Rating: 
Summary: Not quite ready for "ER"
Review: Here's a stylish and dark little gem of a sci-fi/supernatural outing, with Kiefer Sutherland, William Baldwin, Kevin Bacon and Julia Roberts as really cool medical students who experiment with life and death. Sutherland especially sets the tone with verve, and he walks around dark, deserted city streets decked out like someone from a Duran Duran music video--the consummate big-city, white-boy graduate student.
Rating: 
Summary: Highly Thrilling and Original
Review: Honestly I never heard of this movie until a few months ago. I am a pretty big fan of Keifer Sutherland and some of his movies and of course his tv show 24. So about a month ago I blindly bought this movie just for the hell of it. The Flatliners stars Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, one of the Baldwins, and of course Keifer. The Flatliners itself is a pretty cool movie with a different concept than those in its genre. It deals with young medical students experimenting to find out if there is an afterlife. Once they come back from the afterlife they are haunted by the other side. This is one of the ultimate "Do not do this at home" movies. Although after I saw it I couldn't help from asking my friends "How much money would you do it for", lol. I bet one you see this you will be asking your friends. One area where it is lacking though is the DVD itself is lacking any kind of special features, interactive menus, and a decently layed out chapter selection. In all honestly the movie is pretty good but the DVD is terrible compared to other newer DVDs. To me things like that make a difference. The fact that it is cheap makes up for it though. I think if you enjoyed movies such as Stir of Echoes, The Sixth Sense, Vanilla Sky, or even the Mothman Prophies (underrated movie) you probably will enjoy this movie. At times it is dark and sorta twisted but it always stays on track and never bores you. Definetly check this movie out if you are a fan of Keifer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon or Julia Roberts because they all shine in this movie. Movie grade - B+
DVD Grade - D-
Rating:
Summary: A different but good movie.
Review: Honestly I never heard of this movie until a few months ago. I am a pretty big fan of Keifer Sutherland and some of his movies and of course his tv show 24. So about a month ago I blindly bought this movie just for the hell of it. The Flatliners stars Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, one of the Baldwins, and of course Keifer. The Flatliners itself is a pretty cool movie with a different concept than those in its genre. It deals with young medical students experimenting to find out if there is an afterlife. Once they come back from the afterlife they are haunted by the other side. This is one of the ultimate "Do not do this at home" movies. Although after I saw it I couldn't help from asking my friends "How much money would you do it for", lol. I bet one you see this you will be asking your friends. One area where it is lacking though is the DVD itself is lacking any kind of special features, interactive menus, and a decently layed out chapter selection. In all honestly the movie is pretty good but the DVD is terrible compared to other newer DVDs. To me things like that make a difference. The fact that it is cheap makes up for it though. I think if you enjoyed movies such as Stir of Echoes, The Sixth Sense, Vanilla Sky, or even the Mothman Prophies (underrated movie) you probably will enjoy this movie. At times it is dark and sorta twisted but it always stays on track and never bores you. Definetly check this movie out if you are a fan of Keifer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon or Julia Roberts because they all shine in this movie. Movie grade - B+
DVD Grade - D-
Rating:
Summary: Excellent direction and good acting
Review: I agree with the reviewer who commented at lenth on the scenes with Julia Roberts and her imagined reunion with her father. The period setting of her childhood was done perfectly, and when she returned and was climbing the stairs, her reaction at seeing the toy she thought had caused her father to fall was believable and touching. I thought the camera work circling her and her father during that reconciliation was so very effective, and Julia, being the great cryer that she is, along with that music, made the scene very moving. Excellent directing, good acting by everyone, especially Roberts, Bacon and Sutherland make it a movie that saves itself from it's farfetched premise and gives us some good entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly good
Review: I bought this movie recently when I saw it at a store, and realized it was a Julia Roberts film I actually had never heard of. I own many of her movies, and since she and Kiefer Sutherland are two of my favorite actors, I decided to give it a shot.
The first thing that grabs you about this movie is the suspense. Come on, medical students experiencing clinical death (Flatlining) and trying to come back is not a very serene situation to begin with. But when they outbid each other for length of time when deciding who gets to go next, even the viewer begins saying to his/herself "oh, God, don't let him die!!" (I did anyway). With each gorgeous young actor wanting to be dead longer than the previous, it really puts you at the edge of your seat. As if this weren't enough, all these people that "died" and came back begin being haunted by their past sins and misdeeds, and are mentally, even physically, harmed by them.
This movie features Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon, Julia Roberts, Billy Baldwin and Oliver Platt in much younger, and more dangerous, roles than I've seen most of them play. It's a great movie for a younger audience, and probably only for people with a more open mind to horror and death. A last note: Kiefer Sutherland has a great first line.
Rating:
Summary: UNFAIRLY CRITISIZED MASTERPIECE
Review: I don't understand why some reviews are so hard on this movie! I have been a die-hard fan of Kiefer Sutherland since "Stand By Me"! ("24" didn't exactly change that!) Kevin Bacon & Julia Roberts are great, also, as always. Contrary to some reviews, Kiefer doesn't get the idea to "simulate" death, he, & his classmates in turn, DIE & come back. The ctach is, they bring their sins back physically, & they're unhappy! Keifer's (Dr. Death) provides the biggest thrill, & suspense, of this movie. When I first saw this at the Joy's Panorama, it scared the SH - heck out of me! 15 years later, I find it didn't lose any punch. Do yourselves a favor: for young acting brilliance, scary suspense & fun, check this one out!
Rating:
Summary: Good Statment!
