Reviews (97)

Best Movie Ever
I saw this movie a few weeks ago not knowing beforehand that several members of the State are in it and that Wain and Showalter produced and wrote it. The first time I saw it I thought it was great. Upon second and subsequent viewings I realized that it is the smartest and funniest comedy ever made. Yes, this is just my opinion, but that doesn't make it any less true. Showalter, Black, Marino and Lo Truglio are simply amazing. The rest of the cast is great too, especially Christopher Meloni (sp?) as Gene. Garafolo and Pierce are easily the least funny people in the movie, but even they pull off a few good moments. By the way, if you are stupid (i.e. Roger Ebert) you will probably not like this movie. It will leave you confused and angry. If you are a real person, however, you will want to watch it constantly. Hopefully Showalter and Wain will make another movie soon. Again, funniest movie ever made...

this camp is a little bit coo-coo, if you get my drift
Paul Rudd (Anchorman, The Object Of My Affections), Janeane Garafalo (Copland, Minus Man), David Hyde Pierce(Tv's Fraiser, Osmosis Jones), Michael Ian Black (Tv's Ed, Tv's Viva Variety), Amy Poehler (Tv's Upright Citizens Brigade, Tv's SNL), Christopher Meloni (Tv's Law and Order SVU, Tv's Oz), Molly Shannon (Superstar, Osmosis Jones) and Marguerite Moreau (Queen Of The Damned) head an allstar cast in this satire about life on the last day of camp. The cast do some funny things. Meloni, the camp cook, has an inspiring speech towards the end about wiping mud on his ass and humping a fridge and also when he is talking to canned goods. Pierce and Garofalo are a perfect match for each other. Michael Ian Black has never been more funnier playing a kid who is gay and gets married in the lake and Paul Rudd plays Moreau's jealous boyfriend. Though sometimes crude and tasteless jokes weigh it down, it springs back up with a lot of heart.

A failed attempt at humor
I bought this DVD based on the reviews; unfortunately, it was a big mistake. While two of my favorite actors were in this movie, the humor failed to make me laugh. It was worse than childish and I got only a couple of chuckles from the movie. I would not watch it again and I would not recommend it to anyone. Be afraid, be very afraid---you have been warned.

I'd rather watch reruns of SALUTE YOUR SHORTS!!!
I've noticed that all of the positive reviews here are bashing those of us who find this movie unfunny. I appreciate good, quirky humor and rented this hoping for another PORKY'S or MEATBALLS. I can't believe anyone agreed to produce this movie. Sure, it has a couple of genuinely funny scenes. However, mostly it's just a bunch of unrelated vignettes fueled by no real plot. This movie includes a man humping a refrigerator (this same man talks to a can of mixed vegetables),
a horrible "semi-spoof" of ARMAGEDDON, and pathetic attempts at satirizing 70s and 80s camp movies. The only thing going for this movie is the cast. If you're like me, you'll rent this regardless of what everyone else has to say. I just hope you find it more enjoyable than I did.

All people who bash this movie are dumb.
I'm sorry to say, but everyone who gives this film a bad rating have the sense of humor of an Iraqi camel spider. I'd like to see everyone who gave this movie a bad rating try to make a comedy. I bet their idea of a funny scene would be two men sitting in a library reading and one man starts to speak loudly. This movie is a comedic masterpiece. If I could give it 10 stars I would. I loved every part of this movie. A little warning for those with weak stomachs watch out for McKinley: P. This movie is an excellent buy and I suggest that everyone owns a copy. ... Read more

Reviews (239)

I Give This Four Barks Out of Five
Best in Show is a clever 'mocumentary', a delightful satire of the dog show world. Director Christopher Guest and co-writer Eugene Levy also star in the movie, along with a slew of other comic actors. As writers, Guest and Levy are throwbacks to kinder, gentler times. Their brand of satire is funny and sometimes biting, but it is never brutal. They allow the performers to improvise a lot. This doesn't always work out, but when it does, the results are hysterical. The movie succeeds because the dogs' owners, not the dogs themselves, are the real characters. It shows that in the bond between man and dog, man may be the strangest and funniest half.

At the start, we meet several couples and individuals who will be showing their dogs in the Mayflower competition in Philadelphia. Some are shown in real scenes, other in fake interviews. Christopher Guest is Harlan Pepper, a down home North Carolina boy who runs a fishing supply store. He also raises champion blood hounds and dreams of being a ventriloquist. Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara play the Flecks. He literally has two left feet, and she is an aging hot babe, who is constantly running into men from her past, much to Mr. Fleck's annoyance. Parker Posey and Michael Hitchcock are the Swans, a couple of yuppie lawyers who have channeled way too much emotion into their dog. Sherri Ann [Jennifer Coolidge] is a very buxom and very wealthy matron who, along with her trainer, Christie [Jane Lynch], has entered her pom-pommed poodle. Finally, we met Scott and Stephan [John Michael Higgins and Michael McKeen], a gay couple who has entered one of their beloved toy dogs. In their spare time, Scott and Stephan produce calendars, using photos of their dogs dressed up like characters in famous movies.

The movie follows the characters before, during and after the competition. The show itself is quite authentic looking. It even spoofs sports announcing. One of the announcers is a proper Englishman, full of knowledge about dog shows. The other is an American who is completely clueless. Their scenes are among the film's funniest.

The humor is Best in Show is too dry for some viewers. It's often subtle comedy. I enjoyed it, but I like my humor from broad to dry and everything in-between. I also think I share Guest and Levy's point of view. They seem to be dog lovers who think that what goes on in the world of championship dog lovers is somewhat over the top. What the characters in the movie express towards dogs isn't exactly love. It's more obsession and a need to be noticed. In fact, these people require more attention than their mutts do.

Funny Mock-u-mentary
There's a shallow gold-digger married to a wealthy but mute 90 year old. There's a flamboyantly perky hairdresser (a most amusing character!) who is coupled with a hairdresser. There is also the two lawyers, married, dysfunctional, and highly high-strung. Then there's the former "popular" and experienced prom queen married to the nerdy and self-conscious salesman with two left feet (literally). And finally, there's "Harlan", the ventriloquist wannabe. What do they all have in common? Besides being hysterically human and flawed, each enter their prize dogs in a "Best in Show" contest. With excellent dry humor and in the mode of a documentary, "Best in Show" displays very aptly the human condition, relationships, ambition, and quirky but spunky dog owners and how they react to life, to thier self-worth and to winning (or not winning). I loved this movie for many reasons. The acting was superb; the storyline was choppy but worked very well; and the humor was intelligent and some of the one-liners hit you 5 seconds after they're said--the most powerful form of comedy. This is not for those who like fast moving movies; it's for those who like intelligently quiet humor and can read in between the lines by taking a simple process of entering a dog show and making it into a social, psychological, and fun story. You'll enjoy it!

Not quite "Best"
Christopher Guest has a rare misstep in "Best in Show," the follow-up to comedy classic "Waiting for Guffman." While "Best" is still a fun and frenetic mockumentary, it isn't up to the standards of its sibling mockumentaries -- it's a little too repetitive and over-the-top.

Welcome to Philadelphia, the home of the Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show. Among the crazy dog owners are Starbucks yuppies Hamilton and Meg Swan (Michael Hitchcock and Parker Posey), gay couple Scott and Stefan (John Michael Higgins and Michael McKean), ventrilogist hick Harlan Pepper (Christopher Guest), and buxom airhead Sherri Ann (Jennifer Coolidge) and her lover/trainer Christy Cummings (Jane Lynch). Front and center is two-left-footed Gerry Fleck (Eugene Levy) and his wife Cookie (Catherine O'Hara), whose sexy past keeps coming back to haunt her.

All these people converge at the dog show, and face difficulties ranging from wrenched knees to televised lesbian smooches to lost squeaky toys -- and some of the dogs are getting a bit crazy as well. With an obnoxious commentator watching over it all, they all strive for the ultimate prize. Poodle, Norwich terrier, bloodhound, Shih Tzu or emotionally scarred Weimaraner -- who will be best in show?

