Customer Reviews

Million Dollar Hotel (Widescreen)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

"The Million Dollar Hotel" is truly a movie about the magic in every person's life. A group of freaks, junkies, mentally deficient people, [prostitutes], people without money, people without expectations, etc. In other words, the other side of the coin of the "American Dream". Yet, just like in a Fellini movie, we are made to watch, and somehow understand them, and like them and love them. They are much better adapted to their "underprivileged" world than we are to ours. They have the magic of life in them. This movie is a great Love Story in many different levels. It is also, a movie about friendship, passion, greed, jelousy, hate, revenge, etc. On a personal level, on a HUMAN level. Certainly it puts us ("The Privileged", with our diregard for others, our consummerism, our wars, our weapons, our fears, our hatreds)to shame.
Another great movie by Wim Wenders. May he continue showing us that deep down we are better than we can see us in a mirror. We need his magical mirror to de the trick!

I really think this movie is great, but I don't think most people would. The love story between Jeremy Davies and Milla Jovovich is just so sweet and quiet. To be honest, I think that was the best thing about the movie, the realtionship of these two characters that was so moving. This movie just portrays the fragility and emotional complexity of people so beautifully.

This film combines Wenders' great romanticism and his loving, if not uncritical glances toward Americans--their sickness, loneliness, and lovingness. First time I saw it, I thought it was a somewhat commercialized (or Americanized) version of Wenders' earlier work, "Wings of Desire." Second time, I got into the story and felt it's real. It is such a powerful and smart movie that strings love, sadness, and their once-ness in life together. Music by Bono is also great. If you like Wenders, it is a must-see. If you do not like Mel Gibson in his usual role, then you will find it amusing. At any rate, do not trust the ad. on VHS/DVD... They say something like "everyone has a secret," trying to present the film as a Mel Gibson detective story. It is not a detective story, but much more than that!

I like this movie. Is soft, lil' slow. But I like to imagine iF I was there, with them. To think the situation, trying to know "what's really happened". That's make me stay in the movie without boring. And the music belongs so good, excellent combination between the scenary and the music.

I find it interesting the mixed reviews for this movie. I will agree with most in that it's not a movie for everyone. I'm an indie film maker and I appreciate this movie for many reasons.

Of course many find the plot "too complicated" or "boring" but most of you should realize that those are the people that love movies where all the hard parts are spelled out so you don't have to think. This movie is thought provoking and after a few viewings you begin to pick up on more of the plot.

I can't possibly find why many have said the acting is horrible, Milla Jovavich and Jeremy Davies play very creative and supportive roles to each other. It's obvious it's not Mel Gibson's best role but the script wasn't written for him to be the leading star. If anyone would take the time to look into more of the story behind this film (other than the DVD extras) they'd appreciate it more. The atmosphere and tone set in the movie create a chilling emotion, which the music matches quite successfully. If you're a fan of U2 then you should appreciate the soundtrack, although it's a lot less complex (than any other U2 stuff) and something to listen to on a rainy day, it's good music. I listened to the music before I saw the movie and I enjoyed it.

Overall the movie is good. It's not the best movie I've ever seen but I really like the mood you get from it. In my opinion you should see it for yourself. If you're really scared about wasting a few hours then maybe you should find other things to do with your busy life than watch movies. Maybe you'll see it as a waste time maybe you'll love it, but atleast you've seen it.

Written and co-produced by U2's Bono and directed by Wim Wenders, MILLION DOLLAR HOTEL is more a movie for film students to analyze and nitpick over than for casual viewers.
In one of his most bizzare (and best) roles Mel Gibson plays FBI agent JD Skinner, who is investigating the suicide/ possible murder of a billionaire (Tim Roth) in a run down hotel. He must try to deduce who the killer is among the hotel's bizzare guests. He enlists the help of the victims mentally ill best friend Todd (Jeremy Davies) to be his partner. TomTom also is one of the hotel patrons and he drags his equally unwell girlfriend Eloise (Milla Jovovich) into the picture. Among the suspects are a John Lennon wannabe, complete with Liverpool accent (Donal Logue)and a wacko American Indian, Israel "Geronimo" Goldkiss (Jimmy Smits). Other familiar faces to appear among the guests include Amanda Plummer and Julian Sands. But what Skinner doesn't realize is that Todd has set him up and is getting the guests to throw all manner of red herrings into the investigation.
MILLION DOLLAR HOTEL has an effectively dark noirish setting and aspires to be a modern day SUNSET BLVD. or MALTESE FALCON but it misses the mark. The first half of the film is stylish but icy and pretentious, the second (and more absorbing) half gives the viewer the chance to have more involvement with the characters. It's still worth a look, but it requires patience on the viewer's part. DVD extras include deleted scenes, interviews with the cast and crew and commentaries from Bono and Wim Wenders.

Honestly my favorite part of this DVD is the special features interview with Milla Jovovich talking about her haircut, because it's just Milla being herself. I'd watch Milla stare into the camera for 2 hours and give it 5 stars. However there is one thing I really need to know about this film. I'm wondering if anyone else picked up on it and wether it was planned or just a fluke. The first time Eloise walks into the book store she picks up about 4 or 5 paperbacks and the one on the top caught my eye immediately, because it's unmistakebly Carlos Castasneda's "A Seperate Reality". I have been a Castaneda devotee for many years. So I'm just curious as to who's idea this was, because I honestly don't think it was a fluke. I will also give the film 2 thumbs up for the Castaneda cameo. I loved "The Milla-ion Dollar Hotel"

This is a very difficult to watch movie. So much so, I never watched it to the end. Panning a movie is a risky business, however, I wish someone told me to steer clear of this one.

The movie is told from the perspective of one of the residents of a dive hotel in-or-near Hollywood. It has the narration of one of the more spaced-out characters.

This hotel is a half-way house for those not one-hundred percent qualified to be in a "psych-ward" of some hospital. There appears to have been a suicide of one of the residents, who just happen to be the son of some Hollywood mogul that can't imagine his son taking a dive. Thus, a homicide rap has to be cooked up. Who better for this than Mel Gibson playing a Dick Tracy type role, will all the depth and range of that very same cartoon character... Honestly, prior to this movie, I didn't think he could make a bad movie.

There are some pretty well known actors in this movie for its lack of quality. It is one thing to be campy and over the top, but this movie really misses in this direction as well.

Like anything, this is my opinion, and I can't tell you if it got better after the first 45 minutes, because I didn't stick around.

Let's just say Buyer or Viewer Beware.

this is the best movie I have seen in a while! Being a film student I am very critical of the movies I do see. When I see a big blockbuster movie with romance and mystery and action I usually have to force myself to se the end, and usually halfway through I know what the ending is going to be. Although this film might not be for everyone, because it is based mostly on dialogue, it is a nice film to see if you are bored with all the BIG Hollywood film movies. If any one enjoyed this movie as much as I did, I am sure you would enjoy films such as The Man Who Cried, The Princess and the Warrior(German)or Run,Lola,Run.

In addition- Tom Tom played by Jeremy Davies is an incredible character along with Eloise played by Milla Jovovich. Also the sountrack rocks! (Milla Jovovich sings several songs)

Weird, wonderful love story full of totally unique characters. Brilliant!

The interviews on the DVD are also quite fascinating.