Rating: 
Summary: Funny lines, twisty plot.
Review: A friend of mine and I sat down to watch this film about four people in a really, really great dinner conversation, and, within five minutes of listening to the characters wax theories on religion and sex, I was saying to her, "Wow, we've had that conversation before."And from that moment and for that reason, we found MELVIN GOES TO DINNER fascinating. As the film went on, though, and we got to know the characters better, we got wrapped up in the real and imagined ties between the characters. We tried to figure out how they all knew each other, really, and the film surprised us with several plot twists that we didn't see coming. Adapted from a stage play using essentially the same principal cast, MELVIN GOES TO DINNER is a surprising find, one that I'm going to purchase so that I can watch it over and over. It's watchable for its plot and for its use of quality conversation. I highly recommend this.
Rating:
Summary: So great!
Review: After watching this movie I wanted to go out and make more interesting friends. TV producers should take a lesson from this film - I would love to see a series with characters as fun to follow as those in Melvin Goes to Dinner. The extra film on the DVD about their trip to film festivals is so funny I laugh just thinking about it.
Rating:
Summary: Let me join your table, please.
Review: Although I have not yet purchased the DVD, I was fortunate enough to see this film recently at the Deep Ellum Film festival in Dallas.
For me, it's a "must see." There are few films of this type which will hold your attention as well. In addition to fine acting, the camera work is extraordinary, and the editing makes you feel as though you were one of the group, able to shift your attention at will.
The characters are interesting and well developed, and the script moves along effortlessly. Before you know it, the 90 minutes have flown by, and you're ready to buy the next bottle of wine. Suddenly you're tempted to take these four characters back to your place for an all-nighter.
If you want to eavesdrop on good conversation that has some interesting twists, sit down at this table. You won't regret it.
Rating: 
Summary: Rent it. If there's a video store carrying this crap.
Review: Being a huge fan of Bob Odenkirk I must admit I was terribly dissapointed with this film. I bought this without even seeing it. Big mistake. I should know better than to buy into some shmuck who's using his cult status to rake in cash from loyal fans. I really think Bob Odenkirk should stick to writing comedy. He is a terrible director. Apperently there are these things called tripods. They're wonderful inventions you see. They keep the camera stable. But to hell with those things. I think I'll go out and buy a CANON XL1, run around and pretend I'm a director too. Oh wait! Maybe he was trying to get the feel of a documentary but it's actually a movie with actors. Oh! I see. Sorta something like Steven Soderburgs "Full Frontal." What a coincidence cause that movie sucked too. Watch Bruce McDonalds "HARD CORE LOGO" or Rob Reiners "SPINAL TAP" to find out how thats done properly. Unlike this film "SPINAL TAP" is funny. Besides the poor directing the story is just not clever at all. Without even looking into it I'm sure it's been done 1000 times before. The only scene I found a bit clever was a scene involving Jack Black. I hate Jack Black. David Cross is in the movie for like 30 seconds. Just enough to put his name on the on the backside of the DVD. Also just enought to trick a moron like me into buying this peice of poo poo. I expect way way more from Bob. To be honest with you it has the feel of a reality show but not the feel of reality. Who is that open about themselves? To make it even more un-realistic the dialogue in this film is delivered so poorly. Keep pushing that Miller Beer BOB!! Your gonna need the cash if you keep directing crap like Melvin Goes To Dinner. I give this two stars for the "Frank Festival" skit in the special features section. I give the movie 0 stars. I wish I put my 25 bucks towards a Criterion Collection Film. Anyone of those I buy I'll never be dissapointed with.
Rating:
Summary: One of the funniest and most brilliant movie in years.
Review: Bob Odenkirk was hilarious in Mr. Show and Melvin Goes To Dinner is no exception. This is one of the best and funniest movies you will ever see. Melvin Goes To Dinner is based on such a simple concept that it could have turned out horribly but in the hands of Bob Odenkirk he has crafted it into a masterpiece. On the DVD side it has the best feature a DVD could have audio commentary also a few other interesting tidbits but is definitely worth the 20 bucks. I will end this review with a few short phrases. Classic. Top Quality. Masterpiece. Brilliant. Non Stop Laugh Factory. Funny.
Rating: 
Summary: "I fell off my pterodactyl..."
