Reviews (62)

An extraordinarily good film ...
At the end of a disappointing summer movie season, I've started watching some of my favorites on tape. This movie is near the top of my all-time list; here's why:

ACTORS -- Most of the actors gave career-high performances in this movie. "Witness" helped establish Harrison Ford as a serious (i.e., non-Star Wars) action hero, and he demonstrates emotional range in this movie that doesn't show up very often in more recent films. Kelly McGillis is compelling, gradually and believably transforming from a shy widow out of her element to a strong, spirited member of her Amish community. Lukas Haas, who plays her son, offers a level of child acting that has only recently been matched by Haley Joel Osment. As other reviewers have noted, his wordless scene with Ford in the police station is a brilliant piece of acting -- an enormous amount of information and emotion is conveyed in complete silence. And Alexander Godunov brings a gentle grace to his role as the Amish farmer competing with Ford for McGillis' affections. It's sad that he didn't get more opportunities to demonstrate his acting ability before his death a few years later.

CINEMATOGRAPHY/SCORE -- As with most of Peter Weir's films (cf. "Dead Poet's Society"), "Witness" is visually stunning. The shift from the gritty heart of Philadelphia to the rolling hills of Amish country is jarring, and leaves one with a palpable sense of longing. I think the barn-raising scene in the middle of the movie is one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever seen filmed, both visually and thematically. Underscored (so to speak) with music reminiscent of Copland's "Appalachian Spring," it drives home the value of community and shared endeavor. It's a marvelously uplifting segment.

ROMANCE/EROTICISM -- The relationship between Ford and McGillis is very well done. The attraction that arises between them (driven in no small part, apparently, by Ford's kindness to the young boy) is constantly and realistically tempered by the awareness that they come from fundamentally different cultures. That slows the development of a relationship between them, which provides the movie with a delightful undercurrent of romantic tension. That tension reaches a peak in a powerful scene in which Ford sees McGillis giving herself a sponge bath. There is nudity in this scene (McGillis turns and shows herself, topless, to Ford), but it seems to be precisely the kind of nudity that, as actresses like to say, "is essential to the story." Given the way in which the Amish are portrayed in this film, McGillis' character is making a very bold (and risky) offer, and the difficulty of Ford's refusal is evident in his face. There certainly is a lot of gratuitous nudity in film, but "Witness" is not in that category.

This movie is aging extremely well, in large part because of the sweep of its vision, the powerful simplicity of its story, and the skill of its execution. It is a terrific movie.

Impressive film!
"Witness" is defineately one of the greatest thriller/romance movies ever made. Directed by Peter Weir, the plot concerns a yuong Amish boy (Lukas Haas) who witnesses a murder in a Philadelphia train station bathroom while traveling to the city with his mother Rachel (Kelly McGillis in her best performance). Detective John Book (Harrison Ford) is assigned to the case, and quickly discovers that a corrupt narcotics cop (Danny Glover) is the killer. After a close shave, Book, Rachel, and her son escape to Amish country, where Book hides out as an Amish farmer--while also protecting the witness and his mother.
Of course, at the end there is one whopper of a scene when the corrupt cop & friends discover Book's safehouse.
"Witness" received several Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, and won for Screenplay, Cinematography, Sound, and Film Editing.

Ford at the top of his game
Some of the most powerful romances can spring up when both sides have to be restrained; here, the widowed Amish woman and the cop-in-hiding know that they come from different worlds, know that a relationship between them will not practically work, and so fill the screen with unresolved sexual and romantic tension.

Woven into the more grisly details of murder and police corruption are scenes of humor and beauty. Dancing in the barn to "Don't Know Much About History". Having to wake up at 4 a.m. to milk the cows. It's funny to see how the cop, John Book, tries to fit himself into Amish life the best he can. And it's very moving to see his growing love for the Amish woman who nursed him through a bad gunshot wound and has enchanted him with her character and beauty. The movie's climax is also riveting; it's not often that one sees gunfighting at an Amish farm.

Great film, poor quality transfer
"Witness" captures director Peter Weir's first exploration of the cultural clash between America's Amish community and modern society. We witness two worlds that collide and two people that can't bridge the gap between their two worlds despite their blossoming love for each other.

The story revolves around Samuel a little boy who has witnessed the murder of an undercover police officer, his mother Rachel (McGillis)and John Book (Ford) who investigates the murder discovering corruption, deceit and a conspiracy at it the heart of his department. After he discovers that his witness isn't safe, Book whisks them back to their Amish farm where he's forced to hideout as well.

One of Weir's finest films to focus on America, this so-so transfer looks grainy and has lots of compression issues. The transfer isn't a widescreen anamorphic transfer but is presented in that format (i.e., it's presented with the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen but the transfer isn't high definition). The picture occasionally comes across as soft and the rich use of color and light that vividly brought the film to life in theaters isn't well represented here. Hopefully Paramount will update this and remaster it the way it deserves to be done.

The extras include an interview with Weir obviously done around the time the film was made or first appeared on video and the original theatrical trailer. I would have expected a commentary track but since Weir isn't all that big on them to begin with, that would be hoping for too much.

A great film just a poor translation to DVD.

Comparing Witness: 1985 and 2004
As I write my title, it is weird to think this film is nearly 20 years old! How time flies! Anyway...I first saw this film when it first came out and I remember I really really liked it. I was 23 years old and not a Christian at that time. Now, I am soon to be 42 and have been a Christian for over 18 years. For 10 years of my life, I lived as a Mennonite (like Amish in many ways, but we drove cars, had electricity, etc.) I am no longer a Mennonite, and now I watch films again. I appreciate classic cinema very much, but recently have wanted to watch Witness again, to see if I would like it as much as the first time, and to see if I thought they portrayed the Amish correctly.

So, I watched it last night. It was interesting in that I remembered so much, even some small details about it. So it really did impress me that first time when I was young. This time, I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't say it is a film I would watch over and over again, as I watch some classic films. To see it once more was enough to just satisfy my curiosity about my memories of it.

I did feel they portrayed the Amish quite well, with the clothes and such. What they did wrong about the portrayal was that in no way would it be allowed for an Amish woman to tend to a wounded man who wasn't her husband, by herself in a room alone with him. It just isn't proper, isn't done. In reality, a man would have done that, or an older woman would have done it, with another woman there. I think the movie allowed the Rachel character to have way more "access" to a man alone than would be allowed in a real Amish or Mennonite community. I doubt he would have really been allowed to stay in the house. In reality he would have been placed in a home with a family who had a bunch of boys and he would work with them and the father, and not have all that time alone with Rachel.

I don't like violence...I knew that the bad part happened in the train station in the beginning, so we were able to fast forward that part. Also, we were able to fast forward the ending "shoot out" stuff. I didn't care for the bad language. The scene with Rachel taking her sponge bath, well when I was young and not a Christian, I found that very romantic. Now, I found it rather silly. A devout Amish girl/woman would not have just calmly turned around and let a man stare at her while unclothed. And later on, when she and he finally "meet" for the romantic moment, I found that sort of offensive. Why kiss out in the yard where anyone could see you? Eli could have easily looked out the window (a real Amish father would have kept better tabs on his daughter with a strange man around the place). I felt that scene was very much just an animal passion thing...sort of vulgar. Not at all romantic, truly loving or gentle. It seems people sure knew how to kiss and show romantic love a lot better in the old movies! And right before she went out there, she took her prayer veiling off. Which again, no Amish woman would do. But then she obviously was rebelling. There was that other time too, when she and John Book were in the barn listening to his radio, and she had it off then, and I am not sure why, for no Amish or Mennonite woman will go without it in front of people or outside the house.

