| Hollywoodland (Widescreen Edition) | 
 enlarge | List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $0.92
You Save: $14.06 (94%)
Buy New/Used from $0.92
Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 141 reviews)
Sales Rank: 5680
Category: DVD
Actors: Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Ben Affleck, Bob Hoskins, Kevin Hare
Director: Allen Coulter
Publisher: Universal Studios
Studio: Universal Studios
Brand: Universal
Label: Universal Studios
Format: Ac-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 127 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: MCAD62028846D
UPC: 025192884627
EAN: 0025192884627
ASIN: B000KWZ7JC
Release Date: February 6, 2007
Theatrical Release Date: September 8, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
A uniquely compelling exploration fo fame & identity inspired by one of hollywoods most infamous real-life mysteries. The glamou of tinseltown permanently fades for actor george reeves t.V.s superman as the actor dies. Behind the icon was a complex man who gave his life to hollywood in more ways than one Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 09/18/2007 Starring: Adrien Brody Ben Affleck Run time: 127 minutes Rating: R
Amazon.com
The fact-based mystery of Hollywoodland takes place in 1959, when the death of Adventures of Superman TV star George Reeves cast a pall over the waning days of golden-age Hollywood. As written by Paul Bernbaum, this intriguing whodunit effectively evokes the tainted atmosphere that surrounded Reeves' death (officially ruled a suicide but never conclusively solved), and speculates on circumstances to suggest that Reeves may have been murdered. In combining the melancholy course of Reeves' career with the investigation of a down-and-out private detective into the possible causes of Reeves' death, the film evolves into an engrossing study of parallels between lives on either side of the Hollywood dream. Building upon a distinguished career in TV including episodes of HBO's The Sopranos, Rome and Six Feet Under, director Allen Coulter finds a satisfying balance between the tragic overtones of the Reeves case and the time-honored elements of the gumshoe genre, with Adrien Brody doing fine work as private eye Louis Simo, a fictional composite character who is our conduit to the desperate yearnings of Reeves' final months. In a critically acclaimed performance, Ben Affleck plays Reeves in moody flashbacks, caught between Superman stardom and financial dependence on his lover Toni Mannix (Diane Lane), the somewhat predatory wife of Hollywood "fixer" and MGM honcho Eddie Mannix (Bob Hoskins), whose mob connections suggest foul play as Simo's investigation progresses. Reeves' subsequent lover (played by Robin Tunney) may also be culpable, and as Simo's own personal life unravels, his empathy for Reeves takes on added significance. In presenting its mystery as a set of plausible scenarios, Hollywoodland holds interest as a mystery that's refreshingly compassionate toward the fate of its characters. Warts and all, they're likable dreamers in a town where dreams don't always come true. --Jeff Shannon
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 136 more reviews...
 Murder or Suicide? October 10, 2008
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: From the Secret Files of Harry Pennypacker
Shadow Watcher
Nobody Drowns in Mineral Lake
"Who killed Superman?"
The LAPD, back in 1957, claimed that actor George Reeves, who played the superhero on television for many years, committed suicide, but other people have speculated that it was either his fiance', or even a professional "hit," ordered by MGM executive Eddie Mannix, whose wife, Toni, had had a long-term affair with Reeves.
This handsomely-filmed crime thriller, which does an excellent job of recreating Hollywood of that golden era, reexamines the case from the point-of-view of a sleazy, fictional detective, played by Adrien Brody. His life seems to parallel that of Reeves', as he is hired by the dead actor's mother (Lois Smith) to investigate the case.
During his travels, Brody uncovers the relationship between second-rate actor Reeves (Ben Affleck in a performance that deserved an Oscar nomination), and the much older Toni Mannix (Diane Lane). He also encounters the power of the studios and their ability to arrange a cover-up of what really happened to Reeves.
Bob Hoskins as Eddie Mannix, Robin Tunney as Reeves' fiance' and Joe Spano as MGM publicity head Howard Strickling are part of a fine cast that brings this compelling true story to life.
DVD extras include deleted scenes, audio commentary by director Allen Coulter and three above-average "Behind the Scenes" featurettes, which discuss old Hollywood and the actual Reeves case.
Michael B. Druxman, author of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
 Mildly entertaining... August 24, 2008
but in the end, it sort of falls flat. The main reason is because the film refuses to take a position. It doesn't have to be the truth, but just this detective's point of view or position. Instead, in the end, the message is: we don't what happened. Geez, I sat through all that to be back where I started? And as much as I like Brody, his character in this film is dull as dishwater. I care nothing about him or his issues. Why should I? This film shouldn't even be about him. Affleck, compare to his usual flare, did a decent job, but it's still not anything to really write home about. I thought Diane Lane was the most impressive by far. This film will keep your attention if you have nothing else to do, but there are other ways to pass the time.
 EVEN SUPERMAN COULDN'T SAVE THIS MOVIE! August 3, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
OMG!! Could this movie be any worse?! I thought that Ben Affleck had finally gotten a role that he could sink his teeth into. But all he did was SHOW his teeth, cheesing like an idiot the whole time, even when he was in pain.
