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From its first gliding aerial shot of a generic suburban street, American Beauty moves with a mesmerizing confidence and acuity epitomized by Kevin Spacey's calm narration. Spacey is Lester Burnham, a harried Everyman whose midlife awakening is the spine of the story, and his very first lines hook us with their teasing fatalism--like Sunset Boulevard's Joe Gillis, Burnham tells us his story from beyond the grave.

It's an audacious start for a film that justifies that audacity. Weaving social satire, domestic tragedy, and whodunit into a single package, Alan Ball's first theatrical script dares to blur generic lines and keep us off balance, winking seamlessly from dark, scabrous comedy to deeply moving drama. The Burnham family joins the cinematic short list of great dysfunctionalAmerican families, as Lester is pitted against his manic, materialistic realtor wife, Carolyn (Annette Bening, making the most of a mostly unsympathetic role) and his sullen, contemptuous teenaged daughter, Jane (Thora Birch, utterly convincing in her edgy balance of self-absorption and wistful longing). Into their lives come two catalytic outsiders.A young cheerleader (Mena Suvari) jolts Lester into a sexual epiphany that blooms into a second adolescence. And an eerily calm young neighbor (Wes Bentley) transforms both Lester and Jane with his canny influence.

Credit another big-screen newcomer, English theatrical director Sam Mendes, with expertly juggling these potentially disjunctive elements into a superb ensemble piece that achieves a stylized pace without lapsing into transparent self-indulgence. Mendes has shrewdly insured his success with a solid crew of stage veterans, yet he's also made an inspired discovery in Bentley, whose Ricky Fitts becomes a fulcrum for both plot and theme. Cinematographer Conrad Hall's sumptuous visual design further elevates the film, infusing the beige interiors of the Burnhams' lives with vivid bursts of deep crimson, the color of roses--and of blood. --Sam Sutherland ... Read more

Reviews (1022)

Astonishing
This is one of the truly rare films that works brilliantly on every possible level. As a satire, it delves deep into the heart of society, and illuminates the strong undertones of resentment, despair and desire that flourish beneath glossy facade of American life. It displays the reasons why so many lives unfold without any happiness, because people choose to live without going after their dreams and ambitions. On the other side "American Beauty" is also a modern tragedy, a story of one man's search for identity and freedom, and the way he profoundly impacts the people around him. The film slowly unravels the masks people where, and explores the moral obscurity and emotional chaos they could plunge into when they decide of follow their heart instead of their conscience. Kevin Spacey is phenomenal as Lester Burnham, his performance is 100% worthy of an Oscar. Alan Ball's script never ceases to amaze me, it's abundance of shrewd observations and insights is something to marvel at. Visually, the film is stunning, it's imagery is nothing short of cinematic poetry, you will find yourself in awe in every frame, every moment. "American Beauty" never shies away from reality, no matter how sad, and in the end, you will find yourself looking at the things that surround you with a whole new outlook. This is a truly remarkable film, one of the decade's best.

Visually stunning and utterly repellent.
There's a scene in American Beauty in which a teenaged boy is found filming a dead bird by two girls his age. They ask him why, and he explains, "Because it's beautiful." That's one opinion: another, which also applies to "American Beauty," is that no matter how beautifully you light, film and score it, something foul and rotten is still foul and rotten.

Director Sam Mendes is clearly gifted; cinematographer Conrad Hall's use of color and light is stunning; the music is haunting, and the cast talented, and even Alan Ball's script shows a deliberate intelligence too many movies lack. But none of these elements can disguise the fact that this movie is sad, cynical and sick at heart. It's a mean-spirited chronicle of suburbia as hell which tries to patch itself over with a feel-good moral and fails utterly.

With the possible exception of one semi-redeeming choice Kevin Spacey's character makes at the end of the film, none of the main characters exhibit any likeable or even remotely worthwhile traits. Spacey's Lester Burnham goes from being a wimp to an arrogant lecher; Annette Benning as his wife is a shrill Martha Stewart caricature; Mena Suvari, as Burnham's teenaged lust object, is profoundly unlikeable; Thora Birch's daughter character is selfish and sullen; her creepy love interest, boy-next-door Wes Bentley, deals drugs when he's not filming her obsessively. Then there's Bentley's abusive ex-Marine dad... the list goes on and on.

No one is having a good time in American Beauty. Everyone is miserable. And the one person who figures out a way to escape that misery is horribly dead soon after. There is a worthwhile message in American Beauty, as well as one utterly lovely scene involving nothing more than a videotape of a windblown plastic bag. But the brighter elements of this movie feel hastily tacked on to its warped, unrealistically dark world view, and in the end they cannot compensate for the utter, gaping landfill where this film's moral center ought to be.

An amazing film
I thought this movie was awful. It's amazing to me how anyone could like this. I couldn't wait for it to be over. I had to rate it when I saw how many people thought it was a masterpiece? This simplistic piece of badly acted crap? The situaion with the father and the teenage girl is almost child pornography.

AN EXQUISITE AFFIRMATION OF LIFE
On the surface, this stunner from Sam Mendes is such a relentlessly bleak look at the vacuity of the supposed "American Dream" that viewers may just turn off to it en masse. And it shows in the acute polarization of reviews here on Amazon.

But if you can be a little less knee-jerk and not shut off all rational thought when confronted with what's disturbingly familiar, you may also find that the film is genuinely, voraciously amusing, and directed with such breathtaking flair that Spacey's bravura performance seems like a career-defining one.

Beneath the surface of all the seeming pettiness in our daily idiosynchrasies, the theme points out, is an entire world of such simple elegance that chortles to be seen and heard, but is neither recognized nor heeded to.

An interesting visual device in the film is the use of windows. Not just a use, but a splurge, come to think of it. Almost everything important happens in front of, around, or through windows. Could this be a metaphor perhaps for self-examination, for viewing one's life from the outside?

What I do not understand is why most films in this genre (Ice Storm, Ordinary People) end with a dramatically tragic finale. Does it take a shattering turn of events to break everyone out of their daily reverie? Something to think about.

Any rate, long story short: an evocative gem you need to own.

There is only one word for this movie..... PERFECT
I've seen a lot of Hollywood crap, and I was just getting sick of that whole movie industy when I happened to see American Beauty. I'm a story-line fanatic and I've seen way too many stupid blunders on most movies, but this one was just flawless.
It was absolutely perfect. In fact, the only camparable movie to this one was that Korean film, Old Boy. ... Read more

Reviews (817)

I Found A GREAT Film in "Finding Nemo"!
Disney's PIXAR studios have re-defined the world of animation time and again with their many film efforts. Such movies as "Toy Story," "Toy Story 2," "A Bug's Life" and "Monsters Inc." have introduced audiences around the world to the potential of computer animations as a medium for creating the "next generation" cartoon.

But nothing yet compares to the unparalleled quality of animation, storytelling and pure magic that was produced in their most recent effort "Finding Nemo".

The story centers around a clown fish whose son is taken by divers somewhere off the coast of Sydney, Australia. Marlin, father to Nemo, is an overly protective dad who will do anything to keep his son from danger. You see, his mate and all their other offspring were lost when they were attacked by another fish. So in a desperate act to save his one remaining child, Marlin sets out across the ocean to rescue his son.

The movie brings the ocean to life with rich, vibrant colors that are serene and immensely beautiful. The close attention to detail in this film gives the settings, characters, indeed the entire film, a level of depth and quality not commonly seen in a "cartoon". The animation is so completely convincing that viewers often lose sight of the fact that they are watching a cartoon and instead they become immersed in the beautifully detailed world created by this team of animators from Pixar.

The movie has many wonderful characters created by a cast of all star talent. Marlin is played by Albert Brooks, whose voice has so much inflection in it that he gives a vitality to the character that equals or surpasses the animation of his character. Ellen Degeneres plays "Dory", an absent-minded lady fish who serves as Marlin's companion on his adventure and serves much of the comic relief of the film. Other celebrites making an appearance in this film include: William Defoe as Gill, and Geoffery Rush as Nigel, an empathetic pelican who helps save the day.

