»»John-C.-Reilly Movie Reviews««

It pays to read other purchasers' reviews

This movie has turned out to be one of my favorites and I have the reviews and their authors to thank. These two "character actors", William Fichtner and John C. Reilly, have leading man potential. Wonder why no one in Hollywood gets it. We, the viewers, know. Oh, I forgot, William Fichtner WAS cast as one of the two male leads in "Passion of Mind", primarily to carry the movie and make Demi Moore look good - which he did, easily. I knew he was a fine comic actor. I saw "Drowning Mona" and he and Jamie Lee Curtis shine. John C. Reilly really came through in "Chicago". Thanks to all who recommended this gem.

A nice suprise for many reasons

I rented this movie on the strength of the story outline on the back of the box, and for the fact that it had John C. Reilly in it, who I think is the finest character actor in movies. I got much more than I expected. This movie has an excellent script and wonderful directing. The humor is dry, black and understated and very effective. To me the big suprises were the performances of William Fichtner as one of the partners in the insurance scam. Fichtner's performance brimmed with intelligence and depth, as well as a sure comic touch that was dead on the money. Also, Kelly McGillis turned in a job so full of savage sex and menace, I found myself wondering why she doesn't get more work. As for John C. Reilly - does this actor ever make a wrong move in front of a camera? No, he does not. This is his best work. A real gem.

Brilliant!!

This movie is far from the usual 'let's rent a movie tonight honey'. It is unique with an unpredictable plot, that has you guessing all along! Black comedy at its best and a movie like no other.

THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE

What's Eating Gilbert Grape? Plenty! A simple, beautifully told story of family loyalty and brotherly love. I was thoroughly impressed by the performance of Leo DiCaprio - I thought that he definitely should have WON the Oscar - he was nominated - for his beautiful playing of Arnie! DiCaprio plays Depp's little retarded brother in such an utterly convincing and realistic way that one is captivated by the subtlety and amazing naturalness of talented DiCaprio's playing. Johnny Depp is excellent as usual as Arnie's concerned big brother (the title character) and Juliette Lewis (with a bad hair-day!) is adequate as Becky, the girl who wants to know what makes him tick. Darlene Cates does very well as the housebound (due to obesity) mother. I just think that Di Caprio's playing should be seen because it is deserving of kudos galore - his performance is like a lesson in screen acting!

A heartwarming film about brotherly love and family loyalty.

What's Eating Gilbert Grape is my favorite movie. I have seen it dozens of times and I never get bored with it. The reason...Leonardo DiCaprio. Never mind "Titanic". If you want to see DiCaprio at his best, this is the film to see! As many times as I watch it, his portrayal of Arnie, a retarded soon to be 18 year old boy, never ceases to amaze me! His performance is captivating. DiCaprio becomes Arnie. This film is an extremely touching story of family loyalty, albeit dysfunctional family loyalty. The title character is played exceptionally well by Johnny Depp, but it is difficult to focus on anyone but Leonardo DiCaprio. The best scenes in the film are those between Depp and DiCaprio. Gilbert is Arnie's primary caretaker. His love for Arnie is undeniable but marred by frustration and on occasion, resentment that he has been saddled with the burden of being his brother's keeper. He sums it up best with the line, "Somedays you want him to live, somedays...you don't". Gilbert is not as cruel as that makes him sound. It's just that he has no life other than Arnie and a "going nowhere" fling with a married woman. His two sisters are kept pretty busy taking care of their obese Mother, whom Gilbert describes as a "beached whale". It all takes place in a small town where it seems just about all of it's residents want more out of life. Gilbert learns there is more to life when he meets a free spirited young woman who is passing through town. Naturally, this further complicates his already complicated life. I will most likely watch it dozens more times. What's Eating Gilbert Grape is a beautiful and moving film.

Passionate acting, strong story, great movie!

This is an outstanding movie, astounding casting for this movie, Johnny Depp isn't the only good actor in this movie. Leonardo DiCaprio gives his only good performance, in my opinion. I love the non-fairy tale story line in this movie. This movie is deffinately on my top 3 favorite movies of all time. The acting is so realistic in this movie, you can feel the pain & drama in this film. You must see this movie, it's an essential. Don't rent it first, buy it, it will please you GUARANTEED.

