Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Perfect
Review: Was there a greater moment in any movie released last year(2000) than in Almost Famous when the band members of Stillwater and their groupies sing, in unison, Elton John's Tiny Dancer as their tour bus travels down the sunny highway? I recall having a smile from ear to ear when watching that moment, and I cannot wait to see it again. The film, taken from director Cameron Crowe's own experience as a teen journalist for Rolling Stone, centers around the day to day events on the road of a fictitious(?)rock band called Stillwater as seen through eyes of a budding 15 year old writer. Almost Famous documents, in hearwarming detail, the crazy, almost surreal, aspects of the rock and roll lifestyle in the early 70's. The parties. The drugs. The egos. What I found most interesting was how the movie explored the relationship between journalist and celebrity and how one feeds off of and uses the other and vice versa. Crowe, however, is too good of a writer/director to let his film fall into cynicism which it never does. The performance are all excellent but the standouts are Philip Seymour Hoffman as rock critic Lester Banks and the beautiful Kate Hudson as a groupie named Penny Lane. The fact that this movie did not get nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars proves, again, that the truly great films are all beyond reach.
Rating:
Summary: ALMOST FAMOUS a "must-see" for Free Spirits and Dreamers!
Review: I saw ALMOST FAMOUS last year and loved every minute of it. It's about a young man pursuing his dream! Like the other reviewers, I was surprised that the movie did not earn more acclaim. ALMOST FAMOUS will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It will inspire you to realize your own dreams! Being on a student budget, I'll have to wait until the price drops before I can purchase this on video; but once it does, you can be sure I'll have a personal copy, as well as extras to give away as gifts to those who have the courage to dream!
Rating:
Summary: How could the Academy snub this film?
Review: I remember when my movie theater manager held a screening for this film for us, the day before it's sneak preview. I had seen the strange poster of the blond girl with the huge mirrored sunglasses in the lobby (heck, I had put it up), and then, I saw the film! What can I say? The critics were right: it deserved all the praise and critical acclaim it received! Patrick Fugit plays William Miller, a young boy living with his mother(Francis McDormand). Listening to Rock and Roll, Young William soon begins to write review for an underground newspaper. One day, his work catches the eye of Rolling Stone magazine, and he is sent to go along with the up-and-coming band "Stillwater." At the first concert he attends, Will meets several band-aids(young women who are there to support the certain band), including the mysterious Penny Lane(Kate Hudson). Before he knows it, Will is whisked all over the country, and becomes close confidant to lead Stillwater player Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup). The film plays well on several levels, and on it's humor. At the beginning, Will is unsure how to go about his duties to report Stillwater's happenings, and his questions to Penny Lane create some incredible enigmas for us(what is her real name?). Some of the best comical moments involve the constant call by Will's mom to make sure he's staying out of trouble and not doing drugs (my mom would have probably done the same thing), and one scene in Nebraska where Russell goes to a nearby party and gets wasted. Based loosely on an early life experience by Cameron Crowe, he takes us on this journey, and wew get to experience much of it from Will's point of view, rather than just viewing it like an outsider. The story has many twists and turns, and probably not since "Forrest Gump" had I seen a piece reflect the period it was contained in so well. It's movies like this that make me yearn for the era of retro-style (there was one lamp in the movie that my parents had in the late 70's).
Rating: 
Summary: One long, dull ego trip
Review: If you've grown up on plenty of made-for-TV movies, you'll likely find director Cameron Crowe's techniques to be both immediate and heartwarming. If, however, you're much fonder of classic, subtler filmmaking, you'll probably find yourself bewildered and disappointed that such self-indulgent directorial efforts like this are increasingly getting the green light. I'm sure that Crowe's affection for the 70s is sincere, and that he has plenty of interesting stories from that era to tell (likely not as sugar-coated as what he put on film -- I can say that, having lived through the 70s as a teenaged reader of Rolling Stone and Creem). But no such reality was presented, and instead, all I could feel was Crowe constantly pushing manipulative buttons, building up each and every scene as "big" and "profound" (even though many such moments were pointless and added nothing to the story); connecting one continual, calculated series of such moments (rather than opting for related scenes and/or cohesive theme); presenting life through rose-colored glasses; pushing the image of Kate Hudson on us ad nauseum (as though sheer luminosity defines character); and then tacking on the obligatory happy ending. Almost Famous isn't REALLY about an era or lost innocence -- it's about Crowe's adoration for HIMSELF, all layed out like a TV movie (or, at best, a disjointed documentary). It's as though he's asking us throughout: "Didn't I live the life?," "Aren't I poignant?," "Aren't you jealous of me?" and "You DO love me, don't you . . don't you?" Oh please, give me Kurosawa, Truffaut, Renoir, Welles -- even Jarmusch(!) instead, anyday -- directors who are all about passion for MOVIES, rather than themselves.
