Rating: 
Summary: I was surprised at how much I loved this movie!
Review: "Oscar" starring Sylvester Stallone and Tim Curry wasn't something I thought I would like; mainly because of Stallone. I though he would ruin the whole thing for me. SURPRISE! I didn't stop laughing from the beginning to the end! Stallone usually comes across as arrogant and obnoxious but here, he takes it easy and let the movie happen on it's own. No one upstages anyone else, because everyone seems to be having fun. Especially Tim Curry! Just thinking about his character, Thornton Poole, makes me tear with laughter! This movie is light and breezy fun! I would love to see Thornton Poole in a movie of his own.
Rating: 
Summary: Sylvester Stallone does comedy?!
Review: Sylvester Stallone plays a gangster that tries to go straight, keeping a promise he makes to his father (Kirk Douglas). Based on a play, the interaction flies well, and Stallone has some rather amusing moments. It's a good show the first time, but by no means something you'll watch over and over. Features a solid supporting cast in addition to Douglas: Marisa Tomei plays Stallone's spoiled, rebellious daughter. Vincent Spano is Stallone's self-interested accountant, while Peter Reigert and Chazz Palminteri are amusing as Stallone's bodyguards. And Tim Curry is hilarious as Dr. Poole, Stallone's linguistics teacher. Also watch for cameos from Don Ameche, Arleen Sorkin, and Yvonne De Carlo. END
Rating:
Summary: HOW DID THIS MOVIE EVER FLOP?
Review: Lets see we have a funny plot. A top notch cast with old giants, (Kirk Douglas, Don Ameche) An "A" list star, (Stallone) an "A" list director, (John Landis) a fine supporting cast, (Chazz Palmintari, Marisa Tomei, Tim Curry) and several television favorites (Kirkwood Smith, Ken Howard, Yvonne De Carlo,[Who actually belongs in the old giants list]) a ton of sight and word gags and a movie that flows smoothly and constantly makes you laugh and somehow it flops at the box office and isn't heard of? I don't get it. It is another absolute RIOT. All the actors I've named (and quite a few I haven't) just keep the whole thing roaring (Particularly Palmintari). How this movie remains ignored is beyond me. Even the basic plot of a gangster trying to go straight in a dishonest world works wonders! Why haven't you seen this move? Why don't you buy it now! You won't regret it!
Rating:
Summary: Rollicking Fun
Review: This is one of the funniest movies I have seen in a long time. All the characters are funny, especially Dr. Pool(Played by tim Curry). The story is simple: A gangster decides to go straight. But a huge series of mix-ups occur, wreaking havoc. This is a must-see for anyone who likes comedy.
Rating:
Summary: Bad Reviews. What? Did they expect Godfather?
Review: Once again, a gem that was given horrible reviews because they were trying to kill off Sylvester Stallone. It worked. When critics gang up on a star they don't like, they can end their careers. Stallone wanted to try comedy, but the critics wouldn't have it. He was hilarious in this very underrated play-turned-movie.If you like slapstick comedies that are based on one day, in one place such as Clue and Radioland Murders, you will love this. This isn't a mystery like those, but the confusion over everything in one morning is overwhelming to "Snaps" Provolone. And he can't even kill anybody anymore. It's his first day of "going straight" from the gangster life of the early 30's during prohibition and people are already seemlingly taking advantage of that right away. This is filled with hilarious dialogue and is delivered perfectly by everyone. Yes, even Stallone. And you felt so proud when Chazz was ahead of everyone else after not knowing a thing about a thing. I see there are many Oscar fans here and that's great. Listen to them. If you're a fan of comedy and haven't seen it because of the bad reviews, or you don't think Stallone can do comedy, just rent it and see for yourself. 10 minutes after credits, you'll purchase this DVD here.
Rating:
Summary: Stallone Sleeper Is A Keeper!
Review: I watched this movie 10 years ago expecting a dopey gangster parody with Sylvester "Rocky / Rambo" Stallone in a suit. What I got instead was a very funny, refreshing comedy with lots of great gags and interesting characters. Stallone is hilarious as "Snaps" Provolone, big time gangster and future banker (due to a deathbed promise to his dying father, played by Kirk Douglas). His mob (including Peter Reigert and Chazz Palminteri) are far more inept than intimidating, bumbling along with their boss in his attempt to go straight. You'll never forget the crazy bunch in OSCAR! Merissa Tomei is perfect as Snaps' daughter Lisa, the squeaky, flapper-girl wannabe. Tim Curry plays his best role since Frank N. Furter as linguistics instructor, Thornton Pool. Then there's Kurtwood Smith as the over-zealous cop, Toomey. A riot! I've seen OSCAR at least a dozen times and it still cracks me up! Deserves to be a classic...
