Beloved

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful photography, acting and music - longing for plot
Review: The visuals, music and acting are super, but the story is very odd. It would have been a great piece of historical novel work if it haden't wondered into dead baby rising from the grave. If it would have at least explained some of the wierdness, I would have gone along with it. But NO.

Rating:
Summary: CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT
Review: I HAVE BOUGHT THE SOUNDTRACK. I HAVE BOUGHT THE BOOK. I HAVE BOUGHT 'JOURNEY TO BELOVED' BY OPRAH. AND NOW I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE MOVIE. AFTER SEEING ALL THE REVIEWS, IT HAS MADE ME EVEN MORE DESPERATE TO SEE THE MOVIE FOR MYSELF. THE REASEON WHY I HAVEN'T SEEN IT - I LIVE IN ENGLAND! WE SEE EVERYTHING LAST!

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Film
Review: Beloved was a beautiful film that wasn't perfect but definitely worth watching. I was very dissapointed when the Academy chose to snub Kimberley Elise and Thandie Newton for some of the best supporting acting in years, even though the film didn't deserve a Best Picture nom.

Rating:
Summary: Incredibly haunting! Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I found this movie to be one of the best films I have ever seen. Oprah's acting is marvelous! This movie definately has a plot unlike any I've ever seen. The beginning of the movie is not only chilling but very intriguing! Even though this movie is quite long (approx. 3 hours), it holds your attention throughout the film. This movie is a 'must see!!!'

Rating:
Summary: Only succeeds on one level: Acting
Review: The only quality aspect I saw in Beloved was the acting. The entire cast was outstanding, and should be commended for their work on this film.

However, quality acting is not enough to make this film "great" or even close to "good". In fact, I thought that this film was nothing more than an attempt to cash in on the 'art-house' style with an incomprehensible plot. It's impossible to understand this films imagery and symbolism because there is *no* meaning to begin with. And that is a bad thing.

You can tell that Winfrey herself had no clue what the film was about or what the climax of the film meant. When her audience questioned it all she had to say was "It's all your interpestation!" Well, I'm sorry, but it's rather difficult to create a sound interpretation based on *nothing*. Who was the ghost? Well, there is the obvious answer, but then why was it after sex? What was the purpose of getting pregnant. Why did she leave the way she did? Why, why, why? Who knows? Who cares? "It's all your interpretation", right? Well, I care.

Now before I get put down for this, and the good old "Well, I bet you like 'Armageddon'!" argument is used- "No." I hated 'Armageddon'. I am a big fan of art-house and indie films, and I prefer it when they are confusing; but confusing and incomprehensible are two very different things. Beloved is incomprehensible.

Go watch 'Tetsuo II: The Bodyhammer', 'A Clockwork Orange', or any other quality work of off-beat cinema.

Rating:
Summary: completely absorbing
Review: I watched this movie 2 days prior and am still thinking about it. I imagine I am doing so because it was so completely unexpected (the storyline) and very different. To have the story of slavery meshed with the the supernatural was something I had never seen. The young lady that played Beloved was very "bewildering" and vivid in her portrayal...I think in some aspects that Danny Glover was even better as PaulD than was Oprah's performance, even though she was of course good. Definately the strangest movie I have seen to date. It was a little hard to follow at times, but after a lot of thought afterwards and discussion with another that had seen it, a lot more made sense. This movie really made you think....

Rating:
Summary: absolutely the most powerful movie I have ever seen.
Review: Beloved is one of the most powerful movies that I have ever seen to this date. I seriously do not know why it was not nominated for several oscars. Oprah Winfrey and the rest of her cast are amazing in their individual portrayals. The story is a powerful one. It is sad but by the same token it portrays strength gained from dispare and incredibly evil odds. I loved every moment of this movie. "Remember to love your heart." John P. Kelly

Rating:
Summary: Love is never too thick!!!
Review: We watched the movie beloved and it was wonderful. We heard so many negatives about this movie we did not go to the movies to see it. The length of time on the movie was just fine, Oprah was excellent. Danny Glover was as always excellent. The two girls beloved and denver were typical and played their parts so believable. The grandmother and her teaching really reached my soul. The story line was worth whatever amount was charged at the movie. I rated this movie a 10 star and i know not to listen to critics again. I will purchase the Dvd now.

Rating:
Summary: Terrible
Review: One of the worst, boring wastes of cinema in the history of the medium. Unfortunatly everyone was afraid to say so because of the subject matter.

Rating:
Summary: It was an extremely disturbing but great movie!
Review: I expected a different movie but none like the one I saw. Jonathan Demme should win some award for reality. It was hard to follow until it all tied together three quarters the way through the movie it took my breath away and at some points I had to pause it so I could breath again. It was one of my favorites and one of my least favorites all in the same movie.