Review: Directed by Bob Odenkirk (native of Naperville, IL, right around the corner from me) of HBO's Mr. Show (1995) and based off a play written by Michael Blieden, Melvin Goes to Dinner (2003) is a movie...well, as George Constanza from TV's Senfield might put it, about nothing. Really...nothing happens...four people come together for dinner and different topics of discussion arise, religion, marriage, infidelity, sex, ghosts, among other things. The movie forms around what is supposed to be spontaneous conversation, and has various flashbacks intertwined to help develop the characters. The film succeeded, but main problem I had was with the characters in that I just didn't like them very much. They really weren't people I'd be interested in knowing or spending time with, but I continued to watch, and even managed to enjoy myself. One thing I noticed which rang true to me was how easy it can be at times for people to relate really personal information about themselves with absolute strangers, while having difficulty doing the same with people they have closer relationships, like spouses or siblings. There were some great cameos by David Cross (as a motivational speaker) and Jack Black, who really made me laugh as a lunatic in a hospital talking about how he was 'the Creatrix' and the jealous god knocked him off his pterodactyl and turned him into a nid (a human being). Maura Tierney and Laura Kightlinger also appear. I really thought the movie would have more humor than it did, as the conversation meandered from subject to subject. It was kinda odd when the supporting cast is more well known that the starring players with the exception of the attractive Annabelle Gurtwitch, who played the character of Sarah. She used to be on that television show 'Dinner & a Movie' as a co-host and has been in quite a few movies. Special features include a featurette about how the makers of this film accepted an invitation to the exclusive Frank International Film Festival, only to learn that the festival was run by one guy named Frank, and their film was the only movie showcased, and pretty much the whole festival took place in this Frank's mother's house, with the filmmaker's having to share a funky room with Frank's brother. There are two different commentaries available, one with the writer and the cast, and another with people involved in the production and also a copy of the script available in a PDF format. There are also like ten trailers for various Sundance Channel releases. I really wish I could give this film 3 ½ stars rather than three, but the current system doesn't allow for that (foolish system)... Cookieman108
Rating: 
Summary: Melvin should have another serving of paste
Review: Directors, actors, and all others associated with the film industry make a real effort to be cerebral. It's understandable, as it's a worthy goal. 99.5% of them fail - perhaps it's a lack of education, maybe it's poor upbringing that has reinforced self-absorption, and it could be that the superficiality which makes them such a good fit in Hollywood directly leads to this end. The only redeeming quality of the film is that it exposes human foibles (and this is not a new concept - it's typically an element of every movie). It seems that movies these days fall on either end of two extremes: telling stories of people who unrealistically do the right thing, or blathering of shallow morons who are poor subjects of empathy. This falls into the latter category. I want that hour and a half of my life back for a more worthy endeavor such as playing target practice into a trash can with a staple gun.
Rating:
Summary: Great film
Review: I picked this up from Hollywood video, noticing "SUNDANCE" across the cover. It is a very interesting movie. I may not have seen all of the director's other work, as many of the other reviewers, but having picked this off the shelf by chance, I think I am as qualified as any to say that "Melvin Goes to Dinner" is an excellent film. It is a thoroughly entertaining, interesting and thought-provoking film about people. Four people end up chatting for hours over wine at a bistro. The viewer does not know their particular relationships to one another, and in the beginning of the movie, little flashes from the characters' lives are thrown in. I thought the beginning was a bit too much information for a viewer, but it sorted out in the end as the characters' lives unfolded to each other and the viewer. It was an excellent movie, I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: I love most of Bob Odenkirk's work...
Review: I think I've seen almost everything Bob's been involved with and this just didn't do it for me. If you have friends and they aren't complete dullards, you've probably had most of the conversations you'll see in this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Hmm..
Review: Interesting.... That one word describes this movie pretty well. Of course Bob Ordenkirk is a genious, from the likes of Mr. Show, but I wondered could this be just as witty? That it is. Within 20 minutes of the movie I found myself absolutely stuck on the couch. Bob does a wonderful job of keeping you interested in all 4 peoples lives, and he keeps bringing up new subjects out of nowhere to leave you with a smack in the face. Basically the reason it smacks you is because, well the majority of everyone has either thought or can relate to one of the topics they bring up in this movie.... except for maybe jack blacks cameo of the "creatrix." I can't really see anyone relating to that, but it had me rolling on the floor. Also the cameo as David Cross was a motivational speaker, the part fit him perfect. But enough of the babbling, so youre wondering... why is this movie so good? Because basically it is a real life situation. You could see yourself sitting at the table and actually holding a conversation with these 4 people, whether it be sex, ghosts, or religion, I'm sure you all could get on it. But the thing that makes it a witty and enjoyable screenwrite is the twists and turns the movie progresses in. Such as in the end it had come to the conclusion that 2 of the cast members had been sleeping together. I will let you find that out for yourself. But in my opinion, its completely worth the rent and even a buy.. if you arent stingy like I am!
| 
