Genres

Visitors Review

Stephen Burns 2012-05-22 10:41:32

Great film

My wife and I saw this movie at TIFF, and loved it. Megan Fox provesshe can truly act. Terrific film. The problem, if there is one, isMickey Rourke's character. As good as he was in The Wrestler, there's asameness about him, as if the story isn't sure what it wants from him.Bill Murray is excellent as always, but the real gem here is Fox.There's no question that she will forever be hounded, as she faces thedouble standard all female actresses face. If Channing Tatum gets rolesbecause "he looks good on screen", he still would never face the levelof scrutiny of someone like Fox. However, she puts that to rest here,with a sublime performance.

Tony Heck 2012-05-22 02:42:51

A very, very original idea staring Mickey Rourke, Megan Fox & Bill Murray. With this cast I expected better. I say B-

Love really does have no boundaries. When down-on-his-luck jazzmusician Nate Pool (Rourke) winds up face to face with a gun in thedesert he thinks his life is over. After a miraculous event he walksout and finds a beautiful carnival sideshow woman Lily (Fox). Realizingthis may be his way to a new life he runs off with her. I really am notsure what to say about this one. The acting by Rourke is OK, Fox isbetter then expected, but Bill Murray really is the acting talent ofthis movie. There is so much un-expected aspects to this movie thatsaying anything will give something away and I don't want to do that. Iwill say that you have never seen anything like this before, and maynot again. It's not that bad, but nine times out of ten putting thesethree together will be fantastic...this is the tenth time. Very, veryodd, not at all what I expected. Worth a watch just to be able to talkabout it later. This is a movie not everyone will like, I have afeeling most will either love it or hate it. I however am in between.The fact that Bill Murray is in this helps and for that reason alone, Igive it a B-.Would I watch again? - I don't think I can handle this movie twice.

random4ever 2012-05-16 14:47:20

have not seen one like this in a long time

this movie is something else, i had my doubts and i can tell you, theywere not even close, i seen bad movies but this one is on a new level.its fun, it starts off bad and gets worse and worse.its also really funny in how bad it is. thats why i gave it a 7. its sobad and over the top its amusing and sometimes hysterical. as a movieit blows chunks, as a movie for the super sarcastic its a barrel oflaughs. even funnier is how i read a thing about Shia LaBeouf talkingabout why Megan Fox left transformers and how she didn't feelcomfortable showing her body etc... the guys covering up for her andshould of kept quiet till he saw this movie, shes not actually nude inthe film but the movie is about about her being an object of desire. its worth watching when there is nothing else to see, or if you have aodd sense of humor, then your gonna find this really funny like i did.

2012-05-16 04:10:34

First decent flick the Hollywood sewer has made in ages

Hollywood hates this movie. That alone should make this a must-see.You will either get it ... or you won't. It's like any truly great film.I would say if Wim Wenders, David Lynch and Frank Capra worked together on a movie it would turn out like this.My wife and I cried so hard at the end we were like two little kids. One of the most beautiful films I have seen in a long, long time. My wife was in a pile of used kleenex about waist deep when the credits ended. I was baffled trying to figure out where exactly this whole thing was going until the last ten minutes.The title seems strange until you have watched it. It's perfect. The story is a play that Nate is part of and it is for no other reason than to get him to let go and take a leap of faith. It is something he has to figure out for himself at the end. Megan Fox was the most perfectly cast - she was amazing as the "winged carnival girl."Be patient. It is agonizingly slow. There are no CGI jumpcuts, hood brothers firing pistols in bullet time leaping sideways, people being tortured with timed tests or any of that drivel that Hollywood normally substitutes for actual talent. It will be worth it at the climax when everything will be clear. The director Mitch Glazer takes his time and will have you wondering just what in the hell this movie is about for 90 minutes.Remember that IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE was savaged by critics when it was released as a sappy, sentimental and maudlin nod to populist audiences. Today that movie is recognized as one of the greatest films ever made. Hollywood was disappointed that Mickey Rourke would waste his ability on a movie like this when he could be doing something like SORORITY VAGINA SLASHERS or their usual fare. He ended up apologizing after it was released because the reaction was so mixed. Mickey, trust me if this is one of your bad efforts then your career has been pretty spectacular. The peasants out here in the unwashed flyover zones thought this movie was superb.I predict this movie will recover in DVD sales, I added it to my collection the day after I saw it at full price and I rarely spend more than $10 on any DVD.

Hellmant 2012-05-06 13:29:13

There's no passion in this train wreck of a film!

