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This underrated teen comedy from 1998 is guilty of being a proud underachiever, and it doesn't bringanything new to the genre, but look closely and you'll find the makings of a much better movie buried under all thekeg-party antics. The basic story is typical for this kind of comedy. A young, aspiring writer named Preston (EthanEmbry) has been lusting after class beauty Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt, from TV's Party of Five) for fouryears of high school, but he's never had the nerve to tell her. Now that they're about to graduate he's finally worked upthe courage to write her a soul-baring love letter. At the raucous graduation keg party that takes up most of the movie's98 minutes, Preston agonizes while Amanda's selfish jock ex-boyfriend tries to win her back, and delivering his loveletter turns out to be more difficult than he ever imagined. What's interesting about Can't Hardly Wait has littleto do with its attractive leads, however. The most engagingly real and entertaining characters are the misfits who showup in the subplots, including a geek (Charlie Korsmo) who turns into the life of the party, and a pair of old friends (SethGreen, Lauren Ambrose) who confront each other about their mutual needs and insecurities. There are some reallygood scenes between these two, and this modest movie has a few other pleasant surprises up its sleeve. That doesn'tmake it particularly good, but it does make it an agreeable waste of time. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (214)

I Can't Get Enough of this Movie...Yes it's True
Can't Hardly Wait is an addicting teen film that moves quickly and delightfully through it's funny situations and plot lines, deriving its theme from none other than sex, drugs, and rock and roll. The film is set at a graduation party of a high school, complete with all the stereotypical high school personalities we all know and love.
The compelation of characters with varied and accentuated personality traits, or labels if you will, is the film's strongest point. the characters include: the handsome jock ready for college frat life (Peter Facinelli), the innocent prom queen (Jennifer-Love Hewitt), the tormented nerd thristing for revenge (Charlie Korsmo), the player hiding behind his cool clothes and orange goggles (Seth Green), the hopeless outcast (Lauren Ambrose), the low profile intelligent absorbed by his love for a beautiful girl (Ethan Embry), the overly zealous yearbook signer (Melissa Joan Heart), and plenty more, appropriately personifying the unforgettable rush that is one's high school experience.
This film is funny and enjoyable, illustrating with style the bonds and relationships between the characters. It's one that you will want to watch again and again, especially when you hear that one Guns and Roses song. Take me down to the paradise city where the grass is green and the girls are pretty...come on and please take me ho-me...

Just gets better and better
I took my little brother to see this when it first came out. I surprised myself by thoroughly enjoying it. It was the perfect teenage ensemble piece. Though it was by no means deep, the movie was hilarious and well constructed.

Mainly the actors are very good. Seth Green was, as usual, great in this role as the scene stealing wannabe. Ethan Embry was excellent as the sensitive and popular loser. Lauren Ambrose was very much refreshing in the sarcastic role of the misfit. Charlie Korsmo pulled off the nerd prefectly. Jennifer Love Hewitt, however, did almost nothing but stare at the other actors with a sort of confused irritated look throughout the movie. Peter Facinelli pulled off the no-brainer jock role without a hitch. And the rest of the actors, tiny parts or not, did very well.

Though the movie itself is great, the DVD's addition of the audio commentary by Harry Elfont, Deborah Kaplan (co-writers and -directors), the producer, and Seth Green was an incredible plus. Though lacking in other features, this more than makes up for it. Listening to all the bits and pieces cut for the PG-13 rating is so much fun and adds a hilarious kind of counter plot in which you try to guess how the deleted scenes would have gone.

In short, this story of a graduation night party and how leaving high school will affect the variety of characters is a perfect companion to a night of fun with your friends. It is easy to watch again and again, picking little details not noticed before or just enjoying yourself as the movie unfolds. Pick this up and enjoy.

Among the better 90's teen movies
I guess I was in a particularly good mood when I watched this, but I really enjoyed it. It didn't succomb to the predictable schmaltz of many of the more "romantic" teen flicks of its era. Instead I found this film understated and ultimately underrated. There is plenty of fun along side some honest "dealing" with relationships and saying the things that have gone unsaid for years between classmates and friends.

I found the relationships portrayed to be quite believable and almost effortless at points, which is due in no small part to the acting. Here we have a showcase of some of the best young actors of their generation, including no fewer than three of the cast members of Six Feet Under. Lauren Ambrose is wonderful in a stand-out performance. And yes, Ethan Embry is adorable.

There are plenty of extras to keep true fans happy, but the film itself is enough to please your average teen-movie fan.

One of the best high school party movies ever
This is one of the few feel good movies that I would give this high a rating. It isnt anything new, the characters don't break any new ground, but that isn't important. It is like listening to Beethoven, no new ground is broken, but how well are they playing it?

The cast is perfect, they not only were all decent actors and fit the roles, but they don't look like actors. They are people that you can see yourself going to high school with, not my white trash high school;), but from the average high school. Seth Green is in perfect form as the white boy who wishes he was black, posing and growling more than acting with others around him groaning. Ethan Embry plays a believable book worm, flawed and nerdish, but believably so. Jennifer Love Hewitt is the clas princess, and looks the part. She is pretty, but has the look of the girl next door not a model in teenager clothing. Rounding off the cast is the refreashing Lauren Ambrose playing the bitter intellectual. She was rated as the new Jeannine Garafalo, unfortunate she didn't do much after this as she was a better actress than Jeannine. As well as the underrated Charlie Korsmo, playing the uber nerd of the class. Interestingly this was his last performance before joining the department of energy.

As previously stated, they don't really break any new ground. The white boy wishing he was a black guy has a moment of self realization. The bitter intellectual realizes that she might be at fault for her lonliness and hooks up with a very unlikely person. The quiet book worm gets courage to ask out someone who was beyond his level. The jock has a sobering moment when he sees where is life is headed. etc........

No new ground broken, but it is treated more seriously than most movies of its genre. The pacing is well done and keeps you interested throughout the movie. The humor is offbeat at times and has a freash feel to it. Though the characters are cliche, they make you interested in them and their plights. I found myself wanting the bookworm to give his letter to the girl, for the princess to discover who she is alone, etc.. Plus they used their soundtrack well, good songs and they fit the scenes that they were in.

All in all it was a good movie, not great, but good. It is also one of the few feel good movies that I would advise to others. It is a movie that is idealistic and has a happy ending but doesn't become sappy or preechy like others of its genre. It also manages to be one of the best high school party movies ever.

Can't Hardly Wait
It really is a shame that Ethan Embry has not gained more starring roles. though many of his films feature him as a goofy guy, Can't Hardly Wait is his proof that he can play a leading man wonderfully.
This simple story of a man in love is jam-packed with an all star cast that creates perfect little subplots that all come together in the end. it's hysterical! cheesy when it's supposed to be and serious when needed.
In the last scene, the two main characters finally come together and share great chemistry when they finally do. it also shows that ethan embry, aside from being a great actor, is one of the best on-screen kissers i've ever seen. ... Read more

Reviews (92)

Great Movie- Truly Terrific
This wonderful movie by Director Penny Marshall asks the question: Are parents to blame for the wrong choices of their children?

"Riding in Cars with Boys" involves wrong and right choices. Because the class "Mr. Popular" insults the class "live wire" consolation is given by the class "drop-out" and the "live-wire", aptly played by Drew Barrymore is "knocked up." What do you do about that in the late 1960's. You marry the class "drop out" and deal with the results usually unhappily.

The results entail about 20 years of troubles, joys, disappointments, triumphs, and growing up experiences. This true story does not fail to satisfy. Barrymore is good, but so is James Woods as her caring but sometimes insensitive father (who may have saved himself a pile of troubles if he had just bought that bra she wanted for Christmas when she was 13.)

