Stephen-Tobolowsky Movie Reviews

Rosanna Arquette and Eric Roberts, especially, are very good in this movie. Their budding relationship and the unfolding of their ambitions for the future, circumscribed by their clear limitations, weaknesses, and past histories, is interesting and worthwhile. Unfortunately I was distracted by what I felt were cheap laughs at the expense of many characters, including Arquette's ridiculous birthday-balloon costume, the incompetence at the acting workshops, and the characters at her workplace. While it was insightful that Arquette was vilified for actions that would be easy to forget in a big city, her family's nature would be enough to place her at the margins of society. Pretty good and worth seeing, too bad it wasn't better.

I saw this film when it ran in NYC in 1986, and like the rest of the audience (who applauded when it was over), was totally charmed by it. I could never understand why it didn't do better at the box office - poor marketing, perhaps? I understand it's done very well as a video.

The performances and the originality of the script are what stand out in this film. Rosanna Arquette manages to be funny and heartbreaking at the same time. Eric Roberts is so damned sexy and appealing in this film, it's hard to understand why he didn't get more romantic leads. When Arquette's character shouts at him, "Stop looking at me with those eyes!", every woman in the audience knows what she is talking about. He is magnetic, and gives great dimension to a somewhat underwritten part. The chemistry between these two is great. All of the supporting actors give first rate performances.

Some of the quirkiness of Beth Henley's script could have been whittled down - she seems to delight in presenting odd characters for effect, such as the albino bride, schizophrenic cousin and the obese younger brother, who don't add a lot to the story, but seem like contrived distractions. These elements might work in her plays, but only take away from the development of the main characters and their relationship to each other.

What she does get right is the complex relationship between love, obsession, humor and disaster. In Henley's world, tragedy exists right around the corner from happiness, and nothing is black and white.

It was interesting to read the comments from Dean, an actor in this film. It does seem like editing might have done this one in. I could have used more development of the Riley character, a little more humor, and less parading of oddballs.

But all in all, a worthwhile film for its performances and originality. It looks good too, with lovely shots of the outdoors, and attractive, appealing leads. All in all, one of the more memorable movies I've ever seen. Even if it stunk at the box office, those involved should be proud of it.

This movie needs to come out on DVD.... Does anyone know WHEN it might?

A social teen outcast (played by Winona Ryder look-a-like Rainbow Harvest) discovers a mirror in her room that gives her special powers, which she proceeds to use violently on her taunting classmates. This supernatural horror/thriller takes way too long to really get going, but is pretty entertaining for the last forty or so minutes. Despite a few very silly moments and a baffling ending, there's enough blood, suspense, and nudity to satisfy horror fans looking for a quick fix.
** 1/2 out of *****

you will enjoy this movie. A true "B" movie of the 80's but it's fun watching Rainbow Harvest's payback to the "Big Shots" of those infamous high school days. Like I said just a fun little flick to watch. So buy it and enjoy!!!!

If you really want to be scared, and your not afraid of the dark, you must see this movie. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Director Sargenti did a fabulous job. I thought the acting was great. You will hope this movie never ends.

After hearing the music selections of "Josh and S.A.M." three times, I've concluded that I'm happy I bought the CD. I hadn't heard the music since seeing the film about 1995. At that time I thought it worked very well in a relatively mediocre film. Being a fan of most of Thomas Newman's scores, I hear a lot of the composer's usual tricks at work here. There's the funky, twangy sounds mixed with electronic sounds with the overlaying strings and woodwinds. No other composer has this signiture sound, and if you like it, it'll hook you. The "Main Title" has a nice little melody played in either an English horn or oboe. This tune only appears in two other sections. It's the soulful-sounding strings in "Saltwater Palace, Bus to Canada, and Targhee Pass," for example that I really liked. It's this kind of poignant stuff that Newman can do so well. I give this soundtrack 4 stars. It's not "The Shawshank Redemption" nor "Oscar and Lucinda" but still pretty enjoyable, especially if you like most of Newman's music. In my opinion, he's the most gifted composer working in Hollywood today.

