Rating: Summary: A movie that could have been great, but isn't. Review: Let me first start by saying, terrible is too good a word to describe this movie. This is a down right horrible movie. Because there is only one good thing to say about this movie, I will say it first. Then I will go on to speak of the numerous bad parts and why you should avoid them.First, the good news. The soundtrack of this movie is superb. I would reccomend it to anyone. Simply put, the music was great. If you want more information on the CD, look it up on Amazon's site. Now, the bad news. Let me say that over the top hilarious is a bad way to put this movie. They say it is a comedy that will have you laughing for days. I say it was down right depressing and not worth the seven bucks I spent. The acting isn't great. In fact, the lead roles such as Gene Hackman could have done a better job. To be honest, I don't think the actors were allowed to go as far as they could have with this movie. To put it as best I can, if you want to go to a movie and come home depressed, this is the movie you want to see. Because at best, this movie is depressing and morbid. There is NO humor in it. NONE! Sure, you get a couple half chuckles here and there, but nothing else. NOTHING. In fact, let me give you the synapsis. Disfunctional family, three kids, divorced parents. One kid grows up to be a washed up tennis player who is suicidal, one is a sex addict who smokes constantly, and one is a very nitpicky person who is afraid to expose his kids to anything. Sure, they could have made this movie hilarious based on this alone, but it just missed the mark. It did. False advertising. I went to this movie because of false advertising. They said this will be a funny movie, but what I get is a very morbid drama with no high points. If I wanted to be depressed, I would go look at my taxes that I have to pay. Or better yet, go watch American Beauty. (I wonder how that stinker won movie of the year.) For those so called "Eccentric intellectual people", I say you are messed up. If I were to guess where you type of people come from, my guess would be Los Angeles or any other city in those whereabouts of California. Maybe even in the bigger cities. Well, what I have to say to you people is excuse me for not being as intellectual as you. Can't appreciate suttle humor you say? I say I know a good movie when I see one, and suttle humor means NO humor. Well, for you normal people out there, don't spend the 7 bucks I did to see this stinker. Rent it if you must, but don't pay full price. Intellectual People would say this garbage belongs in the trash.
Rating: Summary: amazing Review: this was possibly the best movie i have seen in the past year, and undoubtedly the best picture i've ever seen in the theater. each and every one of the actors are superb, each lending humor but a distinct sadness as well. a notable part of the movie is the rich visual images present throughout the entire film. the great soundtrack also compliments it well. i've already seen it twice and hope to view it again soon!
Rating: Summary: Wes Anderson's Royal Tenenbaums: A Review Review: After watching "Rushmore" on Comedy Central, I had fallen in love with Wes Anderson, and his distinct style of comedy. I've even read the screenplay to "Rushmore." I especially liked the bitter mockery of the O.R. Doctor. ("I got punched, what's you excuse?" "Oh, Are they?" etc. etc.) Anyway, I must admit I haven't seen "Bottle Rockets," but I plan to. If you haven't seen "Rushmore" you must go seen it! So, "The Royal Tenenbaums." I have to say, I loved it. If you see it as your first Anderson film you probably won't enjoy it as much, but it's truly funny. ("This is my adopted daughter," "So, she smokes?" "Why are you wearing pajamas? Do you live here?" "Happy Birthday to you!" "Don't we have another one of these around here to visit?" "I can talk jive, brother!" etc. etc.) One of my favorite scenes (Don't worry, not a spoiler!) is of one of the young Tenenbaum boys letting his bird fly free. It wasn't funny or quirky, it was just really beautifully done. The glorious bird flies gracefully in a 360 degree camera shot, while Beatles music (I think it was a cover though.) is played. It truly is magnificent. The only think I didn't like was Margot. I just didn't feel she was necessary to the plot. Well, she was, but I think it could of been better without her dark presence. Yet, without her there wouldn't of been Murray and his young friend. The cast is incredable: Danny Glover, Angelica Huston, Gweneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Bill Murray Alec Balwin (As the narrator, which I thought was a terrific touch.) and of course Gene Hackman. Each one was truly wonderful. I only wish that the Oscars had an "Actor in Musical/Comedy" category, like the Golden Globes, because Mr. Hackman could finally win the deserved oscar. But, the Oscar will, or I think it should, go to either Sean Penn for "I Am Sam," or Rusell Crow for "A Beautiful Mind." I'd prefer Sean Penn because he's never won it, but Mr. Crow will probably win. Anyway, go see "The Royal Tenenbaums," perhaps "Rushmore" or "Bottle Rockets" first and go have yourself a good time. I would imagine the other reviewers didn't know Anderson's style because it's an aquired taste, but it's a delightful one. And if you've seen it and enjoyed it, please say so and bring up it's rating. It's a witty film, that should be enjoyed and praised.
