Made is simply one of the funniest movies ever. Vince Vaughn's Ricky is a mixture of several roles that he has perfected throughout his filmography. Swingers is an added bonus for minimal cost.
Showing posts with label best malayalam comedy movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label best malayalam comedy movies. Show all posts
Swingers / Made (Double Feature) (2012)
Made is simply one of the funniest movies ever. Vince Vaughn's Ricky is a mixture of several roles that he has perfected throughout his filmography. Swingers is an added bonus for minimal cost.
Joyful Noise (Movie Only Edition Blu-ray + Ultraviolet Digital Copy) (2012)
This movie was so inspiring that I went out and bought the soundtrack and told all my friends and acquaintances about it. We need more movies like this !! The message was inspiring and the music awesome!! If you love gospel music , you'll love this movie. It brought back memories of when I used to sing in a choir and made me want to join again.
The film opened in January, 2012 and became a box office hit making nearly $31,000,000 as of March 7, 2012. Critics and fans of both Dolly and Queen Latifah have enjoyed the movie tremendously. The film comes to BluRay and DVD formats on May 1, 2012.
The story deals with a woman named G.G. Sparrow whose husband (played by Kris Kristofferson) recently dies. Upon his death G.G. believes she will lead the Church's Choir until she is told the congregation has decided that Vi Rose Hill (Queen Latifah) would be better suited for the job. That is when the war starts between these two dames with insults, name-calling and a fabulous food fight scene which takes place in a restaurant that took two days to film.
There is also a young romance brimming between G.G.'s grandson and Vi's daughter that is both emotional and touching.
The music to the film is produced by none other than Mervyn Warren who did the music for the "Sister Act" movies as well as "The Preacher's Wife". Both Dolly and Queen Latifah show off their vocal prowess and the young leads played by Jeremy Jordon and Keke Palmer are first-rate singers. The soundtrack became a certified hit and the music is simply outstanding. Dolly herself wrote three songs including the beautiful "From Here To The Moon And Back", a song she wrote for her real-life husband.
The Blu Ray will have a slew of bonus features including the featurettes "Spotlight on a Song: Dolly Parton's 'From Here To The Moon And Back'", "Inspiration of Joyful Noise", "Make Some Noise", "Leading Ladies", extended songs and a digital version of the movie for download.
In March, 2012 Dolly Parton talked with a Singapore newspaper about how she and others involved with "Joyful Noise" were disappointed with the film's box office performance. Dolly stated, "The movie was not as big as we hoped it would be. But you go into every project hoping it's going to be a hit. Of course, not everything is. Sometimes your shocked, sometimes your surprised, sometimes things that you don't think will be that big turn out to be a big hit. And it was a joyful time for me."
Special features include interviews with the cast and crew.
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This movie was awesome! I enjoyed every minute of it! I loved the music, the story line, and Dolly's and Queen Latifah's feud during the movie! It has a cute, sweet ending and it had me wanting more! I immediately went out and bought the soundtrack and it hasn't left my car! I can't wait till the Blue Ray/DVD release so I can add it too my collection! I LOVE THIS MOVIE!I won't repeat the plot because the other reviewers have done an excellent job of that. But I would like to add that this movie is very uplifting and joyful.I was impressed by one scene in particular. Queen Latifah's son has a medical condition that he was born with. He asks his mother if she loved him why doesn't she hate God -who made him this way. Her answer was definitely spot on.
The music is great although most of it is secular music transferred to a gospel choir, much like Sister Act. I thoroughly enjoyed the music!
I enjoyed this movie immensely and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good family movie with great music. :)
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Despite the excellent music, I found this movie extremely disappointing. I have admired both Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah for some time, and looked forward to seeing them mix their moxies. But the shallowness of characters the wrongness of the behaviors just left me embarrassed for everyone involved. The bad boy becomes the hero only because he can choreograph good music, not because he's had a change of heart. We're supposed to just forget about the fact that he stalked and kidnapped the heroine. The ruthlessness of the competition for music designed to praise God is disturbing. And the sexual double entendres in the gospel songs was downright embarrassing. I left this movie depressed at the thought that Americans may have forgotten how to preserve the sacred in anything.
Live Nude Girls (1995)
You have to smile at the idea of all of those viewers, predominantly of the male persuasion, who took one look at the title of this DVD, and may be a second look at Olivia D'Abo, Dana Delaney, and Kim Cattrall on the cover, and decided to rent it only to end up being bitterly disappointed. You have to give credit to writer-director Julianna Lavin because she reneges on all three parts of her title. Working back to front, except for some flashbacks the characters are women in their early thirties and not girls, the nudity is more emotional than physical (and for the latter you have to look really quick and then wait for the end of the movie when there is a lot of water), and when there is nudity it tends to occur in fantasy rather than reality. So there are going to be people totally devoid of any understand of the concept or irony who are not going to like this movie and the fact that what substantive nude scenes exist are erotic as defined from the feminine perspective will just be seen as adding insult to injury by the same.Those who should enjoy "Live Nude Girls" will be woman of the same ages as the characters. Jill (Delaney) is the gossip of the group, Jamie (Cattrall) is a B-movie actress who may or may not be getting married, Marcy (Cynthia Stevenson) is being blackmailed by her soap opera star boyfriend (Glenn Quinn), and Rachel (Laila Robins) is basically stuck being Jill's uptight sister. They have gathered at the house of Georgina (Lora Zane), who is bisexual and currently living with Chris (d'Abo), for what would be described as a slumber party as long as everybody involved understands sleeping will probably not be involved. What will be involved is talking, mostly about sex, which necessarily involves talking about relationships and get to talking about fantasies as well. There is not a specific plot against which these conversations are held. Jamie's fiancé is at his bachelor's party and she expects the worst, Marcy has reason to worry about Randy showing up, Jane has something she does not want to tell Rachel, and Georgina and Chris are having problems, but what serves as the climax for this movie is the sun coming up the next morning.
There is more humor to be found in this 1995 movie than profound insights. I liked the gender-reversal conversation that Marcy has with Randy, especially since a man would never dare have such a grin on his face while saying the exact same things, but for the most part it is the act of self-disclosure and not what is actually disclosed that matters the most here. Men are usually the subject of the film's barbs, which proves that boys will be boys when it comes to immediately picturing women naked and that men will as likely behave like boys as well given the opportunity at a bachelor's party. I was going to say that the weak part of the film is how it keeps the character of Chris on the periphery, which allows Georgina to indulge in flights of fantasy, but since ultimately I find the point of "Live Nude Girls" to be that talking and talking about everything is important, I have to admit the point is underscored in the negative by Chris's self-exclusion from the gab fest (and certainly reinforced by what she does during the finale in the pool). If Lavin gets her viewers to not only admit they should have their own slumber party, but actually end up having one, then she will have done well by making this film.
