Death To Smoochy....Thoughts and Reviews..

[Horror whore]

I haven't seen it yet but when I do I will post my review here.... Until then, here is Roger Ebert's Review...

Only enormously talented people could have made "Death to Smoochy." Those with lesser gifts would have lacked the nerve to make a film so bad, so miscalculated, so lacking any connection with any possible audience. To make a film this awful, you have to have enormous ambition and confidence, and dream big dreams.

The movie, directed by Danny DeVito (!), is about two clowns. That violates a cardinal rule of modern mass entertainment, which is that everyone hates clowns almost as much as they hate mimes. ("Big Fat Liar," a much better recent showbiz comedy, got this right. When the clown arrives at a birthday party, the kids joyfully shouts, "Hey, it's the clown! Let's hurt him!") Most clowns are simply tiresome (I exempt Bozo). There are however two dread categories of clowns: clowns who are secretly vile and evil, and clowns who are guileless and good. "Death to Smoochy" takes no half-measures and provides us with one of each.

We begin with Rainbow Randolph, played by Robin Williams, an actor who should never, ever, play a clown of any description, because the role writes a license for him to indulge in those very mannerisms he should be striving to purge from his repertory. Rainbow is a corrupt drunk who takes bribes to put kids on his show. The show itself is what kiddie TV would look like if kids wanted to see an Ann Miller musical starring midgets.

The good clown is Smoochy (Edward Norton), a soul so cheerful, earnest, honest and uncomplicated, you want to slap him and bring him back to his senses. Sample helpful Smoochy song for kids: "My Stepdad's Not Bad, He's Just Adjusting." Both of these clowns wear the kinds of costumes seen at the openings of used car lots in states that doubt the possibility of evolution. Rainbow is convoluted, but Smoochy is so boring that the film explains why, on a long bus ride, you should always choose to sit next to Mrs. Robinson, for example, rather than Benjamin.

Enter the film's most engaging character, a TV producer named Nora (Catherine Keener), who, like Rachel Griffiths, cannot play dumb and is smart enough never to try. She's taking instructions from the network boss (Jon Stewart, who might have been more interesting as one of the clowns). They're trapped in an inane subplot involving two bad guys, Burke (DeVito) and Merv Green (played by the gravel-voiced Harvey Fierstein, who, as he puts on weight, is becoming boulder-voiced). There is also Vincent Schiavelli as a former child star, now a crackhead.

The drama of the two clowns and their battle for the time slot is complicated by Rainbow Randolph's attempts to smear Smoochy by tricking him into appearing at a neo-Nazi rally. One wonders idly: Are there enough neo-Nazis to fill a thundering convention center? Do they usually book clowns? The answer to the second question may be yes.

The movie ends by crossing an ice show with elements of "The Manchurian Candidate." It involves an odd sexual predilection: Keener has a fetish for kiddie show hosts. It has a lesbian hit-squad leader with a thick Irish brogue. It uses four-letter language as if being paid by the word. In all the annals of the movies, few films have been this odd, inexplicable and unpleasant.

½*

[This message has been edited by Horror whore (edited 03-29-2002).]

[The Heart Collector]

*punches Roger Ebert's nose while crowd watches*

[Mike]

I love dark comedies but this movie looks so horrible it's not even funny. It will bomb terribly at the Box Office. It will be lucky if it finishes it's theatrical run with 15 Million. Dark comedies that look good are tough enough to sell, so imagine how hard it would be to sell one that looks completely horrible. I think it will make around 6 Million this weekend, 7 Million at the most.

[Horror whore]

Oops. I predicted it will make more than 10 million at the box office this weekend over at Lee's Movie Info...

And I saw you won last weeks predictions for Blade 2 Mike! Thats number 2 isn't it? What DVD did you pick???

[Rooter]

Well, I saw Death to Smoochy earlier today and I have to say it was an awesome ride.

