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Family movie reviews for "Home" sorted by average review score:
Amelie
Released in DVD by Miramax Home Entertainment (December, 2002)
Starring: Audrey Tautou and Mathieu Kassovitz
Perhaps the most charming movie of all time, Amélie is certainly one of the top 10. The title character (the bashful and impish Audrey Tautou) is a single waitress who decides to help other lonely people fix their lives. Her widowed father yearns to travel but won't, so to inspire the old man she sends his garden gnome on a tour of the world; with whispered gossip, she brings together two cranky regulars at her café; she reverses the doorknobs and reprograms the speed dial of a grocer who's mean to his assistant. Gradually she realizes her own life needs fixing, and a chance meeting leads to her most elaborate stratagem of all. This is a deeply wonderful movie, an illuminating mix of magic and pragmatism. Fans of the director's previous films (Delicatessen, The City of Lost Children) will not be disappointed; newcomers will be delighted. --Bret Fetzer
Average review score: 
It will definitely leave a smile on your face...In order to fully appreciate this film, the viewer has to focus not on all that it isn't, rather all that it is - a charming, entertaining and inspiring movie. It's not meant to be a realistic, "Wow, that could happen to me!" kind of movie. More like, "Wow, I WISH that could happen to me!" Amelie is a movie to watch when you're feeling kind of low, and need a good mood lifter.
Touching story of how one can touch the lives of manyAmelie is an absolutely wonderful story of how one young girl can touch the lives of so many around her. She is successful in helping her father, her friends, and even complete strangers find happiness. The problem comes when it is time to help herself. Can a shy girl who grew up alone with no friends overcome her anxiety in time to keep from missing out on her chance at happiness?
Highly recommend this movie as a real uplifting and thought provoking look at how sometimes true happiness can only be found when we are willing to take a risk.
Oh la la!Summary
Once upon a time Amelie Poulin, a young lady unlike any other, lived in the heart of Paris. She underwent various difficulties in life such as witnessing the death of her mother in front of the Notre Dame church due to a woman who committed suicide from the heights of the church and landed on her. As well as having to hear her father endlessly talk about his obsession with a garden dwarf statue, she decides to leave this depressing home and live in Montmartre working as a waitress in a petit café. At the age of 22, Amelie finds her purpose in life, which is fixing other's lives. She invents all sorts of strategies to help people incognito.
Her mission is suddenly disturbed by the sight of a strange man, Nino Quincampoix, who works part time in a haunted house and in a sex-shop. He collects fractions of pictures found under photo-taking machines in the metro. Amelie is suddenly romantically moved for the first time, and decides to play a little hide-and-seek with Nino... Oh la la!
Once upon a time Amelie Poulin, a young lady unlike any other, lived in the heart of Paris. She underwent various difficulties in life such as witnessing the death of her mother in front of the Notre Dame church due to a woman who committed suicide from the heights of the church and landed on her. As well as having to hear her father endlessly talk about his obsession with a garden dwarf statue, she decides to leave this depressing home and live in Montmartre working as a waitress in a petit café. At the age of 22, Amelie finds her purpose in life, which is fixing other's lives. She invents all sorts of strategies to help people incognito.
Her mission is suddenly disturbed by the sight of a strange man, Nino Quincampoix, who works part time in a haunted house and in a sex-shop. He collects fractions of pictures found under photo-taking machines in the metro. Amelie is suddenly romantically moved for the first time, and decides to play a little hide-and-seek with Nino... Oh la la!
Movie Review
Le Fabuleux Destin D'Amelie Poulin, a truly delicious piece of eye candy, coming from the sweet heart of Paris, wrapped up in an innocent story of a young mademoiselle named Amelie. Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet; starring well known Audrey Tautou as Amelie, and Mathieu Kassovitz as Nino Quincompoix who give the movie zing of Parisian flavor and fantasy.
Amelie, at the age of 22 decides to leave her home and strike out on her own; tired of the conflicts she is surrounded by in her childhood home. She moves into a small Montmartre apartment, the epitome of French living, and thus begins an interesting adventure, of a girl's self-imposed mission to change others lives.
The choice of Audrey Tatou an actress with her own magical qualities was the perfect choice for leading role in the movie; truly embodying the character of this innocent and naive yet mystical girl. Rather than making her role one of a outlandish child, she portrays the magic and imagination that this movie offers in a smooth manner. Mathieu Kassovitz is the perfect complementary actor to Audrey as he portrays a nonsensical character with his own peculiar personality. Queer characters, up and out of the normal perspective, make this a dramatic yet romantic comedy unlike any other. Giving everyone a distinct story, filled with details, and a history, and broadening the horizon for an appealing cinematic work.
Jean-Pierre Jeunet uses special effects throughout the movie sparingly, making each one have an important role in the meaning of the movie. For example, when Amelie literally turns to water as she thinks about Nino because she is hopelessly in love. These small details not only make an impact on the audience, yet give the movie a variety of symbols. The camerawork helps the movie, making it in some way unrealistic which is what Amelie Poulain is all about. The director uses quick-cuts, and a wide spectrum of colors, depending on the mood of the moment creating a film that the viewer can appreciate visually, through the character's gests and also through the well thought out shades of colors throughout the movie.
Besides visual effects, music plays an important role in the mood of the film, offering whimsical and melancholy notes. The music is brought together by the synchronized sound of accordion, piano and guitar, giving the movie emotions through sound. As well as offering feelings it also gives the movie a typical Parisian scene, mixed in with the sight of the most fabulous neighborhood in Paris, Montmartre.
Voila! Amelie Poulin, a film leaving all ages with cheek pain due to over-smiling and laughing throughout the movie. Such imagination and enchanting qualities feed the eyes of the audience with a different film, one that reaches cinematographic summits, and take minds on a 2 hour escape to candy land. Encore!
The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition Collector's Gift Set)
Released in DVD by New Line Home Entertainment (12 November, 2002)
Starring: Elijah Wood
In every aspect, the extended-edition DVD of Peter Jackson's epic fantasy The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring blows away the theatrical-version DVD. No one who cares at all about the film should ever need to watch the original version again. Well, maybe the impatient and the squeamish will still prefer the theatrical version, because the extended edition makes a long film 30 minutes longer and there's a bit more violence (though both versions are rated PG-13). But the changes--sometimes whole scenes, sometimes merely a few seconds--make for a richer film. There's more of the spirit of J.R.R. Tolkien, embodied in more songs and a longer opening focusing on Hobbiton. There's more character development, and more background into what is to come in the two subsequent films, such as Galadriel's gifts to the Fellowship and Aragorn's burden of lineage. And some additions make more sense to the plot, or are merely worth seeing, such as the wood elves leaving Middle-earth or the view of Caras Galadhon (but sorry, there's still no Tom Bombadil). Extremely useful are the chapter menus that indicate which scenes are new or extended.
