Genres

Visitors Review

Richard E. Dodson 2012-05-24 19:42:34

a three hour long movie that seemed like eternity

By the time this movie ended, I was beginning to hope that the Grim Reapermight pay me a visit to end my misery - if he came in the guise of BradPitt, of course. I don't think that I have ever watched a movie that tookso long to say so little. As a rule, I find movies that deal with thesupernatural highly suspect. This is particularly true of those that try todo so in a "user-friendly" manner as MJB tried to do. As always, AnthonyHopkins' performance was magnificent, but, unfortunately, that was about theonly thing that made this movie bearable. Brad Pitt is a very good (if not,yet, great) actor, but his talent isn't enough to shine through thisdim-witted romp through never-never land. He spends most of his timethroughout the movie just standing around eating peanut butter, being coylysilent and smiling like the cat that ate the canary. The "cafe scene" earlyin the movie was very good, with good interaction between Pitt and ClaireForlani, but the rest of the movie was, well, just plain dead. In my humbleopinion, don't waste three hours of your life on this one; let it rest inpeace, the real thing will come soon enough. (6/10 thanks toAH)

2012-05-24 09:42:32

The best movie I've seen in a long, long time.Deep & moving.

This movie left me with a gut-wrenching yearning in the depths of my soul. Yearning for the deep, passionate love that can be experienced between a man and woman. I thought that this movie was done in such good taste as opposed to most of the mindless, tasteless twaddle that's put out now, especially when it comes to sexual intimacy. This movie showed the sacredness of true intimacy as an act of love and the innocence and awe of one experiencing that for the first time. I also loved watching the relationship portrayed between Bill and and his daughter, Susan. How I wish I had a father like that. This movie really did the job for me in taking me out of reality and into fantasy for a while. I know life must really be like that for a few fortunate people. I absolutely adore this movie. The actors were fabulous. This movie touched me deeply and I will definitely buy it.

Dexter 2012-05-23 23:50:48

BraD PitT at its peak!!!

The film where Brad Pitt really looks cute and mysteriously handsome... I personally appreciate its cinematography as the actors really look good on the screen. Though there are parts that seems to be dragging yet I love every words the characters uttered.

R 2012-05-23 17:28:34

Incredibly Touching - InfinitlyMoreSoThe2ndTime

I watched this movie shortly after it came out with a girlfriend, and thought it was a good romantic movie but a bit long. *But* then I saw it again on Bravo in Nov/2006, and the movie took on a totally whole new meaning! Its an utterly awesome, insightful, sad 'n sweet, and profound movie! Don't agree? Well then do this... Think of a sad movie that you've related-to and/or liked to some degree. Good. Now multiply that by infinity, take that to the depth of forever, and you still will barely have a glimpse of what I'm talking about. ("") Seriously, imho, only a person who has experienced the pain of losing someone extremely close to them can *really* appreciate this movie! This was something I was lacking when I first saw this movie... but not now. And I no longer think this movie is too long. For if it was made shorter (2hrs instead of 3) it would have lost much of its amazing web of personal interactions that make's it so great. So if you haven't seen this movie, you should! And when you do look for my favorite scenes, which are: Brad Pitt and the Jamaican grandma in the hospital bed (profound!), and all the scenes with Brad Pitt and Claire Forlani. Brad and Claire sure acted well together, imho (could you see Angelina Jolie pulling this movie off instead of Claire Forlani? Not me.)A must own movie,for me.

cannston 2012-05-20 14:52:19

Far above the norm

Most modern movies use tricks and conceits to grab and hold yourattention.This movie, like its protagonist, fails to stoop to such manipulation,instead gently allowing you to bring out your best. The message here isvery simple - love, be courageous, accept your weaknesses and failuresbutdon't let them hold you back. The acting is so precise and compelling,thatno tricks are necessary to carry you along into what should be anunbelievable premise. Brad Pitt pulls off the daunting task ofportraying anon-human discovering what being human is, from the first taste of peanutbutter to the pain and rapture of love. Anthony Hopkins is a mouthful offine wine from a lead crystal glass - so odd to think this could be thesameman who plays a cannibal elsewhere. If you feel an unexamined life isnotworth living, you'll enjoy this film.

