Hey folks, Harry here... I'm adding even more reviews to this page... including Mysterio's review. I've been getting tons and tons of loooong loooong reviews from people... probably because the movie HIT THEM ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, however I'm so sure that the cynical bastards that love to talk guano in Talk Back will be above emotional reactions... those green blooded.. inhuman... :) heheheh... Here's Father Geek... check for the additional posts below....
Father Geek takes over
Father Geek checking in with a few reviews of the wonderful motion picture ALMOST FAMOUS. I was lucky enough to see this gem a couple of days ago. And like FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (Cameron's 1st foray into film making albeit as a screenwriter) this is a hell of a fun flick, cool as can be.
If you break out your old tabloid sized issues of Rolling Stone you'll find several issues with cover stories by Cameron Crowe. A 15 and 16 year old Crowe. You see this is really about that boy whose 1st cover story for RS was about a 3 week tour he took with the Allman Brothers Band. If you combine that story with his cover story on 5 weeks he spent touring with Led Zepplin, adding in a little bit of fiction for drama and comedy's sake (and to protect both the innocent and the guilty) you've got this flick in a nutshell. The young Crowe really did write reviews for Underground newspapers, Cream, and Playboy as well as The Stone. Its a lighthearted adventurous semi-fictional
romp through the early 70's Rock n Roll scene.
Harry's Mom and I were doing lightshows with major rock groups across the South from 69 to 71 and I can tell you that Cameron remembers the era and it's roadtrips well. This film captures the feel perfectly, but this is no mere historical document. Its entertainment pure and simple. Don't miss it!
Now on to the reader's reviews...
Harry's Mom and I were doing lightshows with major rock groups across the South from 69 to 71 and I can tell you that Cameron remembers the era and it's roadtrips well. This film captures the feel perfectly, but this is no mere historical document. Its entertainment pure and simple. Don't miss it!
Now on to the reader's reviews...
“ALMOST FAMOUS”
Hey there Harry, Mysterio back again and I’m now breathing a heavy sigh of relief and feeling extremely elated right now after seeing what I knew (and hoped) would be, and is happy to say, the best picture you just may see this year. That is of course, Cameron Crowe’s “ALMOST FAMOUS”.
Having grown up watching Crowe’s films throughout the years, it’s just amazing to see how much he’s matured and established himself as a filmmaker with only just having a mere four films to his credit. He hasn’t missed his mark yet, and with “ALMOST FAMOUS” he just may have finally hit his bulls eye here, and yes, it’s THAT good!
I can recall my first meeting of Cameron Crowe when I was just a young tyke back in the late summer of ‘82. I remember the day just as it were yesterday, the day when, by chance, I would come across the guy (who unknowingly at the time) would help inspire me to write, and discover the joys found in a notepad and a #2 pencil, and an imagination.
During this weekend the Universal Amphitheater was having its grand opening celebration, with The Plimsouls doing a free live show there. Curious to check out the venue and hear the band, I sat inside and listened to the music for awhile before exiting out towards a couple booths promoting the upcoming release of Universal’s latest picture, “FAST TIMES at RIDGEMONT HIGH”. In one booth they were handing out free posters and T-shirts, and in the other, less crowded, sat alone a young Crowe with a small pile of books for his novel promoting the film.
Being the dumb kid, not yet wise to where his life’s direction would take him in the years to come, was, like everyone else there, interested in getting only a shirt or poster. But as fate would soon have it, I finally made my way to the front of the booth only to find out from the female attendant there that they were all out of shirts. “Ok, what about a poster?” I said. “I’m sorry, we’ll all out of those too, but (she points) over in that booth where that gentleman is sitting, is the author and he’s handing out books,” she replied. Great I thought, I’m gonna see enough stupid books in a month when I start Jr. High, but what the hell, free is free.
So I walked on up to a still baby-faced Crowe and said to him, “The lady over there said you were giving away free books.” Crowe quietly reached down and handed me a softcover copy of the book, with a picture of an attractive girl in a miniskirt on the cover, and his on the backcover. He then asked me, “would you like me to sign it?” Remember, I’m just a dumb kid here still, I said back “Nah, that’s ok,” and walked off, leaving Crowe back to tending his still crowd-less booth. Had I known back then what I know now… I still kick myself to this day on what an opportunity I had slip by me.
