Rating: 
Summary: I was pleasantly surprised, it was a very good movie
Review: I've never seen the original, so I don't have a basis with which to judge this as a remake, which, in hindsight, is probably better, since I didn't give a second thought to "comparing". Having seen it for the movie it is though, I've got to say I enjoyed it, and had no problem staying captivated throughout the 3 hours. And, if I may be honest, there were several moments that brought upon me that old lump-in-the-throat feeling, accompanied by watery eyes, (which can be difficult to induce in your standard 20 year old male, being the sometimes seemingly de-sensitized group that we are). Anyways, rent or buy the movie, sit down with any significant others, and enjoy a good story.
Rating: 
Summary: An interesting remake of an old favorite
Review: One of my favorite stories is Death Takes a Holiday, of which I've seen at least two earlier versions over the past decades: one an old black and white film from the 30's occasionally seen on late night TV, and one a made for TV movie staring Monte Markham from the 70s. Meet Joe Black is a more updated remake. I really didn't anticipate enjoying it as much as I did, since I've found most of the remakes produced recently rather a disappointment. I had enjoyed the Monte Markham TV version, which is the first one I'd seen, and I doubted that Brad Pitt, with whose characters I've not been much impressed in the past, would be able to carry off the role. Anthony Hopkins, however, is one of my favorite actors, and I gambled that any movie that had him in the cast would prove to be worth the time even if the rest of the film were a bust. I wasn't wrong. In fact, I was rather impressed with the overall production. The character of the elderly rich man in the TV movie had been less three dimensional, but Hopkins gave him a depth that made the movie work. His relationship with Death, Brad Pitt, was much more enlightening. It gave the person of Death room for education and personal growth, which the original movie and the TV special had not done. In the latter, Death simply appears as a finished character with a job, who sets aside his agenda to see how the "other half" lives. Although you like him, Markham's Death doesn't develop as he comes to understand what it means to humans to "be alive." He comes, he sees, he goes. The dynamics between Joe Black and the humans he meets is much more defining. He begins as a grumpy, rude, arrogant creature with almost no social graces and no sense of humor, and gradually becomes a "person." In fact he becomes the hero, helping others to realize their inner strength and to put the bad guy in his place. He also has some delightful one liners that go right by most of the other characters but that amuse his mentor Hopkins no end. I did found the pacing of the film a little annoying, however. The pauses, intended one supposes to be "pregnant with meaning," were in fact just time consuming. While the first one seemed purposeful, those succeeding it seemed contrived. Sort of "did you get the real meaning of this scene?" Or perhaps, "Film can be great art. See how very artistic I can be?" As it seems to have failed with audiences at the box office, one can't help but feel that it might have benefitted from a more ruthless editor! Still worth seeing.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly great movie
Review: I will say it up front. I am a Brad Pitt fanatic. Ever since his performance in Kalifornia, I've looked forward the the way he explores and develops a character, sometimes adding very dark undertones that make you think. He does not go for easy solutions.
I hesitated seeing Meet Joe Black because of the awful reviews it got, but I have found that with Brad Pitt movies, ignore the critics. And in this case, they are once again wrong.
No one wants to think of death, let alone their own, and in watching this movie, you are forced to. The issues of letting go, of tidying things up, of being given the chance to do all of that, are raised, as is the very nature of death it/himself. Those who it comes for, and who are ready, see it and welcome it. Those who are not looking for it do not see it coming.
My teenage daughter and I have watched the movie three times, and enjoy it each time.
I think everyone, Pitt fan or not, should see this film. You will laugh, cry, and come away with a lot to think about. The acting by all involved is superb, and the story is allowed to develop without a lot of fanfare and arrows pointing to guide the way. See it!!!
Rating:
Summary: Get's better every time
Review: I just watched this movie again and was swept away by the story, romance,cinematography and musical score. I watch many movies, few that I bother to watch again, but this is one that I have watched many times and each time I enjoy it more. If you have a heart you will love this movie. Martin Brest directed this wonderfully and I'm anxiously awaiting his next movie, Brad Pitt at his best romantic performance and Claire Florlani is captivating.
Rating:
Summary: Meet Joe Black
Review: We have watched this repeatedly! Only the reruns of 'The Wizard of Oz' and 'The Godfather' have been accorded this honor in our house. The haunting rendition of "Over the Rainbow" at the close of this movie stays playing in my head. Now I have ordered IZ CDs to keep that going on and on too!!
Rating:
Summary: You must watch this one...
Review: ..alone, in the dark, after 9pm at nite for the best possible viewing experience. I have cried at 3 movies in my life, and this is one of them. You will be surprised that you have found such a jewel when you watch this classic. GET IT! and SHARE IT! :)
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Performence!
Review: This movie swept me off my feet about how even the most unexpected things can happen while you are waiting for something else.
Rating:
Summary: Peanut Butter
Review: WOW! and i mean WOW! This movie was just awesome, i loved every second of it. Pitt and Hopkins were tremendous. This movie definately goes by in a flash, i can't belive its three hours. I absolutely love it. I could sit down and watch it all the time. Pitts and Forlani's relationship kept me attentive and fascinated. I definately think its one of the best movies i've ever seen. It had me laughing, thinking, and even crying. And Pitts love for peanut butter was too hilarious.
Rating:
Summary: ...Still the Best Three Hours of My Life...
Review: Each time I watch Martin Brest's masterpiece, "Meet Joe Black," I am swept into a different world, and I'm truly happy. Compliments to Mr. Brest for making such a beautiful motion picture that manages to change my life, spiritually and emotionally, every single time I watch it. It becomes more and more profound and moving with each viewing. "Meet Joe Black" was criminally ignored at the 1999 Academy Awards. Hello? At the very least, the nominations should have been the following: Best Picture, Best Actor (for both Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt), Best Supporting Actress (Claire Forlani), Best Director (Martin Brest), Best Original Score (Thomas Newman), Best Cinematography, and Best Adapted Screenplay. I'm still happy "Shakespeare in Love" won Best Picture that year, because that, too, is one of my favorite films. Yet I am still angry "Meet Joe Black" was so ignored. It's the picture's fans that make its glory live on. Not even "Moulin Rouge" could take my top honors as my favorite film of all time from "Meet Joe Black." And, honestly, no picture in my life time ever will, and that is a guarantee. There is no better film out there. "Meet Joe Black" is a celebration of life and love, and the actors fill the characters with such an immense beauty that it is impossible not to love them. I am a film critic myself, and I don't know how some critics could sit through and praise long, boring movies, where "Meet Joe Black" is long, but is astonishing in every way. Is Brest perhaps a little self-indulgent? Perhaps. But I say no. All he did was to take a boring 80-minute flick from decades and decades ago and extend it into a sweeping, enganging, romantic epic about life...about the people we meet, the trials we go through, and the love we share that makes it worth the journey in the end. The dazzling cinematography shines through in the last act, a poignant series of goodbyes illuminated by breathtaking fireworks and Thomas Newman's lush and haunting score. "Meet Joe Black" will remain in my memory until the day I die, and the first time I ever watched it will be the best three hours of my life, for those three hours changed my life in a way nothing has ever before. I've been touched by "Meet Joe Black," as will you be.
Rating: 
Summary: Meet Joe Who ?
Review: I have to admit I throughly enjoyed the first half hour of the film. The interaction between Pitt and Hopkins in the study was masterful. At this point I thought I stumbled apon a gem in the sea of melodramatic garbage. It turns out I was in for another disapointment. Does Martin Brest have to make susan cry constantly.
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