Rating: Summary: Fairly compelling portrayal -- fantastic soundtrack Review: I thought Stiller gave a credible impression here. Granted it was spotty in a few places, but most of the performance was first rate. I think Stiller has a future in dramatic roles and I am glad that this roll may keep him from being type-cast. Peter Greene was creepy in a very believable way. Janeane did a fantastic job as the intimacy-challanged agent -- "You're coming back, right?" Maria Bello provided a good depth and range to her character. The movie has enough subtlety and depth that a second viewing is probably a good idea. I certainly enjoyed it more the second time. Most of the characters were acted with more restraint than we have become accustomed to and this may explain why the movie becomes more enriched with repeated viewings. But it was the music that put the hook in me. I went out and bought my first Crystal Method and first William Orbit CDs after watching this movie.
Rating: Summary: wow Review: i was bit hesitant at first...ben stiller in a heavy role such as this? but i was utterly surprised and amazed. i'm a huge stiller fan to begin with, and my appreciation of his ability to act has grown ten-fold with this flick. the movie itself is disturbing, and will stay hauntingly with you days after you see it. stiller gives one of his bets performances yet, and truly has you feeling as if you're watching this story take place in real time...right before your very eyes. the soundtrack is great too...all in all, a great movie, but please note it is not for the faint at heart. it's a smack movie...lots of shootin up, but then again, it is based on the true life, needle experiences of jerry stahl. great movie....
Rating: Summary: READ THE BOOK! Don't see this trash Review: It was wierd seeing Ben Stiller serious but he pulled it off well. i thiught this move was different and truthful to the lives of some in Hollywood. I really enjoyed and i think anyone who wants to see something different should give it a try.
Rating: Summary: ben Stiller Serious Review: It was wierd seeing Ben Stiller serious but he pulled it off well. i thiught this move was different and truthful to the lives of some in Hollywood. I really enjoyed and i think anyone who wants to see something different should give it a try.
Rating: Summary: A Good Horrible Movie Review: People that compare movies to the original books are always going to be disappointed. That's no big mystery to anyone who's both read a single book or seen a single movie. Nuff said on that. The movie is definitly a good one because it is very dark, and very real. Reviewers that bashed this movie are obviously clueless regarding drug use, drug users, and addiction. This movie is definitely disgusting and depressing because of its plausibility, and that's what makes it good. To have the perfect wife (Elizabeth Hurly), the perfect job, and still do anything and everything to get high demonstrates how the need overpowers someone's life. Permanent Midnight is "A Good Horrible Movie".
Rating: Summary: A Good Horrible Movie Review: People that compare movies to the original books are always going to be disappointed. That's no big mystery to anyone who's both read a single book or seen a single movie. Nuff said on that. The movie is definitly a good one because it is very dark, and very real. Reviewers that bashed this movie are obviously clueless regarding drug use, drug users, and addiction. This movie is definitely disgusting and depressing because of its plausibility, and that's what makes it good. To have the perfect wife (Elizabeth Hurly), the perfect job, and still do anything and everything to get high demonstrates how the need overpowers someone's life. Permanent Midnight is "A Good Horrible Movie".
Rating: Summary: READ THE BOOK! Don't see this trash Review: The book is excellent. Mostly from the "tone" and the way that Jerry Stahl tells his harrowing and sardonic account of drug addiction. This movie doesn't have the tone right and nothing really works. It's not funny or sad just there. Ben Stiller looks a little like Jerry but can't really pull off this story. READ THE BOOK - it is a great book!
Rating: Summary: Stiller can act in this dark tale of drug addiction Review: The trailer bills it as a dark comedy, but the quips they use are the only ones in the film. If you liked "Drugstore Cowboy", then you'll like this too. Ben impressed me with his range here, and I have to say, he sure looks like he's used before. Janeane Garofolo makes her mandatory cameo as an agent who won't take "Who cares" for an answer. He lands a stint as a writer on the TV show "Mr. Chompers" which seems to be "Alf" in disguise. His uncontrolled freneticism gets him fired after a few episodes however. Stiller is an amazingly realistic desperate druggy in this dark tragedy. But there doesn't seem to be a morale to the story. So, as I said, what's the point?
Rating: Summary: Stinks Review: This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I want to like Ben Stiller, but just can't seem to make it work. Don't waste your time watching this movie - you will just want those two hours back.
Rating: Summary: ...not as good as the book... Review: Well, are any movies EVER as good as the book? (Fear and Loathing in LV, maybe....) I had one really, really big problem with the movie: Mr. Chompers. Mr. Chompers is OBVIOUSLY Alf, if you didn't know. And Alf's alter ego has a HORRENDOUS name. Mr. Chompers. Jesus H. Christ. I could think of a million better names. Even the name Larry is better than Mr. Chompers. Or Ralph. I think it would've been really clever to use the name Ralph. Another thing that really bothered me was the relationship between Kitty and Jerry. In the book, it was just so much better. It was like they were both big loser junkies trying to be big loser non-junkies together. I really hoped that everything would work out between them. But in the movie, I just really couldn't stand their relationship. I just kept thinking, "Jerry/Ben, get rid of her. She's stupid, and she just doesn't unerstand you and your pain. Forget her." Those two things take away 2 stars. So, ha. I just thought the world of Ben Stiller's acting job. I've always liked Ben Stiller, even though he's been in some really stupid stuff (Envy). I don't really know why, but I want to see every movie he's in because he's just so great. And this movie made me like him even more! He was just SO GOOD. He was so believeable. Oh, if only I could rate his performance alone. He would surely get a perfect rating. So, in conclusion, see the movie, THEN read the book. Unless you don't like reading, loser. Otherwise, if you read the book first, you'll be disappointed. And if you've already read the book, see the movie because Ben Stiller is terrific.
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