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Summary: A Breath of Fresh Air, but Not for Everyone
Review: If you find yourself more often than not disappointed by the average cinematic spectacle, if you are the sort of person who is as enchanted by provocative detail as you are by good storytelling, if you have spent any amount of time pondering spiritual existence and can't be mollified by quick and easy stock answers, this movie will become one of your favorites. It is not without its weaknesses (the soundtrack, which is lovely, at one point in the movie becomes too heavy to bear its weight) and it is not for people with short attention spans, but it will leave a lasting impression on you.
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Summary: Hypnotic
Review: Not much I can add to the already glowing reviews of this cult-classic in the making except: I can't get Neil Youngs guitar out of my head, and THIS is why I am buying a DVD player. You either get it or you don't, and I pity the latter.
Rating: 
Summary: good film, even better movie
Review: I really don't know WHAT the original "reviewers" were watching, this is a pretty good movie. The reviewer probably liked "Armaggedon" and can't handle intelligent plot. So let him go back to HIS or HER classics such as "Dude where is my taste in movies?" or "Save the last Crap". Anyway, this is a great tale of an unlucky person who happens to fullfill his untimely demise. Very cool as far as cinematography and sequences. Neil Young's soundtrack IS not swirly, it is appropriate. If you are not of the "Charlies Angels" school of movies, this one might be for you=)
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Summary: Best movie of the 90's
Review: This movie haunted me for days after I saw it during its criminally short theatre run. The critics were less than luke warm (though more than a few have since revised their view), but among film connoisseurs, Dead Man has attained an almost devotional following. Everything is, naturally. a matter of personal taste, but if you're looking for something that many folks with an alternative bend consider brilliant, you really owe yourself a look at this one.
Rating: 
Summary: I disagree
Review: I'm really surprised by the number of people who love this movie. It does have a great cast and it starts very well. However, it's all downhill from the point that accountant turned fugitive William Blake goes on the run. From then on, we're treated to a never-ending string of pretentious scenes in which the various characters wander through the wilderness, spouting pop philosophy between killings. Suddenly, it ends. Nothing is resolved. Perhaps the point of the film is that there is no point. If so, it succeeds admirably.
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Summary: Intelligent, Symbolic, Thoughtful.
Review: ...Dead Man is a thoughtful, very intelligent and thoroughly surprising movie. It looks like it will be a Western and goes off in quite another direction - although I suppose you don't really expect the ordinary from Jim Jarmusch, or for that matter Johnny Depp.The black and white photography sets a gloriously sombre, but not humourless mood. You can tell straightaway that once Depp's William Blake arrives in Machine, California things are going to go awry. And they sure do. Spectacularly. All is played in an understated manner, that allows the symbolism of the plot breathe. It isn't a movie that spoonfeeds you. It doesn't provide you with slick, easy answers to anything. For example (and this isn't a spoiler by any stretch), who is the Dead Man of the title and in what sense is he dead? Keen viewers will spot numerous clues to the precise meanings. And then watch it again and change their minds. It looks gorgeous, in a bleak kind of way. It is all very static and deliberately slow. It draws out every nuance of atmosphere. And it wears its eccentricities on its sleeve. It's a very good film. You should watch it.
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Summary: Another BEAUTIFUL Jarmusch Movie!
Review: This movie is apparently not for everyone, but I think it is a visual poem, not meant to thrill, but to entice with its unhurried pace, dry wit and marvelous cinematography. The black and white scenes from the train and of riders moving through a dark forest of white-barked trees are breathtaking. Definitely a movie to be seen on the big screen, but since that is a rare opportunity, owning a copy is essential. Not at all a disappointment, I'd say it is one of Jarmusch's best yet!
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Summary: Favorite Movie of all time
Review: Great Film. Johnny Depp is great it this one, Jarmusch is brilliant. It speaks to me on a spiritual plane. If you don't like it, you don't get it.
Rating: 
Summary: Incomprehensible crap-ola
Review: "Dead Man" is one of the most incomprehensible films I have ever attempted to watch. I think of it as "Eraserhead Goes West." The normally dependable Johnny Depp tries his best but ultimately fails to do anything with the baffling script he's given. Westerns are supposed to be either John Wayne-esque fantasies or gritty realistic dramas. This is neither. Instead its a some sort of visual black and white nightmare, the only advantage being that this one you can turn off.
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Summary: One of my personal favorite movies of all time...
Review: ... but it's obviously not for everybody. I, for one, found the acting, cinematography, setting, soundtrack and story to fit perfectly. This film just falls into place. It's most definately a sum of its parts. My favorite thing about this movie, is that it's filmed in black and white. I read one review where they wrote "filmed in black and white for no reason". Wrong: 1) As cliche' as it sounds, it adds to the films ambiance. 2) It's a film that takes place in the early 19th century. It captures the vintage setting. Schindler's List was filmed in black and white for this same reason. 3) It's haunting. The whole film is surreal, and the black and white helps set the mood for isolation. But, whatever. It boils down to this: Ignore all the reviews here. Even the good ones. Rent this movie, at least, then see if you like it or not. I can promise that the good majority of you will love it.
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