Of the four commentary tracks, the ones with the greatest general appeal are the one by Jackson and cowriters Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, and the one by 10 cast members, but the more technically oriented commentaries by the creative and production staff are also worth hearing. The bonus features (encompassing two complete DVDs) are far superior to the largely promotional materials included on the theatrical release, delving into such matters as script development, casting, and visual effects. The only drawback is that the film is now spread over two discs, with a somewhat abrupt break following the council at Rivendell, due to the storage capacity required for the longer running time, the added DTS ES 6.1 audio, and the commentary tracks. But that's a minor inconvenience. Whether in this collector's gift set (which adds Argonath bookends and a DVD of National Geographic Beyond the Movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring) or the unadorned four-disc set, the extended-edition DVD is the Fellowship DVD to rule them all. --David Horiuchi
Average review score:
Wonderful set!I got this set last year. I wasn't sure what to expect at the time that I placed it into my DVD player, but I was a huge fan of the theatrical version and I knew it could only get better! It was better than I expected. The additional footage adds so much depth and so much more characterization that I can't understand why it wasn't apart of the original release. Simply amazing! Also the bonus material is nothing short of awesome! If you liked the movie in the theater BUY THIS NOW! If you are not sure, get this and THE TWO TOWERS: EXPANDED EDITION, and get ready for the third film, because they will get you hooked!
(GIFT SET INFO: This set comes with the movie, plus a set of bookends, and an addition disc with a documentary on the books. The set is beautiful, and the bookends are just wonderful. Spend the extra money and get the gift set!)
(GIFT SET INFO: This set comes with the movie, plus a set of bookends, and an addition disc with a documentary on the books. The set is beautiful, and the bookends are just wonderful. Spend the extra money and get the gift set!)
Even better than theater release--Extended best choice!I forgave much of the necessary artiistic licence of the director because P.Jackson delivered magnificently in the major scenes and cleverly combined original elements that though "invented" maintained many essentials of the original narrative.
The extended DVD(though still not a literal translation of the book) contains many of the moments and subtleties that I so wanted to see in the theater. Though still a compromise relative to the book the additional detail of the extended version adds much more to the story than the extra 20 minutes of footage implies (some additions in places amount to 1/2 to 15 seconds of footage within a scene, yet they contribute much greater depth to the story).
The commentaries provided are fun, fascinating and quite welcome to the acting/filmaking enthusiast. The production-side documentaries and reports are a huge treat--sets, props, costumes, makeup and the insight into everyones dedication show clearly the huge commitment made by the crew and their concern in staying true to the source material as much as possible whilst also translating practically the tale from written word to film faithfully.
There's nothing really wrong with the theater release, but for home viewing even on a small screen the extended version is simply better and more engaging.
I couldn't help but buy the standard version of The Two Towers--tired of waiting--but I have just ordered the extended version of it as based on my experience with FOTR Extd. I know TTT Extended will also be superior to the theater release (and with TTT it ought to be--the editing was a bit choppy).
The extended version is a great value if you want all the extras it provides, and even if you don't, the additional footage is an improvement on the original release and thus worth it.
The extended DVD(though still not a literal translation of the book) contains many of the moments and subtleties that I so wanted to see in the theater. Though still a compromise relative to the book the additional detail of the extended version adds much more to the story than the extra 20 minutes of footage implies (some additions in places amount to 1/2 to 15 seconds of footage within a scene, yet they contribute much greater depth to the story).
The commentaries provided are fun, fascinating and quite welcome to the acting/filmaking enthusiast. The production-side documentaries and reports are a huge treat--sets, props, costumes, makeup and the insight into everyones dedication show clearly the huge commitment made by the crew and their concern in staying true to the source material as much as possible whilst also translating practically the tale from written word to film faithfully.
There's nothing really wrong with the theater release, but for home viewing even on a small screen the extended version is simply better and more engaging.
I couldn't help but buy the standard version of The Two Towers--tired of waiting--but I have just ordered the extended version of it as based on my experience with FOTR Extd. I know TTT Extended will also be superior to the theater release (and with TTT it ought to be--the editing was a bit choppy).
The extended version is a great value if you want all the extras it provides, and even if you don't, the additional footage is an improvement on the original release and thus worth it.
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!This is soooooooooooooooo much better than the regular version! It's got a bunch of funny parts in it! BUY IT...... NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)
Released in DVD by New Line Home Entertainment (12 November, 2002)
Starring: Elijah Wood
In every aspect, the extended-edition DVD of Peter Jackson's epic fantasy The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring blows away the theatrical-version DVD. No one who cares at all about the film should ever need to watch the original version again. Well, maybe the impatient and the squeamish will still prefer the theatrical version, because the extended edition makes a long film 30 minutes longer and there's a bit more violence (though both versions are rated PG-13). But the changes--sometimes whole scenes, sometimes merely a few seconds--make for a richer film. There's more of the spirit of J.R.R. Tolkien, embodied in more songs and a longer opening focusing on Hobbiton. There's more character development, and more background into what is to come in the two subsequent films, such as Galadriel's gifts to the Fellowship and Aragorn's burden of lineage. And some additions make more sense to the plot, or are merely worth seeing, such as the wood elves leaving Middle-earth or the view of Caras Galadhon (but sorry, there's still no Tom Bombadil). Extremely useful are the chapter menus that indicate which scenes are new or extended.
