Shiri

Starring:Suk-kyu Han, Yoon-jin Kim, Min-sik Choi, Kang-ho Song, Johnny Kim, Jeong-min Hwang, Hyeong-seong Jang, Yong-woo Park, Su-ro Kim, Seung-Shin Lee
Director: Je-gyu Kang
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

After making her name in The Princess Diaries, Anne Hathaway takes a radical detour with this edgy independent drama. As Allie, a wealthy gangsta wannabe, she makes no excuses for her delinquent behavior: "We're just teenagers and we're bored." When her Pacific Palisades posse, including pal Emily (Bully's Bijou Phillips), starts hanging out with a Latino gang (including Six Feet Under's Freddy Rodríguez), they learn what thug life is really about. Hathaway couldn't be more game: She swears, she fights--she disrobes (several times). Written and directed by Oscar winners Stephen Gaghan (Traffic) and Barbara Kopple (American Dream), Havoc plays like a B movie, in the vein of the superior crazy/beautiful, and was released straight to video. For Hathaway fans, it's a chance to see this young talent in a very different light, but for Gaghan and Kopple followers, this lurid morality tale is sure to come as a letdown. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Description

A group of wealthy Los Angeles teenagers try to become part of the "gangsta" lifestyle but soon run into trouble when they come face to face with a real gang of Latino drug dealers.

Customer Reviews:

Havoc.......2007-07-05

Havoc was a pretty good movie. It depicts a fairly accurate picture between real thugs and fake ones. It also shows how teenagers curiosity can get them into serious trouble. Only problem with the movie is the directors inept ending.

Two stars at the most!.......2007-06-30

One night, rather bored and lazy, I happened across the film and decided to watch it. Later in the week, I watched it again. It wasn't because the movie was great (believe me, it wasn't), not because the acting was inspired (average at best, insipid at times), and certainly not because Anne Hathaway decided to appear topless (whopee-big-deal, another young actress willing to show her lack of common sense). No, I just couldn't figure out what I was missing that made some people rave about this movie. Guess what, I still don't get it. A previous reviewer said it was a "well-meaning movie." I guess that's true but unfortunately, it failed it whatever it was trying to mean.

The plot is curiously the opposite of Hathaway's movie The Princess Diaries (Special Edition). Here we see a rich & spoiled girl with disinterested parents trying to submerge herself into the Latino gang experience. I guess that must have been the attraction for Hathaway, making a film as far away as her squeaky-clean image as possible. Nothing wrong with that but she might have picked a movie that wouldn't have to have used her toplessness as their main marketing point. In other words, pick a movie that would be worth it.

Not that it didn't have its moments. One of the most interesting characters was the teen (sorry, can't remember his name) who was making a film about all the happenings with the "cool crowd". Some of his insights on the character of each person were actually quite good. His comment to Hathaway's character about being one of the loneliest people he knows really brought forth the whole point of the movie. But it was just too little, too late.

Overall, I would say pass on this movie. The plot is anemic, the acting not much better than a high school play, and all the stereotypes it plays off of just makes it all seem too contrived. Thumbs down and Ebert and Roper would say.

ooh, la, la, la bamba meets the 21 Jump Street episode wherein Johnny Depp in hair net and khakis says "Orale!" constantly.......2007-06-29

Ritchie Valens from the wrong side - the CHICANO side of LA meets a pretty privileged white chick and they fall madly in love and he writes a song about how precious his Lady in White is to him. The spirit of La Bamba permeates this film insofar as we are supposed to understand how Anne Hathaway genuinely "shares a moment" for her Ritchie Valens. I have no idea what the characters' names are in this movie but everyone is familiar. Laura San Giacomo is in it, Reese from Terminator is in it, boy from Third Rock From the Sun and busty loosey goosey teen is played again by no longer a teen Bijou Phillips. I thank them all for doing this public service announcement about treating thug life as a consumer product.

I feel so sorry for that young looking Hispanic actor who had to play the Ritchie Valens part in this movie complete with the big man walk. I think he even did that cigarette drag and unplug that shows you are tough. If the characters had been permitted to have a real romance, we would have been favored with close ups of tears standing in his eyes and the line in his cheek from biting down on his back teeth during moments of romantic misunderstanding. This movie also has the 40-something year old actor who played the surviving marine in Clear and Present Danger. Unfortunately, Esai Morales is too busy doing phone card commercials on Spanish television to participate in this amazing film.

Obviously, the Socs from Pacific Palisades can't take on Sabor Latino so I think a sequel/crossover is called for where the Socs bring in the Southies from Good Will Hunting.

p.s. Anne Hathaway raps or sings some gangsta moll song early in the movie. She does a lot of acting with her eyes in this movie resembling a pretty fit Liza Minnelli and is the main reason that this movie is not terrible. It's not too heavy or embarassing or violent to be "important" and therefore unwatchable. This movie is a needed postscript to Clueless and 90210 because it is effective in a way that typical rich kids are decadent and too fast for their own good movies such as Cruel Intentions can't get past nubile prettiness, expensive clothes and real estate for the audience to understand that their situation is terrible and wrong.

dvd review.......2007-05-13

I think this movie will wake up young kids and realize life is not all fun and games.

Nothing Special Except the Presence of Young Stars.......2007-04-28

Brief summery of "Havoc" would be like this. Two bored, rich, white teenagers Alliaon and Emily get attracted to the Latino gangsters in East LA. You don't have to think hard to figure out the results of their behaviors, and actually "Havoc" has little to say about anything after all. Familiar plot devices such as their rebellious high school boyfriends and a timid, quiet kid making a documentary film do not help, nor the clichéd images of the teenagers and their parents living in suburbia. Despite the good acting of Freddy Rodriguez as Hector, to whom our heroine is romantically attracted, the Latino characters are little better than stereotypes.

In fact the film could have been a great social commentary or a riveting drama with better characters (and the screenplay is written by Stephen Gaghan, "Syriana"). It is extremely difficult to show a couple of spoiled, affluent teenagers without making us feel "So why should we care?" and "Havoc" seems to need someone who can fix this problem. It may not be your cup of tea, but "Thirteen" did a better job with equally annoying, but more round characters.

What makes "Havoc" special is the presence of young stars including Anne Hathaway, Bijou Phillips, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Freddy Rodriguez. It is true that Anne Hathaway disrobes herself, but those ""topless" scenes are nothing pornographic; however, it is also true that the film could be without them from the beginning. If you want to see Anne Hathaway breaking away from her "Princess Diary" image, she would do better in "Brokeback Mountain."

