Meet Joe Black
09. Aug, 2010 
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Meet Joe Black
Bill Parrish (Anthony Hopkins) has it all – success, wealth and power. Days before his 65th birthday, he receives a visit from a mysterious stranger, Joe Black (Brad Pitt), who soon reveals himself as Death. In exchange for extra time, Bill agrees to serve as Joe’s earthly guide. But will he regret his choice when Joe unexpectedly falls in love with Bill’s beautiful daughter Susan (Claire Forlani).Meet Joe Black seemed almost fated to fail when it was released in 1998, but this romantic fanta
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(out of 474 reviews)
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American Flyers
Sports physician Marcus persuades his unstable brother David to come with him and train for a bicycle race across the Rocky Mountains. He doesn’t tell him that he has a cerebral tumor. While David powerfully heads for the victory, Marcus has to realize that the contest is now beyond his capabilities. / Features great views of the Rockies and an insight in the tactics of bicycle races.American Flyers could roughly be referred to as a cross between Breaking Away (also written by Steve Tesich) and
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(out of 39 reviews)
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Review by Janice Sims for Meet Joe Black
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I’m not a Brad Pitt fan. His physical attributes don’t astound and thrill me! But, I’ve got to give it to him: He was convincing in his dual roles as the coffee shop sweetie and Mr. Death. Claire Forlani, whom I’ve never seen in a film before was simply luminous. She’s the perfect Susan in this parable of one man’s last days on earth. Anthony Hopkins as Bill Parrish is remarkable, as always. He truly makes you feel as though he’s a man with little time left and has to spend the rest of his alloted time cleaning up his act, making amends with his loved ones, assuring his daughters that he loves them and has always loved them. Also, Marcia Gay Hardin and Jeffrey Tambor are both extremely good as the number two daughter (in her father’s heart) and her slightly inept (business wise) husband. They’re both touching. I wasn’t put off by the length of the film. I think we should take the time to savor some things in life. Slow down, relax and enjoy this beautiful offering from Martin Brest. You did a good job, Marty!
Review by Reine des Coeurs for Meet Joe Black
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I’ll admit that only morbid curiosity led me to watch this movie upon it’s initial release. The premise of this remake sounded interesting, but the over the top costs and production problems had been tabloid fodder for months. When it didn’t do blockbuster business, not many people were surprised.It’s a shame that this movie didn’t do better than mediocre reviews and lukewarm boxoffice receipts. There I sat in the audience marveling at the gorgeous design and antiques, not to mention the exquisite costume design. So many films these days go for established designers, but this movie used a studio designer much like the days of the old Hollywood system. The attention to detail is exquisite.As for the acting, it all boiled down to one scene for me. Anthony Hopkins describing the first time he’d ever had a lamb sandwich to Brad Pitt. It turns into one of the most beautiful remembrance speeches of a widower for the wife he still grieves. Needless to say even this heartless cynic got a bit misty. To have a man express such love without sounding condescending or corny is quite a feat. It’s enough to make you believe in the power of a good actor.Brad Pitt also deserves kudos for this role. Despite living through a personal hell and sustaining an injury, he does a great job in his double role. I thought the scene in which Death says good bye to Claire Forlani’s character was some of his best acting.
Review by Emily Davis for Meet Joe Black
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This film has something that most flicks today can only dream of: class. It doesn’t spoon-feed the plot to you, and it doesn’t have useless dialogue crammed into every nook and cranny. Those who say this film drags should stick to children’s cartoons. There is so much happening beneath the surface. Some just tune out the gaps in dialogue, and that’s a real tragedy, because that’s when the most happens, and the film really shines. Pitt, Hopkins, and Forlani are tremendous. Pitt’s combination of power and innocence is flawless. This film is the most sophisticated to come out in a while, and the fact that the critics don’t like it doesn’t phase me one bit, nor does it surprise me. Meet Joe Black is a breath of fresh air: a truly elegant film.
Review by for Meet Joe Black
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After reviewing all 206 reviews for this movie, I’ve come to the realization there is still a majority of intelligent people who watch movies, not just teenagers who want action and adventure. I admit that when my sister gave me this movie to watch, I almost gave it back to her without seeing it because I didn’t think I would care for it. Was I wrong! I’ve seen it three times in a week and I can’t believe it was three hours long — it seemed to carry me away and I didn’t want it to stop. I must admit that when the accident scene occurred after the coffee shop, I was so shocked that I thought I’d hate the rest of the movie. I almost turned it off, but I’m so grateful I didn’t. By the end of the movie I felt such elation and satisfaction. By the second viewing, I wasn’t so shocked by the accident so I was better able to absorb the emotions and interactions of the characters. Since I’m a recent widow (December ’98) and then my mother died on my birthday in May of ’99, I couldn’t imagine ever watching another romantic movie. But the absorbing story just draws you in, and by the time Anthony Hopkins says, “it’s hard to say good-bye, isn’t it?” I knew exactly how Joe must have felt saying good-bye to Susan. This is a feel-good movie by the end and a roller coaster ride of emotions for three hours Don’t listen to the dribble of teenagers who would rather watch movies such as Animal House or Something About Mary — they probably watch all those stupid sit-coms, too.