The ending left me wondering...would Rachel just go ahead and marry Daniel? Would she really be happy with him? She really would have to repent of her sins with John Book to be truly happy. I also noticed that the film never showed a church service. Also, none of the Amish folks never seemed to care to tell John Book how to be a Christian. But then there are many Amish who are not born- again Christians, but just are "culturally Amish"...they live the way they do because they have always done so. These must have been that type of Amish. It did seem that Grandfather knew the Bible...he quoted some good verses when talking to the boy about the gun. That was good to see, yet sad that such violence had to even be witnessed by this child.

Oh, of course any film with Amish must have a barn raising scene, and this one did. Also, so many movies with cows mus have the scene where the city person doesn't know how to milk a cow. Of course John Book must learn. He makes a joke about "teats" in this scene, and grandfather Eli laughs at it, which again, I doubt a devout Amish man would do.

Well, these are my thoughts. It was interesting to revisit this film again. In closing, I would say it is an okay film for adults but I would not recommend it for children. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's enlightening to view Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! as his twisted satire of the blockbuster film Independence Day, which was released earlier the same year, although the movies were in production simultaneously. Burton's eye-popping, schlock tribute to 1950s UFO movies actually plays better on video than it did in theaters. The idea of invading aliens ray gunning the big-name movie stars in the cast is a cleverly subversive one, and the bulb-headed, funny-sounding animated Martians are pretty nifty, but it all seemed to be spread thin on the big screen. On video, however, the movie's kooky humor seems a bit more concentrated. The Earth actors (most of whom get zapped or kidnapped for alien science experiments) include Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rod Steiger, Michael J. Fox, Lukas Haas, Jim Brown, Tom Jones, and Pam Grier. The digital video disc features an isolated track for Danny Elfman's score, as well as a few other clever and nasty little Martian surprises. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (163)

Hollywood Attacks
"Mars Attacks!" a film by director Tim Burton, was like a 1996 who's who of the movie industry. Stars were not attracted by a script that showed high art or the greatest feat of the screen writers guild, but rather the chance to work on a fun movie with an amazing director.

"Mars Attacks!" is viually appealing, special effects were state of the art for the time of the movie, and the concept built around a "Topps" trading card set was a wonderful parody of 1950's sci-fi/ horror movies.

The all star cast: Jack Nicholson, Annete Bennning, Michial J. Fox, Glenn Closse, Natalie Portman and Tom Jones (to name a few), were all in rare and wonderfully funny form.

Unlike the majority of director Tim Burton's work, this film is by no means "dark," but both funny and satirical at the same time. The movie is well made, fast paced, funny and a feast for the eyes.

This is by no means high art (or even middle art for that matter), but worth a watch. A definite must for any Burton fan, or fan of those cheesy old sci-fi movies that it is poking fun at.

Campiness at its best!
Hollywood has made movies from books, TV shows, even other movies. However, "Mars Attacks" may be the first time a movie was made from a trading card.

Back in the late 1960s, Topps Cards created a line of Mars Attacks trading cards. However, these cards were pulled off the shelves after only a few months because the aliens depicted on them were considered to be too gruesome. My, how times have changed.

Director Tim Burton has taken those old trading cards and recreated them into this Sci-Fi B-movie throwback. In the process, he has created a movie that is pure, guiltless fun.

"Mars Attacks" also benefits from an all-star cast, including Jack Nicholson (in a dual-role), Michael J. Fox, Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Brosnan, Martin Short, Danny Devito, Glenn Close, Natalie Portman, Tom Jones, Annette Bening, Lukas Haas, Jim Brown, and many others. The fact that you get to watch the aliens disentegrate (and otherwise kill) many of these stars only adds to the fun. Unfortunately, Tom Jones wasn't one of those unlucky stars. Maybe someday a sequel will be made that will rectify that. :)

Oh yeah........ did I happen to mention that Congress gets vaporized? This proves that the Martians aren't all bad!

The DVD comes with many extras, including quite a few production notes that helps you to understand how the movie came to be. This is one movie that you will want to see over and over again (especially anytime that Congress is getting on your nerves).

mars attacks-an all star cast
well theres not much of a story.mars attacks.stars are many.jack nicholson is the president.christina applegate is a rednecks ol lady.is that wyona ryder?maybe not.danny devito plays a gambler.wayne newton as well wayne newton.the kids can watch it,but it could freak out the real little ones.tim burton directs this one so it is great as usual.it is one of his best films.there are many creative ideas and imagination galore all throughout this one.the aliens are abselutely hysterical.christina applegate is in it but only for a second.then theres this chick who cheats on michael j fox with pierce brosnan.is this guy always stealing someones woman on his movies?anyway,shes tacky.the hippie chick in it is hot but very deeply emotionaly disturbed.this is a really funny movie and everyone but jack nicholsons personal best.the special effects are not fantastic but the ideas that go into them are very creative.

Destined to be a CLASSIC!
When I first heard that Tim Burton was going to turn the Mars Attacks trading cards into a movie I couldn't imagine how he could adapt them for the big screen for under 100 million, but when I saw it I said to myself, "FINALLY! Some has found a good use for CGI!" This very funny sci-fi comedy is destined to become a classic and is one of the most imaginatively produced films in ages. Featuring tons of great cameos by stars - particularly Jack Nicholson, who plays a dual role and Tom Jones - Mars Attacks also boasts a great score, lots of wild, funny action and, yes.... LOTS OF GREAT DEATH SCENES! Yes, folks, it is DAMN FUNNY when people get killed; heck, SLAUGHTERED, in this film! Yep, death CAN be funny, especially when it happens to movie stars who are all so obviously movie stars in a fantasy movie. I only wish they could have killed a "better" class of movie ACKters, the ones you WANT to see die, like Will Smith, Bruce Willis, Steven Segal, Arn-OLD, Julia Roberts, any model turned actress and virtually EVERY movie star who came to prominence from the time this film was released until NOW (and beyond, it seems). With today's atmosphere, where the world over, especially here in the U.S., people are so insanely and blindly freaful of a coming apocalypse, it's always good to bring it all out on screen, particularly when it's done in such an over-the-top fashion as this. I wouldn't be surprised to see this film become a big hit it it were re-released to theatres today (HEY, ANYONE OUT THERE REMEMBER ANOTHER LITTLE CLASSIC BY THE NAME OF DR. STRANGELOVE, WHICH CAME OUT DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE COLD WAR AND IN WHICH THE ENTIRE EARH WAS DEVASTATED IN THE END????!!!!) Sheesh, some "people"!