Average customer rating:

Who dunnit
A real mind bender!
"Mother"/ "Father" of "Matrix"
Cool movir=e
I've always loved this one

The Thirteenth Floor
Starring: Craig Bierko , Armin Mueller-Stahl , Gretchen Mol , Vincent D'Onofrio , and Dennis Haysbert
Director: Josef Rusnak
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: 0767821629
Release Date: 1999-10-05

Amazon.com

Computer scientist Hannon Fuller (Armin Mueller-Stahl) finds something extremely important. Knowing that he's marked for assassination, he leaves a message in the virtual reality world he's designed, hoping it will be found by colleague Douglas Hall (Craig Bierko). Hall is a suspect in Fuller's murder and indeed finds a bloody shirt in his house, with no recollection of what he did the night before. Hall plunges headlong into Fuller's world (a re-creation of 1937 Los Angeles) to try to unravel the slaying and is soon knee-deep in confusion and trouble. What this film lacks in character depth and plot cohesiveness it makes up for in special effects and high concept. Fans of films like Blade Runner, Dark City, eXistenZ, and even the game Sim City should find this appealing. Of course, there's the question of letting the computers do all the heavy lifting in films while the humans walk through the plot (an all-too-familiar scenario in 1999), but the re-creation of '30s Los Angeles is certainly something to see, pallid script and acting or not. The Thirteenth Floor is a stylish modern-day noir that raises questions about technology versus reality, all the while wrapped up in a murder-mystery story line. --Jerry Renshaw

Customer Reviews:

Who dunnit.......2007-04-14

Skewed reality, or is it schizophrenia?
The line between the real & the imagined is criss-crossed & blurred countless times in this well-acted sci-fi movie. It's interesting, fun, and quirky....but with Vincent D'Onofrio in it, could it be anything else?!

A real mind bender!.......2007-01-31

This movie had a unique slant on an unusual type of time travel (more like 'mind travel'), though it really goes far deeper than just a 'man with a glorious machine' concept. It's hard to get your gray matter around this one, but the submersion into the intense Science Fiction element prompted me to watch it several times. A great techno-thriller with a twilight zone twist. If you liked the mind manipulation of 'Matrix', I believe you'll be intrigued from start to finish with this one.

Chrissy K. McVay - Author

"Mother"/ "Father" of "Matrix".......2007-01-29

Really, i'm at 99% sure that idea of Matrix came exactly from this movie.

Most of my views on this film have already been put very effectively by other reviews. Thus: the "predictable" twists still work (and I didn't predict most of them!), the performances are well judged if subtle, and the atmosphere and production values (mostly) lift themselves above the genre and the budget. I like to say that The Thirteenth Floor is an unusually, and genuinely, moral and humanistic tale, for something that is basically entertainment.

I cannot reveal exactly why I hold this opinion without generating plot spoilers, but this aspect should not be difficult to spot. Finally, who else thinks there is a final possible twist right the end, and why do we not see more of the delicately beautiful Gretchen Mol?

Cool movir=e.......2007-01-06

I actually enjoy it more than the matrix. Check it out, i liked it, so will you!

I've always loved this one.......2007-01-03

In the vein of The Matrix, revealing what's real and what's not is a great plot device. The Thirteenth Floor was a refreshing movie that really gets you thinking about one's perspective. This one's a keeper!

Average customer rating:

Swimmer - Where were they ?
You meet a sexy blonde & she only wants to have sex. So what is the problem?
Dead in the water
Cannibalistic wolves might be very boring
Fan of swimfan

Swimfan
Starring: Jesse Bradford , Erika Christensen , Shiri Appleby , Kate Burton , and Clayne Crawford
Director: John Polson
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000083C6I
Release Date: 2003-03-11

Amazon.com

Best enjoyed as unintentional comedy, Swimfan is Fatal Attraction in high school, with a modest trick up its sleeve. Pay close attention to the opening minutes and you'll understand why new student Madison Bell (Erika Christensen) is so obsessed with swim-team star Ben Cronin (Jesse Bradford), but the movie's nearly over before that early clue is fully explained. By that time anyone with a pulse will be ahead of the hackneyed screenplay, so Madison's fatal attraction turns increasingly, and hilariously, predictable. Poor Ben has to suffer her suffocating manipulations, assuring his girlfriend (Shiri Appleby) that his quickie with Madison was a one-time mistake. Too late! Madison conned him into saying "I love you," and she's determined to be his girl... no matter what it takes. Credit Bradford and especially Christensen for keeping a straight face, and Aussie director John Polson for milking tension out of this trashy take on psychotic jealousy. Against all odds, it's garishly entertaining. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Jesse Bradford (Bring It On, Clockstoppers) and Erika Christensen (Traffic, The Banger Sisters) plunge into a world of desire and deceit in this scary, suspenseful surprise! (Access Hollywood) High School senior Ben Cronin (Bradford) has it all: good friends, a loyal sweetheart, and a great shot at a Stanford University swimming scholarship. But a chance encounter with a sexy new student (Christensen) turns Ben's dream into the ultimate nightmare as her schoolgirl crush quickly escalates to obsession and, ultimately, murder.

Customer Reviews:

Swimmer - Where were they ?.......2007-07-03

How he got any fans swimming like that is beyond me, didn't see one decent swimmer in the entire film, that is coming from a former swimmer, then again how many swimmers could act ? Johnny Weismuller ? Did he act though ? Tarzan didn't need to say much.
All in all an "ok" film, anything that promotes swimming is a good one in my book, however they should have used pro/college swimmers for the shots where you don't see the actors faces then at least it would have given it some realism in that sense.

You meet a sexy blonde & she only wants to have sex. So what is the problem?.......2007-06-26

This movie was so the teenage version of Fatal Attraction, yet done so poor it is fun to watch. This movie should have been rated R and not PG-13. This would have without a doubt made this movie better. I love when a movie loses its artistic values and realism so it can be given a lower rating to make more money. This is postmodern cinema at its best.

I also didn't care about our hero Ben. His character was weak, dumb and not believable. I also hated his girlfriend Amy; she looked like she needed some iron in her diet. I would have cheated on her too. Erika Christensen was hot and voluptuous in a cherub sort of way as the "bad girl". Why, why, why didn't our hero Ben just keep hooking up with the swim fan (Erika Christensen/cherub)? Who cares if she is a victim of borderline personality disorder and killed a couple of people? She is a young, sexy blonde and wants to get laid. I spend the better part of my day looking for this "burden". By the way, who the hell centers a movie on a high school swimmer anyway?

Dead in the water.......2007-06-16

Fatal Attraction was made 20 years ago. It was a great movie. So why did they have to remake it to fit the teen set? I would think any teen worth their salt in movie tastes would go out and rent Fatal Attraction. But, I guess I am underestimating people's knowledge of movies and popular culture. There might actually be a few people that haven't. If that's the case, get Fatal Attraction first rather than this.