Where Death to Smoochy succeed's is in it's strong acting performances from everyone involved and its non stop scenes of hilarity mixed with quite a bit of quirkyness. I've been anticipating this movie ever since I saw it's excellent website and when going into the theater I had a sinking suspicion that in the end I would be dissapointed, but fortunately I can say my expectations were exceeded, this is truly an excellent movie!

9/10

[Mike]

Actually Horror Whore, I wasn't aware that I won for Blade 2. I think it might be a mistake, it's possible that I won, but I never got an e-mail from them saying I won, so I doubt it. But I was curious so I just sent them an e-mail to see if I really did win or if it was a mistake. But I did win for A BEAUTIFUL MIND and ICE AGE. When I won the one for A BEAUTIFUL MIND I picked Lost & Delirious for my DVD. And when I won for ICE AGE I picked LIFE AS A HOUSE for my DVD. I doubt I won for Blade 2, but if I did I have no idea what I'll pick for a DVD. I don't think there's anything good coming up.

[Horror whore]

Oh, thats what I read then... It said last week's winner, I guess they hadn't updated it for the Blade 2 winner yet...

[The Heart Collector]

This movie's getting no love.

[dh1989]

What do you guys think is the funniest scene? I would have to say it was the whole sequence containing the Smoochy song "You're stepdad is not mean, he is just adjusting". That was classic!!! http://www.joblo.com/ubb/smile.gif

[SteveSzyk]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by The Heart Collector:
This movie's getting no love.</font>

I don't think there was any doubt that this WOULD NOT be a critical fav. However, my paper, Newsday gave it an incredible - ***1/2 of ****. Also a few of my friends have seen it, and all L O V E D it. I'm looking forward to seeing it.


[This message has been edited by SteveSzyk (edited 03-30-2002).]

[The Heart Collector]

Getting no love from schmoes, I meant.

[Strider]

Death to Smoochy (2002)

Rated R for Language & Sexual References

Director: Danny DeVito

Starring Robin Williams, Edward Norton, Danny DeVito, Catherine Keener, & Jon Stewart.

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0266452/C138-25.jpg

The film's plot focuses on Rainbow Randolph(Robin Williams) who is a host of a very popular kids T.V. show. He's eventually fired after participating in a criminal act. Randolph is then replaced by Sheldon Mopes(Edward Norton) who plays a purple rhino named "Smoochy". Randolph becomes so angry and jealous that he comes up with a plan to kill "Smoochy".

Death to Smoochy is a no-holds-barred look at children T.V. shows from the demented mind of Danny DeVito. And it's a riot! The film is filled with so many memorable scenes and lines. Adam Resnick's script is one of the reasons this film works. It's very unique. And it's definitely something you don't see every day.

Robin Williams is such a talented actor and comedian. And it's great seeing him again on the silver screen. He was brilliant playing this crazy and obsessed kids T.V. show host. His character kind of reminded of Willy Wonka, just on crack. But Edward Norton really steals the show as this happy-go-lucky, squeaky-clean guy who loves children, and loves to eat soy hot dogs with almond butter. Norton always delivers a great performance. And he does not disappoint in this film. I also enjoyed the solid performances by Catherine Keener and Danny DeVito.

Death to Smoochy is an unapologetically dark, screwed-up version of the Barney show. If there's anybody that is seeking some good ol' pitch-black humor, you will not be disappointed with Death to Smoochy.

Running Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Grade: 8/10

Note: Don't let that picture fool you. This is far from being a "family-friendly" picture.

Strider

[Dignan777]

Well I saw Death to Smoochy last night at the 12:10am showing. I had gone by myself, and there were only two other people in the theater. I mean granted it was a showing at 12:10 at night, but it was an opening weekend and there are usually people actually there on opening weekends at that time. So I felt very upset that no one was coming to see the movie. But then the movie started and to be nice about the film, it's very over the top and I can understand how people would not have enjoyed the movie. For me the movie only ran an hour and 45 minutes but it just felt to drag. Edward Norton was really my only reason to see it. Robin Williams really was annoying. He went way too overboard for me to at all stand his character. This movie could have been great, but was just so strange and paced badly that it wasn't all that fun to sit through. I did laugh, especially when Smoochy pulls out the cookies. But the movie was just too much for me to really enjoy. Maybe when I watch it again, I'll like it more. It was just too over the top for me, and I usually love dark comedies.

