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Anger Management (Full Screen Edition)

Anger Management (Full Screen Edition)

List Price: $27.94
Your Price: $25.15
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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Entertaining comedy from the anxiety twins
Review: This sounded so promising. Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler both have enough anxiety and quirks built around their personnas to make a rich, satisfying comedy. If Anger Management falls a bit flat, it's more to do with the uneven screenplay and direction than the performers. Both Sandler and Nicholson give solid comedic performances. Although Nicholson coasts on his personality here playing a variation on characters he's played before, Sandler actually stretches a bit in his role. It's nothing compared to the stretch we saw in the dark comedy/drama Punch Drunk Love, but it's a step up from The Waterboy.

The plot in a nutshell--Sandler plays an executive assistant at a firm that designs clothing for fat cats. He's always had a problem with intimacy since a bully pulled down his shorts while he shared his first kiss. As a result, he's also quiet and not very aggressive about going after what he wants. While on a flight he asks for a headset from a flight attendant. He asks several times, is assured he'll get it, only to be ignored. When he asks one final time (quite calmly) the flight attendant accuses him of being out of control and verbally abusive. A Marshall becomes involved and puts him under arrest. He's sentenced to an anger management course and fined as a result. The only problem--the doctor running the anger management course appears to nuts and having issues with anger himself. At one point he moves in with Sandler's character and forces him to proposition a complete stranger (even though Sandler's character has a girlfriend), partner with a psychotic as part of his buddy system and and confront his weasel of a boss. Ultimately, he does control his anger but learns to stand up for himself.

Some of the cameos are inspired while others fall completely flat. The most bizarre is, perhaps, Woody Harrelson's performance in drag. The feel good happy ending kinda comes out of nowhere and undercuts the dark comedy elements that do work well here (particularly the encounter with a bully that used to pick on Sandler's character who is now--surprise--a Buddist Monk (played by the talented John C. Rilley).

The DVD looks very good and the sound is up to the high standards we've come to expect from DVDs. The extras are a what we've come to expect and, while the outtakes aren't as gut splittingly funny as one would hope, there are a couple of chuckles to be found. The featurettes are a bit quirky if, again, predictable.

Although Anger Management doesn't live up to its potential (which is a pity but that's no surprise given the way the script and film was probably compromised by the egos of the actors involved), it has a number of truly funny moments. The film is at its best when it's unpredictable. Unfortunately, most of the film falls into a rut. It's like laying eyes on a new rollercoaster that looks unusual; you find that while it looks pretty good once you ride it the twists and turns are pretty familiar. The ride's still enjoyable even if it is predictable.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Abismal
Review: Thank God I was smart enough to turn it off after 45 minutes. Thats over an hour of my life saved for sleeping. I did get screwed out of the $3, though. Give $3 to a homeless person, or burn it to keep warm before you rent this, and you'll be glad you did.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A good film overall
Review: Adam Sandler is one of the funniest actors in the world today. The same applies to Jack Nicholson. So, a movie starring the two of them together must be pretty good, right? Read on for my review of Anger Management.

BASIC PLOT:
In this film, Sandler plays the role of your average company man who always gets cheated out of promotions and never gets the credit around the office he deserves. Through an odd twist of fate on an airplane, he is arrested and sentenced to anger management. Nicholson plays the role of his anger management counselor. Unfortunately, things continue to go wrong for Sandler's character, and he soon finds himself in a much more intensive anger management program - with Nicholson's character living with him! I don't want to spoil any more surprises, so I'll cut the summary there.

FILM OPINIONS:
Overall, this was a good film. However, I was expecting more from a film that brought together two of the biggest names in comedy. That's not to say this isn't a good film, though. The film has a plethora of funny scenes, including one in which Sandler is continually whacked by a blind man's cane, and one in which Sandler and Nicholson confront Sandler's character's childhood nemesis - who has become a monk. Although this film didn't quite meet my expectations, it's still worth watching.

DVD:
The DVD gives you all the basic features you'd expect - scene selections, trailers for this and other films, commentary, behind-the-scenes footage, and the holy grail of DVD extras - deleted scenes. The deleted scenes don't really reveal anything important (probably the reason they were deleted), but they're worth watching if you liked the film. Sadly, the DVD doesn't give you a choice of full screen or widescreen, you have to buy one or the other.

OVERALL:
Anger Management is yet another good entry in Sandler's catalogue. It's not his best film to date, though. If you're a fan of Sandler and/or Nicholson, then I recommend seeing this film at least once.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: by-rote comedy
Review: With that frazzled hair, that just-swallowed-the-canary grin, and that sly, mischievous, devil-may-care gleam in his eye, Jack Nicholson does the controlled-mania shtick better than anyone working in movies today. But even his presence isn't enough to prevent "Anger Management" from emerging as a decidedly unfunny comedy, one that ends up wasting the talents of Adam Sandler, Marisa Tomei, John Turturro, Woody Harrelson and Luis Guzman as well.