Little Tall Island's most famous citizen

Based on the novel, of the same name, by Stephen King, the movie is given more weight because of its 2 leading ladies. Dolores Claiborne (Kathy Bates) is accused of killing a town socialite, a person whom she has worked for, for quite a long time. Delores's daughter, Selena (Jennifer Jason Leigh), goes home to find out if her estranged mother is guilty. When Selena arrives, both women are forced to confront their difficult past. It is only a matter of time before the painful truth is revealed. Actor Christopher Plummer gives a noteworthy performance as an investigator, who only wants to see Claiborne convicted of murder, to settle an old score between them.

The movie is pretty faithfull to its source material. Bates and Leigh are amazing as mother and daughter. Their scenes together are intense and very realistic. Directed by Taylor Hackford, (Devil's Advocate) the film is engaging from begining to end. The DVD has minimal extras. There are some production notes and a commentary from Hackford. In my opinion, Hackford's track, is somewhat wordy and winded. As is the case with the Advocate track, he tends to repeat himself a lot. He barely stops to take a breather. Still. that complaint aside, do not miss out on this well acted psychological thriller/drama, born from the mind of Stephen King

two murders told in flashback

The movie opens with what sounds like a fight and an elderly woman falling violently down the stairs. Dolores Claiborne (Kathy Bates) races down the steps, ransacks the kitchen and returns with a rolling pin. Poised to strike, she is caught by the mailman who has entered the house to deliver packages.

Dolores' estranged daughter Selena is summoned from NYC -- she has not visited in 15 years, ever since her own father died "in misadventure" although she suspects the killer was Dolores.

From here, the story of Dolores' relationships with both of her "victims" (her husband and her former employer, for whom she worked as a maid) is told in flashbacks. Particularly bad is her relationship with her husband, but how and why she finally decides to get rid of him is far more complicated than "why didn't she just leave"?

Christopher Plummer has a great role as the detective who is convinced Dolores got off too easy for her husband's death in 1975 and is determined that she pat double now. It's a far cry from when he was a captain with 7 children in "The Sound of Music"!

An undiscovered classic

Nothing in the title of the film, or the premise, allows the watcher to be prepared for the virtual punch his powerhouse movie gives us. Led by much-deserving Oscar winner Kathy Bates and a sullen and moody Jennifer Jason Leigh, the cast brings to life several characters trapped in a story of denial, repression, and ultimately, the strength that women must have to endure life.

This film has been overlooked by many people, including myself, for many reasons. Kathy Bates in another Stephen King story seemed to repetitive from her amazing performance in "Misery". But fair warning, she is not Nurse Annie here, but a completely amazing and hard woman who deals with the trauma in her life head on. I also didn't appreciate the magical artistry of this film until buying the DVD and listening to Taylor Hackford give his wordy and brilliant commentary to the film.

I'm very glad to have purchased this DVD, and I feel you will as well!

Little Tall Island's most famous citizen

Based on the novel, of the same name, by Stephen King, the movie is given more weight because of its 2 leading ladies. Dolores Claiborne (Kathy Bates) is accused of killing a town socialite, a person whom she has worked for, for quite a long time. Delores's daughter, Selena (Jennifer Jason Leigh), goes home to find out if her estranged mother is guilty. When Selena arrives, both women are forced to confront their difficult past. It is only a matter of time before the painful truth is revealed. Actor Christopher Plummer gives a noteworthy performance as an investigator, who only wants to see Claiborne convicted of murder, to settle an old score between them.

The movie is pretty faithfull to its source material. Bates and Leigh are amazing as mother and daughter. Their scenes together are intense and very realistic. Directed by Taylor Hackford, (Devil's Advocate) the film is engaging from begining to end. The DVD has minimal extras. There are some production notes and a commentary from Hackford. In my opinion, Hackford's track, is somewhat wordy and winded. As is the case with the Advocate track, he tends to repeat himself a lot. He barely stops to take a breather. Still. that complaint aside, do not miss out on this well acted psychological thriller/drama, born from the mind of Stephen King

two murders told in flashback

The movie opens with what sounds like a fight and an elderly woman falling violently down the stairs. Dolores Claiborne (Kathy Bates) races down the steps, ransacks the kitchen and returns with a rolling pin. Poised to strike, she is caught by the mailman who has entered the house to deliver packages.

