HIGH FIDELITY (July 30 - August 5)

[Mike Sampson]

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This week's movie is: HIGH FIDELITY

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00003CXGA.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

"Transplanted from England to the not-so-mean streets of Chicago, the screen adaptation of Nick Hornby's cult-classic novel High Fidelity emerges unscathed from its Americanization, idiosyncrasies intact, thanks to John Cusack's inimitable charm and a nimble, nifty screenplay (cowritten by Cusack). Early-thirtysomething Rob Gordon (Cusack) is a slacker who owns a vintage record shop, a massive collection of LPs, and innumerable top-five lists in his head. At the opening of the film, Rob recounts directly to the audience his all-time top-five breakups--which doesn't include his recent falling out with his girlfriend Laura (Iben Hjejle), who has just moved out of their apartment. Thunderstruck and obsessed with Laura's desertion (but loath to admit it), Rob begins a quest to confront the women who instigated the aforementioned top-five breakups to find out just what he did wrong."

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[jackson13]

I loved this movie, and the book!!!! It's such a great story about love and relationships. I admit I had doubts when I rented it. But after viewing it, I loved it. Excellent, excellent film. 9.5/10

[Brock Landers]

All I can say is... Jack Black! I love this guy! He just has a natural born talent for playing smart-ass quirky bastards who think they're above it all, and it works! I mean, John Cusack just plays John Cusack, and he does it well in this film adaptation of Nick Hornby's novel, but it's "Tenacious D" that steals the show. Tim Robbins plays cheese so well, as he is himself a big chunk of moldy sharp cheddar these days. The best stuff occurs in the record shop with Robbin's beat-down taking the cake, and the bald-headed Moby-looking wimp has some fun lines as well, and what the hey, look everybody! It's Lisa Bonet! And now she looks like Sheryl Crow if she was a soul sister rastafarian! And look out for the Jack Black/Cosby Sweater In-Joke! While the film has a few poignant moments that ring true about men and love, it really thinks a little too much of itself, intent on telling us, as the viewer, just how great it is. Cusack's main squeeze in the film is a foreign actress who was in the great film "Mifune", and I think they chose her because of her out-of-the-norm beauty, in other words, they chose her because of her unattractive looks, because the film is about people who are antisocial and live life doing their best to avoid mainstream society, which for all practical purposes is a good way to live since "mainstream" sucks. Which is why the film didn't work on all accounts, because it felt it was necessary to have Cusack with his dweeby hairdo have a relationship with Mrs. Michael Douglas, which in terms of "High Fidelity", makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, but it is just a film, right? It sure destroys "Say Anything" though. It also showcases Roger Ebert's downhill slide in the review department, making his Top Ten list of the year. Basically Rob Gordon (Cusack) is a depressing figure in modern cinema, that and the fact that he is basically a stalker of women doesn't help matters any. Overall it was a decent film, with some fun moments and a listenable soundtrack.

Barry: "Holy shite! What the fuck is that?"

Dick: "It's the new Belle and Sebastian..."

Rob Gordon: "It's a record we've been listening to and enjoying, Barry."

Barry: "Well, that's unfortunate, because it sucks ass!"

[This message has been edited by Brock Landers (edited 07-30-2001).]

[neo]

I've just finished reading my copy of "High Fidelity". So instead of just giving a review if the film or the book, I decided to give a comparrison of them. First, I would just like to admit that I absolutely loved both of them and recommend them both highly.

The movie I saw first. I thought it was absolutely hilarious and had some great hints into the minds of men. I remember thinking that the whole looking into the camera thing was very unigue and it would be strange to read something like that. Plus, the acting and everything in the film was nothing but the best. I've heard complaints that the girl who plays Laura didn't do to well, but believe me, she's fine.

The book was different from the film (as most books are). I'm not saying the film wasn't faithful to the book. I'm just saying that there are things that are changed and/or added between the two.

THINGS IN THE BOOK THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE FILM.

1. Rob has a lot of scenes with Marie in the book. I though Marie was a good character and they definatly underused her in the film. She has some good scenes.

2. The book tells you more about what Rob is thinking. In the film he talks a lot (he does in the book too). But in the novel more time is spent with his thoughts as apossed to his words.

3. This one isn't really important. But in the novel they talk about "Reservoir Dogs" a lot. I kinda wish that was in the movie. It's on my top five favorite films of all time list(Platoon, Reservoir Dogs, The Godfather, Braveheart, and Pulp Fiction if anyone cares).

THINGS IN THE MOVIE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE BOOK.

1. I am a big fan of the scene on the bench after the funeral. Well it isn't in the book.

2. I also love his "Fantasy" speech to Laura at the end of the film. He says different things in the book.

3. The little skateboarder kids outside the shop. There isn't even a hint that they are outside. So there isn't the stealing scene or any of that.

THINGS I'M HAPPPY WERE LEFT OUT.

1. I am very happy they left out the relationship with Rob and his parents. It is kind of boring to read and I really didn't care about them or why they were there. Truth is I mearly skimmed over some of those parts.