So the movie opens, and my father (who was more open to taking his under aged son into “R”-rated movies at the time, unbeknownst to his would-be disapproving mother) took me with him to see the film. Slack-jawed with awe after seeing what I just saw, I only desperately envisioned getting to high school as fast as I could. Screw Jr. High, High School is definitely where it’s at! Gotta get me some of that lemonade and poolside cabana action!
So begins my school year and like all classes, your asked to choose a book to read for an upcoming written book report due in a couple of weeks. Remembering I had the book, and dug the movie, I decided while the girls were off reading Judy Bloom books, and the guys reading abridged versions of Huck Finn or Tom Sawyer, for me it was gonna be “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”. I even remember it having little photo illustrations beside the chapter headings of adolescent icons such as pompoms, the cruising vessel, a burger & fries, a bong and even a naked breast.
So I tore into it like no other book, amazed at how much detail was not it the movie that I saw and loved. This was incredibly better! The writing was raw, risqué, vibrant with dialogue and characters that leaped off the page and into my imagination. Suddenly I wanted high school to come faster than ever especially after reading about the wild exploits and antics that went on at Disneyland during the seniors annual Grad Night and the ominously described “holding tank” for juveniles caught doing unruly things like drinking booze left hidden behind in Injun Joe’s Cave on Tom Sawyer Island.
The book was even more inspiring than the film for me as I could now not only hear but also see the words. I began to feverishly write in great detail (maybe even too much detail for my class and teacher) all the new found exploits I learned from reading the novel.
Imagine my surprise when my report was later handed back to me with an astonishing “A-“ and positive side-notes from my teacher with words like “well described” and “well written” on it the front. I was amazed; after all I was just your average grade student, attending a private school of all things! So that led into writing other stories based on those characters I loved so much using selected spelling words assigned to us to be used in our stories, which would be read the next day to the class. With those characters etched in my head, I discovered how to continue on with those characters in my stories, which garnered much interest and anticipation from my fellow students who couldn’t see the film at the time, but were struck with by the material that hinted towards situations that we we’re not to yet know about. Fortunately, my teacher was young and seemed opened minded to letting me pursue down this path only warning me here and there of things being “to racy” to include or say aloud.
Soon came the parent teacher conference over my writing, with my teacher eagerly suggesting that my parents help seek me find a publisher. Flattered, I knew nothing of the publishing world and was just content creating different characters and stories from just words. Something which I followed and continue on to this day, and thank my teacher for letting me get away with what must’ve been murder and considered “unacceptable” to most at the time.
So why did I just spew all of this out? Well I’ll tell ya. “ALMOST FAMOUS” hit me on a personal level. I imagine when seeing the film it’ll touch everyone a bit differently and you’ll take what you will from the film. Whether it’s discovering what seems to be the first love of your life giving her heart to another when she should be giving it to you, playing in a rock band, remembering album covers of the past, or to even the look, feel and sounds of what it was growing up in the early seventies, this film has that quality all over it that is both honest, genuine and absolutely rings true.
What clearly is Crowe’s love letter to the music and time he grew up on, “ALMOST FAMOUS” is one of those films that just kicks from it’s incredibly cool, yet simple, opening title sequence, to its authentic choreography of the concert scenes (courtesy of rock-legend Peter Frampton), to the music which Crowe stitches together like a patchwork of fine fabric - crafting it into a majestic, musical tapestry.
Having read the script back in early ’99 it was one of those reads that you could not put down, and just HAD to read in one sitting. Afterwards, I’d lay it down realizing what felt like having just read Crowe’s own personal love letter to the music he grew up loving, and left wondering, “does a good script like this usually become a good movie?” Well sometimes “yes”, but often times not exactly, but in this case Crowe has, with a deft hand, turned a real good, solid script into a GREAT movie.
By now you should be familiar with the plot and know that Crowe has fashioned the film out of his own personal experiences as an eager, overachiever hired by Rolling Stone magazine to write a feature piece on an early seventies rock band. And clearly from this film, it’s apparent he knows his shit about the time, and the place and what rock ‘n roll was back then. By now, Crowe’s music knowledge and fondness for the time may have surpassed that even of his childhood idol, Lester Bangs (played brilliantly by Philip Seymour Hoffman).
