Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant
... View MoreGood films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.
... View MoreThe movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful
... View MoreA terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
... View MoreYou'll have to watch BRAIN DONORS two or three times to pick up on all the zingers and zaniness thrown your way. John Turturro, Bob Nelson and Mel Smith are modern-day Marx Stooges who team up to run a business in one of the many things they know nothing about: ballet. In doing so, they fulfill the will of a millionaire, give their dancer friends a shot at the big time, and make smoke pour from the ears of the grumpy and villainous John Savident.But the plot merely serves as background to the antics of our three lovable heroes. Parts of BRAIN DONORS are gut-burstingly hilarious. Their efforts to sabotage the performance of snooty ballet hotshot George De La Pena include sending a man in a duck outfit on stage and inserting a whoopee cushion in the star's tights at a key moment. It's not highbrow comedy, but it nevertheless leaves you rolling in the aisles. Turturro's Roland T. Flakfizer's I-just-got-that-one quips are often priceless, and big Nelson's Jacques nearly steals the show.Even when it's not laugh-out-loud, BRAIN DONORS is good for a chuckle or at least a smile. Incredibly, despite its joke-a-minute pace, none of the humor is lame or feels forced. Much of the credit goes to director Dennis Dugan, better known for HAPPY GILMORE and BEVERLY HILLS NINJA, who keeps things rolling at a good pace and kept the running time under 80 minutes.BRAIN DONORS is not the greatest comedy ever, but it is in its own way an overlooked gem.
... View MoreThis movie could have found three better actors to play these roles and too compliment the Marx Brothers foundation. This movie is a pure version of Slapstick comedy and John Turturro is one of the better unnoticed actors in the past 20 years. Please see this movie, script and acting was brilliant. These three actors should reunite for a sequel or for another project. Rest in Peace Nancy Merchand because she played an excellent Lillian and once again my hates off to these three men. John Turturro can play just about any role given to him but this role i feel was his best to date. Mel Smith is one of Englands legendary comedians and he rocked the house with his character. I feel he represented Chico Marx to possible T. Bob Nelson paid excellent tribute to Harpo Marx. They may have been copying some legendary comedians but they brought their own flavor to these characters and this movie is just so underrated.
... View MoreThis is by far one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. John Turturro (one of my favorite actors) was hysterical. Bob Nelson and Mel Smith were great as well. I have a few of Dugan's movies. I love his work with Sandler and I also enjoyed Beverly Hills Ninja, but this movies blows them all way. Hollywood needs to make more silly slapstick films like this one. I believe a good Comedy needs 2 things. 1. The Comedy has to be consistent and 2. The Conclusion of the Movie has to be the funniest part of the movie. Brain Donors delivers well on both of these accounts. I also respect that this is a clean comedy (PG). Being able to make someone laugh now a days without the use of fowl language is remarkable. Without thinking twice this movie is a definite 10 out of 10
... View MoreThis movie is funny, not ha ha funny, but stop breathing turn blue fall on the floor pass out funny. Whether you find it funny at all will depend on one thing, do you think that a Marx Brothers style movie could be made now? If you don't think so or hate the Marxes then don't bother seeing it, you'll be wasting your time. However, if you like comedy that's both clever and stupid in the classic Marx sort of way, see this film. The plot has Groucho, er...John Turturro playing a shyster lawyer who is trying to bilk a rich widow of her money by fronting for a ballet. Add to the madness Mel Smith in the Chico role and the incredibly under rated Bob Nelson in a role Harpo would have played if he talked. Its all madness, mis-representation and misdirection that ends up on stage in a ballet only an insane person could have come up with (its at this point breathing becomes optional).See this movie.Its simply one of the greatest screen comedies, even though almost no one has seen it.10 out of 10.
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