This is an all too typical story as far as I'm concerned. Boy has everything, meets some sexy newcomer, and has a moment of weakness. The other woman won't take no for an answer and makes his life a living hell with her attempts to get attention. Just goes to show how far a woman scorned will go. Some of this was more of a comedy rather than a drama, in that it was aimed at the teen audience. Still, the acting was average, the plot was already used, and the end results predictable. No surprises here.

But, being that I am in my early thirties now and have a whole slew of bad relationships under my belt, I am remembering things from the past. I'd like to think that I'm older and wiser, but maybe I'm just acting out of bitterness rather than maturity. I've had my share of players, commitment phobics, and the like. Now, I acknowledge my role in the situations, and then I give them what for shold the situation call for it. The bottom line, like this movie and Fatal Attraction tells us, is that we all make mistakes. We're only human. But it's not worth throwing it all away over. And besides, if you're the other woman making a scene over it, you look a little pathetic to say the least. Have some dignity.

Cannibalistic wolves might be very boring.......2007-04-09

A rather poor story. Two nice young people love each other. The boy is in the swimming team and the girl is happily going along in her life of work and school. Then a vulture arrives. She is blonde, she is cannibalistic, she is ready to kill to possess what she wants and she does not take no as an answer to her orders. Then the boy says yes under pressure and she will not accept his no later on and will kill everything she can lay her hands on : friends, girl friend, mother, and the list could go on forever. The boy, with the help of a couple of people, bait that vulture with the coat of one she had tried to kill, and she is tricked into revealing her real identity, and even so she is not finished and she takes advantage of an amateurish cop to commit a couple more crime. What do we get out of this melodramatic horror? A complete feeling of emptiness that gives you a taste of ashes in your mouth, the ashes of something that is dead somewhere. Crime is never mechanical. To kill someone requires some imagination. In this case it is nothing but a bad habit that no one can cut out of her.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine & University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne

Fan of swimfan.......2006-11-01

A 'sexy' thriller directed by Aussie, John Polson, who starred in 'The Sum Of Us' and 'The Boys', and best known as director of 'Hide and Seek' starring Robert De Niro. Being a fan of his work, I was a liitle disappointed by this predictable thriller, with many flaws, only the presence of Erika Christensen saves this movie and makes it worth watching. Christensen is a very talented up and coming actress and this was a very fine effort from the then 19 year old. She is a pleasure to watch in the role of Madison, the new girl in town who develops an insatiable crush on the most popular guy in high school, Ben, played by Freddie Prinze lookalike Jesse Bradford. Having such a young cast was good and bad for the director. They brought a freshness to the screen, which along with the hip alternative soundtrack was appealing to the target audience, but on the negative side, there was no real experience behind or in front of the camera and it clearly shows. This is still a decent movie that is good value at a cheap price, and also stars the son of the late, great John Ritter in a small role. Special features include a short featurette, deleted scenes, a trailer, tv and radio spots and a commentary which I have not listened to yet. Buy it if you like Fear, Cruel Intentions and The Glass House.

Average customer rating:

I don't see why other people don't like it
Amusing little film.
hodge podge
Good movie on a rainy day
amazing

The Battle of Shaker Heights
Starring: Shia LaBeouf , Elden Henson , Amy Smart , Billy Kay (II) , and Kathleen Quinlan
Director: Kyle Rankin , and Efram Potelle
Manufacturer: Miramax Home Entertainment
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ASIN: B0000D9PNP
Release Date: 2003-12-09

Amazon.com

This perfectly pleasant, if minor, coming-of-age comedy-drama is the second feature released via the Miramax/HBO/Ben Affleck-Matt Damon TV program Project Greenlight. Series viewers watched Heights directors Kyle Rankin and Efram Potelle struggle to get their vision of screenwriter Erica Beeney's story past an intractable producer. If the process was not pretty, the final result--i.e., this film--has some nice things. Leading the list is rising star Shia LaBeouf (Holes) as likable, 17-year-old misfit Kelly Ernswiler, coasting through life and fascinated by simulated war games. He befriends a sweet but cynical preppie, Bart Bowland (Elden Hensen), whose sexy older sister, Tabby (Amy Smart), offers Kelly a glimpse of adult passions and heartache. The cast is strong, including Kathleen Quinlan and William Sadler as the Caulfield-esque hero's troubled parents. There are solid moments of comedy and affecting, better-than-average drama. If Heights fails to ignite, at least it doesn't fail to move. --Tom Keogh

Description

From executive producers Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and producer Chris Moore, THE BATTLE OF SHAKER HEIGHTS is the uniquely funny and touching comedy at the center of HBO's highly entertaining series PROJECT GREENLIGHT. For troubled high school senior Kelly Ernswiler (Shia LaBeouf -- CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE, DISNEY'S HOLES), life is war -- or at least an incredible simulation. With all the difficulties in his real life, Kelly has found just one true escape: Losing himself in fantasy reenactments of World War II's epic battles. Then he strikes up an unlikely friendship with fellow reenactor, preppy Bart Bowland (Elden Henson -- DUMB AND DUMBERER), and Kelly's life is set to explode in ways he never expected! Also starring Amy Smart (ROAD TRIP) and Kathleen Quinlan (APOLLO 13) in a winning cast of Hollywood favorites -- here's your chance to enjoy the final cut of the film millions watched come together in the second hit season of PROJECT GREENLIGHT.

Customer Reviews:

I don't see why other people don't like it.......2007-04-01

I bought this movie to see what the fuss was about. I was shocked! This movie was amazing. I found it very funny. Maybe because I'm still young and feel the way the characters do in the movie. I was laughing out loud almost every minute. I wouldn't watch the project greenlight process of making the movie, I heard that ruins it for you. This movie is definitely one of my favorites.

Amusing little film........2006-02-07

The Battle of Shaker Heights (Efram Potelle, 2004)

I was pleasantly surprised by this little flick, which hasn't gotten the world's best reviews by a country mile; I'm not sure what folks were expecting, but it seems to me they were expecting a lot more than they got. (This may have something to do with something called Project Greenlight, as the box makes sure to tell us that this is "the Project Greenlight movie!", whatever that may be.) Me, I knew absolutely nothing about it other than that the words "Shaker Heights" are in the name. I wasn't even sure it was the Shaker Heights I was thinking of. So it's pretty fair to say I went into this with no expectations at all, and what I got was a small, but pleasant, surprise. (Oh, and yes, I did get the Shaker Heights I was expecting-- but since I live on the other side of town, I didn't actually recognize anything, assuming it was, in fact, filmed here.)

Kelly Ernsweiler (Holes' Shia LaBoeuf) is seventeen, in high school, and a social misfit, only interacting with others in reenactments of World War II battles. After one of them, he meets Bart Bowland (Lords of Dogtown's Elden Henson), a kid from the other side of the tracks. The two immediately fall to ribbing one another about the differences in their stations, but they becomes fast friends.

