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Product Description
Academy Award winner Julia Roberts (Best Actress, Erin Brockovich, 2000), David Duchovny (The X-Files) and Blair Underwood (Rules of Engagement) star in another acclaimed triumph from Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh (Best Director, Traffic, 2000). It’s a chaotic day for seven strangers from Hollywood who end up at the birthday party of a mutual friend. Before the night is over, relationships are tested, hearts are broken and passions are renewed! Also starring David Hyde Pierce (TV’s Frasier), Catherine Keener (Being John Malkovich), Mary McCormack (K-Pax) and Nicky Katt (Insomnia).
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By N. Martin
Format:DVD
Oh god - where to begin. If I were you, I wouldn't. I rented out this complete waste of time from the video store - and I am thankful every night that I didn't waste hard-earned cash on its purchase.
On the surface this film should be a winner - look at the cast: Julia Roberts, Blair Underwood, Brad Pitt, David Duchovney, David Hyde Pierce - the list goes on. Then theres the director -Steven Soderburgh, the guy who can direct big budget flashy films (Oceans 11), big budget gritty drama (Traffic) and low budget-high brow art (Sex, lies & videotape) with equal aplomb. The Hollywood studios must have been falling over themselves to sign up this one thinking it was going to be Oscar material for sure.
So where does it all fall wrong? Being honest I can't really pin-point it. The camera is NYPD Blue hand-held, the script seems to have been made up on the spot and the locations are (or at least seem to be) open to the public so that on several instances you can see passers-by doing a double-take on the proceedings. Basically this a Hollywood version of the mid-90's experiment that was Dogme (that Danish well-intended mess that produced Lar van Triers 'The Idiots') and it doesnt work half as well given the size of the egos on show here. The film is supposed to be a satirical take on the whole Hollywood scene, but given the nature of celebrity (if everywhere you go, you're treated like a god and given preferential treatment would you be able to remain normal for long?) it doesn't really work. No-one likes to bitch about themselves and Hollywood stars are no exception, plus there seems to be a pre-vailing need not to bite (or even savage too much) the over-indulging studio hand that feeds.
... Read more ›6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Celtes
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
I only bought this DVD because I like David Hyde Pierce. It was cheap and there appeared to be a good cast... so I thought why not?
I barely managed to sit through it. The film is trying to be far cleverer than it actually is. I don't like the hand held cameras. They add nothing to the film. The script is terrible... if there actually is a script at all! The characters are annoying... especially the Julia Roberts character. All in all I found it disjointed, confusing and above all else....extremely boring.
I barely managed to sit through it. The film is trying to be far cleverer than it actually is. I don't like the hand held cameras. They add nothing to the film. The script is terrible... if there actually is a script at all! The characters are annoying... especially the Julia Roberts character. All in all I found it disjointed, confusing and above all else....extremely boring.
Format:DVD
A complete waste of time and money (I just finished watching it on TV, so no, thank God, I didn't buy it). The money spent on making it I mean. At least $500.
By E
Format:DVD
I love this film although it isn't to everyone's taste but I think it's great fun because its a film within a film within a film and so on...
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By "maxsxma"
Format:DVD
This is a review of actually how the film works...
but first just to say this film is my opinion is outstanding. Oh, and the film is of a somewhat philisophical nature questioning the reality of film and people's misconceptions about watching a film. It really is genuine intellectual stimulation.
It has 6 characters and in each scene there are always pairs of people all linked via one of the other pairs. The film is pretty intense viewing with the majority of scenes shot with varying degrees of 'grainy image' - The grainiest of images being the most real of all the subplots involving the pairs.
It turns out that the pair of characters interacting in the 'movie quality' scenes are actually in a movie - and although obvious from the start, simply by the way the cast act, there is a give-away at the end when the 'movie characters' appear in grainy footage with the 'real characters'.
Its immensely hard to explain but i assure you, if you're intelligent enough and actually watch every minute, (and watch it twice :) )you'll be rewarded.
Also; recommended viewing of similar 'films within films' - The only other i know of is the recent Adaption - with Nicholas Cage.
but first just to say this film is my opinion is outstanding. Oh, and the film is of a somewhat philisophical nature questioning the reality of film and people's misconceptions about watching a film. It really is genuine intellectual stimulation.
It has 6 characters and in each scene there are always pairs of people all linked via one of the other pairs. The film is pretty intense viewing with the majority of scenes shot with varying degrees of 'grainy image' - The grainiest of images being the most real of all the subplots involving the pairs.
It turns out that the pair of characters interacting in the 'movie quality' scenes are actually in a movie - and although obvious from the start, simply by the way the cast act, there is a give-away at the end when the 'movie characters' appear in grainy footage with the 'real characters'.
Its immensely hard to explain but i assure you, if you're intelligent enough and actually watch every minute, (and watch it twice :) )you'll be rewarded.
Also; recommended viewing of similar 'films within films' - The only other i know of is the recent Adaption - with Nicholas Cage.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is one of those films I think you have to watch twice to get. It follows the lives of different characters as they approach a film launch. The characters are diverse, but there is no overuse of dialogue or need to explain everything. Because it is about the film industry, it is sometimes difficult to ascertain whether what you are watching is actually happening or is a film, but i think this is the director's reflection on the blurred lines between reality/the movie industry.
This film doesn't try to use shocking or outrageous storylines and is filmed in a 'home movie' style which emphasises content and keeps your interest until the very end. Mulitple storylines eventually interlink to the climax which is the movie opening.
I would recommend this film as it certainly is a breath of fresh air from most films out there. Surprise appearance from Brad Pitt also a bit of a bonus!! Good film - keeper!
This film doesn't try to use shocking or outrageous storylines and is filmed in a 'home movie' style which emphasises content and keeps your interest until the very end. Mulitple storylines eventually interlink to the climax which is the movie opening.
I would recommend this film as it certainly is a breath of fresh air from most films out there. Surprise appearance from Brad Pitt also a bit of a bonus!! Good film - keeper!
2 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
Disjointed, self-indulgent rubbish. Thank God for the X32 fast forward onthe DVD control. I hoped that the film was just slow to start but fiveminutes of fast forward later the film had ended with little or noindication of a watchable product. I have never offered a review of anyproduct before but I must admit that if anyone submits a favourable reviewof this nonsense they should revisit the tale of the Emperor's NewClothes.
Avoid at all costs!
Avoid at all costs!
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