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The title of this film is very deceiving & it's pretty clear that it was designed to lure people in. I actually saw this movie way back in the early 90s. I forgot all about it and got excited and bought it a few years back. I thought it was a sure-fire to be wall-to-wall skin. After all, it features 2 names (Dana Delany and Kim Cattral) who have shown no aversion to shedding their clothes in other movies.Well, I was way wrong. There is MAYBE 10 seconds worth of nudity in the whole movie. It's also supposed to be a comedy, but I didn't find it particularly humorous, either.
For what it is, it's an OK movie. It details what is basically a slumber party for a group of grown women. Some of the dialogue about sex is cool kind of like finding out what goes on in a women's locker room. There's also some exploration of how being a lesbian might make life more "simple" than being straight.
However, in the end, I found this to be a pretty dull film. Most importantly, it does not deliver on what the title promises. I would be far more forgiving if they had named this movie something else, but I do detest false-advertising.
Read Best Reviews of Live Nude Girls (1995) Here
In this movie a group of women who are longtime friends get together for a "girls' night in". They end up talking about various of their sexual experiences in real life and fantasy. The fantasies seem like ones women really have and the experiences are like ones some women have and others could at least relate to. There was a great deal of humor, but also real feeling. In the process of sharing all this, the women gain a closer bond with each other and with other women in general.Want Live Nude Girls (1995) Discount?
A decent movie, though it fails to keep your attention fully throughout the whole show.But if you want to see a movie covering mostly a slumber party full of beautiful women talking about sex (plus a little nudity), this might be it. (The title is not to be taken literally, of course.)
By the way, the song that's playing during the fantasy scene with Olivia d'Abo and Lora Zane at around 45 minutes is "Picture Of An Angel", by Candy Says. More info here:
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The Bounty Hunter (2010)
There are a large number of movies released starring big name stars that just never seem to quite live up to their potential. The movie that is, not the stars. And I don't think it's the fault of the stars either. Some would say it's a combination of script, direction and more but in general I don't think its any one item. It's a combination of them all and perhaps just a lackluster idea that seemed better on paper. Such is the case with THE BOUNTY HUNTER.Gerard Butler stars as Milo Boyd, a down on his luck bounty hunter deep in debt to bookies who never seems to have much luck. Having just caught a bail jumper the end result is a night in jail for torching a parade float on accident while attempting to catch the guy.
Nicole Hurley (Jennifer Aniston) is a hot shot reporter who thinks she's on to a major story. An apparent suicide left behind too many questions that no one seems to be asking. As Nicole is about to go before a judge for an assault charge (what that involves is revealed later and it's not as funny as it should be) when she gets a call from an informant. Since she doesn't show for her hearing, her bail is revoked and she's a wanted fugitive.
Guess who gets to pick her up for jumping bail? Of course it's Milo, who also just happens to be Nicole's ex-husband. Yes the pair had a parting of the ways and one gets the idea that it wasn't an easygoing divorce. No, both parties seem to not think well of the other. And when Milo tosses Nicole into the trunk of his car to take her in, things don't get a lot better.
As the film moves forward, Milo eventually sees the problems that Nicole is having between trying to find clues to her story that might involve a best friend they both share as well as being shot at by someone who wants this story silenced. Along the way he keeps Nicole handcuffed to the bed at night and has to dodge his own problem, the bookies he owes money to. Somehow the only solutions to their problems is to stick together and figure things out.
This is the type of movie where you know from the first scene that a happy ending is just around the corner no matter how many guns are drawn and how many shots are fired. Goldie Hawn made several films in this genre including FOUL PLAY and BIRD ON A WIRE. A combination of agitation between the two main characters, remembering the past, romance, adventure and the chance that someone might separate the characters that were apart for good by the final reel. But that never happens.
Butler is coming along well with his career but his choices aren't always what he probably hoped for. He's taken a chance with comedy in a couple of films now and though he does an excellent job, he seems more suited for things like 300. Aniston has never seemed to make the leap from small to large screen like many actresses. Which is sad because she genuinely does a good job in everything she's done and this film is no exception.
So what's the problem? The directing is fine, the photography well done and the acting, as state, well above par. I think perhaps the problem lies in the script. The two characters reveal so little of themselves in a positive light that you tend not to care about them. You hope they get back together but know so little of them as the story unfolds. The small glimpses you get are very small indeed.
These are characters that we need to feel for, to understand, to want the best for and until late in the film we never have those emotions touched. Instead we witness two self absorbed people who whine about one another and blame each other for everything that went wrong. It's the Bickersons without the humor.
The laughs are short term and unmemorable. The action is predictable. And the whodunit that the movie surrounds itself around to make it all worthwhile isn't nearly as crafty as it would like us to believe.
All that being said, the movie isn't a bad film and definitely worth a dollar rental. Its just not one of those movies that you'll want to sit on the front shelf and pull down now and then. You may enjoy watching these two gifted actors perform well together once, but long term this isn't a movie you'll add to the collection unless you're a die hard Butler or Aniston fan. So enjoy the small amount of entertainment you get from this one and then let it fly. Perhaps the next movie that arrives in this genre will gel better than this one though.
Milo Boyd (Butler) is a recently fired cop who has taken a job as a bounty hunter. His ex-wife, Nicole Hurley (Aniston), is a pouty journalist who has just skipped a court appearance and jumped bail for a hot story about a potential murder cover-up. Naturally, the paths cross in a soggy Mr. and Mrs. Smith impersonation without the on-screen chemistry. Except Mrs. Smith in this case desperately wants to be with Mr. Smith. And by Mr. Smith I mean Brad Pitt. Hijinks ensue, they reminisce, and yadda yadda yadda.
Watch it on an intercontinental flight and at least you'll pass about two hours. Nothing is really bad, per se, but nothing stands out either. I think I laughed once, and it might have been out of pity. A banal rom-com at best. A better option might be some Tylenol PM and two beers.
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I haven't quite figured out yet just why I like this movie so much but I think I found it to be kind of different, for one thing. Not the same old Jennifer Anniston, playing Rachel Green. Yes, she will always have that type of personality, 'cause that's who she is but I really like the chemistry between her and Gerard Butler for one thing. That's a big deal to me and I like a film where the characters actually grow, learn, change and move on-like they talked about when they had dinner together. Take responsibility for your #*%$ and move on. Also, I appreciated the fact that the few swear words were mild and the little bit of sexual innuendo was pretty tame. I also love Christina Baranski-she's fun no matter what she does but it would have been nice to see her and Anniston have a scene together (on the phone is not doing a scene together). The scene between Baranski and Butler was awesome, they even had chemistry. I also wonder how the actress who played Theresa managed to walk away without fainting when Butler dips her down for a passionate kiss after she hands him a check! Sigh! Now that was hot!I really love this film. I have a copy that I just put in now when I'm doing other stuff and have it running in the background. It's fun, it's fast, it's clever, and it's crazy. Oh, and most of the violence, directed at Jason Sudekis's, Stewart, is comedic and besides his character deserves it, he plays a dope, but a hilarious dope! At one point, he congratulates himself for something and says, 'Stewart, you a tremendous stud!' Hilarious! He's perfect for the part.
