Description

This comedic and touching family film follows the adventures of a shy young boy (Haley Joel Osment) who is sent to spend the summer with his eccentric uncles (Michael Caine, Robert Duvall).At first shocked by his uncles' unconventional behavior that includes ordering African lions through the mail, the boy soon becomes enthralled with unraveling the mystery that has followed the uncles for years. Hearing tales of their exotic adventures involving kidnapped princesses, Arabian sheiks and lost treasure, not only brings him closer to his uncles but also teaches him what it means to believe in something... whether it's true or not. ... Read more

Reviews (168)

Something for Everyone.
The best way to describe SECONDHAND LIONS is that it's like an independent art film for families. The movie is a hodge-podge of genres and varies between the sublime to the parodical. The plot revolves around a young boy named Walter and how he ended up being raised by two crazy bachelor uncles in the mid 1960s. The uncles (played by Duvall and Caine) have been missing for forty years and have recently returned to Texas to live out the rest of their days. Rumor has it that the old coots have millions of stolen loot stashed away somewhere and every salesperson and relative within a thounsand miles is trying to get their hands on some of the cash.

Children will like this movie especially for the cheesy flashback scenes that appear to be a cross between Indiana Jones and Saturday morning cartoons. However, cheesy as those scenes appear, they fit for the purposes of the film.

The movie also has something to say about faith and honesty. In fact, this is probably the best film I've seen about faith since SIGNS. It takes faith to believe the unbelievable, but when you find out what you were believing really was true, it becomes even that much more amazing.

Highly recommended for families, old codgers, and eccentrics like myself.

Wonderful family film! Rare these days.
This was a great movie. I just saw it last night -- for the second time. With Robert Duvall, Michael Caine, and Haley Joel Osment, how could they go wrong? But there's many a film out there that boasts a multi-talented all-star cast and yet still fails to deliver the goods.

SECONDHAND LIONS is not one of them.

The story is about young Walter who is just barely in his teens and is sent to live with his two great uncles. He constantly hears rumors of their hidden treasure that they stole from Al Capone, or took from a wealthy Arab, or obtained through a lawsuit, or...whatever you want to believe. Throughout the movie, Walter learns from his uncles, Hub and Garth, how to grow into a man and what the truly important things are in life; and Garth and Hub learn from Walter how to enjoy life to the fullest.

The drama here is fantastic, and only once does the emotionalism get a little over-the-top (which is why I gave it four stars instead of five). The acting is fantastic. In this adventurous film you'll be reminded of images of INDIANA JONES, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, among many others.

...

I wish every goofball (i.e. summer blockbuster) filmmaker in Hollywood -- you know, the ones that think creative filmmaking means having alot of CGI characters jumping around on skyscrapers and fighting villains in Power Ranger suits -- would simply sit down and watch SECONDHAND LIONS. Then they would know how to make a good movie.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IN?
It was sad for me to see adults pushing their kids in the long-winded queues for Spiderman2 and Pokemon at the local theatre, while this touching entertainer was tossed aside (relatively) to the sidelines.

There is no doubt that Secondhand Lions is a semi-manipulative film, it has its fair share of smarmy feel-good contrivances that betray its zeal to tug at our heart strings. But the quirky mirth of all its characters, the idiosynchratic plotline, and a healthy dose of moving, meaningful moments makes this a very wholesome experience.

Duvall and Caine, as two reclusive millionaire uncles drunk on guns and eccentricity, pitch in very well. Caine warms up to his part in the film first, but the screen is really owned by a very fit Duvall, who soon becomes the pivotal character in the film as the uncle that the kid (Hailey Osment) turns to for advice. Osment does remarkably well to hold his own against these two big tykes. A barnful of cute animals and a truckful of drooling relatives round up the doozy cast.

Some fantastic (literally) flashbacks form an interesting trope for the movie's core message: that in our lives having conviction in things we may doubt to be untrue is ultimately a critical virtue. This leads to a somewhat corny twist at the end but it's an interesting one to make the point. There's plenty of action and some amusing gags that even evoked loud guffaws in the theatre.

All in all, whether you have kids or not, but especially if you do, this deserves a recommendation of the highest order.

Best Family Movie in a long time
I loved this movie. Laughed and cried. I do not usually buy movies, I only own three - we rent alot, but this was a must have. It is the best family movie we have seen in a very long time. I can't wait to see it again.

Wow (for sure)
I cannot understand why Amazon uses paid reviewers who are afraid to like the films they review and don't even bother to see many of them, as indicated by the errors of fact in the second quoted review. Make no mistake, folks, this is the real thing: a truly mesmerizing family film that is able to be humorous, scary, thrilling and inspiring - frequently all at the same time. How many years has it been since three generations of your family were able to repeatedly laugh and cheer loudly for a film? This is in the rare class of films that will go on and on, like Wizard of Oz, Shane, Dragonslayer, High Noon, Miracle on 34th Street, and a very few others, except that it is better than several of them. It is a film for all time and all ages. It is definitely not just a "kid's picture". Perhaps I am partial to "modern legends." I think we all are. ... Read more

Reviews (126)

There's no such thing as a no-sale call.
Giovanni Ribisi is Seth Davis, a 19-year-old who's secretly running a backdoor casino while his parents think he's in college. Desperate for a quick buck, he joins JT Marlin, a brokerage firm that has the look, feel, and energy of a Morgan Stanley or Smith Barney. But underneath the gloss, this is a firm that engages in shady dealings, selling fake stocks and ripping off investors cold. Seth learns the ropes of the trade and over time becomes ruthless and cocky. He alienates his no-nonsense dad, who happens to be a judge and is, to say the least, disappointed that his son is blowing off college.

On the surface, this sounds like a re-telling of "Wall Street," but don't dismiss this film so easily. "Boiler Room" soars on the strength of performances of Nicky Katt, Scott Caan (son of James), Nia Long, and the then-unknown Vin Diesel. The film moves at a brisk pace and, for the most part, avoids melodrama and other formulaic touches. Definitely worth a look.

A Gem of a Film
It is very obvious to anyone who has seen "Wall Street" that this film borrows an awful lot from Oliver Stone's 1987 classic. Every stock broker in the film seems to be modelled on Michael Douglas' Gordon Gekko character with the exception of Giavanni Ribisi who unfortunately seems to be moulded on the Charlie Sheen part. The paralels between the two films are incredible but that doesn't mean that "The Boiler Room" is in anyway a lesser film because of it.

Giovanni Ribisi plays Seth, a 19 year old who drops out of college to start his own backdoor casino. He proves to be a genius running "the biz" and one night he is payed a visit by a long time friend who has now become a stock broker. With visions of becoming a millionaire within three years Seth eagerly takes a job at the firm.

Throughout the film Ribisi seems to have a strange attachment to his Father. (Much like the Sheen's in Wall Street) He wants to be constantly "doing good" so his Father can be proud of him. This is fine and everything but eventually it gets way out of control and the film starts to indulge in banal sentimentality. You start to wonder towards the end if Ribisi is suffering from some strange reverse Oedipus complex or something.

The best scenes are indeed the ones at the office. Ribisi quickly learns how to "close" and get anyone's money but gradually starts to feel hollow inside. In one scene he takes the life savings of an easily manipulated middle class Father. He consciously takes his money knowing it will be lost.

The stock brokers are a fitting image of Gordon Gekko. Ben Affleck especially who's only part in the movie is to come in the room and scream at the new guys. "Whoever says money is the root of all evil doesn't have any" is his character's memorable line. You get the impression though that his character is only there to amplify the cuthroat mentality of the wall street lifestyle. He's still real fun to listen to though. The rest of the brokers are all high on their own greed and are so over the top that it's actually just silly. For no reason there are three bar fights as rival broker's start trouble over who wears a nicer tie. I'm not sure who wrote their dialogue but apparently they have been watching too many mob movies. Each broker talks like a Maffioso and really in the end can't be taken seriously. "American Psycho" satirized stock broker's so well when they were seen arguing about who had the nicest font on their business card. "The Boiler Room's" broker's are basically a more extreme version of the same thing.

