Almost Famous

The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool.

A review by Mike Shea Movie Rating: ( * * * * · ) DVD Rating: ( * * * * * )

No movie has made me want to be a writer more than this one. For some reason, trying to capture into words what can generally be only experienced is one of those goals without an end that I truly enjoy. So trying to sit here at my crummy desk, with my diet Sprite / diet cherry seven-up cocktail, trying to put into words how great a movie this is frankly quite difficult. Where to begin. Well, let me start with the thing I most remember. The character of Penny Lane ( even a few stinkers have right at the one-hour mark. Don't worry, I won't give it away, but you will like it when you see it. Oh, and there is the music which is as good a score as I have heard on a backdrop like this.

This is the first movie I am going to give five stars to even though it doesn't have a director's commentary. This is based on the wonderful 1.85 to 1 framed 16x9 enhanced picture and the excellent DTS track, which did wonders for the concert scenes. There is also a Dolby Digital 5.1 sound track as well for those of you in your trailers with only your pitiful Dolby Digital setups. There is a making of feature and a copy of the original Rolling Stones article that got this movie made in the first place. Sure it is missing my favorite extra, the director's commentary, but I can sacrifice that for a really well done cut of the movie.

Almost Famous is a real piece of work. More and more I am reminded that there really is some wonderful work still coming out of Hollywood even though I feel like we are one step from a witch burning. As long as there are movies like this, I can forget my woes and sink into the wonderful story. Don't miss it.