SteveHistory

This movie starts well with great filming, suspense, interesting characters, and eerie setting. But...that's where it becomes stupid. Once the plot starts to unfold it just turns dumb. Sad to say, this is a NO GO.

I once watched a bad comedian that came out, stood at the mic, cleared his throat, prepared to speak, but every time he got ready he'd clear his throat again and come close to speaking but he never did. Clearly he had nothing to say.

This movie was EXACTLY the same. Build-up....no pay off. Build-up...no pay off. After 45 minutes I turned it off and watched SportsCenter.

AVOID. All throat clearing with NOTHING to sat

I have laughed outloud at Christopher Guest since his brief stint on Saturday Night Live, through "This Is Spinal Tap", "Waiting for Guffman", "Best in Show", and "A Mighty Wind", I anticipated the release of this movie for months believing that the premise was a winner.

Sadly, it was not to be. I only laughed a couple of times feeling like many of the gags were too mechanical and manipulative. Some of the characters had a few good lines but overall I was looking at the clock on the DVD player through much of the movie. Fred Willard, who generally steals every scene he is in really fell flat with his lack-luster performance. He appeared tired, bored, and out of touch--so at least he and I had those three things in common.

Sadly I cannot recommend this one. Painful to write, but avoid this one at all costs.

I didn't see the first movie, so I was lost for much of the movie since it does NOT stand on its own. The creators of this movie were trying so hard to make the "Four Horsemen" come across as super cool the plot fell completely apart. There were so many eye-rolling, suspensions of disbelief I kept asking myself, "Who buys this nonsense." Apparently with an average score of nearly "7" there were quite a few viewers duped by this movie's level of stupidity. I was bored throughout, confused, incredulous, and baffled at what the movie expected viewers to take for granted. Thousands of fans turn out of nowhere to view the final magic acts of these four, spotlights magically appear out of nowhere to highlight their acts, no seems to be needed to make all of these amazing things take place--they just "happen." While younger, less educated viewers may have been swept away in this idiocy, I simply kept looking at my watch (and occasionally tapping it) to hurry along this cinematic mess. I wish they could have made ME disappear during the first five minutes so I could have been doing something entertaining. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!!!

(THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS)

I am baffled at the gushing reviews given for this movie. Granted the IDEA is superb, I loved the idea behind the plot but the movie overall was a disappointment for me. The camera work, which at first was brilliant, soon lost credibility with so many shots that added NOTHING to the plot and were distracting and misleading. Generally a camera shot should contribute to the plot by offering clues, establishing location, mood, or suspense, but multiple camera shots led NOWHERE and became a distraction. After three or four camera shots led to zero payoff, the director lost credibility. Also, the plot established that those following the victims of the curse would always be walking, but then we see one of those shown earlier as walking, suddenly now shows up on a bike. Also the reason why certain people were "followers" is never fleshed out in the plot, with some being dressed, some naked, or partially naked, some just stood (as the man on the house) and NEVER walked at all which we were previously told was a clue as to the nefarious intent of the follower. This plot needs to tie together those that are the followers with those that are followed. In one scene a male "follower" enters a house but the murder is carried out by a female. I WILL admit it is an idea that stays with you after you leave the theater and I DID find myself paying attention to people walking towards my direction outside the theater, but overall I was disappointed with many aspects of this film.

Sorry.

I am 55 years old and I have NEVER forgotten the impact this film made on me as a child. Along with many other reviewers, I saw this film late one Saturday morning on the CBS Children's Film Festival and I have not forgotten it for my entire life. When I saw it was available on Amazon for purchase I did not pay any attention to the price, I simply hit 'Purchase' and smiled the whole time. If the cost had been ten times what I paid I would have still gladly paid it. I cannot even remember the details of the plot but I can remember that I was so emotionally invested in this story it has stuck with me for four decades. I cannot WAIT for its arrival. I now have ten grandchildren and I will make sure that they ALL watch it with me as they get a little older. Thanks to whoever made the effort to re-release this timeless classic on DVD. It is clear from the many posts (that are eerily similar in their message) that this movie affected EVERYONE that saw it in virtually the same way. If EVER there was an example of the power of motion pictures...THIS is that film.

