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Ghost World

Ghost World

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Seeking
Review: What an amazingly honest movie, and what an amazing character it had in Enid... One reviewer characterized her as someone who is "unwilling to grow up even as the world is moving on;" I guess it depends on your definition of "growing up." In Ghost World, which IS our world, "growing up" means compromising, laughing at bad jokes, pretending to enjoy atrocious and mediocre music, faking orgasms, all in the name of "being normal," "fitting in," "having a career" ... This is what Enid is rejecting, and "adults" who have "grown up" in such a fashion are the targets of her withering sarcasm. Her tragedy is that she is either not smart or literate enough to know what to substitute for this phoniness, and she may be forgiven for this, because I don't think there are many people who do. This movie is primarily about Enid's restless search for something - but neither she nor audience knows what it is. For most of high school, she has a friend who shares her outlook on the world, but eventually she chenges, and becomes more conventinal. Why? Perhaps because she realizes that she's not getting her point across, because quite simply, everyone is too stupid and shallow to care. Enid also understands this, but for her, retreat is not an option - she would rather be openly unhappy than to live a phony life with self-deluding infusions of happiness. Hence, the movie's ending.

P.S. The movie was, as many critics have pointed out, startlingly realistic in the way it portrayed people, their speech and mannerisms. For me, it threw out any pretense to realism when that blonde called Seymour back, and they actually ended up together!! My friends, in 4.5 billion years planets can form out of a primordial gas cloud, seas and continents can emerge and intelligent life can blossom on planet Earth, but a real-life gorgeous blonde (or a brunette, for that matter) would never EVER have called back a guy like Seymour. I should know.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Vinyl Records are our friends!
Review: Terry Zwigoff's "Ghost World" is the anonymous Anytown USA, landscaped with strip malls, drive-up ATM windows, expresso bars, mini-marts, tanning parlors and a burger franchise on every corner. It's the place where the bus no longer runs, except in the mind of an old man on the bench. "Ghost World" is where everyone has big hair, drives an SUV, and wears designer clothers. It's tough to be a kid in "Ghost World" where your choices are limited to joining the "in-crowd" or, developing a highly refined sense of irony, as does our heroine, Enid. "Ghost World" is a brilliantly conceived film by Zwigoff, the director of the riveting documentary about the life and times of undergound comic artist, R.Crumb. Steve Bushemi plays Seymour, a charmingly eccentric collector of odd cultural artifacts who sometimes appears to be an alter-ego aforementioned Mr. Crumb. Thora Birch's Enid, is a directionless recent high school graduate (sort of) who has lost her bearings in a sea of suburban mediocrity. You will seldom see a more tender and complex relationship portrayed as the relationship between by Bushemi and Birch. They are two doomed outsiders who view the transparency of human relationships with intelligent irony. This is a small movie that should be a runaway success, but never will be. In "Ghost World", we like big action packed blockbuster movies. If you've ever questioned the society you live in, this one's for you. I absolutely loved this movie. It has great characters and writing, a distinctive and colorful visual style, and some vicious satire. Plus, the much-loved Steve Buscemi has his greatest role ever. Every single scene has virtually no obligatory lines, and is both moving and hilariously funny. Thora Birch proves she can carry a movie and Steve Buscemi gives his career best; they're both oscar-worthy.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: I can't think of a title
Review: Ghost World is about two girls, Enid and Rebecca, life long friends who just graduated from high school, they have a very cynical outlook on life and the movie is about how they drift apart from each other,

Enid who is played by Thora Birch and Rebecca who is played by Scarlett Johansson give wonderful performances in this film, it's a very touching movie, if you have ever drifted apart from someone who you might have been friends with one school year but barely if at all talk to them the next year, you'll know what I mean, the music is especially good, whoever wrote the score is a great musician. This movie is not for people who don't have any patience whatsoever, you'll hate it, so it is worth a couple of watches.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great teen movie
Review: I was totally not expecting to like this movie, the cover wasn't that creative, just two rather unattractive chicks. One of whom people seem to go ga-ga for, and she looks much better without the 20lbs she had to gain for this! I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself laughing along with Seymour (played brilliantly by Steve Buscemi) and identifying (slightly) with Thora Birch's character, Enid. She's the kinda person you could be friends with; she's so fantastic with the dry humour! However, I'll always know Thora Birch as Teeny in Now & Then, and she's still the same, just a little more grown up, but she still does the same facial expressions. At least she doesn't have to put Jell-O filled balloons in her bra anymore!

Steve Buscemi did his character, the overly eccentric and dorky Seymour, who Enid almost seems to grow an obsession with, which results in something which is quite embarrassing and cringe-worthy, especially the aftermath. You really do feel sorry for him, especially since he seems to be after Enid more than usual afterwards.

