Rating: Summary: The most scary monster can sometimes be an obsessed person Review: History has shown it, Hitchcock knew it and in this movie Scorsese, Lewis & DeNiro proves it.
Rating: Summary: It's The Rupert Pupkin Show! Review: Chances are that if Robert De Niro is in a movie, it's going to be good. (Especially the old classics.) This one is no exception and I can't believe it has taken me this long to finally see this amazing comedy. Finally out on DVD, "The King of Comedy" is a terrific film on all fronts.Directed by Martin Scorsese, "The King of Comedy" is about a man named Rupert Pupkin (De Niro); a man with dreams of stand-up comedy success and superstardom on his mind. He doesn't spend too much time in the real world; his made-up world is far more enjoyable to him. There is hardly a moment in where he isn't daydreaming some. Rupert knows that the one man who can make his dreams come true is talk-show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis). Unfortunately, Langford wants absolutely nothing to do with Pupkin and sees him only as another star-crazed and psychotic fan. So, Rupert decides to do the next best thing that will guarantee him a spot on Jerry's show; he kidnaps him. Everything else just goes straight to hell after that with unpredictable twists and turns. This was a very funny and well-done movie that should've gotten more recognition when it was first out. Although it may have never gotten the attention it deserved while in theatres, I feel it is more popular now than ever before. I've always heard people quote the movie but never knew of which movie they were talking about. Robert De Niro is amazing as ever and really has fun with his role. Jerry Lewis is also incredible as the bitter talk show host who just wants to be left alone by everybody. Sandra Bernhard also deserves mention because I thought she was hilarious in this as well. I still can't believe this is a Martin Scorsese film. I know all the familiar camera angels and techniques are there, but this is so different from anything else he has ever done. He proves that his movies don't have to be violent and have to be full of profanities to be enjoyable. He captures the absurdity and outrageousness perfectly. Scorsese isn't just a terrific film maker, he is a unique storyteller as well. The DVD is quite good as well. Not the best, but has some very neat features to it. I thought the transfer was really good, being that it is such an old movie. I thought the picture looked great, although it did have its moments where it could've looked better. However, the overall presentation was very impressive. There are a few special features such as a making-of-featurette, still gallery, and a theatrical trailer and TV spot. I wished there would've been more extras, but I was still satisfied for the most part. "The King of Comedy" is a wildly entertaining film that had me laughing from start to finish. With a creative story and terrific acting, this is an amazing film that should be seen by all. A true Scorsese classic gem that I will never get tired of.
Rating: Summary: A GREAT GREAT Scorsese/DeNiro collaboration! Must see! Review: I love both Robert DeNiro(in my eye's he's "never" made a poor film!)and the brilliant Scorsese, so you know were this 'review' is headed. However, before I continue, I must again, PLEAD for Martin & Robert to hurry & do as many more projects together, as possible, because we(me)just haven't seen enough! Guy's; neither of you is getting any younger, & the chances of the both of you doing more projects together, is getting slimmer & slimmer! Especially w/Mr.Scorsese having to take nearly 3 years to get the brilliant "Gangs of New York" from the film cans to the screen! Please more!I personally can't think of another Actor/Director combo, who's bonds are so tight, & backgrounds so similar! These two are the only pair that have ever made so many films that are of the higest quality conceivable. Ok i'll keep this short.(Maybe) This film has always been 1 of my fave films w/the 2 "geniuses" working together! I always loved it, because out of the body of work both did together, this HAS to rank as the quirkiest. It's plain scary! Not "Max Cady" scary(which was also brilliant & another Oscar should have gone to Bobby Milk, & Scorsese was jobbed out of his 1st Best Director Oscar AGAIN! How can the Academy give every conceivable Oscar to the greatest Movie of the past 60+ years[Raging Bull]& Marty NOT win Best Director? A travesty, a joke![as is the Academy]rather, a creepy, slimey edgey type of scary, that is so close to surface reality it is devestating! As Scorsese used the camera in "Cape Fear" to make the audient feel claustrophobic, w/o any way of escaping what's in the frame, his camera work here is equally erie in a completely different but somehow familiar effect of placing your mind in the midst of the insanity! It's not just the insanity of Pupkin's world, but slyly shows the insnaity of the entertainment world, & how bleak & unapproachable these "tv people" are. Our 1st real glimpse at DeNiro playing "some" comedy.(Not when Pupkin attempts to be funny, rather when his deranged mind attempts to placate Lewis when Pupkin & Bernhard break into his house, or many other instances) DeNiro is just so bizzare here, it's beautiful. Why this film did'nt go over well w/audiences & 'critic's"(what do they know anyway?)is beyond comprehension. This is a classic,a wonderfully, dark look at another 1 of Scorsese's character's(written much the way it plays)and DeNiro's uncanny ability to "become" the person on the page! If you've never seen this, then treat yourself by buying the DVD to give you a little something extra, & more insight into the world of DeNiro & Scorsese! buy it. Just a pleasure to watch, & feel. Again(in the slim chance that either would read reveiws on this forum) I beg you two to get as many joint projects from the scripts to the finished projects, as it may never,ever happen again where 1 brilliant actor & an equally brilliant filmaker, are paired so perfectly! In fact I doubt that it will.