"Best in Show" does for dog shows what "This is Spinal Tap" did for old metal -- it makes affectionate fun of them. Christopher Guest returns to mockumentary turf in the moderately funny "Best in Show" -- it's flawed, but still far above the average comedy.

The biggest problem with "Best in Show" is that Guest tries too hard. The jokes and goofiness are over-the-top, belying the mockumentary format. And the jokes get a bit repetitive. How many times can Cookie run into old boyfriends? Isn't the gay humor both cliched and overdone? But, the humor itself is quite funny, with plenty of strange lines like "We have so much in common! We both love soup... and the outdoors... snow peas... talking and not talking. We could not talk or talk forever and still find things to not talk about."

No flaws can be found in the veteran mockumentary cast -- these people look like they're having a good time. Hitchcock and Posey are chillingly good as the couple who met over J. Crew catalogues in a Starbucks, while Coolidge is deliciously dumb as a bisexual Anna Nicole Smith clone. McKean and Higgins, despite being cliched, play their roles with unadulterated delight. Fred Willard's vulgar commentator is over-the-top stupid, but still amusing.

Despite repetitive humor and the occasional dud joke, Christopher Guest's follow-up to "Waiting for Guffman" is an amusing look behind the scenes of dog shows. It's not "Best in Show," but it's one of the best of breed.

Definitely the funniest of the mockumentaries
This is a fast moving and funny movie that's a truly great comedy, worthy enough to stand alongside This is Spinal Tap.
This one has everything. Conflict-who will win the dog show? Humor, and lots of it. Fred Willard again proves he needs his own TV show (nay, his own channel) as a dog-show commentator so obliviously stupid he's lovable. Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara are perfect as your typical, middle-class east-coast family; Eugene's plays somewhat of a "loser", Catherine's great as the promiscuous wife. Jennifer Coolidge is pretty funny as the "glamorous" lesbian who can be aggressive in subtly funny ways.
The best thing about this movie is that it's truly humorous with truly funny actors. These people aren't puppets for lame sex jokes (well, not counting both gay couples) they're funny because they (as in the talented actors, the whole lot of 'em) inherit their characters and give them a life of their own. I mean, I bet that Eugene Levy came up with his character's two left feet on the spot because he knew he had to make a somewhat pathetic character even more pathetic. There's an absolutely pointless scene where Guest's character, a southerner/hunter/ventriloquist, talks to the camera about how he used to stay up all night naming nuts. It's funny though, because it makes no sense but somehow falls in line with the character.
This is a great comedy that makes few cheap shots but is consistently funny through and through.
The DVD has a pretty entertaining commentary with Guest and Levy, and some funny deleted scenes (look for the one where Hamilton tells Posey about "a saying my father used to say"). Those extras are enough for this disc though, and the price is great. Buy this inspired and funny comedy.

Best in Show
BEST OF SHOW was a little disappointing. I couldn't connect with Christopher Guest's hillbilly character, Eugene Levy's character lost me behind his buck teeth and two left feet (No, they really are two left feet!), and I thought Fred Willard's ringside color-man bit was more irritating than slashingly satiric. Bummer. It was because they were in it that I got this one.
On the other hand the movie is filled with strong characterizations and funny bits. Larry Miller has a hilarious scene as one of Catherine O'Hara's ex-lovers who, to husband Levy's obvious discomfort, describes things in graphic detail. Ed Begley Jr. hits the right note as the quietly helpful hotel manager. The bickering yuppie couple and the gay couple were fun, too. ... Read more

Description

"Weird Al" Yankovic, Kevin McCarthy (Innerspace), Michael Richards ("Seinfeld"), David Bowie (The Cable Guy), Victoria Jackson ("Saturday Night Live") and Fran Drescher ("The Nanny") star in this inspired comedy about an offbeat guy who turns a deadbeat TV station into a raging success! Broadcasting Weird Al's uniquely strange brand of humor, UHF's Channel 62 is a place you'll want to visit...with increasing frequency!George Newman (Weird Al) is a daydreamer whose hyperactive imagination keeps him from holding a steady job...until his uncle hires him as manager of Channel 62, a TV station that's losing money and viewers fast. But when George replaces the station's reruns with bizarre programs like "Wheel of Fish," "The Wonderful World Of Phlegm" and "Raul's Wild Kingdom" (where poodles fly from third-story windows), ratings begin to soar! But as the ratings rise, so does the wrath of TV mogul R.J. Fletcher (McCarthy), who wants to turn the station into a parking lot. Can George find the money he needs to stay on the air? Stay tuned! ... Read more

Reviews (283)

"Complainers? We don't need no stinkin' complainers!"
How can you resist a movie where they throw poodles out of windows, let kids drink from fire hoses, where Conan hacks people apart because some people turned a book in late? The movie does have its slow parts, but the spoofs and skits are absolutely hilarious. I won't tell you all of them because then you won't go and rent or buy this great movie. This movie is really good if you are a Weird Al fan, like REALLY off-the-wall humor, parodies, something that can make you laugh. Some people hate this movie, but I think it's because they're trying to see it as a movie. UHF is not really trying to be a movie, it's trying to be more of a collage of parodies. Anyway, see it for yourself. There's no telling how many stomach muscles you'll burst watching this hilarious film.

OK?? What's the point?
~80's music and movies always scare me but this movie has a SMALL exception. This movie is about when George Newman, a teenager with no job, ("Weird Al" Yankovic) gets permission from his uncle Harvey (Stanley Brock) to run a television station with his friend Bob (David Bowe), the really weird janitor Stanley Spadowski (Michael Richards), the television reporter wannabe Pamela Finkelstein (Fran Drescher), and a laboratory scientist from another planet named Phllo (Anthony Geary) while trying to avoid another television company owner (Kevin McCarthy) from taking over his company U-62, and turning it in to a parking lot . This movie is what I like to call a "slapstick movie" which is a move with nothing but mere jokes and gags. Many of the zany programs on the station that George runs are called "Wheel of Fish" (A cross between "Lets Make a Deal" and "Wheel of Fortune"), Raul's Wild Kingdom", "Stanley Spadowski's Clubhouse", "Fun with Dirt", "Ghandi II" and "Strip Solitare". A lot of these things just don't make sense! This movie is rated PG-13 and has Language, Adult Content, and Rude Remarks. It's kind of weird but kind of funny in an odd kind of way. Raul's Wild Kingdom was hillarious when Raul (Cliff Stephens) shakes up an ant farm and says "OHHH! They're really mad now!" and when he throws a poodle out of a three-story window because he thinks he can teach it to fly. Ghandi II was also quite funny along with "Conan the Librarian" and "Spatula City". This movie is overall in my opinion, ALRIGHT but next time MGM/UA makes a movie, don't put Weird Al in it!~

Cult Classic
If you are a fan of Weird Al's parodies, this is the DVD for you. I know some people don't get it (a.k.a: Roger Ebert and some other critics). Yeah, the plot is a tad weak, but the main focus of this project was to give Al an outlet into doing parodies of movies and TV. There are many priceless gags in the movie ("Raul's Wild Kingdom" and "Ghandi II" come to mind). There is also a fabulous performance by Michael Richards (a.k.a.: Kramer from "Seinfeld") as the station's janitor turned TV star. There are also appearances by Victoria Jackson (SNL) and Fran Drescher (The Nanny).
The audio commentary is fantastic. You get to hear about what inspired some of the scenes and also what was not included in the movie. You also get to find out why the DVD wasn't released until June 4, 2002! There are deleted scenes on the DVD in the bonus material including a fantastic one of Michael Richards ad-libbing an entire scene!

weird al
if you liked weird als music,youll like this movie.its very silly but loads of fun.the kids will like it.if you are worried about how cool you are all the time and cant relax then dont watch this because its a movie for people who likewhat they want.individuals and dreamers.the bad guy is this old man from a tv station who is als rival when he has to run a tv station.this movie is very very funny.the bad guy is a real pain in the ass.its definately worth watching!

THE BEST of random humor!
I think this has to be one of the funniest movies i have seen in my life! just all the random shows in between the plot of the movie just make it like a family guy/futurama show mixed in with a healthy dose of random al. ... Read more

Reviews (109)

Can't Remember the Last Time I Laughed This Hard
For some reason, I had no idea that this was a Coen brothers production until the end of the movie. Then, when it was all over and the credits began to roll, it all finally made sense. In fact, I didn't know why I hadn't guessed it. Because this movie is so... Coen brothers.

