Janeane-Garofalo Movie Reviews

Along with some of the other reviews, I agree that this is not the BEST compilation of Mike Myers sketches of SNL. I am an avid Mike Myers fan and I love anything and everything he does, but these sketches have been extremely overplayed and overrated on the syndicate version of SNL on Comedy Central. Perhaps Mike Myers fans (who will buy this tape) would like to see some of his funny moments not available in the syndicated version of SNL on Saturday Night Live.

For example, I remember one sketch where Glenn Close was hosting a Christmas special and Mike played an effeminate Tiny Tim. I thought it was the funniest thing I'd ever seen. But the sketch is cut out of the Comedy Central version.

I do enjoy some of the rather off-the-wall sketches that are included in this collection. To name a few: Phillip the hyper-hypo sketch, Theatre Stories with Cucumber Jones, and the Weekend Update with Mick Jagger (Myers) and Keith Richards (Jagger).

Coming from a Mike fan, this is just so-so.

I was disappointed with this DVD. Like others have said, I don't think they had the BEST skit, just the skit with the most famous person. It was nice seeing the lesser known Mike Myer skits, but then again, I would have rather seen the funniest skits.

The best skit by far is the one with Nicole Kidman where he is the kid chained to the jungle gym.

I wouldn't discourage a diehard fan from getting this DVD, but be warned that it's not as exciting as you are expecting.

I was going to get the Adam Sandler SNL collection for my boyfriend, but now am wary about it.

i am a big myers and snl fan but there are some unnecesary sketches here. I think that middle aged man and that sketch with that guy daniel should have been cut out in favor of lank thompson and that scottish guy.overall,pretty could but as i said could've been better

I graduated college in 1993. Yet almost a year later I was working as a retail sales clerk. I guess I was one of those underachieving Gen-X "slackers" this movie was trying to reach for its audience. I am now ashamed to admit that I paid to see this movie when it was released. But I swear I only did so because Winona Ryder was and still is (despite her criminal record) very nice to look at and not because I thought this movie spoke to me about my generation or any nonsense like that.

This movie is about four recently graduated college friends who find adjusting to the real world to be tougher than they thought. They end up either working at jobs that they feel are beneath them or they just don't work at all. Meanwhile, their social lives are in turmoil. The story mostly centers around little Winona's character and the two men who compete for her affections. One of these men is played by Ethan Hawke as the penultimate 90's hipster slacker. He's an arrogant philosophy major/musician/poet who chain smokes, has nothing but contempt for people in "corporate America" (ie anyone who works), and has taken aggressive stances against getting a job, shaving, and washing his hair. In other words: Ethan Hawke plays a complete jerk! The other male character is played by Ben Stiller- a hard working TV executive who is very nice. However, in the end the nice guy finishes last as little Winona hooks up with her slimy, leech of a friend. I still remember leaving the theater and saying to myself: "What the heck was that all about?"

I guess this movie is the sort that divides the sexes in their opinions. Every guy I know who has seen this movie finds Ethan Hawke's character to be a contemptible creep. Yet, when I ask women why Winona chooses the jerk in the end they roll their eyes at me and say: "It's Ethan Hawke and he's hot!" My guess of where this movie went awry was that Ben Stiller was incapable of playing his character as a shallow "suit" which is what the script probably called for. Instead, Stiller's inate sweetness transformed his character into the "nice guy" without his realizing it. Thus, people, who can look beyond Hawke's scuzzy good looks, will end up just astonished that Winona chooses the jerk over a good man.

This movie could have been really great. But, it just ended up being mediocre at best.
It's very stereotypical and predictable in it's portrayal of a bunch of twentysomethings living in an apartment together in the grunge era of the 90's.
Winona Ryder plays Lelaina Pierce, a freshly graduated college valedictorian who finds it impossible to find a job - or to choose between the two guys in her life (Ethan Hawke, Ben Stiller).
It's really just a grunged out version of boy (ethan hawke) loves girl (winona ryder) but is too afraid to tell her, so girl goes off with another boy (ben stiller) and boy confesses his love to her, afraid that he will lose her forever - and now she must choose.