"The Boiler Rrom" really flows well and that is it's best asset. It is the perfect length and never goes too far in one direction to get boring. The killer instinct is played out perfectly and makes for an energetic, often times very funny movie. A gem.

Wall Street for Dummies is True
If you think this movie was intelligent and the best stock market film I feel sorry for you. I can name ten better than this and even though this movie tries to become Wall Street for the 90's it incredibly falls short. Why? More than one reason. First of all the actors don't compare to those in Wall Street. Martin Sheen and Michael Douglas stole the show in Wall Street with fine, veteran acting. I didn't care for Charlie Sheen but even he was better than Giovanni Ribisi. Boiler Room was just another film thrown up to target a young audience. It has no point, no plot and the best actors were the ones shown the least. Jamie Kennedy, Nicky Katt, Ron Ripkin, Nia Long ( and the guy that played Harry ) were the sparks of the film. Ben Affleck and Vin Diesel's presence wasn't needed. Neither of them did anything of importance. All the actors in the world and the casting director picked Ribisi to be the lead? Especially when he's standing beside actors who would have played Seth ten times better? I can't see that. He may be a likeable supporting character but he wasn't strong enough to carry the role of Seth. I love interracial relationships but there is no way in the world a woman as beautiful as Nia Long would look at a room full of young men and fall for Giovanni Ribisi, who played Seth like a mindless dork.. Sorry, but I couldn't believe that. Seth was supposed to be this hustler yet he is so stupid he can't see that J.T. is a chop shop? Please! Anyway this is nothing to get hot for unless you like lackluster films that will only amount to " wannabe " status. Yes this is a wannabe Wall Street that never is or never will be.

Don't be fooled by the great soundtrack. They used hip hop to lure you into thinking this film was hip and trendy. Once you start to watch it you see it's nothing to get excited about.

A Modern Day Wall Street
What Wall Street did for the '80s, Boiler Room did for the 90's. With its wonderful cast and side plots, Boiler Room showed the shady world of the flourishing chop shops during the 90's boom. The father/son relationship Seth has is heart-wrenching as is the Abby's home situation. Many lessons are to be learned through this film. For one, regardless of how shady a company is, there do exist some people in these firms who either don't know what is going on or who really have no other choice. Secondly, stop worrying about trying to impress others (even family) it just may get you into trouble.

"Gecko"
This movie surprise me.I liked how they use "Gecko"and it shows them watching Wall Street that was cool.The next best movie to Wall Street (Michael Douglas) in the stock market.
Seth Davis (Giovanni Ribisi) drops out of college and stumbles upon a job to be a stock broker to make all kinds of money, everything is going well, and he is doing great,but things seen to good to be true , as he finds out what he's got himself into.With actors such as Ribisi ,Vin Diesel,Nia Long , Scott Katt and Ben Affeck as (Jim Young) some what like Alex Badwin's part in Glengarry Glen Ross similar in arrogant roles.So set the sale and Enjoy!!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks) would like nothing better than to spend a quiet week's vacation in his suburban home, drinking beer and watching TV. But, spurred on by his two friends' spinning of boyish paranoid fantasies about their reclusive neighbors, the Klopeks, the usually down-to-earth Ray begins to suspect his idyllic neighborhood has been invaded by an evil force, to the point where he and his friends become psychotically nosey. You see where this is going, and you see it from a mile off.Only the general surface-thin plot is somewhat offset by director Joe Dante's fine sense of the absurd, and a host of engagingly played neighbor-types, namely Rick Ducommun as Ray's best friend who's always proposing bad ideas, and Bruce Dern as a sometimes wild-eyed ex-vet who'd love some action.Dante and crew seem to have a knack for keeping these broad characterizations light enough that you don't mind their superficiality. But the best jokes in this unprepossessing film come from composer Jerry Goldsmith's score; Bruce Dern's presence, for instance, is announced by the theme from Patton, and the boys' first approach to the Klopeks' for a meet-and-greet is buttressed by classic strains from Sergio Leone spaghetti Westerns.Kudos to the Klopeks, for their evil ways are ably embodied by Henry Gibson, Courtney Gains, and Brother Theodore.In particular, any suburb that finds it's inhabited by the likes of Brother Theodore is in dire need of new zoning laws.But Carrie Fisher's role as Ray's amiably long-suffering wife is thankless, and she deserves better. --Jim Gay ... Read more

Reviews (109)

"People In Cul - De Sac's Are Strange...."
This 1989 black comedy starring Tom Hanks, and directed by Joe Dante(Gremlins, Matinee, Gremlins 2, Small Soldiers), might not be to everyone's taste. I think it's a silly, fun, entertaining little movie. Hanks stars as an everyday, all American type of guy, who is on vacation from work. He, and the rest of his friends in the cul- de sac they live in, are suspicious of their weird new neighbors. They hear and see weird things going on there. Since he's off work, and has a lot of time on his hands, Hanks gets roped into finding out the mystery of these interesting new additions to the street. Comedian Rick Duccommun plays Hanks' best friend Art. Bruce Dern is their marine-like neighbor across the street. Carrie Fisher plays Hanks' wife. The weirdo family is headed by Henry Gibson. The movie has a number of goofy and funny scenes. One wishes the movie was even darker and went a bit further with some of the stuff, but oh well. The climax is a big, all out there surprise. Okay, maybe not really big, but fun. Corey Feldman co-stars. This isn't great art people, but it's fun escapism.

Repeat value
The 'Burbs isn't one of those movies you'd see being drooled over by film critics or even audiences, but it is one of those movies that if you saw it on TV every couple of months, you'd watch it.

Joe Dante's weird sense of humor shines on this movie even more than the Gremlins movies. It also offers a cast of characters that are as much relatable as they are crazy. Everyone has weird neighbors, right?

Tom Hanks is in top comedic form in this one offering classic lines like "I've never seen anyone drive their garbage to the street and bang the hell out of it with a stick." Then you have the hilarious neighbor Rick Ducommunn who I feel should have had a better career after this film. Corey Feldman (always a treat) plays the irresponsible teen and Bruce Dern is brilliant as the crazy military reject.

All these characters mixed up in a bizzare murder mystery is pure magic. But what makes this movie have replay value is the little things that you don't necessarily catch while watching for the first time. For example, when Rick Ducommunn comes over to visit Tom Hanks and eats nearly everything in his refrigerator while the audience is engrossed with his tales of terror. Or just the body movement of Hanks when he observes the weirdness of his neighborhood throughout the film. Hilarious.

I may be looked upon as weird for giving this movie 5 stars, but it is one I can always rely on for a good laugh and good quotes.

"NO!" "About a 9 on the tension scale, Rube."
"I want to kill everyone. Satan is good. Satan is our pal."
"Red rover red rover let Ray go over."
"I've been blown up! Take me to the hospital, I'm sick."

Watch this movie and you too will quote these lines forever.

Sub-'Burbs
While I found the humor of 'The 'Burbs' kinda cute and occasionally giggle-inducing, it wasn't really all that funny to me. Ya got Tom Hanks in the usual 'reluctant-hero-caught-in-the-middle-of-it-all' role he usually played back in the mid-to-late 80s, with his trademark expression of outraged incredulity poppin' up when he's been pushed just a bit too far by his odd neighbors. Throw in the quasi-psychotic weirdness of Bruce Dern's character, and the cool-dudeness of then-teen-heartthrob Corey Feldman, and you've got a little something that's fun to watch, but ends up well short of being a bona fide laugh riot. Which was pretty much par for the course for most of Hanks' 80s comedies following 'Bachelor Party'.

Ah well, there's always 'Forrest Gump' if I ever feel the need to watch a truly funny Tom Hanks flick...

'Late

Watch Out In Your Neighborhood For The Reclusive Families!
As Art Weingartner says "I'm telling you these people are Satanists. As I sit here, they are Satanists. Look... look, the world is full of these kind of things; black masses, mutilations. Mutilations! The incubus, the succubus - I'm tellin' you, Walter was a human sacrifice."

Such is the hysterical dialog between Art (Rick Ducommun) and Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks) when they discover, along with some other people in their suburban subdivision, their elderly neighbor, Walter Seznick (Gale Gordon) is missing in action.