This movie truely is funny and a little sappy. Give it a chance. Oh, and in the end, it also teaches us a good lesson in friendship, so there!
Read Best Reviews of The Bounty Hunter (2010) Here
The Bounty Hunter isn't even remotely funny. Even though it's not really a romance comedy, it sure *feels* like one because of how fruity and nonchalant the whole storyline is. The action bits feel like they were created by a bunch of 5 year olds, or rather, created by a group of writers that were going for something only a *very* select few would be able to appreciate.I guess I shouldn't be surprised with the main character being Jennifer Aniston. She's not the kind of actress to star in really exciting action-packed films. No, this is definitely NOT a suspenseit's a really pitiful attempt at a comedy involving far-fetched and pointless "bounty hunter" *comedy* segmentscompletely unsuspenseful.
As soon as I found out there was no suspense, well, I said to myself "Maybe I can appreciate it as a comedy film". Nope. I couldn't. Not when I had to sit through one failed attempt at humor after another.
Just skip it.
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This could have been an enjoyable romantic comedy. Yet, so much went wrong with it. There is a lack of chemistry between the leads. The tone of their relationship is cruel, abusive, manipulative, and demeaning. The rest of the cast seems to be a collection of embittered people without even a hint of humanity. There is not one like-able character in the entire ensemble. The last minute "happy ending" doesn't compensate for the dreadful journey getting there. Don't waste your time (or money) on this one!Save 25% Off
Casino Jack (2010)
How long can you screw someone before you get caught? The true story of super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff (Spacy) and his partner Michael Scanlon (Pepper). After finding a contribution loophole, Abramoff and Scanlon begin to exploit this and become very, very rich. I enjoyed this movie. I like true story movies, and I really enjoy political ones too. There was a lot of stuff in here I didn't know about. The amount he took and the favors he gave out are astounding. This movie really exposes the lengths that he and other senators will go to in order to get what they want. The movie is filled with different movie quotes from the "Godfather", "Rocky" and others, which is fun (Spacy is a pretty good impressionist). Overall I really liked this movie, and found myself liking Abramoff even less then before. The amount of money he through around to get his way is enough to make you sick, especially when you think a lot of our tax money went to helping him by a casino boat. Abramoff gets an F, as for the movie, I give it a B+.Would I watch again? Yes I would, this is the kind of movie I like
What seems to me to be the best of the film, is a scene in a Senate hearing with John McCain presiding. Some of the Senators present were given money by Abramoff and yet, here they were berating him for his practices. The real hearing with McCain present is interspersed with actors. It is quite extraordinary. Real names are used, and the actors portraying them are very much like them. This part of politics that we seem to see more of on a daily basis is abhorrent to most of us. To the politicians who inhabit DC, it is business as usual.
Jack's family stood by him. He is portrayed as a man with an ego bigger than he is. A little off center and downright crazy at times. Someone who spent money literally like water. He bought and sold and then bought and sold some more. Little thought to anyone but to his need to be the biggest man. Well, he failed.
Recommended. prisrob 04-09-11
Beyond the Sea
Love at StakeLots of movies poke fun at American politics by following the lives or careers of real or fictional government officials. These include movies such as Wag the Dog, and Primary Colors. This might be the first movie to do it from the standpoint of corporate lobbyists. This film follows the career of Jack Abramoff, key fundraiser for the GOP throughout the 1990's and early 2000's. The movie examines his rise through the world of influence, finally landing him in jail. Key to his story is the parallel themes of his amoral use of his skills to further the GOP, side-by-side with his personal faith to his Jewish heritage. This does bring up one point the movie left out, but should have really included, and that is the many of the politicians he helped come to power catered to evangelical Americans that often looked down on Jews as the betrayers of Christ. The film is well cast for all the roles except one, and that is Jack Abramoff himself. Outside of being a white man of about average height, Kevin Spacey bears little physical resemblance to Jack Abramoff in either voice, face, or cut. Hence the 4/5 instead of 5/5 stars.
Read Best Reviews of Casino Jack (2010) Here
Kevin Spacey does a terrific job in this movie.. he plays a Republician that take Money offthe top and pockets it.. It's a TRUE STORY and I would recomend it to EVERYONE TO SEE!Want Casino Jack (2010) Discount?
Kevin Spacey is great in this movie. We actually rented it first and it was so outstanding, we decided we needed it in our collection so we can watch it over and over again. Yes, it is that good! If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. And, as usual, Amazon delivered in their normal FAST way.Save 47% Off
JCVD/Exit Speed (2008)
Now like many I too accept that Jean Claude Van Damme isn't the greatest actor in the world. He's an action hero after all and much like Steven Seagal, he's someone we wouldn't usually expect a 5 star acting performance from. He's just used to kicking people in the head and looking all attractive whilst doing so. Now he's older and currently a man who's career was absolutely dying a death, at least until this film was made and now he has the possibility to be back on form and revive his career as a more serious actor.So what makes this film different from all the rest? I hear you ask. Well for one he's not playing some clichéd character who you end up shouting "kick his head off" at. He's actually playing himself in a fictional setting and as strange as it sounds it actually allows him to display much more acting talent than you would have first thought.
So what's the film about? I hear you secondly ask. Well, JCVD's life isn't going too well and is constantly in battle to win movie roles but is constantly beaten by his rival Steven Seagal. His wife has divorced him and is in legal battles for the right to have access to his daughter. He also has quite a few tax and money troubles to boot, so to escape his troubles he decides to go home to his native Belgium only this isn't as peaceful as he'd hoped.
Upon his arrival in Belgium he goes into a Post Office, and after his fans tell a local policeman that the legendary Jean Claude Van Damme is home and in the local post office. Then out of nowhere a gunshot rings from the post office sending people into a panic and shocked that it turns out to be the movie star himself holding up the post office, or is it?
Well what entails is a film about hostage negotiation and a traumatic movie star life that is topped off with a difficult situation. It's not the typical JCVD film as it contains very little fighting karate style, but the film is made truly special with the defining monologue. Roughly half way through the film, JCVD is brought away from the story and the film in quite a strange style that allows him to deliver a monologue that gives the impression it comes straight from the heart. He talks about his life and career and how he wants to be remembered as a more serious actor. I got the impression that a lot of the monologue although in a scripted movie, was actually improvised or at least written by JCVD himself.
