Reviews (2)

How Will It Compare to Perfection?
"Shall We Dance?" (2004) is a remake of the superb Japanese musical dance comedy which was released in the U.S. in 1997. This new version stars Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez, Susan Sarandon and Stanley Tucci. There's not a chance in the universe that this new version will be better than the Japanese classic, which was just about as perfect as any film has ever been, ever. But I'll definitely go to see the new one, only because it probably will be very enjoyable to compare the two versions, and any dance film is better than none. Plus I think I'll really enjoy the new one--it's just that I KNOW it could never approach the Japanese original, for many reasons. Sure, they'll try to adapt the screenplay to American customs and vernaculars, but many charming nuances of the original will be lost because it will not take place in Japan, and the original was really about how the Japanese are relating to something very Western and alien, ballroom dance. If you want, you can go to Hollywood.com and watch the preview to the new version. Just type in Shall We Dance? in the Search field. The preview is pretty good. I will enjoy the film, but I strongly urge you to buy a copy of the original "Shall We Dance?" here on Amazon, and also go to the "Shall We Dance?"(Japan) Amazon DVD page and vote to have it released on DVD. It's a crime this hasn't happened yet! (I gave this American version 4 stars, because I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt, also based on the preview I saw).

Potentially A Great Movie!!
This is a potentially a great movie about a bored Chicagolawyer(Richard Gere)who takes ballroom dancing lessons with his instructor (Jennifer Lopez), whose wife (Susan Sarandon)suspects him cheating on her.This movie's plot is similar to the superb original Japanese version made a few years ago.It should be very well watching,when it's released!! ... Read more

Reviews (291)

subtle and hilarious
The parent trap is a great movie for several reasons : just like the original movie the main caracter is played excellently by Lindsay Lohan. The other actors are of equally high standard, specially Elaine Hendrix as the bride to be and Lisa Ann Walters as the "butler" of the father. Lisa Ann Walters outclasses her predecessor in the 1961 movie. Director Nancy Meyers has a keen eye for detail which shows in scenes with some great nonverbal communication, for instance the conversation in the garden between Elaine Hendrix and Lindsay Lohan. Dennis Quaid is very convincing as a father with his legendary broad smile. Another aspect is the way some "adult" items like divorce and seperation are dealt with and yet arevery acceptable for kids. Very moving moments, like the moment Annie reveals her true identity to Chessie (Walters) are pared with hilarious reactions where Chessie shows her affection by offering in the midst of tears to cook something special, while at the same time not degrading the emotional content of that moment. The same goes for Hallie in London. The music is very functional and thanks to DVD a treat to listen to. Visuals are wonderful too. Elaime Hendrix has had the opportunity to play a much more sophisticated opponent making the movie more fun to watch. All in all a must see family novie !

Terrific Family Film
The parent trap is a great movie for several reasons; just like the original movie the main caracter is played excellently by Lindsay Lohan. The other actors are of equally high standard, specially Elaine Hendrix as the bride to be and Lisa Ann Walters as the "butler" of the father. Lisa Ann Walters outclasses her predecessor in the 1961 movie. Director Nancy Meyers has a keen eye for detail which shows in scenes with some great nonverbal communication, for instance the conversation in the garden between Elaine Hendrix and Lindsay Lohan. Dennis Quaid is very convincing as a father with his legendary broad smile and Natascha Richardson is great as the british mother. Another aspect is the way some "adult" items like divorce and seperation are dealt with and yet arevery acceptable for kids. Very moving moments, like the moment Annie reveals her true identity to Chessie (Walters) are pared with hilarious reactions where Chessie shows her affection by offering in the midst of tears to cook something special, while at the same time not degrading the emotional content of that moment. The same goes for Hallie in London. The music is very functional and thanks to VHS a treat to listen to. Visuals are wonderful too. Elaime Hendrix has had the opportunity to play a much more sophisticated opponent making the movie more fun to watch. All in all a must see family movie, perfect for anybody.

Better than Holes!
I used to have this movie on video tape, but I decided to donate it to Salvation Army and get it on DVD, because I like DVDs better. I had the movie Holes on DVD, too. I bought the movie Holes on DVD when they first released. I really like Holes, too. The differences between Holes and The Parent Trap are good girls vs. bad boys. Holes talks about a camp that's for bad boys and The Parent Trap talks about the camp for good girls. That's why I like girls better than boys, that's why I like The Parent Trap better.

