Home Video will come to its senses and release the delightful original in time for the 2004 holiday season.

Lets Get This and The Original on DVD!
Well I thought this modern version was pretty darn cute and I had a good time watching it and I would like to see this as well as the old classic Barbara Stanwyck version get onto DVD. Kris Krisofferson, Tony Curtis and Dyan Cannon are very good and make this cute remake enjoyable and I recommend it very greatly! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Brisk minor PI movie
Shamus is not a great PI movie -like say The Big Sleep or The Maltese Falcon ;nor is it an especially good one but it is briskly paced ,with plenty of decently staged action scenes that divert attention from a convoluted and not especially believable plot.
The eponymous private eye is McCoy -played winningly by Reynolds-who is based in Brooklyn and whose economic state is more than a little parlous.His apartment ,like his wardrobe ,is sparsely furnished -he sleeps on a pool table in fact.A serial womaniser with a line of chat that was probably okay in the era the movie was made ,but now seems distinctly cheesy Mccoy is likeable and a personable man with the usual line of smart one lineres that is an essential part of any fictional pi's armourey
He is engaged by a millionaire to trace the whereabouts of diamonds stolen during a recent robbery/murder.In the course of the investigation he is shot at ;beaten up;is chased and chases bad guys across Brooklyn by foot and by car before a lively climax at a US army base where illicit arms deals are going down.Some measure of compensation is provided by the delectable Dyan Cannon with whom he falls in love.
It was perhaps unwise of the writers to evoke The Big Sleep in the scenes with Mccoy's employer -just as that classic saw the tec being engaged by a client with a passion for heat ,the millionaire here is a man who insists on near freezing conditions.
Best sit back and enjoy it for what it is -a star vehicle that gets by on action and solid playing all round while never rising above the acceptable.

Respectable cheese
If you have a weakness for early seventies/sexist/private eye B movies like me, this is about as good as it gets. It's not especially believable, but it takes itself less seriously than most modern superthrillers, i.e. Die Hards, Lethal Weapons. Actually, Reynolds gives a pretty good performance. Self deprecating, funny and, (seriously) believably tough. I don't think he lost his perspective until Smokey and the Bandit. Shamus is very much a product of its time; his character beds three different women in the course of the film, something that Hollywood now only allows in French farces and James Bond films.

I liked Dyan Cannon in the film. She didn't have a whole lot to do as "the girl" in the film, but she did bring a certain amount of class to the role. The romance between her and Reynolds was believable. It's somewhat sad, because were the film made today, she would likely have been, at around 33, too old to play the part of the girl. Instead, they'd seek out someone like Rachel Leigh Cook or other nineteen year old babe which would make for a rather unbelievable romantic subtext. Such are the feminist advances Hollywood has made.

Good score by Jerry Goldsmith, too. Good entertainment for a cold winter night.

Burt in top form
Burt Reynolds gets beat up so much in this film, it's a wonder he can make love to Dyan Cannon on top of a pool table mid-movie! A convoluted action-genre exercise designed to show off it's star, and Reynolds is very low-key, self-depreciating, and sexy in his Cosmo-pin-up era. Dyan Cannon looks even better, though she's given little to do as a woman involved second-hand in a murder. Pretty good for a one-time viewing, but I wouldn't buy it. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

the pickle
this movie sucked big time, trust me my uncle was in this movie and it sucked

(pause) Sour.
It's always good to watch performers like Danny Aiello, Shelley Winters, and Dyan Cannon in an imaginative enterprise...like this movie was supposed to be. Maybe "The Pickle" was to be Paul Mazursky's "Stardust Memories" [Woody Allen's highly personal and decidedly off-beat effort]. All three try to wring life out of an unfocused, one-note script, leaving the viewer with the uncomfortable feeling that the performances are merely drammatic exercises in an acting class.
The premise is interesting: Aiello, the serious director of "art" films can no longer make a buck doing 'em, so he is convinced that in order to keep the home fires burning he must...stretch a bit. Like make a all-out crowd-pleaser with all the trendy, commercial stuff you can think of, with a totally spaced out science fiction backdrop. So the burned out Director reaches into his own psyche for whatever feels right, whatever works. When he was a child he was rewarded with a nice juicy pickle. So a pickle takes on guargantuan proportions and seemingly human intelligence.
One depressing and pointless scene blends into the next.
While the premiere of the film takes place its' embarrassed Director attempts to take his life in a hotel room and Aiello's acting is strong, but again pretentiousness reduces the impact. Little Richard fans note that the Architect makes a second Mazursky appearance - the first being the '86 "Down and Out in Beverly Hills" with a production number of the 1956 recording of "Good Golly, Miss Molly".

¿More pickle juice!¿
Danny ("The Professional," "Jacob's Ladder") Aiello plays a once-respected director who whores himself out to do a big budget sci-fi action flick, hysterically rolling-out his anxieties, fears, and mid-life neuroses on the eve of the film's premiere. Shelly ("The Poseidon Adventure") Winters is Aiello's tough, no-nonsense mum, and the movie-in-a-movie is actually pretty cool, featuring Ally Sheedy, Griffin Dunne, and Little Richard as the president of an alien world, whose inhabitants eat only beef. "More pickle juice!" ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Black comedy fun
So glad this film is finally getting a release. I had seen it at a festival some two years ago. Fantastic performances by Joanne Baron and most surprisingly of all Harry Hamlin (who I've never been a big fan of). Also, has Lainie Kazan of My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Beaches fame. An improv film that doesn't feel like its improved. If you like Christopher Guest type comedies you'll love this film. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Warning-this is NOT a period piece
The Anderson Tapes is an example of what director Sidney Lumet is capable of creating: an entertaining yet somehow thoughtful film. This was the movie that actually made me appreciate Sean Connery. In the Bond films he was doomed to be typecast. Sidney Lumet bailed him out and Connery owes him big time. Great setup and cameos: including an underrated scene with the great Garret Morris as a limber police officer, who would go on to become one of the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players on Saturday Night Live just a few years later (along with Belushi, Chase, Radner, etc.). Christopher Walken looks like a baby in this one and Martin Balsam is pretty funny. Nice flash forward scenes make it seem like it can never be a dated film. Chilling last scene makes the film and a point about our technological age.

Interesting Setup and Promise: Does Not Deliver
"The Anderson Tapes" could have been a much better movie. From reading the back of the box in the rental store and the promise of the all-star cast, I really thought I would enjoy this film more than I did. The interesting story about a crime that is allowed to escalate despite the government's complete knowledge (due to the entanglements of government agencies and the monitoring) could have made for a great film. But the pace of the film and the poor script really drag the whole project down. In fact, I see that they are planning on remaking the film in 2005. I will be interested to see what they decide to do to the film.

The pace of Sidney Lumet's film is quite slow and the acting is sub-par. Despite the fact that the film introduces a young Christopher Walken, he hardly speaks at all (which, in my opinion, is the