Rating: Summary: Cusack Doing What He Does Best! Review: Cusack seems to fit these roles. The dark, lovelost, sarcastic self abuser who, though seemingly utterly disfuctional, actually taps into the heart of "normal". Especially when dealing with issues of growing up and relationships. In this way, High Fidelity could in fact be the continuing story of Better Off Dead. Or any number of other Cusack greats. The other factors that make this a stand out are the references to bands and music you thought only you still held onto. Especially when his 2 employees get into the nitpicking realm of conosieurrism (sp?) of music collecting. Top 5 reasons to by this movie, 5-Musical memories 4-The break-up stories 3-The heckle and jeckle dialogue of the employees 2- great script 1- John Cusack!
Rating: Summary: Movie of the Year! Review: I usually don't review movies, but for this one I must make an exception. This is one of the funniest, most brilliant movies I have ever seen. There is nothing in the movie that doesn't work (you know how sometimes there will be a joke or occurrence that makes you say, "What was the point of THAT?"), and the on-screen chemistry between the actors is excellent. Also, I can sort of relate to John Cusack's character (and I make top fives for things, too!). I like it when there's a character you can identify with. Yep, this is truly an excellent movie, although those who are blatantly normal (you know who you are) or are offended by language (there's quite a lot of it) may not appeciate it. If I were to make a list of my top five favorite movies, this one would definitely go in it.
Rating: Summary: THE LUCKYDOG NEWSLETTER Review: Funny but dissapointing. I love John Cusack Movies but every time I think about this one my thoughts on how many stars it should get, changes.Reasons for R rating: Sexuality/Nudity, LANGUAGE, some drug use, some alcohol, some funny and mild violence. I have to say this movie is RETARDED but funny, I cant give it two thumbs up, even though the laughs got one (thumb that is). Its really sad to think that the only reason some people are together is just because they have nothing better to do, but I guess it happens. The plot is that this guy (John Cusack, "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil") who owns a record store (CHAMPIONSHIP VINYL, but only in the movie, in real life its called something else, of course) has two friends and a girlfriend who are basically the only three people in his life at the moment. But Then, his girlfriend leaves him, and then he starts this crazy TOP 5 LIST of his worst breakups that ultimatly leads to a trip to find the past girlfriends to get "The MEANING of it all" (Why he is destined to be left by the only girl he truly has feelings for). The movie has a bit of a confused ending where it seems like the only reason for what takes place, is because Someone dies and the girl just wants to "FEEL SOMETHING DIFFERENT" (something other than the pain of loss I guess). sorry for those that liked it but it was a STUPID ENDING. It was a very poorly done film with holes in the script that I think Could have been done a Lot Better with a little more thought put into it, sort of a sleeper hit. I did enjoy THE WONDER YEARS or FERRIS BUELER type of feeling with John Cusack talking to the camera. only one star for 1: John Cusack and Tim Robins' performances. 2: The really funny and talented Jack Black. 3: The funny parts. and 4: The cool part where John Cusack states the five top things he misses about Laura (his girlfriend). This is Acedog from THE LUCKYDOG NEWSLETTER: MOVIE REVIEW Have a wonderful flashback.
Rating: Summary: A wonderful movie with an awesome soundtrack! Review: This movie is appealing not so much for the "relationship" story, but because of the way it's told. The record shop backdrop is inspired, and the choice of music delighted me throughout the movie. I adored the "music geek" theme enormously, and the actors who played them were extremely winning and entertaining. In fact,I never heard of Jack Black before seeing this movie, loved his performance as Barry, and then he blew me away in the final scene - I won't give it away here, but he is just fabulous! John Cusack is adorable, and I love the way he and his sister find movies to appear in together. Lisa Bonet will surprise you too (in a good way). Then there's the soundtrack - it is truly great, a tribute to music geeks everywhere, I would have loved to be a fly on the wall while the choices were being discussed.