Josh, a young boy (Jacob Tierney) is adopted and is picked on by his evil stepdad and stepbrothers. They treat him badly and call him a girl a lot. Josh has a real younger brother whom he wants to keep in his camp. His stepdad and stepbrothers treat Sam like family and are creating a split between Josh and Sam. Josh develops a great plan to get Sam back into his camp. He tells Sam he is a genetically enhanced youth (reason he can do everything better then Josh as well as beat him up) and his Stepdad is going to ship him off to war. The story Josh tells Sam gets out of control and he ends it with Sam having to go to Canada to be converted back to a normal boy and not having to go to war. The two boys end up running away in a stolen car and having lots of great adventures. Along the way the find help in a streetwise runaway. Family fun must see.

I seen both actors in later films first and thought they were interesting and when I found out about Josh & Sam I felt it was a bonus the Tierney was in it because I found out about the film because of Noah Fleiss and these kids were very good long before i found them and I now need to see all the rest of the early films to see how whomevwer was in charge saw the diamonds in the rough that these two were. I think Noah will be a bigger heartbreaker with the angst films.

After hearing the music selections of "Josh and S.A.M." three times, I've concluded that I'm happy I bought the CD. I hadn't heard the music since seeing the film about 1995. At that time I thought it worked very well in a relatively mediocre film. Being a fan of most of Thomas Newman's scores, I hear a lot of the composer's usual tricks at work here. There's the funky, twangy sounds mixed with electronic sounds with the overlaying strings and woodwinds. No other composer has this signiture sound, and if you like it, it'll hook you. The "Main Title" has a nice little melody played in either an English horn or oboe. This tune only appears in two other sections. It's the soulful-sounding strings in "Saltwater Palace, Bus to Canada, and Targhee Pass," for example that I really liked. It's this kind of poignant stuff that Newman can do so well. I give this soundtrack 4 stars. It's not "The Shawshank Redemption" nor "Oscar and Lucinda" but still pretty enjoyable, especially if you like most of Newman's music. In my opinion, he's the most gifted composer working in Hollywood today.

Josh, a young boy (Jacob Tierney) is adopted and is picked on by his evil stepdad and stepbrothers. They treat him badly and call him a girl a lot. Josh has a real younger brother whom he wants to keep in his camp. His stepdad and stepbrothers treat Sam like family and are creating a split between Josh and Sam. Josh develops a great plan to get Sam back into his camp. He tells Sam he is a genetically enhanced youth (reason he can do everything better then Josh as well as beat him up) and his Stepdad is going to ship him off to war. The story Josh tells Sam gets out of control and he ends it with Sam having to go to Canada to be converted back to a normal boy and not having to go to war. The two boys end up running away in a stolen car and having lots of great adventures. Along the way the find help in a streetwise runaway. Family fun must see.

I seen both actors in later films first and thought they were interesting and when I found out about Josh & Sam I felt it was a bonus the Tierney was in it because I found out about the film because of Noah Fleiss and these kids were very good long before i found them and I now need to see all the rest of the early films to see how whomevwer was in charge saw the diamonds in the rough that these two were. I think Noah will be a bigger heartbreaker with the angst films.

Good science fiction, with a novel twist (prisoners are kept together by explosive neck-braces that will explode if they are seperated more than 100 yards) is nearly done in by mediocre production values and a plot that nearly deteriorates near the end. The love story is pretty pale too, though Hauer and Rogers make it worth seeing.

The concept is totally progressive and intriguing while you get totally drawn into this wildly insane and intense "game of life" For anyone who wants some excitement for a couple of hours! But beware, it will stick in your brain - - this could very well be the future........

A science fiction movie that is different. A very good cast (Rutger Hauer, Joan Chen, Mimi Rogers, James Remar). A few twists that add to the suspense. Very well done.

For those who don't know the plot of the movie, here it is. The evil Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis) tries to kidnap Princess Vespa of Druidia and Druidia's air is the ransom (planet Spaceball foolishly squandered their air), so her father, King Roland, hires Lone Starr and his half man half dog sidekick (John Candy) to rescue her. Mel Brooks plays two characters in this movie, the wise little Yogurt and the evil leader of Planet Spaceball, president Skroob.

I personally enjoyed the movie thanks to the comical cleverness of Mel Brooks, but as far as overall movie quality goes (comparing this to movies like "The Green Mile") I think it's only fair to say that it only gets 3 stars (so-so) on that sort of scale, hence my rating. I should also warn all those parents out there that the movie would probably get a PG-13 rating under the current system because of the profanity. Even so, the movie is filled with jokes from start to finish to make one laugh out loud quite a few times. Besides being an obvious spoof on Star Wars, it also lampoons (though in smaller quantities) Star Trek, Planet of the Apes, and Aliens. I recommend this video for those who like comedy and spoofs, and in that area I give it four stars.

