Almost Famous

Rating:
Summary: Almost Perfect
Review: It looks and sounds great, absolutely. But the DVD of Cameron Crowe's masterpiece is NOT a "director's cut" as advertised. It's the same movie that showcases Kate Hudson's Oscar-nominated breakthrough as groupie Penny Lane, and it's the same movie that got jobbed as a Best Picture nominee (Chocolat? Please.), but it's not a director's cut! So maybe you should wait. Just one year. Until Crowe finishes Vanilla Sky with Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz. Then he'll have time to give this the lush "deluxe edition" treatment. Dreamworks made them cut this movie viciously, and that probably cost it the recognition it deserved. But it's still a great movie. It showcases rock and roll from a fan's perspective -- rock and roll is at its most magical from the eyes of a 16 year-old. So, buy it (I did) if you're addicted, but if you're in a real bad way about this movie (I am) you'll have to wait a year for the good stuff.

Rating:
Summary: The BEST Film of the Year!
Review: Do yourself a big favor and rent/buy this film. I was 11 in 1973, in a household full of older brothers who listened to this music! In fact there is a scene in the movie where William is shown leafing though the records that his sister left him- my brothers had EVERY one of those albums and now I am in possession of them - I can't imagine a more thrilling time for music. This film captures the magic, spirit and beauty of that time...sigh.......

Rating:
Summary: Touching and beautiful
Review: I can't believe I waited so long to see this. I've always been a fan of Cameron Crowe's work (Fast Times, Say Anything, Singles, Jerry Maguire) but this film is his masterpiece. Warm, sympathetic characters, a amazing soundtrack, perfect pacing - it's a complete package. Patrick Fugit delivers an astounding performance (made more so by the fact that he's a newcomer to major motion pictures), conveying a blend of naivete and enthusiasm that makes his character utterly believable. Kate Hudson portrays the intricate and subtle emotions of her character with ease and considerable skill, and rightly deserves her various nominations. The supporting cast are excellent as well, particularly Billy Crudup as the iconic lead guitarist and Frances McDormand as William's mother. And Phillip Seymour Hoffman is excellent as always as William's mentor Lester Bangs. The DVD adds 30 minutes of footage (though I didn't see the theatrical release so I can't tell where they are) and some quality extras including a "making of" documentary, the full text of Crowe's circa-1970s interviews for Rolling Stone (coverage includes Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Peter Frampton and more), and even a music video for the fictional band Stillwater. Far and away one of the best movies in recent years, an instant classic.

Rating:
Summary: Almost Perfect
Review: It is easy to understand why this movie didn't get an Oscar nod for best picture. This movie is wonderful but in a subtle way, and Oscar prefers less subtlety. "Almost Famous" is a superb coming-of-age account of Cameron Crowe's early (VERY early) days as a rock journalist. William Miller, Crowe's alter-ego, is played by newcomer Patrick Fugit, and he is a real charmer! While this movie takes a little longer to get started than, say, "Jerry Maguire", it is like having a backstage pass to the glory days of the rock business, "before corporations killed it", as Lester Bangs supposedly said. Kate Hudson shines as band-aid Penny Lane, but is it really an Oscar-worthy performance? We'll find out around the time this review gets posted. Watch for Peter Frampton in a small role. This movie will bring back pleasant memories of rock and roll in its pre-corporate heydey, back when the fans decided what was good, rather than having MTV "tell" them.

Rating:
Summary: Lester Bangs was the only good thing...
Review: Judging by what makes it up classic rock radio these days, it's no wonder so many people liked this nostalgia bore fest. Just like the dinosaur music that makes up this self-indulgent Cameron Crowe flick, it's full of itself. if anything this movie explains why punk/new wave jumped up and attempted to erase this acid trip from memory. Crowe continues to push this bloated illusion of what real rock n roll is. The only thing he got right was Lester Bangs sitting around blasting Iggy Pop and the MC5. Note to Kate Hudson: Just becasue you date Chris Robinson doesn't mean you can act in a rock flick.

Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: WOW.........This is the best! I purchased this DVD without having seen the movie. It was based on my love of music, Cameron Crowe being cool enough to marry Nancy Wilson and Kate Hudson being Kate Hudson. Trust me, if you love music and remember 70's R&R and wish you could have been with the band, you will love this movie.

Rating:
Summary: Look for hidden album covers throughout
Review: The most obvious hidden album cover is Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side Of The Moon' during an early car ride. Have fun!

Rating:
Summary: A fine addition to one's DVD collection.
Review: If you're reading this review, you're probably one of two types of people: those who haven't seen the film and want to figure out if it's the type of film they would want to own in their personal library, or those who have seen the film and want to know if the DVD is worthy of purchase. I'll address the latter group in a second; let me fill those unfamiliar with the film in first. "Almost Famous" was one of my favorites from last year, and after having viewed the DVD it was nice to know it lives up to repeated viewings. The story revolves around a young 15 year-old rock and roll magazine critic who gets his first really big assignment: to write an article on an up and coming band named Stillwater for Rolling Stone magazine. The film follows his travels with the band while on tour across the U.S. The film itself is autobiographical in nature: director Cameron Crowe was himself a journalist in the 70s. The film has a few brief concert sequences of the band on stage, but these are secondary to the behind the scenes look at the band and how life on the road changes those involved. If you like films about teens coming of age or just a film that is a well-written balance of laughs and poignancy then this is one you'll enjoy. If you're looking for a gag-filled comedy ala "Meet the Parents" then look elsewhere. This one is character driven and intelligent. I also have to make a special mention of the soundtrack (being a huge music buff): the songs included in the film are a great mix of popular stuff and lesser-known tracks. Unlike many of today's soundtracks, which are created solely as a commercial buy product, the CD is actually a decent "mix tape" of songs from the 70s. For those who have seen the film, this DVD is lacking in extras: there are no deleted scenes (as it was believed to contain-see the other review about a forthcoming longer version) and for some strange reason the opening credits have a different widescreen ratio than the rest of the film. The 'making of' featurette is one of those that rehashes the film with scenes from it interspersed with interview clips with those involved (basically an advertisement for the film). The DVD is a fine purchase until a more deluxe version comes along.

Rating:
Summary: A little "whoops" on my part
Review: Despite all the hipe and talk of Indie status this is one movie I ignored ....until it came out as DVD. What a Judgment error on my part! This little movie is stuuning in every respect. The story makes you laugh and cry, the characters are all three dimensional, the cast is absolutley extraordinary. Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Philip Seymour Hoffman all give outstanding inimitable portrayals, but newcomers like Patrick Fugit are a joy to watch and to grow to love, then admire as actors. This zany road trip captures all the essence of the period but doesn't stop there. This is a classy little film by Cameron Crowe that deserves to be up there with the best of the year. Bravo to all for this sensitive, feel good movie.....and I hope there are more to come from this crew!

Rating:
Summary: A super film with oscar caliber performances
Review: Almost famous is a young autobiography of director Cameron Crowe. The movie is based on a young writers big break to write an article for Rolling Stone magazine. We follow the rocky road to rock-n-roll stardom as this young writer tours with the band. Don't miss this film.