Reviews (3)

The performances are strong
Matt Damon pretty much carries this sequal where his charecter comes closer to restoring his memory of who he realy is. Julia Styles also shines in her role as someone who is still uncertain if she is a friend or for of Jason Bourne. It's more complex then you may think.

Hey Jason Greeno
Don't you think your being a little too harsh, and whats your problem with dentists. If you have not seen the Bourne Identity or read the books it might be a little confusing. All in all it's your typical spy/espionage flick. If your not into the genre you won't like the film, but if your a James Bond fan you should enjoy this. I love the idea of traveling from country to country it gives the movie an international feel. Bottom line is I enjoyed this movie.

I'd rather be at the dentist
I snagged a Sneak Peek movie pass from a coworker yesterday to check out this film. Universal would not allow the name to get out. It was a huge secret. We were not sure if we would be seeing "Two Brothers", "Spider-Man 2" or something else. I finally learned my fate when a rep. announced it as the lights dimmed. Gosh, how I wish I got out then.

Long story short, I have not seen the first film. Hence, I really had no idea what was going on. It's one of those movies that keeps moving from country to country like an online Lonely Planet guide. The name of the place shoots up on the screen so that we can read it. They do this because you can't tell from the script where you are. It's all convoluted and dry. Damon has never done worse work. He looks like a robot from the new Will Smith movie than he does a real man most of the time. There is an emotional part near the beginning that was nice, but then it is all procedural FBI/police type stuff.

If you have a calendar of Matt staring down at you right now, you should go and see this. If you will be starring in a new episode of a one-season cop show, go.

If you are hoping for a coherent, fun summer flick, look elsewhere. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

IN THE SPIRIT OF MONTE WALSH
Tommy Lee Jones brings the Elmer Kelton western classic to life with The Good Old Boys. Like Monte Walsh, the story follows a tried and true cowboy's nostalgic efforts to hold on to the only life he knows. Even being roped down in order to help his brother keep his homestead and an appealing lady friend aren't enough to make Huey Calloway (Jones) settle down.

A wonderful movie, The Good Old Boys features terrific performances by Jones, Sissy Spacek, Francis McDormand, Sam Shepard, Wilford Brimley and Matt Damon.

A cameo performance by Larry Mahan, one of the greatest rodeo cowboys ever, adds some wonderful spice and authenticity,

As Jones rides off into the sunset, like Tom Selleck in Monte Walsh, the hope and the dream that cowboys will continue to ride is very artfully expressed.

Where in the heck is the DVD for this one?

A Bitter-Sweet Reunion with Inlaws and Outlaws
My Love for Tommy Lees Jones talent is ever on the increase. One would have to understand that when this Super Star takes on a project, It will sparkle, and bring you too tears in all the right moments. The national reviews were shy to say the least concerning this great art. Way to go Tommy Lee. Now concerning the story; Huey, a good ol boy, Cowboy, Rake and rambler, Returns home. West Texas,after two years of seeing the country and raising hell the way cowboys of old do. He is not recieved by his two loving nephews as he had anticipated. All the reasons why are found in perhaps one of my favorite scenes of the movie/ Eve [Francis McDormond] and Huey [Tommy Lee] enguage in a most tender scene, in the bitter-sweet. Tommy Lee, Sissy Spacek, Matt Damon,Francis McDormand,Jimmy Don Cox,Wilford Brimley,Sam Shepard, All Deliver. Other great scenes make it all happen, This one approaches a real old Time Tear Jerker. Now one of my favorites. I rented,Now I Will Buy....

One of the best
Tommy Lee Jones had the sense not to change anything about Elmer Kelton's great book. This is a simple story well told. The scene with the dog had me laughing so hard there were tears in my eyes.

Cow-boy to cowboy Movie
As a born and raised cow puncher from Arizona I know for
a fact that this is a well done true to life movie with rancher tommy Lee Jones playin' the part so real it purt neared is real! Im a head injured ( by a gate envolvin a cow) old boy now tryin to make livin makin saddles. this movie gets me
a goin!

Tommy Lee Jones and Elmer Kelton - What a combination!
TLJ does a superb job of both acting and directing. The entire cast is wonderful, but not enough credit is given to Elmer Kelton, a great western writer. What Sam Elliott has done with Louie L'Amour, TLJ does with Elmer Kelton. A story without diabolical killers, crazed lunatics, super heroes, terrible corporations, mass killings, ... and the other ingredients that are so common, these actors, directors, and writers have told a great story of the time of change in the west. A real story with heartache, humor, sweat, and tears, and have done it without vulgarity. Awesome!! ... Read more

Reviews (431)

A solid action/espionage movie that does not insult the mind
I did not see this movie when it first came out as I am getting tired of the summer extravaganzas that try to outdo one another with how many more explosions they can generate than what is playing in the next theatre. Notwithstanding, I decided to give it a shot as I loved the energy and pacing of director Doug Liman's "Go," and also liked the comedic edge and freshness that he brought to his debut ("Swingers"). I was still somewhat apprehensive as taut and original action thrillers are very hard to come by as most current movies couple the violence with buddy comedy elements that take away from a genre that has only been successfully executed by Steven Spielberg in his wildly entertaining "Minority Report". But I digress.

Since I hate it when reviewers give too much away, I will only say that Matt Damon stars as Jason Bourne (or is he?), a barely alive amnesiac with a pair of bullet wounds in his back, pulled from the Mediterranean by Italian fishermen. The scene itself is very exciting and draws you into it's web. Bourne's only clue to his own identity is a bank account number etched on a capsule implanted in his body. What follows gets very complicated and keeps you on the edge of your seat as other summer extravaganzas seem to fail to. Like its summer "cousins", the movie has action scenes, guns, explosions, an awesome car chase (that relies more on execution than on how many cars can explode), a potential love interest, and many of the usual suspects, BUT it entertains and I did not feel like checking my watch every 5 minutes. Is it Oscar material? Heck no, but within its own genre its one of the year's best.

Matt Damon, who I never quite appreciate, would seem to be miscast to play this type of character, but he is actually quite perfect is he tones it down and makes Jason Bourne almost seem like an everyman who slowly discovers that he has skills he never knew he had. The casting department should be proud of itself as it cast Franka Potente (from "Run Lola Run") as the main female protagonist. The actress is not your cookie cutter beauty nor has the marquee appeal that I am sure the producers would have liked to have a "name" for the role; but someone realized that her acting chops and international background would give the movie some grounding as her character is supposed to be a European gypsy woman who I could not see being played by say Julia Roberts.

The director does a great job in both action and character driven scenes and manages to bring excitement to a gray winter European exteriors and drab interior settings. With the exception of the first fight sequence (which is makes Damon look like he has superhero powers) and later what would seem to be a physically impossible shoot out, everything feels real and the violence is not stylized. The story is incredibly well paced and even the smaller roles are well cast. The only exception is Julia Stiles, who I hope was only a victim of some scenes winding up on the cutting room floor, as she's a talented actress who brings not a thing to this movie.

In a nutshell, this movie is about international intrigue and one man's refusal to be a pawn in some sinister, global chess game. Many things feel improbable but never less than engrossing. Also, the basic premise is not played for laughs (which I enjoyed as I am sick of tongue in cheek homages that use humor as a cop out) and the plot (once fully exposed) for once does not involve a "brilliant" psychopath with either a desire to take over the world or get even for ______ (fill in the blank with your favorite cliché). This movie solidly earns its 4 stars as a nice version of what I'd like to see in summer extravaganzas.