I would highly recommend this film to any JCVD and non-JCVD fan as it's truly his best work to date. This is seriously a possible breakthrough movie for him to bring his career back up to speed and rather than continuing to star in "straight to DVD" movies like this one, sadly, he may be given more movies that start in the cinema and give him a wider appeal as the man is still a name that captures peoples interests.
Get it, you wont be disappointed.
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I came upon a crowd outside a movie theater bearing the title: JCVD. The theater is jammed with dedicated fans having memories of Van Damme's past International super star status from the 1988 Bloodsport.What a movie! It likely surpassing the collective expectations from the start of the entire audience. The opening scene rocks. A 4-minute film within a film begins with vintage-like Van Damme moments of high energy action. This single-shot sequence unfolds vamping up Van Damme's pre-existing persona in dynamic fashion. Then this incredible assembly of action ends with a hilarious fake wall falling over when a door is simply slammed too hard by a winded and exhausted Van Damme blithely complaining to a movie director, who couldn't care less (as in real life), that he is 47 and it is simply too hard to do these mad action scenes at his age!
The film then pivots under the young but world class directorship of Mabrouk El Mechri to the main story, where the audience is treated to a Van Damme they have never seen before acting with incredible depth and character. This transformation from a shallow bigger-than-life action hero to portraying true down-to-life emotions will be worth the admission alone.
Van Damme's dramatic performance and his featured monologue --are remarkable. The director caught Van Damme on film in a way to make any audience celebrate with rousing enthusiasm alongside Van Damme as he convincingly relates his belief in the American dream, then address his marriage and drug problems of his past, and how he wants a second chance to make a difference in the world. It is one of those cinema moments bordering on being a masterpiece; it re-invents Van Damme.
The camera floats through the chaos of Van Damme's life and caresses Van Damme's face that has taken on a good amount of character. Van Damme has stories in his eyes. Van Damme has life in his eyes. Van Damme has sadness in his eyes. Van Damme has regrets in his eyes. Van Damme has a message to deliver. The movie cleverly uncovers the pitfalls behind celebrity status with humor that Van Damme does very well.
The plot borrows on Van Damme's trying past. Playing himself, a beaten and depressed Van Damme returns to his native Belgium in hopes of getting out of the limelight. Van Damme is financially drained and makes a bee line to his home bank. But the Belgium bank is in the midst of being robbed. Van Damme is caught up in the ensuing mayhem as the police on arrival wrongly assume Van Damme is part of the robbery team. The actual criminals are enjoying extravagant good luck. Not only do they have Belgium's biggest movie star in their control, but through his ill-luck he is also taking the fall for them! In trying to find a way out, Van Damme realizes his Hollywood action roles of his past all fall flat when a real gun is pressed to his head.
This is a movie to be seen, not merely read about. Not only is Van Damme re-born but so too is the audience through a shared experience with Van Damme's factual failures and triumphs! (Dr. R. Witmer, Ph.D. co-author of Van Damme's Biography appearing )
Read Best Reviews of JCVD/Exit Speed (2008) Here
It's been a long time since I've willfully watched anything starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, but the premise of JCVD just kind of caught me off guard. Van Damme basically does play himself here: a washed up actor who blew his Hollywood stardom and is stuck in a bitter custody battle over his daughter. He's reduced to starring in sub-par B-movies, and on top of it all, he's broke. Now back in Brussels, Van Damme goes on his way to the post office to sort out his money situation, only to walk head first into a robbery, where the crooks make it look like he's the one behind it. Despite many of the reviews on here, JCVD is neither fantastic nor dreadful, it just falls somewhere in between. However, for Van Damme fans, JCVD is a must see. Van Damme is unusually good playing himself, and his monologue to the camera towards the end of the film is especially heartfelt. The film's main flaws lie mostly in its pacing and dialogue, but for what it's worth, JCVD ends up being more or less a shining moment for Van Damme, and that in itself is quite an accomplishment.Want JCVD/Exit Speed (2008) Discount?
The Jean Claude Van Damme Review Matrix (JCVD-RM)1. Who is he? JCVD is JCVD
2. Which family member/friend must be avenged? Himself
3. Does he take his shirt off? No, but he wears his heart on his sleeve
4. Does he have sex with a C-List actress? No, but he gets screwed in the end
5. Is there a tournament? Well, court is kind of like a double-elimination tournament
6. Is training needed for this tournament? No, but law school would have been nice
7. Does he do the splits in training or in the tournament? Unfortunately not
8. Does he punch someone in the balls? Punch + Kick = SWAT officer gets carried away in agony, desperately craving an ice pack like a long lost lover
9. Does he do a series of flying or 360 kicks? More than enough to satisfy a true JCVD fan
10. Is his enemy unbeatable? How does one truly conquer one's own demons?
11. Does he overcome an injury or other hindrance? In life, in court, and in a precarious post office predicament, JCVD is constantly plagued by his own shining star.
12. Does he win? The most revealing win of his career.
Beginning with an introspective peek inside production at a JCVD movie, we learn that he is no longer the man he once was. Sure, he's still dynamic, powerful, and above all a bona fide superstar, but he's also not quite as capable as he once was at a younger age. Despite the fact that he's 47 something his new director disregards like a slave driver he still manages to put together a pulse-pounding intro in a single take, with multiple attackers, countless weapons, a wall falling over like in a Buster Keaton movie, and even his patented testicle attacks.
The plot of the movie itself is rather ingenious. It's JCVD playing himself, in a movie soaked in the realism of his every day life. What it must be like to be one of a few superstars in a smaller country. He handles his situation with class, poise, and humility. Facing a ruthless child custody hearing, he must display those traits just to maintain a semblance of sanity. All that changes when he walks into a robbery and the criminals decide to use his celebrity to their advantage. What ensues is a battle of wills and wits, as Van Damme uses his status to gain the trust of his fellow prisoners, as well as to manipulate the mind and break the bond between the trio of robbers.
Most impressive about JCVD is a lengthy, heartfelt monologue midway through the movie. He talks directly into the camera and completely exposes his innermost thoughts. Separated from the cast and the set for a moment, similar to how a play differentiates group acting and audience interaction a break from the other characters he pours out raw emotion. Directly mocking Hollywood stardom, he struggles emotionally through real life references to his marriage and drug problems; it's personal, and it's deep.
His stardom is obviously a difficult subject. How he feels both vindicated and tortured by his success at the same time why can't others be as lucky? On the verge of tears, a breakdown must have been difficult to hold back; it wouldn't be surprising to discover the scene took multiple takes. It reinforces his frailties, and it supports the script that proposes his humanism, his mortality, that would clearly take over were a real gun placed to his head.
