Rating: 
Summary: Best Movie About Rock and Roll I've Ever Seen
Review: Sometimes a film comes along, and it enchants and excites you. It makes you believe in movie magic again. This may happen infrequently, but when it does, it reminds you of what made you fall in love with the movies to begin with. Of course, even the best movie triggers these feelings in only part of its audience. For me, Almost Famous is one of those pictures. Since the print media and the visual media are so different, I doubt this review can tell you if the film has the same in store for you. Writer and director Cameron Crowe has had a charmed life, and he knows it, as can be seen in this partly autobiographical and partly fictionalized tale. When he was just fifteen years old, he got the first of several writing assignment from Rolling Stone magazine. Almost Famous is the story of a kid on the road with a rock and roll band in the early 1970s. Young William Miller [Patrick Fugit] has come to the attention of Rolling Stone because of some articles he wrote for Creem magazine. The assignment comes via telephone, and the editors are unaware that they are hiring a teenager. William doesn't have much luck hooking up the band Stillwater until he gets a little help from a groupie called Penny Lane [Kate Hudson]. Penny is in love with Stillwater's lead guitarist, Russell [Billy Crudup]. Since he has a girlfriend back in New York, she tries to pretend she's just a friend, but everyone sees right through her. William's mother, Elaine [Frances McDormand], who has already alienated her daughter, Anita [Zooey Deschanel], is reluctant to let William go. She gives in when he promises to be back in time for high school graduation and swears he won't do drugs. He keeps his word on the drugs, but the tour and the group mesmerize the kid. He winds up on the road with them for weeks. It is, to say the least, an interesting trip. This is perhaps the best coming of age movie I have ever seen. It ranks arguably at the top of movies about rock and roll, and it certainly feels like the most authentic. The songs performed by Stillwater were written for the movie by Crowe and others, and they fit in seamlessly with the vintage rock and roll tunes played throughout the film. The look and the feel of the 70s is captured perfectly. It was a very different time for music. It was a period when talent and idealism ruled the scene. It would not be long until all pop music was all confiscated by vast corporations. You see the beginnings of this process in the movie when a creep from the record company comes in to replace the band's long time manager and friend. The acting is all world-class. Francis McDormand and Kate Hudson were deservedly nominated for Academy awards, but the whole cast is uniformly excellent. This movie has a lot of drama in it, but it also has a lot of laughs. It remains upbeat more often than not. It has heart, something that is lacking in many films, but it is never sappy or sentimental. it touches you without making you feel manipulated. It is, I suspect, the best movie of last year. Rated R for language, drug content and brief nudity. [I disagree with the MPAA on this one. I think Almost Famous is perfect for teens. Did they expect it to be historically inaccurate just because what was cool then isn't cool now?}
Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies ever made!!!
Review: Almost Famous is Almost Perfect, because there's nothing perfect in this world, but is very close to be perfect. The story and the characters are well written and Cameron Crowe directing his own writing is always a sign of a good movie. If you like his past movies like "Say Anything" or "Singles" you are going to Love this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Untitled.
Review: You'd think that a Director's vision would make for the ultimate movie experience. But, how often do we hear about the studios getting involved and forcing cuts be made. Nowadays, with the popularity of DVD, the Director has the option of coming through with their complete vision in what are called "Director's Cuts." The have some extra expository scenes and some nice, fun moments. But, the problem I have with most Directors' cuts, and ALMOST FAMOUS is not an exception, is they are no better than the theatrical release. In fact, they quite often drag in parts and you long for the studio release. Sure, the extra material fills in on some details, but they have no effect on the storyline. The running commentary on this Director's cut includes Director Cameron Crowe and the subject of much of the film, his over-protective Mother. It starts out fun but does get pretty redundant. So, since I have my druthers, I will watch ALMOST FAMOUS again and avoid the Director's Cut titled UNTITLED. With ALMOST FAMOUS (As with SAY ANYTHING and FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH) Cameron Crowe spoke very clearly and endearingly to many who grew up in the 70s. An extremely clever and giving script follows the rock and roll road trip. Add a load of great performances especially by Kate Hudson, daughter of Goldie Hawn. And you end up with a film that is frighteningly accurate in portraying a carefree time from a more responsible future point of view. From the creator of JERRY MAGUIRE and VANILLA SKY, the filmmaker has grown into a strong spokesman for his time. Well worth a couple looks, the film is filled with laughter but the Director's Cut can at time meander like a drug trip... I guess that was the point. The DVD set is gorgeous including CD recordings of the songs the fictitious band STILLWATER perform in the film. The audio and video transfer are great.
