Movies-TV

must see

great cast, one of the funniest movies I've seen in years. Never get tired of this one.

DVD Bargain

Yes, that's Denis Leary on the cover looking his Bond-girlish best, but don't overlook Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis enticingly tied to those ladderbacks. THE REF is a holiday feast, every featured morsel a treat and each supporting dish adding a delectable layer of flavor. Have a seat, there's much to enjoy at this table Ted Demme has set.

The DVD release is a bargain. No special features, but a good widescreen 1.85:1 transfer with decent Dolby 5.1 Surround audio as well as a French audio track.

Crackling dialogue and good chemistry

This is one of the better dark comedies I've seen in quite a while. I really liked the comic timing and excellent speaking rhythm among the cast, particularly between Spacey and Davis. Denis Leary's inserts are caustically funny. Also, don't overlook the wonderful Christine Baranski's physical humor and biting sarcasm. I could see the cast really having fun with the material and each other which made the film even more enjoyable.

A great cast having a great time

One of our favorite holiday movies. The body language between Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey is worth the price of admission, not to mention the dialog. Some of the side issues with the keystone cops and the overstuffed Baybrook Council members is probably unnecessary. Lots of four letter words for 1994, but it works.

Predictable, but funny

This film is quite impressing for several reasons. The first is the script. The writers knew they had a predictable situation here, so instead on concentrating a plot, they concentrating on dialogue to bring out the characters. And, these characters certainly are vicious. Which brings us to the acting. Dennis Leary gives an impressive performance, but Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey are forces to be reckoned with.
They take the juicy script and pounce on it, and say each would with relish and attack each other for all it's worth. The ending may be slightly sentimental and sappy, but it's quite nice.
Overall, a very enjoyable film

Incredible

The movie is absolutley awesome and is strongly reccomended instead of It's a Wonderful life. check this out, cause you have a heavyweight actor in Kevin Spacey and one of the funniest comics in Dennis Leary. Though it should be noted that this movie is not a kids movie by any strech of the imagination, but for the adults, it is incredible dialouge wise. Check it out

Very funny, very mature Christmas dark comedy

This movie is pretty funny. Hilarious at times and very crude.First of all, this movie is not for children. Sexual jokes are made frequently and there is a lot of language. Roughly, about 150 f-bombs are dropped.The general plot is that a criminal named Gus (Denis Leary), after a failed diamond theft, takes a bickering family (Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey) hostage. Little does he realize that they are having serious marital issues, let alone that family members are coming for dinner. Plus, the couple have a son who is ashamed to be with his family because of their unhealthy habits. The movie is pretty funny and tells a simple and interesting story.Without giving away too much of the plot, the movie gets funnier and much more hectic as it goes along.Overall, this movie is funny but is only for adults. Jokes about body parts and sex are made throughout the movie.Official MPAA Rating: R for Language My MPAA Rating: R for Language, Sexual Humor, and Brief Violence

Probably Spacey's best.

When Gus (Denis Leary) takes a woman hostage, little does he know that she is married, and on the brink of divorce. This complicates events a lot, as the bitterness between husband and wife (Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis) drives Gus mad, but is also excellent for the viewer, and makes this film hilarious.Kevin Spacey and Denis Leary are brilliant in this comedy. Many of the one liners in this film are memorable, sheer class. This is probably Spacey's best film, although he has many brilliant films, such as 'Swimming with Sharks', 'The Negotiator' and 'Time to Kill', it is hard to say.If you like Spacey films, or Denis Leary films for that matter, then definately watch this. If you do not like their films, of haven't seen many, then watch it any way, I am sure you will laugh at the one liners all the way through.

The best Christmas movie for someone who hates family.

This is my favorite Christmas movie, for it's about a group of arguing relatives who don't get along at all. Yet they're all equally acidic in the way they cut each other down, so it's BEYOND fun to watch.

And at the point where Kevin Spacey berates a cast-against-type, mean old Glynis Johns, the movie reaches a special point of dark comedy grace.

My Second Favorite Christmas Movie

This is just a must-see at Christmas for those of you with dysfunctional families that fight on the holidays. You will roar with laughter at the antics of this movie.


Basic premise: Gus is a burglar whose last big job gets botched and he ends up taking a couple hostage while the man hunt goes on to find him. Unfortunately, he picked the worst couple possible to kidnap as even a gun in their faces won't stop them fighting. Fortunately for them, Gus's really straight-forward attitude and blunt approach to their fighting actually breaks through this couple's problems and starts them to see what they're really fighting over.

This is definitely a black humor kind of film and NOT really a family flick. Think of it a bit like "Bad Santa" but not so vulgar, just a lot of swearing.

But everyone you see in this flick is someone you probably know or are related to. The couple that are struggling to keep their relationship afloat, the juvenile delinquent of a son, the brother with no spine, his hen-pecking wife, their two chubby kids that are yelled at constantly and best of all the absolute worst mother-in-law that is so inherently evil you root for her downfall when Denis takes her on.

Got a dysfunctional family? Hate the holidays sometimes because of it? Like black comedy? Then you will laugh till it hurts with this flick. A must-see.

A slick superb comedy.