Lindsay Lohan is great!
The movie isn't so much but Lindsay Lohan is great on her double part.
She is a beautiful girl with lots of talent.

Great Movie, Botched DVD.
I absolutely love this movie. I've been waiting for this re-release to come out for a long time and am very disappointed to find it is not an anamorphic widescreen release. It actually says on the back of the packaging, "Enhanced for 16X9 televisions". This is blatantly false. I have to wonder why Disney took the trouble to re-release this but couldn't be bothered to do it right. However, the picture quality was excellent for a non-anamorphic DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

How Will It Compare to Perfection?
"Shall We Dance?" (2004) is a remake of the superb Japanese musical dance comedy which was released in the U.S. in 1997. This new version stars Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez, Susan Sarandon and Stanley Tucci. There's not a chance in the universe that this new version will be better than the Japanese classic, which was just about as perfect as any film has ever been, ever. But I'll definitely go to see the new one, only because it probably will be very enjoyable to compare the two versions, and any dance film is better than none. Plus I think I'll really enjoy the new one--it's just that I KNOW it could never approach the Japanese original, for many reasons. Sure, they'll try to adapt the screenplay to American customs and vernaculars, but many charming nuances of the original will be lost because it will not take place in Japan, and the original was really about how the Japanese are relating to something very Western and alien, ballroom dance. If you want, you can go to Hollywood.com and watch the preview to the new version. Just type in Shall We Dance? in the Search field. The preview is pretty good. I will enjoy the film, but I strongly urge you to buy a copy of the original "Shall We Dance?" here on Amazon, and also go to the "Shall We Dance?"(Japan) Amazon DVD page and vote to have it released on DVD. It's a crime this hasn't happened yet! (I gave this American version 4 stars, because I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt, also based on the preview I saw).

Potentially A Great Movie!!
This is a potentially a great movie about a bored Chicagolawyer(Richard Gere)who takes ballroom dancing lessons with his instructor (Jennifer Lopez), whose wife (Susan Sarandon)suspects him cheating on her.This movie's plot is similar to the superb original Japanese version made a few years ago.It should be very well watching,when it's released!! ... Read more

Description

Phil and Eric, a hot gay professional couple with a fabulous Beverly Hills home, want more meaning in their life. They make a move to adopt a baby and end up with two foster kids damaged almost beyond repair: TJ, a twelve-year-old alcoholic, and Brian, his younger brother. The couple's social worker, baiting them with a baby, blackmails them into taking the boys for one night, which turns into many nights, and all hell breaks loose. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

The Cleavers meet Ru Paul
This is a good film that tells the story of a young couple that want to be foster parents. The kids they get are challenging to say the least and it has an impact on the relationship of the couple. The nice twist is that the couple is gay and living an excellant life. No clubs, Bars, Drugs or most of the normal Hollywood trappings of gay men ( note: Both men are in great shape and do work out at the gym in the story, so one stereotype is kept.). The fact that the men are gay is not the big issue in the film, it's the way the kids address the new foster parents and the massive issues that come up with the children and the Mother of the children who arrives without calling first. The story is good, the film quality is good and it's a very clean overall movie, except the profane words the little darlings arrive with. It's worth seeing and even worth buying. It's a nice movie to show in mixed company.

Truly A Wonderful Gay Movie that stands out
Get Your Stuff is truly a great movie that stands out when comapred to so many of the gay movies out today. A movie about Family instead of just Sex makes this a film worth watching.

A new perspective on modern family values.
Phil and Eric are a Beverly Hills gay couple who have it all - looks, money, friends, professional success, and a solid relationship. The next step appears to be bringing children into their family, so the couple begins the process of adopting a baby. This process is often a long, drawn out one for prospective parents, which can lead to frustration. When a child caseworker friend suggests that the men take in a couple of young brothers while waiting for the baby they want, Phil and Eric agree to foster the boys "just for one night." As the promised one-night-stay stretches into two nights, then three, then on and on, the two boys reveal themselves to be streetwise, somewhat homophobic, and more than a little interested in the contents of the liquor cabinet. Further complicating matters, the boys are tracked down by their mother, an alcoholic prostitute who lost custody of them. She initially wants to take the boys away from this "unwholesome" setting, but after witnessing their current living situation firsthand, changes her mind and seeks a permanent place in the arrangement. The resulting stress threatens to tear the couple apart, as one partner develops a soft spot for the boys and their mother, while the other just wants them gone.

