Rating: Summary: Worth watching, even worth owning Review: Through the entire movie I kept saying to myself, "What the?" An amazingly interesting plot, Being John Malkovich nearly shot itself in the foot with its odd ball advertising scheme, the trailers and t.v. spots were so confusing that noone I know wanted to see it. But I was strangely intrigued. So I waited until it was releaed on video and quickly grabbed it. I was immediately sucked into the movie within just a minute. The style of acting is so real from Cusack, I had never seen him so natural in a role. But then the movie takes off, twisting and turning itself into one of the most original scripts that I've ever seen outside of a film festival. I guess thats what happens when you give an original story financial backing, a movie that really takes off. This will change your take on what a movie/script is and can be. It moves itself very well towards its climax, and flows so easily that you don't even realize you were watching a movie until its over. Its definately worth viewing
Rating: Summary: See this film! Review: Widen your horizons! See this amazing film! It's funny, off-beat, touching, thought-provoking... altogether one of the must-see films of the year. There's no way you won't enjoy it.
Rating: Summary: A fun movie Review: Well, that depends on your definition of fun. Some people don't like head trips. Some people don't enjoy quirky comedy. Some people really don't enjoy the off the wall entertainment that "Being John Malkovich" brings to the table. Of course that's probably why the film never saw a wide release. This is an arthouse film that is seeing new life on video. Spike Jonze has a great film in his debut. I believe it was 3 of the 5 oscar nominated directors last year were debut directors. That's phenomenal. I think Jonze deserves that recognition. He keeps the feel of the movie very much where it needs to be. The DVD is great. Good features and good quality. Pick this up. Go see it. It's fun and quirky, with a little something to say too.
Rating: Summary: A great movie... Review: Malcovich malcovich, malcovich? There were many excellent movies last year. I think this has to have been my favorite though. The writing was amazing and the concept, while not something I hadn't thought about before, was something I had never thought about in that way. The actors do an amazing job of being ordinary and Malcovich does a wonderful job of playing himself in the strangest of situations. The 7 and 1/2 floor is something which needs to be experienced. Enjoy!
Rating: Summary: Ummmm... am I missing something? Review: Well it certainly was original. I've never seen any movie even remotely similar to this, so if your in the mood for an extremely surreal movie, this could be good. However it seemed like the whole movie was just being wacky for the sake of being wacky at times. For instance, what was the point of that whole half floor thing at the beginning? Was there some sort of symbolism, or was that just plain weird? I don't want to give away too much of what happens for anyone who hasn't seen it, but it seems to that there were a lot of nonsequitors throughout the movie. Maybe it was just too "deep" for me and all the different plot elements were somehow thematically and symbolically unified, but i don't think so. It certainly was entertaining at times, but i know that when the movie was over, the question in my mind was: what exactly was that movie about?
Rating: Summary: A Tough Sell Review: This is one of those films that not everyone is going appreciate. On one hand, the film is (as most every critic has already stated) highly creative and original in both concept and story. On the other hand, all of the characters are generally unlikable and there are some very odd moments. Ironically, the only character the audience can really relate to and have any stake in staying with throughout the whole movie is John Malcovich himself (who is hilarious here, by the way). In my opinion, this picture walks a fine line between concept and execution--almost bordering on "gimmick as film". Then again, they did make an entire movie out of "Night at the Roxbury", so what else can I say? Luckily, director Spike Jonze does manage to create some really memorable scenes out of the bizarre script that, in and of themselves, are quite entertaining. Is this film a case of pot-head trip becomes Sundance hit, or is it really as thoughtful as some of the critics say? The only sure thing is that your mileage will *definitely* vary. My recommendation? Rent before you buy.
Rating: Summary: Mind blowing ! Review: Most movies these days are too formulistic, they are either boy loves girl or a so call "hero" saves the world, all of which has been done a billion times, and just when I think Hollywood is running out of ideas, they came up with this. Forget about all those movies you've seen for the past few years at the cinema's door step, this is like nothing you've ever seen before. The idea itself is so bizarre and wacky it is almost beyond believe, what's this film about? Well, it is exactly what it said on the tin, people BE John Malkovich, see what he's seeing feel what's feeling and taste what's he consuming. And they can experience it for 15 minutes for a mere $200, following so far? The main characters in this film is John Cusack, he plays a talented puppeteer who can't seems to get a break, Cameron Diaz plays his animal loving wife (she looks nothing like she did in all her other films, I never thought she can look dreadful). So he took a job as a file clerk (because he's good with his fingers) in an office on the 7 and a half floor. Where he met Catherine Keener who plays Cusack's co-worker and love interest, and John Malkovich plays himself. And one day Cusack's character finds a porthole to John Malkovich's mind in the 7 ½ floor and that's where to the wacky and wonderful story begins. I won't give away the plot twist here because the story is told so beautifully and carefully that it would give anyone a surprise or two. As for the acting, it seems that John Cusack isn't capable of bad acting or even "alright" acting, he is OUTSTANDING. Even Cameron Diaz fits her role perfectly, Catherine Keener deserved her Oscar nomination and John Malkovich should at least get an award just for begin such a good sport, and not forgetting Charlie Sheen, I didn't see that cameo coming, oops. As directions, Spike Jonze has truly put himself on the A-list for new directors; I would never imagine the "forth king" in "Three Kings" could make such a wonderful and imaginative film. Bottom line - Forget about all the other Sci-Fi/ Action adventures/ Romantic comedies/ Drama for a few hours and enjoy one of the rarest and best Hollywood export in years.
Rating: Summary: I LOVED THE MOVIE, but.... Review: This is a crappy DVD. It has extras on it, but they're just so scattered and nondescript it makes me cringe. I was eagerly anticipating something extra on this disk. The only extra things I got were things I had already seen in the movie and a couple guerilla video pieces. BORING! Essentially they didn't do the movie justice in any way. They actually made me not want to watch the movie...ouch! So why did I give this disk a three. Well, because of the movie. It's a GREAT movie. Loved it. Will always love it. The movie is a 4, the disk is a 2, so I give it a 3. That makes sense, right? cheers
Rating: Summary: Bizarre in the best way! Review: Oh, I loved this movie. Intensely interesting, mostly quirky, and a great piece of film. John Malkovich gives a glowing performance, as does John Cusak. Cameron Diaz is understated, as per the character, and absolutely brilliant. A refreshing look at the psyche. It is a little strange, but it is one of those movies that *does* assume that it's viewer is intellegent enough to figure it out without a great deal of lengthy explanations that would weigh down the movie. A fun and fascinating piece. Highly recommended.
Rating: Summary: Needed To See It Twice Review: The first time, I watched this video with my husband. We had high expectations after hearing the buzz about this movie. Surprisingly, neither of us liked it very much. I'd liked bits and pieces, the puppets and John Malkovich himself, but I found a lot of the other characters not likable, especially the Cusack, Diaz and Keenar ones. I waited two months and then recently saw it again, this time alone. It was much improved for me on this second viewing. Perhaps being prepared to not like the leads helped me. This time, I felt you weren't supposed to particularly like them, especially Keenar and Cusack. The puppets and puppeteering were still magnificent; John Malkovich himself was a howl; some bit parts were very funny, such as the lecherous Orson Bean and the sexually carnivorous Charlie Sheen, playing himself. The idea itself, of being inside John Malkovich for fifteen minutes at a time, before being hurled out of him and onto the New Jersey roadside, was original and brilliant. I really don't know whether this should be 4 stars or 5 stars. I guess the fact that some of you might find three lead characters not likable throughout the movie makes me keep it down to a 4 as a caution.
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