There is, of course, a love triangle. Kelly works with Sarah (Shiri Appleby, recently of Swimfan), a pixie-like waif who's obviously got the hots for him, but he's interested in Tabby (Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!'s Amy Smart), Bart's graduate-school-aged sister who's on the verge of getting married. There's also the big fight, though this one's got a minor twist; the other guy is defending his father, a history teacher who spends his days being corrected, argued with, and otherwise hampered in his profession by Kelly (who, as a World War II reenactor, knows a good deal more about the subject than most high-school kids).

It's a coming-of-age tale that's somewhat idealized, sure, but knows when to come back to earth for a breath of fresh air. The acting is at least never less than tolerable, and contains two real star turns by two actors of whom we see far too little these days, Trespass' William Sadler and Twin Peaks' Ray Wise, as the two boys' fathers.

A fun little movie; nothing groundbreaking, but a feel-good flick, in an odd kind of way. Worth your time. ***

hodge podge .......2005-12-04

As noted by other reviewers, this film feels like it could of been great: it has excellent performances, potentially intriguing dynamic between the characters, and was clearly approached with heart by the director(s); but, as also noted with other reviewers, Miramax apparently wasn't sure what type of film they wanted, so in the end, you get an ineffective hodge podge that lies somewhere between dark comedy, coming of age drama, and teen slapstick, but fails on all accounts.

Good movie on a rainy day.......2005-05-07

I enjoyed the movie so much that I bought the Project Greenlight DVD's to see how the process was done. No, it is not the best movie I have ever seen, and no, it isn't even in my top 10 "movies of all time".....but, I do feel it is a great coming of age film and deserves to be seen. Shia ROCKS in this movie, and I hope he is given the chance to act in many more films.

amazing.......2004-11-06

listen...if you are over 20 please dont even critizize this movie...you have no right, you can no talk bad about a movie that deals with someones teenage years when you are in your 30's...so please ignore the select few reviews, they really do not know what their talking about...for a teenager this movie relfects upon alot of ideas, dealing with highschool, love, lust, etc...if you dont enjoy teen related drama and such, its simple, dont watch this movie...thanks

Average customer rating:

Fun Chick Flick
Cute and entertaining
yay ~ a really good movie :)
Nice Little Warm and Fluffy Film
it is all about Shiri Appleby

Everything You Want
Starring: Shiri Appleby , Nick Zano , Alexandra Holden , Orlando Seale , and Will Friedle
Director: Ryan Little
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000C8STWG
Release Date: 2006-04-25

Description

If you liked SWEET HOME ALABAMA you'll love the delightful romantic comedy EVERYTHING YOU WANT, starring Shiri Appleby (TV's ROSWELL) and Nick Zano (TV's WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU). For art student Abby (Appleby), campus life is perfectly swell, including her boyfriend Simon. He's been Abby's dream guy forever, but she's about to get a wake-up call -- Quinn, a fun-loving charmer who knows nothing about art until Abby reluctantly tutors him. And as his winsome personality starts winning her over, she finds herself in the middle of a love triangle. Who will she choose? Her oh-so-perfect -- but imaginary — boyfriend or this flesh-and-blood reality?

Customer Reviews:

Fun Chick Flick.......2007-06-12

Here we have a movie that was a lot of fun, not intellectually deep and quite predictable but entertaining. While it was not devoid of profanity it was kept to a minimum and there was not one F**K in the entire movie but it still managed to be fun. There was not one car crash, explosion, or needless property destruction but it still kept my interest. While the characters were not deep and the roommate was totally unrealistic -- as were the parents -- it was all in good fun. The only really negative thing I have to say about the movie was the thundering sound track which I felt was unnecessary and distracted more than contributed to the film. Nevertheless, this was a very entertaining film and if you are looking for something to watch that isn't going to annoy, insult, or embarrass you in front of your kids or girlfriend -- this is it.

Cute and entertaining.......2007-02-06

Ah, what a great way to spend a cold Sunday evening. This was a great little movie, cute and funny. The relationship between Abi and Si was great, if not a little unrealistic, but I guess imaginary friends are anything but real, right? Abi's parents were also a bit too goofy for me, but let's just thank goodness they're not mine!

Shiri Appleby is quite an accomplished actress, and she did well in portraying all different sides and emotions of the character as Abi grew and developed. I was very impressed with her and hope to see her play bigger roles in the near future. Orlando Seale I have always loved, and he played his role well, but I felt that Si's attachment to Abi was a bit too much. Nick Zano was the predictable "annoying yet somehow charming" guy that she doesn't really like named Quinn, and he also did well.

I just can't get over Will Friedle. The man is HYSTERICAL. He plays a "not different, but challenged" Canadian that sees the world in a different light. He pretty much stole the show for me, almost outshining the very endearing main characters. Other side characters were Jess, played by Alexandra Holden and Ryan, played by KC Clyde, both believable and entertaining actors. Jess is Abi's room mate and Quinn's cousin, the very blonde, but hard working and loyal best friend, and Ryan is the boss to both the girls in the local bookstore, but also Jess' ex.

The story starts with Abi, an art student, attending an art appreciation class alongside Quinn, who's labeled as the "art is boring, I just don't get it" type. Jobs are threatened, holidays are tangled, and Abi eventually tutors him into passing the class. Quinn becomes interested in her, knowing that she has a "boyfriend," Si (who is in fact her dream guy and imaginary boyfriend). Si is jealous, Quinn is guilty, Abi is confused. However, the end is tied up sweetly and perfectly, wrapping the whole story up in a big red bow. Although it's only 90 minutes, this is a very cute romantic comedy. I look forward to sharing this with my family and friends.

yay ~ a really good movie :).......2007-01-06

As far as chick flicks go, I'm a fan. But many today just have to add the graphic sexual ingredient and sprinkle it with a number of other inappropriate themes. It was refreshing to find a movie that had very little to worry about. Everything You Want is about Abby Morrison (Shiri Appleby) who, for her entire life, has had the perfect friend, Sy (Orlando Seale). Her parents weren't around much, and she needed a playmate. Now he is her wonderful, mushy, romantic-comedy-loving boyfriend, who is actually just a figment of the imagination. In Abby's art appreciation class, she meets annoying, ignorant Quinn Andrews (Nick Zano) who doesn't care about art and just needs credits to graduate. Her roommate, Jessica Lindstrom (Alexandra Holden) announces that her cousin is in town for the semester, and is stopping by for dinner, unfortunately, on the night of Abby and Sy's anniversary. Much to Abby's chagrin, the cousin turns out to be Quinn. A deal is made, with relucant agreement from Abby, to tutor Quinn in art. He grows on her, and Sy is scared that Quinn is taking over Abby's life. Abby must decide whether she wants her perfect guy, who will never be able to really be with her, or the real thing, who has imperfections and can never live up to Abby's imaginary Sy. It is the cutest movie and Quinn's roommate, Cal, played by Will Friedle, is hilarious and makes the movie much more comedic. All the characters were perfectly cast and fit their character's personality just right. I recommend this movie to anyone!!!