It is a comedy.
Neglected masterpiece, misunderstood and unappreciated by far too many. It is not perfect, perhaps could benefit from some extra production time, but the film's incredible inventiveness, brilliantly wacky humor and fantastic sets, more than compensate for its shortcomings. Great, brutal fun. ... Read more

Reviews (46)

A MUST HAVE for all DVD collectors and movie lovers!
Lady In White is a true cinematic masterpiece, and one of the greatest horror films ever made. In this haunting, surreal ghost story, writer/director/musical composer/costar Frank LaLoggia gives us chills, chuckles, and a wonderful sense of nostalgia. Horror novelist Frankie Scarlatti (LaLoggia) returns to his small Upstate NY hometown for a visit, where he remembers the Halloween of 1962 - "the year that *she* came into my life." Ten-year-old Frankie (Lukas Haas) lives a carefree life with his brother, father, and grandparents. On Halloween, Frankie gets locked in his classroom closet by his practical-joking classmates. That night, he sees the ghost of a little girl, Melissa (Joelle Jacobi) and a ghostly recreation of her murder. He also sees, but not clearly, her killer, who has come back looking for evidence he left behind. The psycho strangles Frankie, and he has a near-death experience, where Melissa's troubled spirit pleads for him to help her find her mother. Frankie survives the attack, and determines to help Melissa, having lost his own mother earlier. He learns that several children, in addition to Melissa, have been molested and killed by the same man over a ten-year period. The overzealous DA, anxious to solve the murders, decides to indict an innocent black janitor, but the Grand Jury won't buy it. Frankie discovers a link between Melissa, the town madwoman (Katherine Helmond) and the legendary Lady In White, who supposedly prowls the cliffs every night. What Frankie doesn't know is that the real killer is hot on his heels. An excellent script, terrific ensemble acting, and great special effects make this a truly magnificent, unforgettable movie. This film will be with you for a long time after you see it! Though rated PG-13, Lady In White is scarier and more disturbing than most R-rated movies. It is NOT for children under 13. The DVD package is a masterpiece unto itself - the video is a GORGEOUS wide-screen transfer, the sound full and downright 3-dimensional. The print is LaLoggia's director's cut and runs 6 minutes longer than the theatrical and videotape versions. Other great extras include the COMPLETE soundtrack, still picture gallery, seven minutes of deleted scenes, theatrical, TV and radio trailers, and a "Behind the Scenes" featurette. A textbook example of what a DVD release should be. BUY IT!

BRILLIANT---NEEDS TO BE RE-RELEASED
I would LOVE to have this movie on DVD, but it's out of print and now going for a princely sum on the secondary market. This great period piece of early 1960's nostalgia is one of the better ghost stories you will ever see.

It pops up occasionally on TV still. Lukas Haas plays a young boy...perhaps around 4th or 5th grade maybe, who gets locked in his schools cloak room around Halloween. While locked inside he is terrified to see a spectral play acted out before him as a little girl is murdered by an unknown man.

The killer returns to the cloak room to look for something and finds Haas and tries to kill him as well. He's rescued but now he is haunted by the little girl who wants him to find her killer.

He receives messages from her typed out on his typewriter and the record player goes on by itself much to the terror of Haas. Then there is the mysterious Lady in White, living in the old, run down home who seems a ghost herself.

As Frankie (haas) and his older brother try and solve the mystery, somewhere the killer knows who he is and is waiting.

Wonderful piece. Great 1960's midwest nostalgia. Fantastic performances and a genuine feeling of dread make this a great ghost story.

GREAT FILM
I REALLY LIKED THIS FILM I THINK ITS THE BEST HORROR MOVIE MADE, THE ONLY PROBLEM IS IT HASNT BEEN IN THE UK FOR A WHILE AND WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW WHEN IT WILL COME THIS END AGAIN OR IF THERES ANY WEBSITES THAT I CAN BUY IT ON!!
pLEASE EMAIL ME ON FUNLOVIN_AMY@YAHOO.CO.UK IF YOU HAVE ANSWERS!!

A Terrific Ghost Story
I'm not the type who succumbs much to movie presentations -- but when I saw this in the theater during its first run, the scene in the cloak room literally caused chills. It's time for a re-release of the DVD.

YAY! This movie is good!
OMG I watched this movie like every halloween when i was a little kid, i thought it was like sooo scary, but not scary enough to scar me for life like "chucky" did. it's a really cool movie and now that im older i still like it! It's a great movie for kids like 6 and up and for adults! ... Read more

Reviews (67)

Everyone, Including Me
In Woody Allen's film Everyone Says I Love You, one of the century's great filmmakers gets to make his own dream come true. Just take a listen to the soundtracks for Manhattan or Radio Days and you realize that all the Woodman's ever wanted to do was make a musical.

He's finally found a way. And by taking those timeless songs of Gershwin and Porter and placing them in the context of modern family life, Allen has created one of his most innovative comedies ever.

By its very nature, musicals showcase fabulous singers who are able to stop the world and belt out a tune. Not exactly in the realm of the possible. But by filling his scenery with non-singers, or actors who aren't known for their singing, Allen creates the possibility of song in everyday real life.

Take Holden (Edward Norton), for example. What he lacks in fashion sense, he makes up for in heart. When he goes to buy a rock for his lady love Skylar (Drew Barrymore), the jewelry store becomes a Gene Kelly musical, except Holden's no hoofer. He stumbles awkwardly through the dance number while the jewelry store employees play to the camera.

If it sounds fun, it is. But the two young lovebirds are but a minor diversion. Skylar's mom Steffi and husband Bob (Goldie Hawn and Alan Alda) are trying to keep their family together. Grandpa's gone daffy, their teenage son has up and joined the young Republican's (ick!), and Goldie's ex, Joe (Allen), is living in Paris and wooing an art historian (Julia Roberts).

Even the worst singing, that of Allen (a mouse squeak) and Roberts (can you say tone deaf?), works somehow. In Everyone Says I Love You the commonplace collides with the extraordinary in an alternate universe that's just this side of heaven.

Charming, Funny --- not what you expect from Woody Allen
When I first saw this movie advertised, I was puzzled as to what the concept was--- a musical comedy by WOODY ALLEN? I enjoy Woody Allen, but usually his movies are really crude and disgustingly sexual. But this film was a breath of fresh air. It was witty and funny--- but best of all the performances were wonderful. The concept of the movie is somewhat fuzzy, and the plot is uneventful, but that doesn't matter when you see the wonderful job Alan Alda, Goldie Hawn, Edward Norton and Drew Barrymore do to entertain you throughout the film. The camera movement is erratic at times...but the scenery of both New York, Venice, and Paris is dazzling. The music and the singing performances are--- uniquely done... but very endearing. You should watch this movie if you like simple, charming, witty and slow-paced films. Not a lot of thinking or intelligence is required to watch this movie, and thats the best part. This film is a no-brainer, and many will enjoy this wonderfully acted movie.

Careful what you ask for
I got this movie to satisfy my curiosity. The concept sounded interesting, and it boasted some normally bankable (or at least watchable) cast. Unfortunately, I did not care for the film. Oh, it was well made, and had fair acting, but it just failed to interest me. The songs were not very catchy tunes, like say, something from a "real" musical like "Fiddler on the Roof", "The King and I", or "My Fair Lady", etc. Drew Barrymore had a large part, but was in the lower range of acting, and her singing was dubbed. Natalie and Gaby were under used. Alan Alda and Goldie had decent voices, but again, weak songs.

I had a hard time swallowing Julia and Woody as a couple - though she did say she was crazy - did I miss something else? The most interesting part was seeing two MASH alumni in the same scene for about 10 seconds. For those who don't know why it was rated R, it is because of the rap lyrics. No other swearing or nudity.

I'm being generous with 3 stars. It seemed to be a personal experiment rather than a committed movie. Oh, well - curiosity satified. Waiting for "Take the Money and Run" to arrive.

I loved this movie, it made me laugh so hard...
It is a musical, and it is not a musical. There are songs in the movie, but it is not distracting from the movie, and the songs do not take up too much time. The movie is hallarious. The first time I saw this movie I was laughing for days. There is a scene where the girl is in the kitchen of her fathers house, heartbroken, singing a song about how she is "done with love". In the middle of the song it switches from the upper class white teenager and her tears to a black rapper who uses some of the same lyrics, but delevers it in a completely different manner. I had beer comming out of my nose I laughed so hard. This is a must see!

