Thank Goodness for Subtitles
Added 9/7/2009
This film is certainly entertaining, and is, as many professional reviewers have said, the best film adaptation of works by Damon Runyon. The only reason I would not give it five stars is that in many scenes, the dialog cannot be heard. I find myself pumping up the volume to "jet engine blast" levels while people are talking, only to have to grab the remote and quickly turn it down again when a sudden burst of music threatens to break the glass in the windows. The compromise has been to use the subtitles, which at least let me find out what is being talked about. You would think that the sound engineer, particularly in a film which relies heavily on slang terms and offhand remarks, would have been extremely careful about making sure the dialog was audible. But if you don't mind reading your way through the film, or you have the sensitive hearing of the average canine (and a strong familiarity with 1920's slang expressions) then you'll find the rest of the film top notch.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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A New Year's Eve Classic!
Added 1/22/2009
Okay, first a disclaimer - I happen to have met some of the actors in this work... the two bloodhounds. (Hey, the only other actor I've ever met was Jake Busey on the set of "Enemy of the State", but the bloodhounds were smarter, better looking, and far better actors!)
This movie, although it would probably bore kids, is like "A Christmas Story" for New Year's Eve.
One reviewer commented that it was filmed "like a tv movie". I believe that it was - in fact I recall that I first saw it as an American Playhouse piece (for PBS), and then Columbia later picked up the rights.
So it's a "small" movie, No car chases or seriously over-the-top sets, but the cast, which mixed many top "Hollywood" thespians with "Broadway" ones, is nothing less than amazing. You will see a great many familiar faces doing fine work.
The plot is tongue-in-cheek, and combines several Daymon Runyon tales into a fairly tight storyline. Even the lesser characters are well drawn, and some of the romantic couples, like Madonna & Randy Quaid, are unexpected. There is a LOT of chemistry and detail in this piece (yes, I've seen it many times, now, and almost always on NYE).
The performances are first rate (maybe Jennifer Grey could have worked on her singing a little more, but she was doing a duet with Madonna, who after all, can probably outsing most of Hollywood AND Broadway.) This is NOT a Madonna Movie, though. in fact no character could be said to dominate the screen for long.
Best seen with a sweetheart - and possibly a Bloodhound!
Oh yes, and if you might want to have a string on those little weinies on hand...
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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For Madonna fans
Added 7/29/2008
The movie is not that great, but is always fun to see Madonna in character. Not even the music is great. God choise for a sunday morning with nothing to do :)
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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when madonna could act
Added 7/31/2007
this was much better than i expected. It's filmed like a t.v. movie of the week but has a slew of a-list film actors, most of whom continue to enjoy successful careers today. Madonna does a great job as she is cast perfectly.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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A wonderful introduction to a great writer
Added 11/18/1999
I am a huge fan of Damon Runyon and this is so much in his style it's a delight to watch. The star studded cast play Runyons characters marvelously. If you like this move you will love Runyons books and vice versa.
8 out of 9 people found this helpful.
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Thank Goodness for Subtitles
Added 9/7/2009
This film is certainly entertaining, and is, as many professional reviewers have said, the best film adaptation of works by Damon Runyon. The only reason I would not give it five stars is that in many scenes, the dialog cannot be heard. I find myself pumping up the volume to "jet engine blast" levels while people are talking, only to have to grab the remote and quickly turn it down again when a sudden burst of music threatens to break the glass in the windows. The compromise has been to use the subtitles, which at least let me find out what is being talked about. You would think that the sound engineer, particularly in a film which relies heavily on slang terms and offhand remarks, would have been extremely careful about making sure the dialog was audible. But if you don't mind reading your way through the film, or you have the sensitive hearing of the average canine (and a strong familiarity with 1920's slang expressions) then you'll find the rest of the film top notch.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
A New Year's Eve Classic!
Added 1/22/2009
Okay, first a disclaimer - I happen to have met some of the actors in this work... the two bloodhounds. (Hey, the only other actor I've ever met was Jake Busey on the set of "Enemy of the State", but the bloodhounds were smarter, better looking, and far better actors!)
This movie, although it would probably bore kids, is like "A Christmas Story" for New Year's Eve.
One reviewer commented that it was filmed "like a tv movie". I believe that it was - in fact I recall that I first saw it as an American Playhouse piece (for PBS), and then Columbia later picked up the rights.
So it's a "small" movie, No car chases or seriously over-the-top sets, but the cast, which mixed many top "Hollywood" thespians with "Broadway" ones, is nothing less than amazing. You will see a great many familiar faces doing fine work.
The plot is tongue-in-cheek, and combines several Daymon Runyon tales into a fairly tight storyline. Even the lesser characters are well drawn, and some of the romantic couples, like Madonna & Randy Quaid, are unexpected. There is a LOT of chemistry and detail in this piece (yes, I've seen it many times, now, and almost always on NYE).
The performances are first rate (maybe Jennifer Grey could have worked on her singing a little more, but she was doing a duet with Madonna, who after all, can probably outsing most of Hollywood AND Broadway.) This is NOT a Madonna Movie, though. in fact no character could be said to dominate the screen for long.
Best seen with a sweetheart - and possibly a Bloodhound!
Oh yes, and if you might want to have a string on those little weinies on hand...
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
For Madonna fans
Added 7/29/2008
The movie is not that great, but is always fun to see Madonna in character. Not even the music is great. God choise for a sunday morning with nothing to do :)
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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