Nice Little Warm and Fluffy Film.......2006-09-12

It is becoming more the rule than the exception that movies made for television are the equal if not better than many of the works made for the theaters. Such is the case for this little bit of fluff of a movie - EVERYTHING YOU WANT. Based on a play by Natalie Prado and adapted successfully for the screen by Steven A. Lee and Kevin Lawrence King, this film is lightweight but carries itself with style and fun by director Ryan Little and makes for an entertaining diversion of a film that is not about the heavier issues with which most films today are dealing.

Abigail Morrison (a charming Shiri Appleby) grew up with absentee parents and spent her idle hours drawing and creating an imaginary friend Sy (Orlando Seale) to care for her loneliness. Unfortunately she has carried Sy into her adult life, preventing her from dating real human beings. As an art student she paints her imaginary boyfriend who is always there for her and makes her mistrustful of real guys who are bound to desert her...! Abby meets a cocky young student Quinn (Nick Zano) faking his interest in art to get easy college credits. There is a mutual attraction that takes some time to develop: Abby talks about her boyfriend Sy to shield her vulnerability. Abby's friend Jessica (Alexandra Holden) is aware of Abby's imaginary Sy and attempts to get her to date real men. But Jessica is not without her problems - maintaining employment at Borders Bookstore being one of them - and through a series of accidental encounters, Quinn steps in to help Jessica keep her job on the promise that Abby will coach him in art. The obvious happens and Quinn's growth as a person mirrors Abby's ability to forego her need to hide behind Sy and the two become a couple.

The young cast is attractive and for the most part acts well. There are some strange subplots that don't add much to the storyline but at least introduce some different offbeat characters. A deep movie this is not, but for an evening of light entertainment, this little film glimmers. Grady Harp, September 06

it is all about Shiri Appleby.......2006-08-05

If you like Shiri Appleby then this movie is for you. Miss Appleby is the mixture of strength and vulnerability she always showed in Roswell. She illustrates the mistaken lack of concern some parents have for the job of raising children. Her character rises above this but the character's vulnerability makes her unable to let down her defences until she finds real love.

Average customer rating:

Tollway to Hell
absolutely horrific film
All The Lost Boys
Strange and well done
Caught In The Undertow--Just Relax And Go With The Flow

Undertow
Starring: Jamie Bell , Kristen Stewart , Robert Longstreet , Terry Loughlin , and Dermot Mulroney
Director: David Gordon Green
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0007R4T3K
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Amazon.com

The dazed, dreamlike world of director David Gordon Green remains intact, although Undertow has more story than his previous gems (All the Real Girls, George Washington). In the hot, green Georgia countryside, a man (Dermot Mulroney) lives with his two sons on a farm; their existence is shattered by the arrival of the man's Faulknerian brother (Josh Lucas), a dangerous sort with an ulterior motive. The movie that follows is like The Night of the Hunter filtered through a Days of Heaven lens--there's even a Heaven-like narration provided by Jamie Bell. That's what you get for having Terrence Malick produce your movie. The plot doesn't always sit comfortably with Green's uncanny style--sometimes it feels like an intrusion on a private world of childhood--and Josh Lucas is "actory" in a way that most Green actors are not. Green is at his best when noticing some stray detail (the younger brother likes to arrange his books according to smell), not when connecting the dots of story. Still, the images will stick in your mind, Tim Orr's cinematography is superb, and Philip Glass provides a suitably mysterioso score. --Robert Horton

Description

A brilliant cast, including Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot), Josh Lucas (Sweet Home Alabama) and Dermot Mulroney (About Schmidt), rips into this tense and edgy film from David Gordon Green, the "gifted director" (Roger Ebert) of George Washington and All the Real Girls.Bristling with "mood, atmosphere, and psychological suspense" (The Christian Science Monitor), Undertow is a thriller that "transcends the genre" (New York Post)! The Munn familyfather John (Mulroney) and his sons, Chris (Bell) and Tim (Devon Alan)lives a solitary life on a rural farm in Georgia. But when John's brother Deel (Lucas) arrives, fresh from prison and with a sea of rage and envy simmering beneath his skin, the family's isolated world becomes one marked by violence, greed and murder.

Customer Reviews:

Tollway to Hell.......2007-06-18

Not since 'Deliverance' has a creepier movie come from a setting in the Deep South. 'Undertow' has a drive and tension with a minimalist of Hollywood effects. There aren't any huge highway chase scenes or urban gymnastics. What 'Undertow' does is work its way through the vortex of its descriptive title by developing a terse development and a sense of danger with all the players working through tangibly tragic desperation. 'Undertow' is an excellent thriller because it demonstrates the futility of escape for the main characters.

In a beginning scene young adolescent Chris (Jamie Bell) is seen throwing a rock through his girlfriend's bedroom window. It's apparent that he's not welcome there, for the father comes out with a shotgun. From there Chris is on the run until we can almost feel his pain as he steps through a nail on a board. Police cars swerve through the mud dirt roads until they meet their familiar scofflaw and bring him to justice and the emergency room. Upon his return his Uncle Deel (Josh Lucas) has joined the family after being released from prison. At first he takes the family's hospitality, but scorns his responsibilities. Then father (Dermot Mulroney) and uncle (both brothers) face off for a confrontation over resentments built up over the years. After the debacle, Chris and his ailing brother, Tim (Devon Alan) must fend for themselves, not having the credibility to go to the authorities or any immediate next of kin to buffer them as they choose to flee through the rural South.

'Undertow' is effective. At one point their father John tells the boys of his coveted coin collection, which he explains is the toll needed to cross the River Charron, the river in hell. What ensues by this piece of foreshadowing does just that in a thoroughly captivating and believable way that keeps the audience in the thick of the chase. (Highly recommended)

absolutely horrific film.......2007-05-01

a horrendously boring movie from start to finish, with nonchalant dialouge, characters, or depth. Save Jamie Bell's 'ok not bad at all' performance and the rather superior cinematography, the only highlight of the film, was seeing the credits come up at the end. Bell is so naturally talented with timing, if he tried a bit more in this role, it could have possibly garnered a nomination from the Academy. His character should have taken on more of a fatherly role after leaving his home, he didn't and that is not Master Bell's fault, but the directors.

Gus Van Sant must have had a field day with this one.

