Rating: 
Summary: This was Filmed at My High School!
Review: This movie was filmed at my high school. We all clamored to see it and enjoyed watching it because there were several of our friends in some scenes. However, when I watched a second and then a third time, it lost all glitter and glamour for us, and we began to see it as just another bad movie. I recommend seeing it maybe one time, just to see it, but definitely not twice.
Rating: 
Summary: A quirky, but thoroughly enjoyable film
Review: This is truly a one-of-a-kind film, which shows a refreshingly unique view of adolescence. Now, granted, I also enjoyed "American Pie", and the other films along that line. However, "Rushmore" shows much greater depth and heart than those rather formulaic teen romps. Bill Murray is absolutely brilliant, wonderfully downplaying his trademark wry sense of humor. The Academy really messed up by not acknowledging him at Oscar time. Schwartzman is really a gifted young actor, and, if there is any justice, he will be around longer than any of the alleged hunky, flavor-of-the-month types that litter most films about adolescence. Olivia Williams is great, and, unlike Shannon Elizabeth, doesn't have to take off her clothes to be sexy. This film shows a unique mix of angst and humor, fluctuating between moments of sadness, and fall-on-the-floor laughter. Furthermore, the soundtrack is SUPERB. Only a movie this unique could support a unique combination of music ranging from The Who to Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo. Great movie. One-of-a-kind. No pie.
Rating: 
Summary: A Beautiful Film
Review: "Rushmore" is made by a filmmaker who knows and utilizes all the things that are right with movie-making. Aside from the terrific story, acting, and production, there's marvelous detail and certain nuances that we can see from the DVD's special features, are the result of a different style of filmmaking - a "school-play" atmosphere much like the tone Max Fischer sets with his own productions. This DVD treats the movie with the respect it deserves, and emphasizes the film's accomplishment without creating a "smugness" about it. If you liked this movie, you'll really enjoy this DVD edition.
Rating:
Summary: Criterion RULES!
Review: So much supplemental stuff...my brain is about to explode. The thing that sets the Criterion collection apart are the extras. Well, this DVD is no exception. Not only is Rushmore an incredibly funny, poignant movie, but Criterion makes it somehow more enjoyable with all these glimpses into Max Fischer's world. If you're on this page you probably love Rushmore anyway. So buy the DVD kids. It's worth it. cheers
Rating:
Summary: The Best Film of Its Year
Review: First a warning: this is one of those films that will either strike you as brilliant or boring, and there is not really an in between. For me it was the former, but I can easily see how someone could never get the hang of a film like this. In other words, rent it first. That said, there were two major reasons I loved this film. The first is its originality: not so much the story (which when boiled down to its basics, we've seen many times before), but rather the way it's told. I've never seen anything else with quite the same style before. It's a bit hard to describe. A simple, one word discription could be "quirky", but that doesn't do it justice. Negative reviews frequently include the words "mean spirited", which I sort of agree with, but in a good way(but not a shock value/outrageousness good way). If you understand what I'm talking about then you will probably like this film. The second reason I love this film is a bit more personal. I see many parallels between myself and Max, both in his personality and the events in his life. I can easily relate to this film much more than a film like Saving Private Ryan which most people find superior. (This is not to say I didn't love Saving Private Ryan, too). For these reasons, along with top notch everything else, I feel that Rushmore is the best film of its year (of copyright-1998). Now if you have already seen the film and are planning on purchasing the dvd, you have two choices. This version, the Criterion edition, is without a doubt the one to buy. The packaging and menu design are worth the extra ten bucks alone. Then you have the extra features, which are excellent even by Criterion's high standards. I'm not going to relist them all, but I will say that the highlights are the commentary (three separate commentaries edited together) and the Charlie Rose interviews (made up of two seperate interviews totaling about an hour). As I said early, watch the film first, and if you like it, this is definitely a disc to buy. One last thing: this film has probably the best film soundtrack made up of songs that I have ever heard. It's made up of great British invasion songs (all of which fit perfectly into the movie). The best thing about it is that they're not the same old songs found on every other compilation, but they're just as good or in some cases better than the standards. So while your at it, pick up the soundtrack as well.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful little gem of a movie! Not to be MISSED!
Review: I initially purchased the VHS version of this movie. I watched it and simply fell in love with the characters, the dialogue, the art direction, the acting, the cinematography and the music in RUSHMORE. This is a truly a small gem of a movie. I have now gone out and purchased the Criterion Collection DVD, and it is by far my favorite movie within my collection (and I have a lot of truly great movies). But this one just stands out perhaps because of its sheer simplicity, quirkiness, subtleness, and panache: besides just having a nearly perfect anamorphic transfer, amazing 5.1 surround soundtrack, and too many extras to mention. If you do buy this movie, buy the Criterion DVD release. You will kick yourself later if you don't... Having said all of the above, I will also say that this movie isn't for everybody. If you don't like movies that are a bit out of the norm you may not like this one. For the rest of you, go out and see this one and I am sure you will truly enjoy it!
