Abandon (2002) (P&S)

Starring:Katie Holmes, Benjamin Bratt, Charlie Hunnam, Zooey Deschanel, Fred Ward, Mark Feuerstein, Melanie Lynskey, Philip Bosco, Gabriel Mann, Will McCormack, Gabrielle Union, Greg Kramer (II), Gillian Ferrabee, Barry Julien, Tony Goldwyn, Scott Faulconbridge, Vanessa Petch, Victoria Petch, Kevin Ryder, Rachelle Lefevre
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Studio: Paramount
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

You can admire Abandon more for what it attempts, as opposed to what it actually achieves. Making his directorial debut after winning an Oscar® for scripting Traffic, screenwriter Stephen Gaghan emphasizes character dynamics and time-shifting structure over action and plotting, and the results are intelligent but oddly detached. As a recovering alcoholic detective (Benjamin Bratt) is assigned to reopen the two-year-old disappearance of an arrogant college student, we're drawn into the thoughts and emotions of the missing person's former girlfriend (Katie Holmes), whose behavior--especially when her volatile ex-boyfriend suddenly reappears--is key to the slowly unfolding mystery. Abandon is all about mood and atmosphere--shadowy gloom is dominant throughout--and viewers may grow impatient as the tissue-thin plot leads to an anticlimactic revelation. Still, Gaghan's sharp dialogue draws fine work from Holmes, and his supporting cast (especially Zooey Deschanel and Melanie Lynskey, as fellow students) adds much-needed energy on the fringes of this lugubrious psychological thriller. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Katie Holmes in sub-standard thriller.......2007-02-14

Katie Holmes is one of those actresses seemingly set for stardom, with those perenially girlish looks and lop sided pout.
However, with this sort of effort on her CV, even with a front page headline marriage, she will soon be doomed to straight to video shelves for the rest of her career. This movie aims for off kilter edgy psycholgical thrills - 'what is really going on' paranoia. But in the end, what it actually achieves is boredom and 'who really cares' apathy.
The story revolves around a colege student preparing for her thesis. She starts having memories surface of her boyfriend, who disappeared strangely 2 years ago, when an ex alcoholic detective is sent to investigate his disappearance. The investigation leads to her seeing the ex boyfriend again. The tension revolves around the uncertainty of whether what she is seeing is real or not.
It's not really a bad movie; the director uses various time dislocation tricks to put the audience off kilter, and Holmes fans will enjoy - just dont expect excitement or any real tension, from a thriller which is clearly intended to be both exciting and tense.

Boring and Predictable.......2007-01-27

Katie Holmes is utterly wasted on this movie. It starts off interesting, with Holmes trying to pick up her life after her boyfriend vanishes, but quickly goes downhill from there. We learn that she has been left first by her father, then by Embry...and that this is her worst fear. What is supposed to be a surprise twist ending is anything but, because the least astute of viewers can quickly figure this one out. The empty ending - with her about to be left by yet another lover - resolves nothing. Get the DVD of "Dawson's Creek" instead. It's far more entertaining.

Abandon all pre-conception and just watch it!.......2006-07-29

At the time of the release I was completely infatuated with Katie Holmes so even when my friends told me this film sucked I disagreed. Now that she's gone completely cuckoo for Tom Cruise's puff's and I'm slowly starting to abhor her I decided to watch this film again and see if I was imagining it's greatness. Well the verdict is in and, despite the fact that Katie is now a freak, this film is actually quite good, no where near as bad as some reviewers make it out to be. The story follows Detective Wade Handler (Bratt) who is reopening the investigation of missing student Embry Larkin (Charlie Hunnam) that occurred two-years prior. This involves young Kate (Holmes), Embry's ex-girlfriend, current at the time of his disappearance. Almost as soon as the investigation begins Kate is visited by Embry and harassed by Embry to the point she begins to lose it, becoming paranoid. On top of that Wade is slowly falling in love with Kate while growing very suspicious of her involvement in Embry's disappearance.

