Reviews

I saw this movie on cable on rainy day when there was nothing else on TV, not knowing what to expect but my curiosity was peaked by the talent (Mia Kirshner, Giovanni Ribisi, Jesse Bradeford...script by Melissa Ribisi).

I was surprisingly thoroughly entertained and laughed myself silly. It was funny! It's one of those films that if you live of have lived in Los Angeles, you can appreciate the humor. Kind of like Swingers (I saw Swingers when I lived in NY, and I didn't get the hype, then I saw it a few years later after moving to LA and I couldn't stop laughing).

Not a masterpiece but if you're ever home on a rainy day and should happen to stumble across this one on cable, it's the worth the time.

Ellen Burstyn gave the most powerful performance of the year (and of her career) in this haunting, surrealistic look at addiction. Although this film is highly disturbing and is more like a two hour assault on one's sensibilities, it is worth watching over and over again for Burstyn's flawless performance.

A cinematic masterpiece...a powerhouse performance.

i'd pretty much have to agree with most of what has been posted about this movie. it's worth seeing on the big screen ONLY for the set design, wardrobe and mind-blowing effects which are undoubtedly some of the most visually stunning effects ever to be seen in film. Then we have the contrived plot (which is more of an excuse to make this film) which embodies all the cliches and stereotypes of a serial killer film in one two-hour motion picture. And lastly we have Jennifer Lopez, the 2 billion dollar butt, who couldn't act her way out of a paper bag, with her Shirley Temple curls and her 80s lip gloss. If not for the effects and D'Onofrio's performance, this would've been a worthless two hours.

This is one of those movies that I can see over and over again and never get tired of. It's a very realistic depiction of urban life and growing up in the big city. It was shot in my old neighborhood of Astoria, Queens and I was amazed at the accuracy in carrying that "vibe" to the big screen. The story is very moving and believably portrayed with an amazing cast led by Lili Taylor. The soundtrack is also worth picking up and consists of a compilation of some of the greatest female artists in music today (PJ Harvey, Lamb, Queen Latifah, Luscious Jackson).

This film is a complete waste of money, time and talent. The performances were great, ESPECIALLY Lili Taylor, who did Shirley Jackson's character of Nell justice. But the story was weak weak weak and it seemed that the special effects were more of a priority than bringing Jackson's fictional masterpiece to life. The first two-thirds of the film were tolerable and for a second, I actually thought that they were going to add some interesting twists and turns to the original story but in the end, the story became absolutely ridiculous and I left the theatre feeling cheated.

This film is absolutely brilliant. From the colors to the historic shot to the haunting soundtrack, this film is, without a doubt, a masterpiece. It's one that lingers in the mind for days after viewing and a film that one will want to see over and over again. I'm moved to tears everytime!

This film seemed utterly pointless...it didn't really seem to go anywhere, was quite predictable in some areas (i.e. his mother's real reason for being imprisoned), and seemed contrived in other areas. As someone who has lived most of her life in NYC, it did not seem feasible nor realistic that the abusive father of Markus's love interest knew EXACTLY where to go to find his daughter and also knew EXACTLY where the kids' clubhouse was. Brendan Sexton III's performance was promising and was really the only worthy teen performance in this film. The acting caliber of some of the kids in his clique was absolutely atrocious, more specifically the nose-pierced, tough guy Sexton's character constantly butted heads with. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'll give it a 6 and that's only because of Brendan Sexton III's contribution to this film.

This film wasn't all THAT bad. There were some moments where I couldn't help but laugh. The ending, however, was absolutely ridiculous; not to mention, all the characters were completely unlikeable and had no redeeming qualities...I've never been much of a Christian Slater fan...a friend coaxed me into renting this movie and this film did absolutely nothing to change my opinion on Christian Slater. It seems that he's the same character in every film he plays. Now, this wouldn't necessarily be such a bad thing if at least the character was somewhat amiable but it just seems to me that it's always the same ineffective attempt at impersonating Jack Nicholson. In salute to the hysterically brilliant scene with Daniel Stern, Jeanne Tripplehorn and the kids crying for their licorice, I'll be kind and give this film a 6.5

This film is not all that original but is still fun to watch. Of the 3 female characters, Chloe Sevigny is the vampiest. Elizabeth Shue tries too hard and Gina Gershon is just out and out boring. Woody Harrelson's always on time. Overall, I'd give it a 7.

After hearing how brilliant this film was, i finally ran out and rented it to find out what I was missing. I found myself waiting impatiently for its seething brilliance to seep out...didn't happen. Jennifer Lopez is beautiful, I'm not disputing that but perhaps she should stick to Loreal commercials. It seems she's the same character in every film she plays (with the exception of Selena, in which she delivered a worthy performance). I could say the same for George Clooney but what really annoyed me was the slow pace in which this film moved...best screenplay? You gotta be kidding me! How a film like Todd Solondz' Happiness can slip by the Academy's eyes and a film like this can be nominated for an Oscar just proves how political the Academy Awards are. On a scale of 1 to 10, i'll be generous and give it a 6 and a half.

Fantastic performance by Pam Griere, amazing soundtrack, wonderfully directed, brilliant script...One of the year's best coming from one who thought Pulp Fiction was completely overrated and Tarantino was the flavor of the month. Jackie Brown is worthy of Tarantino's praise.

As i read the numerous reviews posted here, i couldn't help but notice someone's comment expressing how they walked out of this film feeling the complete opposite of Happiness. FYI, It's called irony! If you're one who can't stomach the reality that life is not all Christmas carols, camping trips and apple pie, then this film isn't for you. However, if you're one that likes to get hit in the face with the dark side of reality, then by all means, you must see this film!!! In spite of the profound humor, it is still highly disturbing. Nevertheless, it's the best film I've seen in years...absolutely brilliant. John Waters meets Woody Allen.

This film totally surprised me! I did not expect to appreciate it as much as I did. The perfect combination of humor and horror. Jennifer Tilly is hysterical! If you love camp, rent this! You'll laugh yourself silly.

I couldn't stand this film. After hearing all the hype surrounding its release, I rushed out to see it. What a disappointment! Get real, a conventionally attractive genius works as a janitor at Harvard! What a concept! If this were a spoof or a satire it would be worthy but geez, they were serious!!! And Minnie Driver! How much more whiney and annoying can an actress be! Harvard attendee portrayed as such a loser...I kept crying out to the screen: "Get a backbone already!". An overall waste a film. Damon and Afflek are boring, annoying and have about as much charisma as captain kangaroo.

good acting, bad script...this film attempted to cover every issue of a controversial nature that one might experience in college...problem is the film's too short to effectively and realistically explore and resolve these issues (if he had his heart set on making a film about racism, lesbianism, rape, and interracial conformity then perhaps Singleton might have wanted to invest in a cable mini-series) and for this what we got was a mix of stereotypes/cliches that made this too predictable and, at times, ridiculous to watch. Nevertheless, great acting from Epps, Rappaport and Fishburne.