The monologue is also where JCVD displays his acting ability. He's actually a good actor something obvious to anyone who has seen In Hell, Wake of Death, or Nowhere to Run. Speaking in his native language, it's easier to express emotions. In all actuality, it's probably the language barrier in other films that makes him less believable. When working with familiarity, the acting range flows as easily as the dialogue (the subtitles are fast, unobtrusive, and seamlessly integrated). It's hard not to side with Van Damme, from the very beginning the viewer is privy to the behind the scenes treatment he often receives, and the undeserved lack of respect he commands as an actor
JCVD deserves similar praise to the fawning Mickey Rourke has received for "The Wrestler". This film poignantly proves that he has real acting chops, and that he can truly tap into that deep-seeded trauma which all great actors grasp when needed. He's painfully sincere, and completely fascinating in this exposition. His jump may have lost an inch, his kick may have lost some power, and his splits may not be as straight as they once were, but he is revitalized in this tour de force. Even for non-fans, JCVD comes highly recommended.
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Barney's Version (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2011)
I initially saw "Barney's Version," having never heard of it, at its New York premiere, expecting Dustin Hoffman to be there. He wasn't, but, that night, I experienced something I never had before (I'm 60). Yes, I had never cried so much from a film after laughing so much from the same film. Paul Giamatti wuz robbed, as he shoulda won the Oscar. Sure, Colin Firth was excellent, but Paul's acting was on a level that we experience perhaps once in a decade. Dustin is as terrific as he was in "Midnight Cowboy" & "Rain Man"--only subtler. Rosamund Pike, wearing auburn wigs throughout the film, is wonderful--a former Bond girl and Oxford graduate from England (in real life) as the most desirable woman one could ever imagine--brains, beauty, body, & wit to boot--the very essence of tranquility. I think that, for example, Jack Nicholson, Bette Davis, and Katharine Hepburn is/were great. However, there is/was always a bit of Jack, Bette & Kate in all their films and in real life. Rosamund transcends that trio, because she has created, with amazing intensity and with an American accent, someone who could never exist, except in our hearts and minds. And in every one of her scenes, it is virtually impossible to look at anyone else. There is a scene, immediately after the protagonist's second wedding, that I found to be the most exciting of my life. Too bad I can't give it away. Well, I can, but that wouldn't be nice. Minnie Driver, as wife # 2 (of 3), is simply marvelous--acting at its peak. Many supporting players are superb as well. I'll single out Harvey Atkin, as Barney's second father-in-law, Thomas Trabacchi, as Barney's close friend from Italy, and Scott Speedman, as Barney's heroin & cocaine-using & opium & hashish-smoking best friend. This film is Barney's version of what occurred in order to refute a retired detective's memoir that accused Barney of murder. But the possible murder is far from the focal point of the film. Much more important is Barney's romance with the love of his life. Luckily, we get to observe, mostly through flashbacks, the final 36 years of his amazing life (beginning at age 30) and the ending ranks as one of the greatest ever--right up there with that of "2001: A Space Odyssey." By the way, I've read the novel & the screenplay, but I prefer the finished product of the film most of all. As of October 30, 2011, I've seen it 31 times, but I'm sure that number will change.
Barney's Version is at its heart the life of Barney Panofsky, a Jewish man from Montreal who seems at once blessed by fate with opportunities but cursed by flaws that ultimately undo him. Irascible and impulsive, he has a charm that endears even as his behavior often appalls. He has the gift of recognizing the spark of creative genius in others but is seemingly incapable of producing it himself, spending most of his adult life as a producer of a long-running (and painfully banal) Canadian TV soap opera Constable O'Malley of the North through his company, the sardonically-named Totally Unnecessary Productions.
The film begins with Barney, on the eve of celebrating his soap opera's 30th year of production, having to contend with the publication of a book by an ex-cop purporting to reveal how Barney is guilty of murder. What follows is Barney's Version of the events of his life, starting with his semi-hedonistic hanging about with friends in Europe when he was in his 20's, quickly careening through two disastrous marriages until he meets the one true love of his life, Miriam, who's a guest at his second wedding.
As a film, Barney's Version suffers from the choices made for the adaptation by the scriptwriter Michael Konyves, both in terms of the framing, which reduces the overall impact that came across in the novel, and in the reductions and compressions which make some of the characters come across as two-dimensional and others at times baffling in terms of their actions and decisions.
But all that said, it is still a movie well worth seeing for the great cast that manage for the most part to overcome the shortcomings of the script and for particularly fine performances by Paul Giamatti as Barney; Rosamund Pike as his third ex-wife (and only real love), Miriam; Dustin Hoffman as his loving but embarrassingly coarse father, Izzy; and Scott Speedman as his friend Boogie, a gifted but spectacularly self-destructive writer whom Barney is suspected of murdering.
It is worth noting that for his performance in Barney's Version, Giamatti won the Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical. His performance is truly what makes the film work as he manages to bring out all of the qualities that make Barney at once sympathetic his impulsiveness, his capacity for grand gestures, his ability to love and yet annoyingly pathetic his passive-aggressiveness, his insecurities, and his inability to realize when he's screwing up. Giamatti seems to slip effortlessly from one to the other, putting Barney Panofsky with all of his human gifts and frailties on full display. And the film itself was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Makeup as it had to show Giamatti as Barney aging from his 20's through his 60's. It's subtle but well-done, making you feel that you're really seeing his life as it happened.
On a side-note, Canadian film buffs may spot cameos by a number of Canadian directors: Atom Egoyan (as an early director of Barney's soap opera), David Cronenberg (as a later director of the soap), Paul Gross (as a star in the soap), and Denys Arcand (as the Maître'D at Barney & Miriam's last luncheon). And if you notice a surprisingly strong resemblance between Barney's father, Izzy, and his son, Michael (as an adult), it's because Michael is played by Jake Hoffman, who is Dustin Hoffman's real-life son. And Barney's daughter as a young girl is played by Simone Richler.
Definitely recommended as an entertaining and engaging film.
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BARNEY'S VERSION is one of those movies that critics love. They talk about the depth of the story, the fantastic acting, the way the movie felt and looked. And for once those who would discuss these and others items of the film have it right. This is one fine movie.Paul Giamatti stars as Barney Panofsky, a studio producer looking back at his life. When it opens we see him doing his best to disrupt the life of his ex-wife by calling her husband at 3AM. From there we see him stopping at his favorite bar only to be hassled by an ex-police detective who's just released a book about the murder of Barney's best friend Boogie (Scott Speedman), a murder that the detective still believes Barney committed. But the body was never found. This confrontation leads to Barney's reflecting on his life.
We're taken back to the early 70s when Barney was living in Europe surrounding himself with bohemian friends all interested in art. But this isn't a world Barney can be a part of, just an observer of. He marries a free spirit believing he is the father of her child only to part ways with her once the baby is lost and he discovers there was no way he was the father. On a binge with his friend Boogie, he misses a message and goes to his wife only to find she's committed suicide.