The film follows a very dark and ominous tone, everything done in dark color schemes, voice's low and images grainy, and that adds to the mystery bound to be unlocked. Maybe I'm naïve but I don't agree that this is a predictable film. Granted it's not utterly mind-blowing, and you may after seeing the conclusion say "I could see that" but I for one didn't guess the ending as so many have stated would be the case. Regardless, this is a tightly woven thriller that, while not perfect, achieves a state of mystery that deserves to be uncovered. Katie Holmes does wonderfully here. She blossomed shortly after `Dawson's Creek' ended, turning out a few really decent performances (her best being `Pieces of April') and it's a shame that Cruise has taken over her mind. Poor, poor girl. She was better off with the loser from `American Pie'.

Anyways, the supporting cast includes Zooey Deschanel, Melanie Lynskey, Gabrielle Union & Gabriel Mann, all of which do a great job, never taking away but always adding to the air of the film, Zooey Deschanel especially, an actress of which I'm also very smitten and love to see work the camera.

Abandon all pre-conception and just watch it!

What the F**k?.......2006-04-19

Academy Award Winning screenwriter Stephen Gaghan (Best Screenplay,
Traffic) made his directorial debut with this film. Oddly enough, a few years later he wrote one of the most acclaimed films of the year "Syriana". The man is obviously talented, so I found it odd that this film recieved so much lack of approval. Well, I'm the kind of person who has respect for a lot of films that people don't like (some indie films) and I'm the kind of person who has respect for movies that critics don't like (Fun With Dick & Jane, Wild Things). So, I was surprised that I didn't like this movie. It's all right in the beginning, but this twist at the end was so stupid and semi-predictable it ruined the whole experience for me. Anyways, a pre-Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes plays Katie, a young college student vying to get a job at a banking company. Around this time, a cop named Wade (Benjamin Bratt) begins asking questions about her ex-boyfriend Embry Larkin (Charlie Hunnam).
Embry has been missing for two years, he hasn't used his credit accounts or plan tickets he had when he went missing. But, then Katie begins to see Embry and suspects that he's spying on her...Duh. That's pretty much the plot. Zooey Deschanel, a massively underrated actress, plays Katie's friend
Sam who has almost all the good lines/one liners. This isn't the first movie Deschanel has made slightly better either (Failure to Launch anyone?). Anyways, Gaghan has returned to form with his last film but I don't know what happened here. This movie is a mess and a waste of time. C-

A satisfyingly dark, albeit predictable, psychological thriller.......2006-02-26

I tend to be rather forgiving of this kind of suspenseful thriller, even one as predictable as this one. Abandon basically tries to accomplish what a number of other recent films have already accomplished, and that growing audience familiarity with this genre deprives Abandon of some of the shock value it might otherwise have had. It may well pack a real punch to those who don't see the climax coming, and I think it plays rather well even to those who won't be surprised in the least, but some viewers will undoubtedly judge the film forgettable.

I'm not Katie Holmes' biggest fan, and I was prepared to be unimpressed after her first few scenes, but she gradually seemed to grow into her character, and in the end I was fairly impressed by her performance. The dark and mysterious atmosphere of the film was also a plus. Since the story held no ultimate surprise for me, the acting and atmosphere pretty much took on the responsibility of holding my attention. A couple of reasonably creepy scenes definitely scored this film some extra points on my scorecard.

Katie Burke (Katie Holmes) seems to be all set for success. Sure, she's having a little trouble finishing her thesis, but she's smart, meticulously organized, and a big hit at job interviews with high-paying companies. Then the past starts to catch up with her, and everything starts to unravel. A couple of years ago, she dated this incredibly pompous nonconformist (in all things, definitely including hairstyle) who thrived on showing up everyone around him in a desperate bid for attention. Ol' Embry (Charlie Hunnam) up and disappeared a few weeks before graduating, though, and he hasn't been heard from since. The guy inherited gobs of money, though, so the cops are still actively working the case. That's where Detective Wade Handler (Benjamin Bratt) comes in, as he is assigned to work the two-year-old case upon his return to active duty (following some personal problems with substance abuse). What if Embry suddenly returns? All Katie needs is a little more stress in her life. And is it her fault that men seem to keep falling in love with her?

