Soundtrack is second to none, perfect compliment to the storyline. Yes, a truly magical movie. There is a Director's Edition called The Bootleg Cut that has 35 extra minutes and is a must see for any fan of the film. So happy to see someone finally got around to doing this underrated great film. Hope you are feeling better!
The music was by Nancy Wilson, who, with her sister Ann, made up the most famous portion of the rock band Heart. She was also Crowes' wife at the time. They separated in 2008, and divorced in 2010.
Just coming across this reaction now but… yep! William is like 90% just a Cameron Crowe cipher. I can’t recall who the band is based on… is it the Allmans?
@@JeffKelly03 Yup. Stillwater was loosely based on the Allman Brothers Band, and most of the events in the film are just straight up things that Cameron Crowe witnessed.
It’s actually based on Humble Pie most closely. Russell is Peter Frampton. Penny Lane is an actual person that was Peter Frampton’s girlfriend. Frampton also has a cameo.
@@jkeegan154 Yes it is based partially on the Allman Brothers. They wouldn't take him home. He also toured with Zeppelin and Jimmy Page kept ducking him because Rolling Stone trashed all of their albums. Allegedly Joe Walsh was staying in the same hotel and Jimmy told him about this kid from Rolling Stone and Joe said "Just talk to the kid, give him an interview."
The film was nominated for 4 Oscars, winning for Best Screenplay. It won 2 Golden Globes: Best Picture, Musical Or Comedy, and Best Supporting Actress for Kate Hudson.
So glad you watched this. It is, in my book, the greatest rock 'n' roll film ever made. That said, when you watch it again for your own enjoyment, seek out the longer and better "Untitled" cut of the film. You'll be glad you did.
I remember the first time I watched this. When his sister put Simon & Garfunkel's America on the stereo to explain to their mother why she had to leave I knew in that moment this was going to be a great film.
you missed in the credits Heart‘s Nancy Wilson, who was married to Crowe during the making of Almost Famous - she composed the film’s score and co-wrote the original songs for Stillwater
When I saw it originally, no one knew who Kate Hudson was, but everyone that watched this fell in love with her. She wasn't used on the ads because of her name appeal, but maybe the strength of her character. I suspect this was her first real role. Thanks for watching. Such a great love letter to the great music of our youth - whenever that may be.
Myself being about the same age and time as William when he discovers music. It still gives me chills when he opens the bag with all his Sister's records inside. I always cherished almost any album I could get my hands on. I still have all my records from my youth and listen to them often.
Yes, I got into a lot of this music in the mid '70s in my teens - Simon and Garfunkel. Led Zeppelin, Beach Boys. It's a love letter to a bygone era when music really meant something, particularly to youth culture.
You should watch the DVD commentary with Cameron Crowe and his real mother, very sweet and cool and interesting to see how much of real life was reflected in the props/costumes etc., they used family photos and went so far as to recreate his mother's wardrobe from old photos. His real mother is as awesome as Frances plays her too.
Hi Shanelle, I worked on AF for a year back in 1999. I was just a scrubby crew member but would be glad to answer any questions if you have any...was a really cool experience.
This is one of the best and unique coming of age movies ever made. Love this movie. Cameron Crow is one hell of a writer. edit: RIP Phillip Seymore Hoffman! and this is Kate Hudsons best role!
100% one of those movies that you stop channel surfing to watch, no matter how far in it is; the soundtrack alone is just *that* good. The casting and the story are great too.
They actually did release this movie as "The Bootleg Cut: Untitled" which was the director's cut that Crowe put out - it's almost exact with the script and is about 40 minutes longer, has over 100 differences including alternate takes, extended and deleted scenes, altered dialogue, etc. it's infinitely better of a cut and every single performer who has talked about it prefers it to the "Almost Famous" cut. Fugit did an interview not that long ago where he even talks about what happens after the movie, him and Crowe talked about it - Where William never sees Penny again, but William and Polexia reconnect down the line and get together in a flurry of chemistry.
I absolutely love "Untitled." My only gripe (yes, I'm a bit of a nitpicker), it that a few of the extra scenes hurt the pacing of the movie in a few spots. Overall, it's still much better though. There are a few, really harshly edited scenes that don't even make that much sense until you get the full context, and that only comes from "Untitled."
never liked the idea that William never sees Penny Again, they had a crazy and amazing summer together in which they became truely great friends and both of their lifes change for the better, they live in the same town within probibily walking distance. it would literally make no sense that they would never see eachother again
Another great music-themed movie, and a personal favorite, is "High Fidelity" with John Cusack. You should add it to your watchlist in case you haven't watched it already.
