37 reviews
- BandSAboutMovies
- Jun 2, 2019
- Permalink
Right off the bat, I'm admitting that I was never really into Bill Cosby. He just seemed kind of boring and didn't have much identity. I was at least familiar with his awful movie record. Nowadays, everybody wants to distant themselves from him, but I'm not going to judge the movie based on that. I'm just going to treat it like a movie. This film features Bill Cosby apparently becoming a ghost. This movie is just really dumb with the rules it has about the afterlife. It's said that people can see Cosby's clothes but not his face but we clearly see him with clothes on in one scene and nobody notices him!
Also, this one guy says he's an authority on the afterlife and has even written a book. Wait, if there's a book written about ghosts, why can't they just tell everyone that he's a ghost? Ghosts have already been said to exist in this world. Better yet, just tell people you're a ghost and get rich and famous proving ghosts exist! This film is very mean spirited with Cosby running into a crazy Satanist who then convinces him that he's Satan. He later chokes a kid through the phone and threatens a little boy. I really do hate it when people make ugly, hateful films for children. *1/2
Also, this one guy says he's an authority on the afterlife and has even written a book. Wait, if there's a book written about ghosts, why can't they just tell everyone that he's a ghost? Ghosts have already been said to exist in this world. Better yet, just tell people you're a ghost and get rich and famous proving ghosts exist! This film is very mean spirited with Cosby running into a crazy Satanist who then convinces him that he's Satan. He later chokes a kid through the phone and threatens a little boy. I really do hate it when people make ugly, hateful films for children. *1/2
- ericstevenson
- Jul 17, 2017
- Permalink
This is a fun family movie, but the plot isn't solid. This movie left me with a lot of questions. What was up with the cab driver and who does he think he is? Why did Stuart threaten his best friend's father? That's pretty bold of him to do that. Why at one point, could Elliot talk weird in one part and talk normal in another? Also when the company comes over to visit, it's day time, and some minutes later, when Stuart calls, Elliot went to his house and the sun was already down long ago. That reminds me, if Stuart threatened me like that, he would have his bratty self have the police called on. And, not all was resolved in the end. Elliot lost his job, Danny lost a friend of his, and Diane lost a potential boyfriend. Still, nevertheless, Elliot's extremist and eccentric behavior was definitely funny. Though plagued by errors, this makes for a good family film and is better than Home Alone 4.
- ENDING-MAN
- Jun 15, 2006
- Permalink
After the colossal artistic and commercial triumph of Leonard: Part 6, "The Cos" decided to make his next film a more organic, "Art-House" picture and proves once again that he has the cinematic midas touch. In a premise that might seem silly in other hands, Cosby and director Sidney Portier deftly weave a tightly knit tapestry of familial melodrama and undead hijinks. The lush cinematography lends a documentary feel to the proceedings, a much needed dose of gritty reality which helps immeasurably when dealing with the afterlife. Cosby's bravura performance is both ferocious and demure in equal measure, but always REAL. Also, the underlying message of fatherly responsibility seems remarkably apt in these times of the "Baby Boy" syndrome. An often overlooked masterpiece in the Cosby canon, Ghost Dad is without a doubt a labour of love from one of the cinemas greatest pioneers.
If one were to hear of a movie concerning the antics of a dead Bill Cosby trying to help his children, the cineast in you would not be stirred to see/rent it. However, I still managed to be unpleasantly surprised by the gall of this movie. Each turn around the seemingly aimless plot reveals fresh idiocy. Every moment of Cosby's acting seems an excuse for a new stupid face to pull, though even these become horrendous. One is left with an over-riding feeling of disbelief, after having been asked to suspend exactly that from new levels for the duration of the picture. I suppose really odd Dana Ashcroft fanatics may wish to see this. But this movie is for children. Stupid children.
Leaving aside Bill Cosby's recent run-ins the with the law, I must say I've never found him the least bit amusing. Maybe it's an American 'thing' mixing slapstick, sentimentality and someone talking like they have a mouth full of toilet paper. Who knows... But for whatever reason, he was the highest actor on American TV for years, and was one of the first true black superstars of the media age. You may wonder why these impressive credentials didn't help him develop a more lucrative movie career... Until you sit through something as terrible as 'Ghost Dad', of course.
Dear oh dear, what WERE his agent and him thinking when they flicked through THIS script and decided it would be worth making? Having already starred in a string of flops at the cinema, Cosby NEEDED this, as a last throw of the dice, to be a hit. Needless to say... He came up snake eyes, and he never did have the popularity on the big screen he enjoyed on the far smaller one. Not a great loss, in my view.