Abandoned turned out to be a pretty good psychological thriller that succeeds in maintaining a dark and menacing atmosphere throughout. I don't think its transitions between past, present, and future are handled all that smoothly, but the pathway toward the climax is a veritable funnel of emotional intensity. It's too predictable to be great, but Abandon is more than capable of commanding your attention throughout.

Average customer rating:

Pokemon drew and may rock
Good
poke power

Pokemon Advanced, Vol. 7 - Abandon Ship
Starring: Pokémon Advanced
Manufacturer: Viz Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

DVDs | Pokémon | Amazon.com Stores | us-stores

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Pokemon Advanced, Vol. 8 - Jump for Joy
Pokemon Advanced, Vol. 6 - A Three Team Scheme
Pokemon Advanced, Vol. 5 - A Hole Lotta Trouble
Pokemon Advanced, Vol. 4 - Stairway to Devon
Pokemon Advanced, Vol. 3 - A Bite to Remember

ASIN: B000667G46
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Description

Just One of the Geysers: Ash returns to Dewford Gym, and this time will not back down against his rematch with Brawley. Will he win a badge against this challenge? Abandon Ship!: En route to Slateport City, Ash and his friends come across an abandoned ship. Once on board, they help a trainer search for his long-lost Pokémon. Now That's Flower Power!: May begins preparing for her very first Pokémon contest. Then, she meets Drew and they soon become rivals when she competes with his lovely Pokémon Roselia. • Just One of the Geysers • Abandon Ship! • Now That's Flower Power! • Having a Wailord of a Time (DVD Bonus Episode) • Win, Lose, or Drew! (DVD Bonus Episode)

Customer Reviews:

Pokemon drew and may rock.......2006-07-12

This was awesome in win lose or Drew this is how it all starts with the rivalry between May and Drew and the very first rose... Having a wailord of a time was very awesome May was very nice... Finally in Now thats flower power May meets Drew and there strong bond all starts out here and there are sparks.fireworks at the end when Drew battles team rocket with an awesome solarbeam

Good.......2005-10-09

This movie contains pretty good episodes

Just one of the geysers- In this episode Ash has his much awaited battle with Brawly of the dewford gym and uses brawlys old strategy to help him win his battle

Abandon ship- ( ok this one I thought was pretty good ) ok so the gang are on a boat and team rocket dressed in their stupid costumes are giving them food and stuff when Jessie pulls out pikachu food when pikachu is close she grabs him they do their motto pikachu attmpts thunderbolt it dosn't work he escapes somehow and team rocket blast off Brock takes control of the boat which then runs out of gas! They drift a little while and find a huge ship that looks new they say and wonder why its their so they climb aboard they meet a guy named Tommy who tells them the history of the boat and how the night it sank he lost his marshtomp then when the pokemon are eating torchic see's something and cheaks it out it gets captured by a big blue monster later discovered as swampert one by one eveyone including team rocket are captured except Ash Brock and Tommy who later find the swampert and follow it to where everyone is Tommy notices the swampert knows iron tail which he had taught his marshtomp he tells swampert he thinks it evolved from his marshtomp and reminds it of the times when he was a kid and when swampert was a baby mudkip Tommy tells it he never mean't to abandon it that he thought it was safe in its pokeball swampert remembers and is reunited with his trainer

Now thats flower power- May is excited to begin her training with beautifly for the pokemon contest and when beautifly uses gust too hard the frisbee she threw to it goes to far and a boy named Drew catches it and asks her if she's entering the contest with such a cheesy act she gets mad later that day they meet a man named Mr.Big who tells them about these cool colorful pokemon fireworks hes making while their listening to mr.Big torchic sneaks off and eats the berries which are all over its face (its so cute) that mr.Big was saving for his fireworks so the gang go out to find some Team Rocket hears the berries are good for your hair they want to get some for the boss so when the berries are found by torchic Team rocket steals them their the gang is joined in battle by drew and get the berries for Mr.Big