'PASSION PLAY': One Star (Out of Five) A truly bad movie is one that fails to accomplish what it set out to doon almost every level. That's why when someone argues that a movie isbad simply because they don't like it (like Michael Bay films forexample) they're not making a justifiable argument. A movie is not badmerely because your personal taste disagrees with it. If a movie isgood at what it sets out to do then by definition it's a good movie.That is not the case with this film. It sets it's goals so high andfails at each one miserably. It is by definition a bad film andpersonal taste has nothing to do with it. You could argue that maybethe film did exactly what the filmmakers set out to do though and youjust didn't get what they were trying to do but if the finished productis that unclear (on what it's attempting to do) then it's a bad film aswell.Mitch Glazer wrote and directed this train wreck of a movie and it'shis first attempt at directing a feature although he's co-written suchfilms as 'SCROOGED', 'THE RECRUIT' and 'GREAT EXPECTATIONS'. The filmstars Mickey Rourke, Megan Fox, Bill Murray and Rhys Ifans. The actorsare so much better than the material and the only one that delivers asemi decent performance because of it is Bill Murray. Rourke isobviously not a strong enough actor to carry this sh-- and Fox hasnever been worse (she still looks good though). What a waste of talent!Rourke stars as a jazz trumpet player named Nate Poole who recently hadthe misfortune of sleeping with the local gangster Happy Shannon's(Murray) wife. Shannon had his wife killed and was about to have Poolekilled as well when Nate was saved by a band of Indians during hisassassination attempt in the desert. Poole then stumbles upon a circusand meets a beautiful woman named Lily (Fox) with angel wings. Hepromises to protect her and find her a better life if she leaves withhim which she does but Poole's past troubles catch up with him oncethey return to the city.The film is a mess from start to finish. It's visually unappealing andthe story is not the slightest bit interesting or involving. The actorsare unable to make you care at all, or relate to their characters, andI think that's more due to a weak script and horrible directing thananything else. Glazer tries his hardest to make the film unique andquirky but it's mainly just a bore. The only thing that's reallyamusing or entertaining about it is the fascination and wonder (itdraws from you) in how things became so miscalculated to result inwhat's unfolding before you. The film fails to resonate any feeling orreaction of almost any kind from the viewer at all. In that way it isat least interesting though.Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPqFKAK3fro

BigBobFoonman 2012-05-06 03:22:15

Megan Fox could decidedly be a citizen of Heaven....

Just saw this on Netflix...it looked strange, and I took a chance. I'mvery glad I did....First of all, the music is still haunting me....this is a musician'smovie.....dreams...a very beautiful woman....magic and desire...thethings a cat lives and plays for.....if you did not like this movie,you probably couldn't carry a tune with a handle...if you play aninstrument, and aren't moved by this movie, you probably play in achurch worship band.Mickey Rourke may have been slightly miscast....my onlyreservation...he is swollen, bloated and has been rode hard....butperhaps that was perfect for a out and down jazz musician....I think hedid a good job. His "The Wrestler" persona was a bit hard to get by...I heard that he said some things about Megan Fox....maybe he wanted herand she didn't respond...who knows. He was dead wrong about her acting.It was luminous.....I admit her unearthly beauty carried the day, butthere was light behind those eyes....everybody was home, and she was anangel named Lily.I don't think Bill Murray would have signed on to a loser....this was aclassic film.

web-lines 2012-04-30 16:04:34

It has an American Indian Spirit that soars with the Eagles.

I did not read the reviews, even the TIFF's disapproval, until after Iviewed the movie. I can only wonder why this spiritual story bypassedthe minds of men. It was a fabulous venture into a real death andlife's reflective review.Sometimes a person just can't get out from under the control of badpeople (Bill Murry's gangster character) until they die and are setfree, and this is the case for Nate (Mickey Rourke) who views theflight of the Eagle at the time of his death and smiles knowing it andhe is free. Letting go of life and taking a visionary look back intosome of it's misery is the reason for this film.Let your spirit fly with Megan Fox (the bird-woman) as Lily (the flowerof death) as she beautifully portrays the protector of man's spirit.The story is a sad one, and the characters are played as such. See itwith your eyes open and heart ready to be full.

jamesm1068 2012-04-30 00:42:12

Strange Movie!

I gave this film four stars and that is only because of Micky Rourkeand his great acting, at times his acting was outstanding and you couldtell he was giving it his best! Megan Fox fans will love her in thisand Bill Murray does a great job playing the mobster in a drama, he wasvery good. The film was entertaining enough until the end, which Ithought was far fetched and just to strange for my taste. It remindedme of the movie "Lovely Bones" at times, but just not as good. OverallMicky fans will like him in here, he plays himself in many ways, Iwouldn't call it a waste of time to see the movie but i think only forfans of the stars will really like it.

