Stranger than Fiction review
 

Queer and preachy, had its moments, but basically sucked [censored]. 3.5/10

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

I didn't like the movie much either, but I think it deserves more than that sentence. Spoiler related review in white

question though first - why makes this OOT and rest of stuff like this lounge?

<font color="white">So she writes the ending and dustin hoffman basically asys this is the greatest piece of literature in past X # of years or whatever. But then in the end, he doesn't die. He says the problem is that now the rest of the book doesn't match up with the ending, and she will basically have to rewrite the whole book. By this rational, shouldn't the movie not be that good and shouldn't they have to rewrite the whole movie? I'm very big on "big picture" stuff - see my comments on Little Miss Sunshine - and I think this was an interesting one.</font>

I think the biggest problems with movies like this (and I include "The Break Up") in this category, is that they send us in expecting one type of movie and then it's not that type of movie.

I think this was why a lot of people (at least when I remember seeing it) did not like the Truman Show.

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

danza,

I really like the truman show. Do you think that's a good indicator that I would like this movie?

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

I actually liked the film, but went in with little or no expectations in terms of plot or enjoyment.

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

8.5 out of 10
I really liked it.

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

I enjoyed it as well. Will Ferrel had a more 'serious' character than in his past few movies, playing an actual character instead of a set of character stereotypes.

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

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danza,

I really like the truman show. Do you think that's a good indicator that I would like this movie?

[/ QUOTE ]

No, Jim Carrey is a MUCH better actor than Will Ferrel. Truman show was, IMO, a much better movie too.

I would almost consider this Will Ferrel's failed attempt at his own "Truman Show".

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

[ QUOTE ]

I think the biggest problems with movies like this (and I include "The Break Up") in this category, is that they send us in expecting one type of movie and then it's not that type of movie.

I think this was why a lot of people (at least when I remember seeing it) did not like the Truman Show.

[/ QUOTE ]

Dude, If a movie is good but differnt from the preview.

Who the hell cares? I'd much rather see a movie like this than one that gives 3/4 the story away in the preview

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

I didn't really mean that it made me not like the movie, I just was speaking in general.

I didn't like the movie because of Will Ferrel (thought he was kinda bad in his role), and the plot. I just don't like Will Ferrel in semi-serious roles though, he doesn't change gears enough. But that's just me.

<font color="white">the whole wrist watch thing was also very stupid IMO, when it comes to life, etc.</font>

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

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8.5 out of 10
I really liked it.

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I agree, it's a great movie, and has a pretty good rating on IMDB.

The movie is quirky and different and is not for those expecting the usual Hollywood fare but I enjoy these types of movies much more than the big-budget 'blockbusters'.

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

Another poor OOT movie review. This was a good movie. I came in with few expectations and thought the preview looked stupid but was pleasantly surprised.

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

Worst OOT movie review ever. If you're gonna make a movie review, at least do it properly. Otherwise, why bother??

Also, I really liked this movie. And I thought that Will Ferrel was excellent in it. 4/5 (8/10).

In fact, I have yet to actually meet someone that hasn't liked it.

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

To those saying poor movie review, I apologize for the lackluster effort. I shouldn't have titled the post "review." I just wanted to see what people thought of the movie.

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

[ QUOTE ]
The movie is quirky and different and is not for those expecting the usual Hollywood fare but I enjoy these types of movies much more than the big-budget 'blockbusters'.

[/ QUOTE ]

I haven't seen it yet, but this is good enough for me.

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

I just saw this movie last night. I really enjoyed it. What did people expect from the previews? I was not sure what type of movie it would be from the previews, but that it would be more serious that a comedy.

Re: Stranger than Fiction review *Spoilers*
 

Wow I thought there would be much more discussion on this one.
Just saw the movie, thought it was brilliant.





**** SPOILERS *************************************************















Okay so I thought the movie dragged in the middle and I was not going to like it but wow.
So after her conversation with D. Hoffman about her mediocre ending and how well,
a) she just couldn't do it
b) the character was supposed to unknowingly die, and a character who knows he is going to die but goes into it willingly is a character she wants to live.

so she is going to keep her new ending and rewrite the story. And boom, that is what we just watched - the new story. This is what I thought, and I may be way off but I would like to believe this is what we are supposed to believe.

