Rating: 
Summary: How many more JFKs to come?
Review: I understand that when DVDs first came out we wantedd to get all of our favorites ASAP - Right Stuff, JFK, Total Recall, etc. I name these three because they were all released and then re-released with new stuff. The new stuff was cool, and it came much later than when the DVD was originally released. However, this is the third JFK DVD to be released already. How many more should we expect. What makes this one anymore special than the Director's Cut. I appreciate trying to get as much stuff on the DVD as you can, but why could it not have been done on the second one. These DVDs are becoming like computers, as soon as you buy on you better beware because a new, sleeker model will soon be on the way.
It boggles my mind!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Slick movie fiction
Review: The movie "JFK" is a slick piece of movie making, for which I grudglingly give it 3 stars, but it is NOT history. It lionizes Jim Garrison as if he were a hero, when he was anything but. Garrison had no credible evidence, changed theories more often than he changed his shirt, and relied on a cast of witnesses that would make the average county jail population look like the Chamber of Commerce by comparison. He proceeded to railroad forward a prosecution of Clay Shaw that was so transparent it became a national embarrasment. When the case went to trial, it was not Garrison who courageously argued it in court (like the movie depicts). He assigned that suicide mission to his deputies. He had started his investigation in early 1966, arrested Shaw over a year later in March 1967, then took nearly two more years to get the case to trial. He thus had over three years to investigate and assemble his proof, but when it finally went to the jury, the evidence was so insubstantial that in 45 minutes (and just one ballot) they acquitted Shaw. For a prosecutor, that's like getting pantsed in a Louisiana downpour. One juror later reported they would have been back in half the time, but a few of them needed to use the restroom before returning to court. Stone (a gifted film maker) took Garrison's fantasy, then "dramatized" (changed) some of the facts, and created others, to make things seem more plausible. For example, the Donald Sutherland character in the film didn't even exist (check Garrison's book). Also, Stone portrays supposed witness David Ferrie as being forced to ingest something which kills him -- a murder. Garrison's original theory on Ferrie's death was suicide (he developed more sinister explanations later). In fact, Ferrie died of natural causes due to a type of brain aneurysm that is impossible to fake or induce. But that doesn't make good drama. The resulting film is fiction based on fiction. It has the same relationship to actual history that the Jerry Springer Show has to investigative journalism. A slick movie, for which I give it 3 stars, but in its underlying premise and point, pure fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: You Know who you are, Cowards.
Review: Understand this, film making is an Art / Industry. Art because of its all-dominant story narration (a film will always tell a story), that's why is has an Author (the director), with his or hers point of view of that single story. It is an industry, because all of the human effort and huge amounts of money to bring to screen any type of film, unfortunately, in many countries and specially in Hollywood, big studio system, its become all about making money, this is the Gringo way.
And so, every once in while, filmmaking is brought to the art level, and even better, more rarely, a director with soul and conscience makes an important film to society and art in general, this is the case with Oliver Stone's J.F.K.
Stone asks 150 questions about President Kennedy's murder, maybe he got 5 things wrong, but what about the other 145 things he got right? The Big Shots where afraid of a man that could change things for better, he would have wiped out their biggest moneymaker, War, and taken away also their Power (both politically and military). Frustrated with this possibility, it became evident Kennedy had to be put to rest. If you follow the clues, understanding them in their context to the end, you will know Who did it, and Why they did it. J.F.K does something that has become most rarely in the USA film industry, it makes you Think. Jim Garrison's fearless quest for truth against a corrupted Government has no parallel in this countries history, and Oliver Stone takes such a brave and honest piece of history, narrating it with his unique, straight and Powerful style (the best word that describes this brilliant film). Stone has the courage to point you with his finger and say, How dare you sons of bit... The film's magnificent script was stolen twice beginning shooting. Censorship (back up by who knows who) tried to stop the film form being shown in theaters. Fortunately, this much important movie, make it to the screen. Only a keen and masterful director like Oliver Stone can make such a Masterpiece, all the praises to him and his crew.
More than speculation, the movie becomes aware of the facts. The complexity of the script becomes a puzzle put in order. The Shot to the face, the most ridiculous bullet in all history (more spin offs and turns would had made this bullet a ballet dancer), the Shadow Conspiracy shown with the breathtaking speech from Donald Sutherland's character inter cut with that Stone's trade mark black and white documentary photography and fast paced editing, Vietnam, money, power thirst, the Zapruder film as the main key evidence, is right in your face, this is pure and honest patriotism.
