JFM

Thought about purchasing one or even both of the above movies, but reviews seem divided between very good and dreadful for both.

What do you guys think?

Adam Tyner

I wrote a review at http://dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?id=2308 for 3,000 Miles To Graceland.

You can check for other reviews at http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/

Mad Dawg

I've read and enjoyed both Adam's and Aaron's reviews of 3000 Miles to Graceland, and I've got to say that I just disagree. This movie has been savaged by reviewers everywhere, and there are some parts that deserve it. But overall, I found the movie, regardless of how "mean-spirited," to be quite an enjoyable popcorn flick. I'm no reviewer, so I'll give you a taste of what I liked and what I didn't.

The film has some major head-scratching flaws. For one, the oft mentioned CGI scorpion battle during the opening credits was just ridiculous and sorely out of place. Courtney Cox, while looking fantastic, is a little too much to handle in her role as Cybil Waingrow, the annoying small-town single mom whose alliances are a question mark throughout the movie. The film's morals can certainly be called into question. After all, the film shows Waingrow's son crawl into the room of his mother and Zane as they are "having coffee,"(read:knockin' boots) but the boy looks like he's seen the drill many times before. However, later in the movie, Zane teaches him an important lesson about smoking. Well, priorities are priorities, and I really got the feeling that the anti-smoking message was jammed in to combat the fact that just about every character has some tobacco product hanging out of his grill for most of the flick. And, concerning the script, I can't tell if it was lame or just a result of some very poor editing and direction. Regardless, both the editing and direction are by far the worst parts of 3000 Miles. The spliced-in, MTV-style cut scenes and the sometimes stomach-turning quick shot camera work really hurt the film's pacing. It seems that the significant events are over and done with in a flash, which is unfortunate considering that the movie feels every bit of its 2 Hr. 5 Min. run-time...and more.

What I liked about the 3000 Miles, first and foremost, is that, while underdeveloped to be sure, the actors seem to be having a blast with their characters. Kevin Costner turns in a completely over-the-top performance as Murphy, a seemingly soulless killer who shows flashes of compassion for those he works with...to a point. And Kurt Russell...well...Kurt Russell is Elvis. Actually, he is Zane, the good guy in a black hat, so to speak. We aren't told from the beginning that he wants out of the "life," but it becomes clear in no time. But damn...he's too cool. And pay close attention during the film, and you might just realize that there is something important of note about why Zane and Murphy are who they are.

What I really liked about the movie is what others didn't seem to enjoy. The basis of the movie, the heist at the casino, happens about 20 to 30 minutes in. This, in my opinion, makes the movie "trailer-proof." I'm sure there are those who don't like that, but, hey, even with fun, throw-away action flicks, I don't want to know the whole movie in 2 1/2 minutes. Also, to some, the movie has no sense of what it really is. It has elements, and cliches, of just about every genre, although it sticks more to the action movie outline than it does to a heist film...or buddy film...or road movie...or romance. And despite it's attempts, it is certainly not comedy. This ultra-violence that has been mentioned again and again...well, I guess you can label me callous, because I don't get it. The movie isn't as violent as the direction makes it out to be. There's a difference between shooting someone in the knee, and shooting someone in the knee in slow-motion with close-ups and screams of agony, for example.

I'd agree with all of the reviews about picture and sound. Both are excellent, as one would expect from a movie that was just out a few months ago. I do wish WB had released a version with a commentary as expected, but considering the problems with production, I know that the director probably didn't have a lot of wonderful things to say, and probably wouldn't address his mishandling of the film's style and his own script. I'm also sure that Russell and Costner weren't about to sit in a booth for two hours and discuss the finer points. No behind the scenes...no production notes...just a trailer (and I don't care what anyone says, the trailer is damn good.) And although it isn't an extra, make sure you sit through the credits...good stuff there.