[sloopyfan]

I wasn't sure of how I felt after this movie was over, sure I laughed while it was going on, but there were only a few big laughs. I like that the whole thing is a satire on showbiz/children's television show. The best character was Spinner Dunn he was hilarious although somewhat annoying you just gotta love the big oaf. I have a feeling that this is going to be one of those movies that will get better the more I watch it.

and does anyone else think that Catherine Keener looks hot?
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0266452/C342-5.jpg

[Strider]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by sloopyfan:
And does anyone else think that Catherine Keener looks hot?</font>

You damn right! She looked damn fine in this flick! http://www.joblo.com/ubb/smile.gif

Strider

[sleekproductions]

This was a PRETENTIOUS piece of garbage. THe only good things were Edward Norton and
SPOILERS
thescenewhensmoochyandrainbowarefloatingintheairat theend
END SPOILERS


what a stupid, worthless, and again PRETENTIOUS film

2/10

[Scarface98.9]

if u saw Ebert and Roeper's review of it, I think they were clueless as to what it was. they seem to have never heard of a dark comedy. sure they love Strangelove, but thats a universal favorite. its like Ebert's print review of Very Bad Things

[John Q. Public]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by sleekproductions:
what a stupid, worthless, and again PRETENTIOUS film

</font>

Just wondering, what exactly was "pretentious" about it? I saw it as your basic dark comedy, nothing pretentious came to mind. I was surprised to see that Robin Williams, or Rainbow Randolph, was not really the main character. That's misleading advertising for you. I think this actually helped the film, because William's schtick would've have gotten old if it was non-stop. What I enjoyed the most were Ed Norton's occasional lapses into rage that he kept masked behind the "squeaky clean" persona.

[This message has been edited by John Q. Public (edited 04-02-2002).]

[the saw is family]

well is aw this movie over the weekend also and i have to say i liked it. i went in thinking it could be hit or miss but i thought the film had afunny script and a really great performance by edward norton his charcter was very funny. i was worried that robin willams would be completely overboard and annoying but in comparison to the trailer willams really isnt that prominent in the film. overall a solid and funny dark comedy,not all the jokes work but for the most part it was enjoyable. death to smoochy-8/10

[TheMovieMinor]

After waiting for so long to see this flick I finally dragged my friend in with me.
I looked at my watched 4 hours into the film and supposedly only 1 hour passed by. Then about 18 hours into the film, it was almost 1:45 minutes. I was thinking, Is time really going that slow.
Otherwise I had the worst headache after the movie.

5/10
for making the movie a record length of 18 hours long.

[idealdiscountdude]

I will definetly wait for video. The critics absolutely hated the film.

[John Q. Public]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by idealdiscountdude:
I will definetly wait for video. The critics absolutely hated the film.</font>

It looks like you won't have to wait long, because thi movie bombed BIG TIME.

[Israphel]

I saw this movie and I really liked it, but I think that I was one of the only to like it. There were people that were booing at the end of the movie. I guess you really have to like sick humor to get it.

[Mr. Orange]

Talk about a great movie! I loved it. I have always been a fan for dark comedy and this movie is about as dark as it gets. I never really thought much of Danny Devito as a director but now that I think about it he has made three really good movies. Throw Momma From the Train, War of the Roses, and Death to Smoochy.
Also I can understand why alot of people don't like this movie. You have to be pretty twisted to appreciate that kind of humor. I know that everybody that I went to see it with hated it.

P.S.
What the fuck do the critics know?