I always loved how he wrote the mom to be this really smart woman who DOES NOT approve of William and the band's journey but knows she can't prevent it from happening so she realizes that the only thing she can do is rip them a new one verbally whenever she talks to them to let them know what's up and then, every time, she closes by extending an olive branch by encouraging them to do their best even if she doesn't understand of approve of what they're doing. The scene where she speaks to Russell on the phone, which connects to the final scene where he shows up at William's home because Penny sent him there, is just brilliant. The bit where his sister leaves him the records and "Tommy" has a note that says that if he listens to it in the dark with a candle burning he'll see his future and when he starts playing the record the movie transitions to the future is also a really cool idea. One last bit I always liked is how Cameron Crowe said that his mother and sister hadn't made up in real life and he included that bit at the end where Anita takes him home and she reconciles with their mom as a bit of wishful thinking and revisionist history. After watching the movie, that scene made his mom and sister finally feel compelled to reach out to each other and bury the hatchet.
I absolutely love this movie. Jason Lee is pretty underrated in this. Being a huge Kevin Smith fan, Lee was the reason I wanted to see this originally. I usually watch this once a year.
Easily one of my all-time favorites.. it's literally perfect.. pure magic! It's crazy that it's already over 20 years old, time flies.. hope you're feeling better!
I saw this in the theater when it was new. I’ve seen it probably twenty times since. It’s a favorite in my house. Yes, it is Mark Maron. Young William is played by Michael Angarano, who was dating Kristen Stewart when she began Twilight. And, yes, this is Kate Hudson’s breakout role; she won an Oscar for this role.
Easily one of my favorite movies. When I saw it I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The William and Penny scene after she gets sent to Humble Pie is so good. And the soundtrack is so amazing.
I love that scene where Zooey is looking right into the camera, saying “Someday you will be cool”; cause it’s the cool, rebellious older sister assuring us all that someday things will be better lol.
In about 1977 (Age 12/13) my friends and I started to go to a lot of concerts. Mostly hard rock, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Rainbow, Blue Oyster Cult, Kiss etc...If our parents had any idea what actually went on once inside the show. We would never be allowed to go. We are just kids and we were getting passed huge joints to smoke and almost any adult would buy you a beer if you if you payed for theirs. It was a magical time seeing some of the greatest bands ever.
Cameron Crowe's artistic statement, for what it's worth. Basically a dramatized version of his life. It comes close to being great, still worth watching.
Almost Famous is my favorite film of all time. Untitled is the version to see that's out there but I would give anything to see the 4 and half hour version. It’s not easy to fully express what the film Almost Famous means to me or why I love it as much as much as I do. But I am thankful to Cameron Crowe for making it. And for creating something so deeply personal, heartfelt, warm, honest, funny, sincere, and joyful. And for creating something that aches in a sad, human, and beautiful way. I find it comforting that a film like this, or any work of art like it, exists. The film made me look at the passion, impact, and beauty of music in a different and more powerful way. And it’s stuck with me ever since. The characters, the time, the place, the music, the passion, and the feeling of the film is something very near and dear to my heart. The film depicts and captures a world I want to be a part of. So I’ll always be happy to revisit it. I also think that it captures ideas and feelings that I have carried with me and always will carry with me. Do you ever listen to music or something like that and I think: “That sounds like me? Or that feels like me?” Or is there something that you connect with in a profound and personal way? Like every once in a while you come across something that is so...you? I feel that way about Almost Famous. For me, it captures the passion, the spirit, the heart, and the sweet and sour of who I am and what it feels like to see and feel the world the way that I do. Or the way I want to see it and feel it. The characters, the time and the world and feeling the film contains and offers...makes me feel happy and like I belong. Like I’m home. That’s a big reason why I love the film as much as I do.
I basically ran away when I was 17 and followed my dream to be a US Marine. Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it. Great movie. That kid was cooler than I'll ever be.
I recommended this movie to you in the comments section of a previous video. So glad to see you actually watched it! I love this movie, and really wish more people did videos for it. Loved your take on it, btw.
