The Anniversary Party

The Anniversary Party


Starring:Jane Adams (II), Mina Badie, Jennifer Beals, Phoebe Cates, Alan Cumming, Clara Demedrano, Steven Freedman, John Benjamin Hickey, Greta Kline, Kevin Kline, Owen Kline, Matt Malloy, Norizzela Monterroso, Denis O'Hare, Otis, Michael Panes, Parker Posey, Mary Lynn Rajskub, John C. Reilly
Director: Alan Cumming
Studio: New Line Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
It's easy to be skeptical when a couple of well-connected actors throw a script together, start shooting their fabulous friends with digital cameras, and call it a movie. But Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming, who bonded in Cabaret on Broadway, have crafted a rough little gem in The Anniversary Party. Influenced by Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Player, it's a devastating portrait of a fragile marriage and a perceptive look at life in Hollywood. The characters are based--to an eerie degree--on their Hollywood counterparts: Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates are a Shakespeare-quoting actor and his retired actress wife; Gwyneth Paltrow is a rising young starlet; etc. Leigh is an actress on the way down, and Cumming, a best-selling author and up-and-coming director, is the sexually ambiguous husband with whom she has recently reconciled. The titular party is to celebrate their sixth anniversary, and revelations about the characters accumulate as the evening progresses from a tense session of charades to an ecstasy-pill-fueled blowout by the pool. The screenplay combines brittle humor with melodrama and consists of more talk than action (as in the Dogme films that inspired it), but the proceedings are rarely less than compelling even if the characters, for the most part, aren't exactly the most likable bunch. As a result, Jennifer Beals ends up stealing the show from the bigger names in the cast simply by emerging as the most genuinely human character--the one who actually showed up to honor her friends' commitment rather than to advance her career. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
The Anniversary Party
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • I enjoyed this movie......
  • A Peek into Hollywood Lives
  • Do yourself a favor, skip this dud
  • As good as going to an AA meeting
  • Pointless
 The Anniversary Party
Starring: Jane Adams (II) , Mina Badie , Jennifer Beals , Phoebe Cates , and Alan Cumming
Director: Alan Cumming
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
FriendsFriends | By Theme | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
Beals, JenniferBeals, Jennifer | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Cates, PhoebeCates, Phoebe | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Cumming, AlanCumming, Alan | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Hickey, John BenjaminHickey, John Benjamin | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Kline, KevinKline, Kevin | ( K ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Malloy, MattMalloy, Matt | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Posey, ParkerPosey, Parker | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Reilly, John CReilly, John C | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( A )( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:
  1. Personal Velocity
  2. They Shoot Divas, Don't They
  3. In the Soup
  4. Out of Line
  5. Sleep With Me

ASIN: B00005TPLW
Release Date: 2002-01-15

Amazon.com

It's easy to be skeptical when a couple of well-connected actors throw a script together, start shooting their fabulous friends with digital cameras, and call it a movie. But Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming, who bonded in Cabaret on Broadway, have crafted a rough little gem in The Anniversary Party. Influenced by Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Player, it's a devastating portrait of a fragile marriage and a perceptive look at life in Hollywood. The characters are based--to an eerie degree--on their Hollywood counterparts: Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates are a Shakespeare-quoting actor and his retired actress wife; Gwyneth Paltrow is a rising young starlet; etc. Leigh is an actress on the way down, and Cumming, a best-selling author and up-and-coming director, is the sexually ambiguous husband with whom she has recently reconciled. The titular party is to celebrate their sixth anniversary, and revelations about the characters accumulate as the evening progresses from a tense session of charades to an ecstasy-pill-fueled blowout by the pool. The screenplay combines brittle humor with melodrama and consists of more talk than action (as in the Dogme films that inspired it), but the proceedings are rarely less than compelling even if the characters, for the most part, aren't exactly the most likable bunch. As a result, Jennifer Beals ends up stealing the show from the bigger names in the cast simply by emerging as the most genuinely human character--the one who actually showed up to honor her friends' commitment rather than to advance her career. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars I enjoyed this movie.............2006-12-17

I cannot believe all of the negative reviewers. Obviously you have never had an adult party where people behave like teenagers after being delt alcohol mixed with a drug nobody has ever tried before at their age. At least not here. But I had a similar party, and it ended similarly. Fights happen, but not as serious. You have to take things that happen at party's with open mindedness or not have them. Your husband or wife or girlfriend...etc., is not going to behave as usual and you see a bad side of them. If a relationship can't handle one party like this one, it probably can't survive a marriage. The story kept me interested almost the whole way through except for the female gossip got alittle boring, otherwise very watchable, funny and tragic. I would like to see it again.

