Rating: 
Summary: Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins give a perfect performance!
Review: Meet Joe Black is a wonderful film, showing that even Death can be as curious as a child. Brad Pitt playing the role of Death, takes a vacation, over-hearing a conversation between a rich and powerful man (Bill) and his lovely daughter (Susan), telling her life is too short not to take a chance. Afterwards, Brad Pitt as still a human man meets Susan and gets caught-up in the moment looking after her as they leave, and getting struck by a car in the middle of the street. Death uses his body as his human form and he makes a deal with Bill. He will extend Bill's life for a while if he gives him a tour of the life Bill spoke of to Susan. The film takes you with Death as he discovers the pains and pleasures of life, developing feelings for Susan, and filling the deal. A movie for both men and women and very good!
Rating:
Summary: Meet Joe Black.....and Prince Sirki..Both are Life Affirming
Review: This review refers to the 2-disc "Ultimate Edition" DVD (Universal)...Universal has called this edition the "Ultimate" and it is! Two fabulous romantic fantasies in one beautiful package. The first disc "Meet Joe Black" is the modern retelling of "Death Takes A Holiday", which may be viewed in it's entirety on disc 2. Both discs also contain special features relating to "Joe Black". "Meet Joe Black" has Sir Anthony Hopkins playing wealthy businessman Bill Parrish, who gets a visit from "Death". "Death" ain't so bad though, as it comes in the form of the one and only Brad Pitt!(I would go gently if it came to me that way).Joe Black, ("Death") makes a deal with Bill. In exchange for more time on earth with his family, Bill must entertain and show Joe the ways of the world. Bill agrees providing Joe does not include any other family members in the end, which will take place shortly after Bill's 65th birthday bash.And of course no one except Bill knows who Joe really is! Bill very much aware of his imminemt departure, begins to focus on his life, his family, and leaving his business affairs in good and moral hands. There are some wonderful scenes of the family having dinner together where we see that they are loving but not without a few problems. Complications set in when Joe, feeling very human falls for Bill's youngest daughter Susan(Claire Forlani), and not knowing who he really is, she falls for him as well.Joe wants to take Susan with him when he returns to 'the depths of eternity". Will Bill be able to prevent this tragedy from happening or will love conquer all? You will not want to miss a second, waiting to find out. Directed by Martin Brest, the story unfolds beautifully, and the photography is wonderful. There are some exquiste scenes of the party and the fireworks that must be seen to be appreciated. It is all set to a moving and mesmerizing score by Thomas Newman(see my CD review of the "Meet Joe Black" soundtrack entitled "It's a Wonderful World of Music"). The supporting cast all give outstanding performances and must be mentioned, Marcia Gay Harden, Jeffrey Tambor and Jake Weber.The DVD is a wonderful transfer and the widescreen(anamorphic) picture shows off all these fine film qualities. The sound is great. You have the choice of 5.1 Dolby Dig or DTS. There are several special features including DVD ROM and an on location featurette and...... Don't forget to meet "Prince Sirki" in "Death Takes a Holiday", the original film that Joe Black was based on. This is a little different take on the story,and even the ending is a surprise. Both films make you want to go out and live life. "Death" is played by the great Fredrich March in this one. It is an incredebly good transfer of this 1934 film classic. The Black and White images are good and the sound is in mono but well worth having, as Amazon.com(as of today) does not have this for sale as a seperate DVD(although I did see it on VHS). The entire package will "make you want to dance like a dervish"...Bill to daughter Susan....Enjoy ..Laurie
Rating: 
Summary: Seductive, but the ending ...
Review: might drown you in syrup. Again I ask the question: Why do so few filmmakers know when to stop? The ending is so unnecessary here that it reminded me of Spielberg's grossly unnecessary endings--in A.I., in Minority Report, in Saving Private Ryan. There's a point in this film--just like Spielberg's--were the right balance of provocativeness and emotion could be struck, but the lure of schmaltz seems too much to resist; there's too much pressure to wrap movies in perfect bows. But aside from the ending, this movie drew me in and kept me glued to the screen. Obviously, you bring a bit of your own mood to what you watch, which may explain why some viewers found the pace too slow. I found it well paced, and it allowed me to savor some phenomenal acting turns--not just Hopkins and Pitt--that rang true to life. Cap it off with an intelligent script and a nice soundtrack which crosses to overbearing only a few times ... Meet Joe Black is a pleasant reminder of just how nice it can be to watch a movie. This is NOT a great movie, but it's a very, very good one.