Dolores' estranged daughter Selena is summoned from NYC -- she has not visited in 15 years, ever since her own father died "in misadventure" although she suspects the killer was Dolores.

From here, the story of Dolores' relationships with both of her "victims" (her husband and her former employer, for whom she worked as a maid) is told in flashbacks. Particularly bad is her relationship with her husband, but how and why she finally decides to get rid of him is far more complicated than "why didn't she just leave"?

Christopher Plummer has a great role as the detective who is convinced Dolores got off too easy for her husband's death in 1975 and is determined that she pat double now. It's a far cry from when he was a captain with 7 children in "The Sound of Music"!

An undiscovered classic

Nothing in the title of the film, or the premise, allows the watcher to be prepared for the virtual punch his powerhouse movie gives us. Led by much-deserving Oscar winner Kathy Bates and a sullen and moody Jennifer Jason Leigh, the cast brings to life several characters trapped in a story of denial, repression, and ultimately, the strength that women must have to endure life.

This film has been overlooked by many people, including myself, for many reasons. Kathy Bates in another Stephen King story seemed to repetitive from her amazing performance in "Misery". But fair warning, she is not Nurse Annie here, but a completely amazing and hard woman who deals with the trauma in her life head on. I also didn't appreciate the magical artistry of this film until buying the DVD and listening to Taylor Hackford give his wordy and brilliant commentary to the film.

I'm very glad to have purchased this DVD, and I feel you will as well!

Little Tall Island's most famous citizen

Based on the novel, of the same name, by Stephen King, the movie is given more weight because of its 2 leading ladies. Dolores Claiborne (Kathy Bates) is accused of killing a town socialite, a person whom she has worked for, for quite a long time. Delores's daughter, Selena (Jennifer Jason Leigh), goes home to find out if her estranged mother is guilty. When Selena arrives, both women are forced to confront their difficult past. It is only a matter of time before the painful truth is revealed. Actor Christopher Plummer gives a noteworthy performance as an investigator, who only wants to see Claiborne convicted of murder, to settle an old score between them.

The movie is pretty faithfull to its source material. Bates and Leigh are amazing as mother and daughter. Their scenes together are intense and very realistic. Directed by Taylor Hackford, (Devil's Advocate) the film is engaging from begining to end. The DVD has minimal extras. There are some production notes and a commentary from Hackford. In my opinion, Hackford's track, is somewhat wordy and winded. As is the case with the Advocate track, he tends to repeat himself a lot. He barely stops to take a breather. Still. that complaint aside, do not miss out on this well acted psychological thriller/drama, born from the mind of Stephen King

two murders told in flashback

The movie opens with what sounds like a fight and an elderly woman falling violently down the stairs. Dolores Claiborne (Kathy Bates) races down the steps, ransacks the kitchen and returns with a rolling pin. Poised to strike, she is caught by the mailman who has entered the house to deliver packages.

Dolores' estranged daughter Selena is summoned from NYC -- she has not visited in 15 years, ever since her own father died "in misadventure" although she suspects the killer was Dolores.

From here, the story of Dolores' relationships with both of her "victims" (her husband and her former employer, for whom she worked as a maid) is told in flashbacks. Particularly bad is her relationship with her husband, but how and why she finally decides to get rid of him is far more complicated than "why didn't she just leave"?

Christopher Plummer has a great role as the detective who is convinced Dolores got off too easy for her husband's death in 1975 and is determined that she pat double now. It's a far cry from when he was a captain with 7 children in "The Sound of Music"!

An undiscovered classic

Nothing in the title of the film, or the premise, allows the watcher to be prepared for the virtual punch his powerhouse movie gives us. Led by much-deserving Oscar winner Kathy Bates and a sullen and moody Jennifer Jason Leigh, the cast brings to life several characters trapped in a story of denial, repression, and ultimately, the strength that women must have to endure life.