The movie mixes humor with human emotion, giving "Nemo" a vitality most animated films lack in this current medium. The film is at once touching and compassionate, clever, witty and funy, combining tongue-in-cheek humor with a tender honesty that will make all audiences young and old a fan of this film.

The DVD set contains enough extras to keep families entertained for hours, even after the film itself has ended. Provided in this collection are both wide screen and full screen editions of the film, along with several shorts from Pixar studios, and a particularly memorable and entertaining short documentary "Exploring the Reef", which stars Jean-Michael Costeau (son of famed undersater explorer Jacque Costeau), as well as some of "Finding Nemo" favorites.

So, for those of you who have reservations about watching a "kids" movie, set them aside and give this one a chance. It is really a film for all ages, with enough humor, action, adventure and entertainment to provide entire families with an experience not soon to be forgotten.

Scott Kolecki

Pleasing, funny family film
Finding Nemo was one of last summer's big box office smashes and, given the success of past Pixar movies, and the cool image portrayed by this movie, it's easy to see why. The story has Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) trying to find his only son Nemo after he is scooped up by a scuba diver and forced to live in a dentist's aquarium. Along the way Marlin meets with mild-mannered Dory (Ellen Degeneres), who can't remember things for more than a few minutes, but has a heart of gold.

And there we have it, a simple journey plot through the ocean, meeting weird and wonderful creations courtesy of the wonderful special effects at Pixar. They really are incredible - the water effects especially are brilliant. Remember when Monster's Inc came out and the big development was the minute details of Sulley's fur. Well, this is even better technically. However, there's a certain breed of familiarity here that makes you think that the people at Pixar are capitalising on their previous films' success, because Finding Nemo is probably the least distinguishable of the lot. Of course, the Toy Story movies have already deservedly achieved classic status, but the key different between the previous Pixar movies and Finding Nemo is that they focus a lot less on the adult audience and more on the children. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, because as a kid's film Nemo is fantastic, and much more endearing than something like Shrek which, although good, was never really as layered as Toy Story. For instance, all of the characters are endlessly endearing; from the cute little Nemo, to the lost Dory to Squirt, the baby turtle. This isn't to say Nemo doesn't have its flairs. There are a few more adult jokes along the way, not least a group of sharks professing that fish are friends and not food, desperately trying to rid themselves of their stereotypes. The turtles using 'surfer' talk are also very well observed. Add to the mix a great turn by Willem Defoe as Gill, a hard-bitten aquarium fish who helps Nemo escape, Geoffrey Rush as a pelican, manic seagulls screeching 'Mine, Mine!' and you've got an effective engaging movie. Still, it's a shame that every Pixar film will live with the shadow of its predecessor hanging over it, especially when this is a brilliant family movie, but the nagging resonance of the brilliant Toy Story is always in your head.

It should be called EATING NEMO.
If I sit through Finding Nemo ever again, I swear I will shoot myself.
It is probably the worst movie I've ever seen, with jokes that lead nowhere.
Althought the animation was pretty good, a cutsie aspect was terrible and pretty unbelievable.
Monsters Inc was better for the kids and adluts.
Im sick and tired of people saying that Finding Nemo is the best Disney....ARE THEY FORGETTING THE LION KING and other classic such as Beauty and The Beast, Aladdin and Sleeping Beauty.

This movie so totally rocks!
From the very begining, as every Disney Pixar movie does, Finding Nemo touches your heart. This is a very heart warming wonderful tale of a clown fish boy and his father, who go through two quite magnificent journeys. Along the way they run into some wonderful fun loving characters, who you can really relate to in your own life. This movie is great for the whole family and has something for everyone adventure, action, and plenty of comedy. It has a great all star cast. Finding Nemo will keep you glued to the screen unto the very end. Thank you to Disney and Pixar for another well put together masterpiece!

PIXARS BEST!
THIS MOVIE WAS WONDERFUL!ME AND MY BROTHER WATCH IT ALL THE TIME!A GREAT MOVIE FOR AGES 2 AND UP! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The African Queen meets Swept Away in this sometimes labored romantic comedy by director Ivan Reitman. Fortunately, he cast an old pro in Harrison Ford, as Quinn Harris, a South Seas charter pilot who must ferry New York fashion editor Robin Monroe (Anne Heche) from one island to another--a hop that falls flat when they fly into a mammoth storm that causes them to crash on a deserted island. The pair resent and resist each other, until they are forced to team up to escape from the island--and some modern pirates who want their heads. If that part of the story is unconvincing, you can always focus on the smoldering comic chemistry between Heche, who displays strong comic instincts, and the ever-reliable Ford. The script is just an excuse for these two flinty characters to strike increasingly romantic sparks off each other, which is always enjoyable to watch. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (97)

A flight into fantasy
Castaway movies are fun. They have to be or no-one would watch them. Given transparent plots and inevitable circumstances, characterization is all that remains to redeem them. The choice of Harrison Ford as lead was inspired in this film. Too many Ford roles seem below abilities exhibited elsewhere, but he carries this one well. As his foil Anne Heche was a pleasant surprise. She displays an exceptional talent, even in a role nearly doomed by the trite story. They make a great castaway team, bringing some engrossing subtleties to play.

Ford's an island hopping pilot in the Western Pacific, ferrying passengers and cargo as opportunity arises. It's not an easy life, nor financially rewarding, but there are benefits. There's the scenery, including the human type. There's freedom. And there's flying. Ford as the pilot of a DeHavilland Norseman brilliantly takes on the role every pilot, even of only a four seater, must assume - he's "the captain". Inevitably, that brings him into conflict with Heche's part as the modern, corporate, self-assertive woman. It's a beautifully portrayed clash, fully liberating this film from the mundane. In the best scene in the film, Ford's actually invisible as he tries to regain control over events.

Survival, however, means teamwork and the pair do settle down to the business of escape or rescue. Heche's arrogance virtually eliminates the second option, and the arrival of some unwelcome visitors nearly obviates the first. But the team is now functional and they evade an unhappy fate through cooperative effort. The suspense builds nicely until that situation is resolved. The collective action reaches a fever pitch [when do they eat?] as they strive to engineer an escape. The mechanism of their return to the resort might be considered contrived if some astute producer hadn't settled on the choice of the Norseman as Ford's aircraft. No other airplane could have survived the indignities this film bestows on it.

There's really only one other meaningful character in this film. David Schwimmer is a perfect Frank Martin as Heche's fiancee. And why not? He's simply playing himself with no acting involved. He doesn't need to develop any skills if the directors continue to run him in similar roles. Schwimmer's typecasting was done in an iron foundry. Fortunately, the role is needed, so we can't argue that he detracts from the film or story. The fine job done by Ford and Heche nearly make Schwimmer superfluous, but Heche needs him to set her character properly.

This film seemed pretty lightweight at first look, but is well worth repeats. It's entertainment value has few peers in the type and the scenery alone is worth review. It's still a mystery, however, as to why Bob Marley was chosen for the closing music. Perhaps the producer, having shot his bolt in selecting the Norseman, thought the story takes place in the Caribbean.

Predictable, but still fun...
"Six Days, Seven Nights" is a light, romantic, comedy adventure, that follows a familiar formula. A crusty older man, and a younger woman, who come from different worlds, are brought together by circumstances, and then something special "happens".

Harrison Ford plays "Quinn Harris", a no frills free lance pilot operating his small plane between tropical islands in the South Pacific. Anne Heche is "Robin Monroe" a magazine writer from NY, on vacation with her fiancé Frank (David Schwimmer), on the island of Makatea. When she unexpectedly needs transportation to Tahiti to get an interview, she reluctantly hires Ford to fly her there. Running into bad weather, the plane is forced down, and crash lands on the beach of the proverbial "uncharted island".

Surviving the crash, the pair begin the task of survival, getting on each other's nerves while exploring their lush surroundings. Much of this film was shot on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, and we are treated to some truly beautiful topical scenes. Pirates unexpectedly appear offshore, breaking their solitude and forcing them into a different kind of survival mode. Finding the wreckage of a plane in the jungle, gives Quinn the material he needs for a dangerous attempt at a return to civilization.

