Could have been, I can relate to that character a bunch.

Rypo not only is it playing at Owings Mills Theater, but it's in showing in that she-she part of the complex that was supposed to be for dinner theatre. So score there.

I just came back from seeing it and I really liked it. It got a little heavy handed towards the end but I found it to be very enjoyable. The quirky humor was great. Zack has got a bright future.

I really thought the theatre was going to be empty but surprisingly it was full to capacity. And tons of older people there which I also found pretty interesting.

Basically enjoyable, in a "Sundance Channel" kind of way. The acting was all spot on. When Natalie Portman actually has a decent part written for her, she really shines.

[Fielding casts a scolding look towards the Skywalker Ranch]

That said, the whole affair really falls apart in the last five minutes... and crash lands into an ending that would feel more at home in an episode of Friends. But on the whole, for a first film, ol' J.D. done good.

Yeah, I think an alien should've burst out of J.D.'s chest causing her to have a seizure and die.

excellent movie, saw it last night, plan on seeing it again

This movie absolutely knocked the wind out of me. I even thought the ending was fine, because for so long, Largeman had never done anything based on emotions, and the climax was essentially him doing just that for the first time in years. Definitely worth repeat viewings, IMHO.

Couldn't agree more.

I liked the film. There was an interesting dynamic between Largeman who had decided to go off medication, and his friends who spend the entire movie self-medicating. He believes that he hasn't lived because he's been on all kinds of drugs, and drugs are what makes his friends feel alive.

Liked Zach. Liked Natalie. Liked the soundtrack. Echo.

100% agree

You are absolutely right. If all people can say negative about Garden State is the ending is a little on the cliche side, then it's a huge success.

I also thought the ending really worked here. People all over the world do crazy things for that four-letter word.

amazing film. one of the best, if not the best screenplays of the year! Awesome characters with such depth. Natalie Portman's character seemed so realistic and I loved every minute of it. The acting was amazing, thought his friend, who had a problem with knights, did an exceptional job. It was much funnier than I expected it to be. I found it quite hilarious. I really can't wait to see this movie again!

I loved it as well. Probably the best movie I've seen this year. Listening to the soundtrack now, oh its awesome.

Fresh: 106 Rotten: 13
89% fresh at Rotten Tomatoes

as of Aug. 23

I may even watch Scrubs a little bit more often now.

What an incredible debut. Zach Braff blew me away with his acting, writing and direction. Garden State is easily the best screenplay of the year (and is going to win the oscar) and we'll just have to see how other movies play out to see if it's the best picture of the year or not... but this movie just clicked with me... everything made sense, and unlike some of these other quirky comedy-dramas, it really was about SOMETHING...something that I could relate to and understand. Characters who were real and not schmaltzy or sarcastic assholes... I can't even tell you how much I loved this movie... I'll just say anyone who gets a chance to see it, should. I'm going a few more times for sure...and Natalie Portman fans will not be disappointed...she really really shines in this movie.

If you're a fan of good movies, GO SEE GARDEN STATE.

MATT

mdc, great small review.

i agree 100%

Quoted for truth. I saw the first teaser trailer and I imediately wanted to see the movie. And after a while and buzz started getting bigger, I started getting a bit apprehensive that it was gonna be a pretentious indie film. It was still an indie film, but it wasn't pretentious. It was a very sweet film and I caught myself smiling very often, not just because it was funny but because it was very honest and real and I can honestly say it was one of the first indie films I actually LIKED and wasn't just impressed with. Very brilliant movie and a great debut.

I repeat the thoughts of others on this one, it just worked so well. Easily my favorite movie of the year. Portman (whom normally I don't think much of) was f'n great.

Awesome.

http://www2.foxsearchlight.com/gardenstate/

the official website is really cool, it has video from the set, with interviews etc

Braff writes a blog which he updates every few days

there are clips from the movie, both trailers, storyboards

check it out, you won't be disappointed

also, in one blog post he says he recorded a pair of commentaries for the DVD (one with Natalie Portman)

Nice

Umm.....no:

Finally saw the movie last night. First impression was if Ray Romano ever does a movie where his character has a flashback scene then Braff would fit perfectly. Anyways, good movie. A little underdeveloped in the middle, Ian Holm is wasted and at times it felt like Indie Filmmaking 101, but it's a good debut. As far as being one of the year's best, if you want to see a superior film that examines how one approaches relationships, love, the importance of memories and the overall quirkiness of life then do not miss Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Street date Sept. 28. That is all.

i think eternal sunshine was a better movie as well... but i liked both.

what was the budget of eternal sunshine?

I was a bit let down, but I think that was due to the incredible hype. I think on a second or third view I might come to like it more. I'm just tired of quirky characters for quirky sake. The Braff character felt quite real, while many of the others didn't. This really began to piss me off in About Schmidt, which was similar to this in that it reaches near greatness in self examination only to not quite get there.

But I do love the shot selection in this one, and it blows away Napolean Dynamite, the other indie sensation this summer.

Can't wait for the DVD. And Garden State is miles better than Eternal Sunshine. Eternal Sunshine had parts that just dragged and dragged while Garden State was never boring. I'd give the Original Screenplay for Garden State and runner up to Napoleon Dynamite.

I finally caught this this afternoon and absolutely loved it. Just a wonderful film. Braff and Portman were both great. Can't wait for the DVD. One of the best soundtracks in recent memory as well. I walked across the mall and bought it immediately aftewards.

Why are we comparing GS and Eternal Sunshine?

The two films are not similar.

We're all going to buy both of them anyway.