Rating: Summary: top five reasons to buy this dvd Review: 1. the special features are pretty cool 2. all the hidden posters of really great bands 3. dick's character is hysterical 4. cusack's contribution to the soundtrack 5. could there have been a better role for jack black?!
Rating: Summary: Not In My Top 5 But A Good Movie Anyway Review: Stephen Frears adapted Nick Hornby`s great novel "High Fidelity", delivering one of the funniest, cleverest movies of 2000. John Cusack is pretty good as Rob, the typical late twenties/ early thirties loser who does little else besides listening to records, watching movies and dealing with the casual relationship. Oh, he also does countless Top 5 lists as well, while he sits around his record store. The movie explores his "growing" process, where Rob must face new decisions in order to finally give his life some meaning and substance besides his typical, apparently vulgar interests. One of the most important tasks he must endure is to solve the status of the relationship with his girlfriend, Laura, which leads to some hilarious as well as deep (in a way) moments. Comic Relief by Jack Black`s character is a dead-on element of the movie, presenting a more sarcastic, dark humorous side. This is a pleasant movie for anyone who has a minimum interest in pop culture, since Rob displays some references every 5 seconds, compiling various lists about virtually everything. While not as good as the book, this effort is still a worthwile achievent and a lot of fun, great to watch and just relax. An intelligent, witty comedy about the troubled, oh-so-painful life of slackers.
Rating: Summary: High Fidelity is All Right. Review: I've owned this film for a couple of years, and, at the beginning, I thought it was an absolutely perfect film. I thought that it could not be funnier, written better, or have a nicer message. I still do like the overall idea of the film, as simple and archetypal as it may be, but this film doesn't have the same "dynamism" [yes, yes] as it used to have for me. I, actually, still like it. I think John Cusack was cast correctly, as was Iben Hjeile as his girlfriend, Laura. The music is, of course, done very well. I like the end the most, though. I like that Rob makes his girlfriend the compilation tape--"something that she'd like." And I really like the Stevie Wonder song that plays over the credits--"I Believe"--absolutely a perfect fit for the close of the film. Sentimental. Yet, High Fidelity [good name--clever.] still has flaws. For one thing, it could be written better. It's written fine, but it could be written better. For example, after Rob sleeps with Marie Le Salle, she says, "...People are allowed to feel horny and fucked-up at the same time. You shouldn't feel embarrassed about it. Why should we be denied basic human rights just because we've messed up our relationships? ...I'm not gonna let that bastard come between me and a fuck." It's meant to be hot and intelligent...but it's not. I also know that tons of "music people" watch this film and are all like, "This movie is genius! It totally understands me!" That's kind of sad. It has interesting ideas, but it's just too easy. Too many of the laughs are gratuitous [especially those involving Jack Black], and too many involve Rob [the uptight guy] getting pissed off at Barry [the crazy, immature guy]. That's not funny--that's an easy set-up for you, the viewer, to fall into, accordingly. Contrived, I say! Still, still--I don't think this film is all bad. I just wanted to make sure my views were known. I suppose I still recommend this film--it is funny, nice, and written all right, I guess.
Rating: Summary: The movie, like the novel is funny Review: If there's one thing I really dug about this movie, it's the first person/into the camera narration style a la FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF. It's a great way of telling a funny story and John Cusack is great as Rob Gordon, the down on his luck loser. We've all been through a romance gone completely sour and believe me, Gordon has been through enough to last 2 lifetimes. You have to sympathize with the man as his heart is repeatedly dragged through the proverbial mud, much to our comic delight. I think both men and women will appreciate this movie because it honestly presents both sides of a break up. Throughout the course of the story, we learn that yes, men are inherently jerks but women are just as guilty! Cusack is backed up by a decent supporting cast, particularly Jack Black, who plays the smart alecky, customer offending employee of his store. He's definitely a comedic talent to look out for in the future. Cusack does a nice job of carrying the movie and provides many of its funniest moments. It's a solid comedy which will appreciated by music lovers and movie fans alike.