I fell in love with Ricky Gervais during the first three minutes of "The Office" when I first was exposed to his comedic genius in 2003. Some people get him and others don't---I am glad I do. His writing ability takes the viewer from laughing beyond the ability to breath until you sobbing so hard you cannot see the television screen. Very few writers have this ability. His comedy is NOT for everyone. I have attempted to acquaint both "The Office" and "Derek" to some friends and family members who never did get the humor. Well, that is the nature of humor...one size does NOT fit all. Often a second viewing is required for Yankee viewers to catch all of the subtle lines often spoken under the actor's breath or so quickly they escape the lazy viewer's attention. But rewind and absorb EVERYTHING. Sometimes the biggest laughs come from the simplest lines. The Cabaret night performance had me laughing until I thought I was going to faint. And the final scene in episode seven rivals the final scene of "The Office--The Special (Christmas episode)" I am glad I'm living at a time when Ricky Gervais is working and providing entertainment. He is a rare treasure beyond compare.

This piece of garbage is an example of how to ruin a good idea. I was bored for the entire length of the movie. The number of scares that COULD have been written into the plot were missed by the screenwriters. In virtually the room of people I watched it with kept asking, "Why didn't they have a face appear in a window in the background..." "Why not have a person appear down the hallway?" Why not this...why not that...? The worst thing a movie can do is bore the audience and then anger them. This movies does both. If I were teaching a class on film making I would show this as an example of how NOT to make a scary movie. Avoid at all costs, unless you have much more time to waste than I do. TERRIBLE, BORING, CONTRIVED, and HORRIBLY ACTED!!!

The filmmakers behind "Winnebago Man" have crafted a thoughtful, entertaining, and engrossing piece of documentary journalism. I had never seen the internet clip of Jack Rebney but I was hooked in the first five minutes of this movie. The director leads the viewers through his quest to find "the angriest man in the world" and the pay-off is well worth the ride. I can't say enough good about this documentary and just when you fear that the ending may turn out to be distasteful and unsettling the tide turns and you see a side to Jack that makes the entire viewing experience memorable.

My only frustration with this review is that there are only ten stars available--it deserved higher. In an age when Hollywood screenwriters seem nearly unable to write a decent script with a satisfying ending, this documentary sets the bar high.

A trip with this Winnebago man is well worth the effort!

I have been stunned into a silent stupor at some of the reviewers who didn't like (or more likely understand) this movie. Granted, there are no fistfights, no car crashes, no naked women, and no breathtaking stunts or special effects. But if you enjoy a well-written, thoughtful movie that digs deeply into the struggles of being a single parent, or betrayal, of generation differences, or of simply being human this is YOUR movie. You won't be slapping your thigh and laughing until you bleed, and you won't be on the edge of your seat wondering if the hero will get out of a dilemma, but the plot is engrossing, the acting is miles above much of what Hollywood has to offer today, and George Clooney with his under-emotive acting reflects living in a real world for many individuals. The final scene with the family watching television (pay attention to what they are watching) encapsulates the entire message of the movie. I loved it.

Only a couple of movies in my 52 years have caused my jaw to drop with their ending. This was one of them. I cannot recommend this movie too highly! It is riveting viewing from start to finish and the pay-off at the conclusion will stick with viewers their entire life. I cannot remember being so dumbstruck with a movie's conclusion. The story line is one that has to fascinate every movie fan in the world. We all wonder about those individuals whose lives are devoted to the adoration and veneration of celebrities and this movie captures a glimpse inside that dark and disturbing world perfectly.

Great viewing, but admittedly uncomfortable throughout. I'm still reeling.

Like watching someone pick at a scab, this movie was painful and pointless from the opening scene. It is hilarious to read glowing reviews from alleged film experts that attempt to praise this piece of garbage. I only made it through half of the movie (and much of that was on fast forward) until I could feel myself getting dumber. I finally had wasted enough time and turned it off. I would LOVE to talk for fifteen minutes with some of the reviewers that praised this movie and see what OTHER cinematic classics they recommend. Granted some of the scenes will stick with me for a long time, but I also saw a dog get hit by a car when I was eleven--that has stuck with me as well.