Further than entertainment, is captivating, the movie won't let you turn away your face, what more could you ask for?
But there is more, this film will test time and go along for the new generations to communicate and pass on the knowledge of this tragic event, and make conscience in every new spectator, it can't be forgotten by obvious reasons.
The new Directors Cut, features 17 minutes of never before seen footage, making the view richer, the extras will make more complete the whole picture as well as the points of view of the objective Insight especially the simultaneous commentary audio track by Oliver Stone, and the Assassination Update (The New Documents), Beyond JFK: The Question of Conspiracy, feature-length documentary, and Meet Mr. X: The Personality and Thoughts of Fletcher Prouty. So, this is a must for your DVD collection (both the Double Disc Special Edition, Director's Cut, and the Single Disc Special Edition, Director's Cut, are great).
The last thing to say about J.F.K is, that it is more shocking today than it was yesterday. Why? Because it reflects today's corruption and manipulation of a Government that carries on with blood in its hands, and bloody hands are never washed clean, a lesson not enough thought in schools, its ugly, but some one has to do it. J.F.K message is, Do not forget!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant depiction of the world's greatest conspiracy...
Review: JFK is a brilliant and indepth story about the day America cried. What this movie does not do is tell you what you already know about 22/11/1963, but rather the evidence New Orleans DA Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner, in a wonderful performance) stumbles across and slowly pieces together to create the greatest conspiraacy theory man has ever known, including that of the Lunar landing in 1969 never happening!?! Director Oliver Stone takes what facts are already known about the assassination, as well as informed guesses, and weaves them smootly into the story of the investigation that occurred several years after JFK died. They include the 'magic bullet' theory, Mr X and the military's involvement, and the underworld connections of the CIA. This two-DVD set also includes a very interesting commentary by Stone, where he talks about his interest in Kennedy's murder and the attention to detail in the movie.
The documentaries are interesting to watch once, after you've seen the film, but are useless otherwise as they are complicated and repeat issues addressed in the film. Kevin Costner is wonderful as Jim Garrison, showing how the man cared more about a murder mystery than his family and the lives of his employees.
For those relatively unfamilar with the details of JFK's death, such as myself being an Australian teen, it is easy to understand why people still want answers and why they haven't got them yet.
Also, for fans of legal dramas or with a passion for the law it is very interesting to watch the trial of a businessman connected to an anti-communist, as Garrison continually brings evidence into play. An outstanding film about an unforgettable time in history, put together by the master of historical dramas, Oliver Stone. For people with an interest in JFK's assassination, or modern history, this DVD is a must-have.
Rating:
Summary: Why? What is the point?
Review: I have no love for this film and i have no love for JFK as either man or President. I've watched this film several times including when it was playing in the theatre that i owned. The dumming down of America started with JFK. Why were people impressed and why do people even care who shot him? I was about 16 when he was killed,,,it had no impact on me at all. Actually anyone who was brought up properly would of had the same reaction as i did but somehow that generation of people fell in love with basically a sex symbol to many women and men loved him because he appeared to be athletic and said things that they thought was impressive. The famous quote "Ask not what the country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." I love this country and i believe in taking care of this country but that stupid statement was the start of bring in the new order of corrupt political leaders and has put us in the worse shape we have ever been in. I'm not talking about anything outside of the walls of the US. I'm talking about the United States low class thinking, uneducated kids, trailer trash type of attitude when it comes to sports heros, the what's in it for me thinking. Yes people you can thank one jerk for the start of this and his name was JFK.
Rating:
Summary: One of those films that WILL make you think
Review: The Lunar Landing. The Hindenburg. Stock market crash of 1929. Titanic. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech and finally JFK's assassination in 1963. What do these things have in common? They're moments in history that everyone remembers, researches and studies. So much has happened in the past 100 years but these events and others just like it actually happened and they're part of American history. The difference between the assassination and the rest? It's a controversy, it's a mystery. It's something that can't be explained unlike the others. November 22nd, 1963. Dallas, Texas. Dealey Plaza. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in his motorcade during a visit. The suspect: Lee Harvey Oswald. The main investigator: Jim Garrison. The film follows Garrison and his investigation into the assassination and what proves to be the mystery of all mysteries. This film will make you think. Why? Because the explanation by the government(called the Magic Bullet Theory, your first clue that the government had something to do with it) is wrong, and they explain why. Why Oswald could not have performed the shooting alone and they explain why. Director Oliver Stone delves deep into this and literally rips things apart. A lot of it is speculation and theories but that's the whole point, to keep you thinking and to raise questions. All in all, a controversial but brilliantly constructed attempt to show that what happened that day near 40 years ago is deeper and more complicated than what you were told by the big boys in Washington
Rating:
Summary: Blah!!!!!!!