Of the four commentary tracks, the ones with the greatest general appeal are the one by Jackson and cowriters Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, and the one by 10 cast members, but the more technically oriented commentaries by the creative and production staff are also worth hearing. The bonus features (encompassing two complete DVDs) are far superior to the largely promotional materials included on the theatrical release, delving into such matters as script development, casting, and visual effects. The only drawback is that the film is now spread over two discs, with a somewhat abrupt break following the council at Rivendell, due to the storage capacity required for the longer running time, the added DTS ES 6.1 audio, and the commentary tracks. But that's a minor inconvenience. Whether in this four-disc set or in the collector's gift set (which adds Argonath bookends and a DVD of National Geographic Beyond the Movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring), the extended-edition DVD is the Fellowship DVD to rule them all. --David Horiuchi
Average review score:
Wonderful set!I got this set last year. I wasn't sure what to expect at the time that I placed it into my DVD player, but I was a huge fan of the theatrical version and I knew it could only get better! It was better than I expected. The additional footage adds so much depth and so much more characterization that I can't understand why it wasn't apart of the original release. Simply amazing! Also the bonus material is nothing short of awesome! If you liked the movie in the theater BUY THIS NOW! If you are not sure, get this and THE TWO TOWERS: EXPANDED EDITION, and get ready for the third film, because they will get you hooked!
(GIFT SET INFO: This set comes with the movie, plus a set of bookends, and an addition disc with a documentary on the books. The set is beautiful, and the bookends are just wonderful. Spend the extra money and get the gift set!)
(GIFT SET INFO: This set comes with the movie, plus a set of bookends, and an addition disc with a documentary on the books. The set is beautiful, and the bookends are just wonderful. Spend the extra money and get the gift set!)
Even better than theater release--Extended best choice!I forgave much of the necessary artiistic licence of the director because P.Jackson delivered magnificently in the major scenes and cleverly combined original elements that though "invented" maintained many essentials of the original narrative.
The extended DVD(though still not a literal translation of the book) contains many of the moments and subtleties that I so wanted to see in the theater. Though still a compromise relative to the book the additional detail of the extended version adds much more to the story than the extra 20 minutes of footage implies (some additions in places amount to 1/2 to 15 seconds of footage within a scene, yet they contribute much greater depth to the story).
The commentaries provided are fun, fascinating and quite welcome to the acting/filmaking enthusiast. The production-side documentaries and reports are a huge treat--sets, props, costumes, makeup and the insight into everyones dedication show clearly the huge commitment made by the crew and their concern in staying true to the source material as much as possible whilst also translating practically the tale from written word to film faithfully.
There's nothing really wrong with the theater release, but for home viewing even on a small screen the extended version is simply better and more engaging.
I couldn't help but buy the standard version of The Two Towers--tired of waiting--but I have just ordered the extended version of it as based on my experience with FOTR Extd. I know TTT Extended will also be superior to the theater release (and with TTT it ought to be--the editing was a bit choppy).
The extended version is a great value if you want all the extras it provides, and even if you don't, the additional footage is an improvement on the original release and thus worth it.
The extended DVD(though still not a literal translation of the book) contains many of the moments and subtleties that I so wanted to see in the theater. Though still a compromise relative to the book the additional detail of the extended version adds much more to the story than the extra 20 minutes of footage implies (some additions in places amount to 1/2 to 15 seconds of footage within a scene, yet they contribute much greater depth to the story).
The commentaries provided are fun, fascinating and quite welcome to the acting/filmaking enthusiast. The production-side documentaries and reports are a huge treat--sets, props, costumes, makeup and the insight into everyones dedication show clearly the huge commitment made by the crew and their concern in staying true to the source material as much as possible whilst also translating practically the tale from written word to film faithfully.
There's nothing really wrong with the theater release, but for home viewing even on a small screen the extended version is simply better and more engaging.
I couldn't help but buy the standard version of The Two Towers--tired of waiting--but I have just ordered the extended version of it as based on my experience with FOTR Extd. I know TTT Extended will also be superior to the theater release (and with TTT it ought to be--the editing was a bit choppy).
The extended version is a great value if you want all the extras it provides, and even if you don't, the additional footage is an improvement on the original release and thus worth it.
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!This is soooooooooooooooo much better than the regular version! It's got a bunch of funny parts in it! BUY IT...... NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Widescreen Edition)
Released in DVD by Warner Home Video (06 August, 2002)
Starring: Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen
As the triumphant start of a trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring leaves you begging for more. By necessity, Peter Jackson's ambitious epic compresses J.R.R. Tolkien's classic The Lord of the Rings, but this robust adaptation maintains reverent allegiance to Tolkien's creation, instantly qualifying as one of the greatest fantasy films ever made. At 178 minutes, it's long enough to establish the myriad inhabitants of Middle-earth, the legendary Rings of Power, and the fellowship of hobbits, elves, dwarves, and humans--led by the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and the brave hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood)--who must battle terrifying forces of evil on their perilous journey to destroy the One Ring in the land of Mordor. Superbly paced, the film is both epic and intimate, offering astonishing special effects and production design while emphasizing the emotional intensity of Frodo's adventure. Ending on a perfect note of heroic loyalty and rich anticipation, this wondrous fantasy continues in The Two Towers (2002). --Jeff Shannon
Average review score:
Wonderful set!I got this set last year. I wasn't sure what to expect at the time that I placed it into my DVD player, but I was a huge fan of the theatrical version and I knew it could only get better! It was better than I expected. The additional footage adds so much depth and so much more characterization that I can't understand why it wasn't apart of the original release. Simply amazing! Also the bonus material is nothing short of awesome! If you liked the movie in the theater BUY THIS NOW! If you are not sure, get this and THE TWO TOWERS: EXPANDED EDITION, and get ready for the third film, because they will get you hooked!
(GIFT SET INFO: This set comes with the movie, plus a set of bookends, and an addition disc with a documentary on the books. The set is beautiful, and the bookends are just wonderful. Spend the extra money and get the gift set!)
(GIFT SET INFO: This set comes with the movie, plus a set of bookends, and an addition disc with a documentary on the books. The set is beautiful, and the bookends are just wonderful. Spend the extra money and get the gift set!)
Even better than theater release--Extended best choice!I forgave much of the necessary artiistic licence of the director because P.Jackson delivered magnificently in the major scenes and cleverly combined original elements that though "invented" maintained many essentials of the original narrative.
The extended DVD(though still not a literal translation of the book) contains many of the moments and subtleties that I so wanted to see in the theater. Though still a compromise relative to the book the additional detail of the extended version adds much more to the story than the extra 20 minutes of footage implies (some additions in places amount to 1/2 to 15 seconds of footage within a scene, yet they contribute much greater depth to the story).
The commentaries provided are fun, fascinating and quite welcome to the acting/filmaking enthusiast. The production-side documentaries and reports are a huge treat--sets, props, costumes, makeup and the insight into everyones dedication show clearly the huge commitment made by the crew and their concern in staying true to the source material as much as possible whilst also translating practically the tale from written word to film faithfully.