The film is a solid first effort by writer/director Max Mitchell. He deftly touches upon issues including the importance of compromise and communication in a relationship, how to get through difficult stretches without self-destructing, and what it takes to make a family. As a school psychologist, I have worked with children in the foster system, as well as others in broken and highly dysfunctional homes, and the portrayals of the two boys in this film are spot-on. Their behaviors may seem outrageous and unbelievable, but when you look at the abuse and neglect these children go through all their lives, it's easy to understand that their acting out is their attempt to reject adults before they can be rejected themselves. Why would they want to start caring for and counting on another adult when that adult is just going to walk away and leave them behind soon, the way all the others have? I find Get Your Stuff to be an involving, funny, moving study of those who have a lot but are still missing something, and those who have little and just want a chance in life. If you're interested in a gay film that focuses on exploring family values from a new perspective, this is the film for you.

Not worth it
Okay, I'm a social worker, so I kinda judged this movie by this. The guys are really good eye candy and great bods. But, the situation is so cliched and boring that I keep wondering when they were going to come to their senses. The guy who plays the therapist is VERY cliched and doesn't have his own life grounded in any reality. It doesn't break any new (...) ground..it just rehashes the old, with kids thrown in. Don't get me started on the kids...Even the kids I supervised never behaved like that.

Refreshing gay film about 2 gay guys raising a family.
After reading some of the bad reviews about this movie I was afraid to see this, but I took a gamble and rented it anyway out of curiousity and the 2 hot guys on the cover lol and I have to admit Get Your Stuff is a good movie. Such a refreshing film about gay guys and family. Man are those 2 foster kids a hand full. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR...
This is a very enjoyable comedy, starring the irrepressible Whoopi Goldberg in the role of Edwina "Eddie" Franklin, the widow of a New York City police officer. Following in her late husband's footsteps, she coaches basketball for inner city kids. She is also the number one fan for the New York Knicks, a team that, despite the talent on it, can't seem to win a game. Eddie loves the team, no matter what, and can be seen high up in the rafters of every Knicks game, rabidly and raucously cheering them on.

When "Eddie" wins the honorary coach for the day contest at one of the Knicks' games, she manages to get thrown off the court by the head coach (Dennis Farina), when she protests a ref's call. This causes the fans to go wild, chanting her name as she leaves the court. When the head coach for the Knicks gets fired by the team's owner, Wild Bill Burgess (Frank Langella in a ten gallon hat), he hires "Eddie" as an interim head coach, as it seems that fans of the Knicks love "Eddie" and respond to her very positively. After all, she was one of them. Burgess, however, has no expectations of "Eddie's" ability to coach the team. "Eddie", however, aims to do everything she can to bring the Knicks out of their slump. For her, this is a dream come true.

This is a feel good sort of movie. Whoopi is very funny , as she goes about setting right what has gone wrong with the team. Frank Langella is terrific as the deal making team owner whose folksy manner belies the fact that he has his eye on the bottom line. Dennis Farina is credible as the head coach with a mouth as big as his monumental ego. While the film is fairly predictable, it is quite enjoyable. The viewer is also treated to a few fun cameos by Donald Trump, sports announcer Marv Alpert, and former NBA star, Walt Frazier. If you are not a big fan of basketball, however, deduct one star from my rating.

Good, But Could Have Been Better
The Story: Whoopi Goldberg plays a fan of the NY Knicks who wins a chance to coach for a day. It works so well that she gets hired.

The story is interesting and the movie starts out with lots of heart and humor. Then, two things happen to spoil it.

First, a scene is inserted (and it really feels like it was inserted, almost as an afterthought) wherein Whoopi Goldberg has a heated argument with the team owner, with profanity inserted in what seems a forced and contrived way. I've seen this in other movies (e.g., "Magic" starring Anthony Hopkins), and it looks like the profanity is inserted just to change the rating to grab the attention of teens, who go to the movies a lot.

Second, the film loses it's way and gets boring throughout much of the second half.

