this post was submitted on 26 Aug 2023
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Movies and TV Shows

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Just Finished Watching Death to Smoochy (2002)

I didn't know what to expect coming in to this film. All I knew that it had Robin Williams, and I found the film from a clip of him dancing through the streets and faceplanting to the wall (btw just watch the whole thing, it's a great love letter to the late Robin Williams).

I was disappointed that the MC wasn't Robin but was Ed Norton who plays Smoochy. Only for a bit though because Ed killed it and greatly portrayed this bundle of ethics character that had an anger management problem deep deep deep down.

The plot was wack but the characters and their interactions with one another were the highlight of the film.

Robin Williams still played a significant part in the movie, but I wished he was used better. He was eclectic as Rainbow Randolph, never really felt scary as a villain but maybe that was the point.

Anyways it was an enjoyable experience, 7/10.

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[–] [email protected] 44 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (4 children)

Haven't seen it in a while, but I love it.

Oh, but if you wanna see Robin as a truly scary villain there are actually two pretty good flicks: Insomnia and One Hour Photo.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah he was definitely a good "villain" in One Hour Photo, he was eery to say the least.

I've watched most of Robin Williams' films and I've thoroughly enjoyed all of it.

My favourite, by far, is still Dead Poets Society.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Awakenings made me cry in a time I was indoctrinated into the idea that boys don't cry.

Edit: Of course, nowadays I don't believe in that shitty "boys don't cry" attitude.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

If someone doesn’t cry while watching Awakenings, I’d have to question their humanity. Flowers For Algernon had the same effect on me.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

I didn't find him particularly scary in Insomnia, but he was believable and his character had depth which meant a lot more in the context of the film.

Insomnia is still a bit underrated, buried in the larger Nolan canon. It's an incredible and inventive crime drama, but probably (one of?) Nolan's weakest. Which is to say it's broadly only like an 8/10.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Oh I totally forgot about insomnia. Thanks for reminding me! Good flick.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

He was also very good in a tiny role in the Kenneth Branagh thriller "Dead Again".

[–] [email protected] 39 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Haven’t watched it in years, but it’s one of my favorite dark comedies. Edward Norton, Robin Williams, Danny DeVito, and John Stewart, what’s not to love?

It’s a rocket ship!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What are you, blind?! It's a cock!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

You know what you can do with your hand cream, jerk-off!

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago

This movie is funny AF.

I'm going on safari motherfucker! SAFARI!

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 year ago

I thoroughly enjoyed that movie and how different it felt to other films at the time. Some good, dark, zaniness

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I remember news stories when the movie came out; parents were taking their kids to the movie because they didn't understand what it was about. I thought the R rating would have been enough.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Maybe a super clip (is that the right term?) of all the Rainbow Randolph and Smoochy the Rhino scenes could be a good show for kids.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago

Randomly thought about this movie last night and started humming "friends come in all sizes". It's a classic in my opinion.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago

One of my favorites. I feel it’s under appreciated.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago

If you thought Robin Williams’s character was supposed to be the villain I fear you have missed the point of the movie greatly.

The villain of the movie is mental illness and interpersonal relationships. They give you a hint right at the beginning when Smoochy is playing at a Methadone clinic.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

Ha this movie used to be a cult classic back when there were movie stores still around.

Robin ‘Rainbow Fucking Randolph’ Williams kills it as usual

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

I have a family member who did security on that film. He met Robin, and developed a very short friendship with him. (apparently they had coffee together on set a few times, which means that Robin would have had to go out of his way, as either he went on break with security or hung out while family was on duty)

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

I remember renting this from a Blockbuster around the time it came out. It was this great twisted take on the Barney era

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

Dating myself here, but saw this in theaters when it released. Brilliant. One of Robin Williams' best performances imho.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Of course I remember it. They wouldn't stop showing trailers on TV!

Never seen it, though. I'm not a fan of Robin Williams.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

I'm not a fan of Robin Williams

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?! Isn't that illegal?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

How though? His range is huge!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Same reason while I don't like Will Ferrell. They're stereotypically cast in roles that allows them to act like manchildren. There's always your exceptions like Bicentennial Man and Stranger Than Fiction, but overall they tend to play the same kind of character and I'm just not into it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Give this movie a shot. Is not your typical Robin Williams.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Good to know, thanks. I liked his performance in Bicentennial Man, so if his performance is anything like that then maybe I should give Smoochy a chance.

Thanks again for the recommendation.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

It's true. At least he's not in all of it?

The movie is so good.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

My stepfather, who I adored, was an instant huge fan of Death to Smoochy after it came out on home video and would often sing the line "Stepdad's Not Mean He's Just Adjusting"

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

Had it on VHS, I thought it was good but I was a little too young to appreciate it properly I think.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

Such a bizarre dark comedy. Only saw it once when I was like 12, and it completely seared itself into my brain.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

I love this movie

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Crazy timining, I just watched this last night. Directed by Danny Devito, it's a fun movie and Robin Williams destroys as always.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

LOVE the movie! The website for the movie was ridiculous back in the day

https://youtu.be/Mr-v6T0xdn8?si=R1UY5jshlG5FKLU2

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Here is an alternative Piped link(s): https://piped.video/Mr-v6T0xdn8?si=R1UY5jshlG5FKLU2

Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.

I'm open-source, check me out at GitHub.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Yes, it was pretty popular when it was on home video.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Here is an alternative Piped link(s): https://piped.video/I8lQKLjmoWI?t=2m9s

Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.

I'm open-source, check me out at GitHub.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

One of my favs!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Great movie!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I'd heard of it, but only ever as a joke. Sometimes, someone online will see a purple rhino and make a Death to Smoochy joke.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Criminally underrated! Like my favorite comedy! I quote it everytime someone asks me if I'm okay.

"I'm kind of fucked up in general so it's hard to tell."

😂 😂 😂

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I haven't seen it in full, but I do remember it creating a bit of controversy with the cookie dongs and kids. Some critics didn't find it funny at all.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I have a family member who did security on that film. He met Robin, and developed a very short friendship with him. (apparently they had coffee together on set a few times, which means that Robin would have had to go out of his way, as either he went on break with security or hung out while family was on duty)