Nicolas Cage plays Hi, a repeat inhabitant of the Tempe, Arizona prison, where he meets police officer Ed (Holly Hunter) and falls in love with her. After Hi's third parole, he agrees to give up his life of crime for Ed, and the two get married. Before long, they decide that they want nothing more than to start a family. Ed, however, is barren -- and they find that it's not exactly easy for a repeat offender to adopt a child.

When Nathan Arizona, owner of the furniture chain, Unpainted Arizona, is blessed with quintuplets, Hi and Ed decide that the Arizonas have more than they can handle -- so they decide to take one of the babies. But before Hi and Ed can settle into their new lives with little Nathan, Jr., Nathan Arizona offers a reward for the baby, and suddenly everyone's after him.

I honestly can't remember the last time I laughed so hard while watching a movie. I laughed so hard that I choked. I almost died -- but really, can you think of a better way to die? I can't.

Raising Arizona is bizarre and quirky -- and just the expression on Nicolas Cage's face throughout this movie (not to mention his wild hair) will keep you snickering from start to finish. Mix the perfectly ridiculous dialogue and the perfect amount of slapstick, and you've got the perfect addition to any DVD collection.

Quite possibly the funniest movie ever made
I've seen Raising Arizona far more times than I can count. It is, in my humble opinion, next to Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove the most original, inventive comedy ever made.

The dialogue is absolutely razor-sharp -- plenty of examples are certainly readily available in the reviews preceding this one -- and the camera work is wonderful, as well. I'd rank Raising Arizona a VERY close second to Miller's Crossing in a list of the Coen's best films. It is admittedly not as visually stylish as Miller's Crossing (then again, very few films ever made are), and the storyline is not as cohesive as Miller's Crossing, Fargo, or Barton Fink. However, the film is so full of verbal gems that it definitely ranks as the Coen's best dialogue writing effort. Cage and Hunter are wonderful, and John Goodman and William Forsythe are absolutely perfect as the Snopes brothers.

Admittedly, the DVD is nothing very special. All you really get is the more durable medium and a widescreen format. Some kind of "The Making of..." mini-documentary, or better yet, a commentary option with two or three of the actors, the director of photography, or ideally the Coens themselves would have been a priceless addition to the DVD.

Raw, Unvarnished Comedy -- Laughs Galore!
One of the earlier films of the Coen brothers (Joel and Ethan), "Raising Arizona" nevertheless lays the foundation for the Coens' later, more polished efforts.

H.I. ("Hi") McDonough, played with an earnest romanticism by Nicolas Cage, is a classic Coen protagonist. He means well, even if he can't get his master plan to quite come together (this is a man of dreams, forced into the life of a small-time hood by trickle-down economics), and he is prone to speaking in fits of poetry that often go awry ("There's what's right and there's what's right, and never the twain shall meet"). In one of the most inspired courtings ever to be put on film, Hi woos and wins Police Officer Edwina ("Ed"), played by Holly Hunter in a career-defining role, while being booked on numerous occasions.

Denied the joys of parenthood by Ed's infertile womb ("a rocky place where my seed could find no purchase") and Hi's criminal past - Ed's police service doesn't quite "cancel out" Hi's record like they had hoped -- Hi and Ed can't really enjoy their "salad days" in their trailer in the Arizona desert. That is, until the Arizona Quints are born to unpainted furniture magnate Nathan Arizona. Deciding that old Nathan and his wife have more kids than they could handle, Ed and Hi decide to kidnap one of the little nippers. In a scene that parodies "Jaws," Hi snags Nathan Jr., and Ed and Hi are parents.

Unfortunately, Hi's criminal past catches up wtih him as Gale (John Goodman) and Evelle (William Forsythe) break out of prison and hide out with Hi at the family trailer. Soon they are on to Hi's kidnapping, and they decide to pursue their own agenda. Unfortunately for all concerned, bounty hunter Leonard Smalls is on the hunt for the kidnapped youngster, too -- and a nasty bloodhound from hell he is, too. Surely casting "Tex" Cobb in this part is one of the most inspired bits of casting ever!

The movie is chock full of surprises, from the chase scenes involving what seems like ten packs of hounds and more gunfire than one could possibly imagine, to a fight in the trailer that won't be topped until "Kill Bill, Vol. 2," and an over-the-top cameo performance by Frances MacDormand as a nosy neighbor with a fondness for bibical names and a trove of baby advice. The dialogue is rich, filled with comic inspiration and a touching devotion to family. And, like most Coen brothers movies, things generally turn out all right for our heroes, they definitely don't wind up the way they planned.

For fans of the Coens, off-beat comedies, Nic Cage and Holly Hunter (which should describe an awful lot of folks), this is a heck of a film.

Did anyone else notice??
Did anyone else notice that while H.I. (Nicolas Cage) was working in the sheet metal factory after being released from prison, the patch on his jumpsuit said "Hudsucker Industries"??

Had the Potential to be Better
Although this movie had its funny moments and some very memorable lines and quotes, overall I thought it was mediocre. I'm normally a big fan of Nicholas Cage and Holly Hunter, however this movie just didn't deliver. The plot was original and it could have had the potential at becoming a real classic, amusing film, however the hysteria overshadowed the entertainment value of it. There was too much predictable shrieking, screaming, and yelling that it just got annoying after awhile. I thought the worst part was towards the end when things just starting dragging on. Because it's a typical Hollywood movie, the storyline climaxes towards chaos and turmoil, but you can predict that in a typical fashion, there will be a few carchases, some yelling and screaming, some explosions, and then a happy ending (surprise). This movie could have been outstanding if the humor were more carefully thought out and skillfully crafted. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Remember the outfit Cher wore to the Oscars when she won an Academy Award for her performance in this 1987 film? Ay-yi-yi. The actress' more retiring character in this infectious comedy leaps several psychological hurdles just giving her hair a permanent. But then the original screenplay by John Patrick Shanley (Joe Versus the Volcano) is a wonderful, gently satirical tale of an Italian-American family dealing with repression and dissatisfaction against a backdrop of cultural expectations. Cher is focused and funny as a widow who feels she should marry an older fellow (Danny Aiello), but then falls for his black-sheep brother (Nicolas Cage). Olympia Dukakis and Vincent Gardenia are perfect as her parents, and John Mahoney (of TV's Frasier) has a memorable, small role as a middle-aged man on the make who gets a lecture from Dukakis's character. Shanley's dialogue is comically stylized in a way that makes one appreciate how much words can inform an actor's performance. Taking its cues from him and director Norman Jewison (And Justice for All), the cast immerse themselves in a pool of hilariously operatic emotion. The special-edition DVD release has a full-screen presentation, Dolby sound, commentary by Cher, Jewison, and Shanley, theatrical trailer, closed captioning, booklet, optional French soundtrack, and optional subtitles in English, French, or Spanish. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (126)

One of the most endearing and enduring films from the 80s
It's impossible to feel anything but affection for this wonderful movie. Officially, I guess, it's a romantic comedy, but it also contains some serious drama; often it's very funny, but just as often it's genuinely touching. It features a great soundtrack, with music ranging from Italian folk tunes to selections from Puccini's La Boheme to pop songs like Dean Martin's "It's Amore" and Vikki Carr's "It Must Be Him" plus a lovely rendition of the '30s standard "Moonglow." In each case the music is perfectly and aptly used. Moonstruck, unlike most Hollywood films, shows us that there can be sexual energy, flirtatiousness, and above all romance between people who are well on the other side of 50: one of my favorite scenes is when Aunt Rita (Julie Bovasso) looks at her husband's face in the moonlight and tells him, "in that light, and with that expression on your face, you look like you're 25." Then there's the scene in which Rose (Olympia Dukakis), after insisting that her husband Cosmo (Vincent Gardenia) stop seeing his mistress, tells Cosmo that his life is "not built on nothing." "Te amo," she tells him. It's as moving as anything I've seen in any drama. Then there's the cast! I, for one, wish that Cher would abandon her career as a second-rate (albeit successful) pop music star and concentrate on her work as a first-rate actress. In every frame of this film, she's extraordinary and completely in character. Nicolas Cage has never been better. And every role is filled to capacity by esteemed, if not famous, New York and Chicago stage actors. Special mention must be made of Fiodor Chaliapin, who is given a great moment (howling at the moon with his dogs), and who fills it admirably. Moonstruck is certainly a "New York" movie, but it's set, spiritually as well as physically, mostly in Brooklyn, rather than Manhattan. Moonstruck is a wonderful film! I remember seeing many European "art" films during the 1980s, but if I were to compile a list of Top Ten Films from that decade, they'd take second place to this Norman Jewison masterpiece. This one's a keeper!