3000 Miles to Graceland is both fairly and unfairly maligned. I suppose that I should expect a fresh, original film everytime I walk into a theater, but I'm a realist. These days, it is a matter of who does the best job with the genre(s) that they've picked. Sometimes I wonder if simply having Costner's name and reputation attached to a movie doesn't automatically earn distain from critics. I'm not saying that the film is a tour de force epic that will last throughout generations, but I am saying that it's a movie about Elvis impersonators and you cannot go in with a "Schindler's List" mindset. I don't know if it's worth a $15 purchase, but if you stop by Blockbuster one night with an itching for some gun-play and some Elvis, you could do much worse.

prez387w

Kevin Costner should not have been in the DAMN MOVIE.
He should only star in flics that are over 3 hours in lenght. Thank god for Kurt who made it bareable to watch.
The picture and audio were top notch on my system.
What a shame because I had high hopes for it.

pro-bassoonist

Well, I loved it and this one of the 3 discs I am buyibg this month together with SOTL and Hannibal.
Awesome picture and sound, nice plot and a lot of funny lines. The flick itself is not a mind-bender but not everything needs to be like Saving Private Ryan.

Again loved it, bought it, enjoyed it.

ipkevin

3000 Miles... was an interesting film. More of a double crossing drama with short bursts of violent action. Quirky, low-life characters with Tarantino-esque lines. I felt it was too long, but I don't regret watching it. You can tell they put effort into making interesting story and characters (regardless of whether it was any good or not). Compare it to like Planet of The Apes, Jurassic Park 3 or whatever, where the character/plot/dialogue is cursory at best. I happened to like the music video flair in this film. The action scenes are pumped up, but you can always tell what's going on. I think the opening Scorpion battle represented the relationship between Kurt & Costner's characters.

I've heard that Costner & the producers took this film away from the director & Kurt in the editing room, which may explain why it veers from crazy exploitation flair to serious drama and back again.

filmerp

I had read a while ago that the director handed the film over to both Russel and Costner to create their own cuts of the film since they had large disagreements about what the focus should be. Costner's was more action and bloody, while Russel's focused on the romantic aspect. I don't know if they literally used one of these cuts, but it would have made an interesting DVD to have these different versions.

schbee

Sucked

CloverClover

I thought 15 Minutes was great! I recommend you rent it first though, because many people did not like it at all or thought it was 'ok'

filmguy

3, 000 Miles to Graceland.

Despite many bad reviews this film has received. Both critically and consumer wise. Don't be totally thrown off by them. You will be pleasently surprised. The movies circles around a group of Elvis imposters who rob a casino and must maintain stability while trying to make it out of the country. While their is nothing original nor special about this moive. It is still entertaining. Costner and Russell really shine in a typical action movie sort of way. The rest of the cast is more humorous than anything. Beyond this, the film is really underrated and underappreachiated and deserves to be seen, eithers rental or buy (you want go wrong). Relentless action, humorous acting, typical story... All you need for a friday night!

MOVIE: 7/ 10
AUDIO: 8.5/10
VIDEO: 8/10
EXTRAS: N/A (Trailer)

DVD Smurf

Entertaining...

chsidwel

I picked it up for $13 at Circuit City. Had low expectations, but really enjoyed it. Great action flick. Not the best movie of the year, but one I would certainly watch and enjoy again.

mdean

I love this movie and thoroughly enjoyed it! Every bit of it--including the scorpion clash at the start.

I was never a big Elvis fan but this movie has sparked a new interest in some of his songs--especially the one Kurt Russell lip-synched to in the end credits.

I had a good time viewing this title--to date, all 6 or 7 times!

exm

I saw this movie for the first time yesterday and I have to admit with most of my fellow DVD Talkers: wow, what a fun movie! I mean, if you like action and (like me) Kurt Russell you HAVE to see this. On top of that you get an excellent picture and great sound effects.

A must have for any serious actions lovers.

Geofferson

15 Minutes is a decent thriller. Nothing more
3,000 MTG is a piece of crap. It tries to be a stylish, bad a$$ heist flick...and fails on all accounts.

mjlukich

Rented 15 minutes and only lasted about 45 minutes. This was a very slick hollywood production with no soul and a by-the-numbers script.

exm

That's personal; I so do not agree with you on that. IMO it IS a stylish, bad ass flick.