All The Lost Boys.......2007-04-21

David Gordon Green's third film is more conventionally plotted than his previous "All the Pretty Girls" but it has his very distinctive earthy and poetic style that makes the film dreamy and beautiful without being "pretty-pretty". Based on the real story, "Undertow" tells about a father and his two sons who live in a rural backwoods Georgia. The father is a lonely man; the older son is a rebel, and the young one has some health problems. One day, a long lost Uncle Deel shows up, and the lives of four of them are changed forever. This film is a successful combination of the family drama and "South Gothic Thriller". It brings to mind such classics of the cinema as "Night Hunter" and the writings of Mark Twain and Brothers Grimm as well as the ancient legends and myths. The best about the film are its stunning cinematography and performances by Jamie Bell as Chris Munn, the older boy and Josh Lucas as Deel Munn, the boys' uncle whom they never knew.

Strange and well done.......2007-02-01

a small film but original.The two boy actors were excellent. Not a pretty story but poetic,particulary the ending

Caught In The Undertow--Just Relax And Go With The Flow.......2006-10-31

I was impressed with David Gordon Green's minimalist, haunting "George Washington." I was surprised and delighted with his "All The Pretty Girls." So I was interested to see what his third picture, "Undertow," would bring to his oeuvre. But I have to admit, I was nervous as well. Here, he was working with a larger budget and more mainstream actors like Jamie Bell, Dermot Mulroney and Josh Lucas. What I got was a nice surprise--a nasty little family gothic thriller.

It's a bleak and uneventful existance on the Munn farm. John, a widower played by Mulroney, is raising his two boys in a very secluded lifestyle. Oldest son Chris, a prematurely weathered Jamie Bell, handles most of the responsibilities and chores but longs for a different life. He rebels at every opportunity which gets him into trouble with the law as often as not. Younger brother Tim is a sickly and emotionally stunted child. There is talk of a family treasure--told in dreamlike fashion--but no signs of material wealth of any kind.

One day, shady Uncle Deel arrives. Oozing dangerous charm, this ex-con wants to reconnect with his brother, get to know his nephews and get a fresh start. Chris is initially drawn to the stranger, but mistrusts him on many levels too. And as we find out--for good reason. Secrets come out and violence erupts. The boys go on the run--taking hope and charity where they can get it and evading danger. There is a certain menacing "Night of the Hunter" quality to their travels through the country landscape.

I really enjoyed the film--it's unorthodox and has a lazy, southern gothic appeal. I didn't know exactly where the story was going and so was caught up in the journey. There were interesting family dynamics as well as a decent thriller. Mulroney is perhaps one of our most underrated actors--he's great here. He's a tremendous character actor "cursed" with leading man looks--and I always prefer him in these interesting choices instead of seeing him in traditional fare with someone like Debra Messing. Josh Lucas, as Deel, is really creepy. He was born to play villainous roles--that charm and smarminess work to perfection. And Bell continuees to impress.

So, if you want to try something off the beaten path--take a look at "Undertow." KGHarris, 10/06.

Average customer rating:

a korean thriller better than lot of hollywood similar genre products
[3.5]--The period when Asian cinema was at its peak.
Kissingurami
zzzzzzzz
Above Average Korean Action-Suspense Film: Entertaining!

Shiri
Starring: Suk-kyu Han , Yunjin Kim , Min-sik Choi , Kang-ho Song , and Johnny Kim
Director: Je-gyu Kang
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0000633R6
Release Date: 2002-04-09

Amazon.com

A dazzling action movie from South Korea, Shiri follows two South Korean government agents, Ryu and Lee, as they pursue a female super-assassin from North Korea. Meanwhile, an elite paramilitary squad from North Korea has stolen a shipment of CTX, an undetectable liquid explosive of enormous power, which they've planted all over the city of Seoul. As their investigations are successively foiled, Ryu and Lee begin to suspect that there is a mole within the ranks of the agency--and it may be one of them. Both hyperstylish and hyperrealistic, Shiri rips along as a smooth fusion of Hong Kong and American action movies. Ryu's troubled romance with his alcoholic fiancée adds a striking emotional counterpoint to the blazing gunfights and high-speed chases; the ending is unexpectedly moving. It's not surprising that this film beat Titanic's box-office records in Korea. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

a korean thriller better than lot of hollywood similar genre products.......2007-05-03

this movie may serve a purpose to tell you how good the korean movie makers are catching up to share the once solely dominant hollywood movie industry. it's a good action packed thriller and of course, many holes could also be found in the screenplay, and that as usual is inevitable.
but there's a worst scripted and directed fighting scene in this movie, the largest hole in this movie that could championed as the worst fire fighting scenes in the action/thriller genre:
the gun fights started in the theater and then suddenly shifted into the street, over 50 south korean special forces with special agents against 3 north korean toughs: how could it possible with so many automatic weapons shooting against 3 north korean handguns failed to hit them like honey-cone bee hives? what kind of lousy training the south korean special force received. was the director and the screenplay writers tring to hint that how lame, how poor and how wimpy the south korean special forces were trained. so many automatic assault weapons failed to kill those 3 guys with handguns in the first 3 seconds of gun fighting? the directing of this scene was the worst i've ever seen in any movie so far. maybe the director and the screenplay writers were actually all north korean sleepers (just joking). or all the south korean special force were thinking it's just a training mission, they all used blanks and shooting blanks? otherwise how could it possible they never hit the targets and always missed? if you could call this great, then you should become a movie director and find such job in korea.
here's another unforgivable overlook of this movie's director and the screenplay writers:
when gtx exploded in seoul, so many north korean secret agents running around in the cappital engaged in fierce gunfights with the south korean special agents and special forces, how could it possible that the friendship soccer game between north and south koreas still go on like nothing happened? how could it possible that news anchormen-women still broadcasting on tv that the game and the unify meeting would still continue like nothing happened? were they nuts?
there's one more thing that i want to point out here specifically: the guy who played the north korean special force leader almost ruined the whole believable storyline, this guy who later played the role in 'oldboy', seems to me like to keep his long hair style no matter what. like jackie chan, no matter what the movie he played in ancient time frame, his flawlessly trimmed long hair modern style was always changeless, even all the other actors in those movies tried so hard to look like the people in that era, jackie chan always looked like jackie chan. the korean guy and jackie chan only show us one thing: they are simply not professionally enough to sacrifice their hairdos no matter what the realistic or the historical backgrounds might have required.
you want me to sign on for this movie? fine, my first condition is 'i won't cut or change my beloved hairdo!'
the other problem of this movie is the way of thinking of the south koreans. they want to let people know they are front runners now in the int'l society, so this movie they got nuclear scientists, they got nuclear submarine operators, they got the gtx they've invented that is 10 times more powerful than the traditional explosives, they got everything that no other countries could even dream about.
the problem of the north korean way of thinking is that they let them narrow-minded stubborn ideology blind themselves from the realistic and logic way of thinking. just like that north korean agent said on the phone: 'i'm calling from where all of your south korean young people drinking and puking around. while we north koreans without any food to eat, you south koreans are talking about diet and reducing weight.(roughly words i could remember)'
this is the way of the north koreans' thinking. they don't even think about that's their ridiculous north korean government making their lives miserable but blame their sufferings and hunger to south korea's prosperity. the blind ideological thinking is such a horrible logic that they never think twice if it's wrong.
one more message to warn other countries: if north korea in reality could train their special force or agents like what they've shown in this movie, then, the navy 'seal', the special forces in every thinkable military force of any country is just entry level child play. the north korean killing machines are just too superior to any other existing military force on the planet. could democratic countries train their agents like what they did?
conclusion: if you think all the problems i pointed out here are not important, then you should call this movie as a 'masterpiece', and you should thank your high school teachers and your parents for such a nice job they did to you.

