Rating: Summary: Funny in an off-center kind of way Review: This is an odd little film. It's funny, but in an off-center kind of way. If you found Fight Club funny (which I thought it was in parts), then you'll probably find this movie funny as well. Not that they are the same in context, just that their humor is similar in the oblique way at which they approach it.This is clearly a dark comedy that envelopes itself into a style that is much like the children's television shows they produce. In fact, I'd venture to say that the style of this film is almost comic book in nature. The lighting is very stark and solid in it's choice of colors and the characters are almost ripped from the pages of a Dick Tracy comic book, albeit a more modern one. Robin Williams gives a very funny performance as a homo-repressed over-the-top children's TV host and delivers his comedy in his characteristic rapid fire delivery. It's classic Robin Williams. Edward Norton shows us yet another side to his character acting skills as a meek and mild, cleaner than clean wannabe children's television host. His opening scene performing at a heroin clinic is just classic, "Let's face it. Big junkies come from little junkies. We gotta nip this in the bud, Burke!". Yet Norton plays Smoochy with a bit of a hidden dark edge that keeps you thinking he's going to pop at any moment. It just keeps the energy of the film always at a high rev. Another notable performance was Jon Stewart. He plays Marion Frank Stokes, a producer and overall sleaze. He did surprisingly well considering he was acting opposite Edward Norton and Robin Williams! Some of the best parts though are in the out takes at are in the "Special Features" section of the DVD. I encourage you to watch the out takes if for nothing else than to see him hold is improv ground again Williams. I always knew Jon was fast, but he's really able to go toe-to-toe with one of the masters of improv. Some really funny stuff. Overall, Death To Smoochy is Mr. Rogers, meets The Simpsons, meets Ren and Stimpy. It's a farcical romp through a very distorted view of children's television that will have you laughing in that fun, but un-comfortable way. Especially when you hear Smoochy sing... Smoochy: [Singing] He slams the door He stomps his feet He sends me to bed with zilch to eat But my stepdad's not mean he's just adjusting. Smoochy: [Speaking] So you see, kids, a stepfather is just like a new puppy. He needs love and care. Remember though, if your stepdad is EVER abusive towards YOU or MOMMY, what's the magic numbers? Kids: 9-1-1! Smoochy: Thaaaaaaat's right!"
Rating: Summary: shockingly bad Review: The worst movie ever? This movie is marketed as being a "Barney" bashing movie, for all those parents fed up with having to endure endless hours of mindless childrens videos. But instead of a movie with biting sarcasm and rampant deviltry, this is really a musical written for children. A poorly written one. Watching this movie was like watching 2 hours of Barney videos. Instead of treating children's icons like pinatas, this movie is an homage to them. The script was written for children. It completely lacks adult humor, and any humor at any level period. In all honesty, there is one lone exception: a scene by Robin Williams, where he slams into a brick wall in a spoof of a scene from Singing in the Rain. I was stunned that there were no other laughs in a movie with such a great comedian. But then this isn't really a movie at at, just a musical on film. If you haven't had enough of Barney-type songs then this movie is for you.
Rating: Summary: About the worst movie I have ever seen Review: Death to Smoochy lacks almost ALL entertainment value. It's one of those movies that looks very promising, is well acted, and well-directed, but has a really bad script. I wonder how it was able to attract such a fine cast of actors. Further, of the 5 or so jokes in this movie, all are of the "hammer-to-the-head" or "farting noise" style. It would seem the scriptwriter never could decide whether to make it for children or for adults. I enjoyed Meet the Parents (as suggested by another reviewer) but was dumbfounded by this piece of cinematic drab.
Rating: Summary: one of the funniest things i have ever seen. Review: This movie is SOOOOOO funny. Robin Williams did and excellent psychopathic ex-children show star. Edward norton was sooo funnt as Smoochy. You have to see this movie it goes behind children's television everything from the Irish Mofia to the truth about the ice shows. Please see this movie it is worth renting let alone buying.
