Rating: 
Summary: Tedious Self Importance
Review: Okay, I love classic rock. The presets in my car are all set to stations that feature the Allman Brothers, Led Zep etc. "Almost Famous" is documentary-like in its evocation of 70's era rock, its look and its sound. With that being said, I still found Cameron Crowe's autobiographical movie to be a tedious and insignificant ode to himself. Nowhere in this film is there anything of thematic substance. The 70's were a trippy yet liberating time? Rock and Roll is a lifestyle as much as a form of entertainment? It is important for youth to find its own means of expression in order to be free? Seriously folks, haven't we seen or heard all of these themes a hundred times before? I really don't find Crowe saying anything new in this two hour movie (that feels like four)."Almost Famous" is just Crowe looking back wistfully on his youth, and the film would be stronger if he actually offered up something to say, as opposed to just nostalgia for a dead era.
On the other hand, the performances are above average throughout this film. Working with scanty material, Kate Hudson makes an indelible impression, Frances McDormand dominates evry scene she is in, and Billy Crudup is arresting as the self-absorbed but vulnerable lead guitarist. In fact, the strongest part of this movie is in the likeable and realistic characterizations. Crowe clearly uses his experiences to great advantage here. It is just sad that he give them nothing very interesting to say.
I am not surprised this film did not merit any serious Oscar consideration. I am sure it will be forgotten by all but conneissuers of rock and roll features (nad Cameron Crowe fans) within the next five years. Crowe seems to labor under the impression that a wide audience will be as interested as what his formative years were like as he is. He would have been better off making a home movie, and screening it for himself and his family. It is just a shame that some fine performances were wasted in this insignificant piece of self important fluff.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Film
Review: When i read the script to this film, I knew i had to purchase the film. It was great, along the the fabulous perfomances from every characters. I fell in love with this movie, and maybe most of you will as well. Take chance. Purchase the film. You'll enjoy it!
Rating: 
Summary: Heartwarming coming of age tale w/a rock and roll heart
Review: Cameron Crowe, like any good writer, knows that the best advice for any writer is to "write what you know." Well, Crowe certainly knows the story of a very young journalist on his first assignment covering a rock band on tour -- because he lived it. This semi-autobiographical take on Rock and Roll, its cynical, destructive and transcendent parts all rolled into one, really sucks you into another time and place the way few movies in recent times have done. The movie feels authentic, in part because the characters are drawn with flaws, with natural story arcs, as opposed to the cardboard cutouts that we have come to expect. William Miller, the boy at the heart of the story, has to balance his boyish desires to be one of the gang with his journalistic intentions to tell the brutal, honest truth. Kate Hudson's character, Penny Lane, injects poignancy into a movie that could have been just another ode to guitar-heads, booze and acid. Frances McDormand, as Miller's mother, also is great as a liberal counterculture mother who contends with her own desires to both protect her son and set him free. The DVD also has a number of interesting extras, including interviews, et al. A special treat are the actual Rolling Stone articles that Cameron Crowe wrote, including his classic story about Led Zeppelin. This is definitely a keeper.
Rating:
Summary: Life Imitates Art
Review: I am 45 and graduated from high school in 1973, the year the story in this movie takes place. I've seen a lot of movies in my day and I can say with full honesty that this may be the one movie that carries the distinction, dubious or otherwise, of having truly transported me in time; to words, sounds and feelings that I haven't heard or felt in a long, long time. The early 70's was a wierd time, fully in between definitive cultural frames of reference - not quite the 60's, but not really what we think of as the 70's - and especially a wierd time to be me: still respectful of adults, anti-drug, college bound and intent on success independent of anyone's help, financial or otherwise. And what I want to say about this movie is that it taught, keeps teaching me, alot about myself, who I was then and, more importantly, what it was that all my friends were seeing, doing while I was busy being me. Rock and roll as a way of life. "It's all happening". I never got it then but I'm starting to get it now, and it feels like it was cool. So I owe a wink and a nod to all those friends, and a big thanks to Cameron Crowe for keeping in touch with something I may have never had. And if I sound even remotely like you, you'll like this film. But you knew that. You've seen it, over, and over, and over.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Famous
Review: I believe that Almost famous is one of the best movies I have ever seen. I really enjoyed seeing Kate Hudson in this movie as well. She is a great actress and a beautiful person. I wouldn't mind if she was in more movies. .... Well I think that it's finally time Kate has had a good recommendation for how good of an actress she really is she deserves to be seen a lot more. I really enjoyed this film, and I will continue to enjoy it( even though I have seen it about 30 times since it came out on video. I love the movie thanks to all....
Rating:
Summary: The 70's Rock & Roll World According To William Miller...
Review: Rock & Roll in the 70's as perceived through a teen rock writer's all senses...plus other THREE WORDS-- KATE HUDSON ROCKS !!! Ladies and gentlemen, the director Cameron Crowe keeps it real once again, kudos big time... Welcome to the music world seen through the eyes of a teen rock music writer-- great rock music, pretty band-aid girls, your-name-is-not-on-the-list, non-stopping, swinging tour and lots more of this so-called INDUSTRY OF COOL world...It' s all happening, yea-ah !!! Terrific ( great ) screenplay filled with the way-cool MOVIE MOMENTS ( if you loved those Jerry Maguire moment scenes, you will do this one too ) and sublime performances from the great cast-- big kudos to Kate Hudson ( she bangs..she bangs...). The film also won the Oscar for original writing work as well. Enjoy...
