RyothChatty ridiculous rating

MusicChat It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

Arianna Moses Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Erica Derrick By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

elshikh4 A mafia boss transmits his orders to his men through bizarre songs he writes to be sung forcibly by poor lounge singer. This is an original idea. I bet (Martin Scorsese) was jealous! (John Fiore) looks great with noticeable wit (and noticeable heavy weight as well !). (Vincent Curatola) did wonderful as a funny mafia boss/poet. Did you see him in that disguise ? Hilarious. Like being Groucho Marx and Harpo together ! The rest of the cast were OK. But what wasn't OK, is how that original idea was treated. More than half of the movie we watch nothing but a song, a hit, a doubt. That's not bad, but it becomes bad when the movie gets sloppy, and stops showing us the droll songs anymore. It's how it loses a real factor of comedy. Plus, the matter of the competitor gangster wasn't used well (just a 5 minutes sequence about anti-Italian song). Then the third act was unbelievable as the best of jumble. The event of singing to the gang to make them give themselves up is idiot. Why that mafia boss doesn't ever attend his songs being performed in his club? And that climax; it's hard to satisfy, especially with so indifferent directing which, to tell you the truth, was the worst element at all. One point was in favor of the director though; the scenes of the lead and the boss meeting before every song; seeming more like meetings for planning crimes or attempting murders more than an artistic collaboration. Speaking of which, that reminds me of the potential depth of it (the one that might have tempted Scorsese). It says a lot about the importance of art; it can kill or give life. The performer is just a tool in the hands of more imperious artists. And, consequently, it's where the bad relationship between 2 artists generates bad result. The dictatorial domination of the boss made ugly or, at best, too-terrible-it's-laughable art. And see how it's, in its core, a story of down-and-out lounge singer nobody ever listened to, who becomes the one everybody listens to, and – magically – executes whatever, and I mean whatever, he says (loved the moment when he uses "the power" of his voice to chastise a standup comedian he hates), however all of that with big price must be paid. It's like a creative new treatment for Faust in a comic crime movie, or a mafia spoof where violence gets done by killer songs. Also I loved the touch of the policemen wanting desperately to be part of the showbiz by any mean. The last scene, with the boss so unexplainably out of prison, sums up the careless way this original comedy, along with these good ideas, were made. I wanted to give it 7, but it has to be only 6 out of 10. It's for a short wintry afternoon, nothing else. There is a fine movie there, but not made finely though. P.S : The title (Meet the Mobsters) is pointless, most probably they made it so close to (Meet the Fockers) one year earlier (To attract more viewers? Lousy !). (Johnny Slade's Greatest Hits) is better. And somewhat my title too!

scsauthor Saw this at a film festival last week. Wonderful premise for the story, and it builds over time rather than going flat. The audience laughed all the way through and cheered at the end. Johnny's a great character, narcissistic, naive, optimistic, a genuinely nice guy, and a perfect New Jersey-style lounge singer. The film's generously loaded with physical and verbal humor, slapstick violence, delightfully atmospheric (read: dingy) locations, and songs - songs with meaning, passion and, well...meaning, as it turns out. The comedy's paced very differently from sitcom humor, more like stand-up comedian work - that is, lots of jokes, fast paced, comin' at ya before you've squeezed the last chuckle out of the previous one. The print they showed needed much work but the producers/writers present swore they have better ones in the back seat of their car. Johnny Slade's Greatest Hits could be one of these great little indies that has legs. See it if you can!

worthley-1 John Fiore and Frank Santorelli - as well as the rest of cast - are a RIOT to watch (call the cops!) in this wonderfully crazy comical adventure. Portnow, Curatola, Sirianni are terrific as their characters play off of Fiore's goofy, self-absorbed importance. Sirianni adds the right touch of toughness and assuredness in the midst of this group of harebrained individuals. Red Peters shows what it's really like to be a stand up comic! Santorelli is hysterical...(you just gotta see to see what I mean!) Blaire is sultry and seductive. VERY CLEVER AND CONVINCING CONCEPT...we are talking FUN! - enjoyable - good time to be had.....this is a classic!

balzo11 i enjoyed it quite much. the actors from the sopranos ,my favorite show,made it all that much better.John Fiore, Vincent Curatola, and Richard Portnow get it done. i believe it is a refreshing take on a tried and true genre.the songs are fabulous and hysterical. i would love to see a sequel with a bigger budget and some hotter babes. i saw it at a screening in la...definitely worth a look. The story idea was at the very least a genius concept. With budget constraints,i'm certain, they still managed to shoot on 35. the supporting cast was strong.The audience reaction at the screening i attended was nothing less than favorable..with some genuine guffaws.