To start with, his character in the movie is HORRIBLE. He spends all his time at work (to the extent where he reads bedtime stories for his youngest on cassette, forgets all their birthdays and can't even remember each child's name...) so we instantly hate him off the bat. When he DOES join the regions of the undead, the director seems to make up the rules for if he can be seen in daylight, whether he can touch solid objects or not and what kind of powers he has as a spook as he goes along. There is NO consistency here... Aside from the dreadful attempts at comedy and the non-performances from all involved.
And just when you think things couldn't get ANY worse... It pulls out the most pathetic deus ex machina of an ending you'll EVER likely see. How the screenwriter scribbled this crap down with a straight face I'll never know. At least he probably laughed more than the poor, poor audience. This is truly a film as dead on arrival as it's protagonist... The difference no-one would try to bring it back from the afterlife. 2/10
Dear oh dear, what WERE his agent and him thinking when they flicked through THIS script and decided it would be worth making? Having already starred in a string of flops at the cinema, Cosby NEEDED this, as a last throw of the dice, to be a hit. Needless to say... He came up snake eyes, and he never did have the popularity on the big screen he enjoyed on the far smaller one. Not a great loss, in my view.
To start with, his character in the movie is HORRIBLE. He spends all his time at work (to the extent where he reads bedtime stories for his youngest on cassette, forgets all their birthdays and can't even remember each child's name...) so we instantly hate him off the bat. When he DOES join the regions of the undead, the director seems to make up the rules for if he can be seen in daylight, whether he can touch solid objects or not and what kind of powers he has as a spook as he goes along. There is NO consistency here... Aside from the dreadful attempts at comedy and the non-performances from all involved.
And just when you think things couldn't get ANY worse... It pulls out the most pathetic deus ex machina of an ending you'll EVER likely see. How the screenwriter scribbled this crap down with a straight face I'll never know. At least he probably laughed more than the poor, poor audience. This is truly a film as dead on arrival as it's protagonist... The difference no-one would try to bring it back from the afterlife. 2/10
- wrightiswright
- Jul 28, 2015
- Permalink
Well, Bill Cosby's career was going downhill in the 90's. The Simpsons championed The Cosby Show and it looked like Bill Cosby was washed up, and this film proves it. Surely after Leonard Part 6, Cosby would've learned from his mistakes and stayed away from starring, writing, or directing movies. Where do I start? Bill Cosby just can't act. I am sorry Cosby fans but the man CAN'T ACT. The reason he could play Dr. Huxtable on the Cosby show is because that role was based on him. With Ghost Dad, it's completely different. Also, does it surprise you that it took 5 WRITERS to make this film. I mean, GODDAMN! 5 WRITERS! Even with 5 writers, the writing is sloppy. I would also like to point out the horrendous Cinematography/Directing, it is almost as bad as Jingle All the Way. What about the humor? You have your expected Spectral puns and dumb jokes for the WHOLE family. Finally, the story/premise. Basically, it is a cross between Ghost and Full House.
Bottom Line: It is not as bad as Leonard Part 6, but stay away from this movie.
Bottom Line: It is not as bad as Leonard Part 6, but stay away from this movie.
Bill Cosby hasn't had much luck in his movie career, which may explain this (not unsuccessful) attempt to carry his familiar middle-class-family-man TV image over to the big screen. In the film he plays a single, somewhat neglectful father of three children who learns a few belated lessons in parenthood after a fatal taxi ride turns him into a reluctant ghost. Of course he can only be seen in darkened rooms, which leads to a lot of ectoplasmic slapstick and some predictable puns ("
over my dead body!") The film is strictly sit-com material, but at the same time is too undemanding to warrant any real criticism, and under Sidney Poitier's slick, superficial direction it moves quickly to a happy ending, with the help of a few clever (if economical) special effects. It might, however, have an unexpected side effect on a younger audience: having a dead dad is made to seem such fun that some kids might begin to want one themselves.
- mark.waltz
- Jun 28, 2022
- Permalink
OK so let's be honest here "Ghost Dad" is not any place near to being a great movie or the best movie you will ever watch. But at the same time it is also not what so many people say it is which is a horrible movie or even "the worst movie of all time"... for one thing it is Bill Cosby back in his time as one of the best comedians and entertainers, in his prime. So that alone means that there is going to be some really funny entertainment value in this movie. The movie can be a little darker than most things you would expect out of Bill Cosby but in a way that made it a little more special. I don't want to give away too much of the story for you people but near the beginning Cosby is in a horrible car accident with a crazy devil-worshipping cab driver and comes back as a ghost, trying to get back to his family and learning what's really important in his life.