Christine Porsche 2012-04-30 05:04:08

A very beautiful movie

I had very low expectations because the movie was so low rated andMegan Foxx was in it and I wasn't so convinced of her talent so far.But Mickey Rourke and Bill Murray in it made me curious and so Iwatched it and was very surprised how much I liked it. Until the endwhere Megan takes Mickey on a flying tour, the movie was a littleconfusing for me in some parts but then the end reveals what the movieis all about. Mickey flies over his dead body and finally realizes thathe is dead. So in the beginning Mickey is not saved by these strangemen in white clothes, but he is shot. He is dead but doesn't realizeit. He meets his "angel" which needs to fulfill the task of bringinghim to the aftermath, but Mickey can't let go of his human life onearth yet. Bill Murray is the force who symbolized Mickey's inabilityto let go and leave earth, because Bill wants to take away his angelwhich Mickey needs to travel to "the other side". But Mickey in the endis able to take back "his angel" and finally he is also able to let goof his human life, which is shown in his free will to jump from theroof. Now that Mickey is really ready to go the Angel takes him (nowalso the Angel is ready, she suddenly is brave enough to fly) and whileMickey sees his dead body lying on the floor, he not only realizes thathe is dead but he smiles which means he now can accept it. He learnedto fall in love with his angel which was needed to make this journey.In the end everything makes sense and leaves you with a smile on yourface. I love this movie, esp. the story, but also the actors, theatmosphere and even Megan Foxx. :-)

LordJiggy 2012-04-29 19:06:04

Flawed, but touching

I found this film more touching than I would have imagined. Megan Foxwas very good in her archetypal role. Beautiful music, some lovelyphotography, with nice turns by the various actors.If there was a problem with the film, it was the script. Rourke'scharacter, Nate Poole, undergoes some changes that aren't fully workedout, even within the magical realism of the world the film creates, andthus, his actions don't entirely seem consistent or fully motivated.I've heard Rourke has criticized Ms. Fox's acting, and that seemsunfair. The failure of the film at the box office is definitely afunction of the script, not Ms. Fox.For all its flaws, it's still a moving, often strangely beautiful film.

Dr. Zulfiqar Ali 2012-04-28 13:36:07

Megan fox acts like Diamond on Ring...... Flawless

Well first & Foremost I would like to congratulate Megan Fox for herexcellent & mesmerizing acting skills in the movie. It's really sadthat the movie didn't get the cinema release & is going straight to DVD& Blu-ray. The whole movie from the beginning to the end is top notch.All the actors have portrayed themselves awesomely. Megan Fox reallyproves one thing in this movie that she has the talent & skill toperform any role given to her. Lastly it really sad & heart breaking the audience have lost the tasteto watch & praise good movies. For people who are thinking aboutwhether to watch or not this movie I say this movie really will takeyou in to the world love & passion. Passion like the era of the 60's &70's or even better. Don't miss your chance to watch the movie & enjoy

rickbu-915-759810 2012-04-28 02:03:11

These actors had to be so desperate for work to take on these characters.

Absolute waste of my time.The film tried very hard to make you feelsomething for the characters, but no matter how hard I tried NOCONNECTION! Excellent acting from all participants, but nothing couldpull this storyline from sewer from which it came. I would have to sayI have never seen a more repulsive attempt at a love scene. If yousimply want to see your favourite actors, you may lose all respect forthem after this one. After watching Passion Play I felt the actorsinvolved took their respective roles, because they were so desperatefor work and this is all they could get. Although i do watch and enjoyfantasy or science fiction movies, something in the story has to makeme believe it. The writer offers no explanation as to why certainthings are the way they are. What even makes it possible?

sdmumf 2012-04-27 00:30:30

More Awful

94 minutes of my life I will never get back. Words cannot begin todescribe just how truly awful this movie really is. Terrible script,cheap high school quality sets, and even worse casting. Wait, I foundsome words to describe this; brown, smelly, and steamy. I do loveMickey, because he's just himself. Megan Fox...say no more. Bill, WTFwere you thinking? I think Bill's brother had a small part too! Didnone of you A-listers even read this script before signing on? HeyMitch, I've got a great idea. Why don't you make a movie about a youngsmoking hot woman, who just happens to have bird wings, who seems tohave a knack for attracting creepy old dudes. I've read better storieson the walls above urinals.

j-a-law 2012-04-26 16:40:11

Magical

Possibly the greatest film ever produced, an absolute must see. Specialmention to the script writer for realising it was best not to giveMegan Fox too much to say.Why do I need to write 10 lines? I feel the first three summed the filmup poetically. As It seems empty lines cannot defeat the IMDb monster Iwill now list the cast. I wouldn't bother reading any further. MickeyRourke Megan Fox Bill Murray Kelly Lynch Rhys Ifans Chris Browning MarkSivertsen Rory Cochrane Frank Bond Arron Shiver LoraMartinez-Cunningham God bless her for having such a long name RobertWisdom Liezl Carstens Alexandra Essoe. Happy now IMDb?

ratsburyraven74 2012-04-24 23:04:14

I Loved this movie...