ONE OF WOODYS BEST
EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU. I can not believe I never saw this movie before. A musical comedy. It's now one of my favorite Woody pictures. Right up there with Love and Death, A Midsummer Nights Sex Comedy, Bloodhounds of Broadway, Manhattan and those other ones that I like. It was worth the price of admission just for the Hurray for Capt. Spaulding in FRENCH number ! Ooo LA LA . A party in Paris Xmas eve and EVERYONE as Groucho Marx. Woody Goldie Ed Drew ect... everyone EXCEPT for Allen Alda, how sweetly ironic that the man who did BAD Groucho imitations all thru MASH was sick in the hotel. NICE touch Woody. ... Read more

Description

LEAP OF FAITH stars Steve Martin as Jonas Nightengale, a fraudulent faith healer who makes a living visiting small towns and giving hope in the form of prayer. Aided by his no nonsense manager, Jane (Winger), Jonas sets up his tent in a small suburb of Kansas where he soon learns that their hidden mikes, cameras and computers can’t fool the neighborhood sheriff (Neeson).But, when Jonas is touched by a local waitress (Davidovich) and her disabled son Boyd (Haas), he learns something new about truth and what real miracles are made of. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

A Pleasant Surprise
I had never heard of this movie before I saw it and I wasn't expecting it to be any good--but it is. It's really, really good.
Considering the star status of Steve Martin (who turns out an extrodinary performance in this film) why has it been so overlooked? Martin plays "Jonas Nightengale", a glib traveling evangalist, faith healer, and con man. When one of his trucks breaks down in the impoverished town of Rust Water, Kansas, he sets up his tent and invites the town to a revival. The sheriff (Liam Neeson) is determined to stop Nightengale from seperating the poor and desperate people from what little money they have. At first this film appears to simply be a cynical expose of the tricks fraudulent preachers use to shake down their flocks. But as it progresses it reveals itself to be something much more complex and subtle. At one point Nightengale, when confronted as being a fake, replies, "What difference does it make as long as I get the job done?" Yet when a real miracle occurs, something he can niether explain or control, his lack of faith is shaken and he actually becomes angry with God. As in real life conversions, the film unexpectedly turns you around 180 degrees by the end.

Outstanding!!
This movie touches everyone who watches it. Some may not admit it but you sit through it without being touched you are dead or numb. Steve Martin is super as Jonas Nightingale, definitely an academy award performance. My personal favorite moment is the little comical dance he breaks into in the middle of his sermon. It always breaks me up each time I watch it and I have seen it many times. It is one of those movies you never seem to see enough. Liam Neeson is also great as the sheriff who is skeptical of Jonas and tries to bring him down. Everyone knows how great Debra Winger is and this one of her best efforts. A must for every serious movie lovers library.

The Well Known Correlation Between MEATLOAF & Word Of Faith!
Steve Martin is born to play the starring role of Jonas Nightingale, a travelling huckster, fraud of a faith healer, demon "caster outer", "slay in the spiriter" & more importantly, a money grubbing false prophet. Along with his no-nonsense sidekick manager, Jane, played aptly by Debra Winger, they bilk poor souls from a small town out of their hard earned cash with the oldest profession in the world. No, not prostitution. The selling of the Gospel Of Jesus Christ!

This film exhibits many word-faith doctrines such as "positive confession", "gospel of health", "gospel of wealth" and the whole "name it and claim it" belief. More imporantly, what it also has is some great smaller role performances given by Lolita Davidovich as waitress Marva, Lukas Haas as Boyd, Liam Neeson as Will, Philip Seymour Hoffman as Matt, and MEATLOAF as Hoover!

This movie also has a great soundtrack with samplings from Don Henley, Patti LaBelle, Wynonna Judd and of course, the great Meatloaf with "Paradise By The Dashboard Lights"!

Seriously though... This film has a great ending and shows what REAL MIRACLES are made of and EXACTLY where they are made...

A fun & entertaining family film!

Happy Watching!

WOW
What an awesome movie! I have already watched so many Steve Martin's movies but in this one he gives us the best performance ever.
Jonah, is a public religious speaker who goes from town to town to heal and give hope to people. A whole team works for him. His main assistant gathers and passes on the information to him about people in the audience. Everything she says he got it through the "GOD" (microphones in his ears)...

Very very very funny for us and very very very threatening and serious for phony people such as Benny Hinn and some other wackos like himself.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Phe-no-men-al!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This movie has been one of my favorites since it hit the big screen many years ago. Not that I am old now, but I was a very young person when it came out, and being an avid lover of Gospel music, I was truly taken back by the music that was apart of this movie. Many Gospel music notables such as Ricky Dillard (Choir director) and Albertina Walker (soloist) quickly caught my eye as the movie and plot began to develop. I would truly recommend this movie to those who love Gospel music, and even those who love Steve Martin. He did a phenomenal job of playing a minister and a con simultaneously. I applaud him!!!!! I urge anyone that reads this review and is contemplating purchasing this movie to do so with no hesitation. You will not regret it!!!!! ... Read more

Description

In TESTAMENT, an unexpected nuclear strike has occurred and no one knows who did it or why it happened.With her husband away on business, and now unable to be reached, Carol Weatherly must remain strong for the sake of her children.Things take a turn for the worse once food and other supplies become scarce. . The film is directed by Lynn Littman. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Not Your Usual End of the World Movie
As most every reviewer here mentions, this is a quietly powerful film. Jane Alexander gives an excellent performance as a mother trying to carry on after the most devastating of events. Perhaps limited by budget, we don't see any gruesome special effects, over-wrought portrayals of screaming mobs, or even an over-blown breakdown of society version in this movie.

And that's a good thing. By concentrating on character, the movie really packs a punch. We can really identify with the family who isn't even sure the father of the family, who may or may not have gone into the blast zone, is alive.

The theme of the movie, an unbelievable cataclysmic event that kills millions (or billions), is as topical as ever, with the continued proliferation of nuclear weapons. Not to mention the specter of bio-terrorism with its threat of an uncontained plague.

One comment I just have to make about the 'editorial review' in this case. The small town in question is just north of San Francisco. Sorry, but California isn't the 'Pacific Northwest'.

Highly recommended.

Anti-nuclear war film hits hard and personal
I saw the theatrically-released version of "Testament" in Berkeley California in the early 1980s. This was the era of the Nuclear Freeze and huge mass demonstrations against the Reagan government's unprecedented nuclear arms build-up. In the midst of all this landed "Testament", which is by leaps and bounds the most harrowing (and depressing) of any film dealing with nuclear war. After the movie, groups of people just huddled together outside, many weeping. This is strong medicine.

The movie is so sad it is almost unwatchable. The film follows one family's experience in a small Northern California town. Jane Alexander, future head and defender of the National Endowment for the Arts, plays the mother, alone with three school-age children, There are no fancy special effects; the bomb is a bright light through the window.

Somehow everyone has to keep going. One by one, people begin to miss work, students stop showing up at school. When a banana appears, you know its the last one, ever. The film's effectiveness is that we get to know the family and town, they are just ordinary people, and Alexander is a terrific Everymom. The school play scene is just about the saddist thing you will ever see on film.

The movie came out about the same time as the made-for TV, much hearalded ABC's "The Day After" which wowed with special effects and big-name stars, but suffered from poor character development. This movie is the opposite - we care too much about these people.

My friend (an anti-nuclear activist)who was with me at the theater surprised me by saying she thought the movie was calculating and manipulative. I have not made up my mind. Also, with the immediacy of nuclear war somewhat dimmed since the early 1980s, I'm not sure the movie will have the same impact.

Also in the same serious genre: "The War Game" and "Threads", which are British productions. "Testmanet" is the better of the three.

