4/10 - disappointing mockumentary that wasted its stars' (two of my faves: Melissa and Niecy) potential
38 Reviews
Cook Off!
JoBloTheMovieCritic20 July 2019
Enjoyed the first 15 minutes...
jordan224011 August 2020
Found it funny at first, but by the time Melissa M. came on board and basically ad-libbed her stuff, it had gotten old and no longer funny. Definitely would have been better under the guidance of Christopher Guest. Ended up not finishing it, as I was watching it with commercials, and it just wasn't worth sitting through commercials for.
Film comes to a screeching halt...
grifftrain200014 January 2023
I love cooking shows. I love the "mockumentary" style of the " Best of Show" type movies. This movie seemed like it would be perfect for me. The first 1/2 hour or so, I really enjoyed it. A great, recognizable, funny cast was working for me. Then all of a sudden the wheels fell off. The start of the downfall was when Melissa Macarthy character was introduced. I like her, but she was not funny in this movie. Just uncomfortable to watch. The movie just took an overall mean spirited feel to it, that made it painful to watch. The movie just thinks it's much funnier than it is. It seems like a ton of ad libbing was going on, so maybe a better editor would have improved the film.
If you watch this you'll know why it sat unreleased since 2007.
skyewasblue20 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
It is honestly one of the worst/boring/1 laugh movie I have ever seen. Trust me when I say I'd rather watch paint dry. You've been warned!! Melissa has about 10 minutes worth of screen time and that's pushing it. Most of the named actors must have been at the end of their careers because if they weren't then this movie surely sank their careers!
Stupid movie
samanthakyle-3946419 January 2018
When they talk about the worst movies of all time
travelinman417 January 2018
When they talk about the worst movies of all time, it is very clear this movie was not released, until the producers thought they could capitalize on the fact that Melissa McCarthy may be in the movie. Worst ... movie I may have ever seen, or wasted my time watching ...
Just stupid, not stupid funny
pagbwi6 August 2018
All the great comic actors in this movie made me think it would be hilarious. It was so awful and awkward to watch; yet I watched to the end hoping it would get better. Was I ever disappointed! Writing and direction were awful. Is it possible the good parts were edited out? Don't waste time or electricity on this movie. So horrible.
Don't watch
jacob-olinger-8910925 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Having watched over 2,000 movies I have seen plenty that were not my cup of tea. Several that were stupid, funny, boring, bland, ect.
When this movie ended I kinda wanted to scream at myself for watching the whole thing. The only positive thing in this was the actors did a good job at being clueless, clumsy, and downright dumb. Now if your into a super cheap, ditzy, so stupid it's kinda funny movies than this is probably your kind of movie. However, this was not mine.
Glad I only spent $1.00 for this and I'm kinda upset I spent that much on it.
P.S: Melissa McCarthy is only in this show for about 5-7mins and this is one of her worst films ever.
Fun dry humor
courtneymoody12186 September 2022
I enjoyed this movie a lot and love all the actors!
It's only funny if you enjoy dry dumb humor. It is a bit stretched out/ slow but I didn't mind because it's a mockumentary and they usually have that weird pace.
I've seen a lot of bad reviews because they go in expecting something more.
So to lay it out for people who are questioning if they want to watch it: You have to keep an open mind!
If you don't like dumb humor don't watch. If you don't like a movie that feels like a bunch of weird skits forced together don't watch. If you enjoy watching wacky mockumentaries with awesome comedians then give it a try!
It's only funny if you enjoy dry dumb humor. It is a bit stretched out/ slow but I didn't mind because it's a mockumentary and they usually have that weird pace.
I've seen a lot of bad reviews because they go in expecting something more.
So to lay it out for people who are questioning if they want to watch it: You have to keep an open mind!