Rating:
Summary: What? No Oscar Wilde?
Review: John Landis scored big with his spoof of high finance magnates "Trading Places" and revisits similar terrain in "Oscar," only this time the big money was made in the crime syndicate field. Landis shrewdly sets his satire in the Depression period to provide for the same kind of contrast between rich and poor that he showcased in "Trading Places", when Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche wagered to see what will happen when poor African American Eddie Murphy is allowed into their world to make business decisions.
In "Oscar" the story begins in a scene where Don Ameche appears again, but this time as family priest saying the last rites for syndicate tycoon Kirk Douglas. Former Universal siren Yvonne De Carlo is also in the scene, which provides an interesting opening to the film as Douglas implores son Sylvester Stallone to get out of the crime business and go legitimate, slapping him several times in a robust closing act to dramatically make his point.
When Douglas passes on loyal son Stallone, despite misgivings, agrees to give up his criminal enterprise. When an important meeting is scheduled with bankers we see a hilarious study in contrasts as Stallone's old hoods have great difficulty shaking their old personas and behaving like gentlemen.
While Stallone encounters problems enough with the transition to business executive his accountant tells him he wants a raise because he is in love and wants to marry Stallone's daughter. Stallone becomes enraged and states that the fiancée in question is not actually his daughter. Meanwhile his own daughter that he acknowledges, who wants to move out from under the suffocating enclosure of the family mansion under her father's constant thumb, begins making marriage noises of his own.
Stallone is forced to constantly shift gears, all the while bemoaning that his concentration is being disrupted on the day of his important meeting with leading bankers who will propel him out of the crime field. When the identity shifts and strategic jockeying reaches a crescendo it reminds one of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello's "Whose on First?" routine.
Eventually former Stallone mansion domestic Linda Gray of "Dallas" television fame surfaces. She makes a startling announcement near the film's conclusion that clears up identity problems in a manner that shocks Stallone.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, lighthearted broadway-like ensemble comedy!
Review:
"Oscar" tends to get overlooked quite often, since Sylvester Stallone will forever be known as "Rocky" and "Rambo". Stallone really wanted to get into comedy at the time, and he succeeded very well here. In "Oscar", Stallone proved he can do humor quite well ("Rhinestone" notwithstanding).
Though Stallone is the main character, the outstanding ensemble cast is what makes this film really shine. Marisa Tomei overacts quite a bit here, though it fits this kind of movie. Chazz Palmintieri is hilarious as Stallone's loyal but rather dim "muscle". Peter Riegert, as one may expect, is quick with smart quips and zingers. Vincent Spano plays a somewhat nerdy, innocent accountant. Ornella Muti is excellent as Stallone's overbearing, easily angered wife. Tim Curry is extremely silly and funny as the fish-out-of-water dorky linguist. Martin Ferrero and Harry Shearer (as the Finuccis!) are fun to watch, as is Kirk Douglas in the opening scene.
I enjoy quick-witted stage-like films such as this. The timing and delivery of the multitude of one-liners is perfect. The quick pace and style of this film reminds me quite a bit of "Noises Off" and "Clue", two other films that never slow down in plot or humor. I recommend "Oscar" to anyone who likes those other films, or to anyone who enjoys situation comedy and sharp dialogue.
Rating:
Summary: Stallone in a quality comedy? Really?
Review: Obviously, Stop or My Mom Will Shoot did not do much for Stallone's comedic career. This film, however, does not have a flaw. The cast and the comic timing are superior. Tim Curry plays a linguistics expert, trying to teach Stallone (who has a Gangster accent) how to speak properly. His straight man in the midst of a wonderful farce, is one of his best roles. Chaz Palminteiri and Peter Riegert are hilarious as Snaps Provolone's (Stallone) right-hand goons. The presentation of this film makes it easy to see the original stage-performance of this screenplay. A classic early 20th century comedy, it is ripe with misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and errors compounding on top of one another.
This movie is underrated and, unfortunately, not very well known, but most people that I know who have seen it rate it as a top comedy. It's one to go out of your way to see, especially at the price Amazon sells it for.
Rating:
Summary: Just wonderful.
Review: I agree with all the positive reviews of this film. It has been mysteriously ignored by big-name, mainstream-media reviewers all this time. Shockingly underrated. It's great fun - and without a single whisper of smut. I already have it on VHS, but I think I'll buy the DVD as well. "Oscar" may very well end up as an all-time classic.
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