Throw Momma From the Train (1987)

Get ready for a runaway comedy that's right on track! "Danny DeVito and Billy Crystal are hilarious[and] Anne Ramsey is hysterically frightful" (The Hollywood Reporter) in this "wickedly screwball" (Playboy) laugh riot that won a Golden GlobeÂ(r) nomination* for DeVito and anOscarÂ(r) nomination** for Ramsey. With Rob Reiner and Oprah Winfrey on board for cameos, this fast-track comedy "will certainly make you laugh" (Newsweek)! Writing teacher Larry Donner (Crystal) and his student Owen Lift (DeVito) have a lot in common: the women in their lives are driving them mad! Larry's ex-wife Margaret (Kate Mulgrew) stole his novel and made it her own bestseller, and Owen's mother (Ramsey) is a monster! But Owen has a plan to kill both problems literally! He'll murder Margaret while Larry sends Momma to her maker! But when Owen fulfills his end of the deal before telling his teacher, Larry's left with no alibi and an outrageous obligation to knock off the nastiest old lady he's ever met! *1987: Actor **1987: Supporting Actress

 One of The Greatest Performances in the History of the Cinema
Anne Ramsey's Oscar-nominated performance as Danny DeVito's monstrous mother in "Throw Momma From The Train" is easily one of the greatest performances in the history of the cinema, and also one of it's funniest.

I am not joking, I am not being sarcastic, and I am not being hyperbolic. Ramsey's performance is a work of unbelievable talent--genius, even--unparalleled in it's ability to make me with ROAR with laughter every time I see it.

Anne Ramsey died shortly after making this film, and I'm glad she got this performance in the can before her clock wound down. It really is a joy to behold.

April 18, 2008

 a movie for those with personality.
the thing i liked most about this film, is they seemed to always have the most casual of conversations during the most extreme life events.

the whole cast is fantastic, every character in the film fills their spot appropriately. anne ramsey, danny devito, and billy crystal are magnificent. danny devito is virtually non-stop the entire film with his casual charismatic commentary, billy crystal seems to have an endless style of chronic complaining and hilarious one liners, top it all off with mommas insulting demands and screaming complaints. the great branford marsalis was also in the movie and wrote two songs for the soundtrack.

the movie seems to be most enjoyable when in a very relaxed mood, non- stop laughter, almost have to pause it at times.

the film effects, lighting, coloring, music and cinematography are all fantastic. i wish films of this caliber were still being produced. February 19, 2008

 Raye Birk, Peter Bracco, & Andre Rosey Brown's greatest roles
Who are these people? Who knows, who cares? Evidently Amazon do, since it lists them before Danny DeVito, Billy Crystal, and the absolutely great Anne Ramsey. Do you mind if I rant? Why the bloody hell does Amazon persist in listing casts In Order Of Appearance? In this case, Anne Ramsey, who won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Owen's momma, is not on Amazon's cast list!! On one of my favorite movies, the first five roles that Amazon lists never made the screen in the film's North America release(had to catch the Tierra del Fuegan version). Anyhow, the late Ms. Ramsey's Momma is so horrible, you have to love her. I sat down with my 82 year old Mother, & she just howled....with laughter, that is. Danny Devito is really wonderfully simple, and Billy Crystal, as usual is excellent. Writing this makes me want to see more Anne Ramsey....all I can think of is "Scrooged", where she has a small role as a bum/angel along with Michael J. Pollard. Too bad I couldn't just click on her name to find other roles. At least I was able to click on Peter Brocco name, & discover that his only two other roles were in Spartacus, & on the Cuckoo's Nest soundtrack....I wonder where he's waiting tables. February 16, 2008

 in your dreams
Throw Momma From the Train

billy crystal and danny de vito -- how can you miss? actually, there are movies from each of these guys which i don't like, but this isn't one of them.

it's fun and funny, and anne ramsay is just a hoot! October 5, 2007

 Great classic comedy as only Crystal and Devito could deliver!
This is one funny movie! It's basically a classic moment in comedy time. It deals so cleverly with a momma's boy(comedically played by Danny Devito)who wants to become a writer. But he's got a big problem that being that his mother(played by the late Anne Ramsey)doesn't support him at all in his dream not to mention she's physically and verbally abusive to him and as if that wasn't bad enough he doesn't have any friends either! So he comes to his teacher( played by Billy Crystal for inspiration, To blackmail him into killing his mother and above all else friendship. Well pretty much what happens during those events is quite hysterical! I particulary love when Danny Devito whacks Billy Crystal upside the head(in a pre-Dinosaurs manner)with a frying pan. So if you like dark humor,slapstick, or just a comedy that's full of surprises then you will definely want to ride this train! September 19, 2007

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