The David Dorfman screenplay is yet another of those "high concept" package deals - replete with contrived plots and big-name movie stars in the leads - that look irresistible to all those corporate green-lighters at the studio, but which fall to pieces the moment they come to fruition on the big screen. Sandler plays a mild-mannered, put-upon schnook who is unfairly and inexplicably convicted of assaulting a stewardess on an airplane. Much to Sandler's chagrin, the court consigns him to the care of Nicholson, a well-known anger management specialist who is more certifiably psychotic than the patients he is ostensibly helping. The strained, manufactured plot is little more than an excuse to give Nicholson a chance to chew the scenery and Sandler to act bemused, befuddled and benumbed. Unfortunately, that's pretty much how the audience feels after 106 minutes of nonstop crudity, predictability and over-the-top ranting. Director Peter Segal tries desperately to make the whole enterprise come across as madcap, witty and anarchic, but with virtually every single joke and set-up fizzling and sputtering out, the film ends up feeling merely chaotic and desperate.

The filmmakers have peppered their movie with any number of cameo appearances by some famous real life New Yorkers, but their performances are so thoroughly inept and wretched that "Anger Management" begins to feel more like amateur night at the Roxy than a multimillion-dollar Hollywood production. This is most acutely felt in the painfully awkward and embarrassingly mawkish climactic moments played out, stereotypically, before a packed house at Yankee Stadium (didn't we see this scene a few years back in "Never Been Kissed"?). Moreover, the "surprise" ending requires that we suspend disbelief more than is advisable even for a film of this nature, which could never expect us to believe for a fleeting moment anything that is going on here.

In what is a bizarre fluke of fate, I suppose, "Anger Management" turns out to be the second film in recent months to feature characters massacring and mangling the Bernstein and Sondheim song "I Feel Pretty" from "West Side Story." What I said about this phenomenon in my review of "Analyze That" holds true here as well: that filmmakers with a dubious movie on their hands should avoid reminding us of a much better film while we are being asked to suffer through theirs. It only makes the experience that much more painful.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This movie kills me
Review: This is one of the most funniest movies i have ever seen in my life. Nicholson is hilarious. Sandler could've been a little more funnier though. But overall its hilarious and worth buying

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This movie is Greatly underrated
Review: It is hard to believe some of the low ratings of Amazon reviewers. I watched this movie with three other people and we were all cracking up all the way through. Some reviewers were trying to compare it to other Nicholson or Sandler movies, and maybe that's why they rated it low. Every movie has to be rated on its own merits, and this one certainly deserves five stars.

No matter what you thought, the ending of Anger Management in Yankee Stadium, which is the best non-baseball segment ever filmed in a real Major League park, is worth the five stars on its own. The rest of this wonderful movie is just a build-up to this magnificent ending.

The cameos, by top actors and actresses, with some not even credited, only add to the hilarious plot. This is a film you could see many times, and never stop laughing.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Had its moments, but disappointing
Review: 'Anger Management' is basically a reversal of patient-therapist comedies like 'What About Bob' and 'Analyze This.' Sandler plays a guy forced by court order to attend anger management for something he didn't do, and Nicholson plays his zany therapist. Things go from bad to worse, and Sandler finds himself compelled by the court to spend thirty days under the therapist's intensive therary--which means therapist moves in with Sandler and accompanies him everywhere. Predictably, Sandler gets put through the ringer by the therapist, but everything turns out rosy in the end.

Sandler was far from his best in this movie. John Turturro, who plays Sandler's "anger ally" from anger management group therapy, runs circles around Sandler. Marissa Tomei is convincing and charming as Sandler's girl. Nicholson is The Man and all that, but the nutty, devilish guy routine is less inspired than usual; maybe there just wasn't enough to challenge his genius.