Review by Caprica for Meet Joe Black
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Every frame of this film is beautiful. It has the look and feel of a Merchant/Ivory film. The musical score is by Thomas Newman. He is my favorite modern composer. I can hear his reverence for the piano. I can’t watch this film without crying no matter how many times I see it. I agree with another reviewer: a favorite scene is when Anthony Hopkins describes how he came to like cold lamb sandwiches. It took great care for this film to take something so simple and give it such depth and richness. If you like love stories, you’ll like this film. If you like fantasy, you’ll like this film. Because sadly, love and fantasy are so often synonymous.
Review by Craig Goodman for American Flyers
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American Flyers was originally released in the Theaters on August 16, 1985. Before or after no film has ever as realistically and effectively captured bike racing in such a manner as this film. It depicts the “Hell of the West” a fictitious bike race modeled after the Coors Classic held annually in Colorado. It even features a cameo by the legendary Eddie Merckx who is considered by many to be the greatest cyclist of all time. In addition to the cycling aspect, this film should appeal to every one since the story is of a long standing rivalry between two Brothers and a family history of Brain aneurisms which may now threaten the life of one of the Brothers. The brothers are played by Kevin Costner and David Grant. They decide to compete in the Hell of the West and in the process of training for the race as well as competing in the race itself forge a renewed bond that is very touching and heart warming. For Kevin Costner fans this is one of his best performances and surprisingly I have never heard him mention the film in any of his published interviews. John Badham skillfully directs the film and viewers will find themselves thinking about the film long afterwards. In addition the soundtrack is fantastic featuring music composed by Dave Grusin, and songs by the likes of Chris Isaak, and Credence Clearwater Revival. It is a truly wonderful film and will leave you very satisfied. For any true movie fan this is a must for your collection, and your friends will thank you when you lend it to them.
Review by for American Flyers
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O.K. I’m biased. I grew up in Colorado and was very involved with the cycling world during the late 70′s and early 80′s. Watching this movie takes me right back to those times and I enjoy it. Many of the scenes, including the hotel scene with the TV broadcast of the Star Spangle Banner and blatant display of the KBPI banner at the beginning of the first leg of the race, tap right into things I remember only too well from my youth. (Not to mention the girl with the streak in her hair … I had a similar one at that time myself …) I’m also a Costner fan and feel that any Costner collection cannot be complete without this movie. That said …Yes, the movie is dated. Yes the movie is predictable. Yes, some of the acting is cheesey. And yes, it’s an inspirational movie despite all that. I really enjoy this movie and manage to toss it into the VCR twice a year or so if for no other reason that I love to see the Colorado scenery go by during the race scenes and to hear the Star Spangled Banner …. Hey, they are playing our song!
Review by James for American Flyers
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This movie will inspire those who have competed with and against their brother. The fights and the competition between the brothers brings back good memories of how competitive my brother and I were. The dedication and effort put forth by the competitors also brings back memories of a better time and place. The scenery great — how can Colorado not have great scenery ?Don’t look for this movie to have great meaning or fantastic acting – look for it to be just what it was meant to be, an inspirational movie.
Review by Diana M. Carr for American Flyers
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I am an avid book reader and do not generally care to give up MY interpretation and imaginations for the “movie version”. Yet, when I read some of the reviews for “American Flyers” (one of the movies I do enjoy), I felt compelled to respond. Kevin Costner is probably one of the few “Actor-Producers” that continually goes for the story and not for the glory. Even as early as “American Flyers”, Kevin demonstrated his ability (and he was only an actor at the time)to take the cliche and transform it into joy, sorrow, love, and anger that was palpable. And, at the end, when the inevitable occurs, I find myself crying and smiling with everyone else. But I also think, “Wow, what a powerful performance to be able to evoke such emotions each and every time I see this movie!” Since “American Flyers”, Kevin has continued to work “outside the box”. If you think about it, most every movie is pretty predictable. What makes it great is that you want to watch it again!
Review by A. J Sereda for American Flyers
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This was one of those movies that I never intended to see as a kid. I was 13 at the time, and had seen the preview at the theater before watching Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. I thought, “what a cheesy looking flick” and went about watching Pee Wee (ha ha, that’s painting the kettle purple, or whatever they say). But what 80′s flick was ‘top of the line’ besides Fast Times at Ridgmont High or Ghandi? Maybe ET, or Empire Strikes Back. OK, sorry about that, back to AF.
Anyways, being an HBO family, I got the opportunity to watch this movie, a several hundred times. What can I say. It’s still cheesy, but brings about a family bonding. And honestly, there are families out there like this dysfunctional one. In fact, some are worse than the Sommers.
The movie brought into play the Soviet Boycott, a vegan follower resorting back to McD’s, things going on with our nation. David and Marcus Sommers, racing for the last time against each other…..well, for the first also. And I’ll never view the National Anthem the same after seeing Alexandra Paul getting naked for the romp with David. Totally unacceptable, yet so taboo and intriguing.
The soundtrack, unfortunately, is next to impossible to find. I have been looking for years, to no avail. So, I have to keep watching (which I will) the movie over and over.