High Fidelity

Rating:
Summary: High Fidelity
Review: This film is definately worth a watch, not only is it incredibly witty, not only does it have a great sound track that rocks, not only does it have a great cast of not-so-well known actors doing a first class job, but you know exactly what this guy feels like, you've been there and done that, and at the end you know what you've got is the best you're going to get because the dream of lingerie scattered across your bedroom floor, boys, is just a fantasy. The cotton knickers that have been through the wash sixteen hundred times is reality and what matters!!! Confused? Watch High Fidelity.

Rating:
Summary: For some Reason I love this movie
Review: I don't know why, but this is just a great movie. Perhaps it is the fresh way they tell the story, with Rob doing narrative and top 5 or top 10 lists. Perhaps it is Cusack's great acting (talk about an underrated actor). Perhaps it is the story line we can all identify with. Who amongst us has never thought "why did s/he reject me? What is wrong with me?" (Although of course most of us wouldn't go back to try to ask those people why they rejected us, but that is the fun now, isn't it?) Perhaps it is the funny story which was incredibly well cast? Perhaps it was Jack Black, who absolutely stole every scene he was in.

But, I think it really comes down to I liked it because sometimes I can emphasize with the the Cusack character. Looking at the world, perpetually on the outside, afraid to commit to any one or any thing. And, as a result, he comes off as a lost, pathetic person through out the entire movie.

But, at the end, he committs and becomes a lot more aggressive in pursuit of his dream, which makes this a good life lesson.

A couple of other notes:
- Tim Robbins has a bit part that is really funny. (And the scene with Cusack in bed imagining his ex having sex with Robbins is hilarious).
- Cusack really comes off as a selfish person during this whole movie. This will either humor you or disgust you.
- Zeta Jones probably didn't have to stretch much for her role.
- Overall, every role is superbly, perfectly cast.
- The DVD has deleted scenes and trailers

Rating:
Summary: A movie that exposes the immaturity of men
Review: I watched this video last night after hearing a lot of good things about it. First off, I want to say I really enjoyed the film.

It's about a guy named Rob (John Cussack) whose long-time relationship with Laura (Iben Hjejle) has just come to an end. This causes Rob to reflect on why his past relationships have ended the way they did. It also makes him realize how much he wants her back in his life. Most of the story takes place around a record store Rob owns called Championship Vinyl (set in Chicago). Rob has 2 employees -- Barry and Dick (who in the words of the director "Make Rob look sane"). According to Laura, Rob doesn't embrace the changes that are going on in the people around him, and that's when it hits him. That in order to move on, he has to figure out why he wants her back.

I titled this review as "A movie that exposes the immaturity of men" not because I think it's a bad thing. In fact, quite the opposite. I liked this movie for all its honesty and humor. There is a scene in the later part of the movie where Rob talks to the camera (a technique employed throughout the film that shares Rob's thoughts with the audience). In this scene he reflects on his inability to commit to Laura. "I've always had a foot out the door. It made sense not to commit. Keep my options open." He pauses and continues "That's just suicide." Another poignant scene comes close to the ending when Rob asks Laura "Would you consider marrying me?" He then talks about how all his infidelity was just chasing after a fantasy. A fantasy he knows he'll never have, but doesn't necessarily want.

Perhaps I've said more than I should about this film for those among the readers that haven't watched this film. But I believe when you get a chance to watch Rob's epiphany through the course of the film, you will further appreciate what a good film this is.

It's one of those art-imitates-life stories. I was once in a long term relationship, but I feared commitment. I couldn't rationalize it, yet the fear was there. And so I watch movie after movie and read book after book searching for a clear articulation of reasoning behind these fears. This film achieves that purpose for me; as I'm sure it will achieve some purpose for other viewers.

A few interesting facts about this film:
* based on a British novel by the same title written by Nick Hornby
* the screenplay was co-written by Cusack and 2 of his friends a year before they approached Frears for the directing role
* the setting in the book was London, whereas the movie takes place in Chicago
* the original theme of the book was meant to be about the British way of life (as far as relationship goes), but Cusack and his friends have proved the universality of the underlying themes of love and relationships by writing the screenplay
* Jack Black was the only person the Cast considered to play the part of Barry (in the words of the director, "He's brilliant!")

