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Home Alone

Home Alone

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $14.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Totally enjoyable.
Review: I've enjoyed both of his Home Alone films. Macaulay Culkin is just a fine actor and his acting ability really comes across in this film. It's like this series was written directly for him.It is light hearted, touching, exciting, funny, mischievious, warm and very Christmasy. These films have become a part of my Christmas season. Also a great music score and it sounds wonderful in 5.1 Stereo. I'm proud to have this film in my collection.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great!!!
Review: This movie is pretty good. The tricks are pretty old, but there ok. They are pretty funny. But I like the part at the end where the robbers hang him up on a hook.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Number #1 Comedy of the year 1990!
Review: Home Alone is an outrageous family comedy without the family. It all began with an 8 year old kid who wants his family to dissapear for various reasons. The family is on their way to their Christmas vacation when they by accidently leave their 8 year old son left home alone. Things are going great for the kid until he meet two burglars that are trying to break in. I can't give a lot of information away because I would ruin the fun of the movie. I hope this review is very helpful!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A film with an atmosphere that no one will forget.
Review: Everyone who I've ever spoken to seems to thing this film is lame and not worth watching. but i'm glad I became a reviewer for this purpose and to say my piece. First this film has a strong storyline no matter what anyone says. It has the atmosphere that I would love to have at christmas. And is probaly the reason I watch it over and over again. This dvd edition doesn't have any extra features apart from the trailers which is disappointing as I would of thought for such a sucessful film to at leased have something left on the cutting room floor for us to see. This film in my opinion is a great film that deservers more respect than it's recieving. It's worth the money for such a great film.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: This is still amusing.
Review: This movie is almost as old as I am, and I'll watch it from time to time and still be amused. The plot is not likely to ever occur in real life, but the fantasy of it is so fun. Saying you never want to see your family again, and then waking up the next day and having them gone is every child's nightmare, but then experiencing the adventure that follows would be so cool. Actually, it would probably be a terrible thing to really experience, but watching it sure is fun. THe ways this 8 year old outsmarts two con-artists is so great. I wish I had some opportunity just to see if I could be that creative. This movie is super-entertaining. Watch it with your family- everyone will be amused.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Classic Fairy Tale in Modern Guise
Review: This is one of my top five favorite Christmas movies of all time! Although set in a contemporary time frame, the plot is a classic fairy tale format much like Hansel and Gretal or many other traditional folk tales in which a child is lost or deserted by the adults in his life and learns that he can fend for himself. Along the way the main character in this film is empowered by learning that many of his fears are groundless or can be overcome and that one of the people he has always feared is actually an ally. This film is by turns hysterically funny, scary, and heartwarming. It is enjoyable for kids and adults.
NOTE: Parents of very small children might want to preview this (or at least watch it with their child) as there are some scary scenes and borderline comedy violence(of the slapstick Saturday morning "cat-splat" variety, but with real people instead of animation) that might be disturbing to some kids. Also a few incidences of language that some parents might find objectionable. That said, I should also say that I have personally watched this film with kids as young as 5 and adults as old as 80's who have all found it hilarious and engaging.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Sometimes You Have To Ask Yourself A Question...
Review: Take a cheeky eight-year-old, put him in a situation he has to slapstick his way out of with the kind of antics most cartoon characters wouldn't survive, and what you have is one of the most wildly popular, commercially successful comedies of all time. And when it's over, though most likely you'll have had a good time, you'll be tempted to ask the question: Why? Because "Home Alone," directed by Chris Columbus and written by John Hughes, is mediocre at best, though it does have it's moments. It's a matter of the filmmakers being very astute, perhaps, and wisely mixing in a potpourri of elements with universal appeal and touching upon that common nerve they calculated would give just about anyone in the audience something to which they could relate. And they were right. Kids, Christmas, family, vacation, independence, a scary situation; it's all in here. But, interestingly enough, it lacks the sentimental value that would seemingly have made this a movie one could truly embrace. As it is, it's engaging fare, but somehow manages to keep the viewer at arm's length. Then again, maybe that's even part of the appeal; it may be that audiences at this particular time and place were more comfortable just watching without having to invest anything of themselves in order to have a good time.

This was, after all, 1990, and this film played to a generation weaned on more than a decade of Saturday Night Live, whose keen sense of biting satire and parody definitely had an influence on the mind-set of audiences everywhere. And is that a bad thing? No, absolutely not. It merely points up one possible reason why a film centered around an eight-year-old with a somewhat derisive attitude could be so wholeheartedly received. Also, it may be that the second half of the film, with it's over-the-top slapstick, is what made the final impression on the audience. And this IS funny stuff; and it's going to get to even those who usually prefer humor that doesn't involve slapstick, because it's so well done. Again, credit the filmmakers with having their fingers on the pulse of our culture and standards at the time. But you also have to give credit to Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern who bring the "Wet Bandits," Harry and Marv, to life, and know how to put across this kind of comedy, which is no easy task.