If you don't like dumb humor don't watch. If you don't like a movie that feels like a bunch of weird skits forced together don't watch. If you enjoy watching wacky mockumentaries with awesome comedians then give it a try!
want my money back!!!!!!!!!!
limy-8364025 November 2017
This movie sucked SO bad. Only reason I kept watching is because I paid for it, 8 bucks. Mellissa McCarthey was in it prob a whole of 4 Min's. That was the only reason I rented. Save your money!!!!!! Story line was awful and all over the place. I am really surprised Mellissa degraded her self to this movie. She Must really need the money.
Watch with an open mind!
sareed-9853819 August 2018
A lot of users haven given this movie a very poor rating, which I think is completely unfair. Credit is not given to the actors for their performances, which are quite outstanding. I am a big Reno 911 fan, and this movie has a very Reno 911 feel to it, which is why I think I am more receptive to the type of humor presented in this movie. There are also very touching moments and when the person who won won, I did tear up. I just suggest to watch with an open mind.
Shut up, it's good
susiemoloney16 January 2022
One of the worst movies ever
brvynky6 September 2020
I rarely review movies but this movie is one of the worst movies ever. If you have an opportunity to watch this I recommend drive nails into your head, cutting your grass, any version of plumbing replacement to hang out a a car lot with a high pressure salesperson. All of these are better options. Rated it at a 2 because I'm sure there's a worse movie than this but none come to mind.
I thought this was going to be good.
amyejennings28 October 2020
BAD IMPROV
lanaliliya2 January 2019
No appetite for this slop!
dvd40408 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
There might be a few hundred reality shows based on cooking competitions. Some involve chefs, while others involve children trying to cook five star meals. It's all terrible. More than 10 years ago, a woman named Cathryn Michon made a film in the style of a Christopher Guest Mockumentary (Best in Show), called 'Cook Off!', which showed us some whacky characters in a cooking competition. Again, this film was made more than 10 years ago and has been sitting on a shelf for the right time. Turns out, it was never the right time and for some reason, we have this horrible movie in front of us.
The poster and cover art of 'Cook Off!' would have you believe that Melissa McCarthy stars in the film as she is front and center on every piece of promotional material. That's not the case though as she might have around 10 minutes of actual screen time in the whole film. This annoys me to great end when companies do this. One of the problems I think we have here with 'Cook Off!' is that Cathryn Michon took on the roles of directing, producing, editing, writing, and starring in the film. She hasn't done much at all and I don't think she handled any of these aspects well at all. It's a shell of a film that takes all of its cues from Christopher Guest, but never pulls off any of the dry humor, wit, or charm that any of his films have. Michon took on too much and it became a lazy script. She even had Wendi McLendon-Covey (Reno-911) help write the script here and there and star in the movie too, but nothing helped.
Like 'Best in Show', this 'Cook Off!' film follows a group of off-beat individuals who enter a cooking contest to win a cash prize. We meet each of these individuals and their families first and see just how strange they are. The cooking competition gets underway and instead of having these entrants cook something delicious, they all cook their "best or favorite" meals, which are all flat out disgusting. One dish is even called "That Time of the Month Crab Puffs". This is what we're dealing with here.
The humor isn't subtle or witty. It's just annoying and unfunny. I could go into each contestant here, but I won't, because they are all the worst stereotypical characters you could write with no real direction. Even though the film is 98 minutes long, you still feel like 45 minutes needs to be cut out. It's that bad, which is unfortunate, because there are so many great comedic actors here, but given the script, nobody could do anything to make it better. Stay clear of this one for sure, as you won't have an appetite for anything after watching this.
The poster and cover art of 'Cook Off!' would have you believe that Melissa McCarthy stars in the film as she is front and center on every piece of promotional material. That's not the case though as she might have around 10 minutes of actual screen time in the whole film. This annoys me to great end when companies do this. One of the problems I think we have here with 'Cook Off!' is that Cathryn Michon took on the roles of directing, producing, editing, writing, and starring in the film. She hasn't done much at all and I don't think she handled any of these aspects well at all. It's a shell of a film that takes all of its cues from Christopher Guest, but never pulls off any of the dry humor, wit, or charm that any of his films have. Michon took on too much and it became a lazy script. She even had Wendi McLendon-Covey (Reno-911) help write the script here and there and star in the movie too, but nothing helped.