The movie finishes in a predictable fashion, but could it ever be any other way? Logical or not, love will find a way, at least according to Hollywood. This formula works again, because of the charm and chemistry of the two stars. When this was released, it was already common knowledge that Heche and Ellen DeGeneres were a couple. This may influence how you view her performance. I found Anne Heche totally convincing, charming, and cute to boot. Heche's and Harrison's acting styles complement each other, and they really benefit from some very clever dialog, and the direction of Ivan Reitman. There is no denying that Ford (56 when this was made), is slowing down a bit, but though a bit grizzled, he still has the ability to take command of the screen, either with his physical presence, or his boyish charm.

If a sappy romance between an older stud and an intelligent young woman doesn't turn you off, by all means give this a chance.

Great movie
Litte late to be reviewing this, I don't own the movie, but I've rented it a few times, it's about 2 people being stranded on an island after crashing in a plane in a heavy storm, and they have to survive for six days, and seven nights, this movie is a great adventure, and also funny in some parts, check it out today, if you haven't seen it already.

Can't Believe It ... I love This movie
I was very sceptical about Anne Heche as an actress in a romantic comedy role but, her quick feisty wit is the perfect foil to Ford's more deadpan humor. This movie is so much fun that my wife and I now watch it at least 3-4 times year. The south seas setting feels mighty good too on a MN winter movie night.

If you enjoyed movies like; Romancing The Stone, Crocodile Dundee, Hopscotch, and The Electric Horseman then you'll love this movie too.

EXCELLENT!!!!!!
Harrison Ford & Anne Heche hit the bullseye on this one! ... Read more

Reviews (362)

Nothing To Hate About This Movie
Teen movies. Some are good. Some are bad. I'm a big lover of the 80's teen movies, and can only bare a few of the modern day ones. This is one I really like. I was pleasantly surprised when I first saw this cute, charming movie. Joseph Gordon Levitt("3rd Rock From The Sun") plays Cameron. He has moved to Seattle and is the new kid in school. He quickly befriends a geek(David Krumholtz from "The Santa Clause"), who gives him the run down of the school and it's students. Cameron falls madly in love with Bianca Stratford(Larissa Oleynick, who, coincidentally, played his girlfriend for a while on "3rd Rock"). Bianca is a the quintessential popular, beloved, rich girl who is untouchable. Cameron makes it his mission to get to her. Then there is Bianca's sister Kat(Julia Stiles). She is the 'Anti-Bianca'. She is tough, sharp mouthed, and generally hates people. Their dad, who is played the always watchable Larry Miller, makes a deal with his daughters. Bianca can date as soon as Kat does. Bianca is upset because Kat doesn't want to date. This begins Cameron's mission. He and his friend enlist a tough, brooding guy named Patrick(Heath Ledger)to start wooing Kat, for cash, supplied by empty, pretty boy Joey(Andrew Keegan of "7th Heaven").If he succeeds, then Cameron can date Bianca. Naturally, things get complicated and awful before they can get better and work out for everyone involved. The film is based on William Shakespeare's "The Taming Of The Shrew". Julia Stiles was first noticed with this film. There is something so intoxicating about her. She has a special quality to her that is irresistable. Her smile is a wondrous thing. She is a star. The movie is very funny, and surprisingly funny in some ways. The dialogue is pretty clever, sharp, and well written. It is head and shoulders above most teen comedies of the last decade. The actors are all well suited for their roles and are enjoyable to watch. Larissa Oleynick is as cute as a bug. Allison Janney from "The West Wing" has a hilarious, but all too brief role as the school's guidance councelor who is in the middle of writing a trashy sex novel. David Leisure also appears as the gym teacher. It is unfair that this movie has to have the tag of "teen movie" attached to it. To some people, that equals poison. Especially in this day and age. I'm telling you right now people, this movie is better than that. This is enjoyable for any age. It's funny, cute, and has more depth and intelligence than most of these movies combined. If only all teen movies of this modern era could be as delightful as this one. There are many things to like about this movie, but the 10 things I love about this movie are:Julia Stiles, Julia Stiles, Julia Stiles, Julia Stiles, Julia Stiles, Julia Stiles, Julia Stiles, Julia Stiles, Julia Stiles, Julia Stiles. Sorry.

Worthy of being in the genre of 'teen'...
After continuous teen movies with a popular girl, the popular girl's clique, the jock who wants the girl, and the boys who help the jock get the popular girl, of course let's not forget the famous shocking prom night and a kiss before the credits (seems familar?), I think the young generation, or any generation for that matter, is a little exhausted from the usual routine. In this highly acclaimed 'teen' movie, influenced by the comedy Taming of the Shrew written by William Shakespeare, the routine is still on, but with a new and refreshing twist. With unfamiliar, yet talented new faces, this brand spankin' new cast is entertaining from beginning to end.
Newcomers Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger light up the screen as the potential couple who incidentally fall for each other. The stratford sisters live under strict rules stated by their strict, humorous father: Bianca, the younger, outgoing sister, cannot date until her older, anti-social sister Kat (with the perfect I-hate-the-world attitude) decides to date. As soon as Bianca attracts two fellow students, their plans on finding Kat a date lead to mishaps here and there. With witty dialogue and great music to go along with it, this movie is worthy of being in the genre of 'teen'. It's right up on the list with Sixteen Candles and Clueless.

an amazing classic
the entire cast shines in this production of Shakespere's Taming of the Shrew. The jokes are amazing, and all the actors fit their parts well. Thanks in part to the USA network, this movie is ingained as a classic in countless teenagers' minds. I adore this film

10 Things I Hate About You
I found this teen film entertaining and fun. It totally relates to the highschool life. The over protective dad is very funny, the whole cast does a great job in playing out their roles. You would never guess its based on a novel by shakespear even though you see some shakespear love in the film!

Great film!

Love is in the air.
Opposite sisters in one house equals trouble.

Bianca is your typical prep all into fashion and a hotsy tosty life. Kat is the quiet loner who finds more satifsication relaxing at home than going to any type of party or social gathering.

New kid comes along adoring over Bianca. His friend and him decide to make a plan to pair Kat with Patrick.

It's a hard trip to get Kat in a liking happy mood, much less to get her to a party that she must attend dually with her sister, or else. The girl's have to live with an overbearing father who takes good watch over his girls.

I grew up with this movie and it is a definate high school flick funny for anyone. ... Read more

Description

Mandy Moore stars as Halley, a young hip high school student who believes that love will never happen to her and that her life is a mess. Her father is marrying a woman she can't stand, her mother is alone, her sister's wedding plans are taking over her life and her friends at school only care about cheerleading and football. All seems lost until she meets a boy who shows her what love is all about. ... Read more

Reviews (69)

A crossover actress blooms
Not all singers can act. Not all actors can sing. Mandy Moore is one of the few that can do both. I enjoyed her part in "The Princess Diaries," but her turn as Jamie in "A Walk to Remember" made me a true Mandy fan. I saw "How to Deal" last night, and it was great. Halley Martin has nothing in common with Jamie Sullivan (except the hair color, but Mandy looks gorgeous as a brunette), and the fact that Mandy can play both parts shows how skilled she is becoming at acting. I haven't read the books, but plan to shortly. If the movie is any indication, the books are good. Trent Ford as Macon is not really the archetypal bad boy, but his aura makes you feel that he is. You can really understand Halley's pain and anger at falling in love when so many people around her are suffering because they let love in. "How to Deal" is another teen movie, but it's a good one. Mandy Moore shines leading a supporting cast of strong actors. If you loved Mandy before, you'll love her even more now.

~Entertaining! Deals with Real Issues Teens go through ~
Ok. Ok. To the people that bashed and dissed this movie due to the movie "taking on too much at one time" I do agree to a certain point but the fact that this film deals with very real issues that are very serious issues cannot be denied. Also this movie is based on two books by Sarah Dessen and the film is VERY similar to the movie. But any matter, I LOVED this movie.

I have watched it more than once and alwasy notice something new that I love about it.
Mandy Moore is at the brink of her peak of acting! This movie proves what a talented young lady she truly is! She's likable from the first few moments of the movie and her character Halley is someone many teenage girls can relate to.This movie deals with issues that every teenage girl should be able to say "Yeah I remeber that" or "I'm going through that too." It's great for teenagers.