As I write this, I listen to the eclectic soundtrack from the film, which really serves as a memorable souvenir from the film and the time. Crowe always has interesting taste for music, and although the soundtrack is compiled by bands you know, he avoids picking to more “popular” tunes, and choosing those songs you remember hearing, just not the ones that have been overplayed and over popularized.
But what really fronts this film is his way the film is presented. It’s poignant, warm, funny and honest whilst always entertaining. With Crowe’s wondrous ear for dialog and music, he has fashioned a film that is full of poetic prose that is visually sounding. Especially in a few choice scenes involving Kate Hudson character, Penny Lane, dancing around barefoot on the hard-wood auditorium floor after a Stillwater show, against Cat Steven’s delicate song, “The Wind” while young William (newcomer Patrick Fugit) watches, infatuated with her simple beauty and love of life. It’s poetry in motion and it’s well played out.
As is the scene onboard Stillwater’s tour bus Doris, at a point when as all nerves are on edge amongst the band, William and the “Band-Aids”. All is silent onboard and tense until the bassist begins singly aloud to Elton John’s, “Tiny Dancer” being played on the bus. Soon, one by one, all join in relieving the tension, and the healing among them begins as they remember the love they share may not always be for each other, but will always be for the music. It’s one of the film definite highlights that for more really grounds the film to its core.
The film is about several things, not just the music. It’s about the love you find and lose and re-find later in life again; it’s also about family and the one you leave behind and the new found family you’ll come to know and adopt along the way to self-discovery.
It’s also a bit personal in the journalistic front as crossing that fine line between being a fan, and being a friend, and how to be honest and truthful when interviewing your subject, can at time be a dicey one at best. I think most of us who write here can attest to that in one way or another. But I think as the film reflects back to, the most important thing you can do as a writer, is ultimately be honest. Not only to yourself, but also to the readers, and most importantly to your subject(s). Hopefully they will respect your honesty as much as you respect their craft as an artist and a human being.
Crowe is a master at casting, and here is no different. Everyone on board turns in top-notch performances straight across the board, with most giving their best to date. Clearly the breakout performances are from Kate Hudson who shines brightly like her character, Penny Lane, in a star-making performance. Billy Crudup has never been better as lead guitarist, Russell Hammond who confides the band’s secret’s too and even a few of his own, to young William Miller (played with such likable charm, innocence and trust, that you would tell him your secrets too).
Others including the always-remarkable Philip Seymour Hoffman (Lester Bangs) and Francis McDormand (Elaine Miller) are terrific here as well. Kevin Smith favorite, Jason Lee turns in another proud performance to his ever growing acting resume as lead singer, Jeff Bebe who is always at odds at becoming less and less the frontman of the band.
So in short, “ALMOST FAMOUS” is almost perfect as a film. Films like this don’t come around too often (especially in such a dismal year for film as this), so this is definitely not one to miss. Don’t wait for it on video, you’ll lose some of the experience. It’s a rock ‘n roll tour-de-force and not one to let slip away.
I’m sure even the gonzo rock critic, Lester Bangs would have to look at this film and say to himself, “by damn, the kid made good.”
By the way, I still have the original book, now tattered and torn from the years of countlessly re-reading it, and yes, it still remains unsigned, but not untouched.
-Mysterio
And now, for Hostile-Sneak-Preview-Guerrila-Film-Terrorist.... (whew, that's a mouthful)...
Hostile-Sneak-Preview-Guerrila-Film-Terrorist here, chiming in with a no-spoilers look at Cameron Crowe's most intimate film yet, Almost Famous.
So far, I have been to three absolutely perfect screenings. When I mean perfect, I mean that I saw the film at the most ideal time possible, at a time where it made the most difference in my viewing experience.
Titanic, although it is unbearable to most people, especially those who have had to endure multiple viewings, was one of these "perfect viewings." You see, at the time I saw this, mother nature had gone completely bat shit. I wasn't outside when it was raining, so I have no idea how bad it really was, but I could just tell, as bottom of the theater had become so flooded that the images on screen were being reflected quite nicely on the floor. This gradual flood was timed perfectly. This was probably the greatest, most interactive screening of Titanic that had ever taken place. The people I was seeing this with actually had to go back a couple of rows as the water level grew and grew. The movie, which you have to admit is a very very well done movie, was cubed in quality because of this storm.
