15 reseñas
- ironhorse_iv
- 12 sept 2014
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Robin Williams' mind moves at a clip that is still unfathomable. He's reaching into his late 50's, and yet with a few bottles of water on stage (far less than he had at his 2002 Broadway show, but I digress) he can go on a series of topics with rapid-fire energy and a clarity that is incredible. His topics range from topical to more philosophical, but not exactly in the George Carlin sense. No, he has some more 'unique' ways of talking about the human condition, such as his closing act about how human beings would go about (or mostly just talk about) creating the male and female sexual organs. Just watching and listening Williams describe in full anatomical detail like it's interior decorating is some of the funniest and sharpest material of the decade.
Some of the jokes may fall flat or not connect quite as much as Williams intends, but why carp? Just around the bend will be another joke that will rip your vocal chords out and have you glad he took you along the way. No one is spared- certainly not the past president Bush and his people- and there's always a voice or a character or vulgarity waiting to come out of his head and at the audience. It's mostly masterful work by a comedian who knows what he's talking about every step of the way, even if it would appear he might trail off and never come back to what he was talking about before. You'll want to re-watch it to see what you missed, or to just have the experience of some of his crazier stories like getting heart surgery ("Hm, a pig or a cow heart valve?") and the dangers of non-sexual-intended Viagra!
Some of the jokes may fall flat or not connect quite as much as Williams intends, but why carp? Just around the bend will be another joke that will rip your vocal chords out and have you glad he took you along the way. No one is spared- certainly not the past president Bush and his people- and there's always a voice or a character or vulgarity waiting to come out of his head and at the audience. It's mostly masterful work by a comedian who knows what he's talking about every step of the way, even if it would appear he might trail off and never come back to what he was talking about before. You'll want to re-watch it to see what you missed, or to just have the experience of some of his crazier stories like getting heart surgery ("Hm, a pig or a cow heart valve?") and the dangers of non-sexual-intended Viagra!
- Quinoa1984
- 30 dic 2009
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As of yesterday, August 11, 2014, Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction stands as the final televised comedy special by the man we'll ever see, and to leave a career off on this particular show isn't at all a bad thing. At fifty-eight years old at the time of filming this, Williams seems as energetic and zealous as ever, prancing around the stage for eighty-nine minutes, with no breaks or intermissions, showing himself as a nonstop comedic force of nature. In such a short time, Williams show himself doing great impressions, questioning life, and doing something few film roles allowed him to do - be so brazenly crude and bawdy.
Despite his crudeness, Williams entices with a certain sense of wit and wordplay to his mannerisms and lectures. Williams, for one, transitions from topic-to-topic, regardless of how outlandish the previous topic was, smoothly and fearlessly, never missing a beat or interrupting himself, resulting in a lost sense of continuity. In five minutes, Williams amusingly and thoughtfully discusses wildfires, marijuana, tornadoes, and hurricanes, making easy transitions into each topic. He continues on by frequently dropping hilarious jokes, such as the commonality between a tornado and a divorce in the south is that someone inevitably loses a trailer and that the reasons Germany doesn't have any comedians or funny personalities is because they tried to kill them all decades back.
Arguably the most entertaining is when Williams reminds us how asinine our recent history has been, saying that "it's like we've been on the drug 'f*** it all' for the past eight years," as he recounts political events from 2000 to 2008. Through and through, Williams is entertaining as hell, spirited, clearly working off of ample amounts of energy, not fumes of it, and offering advice and keen observations at every turn. He even gives us one of the most memorable statements on marriage I've ever heard which is, "there are penalties for early withdrawal and depositing into another account."
Directed by: Marty Callner.
Despite his crudeness, Williams entices with a certain sense of wit and wordplay to his mannerisms and lectures. Williams, for one, transitions from topic-to-topic, regardless of how outlandish the previous topic was, smoothly and fearlessly, never missing a beat or interrupting himself, resulting in a lost sense of continuity. In five minutes, Williams amusingly and thoughtfully discusses wildfires, marijuana, tornadoes, and hurricanes, making easy transitions into each topic. He continues on by frequently dropping hilarious jokes, such as the commonality between a tornado and a divorce in the south is that someone inevitably loses a trailer and that the reasons Germany doesn't have any comedians or funny personalities is because they tried to kill them all decades back.