There's nothing really wrong with the theater release, but for home viewing even on a small screen the extended version is simply better and more engaging.
I couldn't help but buy the standard version of The Two Towers--tired of waiting--but I have just ordered the extended version of it as based on my experience with FOTR Extd. I know TTT Extended will also be superior to the theater release (and with TTT it ought to be--the editing was a bit choppy).
The extended version is a great value if you want all the extras it provides, and even if you don't, the additional footage is an improvement on the original release and thus worth it.
The extended DVD(though still not a literal translation of the book) contains many of the moments and subtleties that I so wanted to see in the theater. Though still a compromise relative to the book the additional detail of the extended version adds much more to the story than the extra 20 minutes of footage implies (some additions in places amount to 1/2 to 15 seconds of footage within a scene, yet they contribute much greater depth to the story).
The commentaries provided are fun, fascinating and quite welcome to the acting/filmaking enthusiast. The production-side documentaries and reports are a huge treat--sets, props, costumes, makeup and the insight into everyones dedication show clearly the huge commitment made by the crew and their concern in staying true to the source material as much as possible whilst also translating practically the tale from written word to film faithfully.
There's nothing really wrong with the theater release, but for home viewing even on a small screen the extended version is simply better and more engaging.
I couldn't help but buy the standard version of The Two Towers--tired of waiting--but I have just ordered the extended version of it as based on my experience with FOTR Extd. I know TTT Extended will also be superior to the theater release (and with TTT it ought to be--the editing was a bit choppy).
The extended version is a great value if you want all the extras it provides, and even if you don't, the additional footage is an improvement on the original release and thus worth it.
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!This is soooooooooooooooo much better than the regular version! It's got a bunch of funny parts in it! BUY IT...... NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fight Club
Released in DVD by Twentieth Century Fox Home Video (06 June, 2000)
Starring: Edward Norton and Brad Pitt
All films take a certain suspension of disbelief. Fight Club takes perhaps more than others, but if you're willing to let yourself get caught up in the anarchy, this film, based on the novel by Chuck Palahniuk, is a modern-day morality play warning of the decay of society. Edward Norton is the unnamed protagonist, a man going through life on cruise control, feeling nothing. To fill his hours, he begins attending support groups and 12-step meetings. True, he isn't actually afflicted with the problems, but he finds solace in the groups. This is destroyed, however, when he meets Marla (Helena Bonham Carter), also faking her way through groups. Spiraling back into insomnia, Norton finds his life is changed once again, by a chance encounter with Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), whose forthright style and no-nonsense way of taking what he wants appeal to our narrator. Tyler and the protagonist find a new way to feel release: they fight. They fight each other, and then as others are attracted to their ways, they fight the men who come to join their newly formed Fight Club. Marla begins a destructive affair with Tyler, and things fly out of control, as Fight Club grows into a nationwide fascist group that escapes the protagonist's control.
Fight Club, directed by David Fincher (Seven), is not for the faint of heart; the violence is no holds barred. But the film is captivating and beautifully shot, with some thought-provoking ideas. Pitt and Norton are an unbeatable duo, and the film has some surprisingly humorous moments. The film leaves you with a sense of profound discomfort and a desire to see it again, if for no other reason than to just to take it all in. --Jenny Brown
Average review score:
Stupid movie!!!Fight club is one of the most over hyped movies that I have ever seem.
Stupid plot. Stupid plot. Stupid plot. Stupid plot. Stupid plot.
Pass on this movie. Don't waste your money.
phenomenal movie, but...edward norton is in it. and so is brad pit. and little shots of penises here and there. i mean COME ON! soap made of fat? a secret "fight club?"
i've heard that this was a book before this was a movie - which is good, cause i don't want to read ANY book that's as bad as this movie was.
A perfect 10!I will be the first to admit that I had doubts about Fight Club. When the movie was first promoted for its debut in theatres, the advertisements, I believe, gave a misrepresentative impression of the film's actual content. I thought, like many others, that Fight Club was going to be another lackluster production filled with all the clichés you would expect to see in a Van Damme-esque action misadventure. It took some goading but I finally decided to give this movie a chance, and I would highly suggest that anyone who has not should do the same.
For anyone who is tired of the prefabricated plot lines that dominate today's movie industry, you know the ones for teeny-boppers and the sequels to movies unfit for original production, Fight Club is a refreshing alternative. The star-studded cast, Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, and Helena Bonham Carter, provide the perfect chemistry for this deceptively brilliant critique of the modern man. David Fincher, who also collaborated with Pitt in the movie Seven, captures the essence Chuck Palahniuk's novel with beautiful cinematography.
The junior executive, played by Norton, is struggling to swallow his mundane existence. He suffers from a variety of ailments, from depression to insomnia. Norton's character, the narrator, whose name is never revealed during the film, an example of the subtle nuances that make this production so appealing, lacks a sense of identity, as is expressed in the following quote: "I'd look through the catalog and think, what kind of furniture defines me as a man?" Palahniuk, very cleverly, illustrates how disillusioned and materialistic society has become. Tyler's occupation of a soap salesman is yet another example. He sells his luxurious soap, made from lye and the pilfered fat from liposuction clinics, back to the very clients who supplied the materials.
Underneath the comedy, the drama, and, at times, the brutal violence, lays an exceptional social satire. Norton's character and his partner in crime Tyler Durden, played by Pitt, revolt against the twenty-first century image of man. A prime example of Palanhiuk's contempt for the feminization of man occurs when the two board a bus. They see a Calvin Klein advertisement of a perfectly groomed young adult male devoid of imperfections and body hair. Tyler asks, "Is that what a man looks like?" They both laugh and express their sympathy for people following the path of superficial self-improvement.
The film broaches some rather controversial social issues, which separate it from most conservative contemporary pieces. Many women, mothers especially, were offended by the line, "We're a generation of men raised by women; I'm wondering if another woman in my life is really what I need?" I thought that was a goal films; they are supposed to be about eliciting emotion.
This film's cast and director combined to produce a film that will not be soon forgotten. From the horror of the Norton and Leto fight scene to the compassion and sorrow of support group scenes, Fight Club takes you on an eye-opening voyage through the mind of a man gone mad from banality. If you have not watched Fight Club yet and are tired of the same regurgitated garbage, check it out next time you have a chance.
