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From Amazon.co.uk
Almost Famous is the movie Cameron Crowe has been waiting a lifetime to tell. The fictionalisation of Crowe's days as a teenage reporter for Creem and Rolling Stone has all the well-written characters and wonderful "movie moments" that we expect from Crowe (Jerry Maguire), but the film has an intangible something extra--an insider's touch that will turn the film into the ode to '70s Rock & Roll for years to come. We are introduced to Crowe's alter ego, William Miller (Patrick Fugit), at home, where his progressive mom (a superb Frances McDormand) has outlawed rock music and sister Anita (Zooey Deschanel) has slipped him LPs that will "set his mind free." Following the wisdom of Creem's disheveled editor, Lester Bangs (Philip Seymour Hoffman in an instant-classic performance), Miller gets on the inside with the up-and-coming band Stillwater (a fictionalised mixture of the Allman Brothers, Led Zeppelin, and others). A simple visit with the band turns into a three-week, life-altering odyssey into the heyday of American rock. Of the characters he meets on the road, the two most important are groupie extraordinaire Penny Lane (Kate Hudson in a star-making performance) and Stillwater's enigmatic lead guitarist (Billy Crudup), who keeps stringing Miller along for an interview. From the handwritten credits (done by Crowe) to the bittersweet finale, Crowe's comedic valentine is an indelible, heartbreaking romance of music, women, and the privilege of youth. --Doug Thomas
Product Description
Billy Crudup, Zooey Deschanel, Patrick Fugit, Jimmy Fallon, John FedevichDirectors: Cameron Crowe
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By Sordel
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
[Amazon migrated my original review of this great movie across to the Blu-Ray edition from the Region 1 "Boot Cut". Unfortunately this means that a lot of it is completely inaccurate! The Boot Cut has great extras, such as the superb commentary, and the Blu-Ray has nothing much aside from the extended version of the film. Quite why it was possible to do more with the DVD format than it is with Blu-Ray I'm not sure, but with no Stillwater CD, no "Stairway to Heaven" scene, no deleted scenes etc. this is an opportunity badly missed. Still, it's the extended version and the film really is wonderful ... so it keeps its 5 stars either way.]
"Almost Famous" is a truly great film about music by someone who was also a great rock journalist. If you missed it in cinemas, this is a great opportunity to pick it up for home viewing.
The three discs here are a short CD by "Stillwater" (the fictional band from the film), a DVD of the original theatrical release and the main event: a DVD of the Director's Cut with a commentary by Cameron Crowe and his mother.
The longer version, it should be noted, takes what was already a brilliant autobiographical film and adds some key scenes, most of which explore further the rock world of the early seventies. Crowe himself wanted to tell not merely a love story, but - more importantly - the love story between a band and its fans. The additional detail really "sells" this aspect of the film, most notably in an extraordinarily moving scene when Kate Hudson's character is thrown a birthday party by the band. If you haven't seen this version, you haven't really seen the film: it really does make that much difference.
Finally, the commentary, which is one of the most informative that I've encountered.... Read more ›
"Almost Famous" is a truly great film about music by someone who was also a great rock journalist. If you missed it in cinemas, this is a great opportunity to pick it up for home viewing.
The three discs here are a short CD by "Stillwater" (the fictional band from the film), a DVD of the original theatrical release and the main event: a DVD of the Director's Cut with a commentary by Cameron Crowe and his mother.
The longer version, it should be noted, takes what was already a brilliant autobiographical film and adds some key scenes, most of which explore further the rock world of the early seventies. Crowe himself wanted to tell not merely a love story, but - more importantly - the love story between a band and its fans. The additional detail really "sells" this aspect of the film, most notably in an extraordinarily moving scene when Kate Hudson's character is thrown a birthday party by the band. If you haven't seen this version, you haven't really seen the film: it really does make that much difference.
Finally, the commentary, which is one of the most informative that I've encountered.... Read more ›
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Crowe's partially autobiographical story about a gifted but naïve young rock journalist prematurely entering the world of his idols is moving, hilarious, thought-provoking and as good as any of his previous films. William comes of age as he deals with the rock and roll lifestyle, journalistic pressures, sex, jealousy and the questionable sincerity of his new 'friends' - all this with his over-protective mother demanding to know his every move.
The acting is fabulous - my favourite performance is the stunning (in every way) Kate Hudson as 'band-aid' Penny Lane ("not a groupie!"). Also an awesome debut from Fugit - perfectly cast and totally believable. My favourite film moment is when the characters reveal their deepest secrets on the tour plane because turbulence makes them believe they are going to die.