It's not a horrible film. But it's nothing great either. If nothing else, it's a good keepsake of the grunge movement of the early nineties.

great beginning directing movie for Ben Stiller who has a good part but then his charater gets a little annoying at the end and I liked that Ryder picked Hawke over Stiller. the funniest thing is that Steve Zahn's character turns out to be gay, hilarious. Ethan Hawke sings "Im Nuthing" in the bar scene and he sings it good, not perfect or awesome, but good. Garafolo is a hoot. its funny and charming and a great start for Stiller, who's sister and mom appear in this movie along with Renee Zellweger, David Spade and Kevin Pollack.

For the love of all that's holy, will actors ever learn to use some discretion when considering their roles? Tim, I thought you were the Toolman, Rene I thought you...nevermind. Tom, come on man you were Sgt. Horvath for Pete's sake! I just don't get it and I never want to.

Try and enjoy it, I dare you.

Lance Manion

Balls of jokes... about 10 percent work, and about 50 percent of those you've seen in at least 20 other movies. It's quick and humorous enough to be better than most middle-of-the-road pictures these days, but tries too hard at being quirky and stylish to actually obtain quirkiness and style. Also has the absolute worst Strangelove parody... ever... in any medium.

Not the worst way to waste 1.5 hours, but you're better off watching pulp fiction or lock stock and two smoking barrels for the umpteenth time (Big Trouble can't even hold it's own against many of their myriad imitators, with the possible exception of gags).

the beginning is hilarious with Jason Lee(Dreamcatcher, Stealing Harvard, Vanilla Sky, Almost Famous) as Puggy who lives in a tree and fancys the snack chip Fritos(genius, I borrowed this movie to my friend Jesse, who at the time had the long hair like Puggy and looked exactly like Puggy in the movie, so my friend Jesse went along with it and started to eat Fritos everyday). its about this damn silvercase which everyone mistakes it for a garbage disposal but its a nuclear warhead and it falls into the hands of the stupids, as I like to call them, played by Johnny Knoxville(Jackass The Movie, Men In Black 2) and Tom Sizemore(Heat, Dreamcatcher). also trying to stop it is secret agents Omar Epps(Scream 2, Dracula 2000) and Heavy D(The Cider House Rules). the characters intervene with each other nicely to bring this comic grande to life. Dennis Farina(Snatch, Out Of Sight) and Jack Kehler are hitmen who are assigned to kill Stanley Tucci(The Pelican Brief, Americas Sweethearts) who gets maced in the face by toad venom and starts to see Martha Stewarts head on the family dog(another genius moment). also starring is Tim Allen(Joe Somebody, Who Is Cletus Tout?) Ben Foster(Get Over It), Rene Russo(Get Shorty, The Thomas Crown Affair), Zooey Deschanel(The New Guy, Almost Famous), DJ Qualls(The Core, The New Guy, Road Trip), Janeane Garafolo(The Minus Man, MysteryMen) and Patrick Warburton(tv's Family Guy, Scream 3) are two cops, so is Andy Richter(Scary Movie 2, Dr. T and the Women) who plays two twin brothers who are cops. Daniel London(Minority Report, Patch Adams) plays one of the Russian bar owners.

Favorite Line
Puggy(Jason Lee, who eats a Frito and says)- you cant beat these when their fresh

For the love of all that's holy, will actors ever learn to use some discretion when considering their roles? Tim, I thought you were the Toolman, Rene I thought you...nevermind. Tom, come on man you were Sgt. Horvath for Pete's sake! I just don't get it and I never want to.

Try and enjoy it, I dare you.

Lance Manion

I haven't yet read the Dave Barry novel from which this movie was adapted, yet I enjoyed it very much. Tim Allen plays Eliot Arnold, a former pulitzer prize winning journalist that wrote satirical columns, much like Barry, but is finally fired for overreacting to an order from his editor. He finds himself divorced and stuck in an advertising job that he loathes. On top of that, he can't get the respect of his son.

