Rating: 
Summary: Hayden Christensen was amazing
Review: This movie was incredibly sad but heartwarming in a hokey Hollywood sense, but I liked it. The teenage son was hilarious- though I admit I liked his looks a lot better with the chin piercing :)He was easy to relate to and thw whole thing had a very realistic vibe to it. The shower scenes were romantic and funny too. Perhaps I wouldn't see it again in theaters b/c it was a little bit long, but I will of course rent it again when it comes out on video, maybe even buy it, because Hayden was just too talented and too sexy to miss in this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Worst movie I've seen in years. I'd give it a -10
Review: A great picture of dysfunctionalism. I found the plot hard to follow because there was no real character involvement from the beginning, with the exception of the obnoxious teenager, I wanted to "kill" him from the beginning (not literally, but if he were my kid, I'd have pulled every poster and CD out of room and used it for firewood, and my kid yelled at me or talked to me like that I'd have packed their bag for them). Do I blame him? Yes and No. His self-indulgent parents were as much to blame. A kid like this is crying out (inside) for help and all they do is let him get deeper involved as they don't have the skills to help him. I found it laughable that the mother when talking to her new husband about his inability to reach out and physically "hug" his kids (which by the way I think is a 9 on my 1-10 scale of important things to do everyday, 10 is practice what you preach), was more concerned with that issue than walking in on her own son huffing, while hanging from the closet clothes rod. Did she seek professional help for this kid? No. She yelled at her ex to take him for the Summer, and she told the boy (yes, boy age 16) he could go to Lake Tahoe for the Summer with his friend, another mature decision on her part.
Honestly I'm surprised the boy stayed in school as long as he did, with parents as un-interested in his well-being or influence on the other two young boys in the house (impressionable boys, learning from the older one). Meanwhile the father, in his own little world finds out he has only 4 months to live, and they never really set this up for you, and than bam all of a sudden 10 years of an "absence" from this kids life he walks in and makes the kid go with him for the Summer, because he has "worn out his welcome" at his home with his mother and her new family. (OK to be fair he was taking the kid every other weekend but now the kid doesn't want to go anymore, typical). This movie went from slow starter, bad, to really bad, quick. I waited for it to pick up it never did. This movie doesn't deserve your time, attention or your hard earned money. Two thumbs down.
Rating: 
Summary: Sure it's predictable......
Review: But it was amazingly well done. We all knew what would happen and how the story would end. That was not the point. The fact that all of the actors sucked you in to their lives and did it so well, made the movie. Kevin Kline should recieve an Oscar nomination, Kristin Scott Thomas was fantastic, and Hayden Christenson, although absurdly beautiful, has my utmost respect. He had a difficult role to play as a young man, and pulled it off perfectly. When the 300 pound linebacker sitting 2 seats away had to grab one of his popcorn napkins to wipe away the tears, I knew it was a great movie!
Rating:
Summary: Learning House
Review: Life As A House is an excellent movie. I think Kevin Kline and Kristin Scott Thomas both do excellent jobs. The real shining star in this movie, however, is Hayden Christensen. For a new actor with not alot under his belt he is believable, entrancing, and smoldering (I guess this is why he was cast to play Anakin Skywalker). Everyone else included, a great movie that you should definitely go see.
Rating:
Summary: Best Movie I Have Ever Seen
Review: Over the past few years, there has been a generic quality in the movies at the theater. They say that they are all unique, and they may be, but they are so predictable. "Life As A House" came as a total surprise to me. I didn't know that much about the movie when I went to see it. I would have to say that it was the best movie I have ever seen. When I say this, I don't mean it lightly. I am a big movie buff. The movie was very funny and very sad all at the same time. I think that the best movies are. Everyone should be made to go see this movie. It was very inspirational. If you are looking for a great movie to see, this would be it.
Rating:
Summary: THE story of the week
Review: I just have to say that this is the best movie i've ever seen. It had every aspect i wanted: a great original yet down to earth story with great actors who know what part they are playing and of course great cinematography. As i mentioned the actors were great... Kevin Kline was really believeable, and had a great settleling vibe to him. Hayden Christensen was absolutely amazing i related completely to his situation, and i saw how much he needed to be rescued or just simply woken up. Kristen Scott Thomas, i think was the perfect person for this role, she was calm, but inside she was screaming, and you could tell. In conclusion, i hope more will go see, and apreciate the great story itself, since there are so many teens that are like Sam, and realize what they are doing and take a step back, and try again, i know i am one of them.