Overall they are both very good pieces of art. They are both clever and insightful. And they both make me smile when I'm finished with them. FILM: 9/10 BOOK: 8:10

[Mike Sampson]

Upon the recommendation of many, I finally checked this film out. I have to say it was really great. I had been having a hard time sleeping and HIGH FIDELITY did the trick. After about a few minutes watching this flick I was dozing off like there was no tomorrow. I'm not sure why I didn't like it but I definitely didn't think Jack Black was all that funny. I've liked him in about every other role he's been in (including Tenacious D) but this just didn't do it for me. I've never read the book but maybe that was better than the movie. Everyone else I know loves this film so I guess this is just one where I disagree with the rest of the pack.

[dh1989]

Great film! John Cusack is a cool dude. He always chooses the most original and funny flicks(this, Being John Malkovich, and Pushing Tin are my favorites). His character here is truly just a loser music junkie but you forget about it because of Cusack's charisma. Jack Black is great. This film really showcased his great comic timing. I forget the guys name but he did great as the little geeky clerk at the record store. Tim Robbins is also amazing and I loved when Cusack's character dreamed of different ways of killing him. Catherine Zeta-Jones is good too. The directing is great and the screenwriter deserved a Oscar statue. This is a perfect example of a film made purely of wit,solid dialouge,good acting, and tons of in-music jokes. This is a great film and is a great choice to buy with your paycheck.

[JoBlo]

You cracked me up, Joey...you da man.... /ubb/biggrin.gif

[Ebert]

I loved this Film and Cusack's performance really suprised me after the last movie he was is(Pushing Tin) which I think sucked ass.But this Film ACTUALLY made me laugh(Jack Black).He gave a hilarious performance as obcourse in movies like this the overweight fat guy who's over loud and eccentric.

But I still loved it!

(8/10)

TWO THUMBS UP

[pennywise46]

I liked it, thought it was real funny. John Cusack was good. The story was very entertaining, and hd interesting characters(music junkies with attitude). I would read the book if I read more. I give it a 7.5/10

[mtlhd4lfe]

This movie was excellent, John Cusack and Jack Black were outstanding. The movie for me culminated in completing what I like to consider the Holy Trilogy of relationships. Swingers, High Fidelity and Chasing Amy. The Old Testament, New Testament and Revelation, repectively. Think about it.

[BSquared]

Definately a favourite of mine - one of the rare ones that lived up to the "you've gotta see this movie - it's fantastic" lines. They were right - funny, interesting and entertaining - what more can you ask for $10?

[Chris James]

decent flick, kinda depressing.. shoulda called it "Better Off Dead 2"

[QUENTIN]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by mtlhd4lfe:
This movie was excellent, John Cusack and Jack Black were outstanding. The movie for me culminated in completing what I like to consider the Holy Trilogy of relationships. Swingers, High Fidelity and Chasing Amy. The Old Testament, New Testament and Revelation, repectively. Think about it.</font>

mtlhd -Wow, I now consider myself psychically linked to you. I watch those three films very frequently, as a trilogy and consider them the best "Romantic Comedies" as they're generically called, ever put to film. As for High Fidelity, I find myself in a minority of one who consider this film perfect. A 10/10 my best film of 2000, quite simply I'm biased as a motherfucker but it was the film I could relate to personally more than any other before it. The performances were all top notch with Jack Black and John Cusack particularily shining (Black was ROBBED, ROBBED I tell ya of a best supporting actor nomination...fuck Joaquin Phoenix), the script was superb, but of course it was it's based on one of my all time favorite books and actually finds ways to improve upon it. There are flaws with the film I'm sure, but like a great woman, I cannot see them as I so truly love this motion picture...One of my all time favorites...the stoning may now begin...

[zombiejazon]

this movie was sweet like butter.

[bskutle]

One of my favorite movies of 2000. John Cusack and his writing crew are some of the best comedy writers around (even though they were doing an adaptation here). Very smart, very funny, very cool, very awesome music, very great cast (it's the role of Cusack's career), and very well worth seeing.

A+ or 9.5/10

[Oedipa M]

Though I won't be as effusive as some here, I really did enjoy this movie, and it's on my lamentably short list of Romantic Comedies That did Not Make Me Wish For Two Hours of My Life Back.

[Mike Sampson]

I guess I am the only one who didn't like this movie. Oh well, to each his own...

[The Salsa Shark]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Joey Baloney:
I'm not sure why I didn't like it but I definitely didn't think Jack Black was all that funny.

Jack Black was all that and a bag o' chips. I can't believe you didn't think he was funny. The record store scenes were some of the funniest shit put on film in a long time.

[Lindsey]

Okay so I see mostly everybody liked this movie,well I didn't.I love Jack Black and John Cusak they are very funny guys.Anyways,I thought most of the scenes were boring and I didn't care for the movie.The scenes with Tim robbins were funny,the karate scene.Anyways I think it's a 6/10.