Rating: 
Summary: Like peeling an onion
Review: What I mean is that the deeper you get, the riper it becomes. This film covers every level and taste of comedy imaginable from the junior high level of the former porn star-turned-folk singer "Mrs. Terry Bohner" to Levy's satiric portrayal of every artiste-based melancholia of "Mitch". As another reviewer noted, the song are so realistic you swear you have heard them before on late-night infomercials of the Folk Years. But when you listen to some of the lyrics they become even more brilliantly hilarious. Two of the saddest casualites of movies today are story and character development. In 99% of movies produced today, story and character development have been sacrificed for the ticket- selling CG special effects and hype (obviously there are a few exceptions). The few movies that attempt to have any character development borderline on being so sappy they could support the maple farmers of Vermont for the next decade. Wind's characters, although fictional, are so stinkin' subtle, hilarious and complex that the more you watch the movie, the more you get from the characters. The bottom line is the funnier, dysfunctional and historically accurate they get with each viewing. Turn off all other distractions, pop up a bowl of Reddenbacher's and indulge in this-and other Christopher Guest-movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty funny at times
Review: This movie was pretty funny at times, but some of the sense of humor was beyond me. I guess one had to have lived in that time period and follow folk to find some of the stuff funny. Not bad though.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies I've ever seen
Review: I've been a huge fan of Christopher Guest since the days of Princess Bride (the "six-fingered man") and Spinal Tap ("Nigel Tufnel"). The movie This Is Spinal Tap never ceases to amaze me. You can't pick up a rock magazine today without seeing a reference to it. It's a movie that literally impacted the music scene around the world. Although A Mighty Wind is every bit as clever and fun, I doubt The Folksmen (the fictious band comprised of Spinal Tap alumni Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer) will ever achieve legendary status. Not because it didn't take as much talent to create these wonderful characters, but because folk music isn't as all-pervasive as rock music is. If folk music ruled the airwaves and the magazine stands, I'm convinced The Folksmen would be huge. A Mighty Wind is astounding for its creativity and execution. It was supposedly totally improvised by the actors with all of the music played and sung live by the actors as well. (The soundtrack is so good that my wife and I bought it the minute the movie ended last night. We're listening to it now, in fact.) Wind is lighter, more deft, more kind-hearted and, arguably, funnier than Guest's other recent movies (Waiting For Guffman and Best In Show). It's also a movie that changed my opinion of Eugene Levy. Levy, co-creator with Guest, turns in a performance that surprised me no end. He didn't "steal the show" as I've read elsewhere. But he did impress me greatly with his subdued presence and his delightful singing voice. I had no idea the man could play the guitar and sing that well! You can read other reviewers for the synopsis of A Mighty Wind. I won't bore you by repeating those details. But I will tell you one of the most poignant scenes I've watched in a long time occured when Levy and actress O'Hara appeared on stage as folk legends Mitch and Mickey. During the performance of the fictious duo's hit song "A Kiss At the End of the Rainbow", Levy leaned over and kissed O'Hara (as Mitch had done at the height of their popularity in the mid '60s). All the other performers watched from the wings, and you could tell the audience was also poised for that event. When it came, it was the show's most magical moment. A Mighty Wind is a mighty achievement. The actors deserve a huge big round of applause for creating a movie of this caliber. My thanks to one and all.
Rating:
Summary: a joy; over and over
Review: i've been a fan of Fred Willard and Harry Shearer long before i knew it. i've worn out several tapes of "History of White People" and "Portrait of a White Wedding". This film brings together all my heros and is more than a reunion of folk musicians. I was devistated by Shearer's subtle assurance to the audience that he was "just kidding" about supplying them with saddles. Then comes the brilliant pompus-bore Willard like a ton of bricks to stop the show and get a breather. Shearer's final scene was like a parting kick to assure us they will all be back again and again. I hope Mr.Guest creates more of this stuff, nothing else comes close.
Rating:
Summary: Overrated...
Review: I expected greater things from this movie after hearing all the hype. It was merely a slower version of "Spinal Tap" Some of the music was inspired--and it had a few funny moments, but it wasn't the cleverest thing I've ever seen.
Rating:
Summary: There's a puppy in the parlor
Review: Dont expect other films, enjoy this one.
This movie continues to grow on me, and the dvd is like another layer of the piece. Certainly we are not privy to the commentary in the movie theatre, but the viewpoint of Guest and Levy puts perspective where I always believed it to be. This is a story with comedy, not a comedy...Guest talks about the throughline of the movie...the elimination of absurd moments(there is one weird cut scene with Levy and O Hara dancing around a drum which is hilarious...but didn't fit in the show)...and the dedication to he work. This is a flim that does provide the laughs, but it is beyond brilliant. First off, the soudtrack is amazing.(academy awards, remember A mighty wind, or end of a rainbow) I want to see this concert....and on top of that, they show the concert, the whole concert. The New Main Street singers are amazing!!!! They are not making fun of the songs they sing, but they are incredibly fun. Jane Lynch is my new favorite in this movie. Her work is astounding.....I mean how far out can main street get.(and you gotta check out the phenomenal \"Good book song")
On top of the special features of commentary and concert and out takes there are great fake tv appearances, the best being Mitch and Mickeys performance in some tv cop show. So much has been written about O Hara and Levy in this. I think Levy should be nominated for Best Supporting Actor... this is an exceptional dvd. Just so much fun, and such a great testament to days gone by and ensemble filmmaking.