Rating:
Summary: Best Movie of 2000
Review: I believe there is a certain age group that can completely identify with this movie. I must say that I rarely go to the movies alone but was profoundly glad that I went to this one solo. It allowed me to really feel the movie. When the first cords of "That's The Way" started I found myself uncontrollably weeping. There were so many touching moments I can't name them all here. It brought me back to a place I usually only visit in my memories until seeing this movie. It was a sweeter time, a simpler time, when music meant everything. Much like the main characters. Thanks to Cameron Crowe for a wonderful journey back. And much thanks to Nancy Wilson for a perfectly planned out soundtrack. I recommend this to anyone 30-40 yrs. of age who needs a good shot of the 70's again. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: finally getting some recognition!
Review: After watching the Oscar nomination announcements today, I was extremely pleased to see this movie so well-represented among the mix of an otherwise weak year in movies. This movie really stands out as one of the better films to show this year, even though not many people saw it. When I watched it this fall, I was shocked that so few people were at the theaters. After the movie was over, my girlfriend and I seriously considered seeing it again. The coming-of-age story is hardly new, but young Cameron Crowe's adventures were told in a delightful and unique way. Although the budding journalist entered into a world of sex, drugs and rock-n-roll, the corruption did not overcome him. And that's a good point the movie makes - rock-n-roll isn't evil (OK, some bands are, but that's your fault for listening). Music is a driving force in many people's lives: It captures all of the emotion, love and heartache of the human spirit. Crowe made a great movie that shows us just that, and the soundtrack ain't to shabby, either. For those of you who missed this gem in the theaters, this is your chance to see one of the best movies of 2000.
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful, funny, touching new classic
Review: Nothing in the last ten years shocked me more than this film's failure at the box office. It's so entertaining, funny, charming, and memorable, I couldn't believe everyone and their mother wasn't rushing out to see it. Then, when I thought about it, I realized that its lack of "broadness" is one of its real strengths as a work of art. It is a very personal story that doesn't seem designed with an eye on the marketplace, just on the heart. I have no doubt, however, that many of those who missed it will discover it later. And that those who've already discovered it will treasure it for years to come. The acting is wonderful, the story is moving and funny, the soundtrack is stunning, and the overall impression is classic. If nothing else, this film will at least make a star of Kate Hudson who is beyond flawless in this film--she truly lights up the screen.
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST OF THE YEAR
Review: It is surprising that a movie that takes place in the unreal world of the rock and roll circus is much more grounded in reality than most movies. This film stubbornly resists the clichés and sentimentality that in lesser hands would have sunk it. It concerns William, an endearing 15 year-old who is mature but naïve and tags along with a rock band in order to write a profile of them for Rolling Stone. The band's leader, Russell, is worldly but immature -- just the opposite of William. Both have to enter the other's world, both physically and emotionally, to become complete. Fluttering between them is Penny Lane, the groupie who is about William's age but can't see his love for her because of her infatuation with Russell, who is easily twice her age and who uses her as a plaything. It reminds me a bit of the love story in Forrest Gump, where the woman goes for a series of manipulative men who embody the Zeitgeist of the kooky '70s while she ignores the simple and true love that is hers for the asking. Almost Famous captures the crazy feeling of a rock band on tour and the strained dynamics that can almost break up a band. Despite the debauched background of a mid-70s rock and roll tour, this is a sweet film that is by turns funny and touching. Don't miss it.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Famous is a 10
Review: This movie has a bit of everything. Drama, romance action you name it this movie has it.I haven't seen a movie like this in a long time. This is definetly a collectors item.
Rating:
Summary: Cameron's Best Movie So Far!!!
Review: This is one of the best movies that I have ever had the pleasure to watch, and is definitely Cameron's best and most personal project to date. Fantastic! I thoroughly enjoyed this movie! As someone who is both a music nut and a sucker for a real heart-warming story, I found myself smiling throughout the whole movie. For me, the real test of a movie is the old, "will I buy it when it comes out on DVD" test. In a word, ABSOLUTELY!!!
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