Rating: Summary: A Truly Awful Movie Review: Although I have been a fan of Andy Kaufman for years, this awful, boring movie could change my mind. Andy is portrayed, perhaps accurately, perhaps not, as an obnoxious self-centered boor. If that is truly who Andy was then, I suppose, Jim Carrey did an excellent job of portraying him. Having said that, I must state that I was very disappointed with the content of the movie. I expected it to be a celebration of Andy's life and it was anything but that. If I had seen this movie in a theatre I would have demanded my money back. If I had purchased this DVD I would have returned it. What a waste of two hours. A truly awful movie.
Rating: Summary: Well done Review: I am neither a Jim Carrey nor Andy Kaufman fan, and yet this film works on many levels: it showcases Mr. Carrey's amazing immersion into Andy Kaufman; it brings an appreciation to what some fans have called Mr. Kaufman's comic genius; it includes structure much like to which you might unexpectedly expect Kaufman to have insisted upon had he filmed his autobiography; it chronologizes many of Mr. Kaufman's public performances with the behind the scene manueverings with the folks that were there, lending an edge of authenticity without reducing this to a mere "docu-drama." The film also makes fine use of old Taxi footage blending in Jim Carrey's Kaufman with the original cast in its youthfulness. When I first watched the film, I felt it lacked some depth and clarity as to who Andy Kaufman was. However, after viewing the "bonus material" that included scenes excised from the theatrical release, I realized the film suffered for a heavy handed cutting. The theater goer is deprived not only of an understanding of the control Mr. Kaufman exercised over his performances, but also some of the finer and funnier scenes of Jim Carrey's talent. I am glad I missed the theatrical run so as to have had the opportunity to see the "entire" film.
Rating: Summary: Jim Carrey's Triumph Review: Man on the Moon is a wonderful tribute to one of the most misunderstood talents of our time. I enjoyed Andy Kaufman and was often taken in by his strange humor. It kills me how many people simply don't get it. This film allows the viewer inside the mania to get a glimpse at the real workings of his mind. Superbly acted and directed, I recommend this movie highly. The presentation and sound quality are first class.
Rating: Summary: JIM CARREY Is Andy Kaufman Review: MAN ON THE MOON is a great movie for any Jim Carrey and Andy Kaufman fan.The film follows the story of Andy Kaufman from when he was a child (putting on TV skits in his room) to when he is struggling to become a great "song-and-dance man" comedian. The actors in this film gave great performances, and the enigma mystery in this film is when is Andy Kaufman staging something and when is Andy Kaufman being totally honest?
Rating: Summary: Dissapointment for Gen X-ers Review: I am stationed overseas, and the "new release" films we get are several months behind the U.S. I had read reviews of this movie from this site before seeing it, and I have to ask: "Does anyone under the age of 35 "get" this movie?" Come on, who wants to spend 2 hours watching a story of a "star" who ruined his own career? (Not to say that Mr. Kaufman wasn't a good entertainer, but it's something that should have been left to Vaudeville instead of video.) I could have spent the money I wasted on this movie for a Jim Carrey film that actually has some laughs. The acting was superb on all parts, but could have been better spent on a subject that could "reach" a wider audience. Comedy? Definately not. Drama...yes (No-one deserves cancer, which is the only teary-eye part of the movie)
Rating: Summary: Fun but pointless. Review: I found myself disappointed by this movie. It's supposed to be a biography of Andy Kaufman, but the movie only goes into the shallowest of details, spending most of its energies to progress from one comedic routine to the next. While these comedic scenes are often funny in their wackiness, they're forgettable, and certainly don't make me want to become more like Andy Kaufman, apparently the director's ambition... The approach seems problematic. Jim Carrey was more or less put in the role of re-enacting Andy Kaufman's "greatest hits". Regardless of how good a job he did or didn't do, wouldn't it make more sense just to watch an old Andy Kaufman collection? I remember various channels broadcasting such programs, around the time the movie came out.
Rating: Summary: Great Carrey performance but a fairly weak film Review: Ever since I first heard of "Man on the Moon" I found Andy Kaufman to be a rather odd choice for a bioepic. But I was not suprised that Jim Carrey was chosen as the lead. He captures Kaufman in a way only Carrey could. Kaufman had so many different characteristics (most of which can be seen in the film) and Carrey tackles them like they are nothing. He is quite a brilliant actor even when dealing with his more comic films but to watch him in a more dramatic role such as this really helps people take him seriously. The movie itself is kind of weak. It's not bad but I found myself expecting more of a biography. What you get in "Man on the Moon" is a timeline. His "SNL" appearance, "Taxi", Tony Clifton, wrestling, talk show antics, and more. In the end it basically looks like a bunch of Kaufman scetches being redone with Carrey as if it were a Best of Andy Kaufman video with about a half hour of biography in between. I found the film to be very enjoyable in the long run. Carrey really shines in this film. I had a good time watching it I was just hoping for more of a biography and not just a rehash of old bits. It is not a very good film but it is sure entertaining.
