Rating: 
Summary: better than the real thing
Review: ...i must confess to being a more than casual fan of this motion picture...i recieved this edition as a christmas present this past year and i find myself watching it at least once a week...the additional footage really makes this edition a must own...it brings you into the world of william miller more intensely and the inclusion of a cd with the 6 stillwater songs is the icing on the cake...special features?--the commentary track is a riot with the director trading stories with his mother make this movie a joy to watch throughout...this is the definitive version of the film...lots of fun...lots of interesting bonus material(including several articles/interviews from the pages of rolling stone magazine's archives)...this version leaves nothing to be discovered...it's all here for your viewing pleasure...AN ABSOLUTE MUST BUY/HAVE/OWN!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: "Gonna Buy Five Copies For My Mother"....
Review: This review refers to the Dreamworks March 2001 Widescreen release of the "Almost Famous" DVD..........Watching this film is like being in Rock and Roll Heaven! It is filled with young bright shining stars, under the superb direction of Cameron Crowe(Jerry Maguire). The music is like a trip down memory lane, and is very much a part of this great ensemble. This semi-autobiographical coming of age story, takes a young journalist on the journey of a lifetime. Based on actual events from Cameron Crowe's life, 15 year old William Miller lands a job with "Rolling Stone" magazine. He must go on the road with rockers "Stillwater"(a group actually put together by the filmakers and stars),and write their story. He hangs out everywhere with them, hotels, backstage, rides with them on their bus(this poor guy, a rotten job.. but somebody had to...)and eventually becomes very close with them and the "Band-Aids"(not groupies!) that are their entourage.All this to the constant worry of his over-protective mother, who besides rock and roll is another huge influence on his life. Follow William, the band, and the girls on a tour of a lifetime, in this deliciously funny and sometimes poignant story of learning what's important in life.All filmed beautifully, with those great outfits of the 60's and 70's and of course one killer soundtrack. All the great rock legends of this era are heard throughout the film, including Elton John, The Who, and Peter Frampton whose instruction in music makes "Stillwater" great!The film also includes original music written especially for "Stillwater" that is fabulous as well. The casting is impeccable...William is played by newcomer Patrick Fugit with an intuitiveness that is uncanny. Billy Crudup and Jason Lee are the leads for the band and totaly have that rocker image down pat. Kate Hudson is irresistable as "Penny Lane" and the other "Band-Aids", including Anna Paquin and Fairza Balk also contribute greatly. Two outstanding performances are Frances McDormand as William's mother and Phillip Seymour Hoffman as his mentor. This outstanding film is put together in an outstanding package. The DVD(although no the more expensive one) is a beautiful transfer in every way. The picture is in Widescreen(anamorphic 1.85:1). It's clear, colors are vivid, and shows off the great film work. Lots of choices on the sound(depending on your set up). There's DTS, Dolby 5.1 or 2.0 Surround. The dialouge and music both coming through brillantly. Tons of special features for you to peruse. There's a music video of "Stillwater" doing their song "Fever Dog' from the film, A "making of" featurette, blurbs on the "Rolling Stone" articles done by Cameron Crowe, and cast and crew bios to mention a few.It also comes with a booklet of some production notes, and it is captioned if needed.There is also another edition, a directors cut with some "never before seen footage" and other extras(see buying info) if your looking for even more. This edition though, is also top quality and costs a little less. Whichever edition you choose, if you've seen this film and love it, the DVD is a must have. If you haven't seen it, it's just a MUST! A film to be enjoyed by anyone who loves good movies and good music! so enjoy.....Laurie
Rating:
Summary: You MUST See This Movie, Especially If You're A Rock Fan!
Review: First of all, let me say simply this: Great movie, great soundtrack!! Strangely I discovered the soundtrack before the movie. The soundtrack is what inspired me to rent this DVD. This is a heartfelt coming-of-age movie, partially non-fictional, about a young music fan/journalist named William who is given the opportunity to get away from his difficult mother and tour around with a band named Stillwater. (Stillwater is a fictional band based on the bands Led Zepplin and the Allman Brothers.) Rolling Stone magazine - not aware that William is only 15 - put him on assignment to do a cover story for their magazine. It was quite a magical tale about the love of music and the love for the people who make that music, as well as just how difficult it might be for a journalist, who befriends the band, to be objective in his writing about them. A++ for this movie!
Rating: 
Summary: I Love Rock n` Roll
Review: A good movie about rock, "Almost Famous" is also one of Cameron Crowe`s best efforts to date. Focusing the daily tribulations of fictional band Stillwater, this story intends to give a scoop into the backstage of the music world, focusing the band members` relationships, the contrived press connections, the groupies` appeal and the extremely difficuld career in the music business. Billy Crudup and Kate Hudson shine as the young, innocent and passionate teen couple who is discovering life through music and must face a new and complex world that forces them to make hard choices. "Almost Famous" is clearly a labour of love, since everyone seems to be enjoying what they`re doing, and the fact that some elements are based on Cameron Crowe`s experiences also helps. Enjoyable and bittersweet, offering strong acting, direction and music, this movie is a worthwile cinematic experience that doesn`t quite change the world but makes it look like a better place. Above average.
