Rating: 
Summary: robbed at the Oscars, this cut makes it even better
Review: The bootleg cut makes this film much better, and it is now my prefered way to watch it. The extra 30 minutes add alot to the film in terms of character relationships and storyline. Also, there is a hilarious scene involving the band being interviewed by a pothead DJ. Kate Hudson steals the film, She is innocent, charming, and kind of quirky all at the same time. She is one of the best actesses around, and it's a shame she doesn't get more work. Jason Lee is a great supporting role, and I am not saying that because he's one of the greatest actors of all time. Cameron Crowe directs it wonderfully. The Bootleg cut is the only way to watch it though, the "Untitled" version, so to say. Get it. NOW.
Rating: 
Summary: Easy Viewing that Doesn't Make You Sick
Review: Some movies that are what I call "Easy Viewing" can leave you feeling like "I'll never get that two hours of my life back".That is not this movie. Quite the opposite in fact. I didn't look at my watch once during the movie, and yet I felt like I learned something at the end. I'll let you know when I figure out what that was. Great movie, worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Famous: Untitled DVD
Review: "Almost Famous" is a movie, that some would call a dramatic "Spinal Tap", but actually it's a little more than that. It's a movie with heart (no pun intended, seeing that the lead vocalist of Heart did the music for this movie). Now, that DreamWorks has released a new Director's Edition DVD featuring a new version of the movie, that features not only new footage, but the title card has the original title of the movie. Originally, director Cameron Crowe, was going to call this movie "Untitled", but for good reasons, he changed the title to "Almost Famous" and deleted over 35 minutes from the movie. Now what we have in this quaint little deluxe package is: Untitled: The Bootleg Cut with 35 minutes of footage, digitally remastered, presented in 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio and Dolby 5.1 Almost Famous: Original Theatrical Version of the movie: Presented in the same aspect ratio and presented in both 5.1 Dolby and DTS 5.1, plus the original script for the film. A Special Stillwater music CD with six songs, five of them unreleased. Features the song "Fever Dog" which is in the movie. There are other great special features in this DVD package, but I don't want to drag on for years describing a DVD! But anyway, everyone who saw and liked the theatrical version of Almost Famous, should get this package.
Rating:
Summary: Cameron Crowe comes through again...
Review: This isn't about the film that you may have seen in theaters, it's about the new "bootleg" director's cut. This is a must own DVD. For the music fan. For the movie fan. For fans of great commentary tracks, extra footage, etc. It's one of those titles that you'll want to watch when friends come over just to show them the commentary track with his mother, along with the 36 minutes of footage that was seamlessly put back into the film. Having seen the new cut, it now makes my list as one of the best films I've ever seen. I hope it finds the audience in video that it deserved while it was in theaters. I've already sold my Jerry Maguire bare-boned dvd and Say Anything laserdisc in anticipation of the rumored special edition dvds of those two titles. Hopefully Cameron will also go back to Singles and give that the treatment it deserves as well. Vanilla Sky is as remarkable. I think it's about time that audiences go to see his films because he's involved (not because Tom Cruise is in it, etc.)
Rating: 
Summary: far better than it's contemporaries
Review: ...but I still expected a little more from Cameron Crowe. As an avid fan of Crowe's work and any music addict's connection to the concept of this plot, I had to check it out. So if you are a music junky and want to watch an amusing flick, this is the one for you. It stands out amongst recent blockbusters -- but that isn't really saying much.. I would like to point out a couple really good points: 1. Commendable research. Check the credits. Peter Frampton and Kelly Curtis (who was at the time bus driver to Heart, and currently is a hot shot band manager) were listed as 'technical consultants,' plus Cameron, himself, was active in the rock scene at the time and has been since. He knows his stuff. 2. The faux band that the film is centered upon was actually composed (musically) of none other than my favorite guitarist, Mike McCready (lead guitarist in Pearl Jam) -- and all other parts were played by talented musicians who actually took the time to put together original songs to suit the movie and its characters (and the songs were pretty good). In regards to the script, I have to say that the entire thing was a little too *cute* to be taken seriously.... who wouldn't love to be that kid? It's charming and fun and all that... the outcast smartypants sends his school articles to a major magazine and then of course the editor befriends and hires him -- and to top it all off, the 15 year old music geek somehow manages to get hired by Rolling Stone to follow one of his favorite bands around and write a cover story with no experience (or even having to meet any RS staff) and becomes buddies with the lead guitarist, to boot. I'm sorry but the entire premise was a bit hard to believe and cookie-cutter perfect (even for 1973)... ..but it's still better than wasting your money on one of the shamelessly BAD movies that are commanding the theaters these days.