Rene Russo plays Anna Herk, the house wife of an executive that is embezzeling money from his employer, which earns him the sights of assassins (Dennis Farina among them). Her daughter is targeted by Allen's watergun toting sun in a school game of 'assassin' in which everyone draws names and attempts to 'terminate' their victim. Everyone seems to show up at Herk's house at once and things get confusing.

Before you know it, two dimwits have stolen an atomic bomb, that resembles a garbage disposal, from some Russian arms dealers, and they get tangled up in the plot. Janene Garofalo and Patrick Warburton play unlikely partners with the Miami police department that tag along for the adventure. Throw in some goats, don't ask--just watch, and a call in show that taunts Florida Gator fans after the football team lost, and this makes for an unlikely funny comedy. Barry Sonenfeld, director, did a great job. I highly recommend it.

Big Trouble (based on the novel by Dave Barry) has a fast-paced, complicated plot that works as well on screen as it does in print. The story is like a knot in a shoelace -- when you try to pull on it, you just end up with more knots. There's an advertising guy (Tim Allen) whose son (Ben Foster) is supposed to shoot a girl (Zooey Deschanel) with a squirt gun as a part of a game at school. Meanwhile, a pair of hit men (Jack Kehler and Dennis Farina) are after the girl's step-dad (Stanley Tucci) - and his wife (Rene Russo) couldn't care less. There's a man (Jason Lee) living in their tree house who works for two Russians who sell weapons to the step-dad. Two small-time crooks (Tom Sizemore and Johnny Knoxville) stumble over the deal and decide to get a piece of the action. And then a pair of cops (Janeane Garofalo and Patrick Warburton), a pair of FBI agents (Omar Epps and Heavy D), and a giant toad get thrown in for a little extra fun.

Big Trouble is a wonderfully goofy movie -- but what else would you expect from Dave Barry? Sure, some of the gags miss the mark a bit, but there are plenty more where those came from. Be warned -- this movie is not for the weak-humored. If you can't handle silliness, steer clear. If, however, you love the occasional downright goofiness, you're in for a treat.

Hello, My Name is ..., and I have never shot Heroin. I fear the needle (ignore the tattoo) and fail to relish in the sadistic reactions to the drug. However, were I to awaken to a new day of increased favor towards needles and IV drug use, the viewing of this film, and the performance handed to us by Ben Stiller, has already assured me that I shan't dive into the abyss of said narcotic. You hate to use words live "riveting" and "brilliant", although clearly at ease with his psychotic side, Stiller makes me believe that a man would attempt to crash through a window post "drug-induced-euphoria". One wishes Janeane Garofalo had a few more moments on-screen, but what she added was probably enough. I haven't read the book (an oddity for me, actually), but I fear that I shall quite soon. I was drawn into the story from the get-go, though I wonder if that was due to the shooting by Veloz, or by Stiller. Either way, this "dark comedy (from whence that title came, I am still unsure)" darkened my day, and caused a bit of thought to occur - never a bad thing.

I can't believe this movie has been given so many bad reviews!Ilove it! Ben Stiller gives the best performence of his career in this true story of TV writer jerry stahl's life and how he screwed it all up by using drugs.Some of the moments are genuinly funny ,others disturbing,and others sad.I haven't read the book but I've heard it's even better.Awesome soundtrack too.A must see! 4 1/2 stars

It was wierd seeing Ben Stiller serious but he pulled it off well. i thiught this move was different and truthful to the lives of some in Hollywood. I really enjoyed and i think anyone who wants to see something different should give it a try.

This film has a great cast, but nothing else going for it besides. I was disappointed with the pointlessness and limp dialogue. I wasted eight dollars to go see a bunch of people do nothing but whine on New Year's Eve, get drunk and then get laid, waking up the next morning to discover just who they slept with while recovering from minor hangovers. I could go to a frat party and see the same thing for free. There wasn't even an hour of the reel gone, and I was terribly bored with the constant back and forth of party to party, listless characters and dragging scenes. I kept looking at their shots and martinis and frozen drinks, wishing I could have one so maybe I'd enjoy more of what I was watching. No luck, and I left the theater feeling very cheated. I advise that whoever reads this review remembers the part I said about feeling cheated, and really researches this movie before they buy it. You'll be wasting more than eight bucks!