Rating: 
Summary: Touching Film
Review: This movie, along with Dazed and Confused, is one of my favorite looks back at the seventies. I was just starting to discover rock in the late seventies and aside from the actual LP's and AOR radio, Creem magazine was a guide and a bible. I remember the dedication and memorial in Creem when Lester Bangs died. It was great to see Philip Seymour Hoffman portraying the original "gonzo rock journalist" and getting to hear a sliver of Bangs's twisted, enthusiastic views on music and being a rock fan. You can't hide the nerd music lover behind the facade of the cynical rock writer. I also love his hatred of Rolling Stone, a magazine that regular readers of Creem always knew was a poser and pretender in the world of rock magazines. The cast are superb. The boy, Patrick Fugit, is charming and perfectly cast as a shy, naive fledgling reporter. A lot has been written about Kate Hudson's performance and it's all true. She convey's self-assuredness and insecurity at the same time. Billy Crudup's character is likable, despite his bad behavior. the supporting cast are all outstanding. The movie, as Cameron Crowe points out in the featurette included on the DVD, is a love letter to seventies rock, the people who perform it and the fans that love it, as a result it's a lightweight film. Despite the bad behavior of the band and the potential to show the dehumanizing treatment of groupies by misogynistic rock stars the movie glosses it all over and everyone acts with honor. I don't mind though, there's always room for an up beat movie. I really enjoyed this movie. If you liked it I would suggest Dazed and Confused, and This Is Spinal Tap.
Rating:
Summary: early Seventies very well reflected
Review: Almost famous reflects a period when pop music was almost good. The whirlwinds of the Sixties gone and Punk yet to come, the early Seventies' pop music was just produced to keep its industry going.
Almost famous magnificently captures this flat and uninspiring mood, and that's what this movie really is about. Its story just deals with everything everyone knows about pop music: its fans & groupies, its booze & drugs, and people & things rejected for not having the right current image.
Rating:
Summary: wow
Review: Oh my God. This movie is so good. Everything about Almost Famous is perfect. The direction, acting, writing. Everything. Watch this and you'll never know how you got along without it.
Rating:
Summary: I Love Rock n` Roll
Review: A good movie about rock, "Almost Famous" is also one of Cameron Crowe`s best efforts to date. Focusing the daily tribulations of fictional band Stillwater, this story intends to give a scoop into the backstage of the music world, focusing the band members` relationships, the contrived press connections, the groupies` appeal and the extremely difficuld career in the music business. Billy Crudup and Kate Hudson shine as the young, innocent and passionate teen couple who is discovering life through music and must face a new and complex world that forces them to make hard choices. "Almost Famous" is clearly a labour of love, since everyone seems to be enjoying what they`re doing, and the fact that some elements are based on Cameron Crowe`s experiences also helps. Enjoyable and bittersweet, offering strong acting, direction and music, this movie is a worthwile cinematic experience that doesn`t quite change the world but makes it look like a better place. Above average.
Rating:
Summary: Does anyone remember laughter?
Review: This movie is great and it will touch your heart.
"Almost Famous" takes place in the early seventies as we follow William Miller's adventures with the rock band Stillwater as he travels down the road of rock n' roll nirvana.
William has just scored a job with Rolling Stone magazine which leads him on the road with rock band Stillwater.
They go from town to town accompanied by their groupie band-aids such as the loveable but naive Penny Lane.
Penny Lane is crazy in love with Stillwater guitarrist Russell but Russell is only in it for the thrill.
William goes thru heck trying to get his story from Stillwater due to their reluctance to open their soul to a Rolling Stone writer who they call "The Enemy".
William is assisted in his times of frustration by his mentor and co "uncool" writer Lester Bangs played lovingly by Phillip Hoffman.
Lester believes that rock n' roll is on its last legs in 1972..
If only Lester could see how pathetic rock n' roll is today... Anyway, William turns out to be the only cool person in the end because he sees the rock n' roll life for what it truly is and how denial can lead to heartbreak.
William is the only one in the end there to save Penny from her demise.
This is one film that will warm you heart and will have you singing along to the great soundtrack especially during "Tiny Dancer"!.
All the characters are played wonderfully and it's one heck of a ride that you will never forget.
My life was saved by rock n' roll and if you love rock n' roll then "Almost Famous" will steal your heart.
Rating:
Summary: "I never said I was a golden god . . . or did I?"
Review: Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous" is a love letter to rock music. You can feel his affection for the music and the culture that it spawned coursing through every scene of this film. When creators talk of projects that are deeply personal to them, this is the type of project they are talking about. A teenager named William Miller (Patrick Fugit) is chosen by Rolling Stone magazine to write an article on an up-and-coming rock band called Stillwater. The band finds it difficult to take the young writer seriously but eventually guitarist Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup) starts to warm up to him. However, a groupie named Penny Lane (Kate Hudson) makes life difficult for the two men as her energetic spirit captures both of their hearts. As William's journey with the band becomes more prolonged, he discovers more and more with each passing day that his romanticized perception of rock stars was a product of his youthful idealism. "Almost Famous" is an enchanting work that is blessed with memorable performances. Fugit, Crudup, and Hudson are great and the supporting work turned in by Frances McDormand, Jason Lee, and Philip Seymour Hoffman is equally solid. Hudson in particular sparkles in her role and proves that she possesses that rare ability to light up the screen every time she appears in a scene. Her work in this film is like an announcement to the Hollywood community that a new star has arrived. Crowe must also be singled out for his good work. It is oftentimes difficult for filmmakers to capture the essence of their subject matter, but Crowe admirably pulls it off with "Almost Famous."
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