Avoid at all costs unless you have much more spare time to waste than I do.

Wow. What an eye-opener. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I didn't even know this bizarre world existed out there. This documentary was a revelation. The power these minister held over their congregations helps me to understand why so many so-called Christian sects or Megachurches have been racked with scandal after scandal after scandal. The likes of Pat Robertson, Al Sharpton, Ted Haggard, Paul Barnes, D.E. (Earl) Paulk, Jimmy Swaggert, Jim Bakker, William Dodd, and other so-called Christian leaders have all been caught in various types of embarrassing scandals and after watching Jesus Camp it is no wonder that these leaders are able to get away with so much monkey business. The Biblican prophecies of latter-day churches being established to get gain, of having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof all makes much more sense after one viewing of Jesus Camp. Hearing the mantra-like, repeated chanting smacked of cult-like indoctrination and mind control.

I am speechless. This documentary should act as a disinfectant for anyone interested in joining one of these cult-like, so-called Christian sects. Buyer Beware!!

I was angry when the number rating scale didn't offer a "0" so I was forced to give this movie an undeserved "1" instead. I am fifty-one years old and this may be the biggest waste of time I've seen in my life. There is no need to warn of spoilers in this review because there is absolutely no plot to spoil. The acting was atrocious, the weak excuse for a plot was filled with numerous holes and implausible coincidences, and there was not a single shocking or scary scene anywhere in it. The clown sequence was lifted from an old urban legend that has been around for twenty years.

Avoid this piece of garbage at all costs. The fact that his movie has received an average rating of 5.5 means one of two things: 1. The sensibilities of mankind are declining at a rate beyond belief.

or 2. The producers and principals associated with this movie have spent a great amount of time writing bogus reviews to pump up the ratings to dupe suckers into renting this trash.

Please save your money and your time--DO NOT RENT THIS MOVIE!!!

Prior to attending a showing of "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" I consulted the IMDb as I always do to see what other viewers thought of the movie. I was pleased to see it received 7 our of 10 stars. Now after seeing this piece of trash I will be forever skeptical of the rankings viewers give movies on this site. I never thought I would cry in this movie but I did. I cried when I realized I wasted $8 on this piece of crap. There were plenty of jokes and a lot of gags but none of them worked. NONE of them made me laugh. In fact the entire theater of about 80 customers sat in silence throughout this movie. Generally ANY movie will have one or two morons that laugh at every profanity or every drug reference, but this movie never elicited a single audible laugh from ANYONE in the theater. I cannot believe that one reviewer even compared it to "This is Spinal Tap"--a movie I consider one of the funniest and most innovative of the past thirty years. This was definitely NO "Spinal Tap"!!! The site gags were not funny, the set ups for most jokes were ridiculous, and the pay-offs simply didn't work. I could tell that on paper these jokes must have appeared hilarious but on the big screen they simply fell flat. Granted, there were a couple of catchy tunes, but if that is all you are looking for, simply buy the soundtrack and save yourself the ordeal of sitting through two hours of torture. I gave this movie 1 star only because IMDb didn't allow me to actually give it MINUS points--which it deserved. AVOID at all costs.

This comment is really TWO comments: One of Oliver Stone's movie itself and a second one on the premise of the film.

First: The film is excellent in telling the story of the various theories surrounding the assassination. Recreated scenes are interwoven with archival film footage so seamlessly that only historical scholars can detect where Dallas ends and Hollywood begins. But for the well read scholar that line is very clear. I enjoy the movie itself. It is a bit long and would bore those without a fairly elaborate background with the details of the assassination and the various plots that have been hatched.

Second: Concerning the historical accuracy of the film. There is none. The only accurate facts are that Kennedy was assassinated, Oswald was shot, and the nation mourned. Everything else is suspect. There is not time here to dissect the film to the degree I would like, besides several websites have already done that much better than I could. The premise of several different gunmen firing up to six or more shots it totally unsubstantiated with ANY credible evidence. The allegations that Kennedy planned to pull out of Vietnam are not accepted by ANY respected historian in the United States. The theory that Oswald and Ruby were involved together is laughable since no evidence exists to support this fanciful theory.

