Rating: 
Summary: A DIFFERENT KIND OF FILM
Review: JOHN CUSACK HAS PROVED AGAIN WITH HIS CHAMELION ACTING THAT HE CAN PLAY ANY ROLE REQUIRED.
A STORY ABOUT A RECORD SHOP OWNER WHO LISTS THROUGH HIS PREVIOUS GIRLFRIENDS,WHILST TRYING TO WIN BACK THE PRESENT ONE WHO HAS JUST DUMPED HIM.
THIS FILM WONT BE EVERYONES FAVOURITE,BUT IT HAS A LOT OF STYLE AND FLAVOUR.
I WOULD RECCOMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO IS A MUSIC FAN,JUST BEEN DUMPED OR LOVES JOHN CUSACK
Rating: 
Summary: You're Gonna Miss Me Babe
Review: Apparently the book is magnificent, but i felt as i sat down to watch this DVD that had an advantage having not reda it. Some poeple, i like not to include myself, have a difficult job realising that film is a different medium to book, and therefore things will be changed or added or taken away from a book in order to make it a good film. Stephen King couldn't understand that when Stanley Kubrick made The Shining, and i know people who thought Brando's performance in the Godfather went against everything in the book. But that's films! Leave your preconceptions behind, and start with a blank canvas. If you start comaprisons, you might as well not watch High Fidelity because you won't like it.
Luckily, i was at no risk of having preconceptions, and i feel i am a lucky man for it. High Fidelity is an eccentric, funny and poignant look at relationship breakdown and self reflection... and of course, pop music. John Cusack has effortlesly transported the action from London to Chicago and has stamped his own mark on the story. A soundtrack and cast to die for, and blessed with a wit and wisdom that is pure Nick Hornby, delivered with a perfect mix, of vulnerability, charm and paranoia by the irrepressible John Cusack.
Having broken up with my girlfriend, and having a strong interest in music, i found this film relevant and painfully accurate, but also tremendously funny and enjoyable. Jack Black does his best to steal the show, but i think the film belongs to Cusack as jilted Rob Gordon. This guy has done some unkind things in his time, is hugely anally retentive, paranoid, depressed and constantly self analysing, yet Cusack's likeability in the role means we're always on his side against his new love rival, the slimy Ian (Tim Robbins).
If you like music, like comedy and like romance, this is for you. Especially if you've ever been dumped!
Rating: 
Summary: He should have stuck to pointe blank
Review: After a beautiful come back with Grosse Pointe Blank...to the comedic medium, Cusack flubs it in this horrific movie.
He loses all remnants of the nice guy image and the actress who plays his girlfriend is just awful.
Distracted by her awful haircut the most interesting characters
in the whole film were his music shop employees.
Here is a clue, Cusack, you are a product of the 80's. I first saw you in Sixteen Candles. Don't even try to go grunge it ruins it for me...
Stick to what you know...let's hope we see better of you in "Serendipity"
Rating:
Summary: Excellent comedy!!!
Review: VERY FUNNY! AWESOME FILM! Seriously, it's so so so funny! John Cusack is perfect for this role, perfect! He's exactly the guy they needed. Tim Robbins is funny too, especially in the imagination scene!!! You'll know what I mean when you'll see it! This is the perfect film for people who have a little culture in music, and who are not afraid of vulgarity or that enjoy rock and roll...The story is about a man that owns a Vinyl discs shop who tries to find back the girls he loved during his years of high school...believe me, along with Meet The Parents, this is one of the best comedies of this year, and a couple of years before...in my opinion. The mentality of Cusack and his work mates is just so coloured, it's awesome, it's funny, it's exactly how I imagine that kind of person for real...This is perfect to watch with a bunch of friends followed by Dead Alive or Bad Taste....excellent comedy!
Rating:
Summary: One Of My Top 5 Best Movies:
Review: High Fidelity: rated R, 1 hour and 47 minutes High Fidelity is hilariously funny! There is no debating this. The script is wittily devised so as to throw in scenes of candid drama and seriousness, intermingled with scenes of ingenious humor. Throughout the history of films, this task of creating a movie with an intelligent, serious plot, as well as terrific comedic prospects has been a tremendous risk. Few films have actually succeeded. High Fidelity has overcome this arduous challenge and succeeded with flying colors thanks to a stylish soundtrack, fresh ideas, sharp dialogue, and marvelous acting.
John Cusack is Rob Gordon, the pathetic, yet somehow very cool owner of a record store. His greatest passion is music and he obsessively creates his Top 5 lists for best rock album, best track one song on a record, best songs to play at a funeral, etc. Donning a black leather jacket and sunglasses, Rob is both hip and stylish, as well as down and out and washed up. He has had too many relationships that have ended in misery. As his current girlfriend, Laura (Iben Hjejle), dumps him, Rob sets out on a crusade to determine why every relationship he becomes involved in goes bad. We learn a great deal about Rob. We also learn about his two "friends"(if that is what you choose to call them), Dick and Barry, as well as about his five most memorable break-ups. His life is dismal because of his inability to establish a lasting relationship, but from the viewer's perspective, it is so sad that we have to laugh. We laugh at his attitude towards women, his attitude towards life, his experiences, and all of his idiosyncrasies. On Rob's "what does it all mean" journey, he stumbles across some uproarious mishaps, and learns some valuable lessons.