Rating:
Summary: The Best DVD In My Collection
Review: Rushmore became a cult classic the day it was released, and the Criterion Collection release is an absolute dream come true for fans of this film. Since enough praise has already been posted about the film, I'll focus on the extra DVD features. The best of course is the commentary by Anderson, Wilson, and Schwartzman. Not the best I've ever heard (that award goes to Paul Thomas Anderson on Boogie Nights), but Wilson adds wonderful comments about how so many of the best lines in the film come from his childhood. That aside, there are wonderful cast interviews, audition tapes (!), still photos, storyboard comparisons to the film, and storyboard layouts for a few key scenes. Basically everything you could want and more. The most charming is the Max Fischer Players performances from the 1999 MTV Movie Awards. Wonderful! Also included is a small map by Eric Chase Anderson of the highlights of the movie. The only complaint I have is that the trailer seems a bit grainy and muffled. The standand release on dvd seems to have a better quality trailer. Otherwise, this is proof of how wonderful a dvd can be, and what makes the future of dvd bright. A great movie packaged with care. This is a must for any serious collection.
Rating:
Summary: Vet Murray and Newcomer Schwartzman. Perfect team!
Review: "Rushmore" is a new and exciting kind of comedy. It's a quirky film about teens, but all is not about hormones. Well, a little is but the film does it in a very cleaver way. Most teen films are awful glamour pictures about beautiful young people and falling in love. Isn't that cute? This film on the other hand is about breaking out and trying to make something of yourself. The character of Max Fisher gives you faith in teens today. The movie is about a young man named Max Fisher (Jason Schwartzman) that is in love with his private school Rushmore. For most people out in the academy, it's just another part of being rich, but for innovative Max it's a dream job. He focuses all of his time on extra circulars and pet projects like plays (which are often violent but very poignant). This kid wrote a one-act play on Watergate before turning 7! But these activities land him in deep trouble as he begins slipping grade wise. Still everything is great as Max not only finds a friend in a wise but sly steel tycoon (Bill "The Genius" Murray) and falls in love with a charming 1st grade teacher (Olivia Williams). The friendship with Herman is a good one, but Rosemary is not as impressed with the ideal of romance with a 15-year-old. One of the keys to impressing her is getting Latin not only reinstated, but required! It's the mind in action, and it's a sight to behold. The fun doesn't last forever as soon Miss Cross realizes the young man is falling in love with her. If it takes his mind and Herman's money to get her, Fisher it up to it. A new twist on the "teen" movie is the smart and calculated hero that isn't perfect. Max is not the richest kid by any means and is not easily liked. He manages to be appreciated for his talents and not his good looks or something artificial. Also fascinating is the fact that Max has a good relationship with his hapless father. Max shockingly doesn't really trick his father but just uses him in the lot in the film. He doesn't view him as a threat at all while other teen movies have parents that are cunning and to ready to punish their kids. Here it is dad that treats his child extremely well, but won't dare try to restrict him. Maybe this is wise, as we see Max fall in his face but indeed learn from his mistakes. Anyway, I just thought it was worth noting the stellar performance of Seymour Class, that is all. I don't want to give too much of this superior script away but at some point Herman and Max do become enemies and then friend's again. It's speculator the chemistry the two have as a comic team. They are just too ingenious for words, yet it is this cleaver dialogue that brings them to life. This film is superb in comic timing not to mention some emotional moments. It's a light-hearted but very smart movie with a few really big twists and turns that no one suspects. For many reasons, it's an excellent film, from introducing Jason Schwartzman as a geeky but cutting edge kid to being a great welcome back to Bill Murphy. While Murray is always a comic master, it had been while since he had done anything so this is a great way to introduce him into a new generation. His performance as a gloomy millionaire trying to figure out life while having to put up with a cheating wife and two obnoxious twins that he really doesn't relate to is more than Oscar worthy. If this is the last film he stars in (or last notable one), it will be a great way to seal his career. But please do more, Mr. Murray. You're the best.
Rating: 
Summary: Not great!
Review: Before I watched this movie I checked out the reviews for it.I thought it looked pretty good, but I was very disapointed. I almost turned it off a couple of times but I did watch it all the way through. I didn't think it was funny at all, I thought Max was obnoxious. In fact the whole movie didn't ring true. My husband also disliked this film and so did my teenage daughter. What a waste of time!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Fantabulous
Review: Scheming, manipulative geeks can be quite interesting, you know? The first half of Rushmore rocks hard with flawless performances by Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray. The film fizzles a bit at the end, but all is forgiven when we feel inclined to nod our heads in agreement, "Yes, I GET IT!".
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