Rating: Summary: Listen to the director first......another "Mitchell"... Review: Before you spend over two and a half hours watching this video, try listening to the director provide "commentary" on the deleted scenes. One is immediately impressed with his total incoherence and inability to refrain from using the "f-word" as a universal modifier. After one or two examples of that - do you still want to watch the movie? Do you think such a juvenile character has anything important or meaningful to say to you? Then, consider Marky Mark is the "star". Oh dear. The movie itself? It's a lot like watching that Joe Don Baker train-wreck "Mitchell" withOUT the MST3K guys helping. Yes, I know - it's *supposed* to be "about" that time and place, but hey, I guess even though I managed to live through that most ugly of decades, I don't have to *like* it. I suppose the best things that I could say about "Boogie Nights" is that it doesn't have a Bee Gees-heavy soundtrack (thank God for small favors) and it DOESN'T have John Travolta (thank God for BIG favors), but then, it DOES have Burt Reynolds, so I guess we're out of luck. What we end up with is a loosely-connected series of vignettes, some good, others self-indulgent, nothing that daring, racy, or original. The plot is essentially "A Star is Born" minus any authentic emotion, and the whole post-modern irony schtick is simply a idiot's way of smirking back in time. I'd feel better-off watching a REAL 70s movie than this high-priced, middle-brow "interpretation" of one. The amount of *extra* material provided on the DVD is obviously important to those who find something *in* this film, but to me, it seemed pretty SELF-important to crow about what is really pretty mediocre material at such length.
Rating: Summary: AN ACTOR'S DIRECTOR Review: The 2 factors contributing to this movie's greatness are: 1) A dynamite script and 2) Superb direction of the actors. P.T. Anderson brings performances of a lifetime out of such otherwise fairly limited actors as Burt Reynolds and Mark Wahlberg. Throughout the movie, Anderson also manages to squeeze in poetic vignettes that take the viewer out of the mad-dash-to-get-to-the-third-act method that is so prevalent in Hollywood narratives. These moments he provides include Philip Seymour Hoffman's self-hatred, Julianne Moore's distress, and Don Cheadle's moment in the donut shop. Please note that although the Hollywood Reporter classified this film as a 'comedy', to me it's more of a tragedy, but it's definitely an all-round drama, comparable in tone to a Goodfellas or Casino.
Rating: Summary: Mark Wahlberg proves there really is life after Marky Mark Review: Brilliant, moving, intense, and surprisingly funny look at the late 70's/early 80's adult film industry. Awesome cast....Burt Reynolds gives one of the greatest performaces of his career, Mark Wahlberg proves he can act in a brilliant star-making performance, and the supporting players are absolutely flawless. The ending is a bit of a letdown, but the rest of the movie more than makes up for it. A must-see.
Rating: Summary: ONE OF 1997'S BEST Review: Dazzling, sensational look at the porn industry's late '70s heyday owes much to the manic style of Scorsese, yet still comes across as original and energetic. Wahlberg is outstanding as the naive young star Dirk Diggler, and the supporting cast, from Reynolds to Graham, is miraculous. Very edgy and racy, with plenty of graphic sexual discussion and nudity. The DVD edition is outstanding, featuring nine deleted scenes and director's commentary.
Rating: Summary: I Feel the Heat! Review: I really love this movie on DVD. It is so right on to hear P.T. Anderson talk about the making of the movie, his thoughts his love of movies, etc... The widescreen version is so groovy, the nine edited scenes,super! All of the actors gave the best perfomances of their careers, in my opinion. If you have DVD rent it, own it or just buy it. You won't be disappointed. If you are then you know nothing about movies.
Rating: Summary: Paul Thomas Anderson, the next great director Review: I sincerely don't understand how people who love movies and the art of film could not think Boogie Nights is a modern-day classic. Paul Thomas Anderson takes a tough subject, "porn", and turns it into a moving account of characters involved in the 70's early 80's porn industry. Burt Reynolds could have easily won an Oscar for his great performance as a porn-director with visions of someday making his opus. The ensemble cast is great: especially Don Cheadle, William H. Macy, and John C. Reilly. Anderson is the most exciting director to come out of Hollywood in a long time. He is already a great storyteller and a virtuoso behind the camera. Boogie Nights will probably be his, "Citizen Kane."