Ms. Goldberg, I hope you redo this movie and carry the heart and humor of the first half through the entire movie. It could be a 4-star or even a 5-star family movie.

Stop Before It Hurts!
[Add a star if you love Whoopi Goldberg.]

OK, class. Once again. It's important to realize what our perceptions are going in to a movie like this before one starts judging it. My perception going in was that we have yet another sports fantasy from the Disney sports fantasy factory. These are the same people who didn't know to stop with The Bad News Bears. So, they gave us The Mighty Ducks, Little GIANTS, and Angels In The Outfield.

This time out of the box it's "the Bad News Bears play NBA Basketball". Subbing for the Bears are the New York Knicks. Believe me, it's definitely bad news to see Mark Jackson back in a Knick uniform. Anyway, these Knicks are hopelessly bad. They're in last place and they have no signs of getting better. However, every sports team, no matter how bad, has its loyal fans.

Meet Eddie Franklin (Whoopi Goldberg). Eddie is fanatical about the Knicks. She loves them. She loves them so much that she, a limo dispatcher, does play-by-play and commentary over the limo service's airwaves. Where Eddie's friend goes to Knick games to meet men, Eddie goes to see the game.

Well, the Knicks are so bad that they've been sold to a new owner, one Wild Bill Burgess (Frank Langella). Will Bill is one of those stereotypical Texan billionaires who does everything large. Langella plays him well, but I could have seen Dennis Weaver in this role. Anyway, Burgess takes a ride in from the airport in Eddie's limo, who is inexplicably driving that day. Eddie's been listening to the FAN (WFAN Sports Radio 66, NYC) and ESPN Sports Radio. Eddie hates the Knicks' coach, played by Dennis Farina; so much so that she calls up Burgess, who doing a radio call-in, without realizing that he's in the back seat behind the glass. Burgess spies Eddie at the game later and decides to fix the halftime "Honorary Coach" contest so that he can throw Eddie and Bailey (Farina) together.

Eddie sinks the requisite free-throw and we're off. Franklin and Bailey don't like each other. (Bailey doesn't like anybody.) When Eddie steps on the court to protest a call, the referee assesses the Knicks a technical foul and Bailey has Eddie thrown out of the Garden to howls of protest from the fans. Seeing this, owner Burgess conspires to get rid of Bailey and hire a new coach. Meanwhile, he can hire Eddie as a one-shot interim coach until the dirty deed is done.

Of course, the plot is convoluted and full of holes, but the movie could still be entertaining if there were any energy on the screen. For the most part, there is none. The only chemistry I enjoyed was that between Franklin and veteran player Nate Wilson (John Salley).

As a native New Yorker, I especially thought it irritating that the movie's producers split up the announcing team of Marv Albert and Walt Frazier. Although both men play themselves, Frazier plays a sports-talk host rather than his usual (and colorful) role as Knick radio analyst. Anyone who has heard Albert and Frazier work together knows what I mean.

As in all these Disney sports fantasies, the Knicks start playing better under Franklin's coaching, but there's further trouble ahead. Actually, there's so much plot in this movie, they could have loaned some to Twister.

In conclusion, I'd wait for this movie to come to cable unless you just like Whoopi Goldberg films.

[Originally written 3 June 1996]

Good Family Fun
This film shows Whoopi Goldberg at her big mouth wise cracking best. The film is about a rich chairman who buys the New York Nicks and try's to turn a losing team into a freak show to make money. So he hires a big mouth fan as the head coach who he beleives can't coach. The first half of the film is funniest as Whoopi Goldberg tells the Nicks coaches what she really thinks of them. Some of the misfit players are quite good to. There is a Russian who can't speak any English, a great player except he won't pass the ball and a player who is more interested in his failing marriage. All in all, kids will love this one and adults should enjoy some of the humour.

Eddie was good.
Whoopi is one of my favorite actresses, so that might be why my review of this film is biased. Although rabid movie critics may disagree with me, I found the film to be rather enjoyable. It was fun watching Whoopi arise to the level of coach and turn around the fledgling Knicks. It's a light-hearted comedy with laughs and fun. Recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (311)

Man of a Thousand Faces
All I can say is if you want to laugh your pants off check this movie out. Jim Carrey, thus far, is at his best in Bruce Almighty. His comedic rapport bears similarities to his characters in The Mask and Ace Ventura, and there's no denying how funny this guy really is -- he is definitely going to join the ranks of all the great comedians, such as Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Soupy Sales (maybe I should just list the entire ensemble cast of all those 1950s movies, variety shows, and sitcoms), and a list too numerous to mention.