Rating: Summary: What a waste of time... Review: I watched it because of John Cusack... that's all... and what a waste of time it was watching him play some pathetic immature idealistic loser... Then there's the stupid way his character handles relationships - do guys like that really attract that many girls in real life? The fat guy was funny in the beginning, but it gets tiring after a while trying to listen to all his snobbish opinions about music... The novel is much better than the film.
Rating: Summary: One of my top 5 movies of all time! Review: This is a brilliant film. I think most guys can relate to Cusack's flawed antihero Rob. The music is a bit esoteric and the soundtrack is amazing. Jack Black's raw comedic talent rumbles through the movie like a freight train. Louiso underplays his role hysterically. Hjejle is the calm, classy, intelligent girlfriend I think all us guys are searching for. And it has a happy ending! Just buy the DVD. You won't be disappointed.
Rating: Summary: A Hilarious and Moving Look into the Male Mind Review: "High Fidelity" is the only movie, at least that I can think of off the top of my head, that deals with relationships from a purely male perspective. Most romantic comedies these days are bogged down with feminine insight. Generally we see a woman who laments the fact that chivalry is dead and we get to see how she finds the right guy (though he may not seem right at first). But in this film, we get to deal with the male side of relationships up close and personal. I find many aspects of myself reflected in Cusack's performance. This is not surprising: John Cusack is quite possibly the perfect "everyman" character. While this film is hilarious, it does not descend into the romantic comedy genre. It remains a cult-classic that, in my opinion, has much to say about the male psyche (at least as far as relationships are concerned). The dialogue flows nicely and I enjoy Cusack's personal connection with the camera. The film does lack plot (as one reviewer mentioned), but I don't think that the audience is keenly aware of this fact. There is far too much interesting character development going on in this film. While Cusack's character becomes fully fleshed out, we even get to know and understand his friends. I was very pleased with this aspect of the film. For all those that love Cusack or want to understand the male's perspective on relationships, check this film out. You won't be disappointed.
Rating: Summary: HIGH entertainment! Review: John Cusack is remarkable in this film. It is at once heart-tugging, hilarious, believable, and entertaining. Truly, truly a grand film. Takes a good look at what goes on inside the head of a man in a relationship. honest, funny, sincere. Top notch! Don't hesitate! "Quick, what's your Top Five All Time..."??? That will be your buzz phrase after you see this...
Rating: Summary: Really funny...... Review: This is just a great movie- especially for any guy who has a few too many ex's. You will totally relate to the story.
Rating: Summary: John Cusack, charming and at his best Review: Great music, Jack Black, and John in Cosby sweaters...*sigh* what more can you ask from a movie. Well, High Fidelity delivers this and much more. Orginally, the story was set in London, England, but John read the book and thought it could just as easily be set in is his hometown of Chicago. Nicholas Horby was fine with the idea, and voila! We have a personalized Cusack creation with him reincarnationing His Lloyd Dobler vulnerability and his deameanor from the first half of The Sure Thing before he realized true love is better than cheap sex in his character Rob Gordon. In the beginning of the film, we see Rob's girlfriend Laura walking out on him after an awful breakup...Rob starts blaring the 13th Floor Elevators to get her off his mind, but he realizes pop music can't solve his problems. His problems stem from something deeper. Rob owns his own failing record store Championship Vinyl and hangs out with his two loyal employees Dick (Liouso) and Barry (Jack Black). This is truly Jack Black's breakout performance...his enegry and comic timing are electric and he gives John a run for his money in this movie..but all the the record store employees have a great film chemistry and they all balance each other out so it works well. Well, anyway, back to John Cusack's character Rob....He spends his days collecting records and selling them to worthy customers while Barry's antics and Dick's senstive demeanor keep him going. Gordon can't seem to figure out what went wrong in his personal life, no matter how screwed up his professional life is, his personal life is the biggest mess. So he goes back to his past, meets up with his ex-girlfriends and tries to find out what he did wrong in his relationships to figure out what to do about Laura whom he still loves. Will Laura stay with the patchuoli sniffing, new age dweeb called Ian, or will she come back to Rob after about 50 scenes with Cusack drenched in rain? Who knows. Watch the movie, buy the soundtrack (buy Tenacious D too by the way, Jack Black is hilarious), and spin some of your favorite vinyl records in honor of this amazing film.
|