This Movie will stay with you for days!
You think Titanic and E.T. were sad? Watch this heartbreaking movie and you'll be depressed for days.i am not kidding. this is an excellant powerful movie that will stay in your mind. JAne alexander is a mother with her three children and husband living in CA. when her husband is away on a business trip the unthinkable happens. and soon people everywhere are dying of radiation. Watching Jane Alexander trying to keep her family together just touches your heart. Many parts of this movie stay with you that other people have mentioned. This is not a movie you could watch over and over. The music by james horner is beautiful and haunting as well. the few times i have seen this movie after it is over, i either have tears rolling down my face or i am sitting there in stunned silence. Mainly the first. This is a highly recommneded movie!

Great movie -- why isn't it on DVD?
Jane Alexander has never been a terribly show-offy actor, which is probably why she's more respected than recognized. And quite simply: if there is a better lead performance out there by an actor, male or female, than hers in this movie, I have not seen it.

"Testament" has the same basic story as "The Day After" (also a very good, powerful movie), but instead of focusing on several different sets of characters at once, it focuses on one family: the Wetherlys. This decision pays off. You are far more emotionally invested in the characters than you would be otherwise.

The Wetherlys are not sugary sweet, impossibly "good" people. They are just your typical family, with kids fighting and people getting on each other's nerves, but ultimately loving and close-knit.

Carol (Alexander) is literally forced to become the head of the family after the nuclear bombs fall (signified by a flash of light; this is obviously not a big-budget movie, but then again, lots of scenes of nuclear devastation would've only taken away from the intimate, human drama). However, she still holds out hope that her husband got out of the city before the bombs fell and is on his way back to them. She discovers otherwise in one of the most powerful scenes I have ever seen committed to film -- the more powerful because it is nonverbal and presented simply. Equally powerful are the scenes where Carol dashes through the house, madly seeking her youngest son's favorite stuffed animal, which she will not allow him to be buried without, and the scene where she tells her teenage daughter what it is like to make love.

Kevin Costner and Rebecca DeMornay give good performances as young parents who lose their infant to radiation sickness, but fortunately, their present-day stardom is not used to sell this film nowadays, at least not that I have seen. Though Jane Alexander inexplicably did not win an Oscar for this, it remains her film, but she doesn't dominate it so much that other actors (particularly those who play her children) cannot shine as well.

Best End of World Film there is; Excellent human drama
I remember seeing "The Day After" on TV in 1983 and was very unimpressed. Even with big names like Jason Robards and good FX you just didn't care about the characters. Testament, which came out also in 1983 was a MUCH different story. Jane Alexander stars as Carol Wetherly, a mother of a suburban California family, and the film starts out with the normalcy of family life. They are watching TV when all of a sudden the TV show goes dead, and a newscast comes on to say the East Coast has been hit with nuclear weapons. Just then a huge light comes through the window.

This is a realistic depiction of what a limited nuclear war might be like for the few survivors, and here we end up caring about the people of the small town and especially the family it's focused on. An old neighbor is a ham radio operator who has reached a few surviving communities, and we learn people are trying to get to Northern Canada where there are "survival camps". Other than that there is no info at all from the outside world. The town gradually sinks into darkness, oblivion, and radiation sickness, while Carol tries to keep it together for her kids. The father is played by William Devane (Marathon Man) and we see flashbacks from before the world was nuked. We don't learn exactly how the war happened other than theories.

One couple is well played by a young Kevin Costner and Rebecca DeMornay.

As the film ends Carol finally loses it and cries, "Who did this, God damn you!" a la Charleton Heston in the end of Planet of the Apes. There is one thing I'd like to see in an End-of-the-World film that's never really been explored: namely the philosophical implications of the world ending. I mean even in this great film, the characters are concerned with their immediate circumstance in their small community, not the bigger implications. Well maybe I'll write one with that theme myself.

Since the Cold War ended full scale nuclear war is unlikely, however individual nukes by terrorists are getting more and more of a possibility (9/11 proves they have the will to use them), not to mention the new "Powell Doctrine" of using tactical nukes in war. We all must work to make sure all governments know that "a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought" (that quote ironically comes from Mr. Nuke himself, Ronald Reagan).

There are some other good nuclear war films out there from 1963's Ladybird, Ladybird to 1959's On the Beach and 1967's British film The War Game. Also 1989's Miracle Mile is good, but more a satire than a drama. ... Read more

Description

Music Box provides celebrated director Costa-gavras another opportunity to weave a story of nail-biting suspense with frightening political overtones.In this intense courtroom thriller, Chicago attorney Ann Talbot (Jessica Lange) agrees to defend her Hungarian immigrant father mike Laszlo (Armin Mueller-Stahl) against accusations of heinous war crimes committed 50 years earlier.As the trial unfolds, Ann probes for evidence that will not only establish his innocence, but also lay to rest her own agonizing doubts about his past.When a hospitalized witness is suddenly located in Budapest, the trial moves to her father's homeland.Here crucial testimony plus Ann's personal investigation lead to astonishing results. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Why is this Widescreen film in Full Screen format????
This film contains the best performance of Jessica Lange's auspicious career hands down. This was also American audiences introduction to the wonderful Armin Mueller-Stahl in the role of Lange's father. Thank goodness I saw this film on the big screen, and then later on the Widescreen Laserdisc. I have never seen this film panned and scanned, and i refuse to now, even though it has been released on DVD. So, unless Artisan Home Video intends on re-releasing this outstanding film in the correct 2.35:1 aspect ratio and in the 16x9 format, they are not getting my money.

Format disappoints
Why does this DVD give only the version that is "formatted to fit your TV screen"? What a disappointment! I already owned the VHS tape and I had hoped for a widescreen version of this compelling movie on the DVD.

Tough to watch
If gritty and high strung drama is your bag, then The Music Box is a must see. I can remember the first time I saw it some five years ago. The ending left me all taut with the agony that Mrs. Talbot (Jessica Lange) must work through. The ultimate drama about the power of truth, hidden and revealed, the Music Box is a tense ride. Even the second time around.

Lange gives one of her most intense performances as a first generation American and hot shot lawyer who must defend her father against charges of bestial war crimes committed some fifty years ago in the glowing embers of a dying Europe. To be precise, in the then fascist satellite state of Hungary, then in the grips of Hitler wannabe, Andras Szalasi and his vicious band of goons, the Arrow Cross.

The ever professional Armin Mueller Stahl serves up a riveting performance as the refugee who sought American haven to hide his shameful secret. His character highlights the dark side of American immigration. People not only escaping poverty and prejudice, but justice and truth as well. Even Mr. Laszlo wants to believe that the American Dream can wipe his slate clean. But in vain, as his past closes in.

All the while, Lange bravely struggles to protect her beloved papa, refusing to see what is before her face. Yet, little by little, as the witnesses build up their mountain of irrefutable evidence, tears and all, doubt begins to creep in. Finally, she travels to Hungary, where the truth begins to unravel......and she is forced into the most painful of decisions.....the truth or her love for her father......

This film is quite cathartic and like the other Gravas masterwork, Missing, asks some difficult questions. Yet, unlike Missing, The Music Box gives us an answer. The truth shall set you free. And at great cost.

Despite its occasional heavy handedness, the Music Box is a sterling little drama that will leave you purged and cleansed. Like all good drama should!

Compelling Story
"The Music Box" is a wonderfully compelling story that highlights issues of personal integrity. In the lead role, Jessica Lange is faced with fundamental ethical quandries. Should she seek the truth? If the truth is harsh, should she face it or evade it? Should she excuse actions by one of her own that she would denounce in others? If you're one of the few looking life in the face, see "The Music Box."