Rating:
Summary: Crowe is the best
Review: He's not only a great writer and director, his knowledge of music is incredible. And on top of that he's a evidently a really nice person - a director that actors love to work for.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Director's Cut - Powerful Story and Acting
Review: Almost Famous Untitled: The Bootleg Cut - Director's Edition. I've decided to review the Bootleg Cut of "Almost Famous" as most of the other reviews are of the original theatrical release. This is a wonderful two-disc ( actually 3, more on this later ) DVD collection. First, the packaging. We are presented with a brown tri-fold package, much like the bootleg recordings of the seventies. Not a whole lot of artwork on the cover. Simply a small photo of Kate Hudson (Penny Lane). The first tri-fold presents us with a wonderful addition to this DVD set. Included is a STILLWATER Music CD. This music CD is only available in this collection and features songs from the film as performed by Stillwater. Four of the tracks are co written by Nancy Wilson ( of Heart ) and Cameron Crowe ( the director ). This little bonus CD is great and very appropriate to the theme of the set. I'll jump now to DISC 2 of this set which is the Original Theatrical Version of "Almost Famous". This is the academy award winning version that was released and it's great. The story is well told and very engaging. DISC 1 is "Untitled: Almost Famous : The Bootleg Cut" which is not rated. This version is a gift. Cameron Crowe has taken the time to ( lovingly ) recut his film and include an additional 36 minutes of film. The addition of these precious minutes change the film but do not deminish it's impact or watchability. The additional 36 minutes add mostly to the character of Penny Lane ( Academy Award Nominee Kate Hudson ) and expand on her history. Unlike many extended versions which add little to character development, this version of "Almost Famous" brings more insight and depth to nearly all characters. The acting is outstanding, and it's clear that the scenes not in the original release were cut strictly due to time constraints as the acting is right on. This is a great cast. Kate Hudson is a stand out, as is newcomer Patrick Fugit. Billy Crudup is wonderful as well, this is the movie which should have made him a movie star. Jason Lee ( of "Chasing Amy" and other Kevin Smith films ) is hysterical and just enough over the top to be believable. The movie, this version, rests soundly with Kate Hudson and Patrick Fugit. I would think, had this Bootleg version been released theatrically, then perhaps Kate Hudson would have actually won the Academy Award rahter than just being nominated. She's done a wonderful job with this complex character. The director's commentary is priceless, much like attending a film school seminar as conducted by Cameron Crowe. This two disc set is a must have for any film fan. Even if you've got the original DVD release ( rather than this special edition set ), this is still more than worth the purchase price. I would recommend this set. Strongly. Best Regards,
turtlex PS - if you've enjoyed this review, feel free to add me to your favorite people list as I try to write reviews frequently. Thanks for reading.
Rating:
Summary: Even more to love!
Review: This is the rare instance where the director's post-release tinkering has improved what was already a fantastic film. Watching the "Untitled" cut (Director Cameron Crowe had such difficulty coming up with a title he almost released the film as "Untitled") is like discovering long-lost chapters to your favorite book, or hearing outtakes from your favorite band. The additional scenes bring viewers further into both the hero's home life and the surreal life on the road of a touring rock band. The original cut of the movie is included in the set, but why anyone would want to see it after seeing this film in the longer form is beyond me. And the extras ... simply the best on a DVD I've ever come across. The commentary with Crowe and his mother is at turns insightful, touching and hilarious. The part where they discuss whether Crowe lost his virginity the same way his alter ego on screen did is worth the price of admission alone. The deleted scenes include one that invites the viewer to cue up "Stairway to Heaven" since that was supposed to be the soundtrack for the scene, but the rights was unavailable. The satisfaction of seeing the characters on screen react to your dubbing is incredible. And there's a bonus CD of songs by "Stillwater," the faux band in the film. The songs are a great pastiche of 70s rock that heighten the believability of the film. You really think you're listening to a great undiscovered band from the time. As for the movie itself, the original film deservedly won an Oscar for best original screenplay and should have won more. Had more of Kate Hudson's performance as "band aid" Penny Lane been in the movie, she would have an Oscar today. Billy Crudup perfectly personifies both the innocence and the arrogance '70s rockers exuded, while Patrick Fugit's performance captures the uncool kid yearning to be cool we all were at that age. Put simply, if you even just mildly enjoyed "Almost Famous," you owe it to yourself to give this a spin. It's everything about the movie you liked, raised to a higher level.