The filming of the movie is flawless. The various camera angles, editing, voice-overs, and settings are perfect for the mood and overall presentation. The story by Nick Hornby is unique and sophisticated. The characters are well developed, each with his/her own eccentricities. And the dialogue is superb. Each line that the narrator (Cusack as Rob) utters is crisp and heartfelt. Each line that, Barry (Jack Black of the offbeat, talented and funny rock band Tenacious D), pronounces, on the other hand, is idiotic, snappish, and hysterical.
By far, the greatest, most hilarious scene of the movie takes place in Rob's record store after he finds out that his most recent flame, Laura, has been seeing the Zen, yoga, martial arts, spiritual creep who has been living in the apartment above Rob. He earlier describes this man, Ian, by saying "I didn't like him much then, I @^#$*% hate him now!" Rob finally comes face to face with the dreaded Ian when Ian attempts to settle things peacefully with him once and for all so that he stops pointlessly chasing after Laura. "Conflict resolution is my job," he says in justifying his visit. When Rob is confronted, he cannot hold back, or at least not mentally. He unleashes an onslaught of brutality on Ian, which cannot and should not be described in words. It must be seen. One of the film's secret weapons is a highly respected actor who has achieved success in Hollywood largely as a serious dramatic actor, playing the role of Ian, who for our purposes will go unnamed.
In any case, High Fidelity is filled with such beautifully funny high jinks and sheer brilliance that it is hard not to enjoy it. Look out for breakout performances by Todd Louiso, and most notably, Jack Black. Directed by Stephen Frears, also starring Catherine Zeta Jones, Lili Taylor, Sara Gilbert, and Lisa Bonet, I would highly recommend that just about anyone see High Fidelity for its valuable insights and outstanding sense of humor A+.
Rating:
Summary: Oh How True it is...
Review: Anyone who has ever [messed] up a great relationship should watch this movie-especially if you are in your mid-30s and seeking answers to all of your mistakes. HA! Did I relate or what. I can be the female version of John Cusack. Besides, I relate to him because we are both Cancers and we both seem ruled by our emotions. All's well that ends well though-as in life-emotions get sorted out and lessons learned and people are given another chance at happiness and thank goodness for that. Joan Cusack plays the wacky sister-as she is in real life. With Joan and John how could you miss???
Rating:
Summary: FINALLY!
Review: A movie that delivers a REALISTIC portrayal of modern romance! Most of the time we don't fall in love at first sight, get married and live happily ever after in perfect harmony! Most of the time, we stupid humans have to LOSE what we have to SEE what we have, which is what this movie is about. This is a funny, honest and touching movie. Completely unlike sappy, sickeningly sweet overblown romance movies (see Titanic), yet more romantic than any of them. It's about expectations, change, and realizing what an honest and loving relationship really is. An excellent choice when you are ready to put all the fairy tales away and swap it for reality, which is far sweeter and more fulfilling than any fable.
Rating:
Summary: Top Five Things About This Film (Concept Review):
Review: 1. Its portrayal of the musically obsessed. The best parts of the film revolve around music and the film successfully captures the collector's mentality and his obsessions. All three of the guys that work at the record store eat, breathe and sleep music. I am not as obsessed as they are but damn close and I have never seen this mentality on screen. If you love music you will like this film is only for the way it attempts to make all of its viewers music lovers. It puts into action the feelings that revolve around music. It is nice to see that others make lists of everything. Warning: After seeing this film you may stay up half the night listening to records. 2. The humor. This is a hilarious movie and its comedy is quite fresh and is a different form of humor that is a pleasant juxtaposition to today's gross-out and stupid humor. It is nice to see that there are alternatives. A few scenes really show the film's interesting brand of humor such as when John Cusack's character Rob imagines beating up his ex's new boyfriend Ian and every scene with Jack Black is great. He steals every scene he is in and makes the film worth seeing for repeated viewings. Much of Rob's little observances about life are also very amusing but at the same time they sure do say a lot. 3. The acting. John Cusack is great as Rob who narrates his life for us on screen. John Cusack portrays Rob so well that we as the audience feel his every pain and victory and can relate it to our own lives. It is a hard role to play due to the fact that that through most of the film he is talking to the camera and does not have the other actors to fall back on. He pulls it off nicely though. Of course Jack Black is great and his character perfectly captures the essence of the collector. When he corrects Dick for accidentally putting a 'the' at the beginning of an album title he verbalizes the compulsive-obsessive disorder known as 'collecting'. The guy who play Dick is also great (sorry, not sure of actor's name) as is Tim Robbins as Ian. 4. The directing. Stephen Frears does an excellent job of putting Nick Hornby's book on the screen. He directs in an understated, non-flashy way and that is exactly what the film needed. He does add enough gimmicks to keep the film interesting but for the most part he lets the actors carry the film and in this case that is an excellent move. He obviously trusted his actors and that was a good thing. The credit sequences are among the highlights of his directing and very few films have interesting credit sequences. 5. The music. Everything from The Velvet Underground to Stereolab is used in the film to a high level of success. Each song fits perfectly and provides a strong backbone to the film. It helps to make the viewer understand the musically obsessed frame of mind. Buy the soundtrack too. Some of the most effective song's are Stevie Wonder's 'I Believe (When I Fall in Love it Will be Forever)' and The Thirteenth Floor Elevator's 'You're Gonna Miss Me'. Also it was nice to see The Beta Band get mentioned in such a flattering way. So, a great film that all should see. I would give it four and a half stars for although it is great I reserve my five stars for true classics. This is close but not perfect. Still go see it. Thanxs...