3 out of 5 stars A Peek into Hollywood Lives.......2006-11-16

The party assembles a mixed group of mixed-up people to celebrate an anniversary of a troubled marriage.
Their self-congratulatory behavior deteriorates as drink and drugs blur their thinking and undermine their judgement. It put my husband to sleep, but I kept watching to the end. I am still trying to think of some purpose for this film.
Some of the other reviews tout it as an actor's training tool. I'd hate for future actors to think this was the way they should conduct their lives. Rather a sad movie in which sad, but glittery people's lives spin out of control.
If this movie is a fair representation of how Hollywood types (writers, actors, directors) interact and think, then it is no wonder some of the movies today are such a mess.

1 out of 5 stars Do yourself a favor, skip this dud.......2006-08-14

This is one party I'm glad I wasn't invited to. Celebrity couple Joe (novelist and now director) and Sally Therrian (actress) throw a party to celebrate their 6th anniversary. It's been a rocky marriage with jealousy and petty squabbling. They throw a party with "close" friends, neighbors they are feuding with and a up and coming actress that Sally feels her career threated with. It gets messy as the night goes along and lots is said and done because they are tripping on Ecstasy.

Another the-world-spins-around-me movie. I don't know which would be worse, to have be surrounded by people like them or to be them.

4 out of 5 stars As good as going to an AA meeting.......2006-06-30

This movie so reminded me of how messy things get when there are booze and pills. Among other things it perfectly captured what happens to already stroked egos when inhibitions are removed. The last scene showing the morning after- when the main characters affect a sort of reconciliation after being incredibly nasty to each other the night before-is a place I'm glad I'm don't go to anymore.

2 out of 5 stars Pointless.......2006-01-26

The first third of the movie consists primarily of guests and hosts of a party greeting each other, and, as such, is unavoidably boring. The second third of the movie features a game of charades, which is embarrassing. The final third of the movie, though often self-indulgently mediocre, does possess some tension and drama, though it's largely derived from people's being mean to each other. Not my idea of a good time.
Metal Blade Records: 20th Anniversary Party Live
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • awesome stuff
  • Horrible Quality on DVD and CD
 Metal Blade Records: 20th Anniversary Party Live
Starring: Various Artists
Manufacturer: Metal Blade
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Pop | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Rock & Roll | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( M )( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0001LYG9O
Release Date: 2004-03-23

Album Description

After his string of legendary progressive mix albums for GU and Renaissance's 'The Masters Series', Dave Seaman unleashes his newest concept...'The Therapy Sessions'

Each Therapy Sessions release will see a split 2XCD mix album, with Dave Seaman on disc one, and a handpicked future star of tomorrow on disc two. To get things started with a bang, Dave has enlisted Australia's progressive breaks master, Phil K, for Volume 1. Little wonder, as Phil is the undoubted superstar DJ of tomorrow, being widely acknowledged by DJs such as Sasha as technically the best in the world9.

The track selection and mixing reveal the next level in progressive house and breaks without ever losing sight of the dancefloor. Features upfront tracks & remixes from The Crystal Method, Cass, Infusion, Luke Chable, The PQM Project, Nubreed, and Phil K.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars awesome stuff.......2005-05-28

this dvd/cd combo is a must for metal fans, the raw, gritty footage is the basis for it's extreme nature, you will not believe that pure energy given of by the bands on here.

an absolute hidden gem in the world of metal dvds, not to be turned down, you don't get much better than this.

1 out of 5 stars Horrible Quality on DVD and CD.......2004-03-24

This DVD is completely amateur and very disappointing. Although I'm sure these bands delivered great performances at the actual show, all of the concert footage is filmed from only ONE camera angle. And the only camera is so far away from the stage, you can barely make out anyone who's playing. Not to mention the audio is also lousy. It's like Metal Blade hired someone's cousin to videotape this thing. . .