[3.5]--The period when Asian cinema was at its peak........2007-04-11

I thought this film was decent enough to watch. "Shiri" is a generic modern action flick, heavily indebted to American movies like "Heat" and "The Rock" But for all its conventional plotting, convoluted situations and flashy style, there's something quite compulsive about the film. Writer/director Je-gyu Kang balances the action and drama with confidence, and the characters, while not given a massive amount of background, are intriguing and sympathetic. The relationship between Ryu and his girlfriend Hyun (Yun-Jin Kim) is handled rather melodramatically - you just know something bad is going to happen to mess up their blossoming love - but the acting is strong, particularly from Korean heartthrob Suk-Gyu Han and Min-sik Choi, playing head terrorist Park.

The violent set-pieces are restrained in their number but not in their ferocity. The film opens with a gruesome sequence detailing Hee's training by the North Korean military, as she chops off heads and slits throats with determined abandon, while there's a blisteringly exciting gun-battle later on that starts in a theatre before spilling bloodily onto the busy streets of Seoul. In general, Kang is a bit too keen to keep his camera constantly moving, but Sung-Bok Kim's inventive cinematography provides an arresting visual edge.

Kang attempts to give to his film a political dimension, emphasising the economic differences between North and South Korea, while the title derives from a fish that divides its time between the two nations. But this is all approached fairly simplistically, and to be honest, we've seen terrorists threaten the safety of a city with stolen explosives so many times before that the political element isn't hugely important to the suspense. But I guess it's still good to see an action film-maker interested in something other than blowing people up.

"Shiri" is a bit too long for what it delivery's and takes itself too seriously.The climax isn't nearly as exciting as some of the earlier moments either. Nevertheless, the film wears its influences proudly on its sleeve and entertains with conviction.

Kissingurami.......2007-03-14

I have to admit this movie is a bit slow paced but it's no snoozer! It keeps you interested.... with little bits of flashback and coincedences. They really try to give you the entire"picture". I find Most American spy movies cut corners here giving you a basic idea and you fill in the blanks. It's not the best Korean cinema I have seen but like I said it kept me watching.
Also those of you who watch Lost on ABC will see a familiar face; Sun Kwon, Yunjin Kim.

zzzzzzzz.......2007-02-28

Hey all ! I highly do not recommend this movie. First I can not understand how this movie shattered the box office? Is this really the best that a Korean film can offer?I already know that no is the answer. The movie was so boring i found myself fast forwarding through the so called action scenes. Anytime there is action the director chose to use the violent shaking of the camera technique. All that does is make you feel dizzy and confused. This movie introduces nothing new and is not unique in any way . At least in this movie its still possible to dodge automatic weapon fire from 20 M-16s , avoid being blown up by diving towards the camera in slow motion, and stop bombs from exploding alwasy at the last second! yeah for over hyped movies !

Above Average Korean Action-Suspense Film: Entertaining!.......2007-01-10

"Shiri," stars two well known Korean actors: Min-sik Choi, of "Oldboy" fame and Kang-ho Song, of "Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance." The film is entertaining, and is an above average film. The film begins with a look at the North Korean 8th Special Forces unit. In the film, this fictional elite military units' attempts at sabatoging the military, political, industrial and economic foundations of South Korea are well documented at the outset of the film; thereby allowing the viewer to witness part of the fanaticsm North Korean soldiers will go through in order to maintain a constant state of friction on the Korean Peninsula.

Furthermore, it is this major theme in the beginning of the film which introduces the viewer to the antagonists whose mission it is to destroy the South, and reunify the two countries. Among one of the 8th Special Forces' assignments is assassination. One such agent is named Hee. It is this woman whom the elite South Korean special agents, such as Kang-ho Song, are after; and the film highlights their repeated failures in trying to capture her. Moreover, there is also another operation going on. Min-sik Choi is the leader of the North Korean Special Forces unit: and his contact with this woman [Hee] is the main focus of the film. And Hee is a very lethal assassin. Every attempt to capture her has ended in failure.

I do not wish to tell you this woman's identity, or anything else about her, as to do so will only spoil the film for you who have never viewed "Shiri." I found the film interesting and worth a watch. It is an average to above average film, that is definitely worth seeing. I had heard about this film for some time, but only recently viewed the film. Having already seen many Korean films since this release in 1999, the film did not have the same intensity that it might have had if I had viewed it before the excellent film "J.S.A.," ["Joint Security Area"] which also stars Kang-ho Song: and he gave a riveting performance in that particular film. [Which is highly recommended]. This film, "Shiri," is not bad, and it is recommended, as it is a highly suspenseful and entertaining film. Recommended. [Stars: 3.5]

Average customer rating:

Love it for the dancing
Great Book.. Great Music and Dancing..
Good for dancers only...
Bad Movie--Read the books!
If you loved the book...

A Time for Dancing
Starring: Larisa Oleynik , Shiri Appleby , Peter Coyote , Patricia Kalember , and Amy Madigan
Director: Peter Gilbert
Manufacturer: Studio Works
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001XAKVK
Release Date: 2004-08-03

Customer Reviews:

Love it for the dancing.......2006-05-09

Alrighty so this isn't exactly the best movie when it comes to the story, but at certain points it is definately a tear jerker...I didn't like the relationship that the two girls had with eachother...I kept thinking to myself, why are they friends? It was just odd. And I also didn't like how the best-friend takes the prima dancer's spot and Larissa Olynik didn't have any ANGRY emotion...it was kind of unrealistic in that sense, but don't get me wrong...I don't think it's a bad movie...maybe because I am obsessed with any movie that has to do with dance (even Bring it on). The good things about this movie are the dance scenes...they're incredible so if you're into dance then I suggest watching it.

Great Book.. Great Music and Dancing.. .......2006-04-01

..But not the best movie I've ever seen. It can be a little depressing watching this wonderful.. perfect.. prima ballerina.. disappear.. dying of cancer. I LOVE the song that larissa's character dances to foe her Julliard audition. It is very inspirational.

