Rating: Summary: Death at its finest Review: I do believe this is one of the rare movies that every member of the cast gave a stellar performace. But applause must go to Pitt for his portrayal as both Death and the human Joe Black. The subtle changes in his character was performed masterfully. Forlani did well as the youngest daughter of the media mogul Parish, going from daddy's little girl to seductress. But besides it, this movie also raises some deeper issues, like highlighting the small things we take for granted in our everyday life. Do make an effort to watch it, you'll find yourself profoundly touched by it.
Rating: Summary: So well done - what a wonderful movie!! Review: "Meet Joe Black" and Martin Brest should have beennominated for Oscars for this wonderful work. It has a great story,acting, and music. The story conveys the similarity between being on vacation and experiencing life with all its adventures. It's a little long, but you don't notice because it's easy to get involved in the story and you don't want it to end. The beautiful Claire Forlani as Susan is superb. I was in awe of her performance. For such a young actress she shows real maturity in her delivery. Brad Pitt is offbeat as the two guys she meets, but he's very entertaining too. He played both parts extremely well. I know some people don't take him seriously as an actor, but he definitly deserves credit for his performance in MJB. He appears to have fun with the role of death and falling in love with Susan. He's really mysterious and secretive, yet likeable at the same time. I liked the character Drew too. He added some humor with his sophisticated wise cracks. Jeffrey Tambor who played Quince was also good. He played such a suck-up. He would say anything to be liked. In some ways, this movie had something to do with his character versus the more influential characters who had more powerful personalities. Susan starts out being Drew's girlfriend and her father gives her such wonderful advice about finding passion and rapture in her love life. Susan slowly transforms from a person "trying to be agreeable" to someone going after what she wants and willing to express what she truly feels. I loved the movie ending - such a celebration of life. It makes you realize that if you've lived your life to it's fullest, then you can accept when it's your time to go.
Rating: Summary: One of the best of all times Review: Meet Joe Black is one of my favourite movie of all times, I think it is also one of the best movie of all times. I remember the first time I saw it in the theatre; I was taking a break in the middle of my projects with hardly any sleep for days. I did not realise that is was a 3 hr movie and I did not fall asleep. The opening scene with Anthony Hopkin just captivated me within the first 5 mins of the movie. Since then, I have watched it over 5 times, each time with new discovery in the wonderfully written script about love, death, and life; how a perfect gentle, who I think has everything, still cannot escape mortality, and how this fear has been transformed into courage. The movie had many wonderful moments, one of which when Hopkin with Forlani in the helicopter talking about love like "when lightning strike", also a moving scene when Bill's (Hopkins charactor) less favourite daughter told the father that it is alright as everyone is allowed to have a favourite, it is OK as long as she feels loved. I strongly recommend anyone to watch the movie for yourself and not listening to the negative reviews from the "critics" as most of the time, they are wrong.
Rating: Summary: Meet JOE Boring Review: Martin brest has been known for doing mindless action or soap opera movies, Rank this with the latter as the plot is lifted from Days of Our lives, seeing Brad Pitt perform hopeless vague dialoge, a sloppy love story, and poor Anthony Hopkins having to work with a bad script and a cast of wasted two actor no talents. Critics loved this movie, I think they were payed money by the studio for this drek.
Rating: Summary: 5 Star Magic Review: I can't tell you how much this film moves me. Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins are pure magic together. I also loved them together in "Legends of the Fall". This has the most beautiful sound track with it - in fact I am using much of the track for a school play we are doing of "Our Town". I could watch this over and over. Many funny parts, like, "death and taxes? did you say, Death and taxes? You have to watch this to see the irony in this line. There is a love scene, so not suitable for kids.
Rating: Summary: An inexplicable box office failure Review: It really is a great pity this film didn't do better at the box office. It honestly is a great movie - and I say that as a man not usually fond of films that might be considered "chick flicks". Yes, it is long, but that just means it's not a movie for people with short attention spans. The length of the movie really doesn't hurt, and in fact, is necessary to flesh out the characters properly. The acting is superb; the characters seem like real people. Any film with Anthony Hopkins is worth watching, just to see one of the most gifted actors since Olivier perform. Brad Pitt manages to hold his own in such exalted company. And Claire Forlani is simply radiant as the leading actress.
Perhaps what I liked best about this movie though, is that despite its length, it evoked the films of the 1930s, which I love. It's a beautifully filmed movie about high class, wealthy, elegant people of sophisticated tastes and sensibilities (and which shows them as decent people nonetheless, and with problems and issues most people can relate to) - the kind of film that was very popular fare during the years of the Great Depression, but unfortunately the kind of film that hasn't been made for decades. For me, it was a nostalgic and wonderful throwback to an era of much greater elegance and refinement than today, when people liked to aspire to greater things, rather than being content to reduce things to the lowest common denominator. I loved it.
Rating: Summary: Death takes a Holiday remake very fresh Review: Communications tycoon, Bill Parrish (Anthony Hopkins) has everything. He's got a business he's built from scratch with his own hands and ideas, two daughters he loves, and many friends.
He's also got angina and a voice talking inside his head. When that voice finally manifests, it's Death alias Joe Black (Brad Pitt). Mr. Black is ready to make a deal. Parrish gets a little extra time if he'll be Death's guide to life.
Parrish accepts the offer. Death discovers he has far more to learn than he thought.
This is a wonderful thought provoking drama that leaves you with a good feeling and tears in your eyes. Brad Pitt, who I didn't think could act until this movie, even holds his own against Sir Anthony Hopkins, which is no mean feat. "Meet Joe Black" is a film you'd want to buy and occasionally view again. Every time I do, I get some new insights.
Rating: Summary: It gets worse every hour... Review: Hopkins and Pitt are great...in fact, their chemistry merits a better movie altogether. The original was/is beautiful...this updated version is convoluted, misdirected, overlong and lost in some Yuppie-Vigalante premise. Yuk!
Everything is overdone...the editing, the production design, the (groan!) dialogue, direction and even the hairstyles. Poor Continuity couldn't keep up with Brad's ever changing bleached bangs.
Love the casting and the costumes...every suit is fabulous. Everything else...blecch. The most memorable moment (which should tell you A LOT) is Hopkins being led off to the hereafter with the witticism, "Don't blow smoke up my as*...it will ruin my autopsy." Egad! MEET JOE BLACK...the series!???
Rating: Summary: Definately a Keeper Review: I absolutely adore this movie. Some have complained that it is too long, but it certainly is not. The movie is beautifully paced, allowing the viewer to feel every nuance of the characters. Anthony Hopkins is brilliant, as always, and Brad Pitt's portrayal of Death was excellent. The supporting parts were perfectly cast; the soundtrack by Thomas Newman is haunting, yet beautiful.
Don't let the length of this movie scare you off. It's a very nice way to spend 3 hours.
Rating: Summary: Only the best Review: I've read quite a few of the reviews here and found I just had to reply to those stating that this movie was to long. In my opinion this movie would have lost so much if it had been shorter. There isn't any part in it that I could even imagine taking out. I would suggest that if you don't like long movies don't watch it. Everyone else, I can't even express the enjoyment I got from see it. Brad Pitt's acting in this film is the best I have seen from him ever. And his wasn't the only one. If there is one thing this movie will do for you, it will make you feel. The subject is one that touches us all whether we want it to or not. Death is a part of life. This film makes you think. And that is the mark of a story that will last.
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