One of my favorite movies! The style, the mood. Iconic moments and a great soundtrack. I love your movie choices/choices of your community. Keep going! And get well soon! 😊
Kate Hudson's line of "I'll never tell" would've been a GREAT rewatch line if she had said "a Lady never tells" and god damn i hope they realize the potential in the onstage production
A favorite film of mine, means so much to me personally. I also love the extended edition, it’s about 40 minutes longer. Thanks for reacting to it! Hope you feel better 😃
I tour with artists doing lights for a living. It's very stressful, and yes, you get stir crazy and homesick. But there's something about it that gets in your blood and you love/hate it.
First of all, hope you're feeling better!! Nancy Wilson, who scored the film, was Cameron Crowe's wife AND more famously one of the Wilson sisters in the band Heart!!
This was the very first time Led Zeppelin allowed any of their songs used in a movie .. WHY? Because they knew Cameron .. this happened .. they met him when he was 15 on a tour, they are friends. Jimmy, Robert and John Paul Jones gave the OK. They have never done it since as far as I am aware. They had a private screening with Cameron before the film was released and they were all elated and gave him their blessing. That tells you a lot. Cheers 🍺
There is also an "untitled" extended version of this film that is SO MUCH BETTER! You HAVE to watch it on your own time. Great reaction, as always. This is one of my favorite films of all time.
Except it doesn't have my favorite song in the soundtrack. "Future Games", with the line "turn off all the lights" right as Russell flips the light switch.
In honor of the 20th anniversary of the film Rolling Stone just published the fictional Rolling Stone article by William Miller. It was good read. It started out something like "I'm in an airplane with the band Stillwater and we're all about to die."
I actually met Cameron Crowe around 2003 or 2004. I was working at a Border's Books & Music store. He was in town because his wife was on tour. His wife was Nancy Wilson, guitarist of the legendary band Heart. I fanboy-ed a bit as I rang up his purchase (which was a few CDs). I told him that I loved 'Almost Famous' and that it was my favorite movie of all time (which it is!) and that I wasn't sure if I liked the movie he did afterward...'Vanilla Sky' with Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, and Penelope Cruz. He was so cool about it. He said, "I'm not sure I do either" with a little smile. He is no longer married to Nancy Wilson (who wrote the scores for a few of his films), but they had two sons together. If you were to get the 'Almost Famous - The Bootleg Cut' set, Crowe actually calls the director's cut of the film 'Untitled'. It is about 40 minutes longer than the theatrical cut. The set has TONS of BTS stuff, deleted scenes, and commentary on the 'Untitled' cut with Crowe, Wilson, and Crowe's mom, Alice...who always turns up in his films somewhere. I wholeheartedly recommend it! 3:17 - The hand that is writing out the opening credits is Cameron Crowe. His favorite film of all time is 'To Kill A Mockingbird' and the title sequence is inspired by that film. In fact, Frances McDormand was moved by Cameron messing up the spelling of her name, erasing a letter, and re-writing it as she also loves 'To Kill A Mockingbird'. 14:32 - The perfect moment in my favorite movie of all time. Every time I see the "Tiny Dancer" scene...I get choked up. EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!! 17:44 - Reg from Humble Pie is played by rock legend, Peter Frampton. If you know the song "Baby, I Love Your Way", you know who he is. Peter was Billy Crudup's coach for guitar, as Peter is one of the best guitarists of that era. His album 'Frampton Comes Alive' is one of the milestones of the 70s and one of the best live recordings ever! There is so much about this film, so many little things, that just make it perfect to me. I am so happy you did this one. Thank you!!!!
Kate Hudson was the perfect "Penny Lane" for me. I had a huge crush on her mom from seeing reruns of Laugh-In in the seventies(I was born in '65) and the lovely Miss Hudson has the same eyes and smile. Two amazingly beautiful women who are also amazingly talented. And vice versa.
OMG Thank You! This is one of My All time Favorite Films.. Hope You feel Better ... COVID back in February and it was So Horrible. Your channel is 1 of My 3 Favorite reaction channels along with Cinema Rules and Ashleigh Burton.
I kind of feel like it was a coming of age tale for Russell, too. That was Penny's goal, he had just been putting off growing up a lot longer than he should. Some people die old men, never having done so. She talked about how she had "projects", and Russell was her last one, and wanted (maybe needed) the kid's help. She was always trying to help both of them grow up. That was her last project, very great film.
