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Hearts in Atlantis

Hearts in Atlantis

List Price: $14.97
Your Price: $13.47
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: A very bad movie
Review: This is a bad movie. I don't know if I would have had the same opinion if I hadn't read the book, but I imagine I would have. I read Hearts in Atlantis awhile back, so I don't remember every detail of the book. I wonder if screenplay writer William Goldman ever read the book at all.

The movie is based on the first part of Hearts in Atlantis called "Low Men in Yellow Coats" Set in the late 1950's, these Low Men are after Ted Brautigan, who is a border at Bobby Garfield's house. Brautigan has psychic powers that cause him to be on the run from the FBI and also to help Bobby out in certain situations. The magic of the book lies in Bobby's relationships with his best friends Carol Gerber and John Sullivan.

The movie decides that telling the story of Bobby and Carol is good enough. The two child actors are sweet together as they discover what it is like to be in love at that young age. Bullies pick on Carol and Bobby gets revenge.

The movie falls apart because of the framing of the story about Bobby and Carol and Ted. The movie opens in the present with Bobby preparing to go to the funeral of John Sullivan (who is hardly in the movie at all). Then Bobby receives a package containing an old baseball glove. The movie ends with Bobby going back to where he grew up and reminiscing about his childhood.

I don't want to give away anything, but the movie had no magic, no spine-tingling moments, like the book did. Stephen King wrote a great book and tied it all together with a baseball glove, a note, and Bobby and Carol. The movie version takes out all of the magic created by Stephen King and instead tells a simple coming of age story.

I know that if I hadn't read the book, I would have still wondered what the point of this movie was. This movie could have been a lot better if they had added a few minutes and followed the book more closely.

I do not recommend this movie at all. The acting was brilliant and the scenery was good, but the screenplay and adaptation was terrible.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What's wrong with this movie?
Review: I have seen negative comments about this film, why?, they say it's pretentious, because of Anthony Hopkins acting, well i don't know, but many people are also complaining it only covers the first part of the book, well "Stand By Me"was the same, it only covered "The Body", i don't believe this people, i can't believe the stuff that society is coming today, Hearts in Atlantis has a beautiful cinematography, wondeful acting, and it's really great written, but they are some points where do you know what are they talking about, for example a seen where Ted (Hopkins) has a trance, i was so confused on that, that i can't even explain it, Stand By Me is better than this one, but this one is almost as good as that one, but Stand By Me is still a better film because of the friendship and coming of age themes are stronger there and here, but "Hearts in Atlantis", is still excellent

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellence in Cinematography and Acting
Review: Mesmerizing use of cinematography as we are transported back in time to discover and evaluate important events in our lives we might have overlooked or under-appreciated.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Wonderful Mastepiece!
Review: Ever since I saw the trailer to "Hearts in Atlantis" I wanted to see it. It was a great movie and was very touching. I have not read the book yet but I hear it is great. The movie had and ending which I think will lead to a sequel.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: OLD FART'S IN ATLANTIS?
Review: If you waited for the DVD version of "HEARTS IN ATLANTIS" (Warner) thinking this is a scary Stephen King story to rent and enjoy at home, think again. As adapted from only three chapters of King's book of the same name by veteran screenwriter William Goldman, the story evaporates in a series of pretentious and self-conscious set pieces about, well, nothing much. Anthony Hopkins is mysterious, perhaps gifted or crazy, Ted Brautigan, a senior boarder at the home of a self-involved mother (Hope Davis)and her fatherless, sensitive boy (Anton Yelchin) on the brink of adolescence.

The trailers, ads and box art do nothing to dispel the implication that this is a compelling supernatural tale, perhaps something as dramatically griping as "Shawshank Redemption" or "The Green Mile." It is not. Hopkins does his best with what he is given and kid actor Anton Yelchin holds his own in scenes they have together.

Scott Hicks' ("Shine") direction calls a lot of attention to itself and the irritating compositions that repeat ad nauseam multiple doorways or passageways within scenes. Rent, don't buy. Or, for a vastly superior experience, read King's novel.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A TRULY ENJOYABLE FILM
Review: Fine actors and the director really make this film. Plus the story...exceptional! It puts you back in time and the memories just pour out. The direction is phenomenal. Scott Hicks - BRAVO!! His films just get better and better. Anthony Hopkins, wow, he needs more roles like this rather than Hannibal-type roles. What a twist in the movie as well. You'll love it. Enjoy it!!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Where's the other two thirds?
Review: This movie is fair as far as it goes but it only covers 1/3rd of the book. They left more out of this movie than they did of "The Shining" and that was a disgrace. Rent, but don't buy.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: I was expecting very much when I walked into the theater after reading King's book. The book was greatly engaging and powerful and the characters where well justified for the reader to care for them,which is essential in all books and films alike.

The problem with the movie was, it was very condensed. From the few visits (3-4) from Bobby to Mr. Brautigan in the film, the boy cared greatly for him. This has little justification when compared to the discussions from the novel (ie. discussion of "The Lord of the Flies"). The book also took place over a period of time (the maturity of the boy and his developed outlook on the mysterious neighbor) which was cut out of the film script.

Although a good effort, the characters and script were greatly lacking. The film is worth seeing but I recommend the book much more highly.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Nothing happens!!!!!
Review: This movie has nothing: it has no climax, no definite plot, no strong characters, no moral lessson, only great performances by Hopkins and the kid.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Nothing happens!!!!!
Review: Thismovie hasnothing: it has no climax, no definite plot, no strong characters, no moral lessson, only great performances by Hopkins and the kid.


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