Arguably the most entertaining is when Williams reminds us how asinine our recent history has been, saying that "it's like we've been on the drug 'f*** it all' for the past eight years," as he recounts political events from 2000 to 2008. Through and through, Williams is entertaining as hell, spirited, clearly working off of ample amounts of energy, not fumes of it, and offering advice and keen observations at every turn. He even gives us one of the most memorable statements on marriage I've ever heard which is, "there are penalties for early withdrawal and depositing into another account."
Directed by: Marty Callner.
- StevePulaski
- 11 ago 2014
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I saw Robin Williams in concert in 2002 and was hoarse from laughing by the end of the concert. "Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction" is the same sort of humor, except focusing on more recent topics (namely Sarah Palin). As always with Williams, he's always a joke or two ahead by the time you figure out a joke, and laughing the whole time. One or two of the jokes I had heard before, but it's still a hoot how he puts everything out, complete with various accents (his Scottish accent is always the best).
This is certainly one of Williams's best. It shows that without a doubt, Williams is best in unrestrained form (I have no plans to ever see "Old Dogs"). Just hilarious.
This is certainly one of Williams's best. It shows that without a doubt, Williams is best in unrestrained form (I have no plans to ever see "Old Dogs"). Just hilarious.
- lee_eisenberg
- 17 dic 2009
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"Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction" is a hoot. Mr. Williams delivers rock-solid jokes with great punchlines and with lots of funny contents.
If you have seen the 2002 show "Live On Broadway" and enjoyed that, then you most definitely want to check out this 2009 show as well. Only one small problem about this 2009 show is that some of the jokes from 2002 make a re-appearance, which was a tad tame, if you have already seen the 2002 show, but other than that, Robin Williams delivers a great show and laughs.
It should be said that Robin Williams is quite fond of the F-word in his stand-up shows, so take a notice of warning to that prior to sitting down to watch "Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction", because if you are offended by that word, this might not really be something for you.
I was thoroughly entertained by Williams in this show, as I was in the 2002 show. He is a great comedian and doesn't sugarcoat anything, he talks straight from the heart (and mind) and doesn't put on any velvet gloves. I like his direct approach and the way that he delivers one solid joke after another, but at the same time manages to keep the show fresh and up-to-date with things that are up in the media and things that needs to be made fun of.
"Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction" is a great addition to any fan of either Robin Williams or the stand-up comedy genre in general.
If you have seen the 2002 show "Live On Broadway" and enjoyed that, then you most definitely want to check out this 2009 show as well. Only one small problem about this 2009 show is that some of the jokes from 2002 make a re-appearance, which was a tad tame, if you have already seen the 2002 show, but other than that, Robin Williams delivers a great show and laughs.
It should be said that Robin Williams is quite fond of the F-word in his stand-up shows, so take a notice of warning to that prior to sitting down to watch "Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction", because if you are offended by that word, this might not really be something for you.
I was thoroughly entertained by Williams in this show, as I was in the 2002 show. He is a great comedian and doesn't sugarcoat anything, he talks straight from the heart (and mind) and doesn't put on any velvet gloves. I like his direct approach and the way that he delivers one solid joke after another, but at the same time manages to keep the show fresh and up-to-date with things that are up in the media and things that needs to be made fun of.
"Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction" is a great addition to any fan of either Robin Williams or the stand-up comedy genre in general.
- paul_m_haakonsen
- 11 jul 2012
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- callanvass
- 23 abr 2010
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Review: This movie wasn't as funny as the Live on Broadway stand-up, but it's still funny. He uses the same concept as the Live on Broadway stand-up, but the jokes are more up to date, especially the ending which cracked me up. The older Robin Williams gets is the more toned down his act is but you can't beat his his unique writing and his amazing stage performance. Like his previous stand-up acts, he touches on political and sexual matters and he even talks about being an alcoholic and his time in rehab. Anyway, if you like me, and you've grown up watching Robin Williams movies, then his stand-up is definitely worth a watch. Enjoyable!
Round-Up: The bonus material on the DVD is excellent because you get to see Robin Williams taking his act to different states and you see some of his older work which was excellent. Due to his sad passing, it's really sad to know that he won't be coming out with some new material because there really isn't anyone else like him.