Supporting Carrey in the film are Jennifer Aniston, Morgan Freeman, and Sam the dog. This movie is also a touching film that grapples with the emotions -- the romance between Carrey and Aniston and the other issues in relation to the human heart.

Words can't really describe this film, but only that it is a must to see if you want to wet your pants or hyperventilate laughing. I guarantee if you're looking for humor, you will find it in this gem of a movie.

Jim Carrey "Carreys" on his rep
When i first saw the previews for this movie it didn't appeal to me at all, by i rented it the other day and i truly have to say, i enjoyed it, im not saying its a must go out and buy, but if your a JC fan maybe you should.

Divine Work From A Little Devil
Bruce Almighty reunites funny man Jim Carrey with his Liar, Liar director Tom Shadyac. The end result is another sprited collaboration that allows for Carrey flex his comic muscles and for viewers to a good time.

Bruce Nolan (Carrey) is about to turn 40 and feels that the world is out to get him. He has a job as a TV reporter that's going nowhere and not even his main squeeze Grace (Jennifer Aniston) can help him. After an encounter with GOD (Morgan Freeman), Bruce is endowed with devine powers, in order to see if he can do any better.

Carrey is allowed to do his thing, while still sticking to the story, and he once again proves that given the right material, he can really strut his stuff. Some sequences are genuinely the laugh out loud kind. Freeman, who rarely disappoints, and Aniston, prove that they can both hold their own with "rubber face" Shadyac and Carrey make a good team, and despite a few minor hiccupps, they have another winner here.

The DVD loses points for its skimpy extras. Sure, things are solid, but there's just not enough here. Freeman and Aniston are surprisingly absent from the festivities...and it shows. The audio commentary from Shadyac is good enough for some insight but would have benefited with comments from others. The Process of Jim featurette has the director showcasing Carrey on the set. Along with at least 15 deleted scenes and a few outtakes, there's certainly enough smiles to go around but...Topping off the extras are the usual filmographies and the film's theatrical trailer.

Bruce Almighty is a must see if you liked Liar Liar. Just forgive the powers that be for shortchanging the extras and you should be fine.

Delightful material!!
This movie is vintage Jim Carrey!! I laughed at almost every scene. The screenplay was structured properly and the roles were more on-point than any comedy I have ever seen. Carrey's hits include "The Mask," "Ace Ventura," "Liar, Liar," and it seems like we're use to all the lovable characters that he creates. There is no other comic that has the ability to bring joy out of you, make you laugh out loud, and make you cry all in the same instance.
One thing that will grip you is how the plot leaves you intrigued. Carrey plays the highly-spirited Bruce Nolan, a newscaster who gives the people the "lighter side" of news. Everyone appreciates his moral demeanor, except for himself. He has a promising relationship with his wife-to-be, Grace (played by Jennifer Aniston) and what keeps their relationship strong is how firmly she believes in him and has great faith in God. While Grace is spiritually motivated, Bruce feels as if God is "picking on him" because he wants the anchor job that his nemesis, Evan (played by Steve Carell) is picked to get. So when Evan gets the job, Bruce loses it during a "live" session and is fired from his job. He often seeks God (played by Morgan Freeman) to give him a sign and finally encounters Him. So in order to get what he wants from God, He endows Bruce with his powers to see if He can help others as well as himself any better. This movie is basically a testimony for those who have finally found a revelation and a relationship with God in the midst of their tattered life. You can also pray so much where you only want God to always meet your needs. God helps everyone.
Bruce finally realizes that he must be able to forgive and put others first before himself when he and Grace briefly separate and he almost loses his life. This a delightful tale and every scene is pretty much a riot. From the Latin thugs in the alley with the monkey, to the gibberish-talking Evan scene, Bruce Almighty is a heaven-sent comedy for the ages.

Much more than meets the eye
The first time I heard of "Bruce Almighty", I cringed in my seat. The very thought of Jim Carrey playing with the powers of God was enough to make me a little uneasy. There are very few movies of Carrey's that I would admit to liking, and I'd probably only admit to even remotely enjoying "Liar Liar" if you put a knife to my throat and refused to move it until I finally confessed. But not so with "Bruce Almighty". This is a film that, though goofy and a little rude on the surface, is really a thoughtful comedy about all the misconceptions people constantly have about God.