A little slow getting started, but hey, I loved this movie! Hearing Christina Ricci's accent at the begginning of the film threw me off a bit. But all the characters in 200 cigarrettes transformed into highly adorable, funky, quirky, 80's type personalities, (pause!), cool people on a mission to party like it's 1999. There! I said it! I especially liked Martha Plimpton's character. I was feeling so worried when no one was showing up for her party.

This film is an engaging look at one night in NYC, (actually filmed in "real time" I'm assuming). It carries you along on this seemingly ill-fated New Years Eve, where everyone has got love on the brain. Primary mission: find someone special to share New Years Eve with. Who can't relate to that?! With the Millineum coming up close, this is a perfect movie to get into the spirit of things. And if you don't have that someone special in your arms that night, watch this movie. It makes perfect company.

200 cigs is one of the most fun and invigorating movies of its era. Only a hardcore cynic could fail to enjoy this one. Lively, burdened, and infinitely interesting (in a mundane way) cast make this a "must see". I'm not kidding!!

This film has a great cast, but nothing else going for it besides. I was disappointed with the pointlessness and limp dialogue. I wasted eight dollars to go see a bunch of people do nothing but whine on New Year's Eve, get drunk and then get laid, waking up the next morning to discover just who they slept with while recovering from minor hangovers. I could go to a frat party and see the same thing for free. There wasn't even an hour of the reel gone, and I was terribly bored with the constant back and forth of party to party, listless characters and dragging scenes. I kept looking at their shots and martinis and frozen drinks, wishing I could have one so maybe I'd enjoy more of what I was watching. No luck, and I left the theater feeling very cheated. I advise that whoever reads this review remembers the part I said about feeling cheated, and really researches this movie before they buy it. You'll be wasting more than eight bucks!

A little slow getting started, but hey, I loved this movie! Hearing Christina Ricci's accent at the begginning of the film threw me off a bit. But all the characters in 200 cigarrettes transformed into highly adorable, funky, quirky, 80's type personalities, (pause!), cool people on a mission to party like it's 1999. There! I said it! I especially liked Martha Plimpton's character. I was feeling so worried when no one was showing up for her party.

This film is an engaging look at one night in NYC, (actually filmed in "real time" I'm assuming). It carries you along on this seemingly ill-fated New Years Eve, where everyone has got love on the brain. Primary mission: find someone special to share New Years Eve with. Who can't relate to that?! With the Millineum coming up close, this is a perfect movie to get into the spirit of things. And if you don't have that someone special in your arms that night, watch this movie. It makes perfect company.

200 cigs is one of the most fun and invigorating movies of its era. Only a hardcore cynic could fail to enjoy this one. Lively, burdened, and infinitely interesting (in a mundane way) cast make this a "must see". I'm not kidding!!

