Description

During the past century, thousands of people have gone missing.When 4400 of them return all at once unharmed and looking the same as when they disappeared, the government investigates, unsure of how this can be possible.What the government does not know is that the presence of these 4400 will change the human race in many unexpected ways. ... Read more

Reviews (240)

A tribute to man's failings!
I approached this movie with a certain trepedation. As a great fan of the Nick Hornby novel, I was somewhat concerned about the Americanisation of the novel.

How could I ever have doubted John Cusack and co!! The point is made well by Stephen Frears in his interview; moving the movie to Chicargo highlights the fact that its themes are universal.

We are taken inside the mind of Rob(John Cusack), a thirtysomething record store owner, undergoing a mini mid-life crisis. His girlfriend has left him for the new-age hippie neighbour (Tim Robbins). In an effort to understand why this has happened he takes the advice of "The Boss" and contacts his "all-time top five break-ups" to try to determine why they broke up with him.

Rob is not the perfect hero and his flaws are clearly shown to us. It is this which allows the viewer to identify with Rob in a way which certainly I have done with very few movie characters. He's a good guy who does stupid things, hurts the people he loves, acts selfishly but is ultimately likeable.

Rob's journey of self discovery is always anchored by his obsession with music and this music gives us a further insight into the mind of the main character.

Special mention must be made of the deleted scenes on the DVD version. A couple of these are particularly fine and would have added to the narrative. I can only think that there was a particularly vicious editing process to cut ten minutes off the running time.

The cast is truely outstanding, a real ensemble piece with particularly fine performances from Jack Black and Todd Luiso as Rob's stereotypical record shop snob employees ("I can't fire them. I hired them three days a week but they starting coming every day. That was three years ago!) Some of the scenes in the music shop are painfully funny.

But ultimatly it's Cusacks movie. He truly is one of the most talented actors in mainstream cinema today.

Besides any movie that can namecheck Belle & Sebastian and The Beta Band and features a cameo from Bruce Springsteen deserves an extra star!

Watch it twice. At least.
It's hard to explain to someone who hasn't seen High Fidelity, or even someone who's just seen it once, how incredibly good it is. Take first the phenomenal John Cusack, who seems to make any film he appears in twice as watchable. Is there a more underrated leading man in this decade? I doubt it.

Then take into account the amazing support, knowns and unknowns - Cusack's sister Joan, Tim Robbins, Jack Black, etc. - even Zeta-Jones isn't half bad. Consider too the script, which is surprisingly faithful to Nick Hornby's (very good) book, and gives equal measure to comic and tragic relief.

Fianlly, the soundtrack. Can there be any greater song to sum up Rob Thomas (John Cusack's) final revelation after the film ends than Stevie Wonder's I Believe? No. High Fidelity is the complete package - funny, touching, well-acted, scripted, directed, scored for, and unbelievably true to life.

And for all those sad Englishmen writing in to complain that the movie should have been set in Britian - get real. I thank you.

Possessions and obsessions
This is a movie about men, their possessions and how they order them. For Rob, it's all about pop music and women. Nothing else, besides the odd film, matters to him. And it's pretty much the same for his two male colleagues at the record shop, who exist at opposite ends of the forcefulness spectrum. They form a self-selected elite who look down on the musical taste of nearly everyone they meet.

But actually their hyper-critical views are pretty close to the mark. It's great to hear someone else noticing and lamenting the 1980s decline of Stevie Wonder, for example. One might criticise author Hornby for selecting Rob's dream job as record producer in the punk era (1976-79) when he could have chosen, say, late 1960s Beach Boys / Beatles psychedelia. But you can never find someone with the identical taste as your own. Strangely, the music is not particularly central to this movie, in the sense that it probably generated fewer album sales for featured artists like Marvin Gaye than say 'The Big Chill'.

The structure of the movie takes a little getting used to. The first time you see it can be a disappointment -- there's no upbeat climactic ending, unless you count the improbable, rather obviously tacked-on, disco/concert by Sonic Death Metal, or whatever they happened to be called at the time. John Cusack's frequent chats to camera seem altogether natural (except when he's sauntering backwards and forwards on some wooden bridge-cum-platform in downtown Chicago).

What I like about this film is that, from a male viewpoint, it rings true so often. Men do behave treacherously, and the behaviour often looks worse at first sight. I like the fact that the actress who played Laura wasn't stunningly attractive. Even Lisa Bonet didn't seem particularly beautiful in the movie. (But yes, that really is Catherine Zeta-Jones discreetly stripping off in a role just before she became famous enough to warrant a major Hollywood film credit.)

This is not the perfect movie, but it contains a message about the male psyche that I hadn't extracted from any other movie, and that revelation in itself is sufficiently uplifting to distract from the artificial attempt by the film to uplift via the back-together-again concert/disco scenario.

Maudlin Navel Gazing to a Great Soundtrack
Ah yes. Another quirky offbeat romantic comedy from quirky offbeat romantic cynic John Cusack. Life sucks but he wouldn't miss it for the world. Give John Cusack credit. He was 34 when he made this. His character is a guy in his late 20's who has the emotional maturity of a teenager and Cusack pulls it off effortlessly. Cusack's character, Rob, isn't a jerk. He's a manchild. He doesn't mean to be a selfish obsessive boob; he just lacks the normal range of human adult emotions. Imagine the teenager Cusack played in Better Off Dead. Now imagine that teenager ten years later and working as the owner of a independent music store. He's a music snob and puts in long hours at the store but he still has time to ruin promising relationships with childish antics, talk to the screen and stalk former girlfriends while chasing after the next soon to be ex girlfriend. High Fidelty is the unofficial sequel to Better Off Dead. Instead of weird parents and goofy fantasy sequences, we get weird coworkers and morbid sexually and violently charged fantasy sequences involving Tim Robbins. I won't compliment the soundtrack except to say any movie about music had better have a damn good soundtrack and High Fidelity does its job.

There's a little Rob Gordon in all of us
After working on my college radio station as a DJ, entertainment news anchor, and Human Resource director, I was told by my friends that I should check this film out as I reminded them a lot of John Cusack's character in it. They were right. I too have had my share of bad relationships and can easily tell you the stories of how it went from "Hello" to "Goodbye" in less than 5 minutes. I have worked in music retail for 2 and a half years and I am also incredibly anal about my own collection of music and every song I can recognize played on the radio I can tell people what it is, who the artists is, what album it appeared on, and whether it is a radio edit, extended version, or remix.

That being said, when I first saw this movie I didn't quite understand many of the points. So I watched it again and realized "My god, I AM Rob Gordon!" Within a month, I purchased the DVD of High Fidelity and the book by Nick Hornby which was incredible. I highly recommend this film to all guys who have had their share of hard-not-to-forget relationships, radio DJs, music retail workers, and lovers of music of all types because the soundtrack, to quote Jack Black "kicks fu**ing a**".

The DVD is great to own. It presents the film in clear colorful matted Widescreen (1.85:1), offers 9 Deleted scenes that appeared in the original screenplay as well as the original novel, short mini conversations with actor John Cusack & director Stephen Frears, and the original theatrical trailer for the film.

Without a doubt, this is a MUST-HAVE for people who love music, have been in tough relationships, and enjoy writing Top 5 Lists.