Carrey plays Bruce Nolan, a news anchor whose career is simply not going the way he'd like. His nemesis Evan(the always funny Steve Carrell) is stealing all the glory, he's constantly late for work and, to top it all off, his dog Sam seems physically unable to go to the bathroom inside the house. Bruce is so frustrated with his life that he decides to turn his back on God, saying that he himself could clear up the mess of his life within five minutes, and that God is neglecting his job. Enter...God! Hearing Bruce's claims that the Almighty is unfit for his job, God(Morgan Freeman) willingly hands the reigns to Bruce, wishing him good luck. After a series of self-indulgences that cause serious unforseen consequences, including the loss of his girlfriend Grace(Jennifer Aniston), the only person who has ever totally supported him, Bruce finally submits himself to God's will, and learns to accept that the world does not actually revolve around him.

There are several clever innovations in the film. When Bruce discovers that he cannot possibly listen to all the prayer requests coming at once (in the form of terribly obnoxious voices in his head), he creates a database where he can read prayer requests in the form of e-mails. The name of the database: Yahweh. When Bruce lassoes down the moon for Grace, a huge freak tidal wave occurs in Japan as a result of "strange lunar activity". I'd talk about more of these clever parts, but I wouldn't want to ruin the film.

The DVD is loaded with neat special features, including exstensive outtakes and alternate/cut scenes, all of which are fun to watch, and a couple of which provide just a little more food-for-thought. There's even a short featurette showing alternate cut parts of Carrey's scenes.

"Bruce Almighty" is sort of a diamond in the rough. Though it's advertised as a wacky, crazy comedy, and looks like your typical Carrey vehicle-lots of chances for the star to use his outrageous facial exspressions(and there's plenty of that too)-there's really quite a bit more under the surface than there seems at first, leaving us with a fun, enjoyable movie that leaves you laughing as well as thinking. ... Read more

Reviews (311)

Man of a Thousand Faces
All I can say is if you want to laugh your pants off check this movie out. Jim Carrey, thus far, is at his best in Bruce Almighty. His comedic rapport bears similarities to his characters in The Mask and Ace Ventura, and there's no denying how funny this guy really is -- he is definitely going to join the ranks of all the great comedians, such as Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Soupy Sales (maybe I should just list the entire ensemble cast of all those 1950s movies, variety shows, and sitcoms), and a list too numerous to mention.

Supporting Carrey in the film are Jennifer Aniston, Morgan Freeman, and Sam the dog. This movie is also a touching film that grapples with the emotions -- the romance between Carrey and Aniston and the other issues in relation to the human heart.

Words can't really describe this film, but only that it is a must to see if you want to wet your pants or hyperventilate laughing. I guarantee if you're looking for humor, you will find it in this gem of a movie.

Jim Carrey "Carreys" on his rep
When i first saw the previews for this movie it didn't appeal to me at all, by i rented it the other day and i truly have to say, i enjoyed it, im not saying its a must go out and buy, but if your a JC fan maybe you should.

Divine Work From A Little Devil
Bruce Almighty reunites funny man Jim Carrey with his Liar, Liar director Tom Shadyac. The end result is another sprited collaboration that allows for Carrey flex his comic muscles and for viewers to a good time.

Bruce Nolan (Carrey) is about to turn 40 and feels that the world is out to get him. He has a job as a TV reporter that's going nowhere and not even his main squeeze Grace (Jennifer Aniston) can help him. After an encounter with GOD (Morgan Freeman), Bruce is endowed with devine powers, in order to see if he can do any better.

Carrey is allowed to do his thing, while still sticking to the story, and he once again proves that given the right material, he can really strut his stuff. Some sequences are genuinely the laugh out loud kind. Freeman, who rarely disappoints, and Aniston, prove that they can both hold their own with "rubber face" Shadyac and Carrey make a good team, and despite a few minor hiccupps, they have another winner here.