You get a whole background to Enid's character - her wimpy father, her dress sense, her bedroom, her taste in music/films. But what was really disappointing was the lack of background information about Rebecca's (Scarlett Johansson) character. She was basically a tag-along, and did all the following of the leader, Enid. Her character could have lots of development to it, but she was pushed aside to overly-extend Enid's character and home-life. Scarlett has definitely changed since Ghost World - she's gone platinum blonde since 'appearing' in films like Girl With A Pearl Earring and Lost In Translation. Rebecca seems to come and go in the film, she doesn't appear that much, and disappears for a lot of the film, along popping up now and then.

I really saw similarities between this and Romy & Michele's High School Reunion. And any other high school movies along these lines.

At the start, I did not like Enid. She basically bossed Rebecca about, told her what to do and when and then she started on Seymour! Towards the end, I really began to feel for her, and felt a bit sad. This film said it was like no other "teen comedy" which seemed to imply it was a teen 'comedy'. Am I missing something, cos most of the film made me feel really sad, when it came to Enid & Rebecca falling out, or the awkwardness with Enid & Seymour. Sure, Seymour was funny, but with me identifying with Enid, I think you'll find this film a bit sad. If you identify with Rebecca, then you'll find it even sadder!

I'm so happy to have seen this movie, and it's a great addition to my collection, don't you think?! I'm still a bit freaked that I identified with Enid that much! But this is definitely a movie to get, although the whole Ghost World title doesn't have a lot to do with the movie (although a very cool and original title) - just don't think you're actually seeing a film about ghosts.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Sort of Female Catcher In the Rye
Review: Enid and Rebecca are partners in a "you and me against the world of phonies" pact, but as they move past high school, Rebecca endeavors to join the mainstream, while Enid opts out. Of the two of them, Enid is marked. Her fierce, but almost off-handed intelligence, droll put-ons, and sarcastic wit singles her out and the movie lets us in on her loneliness. This film is brilliant. We see young girls [and boys] like this all around us. In fact, we've all but turned our popular culture over to them. We worship the young, hip, disaffected point of view. But, this movie lets us see that Enid, for all of her acidic wit, is just a little girl. Remember when you identified yourself by posing yourself against everything you hated? Enid is stuck there. It's part of what makes her funny and "hip", but it is also a stance that is not easily worn by a "grown up." She meets up with a true outsider in 40 year old Seymour. But, Seymour -- though he hates phoniness and middle class values, also -- is identified by his love -- he's a music collector. He collects old 78's. Enid makes an awkward and touching effort to connect with him, throwing herself at him, finally bedding him -- and in that moment, the film lets you realize as she does -- that -- for all of her poses and intelligence, she's not ready to make this kind of step into adulthood. When Rebecca asks her to join in a ruse to look like successful young women so they can rent an apartment, Enid dyes her hair green and sports a black leather jacket. Again, we see that Enid's "creativity" is a rebellion against growing up. Enid squirms on that same line that Holden Caufield straddled in Catcher in the Rye. The sense of what is lost when one "grows up." Seymore, though an outsider, is self-reflective enough to be wary of his place in a community of what he calls, "geeky collector losers" but, he has a place in a community. Enid, clinging to her youth and "rebellion" has no place -- not even with her friend Rebecca -- she's the eternal outsider, with all of the positives and negatives the film outlines. In this light, the film's ending, though a little jarring, makes complete sense. It's the only ending possible and it leaves you to ponder Enid's future. Where will she go? What will she do? Do we want her to change? If she were to change, what would she lose and what would she gain? This film is funny, touching, and asks a lot of pertinent questions.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A day in the life of an eccentric teenager
Review: I love movies and TV shows about teenage life, trying to fit in and, well, growing up. There is something intrinsically tragic in our transition from adolescence to adulthood. Perhaps it has to do with the loss of innocence or the realization that our carefree days of youth are over, but there is something bittersweet in movies like 'The Breakfast Club' and 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' and TV shows like 'My So Called Life,' 'The Wonder Years,' and 'Freaks and Geeks' that makes them so endearing to us.

'Ghost World' is the best teen dramedy of its kind I've seen in a while. What makes 'Ghost World' so unforgettable are the deeply felt characters, played to perfection by Thora Birch, Steve Buscemi and Scarlett Johansson. We see in Birch's Enid a tormented young woman who is disillusioned with her world, spiritually isolated, and desperately seeking someone with whom she can connect. Not finding her place in her limited world, she ultimately decided to do something about it.

More than the run-of-the-mill teenage dramadies popularized by John Hughes in the 1980s, 'Ghost World' is also very funny. Who could forget the exchange between the nunchaku-wielding weirdo and the quickie mart owner, steoreo-typed in classic 'Simpsons' style. And Enid's sharp, sarcastic wit as a theater concessions stand employee is simply hilarious.

I can't recommend this movie enough. Just one suggestion when you watch this DVD if you haven't already seen it. Sit through the entire closing credits; there is an alternate scene at the very end involving Seymour and the nonchaku guy in the quickie mart which should have been in the movie instead. Check it out.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: nothing to do with ghost, but I still loved it
Review: Before you watch this movie don't get the idea of these 2 girls looking for ghost or something like that, like I did. When the movie was still rolling I was still wondering where do the ghost come in? But then I realized it is a metaphor for having no one around. It is a hilarious comedy with a 5 star cast. This movie was based upon the comic book by Daniel Clowes. This movie after you watch it, it will intrest you in the comic book. It is a great adaption.

