Rating: Summary: Inexplicable Review: This movie is a tough one to rate. The story was dreck, the cast had almost no chemistry, and it just wasn't very funny. And yet, most of the performances were quite good. Travolta's performance is, at times, inspired, but overall it's uneven. Kudrow is delightful, making even this usual-for-her role fresh and fun. Pullman misses, generally, but it isn't his fault - his character isn't given enough screen time for us really appreciate him. Roth is marvelous, as always. Fact is, this flick is not all that good, but it's not because of the actors. The plot is contrived and, frankly, not well-conceived enough for believability. And it needed believability to work. There are one or two too many characters, leaving us wanting more of almost all of them - but a bit less of Travolta (which is rare) because his character just doesn't quite work. There are some genuinely funny moments, but not enough to sustain the whole experience. All in all, Lucky Numbers is a decent way to spend a couple of hours, but it isn't worth buying. This one isn't worth owning but it's a worthy rental if you'd like to see a classic example of a few really good performances going to waste and maybe have a few laughs.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Movie of all times !! Review: This movie is great; the cast is good, all the actors play wonderfully, the story is original, the soundtrack is made up of a variety of tunes, good vibes for most of them . The movie raises plenty of questions: - are we in the 4th dimension ? - is Mildred going to come back from Florida ? - are there limits to enjoyment ? - how much money is it possible to earn at the lottery ? - what is money for ? - donations: to who ? - what are lucky numbers ? - what is luck ? - what is music for ? - what is an accident ? - what is the best insurance ? - what is beauty ? - what is universal ? - who needs details ? - what is intuition ? - what is civility ? - what is language ? - what is time, how should we use it ? - what is an animator (or leader)? - what is an agent for ? - was the murdered body naked ? - what is hate ? - why are deterrents necessary ? - are we allowed to lie ? - is it okay to get a bit more money if it is only fair ? ... and many more questions. The whole story is outstanding in many respects, and some of the good sequences are: 1) absolutely all the scenes with Lisa Kudrow, she is a fantastic actress in this movie ; 2) the scenes with the two policemen, the white and the black ; 3) the scene when one policeman shows interest in Cristal but not the opposite; 4) the snowmobile ride by John Travolta; 5) the robbery in the couple's flat; (this shows that to get something from someone else, you could threaten this person to death, after scaring him, to break his will); 6) just before the robbery, the way the White policeman feels that the passer-by is actually up to something wrong; 7) the scene in which Cristal finally gets an agreement with Dick, after tense negociation resting on deterrents. What I liked best in the movie: 1) the behavior of Cristal; What I disliked: 1) the death of [plot spoiler]; 2) Dick. Finally, this movie teaches us what the qualities of a good animator (or leader) should be: 1) a leader is the cherry on the cake, but the cake is the concept; 2) a leader does not leave room to chance; 3) a leader can be trusted 100%; 4) a leader makes sure there are no lies; 5) a leader never sets unrealistic deadlines; 6) a leader avoids confusing, abstract gestures when talking; the message has to be 100% clear; 7) a leader never criticizes others in their back. Also it opened up some ideas inside me, like : - routine is ugly; - building is great; - having experience is great; - having a young mind and a capacity to marvel like a child is great.
Rating: Summary: A mega disapointment Review: This movie was simply the one of the worst movies I have ever seen.I was expecting a funny dark comedy and what I got was a major let down.I sat there and only laughed at one scene and that was it.I don't even know why such talented actors like John Travolta and Lisa Kudrow chose this movie.It is simply horrible.A must avoid.
