New On Video: 'Analyze That,' 'Hot Chick'
De Niro, Crystal Comedy Like First, But Funny Nonetheless
POSTED: 11:49 a.m. EDT May 16, 2003
'Analyze That' (R) It's baffling trying to figure out why audiences ignored "Analyze That" during its theatrical run last December. Sure, the film isn't quite as funny and fresh as its 1999 blockbuster predecessor, but it has an infectious energy and is hilarious nonetheless.
"Analyze That" finds reformed mobster Paul Vitti (De Niro) moving in with Dr. Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal) and his wife, Laura (Lisa Kudrow), after he fakes a nervous breakdown and is released from Sing Sing prison. And while Vitti is suffering from some dormant issues, Sobel's is in need of help, too - his father's just died, and there are a lot of emotions pent up.
But both men's heavy baggage is the least of their problems. The wife (Cathy Moriarty-Gentile) of a murdered mob heavy has taken over Vitti's job while he was serving time, and he's suddenly in danger of getting whacked.
The pairing of De Niro and Crystal alone make "Analyze That" worth watching, even if the jokes feel strikingly familiar. Both throw out f-bombs at a fast and furious pace -- which may tire some viewers -- but their facial expressions are priceless. Plus, hey, we even get to hear both of them sing; which will especially be a treat for De Niro fans.
In addition, the duo is surrounded by a great cast, including Moriarty-Gentile, Joe Viterelli (who once again is a scream as Vitti's right-hand man Jelly) and Anthony LaPaglia, a De Niro look-alike who's a scream in an uncredited role as an actor in a mob series.
In the end, don't try to overanalyze "Analyze That." Sure, it's very reminiscent of the first film, but if it tried to be too decidedly different, it wouldn't be half as funny.
DVD Features: Audio commentary by director Harold Ramis; a M.A.D.E. challenge game to test your knowledge of the characters, and a making of "Analyze That" featurette. (Warner Bros. Home Video)
'The Hot Chick' (PG-13) The also-ran switching-body story idea yields mixed results in "The Hot Chick," a bawdy comedy that gives former "Saturday Night Live" star Rob Schneider a chance to show his feminine side.
Schneider stars as a petty thief loser who gets the shock of his life when gets caught up in the middle of a curse that finds him switching bodies with Jessica Spencer (Rachel McAdams), a snotty teenage girl who leads a clique of "hot chicks." Suddenly Jessica, the once good looking and popular prima donna of her high school looks like a 30-something lowlife male -- and her body's new lowlife inhabitant is taking advantage of his newfound good looks with some lurid money-making schemes.
While "The Hot Chick" is chockfull of predictable sight gags and comic scenarios (including the requisite jokes about the male anatomy), Schneider manages nonetheless to come off as a as his female counterpart in a very convincing manner.
Like his "SNL" buddy Adam Sandler (who executive produced and has a small role in the film), Schneider has developed a loyal following that should be pleased with the results. They're talented guys, and have no problem keeping your attention.
Anna Faris ("Scary Movie" and its sequel) turns in an amusing performance as Jessica's best friend that becomes emotionally confused with the change, and Matthew Lawrence and Eric Christian Olsen are solid as their loyal and philandering boyfriends, respectively.
While the scenario is reminiscent of the Tom Hanks classic "Big," parents should be forewarned that "The Hot Chick" is much better suited for adults. Sure, seeing Schneider flex his female acting muscles is funny, but the situations he finds himself in are often too racy for younger viewers.
DVD Features: "The Hot Chick" disc contains deleted scenes, including an alternate ending to the film that was best left on the cutting room. Other features include audio commentary by director Tom Brady; "The Hot Chick" yearbook -- a behind-the-scenes documentary, and a music video by Zed ("Starlight"). (Touchstone Home Entertainment)
"Analyze That" finds reformed mobster Paul Vitti (De Niro) moving in with Dr. Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal) and his wife, Laura (Lisa Kudrow), after he fakes a nervous breakdown and is released from Sing Sing prison. And while Vitti is suffering from some dormant issues, Sobel's is in need of help, too - his father's just died, and there are a lot of emotions pent up.
But both men's heavy baggage is the least of their problems. The wife (Cathy Moriarty-Gentile) of a murdered mob heavy has taken over Vitti's job while he was serving time, and he's suddenly in danger of getting whacked.
The pairing of De Niro and Crystal alone make "Analyze That" worth watching, even if the jokes feel strikingly familiar. Both throw out f-bombs at a fast and furious pace -- which may tire some viewers -- but their facial expressions are priceless. Plus, hey, we even get to hear both of them sing; which will especially be a treat for De Niro fans.
In addition, the duo is surrounded by a great cast, including Moriarty-Gentile, Joe Viterelli (who once again is a scream as Vitti's right-hand man Jelly) and Anthony LaPaglia, a De Niro look-alike who's a scream in an uncredited role as an actor in a mob series.
In the end, don't try to overanalyze "Analyze That." Sure, it's very reminiscent of the first film, but if it tried to be too decidedly different, it wouldn't be half as funny.
DVD Features: Audio commentary by director Harold Ramis; a M.A.D.E. challenge game to test your knowledge of the characters, and a making of "Analyze That" featurette. (Warner Bros. Home Video)
'The Hot Chick' (PG-13) The also-ran switching-body story idea yields mixed results in "The Hot Chick," a bawdy comedy that gives former "Saturday Night Live" star Rob Schneider a chance to show his feminine side.
Schneider stars as a petty thief loser who gets the shock of his life when gets caught up in the middle of a curse that finds him switching bodies with Jessica Spencer (Rachel McAdams), a snotty teenage girl who leads a clique of "hot chicks." Suddenly Jessica, the once good looking and popular prima donna of her high school looks like a 30-something lowlife male -- and her body's new lowlife inhabitant is taking advantage of his newfound good looks with some lurid money-making schemes.
While "The Hot Chick" is chockfull of predictable sight gags and comic scenarios (including the requisite jokes about the male anatomy), Schneider manages nonetheless to come off as a as his female counterpart in a very convincing manner.
Like his "SNL" buddy Adam Sandler (who executive produced and has a small role in the film), Schneider has developed a loyal following that should be pleased with the results. They're talented guys, and have no problem keeping your attention.
Anna Faris ("Scary Movie" and its sequel) turns in an amusing performance as Jessica's best friend that becomes emotionally confused with the change, and Matthew Lawrence and Eric Christian Olsen are solid as their loyal and philandering boyfriends, respectively.
While the scenario is reminiscent of the Tom Hanks classic "Big," parents should be forewarned that "The Hot Chick" is much better suited for adults. Sure, seeing Schneider flex his female acting muscles is funny, but the situations he finds himself in are often too racy for younger viewers.
DVD Features: "The Hot Chick" disc contains deleted scenes, including an alternate ending to the film that was best left on the cutting room. Other features include audio commentary by director Tom Brady; "The Hot Chick" yearbook -- a behind-the-scenes documentary, and a music video by Zed ("Starlight"). (Touchstone Home Entertainment)
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