Other neighbor buddy, Vietnam Vet, Mark Rumsfeld (Bruce Dern) decides to help Ray and Art to find out what happened to Walter. They all three are SURE that the weirdo reclusive new neighbors, The Klopek family, comprised of Dr. Werner Klopek (Henry Gibson), Uncle Reuben Klopek (Brother Theodore) and shy Hans Klopek (Courtney Gains)have something to do with the old man's disappearance.

So...complete with night vision goggles, credit cards to slide in the Klopek's doorlocks to break in and various other spy equipment furnished by Mr. Rumsfeld, they start their little spying games.

Men and their wives even plan a little friendly "welcome wagon" visit to the Klopeks (one of the funniest scenes in the movie!)

Corey Feldman as young neighbor teen Ricky Butler, Carrie Fisher as Carol Peterson, & Wendy Schaal as Bonnie Rumsfeld ALL turn in great performances.

Even Nicky Katt from Boston Public plays Ricky's young friend Steve Kuntz!

What happened to Walter? Did the Klopek's have anything to do with the disappearance? WATCH THIS VERY ENTERTAINING MOVIE and find out for yourself!

Happy Watching!

RAY YOU'RE NEIGHBORS ARE MURDERING PEOPLE!!!
This is the greatest comedy of all time,second is Clue. It has a whole bunch of great lines and an outstanding score by Jerry Goldsmith (Patton). Even though Tom Hanks is really, really funny, the best character in this is Art, played outstandingly by Rick Duccomon. You have to add this to your comedy collection. The movie itself is about three men (Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, and Rick Duccomon) who get obssesed with what is going on in Tom Hanks' neighbors house. Art thinks that the neighbors are killing the other people who used to live there. But he can't be right. Can He? This is a must have for people who love comedy and mysteries. The lesson: Don't judge a person by his cover....... but don't be too careful. ... Read more

Reviews (213)

"The 70's...oh my god, they obviously suck!"
That is one of many classic lines from this movie that makes it a classic. However, this movie could have been set in the 70's, 80's, 90's or 2003 and people would have seen themselves or their friends in this outstanding cast of characters. We all lived through high school, and we can all identify with the characters depicted in Dazed and Confused.

For example, there's the kid who's 27 and still hanging out with all the high schoolers, still trying to date high school freshmen 13 years his junior (Matthew McConaghey). For some kids, you can tell that high school will be the pinnacle of their sad, pathetic lives, and Ben Affleck plays this character to a tee. There are also the ludicrously bitchy and snobby girls (Parker Posey), the perpetually nice and perky girls (Michelle Burke), and the kid who comes to parties "to drink some beer and kick some ass." (Nicky Katt)

This movie is funny because it is so true. High school is pretty much the same regardless of decade or location. You have your jocks and your intellectuals, your snobs and the kids who are nice to everybody. In that way it's like real life, but in real life you're not bound together with 800 other kids you grew up with and who know your entire embarassing life story.

This movie depicting only one day in the life of a high school student is hilarious and touching. Though it will make you laugh out loud, it will also bring back memories of feeling inadequate or ugly that were magnified by the clausterphobic setting of high school. This movie features some stellar performances by actors who went on to become very famous. Though the characters in this movie could have gone to school at any time period in the 20th century, the 70's setting adds to the hilarity. Dive into this world of bell bottoms, bongs and Black Sabbath and try not to cringe when you recognize yourself or your friends in the wonderful cast of characters.

Smoked out hilarious
Ok, being born in 1974 I never got to experience the weirdness of the '70's. I've longed to live in the days of bell bottoms, platforms and the beautiful women with the straight ironed hair. This is one of those movies that captures exactally how I perceive the mid 70's to be. This film is about, well, graduation night and future freshmen and seniors. They basically go around smoking weed and trying to terrorize the up coming freshman. The line up is an all star cast of who's who in movies. Ben Afleck, Mathew Mcconaughey, Jason London and Milla Jovovich.

This is a film that takes a comedic, yet precise look at life in 1976. The music is absolutely awesome and the dialogue will keep you laughing from beginning to end. You get the guy that's always doped up, the jock, the preppy little bi**h and the freshman who wants to fit in. It's hard to describe just what this movie is about because it is really about nothing. One night in 1976 would have been just as good a title as "Dazed and Confused". I love this film. If you enjoy great humor pick this one up.

WOOD-A-BEEN, HAPPENIN'
Finally, a DAZED AND CONFUSED special edition. This is one of the best comedies ever made. Some people find it boring and plotless, but they're just unable to appreciate the honesty that comes along with the movie. Whenever I watch this movie, I watch the whole thing, no scene selections. There is just something about this movie that makes you feel comfortable. It is probably the familiarity that accompanies each of the characters that reminds you of people that you know. There is also something about the feeling of following the characters from the end of their last day of school into the party and concluding on the next morning. There is a feeling about joining the party that makes this movie watchable at most any time. You can feel like you are in the movie, and there is something about it that just wants to make you have fun or go hang out with your friends. People who haven't seen this movie will also be surprised to see the a lot of the cast, which includes many now-famous actors. This cast includes Jason London, Ben Affleck, Rory Cochrane, Mila Jovovich, Matthew McConaughey, and, well there is too many, but believe me, if you remember high school, or you like comedies and you haven't already, you have to check this movie out, and watch the whole thing. It is also good to watch it with a friend so you have someone to talk to about it. An unforgettable set of characters, some good jokes, an unforgettable party, and finally, some special features to go along with the movie. I was one of those people who was told about the movie from a cousin and I picked up the DVD (old one with no special features) and it became one of my favorites. The thing that surprised me was that nobody really knew about it, except for some older people, because the movie was like AMERICAN PIE when it came out. This special edition will definitely get some new recognition. The only thing that pisses me off is that when this special edition does come out, new people are gonna see it and they are gonna act like they discovered it, like I haven't seen it before them. That is gonna suck, but it is gonna be worth it when I see those special features. I hope they have some behind-the-scenes footage or a reunion of the cast or something. By the way, Richard Linklater is a genius who writes with honesty (he also directed this movie). I am gonna buy WAKING LIFE (also starring Wiley Wiggins), BEFORE SUNRISE, and see BEFORE SUNSET. If you liked this movie, you'll probably like DETROIT ROCK CITY and ALMOST FAMOUS. Those movies are good, but we'll get to those later. DAZED AND CONFUSED is a movie you gotta check out. I can't wait for this special edition. You'll also like AMERICAN PIE, THE GIRL NEXT DOOR, and a lot of other comedies with honesty. By the way, I forgot, there is some stupid dialogue in the movie, but it is overweighed by the good stuff, and you won't notice it until you have seen the movie around three or four times. By the way, that doesn't mean I think that the movie is stupid or anything, I can say that because I am a big fan, and I still really like that movie. Plus, you've got to take some stupid jokes along with every good comedy. Anyway, my hands are starting to hurt, and I'm running out of ideas. DAZED AND CONFUSED is one of the greatest comedies ever made. This isn't the only move coming out with a special edition. There is MEET THE PARENTS and a bunch of other UNIVERSAL movies coming out with special editions.

Hilarious!!
This comedy is a scream!! It perfectly captures high school in the 1970s - if you were in school then, you'll recognize everyone in this film as someone in your class. Every detail is perfect - the clothes, haircuts, parties, parents, attitudes, cars, everything. And unlike many teen movies, it doesn't pretend to be heavy or deep - its just and all out good time. I could not stop laughing, watching it, and the soundtrack is awesome.

