Rating: Summary: Interesting movie touches on more than just race... Review: Although there were definately some slow points and there are movies that take on this issues in a slightly more effective manner, the message in Pleasantville is an important one in our time. I didn't go through all the reviews, but I was surprised that no one in the 15 or so reviews that I read mentioned how this film relates perfectly to gay and lesbian issues. Although the film does separate the townspeople into the "black and white" and the "colored", there were more subtle scenes that applied to how we treat GLBT people. The most relevant is the scene with Tobey McGuire and Joan Allen when he finds her in color in the kitchen. Although she has become color, she doesn't want to face it. What do they do? They give her makeup, dress her in black and white clothing. Hmmm, doesn't this sound like someone who realizes they are gay (or lesbian, or bi, or differently gendered, or...) but choose to stay closeted because they don't want to face the social consequences? Watch this movie one more time, looking for these issues. I think you will be surprised at how much richer the meaning of the movie will become to you.
Rating: Summary: Alright, but some things don't make sense. Review: It was a pretty good movie but, some things were hard to understand. The mom didnt know what sex was but she has kids.????????? I did feel though that it was another world.
Rating: Summary: Excellent visual metaphor Review: Apparently many people missed the point of this film. Especially those claim it is propaganda. Anyone who thinks this movie is about special effects or sex doesn't deserve to watch it. The movie relies on it's color metaphor to depict change and both the concept and execution are flawless. The DVD has hours of wonderful extra material & if you have a DVD-ROM you can browse the entire script. Be sure to check out the Fiona Apple music video "Nothings Gonna Change My World" in the extra section.
Rating: Summary: excellentexcellentexcellent Review: I have just had the opportunity to visit the world of Pleasantville, and I have to commend the creators on a job well done- I felt as if I had truly stepped into another world and it was extremely refreshing. Apart from being creatively filmed and well-acted, it also had a message that I think everyone needs to be told- about living, about loving...I definitely have a new perspective on life after watching Pleasantville. This is definitely one of the most original and thought-provoking films I have ever seen and everyone should have the pleasure of experiencing it. (many thanx to one person in particular for recommending it).
Rating: Summary: Wonderfully entertaining!!! Review: What I find most amazing is the people that trashed the movie ... I happened to love it, but that's not what prompts my surprise. What is so incredible me to me is that people looked to this movie to provide them with insight and moral answers to difficult questions. IT IS JUST A MOVIE DESIGNED TO ENTERTAIN!!! Yes, it does delve into some pretty heavy issues. Yes, it does give it's own thoughts and feelings on the same heavy issues. And, yes, it does ask you to accept obvious references to other movies. But that is part of it's charm. I would rather watch a completely enjoyable movie and walk away ready to have a conversation with somebody about how I felt about the issues/morals brought forth than to have a movie that doesn't prompt me at all!!If you're looking for a movie that entertains, see Pleasantville. If you're looking for a movie that makes you think (one way or the other), see Pleasantville. If you're looking for a movie that isn't a cookie cutter version of what you just saw last week, see Pleasantville. And, most of all, if you're looking to have your own opinion and your own way of looking at things (as the movie asks you to do!!!!), SEE PLEASANTVILLE!!!!
Rating: Summary: This gets my recomandation all the way. Review: This book brought out the racial issue in a rather intresting, underestandable way. It made me think and I think this is the best movie ever made.
Rating: Summary: A Simple Movie Review: SIMPLE. SIMPLE. SIMPLE. SIMPLY A SIMPLE MOVIE. In reading the reviews of this movie I am most concerned about the folks who call this movie "thought provoking." This movie takes a very complex issue like race relations and treats its with kid gloves at its most simplistic level - it should be thought provoking only if you have not previously given serious thought to these issues. Moreover, there is no consistent line of reasoning. Apparently, only good (i.e. the Director's politically correct) emotions let you be in color. Pleasantville is set up as a colorless and emotionless world one minute - the next minute these people are racist thugs (yet they remain black and white) - I guess these emotions are not worthy of color, but the movie (the director) is not playing fairly. This movie has its cake and eats it too. At the end the audience is left truly empty (whether they realize it or not). It appears the movie must have gotten off track. They would have been better off if they stayed with the original concept - that the '50's (the naive boy infatuated with Pleasantville) should appreciate some of the virtues of the '90's and the '90's (the shallow/sleazy girl) could have learned something from the '50's - still simplistic, but at least an honest movie. Unfortunately, this merely degenerates into the Director's all out assault on Pleasantville and the values of the 50's; and in turn, a celebration of today's popular culture - Studio's mantra: Give the People What they Want! To its credit, it is a good looking movie. Unfortunately it does not deliver anything more than yet another movie for the masses - and a few $$$$$ more for the Studio.
Rating: Summary: Visually stunning and just plain fun to watch Review: After seeing "Pleasantville" twice now (once on DVD and once on VHS), I am forced to say, that I simply love this movie. The effects are stunning, the story, while unbelieveable is a lot of fun to watch. Sure, some of the symbolism is a bit "hit you over the head with it", but some people need to be hit over the head. If you get the chance, either rent or purchase the DVD. The bells and whistles you get with it are wonderful. The Fiona Apple video included on the DVD is a nice added feature. Rather haunting on its own.
Rating: Summary: Something Different, Something Good Review: As you can see by the other reviews, everyone gets something different out of this film. For me, that's really refreshing, being able to watch a DVD several times and enjoy different aspects each viewing. Sure there are some scenes (Don Knotts) that take a great deal of imagination to swallow. Overall, this is a good film, funny, inspiring and thoughtful.
Rating: Summary: Great movie, but problems with DVD transfer Review: This is a funny and entertaining movie, but I had some Serious problems with the DVD between chapters 29 and 30. So bad, in fact, that I had to unplug my DVD player, then restart it, and then skip to chapter 31 and rewind to the problematic section. This is similar to a publisher sending out VHS tapes that are mangled at some mid-point of the movie and which get tangled in your VCR. I recommend the movie, but the DVD could cause you some problems.
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