"Good luck...goodbye...thanks, boss."-Rob Gordon (John Cusack) ... Read more

Reviews (33)

Another review of the German DVD
If you are able to play Region 2 PAL discs (as I am), the German edition of Lost Highway on DVD is the way to go. The English soundtrack is included in Dolby 5.1, and (unlike the Canadian edition) it's in W-I-D-E-S-C-R-E-E-N. Another review of this disc convinced me to purchase a copy from Amazon.de. Surpisingly, Amazon.de recognized my Amazon.com login! And placing the order was pretty easy, even though my German is almost non-existant.

The picture and sound quality are good (though not exquisite), and the disc even has some extras - which, on Lynch DVDs, are usually scarce. The sound track does appear to be slightly out of sync with the picture, but that could be an artifact of converting PAL to NTSC on the fly. What I wouldn't give for a multi-standard widescreen monitor...

The film itself is a dark psychological study similar in many ways to David Lynch's more recent Mulholland Drive. It's about obsession, murder, guilt, secret identities, and the demons that often drive people to desparate, destructive acts. Don't try to make sense of it the first time through; just go with it. Then, on repeat viewings, look at it as a symbolic map of a man's mind stressed beyond the breaking point. Apply a little Jungian psychology, and its meaning should, if not exactly come clear, at least brush past you close enough to touch.

Lost Highway is an underrated masterpiece of psychological horror, and not to be missed by fans of David Lynch! C'mon, you can get through the German...

A Masterpiece of Crime Cinema
I'm not an audiophile nor an expert on video quality. However, I have quite a number of DVD's in my collection and this one plays just as well as any of the others. Anyone saying otherwise are maybe hoping to generate interest in a new edition of the film on DVD or something, which I certainly wouldn't be against if it contains some nice extras.

If you're already a David Lynch fan then I won't preach to the choir because you already must love this film. However, if you're new to Lynch's work, you must not expect anything 'normal' to happen. He usually breaks the rules of linear story-telling. This effort is no exception. The film, according to one theory, is one man's nightmare dreamt from inside the cell of a penitentiary, but it is time displaced and characters switch roles. The nightmare is based on what we can only assume is real events that involve the main character murdering a young woman whom he loves, but who is tied to a nefarious character named Mr. Eddy. It's hard to tell who Lynch sees as the real villain here - Mr. Eddy or the girl.

Knowing the dream/nightmare premise, though, you can stop wondering what's going on and just enjoy the ride. If you're of the Freudian psychoanalysis school of though there will be a lot to keep you focused. If not, there's still enough linear filmmaking here to keep you enthralled as in a 'normal' movie, but there's enough strange weirdness (Robert Blake's character for instance) that tips you off that this is all a really wacked out nightmare. The fact that it is probably based on actual events that the main character is remembering in the dream makes it all the more chilling.

insane Pyshc Thiller, or devilishly complex mystery
This movie left me bedazzeled for a week. After I watched it I was still trying to solve it,once i did figure it out, {i'm no dummy}, my senses were delighted

WARNING! STOP! RED LIGHT! LISTEN UP!
DO NOT BUY THIS LOST HIGHWAY IMPORT DVD! I should have trusted the other reviewer who said that the transfer quality is beyond awful because it is! Honestly, the quality of this import DVD is as bad as a poor quality bootleg DVD. There is a small strip on the left side of the picture because the picture isn't centered. The look of the picture is very poor and grainy. The sound does not even match up with the picture. I love this movie, but do yourself a favor and do NOT buy this import DVD. The VHS version not only looks better than the import DVD, but it is also in widescreen.

Lost Movie
This is my theory on David Lynch. He is either the greatest filmmaking genius of our time, or he is completly insane. Take your pick. "Lost Highway" is a very deep movie that relies almost completly on the moment, what is happening now. As a whole coherent story, it would be hopeless to try to give a synopsis. I think it is basicly a nightmare caught on film. It is not logical; the concept of time is meaningless; and characters are literally interchangeable. It is hard to say if the actors did a good job or not because a lot of what they do makes no sense, but it was designed that way. I remember reading an article where Bill Pullman said that no one knew what the story meant. I believe it. Patricia Arquette plays two women who are the same soul (I think). Bill Pullman is her husband, a paranoid man who is caught up in a mental breakdown. He literally transforms into a 19 year old mechanic in his prison cell (he was arrested for murdering his wife). Then the movie shifts over to the kid's story. He is involved with a mobster (played by Robert Loggia, who actually makes me thing he's related to Frank, the crazy Dennis Hopper character from David Lynch's "Blue Velvet"). And finally Robert Blake plays...um, well, some guy who can literally be in two places at once. He is really creepy in this movie, we're a long way from "Beretta". All I can say is that this movie is all about atmosphere and style over content, and that isn't a good thing at all. I keep thinking that Lynch will make the movie that will make all his other movies make sense. But, good luck trying to guess what it means. ... Read more

Reviews (147)

cute midnight movie
Kristy Swanson (MANNEQUIN ON THE MOVE), stars as blonde, bouncy Buffy, who learns of her calling as "The Chosen One" in the cute cult flick BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER.

Buffy's life changes when she meets tall, dark Merrick (Donald Sutherland) who tells her that she is the one to rid the world of the vampires and their ruler, Lothos (Rutger Hauer). Buffy is even more busy with her scruffy suitor Pike (Luke Perry). Between her boyfriend, school, cheerleading and vampire slaying, it's no wonder she's a nervous wreck!

For her role here, Kristy Swanson was trained in martial arts, cheerleading skills and gymnastics. The comedy also marked the screen debut of Luke Perry, star of the hit series BEVERLY HILLS 90210.

Also featuring Hilary Swank, Paul Reubens, David Arquette, Candy Clark and Liz Smith.

Buffy the (Boring) movie
We are far away from the smart and successful TV show in this lackluster movie. 16 year old valley girl and cheerleader Buffy (no last name) has dreams of past lives, and monsters in the night. And then a strange man named Merrick (Donald Sutherland) arrives and provides answeres; Buffy is a Vampire Slayer, one girl who is chosen to fight all the creatures that go bump in the night. This script is much different from the one I read by Joss Wheddon, it is a lot lighter, and that is not a good thing. I really would have liked to have seen the prom burned down to kill all the vampires. Buffy is played by Kristy Swanson, who is no where near as sweet and convincing as Sarah Michelle Geller. And while we are at it, do not be expecting Willow, Xander, Giles, or Angel. This movie was made long before the series. What we do have is Pike (Luke Perry), a slacker who is accendently cought up in the mess. The threat of the movie is Luthos, played by experienced bad guy actor Rutgar Hauer. Paul Rubens (aka Pee-Wee Herman) is Luthos's main underling, and he is so silly it's impossible to take him seriously. There are also a few cameos by future stars; Hilary Swank is another vally girl. David Arquette plays one of Pike's friends who's turned into a vampire. And Ben Affleck is uncredited as a rival basketball team player. Anyway, this movie is too silly . I know that is the point, but it is still not dark enough, and Buffy's attraction to Luthos isn't enough. I know I am horribly biesed by the TV show, but I can't help it. It is still watchable, if it's on TV somewhere.

The one and true Buffy!
I can't really say it's better than the show, for I haven't watched the show. The only info I've heard is from friends and family. I can tell you, without a doubt, that I like Kristy Swanson more than Sarah Gellar. Whenever I hear the name Buffy, I think of Kristy. I like Sarah Gellar in many of her movies, but she just isn't Buffy to me. I would watch a show if someone paid/lend for it, because I can't get TV reception. But I don't buy stuff I'm unfamiliar with, especially when it's fifty dollars. And that's all I've got to say about that.