Romantic but not mushy, just perfect
I usually avoid romantic comedies, but I happen to like Cher; even then, when my mom rented this movie I thought: "Pooh, a romantic comedy! Do I have to go through this to see Cher?" Well, I was never more glad to have to eat my own words; this was quality. The acting was excellent, the plot was great, and my mom and I fell in love with Johnny, the dreamy, no-good baker portrayed by Nicholas Cage. Cher was also great in her role as Loretta, the repressed widow resigned to marry some mamma's boy without loving him. That part of Johnny and Loretta's night out, when they accidentally meet her father and his mistress at the opera was so good, I rewinded the tape and watched it again. And Loretta's mother dining with the stranger... well, those are the highlights, but on the whole it was a wonderful movie. If you're like me and don't like most romantic comedies, just give this one a try, you'll probably be pleasantly surprised.

Moonstruck (1987)
Ever since her incredible debut with Sonny Bono in 1965, Cher has been known to be one of the mos successful female musical acts known to the world. Cher has had a hugely successful career in music; she was well-known with Sonny, but it was her solo career that seemed more successful. But Cher wasn't about to be successful in just the music business; Cher wanted to be successful as an actress as well. Cher has starred in a wide load of movies, such as 'Chastity', where she played the title role, 'Silkwood', where she played Dolly Pelliker, 'Mask', where she played Florence 'Rusty' Dennis, 'Suspect', where she played Kathleen Riley, 'The Witches Of Eastwick', where she played Alexandra Medford, etc. But it was her role as Loretta Castorini in the romantic comedy, 'Moonstruck' that made her another one of today's best actresses.

Taking place in New York City in 1987, Cher playes Loretta Castorini, a lonely Italian widow, who is longing for her Prince Charming to sweep her up off her legs and get her out of her misery. Loretta goes to dinner with her best friend, Johnny Cammareri (played by Danny Aiello). Johnny surprisingly proposes to Loretta, and she happily accepts. Although Loretta likes Johnny a lot because he is her best friend, she knows for a fact that she does not love him. After dinner, Loretta drives Johnny to the airport, for he is flying to Sicilly to be by the side of his dying mother. Before he boards the plane, Johnny gives Loretta the number to his brother's place, and tells her to invite his brother to the wedding. The two lived their lives without seeing or speaking to each other for five years, due to an accident. Loretta assures Johnny that she'll do so and goes home to tell her mother and father, Rose and Cosmo Castorini (played by Olympia Dukakis and Vincent Gardenia). Loretta wakes up the next morning, with a phone call from Johnny, asking if Loretta had called his brother yet. Loretta informs Johnny that she'll do so when she hangs up with Johnny. She calles Johnny's brother, but his brother sounds very bitter about Johnny getting married first. Loretta walks down to where Johnny's brother works. Ronny Cammareri is Johnny's brother and he works in a little bread factory, who is still miserable after losing his hand in a bread chopper. He feels Johnny was responsible since, Ronny was using the chopper to chop up some bread for Johnny. Loretta takes Ronny back to his place and begins to explain the truth to Johnny's misery. But the two wind up sleeping together.

The next morning, Loretta wakes up the next morning only to find Ronny by her side and flips out. She realizes that what she did was wrong, for she is still engaged to Johnny. But Ronny finds himself having fallen madly in love with Loretta... literally. Ronny invites Loretta to the opera, telling her that he loves her dearly and loves the opera dearly. He then says that if he could be with the woman he loves for one more night and to spend the night with the woman he loves by attending a show he loves dearly, he would promise not to bother Loretta again. Loretta goes to the Met, where she meets up with Ronny. The two sit through the opera, very much enjoying the show. Loretta seemed to have enjoyed very much, until she finds her father with a woman and that woman is not her mother. Ronny and Loretta go back to Ronny's place. Loretta does not want to be unfaithful, since she has been unfaithful to Johnny already once. But she knows that she does not love Johnny, for she is madly in love with Ronny and, for the first time, really sees that Ronny is love with her. Will Loretta leave Johnny for Ronny, or will she stay with Johnny? Watch this classic romantic comedy and you'll find out.

Authentically Italian!
This movie is on my list of all-time favorites so I was delighted when my son recently bought it for me on DVD. It is the humorous and delightful love story of Loretta Castorini, a young Italian widow who lives with her parents in Brooklyn, and Ronnie Camarerie, owner of Camarerie Brothers Bakery and by chance the brother of Loretta's fiancee. How these two individuals come together and the interplay between them and all the members of Loretta's large and often interfering Italian family makes for many hilarious moments.

This movie is especially heartwarming as it depicts an Italian-American family better than any movie I have ever seen. I am a member of a large Italian family and I can vouch for its authenticity! The Castorini home even reminded me of many of those of my Italian relatives, filled with much good food and good conversation as well as memories of love and family. This is truly a wonderful movie experience!

This DVD version features an option to watch the movie while listening to a voice over by director Norman Jewison, writer John Patrick Shanley and lead actress Cher. I thoroughly enjoyed this feature, as each added amusing anecdotes about the filming of the movie, as well as their own input about various scenes and information about the other actors.

A Must See Romantic Comedy!
Academy Award Winner Cher, plays Loretta, a middle-aged widow who while her fiance is in Italy at the deathbed of his mother, finds herself unwilling drawn to his misfit younger brother (Nicholas Cage) who is falling apart after his own "loses."
And while the family struggles with their individual problems, Loretta's father finds his youth in the arms of another woman.
Olympia Dukakis plays an Award Winning role as Loretta's mother.
Nicholas Cage although he won no awards for this film, does an outstanding job as an over-the-top, heartbroken man who is jealous of everything that his brother has, including Loretta.
Definately a must-see romantic/comedy. I very much enjoyed this movie and hope you will too. ... Read more

Description

Too many kooks spoil the comedy soup? Not when BARBRA STREISAND and RYAN O'NEAL lead a madcap cast (including screen-debuting MADELINE KAHN) on a zany quest that's like a classic screwball comedy - only screwier! ... Read more

Reviews (93)

As comfortable as cashmere...
When a comedy is done right on screen, it often has a very long life beyond its initial release. Such is the case with this wonderful movie. From the moment at the beginning when Streisand hums and sighs and launches into a blazing version of Cole Porter's "You're the Top", the film is a funny, frenetic, comfortable delight that is as cozy as a pair of flannel pajamas. Everyone here is working at the top of their form, and the fact that it looks effortless shows just how accomplished and talented they all are. Barbra looks slim, tan, loose, and very sexy; Ryan O'Neal is perfect as Cary Grant in "Bringing Up Baby", and Madeline Kahn is just perfect. There are so many moments that are memorable, it's hard to name them all. Peter Bogdanovich brought it all together so beautifully, with such style, verve, and loud-out-loud humor, you'll be in heaven for 90 minutes. Hollywood romantic comedy doesn't get any better than this. The DVD picture is bright, crisp, and letterboxed. What a treat for us all!

A gem of a film!!
I remember seeing "What's Up, Doc?" as a kid in a drive-in theatre and laughing uproariously. Later, as an adult, I bought the video and wore it out; the movie still hasn't lost it's charm. I've also introduced many of my friends to the film, but one consequence of that is that my tape is now faded and fuzzy. God bless whoever got this movie onto DVD!!