I recommend this movie to people who are into there stand-up comedies which cover everything from politics to sex. 6/10
Round-Up: The bonus material on the DVD is excellent because you get to see Robin Williams taking his act to different states and you see some of his older work which was excellent. Due to his sad passing, it's really sad to know that he won't be coming out with some new material because there really isn't anyone else like him.
I recommend this movie to people who are into there stand-up comedies which cover everything from politics to sex. 6/10
- leonblackwood
- 24 ago 2014
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I recently managed to catch Robin Williams' big return to HBO and I was looking forward to some typical manic humour from him, which is pretty much what he delivers. The problem is that he still needs good material to deliver in this way and there are substantial chunks of this special when the material is not as strong as he should be doing. He dabbles into political comedy but he does so in a manner that makes him come over like he is trying to do someone else's act – it just doesn't sit well with the rest of the stuff he is doing. Put with this the fact that a lot of the material he is doing is not topical – I know I saw this several months after it aired in the US but even in December 2009 some of this stuff was done and done. It is still pretty funny but it is not as hilarious as he is trying to make it, nor as funny as the audience reaction captured suggests.
Likewise some of his stuff is very crude and some of the laughs seem to be coming from the stuff he is saying being shocking. Of course this is nothing need in comedy and there is always a place for those who say the unsayable but do so in a very clever and well-delivered fashion – but this is not happening here. Williams does have some great observations with this stuff but mostly he is playing it a bit too obvious and childish for my tastes. Fortunately neither the political stuff nor the crude stuff makes up the majority of the show. There are other things in here and some of them are relevant to him and personal to him; his bits on alcoholism and drugs I found very funny but also well informed and it is just a shame he could not have done more from that direction rather than miming out his bodily functions with as much regularity as he did (pun unintentional).
There is one thing above all else that makes this (admittedly too long) special work though, even as it dips at times and that is the man himself. Williams manic stuff has always worked well for me and since Mork has been his trademark and there is no sign that he has lost his touch there because his delivery and work is impressive. He nails the better material with this approach and he also carries the weaker stuff, taking the audience with him even when the joke he is doing is not that funny. The only slight wobble he has in that regard is when he does quite a lot of racial/national stereotypes and accents in one tight segment – you can feel the audience not really being sure if it is something they should be laughing at, but by force of his personality alone Williams takes them with him right through that mire.
Is "Weapons" a great comedy show? Well to be honest no, too much of the material feels a little "base" in its content but Williams just about holds it together by sheer will and presence. He carries the audience and the viewer through the weaker material, moving quickly and frantically to distract us and provides plenty of good laughs on the stronger material to make us focus on that. Not quite great but he is undoubtedly good at what he does.
Likewise some of his stuff is very crude and some of the laughs seem to be coming from the stuff he is saying being shocking. Of course this is nothing need in comedy and there is always a place for those who say the unsayable but do so in a very clever and well-delivered fashion – but this is not happening here. Williams does have some great observations with this stuff but mostly he is playing it a bit too obvious and childish for my tastes. Fortunately neither the political stuff nor the crude stuff makes up the majority of the show. There are other things in here and some of them are relevant to him and personal to him; his bits on alcoholism and drugs I found very funny but also well informed and it is just a shame he could not have done more from that direction rather than miming out his bodily functions with as much regularity as he did (pun unintentional).
There is one thing above all else that makes this (admittedly too long) special work though, even as it dips at times and that is the man himself. Williams manic stuff has always worked well for me and since Mork has been his trademark and there is no sign that he has lost his touch there because his delivery and work is impressive. He nails the better material with this approach and he also carries the weaker stuff, taking the audience with him even when the joke he is doing is not that funny. The only slight wobble he has in that regard is when he does quite a lot of racial/national stereotypes and accents in one tight segment – you can feel the audience not really being sure if it is something they should be laughing at, but by force of his personality alone Williams takes them with him right through that mire.
Is "Weapons" a great comedy show? Well to be honest no, too much of the material feels a little "base" in its content but Williams just about holds it together by sheer will and presence. He carries the audience and the viewer through the weaker material, moving quickly and frantically to distract us and provides plenty of good laughs on the stronger material to make us focus on that. Not quite great but he is undoubtedly good at what he does.
- bob the moo
- 25 abr 2010
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Robin Williams "Weapons of Self Destruction" is a live stand-up comedy film. Robin Williams covers a vast array of subject matter in this 90 minute concert film. Many of the jokes are funny and Robin's humor may be a little wilder than you would expect.