Looks like someone's smoking the reefer...
I saw this movie and was certainly surprised at how different from its peers it is. "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" is deep, and certainly funny, but it lacks that underlying tone of what will happen to the kids once they get out of school. "American Pie" is hilarious, but it's too bogged down by clichés. "Dazed and Confused", however, finds the perfect middle ground. Set in Austin, Texas, on the last day of school in 1976, the film follows a rouges gallery of colorful (if not fun-loving) teenagers who plan to spend the afternoon and night having as much fun as possible, and that's an understatement. The story itself is very simple, yet captivating and intriguing. Each teen spends his/her night doing something different, yet they all eventually convene at the party at the moon tower. It's like a combo of a day-in-the-life movie, an in-depth character study, and a great teen comedy. And it is of course the comedy that more then any thing explores the alienation and unsettling nature that teenagers feel, regardless of age or timeframe. We see this through such lines as: "I came here tonight to do two things: kick some ass and drink some beer. Looks like we're out of beer!" and "If I ever refer to these as the best years of my life remind me to kill myself." That captures how these kids feel about school, and about life. Cause hey, you want the best years of your life, forget high school. Try college ... Read more

Amazon.com

Made for a fraction of the cost of Oliver Stone's similarly themed Natural Born Killers, Gregg Araki's The Doom Generation is more persuasively outragous in its cultural satire, scarier in its violence, and more profound in its vision of a hate-fueled, media-drunk America seemingly determined to eat its young and dwell stupidly on their vengeance. Rose McGowan (Scream), James Duval (Nowhere), and Johnathon Schaech (That Thing You Do!) star as a trio of friends (Schaech's character actually being a complete stranger who steps into their car and into their lives one club-hopping night) who end up on a sex-and-crime spree that draws the fixed stare of television coverage. Araki makes a case for their continuing innocence in a society whose anti-outsider malevolence is barely disguised in the media but is quite naked out in the heartland, where a punishing level of bigotry is not unknown. Araki's jokes and techniques are crude yet forceful, and his anger is absolutely clear where Stone's was obscured and overreaching. The climax is among the most shattering and enraged scenes of '90s cinema. The DVD includes cast information, a theatrical trailer, and French and Spanish subtitles. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (123)

"Red"," White" and "Blue" on the Run
Everybody made a big deal about Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers", calling it brilliant. But I thought it was ... One of the worst movies ever,too over the top and condecending. "The Doom Generation" gets it right with a mixture of satire,music,and a punk attitude.
The movie stars Rose McGowan as Amy Blue.Both she and her boyfriend Jordan (James Duval) are sitting in their car sharing a moment when Xavier (Jonathon Schaech)leaps into their car and thay have to get out of there to avoid the goons chasing Xavier.
After that, they embark on a road trip around L.A. They get involved in a bloody holdup,killings,and are being chased by homophobic maniacs,the FBI,and people who constantly mistake Amy Blue for someone else. The movie has a tongue in cheek quality that I felt accurately mirrored the teen angst rebels on-the-run scenario. Rose McGowan makes the movie with her witty one-liners and her attitude driven performance. It's wild and outrageous and has an ending that definitely caught me off guard. I also think the soundtrack,which I bought,is pretty good. With gore, nudity, ...undertones, and enough metaphors ... , this one's not for the kids.

Rose and Gregg tear up the screen!!
What drew me to this film was the sexy chic on the cover.. Rose Mcgowan made this role her own.. Gregg Araki directed the film and her very well.. The film is about two lovers played by Mcgowan and James Duvall. They pick up a stranger who is being beaten up by a gang of kids.. after picking him up (by accident).. they try to drop him off at a convenience store.. trouble ensues and the twosome becomes a threesome.. they begin to travel across the state to avoid the police.. on their journey they meet up with some very strange characters who all think they are lovers of Mcgowans, and try to take her back by any means neccesary.. each time, something bad happens.. and each time they run.. finally, trouble catches up with them..

This movie is a prime example of how movies should be made.. its an indie classic in the making.. a cult hit if you may.. it never lets go once it grabs ahold.. watch and enjoy.. you won't be dissapointed..

This film stinks.
"The Doom Generation" is a piece of garbage. It tries to be so many things and fails on all levels. It's not art and it's not good entertainment.
It tries to be as violent and funny as "Pulp Fiction" and "Natural Born Killers" are and it fails! "The Doom Generation" tries to shock the audience with violence and even there it fails! I guess one could call it a boring and cheesy comedy. The only thing to laugh about it's how predictable and boring it is. Still, I give it 1 star for the scene where the "heroes" of "The Doom Generation" show a bit of compassion for a dog.
Otherwise, it's as boring as a rat's ass!

Over-The-Top is the absolute understatement
I rented this movie basically because of the fact that it touted itself as a "road flick," a genre that I'm usually a fan of. I'll admit the gratuitous violence in the beginning had me laughing just because of how corny it was presented, but this wore itself out several minutes later. The film tries to loosely have some kind of "hell" theme by continuously referring to $6.66 as payment for different items they buy along the way. We get it. You didn't have to do it 7 times. I wasn't sure exactly what theme the writer was trying to convey, but it doesn't matter because the story it was based on was so bad anyway. The filmmakers try to use shocking visuals and group sex to (I guess) grab the attention of the audience, which is good because it diverts that attention away from the terrible story that's going on. Don't waste your time.

Over Cooked?
Normally, I don't care much for movies that try to hard to be shocking but this one does leave an impression. The entire film is jam-packed with subliminal messages and 'eye-candy' visuals. There is a story here, with no satisfying conlusion, that is entertaining as he77 to watch. The ending to this film is "overly-shocking" by which I mean not shocking because it tries so hard to be shocking, but it will suprise you. I give it 3 stars because it is not the best movie ever but it leaves a lasting impressioin. I guarantee it. ... Read more

Reviews (127)

Worth Your Contemplation
This movie will make you think. What exactly are "rules of engagement" in battle? Can rules even apply to conflict?

Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson are both excellent as veteran Marine soldiers fighting the battle of their reputations. Incidents occur in Yemen that unfortunately result in civilian deaths. So who takes the blame? Soldiers. This film brings to light the willingness of civilian judgement against someone volunteering to fight for his country. I don't think a bunch of desk jockies should have that right considering they have never faced a loaded gun and a moment to make the decision of their lives. This film will make you think about your own judgement and about the information you receive.

William Friedkin directs this film with an easy hand, allowing the actors to carry the movie rather than a bunch of guts and glory. Although it was released in 2000 the events are very much related to today. Consider the court marshalls currently taking place against our soldiers in Iraq. Who is to say what rules exist for a young man or woman prepared to die. We know scapegoats exist if only politicians would take their share of the blame. Is it even possible to have rules when some people are immune to following them? Soldiers aren't playing a game that can be replayed for fairness, if they were none of them would ever die would they?

Stellar Performances Spark Thought-Provoking Drama
"Rules of Engagement" is a terse and tough drama that opens in the Vietnamese war and moves to the Yemen of today in a story that could easily have been ripped from today's news stories. Samuel L. Jackson is accused of ordering his Marine troops to open fire on a group of men, women and children who were allegedly peacefully protesting at the American Embassy, and murdering eighty-three of them. He enlists his Vietnam buddy, Tommy Lee Jones, to come out of retirement to defend him and save his career and reputation. The story moves along at a rapid pace, sparked by outstanding performances by Jones and Jackson. The many close-ups of their endlessly subtle reactions create a powerful effect and draw you into the drama. The story itself is thought-provoking and challenging in that it asks the viewer to draw his or her own conclusions regarding right and wrong in the Middle East. Blair Underwood is on deck to deliver an excellent two scene tour-de-force; he is well on his way to becoming one of our finest younger actors. Ben Kingsley and, especially, a notably de-glamorized Anne Archer, also provide high points. Director William Friedkin keeps things moving right along with his hand on the pulse of the story throughout. Well worth the time.

Engaging
The framework in which this story is centered around is quite compelling: an American embassy in a 3rd world country is being besieged by an angry and volatile anti-American mob. A security detail from a Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) is called in to defuse the situation. From that point onward, utter chaos breaks out.

In this day & age the scene of the mob is sure to be quite gripping to any American viewer. This is especially the case given the fact that we've had several embassies overseas bombed in the past 10-20 years. Ever since 9/11 it has been exceedingly difficult to have a whole lot of sympathy for anti-American mobs, regardless of where they are.

While the film examines nicely some of the ethical intricacies of combat, the major flaw is that there is a rather large hole in the plot that even the least clever moviegoers will be able to point out. As the rest of the movie is pretty good, the best thing to do is to try and overlook this unfortunate inconsistency.

