Rating: 
Summary: Beyond Borders
Review: "Beyond Borders" earns three stars because I feel the film's acting as well as its cause to which it's dedicated is its advantages. The movie is dedicated to relief workers and the millions of humans who are victims of war and persecution. This cause is a positive aim. However I feel it took a different direction when the movie seemed to focus more on the attraction and allurement between two of the main characters; Sarah Jordan played by Academy Award winning actress Angelina Jolie, and Nick Callahan played by actor Clive Owen. This is where "Beyond Borders" disappointed me and lost its appeal.
Rating: 
Summary: Well-Intentioned, I Know, But Hardly Convincing
Review: "Beyond Borders" was originally to be directed by Oliver Stone, and to star Kevin Costner and Cathrine Zeta Jones. Keep that in mind before you watch it. The completed film by Martin Campbell starring Angelina Jolie and Clive Owen retains one of the initial intentions of the film -- namely, love romance. Angelina Jolie plays Sarah, a lady who accidentally meets her fate in Doctor Callahan (Clive Owen). To what extent she is led by the fate, you will guess in the first sequence in Africa. The globe-trotting plot is melodramatic, but thanks to the actors' good acting (and Ms. Jolie's off-screen personality we all know), we clearly know that the film is made with good intention. But the film is shot against the backdrop of the suffering of many refugees in the world, and it opens with the scene showing that nature of the film quite blatantly. Romance, is it? But can we relate to either of them in this situation? Please don't say the film opens your eyes. Surely, the locations that show the plights of refugees are convncingly shot. And Angelina Jolie knows these people in person, as you know. But when you see something (I won't name it) in the middle of African desert, and see it is used as a device to enhance the romantic side of the story, I start to doubt the authenticity of the film. I may be wrong here, but if I were the director, I would change that part, definitely. I sincerely hope that it does not symbolize what happened to the career of Angelina Jolie when "Beyond Borders" never even reached #10 of box ofice chart in America. I know the film is a well-intentioned attempt to show the misery of these people, but if you really want to see the authentic accounts of refugees' lives, see Michael Winterbottom's "In This World." That is more realistic and shocking, too.
Rating: 
Summary: excellent
Review: A film that captures the esscence of love in a shocking and realistic background that confronts our often commom projected values.
Rating: 
Summary: Lady Croft does it again
Review: Angelina Jolie in this movie reminded me of Barbra Streisand's role in "The Way We Were." She's desperately fighting for a cause she believes in and falls in love at the same time. The images in this movie are frightening and really calls attention to the help these poor people need. Roger Ebert said in his review that the reason Angelina Jolie's character is even involved is because of her crush on the handsome doctor. I disagree. He opens her eyes to the problem but the whole reason why she goes to Africa is to help. Not to get a date. Angelina's performance is wonderful. You really believe she is a woman who wants to live her life to help others. Perhaps that is because she actually is that way in real life. She is a woman to truly be admired. However, the one thing I didn't like about this movie is the story leaps forward too much. At one point it goes forward four whole years and you have no idea what happened during that time. It keeps doing this. The scene where a baby is given a grenade is incredible. If only the scenes were tied together and the story played out more smoothly it would have made for the perfect movie.
Rating:
Summary: Angelina has done it again!
Review: Angelina Jolie is truly one of the most amazing actresses today. This movie was her best yet! I would recommend this movie to my mom, my boyfriend, or my best friend. This movie can be enjoyed by all and it is very impacting. I will definitely be adding this to my incredible angelina collection!