Rating: Summary: King Of Slap-Stick Does Semi-Serious Bit Review: In no way is this movie a comedy, but it's also not a drama, either. Andy Kaufman insisted that he wasn't a comedian but merely an entertainer, and Carrey is trying to squeeze himself into those shoes in this film, and not quite making it to that level. After all the silly movies like "Dumb And Dumber" and the Ace Ventura installments, I just can't take Jim Carrey seriously, no matter how hard he tries. Yes, he is an excellent imitator, ranging from his Clint Eastwood squint to his hound-dog visage and slow draw of Jimmy Stewart, but this movie is hardly a stretch for him, let alone serious acting. It really sounds like I'm ripping on the film, but I'll tell you why I gave it the honorable denomination of three stars: Carrey's uncanny mimicry of the infamous Kaufman and his spectacular co-stars. Courtney Love has made a name for herself since her head-turning performance as Althea Flynt in "The People Vs Larry Flynt", and is just as exceptional here as Kaufman's wild but warm-hearted girlfriend Lynn Margulies. Another performance to credit is the always impressive Danny DeVito, playing the eye in the sky who spots Kaufman's unusual and original brain for performing. Carrey is again under the directorial thumb of Milos Forman in this one, whom he first layed his comedic genius aside for in the "Truman Show". Forman's style is apparent and understated, his actors on a tight leash according to script and representation. You'll see nary an improvisation from Carrey in either films, his concentration deeply rooted in his characters. Other than the mediocre rating, this movie has more than just a few good laughs, and the bits with Carrey flaunting his best as the Kaufman-created nightclub spinster Tony Clifton will leave you cringing even as you're laughing.
Rating: Summary: BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR! Review: Probably the most overlooked and underappriciated film of 1999, "Man on the Moon" comes to DVD and offers those who missed it this past holiday season another chance to see one of the best films of 1999. Jim Carrey gives the performance of his career as Andy Kaufman, the ex-"Taxi" star who's life was cut short by cancer. Whether you loved Kaufman or hated him, viewers can't argue that Carrey doesn't portray Kaufman flawlessly. Fans of Kaufman will be thrilled to see him come alive once again and for two hours forget his career was cut short and be mesmerized as Carrey does what Kaufman did best-- confuse people with his comedy. The film isn't a biography but instead a tribute to the late comedian. Carrey engages the audience with his portrayal of Kaufman and director Milos Forman shows both Kaufman on-screen and off. While the real Kaufman turned many people off, the way "Man on the Moon" is set up gives the audience a sense of understanding Kaufman, something even the real Andy Kaufman could never accomplish. We not only see the zany comic but also the man off camera trying to top his every act. In other words, the public gets to see the comic AND the person that made up Kaufman-- something that was never shown until now. Whatever you felt about Kaufman or feel about Carrey, leave it at the door. To miss this film is a huge mistake. Not only will viewers possibly learn to appreciate Kaufman and, gasp!, like him, but critics who think Jim Carrey is "just a comedian" will realize how wrong they were. For viewers who felt Carrey was robbed at last year's Academy Awards for his performance as Truman Burbank, they will be three times as shocked when they realize how much he deserved this year's Oscar for Best Actor as Andy Kaufman. Carrey wasn't the only one overlooked for an Oscar. Forman does his best directing since "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and leads a talented cast in a funny and poignant film. Co-star Courtney Love is amazing as Kaufman's girlfriend, showing once again that she is one of the few singer-turned-actresses that CAN act, and Danny DeVito's portrayal of Kaufman's agent is his best work to date. If you want to rent a film that will make you laugh, make you think, and do the unthinkable- understand one of Hollywood's most confusing and underappriciated comics- rent "Man on the Moon." It's the must-see rental of the summer
Rating: Summary: Jim Carrey is dazaling... Review: I have seen andy Kaufman work and if any one could have pulled it off Jim Carrey could...and he does, beuatifully. All of his impressions where dead on and his slapstick hits the spot every friggen time, only andy himself could have done it better. Courtny Love gives a good performance as andy's wife, but if any one on the cast deserved a golden globe it was DeVito who did an astounding job as andy's agent. More tears than laughs but you will always remember the laughs R.I.P Andy...
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