It spans the live of Beverly Donofrio from age 15 to age 35. Drew Barrymore does a very good performance at all ages. I've never seen any of her other work compare to this performance.

What we have here is a comedy-drama about relationships between parents and child and parent as child and child and best friends too. Touching and tender the movie is just right to bring back hilarious and not so funny memories of what it is like to and what happens to girls who go around, "Riding in Cars with Boys." and, too, what it is like and what happens to boys who go aound "Riding in Cars with... (you get the picture).

Drew Barrymore as a single mother
Drew Barrymore is Bev, a precocious young woman from a conservative working-class family in Connecticut. Bev is sassy but also has her sights set on escaping her sleepy Connecticut home and pursuing college and a career as a writer. That is until her unplanned pregnancy at 16. Forced to marry her baby's father, a jolly, if barely employed loser named Ray Hasek (Steve Zahn), it becomes clear that Bev's future is effectively squelched. The story is told in flashback by Bev's now grown son (who is visibly not much younger than his mother) during a car trip back to CT. (In our present, Bev has just completed her memoirs. But can't publish them until Ray agrees not to sue the publisher for the undoubtedly negative things the book will tell of him.). Though her friend Fay (wonderful though underused Brittany Murphy) becomes a teenage mother as well, the story glances over all but Bev's travails. Although the screenplay makes sure we're aware of the passage of time - the music, hairstyles and cars change, and Bev becomes a sulky frump - Bev's life remains painfully stuck in time as the world passes her by. (She's too pregnant to got to the prom; friends she discarded in high school are either on their way to college or have already graduated).

"Riding" is meant to be bittersweet, sort of like "A League of Their Own", but it's uneven. At moments the ordeal of single motherhood is sad, scary and funny at the same time, but the plot never works up to anything. No matter how much better Bev's life could get, nothing will give her (or her son) back years enslaved to an unwanted motherhood. Bev is meant to be intelligent, but she's too clueless about how to endure motherhood to become a mother. Her son bears a fair amount of resentment, having replaced Ray as the source of Bev's misery. Like Bev, the story uses and discards characters who don't serve its immediate needs. The flick wastes some interesting potential of having James Wood play Bev's conservative minded but loving father, the local police chief. At times he is both the greatest source and recipient of Bev's pain, but he disappears as a pivotal character soon after Bev's miserable wedding, only to make a last ditch appearance in the final few frames. Lorraine Bracco is similarly underused as Bev's mother. There are many funny bits, but on second thought, some seem a bit misplaced - like pregnant Bev trying to get herself to fall down the steps in order to induce an abortion. The movie also lacks an effective conclusion - the flashback concludes when Bev's son is about 8. At that point, Bev makes a desperate move to escape her dreary fate. With Ray gone, the boy turns on his mother and not only ruins her plans but drives away Bev's best friend. The end of the flashback occurs in the deep heart of a CT winter, yet nothing explains how these characters managed to pull their hearts and minds out of that bleak winter. Ironically, though Ray is useless as a person, his character is the only one to offer insight - near the film's end, and when he's been reduced to withered shell of his former self. If you're Drew Barrymore fan, you may want to go just to see your star done up as a prematurely middle-aged frump. Otherwise, you'll find the 2 hours dispiriting.

Why should we care?
The acting, cinematography, and overall filmmaking for this movie were fine. What I fail to comprehend, however, is why this movie was even made in the first place.

I found nothing special about Beverly Donofrio's life that would make me interested in hearing about it. In fact, the fact that she wrote a book about her situation (having a kid while still being a kid)--a situation that is in no way unique in this country--is illustrative to me of the fact that she never did grow up.

I'm not saying that this woman's life is not important, or that her struggles were not very real and tragic ones. However, how are they different from what hundreds of thousands of women go through in life? What supposedly makes her special? I can think of nothing except the fact that she was a terrible, self-absorbed mother, whereas most mothers are willing to make sacrifices for their children.

My life is nothing like Beverly Donofrio's was. I did go to college, and received my Master's degree before getting married. Then I had my family. And you know what? I still have to make sacrifices. That's what being a mother is about. Even though I got to do the things Beverly didn't get to do, there are still things I would like to do. Like voice lessons, violin lessons, dance lessons, even own my owm business. But I can't do these things, because if I did, I couldn't be a good mother. But then, I guess it was different for her because she didn't love her son; she just resented him and the burden he was to her. The only problem with her attitude is that, HE didn't make the choice to ruin her life--SHE did! And then at the end of the movie, she has the nerve to declare "I was a good mother!" Then I must be a saint.

I usually judge a movie by whether it makes me a better person having watched it. Not only do I consider that this movie was a complete waste of my time to watch, but it actually took something away from my life and made me feel dirty and low. I could never recommend this movie to anyone.

A moving story of mistakes, consequences, and perseverance.
I honestly wasn't expecting to be totally blown away by this movie. It didn't create much hype in theaters, and I only rented it now for two reasons - a friend recommended it, and I'm a fan of Drew Barrymore, so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm glad I did, as I absolutely loved it. Based on the life of Beverly Donofrio, as written in her memoir (which I haven't read, and cannot compare the movie to), this film tells the story of a girl who gets pregnant at the age of fifteen. Through a series of flashbacks and narration by Donofrio's adult son, we see her struggle to raise her child while still growing up herself. She is determined to make a life for herself against all odds. And oh what odds they are!

Guilted by her father into marrying the boyfriend who knocked her up, Beverly finds herself with a loving yet dim-bulb husband. He drinks excessively, routinely forgets things he should have remembered, shows up for work only when he feels like it, and ultimately succumbs to a drug addiction. Meanwhile, Beverly is estranged from her own parents, particularly her father, and is all alone save for her one loyal best friend. And when her friend is forced to move away, Beverly has only her son. And she was certainly not the best of mothers. When the tag line says "She did everything wrong," it's no joke. But somehow the two of them are able to keep going, and Donofrio's story turns into one of the most inspirational and heartwarming I have ever seen.

The entire cast was excellent, but Drew Barrymore was simply amazing. She must portray Beverly from the age of fifteen all the way up through thirty-six (a decade younger and a decade older than Barrymore herself at the time), and she does it beautifully. At each stage of the film, she nails down all the little nuances that define that partcular age. I think this is one of Barrymore's very best performances. Brittany Murphy also shines as Faye, Beverly's best friend. The two of them are a perfect match. Steve Zahn does an exceptional job as Ray, the husband. He manages to add a great sensitivity to his otherwise deadbeat character. Adam Garcia turns in a moving performance as the grown son, and James Woods does an excellent job as the father who truly does love the daughter who so disappointed him.

The whole film has a great realism to it that is touching. These are real people. They have flaws, and make mistakes. Boy do they make mistakes! But we can relate to them, because we've all made mistakes. Donofrio's ability to keep going, to pick herself up and keep striding forward until she makes something of her life is truly inspirational. And not only that, but there is a real humor to the film. Through all her mistakes, Donofrio is able to laugh at the absurdity of it all, and I think this is a large part of what got her through.

The DVD also has some nice extra features. In addition to audio commentary by Drew Barrymore, there is an HBO "Making Of" featurette in which we meet the real Donofrio and learn how her story was transfered onto film, and are given further insight into Donofrio's own life. There are also featurettes on the cars in the movie, the set for the house where Beverly and her son lived, and Donofrio's relationship with her son, as well as the theatrical trailers. This is a great story, and is executed to perfection. Even the soundtrack adds depth and feeling to the film. I'd highly recommend the movie to anyone, and intend to add it to my own collection.

