Rating: Summary: You've got mail "In Seattle?" Review: Leave it up to Nora Ephron to leave us hanging, again, crying for more. Like "Sleepless In Seattle," this movie, too, begs for a sequel. And, although many have said that "You've Got Mail" was supposedly the sequel to "Seattle," the two films really have little in common. I found the movie to be a little slow in the beginning, but by mid-stream, I was fully involved. Hanks and Ryan give they're usual state-of-the-art performances. In fact, these days, it would seem they both could give lessons to their peers on the fine art of chosing great scripts. Is this a great love story? Sure, but don't expect any sparks to fly until half-way throught the movie - that's when Hanks discovers that Ryan's character is his computer pen pal. It's not till the very end of the movie (literally) that Ryan discovers the same about Hanks. Like "Seattle," I would have appreciated it if Ephron would have given us just a few minutes extra at the end of the film to give us a small climps into what the future might hold for the two characters. Even a "Why didn't you tell me who you were sooner?" from Ryan's character at the end would have been nice. But, hey, that's what keeps us coming back for more. Right? Another great "date movie" from the master. Thanks, Nora.
Rating: Summary: I feel so good! Review: Best thing since sleepless, enchanting, and these actors really click! Funny, sad, ironic, they are today's version of Hepburn and Tracy.
Rating: Summary: A good film Review: I thought that this was a very good romance and comedy. I didnt like it
Rating: Summary: Caviar Garnish Review: This is the second remake of "The Shop Around the Corner". The first was Technicolor musical called "In the Good Old Summertime" which starred Judy Garland. References to Miss Garland's most famous film "The Wizard of Oz" abound in "You've Got Mail" (Meg Ryan hanging ruby slippers on a Christmas tree and reading the book "The Scarecrow of Oz" while ill, the song "Over the Rainbow" being sampled throughout and sung in its entirety at the end, etc.) In addition to reminding me of the two previous versions, I was also reminded of "Pillow Talk". In "Pillow Talk", Doris Day and Rock Hudson, who hate each other, fall in love over a party line without either realizing who the other is. Here, it's Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks falling in love over the Internet. The plot is lightweight and predictable, but the performances more than make up for that. Dabney Coleman, Jean Stapleton, Greg Kinnear, and indie-queen Parker Posey are all brilliant, and although neither of the leading rolls are much of a stretch for Hanks or Ryan, they are at least likeable and have more than enough star power to make this picture work. The script is light and funny, and this film is sure to please if you don't ask it to be more than it is.
Rating: Summary: My Favorite Movie!! Review: There isn't much more I can say beside the title to this review, I ran across it on TV and fell head over heels for it, it's so modern day, a must see! I also reccomend the soundtrack if you like the movie!!
Rating: Summary: Bouquets of sharpened pencils, indeed Review: Here's the main and completely irrelevant reason to love this movie: New York City in the fall. Honestly, it should have no bearing whatsoever on the plot, but it does -- and it's impossible not to fall in love with the bright, sunshiny, orange-leaved sheer beauty of the city encapsulated in this movie. Without even resorting to shots of Central Park in all its glory (and really, who can resist that?), "You've Got Mail" takes you on a lovely scenic tour of the Upper West Side, Starbucks and all. Who can resist the street fairs, the parks, the stores, the dock? It's picture-perfect, and if it's a bit surreal, I won't admit it: New York really is rather lovely in the fall. Aside from making me want to run away to the Big Apple and work in the children's section at Fox Books, "You've Got Mail" also features Meg Ryan at her most adorable ("Aren't daisies just the friendliest flower?"), Tom Hanks at his most charming, and a terrific supporting cast (Greg Kinnear and those typewriters!). The story, a modernized little "remake" of "The Shop Around The Corner", is more fairy tale than realism -- two people fall in love over email, in war in real life, and however can such a thing be solved -- but it's an enchanting story nonetheless. In a time when romance on the web seems all-too-seedy and in reality, sometimes frankly dangerous, this little tale of two people sharing their most intimate thoughts long before they share a single glance is like a breath of fresh air. Sure, the technology's a little faded, but the magic's still there.
Rating: Summary: I know, I know... Review: I know what you're thinking. Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Greg Kinnear. You think you're too good for this movie, don't you? It's the sappiest, dumpiest little half-a-flick ever reared by Nora Ephron. Romantic comedies suck. Do I paint a correct picture, or do I exagerate? Well I think you're just cinematically jaded. Yeah, that's right! I said it! A lifetime of Vietnam movies and tragic love stories has left you too cynical to enjoy a simple romance between two adults. Teenagers getting into car crashes, mothers being diagnosed with breast cancer, murderers who you like despite the fact that they're pure evil. These are the cinematic icons that appeal to you, yes? Well what about hard-edged bookstore manager and idealistic bookshop owner? What about oddly-principled boyfriend who owns two identical typewriters? What about...uh...Jean Stapleton? She was funny, right? Look, the point is it doesn't suck and don't judge it just because it's a Hanks/Ryan romantic comedy on par with "Sleepless In Seattle" (Which was a good one too, by the way). Although, I still prefer the original "Shop Around the Corner" with Jimmy "Not Bow-Legged" Stewart.
