Customer Reviews

8 Million Ways to Die [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This movie (which I think was Hal Ashby's last) is under-rated and under-viewed. It has excellent performances by Jeff Bridges and Andy Garcia, a director with a good handle on the material and how best to approach it for the screen, and a good screenplay by Oliver Stone. This movie is as "hard-boiled" as it gets. THIS FILM SHOULD BE RELEASED ON DVD.

I've always found this movie to be very believable. Yes the development of the characters is sparse, but I believe that's the idea. Jeff Bridges plays a private detective who finds himself thrust into a situation in which he dosen't have the answers. As he meets the primary players involved so do you. The dialouge is untidy and sometimes the conversations don't go anywhere - much like real life. Those who inhabit the seamier side of our society do no have B.A's. Events move at what seems to be a sluggish pace, but when events come to the climax they come at you with the pace of a rocket. One needs to watch this movie and let things happen as they will. This is not a Bruce Willis slam bang action fest.And I do agree with one of the reviewers. The climax makes the whole movie worth watching. In my opinion this movie is a modern version of the old 1940's film - noir classics. It's pacing and characters are very faithful. Watch it.

In spite of poor reviews of "character development" and things of that nature, I think this is a well told story that uses typecasting in building its characters. And while maybe that's not done as effectively as, say "The Godfather", it is done well. Rosanna Arquette plays a snobbish high priced call girl is in her most fetching role, one up from "Desperately Seeking Susan". Andy Garcia makes a name for himself as an arrogant, smug coke dealer, and Jeff Bridges plays an alcoholic cop quite well. The story culminates in the only way it could given the nature of the lead characters, who define the decadence of the 80s. I never understood the panning of this movie, though many of the critics I respect the most have done just that. This is one of my favorites, certainly from the 80s, which was full of sleepers that garnered more followings after being released on cable. The surrounding character actors accentuate the flavor of the 80s this story takes place in- the rolled up sleeves on the sport coats, the early generation car phones, the fashions, the jargon. Garcia, Arquette and Bridges are all fabulous and alone are reasons worth watching this movie, despite any poor reviews. Maybe i don't know any better, but I loved this movie. Correct me if I'm wrong, even movies like "It's a Wonderful Life" were received poorly upon initial release, not to put the 2 flicks in the same league. I say leave it to yourself to find out.

In spite of poor reviews of "character development" and things of that nature, I think this is a well told story that uses typecasting in building its characters. And while maybe that's not done as effectively as, say "The Godfather", it is done well. Rosanna Arquette, as a high priced call girl is in her most fetching role. Andy Garcia makes a name for himself as an arrogant, smug coke dealer, and Jeff Bridges plays an alcoholic cop quite well. The story culminates in the only way it could given the nature of the characters. One of my favorites. A sleeper of the eighties.

It never ceases to amaze me about how many good movies are only on VHS while crappy films get Blu-ray treatment. 8 Million Ways To Die got poor reviews but it was actually pretty good.

Jeff Bridges plays Matthew Scudder, a burned out cop whose life goes to shambles after a raid goes wrong. Things in his life dont get any better when he meets a prostitute called Sunny(Alexandra Paul). Sunny ends up getting murdered and Matthew tries to solve the murder.

Sure the character development is scant and some of the lines in this movie are howlers(like Sunny exclaiming which part of her anatomy glows in the dark) but the movie is not bad. Jeff Bridges shines as Matthew Scudder and Andy Garcia plays the scummy character of Angel Moldonado well. Rosanna Arquette is pretty good also as the smarmy and snobbish Sarah. These are the performances that keep the movie afloat.

Its kind of sad that this underrated drama never got a DVD release. Its like depriving people of seeing a movie that deserves a look of seeing it while shoving crappy films(like anything from Seltzer and Freidberg) down their throats. If you're in the mood for a good drama with a good story and solid acting you cant go wrong with 8 Million Ways To Die.

I loved this movie Andy Garcia's best role. this movie has it all drama, suspence, and will keep you on the edge of your seat. I want to buy this movie on DVD how do i go about it?

This movie is overlooked. Tarantino virtually lifted the ending of this movie for Resevoir Dogs (Quentin did it a little better in my view). Jeff Bridges' alcoholic portrayal is priceless down to the constant gum chewing. Like other good eighties crime movies (To Live and Die in L.A., Manhunter, etc) it has a very bleak edge. Good movie for crime genre buff's if you haven't seen it since the 80s.

THIS MOVIE IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITES JEFF BRIDGES WAS FANTASTIC AS WELL AS ANDY GARCIA BEING ANGEL MALDONADO. I FIRST SAW THIS MOVIE IN A FREIND'S HOME BACK IN 1990 I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL,THEN I IMMEDIATELY BOUGHT IT.

the 1st time i same this i was truely disappointed.then my friend rented it and i was listening to it in another room.....talk about great lines!i went in with the wrong attitude.i was thinking this was gonna have a high body count(how gullible)!anyway,i ran into the room,made him rewind to the beginning and then realized the mistake i made.its not an action movie though it has its fleeting moments.its more of a drama.but its all about the lines.theres also great back and forth tention between jeff and andy.i highly recommend this with this bit of advise;dont think action,listen to the lines!on a different note,why are there so many great movies NOT available on DVD format!

Slow, confusing crime drama has no dramatic payoff, but does have some nice touches. Director Hal Ashby creates an authentically seamy atmosphere, and Jeff Bridges plays a down-and-out ex-cop pretty well. Andy Garcia and Rosanna Arquette, however, are pretty much one-note, and their characters don't make any sense. Alexandra Paul, as a doomed call-girl attempting to "get out" of the drug scene is the best thing about the movie. If you like to look at lowlife lifestyles, this is for you.