Action plus romance on the run
Greek sailors find a man floating in the Med sea, take him in, and their doc finds a couple bullet holes in his back, as well as a laser capsule in his leg with a Swiss bank account number. The man recovers, but suffers from amnesia. Thus begins his quest to regain his identity. Only, when he opens the security box in Switzerland, he discovers passports from half a dozen countries, wads of cash in various currencies, loads of cool spy gear, and a gun.
Soon the chase is on, from Zurich to Paris, as our man Bourne enlists the help of the German gypsy Marie (charming Franka Potente) and eludes the operatives sent by his CIA superiors until a stunning conclusion when he returns to Paris.
What I liked:
Great setting details of Europe, especially Paris. There were a number of key action sequences, including a car chase involving a Mini taking on French police, and the wildest stairway descent I've ever seen on film. I also thought Matt Damon and Franka Potente had good screen chemistry. There was also a moving scene where Bourne confronts one the assassins on his trail, the professor, played by Clive Owen in a small part.
What needed work:
The hero with amnesia card has been played before, and I would have liked a little more development of Damon's character other than him realizing he had all these drilled in spy skills. We never do get a sense of his likes and dislikes. I liked the film ending over the alternate version, but both could have been better.
This is a movie I would watch again.

Bourne Conspiracy
Okay, I'm writing this because I feel that I've been burned. I just purchased the 2004(?) re-release of this DVD and I was very disappointed. The package describes an "explosive extended edition" and "includes an all-new beginning and ending". I've got to admit that I loved the movie when it was in the theatres, and am happy that it is now in my collection, but I never would have bought it had I known the hype was so lame. The 'explosive' new beginning and ending were NOT, and really add nothing to the movie (I won't 'spoil' the 'surprise' for those die-hard fans). Plus they couch the reasons for excluding them from the theatrical release in some 9/11 mumbo-jumbo that was not clearly defined enough to understand. I think it's just a marketing ploy. If you're looking for a major addition to the original in this new release...please say, "I wasn't Bourne yesterday!"

Thrilling, Exciting, Spies Among Us!
Robert Ludlum wrote "The Bourne Identity" in the 1980's and it is the quintessential "spy" story. It is a thriller and the characters are so rich and well drawn.

A man is dragged from the sea. He has two bullet wounds and a "chip" embedded into his body. These are removed; the man recovers from this ordeal. He does not, however, remember anything, His name, where he is from from and his entire identity has been lost. He takes the chip and goes in search of himself. In a bank in Zurich he finds his identity- Jason Bourne and several other passports and lots of money. Enough information for Jason Bourne to change his identity whenever he needs to. But what does this mean? It appears to mean that many people are after Jason Bourne, that he has information that many people want or they want this information to die!! Around every corner is danger and there is no one that he can trust. He meets up with two CIA analysts who appear to be trustworthy, but are they really? He travels all over Europe and changes identities at every turn. He meets very interesting people at every turn. His life is full of risk and danger. Jason Bourne is an important person with so much hidden information that he doesn't remember. But as time goes on, the people he meets share some of what he is missing, and he is beginning to put the pieces together. He begins a love affair, and he thinks this is what he has been looking for. Why can't he be happy as a single man leaving the "spy" profession and finding his true love?

The movie stars Matt Damon as Jason Bourne, and he does a credible job. The action filming is wonderfully done. The car chases and the flights on foot and in trains are very real and I felt I was amongst them. I was part of the action!! Franke Potente plays Jason Bourne's love interest. Chris Cooper is the enemy and as always is a star- a cruel man who completes his job. The scenery is fantastic and brilliant. What I did miss in this movie that was not transposed from the book, is the storyline of Carlos, The Jackal. This is an important part of the book, and is not in the movie at all. Jason Bourne and Carlos have much admiratiion for each other even though they are sworn enemies. This is a significant loss, and the movie does not have the drama, background and richness of the book. This is, however, a movie to be enjoyed- I understand the sequel, "The Bourne Supremacy" is out this week. A Must See. prisrob

It Got Bouring At Times.
First off let me silence the critics, Matt Damon was very good in this movie. I don't always care for the " cat and mouse" routine plotted into movies. This movie is not any acception. The pace is very long and dry, and when there is an action sequence, it is very brief. The plot itself is very good, but very herky-jerky. You could get lost if you miss some of the movie. The ending is fair, and I doubt that I will go and see the next segment to this series "The Bourne Supremacy." A fair time filler, but nothing to write home to mommy about. ... Read more

Reviews (113)

A Hallmark card of a movie....
This is a visually pretty movie, written to be poignant. People seem to forget this when they write reviews of it....

"The Legend of Bagger Vance" is a worthwhile view provided the viewer satisfies a number of conditions first. First, viewers who are looking for an artistic masterpiece will find is a sickeningly sweet picture without angst or pretense aside from that which Will Smith delivers his lines; these seem to come straight out of the self-help books written by people like Deepak Chopra. Matt Damon plays a World War I veteran smitten with enough angst to drink himself into a stupor yet not quite enough to seek the greater redemption through literary or means enough to help anyone other than himself. There is no angst or mental torpor; this isn't that kind of movie.

So what is it? This is a feel-good movie-- not quite a golfer's 'Field of Dreams' but darned close. She builds a golf course, the all-time greats come, and in the end, the world is saved and we reach the truly great end-of-history (not Hegel's or Fukyama's)-- life happily ever after.

The music, clothes, and actors in this movie are what one would expect out of a work without hint of depravity or true tragedy. When the protagonist's father is out of work, it is not because he suffered but instead because he was good; even the 'bad' guys really come off good. It's as heartwarming as anything outside of Disney, and all over the world, golfers shall be drooling over the shots of the course....

I liked the way we danced!
Robert Redford's latest film is an inspiring story of life and god and man's quest to deal with the demons of war. This fertile soil is handled perfectly Redford, a director with a soft touch. The story is similar to that of A River Runs Through It, another Redford film.

The movie is set in the Savannah Georgia of the Great Depression. Rannulph Junuh, played by Matt Damon, is a war veteran and former champion golfer who has lost his authentic swing. However, he has been asked to play in an exhibition match against the two greatest golfers of his day: Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. His Caddy is Bagger Vance, played by Will Smith. Bagger is an angel, but is a character in the mold of the Raven or Coyote trickster of Indian Legends. He is the guide who shows Junuh the way to slay his inner demons.

This movie is wonderful film and will be a delightful addition to any collection. Rating 4 1/2 Stars.

An excellent movie!
"The Lengend of Bagger Vance" is one of those movies that has a sense of beauty and magic to it. Will Smith does a tremendous job as Bagger. There are a number of one liners he delivers with a smile on his face. Yet, he conveys a deep sense of being more than he appears.

What adds to the movie is a tremendous soundtrack. The music has a way of touching the soul and leaving a mark.

It is difficult to put into words what draws me to this movie. The acting, scenery, music all combine to give the viewer a wonderful feast not soon forgotten!

What's the big deal
A golf movie, a philosophical tale, but I wasn't enthralled by it. It did recieve a lot of press and since it was a Redford movie, became the darling movie to see. Was I impressed? Not really. Will Smith seemed out of character. Morgan Freeman may have been an older, better choice. The wisdom of the youthful Smith seemed out of context. This one even smells like Hollywood. A golf version of Titanic or Pearl Harbor... a believable fake.

The hasbeen that never really was.
I was touched By this film. The meaning of this movie to me
was . God gives all of us a mullagan every day we live.
To keep trying ,not giving up and that anything is
possable. Maybe if i keep trying i can find My swing. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

One of the best films of the 1990s, this is one of those rare box office mega-hits that deserved all the adulation and awards it earned. Youthful stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck earned an Academy Award for their incisive, witty script. Damon plays a janitor at MIT who is an enormously gifted mathematician. Salivating professors bring the angry and troubled young man to psychiatrist Robin Williams, hoping Damon will conform enough to further his education. (Williams garnered an Academy Award for his heartfelt performance.) Director Gus Van Sant put away his more invasive camera tricks and let the story tell itself. Good thing, because this is one involving and well-acted tale. Several plot tangents, including a sweet little romance between Damon and Minnie Driver, are carefully woven into the fabric of this multilayered drama. Friendship, societal expectations, and the long reach of a damaged childhood are all portrayed with such finesse that the story never feels heavy-handed. Extraordinarily optimistic, Good Will Hunting is exceptional because it causes elation and forces you to think. --Rochelle O'Gorman ... Read more

Reviews (345)

JCMICHAELS.COM Good Will Hunting Review
Good Will Hunting is one of those films that I wasn't expecting much, since the writers, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are so young. But surprisingly this young duo was able to write a sophisticated script that, with the direction of Gus Van Sant, became an Academy Award winner. Those awards, Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Screenplay definitely show the movies strong points. Unfortunately the acting is a little wooden and awkward at times, but is forgivable.