If you've somehow missed this film ... stop reading, turn off your computer, go to the store and buy it. (Don't rent it; you'll want to watch it more than once.) I mean it. Go now!

I'm not a Streisand fan, but I sure make an exception in this film. She's fantastic! Her zany energy just pours off the screen, her timing and delivery are top notch, and her chemistry with Ryan O'Neal is simply unbelievable. And O'Neal ... is awesome. You might not think of him as an actor who could so ably take on the role of the boring, distracted, absent-minded professor, but man! he owns the role. From his opening shot straight through to the end of the film, he's simply wonderful. And if Streisand's cheerful nuttiness and O'Neal's goofy, sweet seriousness aren't enough for you, there's the inimitable Madeline Kahn in her first role, owning every scene she's in ... 'til Liam Dunn shows up as the judge at the end, that is.

The dialogue sparkles; why aren't more people writing dialogue like this these days? There should be a law. The comedic timing is impeccable. The story is lunacy, but it's sold whole-heartedly ... and the lack of a score (other than Streisand's rendition of "You're the Top" to open and close the film, along with a brief snippet of "As Time Goes By" during the film) makes the whole thing seem almost believable, somehow.

This movie is a gem; I can watch it over and over. The DVD is crisp and clean, looking like it was filmed last week ... a rarity for some early '70's films. The sound quality is excellent; nuances that were lost on my video tape are restored here. Streisand's commentary is generally unilluminating, but Bogdanovich provides some wonderful thoughts and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. All in all, an excellent release.

One minor, tiny little flaw: at the very end of the film, with Howard and Judy on the plane, my VHS version shows Judy batting her eyes, then a cut to Howard ... a cut back to Judy for a lovely pregnant pause ... and finally the return to Howard, who delivers his deadly comeback. The timing on that, as with the rest of the movie, is perfection. But in my DVD, Judy batts her eyes, and we cut to Howard ... who delivers his line after only a short pause. There's a missing bit there in the middle. YES, it's a terribly minor quibble ... but when you monkey with a classic and throw off the comedic timing, a guy has to wonder who would do such a thing.

That's really my only quibble. 5 stars anyway. (Have you bought this DVD yet?! Get going!!)

Great Fireballs of Screwiness, Doc!
Genuine screwball comedy may be one of the toughest cinematic feats to pull off. Alot of directors, including Speilberg, have tried and screwed up, but very few have achieved genuine anarchic, screwball style; Bogdanovich does it ecstatically with Doc. Perhaps one of the reasons films of the seventies are considered so extraordinary is that titles such as Godfather, Exorcist and Chinatown, etc, achieved the high water mark for their respective genres. So it can be said of What's Up, Doc, which not only holds up beautifully but seems even funnier with the passage of years. Do we dare say classic? Yup.

"I can't breathe, is it possible to break a lung?"
The first screwball comedy to be a box office blockbuster since the early forties, WHAT'S UP, DOC? fills it's 94 minute runtime with so many terrific one-liners, double innuendoes, and visual puns that the average viewer will probably have to watch the film a couple of times before he or she catches all of the jokes! Apparently the film inspired repeat viewing even during it's initial release - Doc was the third-highest grossing film of 1972 (right behind THE GODFATHER and THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE). In all honesty, I think this film has a higher laugh-per-second ratio than any film before or since.

This film was the perfect (and surprising) way for director Peter Bogdanovich to follow-up his cinematic landmark THE LAST PICTURE SHOW, and he keeps the film's momentum running right at the perfect speed. He also knows how to cast a film flawlessly. Buck Henry's marvelous screenplay contains many scenes with overlapping dialogue and double reverses, and the entire cast never misses a beat. Barbra Streisand literally radiates with magnetism throughout the entire film! Anyone who still wonders why she was the highest grossing actress of the seventies definitely needs to see this film; Streisand's performance in DOC is what being a movie star is all about. Many critics complained that Ryan O'Neal was miscast when the film was originally released, and those critics obviously missed out on the joke. The fact that O'Neal was considered a heartthrob at the time was all part of the fun in seeing him cast as complete goof; and I don't think anyone can deny the fact that he throws himself into the role completely.

As most viewers already know, Madeline Kahn has her finest screen role in Doc, and steals nearly every scene she's in (and she wisely knows just how far to push the characterization without going over the edge). The rest DOC'S supporting cast also could not be improved upon, Kenneth Mars, Austin Pendlrton, and Liam Dunn give just three of the standout performances in this perfect supporting ensemble. As with most comedies, DOC was snubbed at the Academy Awards (Bogdanovich, Streisand, and Kahn all deserved nominations in the respective categories in my opinion), but time has been good to DOC and remains far more popular than many of the films that did get Oscar noms in 1972. Arguably, the best comedy of all time.

About the DVD: The picture quality is very good - a tad soft at times, but very natural and true to the film's original look. The sound is mono, but it's well-rendered. It's great to have the trailer and vintage featurette preserved on disc, and while Streisand's brief commentary isn't very illumenating, Bogdanovich's full-length track is very informative and entertaining.

Use Your Charm.....
This is unquestionably one of my all time favorite films. All of the actors are in top form. Streisand turns in a masterful comedic performance which I would describe as "understated zany". O'Neil is stoic yet endearing. Madeline Kahn (in her movie debut, which makes the film noteworthy if for NO other reason) gives a perfect performance as O'Neil's overbearing fiance. The supporting cast including Kenneth Mars, Austin Pendleton and Liam Dunn are top notch. Brilliant writing (Buck Henry, et.al.) and directing (Peter Bogdanovich) combine with the cast to make this film one of the rare Hollywood productions that appeals to young and old alike. Don't miss this one, it is truly a classic. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The team behind Dumb and Dumber and There's Something About Mary--two really stupid, gross-out films that worked and were quite funny--also made this really stupid, gross-out comedy that doesn't work and isn't funny at all. Woody Harrelson stars as a former bowling phenomenon with a hook for a hand, and Randy Quaid is an Amish farmer with a hidden talent for pins. The two join forces and get a sexy business partner (Vanessa Angel), and the film starts looking more and more like a jokey variation of The Color of Money. The Color of Money, however, didn't feature jokes about having oral sex with a hideous landlady or defecating in a sink or dragging disgusting stuff out of one's teeth with a length of floss. Bill Murray provides some much-needed relief as Harrelson's ex-partner turned rival. How come this stuff is obnoxious while the equally perverse punch lines of There's Something About Mary are a riot? It's a great mystery, all right, but there it is. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (119)

Kingpin Rules!
By far the best and funniest of the Farelly Brothers films, the overlooked Kingpin features a lot of laughs and a truly excellent soundtrack. Woody Harrelson plays Roy Munson, a once promising bowler whose career is cut short along with his right arm. Randy Quaid plays Ishmael, an unworldly Amish man whose one vice is bowling. After being down and out for several years Munson convinces Ishmael to enter a $1 million winner take all bowling tournament in Reno. Roy and Ishmael hustle their way across the country from Pennsylvania. Along the way they hook up with the beautiful Claudia played by Vanessa Angel. Bill Murray plays top professional bowler Ernie McCracken. McCracken is a total scumbag who is largely responsible for Munson's misery. This movie is loaded with laughs with most gags hitting the mark. By the end of the movie, if you have any heart at all, you will find yourself rooting for Roy and Ishmael. My only complaint is that the home version contains added scenes that were best left edited out of the movie.

The best movie from the Farrelly Brothers.
Woody Harrelson is Roy Munson, an has been pro bowler, who have been given a second choice to teach an Amish bowling whiz named Ishmael (Randy Quaid). Together, they have have the chance to win the million dollar at reno in the tournament. Along the way, they meet Claudia (Vanessa Angel), an beautiful woman wuth brains & attitude. In thier road trip, they become the best of friends and they would do anything to keep eachother happy.

Directed by Peter & Bobby Farrelly (Dumb & Dumber, Shallow Hal, Osmosis Jones) made thier Best Comedy yet. DVD`s has an fine anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and Pan & Scan is included. Good Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. An amusing commentary track from Directors:The Farrelly Brothers. Entertaining film and also one of the best comedies ever. This DVD Edition is R-Rated:Director`s Cut with 4 mintues of Additional Footage. Don`t Miss, this Outrageous Comedy from the Farrelly Brothers. Written by Barry Fanaro (The Crew & Men in Black 2) and Mort Nathan. Super 35. Grade:A-.

