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John-426
Reviews
Bartleby (2001)
If you're looking for a comedy look elsewhere
Like many people have said, I'd never heard of this film. Of course the fact that Crispin Glover stars in it made me rent it. The film's box had comments like "hilarious!", "An off-kilter delight." Off-kilter is a tame word to say the least. If you're looking for a film that's gonna make you laugh after a hard day - this is NOT it. It may cause you to become Bartelby.
I'm not going to go over the plot as many reviews here already have. I'd just say that this is a VERY DARK movie, and morose at times. There are funny bits but they are creepy-funny. It IS worth seeing, because the acting is really good. But understand what this film really is - and that is: dark, surreal, strange and even a bit depressing. A great film if you're looking for something "weird" and "different" but don't expect knee-slappin' humor.
U Turn (1997)
Your Lies Are Old - But You Tell Them Pretty Well
One of the many funny one-liners in the movie as muttered by Jon Voight's character of the old blind coin-begging Indian.
If you have half-a-sense of humor, you'll like this movie. If you like black comedy, you'll love this movie. Even if you hate Oliver Stone, this is a very unpolitical non-preachy film that's fun to watch. (Especially Jennifer Lopez!!).
If you are an overly critical, snobby humorless videophile as some that reviewed this film certainly are - I suggest that rather than renting U-Turn, you grab your secretly hidden copy of "Pretty Woman" and "The Bodyguard" sit with a snifter of cognac and cry yourself to sleep.
The Deli (1997)
Oh it's funny because it's true!
This is to let you all know that while Quinn says the characters are an offensive representation of some New Yorkers - that's not true! (This comes from an Italian American...me) First of all, the movie is funny as all hell. That's because the quirkiness of the characters are quite real. Just take a walk into any OTB parlor, Yankees or Mets game and you're sure to find characters like those portrayed in The Deli. The character of Johnny played by Mike Starr is so incredibly accurate of the degenerate gambler it's scary. The movie does not 'glamorize' characters (like in Goodfellas or Casino) but accentuates the foibles and wacky neurosis of the everyday gambler and "regular Joe."
I highly recommend this movie for anyone with a sense of humor. While it's no Casablanca, it's a very very funny "insiders" representation of those who dwell in the Italian American blue class neighborhoods of New York city. Rent it. Watch it. And laugh! If you don't find it funny, then the jokes simply went over your head. So you'll need to watch it again.