Luckily this movie has great bonus features including my favorite, audio commentary with Gus Van Sant, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Also included are 11 deleted scenes with audio commentary, production featurette, and "Miss Misery" music video. In other words this DVD is loaded.

Overall, with all the bonus material and sophisticated story this is definitely a great rental. If on the other hand, you are huge fans of Ben and Matt, and have already seen it and loved the movie, then it really is a no-brainer, just buy it.

Beautiful, thought-provoking . . . perfect
This movie is either perfect, or as close as it's possible for a movie to be. The acting is outstanding. The direction is terrific. The script is heartfelt and real. The soundtrack, featuring Elliot Smith, is perfectly suited to the movie. All in all, it's one of the greatest movies I've ever seen, and it's my personal favorite.

Will Hunting (Matt Damon) is a janitor at MIT who harbors a secret genius for mathematics. Rather than bank on his intelligence, he spends most of his time riding around and drinking with his buddies (Ben Affleck, Cole Hauser, and a particularly funny and excellent Casey Affleck). However, his gift is discovered by a professor at the university (Stellan Skarsgard) who bails Will out of jail (in on a count of assault) on the conditions that he start doing math regularly with the professor and that he see a psychiatrist. Enter the psychiatrist, Sean (Robin Williams). To add to the mix, Will meets a Harvard student, Skylar (Minnie Driver) who is possibly the first woman for whom he's ever had real feelings. Over the course of the movie, all of these characters in their own way try to make Will live up to his potential.

The movie doesn't have much of a plot other than this -- however, that's fine, because it's meant to be more of a character study and it's a great one. Pretty much every scene is two people sitting down talking to each other -- yet it holds the viewer's interest because the characters are so captivating. Sean and Will's scenes in particular are terrific. Matt Damon and Robin Williams, besides both being fine actors, have a natural chemistry that you just can't fake. Damon and Minnie Driver are also great together (of course, as it's widely known, the two dated during the filming of the movie) and it's my opinion that both were robbed of their Oscars.

Ben Affleck shows that spark in this movie which he showed in most of his '90s movies, and he's great in his role -- but even better is his brother Casey. Watch the movie with the audio commentary, and you'll gain so much more appreciation for both the role of Morgan and the actor Casey. The same goes for Stellan Skarsgard. Cole Hauser is good with the few lines he has.

All in all, this is a great movie -- beautifully shot, well-written . . . well, I've said it all before. If you're not offended by excessive use of the word "f***" (and yes, some people really do talk like that) you should love it. Forget the naysayers -- "Good Will Hunting" is one of the most heartfelt, poignant movies in recent history. Too bad all the awards that year automatically went to the movie with the grandest special effects instead of the one with better dialogue and better characters.

A drama with emotional depth
This quiet drama about what genius means was the surprise hit of 1997, with friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck both collaborating on the screenplay and acting. Damon plays Will Hunting, a troubled, gruff young man who works as a janitor at MIT despite his incredible self-education and intelligence. When a mathematics professor discovers that Will has solved a complicated problem left on the blackboard, he pursues Will as a potential protégé. But Will is not good with authority figures, as his past includes abuse at the hands of his father. When Will lands in jail, however, and the professor manages to obtain his release with the stipulation that Will work on mathematics with him and see a counselor, Will's whole life begins to open up. As a patient of psychologist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams), Will forges a relationship that acts as a catalyst for a new future.

Matt Damon does a wonderful job with the title role, although at times he seems a little wooden. As the therapist with a painful history that Will eventually connects with, Robin Williams turns in one of his less flamboyant performances. His suffering is palpable, and his need to save Will from himself lends real passion to the film. Affleck provides solid balance as Will's friend Chuckie, although his performance is less memorable than the other two, more of a function of the role than the actor. Minnie Driver is charming and believable as Will's new girlfriend Skylar.

The screenplay is intelligent and skillfully developed despite some unbelievable facets of the premise, most notably that such a wounded individual, no matter how bright, would have the discipline to teach himself as much as Will knows. Still, this movie only gets better as it progresses. The relationship between Will and his therapist is dynamic, poignant, and meaningful.

This is a good film to own, as it uncovers additional subtleties on second viewing, as long as you don't mind revisiting emotional angst. Its feel-good story arc is somewhat predictable, but the dialogue and interactions are not, making this flick surprisingly complex given the young ages of Damon and Affleck when it was made.

Good film, good job for a first time screenplay/movie.
This film, which was the first time for Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, in writing a screenplay, turned into a movie, is an impressive piece of work. About a shy, yet with an attitude, young man (who as we find out later was abused) who demonstrates his brilliance, but who will not let people get too close. Ben Affleck (before all of this "Bennifer" nonsense) is good as his buddy, who really wants him to use his "gift". With an outstanding performance by Robin Williams (who deserved his award) and Minnie Driver, the lads have put together a funny, poignant, movie; which wasn't "overdone" as some movies might be. Williams and Damon interact with each other with the right amount of "attitude" as they help each other overcome their fears, hopes, missed opportunities, and dreams. A better film than I thought it would be. I'd recommend it. The downside (for peope offended by language, i.e., profanity, is that there is a lot of it, especially the "F" word). If one can overlook that, if one's offended [I'm not overly so]; then, this movie speaks to the person inside all of us, as we ask ourselves some basic questions; what do we want out of life, do we have regrets, did we try hard enough to succeed, what does success mean, and so on. Damon's character refused to be "manipulated" by anyone, including the professor who had his own issues. Definitely worth seeing. Had a pretty decent soundtrack too.

Some Outstanding Moments, but Not a Masterpiece
GOOD WILL HUNTING was actually written by two of its stars, boyhood friends, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. I was surprised when I first learned this; the screenplay, while still a little rough around the edges, shows a lot of insight for the twentysomethings that Damon and Affleck were in 1997.

GOOD WILL HUNTING is the story of, who else, Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a janitor at MIT and a young man with a very troubled past. Will was an orphan and a victim of child abuse. As an adult he's a petty criminal with a short fuse and an uncanny ability to reduce the most complicated math problems and theorems to simple answers, something he does at night on MIT's chalkboards. Will is a mathematical genius with a photographic memory, but he neither recognizes his gift nor cares. He'd much rather be out with his other blue-collar buddies, drinking and getting into trouble.

Two things happen to change Will's errant ways. The first is the fact that his genius is found out by one of MIT's professors, Professor Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard). Professor Skarsgard wants to do something to encourage Will to develop his gift. The second, and more pivotal thing that happens is that Will assaults a police office on one of his nightly binges and lands in jail.

Luckily, Will comes before a judge with some understanding of what he really needs. Instead of being sent to jail, Will is ordered to spend one day a week with Lambeau, studying math, and one day a week with a therapist in order to work through his short temper and his need to self-destruct. After a few false starts, Will ends up seeing Sean McGuire (Robin Williams), a teacher at Bunker Hill Community College and Lambeau's former college roommate. As things progress, it becomes more and more evident that Will is just as good for Sean as Sean is for Will. Will also receives help and encouragement from his childhood friend, Chuckie (Ben Affleck) and a pretty Harvard student from Britain, Skylar (Minnie Driver).

The plot of GOOD WILL HUNTING is very, very predictable, as is its ending, but that really didn't stop me from enjoying the film. There are some outstanding moments and set pieces, but overall, the film is only a little above average.

