Almost Famous

Rating:
Summary: Flawless Filmmaking!
Review: What can be said about this movie that hasn't already been said by everyone else, this has got to be the finest film of 2000 and here's my opinion why: Director Cameron Crowe, who I should remind is famous for overdoing the drama like a drama queen in dinner theatre ("Jerry McGuire" is a fine movie, but please, hold the extra cheese on our emotions. If I hear, "You had me at hello," again, I'll scream) did not overdo it here. Crowe tells his story--pours his heart out on film, and does it with respect to his then profession--Journalism--and the rock scene of that time. Here, he takes the rock immortals and make them mortal and flawed. He kindly views the groupies--band-aids--as girls attached body and soul to musicians and their art and not as sexual intruments. Each scene is emotional, but we're too captivated by all that we witness that we too surrender to it. In the end, it feels as if we went through a journey of profound wonder that just like the main character, we see the world as it really is--human. Rock stars--human. Groupies--human. I hope you see this film and love it as I loved it. This is truely a journey worth taking.

Rating:
Summary: You Are Home
Review: Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous," isn't a movie about fancy camera work or tricky lighting schemes. Instead, the film creates something so much more extraordinary by remembering what it means to be a teenager, what it means to be on the cusp of fame, and what it means to fall in love. These are only three of the many themes that the movie takes time to delicately address in the most subtly moving 2 hours you'll ever spend at the theater. The performances are great. Billy Crudup's lead guitarist Russell Hammond is overly self-confident on the outside, inside he's just as much of a kid searching for himself as Patrick Fugit's William Miller is. Fugit's so good you almost forget he's even there until you realize that he's the one you've been identifying with. And then Kate Hudson's Penny Lane who is the soul of the film, holding together the era of Rock and Roll in between The magic of the 60s and the excess of the 80s. She calls herself a band aid, and that's exactly what she is. After an unnerved Fugit utters that he has to go home as they travel on the old bus to the next show she simply smiles, waving her hands in front of him and assuring him that he is home. Tiny Dancer by Elton John plays in the background and even though it's Elton John, for some reason you feel at home when the song plays, feel optimistic even though you don't know where you're going. That's just like the movie, not knowing what direction it's going in, just following it's instincts. "Almost Famous" isn't about controversy or death or even the meaning of life it's just a movie about people. It used to be an art form to create characters that seemed so real, and that the visual effects or the interesting camera angles meant nothing if not for the characters. Here they feel real and they act real for once not seeming like they understand the plot as well as we do. We see their public moments and their intimate moments and both seem to be just right. It's nice to have characters to care about again. The movie is magical without realizing it, incredibily perceptive without preaching and when you watch it something just makes you feel like you are home.

Rating:
Summary: Makes you wanna go back in time...
Review: When the music was extremely creative; when love, peace and Rock 'n Roll were the motto... Do I sound too nostalgic? Maybe because this movie and its music makes you feel that way.

Take 'America', Simon & Garfunkel's super-hit, for example. My wife and I decided to get married while listening to this song. And so it goes. Elton John's 'Tiny Dancer' - extremely beautiful moment in the movie.

It makes me remember the fact that music seems to be there for a reason, and it is to tie sounds to your memories, to times during your life, and that is priceless.

Definitely worth seeing, owning, and listening to also.

Rating:
Summary: Don't Miss this Movie
Review: The fact that Almost Famous did not do well in the box office completely baffles me. Unlike some movies that are worthy of Oscar consideration, this movie has something to offer to viewers of all tastes and all walks of life. Almost Famous is one of those very rare movies where you completely lose yourself in the movie, where you don't want the movie to end, and when it does, you consider jumping back in line to buy another ticket. Anyone who truly considers him or herself a music fan cannot hope to live a good life without seeing this movie. Usually, the quality of a film is open to subjective tastes and debates. Almost Famous is an exception. I would view anyone who says this movie is not good in the same light as anyone who says "Abbey Road," "Highway 61 Revisited," or "Sticky Fingers" are bad rock albums: they're just plain wrong.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Trip!
Review: "Almost Famous" was one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year. When the trailers started to play, everybody was talking about how badly they wanted to see it. And then it came out and nobody went. Talk about a real shame. "Almost Famous" is one of the most satisfying films of the year. 2000 was a year of overstuffed and overhyped films. "Almost Famous" is one of the few that didn't dissappoint.

It's been criticized of having an ending that is "too optimistic" for a movie about the Seventies. Afterall, that decade didn't end all too well. But what these critics don't realize is that "Almost Famous" is a piece of nostalgia; a dedication to a period in history that filmmaker Cameron Crowe remembers with great emotions. He loved everything about the seventies, especially the music and the fact that he got to grow up in that decade.

This labor of love has it all: great performances, great dialogue, and a wonderful story. The film's centerpiece of rock is observed gracefully by newcomer Patrick Fudgit (I think that's his name). Crowe does a masterful job of showing us this world through Fudgit's excited, wide eyes.