Don't expect other films, enjoy this one.
Rating: 
Summary: It has an AUTOHARP solo! How often to you hear that....
Review: I really enjoy Christopher Guest's work. He has a wit that is not only based upon a sparkling use of language, but of insight into human characters and situations that can let the humor shine through. While there is satire and caricature, I also see a great deal of affection for the hapless way we humans stumble through our lives. "A Mighty Wind" is different in tone than "Best In Show" or "Waiting for Guffman" and certainly very different than "Spinal Tap". I love each of them, but this one has a more obvious sweetness. Even when his satire bites the hardest, Christopher Guest and his brilliantly improvisational cast have a real affection for this music and the foibles of the characters who inhabit this folk world. The premise is a reunion concert to honor an early folk music impresario who has just died. The three groups represent the various ways that folks music pressed on after it was no longer in the main spotlight. One group, representing the more commercial side, took on the appellation "New", changed personnel and kept the money machine going while deluding themselves that they were carrying on the tradition. A second group of old troupers kept their original act going just because they love it so much and since they can make a buck doing it they realize it is the best gig they could ever have. So, they keep going day after day, year after year, decade after decade. Bad toupees and all. A third act was a sensation that was based on a romance. The act evaporated when the passion died. A tender part of the movie is trying to get this act revived after both of its stars have moved on such a great distance from their glory days. Some don't like this movie as much as the others. I think it is its own delightful slice of fun. Take it for what it is and enjoy. Some of the songs are pretty decent if you like that genre.
Rating: 
Summary: a mighty bad movie
Review: This is one of those movies with a good concept that somehow disappoints. In fact, it's a downright bomb. Hopefully, this is the last of the "mockumentaries" by Christopher Guest, but I fear it is not. It's cleverness is extremely mean spirited, and what is the point of kicking around the lame-o folk music acts of the 1960s? Certainly they would be lucky to work the worst lounge in Vegas today, but in its time folk music was rousing good fun. It hasn't worn well because its values are so totally alien to that of pop music today with its endless line of sleazy young [women] and...boring rappers. Harry Shearer is this movie's saving grace. His basso profundo voice is funny in and of itself, and he provides the one big laugh in the movie when he goes into a lengthy introduction of a folk song with a Spanish Civil War theme. Just as he and the Folksmen are about to launch into this atrocity, a stage hand whispers into his ear that they can get off the stage. "Good night, everybody!" Harry says. It's not only really funny but a great relief. The movie concludes with a rousing rendition of the title song, which proves that 1960s folk music wasn't so bad after all.
Rating:
Summary: "I think Crabbeville in autumn would look quite magnificent"
Review: From the same people who brought you "Waiting for Guffman" and "Best in Show," here comes Christopher Guest's new masterpiece, "A Mighty Wind," which proves to be his best effort yet. Possibly the first great movie I've seen to come out of 2003 for the moment (and it may stay that way). While the film proves to be a hilarious comedy with very clever satirical elements in it, it is also touching and sincere. When a big-name manager and icon in the folk music world passes away, the son feels that the best tribute for him would be a live-broadcast reunion of the once popular folk bands that his father once represented. While they were very successful and popular in the 60's, most of them have fallen under the "where are they now?" category. There's The Folksmen, who haven't played together for years. Then, there's The New Mainstreet Singers, who always ends up playing at amusement parks. And finally, there's Mitch and Mickey, who were once a popular duo-in-love until their angry breakup long ago. All of them will be performing together again, and it's all live. As I said in the beginning, I think this is Guest's best movie of the three he has done. Not only is it funny and entertaining, but it's also touching and has a very sincere tone to it all. The laughs that come from this movie are always from the subtlety rather than the obvious. All of the actors are a joy to watch (especially Eugene Levy, who once again steals the show). Another stand-out performance comes from Fred Willard, who proves to be ten times more animated and comical than he was in "Best of Show" (who ever thought such a thing could be possible!). Catherine O'Hara, Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and everybody else does a fantastic job in their roles. There's some mighty cool extras included on the DVD. The picture and sound quality is really great, and makes the movie what it is. Extras included are deleted scenes, commentary from Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy, the live-TV broadcast of the concert, TV appearances from the bands in the movie and more. Very cool features for a film of this magnitude. If you're a fan of Guest's other two films, then I highly recommend that you see "A Mighty Wind." You don't even have to like folk music in order to enjoy it. This review is coming from a guy who was born the 80's, and I'm telling you that I loved every minute of this film. It's funny, witty, clever and sincere. If you're tired of the overly ordinary comedies, then you will fall in love with this one, which is anything but ordinary. A true gem to come out of 2003, without a doubt.
Rating:
Summary: Guest Blows Us All Away...
Review: I love this movie. Reading through some of the other reviews all I keep seeing is "I only laughed a little." Well WANH! There are some "comedies" out there where people don't laugh at all. And I don't think Christopher Guest or anyone in his ensemble have ever claimed to be just drop down funny. There is more of an intellectual funny here folks, one that makes you think. No fart jokes, no swearing just to swear - it's an actual piece of writing that pokes at you the whole time you watch it and makes you wonder if they intended that to be funny. My advice is this, if you are a TRUE Christopher Guest fan, and not just someone who saw Spinal Tap on Comedy Central, then you will enjoy this movie immensely. However, if you want booger and mindless fart jokes you'll want to look elsewhere.
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