The dialogue is sometimes above average and, much to my delight, there was actually subtext, something so much screen and literary dialogue lacks these days. The thing that really rescues the film from mediocrity, though, are the performances from all the actors, especially an uncharacteristically subdued performance from Robin Williams. The scenes between Williams and Damon feel "real" and the chemistry between Affleck and Damon and Damon and Driver is palpable. Of course, the fact that Affleck and Damon have been lifelong friends and that Damon and Driver were romantically involved during the filming of GOOD WILL HUNTING didn't hurt the "chemistry" one bit. Still, it could have gone wrong. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were engaged when they made GIGLI and that fell flatter than any proverbial pancake ever could.

GOOD WILL HUNTING is a very solid, though predictable piece of entertainment, with strong performances from all concerned. I would recommend renting it before buying it, however, as it's not a film that one wants to see again and again. At least not in my opinion. ... Read more

Reviews (239)

Top notch animation with a mediocre story
Set in the western frontier when the buffaloes still roamed the great plains, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron follows the exploits of a wild mustang. A leader by birth, the movie tells the tale of his first encounter with humans, a journey that will change his life forever.

Narrated by Matt Damon as the voice of the mustang, one thing you'll notice immediately is the lack of dialogues, there weren't a lot of speaking parts in this film, and I applaud Dreamworks for taking such an unique approach. Due to this fact, the animators took great pains to humanize the horses, giving them emotions and personalities such as curiosity, pride and humor. For this reason alone, it might be hard for smaller children to sit through the entire movie, especially ones that have a short attention span.

As always the animation is top notch, something we have all come to expect of Dreamworks. The portrayal of the beasts were very realistic, it was exhilirating to see them in action, galloping through the fields and leaping over cliffs, they were simply breath taking. Another thing worth noting is the fantastic soundtrack, with a score by Hans Zimmer and vocal music performed by Bryan Adams, I thought they were very appropriate and easy to listen to with some great lyrics.

I admit to having misgivings on seeing a film about horses, and even though I found Spirit to have a mediocre story and a predicatble plot, I was nevertheless pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the experience. It lacks the humor of Shrek, and the charm of Chicken Run, but Spirit is a worthy addition in the Dreamwork's growing list of animated pictures. Be sure to take your family to see it this Memorial Day weekend.

Great family movie, also for those who like horses.
Originally got this dvd for my 3 y.o. son. Dreamworks really did their homework regarding the animation for the equine and its intricate movements. The animation combined with CG is stunning, especially the opening sequence where you follow the flight of an eagle thru all these panoramic vistas of the open wild west. Unlike other reviewers I thought that the Hans Zimmer music and Bryan Adams' lyrics and singing really added to the movie as the words were the conscience for Spirit who does not talk but is spoken thru the narration of Matt Damon. Maybe a little overdone on the PC (bad white men/soldiers), never thought too feel so much emotion for a cartoon character, especially an animal in its quest to be free again to return home. Overall Dreamworks did a top notched job.

Beware Horse Experts
I think that Spirit was a great movie. I have only a few warnings. If you are a complete horse expert and can't stand to see one little thing wrong about the movie such as eyebrows on the horse or horses in love, DON'T WATCH IT! I REPEAT, DON'T WATCH IT!!!!! It's a really good movie for families, even though some perfectionists hate it. I thought it was great and you really should get it.

Great Movie For Children!
I'm an 11 kid and I loved this movie! I've never really noticed or cared about it until my aunt (18) watched it with my little cousin and said it was good. So the next day we watched it and oh my gosh, it's soo sad! There's also some funny parts too, should I say it? Well, when they capture Spirit he starts kicking this guy and it's really hilarious! This movie is about a horse named Spirit which is captured by these people. They capture him because Spirit is one of the strong horses and they need him. Spirit needs to free the other horses and get back to his home with his group. On the way, he meets this charming mare that he is attracted to. They make an awefully cute couple! At some points, Spirit runs away from the bad people and at other points, they suddenly show up and try to capture him again. Nobody can ride him really, except this kind Indian. I shouldn't really tell you the whole ending but let's just say that, everything turned out to be great! If you want to hear more about it, get it! This is a great movie for children just like Finding Nemo!

Spirit
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimirron is a coming-of-age story about a stallion named Spirit growing up in the Wild West. We see just how brutaly these animals were treated, but its hard to feel sorry for any of them. The movie progresses from Spirit's childhood, to his capture by the United States Cavalry, to his friendship with a Lakota teenager, his eventual falling in love, and his return home. All the while we are "treated" to Bryan Adam's soft rock music. Remember him? I don't either. Not to mention Matt Damon's corny voice-overs for Spirit, who, like all the animals in the film, doesn't speak directly. For example, "My heart galloped across the sky that night, back to the herd."

Possibly the best scene is the action sequence where a locomotive being hauled up a mountain by the horses breaks loose and tumbles down the embankment, starting a forest fire, but maybe that's just my other bias towards trains. The opening shot was beautiful, too. The camera follows a bald eagle flying through the spectacular vistas of the American West. But two good scenes aren't enough to save this boring tribute to tree-huggers everywhere. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

When viewed from a cranky perspective, this by-the-book David versus Goliath story doesn't offer any surprises, and it's a bit sad to watch director Francis Coppola (who also adapted John Grisham's bestseller) squandering his once-glorious talent on such conventional Hollywood fare. In a more charitable light, however, there's great pleasure to be found in Coppola's intelligent, no-nonsense handling of a plot that's every bit as involving as it is formulaic. Coppola also knows how to bring out the best in a stellar cast, and this is the movie (released in November 1997, just a few weeks before Good Will Hunting) that signaled Matt Damon's arrival as a major-league star. Damon plays Rudy Baylor, a young rookie lawyer in Memphis (location of many Grisham stories) who takes on a powerful insurance company (led by shark-like lawyer Jon Voight) by representing the family of a boy who was denied potentially life-saving treatment for leukemia. Rudy also comes to the rescue of an abused wife (Claire Danes) and learns the tricks of the legal trade from a seasoned paralegal (Danny DeVito) who sees Rudy as his ticket out of the sleaze-ball practice run by a shady lawyer (Mickey Rourke). There's no mystery about where this plot is going, but Coppola takes us there in high style with a sharp script, and Damon strikes just the right note of naivete and strategic intelligence. When Goliath inevitably falls, this courtroom David wins fair and square. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (58)

Great Movie, Fair Disc
The Rainmaker 2.35:1/Dolby Digital 5.1 Paramount Pictures

The first adaptation of a John Grisham tale that I've really enjoyed, "The Rainmaker", directed by Francis Ford Coppola, looks at the life of a poor young Southern lawer, Rudy Baylor(Matt Damon, in a great performance) as he battles against an insurance company and it's staff of lawers(led by Jon Voight).

Baylor is battling for Donny Ray Black, a young man who's insurance claims have been turned down time and time again; Kelly Riker(Claire Danes), who lives in continuing fear of her abusive husband and Miss Birdie, an older woman who simply wants to keep her money from her greedy offspring.

This is really the best of the Grisham adaptations and I'm fairly positive it's the hand of director Coppola that has it rising above the rest; the film is crowd-pleasing sure, but it's also very smart and very well acted, with a lot of rich dialogue and some very interesting and entertaining characters. Danny Devito, as Damon's aid, has a lot of fun in a great performance; like in "LA Confidential", we're seeing Devito as his absolute peak lately. He's been picking bigger and especially, much better roles lately. Matt Damon's first major performance in this film is also very well done, yet another in his line of subtle, wonderful performances along with "Courage Under Fire" and "Good Will Hunting." Much like Damon's last film "Rounders", I also thought his narration in this film was well done and well written(by Michael Herr)

Overall, it's an excellent film, well directed, acted and written. It's a well-told tale by Ford Coppola and it's highly entertaining. "The Rainmaker" was one of my picks for the top 10 films of 1997.