Rating:
Summary: Almost Perfect
Review: AT the end of Cameron Crowe's semi-autobigraphical piece the question is asked "What do you like about music?" So I ask you this "What do you like about films?" If your answer is action, sex and fart jokes, this is a movie to stay well away from. If, however, you like films about growing up, tasting life and finding your place in the world, this is one you should not miss.

The story tells the tale of William Miller, a 15-year-old aspiring journalist who finds himself working for Rolling Stone, covering the 1973 tour of an almost famous band called Stillwater. Clutching seemingly forever onto a notebook and pen, William immerses himself into the culture of the rock star, and ultimately finds out as much about himself than the feuding rock band he is sent to expose. Whilst getting down on paper just exactly what makes a rock band tick, William has to struggle with his first experiences of love, rejection, fitting in and being cool. The major strong point is the universally superb acting. Patrick Fugit as the young writer holds the screen with striking authority without falling into over acting, reminiscent of John Cusack in one of Crowe's earlier films, Say Anything. He is aptly supported by Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn's daughter, as the object of William's affection, whose character has arguably the finest scene in the film. Frances McDormand is excellent as the over-bearing mother whose constant protection of her children ultimately drives them away from home in search of there own answers to life's questions. Billy Cudrup and Jason Lee shine as the bickering wannabe rock superstars, neither of them happy with their positions within the band and finding it all too easy to complain about each other's falterings. However, the star of the show is Philip Seymour Hoffman, as Williams mentor Lester Bangs, a man who has an opinion on all facets of the music world. His lyrical waxings are the core of Williams's journey, from "Hey, I met you. You are not cool." to "If you wanna be a true journalist, you cannot make friends with the rockstar."

The film itself has a sumptuous look, complimented by an almost painless attention to detail. The script is fabulous, with lines to make you laugh, cry and most importantly, think as the story charts the ups and downs of the fictional rock band. This, however, is the source of my only gripe as the story tends towards the formulaic, with the ending that the film seems to be avoiding coming true in the last moments. But this flaw is more than compensated by Crowe's deft direction, and his ability to pull together all the loose strands already mentioned into one cohesive whole.

Better than Crowes' previous effort, Jerry Maguire, yet not quite achieving the same iconic status as Say Anything, Almost Famous is nonetheless a film that I urge you to see. It sure makes a welcome break from films only concerned with being as gross or as violent as the censors will allow.

4/5

Rating:
Summary: Best Film of 2000
Review: All I have to say is don't listen to the review that says "Awful". Obviously there is an dime store psuedo-intellectual idiot in every crowd. 2000 was a year of disappointments as far as movies were concerned but even in a good year this film would stand out. Everyone I saw this film with commented about how they became totally immersed in the film. I WAS in the seventies the whole time. Amazing film and great music.

Rating:
Summary: Cameron Crowe wins again...
Review: This movie was one of the greatest movies I have ever seen. I love the 70's, and this movie is Crowe's self-proclaimed "kiss" to that time in his life when he was touring with bands as a writer for Rolling Stone Magazine. His alter ego in the movie, William Miller, is a complete paradox to everything about the rock and roll lifestyle, with the exception of one thing...his love of the music. This movie made me want to go back to the ticket counter of the theatre, buy another ticket and watch it again. There are so many appealing elements to this movie that it works for men and women. I highly recommend this movie, even if the DVD is a dud. Buy the DVD anyway, just for the movie. It will make you want to see Stillwater in concert for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Almost Famous: A Rightfully Famous Film
Review: "Almost Famous" is one of those rare movies that become enjoyed by all generations of people. It isn't a family movie, but the story is very interesting no matter who you are and what your age is (not to mention, it is based on actual events). It shows a common high school student at the time, with common likes and dislikes, and with dreams. Unlike his other friends and enemies, Patrick Fugit's character William Miller gets to live out his dream. I haven't ever met a member of a famous rock group, or seen anything big about their private life, but this movie is very in-depth with the detail to all of the rock stars lives. It shows the viewers that rock stars are human beings. They do have to face many problems, just like the average citizen. The publicity of rock stars is displayed well. The lives of real rock stars from that time era seem to be very accurate with the movie. From the bonding while on tours to everything else. Patrick Fugit does a convincing performance as a starstruck 15 year old journalist major. He shows respect to everybody and is polite, but acts very emotionally. The movie is funny too and isn't all that explicit. It is about a rock band of the 70s, and the movie has talk about drugs and sex, but it is more informative than offensive. It wouldn't be the worst thing to let a child watch this, just to let him understand how things were.

When March 13 rolls around, I will no-doubt be driving to the mall to get my DVD for "Almost Famous".

Rating:
Summary: Amazing film.
Review: I rarely go to the theatre to see movies. I saw two movies this year, and they were both worth the $8.00. One being "remember the titans" and the other being "almost famous. "Almost famous" was as well written of a movie that I have ever seen. You receive the same feel good feeling you got from "Jerry Maguire". The movie honestly made me want to get back in line, and watch it again. You warm up to the characters almost instantly. The soundtrack is superb. Classic Zeppelin among aothers. Fantasic movie..As for the Jack As* who gave the movie one star. I dont know what movie you watched, but take your head out long enough to enjoy a brilliantly written, and directed film. Cameron Crowe is amazing.