Rating: 
Summary: Some Kind of Wonderful.
Review: May become THE film about 70's rock. Follows the story of a young rock music reporter (based on Crowe's real-life experiences). Billy Crudup, Patrick Fugit, Kate Hudson, Frances McDomand, and the always-entertaining Philipp Seymour-Hoffmann are a first-rate cast that bring the 70's heyday of heavy rock to life in a moving, emotional story that successfully encapsulates the mythology of the rock star life. The 'Director's Cut' includes more footage of the band's "tour" and is the version that should have been released in theatres. This is a wonderful movie that tanked at the box office; hopefully over the years more people will see it and appreciate it for what it is: Cameron Crowe's affectionale and nostalgic tribute to 1970's rock music.
Rating:
Summary: Going back to '73
Review: Cameron Crowe is such a meticulous director, the detail in this movie is like stepping into a time machine and going back to the year 1973! The movie has a lot of feel to it, you are on this roller-coaster ride right along with the main characters from beginning to end. Jason Lee, as the egotistical but likeable singer, Jeff Bebe, is my favorite. I'll have to search out more movies with Jason Lee. I just love that scene where he's wearing his new Jeff Bebe t-shirt (finally, a t-shirt with a big picture of himself on it!), and he's freaking out over William Miller's portrayal of them in Rolling Stone magazine. This movie goes from hilarious to sad and back again. I love that. For anyone who's curious enough, I recommend reading "Let It Blurt: the life of Lester Bangs, America's greatest rock critic" (influence and mentor to Cameron Crow), and "Rebel Heart" by Bebe Buell (one of the girls Crowe met while interviewing bands).
Rating:
Summary: Captures the '70's Like No Other Film
Review: This is one of those rare films that brings you right back into the 1970's. I was just a kid in that decade, but I saw older kids and younger adults who looked and talked like some of the characters in this film, so the *feel* of the '70's just came back to me as I watched. The excitement, the decadence, the long hair and beards, the earth shoes, and the great rock 'n' roll music that was as thick in the air as the smoke; it was all there in front of me, but somehow most of it eluded me. As a member of 'Generation X', I missed out on all that fun--but also all the excess, the drugs, and the social sicknesses that defined the 'Me Decade'.This film has all of the above, but this is not merely a time warp. It tells the story of how a repressed, yearning young boy became inspired to become a rock 'n' roll writer--at the tender age of 15 years old. It made me wish that I had pursued my dreams at that age! Based on writer-director Cameron Crowe's own life, the story of the adventures of young William Miller (played to innocent man-child perfection by Patrick Fugit), as he follows the fictional hard-rock band Stillwater during their romps with groupies, prostitutes, and assorted druggies, held my attention from beginning to end. It made me realize that my life may not have been all fun-and-games even if I HAD pursued my dreams in my teens! The reason why ALMOST FAMOUS is so wonderful? Let's begin with the excellent, and informative, writing from the pen of Cameron Crowe, who saw it all at such a tender young age. Let's continue on with the well-fleshed-out characters, who are so real and yet always seem to have that magical way of revealing something about themselves in nearly everything they say. Let's conclude with the always-compelling story, which has many twists and turns, yet never feels contrived. All in all, this film has it all. Besides the brilliant low-key starring debut of Patrick Fugit, we have a wonderful, fully-realized performance from Billy Crudup (one of the best actors of his generation; look for his first Oscar within the next three years) as "golden god" lead guitarist Russell Hammond, who perhaps single-handedly personifies the various changes, and the vices, of the '70's. Also impressive is the realistic performance of egotistical lead singer Jeff Bebe by Jason Lee. Of course, no review of ALMOST FAMOUS would be complete without mentioning the star-making performance of Goldie Hawn's beautiful progeny, Kate Hudson, in an extremely well-realized performance as the ultimate rock groupie, Penny Lane. If you love a great story being told in an incisive, intelligent way with love for its characters who are completely real, then please buy this DVD. This was one of the five best films of 2000. MOST RECOMMENDED
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Flashback.