The Bad Buffy
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is definetly not as successful as it's counterpart T.V. series but it served up a pretty well rounded story.The characters were fairly likeable.Joss Whedon is very creative and intelligant ; I give him thumbs up for trying something new.I just kinda felt weird after watching it.I guess I expected to much from it.If you watch it ; thinking it will be sucky you probably won't feel as bad.Luke Perry did a pretty good job with Kristy Swanson who got very annoying after an hour and a half.The plot was really good but they didn't use it the right way.The vampires seemed to fake and when Buffy staked them they did not turn to dust; I always enjoyed that from the T.V. series.Check this one out only if you have nothing better to do.Blonde, bouncy Buffy is your typical high school cheerleader - her goal is to "marry Christian Slater and die" and nothing gets in her way when it's time to shop.But all that changes when a strange man informs her she's been chosen by ill fate to kill vampires.With the help of a romantic rebel, Buffy is soon spending school nights protecting L.A. from Lothos, The Vampire King, his sidekick, Lefty, and their determined gang of bloodsuckers.It's everything you'd expect from a teen queen in the valley.

"Not bad but pales to the terrific TV show."
-- Gerry Shamray, SUN NEWSPAPERS OF CLEVELAND

Not as Good, But Still Original
It's easy to bag out Kristy Swanson in the role of Buffy after many years of watching Sarah M Gellar, but you have to admit that the girl had talent, looks & the physical fittness to make a good slayer.
Many of the reviews have bagged out this film in relation to the series, however it did lay the ground work for the story and convince a network to green light the series which has made them millions.
The film itself has some good moments and a sense of humour.
If you are a die hard fan you should check it out simply to have the story which leads into the pilot episode and it wouldn't hurt to check out creepy old Don Sutherland as a watcher.
The film does have a simple finale, but on the bright side it comes to an end, unlike many of the open doors the series leaves.
Another great aspect is the cover of Oingo Boingo's 'We close our eyes', which The Bangles lead singer Susanna Hoffs does for the closing credits (unfortunately spoken over however). ... Read more

Amazon.com

Having apparently anointed himself the American cinema's poet ofdecadence, filmmaker Larry Clark follows his critically acclaimed Kids with yet another tour through the darker regions of American squalor. Another Day in Paradise--even the title screams of amateurish irony--may be powerfully acted by a fine cast of new and familiar faces, but how many times can we eavesdrop on the lives of murderous, self-destructive heroin junkie thieves before we just get morosely depressed? James Woods and Melanie Griffith are superb as a pair of surrogate parents to the young couple (Vincent Kartheiser, Natasha Gregson Wagner) whom they recruit as accomplices in a series of robberies and dangerous deals, but what exactly is the point of this overindulgent, gutter-mouthed, and ultimately sickening portrait of sickening people? Clark may be good at providing an authentic vision of America's ugly underbelly, but before this movie's half over you're likely to be screaming, "Enough already!" By the time Kartheiser's character has finally escaped from his dreadful "parents," it's clear that Clark has very little story to tell, and not much of it is really worth telling. As for why Woods's character gets such a kick out of saying "Boo-Yah!"--well, your guess is as good as ours. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Funny...
Suspend your filter for old-hand romance comedy genre tricks and this movie will have you rolling on the floor laughing. It's as sharp a portrayal of the LA Singles TwentySomething scene in 2000 as Swingers was for 1995. Laughing so hard at unexpected moments (try the DELETED SCENES section) made me giggle for days after. Why this movie wasn't better promoted is beyond me... I had to hear about it from a friend. I suspect SOL GOODE will go on to cult favorite status. Until then it's one of the best kept comedy secrets.

Sol Goode was all good!
I just bought the DVD of Sol Goode and let me tell you...it's all good. This movie was hilarious. I don't remember the last time I laughed so hard. From the original opening credit sequence to the out takes...I was in stiches. If you haven't seen Sol Goode, you better educate yourself. This film will be a cult classic.

A CULT CLASSIC
I can't believe it took me this long to find such a gem. Where did this flick come from and why wasn't it in theatres? Sol Goode blows away any of these romanic comedies that are getting released today. Lions Gate sure dropped the ball on this one. Anyway, if you are lucky enough to come across this review, run and don't walk to get a copy, you will thank me later. I thought the movie was absolutely hysterical. So many one liners I don't know where to start.

Awesome Movie
I love this movie. Although it didnt get newhere near enough press as it shouldve. It was very funny, very enjoyable 2 watch, and i loved the cast and the actors did very well in their roles. Balthazar Getty (Sol) was made for this role, he was awesome. Another reason I love this movie was because the first time i saw it was the night i got with some girl....but she eventually dumped me...hahaha. But im not gonna get into that. This movie is great, time after time. Ive seen it like, 5 times and its still funny. I would definitely recommend anybody to buy this movie.

Bashful's DVD Summary #037
Best:

1) It has a few hilariously bawdy moments.
2) You get to see the sexy (yet non-nude) body parts of Tori Spelling, Natasha Gregson-Wagner and Katharine Towne (although Carmen Electra shows nothing).
3) There's a director/actors commentary track and some funny deleted scenes.

Worst:

1) The boy-girl friendship thing, where they awkwardly date other people before finally considering each other, is SO tired. The audience knows where the movie is going 5 minutes into the action.
2) It was too much like every high-school/frat-party/losers-on-a-road trip movie ever made - except it wasn't all that funny. Sol becomes an adult only in the last 5 minutes of the movie and THEN only to justify that last kiss with his new girlfriend.

Recomendation:

Get this one cheap (used) or rent it instead of paying full retail. It's funny, sexy and outrageous - but not enough of either to make this one memorable as a great comedy. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The dark underside of Boogie Nights is tracked in Wonderland, a sleaze-filled look at the notorious "Wonderland Murders" of 1981. The movie attempts to explain how the legendarily endowed porn actor John C. Holmes was involved in the killings, while deliberately suggesting the difficulty of knowing the truth of a murky case. The police procedural aspects turn out to be less intriguing than the weirdly hapless domestic life of Holmes (Val Kilmer at his most dazed), who despite his promiscuity continues to rely on his starchy, clean-cut wife (an unflattering role for Lisa Kudrow, but the most interesting character in the picture). Well-known actors--notably a near-unrecognizable Dylan McDermott--slouch through the story, which rather distracts from the aggressively realistic approach. In the end, the unclean aura makes one yearn for the stylized ingenuity of Boogie Nights, or at least a reason to be watching this story this way. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (43)

there's no Alice in this Wonderland
Val Kilmer (Spartan, The Salton Sea) plays legendary porn king John C. Holmes during the time of the grizzly Wonderland murders in 1981. This centers around Holmes and the people around him, the fame, the drugs and the sex. Kilmer plays Holmes to the spark of the match. It's not like Boogie Nights because if you compare them together, then your dumb. I don't think the bludgened any one in Boogie Nights with a steel pipe. Plus Boogie Nights had a massive amount of nudity and this didnt. It had like one little scene where Val Kilmer and Kate Bosworth (Blue Crush, The Rules OF Attraction) are banging each other in Carrie Fisher's (Princess Leia) bathroom. The supporting cast include Josh Lucas (The Deep End, who delivers a mean role), a nice turn for Dylan McDermott (Tv's The Grid and The Practice), Ted Levine (buffalo bill in The Silence Of The Lambs) as another cop, hmm, Franky G. ( The Italian Job2003) in like his 3rd movie. an excellent Lisa Kudrow (Tv's Friends) as Kilmer's ex-wife Sharon Holmes. Tim Blake Nelson(Cherish), Eric Bogosian (Under Siege 2) as Eddie Nash, Janeane Garofalo (wet Hot American summer) in a small role, Natasha Gregson Wagner (stranger Than Fiction) in a small role as well.
Faison Love(Made)and Christina Applegate( Tv's Jesse) are also in a small role and a short cameo by the one and the only Paris Hilton (the classic paris hilton sex tape, which I havent seen yet). All in all I..ME....thought this movie was good. Blah to the rest of your snippy people. I have my own taste

