This slow-burning thriller performed poorly at the box office despite the star power of Gwyneth Paltrow as a pregnant bride and Jessica Lange as the mother-in-law from hell. For that reason, one might not expect particularly lavish treatment for its DVD release, but this disc must still rank as a disappointment. In basic audio-visual terms, the disc is reasonably good. There is the choice of Dolby 5.1 or Stereo, and both are of an acceptably high standard. The anamorphic widescreen transfer is also a success, and at least cashes in on the movie's most obvious strength: its cinematography (the rich skylines and wide green fields really look excellent on this DVD). However, the special features amount to only the rather predictable theatrical trailer -- at the very least Columbia TriStar could have included some biographies and a fluffy promotional piece for Paltrow fans. Though the movie itself is enhanced by DVD technology, this unimaginative edition is unlikely to win over many new devotees.
Customer Rating
1
Horrible
on February 10, 2008
Posted by: bgolds86
from Marquette, MI
If they would have changed the plot to be more suspenseful then there would be a movie. There were so many parts in the movie that could have had something happen in it. And yet nothing ever did. It was the absolutely one of the worst movies I have ever watched. I would not recommend it to any one. I felt like pulling out my hair while watching it. I did not finish the movie. There was no way I could, it was that bad.
What's great about it: There are none
What's not so great: Plot is just all wrong. Will make you wish you did not ever put it in.
When a pudgy, bespectacled seven-year-old, Olive (Abigail Breslin), voices her desire to take home the coveted Little Miss Sunshine crown at an upcoming beauty pageant, her wildly dysfunctional family sets out on an interstate road trip to ensure her a clear shot at realizing her dreams in former music video directorial team Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris' quirky feature debut, starring Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, and Toni Collette. Despite early career success as an outspoken motivational speaker, family patriarch Richard (Kinnear) continues to cling to his "Refuse to Lose" philosophy, much to the chagrin of his increasingly annoyed spouse, Sheryl (Collette). Add into the mix a Nietzsche-reading teenage son (Paul Dano) who has taken a vow of silence until he finds his fate as a fighter pilot; a horny, heroin-happy grandfather (Alan Arkin) with a penchant for creative profanity; and a suicidal genius and Proust scholar (Carell) still reeling about losing both his male lover and his MacArthur Foundation genius grant -- and the stage is set for a road trip in which sanity is sure to take the back seat. Fox's 2006 DVD release offers a commentary track by first-time directing duo Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris as well as writer Michael Arndt, and deleted scenes.
Customer Rating
4
Awesome Purchase
on February 10, 2008
Posted by: bgolds86
from Marquette, MI
Over all, this movie was a good pick. It will make you laugh. There is a sad moment in it but otherwise it is humorous. It will not make you bored or lose interest. It's good for a snuggly night with a loved one or even with the girls. Guys will enjoy it as well. Good for family viewing. I'd say the young youngsters might not get all the jokes but I think they would be able to still watch it.
What's great about it: funny, and entertaining. Very cute