An unassuming, charismatic personality and a bottle of poison prove to be a lethal combination in "The Minus Man," directed by Hampton Fancher and starring Owen Wilson. When a personable young man drifts in from the Pacific Northwest and settles in a small coastal town, a number of people's lives are soon changed forever, and not for the better. Vann Siegert (Wilson) is a likable fellow with a winning smile and always a credible story regarding who he is, where he's been and where he's going; he's also a psychotic killer who chooses his victims seemingly at random, yet is so ingratiating that he never falls under suspicion. And such is the case when he rents a room from an unsuspecting couple, Jane and Doug Durwin (Mercedes Ruehl and Brian Cox). Without realizing, of course, that he's enabling a murderer, Doug helps Vann find gainful employment, allowing him to establish himself within the community, and the rest-- as they say-- is history. In one of the more telling scenes in the film, Vann reflects to himself, "If it weren't for me, these people would all be doing something else today..." What they are doing, in fact, is searching for one of their own who has gone missing, courtesy of Vann. What is so distressing about this movie is the lack of menace outwardly presented by someone so intrinsically evil; like Norman Bates in "Psycho," Vann is simply too unprepossessing and benign to be considered a threat to anyone. The contrast between his countenance and his crimes is chilling; and the fact that he perpetrates his deeds in such a matter-of-fact, unemotional manner gives new meaning to the phrase "cold blooded killer." One of the interesting aspects of the film is that Vann acts as narrator as well, which effectively puts the audience inside the mind behind the madness, even more so than in "Silence of the Lambs," because in this case, the viewer is privy to the actual thought process that precipitates the crimes. And it becomes a bit unnerving after some reflection upon what is actually transpiring under the guise of "normalcy." Owen Wilson is well cast and gives a stunningly credible performance as Vann; he conveys such a low-keyed, eye-in-the-center-of-the-storm manner that he is instantly recognizable as the boy next door you'd be more than happy for your daughter to date. And after watching him in action it becomes truly disconcerting to consider that in the real world there are those who look and act like Vann and are capable of such heinous acts of violence and deceit. As the couple who takes Vann in-- and are subsequently taken in by him-- Ruehl and Cox capture the essence of the "everyman/woman" that can be found in any neighborhood in any town, and the fact that they are people with whom it is so easy to identify makes it even more upsetting when you realize that the vulnerability to which we are all prone can be exploited with such facility. In a supporting role, Janeane Garofalo is a welcome presence as Ferrin, a co-worker of Vann's who is drawn in by his winsome facade; and rounding out the supporting cast are Sheryl Crowe (Caspar/Laurie), Dwight Yoakam (Blair), Dennis Haysbert (Graves) and Alex Warren (State Trooper). Ultimately, "The Minus Man" is a cautionary tale that may spark a touch of paranoia in the viewer, and with good reason; and after spending some time with Vann, it just may alter your perception of some of your more casual acquaintances and even some old friends, especially those who seem so "ordinary." It's a film that kind of sneaks up on you and takes you by surprise; and it may leave you pondering the darker side of human nature.

I must say that I had no idea what this movie would be like but found myself pleasantly surprised by both the story and the central perfomances.

A young drifter by the name of Vann Siegert wanders into a small coastal town and slowly people in the town begin to disappear - it's no plot spoiler to say that Vann is the man causing these disappearances - we do see the movie through his eyes. He possesses a disarming charm and kindness that people feel they can trust him, most notably his landlord Doug followed by his wife Jane and his co-worker at the Post Office, Ferrin. Slowly things begin to change and tension builds as Vann ensures that his cover is not blown.

While this probably doesn't sound too different from your average serial killer yarn, it is made more believable by spot on performances. Owen Wilson is a revelation as the drifter Vann, with the charm of a Tom Ripley, his drawling voice and easy smile, not once suggesting a killer behind it. Brian Cox and Mercedes Ruehl are both excellent as Vann's landlords, with Ruehl just topping Cox with a lovely understated performance not overshadowed by Cox's occasional histrionics. Finally, rounding out the main cast is Janene Garofolo, as Ferrin, and she nails her role as the co-worker who hopes for romance perfectly.

The distraction of Vann's hallucinations don't work that well but this is a minor discrepancy in an otherwise excellent film. With his work on this movie and scene-stealing turns in such movies as the otherwise awful "The Haunting", and "Meet the Parents", Wilson certainly shows he is capable of much more.

a great turn in Wilson's career. he's always playing that goofball in some of his movies but this one is nicely done with pure intelligence and Francher directs with style. Wilson is a nice guy, though he is deadly too. inthe beginning he kills Sheryl Crow then moves into Mercedes Rheul and Brian Cox's house, works at a job and falls in aweird love with Garafolo who is excellent. then he's seeing imaginary cops played crazily by Dwight Yoakam and Dennis Haysbert. Wilson shows us another side of his acting career and proabably one of his best, his character can be sweet, likable and friendly and then can be mad, evily and sadisitic. not one to be missed for Wilson fans

Having lived through, and having participated as a university graduate student in 1960s Anti-Vietnam war demonstrations (I missed Chicago ... luckily) I can recall the radical clowns portrayed in STEAL THIS MOVIE! Abbie Hoffman and his Yippies mischieviously misbehaved while the U. S. government criminally misbehaved (!). When the Yippies misbehaved people got offended and annoyed. When the Pentagon, the CIA, the FBI and the Military-Industrial Complex (we were explicitly warned against by Presdient Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1960) misbehaved very large numbers of people got killed. But this film was sentimental and soppy rather than insightful. Yes indeed, Hoffman was one of the '60s' central characters. But the film paints him as a snivelling lunatic.

