Lady Killers

On RottenTomatoes, this film is ranked as one of the worst movies of all time with 44 negative reviews and zero positive reviews. It seems to not be that well known of a film seeing as how there's only 18 reviews here (well 19 counting mine). It's amazing that we have such a massive number of National Lampoon movies and most of them (especially the later) are horrible. It's gotten to the point where I've seen so many awful comedies I don't even really care anymore. This movie's plot has these two guys who marry these old ladies thinking they're going to inherit a fortune. They plan to kill each other.

I sincerely do want to see everyone dead by the end of it. We get these two scenes where a murder attempt kills these two guys. Gee, I wonder what happens in the next scene with another failed murder attempt? Another guy dies and by being bitten on the crotch, how highbrow. 30 minutes into the movie it appears as though the old ladies die and it honestly seems like we'll have a new interesting plot. Too bad, it was all just a dream and we have to deal with the further idiocy of this film.

I recognized Will Friedle in live-action as he voices Ron Stoppable from "Kim Possible". It's easy to say this is the worst thing he's ever been in. Much of the movie's humor goes through how these old women want to seduce these young men and it's as disgusting as it sounds, especially the whipped cream scene, which I don't want to elaborate on. These characters are such idiots as they throw away lemonade that they think tastes good...for some reason? I just know that after saying when life gives you lemons, she'll say you kill someone. I wish Mike Nelson had seen this as I couldn't see how anyone would stomach this more than "Little Nicky". 1/2*

National Lampoon's Gold Diggers is a black comedy about two losers in their twenties, Calvin Menhoffer (Will Friedle) and Leonard Smallwood (Chris Owen), who are out to get the good life without working for it. The two young men try to rob two 70-year-old sisters, Betty Mundt (Renee Taylor) and Doris Mundt (Louise Lasser). The two sisters beat the two young men up, and send them to jail. The ladies drop the charges, and invite the jailbirds to their Beverly Hills mansion. Cal gets an idea that they could marry the women for their money and live the good life. Hopefully, they will only live 6-months and at most one-year. It turns out that Betty and Doris are broke, and they have come up with a plan to marry the boys, kill them, and collect the life insurance money. After several unsuccessful murder attempts on each other, they join forces to rob Betty and Doris's rich uncle. This film is funny, and you will laugh through the entire movie. One of the funniest scenes is what the women are wearing as they walk down the staircase to meet Call and Lenny. (Delfino Entertainment, Run time 1:27, Rated PG-13) (5/10)

I'm a 43 year old father in a small Southern town. Just saying that so you will understand that I am not the target audience for this type of movie. I ignored it at the theater and had no plans to ever watch it. However, after enjoying National Lampoon's Dorm Daze, I figured I would give it a try at the rental store. I am glad I did.

The previews and such are not entirely truthful about this movie. It appears to be 2 young guys out to scam 2 older women. While it is that, it is also 2 older women out to scam 2 young guys who are some of the dumbest criminals ever. The "old women being sexy" angle is not played up nearly as much as you would think and rather than make fun of them, they seem to be making just as much fun of stereotypes.

This is not an Oscar movie or one with long lasting deep plots but it is a decent way to laugh on a rainy day. You will not split your sides laughing but the pace is good and the jokes funny rather than silly most of the time. While this is not a movie I am sorry I missed at the theater, and perhaps not one I will go out and buy, it was one that I enjoyed watching and felt well worth the rental. Just because the cover and premise seem so silly, don't just pass it by.

I thought this movie was witty when they weren't gratuitously attempting levity. I laughed my @$$ off sometimes, but yes I can see how this movie would be agonizing for many people, but it was in no way as horrific as many recent lapses in film-making, and a lot of those weren't panned by "critics".

The casting left a lot to be desired, but Will Friedle (I wish I could move my eyebrows independently, very effective) clearly stands out from the rest in this movie, as does Chris Owen.

I know a lot of "critics" panned this one, "Too juvenile/stupid." "a horrific piece of film-vomit." I admit it's not a buzz-worthy masterpiece, but not all movies are aimed at Oscar glory. Most movies are supposed to be entertaining breaks from reality. Some people like em, some people don't; movie critics seem to have forgotten that, and try to force overly-critical opinions down our throats.

First of all, I'd like to establish that the outrageously beautiful Nikki Ziering doesn't play a big part in this movie, though she's plastered on the DVD cover. But hey, what's going to sell the movie better? An outrageously beautiful woman like herself or two old ladies? Luckily, if you rent the unrated version, you will get the see her topless. I'm guessing they CGI'd a bikini top on her for the theatrical PG-13 version, because she seems to be topless in all but one scene in the movie.

All film aesthetics aside, the problem with "National Lampoon's Gold Diggers" is the fact that it's about two young guys who have to marry, wine, dine and copulate with two old ladies. That's just disturbing. Not funny, just disturbing. I found the scenes where the women each engage in sexual roleplaying with the young men more gag-inducing than funny.

Other than the distasteful premise, the movie is written and directed in an amaeteurish fashion. I'm guessing the National Lampoon's franchise has taken a huge nosedive, ever since "Christmas Vacation." We went from "Animal House" to this? I probably look at comedies in a more analytical fashion than most people, and many of the gags are badly executed. Surely, I've seen much worse, but the comedy still never rises above direct-to-video standards. And of course, there are some cheap gags involving things like old people farting (Wow, that's soooooo original). If you're an old person, I suggest you don't see the movie, because you'll probably be offended. Like most movies aimed at young people that have elderly characters in them, the elderly are portrayed in a purely stereotypical fashion.

The cast is not bad. Louise Lasser has certainly done much better films than this (she was great in Todd Solondz's "Happiness"), but I'm sure it's harder for her to get decent roles in her old age. When I found out Will Friedle was in the movie, I was really afraid, but his performance is actually pretty decent in this movie. I guess as he matured with age, his comic timing has improved. I couldn't stand seeing him on "Boy Meets World" and in that awful comedy "Trojan War" (made even more awful by his hammy performance). Luckily, he's gotten more subtle with his comedy, and he manages to deliver some funny lines in the movie. Chris Owen, on the other hand, is virtually comatose in his performance. He seems totally bored throughout the movie. Maybe he's just not cut out for starring roles. He was good in his supporting roles in movies like "American Pie" (as the infamous Sherminator). I don't remember the actor's name, but the black guy who played the preacher was pretty damn funny, and steals in the show in the few scenes he's in.

"National Lampoon's Gold Diggers" is not as bad as I thought it would be, but I wouldn't rate it as a must-see. And for the guys, you may want to keep your finger on the rewind button during the scenes with Nikki Ziering.