Cabin Boy

Tim Burton called up Chris Elliott and Adam Resnick to make him a sort-of "Pee-wee's Big Adventure"(1985) for the 90's, but then he left the project to direct "Ed Wood"(1994), leaving Resnick and Elliot to attempt to make their version of a Tim Burton movie. The end result was Elliot starring as the not-Pee-wee "fancy lad" and Resnick making his directorial debut, which made the final film this kind of wonky, oddly mesmerizing, quirky comedy, that isn't nearly as bad as its reputation persists.

Fun family movie reminiscent of Ray Harryhausen fantasy films. I don't get the hate. Having Melora Walters show up breathes new life to the plot. Yeah, Chris Elliott plays a moron but how many other actors have made a career out of playing clueless buffoons? Fav scene: revealing the giant.

This was made by someone with a brain tumor. ITS SO NUTTY.

"We don’t attempt to store information in our own memory to the same degree that we used to, because we know that the internet knows everything…" - Dr. Maria Wimber, University of Birmingham. Now the background story for the character Chocki in this film is that his father was a viking and his mother was a shark. Yes, that information is something you're reading on the internet, but don't you think it warrants a place in your long term memory?

I love finding critically-panned films that are actually fun to watch. Unfortunately, this fact is not relevant to this review.

Whenever I'm trying to remember Chris Elliott's name, I cite this movie but no one ever knows what I'm talking about.

“Would you like to buy a monkey?” Somewhat like FREDDY GOT FINGERED, this exists in its own little oasis of iconoclastic individualism, but if you don’t understand or connect with the joke, it makes it a bit tough going, though the moxie is something to be admired. Thankfully Elliott and Resnick have attracted a fine comedy cast to almost pick this up for non-believers – Gammon is just about perfect as a crusty old sea dog, and Doyle-Murray and James are always great fun to have around.

I remember enjoying it, probably because of its surrealistic aspects. That doesn't really make it something anybody else in their right mind would like, though.

It's a bit like Altman's Popeye, a film I almost want to go to bat for but just can't. Even when Ann Magnuson shows up as a six-armed love goddess.

I probably would have hated it in 1994

Tedious bore. There does come a point where Elliot's annoyingness stops being an issue, but it only highlights how the fim's real problem is the complete lack of actual comedy, or anything else of worth.

Anarchic comedies have been so rare in the last few decades, that when one shows up, no one really knows what to make of it. I love Cabin Boy, I thought each scene was funny as hell, and it doesn't bother me that the plot exists only as an excuse.

Truly bizarre comedy that has its moments. Unfortunately, those are few and far between.

Letterman redeems with, "Hey! You wanna buy a monkey?"

https://esperwatchesfilms.tumblr.com/post/645039417501810688/cabin-boy-1994

Viewed August 8, 2019. How many other comedies can say they look like Querelle and the 1940 version of The Thief of Bagdad? It's really something.

Adam Resnick is one of the absolute worst writers. How he manages to get so many talented people to work on his projects is a mystery to me. I wanted to like this film, but it never stood a chance.

Considering the esteem afforded both Resnick and Elliott among alternative comedy fans, particularly as a team, I wasn't expecting this to be quite as bad as it was, even if I have to admit that it has a certain imbecilic charm. While Get a Life felt genuinely subversive and was relentlessly antagonistic to the status quo, Cabin Boy hits familiar narrative beats as if against its will, tempered with silliness that doesn't really amount to more than a stoner's flight of fancy.

For some reason I remember this being kind of funny but I might not be remembering correctly

Stupid, but ultimately funny

[Chris Elliott]'s spoof of a young seaman's apprenticeship seems desperate as he piles special effects willy-nilly atop jibes at stupid old salts.

When the 2nd lead is Brian Doyle Murray, you know it's c-l-a-s-s.

A typical comedic movie where I DID laugh a decent amount of times, but I'll be damned if it wasn't stupid as hell.

So strange. Idiotic but something about kept me riveted. I love that David Letterman used one line of his from this film as an entire skit at a completely confusing Oscars.

I don't remember this movie at all... but I know I saw it.

Horrible, stupid, obnoxious movie. The Harryhausen homages are cute, but Chris Elliott is far too annoying for me to care.

Nobody seems to like this oddball mix of _Captains Courageous_ and a Ray Harryhausen fantasy-adventure but I think it's pretty damn funny. Of course, I also loved Elliott's short-lived TV series "Get A Life", so maybe that helps.

David Letterman at his best.

I. Hate. Chris. Elliott. He should not have a career. We should not know his name. He should be flipping burgers in Sheboygan. In short, do not destroy any brain cells exposing yourself to this garbage.

The best joke is his boats name.

dumb dumb dumb. but likeable

Its a typical Chris Elliott movie. He's hysterical, but the movie is a little stupid.

Fucking bizarre and enjoyable as hell.

I love Chris Elliot's absurdist humor and I believe he did well with this one. Though not as good as his TV appearances.

Dave Letterman with the monkey? Genius!

A giant muffin that spits tobacco in your face!

Funny! Just a silly movie from an underrated comedian.

Moderately funny.

I laughed, what more can I say?

Absolute poop.