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Say Anything...

Say Anything...

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best date movie ever made!
Review: This DVD has everything you would want if you love this movie. Say Anything is one of the most funny, witty, and thought provoking love stories ever created. The movie itself is worth five stars. You give a tone of deleted, extended, and alternate scenes which are a lot of fun. The commentary track is one of the best I've heard. Cameron Crowe, John Cusack, and Ione Skye team up to share their memories of making this film. Crowe shares his beaming pride with this movie, and who can blame him? Cusack and Skye add the actor insights that really entertain. Note - the flirtation between Skye and Cusack in the commentary was laden with sexual tension. Mostly on Skye's part, there is/was an obvious attraction between them that has lasted for many years. That only adds to the fun. This DVD has it all, and the extras are actually worth watching! A lot of DVD's fall short in that area. Buy it!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: DVDobler, the warrior for optimism
Review: This review will only talk about the features included on this DVD edition.

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"Say Anything..." is one of my favourite films, and this new DVD, put lovingly together by the passionate Cameron Crowe, more than does the film justice.

John Cusack (Lloyd Dobler), Ione Skye (Diane Court) and Camerone Crowe's (writer/director) commentary track acts as part reunion, part love fest, and part thoughtful discussion on a film they're all obviously proud to have been a part of. Crowe, as writer/directors are wont to do, takes the lead. The track begins with twenty minutes of reminiscences, before the movie even begins. When it finally does begin (I say finally, but really what preceded this was most welcome), Crowe effectively introduces scenes, relays their overall importance and their genesis, while always sharing the credit. At times I wondered why Cusack didn't get a screenplay credit, for all the times Crowe mentioned a line, or even just a word, that John came up with to help crystallize the character. Crowe's other strength is in allowing his co-commentators opportunities to shine, to give their side of the story. He draws on his experience as an ex-rock critic here, to great effect.

Cusack, to his credit, is open and honest about his misgivings about doing the movie. He didn't want to do another teen movie. But in hearing him tell about how his relationship with Crowe and the script deepened, he couldn't possibly turn the film down. Lloyd, a character women love and men want to be, was built out of an intense collaboration between these two men. They agreed on many thematic notions, such as the whole "optimism as a revolutionary act" worldview, spitballed new ideas, and allowed a nice middle ground between Lloyd's lighter and darker elements to prevail. Cusack is intelligent and intense here, without ever being pedantic.

Ione Skye, who often times gets criticized for her work in the movie (which makes a story she tells, about getting booed by a crowd of Down's patients in the nursing home the film was shot at, all the more poignant), is an easygoing revelation. She is unabashed in her love for the movie, her love for the script, her admiration of Crowe, and her schoolgirl crush on Cusack (which he reciprocates). It is this last point that makes me wonder if she deserves the criticism after all. The chemistry between these two is palpable, even to the actors on set. On more than one occasion Skye notes that the scene falls away, and she really believes that she is Diane and Cusack is Lloyd, and that they are in love. Cusack agrees, and that's more than enough proof for me to redeem Skye's work here.

Besides the commentary track, Crowe, a newly discovered DVD aficionado, revels in the medium's ability to present alternate, deleted, and extended scenes. He is generous with all three, warts and all.

The alternate scenes (11 minutes worth) for the most par, present versions that are obviously substandard to those perfect gems that appear in the movie proper. The phone booth scene and the post nose-breaking scene were all re-thought, re-shot, and done much better. Most tellingly, there are 5 versions of the boombox scene. In the two takes in Diane's bedroom, we hear an angry Elvis Costello song. In the three with Lloyd down below, it's a bouncy Fishbone number. This further illustrates Crowe's luck in finding Peter Gabriel's achingly perfect "In Your Eyes". In the Lloyd takes, Cusack experiments with standing and sitting positions, to try and gain the best tone for the scene. Mostly, he comes across as much angrier and more hurt than in the real scene.