For anyone who is tired of the prefabricated plot lines that dominate today's movie industry, you know the ones for teeny-boppers and the sequels to movies unfit for original production, Fight Club is a refreshing alternative. The star-studded cast, Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, and Helena Bonham Carter, provide the perfect chemistry for this deceptively brilliant critique of the modern man. David Fincher, who also collaborated with Pitt in the movie Seven, captures the essence Chuck Palahniuk's novel with beautiful cinematography.
The junior executive, played by Norton, is struggling to swallow his mundane existence. He suffers from a variety of ailments, from depression to insomnia. Norton's character, the narrator, whose name is never revealed during the film, an example of the subtle nuances that make this production so appealing, lacks a sense of identity, as is expressed in the following quote: "I'd look through the catalog and think, what kind of furniture defines me as a man?" Palahniuk, very cleverly, illustrates how disillusioned and materialistic society has become. Tyler's occupation of a soap salesman is yet another example. He sells his luxurious soap, made from lye and the pilfered fat from liposuction clinics, back to the very clients who supplied the materials.
Underneath the comedy, the drama, and, at times, the brutal violence, lays an exceptional social satire. Norton's character and his partner in crime Tyler Durden, played by Pitt, revolt against the twenty-first century image of man. A prime example of Palanhiuk's contempt for the feminization of man occurs when the two board a bus. They see a Calvin Klein advertisement of a perfectly groomed young adult male devoid of imperfections and body hair. Tyler asks, "Is that what a man looks like?" They both laugh and express their sympathy for people following the path of superficial self-improvement.
The film broaches some rather controversial social issues, which separate it from most conservative contemporary pieces. Many women, mothers especially, were offended by the line, "We're a generation of men raised by women; I'm wondering if another woman in my life is really what I need?" I thought that was a goal films; they are supposed to be about eliciting emotion.
This film's cast and director combined to produce a film that will not be soon forgotten. From the horror of the Norton and Leto fight scene to the compassion and sorrow of support group scenes, Fight Club takes you on an eye-opening voyage through the mind of a man gone mad from banality. If you have not watched Fight Club yet and are tired of the same regurgitated garbage, check it out next time you have a chance.
Fight Club (Single Disc Edition)
Released in DVD by Fox Home Entertainme (27 August, 2002)
Starring: Edward Norton and Brad Pitt
All films take a certain suspension of disbelief. Fight Club takes perhaps more than others, but if you're willing to let yourself get caught up in the anarchy, this film, based on the novel by Chuck Palahniuk, is a modern-day morality play warning of the decay of society. Edward Norton is the unnamed protagonist, a man going through life on cruise control, feeling nothing. To fill his hours, he begins attending support groups and 12-step meetings. True, he isn't actually afflicted with the problems, but he finds solace in the groups. This is destroyed, however, when he meets Marla (Helena Bonham Carter), also faking her way through groups. Spiraling back into insomnia, Norton finds his life is changed once again, by a chance encounter with Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), whose forthright style and no-nonsense way of taking what he wants appeal to our narrator. Tyler and the protagonist find a new way to feel release: they fight. They fight each other, and then as others are attracted to their ways, they fight the men who come to join their newly formed Fight Club. Marla begins a destructive affair with Tyler, and things fly out of control, as Fight Club grows into a nationwide fascist group that escapes the protagonist's control.
Fight Club, directed by David Fincher (Seven), is not for the faint of heart; the violence is no holds barred. But the film is captivating and beautifully shot, with some thought-provoking ideas. Pitt and Norton are an unbeatable duo, and the film has some surprisingly humorous moments. The film leaves you with a sense of profound discomfort and a desire to see it again, if for no other reason than to just to take it all in. --Jenny Brown
Average review score:
Stupid movie!!!Fight club is one of the most over hyped movies that I have ever seem.
Stupid plot. Stupid plot. Stupid plot. Stupid plot. Stupid plot.
Pass on this movie. Don't waste your money.
phenomenal movie, but...edward norton is in it. and so is brad pit. and little shots of penises here and there. i mean COME ON! soap made of fat? a secret "fight club?"
i've heard that this was a book before this was a movie - which is good, cause i don't want to read ANY book that's as bad as this movie was.
A perfect 10!I will be the first to admit that I had doubts about Fight Club. When the movie was first promoted for its debut in theatres, the advertisements, I believe, gave a misrepresentative impression of the film's actual content. I thought, like many others, that Fight Club was going to be another lackluster production filled with all the clichés you would expect to see in a Van Damme-esque action misadventure. It took some goading but I finally decided to give this movie a chance, and I would highly suggest that anyone who has not should do the same.
For anyone who is tired of the prefabricated plot lines that dominate today's movie industry, you know the ones for teeny-boppers and the sequels to movies unfit for original production, Fight Club is a refreshing alternative. The star-studded cast, Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, and Helena Bonham Carter, provide the perfect chemistry for this deceptively brilliant critique of the modern man. David Fincher, who also collaborated with Pitt in the movie Seven, captures the essence Chuck Palahniuk's novel with beautiful cinematography.
The junior executive, played by Norton, is struggling to swallow his mundane existence. He suffers from a variety of ailments, from depression to insomnia. Norton's character, the narrator, whose name is never revealed during the film, an example of the subtle nuances that make this production so appealing, lacks a sense of identity, as is expressed in the following quote: "I'd look through the catalog and think, what kind of furniture defines me as a man?" Palahniuk, very cleverly, illustrates how disillusioned and materialistic society has become. Tyler's occupation of a soap salesman is yet another example. He sells his luxurious soap, made from lye and the pilfered fat from liposuction clinics, back to the very clients who supplied the materials.
Underneath the comedy, the drama, and, at times, the brutal violence, lays an exceptional social satire. Norton's character and his partner in crime Tyler Durden, played by Pitt, revolt against the twenty-first century image of man. A prime example of Palanhiuk's contempt for the feminization of man occurs when the two board a bus. They see a Calvin Klein advertisement of a perfectly groomed young adult male devoid of imperfections and body hair. Tyler asks, "Is that what a man looks like?" They both laugh and express their sympathy for people following the path of superficial self-improvement.
The film broaches some rather controversial social issues, which separate it from most conservative contemporary pieces. Many women, mothers especially, were offended by the line, "We're a generation of men raised by women; I'm wondering if another woman in my life is really what I need?" I thought that was a goal films; they are supposed to be about eliciting emotion.
