Interview with the Vampire

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When it was announced that Tom Cruise would play the vampire Lestat in this adaptation of Anne Rice's bestselling novel, even Rice chimed in with a highly publicized objection. The author wisely and justifiably recanted her negative opinion when she saw Cruise's excellent performance, which perceptively addresses the pain and chronic melancholy that plagues anyone cursed with immortal bloodlust. Brad Pitt and Kirsten Dunst are equally good at maintaining the dark and brooding tone of Rice's novel. And in this rare mainstream project for a major studio, director Neil Jordan compensates for a lumbering plot by honoring the literate, Romantic qualities of Rice's screenplay. Considered a disappointment while being embraced by Rice's loyal followers, the movie is too slow to be a satisfying thriller, but it is definitely one of the most lavish, intelligent horror films ever made. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Don't waste your time.......2007-09-04

This has to be one of the silliest movies I've ever watched. It's about a vampire who doesn't like killing people. There's no real plot. A complete waste of time, money, and talent.

Ahhhhhh.... the Torment of Being a Celebrity!.......2007-09-03

Like witches before a cauldron, author Anne Rice and her minions chanted, "Who shall play Lestat? Who shall play Lestat?" Rice's incantation conjured up such names for the casting of this high-profile role as Alexander Godunov, Cher and Peter Weller, who probably had scheduling problems anyway doing films like The New Age and cable movies with actors like Robert Hays. Then, director Neil Jordan announced Tom Cruise would play the tall, blond European vampire--it was as if he had uttered Richard Grieco--and the realized film was reduced to an assessment of Cruise's Lestat. What everyone missed, while hanging on to Tom's every "mon Dieu," was Jordan's ability to turn a novel with a flaccid film premise into something worth watching.

Interview is not the greatest idea for a movie--the dozens of aborted screenplay attempts and the 17 years it took to finally reach the big screen are evidence enough--because it's neither suspenseful nor scary. Because it is told through the eyes of a vampire, we are asked to identify with a predator. We stalk the helpless. We don't feel frightened, we feel guilty. The examination of a sourpuss lamenting his fate for two centuries may make for good reading, but the idea doesn't exactly put you at the edge of your seat. Vampire movies told through the eyes of the predator are best-suited for comedy, as in Love at First Bite--well, maybe not best-suited--or metaphor, as in The Hunger. So what about Interview? Jordan said, "What fascinates me about [the film] is the absence of moral responsibility." Well, he's hinting at the truth. For my money, Interview is about the torment of being a celebrity.

Brad Pitt says, "I'm flesh and blood, but not human." Pick a star, any star. Kevin Costner? Burt Reynolds? Flesh and blood, sure. But human? Pitt's tale reads as that of a celebrity thrust into the limelight searching for the secrets of how to be a headliner. Cruise, the biggest superstar in town, chose Pitt as his lifetime co-star--for his beauty? Definitely. Because he owns a sprawling plantation? Couldn't hurt. The pretty boys live the high life, but Pitt can't snip his ties to the little people and so resorts to common junk food binges. If Cruise has any tricks on handling fame, he's sure as hell not sharing them with the whiny, I-don't-want-to-be-a-star Pitt; so he figures to shut him up by biting him a gift--child actor Kirsten Dunst. This is Cruise's fatal mistake, for he should know better than to have a kid for a co-star. Just ask W.C. Fields or anyone who had to share screen time with Macaulay Culkin.

As with most child stars, Dunst's fans won't let her grow up. When she lops off her trademark locks in hopes of changing her image, those precious curly Q's just grow back--Shirley Temple forever. This clearly explains why Macauley Caulkin won't be seen in Natural Born Killers II anytime soon. But then Dunst does what child stars do best: she upstages the headliner. With Cruise out of the spotlight, Pitt is forced to carry the burden of fame on his own. He decides he needs guidance. So why not go to Paris?

In Paris, Pitt finds his counselor in the form of Antonio Banderas, who appears to have been a big deal in his day but now hosts a lame television show--metaphorically speaking, of course. Banderas tells Pitt, "You have to be powerful, beautiful and have no regrets." Is he referring to Sharon Stone? Being a show-biz veteran, Banderas has the good sense to can the child actor, cancel the TV show and jump-start his career with the new hot star, Pitt. Although coming very close to kissing Banderas, Pitt won't have this has-been riding his coattails. So, he's off yet again, this time to America.