An complaning couple (Judy Davis & Kevin Spacey) soon to be the urge of a divorce. An professional theif (Denis Leary) taken the couple as hostage. But soon the thief realize, they are bickering couple. It's seems his fate is much more worse than Jail.

This film has memorable comic performances by Leary, Davis & Spacey. The plot setting is on Christmas Eve. Directed by Ted Demme (Beautiful Girls, Life, Blow), who sadly died at the age of 38, who was become strong filmmaker. From a Story by Marie Weiss. An Funny Smart Screenplay by Weiss and Richard LaGravenese. Executive Produced by Don Simpson (Who Died Also) and Jerry Bruckheimer. An favorite towards adults audiences, an cult Comedy hit. Grade:A-.

Lloyd and Lester

Have you noticed? Lloyd, Kevin Spacey's character in "The Ref" is closely related to Lester, Kevin Spacey's character in "American Beauty" if you see both movies, back to back, you'll notice the astonishing similarities between the two. Twins? Maybe. If they are, or were, poor Lester, a lot of things will become immediately clear. To start with, he had Glynis Johns for a mother. Miss Jones creates such a frighteningly funny portrait of a castrating mother that Lester's emasculation is perfectly explained. Not to mention their choice of spouses, time bombs Judi Davis and Annette Bening This little piece of trivia will add, to the considerable pleasures of this delightful and underrated Ted Demme's dark fairy tale. The opening at the marriage counselor's office is just superb, I can see it endlessly, it never fails to make me laugh. Kevin Spacey and Judi Davis are a couple part Edward Albee part Terence Rattigan. They are priceless. Dennis Leary's energy is contagious and relentless. His best part to date. The clunky sub plot involving their son and, what it appears, like a hurried ending, doesn't spoil the fun. The writing by the brilliant Richard LaGravenesse and Marie Weiss is pure joy. Ideal to see with a bunch of friends.

If You Want To See Leary Rant And Rave...

...like never before, buy this movie! Dennis is at his best when he's not restrained and allowed to let his mouth run as foul as it can. He's actually a great actor, but he's never been allowed to sit in the driver's seat aside from this movie. Many kudos to Kevin Spacey for playing the prissy uptight married guy to Leary's completely unrestrained single thieving scoundrel. All in all, a very excellent dark comedy. "Mary - gag your Gramma." One of the best lines I've ever heard! One I'll watch again and again! I'll even purchase it again, if/when it's released on DVD (hint, hint...)

Mad Man has heart

Denis Leary's soft spot is a family that includes Kevin Spacey, in this light comedy around Christmas time. It's a silly little caper that involves Leary as a thief trying to find some nice place to hide away from cops, and works very well. The comedic relief and character interaction is very good, solid. It's one of those Leary movies you love to enjoy, because his film record (though he's a great comedian) is kind of spotty. The best part about this movie by far is the fact that the director kind of let Leary have free reign on dialog, knowing full well who he'd had casted as his main actor. I'd suggest to anyone who really doesn't like the holidays that this is their kind of Christmas movie. It's definitely mine.

Do not miss this one!

A must see for any Leary or Spacey fan.

The Ref

It is easy to sympathize with Denis Leary's character for picking the wrong household to hold up. As annoying as the couple is, the family who comes for Christmas eve dinner is ten times worse. During the dinner, he poses as their marriage counselor. My favorite part is when he tries to take Lloyd's mother hostage by putting a gun to her hand--expecting everyone is shut up--and they just look at him and tell him to do it.
I give it 4 stars because I feel that some parts of it felt rushed, but overall, a very enjoyable movie.

The Ref is one of Denis Leary's Best Movies!!

I laugh everytime I watch "The Ref". This is a wickedly funny movie with a superb cast. Denis Leary and Kevin Spacey have several scene stealing moments that will leave you rolling in the aisle. I highly recommend this movie if you are a fan of either Denis Leary or Kevin Spacey. You won't be disappointed!!

"Home Alone" for Adults

"The Ref" is a laugh-out-loud situation comedy. One of my all-time faves. Dennis Leary, Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey are a riot. The supporting cast (in particular Christine Baranski) are dead-on. This is an example of the kind of intelligent comedy writing that seems to have moved from film to television in the last few years, leaving most movie comedies gasping for laughs or living on Adam Sandler/Jim Carrey butt crack jokes. Ain't no substitute for the real thing. Right up there with "Midnight Run" on my list of great low-budget comedies. A lot of folks were probably scared off by the title as it implies that the movie has something to do with "sports". Rest assured that the movie is football-free and completely devoid of any scenes depicting ice skaters or midget wrestling. It is completely safe for your viewing pleasure. Go rent it.

I LOVE THIS MOVIE !!

This movie is very heart warming. It has a wonderful script, terrific actors (especially Denis Leary - you just have to love the guy for being so superb), and a great director who delivers excellence. Watch this movie, you're gonna love it !!

Extremely funny

I laughed like hell during this movie. Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey fit their roles perfectly and their first scene, with B.D. Wong, gets the movie off on the right foot. It only gets funnier after that. This is the only movie I can tolerate Denis Leary in; I find him very annoying and smug normally. This movie should be on television every Christmas!