Another small music trivia thing... the scene with Stillwater in a circle singing before a show is something Crowe picked up from Pearl Jam, who do that before each show.
Get well soon! This is my favorite Cameron Crowe film by far. I love the odyssey. I got hooked as soon as William put on Tommy, and Kate Hudson's Penny Lane is ethereal.
When "The Beatles" returned to Britain from their Scandinavian tour, they were asked how it was. John Lennon said: "A room, and a room, and a room, and a room, and a cheese sandwich." Nothing glamorous about it.
"Look, I thought I was supposed to be getting a change of scenery. But so far, I've been in a train and a room, and a car and a room, and a room and a room. Well, maybe that's all right for a bunch of powdered gee-gahs like yourselves, but I'm feeling decidedly strait-jacketed."
In the commentary on the dvd Camron Crow said the airplane ride was a combination of one he took with Deep Purple & what the surviving members of Lynyrd Skynyrd told him. The conversation by the pool was based on an interview with Ronnie Van Zandt of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Such a great movie on so many levels. Not the least of which is including the character of Lester Bangs. His columns in Creem magazine in the 70s were the equivalent of the internet for rock fans back then. Hope you feel better, stay healthy!
Dude i love you for doing this movie! A lot of this actually happened to Cameron crowe when he was younger but y'know.. fictionalized and made into a movie. For more Fugit do wristcutters: a love story
So this movie slipped past me when it came out and I just forgot about it. I was flying home from 18 month long deployment in Iraq in 2004 and it was playing on the plane. I cried and loved the movie, it was the first time I felt OK in a long time. So now this movie has a whole other layer of feelings attached to it for me. Great movie, great soundtrack, and great reaction!
15:57 I got the released screenplay. Some stuff gets a little too out-there at times. - Like the first place they stop, William tries to assert himself and gives a speech on not calling him “Opie.” - William talks to Russell on the bus right after the electrocution, and Russell describes what it felt like. A lot of little odds and ends that Are somewhat wrangled in.
20:06: "Can you swallow a tube like that?" Speaking as someone who's had their stomach pumped (don't ask) the answer to your question is Yes. Not comfortably. But it can be done.
I’m so glad you did this movie. It’s in my top 10 all time favorite movies. I truly enjoyed every second of you watching it. Thank you for another great video.
You are possibly the best at this. I watch quite a few reaction channels and I don’t think any of my other favorite reactors include the knowledge, sincerity, and TRIVIA which was a great surprise for me. please keep doing what you’re doing!🙂🌹
I knew you'd adore this film. What I haven't put my finger on is why I like watching your reactions. I own this film and must have seen it a half dozen times but that was my era. Those were my albums and I was reading Rolling Stone and Cream. I wasn't sure if someone who hadn't lived it could get into it.
I think you may have missed that Penny was older (likely 21-24), but playing to William's innocence, as every time she would say "meeee too!", he would open up and confess a bit more. I say this because in the end when Russell (27, as you had said) calls and says he will come to her this time, or cashing in her tickets for one to Morocco, makes it less likely that she is a 17 year old minor. Even though there are several "influenced by" characters, I believe Lester Bangs (Philip Seymour Hoffman's character), and Ben Fong-Torres (Rolling Stone editor) were the only truly nonfictional people. It is neat the number of cameos though, like Peter Frampton as the manager of Humble Pie (a band he was actually in around the time the movie is set). Great reaction!
Oh, my grandmother totally lied in order to get my father into school earlier than he was supposed to be in the 60's so everyone thought he was older than he was lol
Very underrated movie. Star power is insane. Soundtrack is insane. Real life storyline is insane. I mean, how many “chances of a lifetime” can one character have? The scene when William and Penny had intense eye contact during that “deflowering” scene… wow. Amazing every time I see it. Hope you get to feeling better Shan.
One of my favorite movies. One piece of trivia I heard was the scene where Phillip S. Hoffman is talking with William on the phone saying "we are uncool" was originally envisioned by Cameron Crowe as more of a battle cry, "WE ARE UNCOOL!!!". Hoffman saw it differently and did it quietly as you see in the film. Crowe said that this was exactly what he wanted, but didn't know it until Hoffman did it.