2012-05-20 05:22:43

Too Much Brad not Enough Bread

The 2 stars I gave this movie was mainly for supporting roles and the idea of the movie, I thought they could've made such a great picture. They had the right actors and right idea but it did not come together as expected.

rpmohriii 2012-05-18 20:04:25

Unequivocally awful

This movie is horrendous. A 3-hour-plus run time for what should have beena 90minute feature? Check. Seemingly 2 hours of silence? Check. Aninferior and unnecessary remake? Check. One of the worst directors currentlyworking in Hollywood? Check. Major logistical leaps? Check. Emotionlessacting(I don't care if it's justified, it's not interesting to watch)?Check. Unmotivated character actions? Check. This film has got itall!An utter indulgence from beginning to (when will it) end.Proof that people are starving for romance so badly that they will grasp toanything that promises it.

anonymous 2012-05-18 10:23:53

Good but long

Thanks to the Times we went to a free preview of this film prior to it'sgeneral release. The film was 45 minutes too long but I found it well madeand enjoyable. Pitt and Hopkins in my opinion, but not the newspapercritics, worked well together. A further treat was the stunning beauty ofthe leading lady. I say ignore the critics and give it a try.8/10

stricky 2012-05-17 23:36:17

Awesome movie!!

Brad Pitt was sooooo gorgeous and did a great job in acting as theghostof darkness in this movie and his co-actress did an excellant job in allofher acting parts. Anthony Hopkins, well, what else can you say about himand his movies, he was great also!! I recommend this movie highly. Youwill enjoy the whole movie through and through.

DThomas 2012-05-17 10:15:53

A beautifully made piece of cinema.

I had quite low expectations before going in to see this movie, havingheardso much bad press about it around the time of its release. How wrong Iwas,and what a great surprise it turned out to be. If, like me, you go inwithoutany strong peconceptions of what it might/should be about then I thinkyou'll love it. Claire Forlani is stunning, as is the chemistry betweenherand Brad Pitt. Hopkins gives what is surely one of his career-bestperformances and the film wanders along its superbly constructed narrativewith class and wit. It is not, at 3 hours, overly long, any less and itsconclusion would have been premature. Overall 'Meet Joe Black' is anextremely watchable piece of film-making without pretensions to beanythingelse other than an enjoyable story of love and yes, you guessed it, Death.Also, Look out for one of the most startling stunt scenes to hit thescreensin recent times! Blink and you'll miss it.

Hot Potato 2012-05-15 22:40:45

Count me in, too long, too slow, too boring, three strikes, and all air.

Somebody had an idea, and played all around the outside, I kept hopingtheywould find it, but they never seemed to. Then they explained somethingin asupplement after the movie, I think I know what they said they thoughttheywanted to do, but didn't.Hopkins; overdone, this isn't the stage, yet he never got there, whereveritwas. Yell, whisper, couldn't see either. Pitt; where did he see thissimpleton stuff? Theatre 101? Forlani, I know she was supposed to be anaive daddies girl, but, but, I'd like to see he do somethinggood.If you like these two guys, see the movie.

Lechuguilla 2012-05-15 05:26:05

Reflective And Philosophical

For a long time I put off watching this, because I have no interest insuperficial, teen comedy flicks, as implied by the film's pedestriantitle and by the casting of a youthful Brad Pitt. But "Meet Joe Black"is anything but "superficial", and "teen comedy" does not describe thismovie at all.Set in contemporary New York, the film follows a wealthy family whosepatriarchal sixty-five year old head, played by Anthony Hopkins, isnearing the end of his life. Enter "Joe Black" (Brad Pitt), a handsome,but enigmatic, young man with an unusual agenda.This is a thought-provoking movie about mortality and emotionalseparation. It will appeal to viewers with a reflective andphilosophical nature. But the film also has humor, which keeps it frombeing grim. The pace is slow. There's lots of silence and stillness,entirely appropriate, given the subject matter. Among other things, thefilm presents the novel idea that a supernatural being can be subjectto human emotions, and can make mistakes in judgment resulting fromthose emotions.The film is not perfect. The plot is a tad egocentric. There's noreference to the universality and ongoing occurrence of death outsidethe confines of this family. Also, why now? Why does death choose toengage life in our present world, why not five hundred years ago? Minorscript changes could have addressed these issues. The initial meetingbetween Susan (Claire Forlani) and Joe Black seems a little tooconvenient, but forms the basis for a plot twist that strengthens theoverall story.The acting is excellent. Anthony Hopkins is, as usual, outstanding. Iwould not have cast Brad Pitt in the role he plays, but he does a goodjob. Appropriate for this movie, the acting style for both Pitt andForlani is one wherein they communicate their characters to viewerslargely by means of their eyes, which, as taught by ancientphilosophers, are the windows of the soul.For viewers who liked "The Sixth Sense", another serious film withdepth of meaning, I recommend "Meet Joe Black" most highly.

mike kresha 2012-05-14 15:56:56

Don't listen to movie critics

I agree with the other user. This is a truly great movie. Why the critics didn't like it I don't understand. Every time I see it is on, I watch at least some of it. Professional movie critics always seem to over analyze movies. Yes it is a long movie. But it kept my interest the whole time. I would recommend this movie to everyone. I am male and I cried at the end !Women should truly love this movie. Brad Pitt and a true love story.

2012-05-14 04:10:06

To hang on or to let go?