Not made clear is that under the cover of war and using national security as an excuse Richard M. Nixon and J.Edgar Hoover conspired against any American who dared oppose their agendas ... especially the likes of Abbie Hoffman. The film alludes to this ... and as a footnote at the end of this often tedious and poorly directed docudrama, these crimes were ever so softly mentioned. However, the social and political conflicts of the time that tore the United States apart were clearly better portrayed in the film WAR AT HOME (Emilio Estevez, Marttin Sheen, Kathy Bates, and Kimberly Williams ... made ten years earlier).

Vincent D'Onofrio did the best he could with the role and script handed him. And Janeane Garofalo was indeed very convincing as Hoffman's wife. Yet there was a too soft edge about what was going on and what it meant. Overall, this movie resembled Harrison Ford's THE FUGITIVE, but without sympathy for the persecuted victim. Yes indeed, Abbe Hoffman had broken the law ... and probably earned some penalty. However, in the words of Col. (ret) Tilford Taylor, a lead prosecutor for the U.S. Army (who in 1946-47 successfully prosecuted Nazi war criminals at the Nuremberg Trial) published in 1968, he said war crimes were being committed in Vietnam by invading Americans in their undeclared war. Fine. Ironically, the architect of the war, Robert McNamarra recently wrote an apologia telling the over 50,000 names on the Vietnam Memorial, "sorry fellas, it was a mistake." That's as far as we've come in 30 years. The film STEAL THIS MOVIE! is not good art, and it takes us no further towards truthfully understanding what happened. We gain very little insight or enjoyment from watching it.

While it would have been nice if this movie had been a little less obvious, the total lack of subtlety does seem to fit in with Abbie's methods and philosophies. If he had made this movie, he probably would have used the same voiceovers and "surveillance photos". He would not have wanted to leave even a shadow of a doubt that the Government was really after him, spying on his most intimate moments and sparing no effort to disgrace and defuse him and his movement.

Vincent D'Onofrio is becoming one of my favorite actors, after seeing him in "The Velocity of Gary" and a few others. His performance in "Steal this Movie" is nothing short of a transformation. He is amazing. All the actors do good jobs here, really bringing the characters to life.

Altogether, the movie does lack some depth and subtlety, but it is great entertainment as well as a good introduction to Hoffman's life. It certainly aroused my curiosity. Videotape this movie - Abbie would have wanted that.

I received this movie for a birthday present, and having read previous biographies of the late yippie (from his brother Jack..et al) I knew the basic chronology of Abbie's life, but seeing a film (however dramatized) gave it a new dimension which had previously lacked in the most sympathetic books.

Watching this film as the Bush administration (who ignored the lessons of Vietnam altogether) declares war on the world reignited the passions of a very burt-out grad student. It may take forever, and the activist themselves may stumble along the way but change is possible. As opposed to the 'time limited' mass media presentation of social change, this transformation is a much slower ongoing process that current generations will not neccessarily be able to see).

The only thing I had a problem with was the movie presented abbie as a great understander of all social movements, when previous books admit that he did not originally comprehend the importance of the feminist and GLBT movements. Eventually realizing their importance, and the necessity of understanding sexism, Abbie (like many other lefties of his generation) had entered with his own internalized biases about what was political and what constituted valid social change.

Overall, however this was a great movie and I encourage ANYBODY involved in social justice work today to pick up a copy of this release for themselves and fellow activists. The end courtroom scene is especially timeless in it's celebration of revolution/indictment of discrimination and the fundamental nature of the US society.