My kind of movie also, pretty much a favorite I can watch anytime in any mood. Yes, Kate was awesome! Loved your 70's beach party story & all your input on the movie & the times.
Touring is like the traveling part when you take a vacation with friends - all the waiting around, delayed flights, traffic, wearing the same shirt three days in a row, sharing bathrooms with 6 other people, bad tray food and no sleep - day in and day out for months at a time.
When I was in college in the 1990s, it was at a big university in a small college town. When bands would come to town, they would play at the university's arena, and nearly everyone attending would be students. However, almost none of the bands would give an interview to the college newspaper. From what I heard, the only band that gave the paper an interview every time they came to town was Aerosmith. For that reason, I've always respected them.
You should watch swingers. A group of early 20 year old wanna be actors in early 90s LA hoping to be actors. Jon Favreau wrote it about his life at the time as a stand up leaving NY for LA. Any anyone into film making should see it. Hell everyone should
So glad to see a reaction to this film. It is definitely one of the best from this century. While it was critically praised, it disappointed at the box office. As a result, it is overlooked by many.
If I remember right, Cameron Crowe went on the road with Black Sabbath during the summer when he was 16, and much of the movie is his experiences from thar. It led him to a long career with Rolling Stone along with writing such iconic screenplays as Fast Times at Ridgemont High, A Beautiful Mind, and Jerry Maguire, as well as a long marriage to Heart's Nancy Wilson, whom he split with in 2008. She served as musical director and songwriter on this movie with Peter Frampton.
Probably my fav coming of age movie - I was only alive for the last 2 years of the 70s, but it makes me feel major nostalgia just for the essence of being young and falling in love with music
The music was written by Nancy Wilson, one half of Heart, and was then Cameron Crowe’s wife. The director’s commentary on the DVD is actually conducted by Crowe and his real-life mom. They both complained about the women over-acting behind Frances McDormand at William’s graduation.
Tiny Dancer on the bus is one of the best scenes of all time. "You ARE home" gets me every time.
That wasn't in the script, it was an ad-lib by Kate, and IMO it just completes the movie.
@@sgtpepper1138 The “ask me again” line also wasn’t in the script, he was literally asking her to do the line again.
Soundtrack is second to none, perfect compliment to the storyline. Yes, a truly magical movie. There is a Director's Edition called The Bootleg Cut that has 35 extra minutes and is a must see for any fan of the film. So happy to see someone finally got around to doing this underrated great film. Hope you are feeling better!
The title of the bootleg cut is “untitled”
And it adds SO much dimension
I think of this movie any time I hear “Tiny Dancer”. Epic.
same
Me too!
Hold me closer Tony Danza...
Cover of the Rolling Stone, here.
definitely made the song a "turn it up and 'sing along'*" staple in my car.
*No passengers have been exposed to this tragedy, purely a solo exercise.
The music was by Nancy Wilson, who, with her sister Ann, made up the most famous portion of the rock band Heart. She was also Crowes' wife at the time. They separated in 2008, and divorced in 2010.
Dam, you beat me to it. :)
She was also in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
When Brad was driving while wearing his pirate restaurant uniform, she was in the car at the stoplight.
There's nothing "mildly" autobiographic about this move - it is practically a straight-up autobiography with names changed.
Just coming across this reaction now but… yep! William is like 90% just a Cameron Crowe cipher. I can’t recall who the band is based on… is it the Allmans?
@@JeffKelly03 Yup. Stillwater was loosely based on the Allman Brothers Band, and most of the events in the film are just straight up things that Cameron Crowe witnessed.
@@jordanwindham3804 I thought Stillwater was based on Led Zeppelin since Cameron Crowe said he toured with Led Zeppelin back in 1973.
It’s actually based on Humble Pie most closely. Russell is Peter Frampton. Penny Lane is an actual person that was Peter Frampton’s girlfriend. Frampton also has a cameo.
@@jkeegan154 Yes it is based partially on the Allman Brothers. They wouldn't take him home. He also toured with Zeppelin and Jimmy Page kept ducking him because Rolling Stone trashed all of their albums. Allegedly Joe Walsh was staying in the same hotel and Jimmy told him about this kid from Rolling Stone and Joe said "Just talk to the kid, give him an interview."