* the DVD has 9 deleted scenes, 5 short interviews (2 minutes each) with John Cusack, and another 5 with the director

This DVD is worth owning.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Pop-Culture Flick..
Review: Forget all the naysayers and just sick back and enjoy the ride!
Being a longtime John Cusack fan, I admit to being more than a bit biased, but I LOVED this movie. I thought the screenplay was sharp and witty, I enjoyed Jack Black's portayal of a SERIOUS music snob, and the inclusion of an unbilled Catherine Zeta-Jones as Charlie is a stroke of brillaince!
Since I'm a pop culture fanatic and even more obsessed with music, I thought the "top 5" lists were really cool (I guess because I do the same thing myself).
Just for the fun of it, here are my top 5 "first songs, first side" (to see if me and the record shop guys agree)
1.) "Time's Up" (title track)-Living Colour-1990
2.) "I'd Have You Anytime"-(All Things Must Pass)-George Harrison-1970
3.) "Searchin'"-(Thought Ya'Knew)-CeCe Peniston-1994
4.) "Bring It On"-(SEAL)-Seal-1994
5.) "Too High"(Innervisions)-Stevie Wonder-1973

See? Wasn't that fun? Well, if you enjoyed my little excercise, then you'll love "High Fidelity". While it's not a life-altering movie, it is solid entertainment, especially for those of us who are wounded casualties of the dating scene. A winner. Don't miss it!

Rating:
Summary: Absolute Tripe
Review: I've never been able to concisely describe why I hate television shows and movies where the actors speak directly to the camera. Well, this movie helped me make sense of my problems with the first person, interruptive narrative. From the first scene, Cusack is talking right to the camera, without even building a rapport with the viewer. There's no premise or context for his conversation. It's rather startling, in fact.

There are a few bright spots in the movie, mostly humourous results of Rob meeting his ex-girlfriends and learning how different his relationships could have been, and how his lot is actually a little better than he realizes.

The scene where he busts some shoplifters is a crackup.

The dating aspect of the movie is kind of cute, but doesn't go off well because it's told from a male perspective. Men aren't interested in this kind of movie, so who is it that Cusack is talking to?

The movie's cast features many stars. Lisa Bonet came out of hiding to make it onto the screen, and Catherine Zeta-Jones has a small part. Even Bruce Springsteen has an extended cameo. But Cusack's marginal acting and whitebread narrative just sinks it. "High Fidelity" has no meaning and no message, and isn't entertaining.

The movie was well produced; the photography was well done, though the conversation scenes are marred with terrible, spastic editing that makes modern movies miserable. The audio is mediocre, especially for a movie that has music so strongly involved in its theme.

Rating:
Summary: Pointless stupid movie
Review: This is easily the worst movie in recent years, aside from the dreadful 'Memento'. Let's get one thing straight here - John Cusack is not funny, and never has been. Over 2 hours of pointless story telling here. It's no wonder Cusack funded the film himself - everbody else could see what a silly storyline it was. The DVD contains deleted scenes. However, all of the movie should be deleted. Life is too short for poor quality films like this. Avoid at all costs.

Rating:
Summary: I thanked God when I watched this movie
Review: for making some Japanese electronics manufacturer invent the Fast Forward button. Although I haven't read the book, I am sure that the book is better than the movie since you can't get any worse than a movie about a guy whining for two hours about his failed relationships. After 10 minutes of watching this "movie about nothing" (and as opposed to Seinfeld, it's also worth nothing) I was hoping that the next 10 minutes would get better. When it didn't I gave it another chance. After about 30 minutes my finger hit the magic button and fast forwarded the movie all the way to the end just to see that nothing really happens and about 90% of the time even in fast forward mode I could still recognize John Cusack talking to the camera and whining about his life.

Thank you again JVC (or whoever you are) for inventing the fast forward button.

Rating:
Summary: not bad
Review: i like the style of this movie. the monlogues, that painful look that john cusack always has on his face. i'm not a big cusack fan, but this i loved the way he portrayed his character. good music, good acting. i've seen better movies but you definetly can't pass this one up. it would be like dying without ever have tasting chocolate.

Rating:
Summary: the guy we hoped lloyd dobler wouldn't become...
Review: if you don't know lloyd dobler, then go watch "say anything"... that said, "high fidelity" is a great movie. john cusack plays rob, a guy obsessed with music and top five lists, not to mention figuring out why women keep breaking his heart. the movie is essentially a journey down his top five list of his all-time worst break-ups, which includes his just-barely ex-girlfriend, laura. the movie is funny and touching, and includes jack black, which means an automatic busted gut. the supporting cast is fantastic and includes "say anything" co-stars lily taylor and joan cusack, as well as catherine zeta-jones and lisa bonet (remember her from the cosby show?). if i could give this movie, 4.5 stars, i would. if you want the 5-star version of this story, read nick hornby's book. if you read it in a public place, prepare to humiliate yourself by laughing out loud. a lot. of course, you may be so absorbed that you don't notice all the people pointing and laughing.

Rating:
Summary: Great music and funny movie? Excellent!
Review: This movie is one of my all-time top five favorites. It has an awesome soundtrack, drawing on tunes from the Beta Band, Stevie Wonder, the Kinks, and Bob Dylan. It could not have been cast better: John Cusack and Jack Black were made for their roles and newcomer Iben Hjejle is perfect. An absolute must-buy.