Rating: 
Summary: Kevin Spacey at his finest
Review: I don't think there is a movie that has more social commentary about current American Culture than this movie. It addresses so many of the vain things we do in our daily lives as well as addressing the larger picture of life and its frailty. With excellent performances from all characters especially Spacey, this movie is a must own for any respectable DVD collection.
Rating:
Summary: One of the few truly deserving 5 star films
Review: I am 33 years old and have been going to and renting (after the invention of VHS) films for the better part of 22 years.I also grew up in South Philadelphia, which explains in part the fact that until 1999, my #1 film of all time was ROCKY (Part 1). That all changed after a snowy day in late 1999 when I was fortunate enough to purchase a ticket to see this film. I've easily seen 600-700 movies in these 22 years, many of which were good, some great films, but this one takes the cake. I was hypnotized from beginning to end, and I now own the DVD and am equally hypnotized each time I watch it, almost 4 years later. Kevin Spacey not only deserved the Oscar he won for Best Actor, but if they gave a Best Actor of the decade award, he would have won that for the 90's (and maybe in my lifetime.... since the late 70's). His character, while a part of a great ensemble cast, was really , in the end, the driving influence of this unforgettable film. Annette Benning was amazing as well, despite the fact that her character, in the end, was not exactly likeable or sympathetic at all. She somehow ends the film as a somewhat sympathetic figure, which is attributed directly to Benning's performance. The young actors (Birch and Bentley) are terrific in what amounts to a mature film about some very serious subject matter, they shine. The really underrated performance in this film is that of Chris Cooper as Col. Frank Fitts, yet another example of why he is one of our great, lesser known actors. Thankfully, since this film, he has gotten his notice, and some meaty roles in other big name films. Lester Burnham will forever go down as one of the most lovable and remembered characters in American film history, and American Beauty will go down as one of the 10 best American films ever made. Deservingly so on both ends. If you haven't seen this film (what the hell are you waiting for), please do so immediately. 5 STARS ALL THE WAY.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretentious Tripe-Keep looking closer until you find somethi
Review: This movie is quite simply awful. The plot is unbelivable and the movie is filled with scenes that are just asking for some nouveau artsy fartsy type to find symbolism where it doesn't exist. This movie had nothing to say to me, I got no meaning from it. I found some humor in Lester's actions, but I much prefer the attitude and antics of Peter in Office Space to Lester in american beauty. At least Peter was deep down a good person and balances his revelation with reality in the end. People that enjoyed it seemed to come away thinking it was wonderful, but not really being able to explain why. I came away from the movie thinking that the adult characters are all self absorbed and disgusting and the younger characters are naive, much like the reviewers who gave it a positive review, but feel free to keep looking closer until you find some meaning to this movie. I've seen it several times and still come away feeling disgusted and irritated with it.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie! To Dustin Jones; No movie forces anything
Review: Dustin Jones coplains that the bad parts of surbia is forced on you in this movie. When the truth of the matter is, no movie forces anything. It's an exelent movie that only a mature smart person can relate to. It's artful and the flaws it has is infact the beuty of it. As well as the stuff that is ment to be artful. P.S. if any of the families of the astronots that died are reading bless you and the rest of your family and hope you guys will be able to deal with everything ok.
Rating:
Summary: BEAUTIFUL MOVIE
Review: Most of us already know that.
But why call this DVD "The Awards Edition" when there are no others released?
Rating: 
Summary: Beautifully shocking
Review: The movie is exactly how I just put it: 'beautifully shocking'. This is the most daring role Kevin Spacey's has played since he was in "The Usual Suspects". It was very astounding and at the same time, alarming. Anytime you have a character go from a depressed (in a sense), lonely and unhappily married guy to a ragging married guy who doesn't give a damn you know you've struck gold. Again, Spacey takes the starring role and runs with it. Many people dub this movie as a "teen movie", which it's not. And if you have seen "Not Another Teen Movie" you know what I'm talking about. But this a great drama flick that topped a lot of other movies in the year 1999. Anyway, Spacey co-stars with wife Annette Bening as they struggle through a bad marriage and raising a lowly looking daughter. It offers many surprises, and the 'kid with the bag' is more than just a kid with a bag. Use your brain a little here, people. I give the director Sam Mendes a lot of credit in making this film. He did a lot and was able to do it in just over two hours. I think anyone who likes seemly-twisted dramas or Kevin Spacey would enjoy this one. It's stunning.