The film was nominated for 4 Oscars, winning for Best Screenplay.
It won 2 Golden Globes: Best Picture, Musical Or Comedy, and Best Supporting Actress for Kate Hudson.
It should have been nominated for Best Picture. Darn shame.
So glad you watched this. It is, in my book, the greatest rock 'n' roll film ever made. That said, when you watch it again for your own enjoyment, seek out the longer and better "Untitled" cut of the film. You'll be glad you did.
I remember the first time I watched this. When his sister put Simon & Garfunkel's America on the stereo to explain to their mother why she had to leave I knew in that moment this was going to be a great film.
you missed in the credits Heart‘s Nancy Wilson, who was married to Crowe during the making of Almost Famous - she composed the film’s score and co-wrote the original songs for Stillwater
Along with Peter Frampton
When I saw it originally, no one knew who Kate Hudson was, but everyone that watched this fell in love with her. She wasn't used on the ads because of her name appeal, but maybe the strength of her character. I suspect this was her first real role.
Thanks for watching. Such a great love letter to the great music of our youth - whenever that may be.
One more Cameron Crowe classic you need to do is Say Anything....yet another coming of age movie with John Cusack.
Anything with Cusack is good!
And Jerry Maguire and Vanilla Sky.
Myself being about the same age and time as William when he discovers music. It still gives me chills when he opens the bag with all his Sister's records inside. I always cherished almost any album I could get my hands on. I still have all my records from my youth and listen to them often.
Yes, I got into a lot of this music in the mid '70s in my teens - Simon and Garfunkel. Led Zeppelin, Beach Boys. It's a love letter to a bygone era when music really meant something, particularly to youth culture.
I forgot Jason Lee was in this. Love his acting.
**YOUR AURA IS PURPLE!!**
**ITS PURPLE!!!**
"I LOVE YOU"
You should watch the DVD commentary with Cameron Crowe and his real mother, very sweet and cool and interesting to see how much of real life was reflected in the props/costumes etc., they used family photos and went so far as to recreate his mother's wardrobe from old photos. His real mother is as awesome as Frances plays her too.
Hi Shanelle, I worked on AF for a year back in 1999. I was just a scrubby crew member but would be glad to answer any questions if you have any...was a really cool experience.
This is one of the best and unique coming of age movies ever made. Love this movie. Cameron Crow is one hell of a writer.
edit: RIP Phillip Seymore Hoffman!
and this is Kate Hudsons best role!
That scene with Zoey Dechanelle looking back with the curlers in her hair as she leaves I always thought was subtly amazing....
This is such a brilliant film. The soundtrack is phenomenal!
100% one of those movies that you stop channel surfing to watch, no matter how far in it is; the soundtrack alone is just *that* good. The casting and the story are great too.
They actually did release this movie as "The Bootleg Cut: Untitled" which was the director's cut that Crowe put out - it's almost exact with the script and is about 40 minutes longer, has over 100 differences including alternate takes, extended and deleted scenes, altered dialogue, etc. it's infinitely better of a cut and every single performer who has talked about it prefers it to the "Almost Famous" cut. Fugit did an interview not that long ago where he even talks about what happens after the movie, him and Crowe talked about it - Where William never sees Penny again, but William and Polexia reconnect down the line and get together in a flurry of chemistry.
I literally came here to tell her she should watch Untitled. The theatrical is a great movie, but the director’s cut is 1000x better.
I absolutely love "Untitled." My only gripe (yes, I'm a bit of a nitpicker), it that a few of the extra scenes hurt the pacing of the movie in a few spots. Overall, it's still much better though. There are a few, really harshly edited scenes that don't even make that much sense until you get the full context, and that only comes from "Untitled."
@@Asher8328 how daaaaare you care about pacing! 😂😂
@@StevenRice At least I confessed to being a nitpicker. ;)
never liked the idea that William never sees Penny Again, they had a crazy and amazing summer together in which they became truely great friends and both of their lifes change for the better, they live in the same town within probibily walking distance. it would literally make no sense that they would never see eachother again
If you're still in the mood for movies based on the old days of rock n' roll, react to Tom Hanks' "That Thing You Do."
100% yes! do the extended/director's cut.
Yeeeeesssssss!!! You will never get the song out of your head! Such a great movie!