Over 2hrs! 15th april 2004.
Over 2hrs and i never wanted it to finish. I am a mad drewbie fan, so i could sit and watch her films allday. Anyone who likes her, will enjoy this film i can garantee it. A MUST SEE ITS BRILL ... Read more

Reviews (92)

Not a Chick Flick
Forget what ya heard, Foxfire is definitely not just a chick flick. I'm a guy and I've loved this movie since the first time I saw it. Initially, I'll admit I was attracted to it because it featured two of my favorite actresses(Jolie, Burress) but it was the story itself that has made me a devoted viewer of this movie ever since. The movie is miles and away different from the book it's based on, and not just due to the setting. The relationships between the girls are slightly altered, not to mention a good number of the girls are left out. That in no way diminishes how dead on the emotions each character portrays are played out. Thelma and Louise? Definitely a film made solely for the female audience. But Foxfire is just head and shoulders above that. Great film.

whew
oh my gosh. i absolutely love this movie and i fell in love with both maddie and legs. hat's off to both hedy buress and angelina jolie. their performance was absolutely incredible. while some have deemed this a 'lesbian' film it is definitely not. of course there is some nudity but the most sexual scene occurs with all of the clothes on. .... this is the most poignant and sexually tense scene in the whole movie. on the whole it was a good movie with some odd lines thrown in. especially the 'do you girls run with foxes'. that was so random and so forced. some of the acting could have been done without but buress and jolie saved it. my only regret was that maddie didn't leave with legs. don't try comparing this movie to the book, they are very different and equally good. the casting couldn't have been better for the two female leads. my recommendations to anyone who wants an excellent movie to watch.

Angelina Jolie is HOT!!! That was a bad title.
I wasn't supposed to like this movie. I wasn't. I got the urge to see it after renting the "Girl,Interrupted" DVD and falling in love with Angelina Jolie and then seeing the preview for this on the DVD.The movie in fact is pretty damn good.It's sad and funny and Angelina Jolie is incredible. The movie is about 5
High School girls starting with Maddy(Hedy Burress),a young,pretty,and intelligent art student.Rita(Jenny Lewis) a typical high school girl that is the one chick in Science class that doesn't wanna disect(If that's how you spell it) the frog.
Goldie(Jenny Schmizu) a chinese and/or japanese drug fiend.
Violet(Sarah Rosenberg) a perky "social" chick.And last Legs
(Jolie) a young rebel passing through town to town.When Rita is sexually assaulted by a teacher,the five girls join foreces and teach him a lesson.In other words they beat the crap out of him.
They're suspended and start hanging out at an old abandoned house and all discover their true selves I guess you could say.
I really don't know why I liked this movie,the movie is a chick flick at heart.It's a sad film,but Angelina Jolie shines and makes it more sad then it's meant to be.Go see this movie.B+

as good as the book but not the same exactly
the book and film are in different settings, legs is much different in the movie than in the book as how she treats maddy but i guess nobody wanted to see legs bust maddy's nose and leave her on the streets or see the initiation ritual of one girl and it was no tattoo (im not saying the tattoo scene wasnt in the book because it was but the movie was sugar coated in parts). There were alot more molestation stories, things were explained alot clearer and it was set in new york in a far earlier time period. they were very different. i do love the movie though, its great. just as great. just different.
no its not a chick story, its based on a feminist novel..

For All Girls Everywhere!
A wonderful romp through girlhood, friendship, and growing up! One of my favorite girl movies, Foxfire proves itself to be a truly great movie! Not wholly unlike the Breakfast Club and other teen necessities, Foxfire is a true gem! ... Read more

Reviews (216)

Entertaining but lacks intelligence
Always the victim of impulse buys,...I have purchased 'The Scorpion King' today along with a new Sony progressive scan DVD player (model NS715P, see separate review.) After viewing the movie I can not say I was not entertained to some degree or totally disappointed with the flick. Aside for some major flaws in the plot and historical reality, the movie was watchable. I feel I must point out the flaws as I always do and two of the largest lay on the shoulders of the Villain played by Steven Brand. Why on earth would the director and casting allow a British actor to present his lines in native accent? Hugo Weaving (agent Smith) did not do it in 'The Matrix,' why would Steven Brand do it here? Second, in one scene, he used a French phrase, this a language not born until the seventh century. C'est plus qu'un crime, c'est une faute.

Overall, like its sister series 'The Mummy' and ' The Mummy Returns,' this DVD is full of interesting extras and vignettes worth watching. However, the feature lacks intelligent dialogue, is tainted with twenty-first century humor and all the CG special effects could have spent more time rendering in the computers (the snakes were ridiculous and half the ants were missing shadows). I choose to save ten dollars and not buy the release that included the CD soundtrack. Why, oh why a hard rock soundtrack for such a period movie? I might recommend this movie, but I would not have bought it had I rented it first.

rocks 2nd film
a assassian in biblical times is hired to kill some big shot wizard elsewhere.rock is the assassian.the only popular character is the rock.kids around 10 and up should be able to handle it.this is the rocks 2nd best movie id say.it was suprisingly good considering nearly every other movie starring a wrestler-including the mummy returns-sucked.its a action/fantasy type deal.there are a number of half naked chicks in this one.the rocks sidekick is the idiotic type you just keep wishing would die the whole damn time like the donkey on shrek.it is very good,but nearly as good as the wwe and hollywood would have you belive.

The Rock as the Scorpion King
The Rock, Dwayne Johnson, former WWF Champion, and the
People's Champion makes his first leading role acting debut as the Scorpion King.

The Scorpion King is the prequel to the Mummy Returns in which the Scorpion King is killed and later tried to be revived.

The success of the Mummy Returns and the Mummy lay in it's great story, action, effects and characters. The addition of the Scorpion King character in the Mummy
Returns was a big hit with movie fans. The Rock's brief role in that movie made a lasting impact on fans and the fans wanted more.

Chuck Russell , the director of this movie, obviously took the success, that the character of The Scorpion King had in ''The Mummy Returns'' and added more depth and detail.

The Rock underwent sword training, staff training, cardiovascular training for the Scorpion King. Being over 5 time WWF Champ , the Rock already had
the work ethic , dedication and charisma for the role. Although this is not mentioned. part of ''The Scorpion King's'' success lay on the fact, that the story is also similiar to the ''Conan The Barbarian'' movie with Arnold Schwarzenger.

In fact, comparing the 2 movies, one can see that the Rock in a much shorter time, has become a greater actor than Arnold Schwarzenger.

In his first films Arnold's movie and acting were less than stellar, so the Rock has managed to not only leave an impact with movie critics but entertained them as well. The Scorpion King is about an evil king, Memnon (Steven Brand), an evil king who has slaughters dozens of people including the village of Mathayus (The Rock).

Mathayus is a desert assasin and a great warrior. Pretty soon , the people who fear Memnon agree that Mathayus must get rid of him. However, Memnon's sorcererss, Cassandra (Kelly Hu) plans to kill anyone trying to take over the land.
Mathayus , the greatest warrior in the world, does not plan to let this happen, must kill Memnon before it's too late, and claim his right as the Scorpion King.

In his quest, Mathayus is joined by Balthazar (Michael Clark Duncan) and many others who will fight side by side to get Memnon. This is where the real actions begins, as we are treated to a bunch of violent, but cool action scenes involving
swords , spears and more. The visual effects are also extremely well done,
if you have seen the effects for ''The Mummy'', or ''The Mummy Returns'' then you won't be satisfied by the effects of this film.

Interesting notes about the Scorpion King:

The Discovery Channel recently had a special about uncovering a real life Scorpion King in Egypt, so the movie itself is not entirely made up. The success of the Scorpion King has spawned a couple of great games including a Gameboy Advance version and a planned Playstation version.

