deejay_bill
Joined Jul 2000
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deejay_bill's rating
Okay, this movie isn't necessarily as god-awful as many of these reviews would suggest, but I have to agree it is a waste of time and talent. A group of reasonably engaging performers (Robert Downey, Jr., George Newbern, Stephen Baldwin and the amazingly sexy Leon) are on display here, but the movie suffers from sitcom-like superficiality and terribly amateurish direction (from George Haas, who may never work again after this mess.)
Basically a sexed-up romantic comedy about a groups of friends vacationing at a ski lodge, "Friends and Lovers" has its moments of fun and frivolity. But the film is full of ludicrous "anatomy" jokes and pointless nudity, and the aforementioned direction by Haas is sloppy and laughably inept. The echoing effects in the ski slope scenes are preposterous, and the blocking of the performers is straight out of a high school play, with the actors facing the camera talking sideways to each other.
Perhaps in the hands of a competent director, a good movie might have been made. This isn't it.
Basically a sexed-up romantic comedy about a groups of friends vacationing at a ski lodge, "Friends and Lovers" has its moments of fun and frivolity. But the film is full of ludicrous "anatomy" jokes and pointless nudity, and the aforementioned direction by Haas is sloppy and laughably inept. The echoing effects in the ski slope scenes are preposterous, and the blocking of the performers is straight out of a high school play, with the actors facing the camera talking sideways to each other.
Perhaps in the hands of a competent director, a good movie might have been made. This isn't it.
A funny and surprisingly affectionate homage to the "Worst Director of All-Time" Edward D. Wood, Jr., "Ed Wood" is easily one of the best films of the 1990's and, despite major success with acclaimed films like "Batman" and "Beetlejuice," remains director Tim Burton's masterstroke.
Considering the subject matter, "Ed Wood" could have easily been a mean-spirited parody of a man who craved significance and success, but Tim Burton has always had a soft spot for misunderstood oddballs ("Edward Scissorhands" immediately comes to mind.) Once again working with "Scissorhands" star Johnny Depp, Burton not only shows Ed Wood as a likable human being, he also displays warmth and genuine admiration for the cult hero who wasn't fully appreciated until years after his death.
Depp truly shines here in the title role. An actor usually known for his brooding performances in such films as "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" and the aforementioned "Edward Scissorhands," Depp is all-smiles and charm as Ed Wood. An eternal optimist with more determination than talent, Ed Wood was also well-known for being a crossdresser..."Ed Wood," the film, addresses his transvestism with amusing matter-of-factness and spends a great deal of time on the making of Wood's laughably-bad cross-dressing opus "Glen or Glenda." The cross-dressing, of course, causes a strain in Wood's relationship with his usually supportive girlfriend Dolores Fuller (played to the hilt by Sarah Jessica Parker; the real Dolores Fuller reportedly hated Parker's portrayal of her). Wood, of course, only wants to be accepted as is; oddly enough, Dolores is the only person close to him who can't accept his passion for wigs and soft angora sweaters.
Despite being set back by uncooperative girlfriends, disillusioned studio execs, and a constant lack of money, Wood keeps working (the film covers the making of three of Ed Wood's features, including the classic "Plan 9 from Outer Space"), with his loyal troupe of amazingly amateurish actors and crew members following his every whim. The film captures quite nicely how Wood's optimism and sweet nature allows him to maintain an assortment of odd, but extremely loyal, disciples. But together they all share a common goal...movie stardom. (One interesting note...like Ed Wood, Tim Burton often uses the same actors in different films; Johnny Depp, Jeffery Jones and Lisa Marie are just a few of the actors who have appeared in several Burton films.)
Most of the film, however, details Ed Wood's friendship and working relationship with aging horror legend Bela Lugosi (played by Oscar-winner Martin Landau in an amazing performance). By the time he began working with Ed Wood, Lugosi was a washed-up drug addict who couldn't even pay his bills, let alone get parts in movies. Although Wood and Lugosi initially use each other (Wood wanted a marquee name in his films, Lugosi just wanted to work), they eventually learn to respect and even love one another. Once again, Landau's performance is truly astonishing, and his on-screen chemistry with Depp is a sight to behold. They make a great team.
Filmed in glorious black-and-white, "Ed Wood," like all biographies, takes liberties with the real-life story of Edward D. Wood, Jr. (Lugosi was actually married when he began starring in Wood's films, for example....one interesting note, however, is the original script for "Ed Wood" covers Wood's brief marriage after his break up with Dolores Fuller; this storyline was cut for the film). Stellar performances abound...Patricia Arquette is sweet as Kathy, former pro-wrestler George "The Animal" Steele is uncanny as former pro-wrestler Tor Johnson, Jeffery Jones is positively brilliant and hysterical as would-be psychic Criswell, Lisa Marie (Tim Burton's real-life mate) gives an appropriately dour performance as Vampira, and Vincent D'Onofrio has an effective cameo as Orson Welles. But the real scene-stealer here is Bill Murray, who gives one of the best performances of his career in a small role as the flamboyant Bunny Breckinridge.