The DVD: Picture: Well, where there's good, there's also bad. It's unfortunate that Paramount did an unsatisfactory job with this disc. Colors are not terribly well defined or vibrant; contrast is only fair; the whole disc looks, to my eyes, like an "okay" laserdisc would. There is definitely a noticeable amount of pixelization and some shimmering. It makes a point I was talking about with another person a couple of weeks ago all the more apparent to me. I said, "the best DVD material will absolutely blow your mind; at worst, it'll make you shrug your shoulders and say, 'well, that's sort of okay' ". "The Rainmaker" simply made me shrug my shoulders in dissapointment. It's probably the least impressive picture transfer in my collection of discs, and that's too bad since this is really a great film that deserves a great disc. In a time where Tristar is making discs that look as good as "Godzilla", there's no excuse for a film that's not terribly old like "The Rainmaker" to look like this. It looked this way on my Panasonic A110. Hopefully, although I highly doubt it, people will have better luck on other players.

Audio:Pretty good. It's definitely a dialogue film, backed by a nice, subtle score. Both are well recorded and pleasant to listen to. Nothing terribly mind-blowing. Again, the annoying problem is still there; you can not switch the audio during the film, only from the menu. Try during the film and you're out of luck.

Menus: Very weak. The picture on the front of the box with some simplistic bordering and big, dull buttons.

Extras:Nothing. No 16x9, No Trailer, Not A Thing. Absolutely zero.

Overall: It's a great film and if you liked the film as much as I did, it's worth a purchase at some of the very low prices found on the internet, but after watching this disc, I would *definitely* not pay full price for it. If you're considering it, I'd highly suggest a rental first, unless you like the movie itself as much as I did.

Film:**** Picture:* 1/2 Audio:** 1/2 Extras:Zero Menus:Zero

Overall Disc Quality:**

This is Damon's show.
Matt Damon was a relative unknown when he was tapped to play the hero of "The Rainmaker", based on a novel by John Grisham & directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It was a twist of fate that launched Damon's career and definitely lifted this movie. (Ironically, Matthew McConaughey got his start the same way- being an unknown cast in a movie based on a Grisham novel.)

The plot is a classic David-vs-Goliath story- fresh out of law school Matt Damon sues an insurance company for denying treatment to a family with cancer. Ultimately Damon triumphs- the righteous cause succees and the system works. Damon is a major talent, as evidenced by his performance in this film. He's shy, unsure of himself, but basically a good person committed to doing what's right.

I wasn't too impressed by the rest of the cast- Claire Danes is a talented actress but fails to shine here. Danny DeVito is okay as Damon's law partner, and Jon Voight comes across as a none-too-interesting arrogant villain. The rest of the cast? Nobody stands out- this is Damon's show.

What impressed me about "The Rainmaker" was its hard, unflinching portrayal of the legal profession. A lawyer's life is not glamorous and does not necessarily guarantee a huge paycheck. Those quick to criticize lawyers ought to take some law courses before they open their mouths- the road to becoming a lawyer is rough and a considerable commitment of both your time and financial resources. Despite his law degree, Damon's financial picture at the beginning of the film is decidedly precarious.

Watch "The Rainmaker" along with "A Civil Action" and "Erin Brockovich" to get a pretty good idea about the way the law works & how courts give the little people an avenue to even up with big shots like corporations and insurance companies. Watch this movie in particular to see a terrific performance from Matt Damon.

GRISHAM'S LAW
THE RAINMAKER is a by the numbers adaptation of John Grisham's bestseller. Director Francis Ford Coppola explores no new grounds in this film, but elicits competent and professional performances from a stellar cast. Matt Damon who plays Rudy burst onto the scene in this movie, released just before his Oscar winning screenplay and starring role in GOOD WILL HUNTING. Damon captures the youthful impetuosity and naivete of a just bar-approved lawyer who finds himself involved in a case against a big insurance company. His assistant is played by a restrained Danny DeVito. Their boss is played by an unusually understated Mickey Rourke, who shows up on screen looking halfway decent for a change. His clients are wonderfully played by Mary Kay Place and Johnny Whitworth. Jon Voight delivers an Oscar-worthy performance as Damon's devilishly cold opponent; Roy Scheider has a brief scene as the CEO of the insurance company; Randy Travis has a thirty second scene as an irate juror; Virginia Madsen is wonderful in a small role as the claims adjustor who was fired; Claire Danes is appropriately cast as the abused wife who turns to Damon for help. Oscar winner Teresa Wright turns up in a lovely role as an elderly lady who wants to leave her money to a tv evangelist.
THE RAINMAKER is perhaps a little too long (it clocks in well over two hours), and offers little in the way of suspense. It is competent, involving and ultimately satisfying, however. Matt Damon proved the hoopla about to come was deserved.

The Rainmaker- Worthwhile for All
Adapted from a novel by John Grisham, The Rainmaker details the life of a young and poor lawyer, Rudy Baylor. Based in the South, Baylor takes on several cases: a young man battling leukemia (and the Great Benefits healthcare provider), an elderly wealthy woman revising her will, and a married woman suffering domestic violence. Donny Ray Black's case serves as the central storyline for The Rainmaker, though the movie follows Baylor and his interactions with all his clients and legal staff. Rudy Baylor serves as an exception to the legal system as a whole, and is portrayed as a man who is genuinely concerned for the well being of his clients.

The Rainmaker is a well directed and acted film. Its characters, plot, and situations make the video both educational and entertaining to watch. Matt Damon, who plays Rudy Baylor, is at his best. The supporting roles played by Danny Devito (Deck Schifflet) and Claire Danes (Kelly Riker) add to the moving storylines. The most fascinating aspect of the movie, however, is its exploration of the legal ethics. The audience is encouraged to form their own opinions of the principles within the legal system from The Rainmaker's plot.

Though Rudy Baylor becomes too involved with his cases, he teaches the viewers an important lesson about legal careers and life in general: that people respond to those who care. Baylor experiences both criticism and praise in his cases, and ultimately, he accomplishes several important tasks- overcoming the fraudulent Great Benefits health insurance company, freeing Riker from abuse within her marriage, and developing a trusting relationship with the older woman. The Rainmaker is both a worthwhile and thought-provoking film that explores the legal system and ethics while absorbing the interest of the film's audience.

Best of old and new
The story line of John Grisham's Rainmaker comes to screen life through the creative genius of Coppola, and unlike some of his films which are far from where I live, such as The Godfather (although very truistic), this film is one I can relate to and which could touch the life of many of us.

Matt Damon's character, Rudy Baylor, is believable and represents the heart of many young men and women who start their law practice with high ideals, moral values and integrity. His quiet wisdom holds up well when pitted with the arrogance of a Leo Drummond-type lawyer, a man whose moral and ethical values were leeched from him long ago.

Although there is light foul language, it is refreshing to see a film where one does not have to wince constantly from the onslaught of gutter language and unclothed people!

Danny Glover walked the high moral ground in this film as well and gave a stunning performance as always.

I was delighted to see the incomparable Teresa Wright as Miss Birdie, (catch her in "Mrs Miniver" starring Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon from the B&W WWII movie years, what a treasure!) She played the part to perfection, "cut, cut, cut."

Claire Danes, an excellent actress for one so young, played the part of an abused young woman to a "T" with the low-key type personality so prevalent in one who has been cowed into submission way too many times. With an abusive childhood himself, Rudy had to save her. (Loved Danes in Les Miserables and Little Women!)

Mary Kay Place always shines, but her portrayal of a mom whose son is dying needlessly touches my mother's heart.

Funny Danny Devito, funny...

I give the Rainmaker high marks! If you like real life movies, watch this or you could be Great Benefit's next victim.