Review: I first saw this uncut (Violence,coarse language, some nudity) on showcase (HBO), it was great of course, and then on fox. My Mom only saw the second half of this film but wished she had saw the first, becuase she thought it was great! The elements of this fil show that it's not only about yourself, but about others aswell. It shows you just can't hurt your self but you can hurt someone else in a much harder way. This film shows revenge, to those main charocters (Bacon,Roberts,Sutherland,Platt,Baldwin) who hurted them in the past. But these now nice and kind charocters had the guts to appolagize, and learn something of themselves. I've gave reviews to other films (Sleepers,Goodfellas,In the line of fire, Murder in the first) though this film shows it's message across than any of them (EVEN MURDER IN THE FIRST!) See "Flatliners", and mezmirized. Best performance by Sutherland!
Rating:
Summary: Everything we do matters....
Review: I never had the pleasure of seeing this film on the "big screen" which is a shame, as it is often visually stunning, but I have revisited it on video numerous times over the years, enjoying it immensely every time. It definitely is on my personal list of favorite movies, and for more than just starring Kiefer Sutherland and Kevin Bacon, two of my "actors to watch." Perhaps I appreciate this film so much because it appeals to my slightly off-kilter taste in entertainment. I like my movies a bit left of center - unpredictable and fresh. And whether or not you "believe" the story line of the film, you have to admit, it is different! Everyone has different tastes and opinions, but my impression of some of the negative reviews of this movie is that the viewers never really saw past the surface level of this film. They got caught up in technicalities, "Why would there be green lighting in a subway?" or "Why would medical students pull such a stupid stunt?" and failed to see the artistry and psychological depth of the piece. Yes, there are some medical and technical aspects that do not make logical sense, but if you are willing to suspend disbelief just a tad, this can be a very engaging film. First, a note about the artistic quality of the movie. Some have complained about the murky lighting, and the illogical nature of the sets - but for me, the use of innovating lighting techniques, the plastic and sheet draped sets, the unusual settings in old buildings and dank, dripping tunnels, the use of statuary, rain and billowing curtains - all add a poetic flavor to this film, a haunting beauty that suits the dark nature of the questions being asked about life, death and forgiveness. I will focus on just two examples; in an alley scene, a change in lighting allows for certain elements of the set to come dramatically into focus, then to fade away once lighting returns to normal. It is an innovative means of conveying a shift in the "reality" of the moment, and works beautifully. We are also allowed to see the interior of the character's apartments - contrast the warm wood, bright colors, golden lighting and cluttered comfort of Labraccio's rooms with the stark, white void of Nelson's. Both are reflective of the characters themselves. Nelson's lack of "objects" reflect our lack of knowledge about his past... and his carefully constructed mask that keeps his companions at a distance. His past, we come to learn, is one of chaos and conflict. He has determined to leave that behind in favor of an uncluttered emptiness... unfortunately, the emptiness is also reflective of his relationships with others, a realization he comes to along his personal journey of self-discovery in this film. Flatliners is not your typical horror film. Nor is a typical drama or suspense movie...it is rather more of an amalgamation of all, having the best elements of all genres intertwined in a complex, suspenseful plot. This is an ensemble piece, and the cast does an excellent job of breathing life into their individual characters. Your immediate impression is that the characters are each representative of a well-established "stereotype": The female ice queen, the slightly neurotic 'physician", the playboy and the socially conscious "nice guy" etc. However, as the film progresses and the characters are further fleshed out, they take on multiple dimensions and depth. Most interesting of all is Sutherland's character of Nelson. Nelson is not a character that is easy to like - indeed he is a bit of a (...), a master manipulator who definitely places self-interest above all else. Yet, Sutherland plays him with a hint of insecurity that lends him a certain appeal. As events unfold, you come to realize that much of Nelson's unpleasant personality is a smokescreen, a protective mask behind which hides a very uncertain and vulnerable young man burdened by a terrible secret. By revealing bits and pieces of Nelson's complex personality throughout the film, the writers, directors and cast gradually lead you towards a greater understanding of and sympathy for him. The character who started out as a "jerk" becomes important and valued in his own right - as you learn to "forgive" his previous behavior in light of new information. Your journey of discovery with Nelson reflects the characters own journeys towards self-understanding, as they too come to realize that everyone has value, and "everything we do matters." Which leads to my final comment. Although many of the posters here have picked up upon the theme of defying death - few seem to have touched upon what I see as the main premise of the movie - the importance of forgiveness, and the need to be cognizant of all you do, because it does "matter."
Rating:
Summary: The film is outstanding!
Review: If all of Julia Roberts' stuff had such pnash and pizzazz there would be hope for Hollywood! Add Kevin and Keifer yep we're there! A must have for personal video libraries everywhere!
Rating: 
Summary: THIS MOVIE HAS A GREAT CAST BUT THAT'S ALL FOLKS!
Review: IT HAS JULIA ROBERTS, KEIFER SUTHERLAND, (YES THEY WERE AN ITEM THEN), KEVIN BACON, AND WILLIAM BALDWIN. THESE PEOPLE ARE THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT THIS MOVIE, EVEN KEIFER WAS SOME WHAT BELIEVABLE IN THIS. TOO BAD, THE MOVIE STUNK. IMAGINE MAKING YOURSELF, OR OTHERS GO INTO A FLATLINE, JUST TO SEE WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE DEAD? SOUNDS GOOD. SHOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD, BUT IT MISSED BIG TIME. THEY EACH BRING EACH OTHER BACK-TO BAD THEY COULDN'T DO THE SAME WITH THIS MOVIE.
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