Rating:
Summary: THE story of the week
Review: I just have to say that this is the best movie i've ever seen. It had every aspect i wanted: i great original yet down to earth story with great actors who know what part they are playing and of course great cinematography. As i mentioned the actors were great... Kevin Kline was really believeable, and had a great settleling vide to him. Hayden Christensen was absolutely amazing i related completely to his situation, and i saw how much he needed to be rescued or just simpply woken up. Kristen Scott Thomas, i think was the perfect persont for this role, she was calm, but inside she was screaming, and you could tell. In conclusion, i hope more will go see, and apreciate the great story itself, since there are so many teens these days that are like Sam, and realize what they are doing and take a step back, and try again, i know i am one of them.
Rating:
Summary: Hold on to your heart
Review: This movie is a tour de force look at todays family and morals. It was by far more moving and involving than American Beauty though the latter may have been equally as intrigueing. The best acting Kevin Kline has done since Sophie's Choice(the movie for which he should have got the Oscar) . Hayden should have quite a career ahead of him. He was perfect and reminds you of Johnny Depp in his intensity. Hope to see more movies like this one. Warning: if you don't like to think or feel and reevaluate your own life when you go to the movies then stay away from this one.
Rating:
Summary: Another Great Movie People Arn't Seeing.
Review: Life As A House - A context that would suggest an inanament object of having life, an idea which realy is not explained until the very end. Any house certainly could have its history, of families ups and downs. The family of this particular house is no exception. I thought this was going to be another cookie cutter coming of age film between a lost son and his father. And although that may have been one aspect of this film it certainly was not the whole story. I would have been satisfied with just that because I havn't been this captivated by the main cast of a film since "Ordinary People". This film from what I can tell is not getting the press it deserves. Which will be a crying shame because Kevin Kline presents an outstanding performance deserving of an Oscar. Convincing in every way he comes across genuinely sincere, and delivers the MusH. Don't forget to bring the tissues. He is rivetting in a film that goes along at his own pace. Nothing is hurried and everything falls into place, perhaps too easily but acceptably. I originally was drawn to this film for one reason. To see Hayden Christensen's debute acting skills. Being a Star Wars fan I wanted to see what I was in store for. The former Higher Ground star has me convinced that the acting won't be the problem in the next prequal. If you can believe that every neglected kid turns into a drugged out gothic drama queen, he has this role pegged. I was impressed and he should be proud I look forward to future projects. Here is the low down. The depicted characterizations and their individual plight might be a tad over the top. But if your looking for a warm and sincere leave the explosions and special effects in the next theater type of film this is the one for you. I highly recommend seeing "Life As A House". You will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: WRONG!!!
Review: This movie is self-riotous and pretentious. It dictates emotions to the audience without giving them a chance to experience anything else. It has a Spielbergian touch in the manner in which it manipulates your emotions, particularly the way it uses a child as a device to make you cry. In my opinion, this is a cheap trick, the emotional connection between the film and the audience should forged, not forced down you throat. It seemed to me that this film was created for the soul purpose of winning some Oscars. The director, (a former producer who has a reputation for monopolizing the Academy Awards) has banged out a simple script that seems to have come right from the "Screenwriting for Dummy's" textbook. (it even has trouble with the third act.) The script does have it's moments, but for the most part, it's naive and predictable. Kevin Kline does dazzle, but there are only so many anecdotes riddled with life lessons and aphorisms filled with meaning that one man can spurt out. He does a good job non-the-less, I'm sure he'll get an Oscar nod. The film also lacked style. I understand that this is a character-driven film, but when I became bored with the 2-D characters, I had nothing else to turn too. No eye-candy, no breathtaking musical score...nothing. This film will be hailed as a success and compared to such films as American Beauty and Terms of Endearment. It's even reminiscent of Death of a Salesmen. In fact, this film doesn't have half of what American Beauty and good old Willy had to offer, it's lackadaisical, the characters are unsympathetic and the film uses a simple metaphor hoping to convey some deep meaning. Conclusion: It stinks! (but i'm not bitter)
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