Rating: Summary: Overrated garbage Review: This movie is overrated. Bold, daring - yes. Well done - no. The first hour or so is a so-so movie with a daring topic. It then goes downhill into a complete waste of time. It tries to be arty, but only succeeds in the modern sense that only the "artist" can see the art in it. Don't waste your time.
Rating: Summary: BETTER THAN AUDREY Review: THIS HAS GOT TO BE ONE OF THE BEST MOVIE EVER MADE! SURPASSES EVEN AUDREY HEPBURN'S "BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S". A CLASSIC! IF YOU HAVE NEVER WATCHED A SINGLE MOVIE IN THIS LIFETIME, CATCH THIS ONE. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED. ALWAYS TRUST ME, KRISTINA LEE!
Rating: Summary: Burt Reynolds has his authority back! Review: Pleasure had no end, there were no limits for joy and sex was safe and just a business: welcome to the seventies, the time in which Boogie Nights' storyline happens.There is just one word to describe it: masterpiece. The beginning of the film is literally thrilling, with the screen exploding into colors and the powerful, touching and terrific song Best of my Love underlining the whole scene. Of course, you may already know that Boogie Nights is a great movie, if it wasn't it wouldn't have gone to the Oscar night. The story is courageous and shocking, about Jack Horner,a porn director who turns Eddie, a boy ,into a movie star. The seventies, a happy, funny and delicious time, suddenly gives place to the eighties, and things begin to go wrong, and Jack , Eddie and their friends start to get in touch with the first signs of decadence. Wahlberg is great, he proves that he is a good actor, Anderson will be the next Scorcese, he has full domain over filming techniques, and his talent is more than shown here. He creates scenes that deserve to be included in the great moments of cinema history.The biggest surprise in this porn saga is in fact just one man, a guy who once was the biggest name in Hollywood, an actor who was destinated to the end, his name is Burt Reynolds. I always thought that Burt Reynolds was in his way out, and Hollywood wouldn't even remember his importance in the past. Maybe Tarantino could remember him, but I was sure that he was in his way out. But in this movie the man returns and delivers the greatest performance of all time, and I am sincere in my opinion, Reynolds gave one unforgetable performance, with authority, charm and talent!his presence is the screen is striking, and his breakthrough role made Hollywood understand that no one after him stood above the top of the box office for so many years in a row, it made Hollywood understand the importance of this talented and beloved movie star. And now he is in his way back, and, boy, his next project is going to be very talked about: you will soon hear about a thriller called The Crew.I just have one thing to say for Mr. Reynolds, if someday he read my review: you got the best of my love, man!welcome back!
Rating: Summary: An Incredible DVD for an Incredible Movie Review: Once again, New Line has taken an incredible movie, and put together an incredible DVD to go with it. This edition in the Platinum Series offers up many fascinating features at a low price. First of all, Boogie Nights is an amazing movie. I consider this one of my favorite movies of all time, and I appreciate it more with each viewing. Paul Thomas Anderson has crafted a mesmerizing view of the 70's porn industry that focuses on many different fascinating characters. Anderson pulls solid performances from all the actors--most notably Mark Whalberg (who deserved an Oscar for this work) Julianne Moore, Heather Graham, and Burt Reynolds. But, really, all of the actors involved did a great job. This truly is the work of an ensemble. This movie can be dark, though there are a few glimmers of light to be found within. Anyone who loves a movie about people and their lives will find Boogie Nights a wise purchase. Moreover, this is a movie that needs to be owned--for you will want to watch it again and again. And thanks to New Line for putting together such a high quality DVD to go with this amazing movie. The commentary by Paul Thomas Anderson is particularly intriguing. A must-hear for any fan of the movie.
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