I think the film is a bit slow at times, but many of the antidotes and jokes are quite funny. My favorite part is when Robin Is doing impressions. He really excels at his impressions. They are spot on.
I picked up a DVD of this at a local thrift store for a buck. Now that I have watched it, I'll probably donate it to the library.
Weapons of Self Destruction is fun as a one time watch, but it's not amusing enough that I would rewatch it.
I think the film is a bit slow at times, but many of the antidotes and jokes are quite funny. My favorite part is when Robin Is doing impressions. He really excels at his impressions. They are spot on.
I picked up a DVD of this at a local thrift store for a buck. Now that I have watched it, I'll probably donate it to the library.
Weapons of Self Destruction is fun as a one time watch, but it's not amusing enough that I would rewatch it.
- DarylJGittings
- 19 nov 2024
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- jboothmillard
- 21 abr 2010
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This comedy set is fine for people who laugh at any drug joke or penis joke, no matter how old or poorly constructed, but Robin Williams used to be so much better, more original and with a greater range of schtick. It's hard not to notice how often he punctuates a gag by announcing that it's "number one" of a series of observations. (Usually he does provide another but without numbering it.) His material about growing older rang true, and it was certainly fresher than a Jimmy Stewart imitation or a talking-vagina gag (both of which he does resort to), but I suppose that to focus on approaching the age of 60 would be to lose much of the audience-- at least the audience that we see photographed, who seem to be half Robin's age.
- Nozz
- 31 mar 2010
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I have a lot of respect for robin & I think he is a fantastic actor, both Comedy wise & in his more sombre roles. However, I found very little funny about this show. Maybe it's my Australian sense of humor or maybe I expected something more akin to Lee Mack or Dave Chappelle. Unfortunately it was neither...instead it was a nervous sounding robin doing impressions of Hasidic Jews, old southerners making stupid noises and then shooting off to some completely unrelated subject like heart surgery or Obama. After the first time struggling to sit it through it I thought...well maybe I didn't approach it with the right mindset. Maybe I was just not used to his style of comedy. So I watched it again and no..I stand by my original opinion. But hey comedy is like apples & oranges, just so happens i'm not a fan of citrus.
- tbagletsbeef
- 10 mar 2013
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- edwagreen
- 19 dic 2009
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It would be a safe bet to claim mercurial funny man Robin Williams hasn't been funny since the last century. Age and stale material repackaged with the same zany but winded nuances stopped being amusing some time back. With a film career on life support Williams returns to the place where he got his start, stand-up, and promptly falls on his ass.
From the outset Williams sweats and shrinks before our eyes in a hallowed cavernous DC auditorium as he huffs and puffs his way about the stage with the same routine worn paper thin by decades of the same shtick on endless talk shows and incorporated into films that won him critical praise. In Destruction he leaps on today's topics with the same manic enthusiasm he did in his youth but the novelty and Puckish charm are long gone and instead we get a sloven heavily caffeinated, perspiring old man where the cutesy gets creepy.
Williamsis somewhere between Ork and Dangerfield and incapable of handling it with Rodney's unique savoir faire. It is a cringing performance to witness, made even more evident by the audience response where the only thing that brings down the house is the wistful sentimentality for this over the hill repetitive dinosaur who now has to resort to dick and pussy jokes to get forced laughs from hipsters as he enters and exits, albeit a decade or two too late.
From the outset Williams sweats and shrinks before our eyes in a hallowed cavernous DC auditorium as he huffs and puffs his way about the stage with the same routine worn paper thin by decades of the same shtick on endless talk shows and incorporated into films that won him critical praise. In Destruction he leaps on today's topics with the same manic enthusiasm he did in his youth but the novelty and Puckish charm are long gone and instead we get a sloven heavily caffeinated, perspiring old man where the cutesy gets creepy.
Williamsis somewhere between Ork and Dangerfield and incapable of handling it with Rodney's unique savoir faire. It is a cringing performance to witness, made even more evident by the audience response where the only thing that brings down the house is the wistful sentimentality for this over the hill repetitive dinosaur who now has to resort to dick and pussy jokes to get forced laughs from hipsters as he enters and exits, albeit a decade or two too late.
- st-shot
- 23 nov 2010
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- dregj
- 12 sept 2012
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