Wonderland Fails To Deliver
The Wonderland "4 on the Floor " murders is one of the most fascinating and bloody true crime stories I've ever heard of. It has everything- sex, drugs, murder and washed-up porn legend John Holmes as the lead character. Yet, still the screenwriter and director completely blew it. You don't really get to know the characters at all and with the jarring editing the story lurches around pointlessly at a breakneck pace like a bad rock video. Kate Bosworth is bland, one dimensional and hoplessly miscast as Holmes underage girlfriend. Dylan Mcdermott hiding behind a wig and fake facial hair is unrecognisable and also miscast as one of the Wonderland coke fiends. Val Kilmer is good as Holmes but is actually too sexy and charismatic to play the gangly, goofy
unsexy porn star. Someone less glamorous could have been better cast, but as always Kilmer is good. He seems to have made a career of weak movies in which his performances are the saving grace. Much of the movie and the people in it look way too contemporary for the early 80's time period in which the story took place. I gave this DVD 3 stars because it does have some effective scenes such as the actual murders and for the bonus disc, the John Holmes documentary Wadd which is way better than the Wonderland movie. There are cable documentaries about this case which are much better than this. There is a great movie to be told about Holmes and the Wonderland murders, unfortunately, this just isn't it.

A peice of history
I feel that the Wonderland Murders helped magnified the drug scene during the early 80's. The footage about John Hohmes is completely true according to what is known about due to public record, and the murders were very sadistic to say the least. I bought the tape because it is a piece of history of the era that some of us wish to forget. The characters( Josh Lucas, Dylan McDermont, Lisa Kudrow,Val Kilmer,etc.) played in a difficult roles to let us see what happen in real life. Unfortunately, it is my firm believe that anyone who would watch this tape remember that the Wonderland gang was just as vicious as Eddie Nash was!

"You're already dead."
In July 1981, 4 particularly brutal murders took place in a house on Wonderland Drive in Laurel Canyon, California. 4 people in the house were bludgeoned to death--a fifth victim survived. After the murder, a biker with a criminal past, named David Lind (Dylan McDermott) tells the police a strange story. Lind claims that adult film legend, John Holmes (Val Kilmer) helped the residents at the Wonderland house pull off a robbery at the home of the wealthy and criminally connected, Eddie Nash (Eric Bogosian). Lind suspects Holmes of ratting out the Wonderland Gang, and he believes that Nash arranged the killings in revenge.

Holmes, however, tells a slightly different story...

As the film unfolds, it's left up to the viewer to decide whose story is true--or closer to the truth. Was Holmes just this pathetic junkie who played both sides of the game (Lind's version), or was Holmes more levelheaded? Was Holmes forced to watch the Wonderland murders, or did he actually participate?

"Wonderland" isn't a pretty story, and there is no happy ending with good winning over evil, etc. This is a true story--based on the piecing together of certain details, and it's irredeemably ugly. If you can take watching a film full of unpleasant characters who commit horrible crimes and get away with it, then "Wonderland" is well worth watching. The direction is superb, and the film very cleverly balances the factual with the probable. The plot develops at a steady pace and the opposing versions of events kept me riveted. But it's the acting in this film that really makes for incredible viewing. Val Kilmer stars as John Holmes. I've never been much of a Val Kilmer fan, and I've tended to see him as just another pretty Hollywood face. In "Wonderland", Kilmer delivers a fantastic performance. As Holmes, he's capable of anything... and then living with it. Lisa Kudrow stars as Sharon Holmes, John's long-suffering estranged wife. There's one scene when she faces John. He's busy scheming new plans (which include the Witness Protection Programme), and she bursts his bubble with a little face-to-face reality check. Kudrow is amazing, and her character is one of the most interesting aspects of the film.

DVD extras include a second disc. This is a documentary of the life of John Holmes. Fascinating stuff. On the first disc, there are also some additional features--including the LA Police detectives' crime scene video. I've never quite seen anything like this before, and it really should carry a WARNING. The crime scene video is actual footage of the detectives in the house as they videotape the location of each of the bodies and note--in laborious detail--the bloodstains all over the house. This is beyond gore. It's appalling. I didn't watch the entire video footage, and I certainly avoided the autopsy report (another extra feature). That said, I'm not going to rate the film based on the extra features--displacedhuman

Be prepared for a sleaze-fest
Before viewing 2003 sleaze-fest "Wonderland," be prepared to wallow in a Hollywood-created world of drug addiction, bad hair, crappy clothes and blood-splattered walls. All of this excess is spiced with frenetic quick-cut editing in order to create the drug high of freebasing for three straight days. I liked "Wonderland," but then again I have a morbid fascination with crime. The story plays out in a he-said-she-said, "Rashomon"-like fashion confusing more than aiding. Three versions of this story are shown, so the viewer can decide for themselves. Director James Cox has gone to great lengths to make a stylish film about the most unsettling cretins in Hollywood history.

"Wonderland" is a true story that happened in 1981. Four people are found brutally murdered in a house on Wonderland Avenue, pounded by lead pipes and a baseball bat or two. Johnny C. Holmes, one of the most famous porn stars in history, is a prime suspect. The Wonderland house was a drug den, and Johnny who hadn't made a film in two years, hung around often. Investigators haul Holmes in and get a convoluted story detailing robbery, double cross and dope. It appears the Wonderland victims had robbed the home of Eddie Nash, Los Angeles nightclub owner and drug king. Nash suspected Holmes was involved, and forced the weaselly drug addict to lead his own goons over to the Wonderland house to exact revenge.

Everyone in this film is sleazy, and it's surprising such a strong cast to include Kilmer, Dylan McDermott, Lisa Kudrow, Josh Lucas, Kate Bosworth, Jeneane Garofalo, Carrie Fisher and Christina Applegate would take on such shady roles. The performances are uniformly good, though a lot of fine actors disappear in the shadows of communion dope smoke and coke snort. Some of the best scenes in "Wonderland" are when Kilmer (as Holmes) is figuratively flogging himself for the unparalleled loser he's become. He repeats over and over, "Please forgive me. I'm sorry. Please forgive me." But you will have to look quick to see this great scene because Cox, in obsessive MTV fashion, cuts away as quickly as possible. We eventually see the entire scene, only in snip-snip pieces, inter cut with Holmes' girlfriend sleeping with another man.

If you pick up the "Wonderland" DVD, you have a lovely little extra which is the actual LAPD crime scene video taken at the scene. In all its crimson, hand-held glory, you can see the infamous Wonderland pad, complete with close-ups of the dead kids. I turned it off quickly, and am frankly stunned such an insensitive extra would be included. Dope dealers and criminals granted, but these kids deserve a bit more respect than to have their indecent murders serve as an extra on a DVD.

