Rating: Summary: Keeping up with the Joneses Review: Every once in a while there's a flick that'll defy the "laws" of Hollywood, and this is one of them. I won't make the reference as to what, you'll just have to see for yourself. This frighteningly real movie is enough to make the talkers in the theater shut up and listen for a change. Tim Robbins character, with those deceivingly innocent-boyish looks and grins is simply a modern-day monster planning a hell of a devilish scheme. From the moment this film begins, with the youngster in the middle of a nice neighborhood road, you'll wonder if Jeff Bridges is simply dreaming. One wishes it was all dream. Excellent twists, damn good writing, and very well directed. Intense, crafty, and supenseful, you'll never look at your newly moved-in next door neighbors the same way again.
Rating: Summary: Love Thy Neighbor ? Review: I only have one complaint about Arlington Road; If Jeff Bridges' character Faraday would've cried one more time, I would've smacked the screen. True, his character went through living hell with the death of his FBI agent wife. Yet, seeing his performance reminded me of one of his earlier movie roles as an alcoholic.Other performances were top notch and creepy to say the least. Tim Robbins is one of those versatile actors who can play either villain or hero without a hitch. Joan Cusack turns in an almost evil-comical performance as a cross between a Stepford wife and June Cleaver; kind of a lunatic mom with a warm apple pie in one hand up front while concealing a blunt sharp object behind her for the kill. Though, her character is far from benign I was surprised to see her use her usual comical appeal for such an evil character with hidden agendas. After seeing the featurette included on the dvd, I now understand the shocking climax of the movie. Without being accused as a reviewer of giving away the ending I can only say that in a way I'm glad the writer or director decided to go with a non-conventional "Hollywood" ending...
Rating: Summary: Biggest Surprise of the Year Review: I was exremely surprised after seeing this movie. I think it is one of the year's best, and it suffered "The Mummy" syndrome: It was an excellent movie and all the critics were unfair to it. As for the people below who give away the ending, I can't tell you how ticked I am at them, as it is huge surprised and they ruined it for anyone who hasn't seen this movie yet. They DVD has excellent picture and sound quality, but not many extra features (I just rented it, and didn't explore it very much, so I could be wrong), but anyways, this movie had great suspense, strong chills, and completely takes away your sense of security in the world.
Rating: Summary: Intelligent if occasionally irrelevant Review: The ending is brilliant! And there are many very important issues that are broached with no concrete answers offered. (Commendable) However, some of the early and middle scenes of the film are obvious and boring. Nonetheless you'll stay glued to the screen and be engaged by the plot and the dialogue. Not a movie I feel like I'd want to see more than once but it's an important film and should be seen by all americans.
Rating: Summary: CHEESY DIRECTION RUINED THIS POTENTIALLY GOOD MOVIE Review: The one thing holding this movie back is Tim Robbins and/or the way he's directed. While Hope Davis and Jeff Bridges are both utterly convincing , Robbins as the villain is a joke. He hams up every line, playing evil instead of just trusting the script and the other actors. It's almost as if he spends the whole movie looking down his nose at it, instead of investing himself in it.
Rating: Summary: Don't read any other reviews below before reading this! Review: Please note: Almost all of the reviews below give away the ending of this movie. Yes, they have opinions and they have comments, but your best bet to watching this movie and enjoying it to the fullest is to not read any of the reviews below. 85% of them GIVE AWAY THE ENDING. It's as if someone told you the ending to the movies "Sixth Sense" or "Seven". Please be cautious reading any other review past this one. I enjoyed this movie. Yes, there are some preposterous things that would happen to have the movie end the way it does, but the impact of the movie was enough to keep myself and those watching curious and enraptured for the entire time. Unfortunately, it's one of those movies you don't really need to watch twice. I do not have the DVD version, so I don't know what the alternate ending is or if it is any good. I have heard very good things about the director's commentary. That's about it. Sorry I'm not as helpful as you'd want. You might want to rent this movie (it's one of those "one time watches, then it sits on the shelf" movies), and pick up the DVD version only if you want to see all the bonus stuff. It was time was well spent watching this movie... and no, I don't feel "safe" after watching it: one of the feelings you're supposed to get after watching the movie. I consider that a good thing. Go see it.
Rating: Summary: one of my top 3 favorite movies of 1999 Review: This movie is not your typical hollywood action movie. It is an entertaining movie that also tries to make you think about how we as a society deal with terrorism, media, and violence. The DVD has commentary by Jeff Bridges and the director, which I found to be very interesting. It gave a fascinating glimpse into how the movie was made, problems with shooting the movie, and funny tales from the set.
Rating: Summary: Must see! Review: When I saw this movie I had no idea what I was in for. I never even heard of it. After watching it I really don't understand why it wasn't given much credit, if any at all considering it made just about everyone in the movie theater sit and stare from the shock of the insanely creepy ending! I loved it!
Rating: Summary: Blown away by the ending. Review: This film started off a little slow for my taste, but after seeing the end I was glad the writers took the time to establish the plot. The ending completely threw me. It was unlike anything I ahve seen in the history of Drama dating back to the ancient Greeks.
Rating: Summary: a extended episode of the twilight zone Review: thats what it seems like to me. i just like the fact that a big budget hollywood film with underworked overpaid actors has a very downer ending. in fact, if jeff bridges saved the day this movie would just plain suck. really, think about it. its a ok film, can't say its my fav. for a hollywood film it has balls.
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