Having lived through, and having participated as a university graduate student in 1960s Anti-Vietnam war demonstrations (I missed Chicago ... luckily) I can recall the radical clowns portrayed in STEAL THIS MOVIE! Abbie Hoffman and his Yippies mischieviously misbehaved while the U. S. government criminally misbehaved (!). When the Yippies misbehaved people got offended and annoyed. When the Pentagon, the CIA, the FBI and the Military-Industrial Complex (we were explicitly warned against by Presdient Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1960) misbehaved very large numbers of people got killed. But this film was sentimental and soppy rather than insightful. Yes indeed, Hoffman was one of the '60s' central characters. But the film paints him as a snivelling lunatic.

Not made clear is that under the cover of war and using national security as an excuse Richard M. Nixon and J.Edgar Hoover conspired against any American who dared oppose their agendas ... especially the likes of Abbie Hoffman. The film alludes to this ... and as a footnote at the end of this often tedious and poorly directed docudrama, these crimes were ever so softly mentioned. However, the social and political conflicts of the time that tore the United States apart were clearly better portrayed in the film WAR AT HOME (Emilio Estevez, Marttin Sheen, Kathy Bates, and Kimberly Williams ... made ten years earlier).

Vincent D'Onofrio did the best he could with the role and script handed him. And Janeane Garofalo was indeed very convincing as Hoffman's wife. Yet there was a too soft edge about what was going on and what it meant. Overall, this movie resembled Harrison Ford's THE FUGITIVE, but without sympathy for the persecuted victim. Yes indeed, Abbe Hoffman had broken the law ... and probably earned some penalty. However, in the words of Col. (ret) Tilford Taylor, a lead prosecutor for the U.S. Army (who in 1946-47 successfully prosecuted Nazi war criminals at the Nuremberg Trial) published in 1968, he said war crimes were being committed in Vietnam by invading Americans in their undeclared war. Fine. Ironically, the architect of the war, Robert McNamarra recently wrote an apologia telling the over 50,000 names on the Vietnam Memorial, "sorry fellas, it was a mistake." That's as far as we've come in 30 years. The film STEAL THIS MOVIE! is not good art, and it takes us no further towards truthfully understanding what happened. We gain very little insight or enjoyment from watching it.

While it would have been nice if this movie had been a little less obvious, the total lack of subtlety does seem to fit in with Abbie's methods and philosophies. If he had made this movie, he probably would have used the same voiceovers and "surveillance photos". He would not have wanted to leave even a shadow of a doubt that the Government was really after him, spying on his most intimate moments and sparing no effort to disgrace and defuse him and his movement.

Vincent D'Onofrio is becoming one of my favorite actors, after seeing him in "The Velocity of Gary" and a few others. His performance in "Steal this Movie" is nothing short of a transformation. He is amazing. All the actors do good jobs here, really bringing the characters to life.

Altogether, the movie does lack some depth and subtlety, but it is great entertainment as well as a good introduction to Hoffman's life. It certainly aroused my curiosity. Videotape this movie - Abbie would have wanted that.

I received this movie for a birthday present, and having read previous biographies of the late yippie (from his brother Jack..et al) I knew the basic chronology of Abbie's life, but seeing a film (however dramatized) gave it a new dimension which had previously lacked in the most sympathetic books.

Watching this film as the Bush administration (who ignored the lessons of Vietnam altogether) declares war on the world reignited the passions of a very burt-out grad student. It may take forever, and the activist themselves may stumble along the way but change is possible. As opposed to the 'time limited' mass media presentation of social change, this transformation is a much slower ongoing process that current generations will not neccessarily be able to see).

The only thing I had a problem with was the movie presented abbie as a great understander of all social movements, when previous books admit that he did not originally comprehend the importance of the feminist and GLBT movements. Eventually realizing their importance, and the necessity of understanding sexism, Abbie (like many other lefties of his generation) had entered with his own internalized biases about what was political and what constituted valid social change.

Overall, however this was a great movie and I encourage ANYBODY involved in social justice work today to pick up a copy of this release for themselves and fellow activists. The end courtroom scene is especially timeless in it's celebration of revolution/indictment of discrimination and the fundamental nature of the US society.