Return to Paradise

Rating:
Summary: Bottom line...do we have one?
Review: This movie is a sleeper...it is an extraordinary movie which examines moral principle and moral obligation. We never know when we will be called to reveal our true bottom line...will we give it lip service...or will we act regardless what happens to us personally? What type of souls do we really carry inside of us? Sit back and really view this movie....EXCELLENT!

Rating:
Summary: Hello! Academy Awards People! Wake up!
Review: I actually saw this in the theatre when it was released. This is an amazing movie. Don't pay attention to the review "Go back to Film School". Some people are a little over analytical and should just watch the news for their entertainment. Remember, a movie is just that, a movie, a story. Return to Paradise is a thought provoking and highly emotional STORY, a combination of which is exactly what I seek from films. If I leave the theatre and all I can muster is "Wow", then I know I just got my money's worth. Not only could I not speak for a while, I was in a complete daze. My boyfriend and I talked about the movie for hours afterwards, once I was able to Return to Reality. You become completely involved with these characters. That is, if your not too busy analyzing every second of each scene waiting for imperfections to arise. I have to say the most phenomonal acting was done by Joaquin Phoenix. I just cannot believe the Academy and the Hollywood Foreign Press overlooked this film altogether. Politics I am sure. We wouldn't want anyone/Malaysia to get mad at us. Better to just ignore that film. Bottom line, I thought this movie was fabulous. Some may disagree, but that's totally fine. Most of you however, I think will be moved, shocked, depressed, confused and amazed after watching this movie. Then ask yourself what would you do? REALLY. If you answer too quickly then your not being truthful. It takes some thought.

Rating:
Summary: Film f/ grown-ups! Thought-provoking, beautifully made.
Review: A film for grown-ups (which is a rare thing). Beautifully made, beautifully acted, directed with subtlety and intelligence. Does the fact that you've forgotten someone and moved on with your life mean that you love them any less, or that your responsibility or accountability to them is any less, years later? Are the responsibilities of friendship contingent upon how long you've known that friend, or upon how long it's been since you've seen that friend? The acting and direction are so authentic that I felt like I was watching a documentary rather than a work of fiction. A film about loyalty, decency, friendship, and about "how you act when no one's looking." It's about an unremarkable "regular Joe" who is asked/forced to address the questions: What kind of a person am I, really? Am I a person who can be counted on by his friends? to what extent? Is there anything more important than myself and my life? To what extent is a totally undistinguished person capable of acts of transcendent nobility? What is the meaning of friendship? What rights does friendship confer upon someone to make really extraordinary requests or demands of his friends? Does the essential decency or goodness of one person have an affect on those around him? Do the responsibilities of love (i.e. loyalty) diminish after years of not seeing each other? Is love eternal and internal, or specific to a time and place? Is decency/goodness infectious/contagious? One of the best movies I've ever seen. It restores your faith in cinema as a forum for serious ideas and questions. This really is a film of rare quality.

Rating:
Summary: "Return" to masterful filmmaking
Review: The first time I saw this movie, I happened into a room where it was playing. I had neither the intention nor the time to watch. But after a few minutes, it was clear I was helplessly in its grip. This film goes to the heart of what it means to be a "moral" person, and what rewards--or punishments--there might be waiting for he who decides upon a course of goodness. It shows people who are not perfect having to make the most heart-wrenching moral choices, and in so doing ennobles all of us who are not heroes. This is not to say it is a dreary, moralistic tome. No, there's humor, there's action, there's even sex--because above all there are real people here. It is precisely that fact which makes this film impossible to turn off, and extraordinarily difficult to stop thinking about. You simply need this film. Buy it on DVD. Keep it in your collection. Share with your children and loved ones. It's guaranteed to leave them (and you) thinking about the consequences of their actions.

Rating:
Summary: THIS IS THE GREATEST MOVIE SINCE PRIVATE RYAN!
Review: This is a must see movie, it was shocking and used up all of you emotions making you feel drained after watching it. I wasn't expecting this movie to move me at all but I feel changed since watching it.

Rating:
Summary: a great movie
Review: this is one of the few movies that has ever made me cry . the movie was great and made me think about what i would do and it really makes you realize how good life in america is. i thought joaquin played in some way the biggest role even though you only saw him for brief amounts of time.he diserved so much more credit after all he is the one who made you cry. vince vaughn and anne heche were also great. this is one of those movies that leaves you crying the next day so plan something fun . also don't listen to return to film school he has no idea what he is talking about.

Rating:
Summary: Very exciting - Kept us on the edge of our seats.
Review: I wasn't expecting much from this movie but I have to say that I was really pleasantly surpised. Not only was it about a really interesting moral question but we found it to be pretty unpredictable.

Rating:
Summary: Mixed Feelings
Review: i think Vince Vaughn is a very good actor. even though the remake of Psycho flopped, he was a pretty good Norman Bates. this movie, however wasn't as good as it could have been. the editing was very choppy, and the sound mixing was terrible, i couldn't understand a lot of what was said in the movie, and the cinematography left a LOT to be desired. with all of these things fixed, this movie would have had a lot of potential. Anne Heche is a very good actress, but it was stupid how her and Sheriff had sex and then immediately fell in love. CHEESY! well, very gripping plot, but i really didn't feel much of the suspense because of the film quality and sound. also, some of the music was good for the scenes, it added the suspense and feeling that the sound and camera work took away, but it didn't do it adequately enough. i'd recommend this for people who don't plan on seeing it with a critical eye.

Rating:
Summary: what would you do?
Review: Any movie that forces me to question my morals deserves to be commended. This situation could happen to anybody. Maybe you may never be accused of drug trafficing in Malaysia, however deciding how important a friend is will affect many of us. We all say, "we would do anything for our friends", but when faced with serving in prison for someone, i wonder if i would do it. vince vaughn is very convincing bc he doesnt agree right away. i was not as impressed with the other friend, but i guess he was not as important to the movie. although j. phoenix was only in small sections of the movie, he was excellent. see this movie and prepare to cry!

Rating:
Summary: well,i started with happy hearts,and ended with a sad one
Review: i watched this movie in the hope that the two guys would go back. it was one of the most heart renching movies i have ever seen. i will never watch this movie again. this movie is all about what people whould do in real life, and what happens in piedang prison. i rented it last night and i chould not stop crying till this morining. if you like these types of movies go for it you will love it, but if your are the lighted hearted viewer i do not recomend this movie.