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Meet Joe Black [HD DVD]
Availability:
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Price:
$19.98
$0.50*
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| Part No: | B000OHZL1C |
| Manufacturer: | Universal Studios Home Entertainment |
| MFG Part: | |
| Customer Rating: | 4.5 / 5.0 |
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Meet Joe Black seemed almost fated to fail when it was released in 1998, but this romantic fantasy--a remake of 1934's
Death Takes a Holiday--deserves a chance at life after box-office death. Although many moviegoers were turned off by director Martin Brest's overindulgent three-hour running time, those who gear into its deliberate pace will find that
Meet Joe Black offers ample reward for your attention.
Brad Pitt plays Death with a capital D, enjoying some time on Earth by inhabiting the body of a young man who'd been killed in a shockingly sudden pedestrian-auto impact. Before long, Death has ingratiated himself with a wealthy industrialist (Anthony Hopkins) and pursues romance with the man's beautiful daughter (newcomer Claire Forlani), whom he'd briefly encountered while still an earthbound human. Under the assumed identity of "Joe Black," he samples all the pleasures that corporeal life has to offer--power, romance, sex, and such enticing pleasures as peanut butter by the spoonful.
But Death has a job to do, and Meet Joe Black addresses the heart-wrenching dilemma that arises when either father or daughter (the plot keeps us guessing) must confront his or her inevitable demise. The film takes its own sweet time to establish this emotional crisis and the love that binds Hopkins's semidysfunctional family so closely together. But if you've stuck with the story this far, you may find yourself surprisingly affected. And if Meet Joe Black has really won you over, you'll more than appreciate the care and affection that gives the film a depth and richness that so many critics chose to ignore. --Jeff Shannon
Meet Joe Black seemed almost fated to fail when it was released in 1998, but this romantic fantasy--a remake of 1934's Death Takes a Holiday--deserves a chance at life after box-office death. Although many moviegoers were turned off by director Martin Brest's overindulgent three-hour running time, those who gear into its deliberate pace will find that Meet Joe Black offers ample reward for your attention. Brad Pitt plays Death with a capital D, enjoying some time on Earth by inhabiting the body of a young man who'd been killed in a shockingly sudden pedestrian-auto impact. Before long, Death has ingratiated himself with a wealthy industrialist (Anthony Hopkins) and pursues romance with the man's beautiful daughter (newcomer Claire Forlani), whom he'd briefly encountered while still an earthbound human. Under the assumed identity of "Joe Black," he samples all the pleasures that corporeal life has to offer--power, romance, sex, and such enticing pleasures as peanut butter by the spoonful. But Death has a job to do, and Meet Joe Black addresses the heart-wrenching dilemma that arises when either father or daughter (the plot keeps us guessing) must confront his or her inevitable demise. The film takes its own sweet time to establish this emotional crisis and the love that binds Hopkins's semidysfunctional family so closely together. But if you've stuck with the story this far, you may find yourself surprisingly affected. And if Meet Joe Black has really won you over, you'll more than appreciate the care and affection that gives the film a depth and richness that so many critics chose to ignore. --Jeff Shannon
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).
| Brilliant Casting and Performance. Wouldn't Change One Thing | 2010-06-27 | 5 / 5 |
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I finally got to watch it and I noticed how long it was! I mean I never checked the running time, but I was sitting on the couch when I thought to myself "how long have I been sitting here?"
I went straight and assumed that it was a 2 hour movie, but this almost hit 3 hours.
I loved everything about this movie. The actors were classy, very believable, fantastic cast. I can't change a single thing in this movie because why fix something that needs no fixing? Fantastic movie, brilliant, so where do I find quality movies like these nowadays? Haha.... |
| Trescends Filmaking | 2010-05-25 | 5 / 5 |
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| This is a tremendous work of art. A true Sheakspearean black comedy. Might have something to do with when I saw at theatre with my g/f at the time and my sister. I was dealing with love, addiction, and the sudden death of a friend. The score is sweeping and the subject matter heart wrenching. That scene at the climax is so emotional makes almost unwatchable. Susan's realization of Joe's true identity and what is transpiring is believable. Some films just grip you and dont let go. It has be on HBO for about 1 1/2 mos. and have watched six times. I may have seen it around a dozen times. This is not unique to myself as I have learned from the web. What Im saying is to give the film a chance at least one time...might change your life. |
| Way to long... | 2010-05-24 | 2 / 5 |
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| Why did death have to make brad pitt get creamed by a car ..wouldn't his body be all mangled..oh ..it's Hollywood and they needed a big SHOCK scene.. why not just have him have a heart attack..so much of it is like this ..if Death is watching us why?? why is he like the Terminator when he shows up and can someone PLEASE tell Hollywood to stop making all their movies about Billionaires ..you want real love ..passion..family, talk to a post man or a cop ..Hollywood..BLAH..... |
| Surprisingly good film, considering the subject! | 2010-02-18 | 4 / 5 |
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Although this a long film, it is so well done that time does fly. Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, and the Claire Forlani were all top notch. We think of death in such negative terms but Pitt made him more human and real though still remaining somewhat abstract. Good acting! (not to mention he was very attractive to the eye). Hopkins was simply excellent - isn't he always? The supporting actors (Marsha Gay Harden, etc) were equally as good. No flaws in this film at all. This is my 2nd time to __buy__ it... I have it on VHS and now, on CD. Not sure how many times I have seen this movie but it is always engaging.
Definitely worth seeing (over and over). Enjoy! |
| "LIGHTNING COULD STRIKE" A REAL MASTERPIECE! | 2010-02-08 | 5 / 5 |
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I've been a moviegoer since the fifties and had the supreme pleasure to behold many great films on the silver screen. But Martin Brest broke the mold when he made "MEET JOE BLACK". Positively, and without question the finest movie I've ever seen. I turned 62 last year. I had seen the movie several times since 1998. But, I started watching it again with a renewed vigor, primarily because like most of us (who rush through life, not stopping to smell the fragrant roses along the way) I realized like Bill Parrish that I'm definitely closer the the end, than the beginning. Or, am I closer to a beginning than the end? Every nuance, smile, grimace, frown and glance by each and every actor is so utterly and totally focused and perfectly scored with swells of emotion that one must view this masterpiece over and over to even get a glimpse of the profound concepts explored in this epic.
Now, after viewing this film scores of times, I weep with Bill Parrish when he contemplates the wonderful gifts of his life and the fleeting moments that remain for him. Each of us should view this film and reflect upon our lives; God-given gifts of our families and friends that touch our lives as we touch them and marvel at this masterpiece that we call life "how quickly it passes".
You must...."MEET JOE BLACK". |
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