Rating: Summary: One of Scorcese's Best Films Review: This box office bomb is one of Scorcese's best films. The performances are fantastic and in Rupert Pupkin, the movie's weird protagonist (if there is one), DeNiro created one of the most complex characters of his career - - Pupkin is darkly hillarious and incredibly disturbing at the same time. The pathetic scenes in which DeNiro's Pupkin pretends to be a guest on the popular Tonight Show-style talk show hosted by Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis as the Carson-style host) with cardboard cutouts of Liza Minelli, etc. and the imagined conversations/interviews are one of the highlights of the movie and DeNiro's performance. Sandra Bernhardt is fantastic as the obsessed fan and enabler of all of Puplin's celebrity fantasies. At its core, the movie is about the dangers of celebrity and the desire of everyday Joes and Janes to inject themselves into that world. Pupkin is the natural and extreme extension of the personality quirks of anybody who has ever asked a celebrity for an autograph. In the end, there's something oddly likeable in the pathetic Pupkin that DeNiro creates. The arch of the movie follows his wild ride from untalented schmuck to "c" grade celebrity in his own right after he kidnaps talk show host Jerry Langford in his last desperate act to get five minutes of airtime on Langford's show. A terrific Scorcese film with terrific performances from a great cast. Jerry Lewis is incredible in the straight role as the talk show host cut from the Johnny Carson mold. Great movie.
Rating: Summary: The ORIGINAL King of Comedy Review: I was five when this movie came out and I heard it was a box-office flop. I wonder why, because this is a really interesting movie. See Robert DeNiro as Rupert Pupkin who tries everything he can to get on TV. He even goes so far to hold up network executives in order to get his way. Among the stars in the movie is Sandra Bernhard, who plays Pupkin's eventual sidekick, and Jerry Lewis, who plays a talk-show host that Pupkin tries to chase down. I won't give the plot away, but the ending is what had people talking: what's really going on, is it real or all in the mind? Martin Scorsese can do no wrong, so check out this movie he directed.
Rating: Summary: Seen 4+ Times and Love It Every Time Review: Put together heaping doses of Scorese, DeNiro, Jerry Lewis and Sandra Bernhard and what do you have? An absolute masterpiece. When I first went to see it in the theaters, I had my doubts. First, DeNiro and Scorsese doing comedy together when their forte was violent gangster and/or fighter films? And who in the heck wanted to see that washed up wreck of a comic Jerry Lewis clown around and fall all over himself? I went anyway since I never miss a Scorese film. I never even have these kinds of doubts when showing up for a Scorsese film anymore because I realized if he could pull this off, he could do anything. Yes, DeNiro as a would-be comic who pesters and stalks tv star Jerry Lester (Lewis) to get his shot of stand-up fame and then performs stand-up brilliantly is a revelation. Plus, you get to see another Jerry Lewis, probably the one who is much closer to the "real" Lewis. You haven't seen him since he played the "Hyde" part of Buddy Love in Lewis's "Nutty Professor." Lewis plays a very dark, cold, unfunny, calculating tv performer. The best part with Lewis though are his scenes when he is being held hostage by Sandra Bernhard, who has the hots for him, to give Deniro's "Rupert Pupkin" his tv shot. This may be the unlikeliest and thus funniest romantic pairing ever shown in a movie (entirely one sided as it is since Lewis/Lester is a total narcissist). This is a film to buy for your permanent DVD collection.
Rating: Summary: Great Film...Poor transfer Review: This is a great film, as many before me have stated. However, this transfer to DVD is inexcusably poor. Nice way to treat your fans. What a disappointment.
Rating: Summary: Love the movie but, Liza Minnelli only appears... Review: as a LIFE SIZE CARDBOARD CUT OUT of A PHOTO of "Herself".She's not in the deleted scenes either.Makes me wonder whether her inclusion in the credits as "Herself" was a thank you or a dig on the part of the director.What's even stranger is the current Mr Minnelli's inclusion of this role as one of her film highlights in the liner notes to Liza's Back.Did he even see the picture?
Rating: Summary: EXCELLENT! I saw when first came out, and reminds me of me! Review: I LOVED THIS MOVIE! It is mostly a drama, but Robert DeNiro is superb (as usual)! This is one of his best roles! AND he is the funny guy here! And Jerry Lewis: you will be surprised: he is very good, and he is great at playing drama! He plays a Johnny Carson-type talk show host Jerry Langford (JERRY LEWIS), kidnapped by DeNiro's character, along with a woman friend of his (played by SANDRA BERNHARDT) who is crazy for Jerry! They kidnap Jerry because DeNiro won't be allowed to be on Langford's talk show, even after Langford "promises" him he can have a chance to be on his program. There are a lot of truths to this story, particularly after this came out, regarding stalkers and celebrities. I have seen this film many times, and I am NEVER bored! Matter-of-fact, the character DeNiro plays reminded me of myself (when this movie came out)! Some of his ways and things he says, reminds me of the same things I do and say! Scorsese does it again! Brilliant director, brilliant actors! THIS is entertainment! Trust me! You won't go wrong! By the way, I have met Sandra Bernhardt (LAX Airport, mid-1980's) and Martin Scorsese (JFK Airport, 1983); they are both nice people!Thank you! ENJOY! DISFRUTE! -Paul "Gringo Latino" A.
Rating: Summary: King of Comedy Review: I had the old laser disc of this movie and it was poorly done, but although I never thought I would see it on dvd this is a much underated movie. In fact it's great. Someone who is in charge of selecting these movies for dvd knows what they are doing.
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