Mask

Rating:
Summary: If you love this movie, pick up this new version!
Review: This new directors cut of "Mask" blows away the orginal DVD release. I'm not going to go on about how great the movie is, by now everyone already knows that. I will talk about this edition however. First of all the print is far clearer and more crisp than the original DVD issue. Next of course is the inclusion of the original Bruce Springsteen soundtrack which was recorded but never used in the theatrical and home video releases. In it's place was a Bob Seger soundtrack which was great, but not the original choice. The movie was shot with Springsteen in mind and in fact Rocky has a Springsteen poster hanging in his room. But Bruce is back and used to great effect. His music was used to set a timeline which was lost when the Seger songs were used.
Also included are 8 mins of deleted scenes that have been edited back into the film. One of these scenes (which was sort of referred to in the theatrical version) is a song sung by Rusty (Cher) and Rocky (Eric Stoltz). The song is "Little Egypt" and the scene runs about 4 mins. The other scene is one where one of the bikers dies and his funeral, again this was never before seen.
And finally, there is an easter egg of sorts, at the very end of credits, after a minute or two, Cher comes on screen and speaks about the craniofacial disease and how you can help.
I've always loved the Seger music in the film, particularly "Roll Me Away" at the end. But the Springsteen music works very well too, and as I said, is used as a timeline.
Director Peter Bogdonovich does a commentary as well as a 20 min interview about the movie. As I said in my headline, if you love this movie you will want this new edition, it's well worth it.

Rating:
Summary: Will tug at the heart-strings
Review: Even someone with a heart of stone will feel for the characters featured in this film, which is based on a true story.

Both Cher & Eric Stoltz give moving performances, as a biker babe mother 'addicted' to drink and drugs, and a son, who can't get a girl, and is severely facially deformed.

I originally saw this movie quite a few years, and only remembered the scene where he's in high school, and he talks about being from Planet Vulcan.

Of course, the facial disease Rocky Dennis has is fatal, so obviously, you know what the ending will be. And the tears ended up tripping me - this is another film that I can add to my "Films I Cry At" list. My mum grabbed it, as she loves true stories, and it's not a film I will ever watch again - I hate crying at films!!! It's only a story is what I keep getting told, but it doesn't work. But you feel for the characters so much.

The real Rusty Dennis apparently was a consultant to the great Cher on this movie, and is now rumoured to be battling a drink & drug addiction - and can you blame her? The Cher gave when she found Eric Stoltz had died in his sleep, was almost too realistic.

Cher gives a great performance in this movie. It's one of the very rare movies where she isn't wooden - although she does advertise her plastic surgeon a lot. This is a movie to watch purely for Cher, to see her before she overdone the plastic surgery, and is does a farewell tour every couple of years.

Eric Stoltz is unrecognisable in his role of Rocky. He must have had a very boring time sitting for so long in make-up!

A very moving film, and totally worth watching!

Rating:
Summary: outstanding performances
Review: First of all, I admit I adore Cher. Yet, this is the one movie I've never been in the mood to watch, because I knew it was really touching. Anyway, eventually I did watch it and it was amazing. Rocky's face is really horrible at first, so I could understand why people reacted quite insecure when they saw him, but the more often you see him the more you realize he's just an ordinary boy who tries his best to live a normal life. It seemed as if his mother was the one who had the real problems (drugs, alcohol).
His fears that something bad could happen to her were so real, and so was her love for her son.
When he died it was like a knife was driven through my heart. In this movie Cher has really proven that she's not only a world class singer and entertainer, but also an outstanding actress whose qualities are unfortunately overshadowed by her reputation as a poster girl for plastic surgery.

Rating:
Summary: It changes my life, everytime I see it.
Review: For I am a handicapped person with facial and growth problems, that have totally disenchanted me with having a chance for a happy life.

I saw eric stoltz, give the best performance of a lifetime, it made me realize again, that each us are given a certain deck of cards.

Each with different strengths and weaknesses, and we just have to find our little moments of happiness and success where we can get them.

I pretty much cry the whole movie.

I think it also shows why God has ugliness and beauty, both inner and outer, and they are there to teach us the true beauty always comes from the heart and soul, your character and integrity.

Thank God, for great movies like this.