It begins as it should, giving you very little to go on...Thus thecast...A talented one....Took this story in unpredictabledirections...Everyone of these actors/actresses were wonderful....Iflippin cried like a baby at the end.....And I don't cry much.. Goddamn critics....So I need to write more to get this published....MeganFox cant act?!?!.....You cant act...Like a decent person and enjoynatural talent!!!...this was a beautiful story with a phenomenalcast...Doesn't get any better than this....You can take yourtransformers and cram them up your opinionated asses.....Oh and anotherthing.....this guy can write!!!....Looked into a little history aboutthe dedication....Apparently this director has a strong writing background and it comes across in this movie.....Did I mention that I criedlike a baby?.....

robin bonathan 2012-04-24 08:41:38

time stood still

Well what can one say about his "film"I like Billy Murray and was the only good bit of acting in film. Meganfox has her place in some films. Ryhs Ifans is good actor but given ahorrible script. Never really like Micky Rouke. Why does he wear nailvarnish ?The film leaps around with no explanation or credibility.Its drawn out and I feel is if I need another drink or 2 to stay sane.Yes I watched it from start to finish.If you are bored and need an hour and half to kill this is for you.Story line non existent, credibility non existent, acting .....You get the gist.

Alexandria 2012-04-23 09:33:06

Loved It

I really enjoyed this movie. I never got why Megan Fox get's called abad actress she's a good actress in my opinion. All the characterswhere great especially Lily and Nate I loved their odd romance, it allcame together really well at the end when Nate realized he was dead andLily was his angel. I don't know why this went straight to DVD its agreat movie. Megan Fox kind of has something in common with her character tomillions of people staring at only her beauty while ridiculing heracting skills kind of like lily everyone staring at her wings whilecalling her a freak.

gwinnhill 2012-04-22 13:40:59

Needs better looking guys

Who wants to watch two ugly guys making out with Megan Fox? This moviewould have done much much better with two different costars for her..Ican't believe she signed on to this.. it was hard enough watchingMarisa Tomi with Rourk... The story line is good enough but the look ofthe actors makes a huge difference also.Just like the movie"Stripper.." they had the main character jump in bed with an ugly guyand the girl was beautiful after that the career of that actress wasruined. People don't want to see that unless it's a comedy. Come onMegan you definitely can do better than that...Come on directors don'tjust fill movies with names there has to be chemistry

smfilm 2012-04-21 20:41:21

there are 2 very different versions

The original cut of this film was rushed out for the 2010 TorontoInternational Film Festival and got ROASTED by critics and Micky....and its very easy to see how that could happen with such a delicate andlight plot... it was completely changed and then, due to the poorreviews, only shown on 2 screens grossing 2,000 (!) then to video....ouch...I just watched the DVD cut and was impressed. It is delicate andnuanced. If you are a viewer who appreciates life meaning and subtletyin film as you might see in Terrence Malik, you can see how PassionPlay is sort of an attempt at a life view. There is good cinematographyand all the basic elements, and I'd describe it as strong but notexcellent. I'm not a Megan Fox fan, and while not top flight here, she is good.Who knows, if she can get a few more films to develop her career shemay not regret the whole Michael Bay thing. Micky does a Wrestler echowith good effect. As usual, Bill Murray is by far the strongest talent,but in this case he doesn't have quite enough to work with and seemsunderused.It's not a waste of your time, and if you are a viewer who demands andcant see beyond old fashioned, completely structured plot you will bedisappointed... but for the philosophical among you... there issomething worth watching here....

raman-pthk 2012-04-21 14:19:19

Good movie...surprised to see what critics said about it

Don't know why most of the critics have lambasted the movie. It was anice and entertaining movie, good story, all the actors have playedtheir part beautifully. Megan Fox for once have shown some actingskills, Mr. Rourke is good and Bill Murray as always was excellent. Thestory was good, a bit predictable about the action Rourke will take. Iwas a bit surprised with the ending but that last smile on MickeyRourke's face was enough to tell what was going through the entiremovie. I have read about what happened with the movie in TIFF and what MrRourke have said about the movie. But if anyone is thinking to watchingthis movie should first through these comments out of the mind. Watchthis movie without any prejudice. All in all if someone will spend hisone and half hour to watch this movie that will be spent good.