The DVD loses points for its skimpy extras. Sure, things are solid, but there's just not enough here. Freeman and Aniston are surprisingly absent from the festivities...and it shows. The audio commentary from Shadyac is good enough for some insight but would have benefited with comments from others. The Process of Jim featurette has the director showcasing Carrey on the set. Along with at least 15 deleted scenes and a few outtakes, there's certainly enough smiles to go around but...Topping off the extras are the usual filmographies and the film's theatrical trailer.

Bruce Almighty is a must see if you liked Liar Liar. Just forgive the powers that be for shortchanging the extras and you should be fine.

Delightful material!!
This movie is vintage Jim Carrey!! I laughed at almost every scene. The screenplay was structured properly and the roles were more on-point than any comedy I have ever seen. Carrey's hits include "The Mask," "Ace Ventura," "Liar, Liar," and it seems like we're use to all the lovable characters that he creates. There is no other comic that has the ability to bring joy out of you, make you laugh out loud, and make you cry all in the same instance.
One thing that will grip you is how the plot leaves you intrigued. Carrey plays the highly-spirited Bruce Nolan, a newscaster who gives the people the "lighter side" of news. Everyone appreciates his moral demeanor, except for himself. He has a promising relationship with his wife-to-be, Grace (played by Jennifer Aniston) and what keeps their relationship strong is how firmly she believes in him and has great faith in God. While Grace is spiritually motivated, Bruce feels as if God is "picking on him" because he wants the anchor job that his nemesis, Evan (played by Steve Carell) is picked to get. So when Evan gets the job, Bruce loses it during a "live" session and is fired from his job. He often seeks God (played by Morgan Freeman) to give him a sign and finally encounters Him. So in order to get what he wants from God, He endows Bruce with his powers to see if He can help others as well as himself any better. This movie is basically a testimony for those who have finally found a revelation and a relationship with God in the midst of their tattered life. You can also pray so much where you only want God to always meet your needs. God helps everyone.
Bruce finally realizes that he must be able to forgive and put others first before himself when he and Grace briefly separate and he almost loses his life. This a delightful tale and every scene is pretty much a riot. From the Latin thugs in the alley with the monkey, to the gibberish-talking Evan scene, Bruce Almighty is a heaven-sent comedy for the ages.

Much more than meets the eye
The first time I heard of "Bruce Almighty", I cringed in my seat. The very thought of Jim Carrey playing with the powers of God was enough to make me a little uneasy. There are very few movies of Carrey's that I would admit to liking, and I'd probably only admit to even remotely enjoying "Liar Liar" if you put a knife to my throat and refused to move it until I finally confessed. But not so with "Bruce Almighty". This is a film that, though goofy and a little rude on the surface, is really a thoughtful comedy about all the misconceptions people constantly have about God.

Carrey plays Bruce Nolan, a news anchor whose career is simply not going the way he'd like. His nemesis Evan(the always funny Steve Carrell) is stealing all the glory, he's constantly late for work and, to top it all off, his dog Sam seems physically unable to go to the bathroom inside the house. Bruce is so frustrated with his life that he decides to turn his back on God, saying that he himself could clear up the mess of his life within five minutes, and that God is neglecting his job. Enter...God! Hearing Bruce's claims that the Almighty is unfit for his job, God(Morgan Freeman) willingly hands the reigns to Bruce, wishing him good luck. After a series of self-indulgences that cause serious unforseen consequences, including the loss of his girlfriend Grace(Jennifer Aniston), the only person who has ever totally supported him, Bruce finally submits himself to God's will, and learns to accept that the world does not actually revolve around him.

There are several clever innovations in the film. When Bruce discovers that he cannot possibly listen to all the prayer requests coming at once (in the form of terribly obnoxious voices in his head), he creates a database where he can read prayer requests in the form of e-mails. The name of the database: Yahweh. When Bruce lassoes down the moon for Grace, a huge freak tidal wave occurs in Japan as a result of "strange lunar activity". I'd talk about more of these clever parts, but I wouldn't want to ruin the film.

The DVD is loaded with neat special features, including exstensive outtakes and alternate/cut scenes, all of which are fun to watch, and a couple of which provide just a little more food-for-thought. There's even a short featurette showing alternate cut parts of Carrey's scenes.

