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- Review count39
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- First reviewJune 19, 2008
- Last reviewAugust 9, 2008
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- Average rating3.5
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![What Love Is [DVD] [2007]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/304b2327-370a-41e7-956a-951dd4939472.png)
Posted by: hroeder
from Fort Thomas, KY
This was an experimental film. First we do the five men. Then we do the five women. Then we bring them together. And we film it all in 9 days.
The nine days shows. The men get the bulk of the attention. And maybe men talk like this today. Of course the point of the film seems to be men are becoming women and women are becoming men.
The women get far less time. At least they don't shout as much. And they don't attack each other as much. But of course they have to talk in the rest room.
Then they "come together". Well, not really. They sort of pair off and talk some more.
Quite frankly nothing happens. All of the politically correct characters are here. And they all say the politically incorrect things.
If you like dialogue and don't mind a bit of male overacting, then it's a fairly decent waste of time. But if you want something to happen in your film, then skip this experiment despite the cast.
What's great about it: Great cast
What's not so great: It's a would be play without any balance
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Posted by: hroeder
from Fort Thomas, KY
Monica Keena is an interesting young actress. She has a distinctive look and certainly plays the vulnerable part well. She's done that in almost every film she's ever done.
What happens when you misdial a phone number and disturb someone in the middle of the night. What happens if that person is a psycho and lives 3000 miles away? That's basically the plot of the movie.
Until you get to the O'Henry ending. If you like O'Henry endings then you'll like this one. It's a better twist than M. Night presents in some of his efforts. At least it catches you partially unaware. But like many O'Henry endings this one seems lost in left field. But it'll keep your interest up until then if you can empathize with Monica.
What's great about it: A one woman show
What's not so great: The plot gets turned in on itself
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Posted by: hroeder
from Fort Thomas, KY
Billy Crudup and Mandy Moore are strong enough to carry this film above the ordinary. These are interesting, flawed characters. And as with any such character, their strength is in their flaws.
If you're interested in film, then don't let the cover of this DVD through you off. If you want a romantic feel good comedy, don't let the cover of this DVD through you off. This is definitely a dark film.
And there are some really dark criticisms of our culture here. The opening is wonderful. Where do you go to find a new character and a new story for a Children's Book. It seems both hokey and inspired. The fact that it is a Christmas Book is even better.
That Mandy Moore has taken this direction is to be applauded. She will be an actress after those tabloid ingenues are long forgotten.
What's great about it: Mandy Moore Matures
What's not so great: Somewhat of a formula, but twisted
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Posted by: hroeder
from Fort Thomas, KY
If you watched Alias live then you probably missed some important things. Watching it on DVD will fill in a lot of blanks.
The main attraction is still Jennifer Garner. Unfortunately, seeing Jennifer so many times back to back reveals some of her weaknesses as an actress. She does pout well, and she is certainly beautiful. But her range is limited.
Abrams shows some of the ideas that have contributed to other series. And you'll be surprised to find some familiar faces here, like Locke from Lost. The show was also big enough to draw some pretty heavy Guest Stars. Melissa George was here for a season or two. Isabella Rosellini. Of course Lena Olan, but others like Vivica A. Fox are harder to remember from that day.
The Rimbaldi Device(s) are still the key mystery. And again Abrams likes to hide things by just no revealing them or revealing red herrings. Still, it is an enjoyable show. And best watched regularly so it works more like a novel.
What's great about it: An Early J. J. Abrams Show
What's not so great: Some of the plotting gets convoluted
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Essential Leonard Cohen [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/20e2e8e2-b5c9-45d8-ad4e-134309909ee5.jpg)
Posted by: hroeder
from Fort Thomas, KY
I first bought Leonard Cohen when his first CD had been released. Joan of Arc was burning on the back cover. And I had heard some of the songs before. Particularly Suzanne, which Judy Collins had popularized.
Cohen has lived a life that is the thing dreams are made of. Escaped to a Greek Island for a while. Was married to a major actress. Spent time in the Chelsea Hotel with Janis Joplin. And Judy and her famous blue rain coat came passing through his life. He then became a Budhist monk.
There is absolutely no one who can turn a phrase like Cohen. He will use words in ways only few can imagine. If you want meaning and not just drums, you need to listen to Cohen. His Master Song isn't on this collection. But he is a master song writer.
