Rating: 
Summary: Fun!
Review: First of all, I don't know why critics were saying such horrible things about "200 Cigarettes". Okay, it may not be Oscar-worthy, but the cast is funny (especially Courtney Love as Lucy) and lovable. The film follows a bunch of young, 20-something people in East Village on New Years Eve 1981. The costumes are very eighties, the music is great and my favorite actress Kate Hudson was adorable in one of her first movie roles. The all-star cast; including Paul Rudd, Gaby Hoffman, Christina Ricci, Casey Affleck, Ben Affleck and Janeane Garofalo gives more stars than sneers. I also liked Martha Plimpton as cynical, grumpy Monica. The cameo by Elvis Costello was fine as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Just in Time For New Years.
Review: Wow! Being a fan of Courtney Love's music, and acting at some times, I vowed to see all of her movies. This one was next on the list, besides Basquiat. I was going to rent it, but my local movie store had 2 copies on VHS for sale for $2.99, I knew I couldnt pass it up. The film is set up like a soap opera, ya know? where the camera flits from person to person, and situation to situation. Its hilarious! This movie is great! I love seeing some REAL punk rockers in this film, as opposed to all the posers of today, (okay they might be actors but who cares?) 200 Cigarettes features an all star lineup, of todays hottest new actors. And most of the acting is suprisingly realistic. My favorite part of the whole movie is when Dave Chapelle(The disco loving taxi driver) tells a "heart warming story" of when he was jealous of a friend because he had a girl he wanted, and the friend "Twayne" ended up choking on a string bean. And Courtney Love portrays her character in the way that she REALLY is in real life. Its really ironic how similar her character and her true demeanor are.
Rating:
Summary: Rated on the fun factor, but not a GREAT film
Review: I had to give this one 4 stars just because it is so fun. It is deeply flawed at points and as deep as a puddle, yet it is funny and still has some moving moments. The nostalgia factor works as well if you were out and about at the time. Affleck comes across a big dope, but that's okay (cuz I think he is). Ricci is great - why is she so underutilized? That girl has a power in her. Rudd is the sweet sort of everyman good guy and it suits him well. Love is, well, actually ... good here. I liked her and I felt for her character. Hudson is very, very funny, particularly in her scenes with Jay Mohr - they have great chemistry. Garoffalo is the best in a tart-tounged smaller part. Definitely worth a spin for an easy-on-the-eyes comedy.
Best line, Garoffalo in a moving cab trying to light a cigarette: These matches are disappointing me!
Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable dissection of one night in 1980's SoHo
Review: A very funny and insightful examination of young adults all looking for love, happiness and meaning. The film takes place on new year's eve, 1981, and follows many different young people who somehow all eventually end up at the same party (which the hostess wakes up to find she slept through.) Elvis Costello makes a cameo and provides a running joke in the last third. The soundtrack is great--all late 70's early 80's pop and new wave. And the one who steals the show is Dave Chappelle as the cab driver who manages to give a ride to practically every character at some point, dispensing wisdom along the way, on everything from friendship and destiny to life before an afro and how to "get booty." (smiling at a girl is very important, as is avoiding talking about death--"Everyone knows they're gonna die someday, they just don't want to hear it from you.") Ben Affleck is amusing. Oh, and Courtney Love was actually bearable. All in all, a very smart, enjoyable ride.
Rating:
Summary: You need to see this
Review: 200 cigs is one of the most fun and invigorating movies of its era. Only a hardcore cynic could fail to enjoy this one. Lively, burdened, and infinitely interesting (in a mundane way) cast make this a "must see". I'm not kidding!!
Rating:
Summary: The Best NY New Year's Eve film
Review: Being from NYC and living downtown in the 80s, I found this movie to be a true NYC experience on New Year's eve with the exception of never being able to find a taxi. I love the cameo by David Johansen as a bartender as well. It is a very fun-filled movie.
Rating:
Summary: Are you not entertained?
Review: OK, I loved the cast, with a few exceptions, and the soundtrack is awesome. If you grew up during that era you'll be OD'ing on nostalgia. The movie sort of plodded along, not really going anywhere. Sort of like a frustration dream--that never ends. I do accept artistic license in film, even though Christina Ricci & Gaby Hoffman's accents weren't very good--their acting was. I had the pleasure of living in NYC in 80's and sorry to say the costumes, make-up & slang were NOT authentic. I really felt like it was a contemporary film. I was searching for something real from 1981, after a while I kept asking myself, "Why don't they just show the Mudd Club or Danceteria or CBGB's!" At least they showed Gem Spa, and some other landmarks. That aside, it still could have been a good film. I think the main problem was the aimlessness of the script. And the direction--did everyone direct themselves? The only things that kept my interest--were the music and the fine young actors, who did not have much to work with. I sure hope they were adequately compensated. And the most annoying part was Long Island new waver Gaby Hoffman not knowing who Elvis Costello was!! The only people in 1981 who didn't who Elvis Costello was would be your grandparents. Oh well, you better stop smoking, it's bad for your health.
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