"Bruce Almighty" is sort of a diamond in the rough. Though it's advertised as a wacky, crazy comedy, and looks like your typical Carrey vehicle-lots of chances for the star to use his outrageous facial exspressions(and there's plenty of that too)-there's really quite a bit more under the surface than there seems at first, leaving us with a fun, enjoyable movie that leaves you laughing as well as thinking. ... Read more

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If you were a kid in the early 1960s, then you saw The Parent Trap with Hayley Mills--it's as simple as that. Now Disney has pulled the beloved comedy--about a pair of twins who meet for the first time at summer camp and vow to reunite their long-divorced parents--out of the mothballs and remade it with a decidedly '90s feel. This time, the twins act is performed by newcomer Lindsay Lohan, who plays both Hallie and Annie, who each live with one of their parents (Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson). Adversaries when they first meet at camp, Hallie and Annie become, well, sisters when they figure out that they are siblings. The comedy springs from their efforts to sabotage Dad's impending marriage to the gold-digging Elaine Hendrix, while reintroducing Dad to Mom. Quaid has a nice, loosey-goosey way with slapstick, as does Richardson, who plays a very funny drunk scene. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (291)

subtle and hilarious
The parent trap is a great movie for several reasons : just like the original movie the main caracter is played excellently by Lindsay Lohan. The other actors are of equally high standard, specially Elaine Hendrix as the bride to be and Lisa Ann Walters as the "butler" of the father. Lisa Ann Walters outclasses her predecessor in the 1961 movie. Director Nancy Meyers has a keen eye for detail which shows in scenes with some great nonverbal communication, for instance the conversation in the garden between Elaine Hendrix and Lindsay Lohan. Dennis Quaid is very convincing as a father with his legendary broad smile. Another aspect is the way some "adult" items like divorce and seperation are dealt with and yet arevery acceptable for kids. Very moving moments, like the moment Annie reveals her true identity to Chessie (Walters) are pared with hilarious reactions where Chessie shows her affection by offering in the midst of tears to cook something special, while at the same time not degrading the emotional content of that moment. The same goes for Hallie in London. The music is very functional and thanks to DVD a treat to listen to. Visuals are wonderful too. Elaime Hendrix has had the opportunity to play a much more sophisticated opponent making the movie more fun to watch. All in all a must see family novie !

Terrific Family Film
The parent trap is a great movie for several reasons; just like the original movie the main caracter is played excellently by Lindsay Lohan. The other actors are of equally high standard, specially Elaine Hendrix as the bride to be and Lisa Ann Walters as the "butler" of the father. Lisa Ann Walters outclasses her predecessor in the 1961 movie. Director Nancy Meyers has a keen eye for detail which shows in scenes with some great nonverbal communication, for instance the conversation in the garden between Elaine Hendrix and Lindsay Lohan. Dennis Quaid is very convincing as a father with his legendary broad smile and Natascha Richardson is great as the british mother. Another aspect is the way some "adult" items like divorce and seperation are dealt with and yet arevery acceptable for kids. Very moving moments, like the moment Annie reveals her true identity to Chessie (Walters) are pared with hilarious reactions where Chessie shows her affection by offering in the midst of tears to cook something special, while at the same time not degrading the emotional content of that moment. The same goes for Hallie in London. The music is very functional and thanks to VHS a treat to listen to. Visuals are wonderful too. Elaime Hendrix has had the opportunity to play a much more sophisticated opponent making the movie more fun to watch. All in all a must see family movie, perfect for anybody.

Better than Holes!
I used to have this movie on video tape, but I decided to donate it to Salvation Army and get it on DVD, because I like DVDs better. I had the movie Holes on DVD, too. I bought the movie Holes on DVD when they first released. I really like Holes, too. The differences between Holes and The Parent Trap are good girls vs. bad boys. Holes talks about a camp that's for bad boys and The Parent Trap talks about the camp for good girls. That's why I like girls better than boys, that's why I like The Parent Trap better.

Lindsay Lohan is great!
The movie isn't so much but Lindsay Lohan is great on her double part.
She is a beautiful girl with lots of talent.

Great Movie, Botched DVD.
I absolutely love this movie. I've been waiting for this re-release to come out for a long time and am very disappointed to find it is not an anamorphic widescreen release. It actually says on the back of the packaging, "Enhanced for 16X9 televisions". This is blatantly false. I have to wonder why Disney took the trouble to re-release this but couldn't be bothered to do it right. However, the picture quality was excellent for a non-anamorphic DVD. ... Read more