Another facet that strikes close to home is the cover-up attempts of the State Department. Not only is this plausible, but it is downright realistic. Few people with morals work for the State Department and the history of the department is filled with cloak-and-daggar silliness.

In all, this is an entertaining movie that compels one to think. It would have been a great movie, if not for the hole in the plot. It is a story that reminds us that the rules that govern war according to the Geneva Convention were written by lawyers who sat in the comfort of debate tables and not battle-hardened soldiers on the front-lines who get shot at on a daily basis.

Disgraceful!
This is a piece of disgraceful American jingoism, implying that all Arabs are evil, and that only the US can save the world. And the inference is that it's a true story - IT'S NOT! It's Stars and Stripes fiction of the most racist kind. And to cap it all, it's a huge waste of talented actors. It's the responsibilty of reasonable people to make sure that the young and naive never see this tripe. They could end up believing it's true.

William Friedkin is a Man of Honor
Within the sanguine moral abyss of combat, lies the grey zone. William Friedkin peels back the souls of men like a savage karmic banana, embedded with the shrapnel of moral ambiguity, the kind that fuels the war machine. And caught in the middle are the Marines, elegantly exemplified by the firebrand conviction of Samuel L. Jackson and the decency incarnate Americana personified by Tommy Lee Jones. Under the hands of maestro William Friedkin, "Rules of Engagement" proves that only honor survives amongst the ashes of men. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Intermittently funny, but generally inane and faux chic
"Full Frontal" is built on a remarkably juvenile screenplay by performance artist Coleman Hough; it's pretty amazing director Steven Soderbergh saw anything in it. It's literate enough, but about all the neurotic, postmodern things we've grown to loathe: weird sexual fetishes, the debate of "reality" vs. "unreality", that two-degrees-of-separation-in-LA material, and, finally, unnervingly, Hollywood mechanics. We did not need another ludicrous, didactic structural analysis of Hollywood.

Boy do we get it. "Full Frontal" begins with an introduction of the characters through series of random, purposeless monologues drawn from different points in the film, then the opening scene of what looks like a big budget romance movie between an actor (Blair Underwood) and a journalist (Julia Roberts), just staged and false enough to let you know it's winking, before commencing with seemingly unrelated subplots that wink like an old creep with a pocket of butterscotch candies.

Another journalist (David Hyde Pierce) is clinging to his magazine job and his marriage to a human relations executive of some kind (Catherine Keener) who is quite clearly deranged or a descendant of the inquisition: She conducts interviews, all day it seems, by throwing a plastic blowup globe at her applicants and demanding the names of all the countries in Africa. This story is intercut with the opening of a second-rate stage comedy about Hitler, with a lead actor (Nicky Katt) channeling Cary Grant and quoting Peter Ustinov; and a massage therapist (Mary McCormack) who eventually crosses the paths of all the characters. David Duchovny appears in a cameo as a kinky movie producer that proves he's pretty hard up in life after "The X-Files."

Soderbergh is usually pretty savvy with a variety of film styles and camera lenses, but using cheap digital cameras mutes the small victories of comedy Hough's script does deliver. The hand-held jitter is agonizing as well. There's only so much of the follow-the-globe cam we can take.

Mostly, though, "Full Frontal" is a painful (and refreshing) reminder that not every chic, self-absorbed New Yorker like Hough can waltz into LA and force audiences to acknowledge her obvious highbrow wit and trendy verbal gymnastics by inserting bizarre non-sequitors like vampires, marijuana brownies and guys crawling along hotel floors. Keener especially rants and moans her way into the pantheon of grating personas. It could be said that Roberts acquits herself in a small role - Roberts seems to be doing a lot of that lately - while Pierce most closely approaches a performance of resonance.

Based on its less-is-nothing marketing campaign, Soderbergh and others basically knew "Full Frontal" was inside baseball, pertinent to the few, aimless for the rest. That knowledge doesn't excuse the film, particularly the ridiculous final scene that pulls back and back and back to reveal a couple of artists an hour past being "on it" and hip.

Excruciating, but not absolutely worthless ;-)
There is a style, or class, or school of comedy characterized by something bad, or lame being repeated over and over until it becomes funny. There is something like this going on here with "Full Frontal". I saw this picture in a theater with six other people, and three of them walked out after twenty minutes. Too bad, really, since the chuckles only started to occur after the proceedings had worn you absolutely down, and twenty minutes into the picture you were only JUST starting to get exasperated. Could be that this film works better on the small screen, which I found to be the case with Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut", another excruciating experience. Warning! By no means see this movie with another recent Soderbergh picture "Solaris", or you may subsequently need therapy.

Experiment? Ensemble Drama? The Film Doesn't Know it.
Though "Full Frontal" boasts of its great casts including Julia Roberts, the film is rather an experimental indie film, mostly shot in 18 days with a digital camera (which cost only $ 4,600). That is not a problem if the film is interesting -- I mean, interesting characters, interesting techiniques, interesting stories, or anything. No such luck, sorry. Though some actors are giving their best efforts, the film looks more like a self-indulgent film-school student's work.

The film follows the events that happen to the characters (whose profiles are revealed in the introductory part). Journalist Julia Roberts is interviewing TV star Blair Underwood; Cathrine Keener is doing the most uncomfortable job of the human resorce office (that is, firing the employees); her sister Mary McCormack is talking about the guy she met on the net; David Hyde Pierce (who shows uncanny resemblance with director Soderbergh himself) is rehearsing the stage drama for the always quizzical Nikky Katt. When the day comes close to the end, these assorted people find themselves strangely entangled in the web of human relations, which is represented by the dinner party for "Gus," powerful Hollywood producer played by one star from "X-Files."

The film also includes 'film within film" device (and even "film within film within film" devide, too), which might confuse some of the viewers. Fortunately, the device is not overused, and soon you will understand what is doing on.

The trouble is, except for some moments including talented Keener, none of the characters can really grab your attention. They are facing the critical moments of life, the film implies, but strangely we do not care. And as the experimental film, "Full Frontal" is not as innovative as "Schizopolis" (in which Soderbergh himself starred).

Possibly, here is the reason for its half-baked result: first, incredible you might say, but Soderbergh's use of digital camera is so poor like someone's home movies. At one scene, you see Sandra Oh very briefly. Well, but I couldn't see whether it was her or not because of a blurred image (I knew her voice, and saw her name in the credits), and I was thinking -- what is the point of doing that? The poorly shot images just detract our attention to the characters which should not be sacrificed for the dirctor's unnecessary "experiments."

Some parts of the film might interest you (if you're a film buff). You see many cameos -- Brad Pitt, Terence Stamp, and David Fincher (as the perfectionist director who needs 49 takes for one breif shot). But they are not enough for us to keep being interesting in the story which should really count. The conculsion is this; you just cannot use this great cast just because you want to be experimantal. Life is too short to do that, especially with this cast.

Don't buy this DVD--don't even spend $3 to rent it
The only reason this movie gets one star is because there's not an option to choose zero. This is, unbelievably to me, given Mr. Soderbergh's other credits, one of the WORST movies I've ever seen. The "documentary" style filming is grainy and extremely distracting, and even more so because it's such an over-used technique. I'm an avid independent film viewer and like the unusual and the avant-garde, but this film is a poseur which fails in every way.

If you come to the story without knowing it's supposed to be imbued with skewering cleverness and satire, it's confusing, unengaging and boring, and, come to think of it, now that I know it's supposed to have those elements, it's STILL confusing, boring and unengaging. The character development is so poor that you don't care about anybody nor understand what's motivating them. David Hyde Pierce is a horrible choice for the main character--he has no depth or emotional range which, unfortunately, keeps us half wondering if Kelsey Grammer's going to come through the door at any minute. Catherine Keener has the kind of charisma that transcends shoddy screenwriting, but how her character behaves makes the least sense of all.

I think the only reason to rent this movie would be if you want to get a few second "full frontal" view of David Duchovny, albeit a grainy one shot from a distance so you really can't see anything, or if you're the VP of HR and you need to show your managers how NOT to conduct an HR interview.

