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Movies / On DVD / Ghost Town
Ghost Town

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Ghost Town (2008)

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Reviews Counted:171

Fresh:145

Rotten:26

Average Rating:6.9/10

Consensus: Ricky Gervais' consistently sharp performance and beautifully dry execution transform this otherwise mainstream comedy into an endearing, funny, and altogether snappy romantic comedy. With ghosts.

Rated: 12A [See Full Rating] for some strong language, sexual humor and drug references.

Runtime: 1 hr 42 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:24-10-2008

Synopsis: Director and screenwriter David Koepp (STIR OF ECHOES, SECRET WINDOW) brings Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, and Téa Leoni together for a romantic comedy with a twist of the supernatural. Dr. Bertram... Director and screenwriter David Koepp (STIR OF ECHOES, SECRET WINDOW) brings Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, and Téa Leoni together for a romantic comedy with a twist of the supernatural. Dr. Bertram Pincus (Gervais) doesn't like people very much. In fact, the antisocial dentist does everything he can to avoid interaction with other human beings. Unfortunately, he gets more than he bargained for when he is released from the hospital after undergoing a standard procedure: he can see dead people, and they can see him. Suddenly, every ghost in New York City wants Pincus to help clean up their unfinished business. Dapper Frank (Kinnear) is the most persistent ghost, badgering Pincus to help keep his widow, Gwen (Leoni), from making a big mistake. Gervais is perfect as Pincus, whose deadpan expressions make obvious his disdain for people. His comic timing is spot on throughout the film. Kinnear makes Frank likable, not an easy feat since he apparently wasn't such an upstanding guy when he was alive and married to Leoni's Gwen. Aasif Mandvi appears as a dentist sharing Gervais's office, and Billy Campbell is Gwen's new love interest. SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE star Kristen Wiig is a scene-stealer as Pincus's surgeon, particularly when she is trying to avoid telling her patient what went wrong during his procedure. Dana Ivey and Alan Ruck also appear as ghosts in need of help. [More]

Starring: Ricky Gervais, Téa Leoni, Greg Kinnear, Billy Campbell

Starring: Ricky Gervais, Téa Leoni, Greg Kinnear, Billy Campbell, Kristen Wiig, Dana Ivey, Aasif Mandvi

Director: David Koepp

Director: David Koepp
Screenwriter: David Koepp, John Kamps
Producer: Gavin Polone
Composer: Geoff Zanelli
Studio: Paramount Pictures

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for Ghost Town

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41 - 60 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Despite the high-concept premise, Ghost Town has a low-concept feel. The jokes are small, sly and sometimes gentle.

Full Review Source: Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL) | comment Comment
11/12/08
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

It is alternately tender, sad and smart. It’s also very funny.

Full Review Source: At the Movies | comment Comment
11/07/08
Ben Mankiewicz
Ben Mankiewicz
At the Movies

This just kind of fell flat.

Full Review Source: At the Movies | comment Comment
11/07/08
Ben Lyons
Ben Lyons
At the Movies

Is he having a laugh?

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Weekly | comment 2 Comments
10/28/08
Sean Burns
Sean Burns
Philadelphia Weekly

A funny story with winning performances, and if you look closely, you might even find a surprisingly thoughtful message about grief.

Full Review Source: The Cinema Source | comment Comment
10/12/08
Michael Dance
Michael Dance
The Cinema Source

Director David Koepp turns a ghost story into a less-than-great comedy.

Full Review Source: IGN Movies | comment Comment
10/10/08
Todd Gilchrist
Todd Gilchrist
IGN Movies

Writer/director David Koepp has provided Gervais with the perfect vehicle for his quirky, sardonic wit as he plays the tactless and socially inept dentist Bertram Pincus who only wants to be left alone.

Full Review Source: Paste Magazine | comment Comment
10/10/08
Tim Basham
Tim Basham
Paste Magazine

For a film that looks and feels au courant, Ghost Town could slip seamlessly into the rotation at Turner Classic Movies, an observation meant to be a compliment.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
10/08/08
Rex Roberts
Rex Roberts
Film Journal International

This charming film never quite got off the ground for me. I don't think it's worth a trip to the theater, but might make a better DVD rental.

Full Review Source: Sin Magazine | comment Comment
10/06/08
Austin Kennedy
Austin Kennedy
Sin Magazine

The script, and [David] Koepp's sprightly direction, falter only slightly in the closing scenes.

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
09/29/08
Jim Lane
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

Ghost Town stars one of the world's premier comedic talents in his first starring movie role, but misuses him to an alarming degree.

Full Review Source: The Trend | comment 1 Comment
09/29/08
Stephen Silver
Stephen Silver
The Trend

When I was watching this movie the other day and rethinking my way through it now, all I can recall is Gervais and some other people. He's that good as New York dentist Dr. Bertram Pincus.

Full Review Source: San Antonio Express-News | comment Comment
09/29/08
Larry Ratliff
Larry Ratliff
San Antonio Express-News

The first half has some very good writing, but the film loses its center and wanders in its second half.

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
09/28/08
Mark R. Leeper
Mark R. Leeper
rec.arts.movies.reviews

More of a romantic fantasy than a romantic comedy, "Ghost Town" may well prove to be the movie of the year for Those Who Believe.

Full Review Source: Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) | comment Comment
09/27/08
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

The film would rather give us an earned smile than strain fruitlessly for a guffaw, and its humor is much more dialogue- and character-driven than goofy

Full Review Source: Antagony & Ecstasy | comment Comment
09/26/08
Tim Brayton
Tim Brayton
Antagony & Ecstasy

Gervais' double-talking turn as Bertram, a morose Noel Coward figure in the body of Lou Costello, is consistenly hilarious and ultimately heart-warming.

Full Review Source: Salt Lake Tribune | comment Comment
09/26/08
Sean Means
Sean Means
Salt Lake Tribune

Gervais' deadpan expression and sharp comic timing are good for, if not outright laughs, numerous chuckles, in this charming ghost story-meets-romantic comedy.

Full Review Source: Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) | comment Comment
09/26/08
John Wirt
John Wirt
Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)

Ricky Gervais is such an unlikable misanthrope that this clumsy attempt at a redemptive comedy is as antipathetic as Gervais.

Full Review Source: Tolucan Times | comment Comment
09/24/08
Tony Medley
Tony Medley
Tolucan Times

The twists are what make Ghost Town its very own dose of ectoplasmic antics.

Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) | comment Comment
09/24/08
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Ricky Gervais is hilarious and heartwarming at the same time - no easy feat

Full Review Source: jackiekcooper.com | comment Comment
09/23/08
Jackie K. Cooper
Jackie K. Cooper
jackiekcooper.com
 
 
41 - 60 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> >|
all

Latest News for Ghost Town

July 02, 2009: The Couch Tomato: This Week's DVD and Blu-ray in Australia
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We continue our series of extended interviews by spending an hour in the company of Britain's funniest man. With a new chapter every day this week, today Gervais finds a job for... More...

November 13, 2008: Ricky Gervais - RT's Dinner and the Movies Interview - Chapter 4
We continue our series of extended interviews by spending an hour in the company of Britain's funniest man. With a new chapter every day this week, today Gervais discusses the... More...

November 12, 2008: Ricky Gervais - RT's Dinner and the Movies Interview - Chapter 3
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