……and I really enjoyed it.

Written by, directed by and starring Zach Braff with Natalie Portman and a bunch of other well-cast folks, it’s one of the most real movies I’ve seen in a quite a while.

The dialog was so intelligent and the acting so good that I don’t think it was acting.

This cinematic experience took me right back to my own salad days in the 1960’s, when I was the same age as the main characters in this introspective story, and that amount of mental transportation, with “Garden State “ having a present day setting, qualifies this excellent film as being effectively timeless in application, I believe, at least in human terms.

Actually, I think this one has a fairly good shot at being the best movie I’ll see this entire year, even though we’re only two days into 2005.

So I’ll highly recommend “Garden State,” for those of us who can get into flics having no car chases or explosions.

I know I saw my fill of train wrecks yesterday.



Thanks to my lovely daughter for turning me on to it.


Gig 'em, FAST FRED '65.

Before the world wide web, village idiots usually stayed in their own village.

[This message has been edited by FAST FRED (edited 1/2/2005 7:31p).]

Saw it in theatres and picked up the DVD the other day. I think it was the best movie of '04. Zach and Natalie were perfect together. Soundtrack was amazing and fit in perfectly with the movie.

My DVD is stored at Blockbuster, with a backup disc at NetFlicks.

Thanks to father in law working for movie companies Blockbuster is in my living room.

This movie has a slot in my all-time, top 10 movies. It was smart. Maybe that's why so many TexAg'ers didn't like it.

GS became my all-time favorite movie the very first time I saw it. It just really spoke to me. I also think it was very well-written, well-acted, and well-shot. It was funny, but also very emotional. I just really liked the themes. Braff captured what it is like to be in your 20's and on the cusp entering the great unknown that is adulthood. I also really like movies that aren't formulaic. Nothing really happens, it's just following his personal journey. I could go on and on, but basically, yeah, this movie is awesome. Best thing I've ever seen.

watched it again tonight, i absolutely LOVE the movie.

i put it second only to Eternal Sunshine, in best movies of '04. and both of those two are in my top 5 favorites of all-time.

I sing the praises of this movie as well. Truly amazing piece of work, and I can't wait to see what Zach comes up with next. He's truly brimming with talent.

zach braff was able to unseat cameron crowe in my opinion as the most skilled soundtrack putter-together. he did real well with the tunes in GS.


by the way if you're a dork like me you should check out the commentary on the dvd. its pretty insightful as far as production mishaps and little tidbits and such.

I agree heck of a soundtrack.

Wicker Park's soundtrack is every bit as good as Garden State's. Has some rare songs by The Shins, Postal Service, & Deathcab 4 Cutie.

wow dicho, i just checked out that wickepark soundtrack list. i may have to get that. does anyone know if the movie is any good? i remember the previews and it didnt really look like my speed, but if it has those tunes in it may it's not all bad?

The commentary is pretty good, although I've only listened to the one with Natalie Portman. But there is definitely some good stuff on there. That, along with the deleted scenes commentary and the 'making of' video made me appreciate the movie even more. It's great to see what the artist's intentions were with certain things.

Excellent film. I might have to purchase the DVD.

Sam: I haven't even lied in like, the past two days.
Andrew Largeman: Is that true?
Sam: No.

Saw it tonight....really liked it.

Just watched it last night from Netflix. Absolutely great movie. Dark humor, good introspection, not too heavy-handed on the soul-searching stuff, good secondary characters that were believable, happy ending without being too sappy...

Excellent. I'd go 4.5 stars out of 5.

That actor has a bright future...

quote:

---

Maybe that's all family really is. A group of people who miss the same imaginary place.

---

A really thought provoking movie. Absolutely loved it!

Saw it last night---really, really good.

great soundtrack as well. pick it up if you get a chance. walmart, best buy, etc have it for $8.99.

Yep, already have the soundtrack, listen to it all the time too.

My thoughts on "Garden State":

Zach Braff is a first time director/writer and it shows. Every single character has some "quirk" that basically shows lazy writing. Not only was Natalie Portman a figure skater, but to make it really quirky, show her skating in a bear costume! Not only did Large's grandfather leave him a motorcycle, he left him one with one of those side-cars!

But I liked this movie, even though it was derivative of "The Graduate" and a million other movies.

BTW, the opening sequence in the airplane was abviously a dream of his current state. Did you think the "happy" ending was also a dream of his in his new state? I did.

Grade: B

Correction: Natalie Portman's "Sam" was a figure skater in an Alligator costume.

i loved the movie and also dubbed it as my favorite of 2004. only me and my roommate out of ~9 people liked it. i think most of them didnt either: a)understand it, or b) just didnt like that kind of movie.

[This message has been edited by OasisMan (edited 1/16/2005 11:54p).]

Saw it last night. Pretty good. Drug a little in some parts but overall well written and the characters were very interesting. The scene where everyone is behind the hotel walls watching was a little weird/interesting.

Saw it in a really cool old theater out in Sag Harbor, NY this summer. Very good. Not my favorite for the year (I'll have to say Eternal Sunshine for that one). It might have ranked higher on my list if he just left in the end. But definitely one that I liked and I can't say that about too many.

In the commentary he justifies his character coming back. Basically said that him getting on the plane would have been him just wussing out again, but finally, for the first time in his life he does something spontaneous, and the "new" Largeman is set to face the world with his girl. Works for me.

I think he's just trying to make excuses for the happy ending.

Isn't staying right where you've found happiness, with whom you've found it, way easier than taking what you've learned and using it in an environment that seemingly holds nothing for you (back in LA)?

Just my .02.

Awesome movie. Awesome soundtrack. Can't get any of it out of my head. Best movie I have seen in a long time. Just my opinion. To each is their own on what they like in movies.

Thanks for the Wicker Park Soundtrack info. It is great as well.

If you like the soundtrack, both Shins albums are really really good.

they changed my life

i like the shins, but that line makes me want to throw up.

Remy Zero has some good music too.

I am ok with being unimpressive. I sleep better.

It means "hallelujiah". Or "kill Kirk", depending on the context.

By the way, it says balls on your face.