The problem with this story is that THERE IS NO STORY! The plot and sub-plots make no sense and fall flat. Based on supposition and theory, this is an attempt to make George Reeves death more spectacular than his boring life. I remember when "Superman" died. Even as a child I thought there was some kind of conspiracy around his death but I still believe that it was perpetrated by Lex Luthor. Everyone knows that bullets bounce off "The Man of Steel", that he could only be felled by Kryptonite. That's the angle that PI-on-welfare Adrien Brody should have investigated since the one advanced in this movie is lame. I mean, "The Usual Suspect", Eddie Mannix (Bob Hoskins) the husband of George Reeves' lover, Toni Mannix (Diane Lane), SHOULD have had Reeves shot! Along with this director Allen Coulter!
Affleck, while dressed nice for a change, is just as wooden and flat as George Reeves was. That's why he was broke when he died - HE COULDN'T ACT HIS WAY OUT OF A PAPER BAG! I was only 9 when he died but even I could see that he had no real talent. Why else would he put on those ugly tights!? And Affleck isn't much better here. Moving like an "Transformer" throughout the film, he looked so bored faking an orgasm that one wonders what made J-Lo so stupid over him? From that one scene, we know what it WASN'T!!
In the movie's defense, the production captured the feel of "film noir" with great camerawork and editing. But other than that, this is a forgettable version of whatever happened to Superman that night.
 Great Movie July 30, 2008
Great acting, strong supporting cast. This movie was interesting and made you think about what was going on. Definately worth the time and money.
Nuanced performances in interesting examination of fame and disappointment July 27, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I've seen , as a child, one or two ancient reruns of the SUPERMAN TV series starring George Reeves. Even in the late `60s, this show looked cheap and uninteresting. Yet for a couple of seasons, it made hunky actor Reeves famous through the nation. It also resulted in typecasting that prevented him from getting any other roles and eventually led him down a path of heavy drinking and other destructive behavior...culminating in his suicide. Simple enough.
But HOLLYWOODLAND informed me that Reeves' death, though ruled a suicide, might actually have been a murder. And what we see with this movie is the investigation into the life and death of Reeves. A private detective, Louis Simo (well-played by Adrien Brody), who is looking for his own "Big Break" takes on the challenge and is met with resistance on all sides...the police, the film industry and by those closest to Reeves. Are they hiding something, or are they simply clinging to some privacy. Naturally, our thoughts are skewed towards believing Reeves was murdered. After all, the movie couldn't possibly take us back to where started, could it? That Reeves simply committed suicide.
But the thing about HOLLYWOODLAND is that it isn't really about this mystery. It's about the ravages of an unreasonable quest for glory...about the failings of always wanting more. It isn't simply another cliched film about gaining fame and the disappointment of losing it. It examines how our own unreasonable goals can lead us down a path of self-destruction...making our goals that much harder to achieve.
We see, through flashbacks, the later career of Reeves (Ben Affleck). He had a small part in 1939's GONE WITH THE WIND...and now, in the late `50s...he's never achieved anything like it again. He does meet and fall into a passionate affair with rich society lady Toni Mannix (Diane Lane) who takes him under her wing. He becomes something of a kept man...but he's okay with that because he believes she can help his career. She is married to a studio chief, after all. A chief who doesn't mind their affair because he has his own mistresses. The couple are genuinely fond of each other, and for awhile, things go well. But when SUPERMAN comes along, Reeves is literally trapped behind his caped costume. His show is so wildly successful that he cannot convince in anything else. (Chances are, the way Affleck plays Reeves, he may not have been a very good actor either.) As his career stalls, Reeves becomes more and more frustrated. He leaves his love for a younger woman...and thus sets up a series of motives for who may have killed him.
What works so well about the film is that we see this "star" on a destructive path...paralleled by the path of the detective, who is also wracked by guilt, drinking and anguish over a failed marriage and a troubled son. He's driven to prove himself as something of a "star PI"...something he may simply not have the skills for. Will his life take a path similar to Reeves.
The film isn't saying, "don't reach of the stars, you may get burned." But it does say, behind all the gloss, bad language and period detail..."take a moment to be grateful for what you DO have." This is a pretty nice message, and a surprising one to find in a gritty and icy film like this.
As with many period films, everyone feels just a little trapped in the past. We are held at an emotional remove from the actions...yet Affleck, Lane and Brody are good enough to pull us in. Lane continues to dazzle as the "go to" actress of a certain age. Her age is a crucial part of the film, and she is glamorous, yet also quite aware that her beauty is on the edge of fading. Affleck is a revelation, much as his directing was with GONE BABY GONE. As he did in venues such as SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, he plays his square-jawed good looks for fun, and is happy to let his full features run just a little bit to fat. He's always handsome...but he finds a sadness and an anxiety that makes him seedy as well. He's got a quick wit...but it only partially masks his anger and disappointment. Brody gives another mannered performance...he's ideal for these period films because he is just slightly larger than life, like a stage actor making an uncomfortable transition to film. He makes it work for him in HOLLYWOODLAND.
Jeffrey DeMunn and Bob Hoskins also give good performances in smaller roles. Robin Tunney, in her role as Reeves fiance, is less convincing because she finds only the unlikeable side of her character.
The very end of the film is a little disappointing. I don't mean the result of the investigation...but literally the final scene with Brody. I would have liked to see it go just 15 seconds longer...to reassure me that what I thought he was doing really was what he was doing.
It's an adult film. The themes will only be fully understood by people who've lived with disappointment and letdown. It has a leisurely pace...but it is telling a pretty interesting story, both the mystery and human investigation. I recommend it.
|
|
|