The deleted scenes (13 minutes worth) are mainly short snippets, showing us information already covered better elsewhere. They're mostly clumsy and superfluous. Exceptions include a creepy scene where Diane must fend off the advances of one of her teachers at the party, Jim Court testifying before city council about the need for more personal nursing care like he provides, and several scenes of Detective Sims interacting with the old people at the nursing home that want to be heavy but come across rather comic, due to the amateurness of the actors involved.

The extended scenes (24 minutes worth) are uncomfortable to watch. They have no music, and periodically jump back and forth between black and white and colour. They mainly exist to show Crowe's prudence in editing.

Also included on this DVD are Crowe's on set photo gallery, some TV spots and trailers, and a quick featurette from 1989. This last bit is distinguished by Crowe's quick summation of Cusack's character: "Lloyd is a warrior for optimism". It's a perfect summation, for both the character and the movie.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Say Anything you want...
Review: ...you can't deny the fact that "Say Anything..." is a truly exceptional film. Now, I know that stereotypical macho guys wouldn't want to watch any romantic movie at all (I don't count as a "macho guy" because I love James Taylor, I hate sports and my favorite movie is "Forrest Gump"; take what you want from that)(For you sportsfans, the protaganist is an avid kickboxer). However, this movie is much more likable then the standard romantic fare for many reasons.

The best and most poignant thing about this movie is that it rings true. Cameron Crowe has fashioned a script that is full of memorable lines ranging from the funny ("If you guys know so much about women, why are you sitting at, like, a gas'n'sip at 4 A.M. with no women anywhere?" "By choice, man.") to the poignant ("Are you here because you need someone, or because you need me?...Forget it, I don't care") to the truly unforgettable. ("I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen.")

However, at the center of the film is the amazing, unflappable, John Cusack. His Lloyd Dobbler is one of the most identifiable characters in contemporary cinema. He's at his best in his many stuttering, tragic monologues, his flow of consciousness tape recordings detailing his heartache, and especially in his "eighth and final call" to Diane: "Maybe I don't know you, maybe you were a mirage, maybe the world exploded in a supernova of food and sex and in that case it's not your fault". What does that mean? Nothing. And yet everything.

Finally: the supporting characters. There's nothing wrong with Ione Skye and John Mahoney; but they get all the press. We're talking Lili Taylor. "Joe lies, Joe lies when he cries": the passion Corey exudes over Joe, and the anguish she goes through, knowing he's so much beneath him, yet she reluctantly loves him anyway. We're talking Joan Cusack. Constance definitely needed more screen time; she was a fun character to watch, as all of Joan's characters are. In fact, all of the people who had any line at all, up to and including the guy who passes through and say's "Lloyd Dobler, all right!" to Diane at the party, are all perfect, just a testament to Crowe's directing abilities.

If none of that does it for you ask yourself this: what could possibly be cuter than: a five-year-old punching a punching bag while being held in the airby his 19-year-old uncle (i.e. Lloyd), who asks "What do we want?"; his response: "Pain!" I put it to you, and e-mail me if you get something better.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: There's nothing more to say
Review: I've got 1000 chance to write "Perfect"
This movie is, in almost every sense. Cameron Crowe captures that earnestness we all felt in our first love. How the highs were sub-orbital and the lows had a physical presence that hung from our shoulders like chains. See this movie to remember how a young man gets a girl back before it was considered stalking. This movie will be dated soon because of the indefatiguable belief in true love it's leading man possesses.
Sadly, those of us who remember the elation and the poison of Cupids arrow will find ourselves in a diminishing audience of romantics. This movie is romance, it is heartbreak, and it is what we all wanted to happen with our first love.
Supporting cast, editing, writing, it's all there. I dare you to find fault with the simple honest storytelling that is more a trip down memory lane than a trip to the DVD machine.
Sorry for being sappy, but this film requires a respect for love in it's simplest most honest stages. Check it out, you will agree