There's not much character development in "Wonderland," and motivation is about as thin as a sheet of recycled toilet paper. Brief stardom and falls from porn grace have been brilliantly documented in Paul Thomas Anderson's 1997 film "Boogie Nights." In fact, Dirk Diggler was based on Johnny Holmes. The robbery of Eddie Nash was covered in the unforgettable scene where Alfred Molina dances around to Night Ranger in sweaty speedos. I suppose "Wonderland" is the seedy next-day truth to "Boogie Nights," as Diggler-er-Holmes is forced to go to Wonderland Avenue and pound out a bloody revenge against his friends. To "Wonderland's" credit, we never see Holmes' member. He is forced to pull it out at one point - away from camera view - for party guests.

"Wonderland" accurately portrays a horrible crime and the days leading up to its resolution. Like watching a crime scene video, you'll find yourself wanting to look away. But like the party-goers staring wide-eyed at Johnny's infamous member, you won't. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Jon Bon Jovi stars in this trashy but pretty entertaining horror flick.Vampires: Los Muertos centers on vampire hunter-for-hire DerekBliss (Bon Jovi), who gets bounties from the likes of the "Van HelsingGroup" for every bloodsucker he destroys. When a new client hires him tohunt down a particularly powerful vampire queen in Mexico, he reluctantlystarts to form a team--only to discover that all his potential possemembers have just been killed. But soon he gathers a haphazard crew(including Diego Luna from Y Tu Mama Tambien and Natasha Wagnerfrom Lost Highway) and sets off across the hot Mexican landscape.Vampires: Los Muertos has some gaps in logic, but it's pretty leanand spry--in the first 10 minutes, the vampire queen has already bittenoff someone's tongue--and it has enough cheap eye candy to be a satisfyinglow-budget flick. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Sexy Slayer
Jon Bon Jovi plays incredibly sexy vampire bounty hunter Derek Bliss of the Van Helsing Group. Derek gets hired by an anonymous client to go on an expedition to Mexico and eradicate a colony of vampires, the only catch is the client wants a hunter team and Bliss is a loner. The only problem is the hunters on Bliss's list have been exposed and the vampires are one step ahead of him eliminating his teammates.

Along the way, he meets Sancho (Diego Luna), a teen whose willing to join the team because his mother needs the money, Zoe (Natasha Gregson Wagner), a woman who was bitten during sex but is under control due to an experimental drug she obtained in Mexico City, Rodrigo (Christian De Le Fuente), a priest from the Mt. Grace Monastery from the original film, and Raf Collins, a hunter from Memphis sent by his agent. They become his team.

Their opposition is a master vampire (Arly Joyer), who is after the Black Cross, which through a ritual has the power to give vampires the ability to walk in the daylight unharmed.

I agree with many of the other reviews that this movie didn't go beyond the original as far as storyline; but Jon Bon Jovi's performance makes it worth seeing anyway. I'd say it's one of the better B-Movies. I hope they make a sequel!

Better Then Vampires
This is one of the only times I can actually say the sequel is better then the original. Although James Woods is a cool bad [...] on film it seemed that Jon Bon Jovi just played this part better. Bon Jovi had a more lack-a-daysical and loner type attitude toward the whole business of vampire hunting. In this movie there is also a little bit more to the plot then the orignal, although it does have drawing power from the original. All the actors did a good job and I'm not even sure I would call this a B-Movie, you just don't get that cheesy feeling when you watch it. If you're a fan of "Vampires" or the genre I would definately buy this movie.

WHY??!WHY?!?!WHY?!?!
Why did they do this? why did they make a direct to video sequel to a movie that made money?It screams for a big screen sequel that starts off where the original ended.not a flick that takes a simple premise and dumbs it down,and cant pull off the decent vampire body burns achieved in the original.The thing that was cool about the original was that the vampire slayers were meaner than the monsters they hunted.In this one they are weak and it becomes your average cheap vamp flick.not to mention carpenters good name wasted on the box.And whats with that awful wooden steak gun bon jovi uses,its sad.this vampire flick sucks.

Lost in Mexico
What to say about this movie. As a story line, I really liked what the intention of the movie was about. As the actual movie, I felt there was just a bit too much time spent getting Bon Jovi's crew together and not on really developing the story like it was done in the first movie. In the first movie, we got the chance to know the history behind the vampire and what he was after. This one seemed touched lightly on the topic, and from that point on it was like you were expected to guess what was going on, rather than developing it fully. There were some pretty silly mistakes made too that just seemed unrealistic for their part in the movie.
Still, if you can follow along and see through all of Bon Jovi's head shots and the skipping around to find the real story as it develops, its not a bad flick.

Badly miscast, lame sequel, with one wasted good idea
"Vampires: Los Muertos" is a sequel of sorts to "John Carpenter's Vampires," which means that it inhabits the same world. James Woods and his over the relentless and entertaining chewing of each and every scene has now been replaced by Jon Bon Jovi's lethargic turn as vampire hunter Derek Bliss. I guess he is supposed to be a bad ass just like Woods' character, but he only gets the role half right (the first half people, be nice). This was just a mondo bad casting decision and writer-director Tommy Lee Wallace dug his 2002 film into a hole on that basis alone. The second strike is Arly Jover as the master vampire Una, not just because the name strikes me as silly but also because she is no where near as scary or as sexy as she is supposed to be. If the hero and the villain are essentially boring, what hope can a vampire spaghetti-western have?

Whereas Woods headed an organized group of vampire hunters that was decimated early in the film forcing the hero to go almost solo, Bon Jovi does the reverse. Bliss is a free-lance vampire hunter for hire who has to put together a crew, so there are all sorts of trust and competency issues. If Bliss cannot count on Father Rodrigo (Cristián de la Fuente) then his merry little group and the audience are in for a long hole. We are still in the world where vampires explode into flames when exposed to sunlight, even when you use one of their heads as a hood ornament, but that is also something old and something new along with everything borrowed from the first film. The idea of being able to communicate through the shared blood of the vampire from Stoker's "Dracula" comes back and works in with the more contemporary idea that vampirism is essentially a blood disease.

"Vampires: Los Muertos" is a bad film, but it picked up its third star because of one intriguing idea off of the blood disease idea. Having established that a drug cocktail has stopped Zoey (Natasha Gregson Wagner) the requisite damsel in distress from turning into a vamp despite having been bitten, Wallace does come up with an interesting twist by having Una use the magic medicine to help her take a walk in the sunlight like she was wearing the Gem of Amarra. The execution is not as exciting as the idea and you really wish it had been used in the service of a much better film. Here it is just too little, too late in terms of saving this film from driving off the cliff, but it does stand out as the one bright spot in this dreary little film which continues the idea that vampires are flourishing south of the border. ... Read more

Reviews (253)

It's fun, but if you want quality fun, see The Others
Urban Legend: rated R, 1 hour 40 minutes

The cast of Urban Legend is proficient, but not excellent. Rebecca Gayheart of (movie) "Scream 2," Alicia Witt of "Cybill," Jared Leto of "My So Called Life," Joshua Jackson of "Dawson's Creek," and John Neville of "The X-Files" give satisfactory performances, but none dare to be anything more than mediocre.
In the dramatic opening scene of the movie, a mysterious person in the backseat of the car beheads a college girl (Natasha Gregson Wagner). After many more college students and administrators are killed, it is later found out that the murderer at Pendleton University is mimicking the tales of commonly told Urban Legends. Excitement builds up as the audience anxiously awaits the moment in which the killer will finally be revealed.
Brutal killings including heinous decapitation and deathly asphyxiation occur frequently throughout Urban Legend. One almost grows accustomed to the gruesome sight of a human cadaver. At one point in the movie, a college student "gets a call coming from inside the house." "Scream" anyone? Of course after receiving the phone call, the young man within minutes dies an appalling death that should strike fear into the minds of any viewer. Believe it or not, on rare occasions, the audience is spared the display of what would have otherwise been a grotesque corpse.
Urban Legend is a suspenseful movie that contains an ample amount of homicides, executed with a mild quantity of gore. The ending is rather absurd, yet somehow awfully entertaining, as the entire movie could be described. It is terrifying fun at the cost of a clever plot. Well, you can't have it all.