Review: Oh my goodness this is a bad film. There aren't any gnomes. What in the world!?!?!?!? Show me the money! watch jerry miguire instead. It is more truthful to the jfk assassination than this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Oliver Stone's masterpiece
Review: Now that some time has passed and the dust has settled, JFK can be looked at as a movie that is NOT historically accurate portrayl of what went down on that fateful day in Dallas, but rather an engaging, nail-biting thriller. Whether you agree or disagree with Stone's view, there is no disputing the craftsmenship that went into this film. The use of multiple film stocks that create layers upon layers of interpretation of the events depicted. The editing alone is masterful as Stone juggles many subplots at once. Robert Richardson's cinematography is incredible (there's a reason why he won the Academy Award that year) and has become Stone's signature look. And there is the cast: Kevin Costner does a fine job as the Gary Cooper-ish Jim Garrison who doggedly pursues his investigation. From here on in, there is a staggering who's who of big name and character actors filling in major and minor roles: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Bacon, Vincent D'Onofrio, Gary Oldman, Joe Pesci, and the list goes on. Everybody does a great job and give the film an authenticity and believability. This new, 2-DVD set is a HUGE improvement over the old, single flipper-disc. The entire movie (Stone's preferred cut) is now on one side and included is a fascinating audio commentary by Stone who manages to keep it going for the entire running time! His commentaries have always been a real treat to listen to and he does not disappoint on this one. The highlight of disc two is a nice collection of deleted and extended scenes with commentary by Stone. It's pretty obvious why they were cut but nice that he included them. This is a DVD that should be in every movie lover's collection. It's an important work and a cinematic landmark. It's influence can be felt in the TV show, 24 and the made-for-TV movie, The Pentagon Papers. I would also recommend picking up the annotated screenplay to the film which acts as the perfect companion to the film.
Rating:
Summary: the truth about JFK/s murder
Review: If you want to know what really happened in 11,22,1963, watch it, or read the book.
The movie is exciting, Oliver Stone presents the picture in a way that is so easy to understand, and he gives us all the facts, and makes the conspiracy theory easy-enough to follow. This movie will make you question everything - do the CIA and FBI have a hold over the President of the biggest countries in the world? If the said President stands up for his own beliefs, is he in danger of his very life? "JFK" tells us the answer is "yes",
At the beginning, there is a short biography of JFK and we can see him young.
In addition, the film has phenomenal performances by Kevin Costner as Jim Garrison, Sissy Spacek as Garrison's long-suffering wife, Joe Pesci as David Ferrie), and Donald Sutherland. In addition to these fine performances are Tommy Lee Jones.
So watch it!
Rating:
Summary: Back and to the left: A weapon of mass instruction?
Review: Although there's a jumble of competing theories out there, Stone's screenplay uses Jim Garrison's 1967 botched attempt to bring conspiracy charges against the CIA as a springboard to compile and present the most glaring glitches in the official lone nut scenario. Stone doesn't advance any one of the many theories; the purpose of this film was to disseminate a "counter-myth to the Warren Report", as he puts it. In order to keep the film's running time down, some of the characters are composites, and events are conflated and rearranged chronologically. It is not strictly factual with regard to details, particularly the people Garrison tried to gather as witnesses for his trial (some other reviews here go into detail about the changes). But, given Stone's aim, the details are not the crucial issue; his purpose is to get people thinking about the military-industrial complex's overweening power in our democracy (as it hinged upon the "coup d'etat", as Garrison put it, of 11/22/63) and the film is a masterpiece of counter-propaganda. Stone finds a perfect balance between Garrison's obsession with the assassination, his turbulent relationship with a staff led into unprecedented territory, and his upset family life. The concluding trial scene is both devastating and moving. And technically, "JFK" has the most effective and (for once) appropriate use of the kitchen-sink editing techniques you'll ever see: hand-held camera, jittery jump-cuts, switching from black and white...The acting is uniformly excellent (except perhaps for a few of Costner's moments at home with his family), particularly Gary Oldman's high-strung Oswald and Sutherland's mysterious General X.
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