Rating: Summary: Aren't audiences supposed to LAUGH Review: during comedy films? Oh. I guess this wasn't actually a comedy. While I didn't notice much laughter going on during this movie, I DID see a number of people walk out. That's not typically a good sign. It's not that I don't enjoy "quirky" comedies. It's just that I expect to laugh more than twice during a film. The trailer that makes reference to Ben Stiller's character making a fortune as a youngster by breeding "Dalmatian mice" was not an indicator of the level of laughs. For me, that scene was the film's comedic highlight. To sum up an already BRIEF review, I'll defer to the reaction of a 7/8-full-theatre. Not once during the movie was dialogue interrupted by laughter. In fact, the only time I remember a more subdued crowd was during "Schindler's List."
Rating: Summary: We wanted to laugh!!!! Review: Laughter was not available during the showing of Royal Tenenbaums. While Hackmans acting was 1st class, the script and direction felt like late 60s Fillmore District.The funniest things we saw were the Gipsy cabs Ben Stiller could not act his way out of a paper bag. Huge disapointment. The best acting, outside of Hackman, was the mice. It was so bad it wasn't even CAMP.
Rating: Summary: Disappointment of the Year Review: This is one of those movies where the trailers and previews were better than the sum of the film. While the outstanding cast of Gene Hackman, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow and Bill Murray may have done a mostly fine job of playing their individual roles, the movie just doesn't gel, and certainly doesn't provide the guffaws one was led to expect. I found myself glancing at my watch several times during the last half of the flick to see how much longer we would be made to endure this dull, predictable storyline, which is something I am rarely driven to do during a movie. The most the movie was able to do was elicit a couple of chuckles from me, and unfortunately, that was about the highlight of my night at the movies.
Rating: Summary: Not Hollywood Review: If you are looking for a typical Hollywood movie do NOT go see this brilliant, yet off the wall, comedy. It is far more typical of Art Theater and Foreign films than it is of big budget US films. Many in the theater apparently went b/c of the reviews and weren't prepared for what they were getting. Those who are most disappointed with this film are probably not frequently found in the Art and Foreign film theaters. It is worth seeing, just don't expect Hollywood when you walk in!
Rating: Summary: Interesting but ultimately disappointing. Review: Hmm.I was psyched to see this,as I'd loved director Wes Anderson's 2 previous films-RUSHMORE and BOTTLE ROCKET.To me,this film didn't come close to matching the sweetness and wonderful craft of the others.Instead it appears to be a well-intentioned,yet a little typical,quirky family drama.The sort that wins oscars for acting and that's about it.RT has a great starting off point but bungles it.
Rating: Summary: Please deliver me from pretentiousness Review: ...In their zeal to create truly "quirky" characters, the writers seemed to throw everything at the audience from wooden fingers to exercise suits. The film was packed with gimmicks to try to endear this family to us. They were contrived and not clever or funny for the most part. The cigarette lobby must have dropped a few bucks on the production of this clunker...
Rating: Summary: The absolute worst movie I have ever seen, and NOT a comedy Review: Outside the theater, by the bathrooms, was a crowd of people, discussing what a pointless and depressing movie this was. Don't believe the ads, it is not a comedy. The first half of the movie is an introduction to a dysfunctional, yet boring set of characters, with some poorly done, mildly amusing humor, but too much drama and real pain shown to make it funny. The second half turns into a disgusting, depressing, gory, directionless statement of how pointless life is, with a mild, perfunctory redemption tacked on to the end. None of the characters managed to get more than a light laugh out of the entire (packed) theater, and none of them made me in the slightest interested in what would happen to them. A graphic and gory depiction of a suicide attempt is just one example of the many things that do not belong in any comedy, and were found in this one. Save your money for something more fun - like a root canal - seriously, for once I am not indulging in extreme rhetoric - I just had a root canal, and I would have preferred to be back in the dentist's office than having to watch this movie.
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