p-oxby-parker
I enjoyed this film when it was first released so on seeing the DVD in a charity shop it was an easy decision to part with a few coins, however age has not been kind to this movie.The sleeve describes the film as a suspenseful, fast-paced and murderously funny comedy. Unfortunately it is nothing of the sort. It is completely unfunny, repetitive and laboured. The acting is wooden by all the players and particularly by Whoopi Goldberg.If you enjoyed this film first time round, keep it as a happy memory, don't revisit or like me you will be sorely disappointed and wonder why you wasted an evening.
Steve Myers
I have to admit to liking this film. I'm not sure or not how well it did on its release. I don't think there are any spoilers in revealing that Whoopi plays a computer genius who is contacted by a guy who needs her help (since it says so on the back of the DVD!). So as well as a comedy, there are some thrills thrown in as well.It's well written, with some pretty obvious stuff in there, but it makes it kind of fun. Whoopi Goldberg puts in a good performance. Today it's fun to watch because the computers are SO out of date and because at one point Whoopi hits about 40 keyboard keys to type the work 'Hi"! Just listen to the sound of the keys. Whoopi's a good actress and comedian, but she's no typist - at least by the evidence here. And it's good to see Carol Kane and Stephen Collins, who both look about 12.There are some fabulous continuity errors as well for anyone looking for them - in the scene in the police station, not only does the blanket Whoopi's wearing change places from scene to scene, so does her collar.If you want a fun film that won't stretch your brain, this is well worth a look. Ingmar Bergman it isn't, but it's a nice feel good movie for those times when you just want to sit down and turn your brain off it's great. And if you want to know what computers used to look like and why you practically needed a second mortgage for somewhere to store them look no further.
Howlin Wolf
This is a star vehicle if ever there was one, so much so that the other characters barely even register on the scale. Like they did with Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy before her, Hollywood took the broad outline of Whoopi Goldberg's stand-up persona and tried to craft a movie around it. I suppose they figured she'd already proved her dramatic capabilities in "The Color Purple", so staying close to her roots next time around for a possible cash-in was worth it. Whether you are endeared to this almost cut and paste approach depends largely on if you find appeal in her and her act, or not. I do, so I'm not troubled that so much of the focus is on just one person for so long.There's the usual 80's stock plot about spies and secret dealings, but really that's just a front to see if Goldberg can establish a wacky character and manage to keep the audience interested in following her journey until the end of the film. If that's the sum total of your expectations for this movie, then I'd say that all concerned accomplish their task rather well.Roger Ebert complained that her character is a loner who doesn't interact properly with others. In this case, there is a definite reason why she was forced into such a narrow pigeonhole - it's so there's little chance that one of her co-stars may inadvertently steal her thunder. There's no fear of that, this is a one woman show throughout, but to me she proved that she's got the tools to headline a movie all by herself, and still be funny. Sisters are doing it for themselves.
grahamsj3
This film, starring Whoopi Goldberg, is an absolute HOOT. Whoopi is her usual non-stop self and the film moves along nicely with her. There are several memorable moments in the film, all hilarious. Whoopi doing her Stevie Wonder imitation "Blind Terri Doolittle". Whoopi trying to walk elegantly in a ripped skirt and high heeled shoes. Whoopi, doped by a villain, describing a teen with multicolored hair as "a tropical fish and it's mate". The plot it that Terri, who works in a bank on a computer all day, receives a mysterious message from a stranger asking for help. Turns out its someone in great danger. Terri ends up in danger, too, and the results are highly enjoyable. This is worth a watch!
AD