Good for dancers only..........2005-11-07

This movie didn't develop the characters very well. The storyline was rather weak and you couldn't help but feel that the two main characters weren't as close as the writers wanted them to appear to be. As for the dance scenes...EXCELLENT! As a dancer and choreographer, I will buy this movie as a point of reference only. If you're into strong storylines and well developed characters, don't bother. But if you're looking for ideas artistically for dancing, it's a "must have."

Bad Movie--Read the books!.......2005-10-05

I saw the movie before I read the books so then I had an idea what it was about, but the movie was so different from the books. The books are so full of emotion and they really are alot better than the movie...I wouldn't watch the movies again but I'd definitely read the books. They are great books. I wish I had a relationship that Julie and Sammie have. Well, I hope this helped! :)
Read the books! Way better!

If you loved the book..........2005-09-22

...then please, do yourself a favor and stay far away from the movie. I will never understand why filmmakers obtain the rights to novels like "A Time For Dancing", only to create movies that deviate so far from the book that they shouldn't even be allowed to carry the same name. It is just tragic what was done to this beautiful story. So many things, big and small, were changed from the book, and in this case change is NOT good.

What made the novel so special was primarily the friendship between Julie and Samantha. They were more than best friends, they were a part of each other, and that came through the pages of the book so clearly that I was envious of what they had together. The movie turned their relationship into a sorry case of hero worship on Samantha's part, while Julie needed Sam only to tell her how wonderful she was - something the movie Sam accuses her of. In the book, the girls' friendship was strengthened by their shared passion for dancing, and both of them eloquently expressed what it meant to them. But here, Julie is the one with talent, while Samantha doesn't seem to care much but only dances because Julie does. They even reversed the girl's physical appearances by having Julie be a blond and Samantha a brunette.

The whole spirit of "A Time For Dancing" is destroyed in a cheesy, poorly written disease of the week type film that apparently went direct to video, and deservedly so. Please don't waste your time. Read the book (and it's sequel) by Davida Wills Hurwin instead.

Average customer rating:

Inside Humor
"Gee -- felt a fish?"
FUNNY STUFF!! Meaningful and Uplifting!
A trippy, Jewish, "Afterschool Special"...and yet.....NOT.
Funny and Entertaining

When Do We Eat?
Starring: Michael Lerner , Lesley Ann Warren , Jack Klugman , Meredith Scott Lynn , and Shiri Appleby
Director: Salvador Litvak
Manufacturer: Arts Alliance Amer
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000FWHVL4
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Description

The hilarious story of the world's fastest Passover Seder dinner gone horribly awry when the son secretly slips his father a dose of ecstasy at the beginning of the evening. Starring Michael Lerner, Jack Klugman, and Lesley Anne Warren

Customer Reviews:

Inside Humor.......2007-05-16

If you're not Jewish (or play one on tv), you may not get the humor and "inside jokes" on this DVD. I daresay that if you're a Jew who's embarrassed by the old traditions, you may not get or like this movie. I loved this movie and laughed all the way through, except, of course, at the poignant parts.

Jack Klugman is a gem in this movie and by far my favorite character. Although we were way too busy to show this at Pesach for our guests, this a movie worth enjoying all year 'round.

"Gee -- felt a fish?".......2007-03-08

Indeed, sometimes over the top, and other times below the belt... this film must be destined to be a perennial favorite. Once in awhile a cliche, or "oh, I've heard that before" -- are moments few and lean. Not always believable, but ever entertaining. As a Christian I enjoyed it, and as knowing some Jewish people I enjoyed it. I'm not one to think much of most comedies out there, but this was a real charmer. Enjoy!!!

FUNNY STUFF!! Meaningful and Uplifting!.......2007-01-10

This is a wonderful film for a person of ANY faith tradition, especially if you have had to endure "difficult" family gatherings...but if you also enjoy Jewish humor, THIS IS IT! The creative, hilarious, and sometimes tender scenes are surrounded by the story of a "dysfunctional" family Seder.

Be sure to watch for a couple of minutes after the end credits begin rolling for a final scene. Also, don't miss the Rabbis who discuss the different layers of meaning to the film in the "special features" section. Their insights are universal in thought, entertaining, and quite meaningful for anyone. I watched the film again after viewing the Rabbis' commentary and enjoyed it even more. The soundtrack is fabulous, which includes the Moshav Band's "Higher and Higher" (the placement of the song within the context of the film is genius, and I am still laughing).

The film is extremely well done...a main course of hilarious scenes with side dishes of family dynamics and the true meaning of life. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!! Don't be meshugeh...buy it already!

A trippy, Jewish, "Afterschool Special"...and yet.....NOT........2007-01-09

It has a ton of individual moments throughout that Jewish viewers will giggle at, or go "A-Ha!" and yet the non-Jewish viewers will not feel at all discluded on the fun.

And YET......there are a few uncomfortable and also serious moments of family drama sprinkled throughout this film to prevent the feeling you are watching a farce of an "Afterschool Special". NOT your standard "stoner-comedy" flick at all - and Lesley Ann Warren really grounds the film with her always-to-be-counted-on acting chops.

Funny and Entertaining.......2006-10-26

'When do we eat?' For years Jews have been asking that same question at the Passover Seder (festive meal), a meal which tends to go on for a very long time, with all its prayers and traditions, the food being just about the last thing on the schedule.

In the family comedy 'When do we eat?', Ira Stuckman (Michael Lerner) tries to hurry things up as much as possible, when he gathers his unique dysfuctional family together for what he declares will be 'the fastest seder', but it turns out to be everything but.

From lesbians to druggies to sex surrogates, this family has it all. The oldest son, is an ex-yuppie, who has now become a Baal Teshuva (a seculer Jew who 'returns' to observant Judaism), a part played perfectly by Max Greenfield.

The script is clever and funny from beggining to end, although some of the sit-commish lines will make you roll your eyes. As the seder moves along, it seems everyone's got dirty laundry to air, and all sorts of bottled up feelings and revelations start surfacing. While some of it is way over the top, the film remains reasonably believable thanks to the actors, who stay within character and play out their parts well. The film manages to be funny without being too outrageous, and meaningful without being too preachy.

Some of the jokes may be too 'inside' for non-Jews to get, and too offensive for Jews to appreciate. As one critic put it 'If this film was not made entirely by Jews, it'd be considered anti-semitic'. Perhaps, but as a Jewish person myself I found it to be stereotypical in the same way that 'My big fat Greek wedding' stereotypes Greeks, but not offensive by any means (atleast not for people who have a sense of humor).

Bottom Line: The Movie is fun, entertaining and heartwarming and should not be taken too seriously. Definitely worth a rental.