Jacob's Ladder
|
List Price: Our Price: $5.09 You Save: $4.89 (49%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.00 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Jacob's Ladder
Movie Review: Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the most underrated movies ever, and that is why I am taking the time to give a short review. I would like to direct the reader to the Metacritic page to see how some critics labeled this as some sort of atrocity. I must say these people are absolutely full of ****. I have watched over a thousand films and this is in the top 100. I adore the acting, the direction, set design, and most of all the wonderful script.
For now I won't go over much, but people need to know that loving care was given to this film by Adrian Lyne and written by Bruce Joel Rubin; you can see this love in the beautiful opening shots of vietnam to the interiors and the loving way each actor exists in the movie, they all need each other, and the direction for each involving scene is quite immersive and satisfying. The soundtrack is very pretty but sombre and sad at times. Nothing ever shows a hint of any weakness.
The TIME article is so far up its own *** that I am angry at the fact this film is so mistreated by these 'professionals'. As if it is more cliche than something like Saving Private Ryan, for all its astounding splendor, the actual movie wasn't even that well tied together. This movie is tied very tight with resounding themes about dream, angels, demons, and what war means for the living and the dead. You will find that for every weakness you look for in this movie, a strength outshines it by tenfold. I cannot say enough about the acting, FROM EVERYBODY, and how this 1990 movie just doesn't feel dated, at all, and you would almost expect that from a supernatural thriller of this type. It just proves that 'they' are not making movies like this anymore in Hollywood's non Indie scene.
Anyway, despite my overwhelming hatred for petty and contrived reviewers, don't listen to the bad ones, they mean nothing. The NY Times and Roger Ebert have fair and balanced reviews of this film, scoring around 90 on the Metacritic. Read them, but watch the movie first. A true American Classic.
Movie Review: "You're such a Heathen, Jezzie."
Summary: 5 Stars
In the Torah and Old Testament, Jacob has a dream about a ladder to Heaven. Upon seeing the title of this movie, one might think it is a story about this Old Testament episode, or another religiously oriented movie. Far from biblical, the movie does have spiritual undertones. My suggestion is - watch it at least twice. The first time, just to let the movie take hold and throw you around like a roller coaster ride, the second time to watch all the subtleties of the movie.
As Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) is wounded in Vietnam in the first ten minutes of the film, we are taken to a New York subway, where Jacob suddenly awakens from a dream of the war. From there, the movie grabs you and won't let go. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.
His life soon after becomes a hellish nightmare of memories, of his dead son (McCaulley Caulkin) and what appears to be wartime demons, as well as a Government conspiracy to kill him and his platoon buddy survivors. Jacob begins to question his own sanity, while his girlfriend adds to his confusion. Only his chiropractor (Danny Aiello) turns out to be the only one Jacob can trust, but also the stabilizing element that Jacob needs throughout the movie.
After seeing this movie on HBO years ago, I was happy to see it released on DVD. The bonus features' documentary helps to clear up some questions I had about some scenes in the movie, and one of the deleted scenes clarified much more for me, the best answers for what the movie is about comes from statements within the movie itself. If you blink, you'll miss the hints.
This movie is an absolute mindblower! A very young McCauley Caulkin and a pre-Seinfeld Jason Alexander (with hair) add to the movie's enjoyable viewing. The drama is intense, the movie moves along at a steady pace, without it dumbing the audience down by revealing it's secrets too easily. "Psychological thriller" is too mild a term for this movie.
Movie Review: Ascend the ladder.