In the genre of UHF with "Weird" Al Yancovic comes this parody of "Star Wars" that is just TOO funny. Guaranteed to get a laugh out of the toughest audience with some of the funniest men and women in comedy. Do yourself a favor some time and rent this one. If it fails to get a chuckle out of you, I suggest you check your pulse! "May the schwartz be with you!"

this movie is so full of horrible acting, idiotic writing, and pathetic southern accents that I forgot I was watching a movie about vietnam veterans. the movie bastardizes what should be a solemn moment- when the hillbilly family visits The Wall while discussing barbeque for lunch. I am from Kentucky and I do not know anyone who speaks the ways these idiots do; i noticed in the credits that they had a dialect coach whom I hope is out of a job! Samantha is so full of annoying energy you don't even get the feeling that she is affected by her dad's death- she speaks about it at the dinner table with her grandparents while smiling and passing the mashed potatoes and gravy! did this actress have any clue what the movie was about? the battle scenes look like they took place at someone's lake house, not the in the jungle. to say the movie is oversentimental and trite is an understatement. bruce willis serves no purpose in this movie except to remind you it's about a veteran, not just about his hick niece who jogs all over town and dreams about going to the mall someday. to sum it all up, this movie is not about the pain left from the vietnam war. it is about who can do the worst accent, yell "woo hoo" the most times, and make the most obvious stereotypical references to southern culture. this movie is an utter joke. i threw it in the trash after i saw it, and have resumed my pledge to never watch another bruce willis movie again- or any movie with the other actors/writers/directors. I would recommend this movie to anyone who wants to watch and make fun of one of the most hideous movies ever made, if it were not for the fact that it is about supposed to be about such a serious topic-vietnam.

A good attempt at post war but failed in many ways. the past faze shots are so fake its unbelieveable. ...the best post vietnam is 'born on the forth'. NOT this movie. Bruce Willis plays a Vet but the acting was overdone that it look fake. It works for DIEHARD, but not here. The part is beyond him as he tries to get all the attention, as well as screen shots. Emily Lloyd didnt get enough time thanks to the almighty bruce demand to be the center of attention. The ending is somewhat touching but the rest is boring and a waste of time. Save ur time and money by watching Born on the Forth.

take care all

This highly underrated movie is a treasure. I have watched it at least a dozen times. Emily Lloyd is unforgettable as the daughter of a soldier who was killed in Vietnam before she was born. Her post-high school search for a post-death relationship with him makes this film is unbearably moving and powerful. It is inexplicable why it is so unknown. Bruce Willis is at his best as a subtly and irreparably damaged Viet vet. The closing scene with the Vietnam Memorial tears me apart every time. This movie is the other anthem to our Viet vets.

David W. Lee Edmond, OK

Quirky teen is sure she is the daughter of Roxy Carmichael... and that she's been adopted. Throughout the movie she finds her way and finds the truth. It's a bit odd and not for everyone. But if you like coming of age, and Winona, you will like this flick

This is such a Winona Ryder movie. (I mean that in the best way possible; she really shines in this movie.) She plays teenaged, quirky, confused, unpopular Dinky Bosetti living in small town Ohio. She was adopted as a baby by a couple who she cannot relate to (especially the "mother", played by Frances Fisher) and who cannot relate to her, and she displays her frustration and confusion by wearing black and padlocking her bedroom door. The only allies Dinky feels she has are a group of homeless dogs she cares for at an old abandoned boat. Roxy Carmichael, the town's living legend, is a woman whose sexual prowess is so strong that it's not limited to either gender. Jeff Daniels does well playing Denton Webb, who was a lover of Roxy's in their younger days. Dinky interrogates Denton relentlessly about Roxy and begins to convince herself that Roxy and Denton are her biological parents. She eagerly anticipates Roxy's scheduled return (as does Denton, who is by now married with children) so that she can go away with her and finally have a mother who understands her. Dinky becomes so obsessed with Roxy's return that she becomes blind to the love that's all around her, from a school counselor, from a popular classmate, and from her adoptive father. I don't want to give away the whole movie. It's a worthwhile rental. PS You never get to find out who Roxy Carmichael is, which was mildly frustrating, but don't let that stop you.

