SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Steineded How sad is this?

Beanbioca As Good As It Gets

Allison Davies The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

FlashCallahan Maurice and Dave sell high-end cuts of meat, but they've hit a patch of no sales, and they're facing being fired. Maurice needs money to enrol in his final semester of acupuncture school, and Dave needs money for his daughter's birthday. Their final client, a beautiful woman opens the door, and they are about to seal the deal, but a desperate call from a suicidal friend interrupts her signing the contract. Still hoping to close the sale, Maurice and Dave offer to drive her to the friend's house, and there, troubles multiply. Facing guns, hit men, and women's secrets, a sale is the farthest thing from their minds......A vehicle for two of the biggest names in American TV comedy at the time, it seems like it was a huge Mis-step having them star in a more adult orientated comedy, rather than a cutesy throwaway family comedy that would have at least been successful.But they wanted to try something different, and while it works to some extent, you can see why the film is a complete mess.There's no coherency to the plot or narrative, and we have James falling over all the time (because hey! Fat people are funny), and Romano trying to be the charming one, but he comes across as a complete creep.Reynolds, Coates, and Lewis make up the great support, but all in all its a watchable mess.Very undercooked.

Sandcooler "Grilled" tries desperately to be one of those wacky comedies where one thing keeps leading to another, but it just never seems to gel properly. New characters and plot elements are thrown in without a second thought, the writers churn out scenes without having any idea what the next scene is going to be about. Ray Romano and Kevin James manage to not embarrass themselves completely in this wasteland, but that really just makes it all even sadder. Clearly they could have done something really entertaining with a decent script, but their talents are wasted here. The ending is also really abrupt and a total anti-climax, but by that time I couldn't really complain because well, at least it was over. "Grilled" is a manual of everything you shouldn't do when you try to write a crime comedy, but I can't see another use for it.

caa821 Ray Romano and Kevin James are certainly two of the top comic talents in the past several years. Ray, as the cornerstone of his series, and with reruns appearing frequently and in multiple airings - he has to be adding to the financial benefits from his creation - already well into 9 figures, and probably approaching 10.I don't know if Kevin had the equity in his program equivalent to Romano, but if he hasn't made as much, it's very considerable nonetheless.Many big TV stars have had an overall rough time in gaining anything even close in translating their talents to the big screen. Sometimes the films seem to be bad choices - or just "bad."Bill Cosby's TV show was top-rated, and I believe he led all entertainers in earnings at least one year, and was near the top during others - but what he provided on the big screen was neither memorable initially nor provided anything one would seek to view again.Even where not only due to movie quality, it seems difficult for audiences to accept characterizations different from those which made their television programs so popular.This movie wasn't of "blockbuster" proportions, but certainly worthy of better than direct-to-video release. The two leads have worked well together before - James regularly on "Raymond," and while I didn't and don't watch "King of Queens" a lot, I do recall seeing Romano at least once in a cameo-type appearance.But this flick was humorous with a plot which balanced its humor and a modicum of believability and drama. I thought both leads did well, and the supporting cast, too.. Worth a viewing - and much better than, say, the Pesci/Glover offering, "Gone Fishin'," where even big-screen performers with successful track records can produce a real flop.Again, this film seems to deserve better than it got.

steeped We all love Ray Romano and Kevin James in Everybody Loves Raymond and the King of Queens. I've gained respect from both of these guys, playing a very funny role in a great family TV shows. Especially Ray Romano, who I thought was very consistent with the movies he chose. Ice Age, Welcome to Mooseport... sure not the greatest films out there but at least you see a comedian stick with his funny family role. I grew up picturing Ray Romano as a role model, as a guy I would love to meet and remember my experience with him. And yes, of course there's a BUT.This movie totally ruined my respect for them. Instead of being all funny and making you enjoy the picture, this was a dark movie with harsh language and pathetic acting. It was like when I heard Ray Romano swear for the first time a knife went through me. Sure everyone swears, but just he fact that my role model... If you love Ray Romano and/or Kevin James, DO NOT see this movie. Trust me. If you do love these two actors, it's because of the previous wicked roles they were in. This movie will lower your respect for them. Play it safe and don't watch this movie. Trust me, it's no loss. This was a bad film.