Summary: 5 Stars
Jacob's Ladder is definitely one of the darkest films I've seen, the entire concept behind this storyline is rather mindbending and disturbing, at points. The camerawork, flashes of demons, and other bizarre images makes this a surreal, psychological film. I really can't say this is "horror", it didn't scare me, but then again no horror movie ever has; so don't take my word for it that it won't frighten you. This film can be gruesome, and frantic to watch. Tim Robbins plays Jacob Singer, a Vietnam veteran, now a humbled postal worker who lives in N.Y. At the beginning we see images of Jacob's platoon getting ambushed, then suddenly he awakens on an NY subway train. I won't go any further about this particular scene, but just know that this is where all the madness truly begins. As the film moves along, Jacob's visions get more frenzied and terrifying; you're shown everything from Jacob watching his g/f dancing erotically with what appears to be maybe?? ... Well Again I wont go any further on that so I don't ruin anything for anyone. I found myself sympathizing for Robbins character, who is a helpless victim of Murphy's Law in this spiritual trial by fire for his salvation. A notable scene for an example of its nightmarish sequences is when Jacob is taken from a normal hospital room through hallways that are dilapidated, and clearly not what they should be. It leads directly into an asylum where Jacob meets his doom. Shocking images that appear from no where, leaving the viewer asking many questions as to who, how, and why. Thought provoking is Jacob's Ladder, but heed this warning - Jacob's Ladder is NOT for everyone. This movie is not for the average film go'er, because the imagery, twists just might be too much to take. If you're into psychological, bizarre films, this is for you. An easy 5/5. Also recommended, if you like Jacob's Ladder, check out "12 Monkeys", "In the Mouth of Madness","Angel Heart", and "The Jacket".Movie Review: I was initially lost for words...
Summary: 5 Stars
My feeling is very similar to that of the review below, so I'm not going to repeat what has already been said.
I watched this film after a recommendation in one of my psychology text books (in respect to Freud & Jung), during a weekend of some very profound transitions within myself, hoping to have my mind taken into another place, and give me a break from my personal thoughts. I didn't even expect myself to be able pay attention, however, this had me well and truly gripped from the get go. For a film that initially seems so abstract, I feel it is an excellent metaphorical example of many repressed, primal instincts, that we all have a little of inside, albeit to varying degrees; but that many choose to ignore.
Even when you strip away the story line itself, just go with Jacob's journey, a lot can be taken and interpreted in many different ways. I've only watched it once, but I very much look forward to seeing it again, to discover 'new' aspects, even though its not easy viewing. I think his journey can teach you a lot about life, if you allow it to. It certainly had a very deep set impact in my mind, and helped me make a lot of sense of what I was going through. Even though it has many dark aspects, this is not actually a dark film, quite the contrary, I think the balance was well maintained, and it resolves itself in the end.
The director/writer commentary made a good addition to understanding what they were trying to convey, and puts the film into more of a holistic context.
As for the Amazon reviewer, I don't understand how such a narrow minded woman came to be a film critic? Her review is nonsense, completely missing the whole point of the film. I was almost in tears through much of it...
Buy it. Watch it. Watch it again. A learn a new lesson each time.
Movie Review: An Absolutely Amazing Film
Summary: 5 Stars
I am happy to say that Jacob's Ladder was well received by fans of the horror movie genre. It is a visually and emotionally painful film to watch and the overall impression it made on me in the theater is difficult to describe. During the roller coaster ride of a very original plot my feelings ranged from terror to joy, hopefulness to hopelessness, a sense of rebellion then resignation, and ultimately surprise colored by bitter-sweet sadness.
In my opinion it is one of the best horror movies ever made and when watching it you will experience many emotions. This wide range of feelings is unusual for a horror movie to evoke and what places this movie in a class by itself.
On a personal note, one evening while walking my son and daughter-in-law home on the West Side of Manhattan, they pointed out the lonely but lovely entrance to Jacob's apartment. I thought my son was just making a joke and merely identified a similar looking apartment. No, there before me on the quiet and dark West Side of Manhattan was the on-site filming location selected by the makers of the film for Jacob to achieve rest from his long terrible torment and at last be reunited with his young son.
This film pre-dates the current high standards for movie special effects and film magic visual imagery. Notwithstanding, it provides many very original images and special effects which kept me riveted to my seat.
It is interesting that CINEFANTASTIQUE indicated in an article on this film that the script could not find a backing studio for years and it was voted one of the best movie scripts to come along in years prior to being made into a movie. It was an absolutely amazing film.