Barney returns to Canada where he gets work with his uncle and eventually becomes a studio head. Along the way he is introduced to a young woman who catches his eye played by Minnie Driver. This woman is a non-stop talker whose father is a wealthy man. He also possesses the attitudes of such a man, greatly displayed when a dinner for the two prior to their marrying is held. Barney's father Izzy (Dustin Hoffman), an ex-cop, is invited to dinner only to have Driver's father offer him angry glances and demeaning comments.
At the wedding things are going as planned. Barney's friends are there, the party is in full swing and much heavy drinking follows. While watching the hockey game at the reception, and after far too many drinks, Barney is told that his father in law has made comments about his own father. Heading to have it out with the man, he gets a glimpse of a woman that he finds amazing. After the confrontation with his father in law finishes, he meets this woman, Miriam (Rosamund Pike). Enamored with her, he follows her to the train station and asks her to run off with him. She turns him down but remains in his heart.
The story continues involving all of these characters but to attempting to describe the story without giving away too much is just ridiculous. Suffice to say that Barney does lead and interesting life. And he eventually finds an amazing love that stays with him forever. But with each step he takes, Barney seems destined to screw things up. He doesn't want to, it just seems that he always takes the wrong turn.
The film won an Oscar for make up and it was well deserved. The progression in age for Giamatti is amazing to watch. In one of the extras he discusses how much it helped his performance, giving him a reference point with which to grab hold of his character at that time in his life. Giamatti also won the Golden Globe for his performance here and he deserved that as well. This is one of the best things he's ever done.
The film may be a bit long for some, may take a while to unwind that today's fast paced movie goers might not want to sit for. But in doing so you'll find a full, rich story that is better than most told these days. And in the end you'll discover a few truly touching moments and that at the heart of it all is a love story that's as sweet as they come.
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All I can say is see this movie. I saw it in the theater and rarely do I buy films anymore. I had to have this one. After I saw it in the theater I posted on my Facebook page to see the movie. If anybody didn't like it I would refund their money. All I received were "thank yous" for recommending the film. To all of you that see it based on this review---You Are Welcome.Want Barney's Version (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) (2011) Discount?
If I could recommend one film, it would be "Barney's Version'. A film that creeps up on youat first laughing and then silently weeping. A marvel of a film with much to say, one of those films you think about long afterr the viewing.'Barney's Version' tells the story of a man not particularly talented or good looking or very rich, but a man who is greatly loved by a beautiful woman and that is a puzzle to many. Barney drinks much too much, smokes cigars, has a paunch, isn't there when she really needs him, but he has something that is palpable. Paul Giamatti plays Barney, and this is a wonder of his acting. He has picked roles of men who are not particularly distinguised, but he makes these men something to behold. Barney was married three times, once to a young woman who killed herself, the second time because the woman loved him, and on his wedding day he met the love of his life and pursued her until they were married. Two children and a wonderful life and then it falls apart. Barney never recovers, and as he ponders his life in flashbacks, we come to understand where he has been but not where he is going. Many lessons in this film, and it is sad that Barney never really gets to understand these lessons.
Paul Giamatti's performance is remarkable, a performance that deserved the Oscar. The nuance of his acting is so beautiful. He reminded me of a friend.
Highly Recommended. prisrob 08-12-11
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Jeff Dunham: Arguing with Myself (2008)
Its really hard to review a standup comedy routine "critiquingly". If it's GREAT, like this one is, I would have to resort to the overwhelming non-lack of cliches plastered on the covers of movie boxes and posters across the Land.What it boils down to, is this (and its very simple): This is one of the funniest and most tallented stand-up acts I have ever seen. You have your all-time greats like Pryor and (fill in your fav here) but did they hold three-way conversations at lightning speed and legibly conveying three unique voices with three different personalities? Either he has incredible tallent or he's related to Emily Rose.
In short, its fantastic Excellent pullamuscle funny and man does it deliver. Highly recommended for you adults who need a change in pace. ~saos~
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Jeff has a funny routine. His characters include "Walter", a sort of elderly curmudgeon; "Sweet Daddy D" sorry, that's "Sweeeeeeeeet Daddy D", a playa in management position (PIMP); "Peanut", described as a South Pacific islander but could really be some alien; "Jose Jalapeno", a Cuban condiment (on a "steeeeek"); and "Bubba J", a slow-witted beer-guzzling NASCAR aficianado.Some of the jokes might be a bit politically incorrect, but as Jeff and "Shrek 2"-director friend surmise in the optional commentary, they are accepted because they are spoken by a puppet, not a human.
I watched it twice (on successive nights) and loaned it to a friend who thought it was bleeping hilarious and also is going to watch it again before returning it.
You get the option of a "bleeped" or "unbleeped" version.
Extras include a commentary, a couple bloopers, and a video of Jeff's dog humping one particular puppet.
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I've been a fan of Dunham for a long time I saw him live in Orlando in 1992(?) and was fan before that. I knew what to expect, but my wife (who has belly-laughed exactly once since we were married 8 years ago) was totally taken by surprise she laughed so-o-o hard!!! Dunham is funny, creative and his puppets are so believable you can actually suspend belief and think of them as people. Dunham's wit is great even off the cuff things like when a member of the audience steps out on a call of nature Dunham waits until he comes back to continue.... One of the funniest comics you'll ever see...Want Jeff Dunham: Arguing with Myself (2008) Discount?
This "reviewer" did not watch Jeff's performance very carefully. The entire audience was NOT white; yes, it was predominantly so, but the editors of the performance were careful to show several minority attendees in the theater.Besides, Jeff tackles EVERYONE in this performance: Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Southerners, NASCAR fans, the elderly, the stupid, the deaf, the blind, and those with bladders too weak to sit through an entire show. (Walter's ridicule of the guy sneaking out of the auditorium to go to the bathroom is priceless!)
I have shown "Arguing With Myself" to old and young alike, and the result is ALWAYS the same: tears pouring from eyes, sides splitting, and thighs raw from being slapped. You will LOVE this DVD.
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Ramona and Beezus (2010)
I'm just going to go out there and say it: Elizabeth Allen's "Ramona and Beezus" is the best film of the summer. It may not be the most visually thrilling ("Inception") or the most complex ("Salt"), but "Ramona and Beezus" is utterly charming from start to finish. In a age when films about children are laborious to endure, this is a bright, sweet and fun film. The acting is genuinely great from the very human cast. Joey King as Ramona hits every note like a seasoned professional. Her back up from John Corbett, Bridget Moynahan, Selena Gomez, Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Duhamel and Sandra Oh is so solid and seamless that you believe this lot is a family. And family is what this film does so right. "Ramona and Beezus" captures in spades what "Where the Wild Things Are" tried so desperately to create: what it feels like to be a misunderstood child. It also deals with modern day family issues like the recession, divorce and dating in ways that never ring false. Sure, the film never gets dark but it also never skimps on the emotion. It's such a treat to see a film that families can enjoy, relate to and take something from without it being overly melodramatic, overly childish, or overtly religious. "Ramona and Beezus" is a wonderful film that deserves to find an audience. There really is something for everyone to enjoy in this truly, truly delightful gem.