Overall, the Rock does a successful and great acting role in his first lead, since ''The Mummy Returns''. ''The Scorpion King'' has plenty of action, visual effects and romance, to please even the most diehard fan. If you are already a fan of ''The Rock'' you are going to be very satisfied with this flick.

Even if you are not a fan of ''The Rock'' I am sure you still love this great prequel to ''The Mummy Returns''.

Not a patch on The Mummy series - but still good.
I can officially say, hands down, I loved The Mummy & The Mummy Returns. Of course, they both had Brendan Fraser in them - always helps. You know what I hate? When films get released, and then they do a prequel. That's what annoys about me the Stars Wars or whatever movies. What is the point?!

But OK, "The Rock", otherwise known as Dwayne Johnson, only had a small, what could almost be called a cameo, in The Mummy Returns. He almost appears from nowhere in the movie, just for a couple of small scenes at the start, and a major scene at the end - but I suppose he's all done by CGI at the end. And to capitalise on his role, Stephen Sommers made a prequel, to explain (albeit not very well) how Mathayus the Scorpion King came to be in The Mummy Returns. And I'm still lost.

In The Mummy Returns, Mathayus the Scorpion King looks practically evil, and he really does look different in this. Obviously, they had to give him extensions again, just to keep the continuity, and making me relive my days as a professional Barbie doll hairdresser - I was just itching to braid his hair! I think this was set about 10 years before The Mummy Returns too?

What's different between The Mummy movies, and this, is the lack of obvious special effects. Whereas in The Mummy movies, you had people being sucked quite literally dry, or being eaten by beatles, which demanded lots of CGI, there's not very much in this. (If you were a cynical person, which I'm so-o definitely not, then you could say it was due to lack of budget, due to the fact that The Rock got his hands on $5.5million for doing this movie) It's back to basic sword/fist fighting for The Rock, and lots of flexing of muscles. He quite literally romances the clothes off Kelly Hu - which wasn't hard, considering she didn't wear that much during the movie - and does all these weird looks, which totally reminded me of Brendan Fraser/Keanu Reeves/a guy I know! Although I desperately wanted to braid his hair, I think it would have more suitable to have short hair - plus he looks cuter with short hair. Can you imagine having to film days of scenes in the desert with hair like that?! I'd be pulling the extensions out there and then!

There's been rumours (or maybe it's truth by now, I'm not totally 'up' on movie/actor news - I need to get down on my hands and knees for that kinda info and beg) that Dwayne will be the next Dirty Harry. HUH?! Where did that come from? OK, so we all know Clint Eastwood is on the wrong side of 70 to be doing anymore Dirty Harry movies. (I've said that now, and thinking he's only 68 or something like that), but Dirty Harry is a character. Maybe if you were to say that he was going to be the next Arnie (with those muscles, hell yeah!), but you can't say someone's gonna be the next so-and-so character. A character is meant to be unique, and the actor who plays him will always be known for playing that character. I'm sorry, but if he does decide to do a Dirty Harry movie, a) Clint will have something to say about it, b) I can't see my mum liking it and c) people reviewing it will make endless comparisons.

There's heaps of extras on this, as is on both Mummy DVDs. And they literally take years to get through. Most of them aren't that much worthwhile - unless you're interested in breath-by-breath breakdowns of scenes - so all I was interested was the outtakes! But if you're into those kinda extras (which I'm not, I'd be braindead by the end of them - wait a second, am I?) then you'll be in your element with the DVD.

This is a good film. Anyone who follows The Rock in his career as a wrestler, will probably notice little titbits like he uses the same moves or does "the stare", but I'm not. So he's an OK actor, a little bit wooden sometimes, but no one's perfect.

The Legend?
This was a B movie with some interesting references. I remember the TV adcvertisements when the movie was first released -- The LEGEND of The Scorpion King. Well, there were quite a few legends that rated mention through the characters of the movie. We have Mnemnon of the Greeks, Mattithias of the Hebrews, Seth of both Hebrew and Egyptian legend, Isis of the Egyptians, Acadians and a ziggurat of the city of Ur, and a few others. If you have some background in ancient legend, the first mention of one name and you start listening for others. Also deserving of mention is that the city that the Scorpion King takes is Gamorrah of Hebrew legend -- with the mention of Sodom as a rival city. I can't say much more about the plot. ... Read more

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Filmmakers apparently count on the fact that generational turnoverrenders old formulas fresh again for new audiences. Which is the only explanation for this sci-fi thriller, which could kindly be called an homage to Ridley Scott's trendsetting Alien. A medical rescue ship responds to a distress call from a mining colony and finds only one survivor: a strange young man (Peter Facinelli), who comes aboard carrying an even stranger alien artifact. But the plot of this film, which was directed and then disowned by Walter Hill, grows confused as it tries to explain the sinister force that will lead to a star going to supernova status, causing a universe-shattering explosion. Some nice sexual tension between James Spader (as a recovering drug addict who is the ship's copilot) and Angela Bassett (as the ship's doctor). Notable mostly, however, for the eerie resemblance, both physical and vocal, between Facinelli and Tom Cruise. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

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This eerily beautiful film stars Miranda Stuart Rhyne as Angela, a young girl trying to cope with her family's falling apart. Her mother (Anna Thomson) has drastic mood shifts that bring her from manic happiness to utter misery. Her father (John Ventimiglia) tries to hold everyone together, but Mae's vacillations are becoming more than he can manage. Adrift, Angela and her little sister concoct magical rituals and have visions of fallen angels and the Virgin Mary; reading signs in the way a towel falls off a chair or a tool falls off a truck, they set off to find their way to heaven. Angela succeeds because of writer-director Rebecca Miller's keen understanding of childhood, when imagination and reality are fluid and fantasies can exert a potent influence over a child's life. An unsettling and affecting movie, with an excellent performance by Rhyne. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Cinematic Masterpiece
This movie sent chills down my spine even after the twentieth time of seeing it. Excellent architecture, this movie portrays imagination in a light that leaves you a little unsure of the diagnosis. It left me wondering if the magical things that happened to these girls was real or really in their imaginations.

It also allowed me to see a wierd, dark side of childhood again, like what I went through, circumstances that made survival and coping palpable and no longer hidden. I reccommend everyone see this movie at least once. Maybe the things hidden in this movie were unintentional, but there are layers to sort through.

Very Interesting
I came accross this movie in a movie store and it caught my eye because my name is Angela as well and after reading the back of the movie cover, the part that said she came from a deranged family was interesting because that was like me as well. After watching this movie, I thought about it a lot and I couldn't seem to understand it. I watched it again and it came clear to me that the girls made up their own fantasy worlds to escape the very depressing or overly happy mood swings of their mother, and they search for a way to heaven and Angela dies when she succeeds. This movie was very interesting, and very well directed.

through the looking glass
so i ran across this film by accident, or by fate, but all i can say is wow. it shows the other side of children, the side we all fall in love with without truly understanding. the devotion and love these girls possess results in fear and exhaustion due to their circumstances, and yet it still remains so selfless, so perfect. the film is beautiful to look at. it has a very 'dancer in the dark' rhythm that captures an almost raw and living beat. and the girls are captivating, with personalities that outshine the sun.

Very Pleased
Although the above reviewer kind of spoiled the ending for me, the movie definately held my complete attention from start to finish. Very well written and directed, and the actors demonstrated and incredible awareness of their charachters. The relationship between the two sisters appears real in every aspect, and the mother actually reminds me of someone I used to know. Altogether, I was very impressed...