Rating: Summary: An odd sometimes charming, mean-spirited comedy. Review: When a likable Weatherman (John Travolta), who is in debt riddled decides to rob the lottery numbers with his attractive but rudeful girlfriend (Lisa Kudrow) with his friend (Tim Roth) replacing the lottery balls with fixed numbers but it`s gets complicated, when a Thug (Micheal Rapaport), who wants part of the money. A sleazy T.V. Station Owner (Ed O`Neill), who wants the whole thing and a Lazy Detective (Bill Pullman), who on the case of a missing bookie (Richard Schiff), who could be involved with the fixed lottery numbers. Directed by Nora Ephorn (Sleepless in Seattle, Micheal) has made a Edgy Comedy, this was a Box Office Flop in the fall of 2000. Some might not enjoy this dark comic film but those who enjoy performance by a Solid Cast might love this. Based on a True Story. DVD`s has an clean anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) transfer and an good Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD`s has an running commentary track by Director:Ephorm and a few more Extras on the DVD. Written by Adam Resnick (Cabin Boy, Death to Smootchy, Looney Tunes:Back in Action). Grade:A-.
Rating: Summary: Ephron Takes A Walk On The Comedic Wild Side Review: Working from a screenplay by Adam Resnick, director Nora Ephron diverts from her usual domain of romantic comedy to skirt the perimeter of Scorsese territory with "Lucky Numbers," a black comedy of errors starring John Travolta and Lisa Kudrow. Travolta is T.V. weatherman Russ Richards, something of a local celebrity in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he also owns a snowmobile dealership. Kudrow is Crystal Latroy, who works for the same station as Richards, as the "Vanna White" of the state lottery show; she's the girl who pulls the ping-pong balls from the tube and calls out the winning numbers. In their world, everything is pretty much jake until the weather stays too good for too long; no snow means no snowmobile sales for Russ, and pretty quickly he's in it up to here, financially. With his back against the wall, the usually honest and upright Richards is coaxed into a plan that will put an end to his woes and worries. All he has to do is convince Crystal to help him rig the lottery, and they'll walk away with upward of six million dollars. And, as it usually goes with a plan for the perfect crime, it isn't long before Murphy's Law goes into effect, and things go south in a hurry. And life for Russ Richards, a guy with his own table at Denny's, just isn't what it used to be. But, like they say, when things look dark, it's probably only going to get darker... For Travolta, the character of Richards is somewhat different than any he's done before. To pull it off (which he does), he has to play down the charm and stifle his natural charisma, leaving Russ with just enough polish and ego to make him "local celebrity" believable. This is a good guy at heart, reasonably intelligent, but not exactly the brightest bulb in the overheads. And Travolta manages to put it all across admirably. He's not someone you'll easily relate to, but you've got to like this guy. He's kind of a, well, he's a goof-ball. Kudrow has a character in Crystal that is different for her as well; as the lotto girl, on the show she exhibits a somewhat dense persona; but Crystal is anything but. She's the sharp one of the bunch, externally charming when she needs to be, but tough as nails on the inside and ready to play hardball as soon as the opportunity presents itself. And Kudrow plays it all beautifully. Crystal is not someone you're readily going to embrace, but it's hard not to like her. Is it her fault there's more than a little larceny in her heart just waiting for the right circumstances to be unleashed? Ephron seems to enjoy taking these characters, who are just a shade darker than what she's used to, through their paces. It's a satirical walk on the wild side for her, and she manages to mine laughs in some of the darkest places along the way. But when you have characters with names like "Gig" (Tim Roth) and "Dale the Thug" (Michael Rapaport), you're going to get some chuckles no matter what, especially when one of them is wielding a baseball bat for all the wrong reasons. The supporting cast includes Ed O'Neill (Dick), Michael Moore (Walter), Michael Weston (Larry), and, in a small, but highly effective and hilarious role, Bill Pullman (Lakewood). This is a funny movie, though not uproariously so; things happen that you will laugh at in spite of yourself, while at other times there are moments that are genuinely side-splitting hilarious (one in particular, near the end, that involves an eighteen-wheeler). This may not be Ephron's crowning achievement cinematically, but nevertheless, "Lucky Numbers" is entertaining and good for some laughs. For Ephron, it's definitely the road less traveled; but in the end, it's a trip worth taking with her.
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