Rating: 
Summary: Horrible and unclimatic
Review: Hi everyone,
A couple of nights ago i found myself going to the movie rental place in our local town, probably to select a gory and extremly scary horror film from some great author such as Stephan King ( I have everybook ever written by him) and my day was completely enlightend when the clerk told me she had just recieved a copy of hearts in atlantis, i rented it went home made a big bowl of popcorn and sat down expecting a great film made by the king of kings in horror & thriller movies, what i got was over barring, gut wrenching FILTH it was horrible i would have watched a science documentary before that if i would have known what i was about to watch. TH whole FBI thing was way out of line, the homosexual bully wasnt needed , and it followed the book on a mere couple seconds. I defintitly will think twice on renting a movie before i check out the reviews.
Rating: 
Summary: minds in an ocean of gray
Review: You can instantly date a period film with music and vehicles quicker than a fast draw outlaw. This one in particular would have been better served with an original score rather than the classic 50's golden goldies. It comes across as cheesy. The story of a young boy coming of age rather quickly one fall in latter 1950's when he and his single, wayward mom take in a rather eccentric boarder, played deftly by Anthony Hopkins. The renter in turn becomes the boy's best friend and confidant. As this rather austere mystery unfolds, we learn this secretive, ellisive character is prone to lapses - pyshic window watching, if you will allow, that gives him a peek into the future - his own and those surrounding him. Seems he's on the run from FBI for his gift of vision. A weapon in the wrong hands; an insightful tool when shared. As the heat turns up, we know low men are closing in. A somewhat muddled affair, we are treated to glimpses of what makes childhood moments infinitely special, and the learning bonds that children can make with a total stranger in lieu of inadaquet parental participation. This movie is on the right track, and had it stopped at a few different stations would be masterful. Still rather moving, a poignant story of a simpler time when secrets and mysteries could be discovered and solved by the most unassuming of heroes, young and old.
Rating: 
Summary: Read the book, don't bother with the movie.
Review: I have to disagree with the other reviewers here. I was sorely disappointed with this movie for a number of reasons. There were DEFINITE allusions to the "Low Men" being FBI agents (kindly recall the kid reading newspaper articles about Hoover and his FBI agents seeking out psychics and Hopkins' own veiled statements that he was running from people who wanted to use his psychic powers). But my main criticism was the constant over-acting by Anton Yelchin and the heavy-on-the-syrup attempt of the director to create a feeling of small town childhood nostalgia. Just didn't work. The kid was totally mismatched to Hopkins' acting ability, and Sir Anthony clearly gave a less-than-everything performance, which is untypical for him. Perhaps he's getting old and figuring he can ride on his laurels. I don't know. I just found the styles of both performers (if the kid even has one yet) clashing constantly throughout the movie. And the repeated references to Hopkins' character being a dirty old man were rather annoying and frankly, unnecessary. They did nothing to aid the plot line. If they wanted the kid's mom to be skeptical or afraid of Brautigan, all they had to do was have him "see" into her earlier in the movie. Then her reaction of fear and doubt would be more in line with the theme of the story. The director might also have opted for a few minutes of special effect by actually *showing* us something of what Brautigan was seeing as he sat raptly staring into space. As it was, we sat raptly watching Hopkins sitting raptly watching something we couldn't see. Oh boy. Is this a stage play or a movie? And geez, after all that wonderous infatuation of Carol Gerber (same actress poorly made-up as Molly, her own daughter at the end of the film) did the grown-up Bobby Garfield bother to ask *what* Carol Gerber died from? Certainly an obvioius question, since she didn't die of old age, but one the movie never bothered to answer. Perhaps they were too busy trying to feel warm and rosey. In all fairness, I have to say I have not yet read the book. Some people I know thoroughly enjoyed the book and their subsequent reactions to the movie version were mixed. But, having not read the book first (where perhaps one would glean more insight into the movie's content), the movie left me alternately laughing at it and wondering how they got "two thumbs up" on this one. This movie proved to me that just because it has Sir Anthony Hopkins in it doesn't automatically make it a winner. So, read the book. Don't bother with the movie. The nostalgic charm is completely overdone and the moments of magic too far between and ambiguous to have any real effect.
Rating: 
Summary: Low Men sans Yellow Coats
Review: After Rob Reiner pulled Stephen King movies out of the B-movie cellar with Stand By Me (and later Misery), it is hard to remember the late seventies and early eighties era when a Stephen King movie meant cheesy production and bad acting. I think the resulting improvement in quality actually inspired better writing from Mr. King, though I have nothing to support my opinion. Perhaps King was simply improving with age and experience. What I find most amusing is that the theatrical films based on King novels have become the most literary and introspective works, while the chills n' thrills are relegated to TV miniseries, i.e. Rose Red. Hearts in Atlantis continues the string of successful King adaptations such as Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and the underrated Dolores Claiborne. Anyone who has read the book already knows the story of Bobbie Garfield and Ted Brautigan in the fateful summer of 1960. "Low Men in Yellow Coats" was the most powerful story in the collection that make up Hearts, and the title actually comes from the second novella in the book, which features different characters in another time and place. In the book, the Low Men were tied to Stephen King's Dark Tower mythos, and I was hoping the movie would keep that connection; however, the screenwriters decided to make the movie self-contained and turned the Low Men into shadowy government figures, definitely human and not nearly as scary. But that's a minor thing. Anthony Hopkins was his usual excellent self, but I was especially impressed by Hope Davis in the thankless role of Bobbie's mother. She managed to convey bitterness, sadness, love and fear in a very understated performance. I totally bought this character and felt that she was far more complex than the character of Brautigan. The supporting players were not as well fleshed out, and I didn't care for the hackneyed subplot with the bullies. Most of the secondary characters and events from the book were cut severely for the film version in favor of concentrating on the three principal characters, which is kind of disappointing but understandable for reasons of length. However, I still felt at times as though I were watching the Cliff Notes version of the story. Hearts in Atlantis is a quiet and effective coming-of-age tale that marries the strength of Stephen King's writing with a smart screenplay (courtesy of William Goldman), top-notch acting, and direction (Scott Hicks of Shine fame). I 'heart'-ily recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A MOVIE THAT GETS YOU THINKING
Review: IT IS A MOVIE THAT IS WORTH SEEING. IT HAS ALOT OF HEARTFELT MOMENTS. IT TOOK ME ON A WHIMISCIAL RIDE OF CHILDHOOD, THE PAIN AND JOY. I DO HAVE A WARNING--IT SHOWS A RAPE SCENCE THAT IS SEMI-VIVID. IT IS NOT AS BAD AS THE ONE IN THE MOVIE "THE ACCUSED". ALTHOUGH, IT IS ENOUGH TO BE DISGUSTINGLY OFFENSIVE AND FAST-FORWARD THROUGH.