This film's cast and director combined to produce a film that will not be soon forgotten. From the horror of the Norton and Leto fight scene to the compassion and sorrow of support group scenes, Fight Club takes you on an eye-opening voyage through the mind of a man gone mad from banality. If you have not watched Fight Club yet and are tired of the same regurgitated garbage, check it out next time you have a chance.
For anyone who is tired of the prefabricated plot lines that dominate today's movie industry, you know the ones for teeny-boppers and the sequels to movies unfit for original production, Fight Club is a refreshing alternative. The star-studded cast, Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, and Helena Bonham Carter, provide the perfect chemistry for this deceptively brilliant critique of the modern man. David Fincher, who also collaborated with Pitt in the movie Seven, captures the essence Chuck Palahniuk's novel with beautiful cinematography.
The junior executive, played by Norton, is struggling to swallow his mundane existence. He suffers from a variety of ailments, from depression to insomnia. Norton's character, the narrator, whose name is never revealed during the film, an example of the subtle nuances that make this production so appealing, lacks a sense of identity, as is expressed in the following quote: "I'd look through the catalog and think, what kind of furniture defines me as a man?" Palahniuk, very cleverly, illustrates how disillusioned and materialistic society has become. Tyler's occupation of a soap salesman is yet another example. He sells his luxurious soap, made from lye and the pilfered fat from liposuction clinics, back to the very clients who supplied the materials.
Underneath the comedy, the drama, and, at times, the brutal violence, lays an exceptional social satire. Norton's character and his partner in crime Tyler Durden, played by Pitt, revolt against the twenty-first century image of man. A prime example of Palanhiuk's contempt for the feminization of man occurs when the two board a bus. They see a Calvin Klein advertisement of a perfectly groomed young adult male devoid of imperfections and body hair. Tyler asks, "Is that what a man looks like?" They both laugh and express their sympathy for people following the path of superficial self-improvement.
The film broaches some rather controversial social issues, which separate it from most conservative contemporary pieces. Many women, mothers especially, were offended by the line, "We're a generation of men raised by women; I'm wondering if another woman in my life is really what I need?" I thought that was a goal films; they are supposed to be about eliciting emotion.
This film's cast and director combined to produce a film that will not be soon forgotten. From the horror of the Norton and Leto fight scene to the compassion and sorrow of support group scenes, Fight Club takes you on an eye-opening voyage through the mind of a man gone mad from banality. If you have not watched Fight Club yet and are tired of the same regurgitated garbage, check it out next time you have a chance.
The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (Full Screen Edition)
Released in DVD by Warner Home Video (26 August, 2003)
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, and Viggo Mortensen
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is a seamless continuation of Peter Jackson's epic fantasy based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. After the breaking of the Fellowship, Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) journey to Mordor to destroy the One Ring of Power with the creature Gollum as their guide. Meanwhile, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) join in the defense of the people of Rohan, who are the first target in the eradication of the race of Men by the renegade wizard Saruman (Christopher Lee) and the dark lord Sauron. Fantastic creatures, astounding visual effects, and a climactic battle at the fortress of Helm's Deep make The Two Towers a worthy successor to The Fellowship of the Ring, grander in scale but retaining the story's emotional intimacy. These two films are perhaps the greatest fantasy films ever made, but they're merely a prelude to the cataclysmic events of The Return of the King. --David Horiuchi
Average review score:
Extended Version Just Rightfully Deleted ScenesWarning: To all possible buyers of this extended version. I loved the first exented version DVD of the Fellowship of the Ring. I felt differently about the Two Towers. I was thoroughly disappointed with Peter Jackson's choice to include these extra scenes that were simply deleted scenes reinserted into the storyline when the pacing, story, and narrative flow were much better in the theatrical version. Imagine the first scene: Gandolf is falling to the pit after the dragon. Cut to a scene with Sam and Frodo climbing down a cliff, Sam drops something, Frodo catches it. Frodo asks, "What was that Sam?" Sam replies that it was some seasoning from home and he misses the shire. Seasoning? Very anti-climactic. Imagine the end the of the film. The war in helm's deep has ended. Sam has just made his amazing speech about the beautiful stories that he heard as a young hobbit. Gandolf should be about to say, "The battle for Helm's Deep has ended; the battle for Middle Earth is about to begin." Instead we cut to a scene were Merry and Pippin are in the flood around Saroman's tower discovering a room full of food and smoking tobacco and wondering whether they should share it with the Ent. Some would say that the added scenes add information to the plot. They sometimes do add some background, but at the expense of a nearly ridiculous or uneventful scene. When editing a movie one asks, what is the purpose of this scene? How does it help forward the plot? None of the added scenes forwarded the plot or added to the film in such a valuable way as to merit their inclusion. The original was fast paced, exciting, dramatic. The extended version is whimsical and disappointing, better suited for a child-audience (because it has more off the collar comic relief, and makes sure everyone, I mean everyone, really understands everything 100% - even if it means repetition). The first theatrical cut made me feel I was watching an epic. The extended version made me feel I was watching a movie. A movie that needed editing. I am sorry, but rent it before you buy it and decide for yourself.
Defective Discs 3 & 4???!!!The first 2 DVD's seem to work fine in my set top home DVD player (Aiwa) but the 3rd and 4th discs are unplayable and bounce between tracks 1 & 2 continuously (looping)? Have already returned one set but the second set I got seems to have the exact same problem. These supplemental discs do play in my PC's DVD drive. This problem does not occur with any of my other DVD's including the Extended Edition of the Fellowship of the Ring. Are others experiencing this issue?
Amazing Extended Edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Two TThis dvd is so amazing. My brother bought it the first day it came out. The extended parts are very important. These parts add even MORE magic to the masterpiece. The behind the scene footage is very interesting. Most dvds that have extra disks, aren't that exciting. But this, you'll never get bored of. There's even parts you'll laugh at. I gaurntee this dvd to everyone! If you like special dvds then you'll love this edition. And if you like The Lord of the Rings then you'll love it even more.
