Rating: 
Summary: ROYAL-ly Entertaining!
Review: ...Upon now finally seeing the film I am sorry that I missed it, because I found this film to be heartwarming, sincere, a bit strange in places, funny, and endearing. All of the characters are well acted and believable, which makes the film what it ends up to be - the movie's presentation was also very well done - every "chapter" is like reading a book, which has text and a small illustration like books of yore. I enjoyed this film, especially because of Gene Hackman, who is one of those people that you wish you could know, only because he seems so genuine. On a side note, it was interesting to see Bill Murray take another "dramatic" sojourn as his role in the picture. If you are a fan of family, friendship, laughter, and forgiveness, this is the film for you. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Dreadful picture
Review: This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. It was a terrible waste of the talents of a great cast that included Gene Hackman and Gwyneth Paltrow.
The movie got worse and worse as it went along. I am someone who finds it easy to laugh and enjoy a film, however I didn't laugh once during the entire movie. I would have stopped watching it early on, but I had to watch the entire movie to see if it would contain anything of value, but it never did.
If you want to waste your money, lighting it with a match would make more sense than buying this video.
Rating: 
Summary: People will either love or hate it -- I'm with the former
Review: I loved this film, but I can completely understand many, many people not enjoying it. In fact, I was one of the few people, it seems, who disliked Anderson's second film, RUSHMORE (though I loved BOTTLE ROCKET, Wes Anderson's first film). The reason that so many will either love or hate this film is Anderson continually skirts the edges of cinematic convention. There is a great deal of subtlety in his work, and one will either enjoy that and analyze it, or find that it leaves them bored and disinterested. Anderson wrote this screenplay with he usual screenwriting partner, Owen Wilson (who played Eli, the Tennenbaums across-the-street neighbor). The screenplay is filled with many wonderful and marvelous moments, and while one might complain that the whole is less than the summation of the parts, the parts are nonetheless very exquisite. The film is stuffed with marvelous moments that are almost throwaways, like a scene in which Chas (Ben Stiller) and his father Royal (Gene Hackman) escape to a closet to argue. The closet is filled with every board game one can possibly imagine, which provides a startling contrast by implying that there was a time when the family perhaps sat around together playing these precise games. Or when one of the characters attempts suicide and then leaves the hospital, a haunting, gorgeous song by Nick Drake, "Fly" is played. The song is a marvelous paean to second chances, and many of the lyrics seem to refer to specific moments in the film. But what is more poignant is the fact that Drake is one of rock's most celebrated suicides, albeit primarily to his cult following. Another detail is the fact that every cab that is seen in the entire film are "Gypsy Cabs" and are the most dilapidated, battered cabs one can imagine. The soundtrack is exquisite, and one that even those not enjoying the movie would be tempted to buy. The selections are marvelous, whether it is Ravel's String Quartet, or the Ramones, or the Clash, or Lou Reed, or the Stones. One word of complaint, however. As a Stones fan and as one who owned vinyl versions of most of their albums, and the two Stones songs that Luke Wilson and Gwenyth Paltrow listen to in his tent are not the songs that are on the actual vinyl album. "Ruby Tuesday," for instance, is not the second cut but the third, and the song that appears first is actually a couple of cuts after "Ruby Tuesday." The cast is absolutely first rate, though many of the actors are playing roles that are somewhat at odds with what we normally expect of them. This is especially true of the three Tennenbaum children. So, while I expect that many people seeing this will dislike it, many others will enjoy it thoroughly. If you liked BOTTLE ROCKET or RUSHMORE, odds are you will like this one as well.
Rating:
Summary: Indescribably Bad
Review: This movie bumped "Spring Break" from my top 3 worst films of all time ("Boxing Helena" being #1 and "Showgirls" being #2). It's not even worth 1 star..but that's as low as the ratings here go.
Rating:
Summary: Is there anything less than 1 star??
Review: I am an avid movie goer and love all types of movies. This movie is one of the all time WORST ever made (right up there with The Avengers from a few years ago). There is no real story and nothing happens. You don't feel anything for the characters accept - quit feeling sorry for yourselves and get off your pity party and fix your lives. Not worth the time or money.
Rating:
Summary: Tasty little morsel of a movie
Review: This movie doesn't play like your usual film-it moves along more at the pace of a book reading to me. This pace and tendency to linger nonjudgementally around characters in quieter moments may turn people off initially; however, if they accept this different style of visual storytelling, they may be able to enjoy it better. I loved all the quirky characters and the totally nonsentimental tone of the story, especially since the plot-a suppossedly dying father wanting to reconcile with his emotionally bruised adult children-could potentially deterioriate into some Julia Roberts-"Stepmom"-mess. Gene Hackman was a vision and was robbed of an Oscar and those Wilson bros are too much for me-wacky and delightful. The whole film had a storybook feel right down to the way New York seemed dated and timeless at various times. I loved this movie and recommend it big time.
Rating:
Summary: A Different Kind of Comedy
Review: I knew nothing about this movie before seeing it...just the few trailers I had seen on television. I was delightfully surprised. This movie entertained, had a great cast with good lines, a good sound track, and provided a bit of food for thought. It was not a straight comedy, and there were some sad situations within this strange and dysfunctional family. This viewer felt a whole range of emotions while watching the film. It was a different kind of comedy, one without huge belly laughs -- more subtle and quirky than the run-of-the-mill comedy. While sometimes a bit awkward, I thought this reflected how the neurotic members of this family actually were--not really comfortable with each other but loving in their own unique way. Glad I saw it.
