This was a very funny film period! Not the greatest Billy Murray vehicle but plenty of laughs even if you aren't a B.M. fan.
Just check out Eberts comments:
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19881123/REVIEWS/811230302/1023
Roger Ebert is worthless, he's wrong in about 95% of reviews. Even if I like or dislike the same movies as him I hardly ever agree with his reasons.
"....we're lucky if we last three months."
John Lennon, 1963
I do read him on films but I do have my own opinion. Do you read any other person who comments on movies?
shareebert has no sense of humor.
Season's Greetings!
I don't need someone to agree with me in order for me to respect their positions/opinions on movies. I'm not nearly that narcissistic.
shareI like reading his reviews and I usually agree with him. I can see where he is coming from saying that "What seems to be missing are the lightness and good cheer that lurk beneath the surface of most Murray performances. He's often gruff in his movies, but in a way that lets you know he's just kidding. This time, he doesn't seem to be kidding." - I can agree with that but I don' really know, if you're meant to look that deep in this film because it is being treated more as a comedy than a serious insight into a man. He said that he didn't like the speech in the end but I disagree, I liked it. To each his own I guess. It doesn't deserve one star though.
"Whoo-ah"
Like I said I didn't think this was the greatest Murray vehicle but he was throwing himself into the role of Scrooge (the most hated and despised man during the greatest of seasons- CHRISTMAS)! He didn't want to show any lightness and good cheer. It did make me laugh and I guess for movie goers "It worked" but I did disagree with Mr. Ebert.
I'm like you- I like reading his reviews (not nearly so hateful as the individual who responded to my post earlier.) Through the years though I would say I agree with Mr. Ebert about 65% of the time. (not bad at all for a critic).
He gave "Beavis and Butthead Do America" 3 out of 4 stars and Godfather part III he gave 3-1/2 stars. He also gives away integral points in the film tainting the movie-going experience. No, I don't like him and thus, stopped reading his reviews back in the 90's.
But at least he gave sci-fi a fairer shake than Siskel did.
My "#3" key is broken so I'm putting one here so i can cut & paste with it.
"He's often gruff in his movies, but in a way that lets you know he's just kidding. This time, he doesn't seem to be kidding."
Reviewers are folks who can piss and moan, but can't do much else. Do I need someone to tell me that liver tastes great? I'm a big boy, I can make up my own mind. Whether or not a movie appeals to a reviewer means nothing to me because he doesn't know what I'll like..
shareI'm into outside opinion because I enjoy analysis and other people's take on things...when presented in a coherent light. Closed-minded types mostly only care about their own opinion, which makes them boring. Sure, about 50% of the time over the years I haven't agreed with him, but how dull would that get (agreeing with someone every time)? It's fascinating how sometimes someone sees something completely different than you did.
Yes, he was too hard on Scrooged, and Murray made him pay for it in subsequent interviews.
"If I had ya where I wanted ya, they'd be pumpin your ass full of formaldehyde!"
I actually agree with Ebert on one point of his review and that is the final scene. It is just so awkward all around. I like the first 90% of the movie but in the end once he's had his revelation it just feels so forced and disingenuous that I struggle until the singing at the end.
shareSorry but he got this one completely wrong. It is a read of a darker comedy and more of a comic take on A Christmas Carol. I live how the film at points runs parallel to the classic story on the background. We get the wonderful scene of the Ebenezer flashback when Belle leaves him with Dickens' original dialogue just after we've seen how Franks like followed its own version.
Frank was what Ebenezer would have been in that time and one great detail the film hit deaf on. As was said he gave up his nobler aspirations for greed. I LOVE that Frank takes that line personally. If Ebenezer has seen the 80s from being what looked like a hippy to the yuppie. I think the character of Frank may have been too real for some people. Look how even more now that Christmas is no longer so much a holiday as a sales pitch for something.
Look at this years post Thanksgiving sales.. At 6 pm. During the time when most of us would justbe having dinner. thanksgiving is no longer a holiday, it's a sales opportunity.
Eh...I don't need to even read Ebert's comments to know I probably agree with him. I just watched this movie tonight. For years I have meant to watch this because it was one of the last "classic" Christmas movies that I had never seen AND because I heard it was really good.
I genuinely laughed only during the Carol Kane scenes. Besides that it was not funny nor was it heartwarming and I love Bill Murray so that's not the issue. I love What About Bob?, I think Groundhog Day is one of the greatest movies of all time as is Ghostbusters...but this was boring and crappy. I cannot ever see myself watching this again and it will definitely go on my list as one of the worst Christmas movies I have ever seen.
I do not relish saying that at all. I wish that I had loved or even liked this movie and found a new holiday classic in it. Unfortunately, this one is for the dogs.
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"Live every week like it's Shark Week."
it was not funny nor was it heartwarming
must agree, how the hell did ebert not find this hilarious? its one of murrays best films. I mean practically everything murray did in this movie was hilarious, hes just one of those people that can be eating carrots and make it funny. this is why I never ever listen to critics, they just have no sense of humour at all.
and the classic one liners are just perfect, even little scenes when hes like "sometimes I give so much that it hurts...and I say to myself "Stop it". " hahahha! and "I wish I could fire THAT old bastard".
whats great about the movie is despite its adult humor, it ends with a genuinely moving performance by murray as he talks to the people of America, practically talking right to the movie audience and saying how to give and be kind the humanity. the way he yells it with such emotion and getting all teary eyed, its very moving and always makes ME tear up haha! despite all the nasty almost mean spririted jokes, it keeps the message of salvation and change of dickens story intact.
Realism, Remakes and Unnecessary Sequels are ruining movies!
...it ends with a genuinely moving performance
must agree, how the hell did ebert not find this hilarious?
well that's sad to hear, you must be just as jaded as the critics were then. when movies like scrooge get panned by movies like dark *beep* knight get praised, you know film is in a bad place.
btw, the sandwiches part was hilarious too! you must be a cold little *beep* not to find that part moving in some way. sucks to be you.
Realism, Remakes and Unnecessary Sequels are ruining movies!
That's your best response? Bored of you already...
shareI have not gone out of my way to read reviews of movies. So what Ebert says is hardly ever relevant to me. If he panned this 'un, then I agree, he got it wrong. This was well done and enjoyable to watch.
I sometimes come on IMDB to find out certain things about a movie...for example what people think of a movie, for example, for children, for graphic violence, or other specifics, etc. But I have found my tastes are often so different than the average person, whether there is a string of dissenters or not is irrelevant. Some of my favorite movies are in the 5-6 range on IMDB.
well gretlocks take comfort in knowing that imdb rateing are as important as yesterdays paper. it really doesn't make or break a movie, if anything its amusing as it shows the immaturity of the people voting. imdb is usually filled with too many youngins and 20 something for me to take it too seriously.
Realism, Remakes and Unnecessary Sequels are ruining movies!
i actually agree with Ebert on this one. i watched Scrooged last night in an attempt to bring some cheer to my home. mistake. not funny. sad. awkward to watch. creepy. lame.
shareActually, if someone commented that they wanted to "bring some cheer" to their home by watching a movie. I'd probably suggest NOT watching Scrooged. There are so many "lighter" holiday movies that'll do that. Scrooged is dark and, upon reflecting, perhaps a bit creepy. But, well, I still enjoy it occasionally. Sorry it didn't help your holiday.
share