Lady Killers

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.

I am 40 years old, a mom of four and I laughed my butt off at this movie!! If someone looks to this film for the old style National Lampoon quality, it's true they may be disappointed but its a new time and this film uses fresh faces and a fresh approach. Will Freidle is hysterical(esp. in the hard candy scene) and Chris Owen actually shows some promise as an actor. Finally proving he is more than just a unique set of features. I'd enjoy seeing more of Freidle in films. I think this is a good little dark comedy that won't be looked at as art by any means, just good fun. The veteran actresses steal the show. They really know how to keep the lines rolling. Will Freidle can finally say that he has outgrown his television start and is ready for the feature big-time.

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)

the plot line of this movie offered great promise. it made me think a couple of stupid guys marrying some old hags that going to be funny, gross but funny. But like almost all recent national lampoon movies save for Van Wilder this movie lets your expectations down. That doesn't mean that this movie doesn't have its funny moments but those moments, and especially the end leave you with the feeling, That Could Have Been Funnier. the movie also lacks the bevy of bikini clad and unclad beauties that most national lampoons movies have. Nikki is a hottie though but she isn't enough to increase the ratings. all in all a good movie if you cant think of anything else, but it cant be called THE last resort, its like the movie you take before you opt for something worse like Jason X or something.

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.