Rating: 
Summary: Simply a great movie
Review: Some reviewers describe Almost Famous as a "comedy". I don't understand why anyone would say this. AF has its laughs but this is NO COMEDY. Almost Famous is a masterfully written and acted film. It, in some strange way, reminded me of that old TV show "The Wonder Years". An innocent kid growing up fast on the road with a 70's rock band. This film is full of life, emotion and great music from the 60's and 70's. Kate Hudson has got to be the most amazing woman on the planet. Just one look in to this girls big blue eyes makes me melt every time I see her. WOW, what a beautifully talented soul Kate Hudson is. And newcomer Patrick Fuget is one heck of a actor in his own right. He is something special. Every actor in this film gets an A+ from me. One of the best films I have seen in years. And a great DVD with lots of options. Get it now!!!
Rating:
Summary: Raw and real look inside the rock revolution
Review: Writer/Director Cameron Crowe ("Fast Times at Ridgemont High", "Jerry Maguire") has a knack for capturing the human condition in all its imperfect glory. He is particularly insightful when he is writing from his own experiences. To write "Fast Times", he went undercover at a high school posing as a student. The result was an honest and genuine high school flick that was too real to be fiction. He does the same with this film, drawing on his experience as a writer for Rolling Stone Magazine when he toured with Led Zeppelin at age 16. Though the band and the most of the people in this film are fictitious, many of the situations are based on real events and the characters are composites of real people. Some people have compared this film to "This is Spinal Tap", but other than the fact that it follows a rock group, there is little similarity. "Tap" was a spoof documentary with its tongue firmly in cheek. AF is raw and real with a believable plot (except perhaps the silly airplane confession scene) and affecting characters. Crowe went to great lengths to capture the rock scene precisely, sending the actors to band camp to get them to the point where they could actually perform. Stillwater is literally a rock band created out of actors. While some of the vocals are dubbed, Jason Lee really sings lead on a couple of tracks, and Billy Crudup and the band are actually playing. Crowe was quoted as saying it was a pity that the band had to break up after the film was produced, because they were actually a pretty good band. Nancy Wilson and Peter Frampton wrote most of the band's original music to give the songs an authentic sound. Crowe's direction is excellent. Though the pacing of the film is a bit uneven, dragging at times, his ability to depict the feelings of the time through the performances of the actors is superb. The sound track is rich in 1970's music that is enhanced by the use of the DTS format on the DVD. The DVD also has numerous fascinating behind-the-scenes segments, including a copy of the original articles written by Crowe when he wrote for Rolling Stone Magazine. The acting by the ensemble cast is outstanding. In keeping with the theme of the film, most of the actors are bright young talents who are almost famous. Billy Crudup is the closest thing to a leading role actor, having starred in a few good but minor films ("Without Limits", "Waking the Dead"). Crudup's performance as the self-absorbed and brilliant guitarist who holds the band together is first rate. Frances McDormand is fabulous as always as William's oppressive mother. In a cast replete with fine performances, Kate Hudson stands out, giving a brilliant presentation of Penny Lane. She brings enormous emotional power to a very demanding role that ranges from effervescent to suicidal. Newcomer Patrick Fugit finds the right balance between nerdy and wise as William. Jason Lee is wonderfully turbulent as the temperamental lead singer. This film is a winner. By capturing the emotions rather than just a series of rock events, it takes us behind the scenes of the rock revolution in a way that no documentary ever has. I rated it a 9/10. It is necessary viewing for rock fans young and old.
Rating: 
Summary: Cameron Crowe continues his stellar work
Review: Few writer/directors working today can match Cameron Crowe's consistently beautiful work. He continues his his winning streak with Almost Famous. The fictitious rock band Stillwater and the assorted Band-aids (NOT GROUPIES!!), managers, roadies, and other hangers on that surround them are the focus of 15 year old William Miller's first assignment for Rolling Stone magazine. William is the stand in for Crowe himself who lived most of what you see onscreen when he worked as rock journalist in the 70's. Almost Famous cotinues the Crowe tradition of laugh out loud comedy combined with sentimentality, and heart rendering drama. Far be it from me to jump on the Kate Hudson bandwagon, but she absolutely deserves an oscar for her supporting role as the lead band-aid Penny Lane. She captures the screen everytime she is on. She will break your heart and make you love her character. Patrick Fugit plays William. Why he got so little attention for his finely shaded performance is beyond me. The rest of the cast includes Frances McDormand , Billy Crudup, and Jason Lee among others. They all deliver fine performances, even Lee whom I have always found a bit stiff. I highly recommend at least a rental of Almost Famous, but do yourself a favor and buy it. If only so you can watch the Tiny Dancer sing a long over and over.
Rating:
Summary: Heart-warming, heart-rending, and altogether great
Review: This film is true. That's not to say that it's a true story (although, of course, it is based on one), but rather to say that there isn't a single false feeling or moment throughout the movie. And when I think of all the movies I've seen, that says quite a bit. You simply won't find better acting in any film this year. Frances McDormand as the somewhat flaky and over-protective, yet absolutely loving mother of aspiring rock-journalist William (Patrick Fugit) absolutely nails her character. A character who could so easily have turned into a two-dimensional, over-the-top cut-out in her hands becomes a quirky, yet sympathetic and lovable individual. And Fugit's portrayal of William was so honest and believable that you truly forget you're watching a movie; instead, for a couple hours, you inhabit the 70s with him. Kate Hudson is perfect as the tough-yet-naive groupie William is destined to fall for. She is a marvel to watch, and imbues her character with warmth, humor, a touch of tragedy, and ultimately, an indominable spirit. And fortunately for us all, the rest of the cast is just as good. You'll find yourself transported back in time and riding with the band -- and it's a great ride. Here it is in three words: See this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Nothin'...Famous!