"Ramona and Beezus," adapted from the books by Beverly Cleary, is a film that could have easily gone wrong, appealing to younger audiences with endless juvenile slapstick routines. But there's so much more going on here than the mischievous antics of a third grader. It tells a bright, funny, heartfelt story, and despite its innocent tone and waning nostalgia, it never plays down to its audience. It supplies little Ramona with dialogue just sharp enough to make her seem observant, but not so sharp that she sounds like a nine-year-old psychotherapist. It's sweet without becoming sappy. It makes the characters likeable but flawed at the same time. Its plot is fun but not so light-hearted that it sidesteps unfortunate realities. The target audience is young girls, but one doesn't necessarily need to have a daughter or even a family to enjoy it one only needs to remember what it was like being an imaginative child.
Ramona is played by Joey King with just the right mixture of cuteness, pluck, and clumsiness, a girl so charming and loveable that you can't help but want to be her best friend. Beezus is played by Selena Gomez not as a typecast of the mean older sister, but as a blossoming teenager with real insecurities. The two have natural onscreen chemistry. They don't play dumb. They have genuine feelings, a testament to screenwriters Laurie Craig and Nick Pustay, who clearly know a thing or two about human nature. They work just as hard on Ramona's father (John Corbett), a man who does everything he can to make his daughters feel loved and always puts a positive spin on things, even in bad times. The actual state of his well being is debatable, but the fact that he cares enough to keep smiling for his children is genuinely touching.
The plot involves Ramona's well-intentioned but misguided efforts to save her house after her father loses his job. She tries selling lemonade. She tries washing the neighbor's car. Neither yield the desired results (the latter especially). She tries circling various jobs in the classified section and showing them to her father; she even encourages him to be a firefighter. She will soon notice that he's quite good at drawing cartoons, and of that, I will say no more.
If there is a weakness to "Ramona and Beezus," it's that we find ourselves caring about too many characters, some of whom aren't given enough screen time. There's a subplot, for example, involving Aunt Bea (Ginnifer Goodwin), her high school sweetheart Hobart (Josh Duhamel), and their attempts at forming a relationship; I liked them as individuals, and they get along wonderfully with Ramona, but the romance is so condensed that it seems almost trivial. We have the same problem with Beezus' adolescent crush on her classmate, which is bad because, as a plot point, it nicely plays into the film's themes of growth, individuality, and connection to family. It can be argued that the story is a little like Ramona Quimby herself fun and adorable but also a bit unfocused.
I also would have appreciated more moments of Ramona using her imagination. Early scenes, such as when Ramona swings across a playground jungle gym or when she bounces on her bed, feature wonderfully whimsical shots of deep canyons and floating planets; late in the film, as she walks down the street, she imagines a city skyline comprised entirely of landmarks. I refuse to believe her imagination is limited to three shots, especially after hearing her opening monologue, in which she logically and understandably describes the way she views the world.
But in the grand scheme of things, these are minor complaints. Watching "Ramona and Beezus," I was reminded of 2008's "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl," which stirred within me the same feelings of fun, adventure, and nostalgia while maintaining a sense of reality. It also gave me everything I looked for and missed in this year's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," namely the sense that childhood, family, and friendship were accurately being depicted. It isn't often you come across family films that really are for the whole family and not just kids; even though I'm an adult, I left the theater feeling as if I had actually experienced something worthwhile, something that was playful but respectful at the same time.
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Beverly Cleary's "Ramona" books, as well as her other series and standalones are about half a dozen chapters long. Each one is carefully detailed and paced even if the event would seem minor to an adult it's treated with the importance as a child of Ramona's age would view it.In contrast, this movie pitches Cleary's plots to you like fastballs. For example, first Ramona gets a bad report card and curses (Ramona the Brave), then she makes a mess with toothpaste (Ramona and Her Mother), and then her dad brings home Gummi Bears for her and sister to share (Ramona and Her Father), and so on. There's also some fantasy sequences to emphasize Ramona's runaway imagination and to give the film even more of a child's eye-view perspective.
The overall plot is basically borrowed from "Ramona Forever," as Howie Kemp's annoying Uncle Hobart tries to (re) woo Ramona's Aunt Bea. There's also a storyline (Ramona and Her Father) about their dad losing his job (which caused an audible gasp in my audience). This isn't sugarcoated, although there's a happy ending for all the characters.
Joey King does an outstanding job as Ramona, as does Selena Gomez as Beezus (although physically, she's too glamorous for my idea of the character), and the rest of the cast is solid, too.
Adult-appropriate only material: Absolutely none, although if your kids know someone who's lost their job, they might ask questions about the bank repossessing their home. So be prepared.
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When I was younger I used to always read these books and loved them. As an young adult I wanted to see what the movie was like. I guess I wanted to take a trip down memory lane and I'm sure glad that I did. This movie is not just for kids. Granted it doesn't have any nudity or cursing if you're into that stuff you will be disappointed BUT it does have a wonderful story if you like that kind of stuff. This is actually a movie that many people can relate to especially if you have a sibling. This movie is about Ramona which is the middle child just trying to fit in any way that she can. She feels like her older sister Beezus is perfect and her younger sister is cute no matter what she does. Ramona and Beezus is really a movie all about family which you do not find much nowadays. The entire cast had so much chemistry together and it really showed in their acting and made it all the much better to watch. If you want to just sit back and watch a good heartfelt movie then look no further than Ramona and Beezus.I highly recommend Ramona and Beezus to anyone who wants to watch a great movie.