The DVD offers excellent extras including a documentary and actual Rolling Stone transcripts, written by Crowe. The soundtrack is impressive but the best feature is the picture of Hudson on the cover - almost perfect.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Almost Famous is a nostalgic look at the director Cameron Crowe's life, how he wanted to be a writer for a Rock and Roll magazine .The central Character William(newcomer Patrick Fugit) has the chance to go on the road for Rolling Stone Magazine with up and coming new Rock Band 'Stillwater',much to the disapproval of his overbearing,rock and roll hating mother(the perfectly cast Frances McDormand). Along the way he meets a number of great people, lead of the band Russell(played by Billy Crudup)and Penny Lane (played by Kate Hudson), this young writer has a huge effect on all the characters in this film as they help each other live the rock and roll life in the 70's. Cameron Crowe picked an excellent cast, young and inspiring who let you have just a taster of life on the road with a rock band. This is a film that is not to be missed.A Film for all aspiring writers and Rock Band hope to be's.
Almost Famous more like Absolutely Fabulous!
Almost Famous more like Absolutely Fabulous!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As I was born in the 1980s, I can only check out the era of blossoming rock'n'roll (Rolling Stones, the Doors, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin) through books and movies. And here's the ideal movie: "Almost Famous," a semi-autobiographical movie about the 1970s rock scene, gives a glimpse of the life of a young reporter, based on Crowe himself.
When William's sister (Zooey Deschanel) left home, she gave him her collection of records: the Who, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and many others. When William (Patrick Fugit) is fifteen he manages to get a writing assignment with Creem, and then with Rolling Stone magazine to write about the rising band Stillwater. William falls in with the Stillwater guys and their circle of adoring groupies, including an effervescent blonde, Penny Lane (Kate Hudson).
Despite the displeasure of his controlling but loving mom (she claims adolescence is a marketing ploy), William accompanies Stillwater across the country. He keeps trying to get an interview with guitarist Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup), but Russell is too busy shagging Penny and diving off rooftops. But after Penny attempts suicide, William realizes the drugs, sex and rock'n'roll are only a veneer for what really matters.
"Almost Famous" is a fantastic mixture of expose and tribute -- there's music, there's romance, there's comedy. We get to see inter-band conflict (who's the star?), groupies, rock journalism, and the unfortunate aftereffects for groupies. Yet the sort-of-romance between Penny and William is very sweet, rooted in genuine affection.
Both the glamour and the grit is shown here. The dialogue sparkles -- "Last words: I dig music... I'M ON DRUGS!", "Forgive me Father, for I may sin tonight," "I'm about to boldly go where...
... Read more ›
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excelent
Such a classic old school movie! me and my daughter watch this together and love it, i would recommend it for anyone, definitely doesn't need the 15 rating!
Published 8 days ago by Sophie
5.0 out of 5 stars
great
great i would recomend this product to a friend, as it was on time and as described. . . :)
Published 1 month ago by L. Simpson
5.0 out of 5 stars
ALMOST FAMOUS DVD - PURCHASED FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD GRANDSON
My grandson, who is going on 17 asked me to get this DVD for him. He plays lead guitar in a local band and so the storyline was "just down his street". Read more
Published 2 months ago by Rita Ann Jermy
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you like 70s Rock and Roll, you'll like this.
If you like the 70s Rock and Roll music, you might like this movie. ;)
And with the Blu-ray version, you just have the sound with great quality !
And with the Blu-ray version, you just have the sound with great quality !
Published 2 months ago by lou
4.0 out of 5 stars
Almost Famous
I really enjoyed this movie. The themes and even characters are not as the cover suggests, it was quite a pleasant surprise. It is fun, funny and serious in some parts. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Yerrr
5.0 out of 5 stars
An old fave!
This film still makes me want to be a music journalist - inspiring for anyone studying creative journalism or anyone that likes music... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Sophie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Faboulous!
The movie itself It's wonderfull and, besides having a image a little bit 'granulated' the BD It's great! Worth every penny! ;D
Jorge
Jorge
Published 9 months ago by Jorge
4.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly funny
The movie is long but surprisingly entertaining and funny. The picture quality of the bluray disk is good, and the price isn't too bad either.
Published 10 months ago by Petri
5.0 out of 5 stars
Almost Famous... Cameron Crowe's classic...
This film makes me miss a time that I've never even lived.
There is a scene in which the characters all sing along to Tiny Dancer (Elton John's classic) on a tour bus, this is... Read more
There is a scene in which the characters all sing along to Tiny Dancer (Elton John's classic) on a tour bus, this is... Read more
Published 18 months ago by steph
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hold me closer tiny dancer...
Great movie with a fantastic soundtrack to accompany it. That pretty much sums it up I think although some amount of elaborating might be useful to you. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Jaffacake
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