Unintelligent, and purely enjoyable, Urban Legend, directed by Jamie Blanks, also starring Robert Englund and Loretta Devine, secures itself a B.

legends that kick ass
this was cool. a killer hackin off people by urban legends..........how original. great slasher movie one of the better ones. and tara reid in it!!!!!

eh
I saw this movie on TV the other day and, honestly, the movie has potential to be a kinda good scary movie but the low mentality of these students that we were supposed to believe were in college shocked me. I've known 5th graders that are more intelligent than the young adults portrayed in this movie!

Urban Legend (1998)
Director: Jamie Blanks
Cast: Alicia Witt, Jared Leto, Rebecca Gayheart, Joshua Jackson, Tara Reid, Robert Englund.
Running Time: 108 minutes.
Rated R for violence, gore, language, and mild sexual situations.

With the success of "Scream" (1996) and "I Know What You Did Last Summer" (1997), director Jamie Blanks cashes in on this second wave of slasher-hyseria with this slick, innovative angle towards the genre. The opening scene sets the tone for the entire film: a lone traveling college woman stops at a gas station to fill up, only to be harrassed by the sales clerk. Little does she know that the clerk is only struggling to warn her about the murderous maniac wielding an axe is hiding in her back seat.

This, of course, is an urband legend that has been passed down from generation to generation. Alicia Witt stars as a normal student adjusting to college life, only to have her friends being knocked off by a killer in strange fashion--all die similarly to famous urban legends. With the help from the sly journalist Leto, they attempt to track down the killer before it is too late.

Certainly a film that is better than expected, with an intense, smart script and suitable acting. Blanks does a fine job using certain camera angles and shots to portray the killer as mysterious and unknown. Look for Robert Englund, who plays Freddy Krueger in the "Nightmare on Elm Street" films, in a brief cameo as a college professor--he is almost as scary in this flick as his others. Rivals both "Scream" and "I Know What You Did Last Summer" in style and authenticity.

Completely and totally mediocre in every sense of the word.
The string of teen horror flicks was revived with the wonderful Scream. It was then followed up with I Know What You Did Last Summer. Then along comes Urban Legend. This film takes everything you learned from Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, and turns it into the completely predictable piece of film trash. You can figure out who the villain is, who he/she will kill and even how they are gonna bite it. The film is okay to watch if you are a fan of horror, but do not expect Halloween standards. The only thing good about this film were that a few of the scenes were inventive, but still predictable. Don't see this film, watch Scream instead. ... Read more

Description

Stephen Dorff and Reese Witherspoon are slacker teens who discover that fame can be a four-letter word in this raucous send-up of the cult of celebrity. Featuring "hilarious moments" (Movieline), "brash drama" (Los Angeles Times) and an ending that "packs all the wit and satirical edge [you] could hope for" (Entertainment Today), S.F.W. is a cult classic…to swear by. Held captive for 36 days by terrorists who broadcast their ordeal live on network news, Cliff (Dorff) and Wendy (Witherspoon) have become national idols whose words are parroted by the masses. But when they finally escape, only to be hounded by reporters and sold out by "friends," TV's most popular hostages realize they're still prisoners--this time, of the media--and the only place left to run...is to each other. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Yeah
This film was unreal. It really captured the whole essence of media well.

The person below me fails to realise that this film has many characures. Most of them aren't supposed to make sense. And if you look at how he acted in the hostage situation you are missing the point.

He isn't supposed to be a hero. He did nothing heroic of any sort.

>>what is the deal with the guys smashing the room up for no >>reason

They are doing it for no reason, for gratification. That is the point, they don't care about the conseqences. He just got out of a hostage room and he wanted to go crazy. My friends have often talked about smashing TV's (ala 'Fight for your right to party' filmclip) and how cool it would be. It's the same thing.

>>then stephen dorf is completely sober in the next scene?

Ummm, he never was drunk.

>>why does jake busey pull a gun out so fast?

Okay you got me. I could never figure out why they were good friends with him, he didnt seem like a good guy at all.

>>what is the deal with the mayor? he woulda killed dorf for making a fool out of him.

Oh yeah, killed him in front of hundreds of people. What do you mean by that exactly? He wouldnt have wanted to draw any extra attention to himself.

Don't take the story or the charcters too seriously. The message is what this film is about, once you understand that you can then see why the story and acting is what it is, to make this come accross. The story is about the Media, America's obsession with celebrities and most importantly, the way that Cliff Spab doesn't have a love of his life, so he is free to enjoy it, and live it.

Every scene and everything has a purpose. And as far as Dorff swearing too much that is ridiculous. First of all they dont swear as much as in Clerks. Second in private its not that bad, in public in front of the people he swears just as much, which is maybe what you are talking about. But that is the point, he doesn't care.

And he swears a lot in the flashback scenes. I would be too if I had a camera and a gun pointed at me for 36 days.

A Big Mess!
I've seen this movie three times and I still don't understand it. This film is incredibly boring ( and I love Stephen Dorff! ), you'd have to to even sit through this for one minute. I like Reese too but they couldn't save this film. It flashes back and forth which is sickening. The movie itself is stifling. The flashbacks were the best part which had me wondering why the filmmakers didn't just show the hostage situation instead of making the film on the " aftermath " of it. Cliff Spab has to be the most boring character I've seen. He goes on and on about nothing. This character didn't showcase Stephen's true talents. All Spab did was smoke, have sex and complain about his little pathetic life yet you saw no true emotions from the guy. This movie is full of bad words, lackluster acting and nothing to show for it. Contrary to popular belief this is not Stephen's best work. If you think this you must not have seen Blade, Backbeat or The Power of One. S.F.W. sucked.

So, **cking, good
this one has Stephen Dorff(Blade and Cecil B. Demented) as a cocky and sort of a hero for a while guy...that's basically it until it gets good... Dorff is over the top and great and Reese Witherspoon(OVernight Delivery and Cruel Intentions) is always sweet and great.

My fav movie of all time
I love this movie. Its an independant/cult film about a guy who is held hostage and becomes a hero by saving himself and one other person. The fame is a little overwhelming and he lashes out a bit until the next person comes in for there 15 minutes of fame. Out of all of Stephen Dorff's film this is my favorite. The character of Cliff Spab seems genuine and honest in how he expresses himself. Yes, he's extremly charming and cocky but you get the underlying messge from the film overall. I am so glad its finally out on DVD.