(Interesting that in the video tape version, there is no mention of Danny Glover in any of the credits!) ... Read more

Amazon.com

A little drunk on its own arcane exotica as a gambling movie, Rounders is a film that takes us inside a world of high-stakes card players but falls short on such essentials as character development, relationships, that sort of thing. Still, it is a real curiosity, written by a couple of guys (David Levien and Brian Koppelman) who appear to know something about the dark underbelly of card hustling for fun and profit. Matt Damon stars as a reluctant law student who can't put aside his subterranean career of playing poker and blackjack for big money. After he loses his post-grad nest egg to a weird Russian kingpin (John Malkovich)--and also loses his disgusted girlfriend (Gretchen Mol) in the process--Damon's character turns to an unreliable old buddy (Edward Norton) for a dangerous game of sharking wherever there happens to be a game underway: frat boys, cops, bad dudes, you name it. Norton appears to be living out every young actor's fantasy of re-creating Robert De Niro's prototypical head case in Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets, and while his performance is burdened by obvious quotation marks, his estimable talent still shines through. Damon's charm and intelligence bring some oomph to the curiously flat proceedings, and while his hushed, soul-bearing scenes with Martin Landau (as a law professor who takes a shine to the kid) seem gratuitous, they're still nice to watch. Behind all this is director John Dahl (Red Rock West), who is not exactly at the top of his game here but who brings his distinctive toughness to the crime-noir tone. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (121)

Interesting look at the world of gambling...
"Rounders" is an intelligent movie, being more subtle than gratuitous or violent. It follows the trials and travails of a young law student, Michael McDermott, who 'rounds', gambles, for a living and to pay for law school. He loses his whole payroll one night, and decides to quit rounding. Nine months later he is sucked back into the world of rounding when his mischievous and altogether slimy friend Lester 'Worm' Murphy gets out of prison.
The story is very much about finding one's place in the world, as Michael must decide between rounding and the law for his career, and must wrestle with his own fear and doubts about his chosen profession. It also provides a very fun look at the world of gambling and a sort of quirky philosophy that Michael follows. And I learned a couple new ways to play poker!
The movie boasts a well-written script and well-executed directing, as well as solid performances from Matt Damon and Edward Norton, a superb performance by John Malkovich and a heartfelt performance by Martin Landau.
Highly recommended.

makes you want to play poker
Entertaining, believable, if slightly repetitive, behind the scenes look at the high-stakes game of New York underground poker through the eyes of one fresh-faced kid with a dream (surprise, it's Matt Damon!), and his brother-like friend, Worm, whose integrity for the game is essentially non-existent. This movie was never boring for me, was filmed in just the right amount of time, and did maintain an extreme air of authenticity throughout. Then again, I'm no card shark, so I would have no idea if even half the jargon used in the film was real anyway
the film did manage to show us everything you ever wanted to know about the game of poker and more (I don't remember seeing a better poker movie in my life, but then again, I don't remember seeing many poker movies in my life.), and a greater insight into the mind of an addict (Any type of addict, if you really think about it.) and the price one could pay for extreme loyalty. I would recommend this film to all those who love the game of poker, and are interested in exploring the life themes of addiction and loyalty. Other than that, the film offers little else in the romance and/or suspense factors,

This is the movie that will make you want to play poker
Ive been playing for about 5 years now and love the game. Ive read many poker books and found this one to be very good. So I would suggest you buy this book and maybe a couple others and get to playing. There's really no excuse anymore - since anyone can access the internet.

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Rounders One of my all time favorite poker movies
i was able to use this to make a good amount of money online at

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This will make you want to play
This is the movie that will make you want to play poker

Ive been playing for about 5 years now and love the game. Ive read many poker books and found this one to be very good. So I would suggest you buy this book and maybe a couple others and get to playing. There's really no excuse anymore - since anyone can access the internet.

If you are a new poker player and would like to start playing poker online at www.partypoker.com - make sure you use the bonus code: "AMAZON25" and you will receive $25 free on your first purchase at www.PartyPoker.com. You can also use the Bonus Code "AMAZON100" and you will receive a 20% bonus up to $100! If you already play at PartyPoker, you can also play at www.Pokerroom.com. Use the promotion code "100BONUS" and you will receive 20% up to $100 ... Read more

Reviews (96)

Predictable, but hilarious
Eurotrip is brought to us by the same people who brought us Road Trip and Old School, and it's not hard to tell. Loaded with some predictable gags, ethnic stereotypes, and situations that could never ever happen in the real world; Eurotrip still manages to be the funniest film to be released yet this year. High school graduate Scotty (Scott Mechlowicz) takes off to Europe after being dumped by his girlfriend in search of an obscenely hot German girl who he thought was a guy. Along with him are three of his friends: Cooper (Jacob Pitts, who closey emulates a young David Spade, both physically and comically), Jamie (Travis Wester), and Jenny (Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Michelle Trachtenberg); all of whom travel from France to Amsterdam (naturally) and all over Europe getting into all kinds of mishaps. While Eurotrip occasionally borderlines on stupidity, you won't be able to help yourself from laughing. Featuring hilarious cameos from Matt Damon, Smallville's Kristin Kreuk, Lucy Lawless, and the always great Vinnie Jones.

Predictable, but hilarious
Eurotrip is brought to us by the same people who brought us Road Trip and Old School, and it's not hard to tell. Loaded with some predictable gags, ethnic stereotypes, and situations that could never ever happen in the real world; Eurotrip still manages to be the funniest film to be released yet this year. High school graduate Scotty (Scott Mechlowicz) takes off to Europe after being dumped by his girlfriend in search of an obscenely hot German girl who he thought was a guy. Along with him are three of his friends: Cooper (Jacob Pitts, who closey emulates a young David Spade, both physically and comically), Jamie (Travis Wester), and Jenny (Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Michelle Trachtenberg); all of whom travel from France to Amsterdam (naturally) and all over Europe getting into all kinds of mishaps. While Eurotrip occasionally borderlines on stupidity, you won't be able to help yourself from laughing. Featuring hilarious cameos from Matt Damon, Smallville's Kristin Kreuk, Lucy Lawless, and the always great Vinnie Jones.

crazy hot european fun
That was the tightest movie ever. crazy hilarious

keeps ya laughing
i seen this movie on dvd, and wish i had seen it in the theatre,
everything that may go wrong, does go wrong and the hilarious mishaps..keeps ya laughin , with adult humour.

FUNNY *BLEEPING* MOVIE
I don't know what is wrong with other people but the "Scotty Don't Know" bit was hysterical as was the rest of the movie. ... Read more

Reviews (335)

No sense of pace whatsoever
THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY is really a shame. Here are all the elements of an engaging, literate thriller--decent performances, a remarkably disturbing and insightful story (thanks largely to Patricia Highsmith's novel), a chillingly atmospheric score, and a well-realized sense of time and place. The trouble is, I didn't give a damn. This movie is so poorly paced, so slow and uninvolving, that watching it is like trying to slog through a pond of molasses.

It doesn't help that Matt Damon is the wrong choice for the elusive psychopath, Tom Ripley. Damon isn't a bad actor, just a miscast one, and while he nails the various impersonations Ripley must perform and seamlessly switches between identities, he never really fascinates or enthralls on-screen. It also doesn't help that Jude Law, as Dickie Greenleaf, completely upstages Damon in an Oscar-nominated performance that's equal parts fire and ice. The only character less interesting than Ripley is Dickie's long-suffering fiancee, Marge, played by a terribly dull Gwyneth Paltrow, who looks almost as bored by the story as I was.

There are a few great, nail-biting scenes that expertly raise the tension, including the murder sequences and a climactic confrontation between Ripley and Marge. If only the rest of this movie were as rivetingly suspenseful. The denouement takes about half an hour to unravel--I soon lost count of the number of times I thought, "Oh, good, this is finally wrapping up" before the script dashed my expectations by plunging ahead with some new plot contrivance that would require an extra ten minutes to play out. Even at under two and a half hours, this movie feels eons longer than an equally self-indulgent project like...oh, say, TITANIC. The truth is, RIPLEY is smarter, craftier, and more psychologically plausible than TITANIC ever was. It's not a better film, though. How sad is that?

