Nixon
|
List Price: Our Price: $25.97 You Save: $4.02 (13%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $2.88 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of Nixon
Movie Review: Engrossing!
Summary: 5 Stars
Although never one for historical accuracy, Oliver Stone has once again crafted an intoxicating motion picture. If you like politics, "Nixon" is hard to resist. And even if you don't enjoy politics, this is an entertaining tour-de-force. The DVD transfer is overall quite good, with the 2.35:1 widescreen a joy to watch. I found Anthony Hopkins' performance terrific, and the "flashbacks" to the childhood days poignant and at times beautiful. I would highly recommend this movie to all film buffs.Movie Review: top notch movie
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great movie and it arrived in short order.
Very satisfied with this purchase.
Thank you.
Movie Review: Should have been great film - and great President
Summary: 4 Stars
[Review based upon VHS tapes].
Brilliantly written, acted, photographed movie about a self-destructive, tormented man who nonetheless had gifts most public servants did not/do not have.
Anthony Hopkins is astonishing in every scene he's in - a careful mix of imitation and creative interpretation. Paul Sorvino is also amazing, in fact, this reviewer could not identify this excellent actor until deep into the final credits. Another effective feature is the recreation of newsreel footage; the obvious depth of research is laudable.
The movie is a bit over three hours, cut down from over four. Too bad it wasn't cut down to two hours and forty minutes - the final scenes are redundant and so melodramatic that it's difficult to suppress a laugh. Another problem is in the portrayal of Pat Nixon by Joan Allen: another strong performance but in the end, very unconvincing - I surmise that the powers-that-be felt it necessary to "feminize" the First Lady; the "real" lady did not exactly confine herself to tours of the Rose Garden. Far too many scenes with *the movie* Pat as the exasperated, long-suffering, wife, psycho-analyzing the guy who never grew up.
The film is an overall drammatic and historical success and should provoke lively discussion and reflection: with such easy access to the "Nixon Record", 15 years later via the Internet, his accomplishments can be compiled into a very impressive list. A picture is formed of a true maverick Republican, who was pro-Affirmative Action, ended the Vietnam War and the draft; opened up positive relations with "enemies" who years later would actually help the United States financially and scientifically.
Although Ronald Reagan is today's conservative role model, his public record cannot stand up to Nixon's. This Oliver Stone effort should go a long way to giving credit where credit is due.
Movie Review: A flawed, but fascinating account of American history
Summary: 4 Stars
I was 7-years-old when Nixon walked up the helicopter steps, turned around and raised both hands with his trademark peace signs, and departed the White House lawn, never to return again as President. So, while this portrayal is perhaps not the best method to learn a chapter of American history that I was too young to remember, it sure comes awfully close. Hopkins' portrayal of Nixon is so good, it's almost eerie. Joan Allen is brilliant as Pat Nixon-- the Oscar nod is well-deserved. Sorvino IS Kissinger. The character portrayals of all the characters are simply stunning.
What I do have a problem with, however, is that Oliver Stone often comes off as pompous and self-righteous with some of the over-the-top liberties he takes with "dramatic historical accounts"--events that MAY have happened. That, along with the overdramatic music swells, odd camera angles, mood lighting, and other gimmicks that Stone incorporates to blur the line between fiction and reality.
Still, those flaws aside, this is a compelling story, that draws you in, and makes you not want to stop watching. While I have few doubts that Stone tells this from a bitter, over-the-hill, flower child point of view, it also seems that Stone almost pities Nixon, as a man who could have been remembered as a great achiever. This movie pulls no punches in showing that Nixon's achievements were overshadowed by his inability to overcome his demons.
Truly an unflinching view of a powerful moment of the 20th Century.
Movie Review: "This is god-damned Disneyland...."
Summary: 4 Stars
Oliver Stone's fascinating insight into the Nixon administration is not for everyone's delight. The closest thing to a "JFK" sequal, 'Nixon' rolls all the players into a ball of naughtiness & takes it from there. Hard to keep up with if un-familiar with the facts surrounding the 'watergate-scandal', but if you know your homework it's alot of fun. Superb casting,I must say, Stone started this epic right after "Natural Born Killers" so it has all the internal flare of film-making. Immense enjoyment on DVD, this film IS very under-rated,losing 'Best Picture' oscar to Mel Gibson's "Braveheart"... you can see how not everybody wants this film around in the long-run. Thumbs up!