Rating: Summary: Surprisingly entertaining Review: I watched this movie on the recommendation of my daughter and was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining it was. Andre Braugher was terrific as was Paul Giametti. However, the subplot with the cabdriver and the foul mouthed Suzy wasn't believeable and didn't add anything to the movie. I could have done without those characters altogether. The duet with Paul Giamatti and Andre Baugher was wonderful and Gwenyth can really sing, another pleasant surprise. Her character's relationship with her father, played by Huey Lewis, was rather strange, but all in all a pleasant movie.
Rating: Summary: Entertaining Review: This movie was entertaining, especially since I like most movies that involve music. The "Cruisin" song alone was enough to get me to watch.However, it basically had three different plots which seemed to sort of intersect in the end because all six main characters ended up in the same place at the same time, but it never truly connected them all in a very strong way. The convict-businessman plot was the strongest and the cab driver-woman (for lack of a better word) plot was the weakest. So weak, in fact, that I could have done without it altogether. However, the movie was fresh and original with a completely new concept being introduced (revolving a movie around karaoke). It held my attention the entire time I watched it and I don't regret seeing it. It was worth the money spent on the rental, but I wouldn't buy it.
Rating: Summary: Possibly the worst film since Ishtar Review: This movie is a painful waste of good talent. I was drawn to this film by the headline stars like Gwenneth Paltrow and Andre Braugher. Big mistake. The acting is sophmoric - I've seen high school plays that were executed better than this movie. The fault lies squarely in the lap of director Bruce Paltrow and the sorry script. The only professional performance in the movie is Paul Giamatti as a traveling salesman fed up with the rat race of being on the road, only to come home to a wife more interested in chatting on AOL than having a real conversation. I tried to like this film because I love Gwenneth Paltrow, but not even she could save this from being movie-making at its very worst. Even the songs in the movie version don't sound like what was played on the radio - different mixes. Should have never been released.
Rating: Summary: Too scattered Review: This story was very scattered--too many characters were slowly introduced throughout the movie. I knew they would all intersect, but they took so long to get there! The movie was also very uneven in its attempt to introduce too many plots and subplots. I kept feeling yanked back and forth by thedisjointed way the movie unfolded. Any emotional attachment this viewer might have felt toward a character was diminished by the constant shifting of stories. "Duets" was about a bunch of pretty sad characters who just couldn't seem to get their lives together for one reason or another. Their stories were presented in a hopeless, maudlin way, and I never really cared about any of them. The acting was so-so but the music was fairly good. I was surprised at how well Paltrow sang and Andre Braugher was terrific - both his acting and his spectacular voice. Or was it his voice? Hard to tell. This is one movie I could have missed.
Rating: Summary: I was bored... Review: I really thought that I'd like this movie judging by the previews and commercials, but I really was just bored with this movie. I couldn't really feel anything for any of the characters. this is probably because they jump arounnd between 3 different sets of characters and don't really give you an actual chance to get to know the characters and like them. but my biggest gripe about this movie is how UNREALISTIC the karaoke scenes are. NOBODY just walks into a karaoke bar and starts singing when there is a contest going on... especially when cash prizes are involved. Is more like: turn in your request and wait for another hour or two while all the contestants who showed up before you sing. In this movie, the characters just walk into the bar and the next second they are singing already... yeah right! I hate to nitpick, but be realistic.
Rating: Summary: Dumb plot, but good singing. Review: The plot of "Duets" is boring in most places [especially the ex - con, and the dude with like, 80,000 frequant flyer miles] but is great in others [any scene with gwyneth]. Also, the soundtrack rocks. I heard the song "Cruisin'" by Gwynnie, and I was blown away that she had a good singing voice, so I bought the soundtrack, liked tracks 2,3,4,7, and 8, and went and rented the video. If you fast forward through the dull parts [as I said before, any scenes with the ex - con and the dork with 80,000 frequant flyer miles, than it is an o k movie. All in all, I would say rent the movie, and buy the soundtrack.
Rating: Summary: This movie had heart, but not much else Review: The performances in this movie where bad but so is karoke so who now's maybe they were supposed to be.I think the Maria Bello and cabby relationship was really the only weak one of all the four pairs.This movie get's 3 star cause it could have been better but then again it could have been a lot worse. Ps I still can't believe Gwyneth could sing
Rating: Summary: Refreshing Review: Duets is a funny and quirky movie about relationships. A few strangers come together for a karaoke competition. Three different stories are going on. I didn't think I would like it because I hate karoke but the movie is about more than that. Paul Giamatti and Andre Braugher gave great performances (especially Giamatti). Their scenes together were refreshing. Nice character development. Good music. Great acting. There are some unbelievable things in it and it's not perfect but I say give it a try.
Rating: Summary: A bit different, but still entertaining Review: At first I was a little confused ,when I saw all of these different people coming into the story line . I have never seen a movie where different people who don't know each other exist come together somehow in the end. It's a different concept to me ,but I didn't stop watching it. Even as I saw that pschco businessman unravel,and get...well,plain scary. I didn't understand how his wife could be so self centered and not care that he had gone away(from his very plain) neighborhood , out in the middle of nowhere at one moment,and come back to him in the end and completely love and care for him. To tell the truth a woman like her would need a bit more time to come to her senses. You may not notice, but Liv and Billy have the same broken heart necklace. The ending wasn't very good, considering we never found out who won the competition. All in all this movie may have been a little different,but sometimes movie plots have to get away from that fairytale thing.
Rating: Summary: Wonderful! Review: "Duets" is a funny and superbly touching motion picture. The ensemble cast is fantastic, with standout performances from Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow as a father-and-daughter pair who must rekindle their relationship after an entire lifetime of isolation from one another. Contains some trite moments, but the film is just a pleasure to watch. Emotional and uplifting, "Duets" will make you want to get up and sing, and then hug the nearest person.
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