- mnethersole
- Mar 19, 2014
- Permalink
- erwan_ticheler
- Jul 10, 2004
- Permalink
If you haven't seen this movie see it. Bill Cosby unsuccessfully tries to balance work and family, when he suddenly dies in a horrible car crash. He is then whisked away to HELL, AKA London, England, where a man named Edith trains him in being a ghost. Now Cosby must raise his kids as a Ghost Dad. The movie is insane. Cosby flies through walls, Pops out of a phone to strangle his daughter's boyfriend, declares himself Satan, and goes to his female neighbor's house for a little "afternoon delight". I've seen it 40 times. Why wasn't this masterpiece mentioned when director Poitier received the lifetime achievement award. "Edith is a Girl's Name!"
- sideburnsandbarley
- Sep 15, 2003
- Permalink
- ResidentEvil2Fan
- Dec 8, 2014
- Permalink
Bill Cosby. He's been around so long. Is there a person in the world today that doesn't like/respect/acknowledge him? So naturally (like a lot of celebrities) he's had a very shielded career. He knows his territory and plays to it. It seems very unlikely you'll ever see him in anything less than good old fashioned family friendly programming. That's his territory.
So unsurprisingly that means 'Ghost Dad' breaks no new ground for Bill Cosby. Material similar to this has been trend before. There's no doubt he's playing it safe, but 'Ghost Dad' is also a harmless film for the whole family. Kids might appreciate it more than the adults, but I digress. I don't think the plot needs to be spelled out, but here it goes. Cosby is the caring husband / father trying to protect his daughters and maintain the family's happy existence. So what a cramp it put's in his style when - oops, he's dead. Hence, Ghost Dad.
Which leads to a bunch of silly scenes some reminiscent of "The Invisible Man". Cosby is fun and though the movie is predictable in almost every sense - it's a relatively painless viewing. It might not be the best offering of home family entertainment, but you could do worse.
So unsurprisingly that means 'Ghost Dad' breaks no new ground for Bill Cosby. Material similar to this has been trend before. There's no doubt he's playing it safe, but 'Ghost Dad' is also a harmless film for the whole family. Kids might appreciate it more than the adults, but I digress. I don't think the plot needs to be spelled out, but here it goes. Cosby is the caring husband / father trying to protect his daughters and maintain the family's happy existence. So what a cramp it put's in his style when - oops, he's dead. Hence, Ghost Dad.
Which leads to a bunch of silly scenes some reminiscent of "The Invisible Man". Cosby is fun and though the movie is predictable in almost every sense - it's a relatively painless viewing. It might not be the best offering of home family entertainment, but you could do worse.
- refinedsugar
- Mar 13, 2001
- Permalink
I don't care what anyone else has said this is a great movie. I have seen this movie several times and Bill Cosby is funny, A single dad trying to raise 3 children until he has his accident and becomes a ghost. The adventures that Cosby goes through in this movie while he is a ghost are interesting. It is a great film for children of all ages. So, see this movie if you haven't already and I think you will be very surprised at the adventures of Cosby and the other Characters in this film.
- morrowman2
- May 12, 2004
- Permalink
Even Stevie Wonder can
SEE what a HOT MESS
this movie is!! There are
NO words, ok there are but I am a LADY!!
- mimiybyazphil
- Jan 16, 2020
- Permalink
Bill Cosby was always a gifted comedian who made audiences laugh with his stories of fatherhood. But a movie star, he isn't. This film released around the same time as the blockbuster 'Ghost' (Patrick Swayze) and was immediately labeled a rip-off, due it's similar title. But that's where it ended. Very bad acting, poor direction, weak script, and no humor. Total box office tank that lasted maybe a week.
- nettiegurl
- Nov 29, 2021
- Permalink
There are a good number of weak points in there, why is everything trying to kill Elliot in the beginning before finally a Taxi driver comes out as the winner, why is the movie SO fixated in the silly 'Edith joke', why missing out the last three days results in complete denial of pension ... he is not a cop or anything... i can forgive all the nonsense because it is supposed to be a light comedy. But the movie is logically entangled in itself numerous times throughout, the kids are almost constantly at their father's throat, for not giving anything to be a good dad... he has just flippin' died and still does everything in his power to get you financially safe for life you idiots!.. Very strange.
- tcamyuntoldartist
- Aug 5, 2022
- Permalink
I have to admit that I don't know Bill Cosby's work too well, but "Ghost Dad" is pretty funny. Cosby plays Elliot Hopper, who gets in a car wreck and is rendered a spirit who only shows up in the darkness. Much of the movie involves Elliot getting in and out of goofy situations; the telephone scene was neat.
True, this movie doesn't really have much artistic value, but it's an OK way to pass time. Having seen Ian Bannen in "Waking Ned Devine", I never would have imagined him also starring in a movie like this (despite the fact that this one was released several years earlier). Sidney Poitier has turned in some interesting work as a director. Worth seeing, if only once.
Messing up the Spaghetti O's...