Back home, Pitt catches a foul aroma only celebrities can smell--the scent of a dead career. He follows the stench to find Cruise in the Jon Voight Home of Former Leading Men. Cruise pathetically recalls his salad days, forcing Pitt to flee because failed stardom is catchy. Still somewhat of an ingenue when it comes to fame management, Pitt fails to take into account the possibility of the ever-elusive comeback. Too bad Travolta wasn't around to tip him off. Interview ends on the hopeful note that anyone can return to glory once more--Kevin Costner, Burt Reynolds, The Two Coreys... well, maybe not anyone.

While there are plenty of films about celebrities--Sunset Boulevard, A Star Is Born--none get deeper in the skin, or more inside the head, of the immortal superstar than Jordan's Interview With the Vampire.

He loves me, he loves me not ..........2007-08-22

Christian Slater is so hot. Those eyebrows make me feel nasty in a good way. No wait, can I take that back? I forgot Tom Cruise was in this movie. He plays that cute blonde with the long, flowing curls. Rapunzel, eat your heart out! I just wish she'd get some sun and take care of that varicose-of-the-face disorder. Not that I'm saying there's anything wrong with you just cuz you suffer from some disgusting disease. But back to the blonde, and this is my only gripe: Couldn't they have just filmed all her scenes after she recovered from the pneumonia or whatever respiratory condition had made her sound like a butch mule? Unless it's a permanent condition, in which case, again, I do not advocate the exploitation of inferior humans. But let's not forget Antonio. What a dreamluxuryliner! When he broods like -- wait, did any of you see the pilot for "The 4400?" Where the high school chick who wants to bone the abductee gives him a CD of music he missed while he was gone from 2001-2004 and one of the bands is Killing Joke? What was that all about?

The best Vampire film I've ever seen.......2007-08-11

This is simply the best vampire movie I have ever seen. It's beautifully done and very true to the heart of the novel it's based on. No movie can compare and no one can compare to Tom Cruise's masterful and perfect portrayal of The Brat Prince, The Vampire Lestat. Tom Cruise thoroughly understood the nature of the character from the mischievous brattiness to the angst, the frenetic hand gestures, the laugh... He captured every last detail of Lestat's nature right down to a pleading gaze when he asks 'Do we forgive each other then?' to a character he wronged terribly. I love this movie totally and absolutely and to me the shining star of this production was Tom Cruise and his thorough and ideal portrayal of the literary super star- Lestat de Lioncourt.

The best vampire movie ever made........2007-08-10

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It is an accurate interpretation of the book to say the least. All of actors did a wonderful job interpreting the characters.

Tom Cruise Action Pack (Top Gun -Widescreen Special Edition/Days of Thunder/Mission Impossible)

Average customer rating:

Tom Cruise Action Pack (Top Gun -Widescreen Special Edition/Days of Thunder/Mission Impossible)
Starring: Tom Cruise
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video

Action & Adventure | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

ASIN: B0006A9IA2
Release Date: 2004-12-14

The Tom Cruise Action Pack (Top Gun / Days of Thunder / Mission: Impossible)

Average customer rating:

First rate, action packed entertainment
The best of his movies!
Best Bang for your Money!!!!
Tom Cruise Action Pack
tom cruise rocks

The Tom Cruise Action Pack (Top Gun / Days of Thunder / Mission: Impossible)
Starring: Tom Cruise , Robert Duvall , Nicole Kidman , Randy Quaid , and Cary Elwes
Director: Tony Scott , and Brian De Palma
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Adventure | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Braveheart

ASIN: 6305609640
Release Date: 1999-10-26

Customer Reviews:

First rate, action packed entertainment.......2001-06-06

First, I must say that the fact that I found this set at a bargain-priced fifty bucks could be a major motive in me giving this Tom Cruise Action Pack such a great rating. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that this set is worthy of five stars. Tom Cruise is a blockbuster only type actor, and it definitely shows in this DVD set. The best of the bunch would have to be Top Gun, and that is for its ability to keep you coming back to watch it again and again. Days of Thunder definitely has the same type of appeal that Top Gun has, with Cruise being a young gun that has to face many challenges and ultimately becomes the best of the best. Mission Impossible is different from the other two, mostly because of its plot, which at times can be nearly insane. Mission Impossible still shows off Cruise's heroic character in dazzling action sequences regardless of how lost you may be in its story. The bottom line here is that this DVD set is a desirable addition to your collection and is a must for any Tom Cruise fan. These movies do exactly what they need to do; entertain. They aren't epics or love stories; they're action movies, and Cruise makes sure that they are respected through his stellar performances.

