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Summary: Where is my mind?
Review: This is one of my all-time favorite movies, and since I reecntly invested in a DVD player, it was a no-brainer that "Jacob's Ladder" was going to be one of the first DVDs I bought. I remember seeing this movie in the theater in 1990 when it was released. I was messed up in the head for days because it is such a cerebral and thought-provoking film. Now, I just finished watching it again (this time with the benefit of all of the DVD goodies) and I feel messed up again. If you only like "happy, feel-good" movies, this isn't a movie for you. If you like well-made, though provoking films, buy this DVD (and then call the shrink).
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Summary: one of the trippiest freakiest edge of your seat movies seen
Review: this movie keeps you biting your fingernails and wondering what the hell is going on the entire time, it's great, if you've never seen it, see it, if you have seen it, see it again!
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Summary: Magical realism
Review: I cannot begin to tell you how much I enjoy this movie. This movie is a classic vision that often is misinterpreted or plain misunderstood. For those of you that have seen this movie and feel that it was confusing or too hard to follow, get this DVD and watch it again. Especially for the commentary and the additional scenes (for those of you that have this on VHS, if you have a DVD player, trust me...it's worth getting it, solely for the added scenes and the commentary.) Every time that I watch this movie it blows me away. The filming, the lighting, the dialogue. It all combines to form a powerful journey of one man's struggle to decipher reality and illusion. All I can say, is "Phenomenal."
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Summary: What an aggravating movie!
Review: Jacob's Ladder means well, and is directed and acted with competence. Disturbing and Nightmarish imagery abound. The story on the other hand, is so incomplete and unsatisfying that left me more confused than it's protagonist. I was actually able to follow the movie well until I reached its nihilistic ending, which not only negated the film, but made the whole experience seem manipulative and utterly pointless.
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Summary: A Disturbing, Cerebral Movie!
Review: One of the most bizarre,puzzling movies I've ever seen. The movie was somehow very interesting and made you want to watch it several times and still you get no closer to fully understanding it! A deep movie. A great group-discussion flick!
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Summary: A difficult but brilliant and worthwhile exploration
Review: Jacob's Ladder has always been one of my favourite films. It tests the viewer, over and over, as he tries to make sense of it. We know there is sense here, but once we grab hold of it, it flits away. None of the professional reviewers that I read understood the film, though they did appreciate it on the whole, as a work of art. Tim Robbins performance as Jacob is outstanding, and he lends a bit of humor and innocence to the role, without which the film would be too painful to bear. The DVD has interviews with the writer and the director, who do explain the film for the benefit of those who cannot comprehend it. Once you see the commentaries, you will want to watch the film again, and understand it better. There are also several cut scenes with and without commentaries by the director, which are well worth seeing and only cut due to time. This is a very powerful film, bordering on the surreal in many ways. It is one of those few movies that stays with the viewer long after he has seen it, both because of many strong images, and because of the enigmatic sense that lies just below the surface.
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Summary: Library of Top Ten
Review: Authors main focus was on a major issue and introduced it in an interesting plot whereby the viewer doesn't realize where he's at until the final dramatic scene. The most stunning conclusion I've ever seen. A must watch.
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Summary: Exemplary DVD edition of 80s movie
Review: This is a purely technical review. There are enough reviews discussing the film. This DVD is technically first rate, the underlying transfer is of very high quality. The film master is not in mint condition (some white speckles, occasionally a bit of grain) but in pretty good shape. The transfer is sharp, with very good contrast and color rendition. There are no distracting compression artefacts and fine image detail is resolved and rock steady. Of course this DVD is 16:9 enhanced. An exemplary transfer of an 80s movie by Laserpacific Media Corporation. A must have from a technical standpoint.
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Summary: An excellent and often-overlooked psychological thriller
Review: After being mortally wounded when a drug experiment on American soldiers in Vietnam goes awry, Tim Robbins becomes "un-stuck" in time (a la Billy Pilgrim in "Slaughterhouse Five"). Since he was wounded under such morally ambiguous circumstances, Heaven and Hell engage in a tug-of-war for his very soul. He is beset by demons and other psychological horrors at every turn, yet is guided by his guardian angel of sorts, a chiropractor played by Danny Aiello. This is a very intense, original film that many people overlook when they see it in the horror section at their local video stores.
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Summary: NON-STOP THOUGHT PROCESS
Review: I saw this movie at the theaters when it first came out. I remember the TV ads not really indicating what the movie was about. So, my friends and I decided to take a chance. We watched the faces of the people coming out of the early viewing, and the silence of the crowd with their bewildered looks did not give us an indication of how good this movie was going to be. As I watched the movie, I was spell-bound at its complexity with twists and turns. As the movie ended and we left the theater, I remember our crowd walking out in the same silence. This movie is a masterpiece and may be above some peoples ability to grasp its true meaning. I stongly recomend seeing it with a couple of open minded people with good interpretation skills.
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