Like 'Best in Show', this 'Cook Off!' film follows a group of off-beat individuals who enter a cooking contest to win a cash prize. We meet each of these individuals and their families first and see just how strange they are. The cooking competition gets underway and instead of having these entrants cook something delicious, they all cook their "best or favorite" meals, which are all flat out disgusting. One dish is even called "That Time of the Month Crab Puffs". This is what we're dealing with here.
The humor isn't subtle or witty. It's just annoying and unfunny. I could go into each contestant here, but I won't, because they are all the worst stereotypical characters you could write with no real direction. Even though the film is 98 minutes long, you still feel like 45 minutes needs to be cut out. It's that bad, which is unfortunate, because there are so many great comedic actors here, but given the script, nobody could do anything to make it better. Stay clear of this one for sure, as you won't have an appetite for anything after watching this.
AVOID THIS GARBAGE!
ravenhair70210 April 2018
Oh my god. OH MY GOD! Please don't summit yourself to this movie if you don't have to. There are American's overseas that are having bamboo shoved under their fingernails thinking "At least I'm not watching the movie Cookoff." My wife is a big Melissa McCarthy fan and wanted to rent a comedy compared to her usual horror/possession film. I, for one, welcomed the change, but on the way home, I Youtubed the movie we rented and found nothing...NOTHING but horrible reviews about it. One person quoted In a review that" He watched the trailer and now he has cancer." Damn funny, buy I agree with him whole-heartedly. I drank a mixture of rum/peach-a-rita drinks to ease my pain and let me tell you...I couldn't get drunk enough to enjoy this waste of film. For gods sake, don't waste your time with this. You'll never get back the time or money.
A waste of time
rpleech-3933318 March 2018
There was not one redeeming, funny, thought out, or useful moment in the movie. The cast was terrible. Melissa McCarthy (the front and center of the poster) was in about 3 minutes of the movie. It was clear they didn't even script her part of the film and just gave her a couple props and slapped her on the poster. If you coohse to watch this, just light your TV on fire and give up.
Listen....To the commentary with an open mind
stangpt-7207319 February 2018
Completely disagree with the dismemberment of this title.....Being watched all so wrong.....The intended projection is perfectly performed.
Let your allegiance of logic disperse.
Excellent loved it....Would give it a 7.6 but trolls trash it so a 10 to realize reality and balance the poor ratings.
My eyes hurt.
ViewingBoch13 August 2021
This just sucks, I don't know what else to say. It's ninety something minutes but it felt like I was watching this for a lifetime. Just take my word and don't watch this pile of garbage, go watch Spy it features Melissa McCarthy throughout the entire movie. Btw she only appears for like, ten minutes or so in this.
Absolutely Loved it
ohmightymedia3 July 2019
silly relaxing
ramielewa30 June 2019
Disappointed
garyj-1004521 July 2018
We saw Melissa M was in the movie, so we expected she would be the headliner. She was not. When we finished the movie it felt like a bait and switch. Melissa M and Melissa P being in the movie, we expected it to be hilarious. It was funny in parts, but not as good of a comedy as it could have been. We watched it on Prime, thank goodness, otherwise I would have been demanding my money back.
If you are drunk or worse
anita-borkamo29 October 2021
If you are hammered this might do the trick for you. It was not a funny movie. The only one who was a little bit fun was the timid sister, there was some scenes where I almost laughed. I would rather watch an episode with Gordon Ramsey, that is more entertaining. Melissa Mc Carthy showed up in a smaller role but was not special. So if you miss out on this flick you haven't missed anything.
Bad with a capital B
vietvetinf8 December 2017
Okay....It is probably my fault....I watched this movie just to see M Mecarthy.....not realizing that the movie had been collecting dust, unreleased for a decade.....My fault, I guess......but that being said there is really nothing good about this film....It is not really funny.....the acting is juvenile, and the writing is atrocious...... Really I have nothing good to say about this travesty.....sorry I wasted my money.....hope this helps you save yours!!!
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