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Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) - Full Reaction

🕑 Added 2024-12-09 01:41:16 +0000 UTC

Comments

JAKH

If you really want a Christmas dark comedy, try "Violent Night" (2022) with David Harbour as Santa Claus

Steve Colletti

You should listen to the commentary on the disc, too. It's one of the better listens in that regard.

Rick Williams

I forgot how good this movie is. It was great to revisit it. Great Reaction Cassie.

Gray

That was good fun first time watch for me also, like others said The Nice Guys by same the director is fantastic too.

bknsty14

What’s a Rodney. Sweet, innocent Cassie.

Rosario

Another SOLID dark Comedy "The Death of Stalin"

Gábor Árki

This was a superb reaction. It seems if we want to see Cassie uncontrollably laugh, black comedies are the way to do it. 😄

Steven St Clair

He also wrote/directed Iron Man 3 (and also The Predator (2018), but that movie is inexplicably terrible, I’m guessing due to studio interference).

Mitch M

My favorite joke in this whole movie is the "badly" joke, because as grammar nerds will tell you, Harmony and Perry are BOTH right. Sense (and feel) verbs are an exception to the adverb rule. :D You don't find many movies that will go for a grammar joke, let alone two grammar jokes, let alone grammar jokes that make use of obscure rules.

Andrew Hussey

This director is just so good, this and the nice guys are top tier comedy mystery films and those are I think the only films he's written/directed? He has a real skill for finding teams of actors who work perfectly together, but in any case, if you liked this, the nice guys is equally good

Odd Thomas

Val Kilmer was Batman in Batman Forever. You're welcome ;)

Odd Thomas

The Long Kiss Goodnight is another great Shane Black script. One of the best 90s movies.

Rosario

Quality watch, both of these!!!

kaiielle

Ahh this movie is great, so glad you enjoyed it! I watched it with my Mom and we laughed so hard. Looking forward to getting to the reaction myself!

Stick Figure Studios

I love LAST BOY SCOUT, but it is one nasty film.

Mojo One Thousand

I doubt there would be the same affection for "The Last Boy Scout" as the characters are a lot more cynical than this or "The Nice Guys", and it was directed by Tony Scott, and not Black himself, so it is more action oriented than the later movies, and doesn't lean into the comedy as much.

Gábor Árki

I’m confident she would enjoy The Nice Guys as well. However, The Last Boy Scout is a much grittier film, so I’ll just say it could make for an interesting reaction that I’m somewhat curious about. Personally, I would be more intrigued by The Long Kiss Goodnight. It’s a largely forgotten and underrated movie written by Shane Black that stays within the buddy genre while adding its own unique twists. I'm in full support of Death at a Funeral (2007). But it's currently the 3024th on Popcornrequests, so it's unlikely it would make it for a reaction via any conventional route. PS: Keeping Mum (2005) would also make for a good reaction. Maybe we should push for a British Black Comedy poll. But some other entries I can think of like Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels or In Bruges would probably dominate those.

Björn Karlsson

I mean she has seen....... cuckoo's nest 🙂

Nathan Jasper, the Artist Formerly Known as Primary

He had a whole album called The Futirist. I kind of wish he had done more but I guess he got out what he needed to say

Mojo One Thousand

I did have a feeling you would enjoy this Cassie, as I did with the reaction. I also agree with you Cassie, Michelle Monahan is underrated... much like this movie. Everytime I see her I think there is a movie out there to be made where Margot Robbie, Emily (Emma) Stone and her play sisters. As many others have said, now this has been seen and really enjoyed this, we need "The Nice Guys" (definitely) and "The Last Boy Scout" to round out Shane Black's P.I. buddy anthology. Although the latter is a bit more grim than the other two more recent movies. With this new found recognition of a joy/appreciation for darker comedies, I will suggest the original British "Death at a Funeral" (2007). Aaaand, "What is a 'Rodney'"... that would be a euphemism for a male physiological trait that gets called a different slang term (starts with a 'b') later in the movie when "Harry" is frustratingly sharing a bed with "Harmony".

Mojo One Thousand

For me "The Nice Guys" is the last step we have seen in Shane Black's evolution and pretty much perfecting the buddy action comedy. Writing "The Last Boy Scout" early on(directed by Tony Scott) and then turning to writing/directing through "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" and then "The Nice Guys", I have always seen them as kind of an anthology. I put "Lethal Weapon" separately because it was it's own franchise, and it was originally prior to all of these and is a genuine buddy cop story, whereas the other 3 movies have a P.I. paired with a private citizen who is incidently related to the circumstances of story. There is always scuttlebutt about a "The Nice Guys" sequel and I would be on-board with it.