Review: This is one of the best movies I've seen in years. Cameron Crowe perfectly captures the entire essence of that not-really -too-long -ago-but-a-lifetime-ago-time. Yes, if you were there (circa early 1970's), this movie will totally fulfill any nostalgic yearnings. It brought back faces & places I hadn't thought about in 30 years. Those fabulous, jewel-bedecked, feathered creatures, standing off to the side of the stage, while Alice Cooper or Black Sabbath blew our minds at ear-splitting volume, I always wondered (and envied) what their lives were like. HOW did THEY get in?? (God, I was dumb.) And even if you weren't(there), the performances are all SO great, that this is the closest you can come to "being there." You WILL smell patchouli! Yes, I, like many, very much identify with the un-cool, rock star worshipping 15 year old, "William". (I even had that same awful, swept over, un-hair-do!) And was just as naive. We ALL wanted to hit the road, & follow around our favorite band, & this movie ALMOST fulfills that un-fulfilled desire. But it's about so much more. It is also a beautiful coming of age story. I had never seen Kate Hudson before, but from the moment she enters her first scene, you'll be enamored of her beauty, screen prescence, and obvious intelligence beyond her years. I deplore hype, but everything they've said about this actress is true (for once). Her "Penny Lane" is much more then a groupie. Really, all the players in this film are great, and there's not a wasted moment. That director Crowe based William on himself is obvious & now well known. How perfect that, in "real" life, he got his own rock goddess, in marrying Nancy Wilson, of the fabulous "Heart". Dreams really can come true. I haven't seen the un-issued version, but, after reading the reviews of those who have, I plan to. There's really so much to say about this great film, so, just SEE it. I suspect those few who REALLY disliked this film probably went into it with a bug up their...! Ignore them, they have no taste, & probably dress badly. I've seen this about 4 times now, & loved it more at each viewing. I think you will too. So, enjoy one of the best movies made in 2000 (or in many a year.)Just... GREAT!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: This is rock and roll.
Review: Almost Famous portrays a lost age. An age of innocence and of responsibility. An age of happiness and of anger. An age of music and of everything but music. It's the early 70's and 15 year old William Miller(Fugit) is infatuated by the immense world of rock and roll music. Such obsession is brought on by an early experience of his sister leaving home, giving him all her albumns(The Who, Led Zeppelin etc) to let the music set him free from his over-protective mother(McDormand). Miller follows the example of a cynical battle-hardened music critic Lester Bangs(Hoffman) and his own music reviews get noticed by Rolling Stone magazine. Rolling Stone, unaware of the fact he's 15, sends Miller on tour with "Stillwater" a ficticious band that might as well be a real one as it is portrayed expertly without cliches. On the road, he meets Penny Lane(Hudson) Shes not a groupie, shes a band-aid. Penny shows Miller the otherworldness of rock music. She shows him it's heart and soul personified by Stillwater. All the while being checked on by his mother, Miller desperatley tries to get an ever-growing story into Rolling stone on time. A crucial element to said story is an interview with the elusive yet emotional guitarist Russell Hammond(Crudup) The conflicts between the members of the band and the ever-present hysteria of 70's rock and roll bombard Miller in this powerful film with a wonderful pace and brilliant performances. The 70's will never return. This lifestyle will never return. And this film brings it all together to tell us the true story.
Rating:
Summary: Better than the theatrical release
Review: If you saw the movie in theatres, you haven't seen the movie. I recommend first time viewers watch the director's cut "Untitled" without the subtitles first, then watch it with them turned on. The running commentary enhances the movie. This movie gave me a better understanding of the music scene in the early 70s. I was only five years old in 1973, so to quote Lester Bangs, I "missed rock and roll". One of the added features, Cameron Crowe's original articles that appeared in Rolling Stone, gives more background to the music of that era. Also, don't miss the "Stairway to Heaven" deleted scene, classic.
Rating:
Summary: Have somebody written this before me
Review: I dont care - this picture is ALMOST GREAT. Ive already seen Crowes Jerry Maguire and Vanilla Sky and they were very good (especially Vanilla Sky I really dont understand why so much people don't like this beautiful movie). But this is his best work of art. Well, at first I was thinking: Hmmm This is kind of good movie... but I don't like it a lot, it's not my culture it is far from my interests, I've never liked rock n roll a lot... And so far I had a great stomach-ache and so I had to postpone watching it... The next morning I woke up with no ache. And so I thanked God and continued watching film. And... and I think it was one of the best movies Ive seen this year or maybe ever. Great acting, great music (I still don't like this type of music a lot, but it was great. A kind of surprise was Lou Reeds Im waiting for the man, I really adore cover-version of this song performed by my favorite singer Vanessa Paradis), great screenplay, great work of all the film's cast. So I want to thank everybody who made this touching, happy and lyrical picture about music, love, life and growing-up. To thank them all.