having a wailord of a time- (MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE) May is excited for her contest and asks Brock to watch torchic it seems sad but is alright Max isn't to happy with what May did and says she spends all her time with beautifly and just leaves torchic all alone and questions if May even likes torchic anymore Ash and Brock say may really loves torchic because it was her very first pokemon so it will always be special to her Ash says all the pokemon he catches are special and pikachu jumps on his shoulder "and you were my very first one" he says he mentions they didn't always get along at the start though Brock also tells his first pokemon was onix Nurse Joy asks about their torchic treecko and mudkip she tells she's impressed of how well they've been raised. Max Ash and Brock all go help Nurse Joy take care of the three starter pokemon she has to give to new trainers since their are no pokemon labratories in town Max lets out the three pokemon a mean looking torchic with attitude a crybaby mudkip and a female treecko Meanwhile May finds a wailord washed up on the beach and phones nurse joy she tells them not to let the pokemon out of the building and she and brock leave. The torchic makes a getaway torchic and mudkip try to stop it but it dosn't give in it attacks and defeats not bad when its much smaller then mays torchic and mudkip pikachu gets in front of it and sparks its cheeks at it torchic plays the pitty puppy dog crying face and pikachu feels bad torchic then hits it with ember treecko then jumps in front of it not facing it uses the back look stare the torchic seems scared and the female treecko is impressed mudkip still being a crybaby max picks torchic up but gets pecked corphish attempts to stop it but gets scratched the torchic is outside now! on the way to get torchic the female treecko gets a flower in its mouth like treecko's stick the little mudkip falls and starts crying and corphish starts battling torchic even when told to stop torchic defeats corphish and evolves into combusken Ash and Max stunned by the evolution decide to swap combusken for mays torchic they imagine telling may her torchic evolved and her getting really mad Nurse Joy took care of the wailord and is back at the center treecko mudkip and torchic are all on the counter and the little girl is their to pick her pokemon with her father she says maybe she'll choose mudkip Ash insists on mudkip she says she likes treecko too Ash insists on treecko as well she says I choose this one about torchic Ash says "Forget it!" he makes a bunch of stuff up about how torchic is an awful pokemon to start off with May walks in after being distracted by max 1000 times and gets mad at ash after torchic runs to her. the combusken comes out of the closet it was locked in and Ash tells that combusken was the torchic they were told to watch they soon see wailord being carried away its team rocket of coarse and combusken attacks and frees wailord ash sends pikachu for a thunderbolt and the girl and her father are impressed the little girl chooses mudkip and treecko starts crying the little girls father feels bad and takes treecko max is left smiling and wonders what his first pokemon will be.

win lose or drew- just a breif summary since the previous one was so much and my hands are getting cramped May enters her contest and falls messing up her entry but also battles drew who wins this time?

poke power.......2005-07-23

all pokemon episodes have excellent storylines, and are excellently produced.I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTTING MORE OF THE SAME

Average customer rating:

Katie Holmes in sub-standard thriller
Boring and Predictable
Abandon all pre-conception and just watch it!
What the F**k?
A satisfyingly dark, albeit predictable, psychological thriller

Abandon (2002) (P&S)
Starring: Katie Holmes , Benjamin Bratt , Charlie Hunnam , Zooey Deschanel , and Fred Ward
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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Disturbing Behavior
The Gift
Teaching Mrs. Tingle
Don't Say a Word
First Daughter

ASIN: B000085EEV
Release Date: 2003-03-18

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Katie Holmes in sub-standard thriller.......2007-02-14

Boring and Predictable.......2007-01-27

Abandon all pre-conception and just watch it!.......2006-07-29

What the F**k?.......2006-04-19

A satisfyingly dark, albeit predictable, psychological thriller.......2006-02-26

Deep Purple Live in Australia 1999 - Total Abandon

Average customer rating:

Boring
Best Deep Purple DVD
excellent , great show!
Technically good, but...
Beware!!! NOT the one shown on the pic!!!

Deep Purple Live in Australia 1999 - Total Abandon
Starring: Deep Purple
Manufacturer: Shock Us Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

British Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

British Invasion | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

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Deep Purple - Come Hell Or High Water
Deep Purple Live in Concert 72/73
Deep Purple - New, Live and Rare
Deep Purple - Perihelion
Live in California 74

ASIN: 6305898863
Release Date: 2000-05-16

Description

This 200 minute DVD features 17 tracks including: Watchin g the Sky, Strange Kind of Woman, Woman From Tokyo, a superb guitar solo from Steve Morse and much more!