I know I also have a special spot for this film because I loved the book and the similarities are amazing. If you have seen this film and want to get a more in depth look try looking for Sarah Dessen's "Someone Like You" and "That Summer." Or try the "How to Deal" book that combines the both of them.Either way this movie should be given a try.

The extras on this DVD are excellent. The music videos are great, the deleted scenes are good, and the actors segments talking about their characters add even more to the film.

Highly recommended!

i love this movie!!!!
i just finished reading Someone Like You and i fell in love with it. then i found out there was going to be a movie and i immediatly went to read That Summer adn rented the movie. it was soooooo good. the characters were believable, the plot was well done, and it was soo emotional. i also prefered the ending of this movie to the books ending. i definetly reccommend watching this movie. it is well worth it

I might be the only one, but I adore this movie
When I first heard that HOW TO DEAL was a combination of two of Sarah Dessen's books, I was skeptical. I love Dessen's books, and thought that making a movie out of one of the books would be a disaster, let alone combining two. Boy was I wrong! HOW TO DEAL is a great teen movie.

Halley isn't sure what to believe...her life is incredibly messed up at the moment, and everthing keeps getting crazier. The day her parent's divorce comes through, her sister announces her engagement. Of course Halley doesn't like her future brother-in-law, and she runs to her best friend Scarlett for help. Except, Scarlett doesn't have the same opinion about love. She's fallen head over heels for Michael, a cute, athletic boy. In fact, Halley meets him when she walks in on him and Scarlett...professing their love for eachother.

Of course, tragedy strikes soon, and - once again - Halley's life has taken another turn. She meets Macon, token bad boy, and they start hanging out...Scarlett doesn't know what to think when she finds out that she's pregnant, Halley's mom thinks all men are horrible, Halley's dad's getting remarried to "The Bimbo," and Halley's sister is about to get married.

HOW TO DEAL is such a cute teen movie, I can't say enough to justify the movie. It's not realistic, it's predictable, it's cheesy - but somehow it's still fun. HOW TO DEAL is recommended to any teenage girls that loved movies like 10 Things I Hate About You, A Walk to Remember, and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.

Overall grade - A

I love this movie!
I love this movie! It was good and the characters seemed real (its hard to explain).And this movie at the end,made my love of books now.At the end it has those talk about books and teen reading and it gave a lot of good books that now I can't stop reading over and over again.So thanks to this book I see why a lot of people enjoy reading. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Critics tripped all over their big feet to praise Big Night, and in doing so performed a grave disservice to this fine little film. They fooled audiences into believing it was a "super movie" instead of a home movie buoyed by friends and family. Consequently, many viewers were disappointed. Big Night is an intimate look at the immigrant struggle to attain the American Dream, set in New Jersey in the 1950s. Its disproportionate success gave co-directors Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott, who also star in the picture, the green light to follow up with a smug, unsuccessful second venture called The Imposters. Tucci wrote Big Night with his cousin Joseph Tropiano, and they based the story on the experience of growing up in a large, proud Italian family. The brothers in Big Night--chef Primo (Tony Shalhoub) and businessman Secondo (Tucci)--have come to New Jersey to open a bistro named The Paradise that serves the finest in traditional, authentic Italian cuisine. Their every move is foiled by rival restaurant Pascal's, which serves mile-high servings of spaghetti and meatballs and flasks of bad Chianti at exorbitant prices.Primo is disgusted by the fact that Americans want cheap pasta instead of risotto, so Secondo hatches a plan to boost business: rumor has it bandleader Louis Prima is travelling through and will dine at The Paradise that very night.Secondo gambles to bring the finest dinner ever cooked--at the risk of losing his shirt and being reduced to exile to the old country with his tail between his legs. Big Night is a film that will easily invite comparisons to other "food" fare like Babette's Feast and Eat Drink Man Woman but, though Tucci insists his story is "about the struggle between art and commerce and the risk of staying true to yourself," the media refused to let it stay a small, comparative work. The movie, and the buzz around it, became a parable for the essence of the film itself: art vs. commerce. --Paula Nechak ... Read more

Reviews (62)

People should-a come just-a for the food...
Primo (Tony Shaloub) is a traditionalist, a perfectionist, an artist; he is a chef without compromise. His younger brother, Secondo (Stanley Tucci), will compromise, bend, wheel and deal; he is a desperate businessman who cares about food, but is realistic. Unfortunately, their little restaurant is way, way ahead of its time. When their 1950s customers go out for Italian food, they want red-checked tablecloths and lotsa spaghetti and meatballs, not risotto and delicate wine. How can their restaurant stay in business? It can't, but they try to save it with an all-out feast for a famous Italian jazzman. If you're the least bit hungry when you watch this film, you've got trouble, because food has never looked this good. It's a quiet, slow movie, but you get to know Primo and Secondo completely, and you find yourself wishing their restaurant was in your neighborhood so you could go there and give them all your money.

What a delight - but eat before you watch it
Eat before you watch this movie; otherwise, you'll end up painfully hungry and go stuff yourself with every bit of Italian food you can lay your hands on.

This is a simple story of two brothers struggling to fulfill their dreams - one to be a "success" in America; the other to be a great Italian chef.

Realizing the dreams of the first brother hinges on the success of one important meal depends on the skill of the second - and forces outside their control.

Tucci, Shaloub, Holm and company all give wonderful performances. There's no showing off by the many successful actors who are in this movie - they all just do a great job.

The climax of the movie is the banquet scene, and it's going to make you hungry and want to get up and dance.

The final scene which lasts for several minutes with the only dialog being one line - "are you hungry" - wraps up the movie nicely, and shows what a good director and actors can do when both understand the power of subtlety.

This is one fun movie - lots of laughs, amazing food, and a great soundtrack.

Wonderful "Little Film" -- So-So DVD
Stanley Tucci, as actor, co-writer, and co-director (with Campbell Scott, who also plays a pitch-perfect small part as a car salesman), deserves a great deal of the credit for this small, intimate, delightful film. But the film resonates because it got so many of the little touches right, from the ensemble cast to the soundtrack to the editing to the cinematography. So there is a lot of credit to go around.

Tucci plays Secondo, the aptly named younger of two Italian brothers who have emigrated to New Jersey from the Old Country. Secondo is the entrepreneur, the guy who wants the big Cadillac. Primo (Tony Shahloub), the older brother, is the magician of a chef. Primo is so good, in fact, that his culinary masterpieces go over the heads of the good folks of New Jersey. When contemplating a wonderful seafood risotto, a diner complains that she can't see the seafood, and that her desired side of spaghetti doesn't come with meatballs (inspiring the wonderful line, "Sometimes spaghetti wants to be alone").

Primo bemoans the fact that he is serving food to Philistines, but the sad fact is that most of the Philistines are eating across the street at Pascal's restaurant. Pascal, played with great zest by Ian Holm, knows that you have to give the customer what he wants -- even if it is culinary sacrilege. The contrasts between the restaurants, from the colors to the lighting to the clientele, could not be more staggering!

Secondo laments to Pascal of his financial woes, but refuses Pascal's (repeated) offer to come work for him. Pascal, being a big-hearted guy, tells Secondo to pull of a "big night," with no holds barred. Pascal will invite his good friend, Louis Prima, who will come, eat, and love Secondo's restaurant. Then, the people will come.

So the story builds to the big night (a side plot regarding Secondo's tortured love life notwithstanding), which is where the movie really takes off.

Organizing the banquet scene into courses, "Big Night" revels in the wonders that can only be brought about by great cooking. The cast has a difficult task -- how do you emote rapture without going over the top? The ensemble cast, which includes Isabella Rosselini, Minnie Driver, and Allison Janney, nails this task just right. The cooking scenes are also hectic and impressive without going over the top, too.

Following the big night, many truths are revealed, perhaps because it is impossible to deceive after having such a wondrous experience. If this film doesn't move you, or inspire you to get thee hence to an Italian restaurant, you have no heart!

But again, the heart of the movie is its dedication to the small touches. From Primo using his cup to tamp down his espresso grounds to the making of a simple omelet, this movie gets it all just right.

