Rating: Summary: Excellent Movie Review: I saw this movie not knowing what to expect. I thought it would be like a Jim Carrey hawhaw goof movie(which, don't get me wrong, are great). What I saw was even better (you ever notice how saw is was just backwards?). It turned into my favorite movie. I was born in 86 so I never saw Kaufman in real life. But since seeing the movie I have watched many shows on him, other real movies, Taxi (which he hated), and read his biography. Kaufman was an amazing person, and his memory should live on forever. SO RENT OR BUY THE MOVIE.
Rating: Summary: Non-Kaufman fans won't get it Review: Folks, if you weren't there when it all happened, if you are looking for an intro to Andy Kaufman, DON'T SEE THIS! You hadda be there, and if you were, you'll love the hell out of it. If you didn't, you'll say "what the ----?" I remember Andy and I love it.
Rating: Summary: Andy's life well portrayed Review: This movie gets two stars, because Jim does an outstanding job at assuming the role of Andy Kaufman. Acting gets an A+.Then there's the fact that this movie is not funny. At all. I never found Kaufman humorous, and I walked out of this movie after 20 minutes.
Rating: Summary: Jim Carrey IS Andy Kaufman!! Review: You will either love or hate this movie. It's because the main character, Andy Kaufman, is terribly annoying in his conducts and Jim Carrey plays him only too well. In any case, you should try this movie out. You might be surprised to find yourself enjoying watching Jim Carrey's performance and, at the same time, laughing your head off. This is just a wonderfully funny drama about a comedian, who was everybody's pain in the bottom. Don't miss it out!
Rating: Summary: Genius is in the eye of the beholder Review: Like the man himself, this movie left me thinking 'it's clearly a work of staggering genius, but does it really work?' The task of a comedian who wants to be great is to offer the audience something they don't yet know is funny. By definition this may actually not be funny, so there's a great risk involved. As 'Man on the Moon' shows, Andy Kaufmann risked everything in order to achieve greatness. Jim Carrey is absolutely superb as conceptual comic (is there such a thing) Kaufmann. Having fairly recently seen Carrey in 'Me, Myself and Irene' (definitely the worst movie of all time), its hard to believe its the same person. Carrey must have a really undiscriminating agent. 'Man on the Moon', though, is a return to the sparkling form shown in a film like 'The Truman Show'. However, for all the great tricks and long running gags we never really get to see what makes Kaufmann tick, which is probably how he would have wanted it. You'll have to decide for yourself if it satisfies you.
Rating: Summary: SONG & DANCE MAN REBORN... Review: Whether you liked him or hated him, those were your only choices. And that's exactly how Andy wanted it. One of the most original and influential entertainers of our time, Andy Kaufman, believe it or not is still best remembered as Latka of Taxi-fame...to the layman. Although Taxi gave him popularity nationwide, what many people DIDN'T or still DON'T know is that Andy was SO much more. A Behavioral scientist first, infamous put-on artist a close second, Andy didn't tell jokes...he lived them. His antics were so intense, if it wasn't for Bob Zmuda (Andy's writer & best friend) the cat may have still been in the bag. Though Andy died in 1984 of lung cancer, many fans, friends, & family thought he was pulling the ultimate prank. But in all reality, it was the most serious objective of his life. Before Andy's lifestory came to theaters, Zmuda released "Andy Kaufman Revealed", the book that blew the whistle. Every hoax, every prank, every Kaufmanism, all of it...finally exposed. Though I didn't find the book before I went to the movie, I was already well informed. I was already a fan. Two years before I had even heard news of an Andy movie, I had seen my share of Kaufman TV specials (strongly recommended to take similar steps). Which made my MAN ON THE MOON experience all the better (this translates for all movies, do your homework before you go). Throughout the film I was in complete awe. Jim Carrey, who portrays Kaufman, shows why he is the $20 mil-a-film actor. Honestly his best work to date. I was in such awe that I actually forgot Jim Carrey was in the film. Maybe because I didn't see Carrey at all, but instead saw Kaufman reborn. A smart move by the movie's bigwigs to hire Carrey, a well known Andy fanatic. Tally up another mark for Carrey under "All-Time Greatest Oscar Snubs" (though he did win a Best Actor/Comedy Golden Globe, even though the movie's a drama..?!). After the movie, my father, my best friend (both big Andy fans), and I were utterly speechless. I'll agree with some people who say that movie may not have shown who Andy really was, but that can only be the fault of the producers. This film could have easily been 3 hours or more, cause what they did show is really only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Andy's career. Also, after I read the book, I realized how much it was missing and how similar the movie's contents were to that of the TV