The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition Collector's Gift Set)
Released in DVD by New Line Home Video (18 November, 2003)
Starring: Elijah Wood
The extended edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was perhaps the most comprehensive DVD release to date, and its follow-up, The Two Towers, proves a similarly colossal achievement, with significant extra footage and a multitude of worthwhile bonus features. The extended version of The Two Towersadds 43 minutes to the theatrical version's 179-minute running time, and there are significant, valuable additions to the film. Two new scenes might appease those who feel that the characterization of Faramir was the film's most egregious departure from the book, and fans will appreciate an appearance of the Huorns at Helm's Deep plus a nod to the absence of Tom Bombadil. Seeing a little more interplay between the gorgeous Eowyn and Aragorn is welcome, as is a grim introduction to Eomer and Theoden's son. And among the many other additions, there's an extended epilogue that might not have worked in the theater, but is more effective here in setting up The Return of the King. While the 30 minutes added to The Fellowship of the Ring felt just right in enriching the film, the extra footage in The Two Towers at times seems a bit extraneous--we see moments that in the theatrical version we had been told about, and some fleshed-out conversations and incidents are rather minor. But director Peter Jackson's vision of J.R.R. Tolkien's world is so marvelous that it's hard to complain about any extra time we can spend there.
While it may seem that there would be nothing left to say after the bevy of features on the extended Fellowship, the four commentary tracks and two discs of supplements on The Two Towers remain informative, fascinating, and funny, far surpassing the recycled materials on the two-disc theatrical version. Highlights of the 6.5 hours' worth of documentaries offer insight on the stunts, the design work, the locations, and the creation of Gollum, and--most intriguing for rabid fans--the film's writers (including Jackson) discuss why they created events that weren't in the book. Providing variety are animatics, rough footage, countless sketches, and a sound-mixing demonstration. Again, the most interesting commentary tracks are by Jackson and writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens and by 16 members of the cast (eight of whom didn't appear in the first film, and even including John Noble, whose Denethor character only appears in this extended cut). The first two installments of Peter Jackson's trilogy have established themselves as the best fantasy films of all time, and among the best film trilogies of all time, and their extended-edition DVD sets have set a new standard for expanding on the already-epic films and providing comprehensive bonus features. --David Horiuchi
Average review score:
Extended Version Just Rightfully Deleted ScenesWarning: To all possible buyers of this extended version. I loved the first exented version DVD of the Fellowship of the Ring. I felt differently about the Two Towers. I was thoroughly disappointed with Peter Jackson's choice to include these extra scenes that were simply deleted scenes reinserted into the storyline when the pacing, story, and narrative flow were much better in the theatrical version. Imagine the first scene: Gandolf is falling to the pit after the dragon. Cut to a scene with Sam and Frodo climbing down a cliff, Sam drops something, Frodo catches it. Frodo asks, "What was that Sam?" Sam replies that it was some seasoning from home and he misses the shire. Seasoning? Very anti-climactic. Imagine the end the of the film. The war in helm's deep has ended. Sam has just made his amazing speech about the beautiful stories that he heard as a young hobbit. Gandolf should be about to say, "The battle for Helm's Deep has ended; the battle for Middle Earth is about to begin." Instead we cut to a scene were Merry and Pippin are in the flood around Saroman's tower discovering a room full of food and smoking tobacco and wondering whether they should share it with the Ent. Some would say that the added scenes add information to the plot. They sometimes do add some background, but at the expense of a nearly ridiculous or uneventful scene. When editing a movie one asks, what is the purpose of this scene? How does it help forward the plot? None of the added scenes forwarded the plot or added to the film in such a valuable way as to merit their inclusion. The original was fast paced, exciting, dramatic. The extended version is whimsical and disappointing, better suited for a child-audience (because it has more off the collar comic relief, and makes sure everyone, I mean everyone, really understands everything 100% - even if it means repetition). The first theatrical cut made me feel I was watching an epic. The extended version made me feel I was watching a movie. A movie that needed editing. I am sorry, but rent it before you buy it and decide for yourself.
Defective Discs 3 & 4???!!!The first 2 DVD's seem to work fine in my set top home DVD player (Aiwa) but the 3rd and 4th discs are unplayable and bounce between tracks 1 & 2 continuously (looping)? Have already returned one set but the second set I got seems to have the exact same problem. These supplemental discs do play in my PC's DVD drive. This problem does not occur with any of my other DVD's including the Extended Edition of the Fellowship of the Ring. Are others experiencing this issue?
Amazing Extended Edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Two TThis dvd is so amazing. My brother bought it the first day it came out. The extended parts are very important. These parts add even MORE magic to the masterpiece. The behind the scene footage is very interesting. Most dvds that have extra disks, aren't that exciting. But this, you'll never get bored of. There's even parts you'll laugh at. I gaurntee this dvd to everyone! If you like special dvds then you'll love this edition. And if you like The Lord of the Rings then you'll love it even more.
The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)
Released in DVD by New Line Home Video (18 November, 2003)
Starring: Elijah Wood
The extended edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was perhaps the most comprehensive DVD release to date, and its follow-up proves a similarly colossal achievement, with significant extra footage and a multitude of worthwhile bonus features. The extended version of The Two Towers adds 43 minutes to the theatrical version's 179-minute running time, and there are valuable additions to the film. Two new scenes might appease those who feel that the characterization of Faramir was the film's most egregious departure from the book, and fans will appreciate an appearance of the Huorns at Helm's Deep plus a nod to the absence of Tom Bombadil. Seeing a little more interplay between the gorgeous Eowyn and Aragorn is welcome, as is a grim introduction to Eomer and Theoden's son. And among the many other additions, there's an extended epilogue that might not have worked in the theater, but is more effective here in setting up The Return of the King. While the 30 minutes added to The Fellowship of the Ring felt just right in enriching the film, the extra footage in The Two Towers at times seems a bit extraneous--we see moments that in the theatrical version we had been told about, and some fleshed-out conversations and incidents are rather minor. But director Peter Jackson's vision of J.R.R. Tolkien's world is so marvelous that it's hard to complain about any extra time we can spend there.