Rating:
Summary: Coming of Age Without the Angst
Review: When's the last time you saw a coming-of-age movie that wasn't filled with melodramatic teenage-angst? There was alot of hype about this autobiographical film when it came out and it's always scary when the critics become so enchanted with a project that they're falling all over themselves about it. But this really was the feel-good movie of 2000 and luckily it escapes that sticky-syrupy feeling by being true to its two main characters: the music and the teenager. The spirit of 70's rock 'n roll is as much the focus here as is the young writer who becomes enthralled by it. Crowe recreates the 70's music scene with loving attention, but doesn't play it over the top. It's just loud enough to capture its allure. The movie centers on William Miller (played by Patrick Fugit) a 15 year old rock 'n roll fan and music critic who lands the break of a lifetime: a cover story for Rolling Stone. That his mother lets him go on tour with the band "Stillwater" to get his story is surprising enough (she thinks rock n roll is evil and that all musicians are on drugs). But he promises to call twice a day and be back before high school graduation and so a deal is struck. Grounding William in a home where he's still just a teenager, with a mother (another amazing performance by Frances McDormand of Fargo fame) who keeps reminding him to "don't take drugs," sets up the juxtaposition William is walking into: the delirious world of sex and drugs and rock 'n roll. Fugit, in his first role, plays William with an honesty that is essential to the character's success. He's wide-eyed and curious and completely star-struck. As the story progresses, William becomes more and more a part of the scene and less of an outsider looking in. He never completely joins the party, but he's no longer awed by it either. As teenagers will do, he idolizes Stillwater guitarist Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup -- who gives such an easy-going performance that he makes it look simple) and considers him and the band his friends. Creem editor and music critic Lester Bangs (played with cynical humor by Philip Seymour Hoffman), makes several appearances as the young critic's mentor, warning him early on to be neutral ("these people are not your friends"). But William, just a kid, can't help but get pulled in. Also capturing William's attention is the beautiful Penny Lane, a Stillwater groupie and Russell's on-the-road lover, played by Kate Hudson. Hudson's performance is stunning; the camera loves her and she's given plenty of screen time to shine in its spotlight. She gives Lane a softness and vulnerability without losing the character's edge. Lane befriends William and he falls in love with her. Fugit shows us this growing love with right-on twinges of jealousy in his facial expressions. He's subtle and effective. In fact, his face gives away most of what his character is feeling all of the time, often in the absence of words or actions to help tell his story. Having lost all objectivity, not to mention his childhood innocence, William is now faced with several dilemmas: he's in love with the band leader's girl, and he wants to write his story without feeling that he's sold out his "friends." This is where the movie starts to turn. From here on the story unfolds more quickly than slowly, but it's paced well enough where it doesn't feel at all rushed. We're proud of William at the end. And it's obvious that Crowe is too. Of course, no film is ever perfect and this one is no exception. There are two weak links in this movie. One is William's sister, Anita, played by Zooey Deschanel. Anita is a marginal character who doesn't quite work. She's a rebelious teen who moves out when she turns 18 to live with her boyfriend, and who decides to become a stewardess. She's a little too stereotypical and Deschanel doesn't seem to be able to give her the right turn. We know very little about Anita, and we don't seem to care either way. Her story just isn't very satisfying. The movie's ending is also a bit of a disappoitment. Crowe found it necessary to tie up every storyline so tidily that it gives the movie's successs a bit of a jerk in the wrong direction. It's just too pat, and borders on that syrupiness he's managed for two hours to avoid. Still, it's a minor point in a movie that does so much so well.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect!