In short, the movie should have been named, "Dallas in Wonderland", but Oliver's twist is fun to rip apart.

Whew...It's been a long time since I've seen such polarized comments on a movie on the IMDb. Reading nearly all of the previous reviews thus far I would be interested to talk to those who hated the movie and find out which movies they DID like. In talking to young people that have seen ND already (and who hated it) I find their sense of humor tends to be more geared for "Scary Movie", "White Chicks", and any comedy with nudity, foul language, and "in-your-face" characters. I recently attended a screening of ND at the Ontario Mills Mall in Ontario, California. Five minutes prior to the movie starting there were only fifteen of us in a four hundred-seat theater. By the time the trailers of coming attractions were over there was not a single empty seat in the house. I cannot remember the last time I attended a movie that sold out. I may have been the oldest one in the theater (45) and I laughed from start to finish. The characters are so quirky, so original, and so likable that I immediately felt right at home in Preston, Idaho. I liked the fact that there is a movie maker still alive that can entertain 400 movie-goers without resorting to the low denominator of profanity and nudity. What a breath of fresh air. But I will give a word of warning...this movie is not for everybody. If you are looking for naked women, sexual references in every line, and ear splitting profanity, then skip this movie at all costs--you will be bored. If however you enjoy tasting an odd slice of life that has rarely been put on the screen as well, then peddle on over to the nearest theater and take a trip to white-bread America, where wide lapels can still be seen, and a real representation of "nerd-dom" can be enjoyed by all. I think that everyone sees a little Napoleon Dynamite in all of us. Outstanding film!!!

Whew...It's been a long time since I've seen such polarized comments on a movie on the IMDb. Reading nearly all of the previous reviews thus far I would be interested to talk to those who hated the movie and find out which movies they DID like. In talking to young people that have seen ND already (and who hated it) I find their sense of humor tends to be more geared for "Scary Movie", "White Chicks", and any comedy with nudity, foul language, and "in-your-face" characters. I recently attended a screening of ND at the Ontario Mills Mall in Ontario, California. Five minutes prior to the movie starting there were only fifteen of us in a four hundred-seat theater. By the time the trailers of coming attractions were over there was not a single empty seat in the house. I cannot remember the last time I attended a movie that sold out. I may have been the oldest one in the theater (45) and I laughed from start to finish. The characters are so quirky, so original, and so likable that I immediately felt right at home in Preston, Idaho. I liked the fact that there is a movie maker still alive that can entertain 400 movie-goers without resorting to the low denominator of profanity and nudity. What a breath of fresh air. But I will give a word of warning...this movie is not for everybody. If you are looking for naked women, sexual references in every line, and ear splitting profanity, then skip this movie at all costs--you will be bored. If however you enjoy tasting an odd slice of life that has rarely been put on the screen as well, then peddle on over to the nearest theater and take a trip to white-bread America, where wide lapels can still be seen, and a real representation of "nerd-dom" can be enjoyed by all. I think that everyone sees a little Napoleon Dynamite in all of us. Outstanding film!!!

I knew very little about this documentary prior to renting "Spellbound" last night. I loved it!! This is an example of documentary film making at its very best. I found that I was attached to nearly all of the kids and would have been happy to see any one of them win the national competition. I was not aware that it was from five years ago--I was under the impression that it was more recent. I was so amazed at how well adjusted these kids were. I have taught advanced placement history students for fifteen years and I see these kids every day of the week. I love their quirky outlook on life. Not a single one of them stormed off the stage and collapsed in a puddle of tears after they missed their final word. They were level-headed, positive, upbeat, and grateful for making it as far as they did. What an example for athletes who often attack the officials, throw equipment, swear like a sailor, and make an embarrassment out of themselves. I would suggest that THESE kids are the real role models for today's youth, not uncontrolled athletes or rock stars who are on the verge of a melt-down at any moment. I was equally impressed with the parents of these kids. They were supportive, helpful, and deeply involved in the success of their kids. Another important lesson I picked up from this movie was that it is not always the rich kids that perform well in academic pursuits. There were students from all walks of life that met at this competition. Some from two-parent homes, some had emigrated from another country to live in America, some had parents who spoke little or no English. The African-American girl's mother butchered the English language yet her daughter could out spell 99% of the school kids in America. The girl from Texas had two parents who did not speak a word of English, yet she advanced further than anyone in the entire state of Texas. This movie is a must-see for any up and coming film makers. Outstanding, outstanding, outstanding!!!