Rating: Summary: You had to be there Review: I loved this movie so much when I saw it in the theatres I bought the DVD as soon as it was available. The deleted scenes will make sense and will make you laugh if you read Nick Hornby's novel on which the film is based. The interviews with leading man-producer-writer John Cusack and director Stephen Frears were interesting, though a little hard to access. All in all,I enjoy owning this DVD. The film itself is so real and so authentic that if you have never known anyone like the characters in the film, if you have never blown an entire Saturday pouring over dusty used LP's, if you've never felt like you just didn't have a weekend unless you closed some smokey hole in the wall listening to some cool local band, if you've never been or dated a guy like Rob Gordon, then you won't get this film. You won't like the people in the film because you don't like these people in reality. But for those of us who have lived amongst or been these people, the film is so honest and so REAL it feels like a place you visited rather than a film you saw. The painstaking attention to detail regarding the set, costumes, scenery and props, combined with a perfect soundtrack all work together with the top-notch cast (see cast list) and the brilliant script to give a unique texture to this film about developementally arrested 30-something record store owner Rob Gordon (Cusack). Rob takes us along with him as he tries to figure out why love keeps eluding him after his latest girlfriend, Laura (played smartly by Danish actress Iben Hjejle)leaves. He recounts his top five worst breakups, and revisits most of them, only to discover that winning Laura back is not a matter of playing the game better, but of growing up. No, he doesn't have ALL the answers in a neatly wrapped-up story book ending, but the light begins to glimmer, and the ending, as unresolved and real as it is, makes you want to cry just the same.
Rating: Summary: Much too close to the book Review: I was disappointed by the film's inability to 'open out' the book. This isn't the fault of the cast - they pretty much all turn in likeable performances (although Joan Cusack if miscast), but way too much of the film is Cusack talking to camera, and almost all the dialog is lifted straight out of the book. What deviations there are (skateboarding kids who turn out to be talented artistes) are jarring and out of key with the rest of the film. If you've read the book within the past six months I'd suggest you wait awhile.
Rating: Summary: An fun comedy about music and life. Review: Last year, John Cusack gives two great film of 1999, the underrated Pushing Tim and Comic fastasy masterpiece:Being John Malkovich. The plot:Rob(Cusack) is having problems, since his ex-girlfriend (Iben Hjejle) left him for another. Then he talks about his best top five ex-girlfriens of his lifetime and the music, he`s loves best. Then he found out that his ex, she going out with an bizarre man(Played by Tim Robbins)and Rob, will do anything to get his ex, back in his life. Great direction by Frears(The Commitments). Also Cusack co-wrote the script with three another writers. An underrated gem. DVD`s Picture Quality with an anamorphic Widescreen(1.85:1) transer is great with an fine Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. Also the DVD`s comes with interviews with the director and Cusack. Also a nice extra:About 15 mins of deleted scenes. Grade:A-.
Rating: Summary: Uninteresting Despite Good Performances Review: Mostly uninteresting. John Cusack owns a record store and talks to the camera about his past troubles with different girlfriends. Lacking in humor and characters to care about. Catherine Zeta Jones plays one of his ex's.
Rating: Summary: and a half Review: This is a three and a half star movie and DVD to me. If you liked Grosse Pointe Blank, then chances are you will like this. It seems to follow a pattern I found interesting. Was it a comedy? Was it a Drama? Was it a dark Comedy? A Romantic Comedy? Does it matter? When the movie is over, you really dont know. I felt the same way about GSP. Anyway, overall the movie is quite entertaining. It will make you laugh, smile and think. I dont think it deserved all the praise it has received from some of these reviews. I dont think it was an amazing piece of film making. But the bottom line is it is entertaining. I bought this without having seen it in the theater. It was certainly worth the price as opposed to paying 10 bucks to see it in the theater. Its a movie I am happy to have in my collection, and will pay for itself over time.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Movie Review: As a 30-something single guy, former disc jockey, I have to give this movie a big thumbs up. Great story and solid acting. Do yourself a favor and check this out.
|