KINGPIN
As ``Kingpin'' opens in 1969 in Ocelot, Iowa, a promising young man is told, ``You can apply everything about bowling to your daily life.'' Only 10 years later, that young man is the winner of the $1,000 Odor-Eaters Bowling Championship. His name is Roy Munson (Woody Harrelson), and his future lies ahead of him, as indeed everyone's does. Then he meets Ernie McCracken (Bill Murray).

McCracken is everything Munson will never be, a cocky, wise-cracking bowler who seems mighty sophisticated to a kid from Ocelot, as he calls for his favorite drink (``Tanqueray and Tab''). Ernie spots Roy's great potential, and uses him in an attempt to hustle an alley full of very tough bowlers. They spot Roy as a ringer, are enraged, and end his bowling career by amputating his hand in the ball return.

So begins a long, dark decade for Roy, who without his bowling hand finds nothing to do but drink himself into oblivion in a scummy boarding house. He fits his arm with a hook, and buys a cheap rubber hand to wear over it, to display his state championship ring. Life is bad. Then one day in an alley he meets a kid with tremendous bowling talent.

So begins the odyssey of ``Kingpin,'' a very funny movie, and sometimes even funnier than that. The film has been directed by the Farrelly brothers, Peter and Bobby, who also made the Jim Carrey movie ``Dumb and Dumber.'' I did not quite recommend ``D & D,'' but perhaps I should have, considering how loudly I laughed at the scene involving the parakeet with the Scotch tape around its neck.

In ``Kingpin,'' I laughed like that again and again. No doubt the movie is vulgar, and tries too hard for some of its laughs; I am reminded of Mel Brooks' defense of ``The Producers'' (``This movie rises below vulgarity''). Some of the gags don't work, and yet I laughed at the Farrellys' audacity in trying them. And the humor isn't just gags and punch lines, but one accomplished comic performance after another.

The leads come together with the joy and assurance of actors who know they are in material that's working. Harrelson is a hapless drunk who finally bottoms out when he finds himself in bed with his unspeakable landlady. Murray is superb as the kind of guy you know is a con man, but allow to con you anyway, simply because he so intensely desires to. Randy Quaid is the talented kid, Ishmael--an Amish farmer whose hobby is a secret from his family. And there is a beautiful girl they meet along the way, named Claudia and played by Vanessa Angel, who at first seems like decoration and then proves herself as a comic actress able to hold her own in this company.

I could steal all the movie's best punch lines and repeat them here, but that would be unfair. One of the joys of the film is that you can't see a lot of the laughs coming. There are moments, for example, involving Roy's attempt to help out on the farm by doing the milking. And a moment involving his rubber hand and a bowling ball. And the timing in a scene where a fake assailant gets hot coffee in his face--twice. And little throwaway jokes in the background, such as a performance of ``The Jeffersons on Ice.''

The plot follows the obligatory outlines of most sports movies. Roy decides to become Ishmael's manager and mastermind his victory in a $1 million Reno bowling tournament. Their paths inevitably cross Ernie's, who is still out there hustling after all these years. They encounter rich guys who like to bet on bowling. And everything leads up to the big tournament.

Murray, who has been offscreen for the middle parts of the movie, when it sags a little, returns in the big finale, sporting one of those comb-over haircuts where every surviving strand does double-duty. In the heat of competition, his comb-over flies up like a sail, and makes him look like a strange animal, an iguana maybe, as he attacks the lanes. Meanwhile, the audience and the broadcasters display an unseemly interest in Harrelson's rubber hand.

Movies like this require a kind of daring. There are jokes that must have made even the filmmakers groan (the business of removing the horse's shoes, for example). Good taste, prudence and timidity had no place on the set. The Farrellys cut no corners and took no prisoners. ``Kingpin'' provides the release of many kinds of laughter, including the most rare: disbelieving.

Underrated Comedy
I'm not a huge fan of Farrelly brother movies because, as a rule, I don't really go in for gross-out humor. But when I saw "Kingpin", I even considered trying "Dumb and Dumber" again to give these wonderful men another chance. "Kingpin" is very similar to the pair's other movies in that there is indeed some disgusting humor, but unlike other efforts such as "There's Something About Mary", there is an actual story here, with a plot, character development, and even a fair amount of heart.

Absolute Genius
This movie might just be the funniest movie ever made - depending on the day of the week - it is so outright funny, that its hard to believe. Everything about this movie is genius. Bill Murray is amazing - the final 'bowl-off' with Woody defies description - with the comb-over and the 'YES - I AM FINALLY ABOVE THE LAW' and 'Well I didn't want to lose to a guy with a hook' . Woody as Roy Munson is also brilliant. He comes across as the epitome of a man who has been kicked over and over again - but somehow still retains an edge to him. The scene with the landlady is perhaps the greatest laugh you will ever have. Wow! Anyone who doesn't like this movie - must have some sort of brain damage. It isn't Shakespeare people - it is simply a fantastic comedy that centers around ...................BOWLING. Now who would have believed that!? ... Read more

Amazon.com

When prissy, prickly Sylvia Stickles (Tracey Ullman) suffers a head injury during a traffic altercation, she's, er, revived by self-appointed sexual missionary Ray-Ray Perkins (Johnny Knoxville) and is transformed into an insatiable, take-no-prisoners sex maniac. Yes, it's a John Waters film. Yes, it's filthy. No, it's not as hilarious and sustained as you'd like it to be. It works for a while, though: Ullman, never a stingy comedienne, does everything Waters dares her to do without hesitation; words cannot describe the perversely sporting delight with which she mounts a water bottle during a round of "The Hokey Pokey" at an old folks' home. And there's some fun to be had when Sylvia's emancipation leads her Baltimore 'burb to new heights of ecstasy, freeing her large-breasted daughter Caprice (Selma Blair) while horrifying husband Vaughn (Chris Isaak) and her hardline mother Big Ethel (Suzanne Shepherd, hysterical) in the process. It's also packed with the standard cameos, the most satisfying of which is good old Patty Hearst at a Sex Addicts Anonymous encounter. But, for all the nasty, necessary glee, the movie feels inescapably been-there-done-that, and you can't help but wish this was 1972 and Divine was on hand to prowl for dog droppings. The most shocking thing about A Dirty Shame is how desperate and tiresome its anarchy becomes.--Steve Wiecking ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Worth a watch
Something tells me John Waters only referenced the Bear community to have the community watch it and then show it as more bizarre than it already is.It sure got guys in my metro to pack the indy cinemas!

Back to true form!
Being an extra on this hysterical film was a true barrel of monkeys. Receiving direction from one of the most notorious cult directors of all-time was quite an experience. A Dirty Shame is yet another twisted Waters' installment from his brilliant and unbelievably retarded mind. Sex addicts run rampant in Hamilton,
a NE Baltimore neighborhood and Johnny Knoxville is the ringleader. This film addresses such sexual fetishes never before spoke of in any previous film. Of course John's most recent films lack the angst of his 70's films, but the fact is
that was nearly 30 years ago and him and his entourage are way past the age of youth rebellion. This is clearly the most outrageous film Mr. Waters' has made since Desperate Living in 1977. Anyone who has been wise to his 70's films will absolutely
enjoy this picture. Folks who are ignorant to Waters' pictures
or those who have never seen one should not see this film without first viewing at least Pink Flamingos(1972) or Female Trouble(1974). A Waters' film you view because OF HIS name. NOT the stars. He is the puppeteer, and they are his marionettes. His recent tango with mainstream cinema and theatre is all well and good but this film proves once again what John Waters' is and will always be.
A Renegade...

I f**kin loved it!
A Dirty Shame is a must see and must own film. I loved it. Would make a great gift.Anyone who doesn't like it is a neuter.Watch it with uptight people!

Weak even for Waters
I love a lot of John Waters' movies, but this was a major disappointment.A lot of this is over the top, but it doesn't really work like "over the top" did in his earlier films.It has one hilarious scene, and the rest is just sub-par material.It mostly comes off as corny, even when you "get" the John Waters style of overacting.