Dinky Basetti(Winona Ryder) is having a hard time fitting into her surroundings in this movie. But the one thing that keeps her going is the homecoming of the infamous Roxy Charmichal, who Dinky secrectly hopes and thinks she is the daughter of. This is a movie about having to deal with all of the problems of growing up and just being a teenager(we all know how hard that is) and hoping that there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Enjoy!

The movie is so lame and boring!! And what irritated me the most was the character played by Nicolas Cage - Charles Kaufman. He is such a pathetic loser, halfway thru I wanted to jump into the movie and slap him hard !

This is one of those attempts to show a messed up movie and characters, try and make a mix of fantasy-n-reality. Some directors know how to do it and it works, but Spike Jonze is not one of them.

And to top it all, the ONLY special which the DVD contains is the theatrical trailer!!!!!!!!! Nothing else. Run away, faaar faaar away.

Hmmm..one thing which I wanted to say that there are 2 car crash sequences in this movie which were like - friggin' amazing. Gave me quite a jolt. Just mentioned, that's all...

Spike Jonze's new movie, "Adaptation," is a funny and entertaining look at insecure screenwriters, Hollywood hokum, and the lengths to which people will go to get what they want.

Nicholas Cage is terrific in a dual role. He is Charlie Kaufman, a real-life screenwriter who has been commissioned to write the movie script for Susan Orlean's acclaimed novel, "The Orchid Thief." Unfortunately, Charlie has a monumental case of writer's block. He is also an insecure, nerdy guy who has trouble connecting with women and who is ashamed of his unkempt appearance. He is chubby and he wears a flannel shirt with the tails hanging out throughout much of the film. Cage also plays Charlie's twin brother, Donald, who is confidently writing a screenplay of his own. Donald's screenplay is formulaic and derivative, but he manages to sell it for a bundle. In addition, Donald has no trouble getting a beautiful woman to be his girlfriend.

The conceit of "Adaptation" is that Charlie proceeds to write a screenplay about his inability to write a screenplay. There are hilarious vignettes with the wonderful Meryl Streep, who plays the writer, Susan Orlean, as a repressed journalist who is depressed because of a lack of passion in her life. Chris Cooper almost steals the movie as the eponymous orchid thief, a toothless, lowdown individual who somehow connects with Orlean.

Jonze and Kaufman are making several statements here. They are saying that Hollywood is a place where desperate people will do anything to succeed, include writing formulaic potboilers. The way to survive is to adapt, to become whatever the public wants at the moment. You need to "get with the program" in order to succeed in Hollywood and in life.

"Adaptation" is also a movie about passion, about loving what you do, loving someone else, and loving life itself. You need to take risks, even if you wind up falling on your face, or else your life is meaningless.

"Adaptation" is confusing, exhilarating, beautifully acted, and one of the most intriguing films that I have seen in a long time. See it, and you will understand what all the fuss is about.

"Adaptation" is not a film for viewers who gravitate toward conventional movies. Charlie Kaufman (Nicholos Cage) is a sweating, overweight screenwriter prone to voice-overs and fantasy. Given the coveted job of writing an adaptation of Susan Orlean's THE ORCHID THIEF, he struggles mightily with his art and the downturn of his personal life, which is also desperately in need of adaptation. When his twin brother Donald (also Cage), the archetypical mooch, decides on a whim that he, too, will become a screenwriter, Charlie is pushed to the edge. The movie begins to twist on itself, showing scenes from the story of "The Orchid Thief", Charlie's struggle with it, and, most comically, Charlie and Donald's head-banging exchanges about writing screenplays. It soon becomes evident that we are watching the finished screenplay of Charlie's (and Donald's) adaptations, with all its quirks and dramatic license.

Cage makes the real screenwriter Charlie Kaufman hilariously pathetic, and argues with his wide-eyed (and thinner) alter ego with equally comedic success. Meryl Streep is great in the role of Susan Orlean, especially as she takes her character from Charlie's to Donald's genre. Chris Cooper is incredible as LaRoche, the charming but strange orchid thief himself; I had to keep reminding myself that he was an actor and not the real-life Laroche himself.

