Rating: 
Summary: Problematic Pumpkin
Review: I remember when this film first came out. The preview looked great, and I couldn't wait to see it. But it quickly came and went, so I waited for the video. I'm glad I did. While I loved the actors and the concept of the story, there were too many holes and weird choppy moments that weakened the overall film. Plus it was so hard to buy Christina Ricci as a dumb blonde - she's simply too intelligent to portray a true ditz. But her best moments are when her inner beauty shines through with Hank Harris as Pumpkin. Their scenes together are warm and lovely and make the film worth seeing (despite a weakness in storytelling and structure).
Rating: 
Summary: Funny
Review: This movie is very fun to watch because it has a lot of humor in it, I was watching it and I was laughing in the middle of the night because of some of the things that's happening in the movie. It's a sweet, and thoughtful movie. It's just very strange, and it's a different kind of movie to watch. You wish that the characters weren't so naive and odd. But it's just the way life is for them. So it's about perfect girl Carolyn who falls for a mentally challenged athlete who she is supposed to mentor. Instead, she finds herself falling for him, and in the process, she realizes what it's like to have a life full of pain and sadness. It's a good movie. Like I said...it's basically fun to watch.
Rating: 
Summary: Trying to hard to be "indy"
Review: As another reviewer below said, I gave up on the film in the EXACT same spot she did....when Ricci's character is walking through the campus and gets disgusted by the garbage, rats and a dead bird.There is a point where some indy films decide that quirky scenes make up for a lack of plot or character devolopment. Many, MANY things in this film felt rushed, the plotting bordered on schizophrenic (the filmmakers seemed to have a clear vision of "point A" and "point B", but no clue how to drive the "car" between the two points) and even though you can tell Ricci's character is trying to redeem herself, you have NO clue WHY she is doing so. A few minutes spent with her "special" charge is supposed to make her entire life turn around? I just don't get it, and after 45 minutes I didn't want to anymore. (and isn't it interesting two people both gave up at the exact same time?) Save your money, and your time.
Rating:
Summary: Insensitive, sick, and painful to watch
Review: Going in to this movie I was expecting a fun romantic comedy. I was greatly dissappointed. I felt the representation of those who are disabled was incredibly poor, and the casting director failed miserably in his selection of the disabled athletes. He would have been better off choosing actual members of the special olympics, except that I doubt they would agree to help out a movie that portrays them in such a disgusting way. The behavior of Pumpkin's mother left me shocked and saddened as well. The majority of parents who care for their disabled children are the ones who understand them the best, and would be delighted to see that their child is showing motivation to do something. Mothers, especially, are not given nearly enough credit for all they must do for their children with disabilities, and this movie only enhances the false stereotype that the parents do not know what is best for their child. This movie was made with no sensitivity toward those who are disabled, or their family members. I was highly offended that anyone could see humor in this movie, as I did not laugh once throughout the film as I was too busy being horrified. This movie had no redeeming qualities, poor acting, and failed miserably to get its message across.
Rating:
Summary: Directors need to go back to sch & pay attention this time!
Review: An absolute horrible waste of time. I never did figure out what the author and director were trying to do. I spent most of the film feeling sorry for the actors for getting caught in such a badly written, totally out of touch, non-funny, non-poignant, piece of garbage. Total lack of character development, a plot that at times could be understood only by someone who grew up in southern California, complete inability to bring any intensity to the camera from any of the cast, these guys (the Directors) need to go back to school and pay attention this time! Don't be caught up in the idea (like I was) that the plot could be marvelous....it's a good idea very badly done. Don't waste your time.
Rating: 
Summary: Are there 2 versions??? I want to see the other one
Review: I read the reviews before renting this DVD and it had mixed reviews.. I was wondering is there two versions. The version I seen was predictable. shamefully poorly directed. and I was thinking 1/2 hr into it "Glad I didnt waste 8.50 at the theater"
I believe this is what happens when banks invest in movies instead of stocks. There is always a buck to be made regardless of how bad a movie is. .. well i digress.. anyway this is yet "ANOTHER" coming of age movie.. and the funny parts are predictable.. so much so they fail to be funny anymore. Very little in the way of character developement.. so muckh so you can start watching the movie at any point and pick up on it. The movie is entertaining enough to be a made for tv movie.. This is definetly not a movie for the collection...maybe the trash collection. Keep your cash or rent something funny like Sorority Boys.
Rating:
Summary: Falls Flat...
Review: Hoping to discover an off-beat independent comedy, I picked up Pumpkin last time I rented some DVDs. I was completely disappointed. Being "independent" doesn't automatically make a movie worthwhile. This movie lacks any real punch, in the dramatic, comedic, or stylistic framework it attempts to fill. First of all, Christina Ricci is hard to believe as the girl with the "perfect" life. She is much more suited to her former darker and more naturalistic roles. The plot is far-fetched (not always a bad thing...but here it is), at times offensive, and repetitive. I watched the entire movie hoping that somehow the end would justify the means but the end seemed to hammer that last nail in the coffin. I give it two-stars because it made me smile or chuckle once in a while but mostly I just shook my head. May pumpkin rest in peace.
Rating: 
Summary: Pumpkin
Review: This movie is a breath of fresh air for every open minded and realistically aware person who has ever experienced life on a college campus. Some reviewers tend to think that the charachter development is lacking, I think they really need to take a realistic look at the greek system and then watch this movie. The characters in Pumpkin painfully resemble the common attitude that Sororities and Fraternities take to the rest of the world and I commend the filmakers on their biting commentary on the subject. Pumpkin as a character is not condescending in any way, his point of view is of that of every person that is not included in the gree(d)k system and is an illustration of the depth and realistic honesty that is looked down upon in greek societies, regardless of his mental capacity. Please come back to the real world
Rating:
Summary: When best intentions go awry
Review: PUMPKIN has a heart of gold but the skin is a rather weakly constructed attempt to make a case for Special People whose handicaps become their badge of bravery and triumph. The idea is great but the writing is trite and the cast just isn't up to the same level of quality as the leads Ricci and Harris. Unfortunately this little film's heart of gold grows maudlin. And that is a shame.
Rating:
Summary: homage to wes anderson
Review: I hate to speak any ill against indie films because they are so much better than 98% (I have not actually statistically proven this) of what is out there. Having said that, the movie seems to be "in the style of" Wes Anderson, although reaching for the brass ring and yet never quite grabbing it. There is a lot of quirkiness for quirkiness sake (the same was said of Anderson's last effort). Outside of Christina Ricci's character, some of the initial character development, upon which the movie builds, is weak. Maybe I missed something, but there seems to be the silent assumption that the mentally handicapped are emotionally miserable and trapped. I have no direct exposure to anyone with disabilities like that, but I'm not sure it is a safe assumption. This is, incidentally, in conflict with the movie's basic message that the mentally handicapped are just like us...Overall, outside of the last 20 minutes or so, it is better than many other more popular movies I've seen recently (i.e. Sweet Home Alabama).
|