The DVD does not have much to offer as far as extras go. What it does have is one heck of little film.

A bland meal
I've seen BIG NIGHT described as "one of the great food movies". Let me clarify something here. The adjective "great" modifies "food", but not "movies".

Primo (Tony Shalhoub) and Secondo (Stanley Tucci) are Italian immigrant brothers who've opened the Paradise restaurant in an unidentified surfside town on the Eastern seaboard sometime in the 1950s. The elder Primo is a superlative chef, and both he and Secondo know it. But, Primo cooks to his desires and not the customers'. So, two years into the venture, the brothers are almost broke, the bank is about to repossess, and Secondo, the one with the business sense, is driven to despairing distraction.

Down the street is the competing Italian restaurant owned by Pascal (Ian Holm). While he admires Primo's talent, Pascal gives his patrons what they want, so his eatery is enormously successful. To help the boys out, Pascal arranges to have his friend, the Italian-American singer Louis Prima, come to the Paradise with his band for dinner. Secondo spends virtually the last of their savings preparing for the BIG NIGHT with the expectation that the event and its attendant publicity will yank them back from the brink of insolvency. In the meantime, he avoids emotional commitment to his girlfriend Phyllis (Minnie Driver) while having an affair with Gabriella (Isabella Rossellini), Pascal's mistress. After all, what are pals for?

The best bits of this film are the too infrequent cooking sequences. But the best ends there. BIG NIGHT doesn't know whether to be a drama or comedy, and succeeds at neither. The dialogue is flat and uninspired throughout, and the plot goes nowhere of interest. My wife, perhaps a dollop more impressed than I was, called the film a "character study". But no persona in this otherwise dull movie is engaging, and, indeed, I found Pascal's ebullient crassness positively annoying. About the only other good thing I can say about BIG NIGHT is that it uses as props some well-preserved, large tail-finned, period Cadillacs that will perhaps stimulate vintage car buffs.

Better films to rent that revolve around food preparation are MOSTLY MARTHA (2001) and EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN (1994). These, at least, portray characters to care about.

The American cinema needs more BIG NIGHTS!
The film "Big Night" is not a small little picture that was over-hyped by critics. The only person who would be disappointed in this film would be some 15-year old kid that was looking for some kind of "2 Fast 2 Furious" crap. Over all the Amazon editorial staff does a fine job of presenting the plot or scope of a film, book, or CD. In the case of "Big Night" I am left to wonder if the reviewer watched the film or just read the back of the DVD case. Her opinions are fine but in the review itself she wrongly guides the reader as to both the plot and the outcome of the movie- Two things that should never be done. ... Read more

Reviews (87)

A lovely movie
I have watched The Object of My Affection numerous times (they're always running it on the ABC Family Channel), and I have yet to tire of it. It is sweet, touching, funny, and well performed.

Jennifer Aniston is perfectly cast as the lead character, Nina Borowski, and gives an excellent performance that making the viewer feel what she's feeling. Paul Rudd, as her roommate and eventual love interest, is very appealing too. (In my opinion, he doesn't really seem gay, but then again he doesn't really need to. As long as the viewer just accepts the fact that he IS, it works.) John Pankow is great as Nina's irritating boyfriend, Vince. And of course, Nigel Hawthorne does a wonderful job as Rodney. Big surprise.

The best scene in the film is a scene where Nina's overbearing sister, Constance (Allison Janney), descends on Nina and George along with her equally annoying husband (Alan Alda) and daughter (Lauren Pratt). It is so funny, and so well acted.

All in all, The Object Of My Affection rates five stars in my book. Granted, there are some clunky bits in the script (as mentioned in the editorial review), and some bits that require suspension of belief. But those things are easy to ignore, and more than likely, you'll want to watch this film over and over again.

About time The Object Of My Affection comes to DVD
The Object Of My Affection is a great Flick. I am so excited it's finally on DVD. This movie takes place in New York City with our former Twin Tower buildings as the beautiful backdrop. The movie is about a women named Nina (Jennifer Aniston) who falls in love with her roommate George (Paul Rudd), but there is one problem ... he is gay. George decides to move out and move in with Nina after his boyfriend Joley tells him he is seeing another guy. Nina who has a boyfriend finds herself falling in love with George and soon she finds out she is pregnant but decides she wants to raise the child with George instead. George finally starts to fall for Nina, but after a weekend trip with his x-boyfriend Joley, George soon finds himself falling for a guy named Paul, and soon there is a decision that forces George to decide between Nina and Paul. I know it sound like a too much drama, but this is a movie worth watching, I will not say anymore other than this is a Great movie that will make you laugh and bring tears to your eyes as well. Im glad to see The Object Of My Affection has made it to DVD. Buy it it is a great flick that breaks down the walls of sexuality as you can not choose who you can fall in love with, true love just happens. (...)

A must see
This is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. I watched this one over and over again and I can't get enough of it. Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd are just adorable, the ( gay themed) story is magnificient,there is a great balance between comedy and tragedy, everything in this movie is worth the five stars.

Presents Some Moments of Affection
This movie starts as an hip romantic comedy, turns into a serious drama, becomes melodramatic and soap opera-ish, gets into comedy territory again for a while and finally delivers a contrived and slightly unrealistic Hollywood ending.

"The Object of My Affection" has as many twists and turns as a rollercoaster ride, switching and redefining the status quo a thousand times. Some moments are genuine and heartfeld, others have a sitcom humorous feel and at times it gets overboard with high levels of sugar and sappyness. The story is about the relationship between two young adults, a gay teacher (Paul Rudd) and a modern NY girl (Jennifer Aniston). Beginning as a tight friendship, their connection then appears to turn into something more deep, and from this point on the plot delivers a lot of subplots and new characters.

The acting is overall good and the movie tries to touch some serious issues, but unfortunately the story is so contrived that the result is just uneven and not very impressive. The pacing isn`t the best as well, delivering a lot of slow and dull moments that go nowhere. Despite these flaws, "The Object of My Affection" still has some entertainment value and a couple of interesting scenes, even if it`s just another average movie.
With a few improvements this material could rise a bit and become more remarkable, but as it is it`s not too good neither too bad.

Watchable enough.

Affects at Parts
This movie starts as an hip romantic comedy, turns into a serious drama, becomes melodramatic and soap opera-ish, gets into comedy territory again for a while and finally delivers a contrived and slightly unrealistic Hollywood ending. It has as many twists and turns as a rollercoaster ride, switching and redefining the status quo a thousand times. Some moments are genuine and heartfeld, others have a sitcom humorous feel and at times it gets overboard with high levels of sugar and sappyness. The story is about the relationship between two young adults, a gay teacher (Paul Rudd) and a modern NY girl (Jennifer Aniston). Beginning as a tight friendship, their connection then appears to turn into something more deep, and from this point on the plot delivers a lot of subplots and new characters. The acting is overall good and the movie tries to touch some serious issues, but unfortunately the story is so contrived that the result is just uneven and not very impressive. The pacing isn`t the best as well, delivering a lot of slow and dull moments that go nowhere. Despite these flaws, "The Object of My Affection" still has some entertainment value and a couple of interesting scenes, even if it`s just another average movie. With a few improvements this material could rise a bit and become more remarkable, but as it is it`s not too good neither too bad.

