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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 57 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 27 found the following review helpful:
 Sincere, poignant, moving drama Mar 20, 2003
This is doubtlessly one of the most underrated movies out there. The entire cast is just flawless. I watch this DVD and find myself truly saddened that such a talent as River Phoenix was so needlessly lost. Phoenix earned a well-deserved Oscar nomination for his role as Danny Pope, the undisputable emotional center of this movie. His performance was superlative. To me, this is one of the two or three highest points of Phoenix's all-too-short career; probably the top of the list, actually, in my opinion. His interplay with Judd Hirsch, the piano scene with Christine Lahti, the amazing chemistry with Martha Plimpton -- it really is just spellbinding. Christine Lahti is completely incredible as Annie Pope and the restaurant scene with her father is just devastating. I can't think of another word. Every time I watch it, I'm almost overwhelmed. Like many other reviewers, I applaud the absolutely perfect inclusion of James Taylor's "Fire and Rain" into the movie -- it just flat-out worked. Honestly, if you haven't seen this movie, treat yourself. It's a masterpiece.
18 of 18 found the following review helpful:
Probably the closest to perfection possible Aug 13, 2005
By Benjamin Sagan
I recently watched this film again, as I do periodically, and thought I'd comment. Several reviewers have pointed out that although the film is uniformly excellent, the DVD presentation is lacking, and I am of mixed feelings on that point. While it's true that the DVD doesn't offer more than the film, it's a film of such understated perfection and poignant brilliance that I wonder if we have the right to demand more. Sure, a director's or screenwriter's commentary track, or even a quick comparison of this to Lumet's earlier and similarly-themed Daniel, would be nice, but sometimes a movie is so good it doesn't need help.
I saw this movie on HBO as a kid, probably soon after it came out. I feel certain that I must have seen it several times, but although I vaguely recalled liking it immensely, I went for some years without thinking of it much. Then I went on a huge Sidney Lumet kick in 1997/1998 (owing to his compelling appearance on Inside the Actor's Studio and his intriguing book) and rediscovered this. To my utter astonishment, I began to see that the film had transformed me when I saw it as a kid, and it would be months before I unraveled all its subconscious shaping of my pysche.
This is a gorgeous, unflinching and aching film about tough choices and living with consequences, and I'm glad to say that despite numerous opportunities, it never once sinks into the chasm of Hollywoodisms that have capsized most films that even attempt something like this. It manages constantly to be honest and to present the gray areas of its characters, rather than letting them fit into simple archetypes of hero/protagonist, etc. I like that, because I don't find it helpful to understand the world in black and white, and clearly Lumet doesn't either. Even the most villainous character is given the opportunity to express his point of view, and although I don't sympathize with it, I at least understand it.
In short, there are really only a small handful of 'family' dramas that I would argue are completely genuine, and this is in that august company. (Ordinary People is the only other that leaps to mind at this moment.) It is a rare accomplishment indeed, and everyone in it is at least superb, with a couple of performances managing to go even beyond (Lahti's multiple, and heart-wrenching, inner conflicts toward the end are all clear without being tediously overacted -- an amazing feat, while Phoenix's Danny captures not only the torment of his character that's in the script, but the added burden of being a 17-year-old boy in general).
So would it be nice if they gave this the Special Edition treatment? Of course, and I'll replace my copy if they decide to. But is the lack of special features an excuse for not owning this? An unequivocal no. That's like declining to purchase an original Michaelangelo because the frame isn't perfect.
25 of 27 found the following review helpful:
Drama at its very best Dec 17, 2003
By Kyle Tolle
Arthur and Annie Pope along with their two sons, Danny and Harry, have been on the run and hiding from the law for years. This stems from the parents staging a bomb attack on a Napalm factory in their protest of the Vietnam War coupled with a factory worker getting seriously injured in the process. Always on the move, changing identities, and having no semblance of stability in their lives, the Popes gradually become weary of the chase and are forced to question their beliefs on family unity, which is paramount to them. Settling in New Jersey after yet another close call with authorities, Annie Pope enrolls her son in a local high school where his talent for playing the piano is quickly noticed and appreciated by his music teacher. So much so that arrangements are put into motion for Danny to attend the Julliard School of Music on a scholarship. Arthur and Annie Pope, kept out of the loop, eventually learn of these plans plus Danny's evolving relationship with his music teacher's daughter and his fervent desire to act on the scholarship. The Pope family is forced to examine their lives, their beliefs, and their convictions regarding the impending consequences of finally breaking the family circle. This leads up to a very moving and poignant climax in the movie that is nothing short of outstanding.As many reviewers have already stated, the quality of the acting in this movie is absolutely stellar. Christine Lahti, Judd Hirsch, River Phoenix, and Martha Plimpton render such heartfelt performances that they appear to be a real family in the real world. Although River Phoenix was nominated for an Oscar (rightly so and he was a phenomenal talent), everyone mentioned above deserved a nomination probably just as much. Each time I watch Running On Empty, which is frequently, I always think of how River Phoenix's career would have had a meteoric rise and how much more pleasure he would have brought to movie audiences. Running On Empty is an ideal example of drama at its very best. In regards to emotional impact, this movie pushes all your buttons from start to finish. You'll want to laugh and cry and eventually you'll realize just how deep love, commitment, understanding, forgiveness, and hope really run in a family. This movie is remarkable and I recommend it to everyone.
