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List Price: $12.98 | | Label: New Line Home Video
Salesrank: 7231
Released: June 17, 2008 |
| Our Price: $1.02 |
| Used Price: $0.01 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Experience the antics of two outcasts, Jack Black and Mos Def, as they attempt to save the local video store in Be Kind Rewind, an outrageous and offbeat comedy from Academy Award-winning writer/director Michel Gondry. Amateur film director Mike must find a way to save the business after his magnetized friend, Jerry, erases every movie in the store. Using an outdated video camera and their own special effects, the two embark on an adventure to remake all of the movies, from Ghostbusters to Driving Miss Daisy, turning the two town misfits into local celebrities.
Description of Be Kind Rewind:
A daffy, adorable, and very funny celebration of DIY spirit, Be Kind Rewind stars Mos Def (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) as Mike, a clerk at a failing video store in a rundown New Jersey neighborhood. When his friend Jerry (Jack Black), who's been magnetized in a power station accident, wipes all of the videotapes blank, the two of them decide to recreate the movies themselves rather than face the store's owner (Danny Glover). The pure charm of Be Kind Rewind can't be captured in that spare plot synopsis. The blend of the movie's great cast (which also includes Mia Farrow, Melonie Diaz of American Son, and Sigourney Weaver) and pitch-perfect writing and direction from writer-director Michel Gondry (director of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, writer-director of The Science of Sleep) culminates in a truly delightful movie--sweet without being saccharine, richly comic without irony or sarcasm (which, given the presence of Black, is surprising), sentimental without losing sight of the hard edges of life. Mos Def turns in a standout performance, deeply sympathetic without a moment of grandstanding. An absolutely winning film. --Bret Fetzer
Be Kind Rewind Reviews:
Loved It! 
2009-08-16 - This movie is fun and inspiring and one I've watched several times. Watching the 'sweded' movies within the movie is the real treat in repeat viewings and makes you think every Hollywood movie should be sweded rather than made on big budgets. If you liked Science of Sleep than this is another inventive Gondry film.
Ok, Silly and Disappointing for A Jack Black Comedy! 
2009-08-16 - I finally bought this movie after waiting forever for it to come on cable. I've wanted to see it since it came out and I finally got the chance. Now I don't know why the heck I was rushing!
I feel the movie trailer cheats people. It makes you think this movie is hilarious when it's only funny in "some" spots and those spots aren't that great. I expected drop dead, nonstop laughter after seeing the ads for this movie. What I got was a chopped up script, goofy acting and straight silliness. I expected a lot more from a Jack Black comedy.
The main thing that got to me was how unrealistic it was. And I'm not talking about the "sweded" movies. I'm talking about the fact that it is 2008 and people are still renting VHS tapes?!!!! Come on! Who is still renting VHS tapes in this day and age? That's why this film was ridiculous. Who only rents VHS now? Do they still make movies in VHS anyway? Please! I know this was just so they could have a way for the movies to be erased but this is something I could not get over. I especially couldn't get over it where Craig and his crew was concerned. Do you think these young, modern guys would be renting video tapes? I don't know if that was an inside joke or what but that's the main question going through my head.
There were too many things unexplained. How did they get the money for remaking all these movies? When Mike and Jerry first begin this caper, they worked with what they had. As they begin to make more movies, they start having props, costumes and hiring people to be in the film. With what money? Also, wouldn't Mr. Fletcher had heard that this was happening in his video store even if he were out of town? I think two idiots making films over would have been national news, seeing how they did copyright infringement, etc.
I don't know why Jack Black was in this film. I couldn't tell if it were independent or low budget after a while. I surely didn't understand why Mia Farrow, Danny Glover and Sigourney Weaver would even fart anywhere near this movie unless they were paid millions.
This is the most disappointing movie I've seen in a while. Maybe my hopes were too high and maybe I relied on the trailer too much. It's not terrible but it sure as heck isn't great and the funniest parts are the shortest. I also think they could have picked more interesting movies for the characters to create and the film would have been funnier. It's funny when the Ghostbusters and Rush Hour 2 segments are created but after that, Be Kind Rewind goes downhill fast.
I really don't know whether to recommend it or not. It's your call.
Only for Region 1 players 
2009-08-09 - Hi, just a note of caution to other Blu-ray buyers from Europe.. as the disc info on this page does not say that it will only work on a region 1 player.. so please beware..
Very Fun and Silly
2009-08-03 - jack black carries this film. the (thin) plot is part little rascals, part beverly hillbillies, part three's company, part saturday night live. he knows his comedy history well. no complex dialogue to drag him down. i'll swear i think they just secured the locations, turned on the cameras, and just let him wing it. i would love to see jack partner with christopher guest and company because it's obvious he's improvising a good bit of this. i'm amazed a movie like this can still get made.
Come on...
2009-06-08 - I've never seen a movie where the reviewers don't realise they are talking about themselves as much as the movie... Watch it and see which group you fit into, ie whether you have any affection for the world around you, or whether you evince your misanthropy with prolonged gurgling criticisms on websites. At risk of sounding pugnacious, what's not to like about this film? When younger, I'd get together with some mates and make crap short movies. There was rarely a plot, never a script and it was the most fun I've ever had... especially the moments when by pure accident you'd stumble on some cheap but brilliant 'special' effect. And sometimes, the final product would surprise everyone. 'Be Kind Rewind' is about that fun and that surprise, which I think is unique to film as a collaborative medium. This film actually tries to show you something important... Contrast this to the majority of Hollywood's output, which boils down to narrative cliches in support of a marketable gimmick.
This may not be Gondry's best film whatever that means, but his integrity as a film maker is well intact and I don't think I've experienced such visual flair since Jacques Tati's Playtime.