Angela-Good Or Bad?
I was totally blown away by the freedom of expression in this movie. All the actors in the movie, especially the two children were just works of art in motion.There were so many things going on in this movie--yet--somehow the characters all stood out in their own way at the right time. I was completely impressed with the mood of the movie. One that could have been very depressing, was somehow, magical and so loving. The movie also brought out how children can survive through many things and sometimes...when all they have to reach out to is Heaven....God answers......I loved the ending, which at first look was sad, but then after rethinking for a few seconds, I realized that Angela had found her way......This movie is bold, not afraid to show how life really is without censorship attached, and therefore is refreshing and will be very easy to watch many more times.... ... Read more

Reviews (216)

Entertaining but lacks intelligence
Always the victim of impulse buys,...I have purchased 'The Scorpion King' today along with a new Sony progressive scan DVD player (model NS715P, see separate review.) After viewing the movie I can not say I was not entertained to some degree or totally disappointed with the flick. Aside for some major flaws in the plot and historical reality, the movie was watchable. I feel I must point out the flaws as I always do and two of the largest lay on the shoulders of the Villain played by Steven Brand. Why on earth would the director and casting allow a British actor to present his lines in native accent? Hugo Weaving (agent Smith) did not do it in 'The Matrix,' why would Steven Brand do it here? Second, in one scene, he used a French phrase, this a language not born until the seventh century. C'est plus qu'un crime, c'est une faute.

Overall, like its sister series 'The Mummy' and ' The Mummy Returns,' this DVD is full of interesting extras and vignettes worth watching. However, the feature lacks intelligent dialogue, is tainted with twenty-first century humor and all the CG special effects could have spent more time rendering in the computers (the snakes were ridiculous and half the ants were missing shadows). I choose to save ten dollars and not buy the release that included the CD soundtrack. Why, oh why a hard rock soundtrack for such a period movie? I might recommend this movie, but I would not have bought it had I rented it first.

rocks 2nd film
a assassian in biblical times is hired to kill some big shot wizard elsewhere.rock is the assassian.the only popular character is the rock.kids around 10 and up should be able to handle it.this is the rocks 2nd best movie id say.it was suprisingly good considering nearly every other movie starring a wrestler-including the mummy returns-sucked.its a action/fantasy type deal.there are a number of half naked chicks in this one.the rocks sidekick is the idiotic type you just keep wishing would die the whole damn time like the donkey on shrek.it is very good,but nearly as good as the wwe and hollywood would have you belive.

The Rock as the Scorpion King
The Rock, Dwayne Johnson, former WWF Champion, and the
People's Champion makes his first leading role acting debut as the Scorpion King.

The Scorpion King is the prequel to the Mummy Returns in which the Scorpion King is killed and later tried to be revived.

The success of the Mummy Returns and the Mummy lay in it's great story, action, effects and characters. The addition of the Scorpion King character in the Mummy
Returns was a big hit with movie fans. The Rock's brief role in that movie made a lasting impact on fans and the fans wanted more.

Chuck Russell , the director of this movie, obviously took the success, that the character of The Scorpion King had in ''The Mummy Returns'' and added more depth and detail.

The Rock underwent sword training, staff training, cardiovascular training for the Scorpion King. Being over 5 time WWF Champ , the Rock already had
the work ethic , dedication and charisma for the role. Although this is not mentioned. part of ''The Scorpion King's'' success lay on the fact, that the story is also similiar to the ''Conan The Barbarian'' movie with Arnold Schwarzenger.

In fact, comparing the 2 movies, one can see that the Rock in a much shorter time, has become a greater actor than Arnold Schwarzenger.

In his first films Arnold's movie and acting were less than stellar, so the Rock has managed to not only leave an impact with movie critics but entertained them as well. The Scorpion King is about an evil king, Memnon (Steven Brand), an evil king who has slaughters dozens of people including the village of Mathayus (The Rock).

Mathayus is a desert assasin and a great warrior. Pretty soon , the people who fear Memnon agree that Mathayus must get rid of him. However, Memnon's sorcererss, Cassandra (Kelly Hu) plans to kill anyone trying to take over the land.
Mathayus , the greatest warrior in the world, does not plan to let this happen, must kill Memnon before it's too late, and claim his right as the Scorpion King.

In his quest, Mathayus is joined by Balthazar (Michael Clark Duncan) and many others who will fight side by side to get Memnon. This is where the real actions begins, as we are treated to a bunch of violent, but cool action scenes involving
swords , spears and more. The visual effects are also extremely well done,
if you have seen the effects for ''The Mummy'', or ''The Mummy Returns'' then you won't be satisfied by the effects of this film.

Interesting notes about the Scorpion King:

The Discovery Channel recently had a special about uncovering a real life Scorpion King in Egypt, so the movie itself is not entirely made up. The success of the Scorpion King has spawned a couple of great games including a Gameboy Advance version and a planned Playstation version.

Overall, the Rock does a successful and great acting role in his first lead, since ''The Mummy Returns''. ''The Scorpion King'' has plenty of action, visual effects and romance, to please even the most diehard fan. If you are already a fan of ''The Rock'' you are going to be very satisfied with this flick.

Even if you are not a fan of ''The Rock'' I am sure you still love this great prequel to ''The Mummy Returns''.

Not a patch on The Mummy series - but still good.
I can officially say, hands down, I loved The Mummy & The Mummy Returns. Of course, they both had Brendan Fraser in them - always helps. You know what I hate? When films get released, and then they do a prequel. That's what annoys about me the Stars Wars or whatever movies. What is the point?!

But OK, "The Rock", otherwise known as Dwayne Johnson, only had a small, what could almost be called a cameo, in The Mummy Returns. He almost appears from nowhere in the movie, just for a couple of small scenes at the start, and a major scene at the end - but I suppose he's all done by CGI at the end. And to capitalise on his role, Stephen Sommers made a prequel, to explain (albeit not very well) how Mathayus the Scorpion King came to be in The Mummy Returns. And I'm still lost.

In The Mummy Returns, Mathayus the Scorpion King looks practically evil, and he really does look different in this. Obviously, they had to give him extensions again, just to keep the continuity, and making me relive my days as a professional Barbie doll hairdresser - I was just itching to braid his hair! I think this was set about 10 years before The Mummy Returns too?

What's different between The Mummy movies, and this, is the lack of obvious special effects. Whereas in The Mummy movies, you had people being sucked quite literally dry, or being eaten by beatles, which demanded lots of CGI, there's not very much in this. (If you were a cynical person, which I'm so-o definitely not, then you could say it was due to lack of budget, due to the fact that The Rock got his hands on $5.5million for doing this movie) It's back to basic sword/fist fighting for The Rock, and lots of flexing of muscles. He quite literally romances the clothes off Kelly Hu - which wasn't hard, considering she didn't wear that much during the movie - and does all these weird looks, which totally reminded me of Brendan Fraser/Keanu Reeves/a guy I know! Although I desperately wanted to braid his hair, I think it would have more suitable to have short hair - plus he looks cuter with short hair. Can you imagine having to film days of scenes in the desert with hair like that?! I'd be pulling the extensions out there and then!

There's been rumours (or maybe it's truth by now, I'm not totally 'up' on movie/actor news - I need to get down on my hands and knees for that kinda info and beg) that Dwayne will be the next Dirty Harry. HUH?! Where did that come from? OK, so we all know Clint Eastwood is on the wrong side of 70 to be doing anymore Dirty Harry movies. (I've said that now, and thinking he's only 68 or something like that), but Dirty Harry is a character. Maybe if you were to say that he was going to be the next Arnie (with those muscles, hell yeah!), but you can't say someone's gonna be the next so-and-so character. A character is meant to be unique, and the actor who plays him will always be known for playing that character. I'm sorry, but if he does decide to do a Dirty Harry movie, a) Clint will have something to say about it, b) I can't see my mum liking it and c) people reviewing it will make endless comparisons.

