Trapped in Paradise

Rating:
Summary: CAGE IN A GILDED PARADISE
Review: TRAPPED IN PARADISE is a surprisingly charming and fun to watch movie, that could be enjoyed at Christmas or any time of year. The movie has the feel of one of those forties or fifties charmers, where the bad guys aren't so bad and they become good guys once they realize what life is really all about.
While the leads (Nicolas Cage, Dana Carvey and Jon Lovitz) are all very good, the movie's heart lies in the supporting performances: Florence Stanley as the boys' potty-mouthed mom; Donald Moffatt and Angela Paton as the Andersons, the bank president and his wife who unbeknownst to them are having the bank robbers for Christmas dinner; Madchen Amick (Twin Peaks) as the convict's sweet daughter; John Ashton as the redneck deputy; and Richard Jenkins as the putupon FBI agent. The scene where the bus depot clerk gives the duplicitous Cage enough money to get his ticket home is heart tugging, showing just how nice the people of Paradise really are.
Goofy and off the wall, TRAPPED IN PARADISE worms its way into your heart and is one of those critically panned movies that is much better than they thought! Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Not sure why this movie is so disliked
Review: Way back in 1990 something when this movie came out, it was screened as a student feature at the college I was attending at the time prior to it's release in theathers. I went with a good friend of mine, and we seemed to be the only people in the theater laughing. After the movie hit theaters, all of the reviews were negative as if the movie featured a cast of unknowns instead of three very well established entertainers, two of whom are very gifted comedians. While all three actors have had better roles, they work well together with Cage being the straight man to Lovitz and Carvey's comedic banter. Yes, I realize that the premise of this movie is somewhat far fetched, but that's why it's a movie and not a news story. The movie has its fair share of laughs with a healthy dose of Christmas spirit. It gets watched every holiday season at my house, and I recommend it to anyone who is capable of watching a movie and being OK with the fact that it is a work of FICTION! Anyway, enjoy the movie, the calesthenics schtick by Lovitz during the bank robbery alone is worth the price of admission.

Rating:
Summary: Not to be taken seriously, just enjoy the comedy on display!
Review: While not a masterpiece, Trapped In Paradise in many ways masters the comedic tour de force of it's three stars Dana Carvey, Jon Lovitz, and the as always, very good Nicolas Cage. While the film got some really negative reviews, the reason why is that it's just plain stupid fun. The movie centers around Nicolas Cage, and his two brothers, once they are released from prison, the two Firpo Bros. form a plan to rob a small town friendly bank in Paradise, Pa. Their brother Bill Firpo (Nicolas Cage) decides strangely to go with them, and while not really feeling right about it, he does it any way. So when they try to rob the bank is when the movie really get's moving with the three leading men (Carvey, Lovitz, Cage). Of course this is all set during Christmas time. For those who have not seen it, if you liked Airplane! or any of The Naked Gun movies, give Trapped In Paradise a try, it's harmless movie fun.