This film has been overlooked by many people, including myself, for many reasons. Kathy Bates in another Stephen King story seemed to repetitive from her amazing performance in "Misery". But fair warning, she is not Nurse Annie here, but a completely amazing and hard woman who deals with the trauma in her life head on. I also didn't appreciate the magical artistry of this film until buying the DVD and listening to Taylor Hackford give his wordy and brilliant commentary to the film.

I'm very glad to have purchased this DVD, and I feel you will as well!

Little Tall Island's most famous citizen

Based on the novel, of the same name, by Stephen King, the movie is given more weight because of its 2 leading ladies. Dolores Claiborne (Kathy Bates) is accused of killing a town socialite, a person whom she has worked for, for quite a long time. Delores's daughter, Selena (Jennifer Jason Leigh), goes home to find out if her estranged mother is guilty. When Selena arrives, both women are forced to confront their difficult past. It is only a matter of time before the painful truth is revealed. Actor Christopher Plummer gives a noteworthy performance as an investigator, who only wants to see Claiborne convicted of murder, to settle an old score between them.

The movie is pretty faithfull to its source material. Bates and Leigh are amazing as mother and daughter. Their scenes together are intense and very realistic. Directed by Taylor Hackford, (Devil's Advocate) the film is engaging from begining to end. The DVD has minimal extras. There are some production notes and a commentary from Hackford. In my opinion, Hackford's track, is somewhat wordy and winded. As is the case with the Advocate track, he tends to repeat himself a lot. He barely stops to take a breather. Still. that complaint aside, do not miss out on this well acted psychological thriller/drama, born from the mind of Stephen King

two murders told in flashback

The movie opens with what sounds like a fight and an elderly woman falling violently down the stairs. Dolores Claiborne (Kathy Bates) races down the steps, ransacks the kitchen and returns with a rolling pin. Poised to strike, she is caught by the mailman who has entered the house to deliver packages.

Dolores' estranged daughter Selena is summoned from NYC -- she has not visited in 15 years, ever since her own father died "in misadventure" although she suspects the killer was Dolores.

From here, the story of Dolores' relationships with both of her "victims" (her husband and her former employer, for whom she worked as a maid) is told in flashbacks. Particularly bad is her relationship with her husband, but how and why she finally decides to get rid of him is far more complicated than "why didn't she just leave"?

Christopher Plummer has a great role as the detective who is convinced Dolores got off too easy for her husband's death in 1975 and is determined that she pat double now. It's a far cry from when he was a captain with 7 children in "The Sound of Music"!

An undiscovered classic

Nothing in the title of the film, or the premise, allows the watcher to be prepared for the virtual punch his powerhouse movie gives us. Led by much-deserving Oscar winner Kathy Bates and a sullen and moody Jennifer Jason Leigh, the cast brings to life several characters trapped in a story of denial, repression, and ultimately, the strength that women must have to endure life.

This film has been overlooked by many people, including myself, for many reasons. Kathy Bates in another Stephen King story seemed to repetitive from her amazing performance in "Misery". But fair warning, she is not Nurse Annie here, but a completely amazing and hard woman who deals with the trauma in her life head on. I also didn't appreciate the magical artistry of this film until buying the DVD and listening to Taylor Hackford give his wordy and brilliant commentary to the film.

I'm very glad to have purchased this DVD, and I feel you will as well!

Movie: 4 stars; DVD: 3 stars

Early in "Boogie Nights," Eddy Adams (having just been offered the chance to become the porn star whose rise and fall the film chronicles) is thrown out of his mother's house. He is unable to say anything but, "I'm going to do something! You'll see!" A lesser screenwriter would give Eddy an eloquent monologue. Paul Thomas Anderson allows Eddy to be inarticulate. He is smart enough to avoid making all his characters as smart as he is.

This is part of what earns the comparisons to the work of Martin Scorsese, Robert Altman and Jonathan Demme. Anderson allows each character in his world of '70s porn filmmakers to speak for him or herself in an epic that rises above its campy subject. His script is buoyed by awe-inspiring performances from rising stars in starmaking roles (Mark Wahlberg, Heather Graham), legends in career best work (Burt Reynolds, Robert Ridgely) and national treasures in consistently great performances (Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, Don Cheadle). Anderson is as adept at doing interesting things with the camera as he is at creating compelling characters.