Watchable enough. ... Read more

Description

THE HOURS tells the story of three very different individuals who share the feeling that they have been living their lives for someone else.Virginia Woolf (Kidman) lives in a suburb of London in the 1920’s as she struggles to begin writing her first great novel, Mrs. Dalloway, while also attempting to overcome the mental illness that threatens to engulf her.Laura Brown (Moore), a young wife and mother in post-World War II Los Angeles, is just starting to read Mrs. Dalloway, and is so deeply affected by it that she begins to question the life she has chosen for herself.Then, in contemporary New York City, Clarissa Vaughan (Streep) is a modern-day mirror image of Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway as she plans what may be the final party for her friend and former lover, Richard (Harris), who is dying of AIDS. ... Read more

Reviews (294)

An Emotional Film About Disease, Despair and Death
Virgina Woolf (Nicole Kidman), Laura Brown (Julianne Moore) and Clarissa Vaughn (Meryl Streep) are three women apparently connected through the book MRS. DALLOWAY. Woolf as the author, Brown as the reader and Vaughn as the embodiment today. This is a complex and nuanced story that is translated to film in a very effective way. The scene shifts which gradually reveal the nature of the interrelationships among these women (both symbolic and real) are incredibly well directed, and the three stars are all superb. There are several additional excellent performaces, especially Ed Harris as the dying writer and friend of Vaughn for whom she is having a party (which mirrors the parties in the hours we experience in the lives of the other two women). In one of the strange turns of fate, Julianne Moore is cast as a troubled housewife in the seemingly idyllic fifties, thus in effect reprising her role in FAR FROM HEAVEN. And John C. Reilly does a great job as her seemingly clueless husband, recreating his role in CHICAGO without the musical routines.

The overlapping stories of these three women are emotionmally powerful, but I suspect that as some reviewers have opined this is one of those instances where the movie does not and indeed cannot do total justice to the book given the inherent limitations in its format. While the cinematography is striking and the scene cuts among the three time periods well edited, there is an incredible amount of information for the viewer to absorb and little time to contemplate the events. (At times it would have been nice to be able to press pause or rewind, or to be able to reread a chapter or put down the book to think.)

My sole caution is that this is a movie that is entertaining but not uplifting. Several reviewers have commented that it is about life, but the lives in this movie are not lives of joy. This is about people suffering from mental and physical disease (depression and Aids) who are living lives of quiet desperation and for whom the ultimate solution is sometimes suicide. These are people who even when outwardly appearing to cope with life with various degrees of success are frequently experiencing despair. My wife enjoyed the movie and was completely absorbed by the story and the powerful emotions that it elicted. While I agree that it was a well made film and an interesting story and was entertained by the excellent performances, I did not find it particularly compelling or enjoyable. However, I did feel that the surprise ending was excellent and was one of the factors that made me glad that I had seen the film.

A writer, a reader and a character living in The Hours
A fine cast headed by Nicole Kidman (Virginia Woolf, England, 1941), Julianne Moore (Laura, LA, 1951) and Meryl Streep (Clarissa, NYC, 2001), presents the story adapted from the award-winning book by Michael Cunningham, "The Hours". The story juxtaposes the lives of a writer (Woolf), a reader of her book "Mrs. Dallaway" (Laura) living in an LA suburb in after-WWII times, and a NY book editor (Clarissa), who pretty much goes through an ordinary day in her life, getting set for a party she's going to throw later in the day for her friend Richard (Ed Harris), a poet who's just received an award. As simple as such a plot may strike you, it is a complex one, but a careful editing labor, a passion for storytelling, some outstanding acting and the music by minimalist maestro Philip Glass serve as the thread between the stories of these three women.

Complementing an already outstanding film statement, the make-up and the dialogs ring once and again, with Kidman's face virtually hiding away to bring Woolf's back to life, and when you listen to the lines of all the characters taking on a life of their own, almost moving away from Woolf, away from Cunningham... even away from the very adapter, David Hare, as if told by any of us. Because this is a movie not about trauma, or tragedy, or a sad or sorry existential life of a middle-aged woman (or group of women). This story is about our eternal search for happiness, "the choices we make in that search, and their consequences" as the director, Stephen Daldry, so brilliantly put it.

A small bit from the lines of Streep, when talking to her daughter Julie, played by Claire Danes:
"It wasn't the beginning... it was happiness. It was the moment, right then!" as if to say, happiness is not a destination, it's the journey that we make every day, while we lead our very ordinary lives, it's in the moments that hide behind the hours, those that we inexorably face. All in all, this movie is now and will be for as long as I can remember it, a classic and a constant reference.

Final comment: I don't agree with the comments about another reviewer about the movie being JUST about homosexuality, though there are definite moments where a lesbian side of the characters comes across. If you can't see beyond the fact that some people will just live their lives in a different way than others, and realize that the movie actually does apply to all of us, then you are limiting your life in a very sad way.

Worth Your Time
I actually saw this movie before I read the book--something I rarely do. And for once, I'm glad it was in that order. The trio of actresses playing the roles did such a fabulous job, that I liked having pictures of them in my head as I read the book, and in retrospect, marveled at the film maker's ability to jump back and forth in time so seemlessly.

A beautiful, thought-provoking and creative story. Well done.

Gorgeous
I had put off seeing this film, mostly because of a couple friends saying how "dark" and "depressing" it was. To the contrary, I found it to be just beautiful. The acting is of course brillant--a handful of the most talented actresses of our time. But the real star is the script! Just the most amazing piece of writing ever. A very moving film that I can't recommend more.

Melodramatic Yes....Dissapointing No!
Recently I viewed the movie, "The Hours" starring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Ed Harris and Julianne Moore. The movie is based on the book by Michael Cunningham and follows the book's ideas about as precisely as possible for a screenplay conversion.

The story revolves around the author, Virginia Woolf, as she writes her story, "Mrs. Dalloway" and how the words she writes affect two other women in different time periods. Virginia is portrayed by Nicole Kidman and she does a wonderful job showing the essence of Virginia's depression and self-doubt. A brilliant writer who involves all of your senses in her prose she succumbs to the artist's tendency to be self-doubters and insecure, possibly from all the exposure to critics at every bend and corner. The cigarettes she smokes seethe about her as she contemplates her suicide and a word to leave behind, like her soul is going up in smoke. She lies beside a dead bird and she feels dead before her time, unable to fly and stifled by depression that is never fully explained. Her end is filmed in such a way that she surrenders herself to the river's current and slowly gets swept away by nature but she seems somehow freed by her own death, floating along in time and crossing the borders that time presents.

Julianne Moore plays the character, Laura Brown; a pregnant homemaker in the 1950's who is struggling with what life has to offer her. She seems to exist in a blur of emotion all of which sways towards depression. She attempts to bake a perfect cake for her "perfect" husband's birthday and fails sending herself into a moment of panic that almost produces her own demise. She runs away from her child and stays alone in a hotel ready to take her life and that of her unborn. She reads "Mrs. Dalloway" and becomes involved in another's misfortune which somehow awakens her to her senses and she retreats back to the normalcy of her mundane life. I could not help but be emotional during a scene where she is preparing herself for bed and her husband calls from the bedroom, "Come to bed Laura Brown," it left me with a sickened feeling. In Laura's eyes you see her sadness and her desperate need to leave but she stays, unhappily, like a servant.

Meryl Streep plays, Clarissa Vaughn, a modern woman who follows the footsteps of Virginia's character "Mrs. Dalloway" as she spends her day catering to others. She buys flowers in desperate attempts to cheer up those around her when in fact she is the one who is in need of cheer. She tries to revive a dying man played brilliantly by Ed Harris, Richard, who is succumbing to the power of AIDS and all of its downfalls. Clarissa opens windows for brightness where all she sees is gray; she perks up the grayness with flowers but only manages to bring a feeling of hopelessness to Richard instead. His writing award seems to go unnoticed although she plans a tremendous celebration his soul just shuts down. Under all of the pressure Clarissa breaks down and experiences the sadness of the day and the reality of death. Richard falls from his own window in his desperate act of suicide and mercy. Clarissa is left to deal with all of the pain.

In the end we learn that Richard is in fact the son of Laura Brown. Seemingly she has transferred her loneliness and despair to the life of her own son without regret. She explains that she abandoned her family after all, needing to conduct her life on her own terms.

The music and the language of the film inspire creative juices, especially the scenes where Virginia Woolf is speaking. Having read the book first I was able to experience more than the film managed to contain although the film was more easily explained. I recommend both expressions for the full impact of these desperate women and the lives they lead. It will not take hours to be gripped by their needs. ... Read more

Reviews (76)

Comedic reaction to Howard's action; Fred steals the show
In Private Parts, you get to see Howard Stern's meteoric rise from his humble beginnings to his reign as the King of All Media. You also get to see him meet and recruit his allies in broadcasting- Robin Quivers, Jackie Martling, and...