Rating:
Summary: "Is that a Tic-Tac?" A Very Brilliant Film
Review: This is one of those movies where you're either going to love it or hate it. I think that most of the people who hated this film was expecting it to be a full-blown comedy. Well...it's not. Although, I must confess, I laughed harder and more during this film than most of the comedy blunders that have come out this year or last year. So, if this does not sound like your type of movie, then stop reading the review and rent something like "Shallow Hal," "Dumb and Dumber," "Saving Silverman," "Scary Movie," "Freddy Got Fingered," or "Not Another Teen Movie." Not knocking those movies, just suggesting that those might be the type of movies your looking for. There is nothing wrong with people not liking this film. It is a unique one, at that. With that said, I think that "The Royal Tenenbaums" is a magnificent and brilliant picture. A very rare breed of film, it is. I feel it's very underrated, but then again that's because it's not a movie for everyone. Very much like "Mulholland Drive" and "Vanilla Sky," this is a movie that will only appeal to a certain amount of people. However, I feel that this is a great movie that plays on all of your emotions. The movie is quite simple; or at least the main storyline. I will only give you a brief outline of it, because I do not want to give anything away. A lot of the humor is so subtle and surprising, that if you know about it ahead of time, you will not find it as funny as you would've having not knowing what was coming. The Tenenbaums is a family of geniuses; only problem is that they're dysfunctional as hell. Mainly thanks to the father, Royal Tenenbaum, who has been out of the family picture for quite some time. Over twenty years later, Royal decides it's time to be a part of the family again, being that his wife is thinking about marrying again. So, knowing that his wife will not let him see them again unless something was seriously wrong, Royal pretends to be dying. The results are unpredictable and outrageous. And yet, very subtle. This film has the best cast that I have seen in a long time. Look at it: Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, Danny Glover, Bill Murray, and Luke and Owen Wilson. Gene Hackman should've won something for his performance, because he steals the show. He is so funny and sarcastic in this film. Bill Murray is also hillarious, and dosen't get the recognition he deserves. Owen Wilson is great as Elie Cash, who was the kid across the street who always wanted to be a Tenenbaum. And you don't even recognize Luke Wilson until later on in the film. But really, everyone is great. The movie is directed by Wes Anderson, who did "Bottle Rocket" and "Rushmore." Although I enjoyed those two films, I enjoyed this one much more. It's also written by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson. Let me tell you, the screenplay in this movie is AMAZING. Very convincing and witty. This isn't really a comedy. It's a comedy-tragedy. There are times where it's funny, sad, touching, dark, and sarcastic. Again, I think that's where people got the wrong idea. Well, at least now you know, and you can't say nobody told you so. I just love how subtle the comedy is. You won't find crude or toilet humor in this movie, so be warned. Oh, and don't expect another "Rushmore," please. I cannot tell you how many reviews I read that complained that this wasn't like "Rushmore." Expand your horizons, people! You want "Rushmore," this is what you do: Watch "Rushmore," and watch this when you're in the mood to see "The Royal Tenenbuams." What I love most is, belive it or not, this might be the first movie that I won't have to re-buy on DVD. OH MY GOD! That is a first. Finally, they did it right. They came out with a version of the movie that is ALREADY full of extras. Cool! Thought that was unheard of! Wow. Mind-blowing, man! Well, the extras are awesome. There's so much. Interviews, commentary, drawings, trailers, and much MUCH more. Technical features also top-notch. The picture is great. Sound is great, giving you a choice between Dolby Digital and DTS. Outstanding sound. Brings the music to life. All in all, this movie is fantastic. It has a great script, great cast of characters, great story, and just overall, it is a great movie. Again, this isn't a movie for everyone. I hope this review has helped some. But really, give it a chance. What's the worst that can happen? You don't like it, then rent something else next time. It really is a great movie and is one of my new favorites. "The Royal Tenenbaums" is a unique and clever film that, I hope, is destined to become a classic.
Rating:
Summary: Beagle fans stay away...
Review: I sat there for 90 minutes trying to find something redeeming in this story and something to care about in the characters. I sat there with my 2 beagles on my lap and thrilled in finding a beagle (Buckley) in a featured role. When he is then struck down and senselessly run over and killed by the drug addict character of Eli Cash, the death is treated with the same cold indifference with which the characters treat each other. I wish PETA or other dog lovers would speak out about another horrible exploitation of animals (remember the poor dog in the cast in "There's something about Mary", or the electrocuted cat in "Christmas Vacation"?). This just further serves to promote animals as cheap disposable commodities, undeserving of the respect they require as loving, loyal sentient beings.
I'm glad I only rented this and did not buy it. I only wish I had turned it off after the first hour as I was tempted to, because even without this awful scene, and despite the stellar cast, this is a perfectly awful movie.
Rating:
Summary: Best Irving Film To Date...
Review: This is the best John Irving film to date...only it's not from a John Irving novel, it just feels like it. I am a huge fan of John Irving's novels, but as is true with most film adaptations of wonderful novels, the movies have largely disappointed. Tenenbaums feels like Irving wrote the screenplay. If you like Irving -- or Bottle Rocket and Rushmore -- you'll love The Royal Tenenbaums.
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