Rating:
Summary: High Fidelity: Hjejle is the heart of the film
Review: Believe the positive reviews that both critics and consumers are giving this movie. It's easily one of the most honest contemporary films around and it explores issues that real people have. It's about Rob, a guy who owns a hip LP store in downtown Chicago, and the reasons why he can't maintain a long lasting romantic relationship, and the path he follows to not be a schmuck and win back the woman, Laura (Iben Hjejle) he really does love, who recently dumped him. This path includes recounting why 5 of his ex-girlfriends dumped him. It also includes trying to understand Laura and realizing all the bad things he did to her, like how he slept with someone else and borrowed money from her without paying her back. Rob is often a shallow person, which is to say that he's like a lot of real-life men and a lot of women, self-absorbed yet essentially a good person. The first time I saw this film, I thought it was a lot of like Rob: good but childish and shallow. By the third time I saw it, I really liked everything about it, especially the actors and the characters they play. Firstly, John Cusack, who I'd never seen in anything before, is funny as hell as Rob and gives a likable and natural performance. Barry and Dick, the guys who work at Rob's record store, are very funny too, always discussing their inconsequential music tastes with utter conviction and importance. Jack Black as Barry is a gifted comedian and singer, although for some reason, his meanness towards the customers was not initially something I found funny, but eventually it grew on me. His improvisational song called "the day Laura's daddy died" is my favorite part of Barry's scenes. Catherine Zeta-Jones is really very stunning in this film. She plays Charlie, one of the five women who dumped Rob. Rob's reason for the failure of their relationship is that he could never get comfortable with such a beautiful woman, but then again, what man could? Michael Douglas. Charlie's reason for the failure is that Rob wasn't "glamourous enough." Charming even in a strange role, Tim Robbins camps it up as the pony-tailed Ian, one of Rob's neighbors who Rob sees as competition for Laura. And how about Laura. She is played with the right note of vulnerability and strength by Iben Hjejle. The chemistry between her and Rob is so convincing that they seemed like they were just about ready to giggle and have fun once the cameras stopped rolling. Although smart (she's a lawyer and her sensible and intelligent actions in everyday life coincide with how professionally accompolished she is), friendly, and pretty, this is a woman whose true beauty comes from her warm and kind heart, and though it's always clear to the audience, it takes a while for Rob to figure this out. Without the lead performance of Hjejle, the movie would not have been what it is. What is it exactly? A great film that needs to be viewed repeatedly to (a) catch all the inside jokes that were missed and (b) discover the characters' complexities more and more.
Rating:
Summary: Faithful to High Fidelity - well almost!
Review: Five minutes into the film and you are thinking - this is rubbish, introspective and the asides to camera are far too corny. However, if you are a devotee of Nick Hornby - and I used to be until I read -'How to be good', you will love this DVD. Allowing the main protagonist to speak on camera might at times be considered either too cliched or suspending one's disbelief a little too far . However, there is no other way in which the director would have been able to demonstrate the witicism of Nick Hornby.If you loved the book then undoubtedly you will love the film, although real afficionados might debate the merits of setting such an English novel in Chicago, especially when given Catherine Zeta Jones's Welsh-Chicago accent. If you have ever entered into a specialist cinema or music stall you will instantly recognise Barry and Dick.They are the 'geek' and the tutting 'know-it-all'. The put-down of the father searching for Stevie Wonder's 'I Just Called to Say I love You' enable us to enter into the eternal debate over should a music artist be forgiven for putting out total dross once he has attained the pinancle of his writing. This film is about the human condition whether in terms of 'The Top Ten Break-ups of all time' or the 'Top five albums of all time'.
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