There's heaps of extras on this, as is on both Mummy DVDs. And they literally take years to get through. Most of them aren't that much worthwhile - unless you're interested in breath-by-breath breakdowns of scenes - so all I was interested was the outtakes! But if you're into those kinda extras (which I'm not, I'd be braindead by the end of them - wait a second, am I?) then you'll be in your element with the DVD.

This is a good film. Anyone who follows The Rock in his career as a wrestler, will probably notice little titbits like he uses the same moves or does "the stare", but I'm not. So he's an OK actor, a little bit wooden sometimes, but no one's perfect.

The Legend?
This was a B movie with some interesting references. I remember the TV adcvertisements when the movie was first released -- The LEGEND of The Scorpion King. Well, there were quite a few legends that rated mention through the characters of the movie. We have Mnemnon of the Greeks, Mattithias of the Hebrews, Seth of both Hebrew and Egyptian legend, Isis of the Egyptians, Acadians and a ziggurat of the city of Ur, and a few others. If you have some background in ancient legend, the first mention of one name and you start listening for others. Also deserving of mention is that the city that the Scorpion King takes is Gamorrah of Hebrew legend -- with the mention of Sodom as a rival city. I can't say much more about the plot. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

For a slice of small town life
This is a nice little film about small town Texas life. It's realistic, touching and funny. Was pleased to learn from "Fort Davis" that the town's real-life residents were used in the filming! The grandfather role was my favorite little "slice of life" from the film. This IS a film about people and their relationships with one another. If you have a Jean Claude Van Damme length attention span and prefer explosions and car chases to well-written dialogue, this movie isn't for you. Good performances from the group of young actors: you can see them paired up again in Can't Hardly Wait. Though that film has a much different character than Dancer, it's fun to see the actors together again!

Simply Warm and Charming...
This starts out so simply, but cuts to the heart of the American midwest, having spent my summers there as I child, I understand that mentality very well. My mother was born in a small town in New Mexico, and the people there have a wonderful, if simple charm to themselves. They are caring, yet ultimately unchanging, they can't possibly understand why anyone would want to leave a small town, very much as the townspeople in the movie were.

The four main characters in this film were portrayed wonderfully, by Breckin Meyer(Keller), Peter Facinelli(Terrel Lee), Eddie Mills (John), and the ever charming Ethan Embry(Squirrel). The friendship they had felt real, as if they had really known each other their whole lives. When their oath to leave town after their High School Graduation begins to fall apart when Terrel Lee Announces he cannot leave his family behind, each member examines his reasons for leaving the small town of Dancer. Of course, the truly bright spot in the film is the incredible performance of Ashley Johnson who you might remember from Growing Pains as the youngest member Chrissy. She plays John's little sister, she is simply heart-felt and charming in this role, amazing you with her ability to speak about difficult subjects better than some adults I know. Of course, you can't leave out Patricia Wettig as Terrel Lee's tyrannical mother, even though she only makes about three appearances in the film, she fills the screen with her presence each time.

All in all, this film is a well done venture. I recommend this film to anyone who comes from a small town, or would like to know what one is like, this is your best bet. With so many brilliant performances, and a breathtaking backdrop of Texas behind it, it is simply magnificent.

Small Town (population 81, remember) at Its Best
Having discovered this movie several years ago, I watch it whenever I need a pick-me-up. Shot in beautiful country, it tells the story of each of the town's four graduating high school seniors, with the impact of their decisions for their futures on their families and community. It has funny as well as sobering moments. The sense of caring for one another that can come in such a place makes me want to increase its population by at least 2 (with my husband and myself.)

Nice little sleeper....
...BR>It's a movie about a small town.

This is filmmaking at its best
Excellent film. This is real filmmaking. Moving story without being sappy. Life's warts are shown here. But life's promise shines through. Even made me dream about living in a place like Dancer, TX. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Excellent performances and flashes of visual flair turn what could havebeen a run-of-the-mill sex thriller into taut and unpredictable neonoir. BurtReynolds is genuinely scary as Charles LeBlanc, a wealthy man so consumed withjealous suspicion that he offers Jimmy (Peter Facinelli), a good-lookingcarpenter, $50,000 to try to seduce his wife, Lily (Saffron Burrows). When Jimmycomes over to do repairs on the LeBlanc's house, he and Lily experience somesparks, but she spurns him--until she learns from another source about thefinancial deal, and decides to teach Charles a lesson. Of course, things quicklyget out of hand... but between Tempted's steamy New Orleans atmosphere, ahost of well-written and -acted supporting characters, and a carefullyorchestrated plot, it's never obvious who's going to end up cold on the groundor hot between the sheets. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Tempted...By Peter...
I am a guy who liked this movie and I think that Peter Facinelli is hot. The kitchen scene was the best. Burt Reynolds stars as Saffron Burrows' husband who tempts Peter to have an affair with her, so he does. As the movie goes on it gets more twisted and also has appearances by Mike Starr (Dumb And Dumber, "Gas Man") and Eric Mabius (Crow, Cruel Intentions, Resident Evil). Overall, good movie and okay DVD too bad it did not have a widescreen version.

Predictable Formula Thriller
One has to ask when Burt Reynolds is going to hang up his acting shoes, after seeing this, having seen better performances from him of late in the Vision Express commercials. This is TV movie material through and through, and promises much in the way of steamy sex, intrigue and betrayal (should you believe the trailer, and cover sleeve) but is actually little more than bland throughout. Reynolds plays a New Orleans millionaire (with questionable connections) whose young attractive wife (played in sultry fashion by Saffron Burrows) is a constant worry to him, on the grounds of what he sees as her eventual, and inevitable infidelity. Not wanting to wait for this to just happen he offers a young hunk $50,000 to seduce the aforementioned Ms Burrows to "test" her love for her husband. As the wafer thin plot lumbers on, we are treated to a somewhat gratuitous over the table seduction scene, which is then consolidated sometime later by a more "tender" but equally lame staircase episode. The upshot of all of this is that our young stud refuses to do the job for the money , but then finds himself falling for the married woman and can't help himself. This of course unleases the wrath of the now extremely ticked off Mr Reynolds (I mean what did he expect?) who then becomes ... bent on dishing out retribution to the pair of them. What should then have been well set up into a good thriller with the opportunity for several twists and turns, is predictable and the movie goes down from this point at about the same speed as the Titanic. This movie really tries to be a solid psychological thriller, with an adult theme but suffers badly from a weak script, thin storyline and fairly average performances. I kept asking myself, as I'm sure most viewers will WHAT would have happened if Reynolds had left "well enough alone" as his young wife doesn't really shout out for an affair, but that's a moot point I guess. It is not overly BAD, but it isn't that good either. I got the feeling that Reynolds was simply going through the motions to get a paycheck, and Ms Burrows was far more polished and believable in Deep Blue Sea. All this being said, there's a fair amount of material here to keep most people happy who enjoy 10pm movies on the Mystery channel, but don't get your hopes up too high.

See it, if you must, for Saffron
"Tempted" is notable mostly for the presence of Saffron Burrows as the trophy wife of a New Orleans construction mogul (Burt Reynolds). Burrows cuts the figure of a Greek sculpture; she's a prize all right, but no regular Southern Belle.

The made-for-cable flick has one of those dirty pleasure plots: For reasons unknown, Reynolds' character is certain that Lilly (Burrows) means to cheat on him, so he hires a hunky handyman (Peter Facinelli) to seduce her. We wouldn't have a movie if the seduction wasn't successful. Double crosses and boiled over passions fill the rest of the running time. Burt hangs around for half the movie ...

Everybody's just making some bones on this one, but it's nice to see Burrows turn up in something a little less esoteric. Burt's Burt, and ... if I don't like the way he whispers half his lines like he has a voice to protect. The camerawork is functional, even if it looks like all the blood's been [taken] out of the print.