There were a lot of funny scenes, but they were oases in this otherwise formulaic movie. I tried to like it. There were some fantastic performances and a lot of good gags, but the story, and especially the poor ending, was a disappointment.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Needed A Lot More Anger
Review: At first hearing of the concept, you would think that it was a fun premise for a comedy. When word came out that it would star Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler, it made seem like it could be even more interesting. It was a fun concept, and it had inspiring casting with those two put together, but the filmmakers didn't take adavantage enough of the concept and seemed to let the actors picks up the pieces. What seemed like a perfect vehicle for Adam Sandler, something right up his alley, really becomes a non-Sandler film. When you expect big outbursts and zany, slapsticky comedy, you wouldn't expect Sandler to take a more subtle, low-key approach. It really becomes The Jack Nicholson Show, and Sandler is more the straight man. Sure, he gets steam off every once in a while, but it is not the Sandler performance that one would of expected. Thankfully, there is the master. Jack. Like I said before, this is his movie. He has the best lines, the best scenes, and the most fun, spirited, and interesting performance. Well, of course. He's Jack. Of anything, Sandler bogged the film down. Adam plays Dave Buzznik, an clothes designer for overweight cats(you heard me). He seems mild mannered and quiet enough, but thru some unfortunate(and highly preposterous incidents)on an airplane, Dave is sent to go to anger management classes runned by Dr. Buddy Rydell(Nicholson), who seems to paint Dave as someone with a real problem. Things go from bad to worse when Dave's sentence is pro-longed and the good doctor decides to move in with Dave and watch him more carefully. This also buts in on Dave's relationship with his lovely girlfriend, played by Marisa Tomei, who is always adorable. After some time, Dave, and you, wonder if Dr. Buddy isn't the one who's nuts. It all ends in a very "safe" way, and one that most can smell a mile off. What was kind of disappointing about the film is that it really didn't take advantage of the 'anger' issue. It would of been better if more anger was shown, and was shown because of everyday things that irritate all of us. Slow drivers, drivers with cell phones, talking in movie theaters, crying babies on airplanes. All of that kind of stuff. The film plays it safe and that is where it falters. Buddy's teaching technique elicits some laughs, but it's slow, and your mind sometimes wanders. This is why it would of been so good if Sandler was like himself in his other movies. Where's the jovial goofball that always acted up and had something funny to say?. That guy is rarely seen here, and it's up to the game Nicholson to carry the movie, which he does. Naturally. There were times where the movie felt forced, unnatural, and somewhat uncomfortable. The pairing of the two could of been used to so much better effect than it is here. You can also expect a handful of celebrities to cameo. People like Heather Graham, Rudy Giuliani, Harry Dean Stanton, Bobby Knight, John McEnroe, and others. Those last two you can probably guess why. It was an easy joke, but it worked. John Turturro, who previously ventured into "SanderLand" with "Mr. Deeds", also appears as a fellow member of the anger group. He's pretty funny and livens things up a bit when he is on screen. There was a lot of potential in the premise and the pairing, but the writers and director musn't of cared or noticed.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Better than the Critics Think
Review: I'm really surprised that the critics jumped all over this movie. I think it's because the critics generally don't like Sandler movies. They love Jack but jumped all over him for agreeing to this union. I don't enjoy Sandler's usual films for that matter, but I thoroughly enjoyed this flick all the way to the end.

With that said, I'll again reiterate: I'm NOT a typical Sandler fan and the last movie I liked with Jack Nicholson was Witches of Eastwick. However, when I saw the previews I was intrigued from the start. Sandler and Nicholson? What a wild combo! Last time I had this reaction was when Michael J. Fox was in Frighteners, which was tauted as a horror film. Still, the curiosity was enough for me to go out and rent it.

You've probably already read the synopsis, so I'll be brief: Sandler is subjected to anger management classes, which are supervised by Nicholson's character. His treatments are completely outrageous from the start, seemingly enraging Sandler more than pacifying his anger. The whole film is like a sweetly wrapped present that is neatly tied up with a lovely bow at the end. I'll leave it at that.

Sandler, who is usually a whiny, strange character in his films plays the straight role, while Nicholson goes more towards the wacky. Still, Nicholson isn't that outrageous that you believe it's a Sandler film, but Jack does steal the spotlight.

The cameos in this film are just hysterical. Some of which you'd probably miss if you blink but some are purposely put in tongue-in-cheek -- two of which being Bobby Knight and John McEnroe who are notorious temper-mongers in real life. One that you'd miss: Clint Black playing a massage therapist.

This really is a fun movie. It has humorous moments, some crude but not completely overdone, some unbelievable but they all work wonderfully. This is also, in my opinion, not a typical Sandler film and definitely surprising with a fun and loving ending. I highly recommend this film for those who want a good laugh. Sandler and Nicholson fans will thoroughly enjoy this, but others will just have fun.

I give this four out of five because I always leave five for classics that I'll immediately go out and buy. Regardless, this is more of a black comedy but still fun and worth buying or renting.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Repeat after me - "Goos-fra-ba..."
Review: This movie was hilarious - I can't believe all the people that ranked on it! If you read a lot of the reviews here you'll see that everyone who panned it said it didn't meet their "expectations." That's the problem - I think, everyone expects a Nicholson film to be an award winner. If you're a Sandler fan, you'll enjoy this a lot although Nicolson is the funny one here as an eccentric, Jazzy-Beatnik doctor who flips over the line drawn between genius and maniac constantly. Its really fun to see Nicolson be this silly - "Did you hear a frog, Buddy?"

There's also some great cameos and supporting actors. (Bobby Knight, MacEnroe, Heather Graham, Rudy Guiliani, John C. Reilly, Luiz Guzman, Woody Harrelson) but John Tuturro is the best as Sandler's highly-excitable, over-the-top "Anger Buddy."

Don't expect a blockbuster comedy - coz that it ain't, but I wouldn't be suprised in time if this movie gets a cult-classic following.


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