Clarence Newman

EDIT: I responded with something different here, but actually, I'm going to put it up top. We need answers, dangit!

Ian Tonge

I love them both, but Nice Guys just about pips Kiss Kiss Bang Bang to the post for me too. It's the kind of movie where I just like hanging out with the characters for a while. I would have loved a sequel or two so I could hang out with them some more.

Johnny

This was 4th or 5th time watching it, and I finally understood the plot! I loved it the first time, but was confused, and each subsequent watch made me love it even more as I understood more and caught more jokes. Just a great movie.

Johnny

I think she would like Bad Santa - though some of the jokes would probably be a little much for her lol. Overall it really is a great movie and hilarious, plus it has a heart.

Brian Lowery

I didn’t recommend Last Boy Scout. I recommend The Long Kiss Goodnight.

Brian Lowery

I didn’t recommend Last Boy Scout. I recommend The Long Kiss Goodnight.

Johnny

I also think Nice Guys is even better, but the fact is that both are so great. I just love the directing style in both of them. The pairing of Gossling and Crowe worked so well in Nice Guys - they were just perfect together. I'm sure Cassie will watch it with all of our recommendations.

Stick Figure Studios

P.S. To demonstrate how much of a love letter this story is to classic "noir" pulp detective novels, every chapter heading is the title of a Raymond Chandler/Phillip Marlowe mystery (THE LADY IN THE LAKE, THE LITTLE SISTER, etc).

Stick Figure Studios

RDJ has had like 5 careers. He's won and/or been nominated for multiple awards (including an Oscar nod for CHAPLIN) and has appeared in numerous good films (this, HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, AIR AMERICA, etc). Mel Gibson even cast Robert in a movie that he was developing for himself initially (called THE SINGING DETECTIVE) when nobody else would hire him, so many films/filmmakers have "saved" his career(s), both only ones made him an A-list superstar. IRON MAN was for RDJ what PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN was for Johnny Depp.

Stick Figure Studios

While I think it's a stretch to call this a Christmas movie, any excuse to get you to watch it is okay with me as it is a wonderful, witty and intelligent neo-noir/comedy from writer-director Shane Black (who wrote the first two LETHAL WEAPON films and also directed IRON MAN 3) who loves setting stories at Christmas time for really no reason. I figured you'd love it. You should absolutely watch his NICE GUYS with Ryan Gosling and Russel Crowe. For my money, it's even better than KISS KISS BANG BANG.

Stick Figure Studios

I could see Cassie enjoying LONG KISS GOODNIGHT, but I think LAST BOY SCOUT would be a bit much for her. I love it, but it is quite a nasty film.

Stick Figure Studios

That's typical with Noir plots. There's a famous story about screenwriter Leigh Brackett adapting THE BIG SLEEP into a movie and calling Raymond Chandler to ask him a question about the convoluted plot and he didn't know the answer either.

Stick Figure Studios

I agree NICE GUYS is better.

Stick Figure Studios

I prefer it myself, though this one is still great.

Stick Figure Studios

I actually think NICE GUYS is even better.

Björn Karlsson

She has, according to popcorn request 🙂

Clarence Newman

Never seen this one. Strange, because I like both these guys.

Night King01

Well now you have to watch the Nice Guys. I think it might be better than this. Same director/writer, Shane Black

Clarence Newman

Yes, her Letterbox is wrong. No way has she seen One Flew Over The Cuckoo's nest!

rakesh

I'd like to speak to the set director about the positioning of the lights and tinsel behind the headboard.

DirtySteve

Yesss!!! Finally, my favorite movie!! Such a great reaction! I new you would love it. It has everything: mystery, action, romance, drama, and fantastic comedy. But, when you have RDJ and Val Kilmer leading the movie, what more do you need?

Witchfinder General

This movie's too smart alecky, insincere, and post-modern for me

Clay F

I will delete my reply.

Clay F

Thanks. I will edit my post. It's also listed as seen at popcornrequest.com

Gábor Árki

I'm so thrilled for this reaction! I've been waiting for this movie to get its moment for years, but it kept losing poll after poll. It's such an underrated gem. I remember a friend in university recommended it to me, so I hunted it down and gave it a watch. At first, I thought it was just okay and couldn't understand why my friend was so enthusiastic, calling it one of the best movies he'd seen that year. Then I realized I made a huge mistake. I had actually watched Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang) from 2001, starring Stellan Skarsgård! Not Kiss Kiss Bang Bang from 2005. After I remedied this issue, I totally understood his enthusiasm. In addition to being a fantastic movie in its own right, it’s often credited as playing a big part in reviving Robert Downey Jr.’s career. By the 90s, he had already made a name for himself, even earning an Oscar nomination for Chaplin (1992). However, his struggles with drug addiction, multiple arrests and legal troubles in the late '90s derailed his career. After his recovery, breaking back into the spotlight wasn’t easy, and no studio trusted him with a blockbuster project. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang played a crucial role in convincing the studio to trust him when Jon Favreau advocated for casting him as Iron Man.