Watching Paint Dry
This is quite a short film, around ninety minutes, long but it seems longer as it is extraordinarily tedious. It's a Hollywood movie about Hollywood and the movie business and I guess it's intended to have a certain ironic, satirical edge to it. But it's not much of an edge and what Soderbergh has made is a smug and tedious exercise in navel gazing. I think Soderbergh probably thinks he has made a wry black comedy but it's a very safe, pale shade of black and, though it sometimes tries hard, it is never remotely witty. It has a decidedly overwritten and theatrical feel to it like a rather pretentious and forgettable off-broadway play. There are six main characters, three of each sex, none of whom there is the remotest reason to care about in the slightest. The gimmicky postmodern film-within-a-film trick is getting pretty tired by now and, where this film is concerned, has little or no apparent point beyond courting a certain spurious arthouse credibility. One or two fairly decent performances, notably from Catherine Keener and Mary McCormack, constitute a slender redeeming feature. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A vintage Stephen King concept unfolds in Riding the Bullet:a college kid, circa 1970, must hitchhike a very long (and very dark) hundred miles to visit his hospitalized mother. The ghosts waiting for him along the way are either real or of his own mind (which seems to be a dark place itself). As a King short story, this might have been a usefully frightening premise, but it's almost entirely literary; on screen, it boils down to a guy walking down a road at night. Jonathan Jackson is suitably tortured in the lead role (or roles--he frequently appears double on screen, arguing with himself), but the movie is stolen by David Arquette, rocking it up as a '50s greaser who died in a car crash years earlier. Barbara Hershey and Erika Christensen are wasted in support. There's a strain to make the Woodstock-era setting relevant, but this doesn't seem to have a great deal to do with the private demons of the protagonist. (And if you're going to set it in 1970, how hard is it to catch dialogue anachronisms?) Director Mick Garris is a longtime King conduit (The Stand), but this one is misconceived from the start. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (20)

It's all in your head buddy!
Over the last 3 decades a large number of Stephen King’s novels have been adapted to the big screen, movies of which King himself has been known to be a harsh critic of.So I was intrigued when I read a King blurb on the box saying he thought it was the best movie adaptation of his work since Stand by me.Don’t believe it.Obviously King is well placed to analyze movies based on his works but I have often found myself disagreeing with his assessments.King, remember, was utterly disgusted by the original film adaptation of The Shining.I don’t know about you, but I (along with many critics of the horror genre) consider Stanley Kubrick’s movie to be an absolute classic of the genre, one of the top 20 horror films of all time.As for Ride the Bullet?It’s a mildly amusing film but ultimately a forgettable one.I would really like for King to elaborate on what he thinks is so great about this film.

The story takes place in Maine, 1969.University of Maine student Alan Parker is a lost soul in search of direction, a misunderstood artist whose paintings about death and decay draw the ire of his art teacher and whose unpredictable mood changes draw the ire of his girlfriend.Obsessed with death, Allan hits rock bottom after a botched suicide attempt.But after receiving a phone call informing him that his mother is in a hospital in severe condition after a stroke, Allan puts his melancholy on hold and hitchhikes to Lewiston in order to go see his mom.On the road there, he encounters a wide array of abnormities such as talking birds, a rabid dog, crazy drivers, crazy rednecks and DEATH himself.Some of this is real but a lot of it is just in Allan’s head.But no matter how weird the encounters and how dangerous the obstacles get, Allan won’t let anything get in the way of his ultimate goal: reaching his mother in Lewistown.

The concept sounds really neat but as is usually the case with b-movies, Riding the Bullet falls prey to both its low-budget trappings and shoddy execution.I found the constant flashbacks, headtrips and Allan’s discussions with his alter-ego ghost (that only he sees) to make for a confusing and shall I say rather self-indulgent experience.The problem is that since we know that Allan is crazy in the head and imagining most of these things anyway, these suspense scenes feel, well, rather non-threatening.That is usually the case with films like these.If it’s all in the characters’ heads and you know it’s not really there, why should you be scared of it?Still, I must concede that Riding the Bullet is a mildly amusing film.There are several exciting scenes of suspense, the hitchhiking concept makes for a suspenseful ride and the performances of most of the actors are commendable especially from lead actor Jonathan Jackson and also David Arquette in a deliciously creepy and over-the-top performance.I think fans of King’s later works such as Hearts in Atlantis would especially like it.Others looking for horror might be disappointed.

A goffy horror comedy
In "Riding the Bullet", a young college student (Jonathon Jackson) in 1969 recives bad news about his mom (Barbara Hershey) and begins hitchhiking home to be with her in the hospital.Along the way he meets several strange, spooky people and several pieces of road kill (from animal to human).Finally he accepts a ride from a strange drifter (David Arquette) and is given a very dire choice.Fans of Stephen King know this is based on his direct for intenet short story.But they probably weren't expecting this excesise in hero worship from the film's director, long time King collaberator Mick Garris.There are way too many references to King's earlier works; Gage Creed from "Pet Semetary", Arquette is driving a 1958 Plymoth Fury ("Christine"); a guy says that he'll just keep shine on ("The Shinning").Also it tries to hard to be a period piece, dipping a bit to hard about Woodstock, Vietnam protests, ect.Another thing I wasn't too keen on was the level of humor in the film.Eventually the kid's hallucinations become too jokey.I mean, at one point the kid is trying to commit suicide, and he imagines the Grim Reaper coming in the bathroom and smoking a joint with him.That was when I stopped taking the film seriously.Well, I hope you guys enjoy it better than I did.

Heck, I like it!
3.7 stars

Fun is fun and done is done.

This movie is for you if you sorta like weird, ridiculous, creepy film that isbordering on bad. I was not sure if the boy in the movie was having a spiritual journey, taking hallucogenic drugs, or having schizophrenic symtoms, LOL. Or maybe it's just a simple ghost story with a plot? Or maybe it's a well-executed movie with a quite memorable message? You decide!

I don't know much about who made this movie.. but it sure has a look of a low budget film [not necessarily in a bad way though] and it reminds you a bit of those 80's horrors. The acting is pretty good, especially coming from an actor I've never seen before. The plot is Stephen King so what's not to like. Script, editing, cinematography, effects and such are mediocre at best, I guess.

In short, not a great movie but I really like it. I think you need to have a high tolerance for the ridiculous to enjoy this movie though.

Pretty good
I thought this was a good movie overall.Is it going to win any Academy Awards?No.But, it was still entertaining.I haven't read the e-book, so I was unsure as to what was going to happen in the film.While the movie did get slow at parts, it kept me wondering what was going to happen.It's not a scary movie, more weird and creepy than anything else.Recommended for those that have enjoyed other Stephen King films such as "The Night Flier"

Riding the bullet
This movie started getting semi interesting when David Arquette came on.Sadly, that was almost an hour in and he couldn't save it.I was so bored I kept falling asleep and it wasn't the casts fault, the movie was simply not interesting enough to keep my attention. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Based on Anna Quindlen's bestselling novel, this is a mother-daughter and father-daughter story, two for the price of one. But director Carl Franklin also tries to inject a police-mystery angle that it neither needs nor will support. Renee Zellweger plays a young writer on the rise, who has finally gotten her break for a New York magazine. While home for a birthday party for her nearly famous writer father (William Hurt), she learns that her mother (Meryl Streep) has been diagnosed with cancer. Then her father does the unthinkable: He all but commands her to put her career on hold to take care of her mother and nurse her through her illness. Dad, a popular college professor who has never gotten the literary acclaim he always believed he deserved, essentially checks out--and daughter must play parent to her mother. Strong performances by Streep and Zellweger give this parent-child relationship the heart--and the anger--of the real thing, while Hurt seems slightly disembodied as the self-involved father whose needs have dominated both women. Still, the detective-story aspect (the film is told in flashback, as the cops try to discover whether someone slipped Mom a fatal dose of morphine) is a construct that could have been done without. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (47)

Meryl Streep Was Robbed of the Oscar !
Meryl Streep continues to amaze me by adding another performance to her gallery of great roles. Being a guy l have to be honest to say that l cried throughout the film, especially near the end. The whole issue of cancer is a very challening topic to present on film. "One True Thing" does a fantastic job at addressing one family's struggle with the life-threatening illness. Although the film starts off very slowly, l was intrigued with the struggle and friction that exists within a family. Meryl Streep earned her 11th Oscar nomination for this performance and she is amazing. I have to say that she was robbed of the Best Actress Oscar. Gwyneth Paltrow for "Shakespeare In Love" ? Pleeeease. The bathroom scene where Renee Zellwegger helps Meryl out of the bathtub is heartbreaking to watch. And when Meryl asks her daughter to help her out of her pain is the point of the movie where l'm sobbing like a baby. I was totally blown away by the power and raw emotion of that scene. I don't want to spoil the whole movie for you but if you're a fan of Meryl Streep's work, then you won't be disappointed. And forget about getting the tissue out, bring a whole roll of toilet paper cause you're gonna need it. This movie is 5 star weeper.