Rating: 
Summary: Bravo, Stephen! One archtype after another!
Review: Revisiting his boyhood home, Robert Garfield flashes back to age eleven, and his vivid memories as a rather sad, fatherless boy coming of age. Portrayed during the cold war era, Bobby (Anton Yelchin) lives alone with single-mom (Hope Davis). Befriended by mysterious new renter from upstairs, Ted Brautigan (Anthony Hopkins), Bobby receives his rite of passage into manhood from Ted's quiet statements about life, such as, "You think your mother knows your thoughts, but she doesn't. That's a mother's power." and other empathic messages. For those who are seasoned literary artists, this statement, found at the heart of the film, arcs several situations being portrayed, the present one at the table where they're sitting, the certain abilities the "low men who wear dark hats and coats and cast long shadows" have in seeking out and finding Ted Brautigan, and again the overshadowed undercurrent an entire country felt during the hush hush of the cold war era about "mother Russia" (who at the time was deeply involved in harnessing certain powers). Have I left any out, Stephen? This is indeed a powerful film written by a Master that appeals to both the literary and general audiences. From the beginning of his career until now, his audience has also made it's rite of passage on the tidbits Mr Hopkins has shared with his faithful viewers. Who could pass up a King and Hopkins film? Bravo! Hearts in Atlantis is one of the most successful and heartwarming films of the century with a perfect cast of characters to carry forth the meaning of each role. Excellent job!
Rating:
Summary: I was Initially Confused
Review: Just a short review to let you know this movie, A very Excellent one, is only Part 1 of the whole story. I saw the movie with my husband..it was fabulous to say the least, but I was confused why my husband was annoyed with the film. He said the book actually continues long past where the movie left off. So, being a huge King fan, I am going to tell you that I think this is not such a bad thing. Would he rather you read his book? Maybe? I think it's a teaser and a great marketing skill at that (James Patterson is guilty of the same with his "Roses Are Red"). If you saw the movie (without reading the book) you are going be curious enough to read his novel to find out what happens next. Then, I imagine he will not leave us hanging, but release the rest of the book to film at a later date. I hope I am right. I thought the movie was great even having not read the book at all (something I rarely do!). I hope Part 2 of "Hearts in Atlantis"(if we see one) will be as wonderful as what I saw in the theaters!
Rating:
Summary: Powerful, moving drama
Review: I laughed, I cried, and overall I was thoroughly moved by this movie, which is another feather in the cap of screenwriter William Goldman. This will stay with me for quite some time.
The humanistic aspect of this movie is incredible and the acting is superb. When Brautigan inevitably has to go away, the pain on Anton Yelchin's (Bobby Garfield) face is unbelievable. He does with one facial expression what few adult actors can do in a whole movie.
Quite simply, get this movie on DVD, it is incredibly powerful, extremely moving, and altogether a wonderful piece of cinema, and yet another brilliant Stephen King adaptation from the Castle Rock guys.
Hopkins, Morse and Yelchin deserve at least a mention when awards start coming round (if they haven't already, remember I'm in the UK and it's not even out in cinema here yet)
Rating:
Summary: Shmaltz
Review: Predictable. Cloying. Sentimental. Awful. Hopkins was wooden. The boy relentlessly overacts. The only suspense that the film achieves is achieved by self doubt, as in "it can't possibly be THAT simple." Well, I'm afraid it can. For a more gripping and incisive coming of age story that's free of the dunderheaded hocus pocus but still set in the "magical" 50s, rent "Stand by Me"
Rating:
Summary: Not a bad adaptation, but still lacking
Review: If you read the novel, you already know the secret identity of the "Low Men" who hunt down Anthony Hopkins' character, and if you haven't, I won't spoil it for you here. What I will say is that due to the nature of who these "low men" were in the book, it was necessary for the movie to take a different approach, and I think this ultimately weakens it. Let's just say the supernatural elements have been replaced by U.S. government officials, and that makes for a far less interesting story (as for the reviewers who deny that the FBI/CIA has anything to do with this story, I suggest you watch it again.) The movie is well-acted, and as always, Anthony Hopkins gives a great performance. Ultimately though, it's watchable movie, but not particularly captivating, and perhaps a little too fully-loaded with sentimental schlock for my taste. Read the book first.
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