The film is such a perfect depiction about the hesitation to let go or to keep tight the ones we love. The god of Death has taken the guy at the coffee shop away and he is waiting to deprive the life of the father. He even wants to take Jenny with them because he thinks he has fallen in love with her. However, it's not until he realizes that Jenny loves his disguised appearance but not himself that he decides to let go. Finally, he leaves the guy at the coffee shop to Jenny. Although it is hard to tell what is going to happen to the guy and Jenny, especially after Jenny knows her father's death the next morning, one thing for sure is that they will live together with unconditional love.

John English 2012-05-14 14:00:56

Would've been better if it was an hour shorter

Counting previews, MJB was a three-hour movie. The story isn't really thatcomplex. It felt like a giant ego-trip by the director to drag out everyscene as though we are going to ponder the wisdom bestowed to us in everyframe.And yet, I spent most of the movie wondering why no one ever asked what theafterlife was like! Brad Pitt plays Death, he tells Anthony Hopkins he'sgoing to die soon, and Hopkins doesn't ask about the afterlife or his deadwife or any of that. It's not like the movie didn't have enough time toexplore these aspects. Despite the director's indulgence and Pitt'sunbelievably portrayal of Death, Hopkins still pulls off some wonderfulmoments. The direction, the screenplay, the lack of editing and Pitt'sperformance all warrant this a thumbs-down.

nero-5 2012-05-14 01:03:34

some good points but way too long

Overall I agreed with many of the reviews I have read -thisfilm was way too long. Maybe the directors were trying togetacross some deep and meaningful thoughts which required length, but the plotandstereotypical characters ruined any effect for me.William Parrish is a successful, popular, clever guy whoeveryone likes and so in Hollywood style, has to be aboutto see his life's work destroyed by some young hot-shot.Of course, he's not quite perfect, preferring his younger,intelligent and fairly pretty daughter over her sister.For me, the best character was the Jamaican woman althoughshe only appears briefly.Death taking over a human body was interesting to watch andBradPitt did do well in this role, giving Death the appearanceof knowing language but learning to control a human body.Maybe the thought of Death being human with human emotionsjust unnerves me a little, but a Death which learns to be agood guy whilst on earth and fall in love just doesn'tseem real to me. And if Death exists outside of time, whyworryabout taking Susan Parrish with him - she'll be dead herselfin the blink of an eyelid?Verdict: save your 5 quid (and back from those cinemaseats)and rent this on video when there's nothing on tele. Oreven save that and wait for it to be shown on TV. Thisalso has the advantage of the bathroom being close by!

2012-05-11 03:52:03

One of the best films of the year

This movie is an extrodinary story about Death coming to take a man who's turning 65,and gives him a warning of it, and time. Death also falls in live withe the mans daughter. This is a great movie with great acting and should have been nominated for "BEST PICTURE."

Jodelle 2012-05-10 05:27:00

It still makes me squirm

And not in a good way, readers. For all those who think this film isinsightful, deep, and philisophical, you've been exposed to too littleactual depth and philosophy.There were holes in the script. Brad Pitt is a decent actor, but this movie had him acting like half robot,half mentally deficient.The movie takes itself way too seriously and is way toolong.I would give it a 5 out of 10, maybe a 6 on a good day.

Matthew Mott 2012-05-09 12:44:26

The longest three hours you will ever endure.

It is totally beyond my comprehension that an experienced director couldimagine that the subject matter of Meet Joe Black would justify a threehourrunning time. There are indeed some movies that can pull this off, such asthe Lord of the Rings films, or Gladiator (which is two and a half hours),however these do it by employing strong plot elements, exciting actionsequences and quality character development. They do not do it by stickingabunch of big-name actors together on screen, with no clear idea of howtheircharacters are supposed to behave, no sense of purpose throughout themovie, and a script that consists largely of people staring at each otherand saying nothing for a long time -- but this is exactly what Meet JoeBlack attempts to get away with. The character development is virtuallynon-existent, with Joe Black (Brad Pitt) undergoing more personalitychangesthan you can count; the plot itself is melodramatic to the point of farce(including an excruciatingly embarrassing scene where Brad Pitt puts on apoor Jamaican accent to talk to a dying old lady), and the music sotediousthat you will be wanting to scream by the time the credits roll.Unfortunately it seems that Meet Joe Black is victim of the "lovey-dovey"film culture of Hollywood, whereby innocent lonely hearts can be dupedintothinking a film is touching simply because it purports to contain romanticelements. Don't fall for it.

marylee-1 2012-05-08 18:55:33

It is about what true love is

It is a beautiful movie. It is about how life and death learn from eachother.It is also about the humanization of our inevitable death.When one lives fully, one no longer afraid of death.Three hours is not long, especially when one wants to experience moreaboutlife and living.