Rating: Summary: You can't change the world, but you can make a dent! ;) Review: It absolutely frustrates me how alot of people choose to give "Death to Smoochy" 1 or 2 stars. Such negative criticism can only originate from reviewers who lack intelligence! "Death to Smoochy," (a black comedy that pokes fun at the popularity of children's television) is a film I enjoy watching over and over again. The plot of this movie is smart, twisted and downright insane!! And now for the synopsis: Robin Williams plays the devilishly demented Rainbow Randolph, a famous singing and dancing kid's show host whose sparkling career is ruined after he accepts a cash bribe from 2 FBI agents. After the scandal, Randolph is replaced by Sheldon Mopes (Edward Norton), AKA Smoochy the Rhino. Mopes is a wholesome hippie who doesn't swear, never believed in violence and only gets drunk on freshly squeezed orange juice! In an effort to send a positive message to America's children, Mopes replaces chocolate chip cookies with whole-grain energy bars, rejects the idea of making money through merchandise, and composes silly songs tackling REAL adult issues (such as donating blood and reporting domestic violence). Soon enough, "The Smoochy Show" (which stars Mopes strumming his guitar in a fuchsia plush Rhino suit) is a #1 hit, but Mopes's struggle for creative control clashes with that of Nora Wells (Catherine Keener), a scornful, unfeeling T.V. producer who only views Smoochy as a marketing tool for selling shampoo, string cheese and ice cream. Meanwhile, the now embittered and impoverished Rainbow Randolph will do ANYTHING to regain his time slot...even if it means destroying Mope's life and reputation. Other factors are featured in this film as well: fasten your seats for a wild, hilarious ride with magic cookies, ice shows, gun violence, Irish mobs, axe murders, corrupt charities, and Nazis (YES! I SAID NAZIS!) at every turn. "Death to Smoochy" is also a great movie because it graciously gives every star cameo an opportunity to shine. Even director Danny Devito himself appears as Burt Bennett, a talent agent who carries much more than a card up his sleeve. But perhaps the most important thing one should realize about this film is that it isn't just fueled by alot of cheap sex & toilet humor; "Death to Smoochy" is specifically made as a message to make us question the validness of America's current programming (Barney the Dinosaur being #1 on our list.) Do our kid's shows REALLY teach boys and girls about right and wrong, or are such programs only intended to sell sugar and plastic?
Rating: Summary: FUNNY FUNNY! Review: This is one funny movie, very very dark but all the same, it's just down right FUNNY. Who ever claimes to dislike this movie, well that issue is yours. People have to lighten up, and this A list filled movie will make you crack up with LAUGHTER. This is for sure a movie for adults. It is witty and touches on the crazy world of Television. Recommend for any adults that has a good sence of humor. Ed Norton and Robin Williams are just amazing, silly But TOOOOOOOOOOO FUNNY !
Rating: Summary: Dark comedy...pure genius! Review: Robin Williams does well with his part as a schizophrenic, children's-television star who is stripped of his television time-slot for taking a bribe. Ed Norton's character, Smoochy, portrays a Barney-esque, over-the-top-nice children's television star. The jokes were, for the most part, intelligent and well-delivered. As this movie runs in somewhat the same vein as one of DeVito's other films, Drowning Mona, it is not a movie for everyone. It should especially not be considered a "family film." This film runs the risk of being, and has been, misread as a poorly-executed, traditional, slapstick comedy, which it is most definitely not. Definitely one of the best comedies released in recent years.
Rating: Summary: Great Movie! Review: This is a great movie! Definitely not for kids. OKay, maybe the very beginning part before the corruption and violence section. Interesting take on the Hollywood side in making of an icon for children. I highly recommended for those who likes dark humor.
Rating: Summary: THE WORST COMEDY OF THE YEAR - OR ANY YEAR?! Review: I am reading in sheer disbelief some of the above reviews who praise DEATH TO SMOOCHY - "mine comic gold"? Cmon! This is without a doubt one of the WORST movies of the year - if not ALL TIME - I'm not talking a low-brow cheapie exploitation flick that doesn't aim high, I am talking a big-budget major studio movie full of A-list actors (Williams, Norton, Keener, DeVito, etc.) that falls FLAT on its face from the first frame - I saw this movie in the theater opening weekend, and I can say: from the opening moments, I knew I was in deep, deep trouble - DEATH is truly painful to watch & experience - the easy targets are not skewered, the "acting" is uniformly horrible/over-the-top/cringe-inducing - have you ever seen a comedy that is LAUGH-FREE? THIS IS IT! Sooooo very, very BAD that I literally couldn't take it any longer, and finally walked out before the movie ended - it was THAT bad, and believe me, I have seen some stinkers! The last movie I walked out of was THE DUCHESS AND THE DIRT WATER FOX in the 70s - while that dates myself a bit, it should reveal the extent to which this supposed "comedy" BLOWS BIG TIME - a failed effort/waste of talent/time all the way around, AVOID AT ALL COSTS!
Rating: Summary: are you kidding me? Review: One of the worst films i have seen in the past few years, and that's saying a lot with the awful stuff that's being released on a regular basis...Edward Norton's attempt at comedy is painful to watch. Not sure whether it's his fault OR the script, but who cares? This movie stinks. Catherine Keener's performance is mailed-in (what's she doing here in the first place?), and Robin Willaims over-the-top maniac role is so tired. Everyone involved should be ashamed of themselves...
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