Oh, and the bonus CD of live songs is horribly mastered, too.
Playboy: Playboy's 50th Anniversary Celebration
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Playboy: Playboy's 50th Anniversary Celebration
    Starring: Playboy
    Manufacturer: Playboy Home Video
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

    DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
    ( P )( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
    Similar Items:
    1. Playboy - Mansion Parties Totally Uncensored
    2. Playboy: 50 Years of Playmates
    3. Playboy - Women of Enron

    ASIN: B00063MD2Y
    Release Date: 2004-11-30

    Description

    It's a night of glamour, revelry, tribute and nostalgia as Playboy celebrates it's 50th anniversary! Go inside the ultimate Playboy party, a dazzling star-studded bash featuring the guest of honor Hugh Hefner, hosted by special guest stars Drew Carey and Jenny McCarthy. Also featuring musical performances by Chicago, Grammy Award winner Blu Cantrell, and Joey Fatone; comedy from Paul Rodriguez, Adam Carolla and Jimmy Kimmel; and appearances by some of Hollywood's biggest stars! This extravaganza includes a look back at Playboy's glittering past and introduces the 50th Anniversary Playmate. Be a part of this special celebration! Uncensored version of the show that aired on A&E shot entirely at the Playboy Mansion. Hosted by: Drew Carey and Jenny McCarthy with live music performances by: Grammy Award winners Chicago and Blu Cantrell (Grammy Award winner) with Comedy performances by Paul Rodriguez and Adam Carolla & Jimmy Kimmel.
    Habia una Vez un Marido
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Habia una Vez un Marido
      Starring: Antonio Aguilar , Sr. Pedro Infante , La Tongolele , and Pedro Vargas
      Manufacturer: Playa Films
      ProductGroup: DVD
      Binding: DVD

      GeneralGeneral | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
      MexicoMexico | By Country | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
      SpanishSpanish | By Original Language | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
      GeneralGeneral | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
      Aguilar, AntonioAguilar, Antonio | ( A ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
      ComedyComedy | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video
      4-for-3 Art House & International4-for-3 Art House & International | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
      GeneralGeneral | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
      MexicoMexico | Latin American Cinema | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
      SpanishSpanish | By Original Language | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
      Independently DistributedIndependently Distributed | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video
      DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
      ( H )( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
      Similar Items:
      1. Soy Charro de Rancho Grande
      2. Por Ellas Aunque Mal Paguen
      3. La Feria de Las Flores
      4. Si Mi Vida
      5. La Tercera Palabra

      ASIN: B000LAZDI8
      Release Date: 2006-12-19

      Product Description

      Una divertidisima comedia en la que por primera vez se reunen famosisimos actores actreces. Todo comienza por una terrible confusion en la que un aniversario de boda se intercambian por error los regalos por los de otras personas, unas pantaletas por unos utensilios para bebe. Imaginese los liso que se pudeen desatar.
      Century Media 10th Anniversary Party: Live
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Century Media 10th Anniversary Party: Live
        Starring: Tenth Year Anniversary Show
        Manufacturer: Century Media
        ProductGroup: DVD
        Binding: DVD

        GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
        Death MetalDeath Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video
        GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video
        GeneralGeneral | Pop | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video
        GeneralGeneral | Rock & Roll | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video
        DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
        All DealsAll Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
        ( C )( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
        ASIN: B00006FD9D
        Release Date: 2002-08-06

        Description

        This DVD demonstrates the diversity of the Century Media roster, celebrating their first 10 years. Features Scar Culture, Eyehategod, Shadows Fall, Skinlab, Nevermore and Strapping Young Lad.
        The Anniversary Party [Region 2]
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		The Anniversary Party [Region 2]

          ProductGroup: DVD
          Binding: DVD

          GeneralGeneral | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
          ( A )( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
          Similar Items:
          1. Personal Velocity
          2. They Shoot Divas, Don't They
          3. In the Soup
          4. Out of Line
          5. Sleep With Me

          ASIN: B00009PAAJ

          Amazon.com

          It's easy to be skeptical when a couple of well-connected actors throw a script together, start shooting their fabulous friends with digital cameras, and call it a movie. But Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming, who bonded in Cabaret on Broadway, have crafted a rough little gem in The Anniversary Party. Influenced by Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Player, it's a devastating portrait of a fragile marriage and a perceptive look at life in Hollywood. The characters are based--to an eerie degree--on their Hollywood counterparts: Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates are a Shakespeare-quoting actor and his retired actress wife; Gwyneth Paltrow is a rising young starlet; etc. Leigh is an actress on the way down, and Cumming, a best-selling author and up-and-coming director, is the sexually ambiguous husband with whom she has recently reconciled. The titular party is to celebrate their sixth anniversary, and revelations about the characters accumulate as the evening progresses from a tense session of charades to an ecstasy-pill-fueled blowout by the pool. The screenplay combines brittle humor with melodrama and consists of more talk than action (as in the Dogme films that inspired it), but the proceedings are rarely less than compelling even if the characters, for the most part, aren't exactly the most likable bunch. As a result, Jennifer Beals ends up stealing the show from the bigger names in the cast simply by emerging as the most genuinely human character--the one who actually showed up to honor her friends' commitment rather than to advance her career. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
          Caddyshack "20th Anniversary Edition" / Bachelor Party [ 2 DVD Set]
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            		Caddyshack "20th Anniversary Edition" / Bachelor Party [ 2 DVD Set]