When the past comes knocking, it isn¿t always Teleflora
What if your Dad, the loving and beloved head of your middle-class American family, was suddenly charged with war crimes? This is the scenario for THE MUSIC BOX, a 1990 release, in which Jessica Lange plays a criminal defense lawyer asked by her widower father to defend him against such charges being brought by the US government on behalf of Hungary. The father, played by Armin Mueller-Stahl, is alleged to have committed multiple atrocities as an officer of a neo-Nazi police unit in Budapest during World War II. A complicating element is the father's vocal anti-communism, for which, he claims, the Red regime back in the old country is masterminding a frame-up. (Remember, we're talking about bad ol' days of the Cold War here.) Anyway, the Old Man needs a hotshot attorney, so his dutiful and devoted daughter takes the case.

Another reviewer has concluded that the plot is "far-fetched". Hmm. I would think that those aging American residents who've actually been charged with Nazi war crimes during the past couple of decades might not find it so far-fetched at all. Some have even been deported. Perhaps he's referring to the storyline that calls for the accused to be defended by his own offspring. OK, that probably wouldn't happen in real life. But, what is an otherwise idle Hollywood screenwriter to do when called upon to help fabricate a box office success?

The plot's arguable implausibility aside, both Lange and Mueller-Stahl give forceful and bravura performances as two people caught up in the fading echoes of receding history. The final scene between the two should have earned Lange that year's Oscar, but sadly didn't. There're also some quite good visual images of Budapest, which, at the end of the Cold War when this film was shot, was probably the Eastern Bloc's most beautiful capital city.

Notwithstanding that I've always been a little in love with Jessica Lange ever since TOOTSIE, I liked this film a lot. "They" say you can't go back. But, sometimes past history comes to visit uninvited. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Set in Namibia?
This movie was filmed right near where I live and I'm really impressed with how it turned out. But I'm puzzled by why it says it takes place in North Africa... when actually it's South West Africa... but anyway, the photography is brilliant. The story is perhaps aimed more towards younger viewers, but it can still be enjoyed by the whole family.

A Triumph of Spirit
An inspiring tale of a young colt named Lucky who endures much tragedy -- separation from his mother, war and isolation-- before gathering the courage to roam free in the grueling African desert. Anyone who has ever pondered an animal's point of view will greatly appreciate Lukas Haas' narration as the inquisitive voice of Lucky. The pure and, ultimately, triumphant views of this sensitive equine are truly thought-provoking in a world where animals are often discarded. The sweeping cinematography of the African desert is stunning and, at times, reminiscent of "Lawrence of Arabia". The supporting cast is outstanding, especially Chase Moore as the young boy who strikes up an everlasting friendship with Lucky. Overall, "Running Free" is a beautiful film which touts the triumph of good over evil, and the persistence of will which allows the underdog to prevail. A word of caution to parents: a frightening war scene and a pair of violent horse fights may be too intense for young children. Otherwise, a highly recommended movie.

My kids loved it!
My six year old son is a horse lover, so we knew he would like the movie, but we didn't realize that he'd beg to see it over and over, for days. Afterwards, he and his younger brother would pretend they were the horses in the movie, and prance around the house with joy. My wife an I watched it a few times with them and thought it was great too; beautifully filmed.

NOT for sensitive veiwers
Overall, this movie was very enjoyable BUT it has some pretty disturbing scenes, that my young children found pretty upsetting. Be prepared to debrief little ones....

Unexpected Pleasure!
Caught this unexpected pleasure, on a motel room T.V.. It is a rare, fasinating, high quality Cinematography, educational for all ages, and a highly unusual "inside" look into a horse's world! I'm ordering one for Doc Beeman, who is a world known equine vet,and the rest as gifts to myself, and grandchildren. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Kurt Vonnegut is Better Read than Seen
For those who love Kurt Vonnegut, you would appreciate this movie, but only immediately after reading the book version. For those who haven't read the book "Breakfast of Champions", you will be utterly lost in this film.

Kurt Vonnegut stories are fantasies, written tongue-in-cheek with little reflection on reality. The characters are cartoon personifications of annoying people, and the setting is generally a middle-America, strip mall-saturated, consumer-ish nightmare. Just bringing the audience up to speed on the story environment is difficult to visually represent within the timeframe of an average movie.

The acting is done well, especially Albert Finney as Kilgore Trout, Vonnegut's alter ego that appears in many of his books. Bruce Willis does an adequate job as Dwayne Hoover as does Barbara Hershey as his wife, but the story didn't allow us understand them enough. Once again, putting a Vonnegut book to film and making it complete within 2 hours is, in my opinion, an impossible task.

But unlike most similar book-to-movie transitions, "Breakfast of Champions" holds true to the book, so much that it falls short of conveying the roles and motivations of the characters and circumstances. So once again, Vonnegut readers will be amused, but newbies will be befuddled.

...And Cut
You know, some books were never meant for the world of film. Despite how popular and well loved they may be by everyone, that doesn't mean it'll make a successful movie. "Breakfast of Champions" is a perfect example of this. While it proves to be a masterpiece in the written form, it ends up being one lousy film that tries so hard to be funny and fails almost every time.

The movie follows the basic premise of the book, but adds and changes things around (which I understand, because most of the stuff in that book wouldn't be able to translate on film--hence, why it should've never been done in the first place). Dwayne Hoover is a car dealer that everybody loves and trusts. Dwayne Hoover, is also losing his mind. From his pill-popping wife to his cross-dressing business buddy, Dwayne is losing his grip on reality on a daily basis. Soon, he will meet a sci-fi writer that nobody has ever heard of (except for one deranged fan), Kilgore Trout. Their meeting will be the final straw for Dwayne and chaos will be the aftermath.

What made the book so funny in the first place was the actual commentary by Vonnegut as the overall narrator. It wasn't necessarily funny only because of the characters and their actions, but mainly because of Kurt Vonnegut's voice. Of course, they have to do away with the narration in order to have it work on film. The problem is, however, it doesn't work. It feels like a bad imitation of "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." It's rarely funny nor is it strange, it's just plain annoying. The only way this film will be understood by others is if they have read the book ahead of time. And even if they've done that, they'll only end up being more ticked off at the debauchery that is the movie, "Breakfast of Champions." I wasn't expecting a dead-on adaptation, just something to do the book some kind of justice. Sorry to say, this film does no such thing.

The DVD has almost no special features, and for the first time ever--I could care less. In fact, I'd be even more ticked off if this DVD had tons of special features while other great movies have "doodley-squat" for special features.

"Breakfast of Champions," while a literary masterpiece, is a "fabulously well-to-do" dud as a movie. I can't even recommend this to people who haven't read the book, as they'll most likely despise it since they will have no idea what is going on. This movie is living proof that some timeless literary classics were never meant for the big screen. I think Vonnegut would agree with that. In fact, with all of the rants he does on entertainment, TV, and short attention spans, it wouldn't surprise me if Vonnegut structured the book to be un-filmable on purpose. Avoid it and stick to the book, if you want my honest opinion. -Michael Crane

Breakfast of Champions
This movie is hilarious. I saw it like 20 times before I read the book, and couldn't even really tell what it was about, but was intrigued by it nonetheless. Then I read the book, and realized what was going on, and it became 20 times better. All these naysayers don't know what they're talking about. Buy this movie, I've been trying to forever but no one has it but here. BUY BUY BUY!!!!

Terrible Movie in it's Own Medium
The movie is not as good as the book. It never is.
The movie does not closely resemble the book. It never does.

These are the most common complaints I have heard most people make against this film, but I am going to leave those things adside and judge the film simply as a comedy, but first a brief synopsis.

