Customer Reviews

The Holiday [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Good movie, but the quality of the Blu-Ray leaves quite a bit to be desired. The fuzziness of the picture makes it look no better than an upscaled DVD. I remember watching this movie on an HD movie channel a few years back and the quality was definitely better. So I can only assume that it is a cheaply made Blu-Ray transfer.

This is truly the very best Romantic Comedy, if you can call it that, to come out in years. The actors have incredible chemistry and I was blown away by Camereron Diaz. I didn't think much of her until this movie. Of course, Jude Law is Jude Law, drop dead gorgeous! I don't cry in movies, like hardly ever, but this movie brought me to tears. I thought the story line about the old gentleman was superb. It could have been completely left out but it was included which brought heart and soul to the movie making it not just a love story but a story of how young and old can connect.

My husband thoroughly enoyed it as well so it isn't just a chick flick.

It has been a long time since I have enjoyed a movie as much as this where the characters are so real and everything is so believable. Without hesitation I give it five stars.

This Movie is a much-needed romantic comedy that is magical, sexy and very authentic. This is not a chick-flick because it gives a sneak-peek from both the male and female perspective. Kate Winslet is Quenchingly Superb and very sexy. Kate at times, steals the show with her beauty and her natural acting ability. I was also very impressed with Cameron Diaz. This has got to be her best performance. Jude Law is spellbinding and Jack Black is very witty and tries to be a stud-muffin. (He succeeds at times) What makes this movie sizzle is the very cool way that it was written and the extraordinary chemistry with the principal actors. If you long for a great holiday Romantic in the realm of "As good as it gets" and its' sister flick; "Somethings got to give" You must pick this DVD and enjoy!! For True Romantics only!

Noel Serrano

This is the best romantic comedy to come out since sleepless in Seattle!!

I am a romantic comedy junkie to say the least, and have been dissappointed time after time with new releases...but this one is the exception to the rule :)

My husband and I saw this just before Christmas 2006,I was not expecting much but, I have to say that I was absolutely blown away. It is SOOO good! I have not seen such a good romantic comedy in a very long time.

The characters are easily relateable, Kate winslet is the sweetest (I wanted to be her!), and Jack Black is so charming and sweet! You will fall in LOVE with Jude Law (and I was not a big fan prior to seeing this, so that was surprising in itself!!)

In the spirit of When Harry met sally, Sleepless in seattle & Serendipity>> This movie is an absolute feel good experience, one that should not be missed!

GET THIS(...)YOU WILL LOVE IT!!

(...)

Three things I think after having watched, "The Holiday." The first is that Eli Wallach stole this romantic comedy. He plays Arthur Abbott, who in his younger days was an Oscar winning screenwriter and who is now a neighbor of Iris (Kate Winslet) now that the young English woman is living in the Hollywood mansion of Amanda (Cameron Diaz), who is now living in the little English cottage of Iris in Surrey. The two women have swapped homes this particular Christmas because Iris has discovered her ex-boyfriend is getting married and Amanda just needs to get away from her job making movie trailers. Since it is a romantic comedy both of the women meet men, with Amanda running into Iris' brother Graham (Jude Law), and Iris meeting Miles (Jack Black), a composer. The problem is that the most interesting and endearing relationship in the film is between Iris and Arthur. Jack Black is trying to play things straight here, something he had proven he can do already in "Shallow Hall" (when he discovers why Cadence is in the hospital), but he is totally wasted in this movie, even if Wallach is not stealing every scene he is in without breaking a sweat.

The second thing I am thinking is that there is a reason why Kate Winslet is the youngest actress to have earned five Oscar nominations for her work. I am not saying that this performance is worth of a nomination, but every time we had a scene of Cameron Diaz working so hard to act it was refreshing to get back to Winslet showing how it should be done. Again, the sparks between her and Wallach are the highpoint of this film. The third thing on my list is that they did not take advantage of the running gag of Amanda picturing a trailer of her sad and pathetic love life in her own mind. Actually, all we usually get to hear is the familiar voice of Hal Douglas narrating the trailer, but I think there was a whole lot more mileage to get out of the idea (e.g., showing the same scenes but giving them totally different spins by changing the music and the voiceovers).

Finally, and most importantly in terms of my ultimate evaluation of this film, I think that this film lacks a key requirement of most romances, which is the grand gesture. Actually, it needs two grand gestures given that there are two romances trying to flower here. Now the label of grand gesture is somewhat hyperbolic, because sometimes the boy can get the girl at "hello" or not say anything and just stand with a boom box playing the right song. But I think there should be something both unique and significant that somebody does to get the person they love. Think of your favorite romantic comedies and I bet you can think of the grand gesture, the pivotal romantic moment, in each. In "Love Actually" there are at least three of them, and what passes for one in "The Holiday" has to do with (surprise, surprise) Iris and Arthur. Watching this film was enjoyable enough, but they basically fast forward to the requisite happy ending without making these characters even try to earn our tears and I am rounding up on this only because of the scenes between Wallach and Winslet.

Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz) is a Hollywood trailer producer who's just gotten her heart broken; Iris Simkins (Kate Winslet) lives in England and is also at the losing end of a romance. Both ladies are miserable and decide to get away from home for Christmas. They find each other on an online house-switch site and before you can say "I know how this is going to end!" Amanda is living in a cozy English cottage and Iris is ensconced in a luxurious LA mansion. And you'll never guess what happens next. (Okay, you will guess - in about half a minute.)

Diaz, Winslet, and their co-stars Jude Law and Jack Black are all fine here, looking beautiful and clever and giving sincere performances. It's not their fault that the script is so predictable and corny with no room for WHY these new loves blossom so quickly, so blissfully, and so conveniently, considering the women are emotionally wounded and would need some time to heal. And what exactly are the odds of meeting your dream mate within hours of moving to a foreign country? Eli Wallach gives a winning performance as a doddering old scriptwriter befriended by Iris, but again, it's all too perfect; there's no question that they will become instant buddies and that their lives will both be enriched by their meeting.

If I were a woman in the 18-26 target zone, I'd probably love this movie and shed a few tears at it; as it is, I just kept thinking, "Well, there's five hours of my life I'll never get back." (What? It's only 136 minutes? Impossible! I thought it would never end.)

This is one of my favourite movies, so of course I was satisfied with it. The only thing I worried about was that is wasn't labled specifically as a blu-ray when I purchased it, but it came and was in fact a blu-ray. It was also a good price and came quickly!

I was very pleased with my order. It arrived in the time specified and in great condition. It was a present for my Mother so I was happy that there wasn't any problems with it.

A very fun, enjoyable movie.
Solid performances from all cast members...which is saying something, since I normally can't stand Jude Law.
The 'overlapping stories' technique isn't new but, it's used VERY effectively here.

Lots of fun, romance, etc.
Totally worth watching over and over again.

one of my all time favourites.. loved the story and how it unfolded .... great..