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The Green Mile

The Green Mile

List Price: $19.96
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Is This Walk Worth It?
Review: From the opening scenes, this movie promises two things: one...a story with twists and turns and suspense; two...a thoughtful, sometimes meandering pace through the characters' lives.

I assure you, by the final scene, all questions will be tidely wrapped up in logical--even sentimental--answers. But even more worthwhile is the walk down "The Green Mile." Though the guards of this death row seem at times a bit soft and sentimental, they are portrayed and acted superbly. Their insecurities and foibles endear them to us, save one whom we come to despise.

And the inmates...?

Therein lies the heart of this story. Facing the electric chair, one inmate wonders if, in death, he'll have the chance to go back to best moments of his life. He doesn't make excuses for his actions; he comes to terms with what he's done. Another inmate and his pet mouse play key parts in the story, and then there's Billy the Kid. Behind his crazy ways and insane laughter lurks a truly sick man.

Coffey--'like the drink, but spelled different'--is the central character in this tale. Played with deceptive ease by a hulking, muscle-stacked black actor, Coffey leads us through a series of supernatural encounters that show his ability to bring healing and justice to the world around him. Coupled with this ability is his insight into people's hearts and situations.

Could this man, blamed for a brutal double homicide, be capable of such violence while possessing such gifts? The director, and Stephen King's writing, keep us sympathetically on his side while still flirting near the edge of doubt.

Ultimately, Coffey's insights become unbearable for him to carry. The depravity and corruption of those around him becomes a weight too heavy to bear.

As the story closes, we are challenged with the thought that all of us owe a life for the darkness of the world we live in. We all must walk "The Green Mile." (Is there a corresponding Biblical example of one who sacrifices his life for those around him? Hmm...)

Is this walk worth it? Yes. Darabont directs us patiently through the story and lets us finish the journey winded but better for the wear.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Better Than Shawshank Redemption
Review: The Green Mile was a wonderful adaptation of Stephen King's novel. The movie is about a Louisiana prison during the Depression. The death row is runned by Paul Edgecomb (Hanks) a tough but compassion guard. Then arrives John Coffey (Duncan), a convicted murderer of two young children who possess a special gift.

The Green Mile is a very long movie, however it allows for the great character development and storytelling. I had a wide array of emotions watching this movie and it was worthy of Oscar nomination. I would recommend this movie.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Just short of very good
Review: The complaint that this is Shawshank Redemption, Part II, is valid. In many ways, this movie is the same. Tall, innocent gentle man who retains his sense of dignity and hope. Evil, prison guard. Long time inmate who makes the best of his prison stay. Even a revelation that shows beyond a shadow of a doubt that the some other prisoner, not the accused prisoner, is guilty, but no one cares enough to do anything about it. It even contains at least one character that was in "Shawshank", but consider the source material and the team, Stephen King and Frank Darabont. Stephen King always has these mythical treatises on good versus evil. And Mr. Darabont knows how to yank on your heart and, in the midst of a bleak situation, pull out the humanity and humor. Both men are truly good storytellers; even though you know the destination, you end up just enjoying the ride.

This is ensemble acting at its best. Although Tom Hanks, again, plays his part convincingly and Michael Clarke Duncan fills the screen figuratively whenever his limited lines appear, you must give a nod to the other actors: Brutal, Dell, "Wild Bill", etc. Unlike the horrific but brilliant prison drama "Oz", you wish you had prison wardens like Hanks and Morse. You find yourself agreeing with Dell as he said of them,"You guys are good guys. I wish I had met you somewhere else". Percy was just the typical bully that only differed from "Wild Bill" in that he wore a badge and was on the other side of the bars.

My complaints: belts retained and worn by death row prisoners, someone not noticing sooner the botched execution, a big black man in 1935 accused of murdering and raping children allowed to touch white people in intimate ways (I don't care how much of a healer he was!), as my husband pointed out, Coffey's being used by Edgecome to free a white woman of her misery but Edgecome not using enough of his influence to free Coffey of his, and Coffey conveniently going along with the plan at the very end.

This movie wins no editing points for its length, but as another reviewer said, how could it have been shortened and still been this good. My praise for it is that, in spite of the language, the story, acting, and characters are good enough to recommend to a parent or a mature high school class. So many R rated movies are too profane, graphic and violent. They lack good storytelling in between those shocking moments and don't give you much time to recover with some quiet moments before they're in your face again.

Hanks has come a long way since playing a woman in "Bosom Buddies" and I hope for Michael Duncan Clarke that this is a breakthrough role. I hope he continues to get parts where, like he said in an interview, where he actually gets a name and not just "big black guy". He joins a long line of black male actors who got shafted at the Oscars: Denzel Washington, Lawrence Fishburne and Samuel L. Jackson whose performances equalled or surpassed their white colleagues'.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One word sums it up.
Review: Magnificent!