A good movie
Overall a good movie, with a very good message. Although an obvious overuse of the "F" word, which tends to make one sick after the first 40 minutes. The movie seems a lot longer than it actually is. Pretty slow-paced in-between the flashback scenes, but how else could it be done? The story is well done and in-depth. The movie mocks the media and how it affects the public- a great message in my opinion. Acting is decent. Best if watched alone. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Substitute "Gals" for "Girls" and you might mistake this for one of those romantic-comedy trifles they cranked out during World War II. Nothing could be further from the truth, though the film does have a lot to say about modern romance, and you'll laugh--while also gasping--frequently as the film unreels over a riveting hour and a half.

Two very different but equally smashing young women find themselves sharing the sidewalk outside a Soho apartment. Both blond Carla (Heather Graham, pre-Boogie Nights) and the dark-haired Lou (Natasha Gregson Wagner, daughter of Natalie Wood) are waiting for the same guy, an actor named Blake (Robert Downey Jr.), who--unbeknownst to either--has been sleeping with both of them for the past year. They break into Blake's pad and trade can-you-beat-that? anecdotes of his duplicity while waiting for him to show. Show he eventually does, and the mind games begin.

All three players are terrific, with Wagner enjoying a slight edge over indie veteran Graham because her character is fiercer and she's a new screen presence. But it's Downey who rules, partly because director James Toback wrote the script in direct response to seeing his old pal (Downey had starred in his 1987 movie The Pick-Up Artist) in a jail-house news feed after his first well-publicized arrest on drug charges. Actually, Downey's most amazing scene--a long soliloquy in front of a mirror--was largely improvised; it's a passage of monumental self-deception, self-revelation, and sheer genius. As exasperating as it is compelling, Two Girls and a Guy is one of the most provocative films of the '90s. --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (66)

Two Girls and A Guy brought to life by its actors
"Two Girls and a Guy" is among the wittiest and most realistic dramas I have seen n recent years. Although it has been criticized for being too "talky" and not following a structured plot, this movie struck me by its realism. The characters and their conversations are rich and engaging. This is one of Heather Graham's finest performances. Natasha Gregson Wagner is also impressive and successful as the other woman. The relationship and comradery between these two characters--total opposites--is very enjoyable. And then there is Robert Downey Jr. Stealing the focus of every scene he is in, he is extraordinary. He is flawless in his portrayal of Blake, the lying, cheating, needy, and defensive actor. His interaction with himself is as captivating as the scenes where all three actors are conversing. He invokes so much emotion and frustration from his audience, and creates one of the most complex and fascinating characters in modern cinema.

Funny look at a fractured love triangle
This movie plays like a long running one act play, with basically only three central characters. Only two other people are actually seen in this movie, at the very beginning when the two girls are waiting outside, but they could have just as easily been written out and nothing of the movie would have been lost. Everything in the movie takes place right outside an apartment house, for the first five minutes, and the rest of the time it all happens inside one of the apartments. I'm not trying to be vague here, just giving the general layout of what's going on.

The movie really begins when the two girls, both waiting for their boyfriend to come home so they can surprise him, are surprised themselves to find out they are both waiting for the same guy. Heather Graham plays Carla, and Natasha Gregson Wagner plays Lou, short for Louise. Louise breaks into Blakes, Rober Downey Jr's, apartment, and the two girls wait to confront him when he comes home.

This premise sets up a mostly entertaining movie, in which the womanizing Blake lies, bluffs, and stumbles through arguments about why what he did wasn't so bad. The women show much outrage and rail against his masculinity at his pathetic act, and call him just about every name in the book, and then some. One of the best scenes is one where Blake stares at his own reflection in the mirror, chastising himself for what he is, and trying to promise himself that he'll change, but even he's not sure if he can believe himself.

As time passes, more secrets are revealed, the girls spill the beans on their own infidelities, and we come to know these people better. They seem to embrace the desire for love more than the actually conception of what love is. None of them seem ready for, nor really expecting, the permanent meant for life type of love, as revealed by their confessions, and propositions for one another.

The ending, unfortunately, is a little bland, and leaves things a little up in the air, but it would have been hard to have slapped a happily ever after ending onto this movie, so I guess it mostly fits the character of the story. I guess I would have just liked to have known what Lou was up to at the end, and whether Carla ever takes her up on her offer. In my mind, she does.

What?
This movie was stupid. It had a bad plot. It was very pointless. The only good thing about this movie was Robert Downey Jr's acting which was why I gave it 2 stars. The other 2 were good. But The plot...I'm not even gonna' start with the plot. The whole movie was stupid. I also don't get why this got an NC-17 rating. I don't want any dumb reviewer bad mouthing me just cause I don'get why this movie got an NC-17, I'm just wandering why it got it? It doesn't have any nudity or strong sexualy explicit nude scenes or what ever you call it.
Unless if it was for that scene between Jr and Graham then that is dumb.

Over all if you like dumb comedies go and watch it..

Later

Disappointing
I'm glad we rented this movie instead of purchasing it. Basic flaw was the script - two women discovering they had the same boyfriend could have turned into something clever or even funny. I kept waiting for clever or funny but it never happened. Downey, Graham, and Wagner did the best they could, but the material they had to work was amateurish at best and insipid at worst.

Not without weak points
I watched this movie through once and hit play again as soon as the dvd finished spinning back to the main menu. It's been years, if ever, since I did that with any movie. Considering that some of the scenes were obviously filmed when they'd barely had a chance to read through the lines, it says a lot for the successful emotional imagery in this movie.

You've probably seen plot synopses (or will if you scroll down) and seen plenty of zero-star reviews. If you decide to see this movie, be prepared for a few scenes that really do look amateurish. They're beatuifully shot and all the production values are spot-on, but Heather Graham and Natasha Gregson Wagner just aren't those rare gifted actors who can walk in and give a perfect performance after a day or two of rehearsal. Robert Downey *is*, though.

In the scenes with Downey, Graham and Wagner seem to wake up a little bit and show enough assuredness to really hit their lines. All the dialog is interesting -- provocative or funny -- but some of the readings clunk, especially in the early going. But Downey improvises, sings, plays piano, and hits all kinds interesting emotional changes. His soliloquy from Hamlet is so good that you will understand perfectly well why Mel Gibson was willing to mount a production of Hamlet with him at the Taper Forum (L.A.) even though Downey couldn't get insured at the time. And Gibson took a bath on it when Downey got arrested, and all he said to the press was "you should have seen him in readings...good enough to break your heart." Or words to that effect. Man, that would have been a Hamlet to see.

This movie really does its job when it finally gets moving. If you can imagine being in the mood for watching people talk to themselves in the mirror and talk to each other in long, hyper-animated, self-serving sentences, then it's hard to imagine a better movie to suit. Personally, I kinda think the people who hated this movie probably hated Lost in Translation because there "wasn't enough going on" and the characters "didn't hit the town and see all that Tokyo has to offer." Ignore the fact that this movie takes place in New York, and try to picture how you'd feel if you busted somebody for cheating on you, or got busted for cheating on them, and then see this movie and see how their responses measure up. ... Read more

Description

From an early age, David Lynch was inspired by the arts and the warm inner glow that comes with the pursuit of creative expression. "Pretty as a Picture:The Art of David Lynch" examines how this modern day Renaissance man makes a motion picture, and examines, through his artistic explorations, the very nature of creativity. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Strangely disappointing (the movie, that is, not Lynch)
A behind the scenes look at the various products of David Lynch. Sounds interesting enough, but alas! this movie is no more than a mixture of Lynch-at-work footage, an all-too brief look at his work as a sculptor and an incomplete survey of his pictures. How is it possible that there is no mention of Lynch's absolute masterpiece 'Twin Peaks' in this documentary?? The 'Eraserhead' cast reunion is a unique display of dullness; a bunch of old actors visiting their former dwellingplaces. If you want to find out how exactly Lynch shot the prison scene in 'Lost highway' (better watch that movie again!), you have to take a look at this. However, people who know all about Lynch ànd people who know nothing at all about him, may both get disappointed. Better luck next time.

