Big Time Hollywood's attempt at depth
Added 10/14/2009
This is the first review I have written, although I watch a number of movies. This movie looks like it was contrived by a bunch of Hollywood types who have the depth of a puddle on the sidewalk, trying to create a "deep" introspective movie. It fails miserably.
Anthony Hopkins plays an East Coast business giant, and frankly, plays it very well. But Brad Pitt? He is supposed to be passed off as an "advisor" to Hopkins, but with the frosted hair and wooden performance, he winds up looking and acting like a stoned surfer dude who someone dressed up in a suit. I've seen several of Pitt's comedic performances, and they were very, very funny (I thought he was a genius in Burn After Reading, because he DID play a stoned surfer dude type character-actually a personal trainer, but what's the difference? But I digress.). But in this movie Pitt is just plain awful.
Aside from Pitt, the whole Plot seemed contrived, and none of the characters are especially likeable. And 3 hours? Geez-90 minutes would have done it for me.
Finally, another reviewer raised a criticism which was not readily apparent to me, but after thinking about it, he/she is right on point. The movie does seem to revel in the fact that Hopkins character is very wealthy, and that "rich" people are much more special than the rest of the population. There are buckets of dialog about how this senator, and that governor, are attending the birthday party. Then Hopkins' birthday speech is a completely self absorbed homily to himself-if not overtly, then at least implicitly. Even before Hopkins discovers the reason for Joe Black's appearance, he acts disinterested (to the point of being annoyed) about his daughter's excessive plans for the party. No traces of humility here-even in the face of death.
If you are a 13 year old girl, you might like this movie. otherwise, don't waste 3 hours of your life, like I did. You have been warned.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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A MASTERPIECE
Added 9/22/2009
I must confess that I consider this movie a masterpiece. As a real film buff, there are certain movies that I can watch over and over again, and garner something different from each viewing. This is one of those films. A 20 year old will see a completely different film than someone of middle age or a senior. That is part of the movie's charm. It cannot truly be appreciated on the first viewing. It is a deep and moving experience and must be savored, like a fine wine. The performances are truly amazing - the always remarkable Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt in, I think one of his finest roles, and a luminous Claire Forlani (without her accent), under, what I understand to be Martin Brest's somewhat perfectionist direction, is well worth however many takes it took to obtain this near perfect result.
Well worth a look - or twenty!
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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DVD of Meet Joe Black
Added 8/20/2009
The quality and package are satified as it is the smae as the condition stated in the website. However, the charge for the product seling to oversea may be quite high.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Addictive, for all the right reasons.
Added 6/15/2009
Meet Joe Black
I keep coming back to this DVD. It is uncomingly wise and illuminating as the characters interchange with each other. Joe Black, played very well by Brad Pitt, is Death, in human form. He wants to feel the experiences and learn about both the human person he has impersonates and the person (Hopkins) he come to deliver to the afterlife. Anthony Hopkins and Pitt, as well as Claire Fiorani, the beautiful daughter of Hopkins, perform exceedingly well in their roles. The ending brings the movie full circle, bringing to Claire what she thought had captured during their first meeting in the coffee shop. True love with a remarkably handsome man she met briefly, but indelibly at a coffee shop. This film brings out the best and the worst of the characters as the movie moves through all the challenges they meet. I've watched it many times and never tire of the remarkable performances and a script that suits them. Thank you for considering my opinion. S.Johnson
Meet Joe Black
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Intelligent love story, a parable for the ages
Added 5/26/2009
Amazingly I didn't see this film until nearly 10 years after its release. It is a grand scale masterpiece. If you missed it, don't bother renting it...buy the DVD to rewatch and treasure with people you love. Superbly cast and wonderfully acted, with breathtaking cinematography and a beautiful musical score, Meet Joe Black is truly unforgetable. Take time out to really enjoy it without distraction. It envelopes you like a great book. Anthony Hopkins is simply fabulous. The scenes of him describing his wife and imparting love and wisdom to his daughters are deeply moving. Brad Pitt delivers an amazing, both tender and haunting performance as Death seeking a taste of love and life. Clare Forlarni is absolutey exquisite throughout. This is a smart love story that guys will enjoy as much as the ladies.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Big Time Hollywood's attempt at depth
Added 10/14/2009
This is the first review I have written, although I watch a number of movies. This movie looks like it was contrived by a bunch of Hollywood types who have the depth of a puddle on the sidewalk, trying to create a "deep" introspective movie. It fails miserably.
Anthony Hopkins plays an East Coast business giant, and frankly, plays it very well. But Brad Pitt? He is supposed to be passed off as an "advisor" to Hopkins, but with the frosted hair and wooden performance, he winds up looking and acting like a stoned surfer dude who someone dressed up in a suit. I've seen several of Pitt's comedic performances, and they were very, very funny (I thought he was a genius in Burn After Reading, because he DID play a stoned surfer dude type character-actually a personal trainer, but what's the difference? But I digress.). But in this movie Pitt is just plain awful.
Aside from Pitt, the whole Plot seemed contrived, and none of the characters are especially likeable. And 3 hours? Geez-90 minutes would have done it for me.
Finally, another reviewer raised a criticism which was not readily apparent to me, but after thinking about it, he/she is right on point. The movie does seem to revel in the fact that Hopkins character is very wealthy, and that "rich" people are much more special than the rest of the population. There are buckets of dialog about how this senator, and that governor, are attending the birthday party. Then Hopkins' birthday speech is a completely self absorbed homily to himself-if not overtly, then at least implicitly. Even before Hopkins discovers the reason for Joe Black's appearance, he acts disinterested (to the point of being annoyed) about his daughter's excessive plans for the party. No traces of humility here-even in the face of death.
If you are a 13 year old girl, you might like this movie. otherwise, don't waste 3 hours of your life, like I did. You have been warned.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
|
A MASTERPIECE
Added 9/22/2009
I must confess that I consider this movie a masterpiece. As a real film buff, there are certain movies that I can watch over and over again, and garner something different from each viewing. This is one of those films. A 20 year old will see a completely different film than someone of middle age or a senior. That is part of the movie's charm. It cannot truly be appreciated on the first viewing. It is a deep and moving experience and must be savored, like a fine wine. The performances are truly amazing - the always remarkable Anthony Hopkins, Brad Pitt in, I think one of his finest roles, and a luminous Claire Forlani (without her accent), under, what I understand to be Martin Brest's somewhat perfectionist direction, is well worth however many takes it took to obtain this near perfect result.
Well worth a look - or twenty!
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
DVD of Meet Joe Black
Added 8/20/2009
The quality and package are satified as it is the smae as the condition stated in the website. However, the charge for the product seling to oversea may be quite high.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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