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Just Perfect
Review: This one immediately skyrocketed to being one of my favourite movies with its funny screenplay, engaging characters, and complete honesty about its subject. It's like an accessibly fantasy, the type of thing we'd all love to happen to us: it's suitably unlikely, but seems really possible when you see this film.
All the supporting characters are great, from Diane's misguided but loving Dad to all the various teenagers screaming at one another at the party. Lloyd Dobbler's friends are perfect, especially Lili Taylor as the talented Cory, obsessed with her cheating boyfrient to the point where she's written 63 songs about him. She is the perfect confidente, giving out good advice and loony theories in the same breath. Another standout in a small part is Joan Cusack, who's always great in anything, but brings a lot of depth to the character of Lloyd's single mom sister. Her chemisty with her brother is unforced; affectionate but not sappy. All the tiny parts are equally good, from the lady who works in the luggage store, to the two lawyers making deals with each other.
But all this wouldn't work if the two leads weren't good too. They are though, giving convincing and heartfelt performances as two nice, charming people, who are perfect for each other despite their many differences. I love the awkward hug after their first date, and I love the scene where Lloyd teaches Diane to drive.
It's just a great movie all round.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Loyd Dobbler, the sweetest guy!
Review: This movie gives you hope in true love and believing that in your heart of hearts there is someone out there made for you. John Cusack is wonderful as Loyd Dobbler and Ione Skye is radiant as Diane Court. This is a beautiful story of a cute guy who is being raised by his sister and wants to be a kick boxer, Loyd,who falls in love with a smart, sophisticated girl Diane. Her father tells her that she can tell him anything, but seems like he doesnt like what he hears when it come to Loyd. Diane's father thinks that her future is more important than Loyd, but Diane believes her future is with him. This is a beautiful story and Cameron Crowe does an exceptional job. I love this movie, its one of my favorites.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: a awesome story
Review: I have Had the movie "Say Anything" for years. It pretty much is my number one favorite movie. I recently saw this movie again on DVD to see what interesting tidbits of information I could find out. I don't know what it is about this movie, but it just seems so true with its dialougue, and acting, and emotions. I can see it happening to real people, and actually have. One example of something I found to be true was John Cusacks quote when asked what he wanted to do for the rest of his life, "I don't know, but I know that I don't know." He says, "How many people really know what they want?" I like how at the party the scene is true because the actors are yelling. Sometimes you see movies where people are talking quietly at a party, but you know in real life that can't possibly happen. You know in real life that you have to yell in order to compete with the loud music. Just another example of trueness. I like the DVD because you can of course watch it with, or with out the commentary by Cameron, Ione and John. Also you get the deleted scenes, extended scenes, and alternate scenes. You can learn all the ways it was supposed to go, and what is the meaning behind some of the key ideas. For instance I never knew about that guy Mike Cameron's hair fluke. You can see what color it is in the film, but only if you have the cut out scenes, you can find humor in the idea they were orginally trying to convey.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: unexpectedly disappointing
Review: i thought this movie was going to be great, it's an older flick with John Cusack that i never saw.....until NOW, and that's only because all i've been reading are great reviews...and personally the movie wasn't great at all....in fact...was quite disappointing...with a serious lack of humor and extremely cheesy acting and i was quite surprised at how BORING this movie actually was...and honestly, the flick doesn't even deserve a single star, and the only reason why i gave it 2 stars was because of the mere fact that John Cusack shines amongst my "MOST FAVORITE ACTOR" list.....bottom line, this movie is BAD and it lacks.....lacks....well uhmmm EVERYTHING!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not as good as we expected
Review: With the 5 star rating from Amazon.com, we bought the DVD. With John Cusack we thought it would have been a gem. We did the see a good chemistry developed between him and his girl. We would have modified the ending, as neither the girl or father seemed to have learned from their experience.

Just expected more.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Charming Cusack
Review: One of the best "date" movies ever...and a breakthrough award-worthy performance from John Cusack. Far superior to "Serendipity" it's a wonder this actor has never truly won the acclaim he deserves. He's brash, funny, sensible and all-too-human...he's one of us. And "Say Anything" proves his mettle as a comedic actor just like "The Grifters" showed off his dramatic range. A wonderful story, with a winning ending - Say Anything you want, but don't miss this romantic comedy.


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