The story goes as 2 seventeen year olds Enid and Rebecca (Thira Birch and Scarlette Johansson)who have just graduated from highschool looking for an apartment. Then they come across and old record collector Seymour(Steve Buscemi)who then him and Enid become close friends. Then Rebecca gets annoyed by it and decides not to be Enids friend. Enid tries dozens of times to connect Seymour with a girl. But then Seymour isn't much of a ladys man. Seymour and Enid then fall in love then to realize they can't be together. Showing the true meaning of "Ghost World".

This is a definate must see film. Definite 5 star everything. It is the best film of 2001.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Poignant,Unafraid of Simplicity and Intelligence
Review: There are great films. And then there are those that touch you on a genuinely personal level.Ghost World is that film. It's a small film that won't mean as much to many people. But those that do "get it" will find it endlessly touching and filled with magical moments.There is no major plot, or big climax in Ghost World.It feels more like an emotional vignette of what it feels to be lost and lonely.And it captures that feeling so perfectly,with such feeling, that you'll get shivers down your spine.

Perhaps this film feels so real thanks to the amazing acting and writing.Thora Birch captured her lead role absolutely perfectly.Her character doesn't really give you any reasons to sympathize with her, and at first glance, there don't seem to be many redeeming qualities about her. But she is so refreshingly human, and realistically flawed, that you can't help but feel for her.Thora Birch gives Enid dimension and range, sculpting something so much more true to life than your typical "angst ridden teen".Scarlett Johansson nails her part as the more "normal" best friend. It's very rare than an actor with such minimal screen time is able to flesh so much dimension into her character.But that is just what she does, making every single moment of screentime with her priceless.Everything from her mannerisms, to the inflections in her voice make her a pleasure to watch.But it is Steve Buscemi,who is at the emotional core of this film, who creates one of the most real,and wonderful, and sympathetic on screen characters that I've ever seen.His performance in the film rendered me speechless-it was heartbraking and humorous at the same time.Lets not forget the superb collection of eclectic rock,jazz and blues tunes to be found in the film.And the film's score,the theme song for Ghost World was just extraordinary and added such emotion to the film. The script is abolsutely brilliant without sounding over the top.It still sounds like things people would actually say, and the fact that it manages to be so infinitely striking is a testemanet to its brilliance.The sets and costumes were also simply delightful and added a vigorous and zestful feel to the movie.The sets and costumes, and the overall appearance of the movie is simply unforgettable.And the film is endlessly witty,offering you an internal chuckle every step of the way.

But perhaps what touched me about this movie the most was that it allowed itself to be so real and vulnerable.It never tried to glamorize, or make being an outcast or a lonely person seem cool like so many other brainless movies catered to a young audience have.It wasn't afarid of being emotional,and striking a chord with the viewer. And believe what you like, but this movie is by no means a "teen" movie.It is a deeply intelligent, and profoundly moving film that most teens wouldn't take the time to understand.The film may mislead you into thinking of it as a teen movie because it stars two teenage girls in the leads, but don't for one second assume that this is the case.Ghost World is a movie that is undefinable.You cant't recommend it to a certain age group,or a certain film preference.This film is catered to your emotions.You either feel it or you don't.Subtle,touching,full of dry wit,and deep beyond explanation Ghost World is a film that can be watched and watched and watched and watched...

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Some fun, goes nowhere
Review: This is an entertaining, professional, well-made movie on all fronts.

However, it seemed only a collection of odd characters and situations that really had no cohesiveness. There wasn't really much plot, except a pair of supposedly "hip" high-school grads who dislike most things and most people interact with a particular nerd.

That being said, it was an entertaining movie, and Steve Buscemi was great as Seymour - good enough to recommend the movie just for that. If you are a fan of Steve Buscemi, Thora Birch (who supposedly gained about 20 pounds for the role) or Scarlett Johansson, then you should like this movie.

It has enough odd-ball scenes and dialog so that most people will find something good, but the search for a meaningful overall "story" may be elusive - thereby assuring its status as a cult favorite.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: great movie
Review: At times watching the film i had moments where i felt like i could really relate and they made me quite sad,a fine drama with great comedic moments. Thora Birch's acting is superb, the characters are so believable that it almost feels real, and i would like to imagine they she is the same way in real life(i am not a big fan of her in american beauty,although it was a fine film) This film made me see Thora in a different light, and i find her so incredibly sexy. Her non chalant attitude, her sarcastic and quirky remarks are hilarious.
Steve Buscemi is a great actor , one of my favorites, and he delivers in Ghost World He plays this role out so well, that i couldnt help but get depressed and try to sympathize with him,
i never have read the comic book, but after seeing this film i am gonna go check it out , i reccomend u go watch this movie , either renting or buying , it wont dissapoint!


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