Wayne Hoover is a well to do car salesman in Midland city and he is having a very bad day. He is starting to see things that are really not there and hear voices that are really not there. He is going insane and he knows it.

Kilgore Trout is a sci fi writer who writes outrageous stories that appear in pornograpyh magazines. On the whim of one of his only fans he is invited to Midland city for an arts festival and decides to go. When Wayne and Kilgore meet all hell breaks loose.

The sad truth though is that all hell does not break loose as it should in a comedy like this. The performances are very subdued. For instance Wayne Hoover has a scene with an employee who is secretly a cross dresser about his clothing! What a hoot huh! Unfortunatley no, it is not a hoot it is barely even a chirp. I expected Wayne to jump up on the desk screaming and ranting as would befit a man going insane, but instead he calmly explains to his employee that he should wear more colorful clothes.

I rented this movie expecting a skillfully crafted black comedy, what I got was a gray farce. If you are renting this movie and you read the book you will be dissappointed. If you are renting this movie and you have not read the book you will be equally dissappointed, it is just all around bad.

As a comedy it comes up short. There are hardly any funny scenes. I do not recall laughing once.

Who said
"Illiterates need not apply"? They were right on. No this movie will not completely mimic the book, however, I think it does an excellent job of capturing the unique essence that is Vonnegut, on film. If you are familiar with Vonnegut's body of work, you will appreciate this film, and might even wet yourself laughing.

You either get it, or you don't. ... Read more

Description

A gritty and poignant look at the world of male prostitutes through the course of a single day on the streets - hustling for money and love while hoping for a little decency. A veteran male prostitute, John, befriends the new guy who looks to John for advice and friendship. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Touching Portrait of Street Hustlers
I was pleasently surprised after watching this film. I wanted to pick up Lukas Haas and hug him--he was so adorable. David Arquette did his finest work to date. Despite some very minor flaws in the plot, the overall effect of the movie lasts for days after you watch it. A must see!!

Slow but still good
The movement of the story is very slow. There are 10 chapters on the DVD. Around chapter 4 I thought I was near the end of the film.

The film doesn't pick up speed until the middle. Here, we finally get to see how all the hustlers are related to each other. Also, the two main characters reveal a lot of themselves. We learn at how Donner's (Lukas) family mistreated him when he decided to stop hiding. And we learn about how sad John (David) is about the unfortunate placement of his birthday on the calandar.

The movie is actually better with the commentary on. But, you should see the film as is first before you watch it with the commentary.

All in all, this film isn't bad. I think it is best viewed when you borrow your friends DVD of this movie. It will not bore you, but you won't have any trouble hitting pause to go to the bathroom, or talk to friends, or answer the phone, or do anything. This film is really for those that LOVE independent films.

Closer to life than most would like
Anyone want to catch a glimpse of what happens to kids who are neglected or rejected by their families? Then you need to check out this movie. While incredibly tame compared to real life, it at least takes the average "john" into a pseudo world of the streets, and the actors are excellent in their roles. I have watched this movie SEVERAL times and have cried at the end each time. While I agree that it is a dramatic close-to-life rendition, and many want a fantasy world in which to escape when watching a movie, it also has a great message, one which you must find for yourself. I believe this is why no other character has a background, save the one, so that each viewer can find themselves in one of the characters. I love David Arquette in this movie...he reminds me a lot of a close personal friend.
Oh, yea, and most of them don't work because they have been on the streets since a very young age. They have few skills, no address or phone number, and perhaps are even a bit scared. My advice, watch this without the rose colored glasses.

Endlessly, relentlessly downbeat
This is not the worst gay-themed movie out there, but it IS among the most depressing. It's about two young guys reduced to hustling on Santa Monica Boulevard. Lukas Haas is reasonably convincing as the teenage cast-out looking for someone to care for irritating. In fact, he's supposed to be straight, and even has a girlfriend, but services middle-aged gay men for money. It's never explained why he doesn't just get a job (his character is a legal adult) and leave that life behind. If the movie did, then I must have dozed off before the story got to that. I really began to lose track after the fancy hotel scene. The locations are authentic, and there are a couple of mildly entertaining scenes here and there. But nearly every moment of this film is downbeat and never gave me any reason to care. The film's endless self-pity inspires depression, followed by boredom, sometimes followed by falling asleep. The only thing the film succeeds in is illistrating the point that prostitution is a dead-end life, but it's never enlightening or compelling in the process. Too bad.

Bittersweet Drama
Arquette at his dramatic best. Haas shines too in this bittersweet drama told on stark sets with painfully true dialogue. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Not the Movie for Everyone, but Loved by Some
This movie has been panned by countless critics and dissed by even more amateurs all of whom have underappreciated its beautiful subtlety. I'll readily admit that the plot, which often seems to be nonexistant, is annoyingly vague, based on a short story that provides the basis for pretty much only the first ten minutes of the film. But it is an interesting starting point.

Much like she did in her previous (and more widely appreciated) film "My New Gun", director Stacy Cochran sets up the idea: What would happen if an outsider (the elusive, lovely, and slightly dangerous Patty, played by Winona Ryder) were to literally fall into the anxiety-ridden, closed world of a boys prep school. This recurring theme of the influence of an outsider plays out just as it did in "My New Gun," with the main character experiencing a liberating revelation through contact with a mysterious intruder. Imaginative schoolboy John, played by Lucas Haas, is inspired by Patty to leave his life of frustration at the school and defy his oppressive father. After some of the plot details work themselves out, this film ends suddenly. Both "Boys" and "My New Gun," though superficially such different stories, end on the same note of jubilant, romantic defiance.

"Boys" is not for everyone. This is a slow, meandering study of an improbable situation. Its plotlessness makes the actors performances all the more impressive. Ryder and Haas handle the difficult material with maturity and subtlety. A word of praise for excellent cinematography as well- the light and colors of autum permeate every scene with an unforgettable moodiness.

Good movie
An interesting concept, Once again Winona Ryder shows what a great actress she is

A little boring...but otherwise ok
Like I said before, a little bit boring but otherwise ok. This movie was hard to understand and I didn't get the plot at all. What I am looking for is the name of that one hot blonde dude that was a friend of John Baker's in this movie? Also, where can I find some pics of him? Anyone know, please e-mail me at icycool7227@aol.com. Thanks!!

It Is What It Is...
Winona Ryder plays Patty Vare, a troubled young woman with a dangerous secret. Lukas Haas plays John Baker, a prep school student straining against the restrictive and highly rarified lifestyle forced upon him by his ambitious father. Patty recieves a visit from the police and immediately afterward goes for a ride, but in her distracted state of mind winds up falling off her horse. When Baker finds her unconscious in a field, he decides to take her back to his dorm room (Patty comes around just long enough to tell him "no doctors" then conveniently swoons again). While Baker's attempts to keep Patty safe from his marauding dormmates escalate, Patty periodically flashes back on the event that led to her hiding out in a dorm in the first place.

All of the actors in this film do a good job with what they have to work with. The cinematography is lovely. The plot, unfortunately, is thin, improbable and increasingly incoherent. This is not a film to watch for the sheer joy of witnessing marvelous storytelling. This is a film to watch when you're feeling nostalgic for the Gen X heyday of the mid-90's. Winona Ryder, with all of the opposites she is able to encompass (waifish and voluptuous, little-girl-lost and Charlie-girl-who-knows-what-she-wants, Prep School Queen and Goth Princess) is the ultimate Gen X heroine, and Haas, who is sensitive but edgy here, makes a good Gen X hero. The soundtrack is pure mid-90's alternative pop-rock -- soaring guitars and wistful lyrics, all performed by bands you've probably never heard of but whose members you probably have. The clothing and hairstyles worn by the actors scream "'90's!" as loudly as any John Hughes film heralds the '80's -- for instance, Patty starts the film wearing minimalist styles in somber colors but eventually puts on some of Baker's casual clothes and winds up looking grunge.