Decent Film From Water's POST Divine Era!
A Dirty Shame is a pretty good film. It has it's classic John Water's one liners that could only come from the master himself which make me laugh hysterically. It's John Water's getting back to the basics--post Divine, that is. I separate John's films in 2 catagories: The Divine Years and The Post Divine Years. Let's face it, there will NEVER be another Divine in this lifetime nor will there ever be a John Water's Film that comes remotely close to the Divine Days. So JW fans have to deal with that reality. Of the Divine Years John Water's films, my all time Favorite is FEMALE TROUBLE. Followed by DESPERATE LIVING (which did not include Divine as she was working on another project at the time), POLYESTER, PINK FLAMINGOS, HAIRSPRAY, and MULTIPLE MANIACS. Then we cross over to the Post Divine Years. These films still have the John Waters edge, but not as heavily grotesque and vulgar as in the Divine years. These films include my all time favorite SERIAL MOM, PECKER, A DIRTY SHAME, CECIL B. DEMENTED, and my least favorite-CRY BABY (this film, if any, is the most detached from JW film--the only scene that shows a hint that its JW is the court room scene when Mink Stole is wheeled in in an iron lung smoking a cigarette. The dialogue there is hysterical.)

My suggestion is that if you're a John Water's fan and have seen one or more of his films Divine or Post Divine, then you'll appreciate this movie. In addition, you'll know why Patricia Hearst amoung other actors appears in this film. The reason I say this is because someone who NEVER saw a JW film wrote a review on A Dirty Shame and asked why the [...] Patricia Hearst is in the film? HELLO---she's been in EVERY JW FILM FROM HAIRSPRAY TO PRESENT!! But if you've never seen a JW film or know his antics you obviously won't relate!

GO SEE IT! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The raunchy slapstick comedy Soul Plane touches down on DVD in an unrated "Mile High Edition" that adds five minutes of more outrageous material that should appeal to fans who queued up for this urban take on Airplane! Kevin Hart stars a young man who becomes the head of the first all-black airline after winning a major lawsuit. Complications arise during the maiden voyage courtesy of a chemically impeded pilot (Snoop Dogg), a misplaced white family (led by Tom Arnold), and Hart's scheming cousin (Method Man). Snoop, Method, Arnold, and Missi Pyle are the most amusing in the game cast, but too frequently, any attempt to pull Soul Plane out of a scatological tailspin is undone by music-video helmer Jessy Torero's unfocused direction. Still, the gags come fast and furious, so for there's undoubtedly something to laugh at amidst the bathroom and ethnic jibes.--Paul Gaita ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Aireplane in the ghetto
i havent really heard any reviews or comments about this movie so all i really based my opinon on was how much it was like the movie Airplane...and it is kind of similar but its different in many ways and i even liked it better

Ashawn get stuck on the toilet and his dog gets sucked up into the some part of the plane and he sews the airline and is rewarded 100,000,000$ and opens up his own airline. Its this huge 2 story purple pimped out plane and its just so awesome and really funny and the music in this movie is just perfect...but some of the editing is really bad! like u see someone without glasses then u cut to a girl, then back to the guy and he has glasses on his head and just realy bad editing...

fun time and easily enjoyable if u dont take it too seriously...its not like a regular comedy, its more like one of those stupid comedys, but its a d*mn good time!

absolutely hilarious
This movie is absolutely hilarious. When i first saw the trailor, i was like, i have to watch it, so i did. The first time i watched it, i liked it, but i didnt think it was that good, but i wanted to watch it again, so i did, and then i realised how good the movie really is and how much i like it. Since then, ive watched it liked 10 more times, thats how much i like it.

The movie is about a black man getting money and opening his own airline. The movie does not have much of a story line, but it has a great line and script. It is about what happens on the aeroplanes and what people do on aeroplanes or would do if there was an aeroplane like that.

The movie is great and i highly recommend you watch it, at least once.

really rocks
this movie is absolutely hilarious. since this movie has very hot girls and a nice cast.

not too shabby
this movie was not too shabby. oh and this movie is my all time favorite.

fun
this was a very fun movie too watch. and the girls from this movie is so gorgeous. ... Read more

Reviews (87)

Whimsical Romantic Comedy
This movie was filmed in my hometown in Washington state. I got to see part of it being filmed. The diner in the film, where Julianne Moore works, is my brother in law's. So, needless to say, this interesting film hits close to our hearts. In the film, Johnny Depp stars as an eccentric character who goes to live with Benny(Aidan Quinn), and his mentally unstable sister Joon(Mary Stuart Masterson). You see, Benny lost a poker game and had to take Sam(Depp)in. That part is a little hokey. The two eccentric characters of Sam and Joon click and start a secretive relationship. They don't want big brother Benny to find out. There are a few delightful moments of whimsical silliness that makes this movie quite charming. Depp showcases his brilliant talent for physical comedy. His Buster Keaton routine is priceless. His Chaplin shtick in the diner is a classic. By the way, the jukebox in the diner was a prop. It's not ours. Masterson is quite effective as Joon. They are both very believeable. Aidan Quinn is solid as the overprotective brother Benny. A good performance. Dan Hedaya and CCH Pounder also star. The movie was directed by Jeremiah Chechick, who also did "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation". This is a sweet little movie with a sweet little story. Might want to check it out.

LOVE CONQUERS ALL...
This is a quirky romantic comedy about two people who, deemed as misfits by society, fall in love with each other. Featuring outstanding performances by the entire cast, this is a film that lets the viewer know that there is, indeed, someone for everyone.

When eccentric Sam (Johnny Depp) enters the lives of a brother and sister, Benny (Aidan Quinn) and Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson), he changes their lives forever. Benny, it seems, is always worried about his sister who seems to be autistic. He treats her like a baby, making sure that she is never left alone. Highly intelligent, creative, and articulate, Joon, however, chafes a bit under the thumb of her protective older brother, but she does have some issues, as there are certain things that act as triggers for some odd behavior on her part.

When Sam begins living with Benny and Joon, acting as a housekeeper-babysitter, Sam treats Joon like a regular person, and before you know it they are falling in love, each accepting the quirks of the other with complete equanimity. Meanwhile, Benny is attracted to Ruthie (Julianne Moore), who owns the local diner. The only thing is that he cannot seem to concentrate on romance, as he is so worried about what the future holds for his sister.

There are some twists and turns in the romances between Sam and Joon, as well as in that of Benny and Ruthie. There are some very funny moments, as well as those filled with genuine pathos. There is also a certain amount of physical comedy reminiscent of that of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. In the hands of the adept Johnny Depp, it works.

This is a film that will be enjoyed by those who love off-beat, beautifully acted films. Bravo!

He's On A Roll!
The scene with Benny, June and Sam in the diner makes it worth buying this movie! The roll-and-fork scene and plate juggling, shows that Depp is SO much more than a handsomely pretty face.

Beautifully acted love story.
This film features Johnny Depp as Sam a quirky off beat character who moves in with brother and sister, Benny and Joon (played by Aiden Quinn and Mary Stuart Masterson) after Benny loses at a card game.
Benny takes care of his ill, troubled sister and initially is grateful to have Sam there to help care for her, especially as Sam seems to understand Joon and brings laughter into their home. As Sam and Joon's relationship starts to deepen into love however Benny protective instincts kick in and he becomes hostile and angry.
Very strong acting from all the leads stop this film from becoming too schmaltzy. The result is a beautiful film, which has a perfect balance of humour and pathos. Highly recommended

Johnny Depp is excellent
But what else is old? "Benny and Joon" tells the unlikely love story of a mentally ill woman, Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson) and an odd man who walks around doing Buster Keaton impressions, Sam (Johnny Depp). Sam comes to live with Joon and her brother, Benny (Aidan Quinn) after Joon loses a card game in which Sam was part of the stakes (he had previously been living with his cousin, who could not stand him). Sam and Joon fall in love, leaving Benny in the dark as he tries to sort out his own romantic life involving a waitress (Julianne Moore).

