Be Kind Rewind [DVD] [2007]

I've been captivated by the world of Michel Gondry since I first came across his distinctive music video work. This is a man with a very unique cinematic vision, something he has very successfully expanded into full length cinema. "Be Kind Rewind", his third major film, is essentially a film about the love of film making, with a sub plot about stoytelling and community.The characters who populate this world are good natured and simple people. As such the performances come across as a little stylised - a facet that takes a little getting used to - and a fact which makes or breaks the enjoyment of the film. One result is that Gondry gets a more muted performance out of Jack Black. It's not that muted but compared to some of his other performances it is less loud. This is obviously a shot at something of a bigger audience for Gondry and choosing Black is a bold choice.The story's premise is a little far fetched - Black becomces super magnetised and wipes all the films in a video store blank - but the solution is pure Gondry: make home-made shorter versions of the original films. Essentially this is an arty film with a "let's put on a show" kind of climax. Designed to give Gondry the chance to show the world more of his brilliantly oddball vision of the world. Here the results will either delight you or infuriate, depending on if you can stomach the sheer strangeness of the conceit.Mos Def and Melonie Diaz provide his support in making the films and are neat foils to Black. Danny Glover, as the owner of the video store, is nicely used as a man out of step with the modern world. The video store customers also seem a little out of step and Mia Farrow is particularly good in a role which echoes some of her best work with Woody Allen.It is a strange little film, with all the characters seemingly as out of step with the modern world as the derelict video store they frequent. Gondry clearly wants things more simple, pleasures to be on a smaller scale, and a sense of community peppers the film's climax with a rather nostalgic beauty.This is Gondry's vision and his style is not for everyone. You need to suspend more than a little disbelief, but if you are able to do this then this film sits nicely with his excellent "The Science Of Sleep". If you want something as undemanding as plain popcorn, steer well clear. This is something very individual, strangely wonderful, and very Gondry.

Amazing movie, everything Jack touches turns to gold. It is one of his lesser-known films which is sad because it deserves more recognition, the VHS vibe throughout is pure nostalgia. Watch it, immediately.

I must confess I'm not the biggest fan of Jack Black but I do find some of his films very funny, I'd say that this one is one of his better ones, although it does take a while to get into it you are rewarded with great scenes.

Love jack black in this. Hes so funny and mad! all the cast are good tho. Sigourney weaver, danny glover, mos def, mia farrow etc. Some very funny bits like when jerry (jack black) sings hisversion of the ghostbusters theme song! Realy tickles me. The idea of the story is eccentric and unrealistic but realy charming. 2 hapless video store guys remaking hollywood classics on a camcorder and then the local people actualy loving them!! Bit far fetched but thats what makes it great. Quirky fun and a bargain at 3quid!!

I absolutely loved this film, saw it on TV and immediately had to buy it for a personal rewind - it's funny, weird, off-beat, heart-warming, and totally stupid, which makes it the perfect lolling about on the sofa with the whole family after a takeaway and bottle of wine type of film.If you feel like a really daft movie treat, it's under a fiver and I doubt you'd get any better value than that. Fantastic.

I really enjoyed this movie and think the two main characters were exellect and it was a great story. I think the whole bit ofJack Black being "Magnatised" is rather silly since the rest of the movie is completely different tone. Definately worth a watch.

Well, not much to review actually, the disc arrived as promised and was enjoyed as expected - I had seen a glimpse of it before which hinted at what should come. It's special and very funny to me.

This film doesn't deserve 5 stars, but that does not mean it deserves 1 star. Some of the previous viewers seem to be working in black and white and don't realise that there are shades of grey too.The remakes are amusing and I found the fact that he sings the ghostbusters theme tune wrong pretty funny too as we all know how it goes don't we?The remakes are so awful they are funny and that is kind of where the movie goes. Someone mentioned that it starts to improve once they start making their own original film but I would say it starts to get a bit too cheesy near the end, where the whole community works together.Comparing it to the spice girls movie is as idoitic as playing with a hairdryer in the bath. The film is easily worth viewing once.This seems to be a film that people can't agree on so borrow a copy and trust your own opinion because there are too many mixed reviews.