The film has a plodding third act that's better on repeat viewings, and it will be off-putting to those disturbed by graphic sex and violence (although, for it subject, it has little sex and nudity: about 15 minutes out of 155), but for those who can watch "Taxi Driver" without recoiling, it is that rare film that reveals something new with each viewing.

The sound transfer on this DVD suffers for those who have theater-quality sound systems, but the extras are more a problem than the sound. Although this single-disk version is loaded with extras, it is a letdown compared to its double-disk counterpart. Most annoying, Anderson's enthusiastic commentary references deleted scenes not included on this disk but included in the two (e.g.: the fall of Becky Barnett). Shame on New Line for not including Rahad Jackson's ending, even on the double disk!

The most fun extras are the character bios, also included in the double-disk set. For the mild fan, this disk will be more than enough, but for the hardcore fan more likely to buy the DVD, at only a few dollars more, the double disk is a better bargain.

Who knew Burt had it in him??? Or Marky MArk?

This is a surprisingly good film about a group of very wounded people who find their places in the world of adult films. It's an honest, vulnerable look into the psyche of people who could make this profession their choice. Mark Walhberg delivers a great performance as a has-been performer, forced into some degrading situations. Burt is outstanding as the patriarch of the group. Disturbing, but well done.

Fantastic, a true gem of a film

Loosely based on the life and times of late porn king John Holmes, Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights is a true gem of a film. Anderson weaves the classic tale of a rise and fall of a star, but puts a twist on it by placing the setting in the pornographic film industry during the 70's. Mark Wahlberg plays busboy Eddie Adams who is discovered by director Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds in an Oscar nominated role) and begins to build quite a career and makes a great life for himself; until (naturally) it all comes crashing down. Anderson proves once again (just as he did in his previous film Hard 8) that he can weave an emotionally rich story with extremely well developed characters that we can releate to one way or the other, and despite the film's setting Boogie Nights comes out a real winner, and a true gem of a film. The rest of the fantastic cast includes Julianne Moore (in her Oscar nominated role), Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Thomas Jane, Ricky Jay, Heather Graham, Luis Guzman, Philip Baker Hall, William H. Macy, and the late Robert Ridgely. All in all, Boogie Nights is a modern day classic that finds a writer/director at his best, and was also a star making vehicle for Wahlberg.

Movie: 4 stars; DVD: 3 stars

Early in "Boogie Nights," Eddy Adams (having just been offered the chance to become the porn star whose rise and fall the film chronicles) is thrown out of his mother's house. He is unable to say anything but, "I'm going to do something! You'll see!" A lesser screenwriter would give Eddy an eloquent monologue. Paul Thomas Anderson allows Eddy to be inarticulate. He is smart enough to avoid making all his characters as smart as he is.

This is part of what earns the comparisons to the work of Martin Scorsese, Robert Altman and Jonathan Demme. Anderson allows each character in his world of '70s porn filmmakers to speak for him or herself in an epic that rises above its campy subject. His script is buoyed by awe-inspiring performances from rising stars in starmaking roles (Mark Wahlberg, Heather Graham), legends in career best work (Burt Reynolds, Robert Ridgely) and national treasures in consistently great performances (Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, Don Cheadle). Anderson is as adept at doing interesting things with the camera as he is at creating compelling characters.

The film has a plodding third act that's better on repeat viewings, and it will be off-putting to those disturbed by graphic sex and violence (although, for it subject, it has little sex and nudity: about 15 minutes out of 155), but for those who can watch "Taxi Driver" without recoiling, it is that rare film that reveals something new with each viewing.

The sound transfer on this DVD suffers for those who have theater-quality sound systems, but the extras are more a problem than the sound. Although this single-disk version is loaded with extras, it is a letdown compared to its double-disk counterpart. Most annoying, Anderson's enthusiastic commentary references deleted scenes not included on this disk but included in the two (e.g.: the fall of Becky Barnett). Shame on New Line for not including Rahad Jackson's ending, even on the double disk!