Even if you aren't familiar with Ed Wood, and even if you have never heard of Ed Wood before in your life, "Ed Wood" is still marvelously entertaining. Alternating between hysterically funny moments and depictions of true sadness and alienation, this movie has something for everybody. An absolute must-see.
Considering the subject matter, "Ed Wood" could have easily been a mean-spirited parody of a man who craved significance and success, but Tim Burton has always had a soft spot for misunderstood oddballs ("Edward Scissorhands" immediately comes to mind.) Once again working with "Scissorhands" star Johnny Depp, Burton not only shows Ed Wood as a likable human being, he also displays warmth and genuine admiration for the cult hero who wasn't fully appreciated until years after his death.
Depp truly shines here in the title role. An actor usually known for his brooding performances in such films as "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" and the aforementioned "Edward Scissorhands," Depp is all-smiles and charm as Ed Wood. An eternal optimist with more determination than talent, Ed Wood was also well-known for being a crossdresser..."Ed Wood," the film, addresses his transvestism with amusing matter-of-factness and spends a great deal of time on the making of Wood's laughably-bad cross-dressing opus "Glen or Glenda." The cross-dressing, of course, causes a strain in Wood's relationship with his usually supportive girlfriend Dolores Fuller (played to the hilt by Sarah Jessica Parker; the real Dolores Fuller reportedly hated Parker's portrayal of her). Wood, of course, only wants to be accepted as is; oddly enough, Dolores is the only person close to him who can't accept his passion for wigs and soft angora sweaters.
Despite being set back by uncooperative girlfriends, disillusioned studio execs, and a constant lack of money, Wood keeps working (the film covers the making of three of Ed Wood's features, including the classic "Plan 9 from Outer Space"), with his loyal troupe of amazingly amateurish actors and crew members following his every whim. The film captures quite nicely how Wood's optimism and sweet nature allows him to maintain an assortment of odd, but extremely loyal, disciples. But together they all share a common goal...movie stardom. (One interesting note...like Ed Wood, Tim Burton often uses the same actors in different films; Johnny Depp, Jeffery Jones and Lisa Marie are just a few of the actors who have appeared in several Burton films.)
Most of the film, however, details Ed Wood's friendship and working relationship with aging horror legend Bela Lugosi (played by Oscar-winner Martin Landau in an amazing performance). By the time he began working with Ed Wood, Lugosi was a washed-up drug addict who couldn't even pay his bills, let alone get parts in movies. Although Wood and Lugosi initially use each other (Wood wanted a marquee name in his films, Lugosi just wanted to work), they eventually learn to respect and even love one another. Once again, Landau's performance is truly astonishing, and his on-screen chemistry with Depp is a sight to behold. They make a great team.
Filmed in glorious black-and-white, "Ed Wood," like all biographies, takes liberties with the real-life story of Edward D. Wood, Jr. (Lugosi was actually married when he began starring in Wood's films, for example....one interesting note, however, is the original script for "Ed Wood" covers Wood's brief marriage after his break up with Dolores Fuller; this storyline was cut for the film). Stellar performances abound...Patricia Arquette is sweet as Kathy, former pro-wrestler George "The Animal" Steele is uncanny as former pro-wrestler Tor Johnson, Jeffery Jones is positively brilliant and hysterical as would-be psychic Criswell, Lisa Marie (Tim Burton's real-life mate) gives an appropriately dour performance as Vampira, and Vincent D'Onofrio has an effective cameo as Orson Welles. But the real scene-stealer here is Bill Murray, who gives one of the best performances of his career in a small role as the flamboyant Bunny Breckinridge.
Even if you aren't familiar with Ed Wood, and even if you have never heard of Ed Wood before in your life, "Ed Wood" is still marvelously entertaining. Alternating between hysterically funny moments and depictions of true sadness and alienation, this movie has something for everybody. An absolute must-see.
"Drop Dead Fred" is definitely one of the most unusual comedies of the 1990's. After a series of misfortunes, Elizabeth, an attractive but withdrawn young woman (Phoebe Cates, very effective here) discovers her childhood imaginary friend, Drop Dead Fred (Rik Mayall, hysterically funny), has come back into her life. While seemingly making things worse for her, Fred actually helps her deal with a philandering husband, an overbearing mother and her own insecurities.