The best of his movies!.......2000-09-08

Each of the three movies in this collection are classic Tom Cruise. The only problem you may have is that you might already have one of them. That really doesn't matter since the price is still cheaper than buying two of them separately!

Best Bang for your Money!!!!.......2000-09-08

This is the best "Bundle" pack that you can get to show off your home theater system. The surround sound from "Top Gun" and "Days of Thunder" really push your home theater speakers to the limit! After watching all 3 movies in my friends house, I can't wait untill I recieve my order!!!

Tom Cruise Action Pack.......2000-09-08

One Name: TOM CRUISE - This series presents Tom Cruise at his versitile best. First as the cocky fighter pilot Maverick in Top Gun - the movie that put the team of Bruckheimer and Simpson on the map. It stars Kelly McGillis as Charlie, Val Kilmer as the Iceman and Anthony Edwards as Goose. This is one of the few movies that everyone I know can quote a line from.

Then there's Days of Thunder the movie infamous because it signals the meeting of Tom and Nichole his future wife. A great story of Tom at his cocky best learning some hard lessons on life and Race Car Driving from veteran actor Robert Duval. One thing Tom has always done is pair himself with good talent. Great popcorn flick.

And finally Mission Impossible - The debut of Tom as Ethan Hunt and the first in a new franchise. Espionage, thrills, chills this one has it all, and plently of style to burn with Brian DePalma at the helm. Tom produced this one, a first for him as producer, and again surrounded himself with killer talent - John Voight, Ving Rhames, John Reno, and of course the scene stealer, veteran british stage actress Vanessa Redgrave. This movie rocks!

You can't go wrong with this deal. Get yours today; I've got mine!

tom cruise rocks.......2000-08-24

i like these tom cruise films they are the best films ever made

days of thunder a 5 star movie with lots of action

top gun a fighter jet type movie with lots of action a 5 star movie

mission impossible a action movie with a big plot twist

Description

DAYS OF THUNDER Tom Cruise plays race driver Cole Trickle, whose talent and ambition are surpassed only by his burning need to win. Discovered by businessman Tim Daland (Randy Quaid), Cole is teamed with legendary crew chief and car-builder Harry Hogge (Academy Award. winner Robert Duvall) to race for the Winston Cup at the Daytona 500. A fiery crash nearly ends Cole's career and he must turn to a beautiful doctor (Nicole Kidman) to regain his nerve and the true courage needed to race, to win and to live. TOP GUN A hip, heart-pounding combination of action, music and incredible aerial photography helped make Top Gun the blockbuster hit in 1986. Top Gun takes a look at the danger and excitement that awaits every pilot at the Navy's prestigious fighter weapons school. Tom Cruise is superb as Maverick Mitchell, a daring young flyer who's out to become the best of the best. And Kelly McGillis sizzles as the civilian instructor who teaches Maverick a few things you can't learn in a classroom. MISSION IMPOSSILBLE Cruise stars as Ethan Hunt, a secret agent framed for the deaths of his espionage team. Fleeing from government asassins, breaking into the CIA's most impenetrable vault, clinging to the roof of a speeding bullet train, Hunt races like a burning fuse to stay one step ahead of his pursuers...and draw one step closer to discovering the shocking truth.

Customer Reviews:

First rate, action packed entertainment.......2001-06-06

The best of his movies!.......2000-09-08

Best Bang for your Money!!!!.......2000-09-08

Tom Cruise Action Pack.......2000-09-08

You can't go wrong with this deal. Get yours today; I've got mine!

tom cruise rocks.......2000-08-24

i like these tom cruise films they are the best films ever made

days of thunder a 5 star movie with lots of action

top gun a fighter jet type movie with lots of action a 5 star movie

mission impossible a action movie with a big plot twist

Product Description

Mission Impossible
Tom Cruise ignites the screen in this runaway smash hit that "holds you on the edge of your seat before blasting you out of it." (Howard Rosenberg, Los Angeles Times). Cruise stars as Ethan Hunt, a secret agent framed for the deaths of his espionage team. Fleeing from government assassins, breaking into the CIA's most impenetrable vault, clinging to the roof of a speeding bullet train, Hunt races like a burning fuse to stay one step ahead of his pursuers... and draw one step closer to discovering the shocking truth.

Top Gun
Top Gun takes a look at the danger and excitement that awaits every pilot at the Navy's prestigious fighter weapons school. Tom Cruise is superb as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a daring young flyer who's out to become the best of the best. And Kelly McGillis sizzles as the civilian instructor who teaches Maverick a few things you can't learn in a classroom.

DVD:

DVD

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