The Majestic

Rating:
Summary: The Majestic is so cool
Review: Jim Carry is my favorite actor and this movie improves my explanation of why he is. sure he is not his usual funny self but when you see this movie it will change your entire outlook on life.

Rating:
Summary: Missing pieces amid the yawns.
Review: "The Majestic" was almost a good movie. I am not a Jim Carrey fan at all at all. But he is much better doing drama than comedy, I think even though his loyal fans would disagree.

The story line did make me think of a combination of "It's a Wonderful Life"(minus the Christmas Tree and angel) and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." A screen writer in the 1950's is blacklisted by Hollywood because he has been accused of being a commie. He is innocent, but seemingly without hope of explanation against the witchhunters of the era. After drowning his sorrows and pouring out his heart to a monkey toy(I kid you not) he drives his car off a bridge in a rainstorm and ends up on the banks of the river not knowing who he is....whoops let's throw in a little Ronald Coleman in "Random Harvest" too. He is rescued by an elderly gent(very well played by James Whitemore) and taken to the nearby town of Lawsen, CA. There he is immediately mistaken for a town hero who everyone thinks was killed(he was reported missing in action) in WWII. There is a romance with the hero's former girlfriend, a restoration project, a conflict, and several friendships including one with the local mayor which tug your heart out. But, Peter(Carrey) who is known now as Luke still can't remember who he is until.....well, you guessed it in time to return to face the Unamerican Activities Committee to give his "Mr. Smith goes to Washington" speech.

I got pretty bored at times. The plot and the romance tended to drag on and on. I couldn't see any chemistry between Carrey and the female co-star. Martin Landau is good as the father who thinks Carrey is his son. The sets of the old theatre are wonderful as are some clips from some of my favorite old films including one of "The Day the Earth Stood Still." There are points made and more than one morality clause in the contract. We get so worn out though we don't really care.

What is missing is that no one really questions where Luke has been for 9 and 1/2 years. We just know he was missing in action and now he is the hometown hero returned. Not all are certain of the identity and that makes for some plot credibility, but not much.

My favorite scene(and there really was one) is when Luke is asked to play a mini-concert at his Wecome Home party with his old piano teacher. He fumbles around and then begins to play boogie woogie much to everyone except the teacher's delight. She had her heart set on the classics Luke had loved. She says, "I didn't teach you that!" A jazz loving older black man who works for Lukes father says, "He learned that from me." or something like that.

Perhaps Carrey thought the patriotic theme would make this one a winner. Actually it almost worked. But too much is too much and this one was, well, what can I say, but just too much. Not oscar caliber at all at all, but for my money: "For set decoration the Oscar goes to (opening the envelope).... "The Majestic"

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, "feel good" movie
Review: Old fashioned, entertaining movie. Well acted, one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. "The Majestic" proves that a movie can be well done without the strong language and violence of most movies today. Hopefully we'll see more movies of this type. I highly recommend seeing this one!

Rating:
Summary: A NEW ATTEMPT AT GOOD OL' CAPRA-CORN!
Review: The great director Frank Capra could have inspired this sentimental story about a blacklisted Hollywood screenwriter of the 1950's who suffers amnesia and ends up living a war hero's life in small town USA. It's "Meet John Doe" and "Cinema Paradiso" combined. The film has the instrinsic wholesome qualities of one made during Hollywood's production code of yester-year. Jim Carrey plays the role of the screenwriter with confidence and a definite limit on those manic comedic "Carrey-isms" which have made him famous. He is well supported by veterans James Whitmore and Martin Landau in an ensemble that ably captures the quaint yet tense period of post-World War America. The film is also an indictment of the Hollywood machine and the virtues of not selling out to the "system" be it Hollywood or governmental corruption. While some may find it maudlin and trite, others may find it a welcome respite from the marketing excesses of "Harry Potter" and "Lord of the Rings". The film's beautiful settings and photography nicely round out a lovely and romantic story which will play even better at home on video and DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Painful
Review: I just could not stand this movie. Please avoid it. It's sappy and boring.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best film in 2001
Review: Peter Appleton is an aspiring screenwriter hoping to make it big in Hollywood, but when things are starting to go well for him, the Congress decided to take the communist witch-hunt to California. Set in 1951 during the height of Red Scare, many people in the movie industry were called as witnesses and questioned as alledged communists, those who were uncooperative were blacklisted and became unemployable. Unfortunately, Peter was no exception as his past and his works were examined for any traces of communist influences. Downtrodden and disappointed, he decided to take a drive by the coastline, but bad luck seems to follow him everywhere when he drove his car off of a bridge. Waking up with amnesia in a little town called Lawson, Peter was mistaken as Luke, the son of the local theater owner. Welcomed back and accepted as one of their own, which life will he choose when his memory returns?