The next perfect screening I had been to was Fight Club. I have trouble explaining why this screening was so good, I still don't quite know what made this screening one of the most memorable. It mainly had to do with the fact that the film had blown away my already high expectations for the film. I don't even know why I brought up this film again. I should just cut to the chase and tell why Almost Famous ranks up in the three best screenings of my life.
First though, I have to review this before going any further. Even though there really isn't that much to spoil about this film, I'm not going to go into detail about the premise. If you really need some sort of premise, it is basically the bio of Cameron Crowe when he was 15, in that he actually did write for Rolling Stone when he was in highschool. As for the band, Stillwater, most closely resembles The Who. Just go with what you saw on the trailer, thats my best advice.
The worst thing about this film is that it will probably tank at the box office. Why is that? God doesn't even have a clue. At the theater I saw this in, the theater was a little less than half full, and this was during downtown at it's most populated. I really do hope that this film does well, and there is a glimmer of hope that says it will, but the odds are not great. Of course, I'm terrible at predicting success.
I have no idea where I should start the immense praising I am about to give this film. The performances were absolutely terrific. Not a single person in this film overplayed his role, which is a definate plus for me, and while some may say the actors underplayed their roles, the performances simply could not have been improved. If anybody in this film is going to be nominated for an oscar, Kate Hudson, a.k.a. "Pennylane," will be the one. The signs are definately there, her character is the type that always gets nominated. Phillip Seymor Hoffman, as always, proves to be an actor of sheer brilliance, and has one of the most powerful speeches in the whole movie.
You can only comprehend this through seeing the movie. The film's pace never lagged once. The only thoughts that were swimming through my head during the film were endless complements for this film. Lastly, the soundtrack was dead on, never hurting or hindering any part of the film, it only supported this revelation of a story even more.
But I'm overhyping the movie already. You see, what made this such a perfect screening was that when I saw this film, which happened to take place downtown, a free concert had been going on since 7:00 only a couple of blocks away. The bands were mostly unknowns, but after seeing a movie that celebrates rock and roll, I couldn't think of a better factor for making this movie even better.
One last note, keep an eye out for Jimmy Fallon in this film. It was as much of an unusual casting choice for a Cameron Crowe film as Norm MacDonald was for the last two Milos Forman pictures, but when you see him, you will hardly recognize him at all.
Hostile-Sneak-Preview-Guerrila-Film-Terrorist cashing out for tonight
ALMOST FAMOUS review from Enigma Boy...
Y’hello Harry,
Enigma Boy here, and I have some things to say about a certain sneak preview I saw just tonight.
I have followed this movie for months upon months, reading every single review, watching the preview online over and over and over again until my eyes bled, unsuccessfully trying to search out the script, begging for early screening tickets, everything. But nothing could have prepared me for how insanely wonderful Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous truly is.
This is by far the best film I’ve seen since Magnolia. The funny thing is, these two films, Almost Famous and Magnolia, go together in many ways. They deal with many of the same issues, have the same general tone, and are linked up like brothers (in my opinion, that is).
Among the numerous similarities I saw include: Estranged family members, the short life of fame, infidelity, child prodigies, disheartening revelations, futile attempts to escape the “real world,” self-discovery, and one of the most utterly satisfying central romances ever. And if none of these come across to you while seeing this film, think about this: they both have Philip Seymour Hoffman, and that’s always a plus.
I don’t want to write a corny review for this movie, singing its each and every praise, worshipping every frame of film that went through the projector tonight in downtown Berkeley. I don’t want this to be any review, simply stating my opinions and putting exclamation points at the end of each sentence. But there is absolutely no way I can express my love for this movie as well as I could, because that would be impossible, so I must resort to some of these tactics. Corniness be damned, I loved this film.
As a result of this film, Cameron Crowe, the film’s writer/director, has become a god to me. He has come a long way from Singles, Say Anything, and Jerry Maguire. His ability to show us his life and bare his soul in the process is remarkable. What I want to know is how much of this film is truly autobiographical, how close this film was to his early days as a journalist for Rolling Stone. It wouldn’t make a difference with me, wouldn’t change a thing about the film, but I’m curious. That’s what this film does, it sparks curiosity; I now hold much more respect for rock musicians and their plight on the road to fame, if they even get there.