Rating:
Summary: Melodramatic; PM fairy tale for Adults
Review: Angelina Jolie looks beautiful. The movie looks beautiful. Clive Owen exudes "Jack CROUPIER cool" that's said to have prodded the Wilson-Broccoli(EON)JAMES BOND film franchise to offer him the role of 007 when Pierce Brosnan turns-in his License to Kill. Owen's said to have turned it down. Maybe...unlike George Lazenby who averredly listened to buddies in THE WHO disparage OHMSS...he should reconsider. While BEYOND BORDERS is not...exactly...a pretentious film, it does have pretensions.It aspires to be MORAL fable; an epic adventure; a Quest and mythic Love Story. This is tall order for any cinema venture. But Director Campbell(who showed in GOLDENEYE and ZORRO he knows how to construct epic, fantasy-laden adventure)is ham-strung by PC politicking that sabotages some good acting; solid action denouements and many impressive visual vistas. In a word,without saving IRONY, this movie takes itself way too seriously. This does not mean BB lacks humor. Each time our threatened hero or heroine threaten multifarious enemies with retaliation by UNITED NATIONS' sanction/force,the effect is unintentionally side-splitting and the scenes impact reduced to farce. And though TOMB RAIDER Angelina can shed a mean flow of tears...her fine cheek bones framed under stylish sable hats or flowing dark PRINCESS tresses...it gets "old" after the third time. (Cambell has Miss Jolie cry us a river at least six times under halo lighting and Rachmaninov-like music.)BEYOND BORDERS isn't a bad movie. It's simply way-over-its-head; hype-typical of Today's MAJOR MOTION PICTUREs.It even evokes...literally in bogus reference by yet too-cool-for-school Clive...APOCALYPSE NOW!with camera shots down a Cambodian river into The Heart of Darkness. Again,the movie does not lack "humor". It does have a kind of kind heart.But irony of its pretense to moral Indictment mires in PM/PC dreck.(An archetypal, starving African Child is wept for; aborting millions of Western children is ignored or defended). BEYOND BORDERS is NOT beyond anything. It's a pretty movie, full of pretty people,mouthing pretty sentiment.(With as many four-letter expletives as possible).It's melodramatic PM fairy tale for Adults.(Chidren will see right through it). Mr. Clive Owen might do well to try-on 007...(3 & 1/2 stars)
Rating:
Summary: A very moving picture.
Review: Before I say my praises, I will advise for anyone who enjoys not having their movie spoiled, not to read a review by BANANAGURL, who totally spoils it by giving away the ending! Anyways, I found this to be more of a heart moving, touching movie, than a love story with a war/refugee backdrop. It made me realise and appreciate all that I have in my life. The warmth, safety, food and cleanliess, that 50 million people, such as those portrayed in the movie lack. This wasnt a boring, draggin-on movie, but a moving drama, that really shows the raw and deep pain of human suffering that goes on, out of peoples minds and awarenss. Hunger and pain, spreads through those people like a great colossos of doom. Great perforamnce from Angelina, and Cliwe. I'm very glad I got a chance to experience this visually moving project.
Rating:
Summary: not a movie for the impatient
Review: Being a huge Angelina Jolie fan, I skipped "Mystic River" to check out this new movie. Some of this movie touches you deeply on important life issues and sends tingles up your spine(not scary tingles, but impressive and deep tingles). Its hard to rate a film like this, because its so touching and meaningful, but it fails to make you interested. The storyline is
boring and a little unbelievable and it lasted 2.5 hours. As much as I tried to enjoy this movie because I love and deeply respect Angelina, it really never hit the mark of excellence. It had its moments and ended well, but never really came together.... acting=4 stars
FX=NA
ending=5 stars
atmosphere=4 stars
Directing and Editing=1 star
storyline=2 stars
meaningfullness=5 stars
replay value=0 stars OVERALL=solid 3 stars -ps-to be serious, I couldn't see it twice....(VERY POOR REPLAY VALUE).
Rating:
Summary: one of angelina jolie's best
Review: Beyond Boarders is a really great movie, it has a powerful message in it and it's just a really great movie. It is one of Angelina Jolie's best movies, if you haven't seen this movie you should. This movie has a really great script and for those of you who think this is based on Angelina Jolie's life it's not, she actually read the script five years befor they started the movie. But the script inspired her to go and reserch about the UNHCR,and other organizations.If you are interested in finding out more about Angelina's visit's with refugee's then I would recommend reading her book.
Rating:
Summary: Good Movie, Weak Focus
Review: BEYOND BORDERS doesn't seem to know where it is going as a movie: an international love affair, a poster film for the courage of the human soul, a documentary, a promotional film for Angelina Jolie's laudable contributions to global charity, a study of the mismanagement of fundraising and fund disbursement for the victims of famine, starvation and war around the globe, etc etc. If you can get past the need to hone in on a single concept then there is plenty to like about this movie. For once Jolie is able to play a woman obsessed with aiding the unfortunate instead of towering above all others as a fictive comic book character. And there are truly fine performances by Clive Owen (wholly commited to his role as a physician for the masses), Linus Roache, Teri Polo, and Noah Emmerich and of course minor roles played with aplomb by actors from the various locales needing aid - Ethiopia, Cambodia, Chechnya etc. This film has the appearance of a Blockbuster in style and execution, but its real importance is in its depiction of the suffering that covers the globe. In a very touching passage physician Clive Owen addresses the quiet courage of the people in extremis and at that point the message of the movie is driven home with great impact. Recommended.
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