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Notes from the Underground.... Jul 28, 2006
By Archmaker
This movie about 70's radicals living life underground and on-the-run with their two sons in tow, after their bombing of a napalm factory resulted in the paralysis and blinding of a janitor who wasn't supposed to be there, is actually a unique and beautifully told family drama, with a superbly chosen cast and some very fine writing to commend it.
River Phoenix plays the oldest son Danny, who is a gifted pianist and is old enough to begin resisting the fugitive life that has been thrust on him, Jonas Abry as his little brother, Christine Lahti as his beautiful mother and Judd Hirsch as his still true-believer father. The details of how they live their lives underground, ready to run at any instant, working the gray areas of the economy for cash as fry cook or receptionist or whatever is convincing. Yet they have a warm and rich family life.
Although the events and situations that bring enormous stress into this family, fracturing what has been a functioning, albeit odd, modus operandi revolve around the rise of the undeniable talent of Danny and his desire to pursue his own dreams, it is also a result of the numbing strain of 17 years on the run that is felt especially by Lahti's Annie. A once Julliard-caliber musician, like her son, she threw her life away with her "act of conscience". The resolution of all this rings true.
If for no other reason, this movie is worth seeing for one scene, which I consider one of the finest moments by two actors ever captured on film, and that is the scene between Christine Lahti and Steven Hill as her father. This brief meeting in a very high class New York restaraunt with the fugitive daughter and her prominent industrialist father, who hasn't seen or heard from her in many years, is gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, devastatingly honest and about as "true" a moment by both actors as I have ever seen. It is remarkable.
There are many good scenes in this film, and Sidney Lumet elicits superb performances here as he always seems to do in his best work. This is a lovely film, and it is well-worthwhile.
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
DVD format Feb 16, 2006
By widowedwalker
This DVD is only available now in 1.33 full-screen. I've read that this actually gives you MORE visual data than the theatrical version (as the film was supposedly originally shot in full-screen and then had the top and bottom of the screen lopped-off in theatrical rectangular shape -- and was presumably shot with this intention. And as such, the full-screen version is as good or better than what we'd get from a widescreen format.)
Turns out that all of the above is not true. The full-screen version is in fact Uber-cropped.
At any rate, despite the miscasting of Judd Hirsch as the ex-'60s-radical-turned-father, the movie itself is one of those rarefied things that's so good it tends to escape hype --- or even adequate attention. The drama is understated and River Phoenix is as gulp-inducing as ever.
Sad, sad, sad...
See all 57 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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The
Importance Of Lighting In Interior Design
by Jessica Ackerman
Everyone knows how important
paint color, furniture choices and artwork are to
interior design. One aspect of design that is often
overlooked, however, is lighting. Lighting not only
affects the brightness of the room, but it can also
change the way a paint color looks, cast shadows in ways
that make the room seem smaller and have an impact on
the presentation of art work.
There is no light like
natural light. If you are buying, building or
remodeling, opt for as much natural light as possible.
Oversized windows and skylights are two ways to get the
most natural light. Of course, not everyone is in the
position to be able to do that, so you'll have to work
with what you have.
How much natural light do
you get in your room? If the room in question faces
north, you won't get as much natural sunlight as you
would in a southern facing room. Rooms that face south
get bright, natural light throughout the day. Rooms that
face east will only have good natural light in the
morning hours and western facing rooms will have the
most light during the afternoon.
Once you are familiar
with how much natural light is in each room, you'll be
able to make informed choices about what additional
lighting may be necessary. Keep in mind that rooms with
little or no natural light will need artificial lighting
- even during the day - in order to look their best.
Here are some types of lighting to consider.
1. Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is
perfect when you want to showcase a piece of art or a
special piece of furniture or other item. Since light
draws the eye, it will bring attention to the features
in your room that you wish to highlight.
2. Hanging Light Features
Chandeliers and smaller
hanging lamps can be beautiful as well as functional. A
trip to the local home improvement store will quickly
show you how overwhelming the choices can be. You'll
want to select lighting that blends in with your
existing dÃÂécor. For example, a crystal chandelier in a
country themed dining room probably isn't the best
option. If you don't choose carefully, your lighting may
stick out like a sore thumb and become more of an
eyesore than a lovely accent.
3. Recessed Lighting
Recessed lighting is a
good choice for a room that needs extra light throughout
the day. Because the lighting won't interfere with the
existing decor, it can work in almost any room. It
provides abundant light without taking up a lot of space
or interfering with other aspects of the room.
4. Lamps
Using lamps are a way to
add not only additional lighting, but also punches of
color. If possible, see how much light the lamp gives
off before leaving the store. Many lamps serve as
decoration more than as a light source and give off very
little light. If you love the lamp, but it doesn't give
off quite enough light, consider changing the shade
which will usually solve the problem.
When decorating your
home, remember how important lighting is, and give it
the same thought and attention you give to the other
details of decorating your home.
About the Author
Jessica Ackerman is the
featured author at Wall DÃÂécor and Home Accents. Shop today
for great deals on
metal wall sculpture ,
home
accents and more unique wall dÃÂécor products.
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