Viewers who enjoy the type of weird ride that the screenwriter/director combo of Kaufman and Jonze ("Being John Malkovich") provide will find it hilariously clever; others will be left shaking their heads. If you like films by the Coen brothers such as "Fargo" and "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?", you'll probably appreciate the humor and ambition of this film.

The movie is so lame and boring!! And what irritated me the most was the character played by Nicolas Cage - Charles Kaufman. He is such a pathetic loser, halfway thru I wanted to jump into the movie and slap him hard !

This is one of those attempts to show a messed up movie and characters, try and make a mix of fantasy-n-reality. Some directors know how to do it and it works, but Spike Jonze is not one of them.

And to top it all, the ONLY special which the DVD contains is the theatrical trailer!!!!!!!!! Nothing else. Run away, faaar faaar away.

Hmmm..one thing which I wanted to say that there are 2 car crash sequences in this movie which were like - friggin' amazing. Gave me quite a jolt. Just mentioned, that's all...

Spike Jonze's new movie, "Adaptation," is a funny and entertaining look at insecure screenwriters, Hollywood hokum, and the lengths to which people will go to get what they want.

Nicholas Cage is terrific in a dual role. He is Charlie Kaufman, a real-life screenwriter who has been commissioned to write the movie script for Susan Orlean's acclaimed novel, "The Orchid Thief." Unfortunately, Charlie has a monumental case of writer's block. He is also an insecure, nerdy guy who has trouble connecting with women and who is ashamed of his unkempt appearance. He is chubby and he wears a flannel shirt with the tails hanging out throughout much of the film. Cage also plays Charlie's twin brother, Donald, who is confidently writing a screenplay of his own. Donald's screenplay is formulaic and derivative, but he manages to sell it for a bundle. In addition, Donald has no trouble getting a beautiful woman to be his girlfriend.

The conceit of "Adaptation" is that Charlie proceeds to write a screenplay about his inability to write a screenplay. There are hilarious vignettes with the wonderful Meryl Streep, who plays the writer, Susan Orlean, as a repressed journalist who is depressed because of a lack of passion in her life. Chris Cooper almost steals the movie as the eponymous orchid thief, a toothless, lowdown individual who somehow connects with Orlean.

Jonze and Kaufman are making several statements here. They are saying that Hollywood is a place where desperate people will do anything to succeed, include writing formulaic potboilers. The way to survive is to adapt, to become whatever the public wants at the moment. You need to "get with the program" in order to succeed in Hollywood and in life.

"Adaptation" is also a movie about passion, about loving what you do, loving someone else, and loving life itself. You need to take risks, even if you wind up falling on your face, or else your life is meaningless.

"Adaptation" is confusing, exhilarating, beautifully acted, and one of the most intriguing films that I have seen in a long time. See it, and you will understand what all the fuss is about.

"Adaptation" is not a film for viewers who gravitate toward conventional movies. Charlie Kaufman (Nicholos Cage) is a sweating, overweight screenwriter prone to voice-overs and fantasy. Given the coveted job of writing an adaptation of Susan Orlean's THE ORCHID THIEF, he struggles mightily with his art and the downturn of his personal life, which is also desperately in need of adaptation. When his twin brother Donald (also Cage), the archetypical mooch, decides on a whim that he, too, will become a screenwriter, Charlie is pushed to the edge. The movie begins to twist on itself, showing scenes from the story of "The Orchid Thief", Charlie's struggle with it, and, most comically, Charlie and Donald's head-banging exchanges about writing screenplays. It soon becomes evident that we are watching the finished screenplay of Charlie's (and Donald's) adaptations, with all its quirks and dramatic license.

Cage makes the real screenwriter Charlie Kaufman hilariously pathetic, and argues with his wide-eyed (and thinner) alter ego with equally comedic success. Meryl Streep is great in the role of Susan Orlean, especially as she takes her character from Charlie's to Donald's genre. Chris Cooper is incredible as LaRoche, the charming but strange orchid thief himself; I had to keep reminding myself that he was an actor and not the real-life Laroche himself.

Viewers who enjoy the type of weird ride that the screenwriter/director combo of Kaufman and Jonze ("Being John Malkovich") provide will find it hilariously clever; others will be left shaking their heads. If you like films by the Coen brothers such as "Fargo" and "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?", you'll probably appreciate the humor and ambition of this film.