While it may seem that there would be nothing left to say after the bevy of features on the extended Fellowship, the four commentary tracks and two discs of supplements on The Two Towers remain informative, fascinating, and funny, far surpassing the recycled materials on the two-disc theatrical version. Highlights of the 6.5 hours' worth of documentaries offer insight on the stunts, the design work, the locations, and the creation of Gollum, and--most intriguing for rabid fans--the film's writers (including Jackson) discuss why they created events that weren't in the book. Providing variety are animatics, rough footage, countless sketches, and a sound-mixing demonstration. Again, the most interesting commentary tracks are by Jackson and writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens and by 16 members of the cast (eight of whom didn't appear in the first film, and even including John Noble, whose Denethor character only appears in this extended cut). The first two installments of Peter Jackson's trilogy have established themselves as the best fantasy films of all time, and among the best film trilogies of all time, and their extended-edition DVD sets have set a new standard for expanding on the already-epic films and providing comprehensive bonus features. --David Horiuchi
Average review score:
Extended Version Just Rightfully Deleted ScenesWarning: To all possible buyers of this extended version. I loved the first exented version DVD of the Fellowship of the Ring. I felt differently about the Two Towers. I was thoroughly disappointed with Peter Jackson's choice to include these extra scenes that were simply deleted scenes reinserted into the storyline when the pacing, story, and narrative flow were much better in the theatrical version. Imagine the first scene: Gandolf is falling to the pit after the dragon. Cut to a scene with Sam and Frodo climbing down a cliff, Sam drops something, Frodo catches it. Frodo asks, "What was that Sam?" Sam replies that it was some seasoning from home and he misses the shire. Seasoning? Very anti-climactic. Imagine the end the of the film. The war in helm's deep has ended. Sam has just made his amazing speech about the beautiful stories that he heard as a young hobbit. Gandolf should be about to say, "The battle for Helm's Deep has ended; the battle for Middle Earth is about to begin." Instead we cut to a scene were Merry and Pippin are in the flood around Saroman's tower discovering a room full of food and smoking tobacco and wondering whether they should share it with the Ent. Some would say that the added scenes add information to the plot. They sometimes do add some background, but at the expense of a nearly ridiculous or uneventful scene. When editing a movie one asks, what is the purpose of this scene? How does it help forward the plot? None of the added scenes forwarded the plot or added to the film in such a valuable way as to merit their inclusion. The original was fast paced, exciting, dramatic. The extended version is whimsical and disappointing, better suited for a child-audience (because it has more off the collar comic relief, and makes sure everyone, I mean everyone, really understands everything 100% - even if it means repetition). The first theatrical cut made me feel I was watching an epic. The extended version made me feel I was watching a movie. A movie that needed editing. I am sorry, but rent it before you buy it and decide for yourself.
Defective Discs 3 & 4???!!!The first 2 DVD's seem to work fine in my set top home DVD player (Aiwa) but the 3rd and 4th discs are unplayable and bounce between tracks 1 & 2 continuously (looping)? Have already returned one set but the second set I got seems to have the exact same problem. These supplemental discs do play in my PC's DVD drive. This problem does not occur with any of my other DVD's including the Extended Edition of the Fellowship of the Ring. Are others experiencing this issue?
Amazing Extended Edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Two TThis dvd is so amazing. My brother bought it the first day it came out. The extended parts are very important. These parts add even MORE magic to the masterpiece. The behind the scene footage is very interesting. Most dvds that have extra disks, aren't that exciting. But this, you'll never get bored of. There's even parts you'll laugh at. I gaurntee this dvd to everyone! If you like special dvds then you'll love this edition. And if you like The Lord of the Rings then you'll love it even more.
The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (Widescreen Edition)
Released in DVD by Warner Home Video (26 August, 2003)
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, and Viggo Mortensen
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is a seamless continuation of Peter Jackson's epic fantasy based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. After the breaking of the Fellowship, Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) journey to Mordor to destroy the One Ring of Power with the creature Gollum as their guide. Meanwhile, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) join in the defense of the people of Rohan, who are the first target in the eradication of the race of Men by the renegade wizard Saruman (Christopher Lee) and the dark lord Sauron. Fantastic creatures, astounding visual effects, and a climactic battle at the fortress of Helm's Deep make The Two Towers a worthy successor to The Fellowship of the Ring, grander in scale but retaining the story's emotional intimacy. These two films are perhaps the greatest fantasy films ever made, but they're merely a prelude to the cataclysmic events of The Return of the King. --David Horiuchi
Average review score:
Extended Version Just Rightfully Deleted ScenesWarning: To all possible buyers of this extended version. I loved the first exented version DVD of the Fellowship of the Ring. I felt differently about the Two Towers. I was thoroughly disappointed with Peter Jackson's choice to include these extra scenes that were simply deleted scenes reinserted into the storyline when the pacing, story, and narrative flow were much better in the theatrical version. Imagine the first scene: Gandolf is falling to the pit after the dragon. Cut to a scene with Sam and Frodo climbing down a cliff, Sam drops something, Frodo catches it. Frodo asks, "What was that Sam?" Sam replies that it was some seasoning from home and he misses the shire. Seasoning? Very anti-climactic. Imagine the end the of the film. The war in helm's deep has ended. Sam has just made his amazing speech about the beautiful stories that he heard as a young hobbit. Gandolf should be about to say, "The battle for Helm's Deep has ended; the battle for Middle Earth is about to begin." Instead we cut to a scene were Merry and Pippin are in the flood around Saroman's tower discovering a room full of food and smoking tobacco and wondering whether they should share it with the Ent. Some would say that the added scenes add information to the plot. They sometimes do add some background, but at the expense of a nearly ridiculous or uneventful scene. When editing a movie one asks, what is the purpose of this scene? How does it help forward the plot? None of the added scenes forwarded the plot or added to the film in such a valuable way as to merit their inclusion. The original was fast paced, exciting, dramatic. The extended version is whimsical and disappointing, better suited for a child-audience (because it has more off the collar comic relief, and makes sure everyone, I mean everyone, really understands everything 100% - even if it means repetition). The first theatrical cut made me feel I was watching an epic. The extended version made me feel I was watching a movie. A movie that needed editing. I am sorry, but rent it before you buy it and decide for yourself.
Defective Discs 3 & 4???!!!The first 2 DVD's seem to work fine in my set top home DVD player (Aiwa) but the 3rd and 4th discs are unplayable and bounce between tracks 1 & 2 continuously (looping)? Have already returned one set but the second set I got seems to have the exact same problem. These supplemental discs do play in my PC's DVD drive. This problem does not occur with any of my other DVD's including the Extended Edition of the Fellowship of the Ring. Are others experiencing this issue?
Amazing Extended Edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Two TThis dvd is so amazing. My brother bought it the first day it came out. The extended parts are very important. These parts add even MORE magic to the masterpiece. The behind the scene footage is very interesting. Most dvds that have extra disks, aren't that exciting. But this, you'll never get bored of. There's even parts you'll laugh at. I gaurntee this dvd to everyone! If you like special dvds then you'll love this edition. And if you like The Lord of the Rings then you'll love it even more.