The most fun extras are the character bios, also included in the double-disk set. For the mild fan, this disk will be more than enough, but for the hardcore fan more likely to buy the DVD, at only a few dollars more, the double disk is a better bargain.

Who knew Burt had it in him??? Or Marky MArk?

This is a surprisingly good film about a group of very wounded people who find their places in the world of adult films. It's an honest, vulnerable look into the psyche of people who could make this profession their choice. Mark Walhberg delivers a great performance as a has-been performer, forced into some degrading situations. Burt is outstanding as the patriarch of the group. Disturbing, but well done.

Fantastic, a true gem of a film

Loosely based on the life and times of late porn king John Holmes, Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights is a true gem of a film. Anderson weaves the classic tale of a rise and fall of a star, but puts a twist on it by placing the setting in the pornographic film industry during the 70's. Mark Wahlberg plays busboy Eddie Adams who is discovered by director Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds in an Oscar nominated role) and begins to build quite a career and makes a great life for himself; until (naturally) it all comes crashing down. Anderson proves once again (just as he did in his previous film Hard 8) that he can weave an emotionally rich story with extremely well developed characters that we can releate to one way or the other, and despite the film's setting Boogie Nights comes out a real winner, and a true gem of a film. The rest of the fantastic cast includes Julianne Moore (in her Oscar nominated role), Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Thomas Jane, Ricky Jay, Heather Graham, Luis Guzman, Philip Baker Hall, William H. Macy, and the late Robert Ridgely. All in all, Boogie Nights is a modern day classic that finds a writer/director at his best, and was also a star making vehicle for Wahlberg.

Movie: 4 stars; DVD: 3 stars

Early in "Boogie Nights," Eddy Adams (having just been offered the chance to become the porn star whose rise and fall the film chronicles) is thrown out of his mother's house. He is unable to say anything but, "I'm going to do something! You'll see!" A lesser screenwriter would give Eddy an eloquent monologue. Paul Thomas Anderson allows Eddy to be inarticulate. He is smart enough to avoid making all his characters as smart as he is.

This is part of what earns the comparisons to the work of Martin Scorsese, Robert Altman and Jonathan Demme. Anderson allows each character in his world of '70s porn filmmakers to speak for him or herself in an epic that rises above its campy subject. His script is buoyed by awe-inspiring performances from rising stars in starmaking roles (Mark Wahlberg, Heather Graham), legends in career best work (Burt Reynolds, Robert Ridgely) and national treasures in consistently great performances (Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, Don Cheadle). Anderson is as adept at doing interesting things with the camera as he is at creating compelling characters.

The film has a plodding third act that's better on repeat viewings, and it will be off-putting to those disturbed by graphic sex and violence (although, for it subject, it has little sex and nudity: about 15 minutes out of 155), but for those who can watch "Taxi Driver" without recoiling, it is that rare film that reveals something new with each viewing.

The sound transfer on this DVD suffers for those who have theater-quality sound systems, but the extras are more a problem than the sound. Although this single-disk version is loaded with extras, it is a letdown compared to its double-disk counterpart. Most annoying, Anderson's enthusiastic commentary references deleted scenes not included on this disk but included in the two (e.g.: the fall of Becky Barnett). Shame on New Line for not including Rahad Jackson's ending, even on the double disk!

The most fun extras are the character bios, also included in the double-disk set. For the mild fan, this disk will be more than enough, but for the hardcore fan more likely to buy the DVD, at only a few dollars more, the double disk is a better bargain.

Who knew Burt had it in him??? Or Marky MArk?

This is a surprisingly good film about a group of very wounded people who find their places in the world of adult films. It's an honest, vulnerable look into the psyche of people who could make this profession their choice. Mark Walhberg delivers a great performance as a has-been performer, forced into some degrading situations. Burt is outstanding as the patriarch of the group. Disturbing, but well done.