CLASSY & INTELLIGENT THRILLER
Mistaken for a Princeton graduate whilst wearing a borrowed blazer, the low born New York charmer, Tom Ripley (Matt Damon), is dispatched by rich businessman Herbert Greenleaf (James Rebhorn), to travel first class on an all-expenses-paid mission, to bring his errant young playboy son, Dickie (Jude Law), back to New York from his champagne and party filled life on the Mediterranean. However, on meeting the handsome and charismatic Dickie (and his equally attractive girlfriend), the awestruck Tom falls for his charms and an ambiguous relationship begins. Tom, the social chameleon who has talents for forgery and impersonation, feeling that he cannot enter this world as himself begins to transform his identity, by learning new skills, studying jazz, art, geography and foreign languages. He not only changes his clothes he also changes his character. Meanwhile the innocent and trusting Meredith (Cate Blanchett) who met Tom on his arrival in Europe accepts Tom as an equal because she thinks he is Dickie Greenleaf. But all is not well in the playground of the rich, for Dickie is in turns as unpleasant and rude as he is debonair and charming, and soon he and his rich friends begin to tire of the financially inferior and all too clingy Tom, who has no intention of being cast adrift, for it is his belief that "its better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody"...

The Talented Mr Ripley subtly portrays the hedonistic lifestyle of rich, young Americans in the 1950's. In the movie, Tom is less the casebook amoral psychopath of the novel and more a victim of class in his desire to be like the rich but cruel Dickie and Freddie. The film is, however, anything but simple and only about an hour in does the film become anything approaching an orthodox thriller. You are kept hooked throughout as we guess at Tom's motives..., which is at best ambiguous. We observe the mercurial Dickie toy with his affections, whilst Dickie's girlfriend Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow), aware of Dickie's weaknesses, looks on.

Although fans of the novel may be unhappy with the liberties taken with both the plot and the characters from Patricia Highsmiths novel, most people will agree that Anthony Minghella has done an excellent job in imaginatively and successfully bringing The Talented Mr Ripley to the big screen. Not only does he direct this excellent and very intelligent thriller with a sure and subtle touch but he perfectly captures the beauty of the mediteranean, as the movie moves from one spectacular venue to another; from San Remo to Naples, Rome, and Venice. It also stars a top notch and perfectly cast array of the worlds finest young actors, including Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting), Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare In Love), Jude Law (A.I.), as well as Philip Seymour Hoffman (Happiness) and Cate Blanchette (Elizabeth), all on top form. Damon's Ripley is an odd figure, his cumbersome awkwardness contrasting perfectly with Jude Law's cool and casual arrogance as Dickie Greenleaf, lolling around on his Riviera deck-chair as if the world owes him a living. And, although Matt Damon is truly outstanding, it is Jude Law's Oscar-nominated turn and Hoffman's brilliantly obnoxious performance as an ugly-rich American that come close to stealing the movie.

There are many unforgettable moments, in this beautifully crafted movie that Hitchcock would be proud of, as Tom struggles to maintain his dual identity. More dramatically satisfying than The English Patient, The Talented Mr Ripley is an intelligent film, carefully cast and immaculately performed. Highly recommended this for people who love suspense and prefer to watch movies that come with an IQ!!!

Horrible
I must say that this is one of the worst films that I've ever watched. It was very long, and very boring. I didn't care about what happened to any of the characters, as a matter of fact I didn't like any of the them. The story didn't unfold effortlessly but instead seemed to move slowly and with difficulty.

Beautiful Film With Dark Anti-Hero
"The Talented Mr. Ripley" is one of the most unsettling, vivid thrillers made since Hitchcock. Matt Damon leads an All-Hollywood Under-40 cast, including Jude Law, Ms. Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, and Phillip Seymore Hoffman (reprising his obnoxious spoiled brat from "Scent of a Woman," with his arrogance on steroids) in one of his most convincing performances to date.

Set in the 1950's, "Ripley" perfectly captures the look and feel of the period through rich costumes and fabulous sets -- director Anthony Minghella uses the same voluptuous direction that he used to such great effect in "The English Patient." But there are elements of subversion in the movie that match Ripley's subversive, evil soul -- the rise of jazz ("noise," as one character derisively calls it), characters who do nothing but spend their parents' fortunes, and homosexuality and adultery tearing at the rigid social fabric of the times all mirror Thomas Ripley's unnerving ability to manipulate the truth to his own ends.

Ripley is not content to be the best person he can be -- Ripley wants to be the best person that someone else could be. In this case, it's Dickie Greenleaf (Law -- fiendishly handsome), heir to a shipping fortune and ladies' man extraordinaire. Ripley is sent to Italy by the elder Greenleaf to retrieve his son, idling away on the beach with his girlfriend Marge (Paltrow). Teaching himself jazz and inventing stories of schooldays at Princeton, Ripley soon charms his way into Dickie's house.

Ripley knows that the key to being a great liar is to tell the truth as much as possible and allow others to draw their own conclusions. This takes great wit and timing, and Ripley pulls it off fabulously. For a while, things could not be better, but soon the impulsive Dickie tires of the ever-present Ripley, whose attachment to Dickie goes beyond mere friendship into unsettling territories. This leads to a horrifying boat trip where the two Ripley-proclaimed "brothers" speak truths that probably should have gone unsaid.

Ripley finds himself caught up in the world of his own making, and the lies he has spun threaten to ensnare him even as he uses them to break free from his former anonymous life. Delicately balancing new lies and capitalizing on what is, to our modern eyes, a quaintly obsolete communications system (my God, they actually write letters!), Ripley eventually finds himself living the good life in a wonderfully decorated Roman penthouse.

As good a liar as Ripley is, he can't prevent some from figuring out his various lies and secrets. And this is where the movie really gets dark -- Ripley is a man filled with rage, and that rage can lead to gruesome results.

Ripley is a man of considerable talents and appetites. His hunger for acceptance and for love -- there is virtually nobody in the film whom Ripley does not seduce -- is exceeded only by his instinct for self-preservation. Even Ripley is horrified by what he is capable of, and the climactic scene leaves no doubt that for all his talents, Ripley is not someone you ever want to meet.

"Ripley" achieves a lot of its effect through implication, and the films most charged scenes, whether violent or sexual, are actually quite restrained in what is actually shown on-screen. But like "Pulp Fiction," the scenes are perhaps even more powerful for not showing exactly what happens, but by their implications. In that sense, the entire movie is an implication, a set-up for future stories (there are other "Ripley" stories) involving our favorite murderous impersonator. I hope that Hollywood can pull it together to make another installment with Damon as the lead -- he nails it.

VERY GOOD STUFF
The Ripley charector is great to watch he is like a child trying to fit in, he knows something about himself is diffrent but he cannot describe it. Because you have to have a conscience to know the answer. I remember seeing the talented mr. ripley in the theatre and how pleased I was with the ripley charector. His charector was created some time ago and most people do not know it but he inspired most of hollywood's classic villians particuarly the hitchcock ones. Also see RIPLEY'S GAME. I think John Malkovich is even better in the sequel. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

When Steven Spielberg was an adolescent, his first home movie was abackyard war film. When he toured Europe with Duel in his 20s, he saw old men crumble in front of headstones at Omaha Beach. That image became the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan, his film of a mission following theD-day invasion that many have called the most realistic--and maybe the best--war film ever. With 1998 production standards, Spielberg has been able to create a stunning, unparalleled view of war as hell. We are at Omaha Beach as troops are slaughtered by Germans yet overcome the almost insurmountable odds.

A stalwart Tom Hanks plays Captain Miller, a soldier's soldier, who takes a small band of troops behind enemy lines to retrieve a private whose three brothers have recently been killed in action. It's a public relations move for the Army, but it has historical precedent dating back to the Civil War. Some critics of the film have labeled the central characters stereotypes. If that is so, this movie gives stereotypes a good name: Tom Sizemore as the deft sergeant, Edward Burns as the hotheaded Private Reiben, Barry Pepper as the religious sniper, Adam Goldberg as the lone Jew, Vin Diesel as the oversize Private Caparzo, Giovanni Ribisi as the soulful medic, and Jeremy Davies, who as a meek corporal gives the film its most memorable performance.