Bear with me, - so the parts of the movie where Harold hears her narrating is obviously the original, coherent, tragedy where he dies.
The missing narration would obviously be the rewrite. If this is the case then in the rewrite she would have written herself in, and her narrating voice, etc etc. Agree, disagree, some other avenue of thought?


Anyway the ending was beautiful and I loved it.

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

I just saw this tonight and thought it was very good.

First of all, I love Will Ferrell. I always have, going back to his earliest years on SNL. He has probably made me laugh more than any other actor.

It's interesting that so many people are mentioning "The Truman Show" in this thread. During the movie, I kept thinking of that film but for different reasons I guess. I was thinking of Truman as another example of a movie in which someone known for goofy and blatant comedy (Jim Carrey in that case) came out with a much more serious role. After thinking about it more and reading this thread, this comparison also makes sense based on the whole "real person is a character in a story" thing. Interesting. Anyway, as the movie progressed, I kept thinking, "This is like The Truman Show, but better." I haven't seen that one in a while, but I don't remember liking it as much.

Ferrell's performance is much more subtle in this movie than most of his other work. It is not as overtly funny, but there is definitely a lot of humor (albeit a different kind), especially for those who find Will Ferrell himself to be just naturally funny.

He is so different in this one, but I thought he was great. I think it is a good demonstration that he actually has some range and can do different things. He's a likeable guy, and I think the audience (I know I was) was hoping the story would change so he wouldn't have to die.

Maggie Gyllenhaal was quite good in it as well. I haven't seen her in many other movies. Seems like a good actress and also very pretty.

It's hard for me to rank this ahead of "Anchorman." That was the first time Ferrell got turned loose for 90 minutes as the unquestionable star of a movie. I can't remember too many occasions when I laughed as hard as the first time I saw that film. However, this one is really good too, in a much different way.

Semi-interesting side note: During the early part of the movie, there was some very funny stuff. I don't remember the exact part, but at one point, I was laughing so hard (as I often do) that a couple sitting 4-5 seats to my left actually got up and moved about 5 seats further away. Haha.

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

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I don't remember the exact part, but at one point, I was laughing so hard (as I often do) that a couple sitting 4-5 seats to my left actually got up and moved about 5 seats further away. Haha.

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<font color="white">probably where will pretends to be the narrator: "harold crick picks up the lamp and swings it around wildly ..."</font>

I laughed at that part for like 5 minutes

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

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[ QUOTE ]
I don't remember the exact part, but at one point, I was laughing so hard (as I often do) that a couple sitting 4-5 seats to my left actually got up and moved about 5 seats further away. Haha.

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<font color="white">probably where will pretends to be the narrator: "harold crick picks up the lamp and swings it around wildly ..."</font>

I laughed at that part for like 5 minutes

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

The problem withthis movie is it tried to develop too many different parts without actually doing it. It was mildly entertaining, but overall a disappointment.

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

i was thinking about seeing it and noticed that it had a good rating on rottentomatoes.com and on the imdb. that's usually a fair indication that it at least won't suck.

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

I thought it was pretty meh.

I fell asleep in the theather during it.

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

I was pleasantly surprised by Ferrell's performance and thought the movie was pretty good.

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

[ QUOTE ]
I was pleasantly surprised by Ferrell's performance and thought the movie was pretty good.

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this is pretty much how I feel

Re: Stranger than Fiction review
 

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Queer and preachy, had its moments, but basically sucked [censored]. 3.5/10

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This is from a guy who, I'm told, loves Meet the Parents. I loved Stranger Than Fiction... I could easily understand various grounds on which one could conceivably criticize it -- for blandness, for example, perhaps -- but it seems so out of place coming from you.

Also, you and FoxwoodsFiend hit up Commerce and didn't invite me, so screw you.

--Nate