Contains Spoilers I have to admit that "The Ring" scared me. Plot holes and all it was very well shot with great directing, excellent camera shots, a disturbing mood, and above-average acting. Without discussing the plot in any detail I must say that I am surprised that of the reviews I read of this movie, not a single person noticed the several camera shots lifted from other movies, especially Hitchcock films. First, the scene where the boy's mother scans the neighboring apartment complex observing the various lives of her neighbors she visually moves from window to window observing the scenes inside several different apartments. This scene was directly taken from "Rear Window" and as a humorous nod to Hitchcock, one of the neighbors even had a broken leg and is confined to wheelchair, just like Jimmy Stewart was in "Rear Window." However in "The Ring" we see him from another neighbor's vantage point. Two other shots were clear references to "Vertigo." The sudden and unexpected suicide jump of Kim Novak into the San Francisco Bay is copied as the girl's mother suddenly, and unexpectedly jumps from the cliff in "The Ring." Also, when the video expert is in his room and the female lead decides to forgo the elevator and race up the stairs, the shot is also right out of "Vertigo" as Jimmy Stewart races up the stairs of the bell tower. The stairs wind around in a dizzying spiral and the camera is even positioned in the same spot for both shots. Another shot taken from Hitch was when the female lead is showering and her dirt is washing down the drain. The camera zooms in on the drain following the rinsed-off dirt as it disappears, exactly as Hitchcock did in "Psycho" during Janet Leigh's shower scene. Another shot lifted from "Psycho" was when the female lead approaches the video expert's chair from behind calling out his name towards the end of the movie. She touches his chair and it slowly turns around to reveal his face--exactly as it does at the end of "Psycho" when Vera Miles learns the truth about Norman's "mother." That many shots from Hitchcock movies does take away a bit from the originality of "The Ring", but a good shot is a good shot even if used more than once. Additionally, the scene where the fingernail is found in the walls of the well could not have been more clearly lifted from "Silence of the Lambs." While each movie had their own plot and reasons for each shot, it is interesting to note how blatantly some shots were stolen from the masters. Otherwise, I greatly enjoyed this movie and would recommend it to any who are tired of ridiculous attempts at horror such as "Scream," "I Know What You Did Last Summer," and "13 Ghosts."

Generally, whenever I watch the networks attempt to depict American History I wind up on the front lawn randomly swearing at autos that pass my house, (until my wife turns on the sprinklers and forces me back inside.) But in spite of a few eye-rolling plot twists and cheesy lines, this is one of the very best docudramas I've EVER watched. Starting with the idealism of JFK, this movie is jam-packed full of references to a plethora of real historical events and personalities that defined the 1960s. Every single event and person is not flagged and explained. If you get it you get it, if you don't you don't. The better-read the viewer is, the more they will appreciate the numerous references. Abby Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden, electric Dylan at Newport, Joan Baez, Martin Luther King, the Lorraine Motel, Wavy Gravy, the Zapruder Film, Bull Connor, Bobby Seale, Black Panther breakfast program, "Soul on Ice," "Free Huey," The Hog Farm, The Gray Line Bus tours of Haight-Ashbury, the Weathermen, The Chicago Seven, Selma, Birmingham, "brown acid," Days of Rage, CO status, Watts riot, Cafe Wha?, Phil Ochs, Kettle of Fish, and on and on and on. If you are extremely literate in the real history of the Sixties you will find a wealth of information awaiting you in this 3 and-a-half hour tour. All right, so "Do You Believe in Magic" wasn't released until AFTER the troop train protest was held in Berkley but that is a minor point to get all steamed up over. Generally this is a feast for the literate student of the 1960s.