Richard Flores

Kilmer's story of RDJ turning to the plastic deer... "Who sent you?!" All of it. Loved it.

Just Plain Bob

Elsewhere in this thread, Cassie says that her Letterboxd is wrong. She hasn’t seen The Nice Guys. It’s a great movie so hopefully it’ll get a reaction before long.

Just Plain Bob

She actually hasn’t seen The Nice Guys. She said elsewhere in this thread that her Letterboxd was wrong, she hasn’t seen it. Hopefully, that will be rectified before long. Great movie.

Clay F

Cassie has not seen "THE NICE GUYS" (2016). I remember starting The Nice Guys but didn't finish. I need to give it another try. I like the two leads.

Rick Rodriguez

Last Boy Scout is a fav but quite brutal. Long Kiss one of the best action flicks of the 90s.

Rick Rodriguez

These guys are Nice guys. Not other guys. Now we're all on the same page guys.

Rick Rodriguez

Full support on those

Tyler Foster

Will echo the many who will undoubtedly tell you that you have to see The Nice Guys next.

Tyler Foster

There's a German Blu-ray of Spartan that looks really good and carries over the one DVD extra (Kilmer commentary), but you have to have a region-free Blu-ray player.

Chris Thom

Oh I thought that was after he got out of jail and got sober.

Chris Thom

Critics loved it out of the gate. But not too many saw it.

Jacob King

Perfect reaction. The Nice Guys is even better. My argument for why KKBB is a real Christmas movie is it’s about a guy from New York who’s hit rock bottom goes to another town where he meets a cast of kooky characters, falls in love with his high school sweetheart and turns his life around. It’s the exact plot of every hallmark movie. Val Kilmer is basically a guardian angel.

Clay F

Chris, yeah he won awards for his performance on Ally McBeal, but he did relapse.

Cole Jennett

Me too. Cassie has always grasped plots quickly, much quicker then I most of the time.

Clay F

First watch. I liked it. Some good humor. More neo-noir and "black" comedy that I was expecting. Him laying under that bed face-to-face with that girl taking her last breath - that would be horrible. Also, the dog eating his finger was a scene I could forget about -- though I guess that was important to the feel of the movie. Perry surviving was an awesome nice touch. One of my favorite aspects was Perry confronting that sick filth dad at the end. Would have been nice to see Harry get out of the friend zone with Harmony. IMDb Parents Guide rated the movie as "moderate" on "sex and nudity." Michelle Monaghan is a good actor and beautiful. I thought she beautiful and gave a nuanced performance in True Detective S1. Val Kilmer did well. My favorite performance (stunning) by Val Kilmer is in Tombstone (1993). A movie with Val Kilmer in the lead role, and that I have big time nostalgia for and has redemption is THUNDERHEART (1992) [RT=90%]. By the way, stay away from Steve Seagal you alluded to early in the reaction -- his only decent movie is Under Siege (1992) imo. I remember Robert Downey, Jr early on in the Hughes movies and as a member of the Bratt Pack, and then in "Chaplin" (1992) (as Charlie Chaplin) and "Natural Born Killers" (1994) (w/Woody Harrelson). Then, years of cocaine, heroin, arrests, rehabilitation, and jail. All in the news. I do remember him being on Ally McBeal during that time. There was talk that he would be sent to state prison for 5 years -- I thought he was a goner. But he came out of it. I was glad. I liked him as an actor. Talented guy. Lastly, if you react to Bad Santa (2003), I would watch your reaction. I remember liking Bad Santa (2003) ok back in the day. I would see what I think on a rewatch with your reaction.

Brian's Dog

Great reaction! First time seeing it and I was too dense to follow the plot on this one. I got lost six days to Sunday.

Walter

yes to both of these, please

Clay F

Good point. Iron Man (2008) was big but it was movies like "Good Night, and Good Luck" (2005) (awesome movie) and KKBB that got him back on his feet after all that drug/legal crap.

Chris Thom

He quit acting after this? He was a big star there for a while.

Chris Thom

Ally McBeal, too. Not sure if you remember that one. Great quirky show.