"Jimmy Stewart from Mars"--Mel Brooks
Here's a good documentary about Lynch. Of course, you never get a clue of insight from him or his friends about what informs the strange metaphysics and obsessions that we the audience experience in his films. But sensing what a likable and completely normal person he is in these interviews makes the disjunction all the more fascinating. He's just a painter and sculptor (albeit one whose medium sometimes involves dead rats, flies, and his beloved ants) who happened to get a commission from AFI in 1970 and has chosen to make films at his whim ever since, with complete artistic control of his projects. We experience his close working collaboration with composer Angelo Badalamenti in Prague and elsewhere, and it drives home how important music and sound is to him, and get glimpses of his earliest films. "Pretty as a Picture" is a must-own for his fans.

Not Bad, But...
Pretty As A Picture is an 80 minute documentary focusing on America's most original director, David Lynch. And while it was somewhat interesting in spots(the clips of his early short films were pretty neat), as a Lynchaholic, I was hoping for something a little more in depth. While it spends a lot of time talking about Lost Highway, Lynch's other films(The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet, TV's Twin Peaks) are only brushed over slightly. Wild At Heart, winner of the Palm D'Or for whoever cares, was barely mentioned if at all. For my money, I'd go with the 80 minute documentary on the Blue Velvet Special Edition DVD. Yes, it focuses mostly on Blue Velvet, but it is far more informative and interesting than Pretty As A Picture. I just think that a brilliant filmmaker like Lynch deserves a much better documentary. That's my two cents.

Look at that HAIR!
yes, David has 'genius' hair...spikey, going in at least 5 different directions, when untamed...what joy to behold!
anyhow, I found this to be an enjoyable glimpse into Lynch's work (as much of a glimpse as I think we're going to get from the strange and media shy guy).
Most striking to me was the portrait of his artwork and his creation of it...I think this speaks most directly to his film work, since as his ex-wife put it, he wanted to make 'art that moves', and I'd purchase any of it (if I could afford it) in a second!
The discussion of his filmwork is rather shallow, but it's the interviews by people such as Peggy Lynch, Jack Fisk (longtime childhood friend), and his kids that light up this piece (Austin Lynch sounds *exactly* like David, with the midwestern twang and the long, slow deliberation with which he speaks). The Jay Leno interview is priceless ('they were sugar ants, but I think they were coming in for water...'), but, overall, if you're looking for what makes Lynch 'tick', you won't really find it here, but it's worth watching if you're a fan.

Good, but not good enough for such a genius.
This is so-so. I liked it because I am a David Lynch fanatic. My boyfriend found it boring (his favorite movie was Dune!). I was glad to see his children speak well of him and it is always a thrill to listen to David speak. However, this seemed to focus too much on Lost Highway and the producer complaining about how difficult David is! I think David should have had a final edit approval on this peice, that would have made all the difference. If you really want a glimpse into David Lynch's soul: 1. Watch Eraserhead and Blue Velvet 2. Read Lynch on Lynch by Chris Rodley-the finest book out there! ... Read more

Description

Miracles only happen in the movies. Behind the glitz and glamour, another Hollywood exists--a world in which aspiring starlets, hardened gangsters, teenage runaways, and straightlaced innocents share the stage. In this sprawling tale, the lives of eight people intersect as they search for love, redemption, and meaning on the streets of Hollywood. Director Josef Rusnak (The Thirteenth Floor) brings poignancy and relevance to a remarkable ensemble piece led by rising stars Hilary Swank (Academy Award and Golden Globe Winner--Best Actress, Boys Don't Cry), Natasha Gregson Wagner (Urban Legend) and Daryl "Chill" Mitchell (Galaxy Quest). ... Read more

Reviews (6)

moving picture of real life
I do not agree with most of the reviewers here as they are looking for pulp fiction type movie and not real life on the street depiction as this movie is about. I find it moving and very involving involving many characters and the super hot Hillary Swank. She plays a hooker on the street and her acting make it very believeable OMG. Life is not exciting, it is grim for many and this movie shows that. It makes u feel fortunate that you are not walking on the streets of Hollywood or anywhere in your town.

I recommend this for a true life experiance.

Bad
Let me count the ways:

Bad writing. At first I thought they were trying for a "Pulp Fiction" type of wittily semi-meaningless dialogue, then I gave up and decided it was just BAD. Translated from a German screenplay, but this wouldn't be any better auf Deutsch.

Bad direction. The action scenes look like an episode of "Cops", the sex scenes look like porn.

Bad acting. Chad Lowe's wall-pounding men's-room rant about some half-explained record company lawsuit is as bizarre as any I have ever seen. Hilary Swank's accent seems to change from Brooklynese in the first scene to Minnesotan in the finale.

Even the squealing guitar music is bad. ...Hilary Swank has come a LONG way from this swill to "Boys Don't Cry."

? Yeah!
This was awful. All I can say is if you are a Hilary Swank fan, rent it so you can quit walking past it with curiousity in the video store. Just get it out of the way and done with. Obviously it's only been released to make a few bucks out of Swanks's breakthrough in Boys Don't Cry. Her only good part in the movie is at the end. Chad Lowe is hideous in it, each part dragged on and on- my fast forward button served me well. Jeez, what a waste.

Bleeechhh!!!!
Possibly the worst movie ever made - dialogue was improved immensely by putting it on Fast Forward.

Worthless
You can always count on some mercenary to take advantage of an actor's success by releasing one of his or her early roles in some worthless B movie. 'Quiet Days In Hollywood' is an abominable ensemble production produced in 1997 and never released in theaters in the United States (it saw a limited release in Germany). It was just released to the video market with Hilary Swank as the marketing hook. Actually, despite the fact that her picture and name dominate the package, Swank has only two limited appearances in the film.

The film is a series of chain linked sex vignettes. Each character has sex with another character and then the second character moves on to the next vignette and has sex with another who moves on to another etc., until finally, the circle is complete and the last character has sex with the first character. The story has all the substance of a porn movie, with banal, profanity-riddled dialogue serving to bridge the gap between sex scenes. Since the sex scenes were mostly implied or obscured, even the prurient aspect was limited.

Hillary Swank plays a hooker on the streets of Hollywood. She is brash to the point of stupidity, taunting and insulting dangerous people as if she has some sort of death wish. Her performance here is very amateurish and unpolished. Natasha Gregson Wagner was the only other cast member worth mentioning. She gave a reasonably good performance as a woman in an open marriage having sex with one of her husband's employees (the husband knows).

There is not really much more to say about this sham. I rated it a 2/10. Don't get duped into seeing it as I did just because Swank is on the cover. ... Read more

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A group of best buddies prepare themselves to dispose of a cop's naked corpse that just happe