Five merry miscreants: Charlatan Professor, Goldthwait Higginson Dorr (Tom Hanks), Jack-of-all-trades Garth Pancake (J.K. Simmons), a retired General/Donut Shop owner (Tzi Ma), Custodian Gawain McSam (Marlon Wayans), and dumb but adorable, brute Lump Hudson (Ryan Hurst); have all teamed up to rob Mississippi's hottest Casino, The Bandit Queen.For this purpose, The Professor has rented a room in the house of the unimpeachable, and Godfearing Mrs. Munson (Irma P. Hall), a no nonsense widow of strong moral convictions.Under the pretext of being "devoted and passionate musicians of the early Renaissance", the five thieves gain access to the root cellar, in Malva Munson's house.With Gawain as the inside man at the Casino, they set out to tunnel their way to the counting room of said establishment, and rob it blind (while snowing the nice old lady).Mrs. Munson, however is not quite the fool the thieves take her for.When the men make a disastrous mistake which finally leads to her discovering the truth, the well meaning old widow gives them an ultimatum in an attempt to help save their souls which results in events that are catastrophic, brilliant, and totally hilarious.This is the kind of movie that needs to be WATCHED. A mere description of the plot not nearly doing it justice.The script and direction by the Coen Brothers in impeccable. The entire cast is spectacular (especially Tom Hanks, and Irma P. Hall).The gospel music threaded throughout the story, adds tremendously, and always makes me want to see the movie again.This comedy is realistic, funny, and completely original. A classic, and one of the best ever made.So will the miscreants kill the widow?As Garth Pancake is fond of saying:"It's the easiest thing in the world."That may appear to be the case, but God always has a few aces up His sleeve.Originally, Review #45Posted On: December 22, 2009

An American, a man who portents is a French musician (professor), a Black man, an Asian, and a rugby player. Refers to 5 continents. And grandmother is our planet earth!These guys rub a casino which refers to Luck and Chance (earth, creation), and non of them can take the money. The endless recycle-bin refer to our birth and death, coming and going! Watch this movie to get more, by yourself.Movie is written and directed by Ethan Coen, Joel Coen. Please watch more movies from this two brothers, then you understand all their movies better.Ethan and Joel Coen are a credit to cinema.

The Ladykillers is an eccentric film but very heavy on humor and witty dialogue. It's a shame people didn't like this as much as I did, because I was just howling in laughter throughout the entire film especially at the slapstick and extremely sharp dialogue. This is certainly a Coen Brothers film, perhaps not their greatest, but still a wonderful addition to their filmography.The Coen Brothers directed a film about how a man named Professor Dorr assembles a team of criminals to rob a casino by creating a tunnel in the basement of an old lady. But when she suspects something, they all agree she must be terminated.I never thought I would like a film that would pair up Tom Hanks and Marlon Wayans. But there have been weirder things in life and they ended doing well together. Hanks, of course is a genius actor and was really funny. Wayans was a little annoying, but was funny for the most part. J.K Simmons was easily the best of Tom's criminal gang and his one-liners are hilarious. Finally, Irma Hall was excellent with a fluid comedic performance. Hippity-Hop music, anyone? Overall, The Ladykillers is a genius film directed by a talented pair of brothers. This is not their best, but this is prime entertainment and I was very amused throughout the film. Lots of witty one-liners is what makes this film so funny. I also must mention Roger Deakin's cinematography skills. The movie was shot very well, especially for a comedy. It sounds like people were expecting perfection, but while not perfect, it's still comedy gold. I rate this film 9/10.

Tom Hanks took on a role left untouchable by Alec Guiness. (A quote from a place I can no longer find.) If you haven't seen the 1955 version, please do. For this to have been taken on by the Coen brothers too..... My goodness, the hubris. 1955 has Alec Guiness, Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Frankie Howerd, Jack Warner and Kenneth Connor. How on earth anyone is giving the 2004 version 6.1 stars is just nuts. Please, please, please, please, watch the 1955 original. And for anyone else out there with similar plans, only broach the idea of a remake if you can actually make it better. If you can't, don't. And as for Hanks as a 'great actor' which I've repeatedly seen written, watch 'Big' a few times and then try telling me that. OK, that's unfair, but seriously this remake is just horrible and awful and dreadful.