The life affirming effect of almost dying...
Added 2/2/2010
The movie 'Fearless', is at least a little bit fearless for the ground it chooses to cover. When it was released in 1993, it made barely a ruffle at the box office; it's not the kind of subject that attracts throngs of moviegoers. Directed by Peter Weir ('Witness', 'Dead Poets Society', 'Master and Commander'), the resulting film is a jarring and intense journey into the heart of fundamental questions about mortality and fate. The story explores the complex landscape of one man's experience as a survivor of a commercial air crash, and the people close to him, both before the crash and as a result of it. Up to the time of the disaster, Bridges' character is afraid of flying. As the in-flight emergency develops, he's overcome by a serene acceptance of his impending death, and in the aftermath of walking away from the twisted rubble, he undergoes a mental and spiritual transformation that's both a blessing and a curse. His life is never the same, and neither are the lives of those closest to him.
The film is brilliant in the way it reveals the territory between elation and despair. The cast is superb, featuring an all too rare screen performance by Tom Hulce ('Amadeus'), as a smarmy attorney, coaxing from Bridges details of his experience in order to assure maximum compensation. John Turturro makes an early career appearance as a well-meaning but sometimes ineffective airline psychologist. Among other fine supporting roles are Isabella Rossellini as Bridges' wife, who is alienated by the change in his behavior; and Rosie Perez, in a searing performance as a fellow survivor, crushed by guilt over the loss of her infant child, and an early performance by Benicio Del Toro, as her troubled husband. But above them all and leading the way, is the always serviceable and occasionally brilliant Jeff Bridges, as a man liberated from fear and anxiety by a sudden and unnatural event; a liberation that's as dangerous as it is exhilarating.
As others have noted, correctly or incorrectly, this DVD is a 1.33:1 presentation, but is not an example of the Pan & Scan process. The film was shot full-frame, and intended for matting in 1.85:1 during projection. Perhaps one day soon we'll get a new transfer that's matted (I hope so), but at least with this current one, we still can watch this great movie without loosing anything...so to speak. Much of it is a matter of personal preference.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Shame on Warner Bros.
Added 11/18/2009
Here we are over ten years since the DVD arrived, and Warner still disrespects great works in their own library. Full screen formats with no extras...WTF. Fearless, Running on Empty, Guilty by Suspicion, the list goes on. How long can a major studio keep their heads in the sand in regard to their customers?
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Very Very Satisfied!
Added 4/2/2009
I would certainly buy from this seller again in the near future. I highly suggest that this is the person that you want to do business with.
My order was delivered extremely fast, was in A1 condition, including cover and DVD. You cant lose by purchasing from this seller. I cant wait to buy from this seller again. :)
A Very Happy Customer :-D
0 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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I have a widescreen LD why not on dvd?
Added 8/10/2008
This is a great film, I have watched this many times and it always benefits from repeated viewings.I consider 'Fearless' along with 'The big Lebowski' and the underated 'Thunderbolt and lightfoot' to be Jeff Bridges finest achievements on film.
After reading some of the reviewer's comments as to weather or not this dvd is in it's correct theatre ratio let me assure you it is not.I have an old Laser disc of this film which still plays perfectly and it states on the back sleeve it is in it's correct 1:85.1 Theatre ratio.I have compared this to the Region 1 dvd and it is certainly missing information on both sides of the screen.Unfortunetly for now the only official W/S release is the old ntsc LD, fingers crossed for a future W/S dvd release with some much deserved extras......
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Deeply emotional movie...
Added 7/30/2008
Jeff Bridges plays the role of a man who travels and lives to tell how his plane... crashed. During the ordeal, Max Klein helps many, assisting a child traveling alone to face the inevitable.
Jeff Bridges plays the role with great conviction, as the man who loses the fear of death and therefore, is able to help others during the minutes prior to the crash, and then, during the aftermath of guilt, fear, and emotional trauma. The plot is of a subject that is rather complex and we see the impact it has on his relationship with his wife, Laura, played by Isabella Rossellini, who tries to understand what is happening to her husband, to their marriage, and to the relationship with their son, and sees how the changes in her husband are about to bring it all to an end.
The depth of the subjects dealt with in this movie will leave you drained, but you will find yourselves thinking and pondering on subjects that we all experience, on the dormant fear of travel, and the meaning of life. We were deeply touched by this film. Highly recommend watching it.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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The life affirming effect of almost dying...
Added 2/2/2010
The movie 'Fearless', is at least a little bit fearless for the ground it chooses to cover. When it was released in 1993, it made barely a ruffle at the box office; it's not the kind of subject that attracts throngs of moviegoers. Directed by Peter Weir ('Witness', 'Dead Poets Society', 'Master and Commander'), the resulting film is a jarring and intense journey into the heart of fundamental questions about mortality and fate. The story explores the complex landscape of one man's experience as a survivor of a commercial air crash, and the people close to him, both before the crash and as a result of it. Up to the time of the disaster, Bridges' character is afraid of flying. As the in-flight emergency develops, he's overcome by a serene acceptance of his impending death, and in the aftermath of walking away from the twisted rubble, he undergoes a mental and spiritual transformation that's both a blessing and a curse. His life is never the same, and neither are the lives of those closest to him.
The film is brilliant in the way it reveals the territory between elation and despair. The cast is superb, featuring an all too rare screen performance by Tom Hulce ('Amadeus'), as a smarmy attorney, coaxing from Bridges details of his experience in order to assure maximum compensation. John Turturro makes an early career appearance as a well-meaning but sometimes ineffective airline psychologist. Among other fine supporting roles are Isabella Rossellini as Bridges' wife, who is alienated by the change in his behavior; and Rosie Perez, in a searing performance as a fellow survivor, crushed by guilt over the loss of her infant child, and an early performance by Benicio Del Toro, as her troubled husband. But above them all and leading the way, is the always serviceable and occasionally brilliant Jeff Bridges, as a man liberated from fear and anxiety by a sudden and unnatural event; a liberation that's as dangerous as it is exhilarating.
As others have noted, correctly or incorrectly, this DVD is a 1.33:1 presentation, but is not an example of the Pan & Scan process. The film was shot full-frame, and intended for matting in 1.85:1 during projection. Perhaps one day soon we'll get a new transfer that's matted (I hope so), but at least with this current one, we still can watch this great movie without loosing anything...so to speak. Much of it is a matter of personal preference.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Shame on Warner Bros.
Added 11/18/2009
Here we are over ten years since the DVD arrived, and Warner still disrespects great works in their own library. Full screen formats with no extras...WTF. Fearless, Running on Empty, Guilty by Suspicion, the list goes on. How long can a major studio keep their heads in the sand in regard to their customers?
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Very Very Satisfied!
Added 4/2/2009
I would certainly buy from this seller again in the near future. I highly suggest that this is the person that you want to do business with.
My order was delivered extremely fast, was in A1 condition, including cover and DVD. You cant lose by purchasing from this seller. I cant wait to buy from this seller again. :)
A Very Happy Customer :-D
0 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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