There are so many truly beautiful moments in this film. It was almost overwhelming, which is what I think a film should do (like Magnolia, for instance). The best segments of the film are made up of small moments, not when dialogue or story or conflict matter (and believe me, there’s plenty of all of those), but when emotions matter, when the characters are able to look at each other, and everyone, including the audience, knows exactly what they’re thinking, what they’re motives are, who they are. I would never forgive myself if I spoil any of these moments for you readers. However, one stands out amongst all of them, and is probably the most obvious connection, excluding Philip Seymour Hoffman, to Magnolia. I won’t give specifics, but both movies are able to do one wondrous thing: they show how music unites us, makes us one, solves every problem, even in the darkest of times. Both films do this in the most literal sense possible, and that’s the idea. Why beat around the bush when you can say exactly what you want right then and there? During these specifics times in both Almost Famous and Magnolia, there was not a dry face in the theater.
If you don’t know the plot, then you haven’t been visiting this site enough. All I’ll say is that it says a great deal about our country: the youth, the families, the music, the need for stardom, everything. This is the American movie of the year. I realize that’s quite a lot to say, but it’s the truth. This movie deserves every award at the Academy Awards next spring. Frances McDormand needs a second statuette for her role as the overly protective yet loving mother of the main character. Jason Lee needs to receive the recognition he’s always deserved as the singer for Stillwater, the band that this movie’s main character chronicles. Billy Crudup, as the band’s lead guitarist and focus of the main character’s assigned journalistic duty, may this film bring him much respect as one of the great American actors. Kate Hudson, playing Penny Lane, the caring “band-aid” to Stillwater and central love interest, must win all supporting-actress awards. And Patrick Fugit, as the central character William Miller…well…there’s absolutely no way I can give him enough praise. This guy will be a star, and may he enjoy the ride.
From all the stories I read about Almost Famous, it has come to my understanding that this, the released version, isn’t the entire version of the movie. The original cut, titled Untitled, has much more. If the cut I saw tonight made me write this review, what could be in store on a future DVD?
I can’t wait to see this again.
Almost Famous will be in my life for a long time. Better movies will come along, I realize that. But this will be my obsession for quite some time.
Signing off,
Enigma Boy
Beware some spoilers lurk below...
"Almost Famous" Review by reagan5001
I wrote this after seeing the absolutely wonderful Cameron Crowe movie. This is one movie that could be hyped to the stars and not be dissapointing.
"Fame is the worst drug of all" --Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher
"Almost Famous" is the first outing by writer/director Cameron Crowe since his 1996 hit "Jerry Maguire". Although Crowe says that his latest film is semiautobiographical, his last two last films deal with the same story, of a basically decent man working in an industry of seediness and intoxicating fame, falling into the trap of the industry, and, with the help of the woman he loves, regaining his decency and staying true to the identity he always had.
The movie has the young budding writer William Miller (played by Patrick Fugit), whose considerable talent in writing for underground rock magazines is noticed by Creem magazine founder Lester Bangs (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) who, as well as William's mother Elaine (Frances McDormand), serves as Will's mentors in the movie. Lester philosophizes about the end of rock, and advises Will on journalism throughout the movie. "Be honest and unmerciful", he intones. Will's mom also comes out throughout the movie, trying to keep Will from getting swallowed by the decadent rock culture she fears.
Its no sooner that his big break happens, and William is soon picked up by Rolling Stone to write on a tour of the rising band Stillwater. Its also no sooner that Will breaks one of Lester's professional rules and becomes friends with the bands, as well as the beautiful groupie who goes by Penny Lane (Kate Hudson), who with other groupies, functions as the band's party crew.
Will loses himself in the partying, the relationships, the tours. Angry calls from his mother and the deadline wringing from the Rolling Stone offices, as well as calls to Lester, serve to break reality into the drug addled world that Will soon finds himself living in. The movie is in part the journey that he, his new found love Penny, and the band take in regaining their sense of reality from the fame that surrounded them.