When I first saw the Green Mile, I felt like I was part of it. I liked the characters and I hated a couple. I can't begin to describe how great this film was. And to be honest with you, don't go by what reviews say. You have to be the judge. Even though this movie is over 3 hours long, it's worth it. Please rent/buy this ASAP

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: a journey worth taking
Review: Frank Darabont's adaptation of The Green Mile was one of last year's best films. On DVD it looks even better. Although the film runs nearly three hours it still never gets boring and never lacks the human spirit. Tom Hanks is a stand out as the head of the Mile. The supporting cast is also solid, especially Micheal Clarke Duncan and David Morse. This is filmmaking at its very best. Trust me you won't regret this trip.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Son of Shawshank
Review: Running at over three hours, The Green Mile may seem like that long movie you'll never see. Rest assured, gentle friend, because these three hours go by quickly. If you are a fan of Stephen King, 1994's similarily-themed Shawshank Redemption, or fans of Drama or Tom Hanks, you will by no doubt love this movie.

The movie is adapted from the Stephen King series about a gentle, kind-hearted big boat of a black man who is sent to "The Green Mile" (named because death row is known as "the Last Mile," but since the floors of the prison are lime-colored, it has been named in accordance) for killing two little girls. He befriends Hanks and as time goes on, Hanks' character strongly belives that this man could not have possibly committed a crime so brutal.

This movie is good, but not deserving of the awards it was nominated for. I think it's a movie that you can watch to feel good, much like Shawshank Redemption, only that film has so much of a better message and leaves you with a better understanding of the point it was trying to make. That is what this film I feel desperately wanted, but I still think faltered at the end, despite most people loved it and I'm sure I'm one of the few who is confused about it's meaning.

See the Shawshank Redemption, and see this one too, but if you had twenty bucks burning a hole in your pocket to buy a movie, spend it on Shawshank. This film is good, but when compared to Shawshank it is beaten senseless. You'll laugh at this movie, so don't think it is a hard-core drama about death-row inmates. Some have said it's violence is high, but it depends on what you've seen to make that judgement. I'll just say that this film's violence is Mr. Roger's Neighborhood compared to films like "Saving Private Ryan" or "Terms of Endearment."

The extras on this disc are very disappointing--a preview, a 10-minute documentary and Cast and Crew information. Blows my hair back, too, but the information is nice to have. The film's anamorphic transfer of the 1.78:1 aspect ratio is crisp and clean, only proof that the world of DVD is getting better and better, yet the extras department of a lot of studios needs improvement.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Good Movie but thin Story line
Review: If you are expecting a similar kind of movie like "The Sawshank Redemption" from Darabont&King, then this would disappoint you. I haven't read the novel before watching the movie. This is definitely a touching movie based on "miracles" but there is no reason for those miracles. I was expecting much more reasonable ending to this film like the one before (Shawhank Redemption) but I am totally disappointed. Hanks and Duncan live in their roles. Picturisation and DVD quality are good.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: THE GREEN MILE
Review: TOM HANKS HAS ANOTHER MASTER PIECE... THANK YOU TOM

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great!
Review: This is a great movie. When i started watching it,i honestly thought i wouldn't make it all the way through because of its length. But,i didn't,i sat through the whole thing. This movie gives you a lot of mixed emotions. I laughed,i cried,and at some parts i was shocked. It's about a prison guard (Tom H.) who works in 'The Green Mile'...there is one prisoner who has powers..has a power to heal. In this movie it is very easy to get attached to the jailers by their personalities..Del with the mouse makes you smile at how happy Del is because he has a friend and John (or maybe it's Jon...),not really much to say about him exept he has the powers. But,there are evil people as well. Percy,a stubborn,niave,young,rich guard,tries to be the tough guy and be mean to the jailers but he gets a taste of his own medicine when a jailer pulls him close to the cell of his bars and tells him quite a few things that makes Percy pee himself,and later the other guards give him what he deserved for being brutal to Del and the others. This movie was sad,shocking,and very good. I would highly recommend this movie to people who enjoy Steven King's novel-based movies.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Powerful Movie!
Review: This movie is outstanding, and anyone who gives it less than 5 stars does not do it justice. Tom Hanks, never a disappointment, stars as Paul Edgecomb, a guard who is the main person involved with "The Green Mile," or death row. He brings compassion, integrity, and honesty to the role of a man who is in charge of the inmates sentenced to die. David Morse, an actor who I also happen to love, stars as his friend. The chemistry between these two actors is incredible, and I hope they will star in future movies together as well. Their relationship gives a depth to the entire movie. Barry Pepper, from Saving Private Ryan, is also wonderful, and he will continue to have a great acting career for many years. Duncan shines as John Coffey ("like the drink, only spelled differently"), and really gives the movie a full circle of competent and award-worthy performances. His passion and child-like innocence gives Coffey the true meaning of the word spirit. This is a wonderful movie that can be both sad and touching at the same time. This is the type of movie that once you see it, you will think differently about life and about human beings in general. This movie touches the heart, and does it in a way that few movies have ever done. I hope that everyone who watches this movie will feel as I do, and this is definitely something that everyone should make a point to see!


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