Rating:
Summary: Director's cut is fantastic
Review: I have watched Mask quite a few times over the years. Everytime I catch it on tv, I will watch it, partly because the acting of Cher and Eric Stoltz in this movie is amazing. The story is also solid gold. A disfigured boy named Rocky Dennis has to deal with his drug-using mom played by Cher, the pain of his disease, and the struggle of trying to fit in with the "normal" crowd in high school. The character of Rocky Dennis is kind, smart, and creative. If you watch this film, you will love this kid by the time the credits roll, or before. Eric Stoltz should have won an oscar for his acting in Mask. Watch his body language, he is full of hope, and sadness. His acting trancends anything a coventional drama could offer.
The Director's cut is a little different than the theatrical release, with around four fantastic deleted scenes thrown back in, and the musical score that Peter Bogdanovich wanted all along, Bruce Springsteen. While I'm not the biggest fan of Springsteen,(the Bob Segar score is what I'm used to) It sounds good. Universal has really done it up for this release. You get an audio commentary by Bogdanovich, and also a twenty minute feature on the origins of Mask. Did I mention it's in DTS? There are movies to rent, and movies to own. This one belongs in your dvd collection.

Rating:
Summary: Still A Great Film,...But ......
Review: I just purchased this DVD again "The Directors Cut"although the added scenes and the Peter Bogdanovich interview are fantastic Bruce Springsteen replacing Bob Seger as the core sountrack singer SUCKS!!!!Bob Seger added punch,drive,and a helluva lot more emotion.Springsteen playing in the background is only an annoyance.I like Springsteen but Seger Belongs on this film....I'll watch this latest DVD edition for the extras(scenes&interview)but for a night at the movies..It'll most certainly be Me,Cher,and BOB SEGER!

Rating:
Summary: I like this movie but it is pretty sad
Review: I think its pretty sad like he dies at the end.Me and my 3 other 11 year old friends watched this movie and we first couldn't look at his face because it looked so weird.And we thought he only had a mask on.But I like this film.His mum has a angry managment and takes drugs.Well but I still recomend this for all ages.

Rating:
Summary: Real and Moving
Review: Mask is one of those rare "true story" movies that remains that way when it hits the big screen. It also houses an absolutely fabulous performance by Cher, as well as by Eric Stoltz.

Mask is about a boy named Rocky Dennis who is well above average in every way. If it weren't for a degenerative disease that horribly disfigured his face since birth, the world would probably see him that way. At first, those that meet him are understandably nervous and scared, but with an airy confidence, he wins his classmates and peers over.

That confidence comes from his mother, played by Cher. She is an attractive, drug addicted single mother with an on again, off again fling with Gar, played by Sam Elliot. Cher convincingly and movingly plays a mother riddled with insecurites, but in love with her son, who represents to her all she wishes she could be. She was born with the huge advantage of being beautiful, she dropped out of school and got pregnant. She lookes at Rocky and sees someone who was born with every disadvantage (a disfigured face and a short life) and who is confident, responsible, hardworking, and happy. He is also valedictorian of his high school class.

Ever since she had Rocky, she has been strong and tough, making it clear that Rocky will not be treated any differently than anyone else. Rocky takes from that confidence and gives it back to his Mom with the way he lives his life...getting up every morning, facing the world, being happy, taking care of himself, and preparing for and dreaming of a future that he may never have. Her hatred for herself is transcended only by her pure love and open admiration for her son.

I have seen Mask a number of times over the years, but I have to say it gets me every time. It is a movie that deals, realistically and truthfully with a disease that seems almost unreal. But the lessons learned and the topics raised have little to do with the "Mask" and more about the connection between a mother and her son.

Rating:
Summary: Great Movie
Review: This is a movie that everyone should see. It has excellent performances by Cher, Eric Stoltz and Sam Elliot. Its about a boy with facial deformities and how he has to struggle with his disease, as well as the regular trials and tribulations of adolescence. It's really powerful and portrays things in a very realistic light....love, friendship, family, discrimination and bullying. For example the real feelings and emotions Rocky has and how even though his mom loves and protects him, she isn't perfect either. The movie focuses on making the best out of the hand life deals you, with drive and determination and the support of your friends and family.... Watch this movie, it is very powerful and moving.

Rating:
Summary: Mask: Now You Know How Black Kids Feel
Review: This is an incredible movie, about a deformed child whose mother runs with a biker gang and as a result, he was raised around people of this ilk. But instead of having a low sense of self, he is surrounded by people who love him. The day he enters into a new school, his mother and the gang accompany him. At first he is afraid, but the support he has from his mother (played by Cher)is more than enough to get him through. He is a bright kid who has street sense and a kind heart.

You know what is going to happen and the morning Cher comes into his room to wake him for school, only the most coldhearted can hold back the tears. This movie is about the love of life and how powerful support from peers and family can be. But this kid's handicap can nowhere compare with that of black kids who are castigated and locked out simply becuase of skin color. As a teacher myself, I recommend this movie to middle school kids as part of their "ethnic studies" requirement. They might not be able to deal with the race issue, but "Mask" will teach them the value of character, and that the old saying is correct; "The strength of criticism lies only in the weakness of the person being criticized." Think about it -- and get this movie; don't rent it, BUY it!