The movie hardly has a dull moment, with Crowe brilliantly weaving plot twists, jokes, and character development together in a movie that could have easily have been a stereotypical coming-of-age story. Frances McDormand puts conviction and love into a role that could have easily have been a 2 dimensional Concerned Mother character. Phillip Seymour Hoffman's Lester Bangs wonderfully brings to life the mentoring "Yoda" of the story, serving in part as a mouthpiece for Crowe's ideas on the state of rock, on journalism, and on the "uncool people" who he credits on making true art, true music. No guessing on what he thinks about the current crop of hit pop singers.
Of special note in the band Stillwater itself. At many points in the movie, the lead singer realizes their mediocrity, how they are searching for something beyond mere fame. They're looking for "something real", as the lead singer says at one point. The whole film is haunted by the price of fame, how is seems to rob people of their own true selves. People do things they would never do otherwise. They lose focus, they become lost in this Industry that doesn't really care for them. The film is, while also being about this one kid who came of age fast in the fast world of music, is also about fame, and how people manage to get over it and stay true to themselves. Its an optimistic movie, one that I think will touch a lot of people, and one that we may very well be seeing at Oscar season this coming March.
Send thoughts, comments, or insulting diatribes concerning this review to ME
And now for a negative...
Harry,
As I'm sure most of the daily readers of your site, or at least the ones that actually care about supposed Oscar conteding movies, I saw the sneak preview of "Almost Famous" on Saturday night. However, after reading your review for the film, I decided that I'd lend my hand in, and give details from another point of view. Ever since the tragic passing of the great Gene Siskel ( I may never get over it), I've been searching for a critic whose opinions I could trust. FEbert (as I call him) will never emerge to be a Siskel. Ever since naming "Dark City" as the best movie of '98, and certainly the more recent loving of "The Cell", he can't be trusted. He also showed less intelligence when naming Roeper as his new sidekick for the show. Roeper liked "Coyote Ugly", how intelligent is that? Anyway, the whole point of my little speil is to say that every review written has to be read now, and you just have to decide for yourself which to trust, thus bringing on my idea of submitting an oppostie point of view.
Well, if you've actually read to this point, I won't bore you any longer. This is the question everyone wants to know. Is "Almost Famous" another "American Beauty"? The answer: NO. Will it even be nominated for best picture? I certainly hope NOT. With that in mind, I will describe why it won't, rather than describe what I actually liked in the movie.
There's really only two things to complain about in this movie, and the first is really nothing, just minor. But, before I go on, I'd like to explain that I'm not a Cameron Crowe fan. I hate "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" (I know he didn't direct it). It sucked. Why is it liked by anyone? I've seen porno's that meant more to me. Also, I'm not too overly worked on "Jerry Maguire" either. It was pretty good. No reason to jump on Crowe's back, think he's a genius, and hype up this film though. What I am, is a movie fan.
First thing. I'd like to state that the acting was pretty good. Everyone did a pretty good job. Billy Crudup and Jason Lee were good. Kate Hudson almost grew on me and made herself desireable. Almost. Then, I realized I was sitting next to a girl that was too many times hotter. PSHoffman was good a usual. Jimmy Fallon from SNL fame even did a pretty good job as one of their managers. But, Patrick Fugit showed why he isn't a name actor, and why even though he was the main character was listed somewhere between 5th and 7th in the final credits. I thought he was okay up until a scene where he and Hudson's character were arguing in a park. It bothered me. I couldn't believe that a director would go with that take. It was sickening. Fugit acted like a wuss even though he was trying to put his foot down and lay down the law on Hudson. It had to have bothered someone beyond me. And this was the minor complaint.
Number two. The theme. "What do I love about music? Everything." What kinda crap? That's supposed to be a theme that grabs a nomination for Best Picture? If it does, someone in the Academy better watch "The Shawshank Redemption" again. It happens to be my favorite movie. "Shawshank" composes a little sub-theme much like the one in "Almost Famous". Only, it takes one scene to do, and not 2 hours. "Shawshank" is the best movie ever. It didn't even win Best Picture. Only nominated. It does in one scene what "Almost Famous" TRIES to do in an entire movie.
I will probably never see this movie again. Not because I didn't love it, but because the subject matter isn't for me anyway. I wasn't even born in the 70's. I hate the decade anyway. I hate rock music. I like rap. I was just trying to see a future nomination for Best Picture, but instead, I saw "Almost Famous".
Machinegunrap