Rating:
Summary: Meet Joe Black
Review: A westernized conception of a Buddhist or a Hindu theme; or maybe just a 20th Century version of Pluto or Osiris on vacation in New York. Some dialogue could perhaps be considered far-fetched, but Anthony Hopkins delivers his usual brilliant magic. Brad Pitt pulls off a difficult role following 'Seven Years in Tibet'; and Claire Forlani exudes a touching, even slightly naively romantic innocence as the younger daughter/doctor. The director, Martin Brest, does something of a King Lear knockoff here with the daughters vying for the king's/magnate's attention and favor; including the sly fiance who has his own plans. If one sign of a good movie is to make its audience think, this one qualifies in my opinion.
Rating: 
Summary: Sorry, but it was boring
Review: Yes, it was boring. Even watching the ever-watchable Brad Pitt got boring. He and Anthony Hopkins are great actors, and Hopkins was great in this, but the movie just dragged. You can read the plot in the other summaries. Great plot idea, and well thought out. But the character of Death was DULL. I thought Death would be more interesting than that. Hopkins was great as a man facing his own mortality however. Marcia Gay Harden as his dutiful daughter was very interesting to watch; however Claire Forlani as the "doctor" daughter was dull too. She's beautiful to look at, but boring to watch act. First of all, I didn't believe for a minute that she was a medical resident. She had way too much free time to spend with her family to actually be a doctor in training! And she had little backbone or fortitude that I associate with female doctors. Too timid by far. Jefrrey Tambor (sp?) was amusing as the SIL who wants to please everyone. Not a suck-up as someone else wrote, but someone who wants to be friendly and keep things positive. The character of Drew (sorry, don't know actor's name) was a creepy villian whose treachery was obvious from the beginning. The ending seemed anti-climactic to me. If they'd walked off into the darkness and left it there, fine, but to have the first Pitt character come back seemed unbelievable. I mean, how did he get his body back? Anyway, unconvincing performances by many and unsatisfying plot lines. I'd check it out at the library before I'd spend money to buy this one.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie, Fine Performances All Around
Review: Long, but worth watching unfold. I truly enjoyed it, and I hope you will too. Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins both bring out the best in each other; Hopkins has a tendency to chew the scenery sometimes when the drama is high and Brad Pitt sometimes retreats behind his on-screen persona [sort of scruffy but charming, and a little vacant] if not challenged in his roles. However, neither one of them do this in this film. Hopkins shows great heart and humanity in a performance that is by turns subtle and stunning in its intensity. Pitt underplays everything except the first scenes in the cafe. This is Pitt as his most charming and engaging, which is saying a great deal. The latter scenes, where Death takes over Pitt's character's body, are all the more amazing because they are so subdued. Death, apparently, is very fond of peanut butter and [as one might expect] one glimpses an exceedingly dry, even arid, sense of humor. Pitt's interpretation of Mr. D. rises to greatness because of the blend of both fulfilled expectations of what Death would be like personified and some surprising twists to the way he behaves. The only point which seems to be a little out of character for Death is when he announces his love for Hopkins' daughter and his intent to take her with him when he goes. I can see where it would be very hard for an actor to make this work, as we know that Death cannot love, for Death is the ultimate Detachment. Love is about attaching one's life and soul to that of another. The body that he occupies can experience heterosexual carnal desire, but Death can't really love someone. The best he can hope for is a moment of the touching of the soul of the one that he loves, before he releases her to the Next Level. Pitt handles the part when he lets the girl know who he really is magnificently, but maybe what could have been done was to play the scene where he confesses his love as an expression of a profound wish that he *could* love someone so worthy of it. But who am I to give acting advice? I hope you enjoy this film, as it is a real pleasure to watch such wonderful actors work under a great director, with a grand story.
Rating:
Summary: Absorbing Exploration Of Meaning Of Mortality!