Fantastic, a true gem of a film

Loosely based on the life and times of late porn king John Holmes, Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights is a true gem of a film. Anderson weaves the classic tale of a rise and fall of a star, but puts a twist on it by placing the setting in the pornographic film industry during the 70's. Mark Wahlberg plays busboy Eddie Adams who is discovered by director Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds in an Oscar nominated role) and begins to build quite a career and makes a great life for himself; until (naturally) it all comes crashing down. Anderson proves once again (just as he did in his previous film Hard 8) that he can weave an emotionally rich story with extremely well developed characters that we can releate to one way or the other, and despite the film's setting Boogie Nights comes out a real winner, and a true gem of a film. The rest of the fantastic cast includes Julianne Moore (in her Oscar nominated role), Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Thomas Jane, Ricky Jay, Heather Graham, Luis Guzman, Philip Baker Hall, William H. Macy, and the late Robert Ridgely. All in all, Boogie Nights is a modern day classic that finds a writer/director at his best, and was also a star making vehicle for Wahlberg.

Movie: 4 stars; DVD: 3 stars

Early in "Boogie Nights," Eddy Adams (having just been offered the chance to become the porn star whose rise and fall the film chronicles) is thrown out of his mother's house. He is unable to say anything but, "I'm going to do something! You'll see!" A lesser screenwriter would give Eddy an eloquent monologue. Paul Thomas Anderson allows Eddy to be inarticulate. He is smart enough to avoid making all his characters as smart as he is.

This is part of what earns the comparisons to the work of Martin Scorsese, Robert Altman and Jonathan Demme. Anderson allows each character in his world of '70s porn filmmakers to speak for him or herself in an epic that rises above its campy subject. His script is buoyed by awe-inspiring performances from rising stars in starmaking roles (Mark Wahlberg, Heather Graham), legends in career best work (Burt Reynolds, Robert Ridgely) and national treasures in consistently great performances (Julianne Moore, William H. Macy, Don Cheadle). Anderson is as adept at doing interesting things with the camera as he is at creating compelling characters.

The film has a plodding third act that's better on repeat viewings, and it will be off-putting to those disturbed by graphic sex and violence (although, for it subject, it has little sex and nudity: about 15 minutes out of 155), but for those who can watch "Taxi Driver" without recoiling, it is that rare film that reveals something new with each viewing.

The sound transfer on this DVD suffers for those who have theater-quality sound systems, but the extras are more a problem than the sound. Although this single-disk version is loaded with extras, it is a letdown compared to its double-disk counterpart. Most annoying, Anderson's enthusiastic commentary references deleted scenes not included on this disk but included in the two (e.g.: the fall of Becky Barnett). Shame on New Line for not including Rahad Jackson's ending, even on the double disk!

The most fun extras are the character bios, also included in the double-disk set. For the mild fan, this disk will be more than enough, but for the hardcore fan more likely to buy the DVD, at only a few dollars more, the double disk is a better bargain.

Who knew Burt had it in him??? Or Marky MArk?

This is a surprisingly good film about a group of very wounded people who find their places in the world of adult films. It's an honest, vulnerable look into the psyche of people who could make this profession their choice. Mark Walhberg delivers a great performance as a has-been performer, forced into some degrading situations. Burt is outstanding as the patriarch of the group. Disturbing, but well done.

Fantastic, a true gem of a film

Loosely based on the life and times of late porn king John Holmes, Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights is a true gem of a film. Anderson weaves the classic tale of a rise and fall of a star, but puts a twist on it by placing the setting in the pornographic film industry during the 70's. Mark Wahlberg plays busboy Eddie Adams who is discovered by director Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds in an Oscar nominated role) and begins to build quite a career and makes a great life for himself; until (naturally) it all comes crashing down. Anderson proves once again (just as he did in his previous film Hard 8) that he can weave an emotionally rich story with extremely well developed characters that we can releate to one way or the other, and despite the film's setting Boogie Nights comes out a real winner, and a true gem of a film. The rest of the fantastic cast includes Julianne Moore (in her Oscar nominated role), Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Thomas Jane, Ricky Jay, Heather Graham, Luis Guzman, Philip Baker Hall, William H. Macy, and the late Robert Ridgely. All in all, Boogie Nights is a modern day classic that finds a writer/director at his best, and was also a star making vehicle for Wahlberg.

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Related Subjects: Joaquim-De-Almeida More Pages: John-C.-Reilly Page 1 2 3 4 5 6

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Related Subjects: Joaquim-De-Almeida
More Pages: John-C.-Reilly Page 1 2 3 4 5 6