            ProductGroup: DVD
            Binding: DVD

            TapTap | Dance | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video
            National LampoonNational Lampoon | Series & Sequels | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
            ASIN: B000BD6ZYG
            Charlie Rose with Jennifer Jason Leigh & Alan Cumming; Peter Vecsey; Ryszard Kapuscinski (May 31, 2001)
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              		Charlie Rose with Jennifer Jason Leigh & Alan Cumming; Peter Vecsey; Ryszard Kapuscinski (May 31, 2001)

              Manufacturer: Charlie Rose, Inc.
              ProductGroup: DVD
              Binding: DVD

              ( C )( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
              GeneralGeneral | Educational | Genres | DVD | Video
              GeneralGeneral | Basketball | Sports | Genres | DVD | Video
              All TitlesAll Titles | Charlie Rose Store | Television | Genres | DVD | Video
              ASIN: B000HBL6QO
              Release Date: 2006-08-15

              Description

              Actors Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming have collaborated to write, produce, direct and star in a new film, The Anniversary Party, which also stars Parker Posey, Kevin Kline and Gwyneth Paltrow. Then, with the NBA playoffs in full swing, Peter Vecsey of NBC Sports and The New York Post is on to share his thoughts. Finally, foreign correspondent Ryszard Kapuscinski talks about his new book on Africa, In the Shadow of the Sun. It is a collection of experiences Kapuscinski has had over the course of his many travels in the continent.
              The Anniversary Party
              Average customer rating: Not rated
                		The Anniversary Party

                ProductGroup: DVD
                Binding: DVD

                GeneralGeneral | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
                ( A )( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
                Similar Items:
                1. Personal Velocity
                2. They Shoot Divas, Don't They
                3. In the Soup
                4. Out of Line
                5. Sleep With Me

                ASIN: B000065KMX

                Amazon.com

                It's easy to be skeptical when a couple of well-connected actors throw a script together, start shooting their fabulous friends with digital cameras, and call it a movie. But Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming, who bonded in Cabaret on Broadway, have crafted a rough little gem in The Anniversary Party. Influenced by Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Player, it's a devastating portrait of a fragile marriage and a perceptive look at life in Hollywood. The characters are based--to an eerie degree--on their Hollywood counterparts: Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates are a Shakespeare-quoting actor and his retired actress wife; Gwyneth Paltrow is a rising young starlet; etc. Leigh is an actress on the way down, and Cumming, a best-selling author and up-and-coming director, is the sexually ambiguous husband with whom she has recently reconciled. The titular party is to celebrate their sixth anniversary, and revelations about the characters accumulate as the evening progresses from a tense session of charades to an ecstasy-pill-fueled blowout by the pool. The screenplay combines brittle humor with melodrama and consists of more talk than action (as in the Dogme films that inspired it), but the proceedings are rarely less than compelling even if the characters, for the most part, aren't exactly the most likable bunch. As a result, Jennifer Beals ends up stealing the show from the bigger names in the cast simply by emerging as the most genuinely human character--the one who actually showed up to honor her friends' commitment rather than to advance her career. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

                DVD:

                1. Ball of Fire
                2. The Owl And The Pussycat
                3. Mean Girls (Full Screen Edition)
                4. Shoot the Piano Player
                5. When in Rome
                6. Revenge of the Pink Panther
                7. The Love Letter
                8. Mr. Deeds (Full Screen Special Edition)
                9. Raising Victor Vargas
                10. Irma Vep

                DVD List

                DVD

                DVD

                Big Dogs / Little Dogs (A&E DVD Archives)

                In Rehearsal With Mariss Jansons: The Oslo Philharmonic

                My Blue Heaven/Mickey Blue Eyes [2 Discs] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

                DVD: Cowboy Up

                Matrix Revolutions