Just Plain Bob

In addition to being a superb movie in its own right “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” is an affectionate love letter to the private eye fiction of the first half of the 20th century. The story is based on one of the early Mike Shayne novels, which date from the time of World War 2. In a couple of the early stories, including the one this movie was based on, he had two cases that did, indeed, turn out to be a single case. This was not a staple of the Mike Shayne novels, but it did happen occasionally. The Johnny Gossamer novels were clearly referencing the Mike Shayne novels, which were released directly to pulp paperbacks featuring lurid covers. Finally, the title of each day was the title of a classic Raymond Chandler novel, each featuring the greatest fictional American private eye, Philip Marlowe. You can keep Sam Spade (“The Maltese Falcon”), it’s Marlowe for me (although Dashiell Hammett’s Continental Op isn’t far behind). I don’t know how Shane Black managed to keep so many balls in the air, adapting a 60 year old story to be relevant today - adding a layer of complexity and nuance lacking in the source material - while also littering the story with references to classic PI literature, but he did it wonderfully. Awesome flick!

djKENTO

i’m still annoyed that the only physical media versions are a VHS and DVD still. And most of the DVDS are pan and scan like it’s 1995 still or something.

Zane From Canada

Interesting fact. RDJ sang the end credits song. https://youtu.be/fxP6PJss7eA?si=FN0Y9Pt8sivxjIsL

Choof

I second Real Genius especially, he's comedy gold in it

Witchfinder General

'Christmas Vacation'. It's OK you can say it, you won't spontaneously combust

aarswft

Val Kilmer is a comedic juggernaut. If you want to see more of his, please check out Real Genius or Top Secret!

Bryan Erickson

It is underrated. Also, Xmas Vacation….LFG!

V M

I voted for this movie and I have never seen it. You're welcome.

Choof

I'm guessing maybe you mistook it for the Other Guys with will Farrell and mark Wahlberg

Steve Mercier

"Go. Sleep badly. Any questions, hesitate to call." "Bad." "Excuse me?" "Sleep bad. Otherwise it makes it seem like the mechanism that allows you to sleep..." "What, #$%&head? Who taught you grammar? Badly's an adverb. Get out. Vanish." Love this movie...and it kind of got Robert Downey Jr. the IRON MAN gig, so extra cool.

Choof

Not even halfway through and this is an all time reaction

Cassie

that must be a mistake, i definitely have not!

Walter

I had to see this in the theater a second time because the theater was laughing so much the first time, that I missed dialogue. Love this movie.

Walter

unfortunately, according to Popcorn Requests, she has already seen it

Walter

shockingly, I would say

Daniel N

“What’s a Rodney?” 😂😂😂

Krylo

this movie is SUPER underrated!

Steve Holton

Shane Black always liked how the Japanese press referred to James Bond as "Mr. Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang" and Shane was determined to use the phrase as one of his titles. It was a good choice for this!

aarswft

People will tell you Iron Man saved RDJs career. Nope. Good Night and Good Luck, KKBB, and A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints is how he came back.

Wes

Look up the definition of idiot. Cassie. You know what you’ll find? 😉😁😂

Johnny

I'm so glad Cassie watched this finally. Many of us have been hoping she'd watch it because we knew she'd love it. Now she needs to see The Nice Guys by the same director (Shane Black). The Nice Guys has a similar kind of feel to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and she'll love the Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe combo.

Rick Rodriguez

"You the man?"

Steve Colletti

It could only have happened when it did. Lightning in a bottle. I'm glad you liked it.

Brian Lowery

Shane Black, the writer and director, is imo the best screenwriter in Hollywood. He created the characters of Riggs and Murtaugh (he wrote the screenplay for Lethal Weapon). He’s written and/or directed The Last Boy Scout, The Long Kiss Goodnight, Last Action Hero, The Nice Guys, Monster Squad, and Iron Man 3 (my favorite of the three Iron Man films). You should really do a viewing of The Long Kiss Goodnight. Without a doubt, my favorite action movie ever. Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson. Some constant themes in his films include Christmas, pairing adults with kids, and strong female lead characters.

Stick Figure Studios

I third THE NUCE GUYS. I even liked it better than this one.

Nathan Jasper, the Artist Formerly Known as Primary

If Angela of FLG hated it, Cassie would definitely not like it.

Rick Rodriguez

That is definitely one of the funniest tracks ever. Proof that they really were their characters.

Jim Saul

The commentary tracks aren't your normal thing, but this is one of the best. Really hilarious, and full of details from actors at the top of their game. Definitely worth a listen.

Just Plain Bob

Every now and then you watch a movie and it just feels like an unexpected gift got dropped in your lap. That’s how I felt when I first saw this movie ten years ago. I’d heard absolutely nothing about it and suddenly, about 30 minutes in, I realized I was watching one of those rarities: a movie that was absolutely perfect for what it was. Been looking forward to this reaction since long before it won the poll. Let ‘er roll!!!