specials I had watched. That's allright though, it made me realize how well Carrey grasped the concept of the double role. Double? Did I mention his dead-on portrayal of lounge singer Tony Clifton, Andy's badguy persona? Actually, it isn't even a double role, for Carrey does many more of Andy's famous characters including an Elvis impersonation. Amazing is all I can muster up. With all that said, this is still a must own for fans of Andy and Jim alike, and especially for the never-believers. As for the DVD, in which I own and was compelled by to purchase a DVD player since at the time I couldn't buy MAN ON THE MOON on VHS, the only thing it's missing is a commentary feature. I would have loved to have heard Jim, Danny DeVito and most of all, Bob Zmuda's take/reaction on Jim's transformation and the overall product. Other features such as Deleted Scenes (you can actually see reasoning in it), two R.E.M. videos (Title song & the Great Beyond), Cast & Crew files (VERY well done/detailed) do fit the bill quite nicely. But personally, my favorites are the Spotlight on Location (The making of MOTM in which it shows Carrey still in character(s) on set) and "Andy Kaufman: This Is HIS Story" which is not only a good read to help fill you in on Andy, but also contains about 10 minutes or so of the Real McCoy in live performances (which you can access by clicking the Andy icon by the This Is HIS Story text when available). One last suggestion for the Andy newbies. I strongly recommend watching the film before reading the book, for it may ruin some surprises for you or possibly make the movie a disappointment (favorite antics and subjects of importance you thought should have been included). Last but not least, "Dank you veddy much" (you knew it was coming!) for reading.
Rating: Summary: When Your Life Becomes a Put-On....Nobody Cares. Review: How much or how little you like this movie will depend on how much or how little you liked Andy Kaufman. I loved Kaufman as Latka and his alter ego Vic Ferrari on Taxi (a role Andy apparently hated and disparaged). I found his Saturday Night Live appearances superficial and only mildly amusing. I found his wrestling initially cute but soon very tedious. And overall, I became weary of being a participant (as audience) in his in-joke put-ons. But comedy is in the eye of the beholder, and many people think he was a "genius". I don't see it, and I didn't see it when he was alive. Nothing in this movie convinced me otherwise. I am not a fan of nostalgic "let's return to childhood" humor which became popular in various forms, especially among Boomers. And the humor of "discomfort",i.e., I will stand here doing nothing discernible or something obnoxious until the audience becomes "uncomfortable" and therefore show that performance is a joke and I "know the joke" and it's funny cause I know it and most people don't and if you get it you're really "hip"...well, I don't buy it. But, each to his own, and some people loved this stuff. Andy had such contempt for his audience, and made his humor so insular and self-absorbed that he was apparently shocked when he was voted off Saturday Night Live by the audience and dismayed when no one took his illness seriously. Even jaded & hip audiences get tired of having you give them the finger. The movie is well made and Jim Carrey does a great job as Andy. It shows Andy as a basically gentle person and tries hard to convince us of his genius. It does show that the reaction to Andy was mixed, and he could be trying to his friends and family as well. I think the final show at Carnegie Hall will help you decide where you place Andy Kaufman in the pantheon of performers. Supposedly, his dying wish-list for a wonderful last show, I found it juvenile and trite. And, sadly, that's the way I feel about most of Andy's work. 3-1/2 Stars for Cast & Crew and Craft.
Rating: Summary: Stunning! Carrey's performance of Andy Kaufman is uncanny! Review: This is an unbelievable movie! Tony Clifton is the best!
Rating: Summary: Boring, snoring, flooring,.... Review: If you are not willing to understand this film, please do not watch it, because it will be quite a survival. Boring, snoring, flooring,.... For all you people, trying to experience the world of Andy Kaufman, this is certainly the most beautiful and moving film produced the last ages. Although some people think there is no humor in this film, well a pity for them. In my opinion this is good fun, especially when you are amazed every five minutes (even when you watch it for the eleventh time). But I agree, do not expect Jim Carrey. Although his name is on the cover, I did not recognise him at all in this film (i.e. good acting). There is an arteest on stage, a brilliant piece of arts. Whether you hate him or like him, you'll remember him for sure.
Rating: Summary: One of Jim Carrey's best films! Review: Jim Carrey gives an extravagent performance as the late Andy Kaufman in this fabulously made biopic from director Milos Forman. I cannot belive that the people at the Academy overlooked this wonderful film last year! This is a classic, and a film every film buff needs to see! Buy it today!
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