Review: A film that faces the issue of death head-on does not sound like a very appetizing or appealing subject for Hollywood to bring the big budget approach to, yet in this wonderful remake of an older black and white classic, "Death Takes A Holiday" Director Martin Brest does exactly that, serving up both Sir Anthony Hopkins as the befuddled and yet self-important mortal suddenly confronted with the knowledge of his own imminent demise, and a winsome Brad Pitt as Death himself. Of course, the lovely daughter that Hopkins has in tow attracts Pitt's character, and Death takes a little sojourn to get to know more about life in general and this family in particular.
This is a thoughtful exploration of the fact of Death, its effect on us, and the way in which so many of us are in active denial of both its massive consequences and its finality. Indeed, most of us live our own days as if we were immortal, building up estates and relationships as though to last forever. Yet for us, forever cannot be achieved, at least not on this particular mortal plain. It is precisely in our denial, however, that we come closest to understanding what death really means, both for us in particular and for those meaningful others that surround us. It is this curious fact that the director spends his time so beautifully in exploring, albeit with some classic Hollywood twists and turns in the plot to show us that under the right set of circumstances, perhaps Death may be bargained with, after all.
Both Hopkins and Pitt do a wonderful job here, as does the lovely young actress, Claire Forlani. The sets are used to great effect, and the more than three-hour length of the movie transpires without one really noticing how much time has elapsed, a mark of an entertaining film. This is a quite thoughtful film, and one that requires a lot of introspection and careful attention. It is not for the faint of heart, and I don't think it will be of particular appeal to younger viewers, who very often are active denial regarding their own mortality and are unlikely to appreciate the thoughtful discussion they would discover here. This is a great movie, and one I would heartily recommend for those filmgoers mature enough to appreciate it. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: You Must Be A Fan Of Hopkins Or Pitt At A Minimum
Review: Director Martin Brest likes to take his time. So if you are not one for sitting through 3 plus hours of film that is contemplative as opposed to action filled, this film is not for you. I am a great admirer of Sir Anthony Hopkins so the time, while an issue, was made more palatable by his constant presence. The same will work for you if either Hopkins or Pitt is a favorite on your list. Brad Pitt also does an admirable job in this remake of the 1934 film, "Death Takes A Holiday". Claire Forlani who plays the daughter of Hopkins in the film is a beautiful women and an actress that should have many strong roles to come, if moviemakers reward her talent. Martin Brest is dealing with major issues that affect us all, and they are not issues to be treated lightly or with dispatch. The interaction of the key players and the issues they confront could have been presented in a 2-hour film, but even those that had trouble with 3 hours would have liked an abbreviated version less. Realizing what the character Joe Black represents is not something that can be absorbed quickly, it needs time to be recognized and then dealt with. The issue is massive; it cannot be portrayed in a moment. The question of whether a person would want to know when they would die is a conundrum that has been thought about by most people at one time or another. Hopkins' character learns his fate and it is not by his choice, what is worse is that the unknown is prolonged as Death decides to sample life rather than just take his next victim and be on his way. The acting range required is immense, and it takes a player with the stature of Hopkins to make the part credible. Brad Pitt has a death bed scene with a woman from the Caribbean who knows who he is, and welcomes the prospect of the end of her suffering even though he is not there to collect her. The dialogue between them was wonderfully done, and it was a sequence of scenes that show the talent that Pitt has.
Rating:
Summary: Emotionally charged!
Review: What a wonderful movie! Despite it's length, this movie is FILLED with a great story, great performances, and tons of emotion! Even though it's such an amazing movie, I could only watch it once because it had me crying my eyes out and I NEVER cry at movies!
Rating:
Summary: Great movie but not everybody's cup of tea
Review: The movie itself's great and it really worth 3 long hours to watch it. Also, it makes u to think about the inner meaning of love, death and life. Anthony Hopkins did play a good job during the 3 hours but disappointingly, Brad could be much better in the part of being Death and I wondered why Death don't know what peanuts butter is. The ending's those of hollywood types and quite apt. However, the fireworks're surprisingly good and I love the coffee shop scene very much....at least Brad has his brain on his head during the scene. He's totally a robot after the first 40 minutes.
In conclusion, the movie's quite good but if the director can edit this movie more convincingly, "meet Joe Black" would sure be one of my best movies.
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