The movie flashes back to Elizabeth's childhood (the young Lizzie is played by Ashley Peldon, one of the best child actresses I have ever seen), but I don't think it investigates this era of her life as fully as it should. The relationship between Fred and Elizabeth was brought on initially by Elizabeth's sad home life, but not enough of it is seen. True, this is a comedy, but Drop Dead Fred the character often seems nothing more than excuse to break things and make "poo" jokes. But I like the way young Elizabeth and Fred communicate and interact...it's actually quite touching and sweet.
Drop Dead Fred returns to Elizabeth's life two decades later, after she gets fired, loses her car, and finds herself unable to cope with her estrangement from her husband (played by Tim Matheson). Of course, everyone thinks she is losing her mind when she begins talking to herself and doing bizarre things such as throwing dishes in a restaurant (only she can see Fred....duh.) But Fred, through these actions, helps her to regain the life, innocence, fun, and "Fred" within her.
I must say that the cast is VERY impressive. the aforementioned Rik Mayall ("The Young Ones") is PERFECT as Drop Dead Fred, and Phoebe Cates is not only beautiful to look at but also quite good at physical comedy. Carrie Fisher is also fun, and Marsha Mason earns the appropriate boos and hisses as Elizabeth's insensitive mother.
Most of the problems in this movie involve pacing...the direction (by Ate de Jong) drags, so it appears the actors are trying WAY too hard to compensate. The character of Drop Dead Fred really doesn't show any depth or have any purpose other than to be obnoxious until the end of the film, when he is finally shown to be sympathetic and quite protective of Elizabeth. At first, I didn't quite understand why an "imaginary friend" would be someone who gets on your nerves; the adult Elizabeth is VERY annoyed at Fred's return to her life. But then she realizes she needs him and that he actually cares enough to help her, despite his obnoxious facade. As I said, the film barely covers the supposedly terrible relationship between Elizabeth and her mother (the main reason Drop Dead Fred existed to begin with)...At worst, the mother seems cold and overbearing, not the monster that the adult Elizabeth describes. But the movie steers clear of any deep issues or heavy tones; it is, after all, pretty heavy on the slapstick, which is usually funny, but more in-depth character development would have made the movie more rewarding.
Overall, if you want to laugh, "Drop Dead Fred" is definitely worth seeing, especially for Rik Mayall's performance (and what a cast!) The movie drags in spots and seems forced in others, but the hits outweigh the misses and is guaranteed to make you laugh. Just turn off your brain and enjoy.
The movie flashes back to Elizabeth's childhood (the young Lizzie is played by Ashley Peldon, one of the best child actresses I have ever seen), but I don't think it investigates this era of her life as fully as it should. The relationship between Fred and Elizabeth was brought on initially by Elizabeth's sad home life, but not enough of it is seen. True, this is a comedy, but Drop Dead Fred the character often seems nothing more than excuse to break things and make "poo" jokes. But I like the way young Elizabeth and Fred communicate and interact...it's actually quite touching and sweet.
Drop Dead Fred returns to Elizabeth's life two decades later, after she gets fired, loses her car, and finds herself unable to cope with her estrangement from her husband (played by Tim Matheson). Of course, everyone thinks she is losing her mind when she begins talking to herself and doing bizarre things such as throwing dishes in a restaurant (only she can see Fred....duh.) But Fred, through these actions, helps her to regain the life, innocence, fun, and "Fred" within her.
I must say that the cast is VERY impressive. the aforementioned Rik Mayall ("The Young Ones") is PERFECT as Drop Dead Fred, and Phoebe Cates is not only beautiful to look at but also quite good at physical comedy. Carrie Fisher is also fun, and Marsha Mason earns the appropriate boos and hisses as Elizabeth's insensitive mother.
Most of the problems in this movie involve pacing...the direction (by Ate de Jong) drags, so it appears the actors are trying WAY too hard to compensate. The character of Drop Dead Fred really doesn't show any depth or have any purpose other than to be obnoxious until the end of the film, when he is finally shown to be sympathetic and quite protective of Elizabeth. At first, I didn't quite understand why an "imaginary friend" would be someone who gets on your nerves; the adult Elizabeth is VERY annoyed at Fred's return to her life. But then she realizes she needs him and that he actually cares enough to help her, despite his obnoxious facade. As I said, the film barely covers the supposedly terrible relationship between Elizabeth and her mother (the main reason Drop Dead Fred existed to begin with)...At worst, the mother seems cold and overbearing, not the monster that the adult Elizabeth describes. But the movie steers clear of any deep issues or heavy tones; it is, after all, pretty heavy on the slapstick, which is usually funny, but more in-depth character development would have made the movie more rewarding.
Overall, if you want to laugh, "Drop Dead Fred" is definitely worth seeing, especially for Rik Mayall's performance (and what a cast!) The movie drags in spots and seems forced in others, but the hits outweigh the misses and is guaranteed to make you laugh. Just turn off your brain and enjoy.