True, this movie doesn't really have much artistic value, but it's an OK way to pass time. Having seen Ian Bannen in "Waking Ned Devine", I never would have imagined him also starring in a movie like this (despite the fact that this one was released several years earlier). Sidney Poitier has turned in some interesting work as a director. Worth seeing, if only once.
Messing up the Spaghetti O's...
- lee_eisenberg
- Jun 18, 2006
- Permalink
I watched it as a child with my brother. It was corny but hell it was fun! I loved Bill Cosby in this role and the premise of the whole movie was, while a bit of a stretch, quite fun in itself. Here you have a hard-working dad and his children..what happens of the dad suddenly "leaves his body", while nit exactly being dead? A comedy ensues as all of them struggle to adjust to the dad's new predicament, doing all sort of weird stuff.
There is also the memorable taxi driver from hell. I was never quite able to forget him. This was a good family movie and both me and my brother had a lot of fun.
It was silly, it was goofy, it was cheesy, but it was warm and lively and entertaining. A lot more credit should be given to this movie. For me, it will always remind me of the days when me and my brother watched things together. Good times.
You might be put off by the goofiness and corniness of it but for me it is an 8/10. Good 'ole Bill Cosby.
There is also the memorable taxi driver from hell. I was never quite able to forget him. This was a good family movie and both me and my brother had a lot of fun.
It was silly, it was goofy, it was cheesy, but it was warm and lively and entertaining. A lot more credit should be given to this movie. For me, it will always remind me of the days when me and my brother watched things together. Good times.
You might be put off by the goofiness and corniness of it but for me it is an 8/10. Good 'ole Bill Cosby.
Elliot Hopper (Bill Cosby) is a recently widowed father of three who has nearly bankrupted the family in attempts to save his lingering wife. Elliot is working on a business deal to get the family out of debt when he climbs into the taxicab of a maniacal Satanist.
So, IMDb has this at 4.3 and allegedly it was on many critics' "worst of" lists, with Roger Ebert really taking a dislike. Well, Mr. Ebert, I am sorry but you were wrong this time. This film is not only funny, but has become a cultural benchmark.
Yeah, it is far from perfect. The elder daughter is annoying... very annoying. But that Dana Ashbrook! And Jim Henson as a devil-worshiping cab driver? Priceless.
So, IMDb has this at 4.3 and allegedly it was on many critics' "worst of" lists, with Roger Ebert really taking a dislike. Well, Mr. Ebert, I am sorry but you were wrong this time. This film is not only funny, but has become a cultural benchmark.
Yeah, it is far from perfect. The elder daughter is annoying... very annoying. But that Dana Ashbrook! And Jim Henson as a devil-worshiping cab driver? Priceless.
Ghost Dad is one of those movies that has that sort of corney cheesy feel to it, but is very entertaining and fun. I remember watching this as a kid on TV and the one part that always stuck in my mind was when Elliot (Cosby) is done getting his life insurance physical, and he's walking down the hall and his face and hands are gone, and his sun glasses and hat are floating above is body. That's always been my favorite part in the movie, just because it had freaked me out as a little kid. Well, over 10 years passed, and I finally saw the movie again. Needless to say, that part looked a lot different than I remember it. The part where he goes 'through' the bus, and when he falls though the floor are other parts that I remember pretty well too. Anyway, I definitely recommend this movie. The only part I can see a problem with around younger kids is when he comes through the phone, and chokes the guy, and used the 'b' word a couple times.
Buy it, rent it, or watch it on TV. Either way, you'll like it!
Buy it, rent it, or watch it on TV. Either way, you'll like it!
- the27weirdal
- Jun 15, 2004
- Permalink
Some utterly hilarious moments highlight this overlooked Bill Cosby comedy. Here the beloved comic is widower Elliot Hopper, who returns home to his children as an invisible ghost after perishing in a car accident. This sets the stage for laugh-out-loud scenes such as The Coz booting his daughter's grubby boyfriend from a car and making a boy next door believe the aliens have landed. GHOST DAD gradually departs from its comedic potential, however, before becoming a bit heavy-handed in its conclusion. The special effects, badly dated even by 1990 standards, don't help matters, but it's generally enjoyable and surprisingly original.
- ReelCheese
- Aug 20, 2007
- Permalink
Okay, yes it has an implausible plot and the story line is totally cheesy. Having said that, however,it's also a very cute movie with a nice lesson in it. I've noticed that some of the other reviewers seem disappointed that this movie isn't an intellectual marvel. It's not meant to be. Sometimes movies are just supposed to be entertaining without having to be analyzed. This is one of those movies. Bill Cosby is as usual a comedic genius. I never get tired of watching him because he plays the father role very well. The supporting child actors are cute, most especially the youngest daughter. This movie is a good one for family viewing. I suggest you at least rent it, pop some popcorn, and sit with the family and enjoy it.
- makiprettywoman3
- Jun 10, 2013
- Permalink