Rating: 
Summary: High quality acting about a topic that touches us all
Review: When I first heard about this movie, I thought it was going to be a glitzy "wasn't porn great in the 70s" with a lot of nostalgia for those years thrown in. I couldn't have been more wrong about it. This is a true gem of a film, that shows real people moving through a difficult industry, in almost a documentary style.The 70s was a key turning point for porm filmmaking, as it changed from something involving large cost and therefore relatively high standards down to something being cheap and easy for anyone, opening the floodgates to what we have today. Wahlberg and Reynolds shine in this movie. They're not glamour boys living as princes. They have real concerns, and real hopes and dreams, and things don't work out the way they always want them to. The story could have been set in any industry, but because it's in an industry that the US both consumes gluttonously and derides openly, it adds a whole extra dimension to the situation. They're creating something that almost everyone wants in some form, but nobody wants to admit enjoying. If you haven't seen this because you're not a "porn" person, buy it anyway. It's not about porn, really. It's about people in a "lower caste", looked down on by much of society, that are struggling to get what they want out of life. Definitely a movie to watch over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: WOW WHAT A FLIK !!
Review: WHAT A FANTASTIC FILM THE SECOND BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN THE GREAT ESCAPE BEING THE FIRST.WHAT A CAST WHALBERG REYNOLDS REILLY MACY.....JUST TO MANY TO MENTION FANTASTIC STORY OF THE WORLD OF PORN AND DRUGS.THE PARTS WER WELL CAST AND ACTED TO PERFCTION SOME MIGHT SAY AT 155 MINUTES ITS TO LONG BUT ITS A VERY QUICK TWO AND A HALF HOURS .OUT OF PT ANDERSONS THREE FILMS TO DATE THIS ONE STANDS OUT THE MOST MAGNOLIA SECOND AND NOT FAR BEHIND SYDNEY .GOOD EXTRAS FANTASTIC COMMENTARY TRACK. MY ONLY COMPLAINT IS THAT 1 YEAR AFTER YOU BUY IT NEW LINE HAVE THE BALLS TO BRING OUT A NEW 2 DISC EDITION WITH A FUNKY JACKSONS STYLE COVER THAT SAID STILL A EXELENT MOVIE
Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest American movies ever made....
Review: Note that I said "American", if you are not American (or even Canadian) you may not understand the esoteric nature of the film. Also, if you were too young or too old to remember the nuances of the late 70's or early 80's, then it might not translate either. My one strict criteria for giving a movie 5 stars, is that it is entertaining to watch again and again (Boogie Nights goes beyond this, as I see something new each time). JC Reilly (Reed) is truly the most under-rated actor on the screen today. This movie is one of the greatest commentaries on aspiration & desparation in modern American life ever created. If you haven't seen the movie, see it!
Rating:
Summary: Differences in the 2 DVD releases:
Review: Actually, the 2-disc version of this movie features and extra deleted scene not included in the 1-disc release and three rough shot John C. Riley deleted scenes. There is an improvement in the sound and picture quality as well. Is this worth shelling out [more money] for? I sure did. But decide for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing
Review: Boogie Nights is the type of film that we should see more of. But what do we really get at the megaplexes? Crapfests with Eddie "Egomaniac" Murphy trying to overact in a retarded comedy. We seldom get to see films that are as well directed, written, and acted as this film. Mark Wahlberg plays Eddie, a teenager with a big....uh, dream. He meets the director of Pornographic films, played by Burt Reynolds in his best role since he was the Bandit. Eddie soon forgets his past as a bus boy, takes the name of Dirk Diggler, and takes the world of adult films in the palm of his hand. The film does not try to glamorize the adult industry, and it does not try to bash it, it shows it truthfully, as it is: an industry like any other. This film also does not take the conventional road of trying to cram a bad story into 90 minutes. Instead it opts to put an incredible story into over 2 hours of a brilliant film. P.T. Anderson directs this film with a skillful hand, making sure that every scene is something important, and something meaningful. He shows us the high times of the 70s, then the low times of the early 80s. This is a film that will only get better with repeated viewings.
Rating:
Summary: In the Top 10 of the 90s
Review: Boogie Nights is one of those films that just gets better with every viewing. The first time I saw it I thought it was OK. I had the same feeling with Being John Malkovich. But like that film, it gets you subconsciously. You remember little touches, you don't realise you've noticed, and when you come to watch it again, you notice so much more. It's like the song that you hear once, and then hear 6 months later, cant remember where or when you heard it before, but really love it. Like BJM, Boogie Nights is just so packed with great visual gags, hilarious lines, and some truly spectacular performances. Wahlberg and Reilly are one of the best comedy duos ever created. The Mixing with Nick scene on the Double Platinum Edition is just so funny, I was rolling around on the floor: when Dirk's being dragged out of the recording studio by Scotty and he shouts: 'I need a lawyer!' And one of the funniest bits in the film is the documentary made by Amber about Dirk: 'Violence.... no... if theres a certain amount of violence, ... or action... in this series of films... you know, thats the movie!' Dirk's arrogance, and ignorance go together so well! What a god damn masterpiece. PT Anderson is a genius. I know its overused, but its simply a fact.
Rating: 
Summary: Utterly Stupid and Pointless
Review: Beautifully made, beautifully acted, stupidly written and stupidly directed. A film that wanders aimlessly around for a long time, following a group of repugnant characters. Then, in a naked attempt at some kind of climax, we get a scene of graphic violence (well, actually, about three scenes of graphic, bloody violence cut together). Then the film goes back to aimless stupid wandering, and finally finally finally comes to a close. The way Paul Thomas Anderson is able to supply his fine cast of actors with big scenes, in which they get to choke back tears, scream at each other, and just generally ACT ACT ACT ACT in big broad strokes, is truly remarkable. If only he was able to tie all these bravura moments into something that was of any value whatever. Comparisons with Scorsese and Altman are ill-advised, as even a cursory viewing of Raging Bull and/or Nashville will throw the inadequacies of Boogie Nights into sharp relief.
Rating: 
Summary: should have been called chumbawhumba
Review: Using "Marky Mark" was risky but nice; had they cast Ron Jeremy there'd be no need for a prosthetic device.
Rating: 
Summary: Movie great, but beware: there are 2 different DVD versions!
Review: Ok, I loved the movie, but I am angry! The movie surely rates a 5 but the DVD is another thing... A few months after I bought this movie on DVD, a "Platinum" edition came out with a load of features at about the same price. Sure, I'm happy that film companies are going all out, taking advantage of the format and offering these super-packed DVDs, but why do they release the bare-bones version? I'm sure many would refrain from buying a given title if they knew that a premium version was in the works. Hmmm, I guess that's what we should all do, hold off on newly released DVDs for a few months until the premium version comes out (or doesn't). So, in conclusion: be careful - get the platinum edition! I probably will, too...
Rating:
Summary: A DVD Packed With Extras
Review: This is a great movie with a great cast. It is a sprawling epic laced with humor, but grounded in deep drama. There is a wonderful sense of family felt throughout this movie (as messed up as that family may be). Extraordinary performances from J. Moore, B. Reynolds, M. Walberg, and especially P.S. Hoffman. Other supporting characters are excellent as well. PT Anderson is a director who knows how to turn his talent loose and this movie is fantastic. The extras are why I love this DVD so much. PT Anderson's commentary track is hillarious and really insightful. The deleted scenes come with commentary as well and are really interesting to watch as well. Before you buy this edition of the Boogie Nights DVD be sure to check out the Platinum Edition that came out recently for even more extras. (It's available right here at Amazon as well.)
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