Rating:
Summary: We watch movies to get away from this kind of stuff
Review: I can't understand the 'beauty' of American Beauty. There is no "LOL FUNNY WITTY" or "DARK HUMOR LOL!" as people would have you believe. I get sick of people's intelligence being insulted because they don't like this trashy excuse of a movie. It takes the worst aspects of an average, ordinary life, heavily exagerates them, and shoves them down your throat. And when it's not finding ways to show your teenage girls' breasts for no apparent reason, it's trying to subconciously implant stupid stereotypes like that armed forces veterans are homophobic psycopaths, or that middle aged white women are whores (well that may be true from my experience, but never the less!) This movie does not entertain or enlighten, it only takes the things we wish to escape from in our lives and forces them into one of our only place of refuge, the cinema. People you do not have to like this movie just because people who claim to have a high IQ think it's 'witty' and 'inspirational'- Trust your own opinion and realize that this is trash and don't let them force this kind of 'enterntainment' on us again :(
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking film about an average American family.
Review: "American Beauty" is the beautiful, original American film, directed by--surprise--British director, Sam Mendes. PLOT SUMMARY: Kevin Spacey plays Lester Burnham, an average, everyday, hard working father/husband, who works for a magazine...boring job. His wife, Carolyn Burnham (Annette Bening) is an overahciever, work-aholic, real estate seller. And his teenage daughter, Jane Burnham (Thora Birch), is rebellious and conceited--or so we think. Lester is going through a mid-life crisis, and his life is going down the drain. First, he finds out that Carolyn is having an affair with her arch rival, the successful real estate seller, Buddy Kane (Pete Gallagher). Lester always used to do whatever Carolyn wanted, to avoid arguing or getting a divorce, but now he's starting to stick up for himself. He just met Jane's new high school friend, Angela Hayes (Mena Suvari), and he's fallen in love with her beauty. Jane is being stalked by the teenage boy next door who's family just moved to town, Ricky Fitts (Wes Bentley). Lester wants to get to know his daughter better, but she refuses to spend more time with him, after she finds out that he likes her best friend. Lester also quits his terrible job when they hire a new vice president, begins to exercise in hopes that he will be able to impress Angela, and even starts smoking pot with Ricky, who he's befriended, though he doesn't realize Ricky likes his daughter. Ricky's abusive, gay-hating father, Colonel Fitts (Chris Cooper), also has a dark secret...which you will learn when you watch the film. OVERALL THOUGHTS: "American Beauty" is a thought-provoking film. It's poignant and entertaining. Sam Mendes does an incredible directing job. The cinematography is stunning, and the music is haunting. The acting by the entire cast is absolutely superb--especially the performance given by Kevin Spacey. The storyline and script are amazing. There's a good twist to the ending, which makes it original and stands out from all the rest that are similar to it. The DVD extras are a nice finishing touch to the DVD. This DVD includes a making of the film featurette, exclusive storyboards, commentary, production notes, and theatrical trailers. I highly recommend "American Beauty". Score:
100/100
A+
Rating:
Summary: What the beauty is....
Review: This film is talking about ¡°The beauty¡± as we can know from the title. It states what the beauty is that we think about, through the characters in the film. Lester who works sincerely in his place of work for a long time, his wife Carolyn who is a realtor and his daughter Jane who is a cheerleader in high school, they look all quite normal and ordinary outwardly. It is an appearance of the middle class citizen in America who has a nice car and house. However, it is only an outward figure. Lester is in constant fear when he would get fired by his firm, Carolyn feels embarrassed not to sell the house for several months and Jane is fed up with her boring life. One day a family, which moves into the next their house, is similarly circumstanced. Frank who is a colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps, collects the Nazi-shape carved plates and guns as his hobby, and always keeps watch on his son excessively. His son, Ricky always conducts odd things such as taking a photograph a dead bird or the next house in secret or a vinyl bag, which is blowing in the wind. In addition, he sells marihuana even smokes together with Lester. Ricky¡¯s mom, Barbara is also abnormal. Like this the characters in this film have some problems unlike their outward appearance. They appear to be peaceful externally, but internally they do not know that they are holding a bomb, which can explode sooner or later. After all, this bomb¡¯s wick begins to be caught on fire as Jane¡¯s friend, Angela shows up. In the end, this bomb destroys two families completely at the last part of this film. Since Lester becomes to be attracted by Angela, this family that will blow up some day, collapses and his dangerous relationship with his wife and daughter is shattered. As far as I can see, this film seems to express that the beauty just cannot be called and judged as its exposed outward aspect. The things that Ricky films, especially, the shape of vinyl, which waves in the wind at the fallen leaves street, it seems to imply that hidden meaning. The implications about the beauty that people do not think, feel and see as conventional wisdoms, the director express it from this film. This film begins with Lester¡¯s narration and ends with his death. A remarkably frank script, outstanding direction and brilliant performances, on the whole, it is a well-matched film.
Rating:
Summary: Best Movie Ever Created!
Review: American Beauty offers the audience something that cannot be described with mere words. The best way I can describe it is that it gives you a new respect for life, a new way of looking at the world that you may never have thought of before, it is simply amazing, tear wrenching, and heart felt. I recommend this to any person who is having a tough time in their life, going through a midlife crisis, or simply wants to sit down and watch something more than your average movie.
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