The movie is as heavy and realistic as Spielberg's Oscar-winning Schindler's List, but it's more kinetic. Spielberg and his acetechnicians (the film won five Oscars: editing (Michael Kahn), cinematography (Janusz Kaminski), sound, sound effects, and directing) deliver battle sequences that wash over the eyes and hit the gut. The violence is extreme but never gratuitous. The final battle, a dizzying display of gusto, empathy, and chaos, leads to a profound repose. Saving Private Ryan touches us deeper than Schindler because it succinctly links the past with how we should feel today. It's the film Spielberg was destined to make. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (1130)

Saving Private Ryan DVD: Definitive Movie on D-Day
This was an awe-inspiring, horrific and honest portrayal of the D-Day landing and the extraordinary sacrifices made by ordinary individuals. Spielberg's hand-held in your face film technique immerses the viewer into the action. Without a doubt, Speilberg's depiction of the landing on Normandy Beach is one the most intense battle scenes ever filmed.

It is no less than a sheer masterpiece of filmaking. It is a well-researched, authentic anti-war statement that stands as a tribute to those individuals who endured horrific circumstances and literally saved the free world from tyranny.

Saving Private Ryan accomplishes what Schindler's list did in regard to the holocaust and what Oliver Stone's Platoon accomplished in its statement on Vietnam.

In addition, Spielberg has not only paid a deserving tribute to the veterans of World War II, he has also produced an excellent anti-war film that deglorifies warfare. There was nothing romantic about being butchered on the battlefield. If there is a hell, the D-Day veterans have already been there.

Saving Private Ryan is without a doubt one of the most honest, realistic combat movies ever made. Although Spielberg may not have gotten it all down in regard to the war with Germany; his depiction in regard to Normandy Beach and D-Day are right on target!

War Memories
Steven Spielberg continues to make movie magic with the breathtaking war drama "Saving Private Ryan". After the historic D-Day invasion, Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) and his men embark across enemy lines to find Private James Ryan whose three brothers have been killed in combat. "Saving Private Ryan" is an astonishing, edge-of-your-seat war spectacle of courage and triumph over incredible odds. Director Steven Spielberg combines amazing visual images and powerful human emotions to create such a moving masterpiece. The movie includes fine performance by Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Tom Sizemore and Tom Hanks in another Oscar-winning role. Its visual effects, thrilling action sequences and realistic backgrounds elevate the film's excitement and sheer intensity. The movie opens with a breathtaking recreation of D-Day that could best be described as "the most realistic and stunning war sequence in film history".

Spielberg's spectacular war drama gets a grand DVD presentation. The award-winning masterpiece is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen format. The DVD contains an excellent picture quality with superb color detail and great resolution. The 5.1 Dolby Digital sound delivers a powerful home theater experience. The DVD features a behind-the-scene featurette, two theatrical trailers and cast and filmmakers' biographies. With its outstanding viewing quality, "Saving Private Ryan" earns an "A-".

Surprisingly impressive, stands out among war movies
Most of us expect a low-rate, pointless and overall tacky war movie from today's money-hungry industry, but SPR has done well in distancing itself from our presumptions. If you've never seen it before, than you'll be surprised at how well the movie is puit together. Aside from the usual modern-day method of pumping a movie full of A-List actors, a predictable script, less-than-impressive direction, irrelevent acting, and the overall novelty that one can come to expect of supposed dramas of today's glamour industry.

The story follows Captain John H. Miller and his team, including a sniper, a medic, an Arab, a surly private, and an acceptable Vin Diesel, to rescue James F. Ryan, a private in a paratrooper squad whose three brothers have been killed in action. A mission susceptible to much protest, and ultimately one that will cost many lives.

Everything about the movies feels as if it was done right. The overall atmosphere feels right, and it makes you feel as if you're sitting inside the movie--you can almost feel the moisture of the air seething through your clothes or the subtle sunshine warm your shoulders and forehead. The acting is very good as well, although you can spot some parts where improvement wouldn't hurt and it at times feels tacky and stunted. The direction is done well, as the actors can easily pass as soldiers, but the aforementioned cut corners could bring you away from the total immersion and feeling.

Saving Private Ryan is very worthwhile, and any war movie buff in his right mind would praise it as innovative and a revival of the genre.

Guts and gory
Does anyone still believe WWII was the good war, and that cynicism, spin control and U.S. brutality were born in Vietnam? If so, Steven Spielberg's visceral re-creation of the Secend World War experience will be a shocker: The film's battle scenes are anarchic, bloody, frenzied and studded with atrocious acts. Screenwriter Robert Rodat's script (based loosly on an actual incident and heavily indebted to historian Stephen Ambrose), however, sticks to familiar ground. Battled-scarred Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) is sent on a special mission to retrieve one Private Ryan (Matt Damon), who merits heric efforts because he's the sole survivor of four enlisted brothers, and his safe return is conceived as a home-front morale booster. Miller's hand-picked squadron is a checklist of war-movie types--hard-nosed sergeant (Tom Sizemore); decent private (Vin Diesel); Brooklyn wiseass (Edward Burns), introspective medic (Giovanni Ribsi); tough Jew (Adam Goldberg); pious Southern sharpshooter (Barry Pepper); and bookish corporal (Jeremy Davis) with no frontline experience--whose destinies follow a well-worn path. The exception is the GI who clings to the hope that war exposes the hidden strength in men, and instead has the worst wrenched out of him in a scene that elicits scattered applause but seems designed to evoke a mixture of pity and contempt. The movie's greatest strength lies in phenomenal performances that reach from the leads right down to the smallest supporting roles: Hanks' affability is worked under Miller's hardened skin, and Damon gives Ryan a boyish determination ans convincing as it is naive. Spielberg does some of his best work (the pointless preasent-day framing sequence notwithstanding), but follows in distinguished footsteps: Among the films that should'nt be lost in the rush to praise are Samuel Fuller's harrowing BIG RED ONE, whose credo--"The only glory in war is surviving"-- could be the movie's own.

You ARE There...
I watched SAVING PRIVATE RYAN not knowing what to expect. I'm not a big war movie fan, my taste running more toward horror / sci-fi / comedy. Within seconds I was totally engrossed in this all-too-real depiction of WW II. The bullets ripping men apart, the panic, the frantic kill-or-be-killed atmosphere, the almost continuous chaos, interrupted only briefly by spurts of calm, all added up to one joltingly great movie classic! Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, and every castmember is believable and human. There are no cigar-chomping superheroes in this story, just regular guys in an overwhelmingly dire situation (I felt like even I could be one of them). Spielberg tears off the sugary coating of the typical war film, revealing the squirming guts beneath. Pulling zero punches, he shows us war up close and disturbingly personal. Still, SPR is filled with warmth, humor, and that sense of brotherhood that would risk so much for one soldier. I love this movie and cannot recommend it highly enough... ... Read more

Reviews (616)

Smith's fun movie shows what he can do with Hollywood budget
Kevin Smith ("Clerks", "Mallrats" and"Chasing Amy") continues to get better with each film. If"End of Days" does not sound like a fun Armageddon-themed film, try Dogma. Dogma is fun, for sure, but not for the easily offended. S those who would prefer not to see angels use profanity, or the wrath (i.e. violence) of misguided angels of death, they should avoid this film like the plague. Chris Rock also makes an appearance as the 13th apostle Rufus, who claims that he was left out of the Bible because he's black. Witty dialogue, plenty of pop culture references (Who's house? Run's house!) and some interesting philosophical questions make for a very entertaining way to spend an evening. The only negative aspects are the bad special effects (in one scene, there is a s--- demon that looks like something from "Jason and the Argonauts".) and a lame ending including an appearance by Alanis Morisette as God. It might've been four, but with the Alanis Morisette appearance, three stars. Josh Bob says check it out as a matinee, or pay full price and leave when "God" arrives ...

Great writing, wonderful cast, bland direction.
Let's be frank: visually, "Dogma" is unimpressive. The special effects look TV-quality, the editing is jerky, the cinematography is bland and Kevin Smith's direction is unispired.

Thankfully, the sins of "Dogma" are far outweighed by its virtues. Smith's script is hilarious, thought-provoking, and ultimately touching. To act it out,