Rating:
Summary: A true movie fan -
Review: You are in safe hands while watching this movie. Director Cameron Crowe has created a masterpiece of a movie with his delicate direction - he never misses a moment while telling this semi-autobiographical tale of his days spent writing for "Rolling Stone" magazine. It is a tremendous injustice that this film was not nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award because it should have won the statue for Best Picture of the Year. In my opinion, it is the best film of this past year, and I do not understand how you can see this movie and not think this. Director Crowe should have also been nominated along with the score and several of the supporting performances. If you have not seen this movie, I suggest you see it. I do not think that ANYONE could not connect with the characters, the script, the story, and the emotions. These people are so real and caring that the story can only be seen through a warm perspective - you will smile throughout the entire two hours. Kate Hudson's performance of the "band aid" Penny Lane is a near flawless performance. She inhabitats this character's thoughts and actions -- her laugh will make you laugh, her smile will make you smile. She should have the won the statue for Best Supporting Actress (although Marcia Gay Harden was a good selection too). And the others like Frances Mc Dormand and Patrick Fugit also allow this movie to never miss a beat. The other members of the supporting cast are also good, and everyone is worthy of some recognition. The soundtrack also perfectly matches the feelings. I cannot say enough about this movie; I honestly think that there will be a place in everyone's heart for this story - it is so warm and inviting and real. When you are finished viewing this film, you will have wanted to know these characters - they will keep you smiling for days. If you are any type of movie fan, you need to love this movie and DVD version of the film. The extra features allow fans to really understand the making of the film; the extra scenes allow viewers to understand more about the characters too. What you once thought about the characters still remains true, but with this version, Crowe digs deeper with each scene. (The version with Crowe and his mother talking over the film is fun to watch and listen - their commentary is very amusing.) If you are any type of human with a true heart, you need to love this movie. My recommendation is for everyone because no one should miss this treat; go rent this movie. Actually, go buy this movie because you will want to watch it over and over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: A Future Classic
Review: Nothing deprives this movie of being one of the best in the past decade. The storyline gives the film the image of a fantasy. Billions of young teenagers dream about the day they tag along with their favorite band while they are on tour. But, your parents have other plans. Eventually, you get to miss school and go against your families will. You change from being a quiet bookworm in school to someone that can be called socially existent. This masterpiece also offers witty comedy that you will enjoy every now and then, giving the movie a lighthearted and believable touch. In addition, seeing the bands life beyond closed doors in this proved to be a lot more entertaining than VH1 specials. The ending is memorable and unexpected, to say the least. Most of the acting performances were above average. Patrick Fugit brought about a great personality to his role. He was a peaceful, very smart music fan who endured an experience that made him change from being a starstruck kid to a professional journalist. The band, Stillwater, looked a lot like the bands of its time era, though I wasn't yet born. Frances McDormand brought back the famous overprotective and helpless mother that has been familiar to all teenagers at some point in their life. The only drawback to this movie was the performance of Kate Hudson's character, Penny Lane. I think that this sort of plot does need a female lead like her, but she needs to do something. Her character accomplishes nothing, as far as I am concerned. But, it doesn't hurt the movie enough to kill it. It still is a very engrossing and convincing documentary that really stands out when compared to other movies related to this subject matter. Whether you are a rap fan, a punk rock fan or whatever, this movie will get your attention.
Rating:
Summary: I liked this movie a LOT.
Review: So much that after renting it, I went out and bought a copy to watch on DVD. I rarely buy movies. I'll only buy them if I think it's something I could watch over and over and not get tired of it, and this is one of those select few. Just something about the way Cameron Crowe tells a story. The movie progresses perfectly, the characters are all perfect and very believable, and the ending is perfect (maybe I'm biased because it DOES end with what's probably my favorite Zeppelin song, but it does fit the scene...perfectly!). The music in the movie is great (although the CD soundtrack is very lacking). Watching this movie makes me jealous. I was born in the early eighties, and watching this movie makes me wish I was a teenager back in the seventies when music wasn't garbage, and required some shread of talent and ability. But I digress. I would recommend this movie to anyone. It's one of those movies that will leave you wishing it wasn't over yet. It leaves you not knowing exactly what's in store for some of the main characters, and I guess Cameron does that on purpose. It makes the movie more interesting than when the ending totally gives away everything, and leaves nothing to the imagination Anyway, just watch it--watch it a few times. It's a great movie and it gets better with each viewing.
Rating:
Summary: A Favorite movie of Mine
Review: This movie was very entertaining. It grabs your attention at the beginning and doesn't let go. My favorite scenes were William's mother's talk on the phone with Russell ("You can still make yourself into a person of substance," "Yes, ma'am."), the scene in the bus where the cast sings Elton John's "Tiny Dancer", and the end. Kate Hudson is a very beautiful and amazingly gifted actress, and I hope to see Patrick Fugit in some more movies after this. Very inspiring film.
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