Rating:
Summary: Hold me closer, Almost Famous
Review: Okay, this is not an analysis of the "Tiny Dancer" bus scene; if you want to read about the music of the film, read my review of the soundtrack. Moving on... What can be said about Almost Famous that hasn't already been said? First, this was the first truly great film of the new milennium (I hate Gladiator with a passion, but that's another story). Second, Caneron Crowe LOVES rock music (hell, he's married to Nancy Wilson). Third, this is what magic feels like. It's sun flares in the camera lens as Stillwater and etc. are leaving a truck stop. It's Kate Hudson dancing in concert trash after the Cleveland show. It's the Band Aids' scarves dancing in the eyes of Patrick Fugit. It's Jason Lee's popularity speech. What this special Untitled Bootleg DVD does is make Almost Famous a universe. There are two versions of the film: the theatrical version (what you show to people who have not seen the movie) and the "Untitled" version, which clocks in at almost three hours. Among the special features are the script (no notes, however. ...), Cameron's fave albums of '73, with commentary, a behind the scenes music video with Nancy Wilson singing. There is the complete Cleveland show, more songs, the infamous "Stairway" scene (supply your own Zeppelin), and three hidden features. One of them is pure brilliance, Cameron's homage to Truffaut. If it were included in the theatrical release, Kate Hudson would have won the Oscar. Also included is a wonderful full-length commentary on the Untitled version. This is, by far, the best commentary I have ever heard. It is like watching the film with Cameron,his mom, and the Vinyl Films production company. There are insights into his life, how the film was made. In short, it's a lovely kiss blown to the kiss blown to rock n' roll. One of the best additions in this package is the bonus third disk with all six of Stillwater's great songs (in acutality, Fever Dog is my least favorite!). If you didn't know better, you would have thought that they were authentically vinatge. But what about the movie itself? In my opinion, the best films make you want to do something. Almost Famous makes some want to go out on the road and either sleep with or write about almost rock stars. That is too specific. This film, like Cameron's others (Say Anything, Singles, Jerry Maguire, Vanilla Sky), makes you want to do something great and scary. William Miller, at fifteen, goes out on the road with a rock band to write a story for Rolling Stone. Penny Lane goes out on the road with Stillwater because she truly loves the guitarist, although she preaches against falling in love with rock stars. She wants to encourage him to be great; she wants to help William become great. While greatness is an ongoing theme in Crowe films, the heart of Almost Famous is (cheesy, but true) a string of love stories. It is a love story between all of the characters and rock music (clarified by the Untitled cut. Watch for Russell's cut "woo" speech at the San Diego show). It is a love story between Russell and Penny, complicated by rock politics and the cool factor. It is a confused love story between William and Penny, one not knowing how to feel about the other. And it is a family love story; William's mother is embarassing, yet he is never embarassed nor apologetic about her. This film is a prime example of brilliance in making the specific universal. We are each a fan of something. Cameron Crowe is a fan of rock music, but he used that fandom as a flavoring in this beautiful coming of age story. By the end of the film, each character has grown up. William is no longer a boy, Mom respects her son's ambition, Russell is more selfless, and Penny... well, she was the most adult person in the film anyway. She brought the others to her level... she did her job.
Rating: 
Summary: Almost Famous
Review: Maybe I'll never understand why this movie was as popular as it was. I saw a couple of days ago for the first time and after the first hour and a half, I couldn't wait until it was done. Now, maybe I don't think that it's one of the worst movies of the year but I definitely think that it was one of the dumbest. And talk about bad acting--I can't figure out why they would hire an actor to play the main role when he can't even act (or at least act convincingly) himself. The acting of Patrick Fugit brings to mind the HORRIBLE acting (or lack-there-of) of Tobey Maguire, Elijah Wood, and other teen actors who need to find something else to do with their lives other than ruin potentially good movies. And then there's Kate Hudson. How in the world did she get an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe award for this role?? That's more confusing than trying to see a point to this whole movie. The only reason that I give this movie 2 stars instead of one is for Frances McDormand. She is the only actor in this whole movie to actually be acting. She saves this movie (barely) from becoming a train wreck. She is a good actress (better than I knew) and she is the only reason why I actually finished this movie. It's not worth your time because there's really no point to this movie AT ALL.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Famous? Try Almost a Cure for Rampant Insomnia!
Review: This movie was pretty boring. I thought the best scene was during the near plane crash. Jimmy Fallon did a good turn as the supporting character. I could have cared less what happened to the main character as he was way too removed and bit of a [weakling].
Kate Hudson's "star making perfomance" seemed to mainly consist of traipsing around with a knowingly annoying smirk. There were some good bits but they were far and few between. Viewers would be better served by viewing any number of documentaries about the Stones or the Who.
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