What's great about it: Almost every major Cohen song in one place
What's not so great: The Master Song still remains only on first CD
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Posted by: hroeder
from Fort Thomas, KY
There may well be something here. Anderson is a respected director. But I would have much have preferred a long version of the Hotel Chevalier which is on the DVD to be played before the film. That Natalie Portman is in the short is part of that. She is the most compelling character in this combination film and short.
A journey of three brothers to find their Mother who has become a Christian nun living in India is a nice bunch of symbology. And there may be more. Like all of that luggage.
But if you want symbolic luggage go watch Joe Versus the Volcano with the unsinkable luggage.
Perhaps there is also something in this about genetic traits and psychological traits passed on to siblings by each parent. And then there is another generation of male born.
I almost want to watch the film again just to decipher what Anderson was intending. But quite frankly Wilson gets on my nerves. I'll wait for the full version of Hotel.
What's great about it: The short that comes with the film
What's not so great: The rest of the film
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Learn more about DualShock 3 Wireless Controller for PlayStation 3. (Flash demo) The DualShock 3 wireless controller puts the intensity of your favorite PlayStation 3 games in the palm of your hand. Pressure sensors in each action button let you feel the rumble of the hits, crashes and explosions on the screen, making every impact feel like you're really in the game. Highly sensitive SIXAXIS motion-sensing technology responds to your movements with lightning-quick speed, giving you the response you need to win.This controller features Bluetooth technology for wireless gameplay. Use the USB cable to seamlessly and automatically charge the controller through the PlayStation 3 at any time. Soon everything from racing circuits to all-out RPGs will become hand-shakingly immersive. When you pick up this innovative controller, more exciting gameplay is in your grasp.
Posted by: hroeder
from Fort Thomas, KY
Those who have used older Playstation products love this thing. Essentially it has a fairly strong vibrator built in. So when you are in a battle the controller vibrates in your hands.
Wow! That is so exciting! Wow!
There is some benefit. In playing a game like Rainbow 6 Vegas 2 you know when you're being shot. Because you feel it in your hands. Of course you also feel it when you shoot.
It's heavier than the regular sixaxis controller. Somehow that feels a bit better.
But on the whole this isn't all that exciting. It's nice for shoot em ups and sword and sorcery. But it doesn't really offer much of an advantage for play.
It's great if you want to feel your hands vibrating.
What's great about it: It vibrates
What's not so great: It vibrates
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Posted by: hroeder
from Fort Thomas, KY
Sarah Michelle Gellar has been floundering around since the end of Buffy. She raked in some cash with Scoopy Doo. But finally she shows that there is a deeper side to the former vampire slayer.
The Air I Breathe will not appeal to those who want pure visceral thrills. But if your taste is more toward films that make you think, then give this one a try. Forget about the All Movie Guide Review. This is a well constructed film with some deeper meaning.
Plus Sarah Michelle proves that she can do more than pout. She still pouts a bit for those who like pouting, but there is a bit of depth to her performance.
Love, Pleasure, Sorrow and Happiness. Those are some competing ideas in our culture. Perhaps pairs that don't need to be paired, but are, often. This film explores the modern view of these concepts with four separate interweaving stories.
Well worth your time.
What's great about it: A TV star moves into Independent Film
What's not so great: Won't appeal to those who want to stake vampires
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Detours [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8659/8659757_sa.jpg)
Posted by: hroeder
from Fort Thomas, KY
Sheryl Crow's "Gasoline" should be playing on every radio station in America, today, tomorrow and everyday until we get something right. There is a strength to her songs on this album and "Gasoline" is certainly at the very edge.
If you didn't live through the 70's and don't understand how much music played in what happened during that generation, you might be surprised by this album. But to those who understood what Protest Rock was all about, Sheryl Crow is a voice in today's wilderness of nothing lyrics.
This is her most socially relevant album. "Gasoline" stands right next to Airplane's "Up against the Walls". And some of her other lyrics are beginning to sound reminicent of Leonard Cohen.
Try it before they take away another freedom.
What's great about it: This is a new Sheryl Crow
What's not so great: Might not appeal to some older fans
I would recommend this to a friend!
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