"Tempted" is a bit muted for a guilty pleasure. You can probably chalk that up to Burrows, who tries a little too hard to earn her paycheck. Facinelli has the right idea -- his half-assed performance not only saves his energy but makes his handyman a convincing dullard.

about this movie tempted......
I feel that the story base(medium transmission) of this movie is no good in the sense that money is the greatest for people to do all sorts of things they want and noone could stop these(just what is like in this movie). There are two sex scene in this movie, the first been violent(the eating utensils crash on the floor when the actress was pinned down on the table) and the other is at the staircase. For those whom like to own movies that contains some sexual scenes, this suits your requirements.
What I can say about this movie is that the entire movie is still o.k... ... ... Read more

Reviews (60)

BIG DISSAPOINTMENT WITH BIG KAHUNA
I was excited about the prospect of watching a film with Kevin Spacey and Danny Devito. My excitement was never fulfilled. The movie centers around three individuals. Two veteran salesmen who despite being complete opposites are the best of friends are in Wichita to smooze up to some prospective clients. They are joined by a new face with the company who is a young deeply religious baptist. The film starts with them waiting in a reception suite and the whole film takes place their save two scenes with no dialogue. I will concede that the acting is good all the way around. Peter Facinelli holds his own with these two acting heavyweights. The problem is that Devitos character is lonely and depressed, Spacey's character is a pessimist without much faith in anything, Facinelli is a wide eyed youngster with faith in everything. This collage of humanity goes nowhere. No humor, no action, no storyline worth mentioning..... just human interaction.

Overall, I was dissapointed and often bored, despite good acting. Rent it, don't buy it.

The Clever Kahuna
Moviegoers as a whole are so used to films consisting of big budgets,computer special f/x, loud extravaganzas that when something intellectually stimulating comes along they don't recognize it even if it bites them in the bum (including myself).The film-going or video-watching community is so inundated with large sounds and visuals that we often miss some of the most powerful or food for thought dialogue in films like the Big Kahuna.Whether there is one message or many messages to derive from on the meaning of life the great thing about the Big Kahuna is that there is never a dull moment of dialogue or conversation. Kevin Spacey delivers a great and genuine performance as well as DeVito. The fantasy/imagination scenes are some of the most comical seen in any movie for quite some time. My favorite quote or dialogue from any scene is between Spacey and Facinelli about seeing what the young business man can bring to the table, "You'll never know unless you throw me in the water and see if I can swim." Spacey's character replies,"You're missing the point. We're going to throw you off the cliff and see if you can fly!..."Also, Devito's monologue speech about his dream or nightmare he had as a child of God hiding in the closet is classic.The added plus is that this movie does not drag to 2-2 1/2 hours.It's 90 minutes with a clear message;Be human and make the most of your life---not very profound, but still a great message ! In the end of this film you wonder if the title of the film is referring to Spacey's character, the wealthy corporate business man they are trying to lure for their lubricant product, or God...

Boring!
Kevin spacey was right!"This is it?This is f****** it?"

Well I was in a video store one time and my father showed it to me one saturday night as my friends were coming over.but they didnt wanna watch so i watched it.In the middle I FELL ASLEEP!when it was over i claimed "this is boring."

If you are going to watch a good Danny Devito movie,watch "Throw Momma from the train",or "twins" etc.

hidden hero of the USA
From outside, the USA are seen roughly like a big factory of cowboys and with a powerful army and high skyscrapers. But I think at a more fine level, in these enormous buildings are a personage I think very own of the USA, and he's the salesman, the businessmen, the manager or as you like to say, the man who has to sell the enormous amount of products that are made. These work seems to me as hard as these of the cowboy and there's "Death a salesman" by Arthur Miller, a play made forever, unthinkable outside the USA but universal, so surely the American salesman is the best. He sustains the whole world of commerce, it's only that these people uses not to taste. In Europe these work reminds the painful figure of the prosecuted Jew. Sales seems to be not a heroic work and they are worrying people. Well, in this movie, there are three salesmen, one has yet seen almost all and he's tired and prone to drink, another is a young one, inexperienced and narrow minded. Kevin Spacey, the third, is a fully experienced salesman. They sell industrial lubricants but, who are interested in these? Nobody, and the three men in the Hotel Suite less than anyone in the world excepting perhaps the young one because he hasn't still understood in that consists his work. Sales require decision, so, you sometimes have to go to a striptease club and make love with the dancer at sight of all people. No wonder this a weary work! The young one are scandalized, but after a tense conversation the three men have learned each one at less a thing or two from the others because behind their profession are people who achieves a difficult, hazardous, ultracompetitive work that requires knowledge of all facets of life, not in deep but yes in a very wide area including the selection of the correct hotel and convenient appetizers. At the end, have they sold these damned lubricants to the Big Kahuna? I don't know, perhaps yes, perhaps not and these doesn't matter in this excellent film.

says it all!
Just caught this on Bravo yesterday and found it incredibly provocative...thank God someone has done a movie that exercises the mind and challenges the soul instead of reverting to adolescent attention-grabbing and superficial titillation using silly special effects, gratuitous sex or violence to engage the viewer. I'm buying it to show to colleagues! ... Read more

Description

Screen superstar Jennifer Love Hewitt (I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER, CAN'T HARDLY WAIT) heads a hot young cast in this fresh, fun comedy about life, love, and finally growing up! Instead of moving on to bigger and better things after college graduation, best buddies Phil (Peter Facinelli -- CAN'T HARDLY WAIT, DANCER, TEXAS) and Dennis are embarrassed to find themselves making pizzas and avoiding old classmates who come in for a slice. But before long, Phil is discovered by an annoyingly sweet ex-girlfriend (Hewitt) who won't leave him alone ... while Dennis summons the courage to finally face his future and the dream girl who got away. Also featuring a hilarious performance from Matthew Lillard (SCREAM, SHE'S ALL THAT) in a great cast -- the swirl of youthful confusion surrounding dating, friendship, and destiny has never been this funny! ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Telling you... to give it a chance.
I really enjoyed this movie for a few reasons. I thought they did a great job with the cast..even though I am not a JLH fan. I enjoyed the other characters and even the story line. It's not a classic, but the story has a moral to it. It's slow at times, but the good parts (like the discussion about the panda and the ostrich) are funny. It's a basic high-school-mentality movie that doesn't rank with others like it, but my husband and I love this cute movie. I would recommend it.

Less than zero.
I would love to give this movie zero stars if I could. Jennifer Love Hewitt for such a popular actress has a proclivity for consistenly exposing her lack of genuine talent. Jennifer Love is a cute girl who relies on a child-like simplicity to perform all her roles to date, and in "Telling You" she is as vapid and air-headed as usual; "Trojan War", "Can't Hardly Wait", "Heartbreakers" et al.

This movie has a very boring plot and really bad direction, it is long-winded and not funny, thus none of the actors are served by it.

Dash Mihok was great in the movie "Whiteboyz" but he has nothing to work with in this poor screenplay.

Well, it was good!!
The only thing I didn't like about this awesome movie is that stupid guy who showed up twice in the movie. He's tall(just to describe, not that tall means anything) and he can't act worth beans. He made the movie worse in those appearences, luckily, it was only twice and that's what saved the movie. That, and JLH was absolutely amazing!! She was the best! 4 stars for her, and none for the movie! Plotwise, well this movie didn't have a strong plot, but was pretty funny! LIke when JLH falls off her bed answering the phone! The other actors weren't so good, especially the main actor! But this movie was good enough, mostly JLH, but what can you do, not much, see this, it's worth it!!

