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A concert film from the Cos, the comedian proves himself a master storyteller and a hilarious comic. His topics of discussion include childbirth, fatherhood, going to the dentist, etc. It's a fine showcase for Cosby, though mostly uneventful. You can enjoy it none the less. It's fun to watch Cosby in his slightly edgy, pre-pudding-pop Cosby Show performance. And the audience on screen doesn't seem to mind, so you might have some fun with this one.
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A banal secret agent spoof, this one should have been shot into Deep space. Bill Cosby plays the title role, an aging spy sent to stop a mad villainess, who uses animals to knock off fellow agents, from taking over the world, . Along the way, he finds a chance to patch things up with his ex-wife and his estranged daughter, making this movie longer than it needs to be. True it's only 85 minutes, but that won't stop you from checking your watch every ten seconds.Cosby himself thought this was a piece of crap and did a thing that most actors tend not to do, even if the films are bad. Trash it in advance. Usually, that's afterwards. That's what Cosby did and it's a shame that he didn't think of this before he agreed to do the project. If any of you care, there were (thankfully) no earlier Leonard's. The "Part 6" of the title is supposed to be an attempt at humor. Like this movie, it was so funny, I forgot to laugh.
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The last major starring role for Bill Cosby, before he started doing cameo appearances in other movies, this story is about as transparent as the ghost in the film. Cosby plays a widower, who dies in a Taxi accident and learns he has to patch things up with his kids, so that they can be financially secure. Apparently, the kids in this film didn't get rich off this one.This movie is an annoyingly cloying attempt to win our hearts, as well as the money in our wallets. The shame of it all is that it's directed by a talented actor (Sidney Poitier!) and starring a once talented comedian. Watch it Cos. Your going down the fast track a little too quickly.
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Still one of my all time favorite comedies, this Gene Wilder-Richard Pryor vehicle is a good update of the screwball comedies of yesteryear. The two comics play a couple of losers, attempting to make it rich. Instead, they end up (through some strange circumstances) in prison on a bum rap. While in jail, they make friends with some of the fellow prisoners and devise a clever way of escaping jail. In the meantime, they bungle their way into becoming part of a prison rodeo competition.The movie just gets funnier and funnier up until the very end, with Wilder and Pryor's great teaming, as well as hilarious mugging, helping you through. The humor may be a bit broad for some tastes, but this is the type of movie that I can dig. Pryor is wonderfully showcased. Don't pass up this one.
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A mediocre remake of a French comedy, this stars Richard Pryor as a fun-loving individual, who becomes a human plaything for a spoiled rich kid (Scott Schwartz). He also has to deal with his past meddling with the boy's zillionaire father (Jackie Gleason). Of course, there is always time for a little havoc.It does have some humorous moments, but mostly it's full of useless "you-can't-buy-friendship" lectures. Not only is it not terribly funny, it's a throwback for Pryor to the days of minstrel shows. Gleason is probably the only spark of life here. But not even a spark could breath life into this stale movie.
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A hilarious showcase for comic actor Eddie Murphy, this is the comeback of Murphy's career that a lot of people have been waiting for. In this remake of the classic Jerry Lewis comedy, Murphy plays Professor Sherman Klump (one of seven roles he plays here), a overweight lonelyheart. After being ridiculed constantly by his peers and his students, he decides to test out a serum he's been working on. The serum turns him from shy, geeky Klump into outrageous, egotistical Buddy Love (a wicked self-parody of Murphy's lothario persona).This has so many great reasons why this is good, I fear I might take all day listing them. So I've narrowed it down to these precious few. 1)Murphy's performance: He proves, by playing five of his seven roles in one scene, that he is a man in his comic prime. The dinner scenes with Murphy playing Klump, Klump's brother, mother, father and grandmother are hysterical proof of that. He also shows a sweet side in his role as Klump, an acting choice I don't think Murphy should regret. 2)The great special effects and editing job: They work in many ways, because of Murphy's excellent ability to play off not only other actors, but himself as well. 3)It's far better than Lewis' version from thirty years before, thanks to some heavily updated humor and some of the funniest scenes of flatulence since Blazing Saddles. And finally: 4)Murphy keeps the movie going like a rollercoaster, making some action films seem limp by comparison. You'll have a grand old time with this one. Stay tuned during the closing credits for some very funny outakes.
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Another star showcase for Eddie Murphy, this one has him as a hustler, who gets himself elected into the House of Representatives. That's where the real con game begins. With a little help from his sister (Sheryl Lee Ralph) and fellow con-men, he wheels, deals and learns a few things about politics. Blocking his path to success are sleazy congressmen Dick Dodge (Lane Smith) and Olaf Anderson (Joe Don Baker). Who will succeed in the political con game? And why should we care?It's supposed to take a stab at Washington politics, but mostly what it does is waste time. Murphy is charismatic and less offensive than he was in some of his worst material efforts, but it's not exactly an impressive performance like his recent comeback role in The Nutty Professor (see yesterday's review). Ralph is far better in her role, putting in her character a combination of book smarts and street smarts. She is about the only thing this movie has going for it. Even the cheesy once-popular Capraesque ploy doesn't work in this one.
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