The movie is charming, funny, and not as by-the-book as one might think. All of the actors give great performances, but the standout is Johnny Depp, as usual. He obviously put a great deal of time into preparing for this role, studying the old silent film stars. It pays off greatly. It's hard to rank Johnny Depp's performances, but I would put this one up towards the top.

All in all, if you want to see an original romantic comedy, rent this movie. It's extremely entertaining. I just cannot recommend it enough -- see it as soon as possible. I give it four stars because it's by far not the best movie I've ever seen, but nonetheless it's very good. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Classic, Classic Tom Hanks
My wife and I have seen this movie MANY times and we laugh harder each time we see it. This movie must be a cult classic, mainly because if we act out a piece of a scene or speak a line from it (as we often do) many people are 'in' on the joke having seen it repeatedly themselves. Alexander Gudenov really steals the scenes that he's in portraying Shelly Long's ex-husband/Symphony conductor. I love it when he admonishes the orchestra at lunchtime after a lackluster rehearsal and tells the members to '...go stuff yourselves, I hope you choke!' (in that wonderful accent).
I highly reccommend this film to anyone, especially if you own a house. Those laughing the loudest will have had home repair experience I'm sure. Tom Hanks at his funniest. You won't be dissapointed!

Favorite moments:

bathtub scene (with pop-up thermometer in the turkey)
raccoon scene
The Shirk brothers contractors
All of the Alexander Gudenov scenes
'The Cheap Girls' band
borrowing money from 'Benny'
Hanks and Long fighting in front of the contractors

.....the list goes on......

Simply too funny
"The Money Pit" may have been a disaster at the box office and with critics at the time but this movie is just too hilarious. This is one of the few movies that makes me laugh until tears starts rolling down my face. My personal favorite moment is when Shelly Long finds a raccoon in the dumb waiter and it leaps at her. Seeing her running around screaming with a raccoon on her shoulder is hysterical. Of course just watching Tom Hanks' character try to fix the house is equally funny, particularly when he hears Shelly's character screaming and he runs...or tries to run up the poorly built staircase. The classic moment is when he falls into that hole and is stuck there for most of the day, missing out on an important meeting with a contractor and then seeing Shelly Long's expression when she finds him stuck in the hole. "The Money Pit" remains one of my top favorite comedies of all time as well as favorite Tom Hanks film.

home blech home!
Tom Hanks and Shelly Long star in this 1980s Steven Spielberg movie as Walter and Anna, a Manhattan couple who are unceremoniously evicted from her ex-husband's apartment and must search for new housing. They find what seems to be a steal -- a huge million-dollar mansion for next to nothing --- and move in, only to be besieged with a collapsing staircase, chocolate-brown "water", rotting wood, exploding doorbell, you name it. Probably one of the funniest scenes I have ever seen is when Tom Hanks sinks through the rug into a hole in the den floor and gets stuck.

Broke and cranky from sinking more and more resources into the money pit in which they live, Anna and Walter snipe at each other. The shady contractors they hire say they can get the job done in 2 weeks -- and continue saying that four months later.

The house may or may not get rebuilt, but will Walter and Anna survive as a couple? Being a typical 1980s comedy which paved the way for everything starring Meg Ryan for 16 years, you already know the answer. But it is still a hilarious movie to watch, depsite its predictability.

Sigh sigh
When I watched this movie for the very first time, I was 18 yold. It was and it is one of the most loved movies I ever seen in my whole life and it meant so much to me because I felt like Tom Hanks when I was rising up my new house and I seen myself in that movie with all the hard time to make the house of my and her dream nice and cozy. We did it but I miss those times.

Thanks "The money pit".

Luca

One of my all-time favorites!
Who wouldn't want to see Tom Hanks stuck in a hole in the floor? This movie is hilarious right from the start - Shelley Long and Hanks play off each other well. Well worth a few bucks to have your own copy at home! ... Read more

Reviews (45)

My favorite movie!
It's not a deep drama and it won't make you ask you any tough questions of yourself, but Major League is pure entertainment from beginning to end. As such, it's my all-time favorite movie. It's easy to invest in the story (a Cleveland team made up of spare parts tries to overcome their owner's plot to move the franchise) even if it's been dated by the Indians' '90s success. The comedy doesn't pull any punches but still stays pretty tasteful, and I still find it laugh-out-loud funny even after 30+ viewings. The comedy is equal parts outstanding writing by David S. Ward and brilliant characterizations by the actors. James Gammon is dead-on as grizzled manager Lou Brown and Tom Berenger is actually sympathetic as journeyman catcher Jake Taylor. Dennis Haysbert and Corbin Bernsen give great performances, and Charlie Sheen is inimitable as Wild Thing Vaughn. I think any baseball fan will enjoy this movie, but fans of good comedy will probably like it, too.

The DVD has no special features (what else do you expect from Paramount?), but the picture and sound are good.

Movie: 6/5
DVD: 4/5
Overall: 5/5

Major Fun
No, you're not going to walk away from this movie thinking about how to achieve world peace or end poverty, but you will be walking away with a smile. MAJOR LEAGUE is a lighthearted, entertaining film that also happens to be hysterically funny. Throw the great sport of baseball into the mix and MAJOR LEAGUE is a win/win for those who love the game and those who just want to have a good laugh.

There's nothing complicated about the plot. When an aggressive femme fatale (Margaret Whitton) inherits the Cleveland Indians from her late husband, her plan is to put together a team so bad it will lose its fan base and allow her to relocate. And so a band of misfits is put together: washed-up players, inexperienced players, headcases. Of course, predictably, her plan goes awry, but it's still good fun watching the antics of the Indians as they misfire and then come together over a long, long season.

Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Rene Russo, Corbin Bernsen, and Wesley Snipes headline a great cast. Bob Uecker is absolutely hysterical. My favorite character is manager Lou Brown (James Gammon) who delivers the film's funniest line, but one I dare not repeat here (it would never get past the editors)! Grab a hot dog and a beer, pull up a chair, and let MAJOR LEAGUE put a wide grin on your face.

Just a fun movie and I'm in it
This is more a nostalgia note than a review, but most of this movie was filmed over one summer in Milwaukee (maybe Cleveland wasn't blue-collar enough). All the baseball action scenes were filmed in County Stadium, which is now a big parking lot for Miller Park. The crew invited locals to the filming at the Stadium and other locations about town, so it has a lot of local flavor. I went to the filming of the big finale to be part of the "rabid" crowd so I'm in this move, kind of. It's fun to see Uecker do his stuff, and Pete Vukovich, a former Brewer pitcher, is perfect as Heywood, the Yankee nemesis.

People from out of town said County Stadium was a dog of a ballyard, but look for the scene when Berenger sneaks onto the field at night alone and pretends to hit one out. It sure looks pretty, and I miss it.

Cinema's gift to shower singing
Its always amazing to me how people take movies like this so seriously that they think their "astute" observations about plot predictability pass for intelligent bashing. It's a simple movie and it deserves a simple review.

As far as baseball comedies go, this is by far the best ever.

As far as baseball movies go, this is near the top of the list.

As far as Charlie Sheen appearances go, this was his one shot at Oscar gold.

As far as opening songs go, this is the best one of all time, in any movie about any city or any sport or anything.

There's a red moon rising
On the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake (x2)

There's an oil barge winding
Down the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake (x2)

Cleveland, city of light, city of magic
Cleveland, city of light, you're calling me
Cleveland, even now I can remember
'Cause the Cuyahoga River
Goes smokin' through my dreams

Burn on, big river, burn on
Burn on, big river, burn on

Now the Lord can make you tumble
The Lord can make you turn
The Lord can make you overflow
And the Lord can make you burn

Burn on, big river, burn on
Burn on, big river, burn on

Life Imititates Art
Years after this movie's release the Oakland A's defeated Red Sox in 12th inning with bases loaded bunt by catcher. That is what is so great about the movie...the baseball is grounded in realistic play and not artificial home runs as in the Natural.

Uecker and Gammons ( playing Manager Lou Brown) are terrific.
"Just a bit outside" is now the classic comment for a really bad pitch.

Some of the voodoo stuff is overdone, but it is a fun movie ... Read more