One True Thing is a one true movie!
Since I became very interested in Renee Zellweger, I had decided to rent this, and I thought it was such a beuatiful movie. After learning that her mother has cancer, Ellen (Zellweger) is asked by her father (William Hurt) to come back home to care for her. At first, she refuses, but finds the strength to do go home, and in the process begins to have a more loving relationship with her mother that she never really had before. I had never watched many of Meryl Streeps movies before, but just watching her playout this character who is indeed suffering a great deal made me totally upset, and like Ellen you wish so much to want to help her even if you can't. However, when I think more of it, it really is better to have loved than to have lost. And in a very beautiful way, both Ellen and her mother found that bond which will always be with them. I wish I could review more, but in a way as I write this, I am feeling a little emotional over it. There really are no other words. Except one love: love. I guess less is more.

THE EXTRAORDINARY SOUL OF A REGULAR "HOUSE WIFE"
If there's one actress that can get into the skin of her character, Streep is it. She effortlessly portays a regular housewife, embroidering pillows and decorating cribs one minute, and being a veritable fountain of love and understanding the next! William Hurt turns in a convincing performance too, as the aloof and careless Regular Husband, while Zellweger adds a mean punch with her rich and dynamic presence.

The theme is hardly anything earth-shattering, but there's a fine line between the genuinely moving and the saccharine, and under Franklin's low-key direction "One True Thing" succeeds where many pictures fail by maintaining its dignity and, just as importantly, its honesty. You won't cry out of a sense of obligation, but because the incredible cast drive the material straight to the heart.

Highly recommended if you're in the mood for a stirring "Ordinary People" type of a drama. Keep a Kleenex handy.

Please read the book
Although the acting is very fine, this movie does an injustice to the book. The book is the story of Ellen's developing awareness, and is told very subtly. Before her mother's illness, Ellen had been seeing the world through her father's eyes. In the process of bonding with her mother, she develops a much deeper view of herself, her parents, their life as a family, and of how she intends to live. The movie comes close to reducing this complex story to a morality tale espousing the beauty of traditional feminine virtues, and makes what should be a subtle story a nearly black and white one. The problem is not that the movie differs from the book; it's that the movie fundamentally distorts the book's meaning.

Good movie
This was a really nice dramatic movie which Meryl Streep truly shines in. The movie also stars Renee Zellweger and William Hurt. Zellweger plays a workaholic who lives in New York, and goes home to visit her family for her father's (Hurt) birthday. She learns that her mother (Streep) has cancer and her father asks her to move home to take care of him, thus leaving her career, life and boyfriend behind in New York. Zellweger plays a cold character who is distant from her family, but she has to hold it together for all of them. She soon learns how much her mother does day to day, and finds herself growing with resentment towards her father who takes no part in helping or caring for his wife. He also has affairs and is emotionally distant from the family. The movie focuses mainly on the women, so you find yourself relating to them more than the father. The movie was well done and Streep stole the performance as the dying mother, nothing short of excellent work as usual. My only complaint is the way the scenes are put together. The movie starts in 1988 where Zellweger's character is talking to a lawyer, and then you watch the past and see the story interjected between these scenes, which cuts between the drama and is not very effective in my opinion. Also, in the end when the mother dies from drug overdose, the daughter believes her father did it, and vice versa. It was not explained very well or even exposed that the mother was the one who did it, it just seemed to sneak in right at the end. Overall a good movie though. ... Read more

Description

In America, they call it the Mafia... In Japan they call it Yakuza. When they meet they call it war! Viggo Mortensen (G.I. Jane) and Michael Nouri (The Hidden) star in this explosive action-thriller about the first American accepted into the savage brotherhood of Japan's criminal underworld.Sent to infiltrate the American arm of the Yakuza, FBI agent Nick Davis (Mortensen) rises through the ranks of assassins and is soon adopted into the powerful Tendo crime family. His work brings him into brutal conflict with not only the Italian mob, but also a hard-nosed FBI taskforce guided by unscrupulous Agent Littman (Robert Forster).Caught dead center in a war between the Yakuza, the mob, and the FBI, Davis must decide what's more important: his old loyalties--or his new bond of blood. ... Read more

Reviews (80)

Excellent Example of Using Film to tell a Story
Strange Days is an excellent example of using film to tell a story given the high-caliber actors (Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett, Tom Sizemore and Juliette Lewis) and the realistic/futuristic production design (LA 1999). Everyone I've recommended this movie to has enjoyed it! The story of a lovesick ex-cop, turned virtual-reality junkie and civil rights advocate is a delightful "what if" scenario. Also, I'm not surprised that James Cameron's production company is involved, I'd have to say that he is the "King of the "What If" scenario!" (For instance, "What if" In order to change the future, a robot is sent back in time to kill a specific person.(The Terminator)) It is unfortunate that this movie wasn't promoted more and I feel lucky that I came upon this movie accidently on HBO. Although I am a fan of thrillers and sci-fi, a good story (giving the viewer a range of feelings and emotions) regardless of the genre is what truly sells to a wide audience. I believe that Strange Days is a good story told extremely well by the director, Kate Bigelow, using film.

Strange days is one of the best movies out there
Strange days,which stars ralph fiennes,juliette lewis,angela basset,tom sizemore,michael wincott and many others,is a stylish,cool,and wild movie.The plot is about an ex-cop(fiennes)who stumbles into murder involving his ex-girlfriend(lewis)and his best friend or so he thought(sizemore)along with the murder of a rap star by 2 corrupt cops,one of them played by the brilliant actor vincent donofrio.Ralph fiennes play the role of lenny nero brilliantly and superb.And tom sizemore is great as the crazed killer.The ending is awesome..in fact the whole movie is excellent.It is one of my favorite,not so in the distance future,thrillers.Right up there with escape from new york and blade runner.Katheryn bigelow,who directed,is an excellent filmaker(point break).If you enjoy the movie,you should also check out the soundtrack.It has great tunes by peter gabriel,deep forrest,lori carson and many more.This film is an instant classic.Great casting,great score,great filming.Great movie.Billy from new jersey....

Terrible Movie
This movie is absolutely horrid. There is constant violence including sexual assaults against women. I agree with another viewer that found it odd that a woman would choose to direct this type of film. If you enjoy watching nothing but violence and seeing women hurt, then this film is for you. I wonder what James Cameron was thinking when he wrote this piece of garbage.

Brilliant Days
One of the sci-fi masterpieces of the nineties, "Strange Days" is a movie that has a bit of everything and ends up being a terrific cinematic experience. Set in a near future, the story deals with classic themes like virtual reality, thought control or the share of memory, providing and exciting and engaging cyberpunk adventure.

Director Kathryn Bigelow creates a futuristic LA that manages to be both sophisticated and believable, avoiding the over-the-top, utopic and not very realistic depictions of future societies presented in other sci-fi films.

Although "Strange Days" is basically a thriller, it is way above many run-of-the-mill movies of its genre, as it suceeds at combining its key elements perfectly. The direction is dynamic, unique and fast-paced, adding style and energy with an excellent sense of rythm, flow and tension.