...Fred Norris, the King of Mars. The "King of Mars" moniker was given to him by Howard for his rather strange & unusual behavior and demeanor. Fred reprises his earlier self & behavior beautifully in Private Parts, which at times would come very close to upstaging Howard's own on-air antics. Fred's performance in some ways reminded me of Christopher LLoyd's portrayal of "Reverend Jim" from the Taxi TV sitcom, a character I found both scary and funny at the same time. Fred has been known to be both as well... even to this day.

Other great moments in the movie were peoples' reactions to what Howard would say on the air. Be it someone listening to the show in his car, the radio management suits at the station, or even Howard's wife Alison, whenever Howard says or plays something that's sure to cause a reaction, it does... with riotous results. It makes those funny moments even funnier.

Enjoy!

The often hilarious autobiography of the King of All Media!
I have been a Howard Stern fan for years now, watching his show as often as I can. I have also wanted to know the story behind him and his colleagues' rise to power. This movie showed plenty of it, but not all of it. It basically summarizes his childhood and early years and shows us some of his influences to become a radio personality. Most of the movie is a flashback panning his lifetime as he moves from small town disc-jockey to well-known local personality to huge radio star. He meets many of his sidekicks and good friends throughout the movie, such as Robin Quivers, Fred Norris, and Jackie Martling. Unfortunately, the flashback cuts off in the mid-80's and doesn't touch at the next ten years of his career. Either way, the movie was able to make us feel sorry and compassionate for who much of society calls the Antichrist. It has its funny moments and some sad moments, but in the end it's a decent comedy. Private Parts has some gross-out humor and a fair-share of nudity. I would definitely not like this movie as much if I weren't a Stern fan, but I am, so I love it.

Score: 7.5/10

Propaganda movie
This is Howard's propaganda movie. Much like Michael Moore, he'd have the world believe he is just an ordinary, average guy who has been wrongfully shamed by the majority of Americans. The most accurate part of this film is the beginning when it shows what a lame pencil-neck geek Howard really is. Here we are, 7 years later and , just like Mike Moore, the truth has come out and Howard is a farce. He is no longer married. He has a model for a girlfriend, and is no longer the "everyman" that this film proclaims him to be. Also, nowadays he accuses the President to be trying to get him off the radio. Funny coming from him. Here's a guy who, as soon as Opie and Anthony started making fun of him when his wife left him, went to his company and put a stop to it by taking them off the air. He says himself on the radio that he runs the company. O and A worked for Infinity- his company. Maybe Howard is right, maybe people are out to get him. After all, it would take one to know one.

Where's the Special Edition???
I think that this film is a comedy classic, with a solid cast (Mary MacCormick, Paul Giamatti, Alison Janney, and a "blink and you'll miss her" Edie Falco), a funny storyline, and is a comedy classic, although it borders on "chick flick" at times, believe it or not. But I think that a lot of people can identify with the social misfit who does well for himself, and overcomes a lot of odds to do what he wants to do and manages to succeed on many levels. The film really showcases Giamatti as Howard's program director (dictator) and it's worth watching him and Howard go back and forth.

But I do hope that they do a special edition on this film, there's a lot of behind the scenes stories that should be told (like doing the radio show and THEN doing the film later that day), as well as hearing MacCormick, Linney and Giamatti talk about their time working on the film, and Howard's own comments about the making of the film. As well as including some of the clips filmed for TV. It's long overdue, Paramount!!!

Something tells me I should have avoided this movie
I actually saw this movie at the theatres when it came out with my best friend Dennis and another friend Dan. All I can say was that this movie did absolutely nothing for me but put me to sleep. This man is pathetic and his radio shows are becoming more and more old and boring. Fast forward to 2004, he is not relevant anymore, in other words, is a has been and is complaining that his brand of raunch radio is being blacklisted by our President which is not true, the real truth is Howard gets old real fast! If you want good laughs that are timeless, I suggest you watch the classic 1979 Chuck Jones animated film The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie instead for laughs. ... Read more

Reviews (105)

Ang Lee's Look at the 70's..It's A Winter Wonderland
This review refers to the 20th Cent Fox DVD Edition of "The Ice Storm"......

The beauty of Ang Lee's storytelling, is that we never get the same story twice. His films are always a fresh take or a first look at era's past and present. Fresh off his success with "Sense and Sensibility", Lee steps ahead into the turbulant and oft confusing times of the 1970's with "The Ice Storm".The story based on a novel by Rick Moody deals with two upper class suburban families dealing with the changing times and the changes in their lives, all amidst the arrival of a wintry ice storm.He has chosen the perfect cast and adds just the right amount of nuance and subtle comedy to this drama to make it a perfect film.

Ben and Elena Hood(Kevin Kline/Joan Allen) married in the idealistic 50's, now find themselves growing apart and their relationship getting cold as the sexual revolution of the 70's is all around them.Ben growing restless has an affair with the neighbor Janey Carver(Sigourney Weaver), Elena wants to feel the freeness she felt as a young girl. While trying to fit into this new world, they decide to participate in a "Key Party"(who you go home with at the end is anybody's guess).The teenagers(Tobey MaGuire, Elijah Wood, Christina Ricci) are also trying their hand at experiencing life so to speak.As the events of the evening unfold, a freakish storm arrives that seems to blow new life into all of them, their lives will be forever changed with the passing of the storm and the dawning of the new day.

Ang Lee captures the mood of the Nixon era expertly. Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver and Joan Allen are perfect in their performances of the dysfunctional adults trying to cope with the times. Tobey Maguire, Christina Ricci, and Elijah Wood have all surely stepped up their careers from their brillant portrayals as the precocious but curious kids."The Ice Storm" will take your breath away.

20th Century Fox has made a beautiful transfer to DVD.It is presented in vivid colors and a sharp picture in the original theatrical widescreen(anamorphic 1.85:1). Depending on your set up it may be enjoyed in either 5.0 surround or Dolby stereo(English or French). There is a short featurette on the making of the film, the theatrical trailer and subtitles in English and Spanish.

It's amazing that Oscar missed this little gem, it was just one of those that got lost in the wake of "Titianic" that year. If you have not seen this yet and like a good emotional ride, this film will take you on that ride.And then you'll want to buy another ticket and go again!.......Thanks and enjoy...Laurie

No real story - just moody decadence
Ang Lee's extraordinary glimpse into an era and a culture not of his own (?) does not cease to amaze. But this eroding family and its various sexual hangups are not terribly engaging on their own. I found myself wondering WHO CARES? through most of the movie, yet I had to see how it ended. Lee keeps you hanging on despite the banality and embarrassment (namely sex party ideas of the '70's that even nice upper middle class people dabbled in). In the end it was less about sex and more about the preciousness of life itself - and that family is family no matter how miserable or dysfunctional it might be.

Lee leaves a steady trickle of nostalgia throughout the film which seems deliberately crafted to ensnare the attention of people otherwise bored with art films. (People like me.) HEY, I REMEMBER THAT SONG! AND WHAT'S THAT ON THE T.V. THERE - "TIME TUNNEL"?! These tidbits of trivia hold your attention much the way commercials do - so it is hard to say that the story of "The Ice Storm" is compelling enough on its own merits. You have to remember the era to really get anything out of this flick.

Dark,compelling story set amid social changes in the 1970s
This fim is moody and morose, just like the book which I read a few years ago. It now has a talented director (Ang Lee) and some well-known actors (Kevin Kline, Signorey Weaver). The Ice Storm is a metaphor, of course, and the scenes takes place over a Thanksgiving weekend in New Canaan, CT in the early seventies. The parents are experimenting with the sexual revolution. The teenage children and smoking pot and feeling the anti-war movement. The sudden social changes are confusing everybody.

The story is dark and compelling and the children come across as more real than the parents. It is a hard film to watch, given its subject. Thought it was was excellent athough I wasn't smiling when the film ended. I was thinking.