Review: Sometimes you get dissapointed. The "Special Edition", the "Deleted Scenes", the "Director Cut" doesn't add nothing into the mix. Instead, they substract some cash for nothing. This is not the case. The 35 or so additional minutes of footage contained in the "Untitled" version are absolutely fabulous. Every single additional scene fits perfectly into the original movie, adding more substance, explaining something, or simply providing more information you finally thank for. The only question it raises is "why this version didn't get into the theaters?". The second DVD ("Almost Famous") is an excellent movie by itself. Go and enjoy it. And give some thought on your professional life. Plus, the CD with six songs by Stillwater (one of them, "Fever Dog" was part of the Soundtrack CD, the other five are new releases in the format) are excellent songs briefly performed in the movie.
Rating:
Summary: DVD Lacking
Review: I got "Untitled" and all things considered, I do enjoy it a lot. However... some things are missing. Like why not have a list of all the deleted scenes? It's cool having them incorporated on Disk 1, but by watching the trailer, you can see there are some "deleted" scenes still not in "Untitled" -- such as the young William at the Prom, William on the couch getting the guitar taken away... lots of stuff like that. And where's the music video for "Tiny Dancer"??? Why was that left out? And so far, of the 3 Easter Eggs found, they are pretty good. But what I really wanted was to see the Patrick Fugit audition tape everyone raves about; and Philip Seymour Hoffman's too. I liked this as a DVD, but obviously, wanted more.
Rating:
Summary: Great Work!
Review: Cameron Crowe has once again managed to write and direct a wonderful piece of work. Just watching this movie takes the old, even the young back to a time where you could just be free and a time of TRUE rock. Back when bands knew what they were doing with the instuments in hand. Back when it was only about the music, the fans, the rush! The money comes next but the good times are always there.
Enjoy this movie again and again.
Rating:
Summary: On my top list of favorite movies ever
Review: I didn't see this movie when it was in the theaters, and I hate that I didn't see it sooner! This semi-autobiographical movie follows 15 year old William Miller as he experiences the behind the scenes happenings of an up-and-coming rock band, Stillwater. In the beginning, you meet his overbearing but well meaning mother, who surprisingly enough allows him to tour with Stillwater. Frances McDormand steals several sceens with her wonderful acting. Miller meets his favorite rock critic, Lester Bangs, and Bangs has Miller writing for Bangs's magazine, Creem. The next thing Miller knows, Rolling Stone wants him to write for them! That's how Miller ends up on the road with Stillwater and the wonderful Penny Lane (Kate Hudson). This movie is multi-faceted, has well developed characters and never gets bogged down in useless drivel. I own both the VHS and DVD versions, and the DVD is definitely the one to own. The uncut version is better than the original, and the extra material fills in a few very small gaps in the movie. Also, with the DVD, you get both versions anyway. Plus, the music! The best sceen in the whole movie is when the entire bus breaks out in Elton John's "Tiny Dancer." I wish the movie had done better so that they would have released a volume II of songs. The music is great, and if you like the movie, pick up the soundtrack as well.
Rating:
Summary: DELICIOUS !!!!!
Review: THis kind of movie is another proof that the American movie industry can produce gems once ina while, instead of only putting out lame pop-corn productions with no substance at all!! THe movie is marvellous, touching, redempting. The only sin is the cover of the DVD, which portrays only Kate Hudson!!! She is not the main character!!! THe boy William and guitarrist Russel Hammond are!! Well, go figure.. maybe Crowe had to make some commercial concession...THis is a fine movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Dull, drawn out and long.....
Review: Snoozarama. I was very disappointed; it did not live up to the hype. It was eerily similar to "Rock Star", which in itself was very disappointing. The characters were dull and predictable; the film had zero energy and no fire. And what was with the scene where Kate Hudson danced alone on the gym(?) floor for 30 seconds? What on earth did that mean? Don't waste your time and $$$ on this one; "Almost Famous" is "Absolutely Awful".
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