Roba da matti

Ah,Madhouse. One of those great movies yours truly can't get enough of. I saw this movie in theaters when I was 11, and it has gotten better with every viewing. The jokes in this movie are hilarious and well-placed. John Laroquette and Kirsty Alley are magnificent in their roles as Mark and Jesse Bannister. They are two,happily married people who have it mad in the shade until Mark's cousin Fred comes to visit on his vacation. Oh, he also brings his wife Bernice and the cat Scruffy. Circumstances beyond their control lead to them staying longer than expected,and this leads to everyone shacking up at the Bannister's like it was a Holiday Inn. Soon,Jesse's sister Claudia and her son Jonathen,and the neighbors all live in the same house,while managing to drive Mark and Jesse out of their ^&%*ing minds. In the end, they manage to stand up against the terror that is their family and friends. *Some of the funniest moments include Jesse's interview segments,the cat and its ability to rise from the ashes,and Mark's scene at the end where his boss attempts to give him a raise.* All,in all a 9 out of 10. Also watch for Monday Night Football's Dennis Miller in a bit part.

This engagingly nutty farce stars TV icons John Larroquette and Kirstie Alley as Mark and Jessie Bannister, an average, fairly successful L.A. couple who've just moved into their dream home. Wouldn't you know it: their serenity is almost immediately interrupted by a nonstop barrage of uninvited house guests. Circumstances spiral way out of control, ensuring that these human pests are obliged to stay at Mark and Jessies' place for an extended period of time.

At best, the material by debuting writer / director Tom Ropelewski is no more than mildly amusing. It's certainly not for everybody, considering just how abominable some of these characters are, such as Jessica Lundys' obnoxious Bernice, the wife of Marks' cousin Fred (John Diehl), bratty psycho in training C.K. (Aeryk Egan), the son of the next door neighbour Dale (played by The Exterminator, a.k.a. actor Robert Ginty), or Jessies' spoiled rotten, stuck up, gold digging sister Claudia (Alison La Placa). But the cast is so good that they keep this wacky comedy watchable for 91 minutes.

By the time the movie has ended, we'll see a baby elephant running amok, a pet cat that steadily uses up a number of its nine lives, a police raid, an on air nervous breakdown for reporter Jessie, a harness designed for the pregnant Bernice when she slips and falls, and some remodelling (when Dale and his brood move in, he takes it upon himself to make bleachers (!) for the TV set).

This talented cast makes the most of the situation; Larroquette, Diehl, and La Placa are particularly funny. Also appearing are Bradley Gregg as Claudias' no-good son Jonathan, and Dennis Miller (making his film debut), sporting his ridiculous early 90s hair as Marks' co-worker Wes.

It's all too easy to sympathize with our heroes as they try to take back their house.

Six out of 10.

John Larroquette, Kirstie Alley, and Dennis Miller star in this incredibly hilarious film. Mark and Jessie Bannister (John Larroquette and Kirstie Alley) have the perfect marriage, a nice house and wonderful jobs. When long-lost relatives Fred and Bernice show up uninvited everything starts to fall apart. Soon they have about 8 guests in their house and have nowhere to go. Then they decide to get even. Filled with a tremendous amount of humor, "Madhouse" is a great comedy that is worth watching again and again.

Madhouse is a movie that you will watch one time and be through with it. Yes, parts of it are very funny, but over all, it is not such a great movie.

Mark and Jessie Bannister are a couple that buy a new home. They have great jobs, loving marriage, and are successful. When relatives come to visit, it all changes from there. Pretty soon there are over eight houseguests and Mark and Jesse's life get turned upside down.

If you want to see this movie, see it on t.v., don't rent it. 4/10

Tedious comedy from sitcom actors that is rarely funny and just barely watchable. John Larroquette and Kirstie Alley star as a married couple who just cannot keep their terrible relatives out of their house. The screenplay is annoying and the direction is sour throughout. Dennis Miller does well in a small supporting role, but his character is not utilized as much as he should be. 2 stars out of 5.