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I saw "Ramona & Beezus" in the theater and was thrilled! After growing up with the original "Ramona" television series, it's so neat to see a classic children's movie preserved in today's society. The innocent, creative, and curious mind of a young child will have you laughing out loud with delight! It's the perfect family movie for all ages!Save 40% Off
The Bucket List (2008)
Selecting a category for this very fine film results in the all-encompassing label 'mixed media', for lack of a better term. It is smart (with an excellent script by Justin Zackham), addresses some important social issues, and it has moments of touching tenderness and equal moments of very sold comedy. AND it greatly benefits from the casting of Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, two consummate actors playing out a theme that is unexpectedly a solid study of friendship and love.Carter (Morgan Freeman) narrates the story: Carter gave up his dreams for a college education and major career to support his surprise child from his wife Virginia (Beverly Todd) and has worked as a mechanic to support his own family, including his son Roger (Alfonso Freeman, Morgan's son in real life also!). After his children have all become successful, Carter is suddenly diagnosed with terminal cancer. He is hospitalized for chemotherapy, only to be placed in the same room with the wealthy and cantankerous owner of the hospital, Edward (Jack Nicholson) who also has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is also in the hospital for chemotherapy. Edward's only 'friend' (he has basically alienated the world through his behavior) is his assistant Thomas (an excellent Sean Hayes) who tends to his every need. Gradually the two disparate men grow into a friendship united by the common bond that they both must face impending death. Together they create 'the bucket list' things they want to do before dying, and because of Edward's wealth, they leave the hospital on a worldwide adventure of skydiving, racing cars, visiting the pyramids, etc. The manner in which these two elderly men bond casts a warm glow over the film without ever touching on the maudlin risk of communication. They simply grow in their appreciation of life as they learn from each other.
Freeman and Nicholson are in peak form here and the supporting cast is very fine. But special credit must go to director Rob Reiner for giving us yet another film about humanism that would enrich the lives of anyone who takes the time to watch this very fine film. Grady Harp, June 08
Edward Cole probably was a lot of people's yardstick. He was wealthy, powerful, and he ran hospitals.
"We run hospitals--not resorts!" E. Cole (Nicholson)
If Cole hadn't been so mercenary, he'd never have been stuck with another patient in his hospital room. At first, the very wealthy Cole doesn't care for the soft-spoken auto mechanic, but as time goes on the two develop a friendship--and Cole begins to both share food and care for Carter.
When Edward sees Carter's 'Bucket List,'(a list of items he wants to accomplish before he kicks the bucket) he realizes it's something the two of them can do--and says they should. That's when the two cancer patients break out of the hospital and go on a world tour. Together, they write out a new bucket list and work to make each other's dreams come true.
"Bucket List" is sentimental, predictable, and yet more than my words can encompass. The film's not just about dying, but friendship, and finding joy to spread to others--even at the worst times in a person's life.
In my opinion, the three best aspects of this film were Morgan Freeman's outstanding narration and Sean Hayes' well-done portrayal of Cole's ever-present assistant (Thomas). Another nod goes to actress Beverly Todd, who played Virginia Chambers. Even the young girls in the film were exclaiming how amazing she looked and acted.
Warnings:
Bring tissue
If 'laugh til you cry' is on your 'Bucket List,' you can check this item off
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The Bucket List tells the sensitive and well thought-out story of two older men who are diagnosed with cancer so severe that they have six months to live--or maybe a year if they're lucky. Look for stunning performances from both Morgan Freeman as Carter Chambers and Jack Nicholson as Edward Cole. Beverly Todd also acts her heart out as Beverly Chambers, Carter's wife.The action begins when Carter Chambers, a working class black man, and Edward Cole, super-wealthy self-made rich white guy who actually owns the hospital they're in become roommates in the oncology ward of the hospital. At first Carter and Edward don't exactly hit it off but it isn't long before they forge a friendship. When they each learn that by coincidence they have six months to a year to live, they embark on a trip to accomplish certain lifelong dreams and personal goals before they die. The list of things to do is called The Bucket List because it's a list of things to do before they "kick the bucket."
Of course, because Edward Cole is wealthy many scenes in this movie become almost miraculously possible. They travel the world by private corporate jet; and they live more in just a few weeks than most people ever do in a lifetime.
Of course, life has its ways of surprising just about any of us; so still the plot could go just about anywhere. How will Beverly, Carter's wife, react to all this? Will she understand and remain patient while Carter lives out a few lifelong dreams or will she want her husband home NOW? Will Carter and Edward be able to keep their cool when they are stranded in Asia during a monstrous snowstorm and they are not allowed to fly? What happens if one of them gets very sick along the way? What about Edward's refusal to make up with his daughter who disowned him long ago--will he ever decide to approach her or will he remain obstinate in his refusal to even meet with her? The results may surprise you. No plot spoilers here, folks--you'll just have to watch the movie to find out!
As a cancer survivor who is finishing my own chemotherapy soon, I will add that some of the side-effects of the chemotherapy they receive are exaggerated. However, I think director Rob Reiner added these elements to the film to make it somewhat more dramatic.
Overall, The Bucket List is an excellent movie; and I couldn't have enjoyed it more. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman turn in superlative performances that proves these guys can still act better than the vast majority of actors ever could. Beverly Todd does a great job as Carter's wife; and Sean Hayes also does well as Edward Cole's personal assistant Thomas. I highly recommend this film for fans of these terrific actors; and people comfortable with the subject matter will appreciate this motion picture as well.
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The Bucket ListA Universal DVD
This is a story that coveys the close relationship that develops between two utterly different men that must share the same hospital room after being both diagnosed with advanced terminal cancer. The first, Edward ColeJack Nicholsonis the CEO that runs the hospital and is a ruthless persona and the second is a mechanic, CarterMorgan Freeman-, who wanted in his youth to be a history teacher but life circumstances did not allow him to do so. They share the common adversities of the infirmity and they, ant the same time, share a long trip that will tie the relationship even further.
One day, Carter starts to write a "Bucket List" containing all the things that he would like to do before he dies and Cole finds it out. Afterward, they decide to write the "Bucket List" together and start going on marvelous trips around the world and sharing precious moments and becoming the best of friends. Two utterly different persons become the closest friends ever in the last months of their lives.
What really stroke me about this DVD was that it not only applies to two terminal cancer patients: What stroke me the most is its universality. If we think a little deeper, it could apply to two or more persons sharing similar adversitiesor joyfulness for that matterand relying on each other for comfort, understanding, and the sharing of knowledge and experiences.
The performances of the two principal actors are outstanding and make you laugh and cry at different times during the performance.
Highly recommended!!!
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Edward Cole (Nicholson) and Carter Chambers (Freeman) have terminal cancer. They are opposites, with Edward being a rich CEO and Carter being a car mechanic. They are sharing a room at the hospital, and share the same diagnosis: six months to a year. Carter begins making a "bucket list" things to do before he dies. Edward gets in on the list, and having the money funds their attempt to cross everything off that list. They see the Pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal, and the Great Wall of China. The skydive and drive race cars. They share their stories and become good friends. Soon they realize returning home will help them more than traveling the world.Nicholson and Freeman are always good, and "The Bucket List" is no exception. They give their usual standout performances. On the downside, this is a movie that sets out to make views shed a few tears. This gives the film a feeling of trying to be more important than it really is. If that could somehow be toned down, this would be a better movie. There are some good laughs though, and that is the films saving grace. As it is, it is a harmless diversion for just over two hours. I would probably recommend this one for DVD viewing.
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