The acting is also a plus, since Ralph Fiennes is unforgettable as the flawed anti-hero Lenny and Angela Basset shines as his sister-in-arms Mace. This duo makes for an odd, yet original and memorable couple, delivering some enticing and moving scenes. It`s also interesting seeing the female character protecting the male for a change, making for a clever reverse of the predictable and typical scenario of most action flicks. Juliette Lewis is also convincing as the dark and feral femme fatale, especially when she sings a P.J. Harvey song to perfection (one of the many excellent and remarkable moments of this movie).

"Strange Days" is much more than a futuristic thriller, providing a rich cinematic experience that brings issues such as isolation, trust, friendship, love and life in general. Every scene is compelling and intriguing, and the plot is very well developed, culminating in a tense, dynamic and huge finale with a superb climatic ending. Kudos to the soundtrack, by the way, especially the Skunk Anansie live presence during the last scenes that adds a lot of edge, mood and atmosphere to that peculiar chase sequence.

Overall, this movie is definitely an underrated classic and a must-have. Forget overrated stuff like the boring and very flawed "Blade Runner", since "Strange Days" is a much more compelling and solid sci-fi masterpiece.

Highly recommended.

Can't watch this more than once..
Amazon has had this DVD listed as a featured recommendation for me for the past couple of weeks.. but Strange Days is one of my least favorite films so I feel compelled to review it and say why. I saw this film in the theatre and was immediately turned off as the setting was a completely unrecognizable LA of the future -- set just a little over four years away. Um, the world doesn't change that quickly.

I tried to ignore that and I admit the story got a bit more interesting.. but then I was completely put off by not one but TWO scenes depicting sexual assault. I'm no prude but these scenes were repulsive. So just a warning before you buy or buy this as a gift: if the MPAA had any sense whatsoever this film would be rated NC-17.

One more criticism: the camera cuts so much during the finale that the scene is barely watchable. For all these reasons, I just don't understand why anyone would put themselves through Strange Days more than once. ... Read more

Description

Crime never sleeps. Neither does Will Dormer (AL PACINO), a veteran LAPD homicide detective sent north to Alaska to head a murder case. There his investigation is disrupted by an ever-shining Midnight Sun that wreaks sleep-depriving havoc on his body clock and brings Dormer's shady, guilt-plagued past into the light of day. ... Read more

Reviews (242)

A worthy follow up to Memento
Insomnia, director Chris Nolan's second full length feature, doesn't have the same gut-wrenching and mind-bending plot twists that his feature length debut, Memento, had, but does an excellent job telling an original and gripping detective mystery.

The pleasure of Insomnia is to be found in its rich cinematography, beautiful landscapes, and excellent performances. The movie is one of the most visually compelling pieces of filmmaking I have seen in years, creating surreal juxtapositions with the vast, harsh Alaskan landscape and with close-up shots of crime scene evidence. The amazing visual landscapes (both large and small) are used effectively by director Nolan to emphasize the films themes of isolation and overpowerment, of losing oneself within ones environment and in ones choices.

Insomnia's plot will disappoint those looking for a new Memento, in that it does not have the sort of turns of action and motivation that Memento does. Insomnia works well without elaborate plot twists, however, it's mood benefits from a certain lack of ambiguity of action, although the ending is perhaps a little to predictable and cliched. Insomnia would have benefited, however, from more ambiguity of motivation - while the acting is top notch, especially on the part of Robin Williams, the connections between the characters actions and their motivations and decisions is too closely drawn by the script.

Overall Insomnia is an excellent movie, and a good entry into the detective/suspense movie cannon. It suffers slightly from a couple of bad edits (in a movie filled with amazing editing and shooting) and from its desire to clearly spell out the principle characters motivations, but these minor flaws are more than redeemed by the director's excellent camerawork and sense of pacing, a strong script, and very solid acting performances. Insomnia is a must see movie, and a welcome change from the "blockbuster" summer movie scene of 2002.

INSOMNIA is a long way from being a snoozer
Hollywood seems to have a love affair with remakes. A few years back it was hip to remake French films, then it was film versions of old TV shows, and every year there seems to be a "Sequelitis" epidemic in multiplexes worldwide. But INSOMNIA offers a Hollywood rarity: This is a remake of a NORWEGIAN movie.
While my opening comments don't offer much hope for the film, INSOMNIA is actually a great movie once you get into it. Starring Oscar winners Al Pacino, Robin Williams and Hilary Swank, executive produced by Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney and directed by Christopher Nolan director of the vastly overrated MEMENTO, INSOMNIA is a compelling mystery thriller.
When cop Will Dormer (Pacino) witnesses the murder of his partner, the prime suspect is mystery writer Walter Finch (Williams). But while Finch appears accommodating to the police, chronic insomniac Dormer finds himself receiving taunting calls from Finch in the middle of the night. Dormer's investigation leads him to a remote Alaskan town which never sees nightfall during the spring/summer seasons where he is partnered with local cop Ellie Burr (Hillary Swank). But with the combination of the continued threats from his unseen nemesis and the stress of the investigation, Dormer's sleeping disorder is wearing him down and disorientating him, making him an easier target.
Like MEMENTO, INSOMNIA is full of twists and is beautifully photographed. But thankfully unlike it, INSOMNIA has a plot that makes sense and keeps the viewer glued to the screen; but it is the strong characterisations by Pacino and Williams that make their cat-and-mouse game utterly compelling. I haven't seen the Norwegian version, but as far as remakes go its probably a pretty safe bet that INSOMNIA is in the upper ranks.

Falls Flat
This psychological thriller is based upon Norwegian writer Erik Skjoldbjaerg's novel of the same title. Al Pacino took a 4 year absence from acting before this film, and it's no surprise that this one broke him from his hiatus, as it has a great script and it stars two other Academy Award winning performers, Hillary Swank and Robin Williams.

Set in Alaska, this film is about Will Dormer, a veteran LA detective, played by Pacino. Dormer is sent with partner Hap Eckhart to investigate the grisly murder of a 17-year-old girl. At the same time, Dormer & Eckhart are being investigated by internal affairs for some suspicious police work, which Dormer believes Eckhart is about to spill the beans about.

The two colleagues are welcomed in Alaska by Ellie Burr (Hilary Swank), a policewoman who is also interested in solving this strange case. Dormer accidentally shoots his partner Eckhart, but knows how it will look if he confesses to the shooting, so he misleads them to believe that the suspect did the shooting and continues the investigation. The story goes through some interesting twists and turns from there on.

Three academy award winners in one movie that is based on a fantastic book with the same director as Memento seems like a sure winner, and it certainly did well at the box office, but it falls flat. Perhaps Swank and Pacino are afraid to upstage each other, as both their performances lack emotional depth and energy. Williams' performance is shockingly superb, however, as this role is a side of him not yet seen and he plays it very well. He finally shows he is a talented actor with more range than the Patch Adams and Mrs Doubtfire roles he usually takes. Williams' great performance can't save this film though, as it just doesn't get to the heart. The lack of emotional impact of it has is disappointing, as the criminal is more interesting and complex than the cops. The line fine they are creating between cop and criminal isn't lost on me, but Pacino's character is wooden and emotionally superficial and there's a void in the film where a great character should be.

This movie is proof that too many chefs spoil the cake, as too many great actors made what should have been a spectacular film into this mediocre film.

i was dissapointed
I expected this to be really good, but the potentially excellent film by Christopher Nolan was really hurt by the attitude of Al Pacino as a cop in Alaska. In his past few movies, he tries too hard to be young and savvy when he just needs to accept that he is aging. He tries to be cool in this and he is just retarded. Hilary Swank didn't do anything at all to make this movie any better. Robin Williams is the only bright spot in this movie. He is the reason for me giving this three stars. He can play a pretty good villain.

Robin's as the baddie
I guess nealy every actor plays a bad guy at some point. Williams has probably realized that he's pretty much plumbed the depths of comedic possibilies and its time to do some actual acting. He's surprisingly good. There's always been a kind of sad melancholic underside to William's comedy. Stand up comedy itself is a desperate plea for attention and acceptance. 98 % of this movie is the mano a mano mortal struggle between Pacino, the conflicted and tormented cop and Williams, the remorseless murderer. Formulaic but extremely well acted, directed and filmed. ... Read more</