Take that 1970's!
The Ice Storm is one of the all time great films in the past 25 years if not 50. Ang Lee, who is gifted beyond fathomable belief, directs another deeply moving drama. Lee is one of the finest directors who can get the most of out of his actors. This film teases you and then slaps you upside down by it's stirring climax. This film is a treat; you're cheating only yourself if you don't see it.

one of the best suburban comedy-dramas EVER
while one could easily consider ice storm a companion piece to the great american beauty, the genius film-maker ang lee actually made this film several prior to american beauty & this was unfortunately highly overlooked in 1997 & 1998 sad to say. with the elements of comedy & drama, we get a view of what life could've been like during the seventies right around the holidays. the world outside was going through some great changes, people were searching for their own identities, & family were losing touch with one another. this holiday season, 2 families will be put to the test in terms of loyalty, commitment, & will discover just how they mena to one another. ice storm features some excellent performances from kevin klein, joan & sigourney weaver in addition to some stellar performances from lesser-known actors/actresses around that time such as christina ricci, tobey maguire, & elijah wood. ang lee has crafted a funny, often touching look at a cold world in which we've inhabited based upon the great novel by rick moody. the best scene in my opinion is the scene where kevin klein carries his daughter(played wonderfully by christina ricci) on his back walking through the woods as the snow begins to fall. beautiful & heartwarming scene indeed. another great moment is the thanksgiving dinner where christina ricci's character leads the family into prayer & this is a complete riot. at such an affordable cost on vhs & dvd, why shouldn't you own this little known masterpiece in your library? ... Read more

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Based on the novel by Anonymous (a.k.a. political reporter Joe Klein) and released when the Monica Lewinsky scandal was in full swing, Primary Colors may have been a case of too much, too soon for many moviegoers, who preferred the real-life Clinton crisis over the movie's thinly disguised "Clintonesque" comedy. The general public felt that the film was exploiting the president's indiscretions, and as a result one of the most critically acclaimed movies of 1998 was a box-office disappointment. But when considered apart from the Clinton scandals and judged on its own considerable merits, this superb comedy-drama provides an illuminating, insightful, and frequently hilarious look at the harsh realities of presidential politics. John Travolta stars as Jack Stanton, a presidential hopeful whose campaign is challenged by dual dilemmas: how to squelch a scandal involving the candidate's alleged sex with an underage girl, and how to handle information that could potentially ruin Stanton's opponent (superbly played by Larry Hagman). Stanton's wife (Emma Thompson) stands by her man despite awareness of his infidelities, but his loyal campaign planners (played by Billy Bob Thornton, Maura Tierney, and promising newcomer Adrian Lester) experience a crisis of conscience. So does one of the Stantons' oldest friends (Kathy Bates, in an Oscar-nominated role), whose sense of betrayal and lost idealism proves too much to bear. Masterfully adapted by director Mike Nichols and his former-comedy-partner-turned-screenwriter, Elaine May, Primary Colors plays like a sophisticated comedy with loads of memorable scenes and dialogue, but it sneaks up on you with devastating dramatic impact. Anchored by Travolta's superb performance (which is reminiscent of Clinton without being a cheap impersonation), the movie presents a story of great moral complexity and leaves viewers to contemplate their own reactions to the volatile and ethically complicated game of modern politics. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (62)

Be Not Deceived- This is a GREAT Film
Forget Bush and Gore! The more interesting race for the presidency took place in "Primary Colors," an all-around outstanding movie which sank into obscurity, unfortunately, thanks to the Lewinsky scandal. Yes, it's loosely based on the Clintons, but if you put that aside and just focus on the movie in its own right, it's not as hard of a pill to swallow.

To start, seasoned vets Nichols and May provide sharp direction and writing, respectively. Even though this movie is about politics (which, as all of us now know, can get pretty gruesome), they make it interesting and intriguing by going behind the scenes, showing the feelings and emotions of the people involved in a presidential campaign, feelings and emotions that don't come through in press conferences and interviews.

The vision of Nichols and May is turned into fine art by a superb cast. Travolta is surprisingly charismatic, and Emma Thompson deserves much more praise than she has received as his patient but driven wife. Billy Bob Thornton gives a hilarious supporting performance, and Larry Hagman also does a great job as Travolta's opponent who's unwillingly thrust into the spotlight (Rob Reiner also has a humerous cameo as the host of ... call-in radio show in Florida).

But the two stars that outshine the rest are Adrian Lester and Kathy Bates. Lester is absolute dynamite as the campaign manager who yearns for "the real thing," a candidate who actually practices what he preaches. His performance is dramatic and heartfelt. As great as his performance is, Bates is the unsung hero of the movie, and without question, deserved to win Best Supporting Actress (she was robbed by Judi Dench and her 5-minutes-of-fame in "Shakespeare in Love"). She is outrageously funny at times and humble and vulnerable at others, but always comes through with an endearing sincerity.

So, if you want to see an all-around great movie or, more specifically, if you've become disillusioned by the political process and the (so-called) leaders it has produced, there has never been a better time to watch "Primary Colors."

BITTERSWEET ENTERTAINMENT
The machinations of a presidential campaign in "Primary Colors" is presented through the eyes of Henry Burton (British actor Adrian Lester). Henry is a privileged young African American feldgling politician whose grandfather was a civil rights legend. While trying to find out who the candidate is, Henry is virtually kidnapped by the presidential campaign of an obscure Southern governor, Jack Stanton (played flawlessly by John Travolta). Stanton's politically savy, smart lawyer wife Susan (amazingly played by Emma Thompson) is often the brains of the campaign. The parody on Bill and Hillary Clinton is obvious.

Of course, the idealistic Henry and aging Stanton loyalist, Libby Holden (Kathy Bates who possibly hands in the film's best supporting performance) keep hoping that Jack and Susan are as good as they seem. Inevitably, the Stantons compromise everything to win the campaign and power, leaving without much integrity as the campaign progresses.

The movie is very funny and works as a Clinton parody without being offensive. Indeed, the magical collaboration between director Mike Nichols and screenwriter Elaine May produces a very clever and entertaining political melodrama. After three viewings, I'm not tired of this movie. At the end, I gained even more respect for the talents of Travolta, Thompson, Bates, Billy Bob Thornton et al.

This is a must see film.

the story of Bill
basically the story of the evilness of Bill Clinton America's worst president/murderer/rapist/womanizer/drug user/drug dealer/basically you name something that's a crime and he did it

a very good representation of the Clinton's evilness

Is It Real or Just Fiction?
I watched this film recently while reading Bill Clinton's book, "My Life," and after watching another DVD, "The War Room," and I have to say it's hard to tell if this "story" is fiction or a factual summary of Clinton's original run for the Presidency.

Regardless of the story behind the story this movie stands on its own as an excellent political film. John Travolta is fantastic (amazingly close to the real Clinton!) as Stanton the Southern candidate running for office. He leaves behind all hints of his normal sexiness and turns himself into a slick, conniving out of shape politican beant on winning his campaign. He pulls off this role with amazing ability as an actor, tearing up when necessary and showing anger without any brutality, he held it all in his eyes.

Kathy Bates plays a crazy campaign manager who tries to keep Stanton out of the dog house one too many times. She is brilliant in this role as a tough lesiban who succumbs to the reality of politics. She rants, she raves and she delivers great ethical speeches as her character attempts to right all of Stanton's wrongs (which are amazingly similar to Clinton's!).

I believe this film will open up a new level of awareness as to what actually occurs during a presidential campaign. An interesting film with a slow growing message and quite appropriate for political followers. I just wish Stanton/Clinton would finally show his TRUE colors!

"Wow" is the only phrase that comes to mind
When I first stumbled across a very very late night airing of Primary Colors on television, I was hesitant to sit back and enjoy the show. Political films just don't float my boat, since I find the actual politics somewhat uninteresting. However, within about forty-five seconds, I was hooked on this compelling comedy-drama. The story is superb, even though it isn't anything we haven't heard or joked about before. The acting is beyond superb, with every character given a voice and a story, so that you feel that nothing that is said or done is out of place. Although the comedic moments are great, what is really surprising is how, by the end of the film, you are deeply affected by the outcome of each character's story. And although the film is about politics, it is completely non-partisan and leaves the viewer to draw his or her own conclusions.

I feel that I cannot say enough good about Primary Colors. It is a surprisingly wonderful film that I would recommend to everyone. ... Read more