The story itself is simple: The extended McCallister family sets off for a Christmas vacation in Paris, and inadvertently, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) gets left behind. Left alone. At home. Where, rising to the occasion beyond anything even the most prodigious teenager could manage, he discovers the thrill of being independent and thwarts a pair of bungling burglars in the balance. Meanwhile, mom and dad (Catherine O'Hara as Kate, John Heard as Peter) go out of their minds when they get to Paris and discover what has happened. If only they knew what an ingenious and imaginative son they had...

Culkin is certainly a cute kid, but can he act? Well, the jury is still out on that one. It's hard to say, since the dialogue he is given is so ridiculously above that of an eight-year-old, and the situations he encounters are so far-fetched, that there is no real frame of reference by which to consider it objectively. His timing and rhythm are lacking, however, that much is clear. His responses-- or, if you will, the punch lines he delivers-- are always a beat behind what they should be. And it robs the humor of the spontaneity that would have made it funnier, even hilarious. As it is, the only real laughs come from Kevin's assault on the Wet Bandits, and there are plenty to be had there.

Pesci and Stern become the real stars of the show as they play out their slapstick antics, which are truly deserving of the laughs they generate. Their expressions of incredulity in the face of the violence that is visited upon them is what makes this movie. Everything else merely sets the stage for Harry and Marv's descent into the maelstrom. And what Pesci and Stern do here should not be taken for granted, nor taken lightly artistically. To put this kind of humor across takes some real talent on the part of consummate professionals, and Pesci and Stern certainly deliver it. Their secret? They play it straight, which keeps the silliness out of it. Had they played it strictly as farce, it simply wouldn't have had the same impact; but by playing to the characters in the situation, rather than to a situation involving characters, it works. And, once again, chalk up another one for Columbus and Hughes, who really know how to deliver this kind of material.

The only truly poignant moment in the film involves Kevin's encounter with a mysterious neighbor, "Old Man Marley," played wonderfully by character actor/poet Roberts Blossom. The revelation of his secret earlier in the film sets up the purest moment of the ending, and though it is brief, it's inspired and adds a much needed perspective to the story.

The supporting cast includes Devin Ratray (Buzz), Angela Goethals (Linnie), Gerry Bamman (Uncle Frank), Hillary Wolf (Aunt Leslie), Ralph Foody (Gangster Johnny), Billie Bird (Irene), Bill Erwin (Ed) and John Candy, memorable in the role of Gus Polinski, the Polka Band shuttle Chief. Considering the ratio between this movie's substance and the success it still enjoys today, "Home Alone" is something of an anomaly in the history of the genre. it lacks insight, yet delivers some real belly laughs. It lacks a single character the audience can truly embrace, yet is accepted overwhelmingly as is. It lacks inspiration, yet is an inspired film in the way it is crafted and delivered. It's one you're probably going to like and enjoy, but upon reflection may wonder, "Why." And the answer? Who can say. Go figure. It's the magic of the movies.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Who can forget "Home Alone"?
Review: Well for those of you who have never seen it here's how the story go's: A young 8yrs boy named Kevin McCalister heavily fueds with his large family. And is supposed to go on a trip to Paris for Christmas, they leave tomorrow. But Kevin left to sleep, over sleeps and is not missed on a head count do to a passer-by.

At first when finding his family is gone he thinks he's wished them away, do to a wish last night... And he enjoys being able to do WHATEVER HE WANTS, including ordering a WHOLE cheeze pizza for himself, eating lotsa icecream, and stealing money and toothbrushes. However his vacation from his family is cut short when a couple of Robbers come to his house, but Kevin tries to make them believe that he is NOT home alone... There is much more to the plot then this, but you WILL have to see it to find out the rest.

This is truely a Christmas/childrens classic setting a trapsetting standard for all childrens flicks in the future. *Enjoy* (...)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: "Home Alone" IS Christmas!
Review: Everyone has a favorite Christmas movie - one that makes them feel all seasonal and festive - and this is unquestionably mine. The music is amongst John Williams' finest, McCauley Culkin is at the peak of his cuteness, the slapstick is pure agonizing Tom and Jerry, and even the message is not so sickly sweet as to be nauseating. I could watch it time and time again at ANY time of year, but no Christmas collection is even remotely complete without it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the all time greats
Review: For me it just isn't Christmas without Home Alone. Every year I pull out Home Alone and watch it and it always puts me in the Christmas spirit. A classic film written and directed by John Hughes (Breakfast Club, Weird Science) and Staring Macaulay Culkin (Getting Even With Dad, My Girl), Daniel Stern (Celtic Pride, The Wonder Years) and Joe Peci (My Cousin Vinnie, Leathal Weapon) The movie is a christmas themed family flick with many laughs and warm fuzzy moments! One of the all time biggest box office successes and with good reason! No DVD collection is complete without this classic!


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