Hollywoodland (Widescreen Edition)
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List Price: $12.98
Our Price: $1.16
Your Save: $ 11.82 ( 91% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
Starring: Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Ben Affleck, Bob Hoskins, Kevin Hare
Directed By: Allen Coulter
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Average Customer Rating:   
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Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Universal
EAN: 0025192884627
Format: AC-3
Label: Universal Studios
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Universal Studios
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2007-02-06
Running Time: 127
Studio: Universal Studios
Theatrical Release Date: 2006-09-08
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Such Wasted Promise
Comment: Hollywoodland is a movie with such great promise. It has a great premise, fantastic actors, and a connection to my childhood memories of watching reruns of Superman.
Unfortunately all of that promise is squandered by a mediocre (at best) script. While Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, and Bob Hoskins create some fantastic characters, and Ben Affleck doesn't totally stink up the joint, they are stuck with boring lines.
George (Ben Affleck) comes off as a very likeable, yet tragic figure. While he rocketed to success as Superman, that success kept him from doing any other acting. He was forever typecast as The Man of Steel. A really solid and entertaining biography could have been made about the rise and fall of this American icon.
While the movie centers around the real-life death of George Reeves, the man who played Superman in the 1950's tv show, the movie lacks any real tension or necessity. It is really more of an exercise in exploring the three main suspects in his death (the mistress, the fiancée, and himself).
Adrian Brody plays the role of Louis Simo, a down on his luck private investigator. Simo is investigating the apparent suicide of George Reeves. The deeper he digs, the more he realizes that "the big blue boy scout" didn't lead such a clean life. Again, this would have made for a very entertaining movie on its own.
Unfortunately, the script cannot handle the mashing together of two movies and the actors spend the entire movie tripping all over each other. That is too bad. I had such high hopes for the movie.
Recommended for the great actors. Not recommended for the actual movie.
Customer Rating:
Summary: "Not Faster Than a Speeding Bullet"
Comment: This is one time "Superman" was not "faster than a speeding bullet." As a kid who was parked in front of the TV every day with my older brother watching each episode of "Superman" over and over again, I was crushed later when I learned that George Reeves committed suicide. This broke the bubble of fantasy for the character and the actor and broke the hearts of many children like me. When I later read the book that described the probable real scenario of his death, "death by one woman too many, and the wrong women," it was easier to accept. Tragic and pitiful it was, for an actor of much promise that I had also viewed in Metrocolor as the Tarleton twins in "Gone With The Wind." I, of course, had to view this movie, "Hollywoodland" to try to come to some kind of closure for George Reeves. I was not disappointed by the movie as it captured the nostalgic atmosphere of Hollywood at the time and Adrien Brody as PI Louis Simo is the standout in this production. A sexy Diane Lane is beneficial in helping us understand George's complicated and wierd love life. Ben Affleck, is quite good and believable as George.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Murder or Suicide?
Comment: 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
Customer Rating:
Summary: Mildly entertaining...
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: EVEN SUPERMAN COULDN'T SAVE THIS MOVIE!
Comment: 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.
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Editorial Reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Such Wasted Promise
Comment: Hollywoodland is a movie with such great promise. It has a great premise, fantastic actors, and a connection to my childhood memories of watching reruns of Superman.
Unfortunately all of that promise is squandered by a mediocre (at best) script. While Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, and Bob Hoskins create some fantastic characters, and Ben Affleck doesn't totally stink up the joint, they are stuck with boring lines.
George (Ben Affleck) comes off as a very likeable, yet tragic figure. While he rocketed to success as Superman, that success kept him from doing any other acting. He was forever typecast as The Man of Steel. A really solid and entertaining biography could have been made about the rise and fall of this American icon.
While the movie centers around the real-life death of George Reeves, the man who played Superman in the 1950's tv show, the movie lacks any real tension or necessity. It is really more of an exercise in exploring the three main suspects in his death (the mistress, the fiancée, and himself).
Adrian Brody plays the role of Louis Simo, a down on his luck private investigator. Simo is investigating the apparent suicide of George Reeves. The deeper he digs, the more he realizes that "the big blue boy scout" didn't lead such a clean life. Again, this would have made for a very entertaining movie on its own.
Unfortunately, the script cannot handle the mashing together of two movies and the actors spend the entire movie tripping all over each other. That is too bad. I had such high hopes for the movie.
Recommended for the great actors. Not recommended for the actual movie.
Customer Rating:
Summary: "Not Faster Than a Speeding Bullet"
Comment: This is one time "Superman" was not "faster than a speeding bullet." As a kid who was parked in front of the TV every day with my older brother watching each episode of "Superman" over and over again, I was crushed later when I learned that George Reeves committed suicide. This broke the bubble of fantasy for the character and the actor and broke the hearts of many children like me. When I later read the book that described the probable real scenario of his death, "death by one woman too many, and the wrong women," it was easier to accept. Tragic and pitiful it was, for an actor of much promise that I had also viewed in Metrocolor as the Tarleton twins in "Gone With The Wind." I, of course, had to view this movie, "Hollywoodland" to try to come to some kind of closure for George Reeves. I was not disappointed by the movie as it captured the nostalgic atmosphere of Hollywood at the time and Adrien Brody as PI Louis Simo is the standout in this production. A sexy Diane Lane is beneficial in helping us understand George's complicated and wierd love life. Ben Affleck, is quite good and believable as George.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Murder or Suicide?
Comment: 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
Customer Rating:
Summary: Mildly entertaining...
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: EVEN SUPERMAN COULDN'T SAVE THIS MOVIE!
Comment: 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.
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: 01/27/2009 Starring: Adrien Brody Ben Affleck Run time: 127 minutes Rating: R
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