Rating: Summary: 3rd Time is a Charm Review: Sometimes Hollywood does something right in returning to the old fashion love story with layers of reference & meaning. Invite your special other, get the popcorn, & watch this well made chic flick. This is Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan's third romantic comedy together. The first was "Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)" which was made before the duo were 'Mega Stars' creating a mystical if not mythical movie about losing the American Dream with its dead end jobs & forced neurosis. Many people didn't understand that this movie was created as a farce, therefore it was not a box office hit. Then came "Sleepless in Seattle (1993)" with the ingenious writing & directing of Nora Ephron about a man who loses his loving wife to cancer promising he will never fall in love again while taking care of their only son, moving away from everything that reminds him of his lost. Until one night his son calls a talk radio station asking the radio host Dr Marcia Fieldstone to help his father get over his sleepless nights & find a new wife...this starts the whole story moving with references to an old Cary Grant movie "An Affair to Remember (1957)" creating layers of clever dialog & acting. This process of style is repeated with greater perfection on "You're Got Mail". At first "Sleepless in Seattle" seems to be the better movie, because of its focused play out of "An Affair to Remember", but if you watch "You're Got Mail" several times, you will start to understand its more subtle & multi references, that it becomes a deeper film. This time around the references are to the movies "The Godfather (1970)" & "Shop Around the Corner (1940)" intermixed with the newer upper social scene in New York City's 'West Side' (another reference to 'West Side Story'?). Tom Hanks plays Joe Fox (F-O-X) a multi millionaire businessman who views the movie "The Godfather" as the 'I Ching' (a Chinese divination book of wisdom) as the business bible, overtaking his competition without being 'Personal'. He is in a dead end relationship with the cruel, hurried, & self-focused book publisher Patricia Eden acted by Parker Posey. Meanwhile Meg Ryan plays Kathleen Kelly, a cute no-nonsense blonde who inherited her mother's children bookstore 'A Shop Around the Corner'. She is also in a dead end relationship with the Heideggerian (a 20th century German Philosopher against technology) social commentator & typewriter lover Frank Navasky acted by Greg Kinnear. Now for the plot... Both Joe Fox & Kathleen Kelly, one night on a fluke, met in an Internet chat room 'Over 30' & become modern pen pals via the computer. Little do they realize that they live in the same neighborhood, sometimes walking by each other in the busy streets of New York City. Both are doing well in their business, but Joe Fox's fast growing large modern discount bookstore with cappuccino maker is building a new branch a few blocks away from Kathleen Kelly's small old fashion children's specialty bookstore. Joe Fox meets Kathleen Kelly in real life at her store when taking care of his younger stepbrother & his younger aged aunt. Joe Fox's stepbrother has just learned to spell his last name F-O-X, & Joe tries to hide the fact from Kathleen. Later they both meet at a book publishing party & Kathleen discovers 'just call me Joe' is really Joe Fox (F-O-X). Lines are drawn & later war is declared as Kathleen's business fails. The developing plot & dialog become very humorous especially when Joe discovers his true love from the Internet is really Kathleen when they play out the movie "A Shop Around the Corner". All ends well when Kathleen puts it all together at the last touching scene. There is more to this movie that makes it a repeatable watcher. If you become tried of it, put it away for a few months & return for added enjoyment. From a statement from "Sleepless in Seattle": 'One of my wife's favorite.'
Rating: Summary: 'You've Got Mail' delivers perfectly, but arrives late. Review: The romantic comedy from the makers of 'Sleepless in Seattle' is a fun and oft-times hillarious movie. It is just unfortunate that the worst parts of "You've Got Mail" have been inherited from the Ephrons' previous collaboration, namely pacing. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan have got to be one of Hollywood's most believable on-screen couples, which seems to boost the film and the marvellous script to a higher level. From supporting characters to memorable lines, "Mail" appears to have it all, including the right to claim itself as the romantic comedy of the year, a title held by such films as "As Good As it Gets" and "While You Were Sleeping." The plot twists were marvelous and the story was intelligent. But someone needs to tell Nora and Delia Ephron that slow pacing is not suspenseful and frustrating antics are not a part of normal life, which makes movie-going so much fun. In the end, "You've Got Mail" knows exactly how to please the audience, but just can't get it out quick enough.
Rating: Summary: Old Fashioned Romance Blossoms Despite All Odds ... Review: Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly exchange emails ... sharing intimate secret thoughts on the internet which they can not express to their live-in roommates/partners. Coincidence builds upon coincidence as they meet in real life at various functions around town and at Kathleen's children's bookstore, *not* realizing who the other is. Like Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart ... like Katherine Hepburn and Carey Grant ... Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan sizzle on the screen. Sparks fly as they exchange pointed remarks ... especially after Kathleen discovers that Joe Fox plans to open a chain bookstore and put her small neighborhood children's bookstore out of business ... all without remorse. He sums it all up with the statement, "it's not personal it's business".
Initially, Kathleen does what she can to fight the chain bookstore from closing her family-owned bookstore down ... but she can not forestall the inevitable. Meanwhile, she is sharing her thoughts about Joe Fox and the loss of her store with her email boyfriend. By this time, Joe Fox had discovered that Kathleen was his 'secret' email friend ... He is in a dilemma - how to win her heart despite having shut down her family bookstore.
Alhtough the plot is predicatable as with most enjoyable comedy/romances ... the viewer would not have it any other way. Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks provide combustible energy, emotions and authenticity to make this modern love story work. These two highly talented actors are a dynamic duo who should be paired together more often. Together they create a recipe for success that is rare in modern films. They emulate the comedy-romances of the past within the modern context of life ... creating a joyful experience for the audience. Erika Borsos (erikab93)
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