I'm telling you this movie sucks!
Take a group of college graduates - 2 of them work at a pizza place. They lose $1100 of their bosses money....panic what should we do? lets throw a party...the end! The cast is really good but they are wasted on a the story. The story may seem OK but there are too many long pointless conversations and boring moments which left me reaching for the ff button on my remote. Theres nothing really going on in the movie...if there is it takes forever to get going.
If you're a hard core Jennifer Love Hewitt or Peter Facinelli fan then this will be bearable...if not just catch it on tv!

GREAT GREAT STUFF-Belfast, Maine
This small indie film from Miramax was very funny. I enjoyed every performance, mainly JLH. She is a great actress and her screen performance in this film is awesome. The rest of the actors were also amazing. Beth is so HOTT. I recommend this film highly. I advise any one who saw it and did not like it, to take a closer look. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

RISKY BUSINESS meets WISDOM = a good time!
STEALING TIME (2003) starring Peter Facinelli, Scott Foley, Ethan Embry, Charlotte Ayanna, and Jennifer Garner.

I found STEALING TIME to be an engaging film that has a little bit of drama, a little bit of action, and a little bit of comedy. It's also a little bit of a cross between WISDOM with Emilio Estevez and Demi Moore(although much better)and the Tom Cruise classic RISKY BUSINESS. Check it out and I believe you'll see what I mean. Peter Facinelli (CANT HARDLY WAIT, tv's FASTLANE), the film's lead, has always seemed a little Tom Cruise-ish to me anyway. The film has good performances by Facinelli, Scott Foley (BELOW), Ethan Embry (TIMELINE), Charlotte Ayanna (LOVE THE HARD WAY), and even Jennifer Garner (DAREDEVIL) in a small role. I must say, STEALING TIME is the first movie involving a bank robbery I've seen in a long time where I was actually rooting for the characters and wanting them to pull it off without harm. A good character driven film with heart. It's really to bad this film didn't get more attention paid to it as it is highly entertaining and probably would have made bigger stars out of everyone involved. Give it a look. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Two salesmen (Danny DeVito and Oscar winner Kevin Spacey) and a company researcher (Peter Facinelli) set up shop in a hotel suite in Wichita, Kansas, on a business trip. They hope to sell their particular brand of industrial lubricants to the elusive Mr. Fuller. Spacey and DeVito are seasoned pros, while Facinelli is excited about his first business trip. DeVito is going through some kind of mid-life crisis; Spacey is all about the sale and little else; and the new kid is naive, moral, and extremely religious. Once the characters are established, nothing much happens. They talk. They prepare for their sales party, and they talk. The event starts, but the movie quickly cuts to the mess in the room afterward so they can talk about what happened during the party. Even when Facinelli is given an invite to hang out with Mr. Fuller at a private party, the camera stays behind in the hotel room to listen to Spacey and DeVito talk. Talk talk talk. Based on the play by Roger Rueff, who also wrote the screenplay, The Big Kahuna never really feels like a movie, probably because it's all talk and no story, set in a hospitality suite that increasingly feels like a prison. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (60)

BIG DISSAPOINTMENT WITH BIG KAHUNA
I was excited about the prospect of watching a film with Kevin Spacey and Danny Devito. My excitement was never fulfilled. The movie centers around three individuals. Two veteran salesmen who despite being complete opposites are the best of friends are in Wichita to smooze up to some prospective clients. They are joined by a new face with the company who is a young deeply religious baptist. The film starts with them waiting in a reception suite and the whole film takes place their save two scenes with no dialogue. I will concede that the acting is good all the way around. Peter Facinelli holds his own with these two acting heavyweights. The problem is that Devitos character is lonely and depressed, Spacey's character is a pessimist without much faith in anything, Facinelli is a wide eyed youngster with faith in everything. This collage of humanity goes nowhere. No humor, no action, no storyline worth mentioning..... just human interaction.

Overall, I was dissapointed and often bored, despite good acting. Rent it, don't buy it.

The Clever Kahuna
Moviegoers as a whole are so used to films consisting of big budgets,computer special f/x, loud extravaganzas that when something intellectually stimulating comes along they don't recognize it even if it bites them in the bum (including myself).The film-going or video-watching community is so inundated with large sounds and visuals that we often miss some of the most powerful or food for thought dialogue in films like the Big Kahuna.Whether there is one message or many messages to derive from on the meaning of life the great thing about the Big Kahuna is that there is never a dull moment of dialogue or conversation. Kevin Spacey delivers a great and genuine performance as well as DeVito. The fantasy/imagination scenes are some of the most comical seen in any movie for quite some time. My favorite quote or dialogue from any scene is between Spacey and Facinelli about seeing what the young business man can bring to the table, "You'll never know unless you throw me in the water and see if I can swim." Spacey's character replies,"You're missing the point. We're going to throw you off the cliff and see if you can fly!..."Also, Devito's monologue speech about his dream or nightmare he had as a child of God hiding in the closet is classic.The added plus is that this movie does not drag to 2-2 1/2 hours.It's 90 minutes with a clear message;Be human and make the most of your life---not very profound, but still a great message ! In the end of this film you wonder if the title of the film is referring to Spacey's character, the wealthy corporate business man they are trying to lure for their lubricant product, or God...

Boring!
Kevin spacey was right!"This is it?This is f****** it?"

Well I was in a video store one time and my father showed it to me one saturday night as my friends were coming over.but they didnt wanna watch so i watched it.In the middle I FELL ASLEEP!when it was over i claimed "this is boring."

If you are going to watch a good Danny Devito movie,watch "Throw Momma from the train",or "twins" etc.

hidden hero of the USA
From outside, the USA are seen roughly like a big factory of cowboys and with a powerful army and high skyscrapers. But I think at a more fine level, in these enormous buildings are a personage I think very own of the USA, and he's the salesman, the businessmen, the manager or as you like to say, the man who has to sell the enormous amount of products that are made. These work seems to me as hard as these of the cowboy and there's "Death a salesman" by Arthur Miller, a play made forever, unthinkable outside the USA but universal, so surely the American salesman is the best. He sustains the whole world of commerce, it's only that these people uses not to taste. In Europe these work reminds the painful figure of the prosecuted Jew. Sales seems to be not a heroic work and they are worrying people. Well, in this movie, there are three salesmen, one has yet seen almost all and he's tired and prone to drink, another is a young one, inexperienced and narrow minded. Kevin Spacey, the third, is a fully experienced salesman. They sell industrial lubricants but, who are interested in these? Nobody, and the three men in the Hotel Suite less than anyone in the world excepting perhaps the young one because he hasn't still understood in that consists his work. Sales require decision, so, you sometimes have to go to a striptease club and make love with the dancer at sight of all people. No wonder this a weary work! The young one are scandalized, but after a tense conversation the three men have learned each one at less a thing or two from the others because behind their profession are people who achieves a difficult, hazardous, ultracompetitive work that requires knowledge of all facets of life, not in deep but yes in a very wide area including the selection of the correct hotel and convenient appetizers. At the end, have they sold these damned lubricants to the Big Kahuna? I don't know, perhaps yes, perhaps not and these doesn't matter in this excellent film.

says it all!
Just caught this on Bravo yesterday and found it incredibly provocative...thank God someone has done a movie that exercises the mind and challenges the soul instead of reverting to adolescent attention-grabbing and superficial titillation using silly special effects, gratuitous sex or violence to engage the viewer. I'm buying it to show to colleagues! ... Read more

Description

One bad choice can change everything--forever. In the small town world of Jefferson Creek, North Carolina, star high school quarterback Danny Shepherd and his buddies are the golden boys who think they can get away with anything. When their simple-minded friend Aaron commits a violent crime, the boys vow to protect him by covering up evidence. Now, as they desperately struggle to keep the secret, their world begin