All things considered, the film's story is too confusing to be truly enjoyable, but the mood is palpable and might be enough to hold your attention on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Terrible story -- excellent time capsule.

Tries to do everything - Winds up doing nothing!
Have you ever been in a situation where you want to do several things but you become so uncertain as to what to do you wind up doing nothing?

That is the problem with Boys. Is it going to be a crime drama? A teenage sex comedy? A coming of age film? A youth in revolt film?

Whoever made the film could not decide what it was supposed to be about, end result it does a little of everything, and a lot of nothing!

It is a classic jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none situation.

Give me Dead Poets Society any day of the week! ... Read more

Amazon.com

For Ursula Le Guin's devoted following, the 2002 remake of the 1980 film based on her novel may not be the stuff dreams are made of. This new adaptation omits some of the original's most memorable developments (the racially equalized "grays" and the alien invasion). Lucas Haas stars as George Orr, a "little lost boy" haunted by his dreams, which, he claims, alter the present unbeknownst to anyone but him. James Caan (more menacing than was Kevin Conway in the original) costars as the self-promoting Dr. Haber, the therapist assigned to treat the suicidal young man. This "very productive relationship" most benefits Haber, who attempts to manufacture George's dreams "to fit some useful function." The requisite unforeseen consequences ensue. Lisa Bonet is ravishing, but less impressive as George's skeptical public defender who may be the girl of his dreams. The foreboding mood is enhanced by Angelo Badalamenti's score, which recalls his haunting work on Twin Peaks. --Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Shattered Spirits
This film depicts substance abuse, domestic violence, co-dependancy in the family. Very powerful, very accurate.

Tough Love, straight up!
"Shattered Spirits" is the best movie I've ever seen in a High School Health Class.

Martin Sheen stars as an alcholic father, while M.I.F. Hall-of-Famer Melinda Dillon desperately tries to hold the family together in the wake of dad's inebriated rampages.

The film is pretty good (if vaguely TV-movie-ish), particularly when Martin Sheen tells his son that he's going into a bar to meet a buddy, and comes out six hours later! Was the "buddy" named Jack Daniels?

However, I did resent watching the movie a bit--I sat next to the class cutie, and we'd struck up a nice little in-class friendship. So for three days, the lights were off and we weren't allowed to talk. Thanks a lot!

Even so, it definitely opened up an important discussion about alcoholism. I have a weakness for Newcastle Brown Ale, but I try to remember the lesson in moderation that Martin Sheen taught me.

This will sneak up on you!
This film was first shown on TV at the boomtime of recovery when Betty Ford was pushing for recovery for families affected by addiction. The story portrays a middleclass family hiding dad's (Sheen's) alcoholism and sliding down the slope of denial. The reactions of the family to crises and the roles they each fall into are so accurately done that the viewer can get way into his/her own alcoholic upbringing and pain before they are aware of it.
I have shown this at several gatherings and it never fails to shake some people up seriously. Kids are especially vulnerable in their teen years. But entire families can get very agitated during the viewing.
So I would recommend that anyone showing or viewing this film be prepared to deal with some extreme reactioons for several days afterwards. Don't just show this and send your guests home. Instead have a discussion and a followup trip to a meeting of Alateen, Al-Anon or AA.
BUT SHOW IT!

Shattered Spirits
This was an excellent movie. The acting was superb & the Directing was great! I hope that it helped many people to see & understand what ANY addictive behavior can do to everyone; families, friends, & themselves. Just a footnote--I hope people enjoyed seeing my cat in this movie as it was filmed just across the street from our home in Simi Valley. :) Also, I would love to have an AFFORDABLE copy of this great film. Thank You :o)

Very Accurate and cathartic for Alcoholic Families
The story is full of those disturbing yet common events which plague families struggling with Alcoholism. The folks who consulted on this film (Claudia Black for one - Authoer of some of the best recovery books for kids) did a great job of keeping the alcoholic insanity just high enough to really affect anyone who grew up with an alcoholic parent. The scenes are well constructed and the outcome is not sugar coated. ONE WARNING...don't just show this to a group or a friend or a bunch of kids thinking they'll like it. There will need to be some help and comfort offered. Some people will discover their own alcoholic and/or abusive past for the first time During the showing. Find out where there are Al-Anon, Alateen, and AA meetings BEFORE you show the film. But SHOW IT! ... Read more

Amazon.com

This overrated period comic-drama, set in Georgia in the 1930s, featured the first mother-daughter team to be nominated for acting Oscars in the same year. Laura Dern plays a free-wheeling young woman who is taken in as a domestic by an upper-class family, headed by Robert Duvall and Diane Ladd (Dern's real-life mother). Rose, who tends to let her sexual urges get the best of her, scandalizes everyone in three counties (including Duvall and Lukas Haas, who plays his son) with her willing spirit. Do those kind of loose morals warrant court-ordered sterilization? Or does this young woman just need a guiding hand? While many fell for this cornpone shtick, directed by Martha Coolidge, it's a hard movie to cozy up to because Rose is such a caricature and the rest of the characters (with the exception of the always exceptional Duvall) are such sticks. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (10)

In defense of Laura Dern!
I must disagree with the reviewer who so strongly criticized Laura Dern's performance. While it is true that 'Rambling Rose' has its weaknesses (the abrupt, rather unexplained ending, for one thing), I found the story line humorous and even charming. Dern's performance made the movie, in my opinion! Diane Ladd overacts a bit, as usual, but this is a minor flaw with the film as a whole. What stuck with me was Dern's 'little girl lost' expression mixed with her coy devil-may-care flirtation, which made for an entirely winning performance. I loved the music too!

Akin to starting a leaf blower near killer bees
Societies regard single, attractive, sexually available women with both idolization and uneasiness. The lust, envy, jealousy and otherwise tumultuous passions surrounding their passage through the populace can be disruptive of societal bonds, e.g. by "homewrecking", even though no fault of their own. One reason why the concept, at least, of marriage is valued so highly is that this cultural arrangement takes the problematic single female out of circulation, so to speak. And, social pressures cause opprobrium to be heaped on "loose women", even by the very men who are drawn to them. Of course, the feminist correctly sees these attitudes as blatantly sexist. However, even western culture's most chauvinistic pig is likely to regard the veiling and segregation of women in fundamentalist Islamic societies, for example, as an unacceptably extreme manifestation of those same attitudes.

RAMBLING ROSE takes a compassionate look at the phenomenon of social turbulence caused by an "unattached" woman. Rose, flamboyantly played by Laura Dern, is the blithe, single, 19-year old girl invited to live with a very proper Southern family in the mid-1930s. The family, offering Rose help at this difficult time in her life, includes Daddy (Robert Duvall), Mother (Diane Ladd, Dern's real-life mother), and 13-year old Buddy (Lukas Haas). Rose, already possessing a checkered history acquired with unspecified men, is a sexual "free spirit", who proceeds to cause hormonal havoc in the town's male population. Even Daddy is bewitched. To Buddy, Rose is, unsurprisingly, the godsend of a new awareness. Of the adults, only Mother, recognizing Rose as essentially guileless, staunchly defends her as the repercussions of the Siren's residence start to add up.

A better film on much the same theme is Y2K's MALENA - a superb Italian production. Nonetheless, RAMBLING ROSE is