Customer Reviews:

Boring.......2007-04-16

I have to agree with some other reviewers' comments - the band are just going through the motions here, and then there is the shadow of Ian Gillan's munted voice - akin to a strangled chicken. He really can't reach those notes now, and the results when he tries are just painful. I had to turf this DVD into the wheelie bin.
This music was very exciting in the sixties, but bands such as Dream Theater and The Flower Kings are so much more exciting now, with regards to technique, composition and musicianship. Retire and save your dignity! Jon Lord saw the light....

Best Deep Purple DVD.......2007-04-05

I have a good collection of Deep Purple stuff. This concert I've watched at least 20 times. One of the best concert videos I own - and the number is around 100 right now. If you like DP at all, you will love Abandon. A ton of GOOD extra stuff too.

Deep Purple at their PEAK!

excellent , great show!.......2007-04-05

I think this is a great show. The band's playing is great and it definitly looks as if everybody's having fun. Steve Morse's playing is top-notch and the show is great. highly recommended!

Technically good, but..........2006-12-26

Technically speaking, the band is good here (of course, considering the amazibg talent of the musicians involved). But something is clearly missing, the sound is weak, the vibe is not strong, it's like they're playing by the numbers... Buy it only for collection purposes...

Beware!!! NOT the one shown on the pic!!!.......2006-10-19

I bought this DVD here and, to my surprise, I got a version of it with a different cover and much less bonus features. I asked for a change, but Amazon re-sent me the very same incorrect version. After that 2nd error they told me they couldn't send me the one displayed here. So, if you're buying this one, know you'll get the right concert, but a version which includes almost no bonus features (contrary to what the right version has), and a different cover.

Average customer rating:

Katie Holmes in sub-standard thriller
Boring and Predictable
Abandon all pre-conception and just watch it!
What the F**k?
A satisfyingly dark, albeit predictable, psychological thriller

Abandon
Starring: Katie Holmes , Benjamin Bratt , Charlie Hunnam , Zooey Deschanel , and Mark Feuerstein
Director: Stephen Gaghan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Disturbing Behavior
The Gift
Teaching Mrs. Tingle
Don't Say a Word
First Daughter

ASIN: B000089QC8

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Katie Holmes in sub-standard thriller.......2007-02-14

Boring and Predictable.......2007-01-27

Abandon all pre-conception and just watch it!.......2006-07-29

What the F**k?.......2006-04-19

A satisfyingly dark, albeit predictable, psychological thriller.......2006-02-26

Average customer rating:

Total Abandon
Starring: Deep Purple
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Average customer rating:

Total Abandon Live Australia 1999
Starring: Deep Purple
Manufacturer: Sony Japan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

British Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

British Invasion | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000A2X5WS
Release Date: 2001-08-06

Average customer rating:

Katie Holmes in sub-standard thriller
Boring and Predictable
Abandon all pre-conception and just watch it!
What the F**k?
A satisfyingly dark, albeit predictable, psychological thriller

Abandon
Starring: Katie Holmes , Benjamin Bratt , Charlie Hunnam , Zooey Deschanel , and Mark Feuerstein
Director: Stephen Gaghan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Disturbing Behavior
The Gift
Teaching Mrs. Tingle
Don't Say a Word
First Daughter

ASIN: B000089QCC

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Katie Holmes in sub-standard thriller.......2007-02-14

Boring and Predictable.......2007-01-27

Abandon all pre-conception and just watch it!.......2006-07-29

What the F**k?.......2006-04-19

A satisfyingly dark, albeit predictable, psychological thriller.......2006-02-26

Average customer rating:

Total Abandon
Starring: Deep Purple
Manufacturer: Msi Music Corp
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

Average customer rating:

Katie Holmes in sub-standard thriller
Boring and Predictable
Abandon all pre-conception and just watch it!
What the F**k?
A satisfyingly dark, albeit predictable, psychological thriller

Abandon
Starring: Katie Holmes , Benjamin Bratt , Charlie Hunnam , Zooey Deschanel , and Mark Feuerstein
Director: Stephen Gaghan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video