Review: Almost Famous made latent butterflies awake and flutter within my stomach, 'warm fuzzies' caress my skin, and sugar plums and fairies dance in my head. I love to leave a theatre feeling good, about myself as well as mankind. I'm not ashamed to admit that Almost Famous is-ATTENTION! CLICHÉ WARNING!-a feelgood movie. Almost Famous is loosely based on some experiences that Director/Producer/Screenwriter Cameron Crowe went through as a teenager. Excellent flick for all Romantics.
Rating:
Summary: Rock & Roll Nostalgia
Review: I love this movie! This is truely one of the best movies I've come across this year. Not only does it portrait a month in the life of a journalist in the midst of a upcoming band on tour(Led Zepplin baby!), but it reflects the true meaning and feeling of a real fan. Or band-aid this the case, played by Ms. Kate Hudson, who is caught between the passion of two pursuer, William Miller and Russell Hammond, who reflects Cameron Crowe and Jimmy Page, respectively. Before you watch the DVD version of this file, I recommend you read the Rolling Stone article written by Cameron Crowe for Led Zepplin under the Special Features. I'm sure you'll enjoy this movie. Peace, love, and music.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Famous is a Wonderful Little Masterpiece
Review: There is a difference between a movie and a film... Almost Famous is a brilliant film... It is one of the best contemporary film that I have ever seen and is an instant classic... The acting is wonderful and best of all, this film has substance... There is humor... There is drama... There are themes that develop subtley through out the entire film... There are wonderful moments that remind you of days when you were young... It is simply a wonderful film... It captures you the moment you see the handwritten credits from the beginning... Crowe does an excellent job at being subtle about the themes of image vs. reality, coming of age, and others... Wonderful, wonderful film... It breaks down the "rock and roll lifestyle" to show you a group of wonderful human beings...
Rating:
Summary: For those about to rock.....
Review: I want to be Cameron Crowe. He is able to capture every emotion and display it in the most subtle of moments. The point in 'Almost Famous' where William sees Penny leave at the airport and you see him grow up and understand what it really is that is leaving him, left me breathless. Billy Crudup's performance, especially the scene in which he and Patrick Fugit visit the Topeka party, made me forget that he was in a movie with Jewel. My only complaint would be the under utilization of the one and only Banky, Brodie, Fletch: Jason Lee. Why can't we get a starring role for him that does not put him up against David Schwimmer.
Rating:
Summary: Best movie of 2000
Review: No, the DVD doesn't have all the extras that Amazon promised. They goofed on that one. But, rest assured that the version we all want will be along in a few months when CC is done shooting "Vanilla Sky". Let me start by marveling at the plethora of negative reviews here. Even the critics that didn't name it to their Top 10 list didn't dislike the movie. You will be hard pressed to find a single negative professional review anywhere on this movie. Please disregard the short, ignorant reviews here that do no more than call the movie names. This movie is all you could ask for and then some. The story is old news by now. Everybody knows it is based on CC's real life experiences as a teenage scribe covering the rock scene for Rolling Stone magazine. Unlike many movies based on a true story, many of the pivotal scenes in this movie actually took place. Very few artistic liberties were taken with regards to key events. The acting was virtually flawless. Phillip Seymour Hoffman would have won an Oscar if there was an awards given for cameos. His role was too small to be considered for best supporting actor, but it was the best performance I have seen in a long time. McDormand and Hudson both earned their nominations. Kate Hudson's range was astonishing, especially in the "$50/Case of Beer" scene. Jason Lee was born to play the part of Jeff Bebe, and Jimmy Fallon was surprisingly strong as a sleazy agent. The movies focal points were Billy Crudup as Russel Hammond, a self-centered guitarist with several intricate layers to his makeup. Crudup played the part perfectly and deserved official recognition for his work. Patrick Fugit, playing William Miller/CC was excellent in his debut. Like Hudson, his expressions were worth a million words. Even Zooey Deschanel was fabulous in her short scenes as William's influential older sister. I expect to see a lot more of her in the coming years. Several scenes stand out, and the soundtrack was wisely chosen. Anyone that remembers albums had to appreciate the way a wide-eyed William gazed at all those covers with amazement for the first time. The late night conversation between Hoffman and Bangs near the end was heartbreaking and warm and brialliant and funny all wrapped up into one. The movie is full of nostalgia, but not so much that it becomes provincial and self-indulgent. The Academy snubbed this movie for the likes of Gladiator, Erin Brockovich, and Chocolat. Never before has that disconnected gang of oafs committed such a crime. Buy this movie and treasure it, because art like this doesn't come around very often.
Rating:
Summary: multifaceted
Review: I actually have a small music credit in the movie so I'm partial & proud. I love the movie and purchased the DVD hoping the "director's cut" with some 40 minutes of deleted scenes would have a bit more of ME than the theatrical release had. Unfortunately this DVD edition is not a director's cut as it was promoted to be... hopefully the next edition will help to further stroke my ego. That does not change the fact that this is very fresh take on music of the 70's which viewers of all generations should be able to relate to. Do not pass it by.
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