Rating:
Summary: Pure joy in cinema and music. One of a kind.
Review: Though I love rock music, I don't tend to like movies about rock music. This one did me in. An overwhelming charm seeps from every frame of this movie, every character, every moment, making it impossible for me to imagine that Cameron Crowe ever had doubts about bringing this story to life. If you enjoyed the strengths of Almost Famous, I think the "bootleg/Untitled" cut of this movie will only make the movie better for you. It is essentially a more detailed, slightly slower-paced, but richer version of the movie, where the magic moments take more time to unfold, the sense of reality is more firmly established, and the characters are better explored. Billy Crudup and Jason Lee are absolutely wonderful as the feuding vocalist/guitarist team; Patrick Fugit brings much innocent charm and emotional honesty; Philip Seymour Hoffman, Fairuza Balk, Zooey Deschanel, Noah Taylor and Frances McDormand are all sublime; and of course, Kate Hudson steals the show as one of the most adorable characters I've ever seen, a combination of naive sensuality, sheer joie de vivre, and romantic longing. Crowe richly deserved his Best Screenplay Oscar, as well -- this movie contains magic moments aplenty, and the dialogue shifts effortlessly from the gloriously funny to the achingly heartfelt. The bonus materials are abundant -- this is more than just a bootleg, it's a veritable boxed set. A Stillwater music CD, an interview with Lester Bangs, outtakes (including one patience-testing, but still amusing sequence shot of Penny Lane -- smart not to include in either version of the movie), transcripts of Crowe's original Rolling Stone articles -- in a year of great DVD releases, this one stands on its own, even among Criterion's Hitchcock releases, the Godfather DVD set, and the second season of The Sopranos. Cameron Crowe's love of music has translated into cinematic form. And the feeling envelops us all. We are the better for it.
Rating:
Summary: The best film since To Kill a Mockingbird
Review: A movie with a soul. It is honest, sensitive, raw, and wonderfully entertaining drama. I didn't see this film in the theater. I rented it, then bought it. This movie transcends your typical teenage rock movie by documenting the loss of innocence - both of the main character, William Miller (brilliantly under played by newcomer Patrick Fugit) and the music industry as a whole. Miller discovers the world of rock from listening to his older sister's albums and through circumstances ends up on an assignment for Creem magazine to write an article on Black Sabbath. When he tries to gain entrance backstage to do the story, he ends up meeting band aid (NOT groupie) Penny Lane (played by Kate Hudson) and his life changes. Instead of meeting Black Sabbath, he falls in with one of their opening acts, a fictitious band called Stillwater, and Miller's early career as a writer takes off. Penny Lane befriends the young Miller and is his guide into the world of rock and roll. The achievement of this film is it manages to show the drugs and sex, the emptiness, and shallowness of the music industry without making the viewer lose fascination or obsession with its stars and glamour. The people are human, talented, affected, and driven. That's where the film so gloriously succeeds. As Miller follows Stillwater on their Almost Famous Tour on assignment for Rolling Stone magazine, we see him fall in love and get used, and he just keeps coming out of the trenches to face more because in the end - every one is in it for the music and living for the moment. Some of the most magical moments in the film are between Patrick Fugit and Kate Hudson, Patrick Fugit and Billy Crudup, and Patrick Fugit and Frances McDormand. I find it hard to imagine all the attention heaped on McDormand and Hudson to the exclusion of Fugit. While the ensemble cast in this film is one of the best ever assembled (Altman eat your heart out), Fugit and director Crowe are the glue that hold this movie together and make it what promises to be one of the most enduring films ever made. Not to mention Academy Award winner Anna Pacquin and Phillip Seymour Hoffman in Oscar-worthy roles. And Jason Lee proved in this film that he should never go back to skateboarding. Ever. Guitarist Peter Frampton was a technical consultant on this film, and Nancy Wilson (Mrs. Cameron Crowe) formerly of heart wrote the score for Almost Famous. Cameron Crowe said as he was accepting the Academy Award for best original screenplay for Almost Famous that the film was his love letter to the music industry. I just hope he sends a few more their way. Or ours. This movie proves he doesn't have to take a back seat to Harper Lee as long as he stays honest. The more we see of Crowe in his work and the less of Cruise the better. If dipping into his own experiences yields this kind of entertainment, I hope the well never runs dry. In Almost Famous, he bared his soul and created a cinema masterpiece that captures more about the human spirit than anything put on celluloid in two decades.
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