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Cecil B Demented on DVD (2000)

Cecil B Demented cover art
Play Cecil B Demented trailer
Average rating: 61%
4451313201816711
2.5
from 391 members
 
Starring: Melanie Griffith, Stephen Dorff, Adrian Grenier, Alicia Witt, Mink Stole, Ricki Lake
Director: John Waters
Studio: MOMENTUM PICTURES
Run time: 84 mins
Certificate: 18
User collections: Top Banana
Genres: Comedy
Languages: English
Released: 10/09/2001

Brief synopsis of Cecil B Demented

John Waters takes us on a trip through his obsessions in this satiric attack on commercial Hollywood movies.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 3 stars out of 5 Radio Times

Director John Waters targets all he feels is wrong with mainstream cinema in this maliciously witty, if disjointed, Hollywood satire. Stephen Dorff plays the lunatic film-maker of the title, who kidnaps pampered, petulant star Melanie Griffith and forces her into headlining his underground art film, which uses the “ultimate reality” of real people and real terror. Coerced by Dorff's collective of like-minded teenage revolutionaries into tasteless and gory scenarios, Griffith ends up entering into the guerrilla spirit of the production when the media frenzy surrounding her abduction attracts her a whole new legion of fans. Waters's Tinseltown put-down sends up everything from industry protocol and recent hits to porno movies and celebrity gossip. The problem is that the movie revels in its plethora of in-jokes at the expense of entertaining its audience. Griffith is showcased on top bitchy form, but only buffs will be able to get the film's full quota of laughs.

New York Times

"...The role of Honey Whitlock...gives Ms. Griffith her most engaging screen performance since WORKING GIRL....CECIL B. DEMENTED is consistently amusing and smart..."

Time Out

This spirited comic assault on the Hollywood mainstream begins with the visit to Baltimore of pampered Honey Whitlock... Read more on www.timeout.com

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 4 starsFantastically Weird

NickAxford from Sheffield , 23/01/2005

Stupid, purile, silly, nonsensical, brilliant... all words that can be used to describe this film in a positive light.

Whilst watching this, I was both confused and amused at Cecil's attempts to create an ultra-low budget but ultra-real film, at the expense of those that churn out remake after sequel after adaption after remake. I found myself sympathising as he swore revenge on the makers of 'Patch Adams: The Directors cut'.

There are times when it gets to silly for it's own good, when Waters loses control of the madness of screen, and the extremity just irritates rather than amuses. But on the whole this was one of the most inventive films I've seen and well worth a watch. It's either this or Scream 4. Your call.

  11 out of 11 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 4 starsTook a while...

Andrew from Scotland , 20/05/2004

to get into but by the end I was laughing out loud. This doesn't have as tight a story line as some of John Waters previous efforts and some kitchness has gone but once it gets going it's still a John Waters film. I was a little worried at the start that Melanie Griffiths was going to spoil it, but she evolves with the film and gives a good performance, life imitating art perhaps. The rest of the cast are fine.

  10 out of 10 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 2 starsIndie style of filming with a dust of camp

biallystock from lothian , 13/11/2003

If you liked J.Waters previous films, "Pecker", "Hairspray", you will also like this one, indie style of filming with a dust of camp and - for the first time in his movies - some gun shooting action. This is one is for all of you that would like commercial cimema dead. Enjoy!!

  5 out of 7 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 1 starsKids film

dfaik from United Kingdom , 28/02/2005

Any older than 10 don't watch. Infantile humour with a very basic plot. Wouldn't recommend this DVD to anyone.

  4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 4 starsFantastically Weird

NickAxford from Sheffield , 23/01/2005

Stupid, purile, silly, nonsensical, brilliant... all words that can be used to describe this film in a positive light.

Whilst watching this, I was both confused and amused at Cecil's attempts to create an ultra-low budget but ultra-real film, at the expense of those that churn out remake after sequel after adaption after remake. I found myself sympathising as he swore revenge on the makers of 'Patch Adams: The Directors cut'.

There are times when it gets to silly for it's own good, when Waters loses control of the madness of screen, and the extremity just irritates rather than amuses. But on the whole this was one of the most inventive films I've seen and well worth a watch. It's either this or Scream 4. Your call.

  11 out of 11 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 1 starsAnarchy Hollywood style

Zimgwezim from Bristol , 16/06/2004

So make a film about how bad Hollywood films are. So use actors that feature in crud Hollywood features. But at least film it in a style that warrants the subject matter.

You could not have more conventional cinematography if you tried. Classic tracking shots, over lit studio sets - this thing reeks of producers controlling the creative output.

Don't waste your time. Avant what? Power to the studios!

  2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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