The Majestic is one of the best film I've seen this year, well acted with heart and passion, brilliantly directed by Frank Darabont. Good pacing, a cast of memorable characters, the only bad thing about it was it's predictability, but it wasn't a big deal and definitely did not ruin the movie for me. Jim Carrey's performance as Peter is powerful, moving and probably the best so far in his career. The notable supporting role is Martin Landau's portrayal of Harry Trimble, a father who thought he had lost everything when his son was MIA during WWII, became alive again (along with the town) when Peter came stumbling into his life. I really can't say enough good things about this film, with a solid plot and a great story that draws you in as you follow the folks of Lawson through their times of sorrow and moments of great joy, the Majestic is one movie you should not miss this Christmas season!

Rating:
Summary: A Maudlin, Over the Top Movie About Macarthyism
Review: The Majestic is about a young Hollywood screenwriter who, having been unfairly named as a Communist, loses his memory and his indentity in a car crash. He is mistaken for a long missing WWII soldier in a small, California town. His arrival at town raises the spirits of just about everyone there.

The film falls completely apart when the charector regains his memory and is arrested by the FBI. There ensues a maudlin, over the top ending in which the charector triumphs over the House Unamerican Activities Committee, gets his old job back, wins back the hearts of the townsfolk, and even gets the girl in the end. The ending is so feel good, even the bozos on the HUAC manage a small victory. The film lacks subtlety, finess, and even historic accuracy.

Jim Carrey, in the lead role, looked often as if he was about to burst out laughing at the sheer absurdity of the story he was required to act in.

All in all, if you want to see The Majestic, be prepared to totally suspend disbelief and have your emotions shamelessly manipulated. Or better yet, go see Harry Potter for a second time. You'll get far more for your ten bucks.

Rating:
Summary: TV Movie or Mini-Series?
Review: Jim Carrey seems to be making a bid for a little gold statue to place on the mantle, but "The Majestic" isn't going to be the film to do it. Incredibly long (over 2.5 hours), hackneyed emotion and a the entire blacklisting aspect is so poorly handled that anyone unfamilar with the events of the HUAC will walk away from this movie thinking that it could have possibly happened.

The movie is a tv movie of the week that wants to be taken seriously, but rather only strives for the stature of a mini-series.

Rating:
Summary: Another Excellent Film directed by Frank Darabont
Review: Mr. Darabont gave us the shawshank redemption and the green mile, both best picture nominations. Here is another certain best picture nod in The Majestic.
Peter Appleton (Jim Carrey, in an oscar worthy performance) is a script writer during the 1950's who is suspected to be a Communist among many Hollywood film people (which is not true; ie, guilty by suspicioun). Along the way, he gets into a freak car accident and suffers amnesia, then ends up in a small California town. There he lives in a run down movie theatre where he learns the magic of experiencing a movie in it. Soon, the Communist hunters find him and call him to testify before a Senate hearing committee.

I believe this film is great. Terrific performances, from start to finish, and a great ending. It's a must-see for anybody who has any interest in the film.

Rating:
Summary: Another great Jim Carrey drama
Review: This is one of my favorite Jim Carrey films. It's not his usual comedy, but it's great nonetheless. In fact, I don't remember any comedy in this film at all!

Background - Peter Appleton (Carrey) is a 1950's Hollywood writer who takes a little road trip after losing his job. He gets into an accident and loses his memory. He wanders into a small town where he's mistaken for a town son who was killed in WWII.

Story - Appleton decides to help his 'dad' to reopen the old 'Majestic Theatre' in town. Over the course of the film, his amnesia begins to wane and he starts to realize he's not who everyone thinks he is. This film goes into the communist trials of the 50's, and Carrey plays the character so well, it's hard to believe I'm watching Ace Ventura playing a normal guy.

This is probably my favorite of Carrey's dramas, and really showcases his wide talents as an actor. From romantic scenes, to tearjerkers, he does them all well, and most importantly, believably. Don't miss this one.