1000%
Another great music-themed movie, and a personal favorite, is "High Fidelity" with John Cusack. You should add it to your watchlist in case you haven't watched it already.
It's not on this level but RockStar with Mark Wahlberg is fun.
Nowhere near as ogood as this though
Re: _High Fidelity_, Nick Hornby's book is so much better than the movie.
@@Big_Bag_of_Pus Yeah, I read it. One of my fav books, too. But the movie is a real great adaptation imo.
I always loved how he wrote the mom to be this really smart woman who DOES NOT approve of William and the band's journey but knows she can't prevent it from happening so she realizes that the only thing she can do is rip them a new one verbally whenever she talks to them to let them know what's up and then, every time, she closes by extending an olive branch by encouraging them to do their best even if she doesn't understand of approve of what they're doing. The scene where she speaks to Russell on the phone, which connects to the final scene where he shows up at William's home because Penny sent him there, is just brilliant.
The bit where his sister leaves him the records and "Tommy" has a note that says that if he listens to it in the dark with a candle burning he'll see his future and when he starts playing the record the movie transitions to the future is also a really cool idea.
One last bit I always liked is how Cameron Crowe said that his mother and sister hadn't made up in real life and he included that bit at the end where Anita takes him home and she reconciles with their mom as a bit of wishful thinking and revisionist history. After watching the movie, that scene made his mom and sister finally feel compelled to reach out to each other and bury the hatchet.
I absolutely love this movie. Jason Lee is pretty underrated in this. Being a huge Kevin Smith fan, Lee was the reason I wanted to see this originally. I usually watch this once a year.
Why are there any dislikes? One of my favorite movies ever with a classy gal to react to it? What’s not to like?
always gotta have haters online I guess! 😂
Because Cameron Crowe is full of shit about most of his life. It's a good movie, but he's not some great auteur. Just watch Elizabethtown.
Haters got to hate.
@@alhollywood6486 Wow. That’s a take, I suppose...😬
Some people just hate awesome things.
Easily one of my all-time favorites.. it's literally perfect.. pure magic! It's crazy that it's already over 20 years old, time flies.. hope you're feeling better!
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool"
That's *the* quote from the film.
@@Big_Bag_of_Pus is it?
@@apatternedhorizon Yes.
So glad to see you react to this, it has been a comfort film for me since it came out.
I saw this in the theater when it was new. I’ve seen it probably twenty times since. It’s a favorite in my house. Yes, it is Mark Maron. Young William is played by Michael Angarano, who was dating Kristen Stewart when she began Twilight. And, yes, this is Kate Hudson’s breakout role; she won an Oscar for this role.
Nominated for an Oscar. Won a Golden Globe.
@@zachreilly247 I stand corrected. Admittedly, I was too lazy to look it up.
IMO the "Tiny Dancer" scene was the best part of this movie, followed closely by "Rock stars have kidnapped my son."
Easily one of my favorite movies. When I saw it I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The William and Penny scene after she gets sent to Humble Pie is so good. And the soundtrack is so amazing.
I love that scene where Zooey is looking right into the camera, saying “Someday you will be cool”; cause it’s the cool, rebellious older sister assuring us all that someday things will be better lol.
In about 1977 (Age 12/13) my friends and I started to go to a lot of concerts. Mostly hard rock, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Rainbow, Blue Oyster Cult, Kiss etc...If our parents had any idea what actually went on once inside the show. We would never be allowed to go. We are just kids and we were getting passed huge joints to smoke and almost any adult would buy you a beer if you if you payed for theirs. It was a magical time seeing some of the greatest bands ever.
Almost Famous? Good call. Hope you keep doing more of these movies that other reactors have overlooked. Little Miss Sunshine would be a great one.
This is one of my all time favorite movies with just the most amazing soundtrack. This was a very good reaction video.
The Tiny Dancer scene is one of the best cinematic experiences I’ve ever had ❤️
Cameron Crowe's artistic statement, for what it's worth. Basically a dramatized version of his life. It comes close to being great, still worth watching.
...and married Nancy Wilson of Heart!
Almost Famous is my favorite film of all time. Untitled is the version to see that's out there but I would give anything to see the 4 and half hour version. It’s not easy to fully express what the film Almost Famous means to me or why I love it as much as much as I do. But I am thankful to Cameron Crowe for making it. And for creating something so deeply personal, heartfelt, warm, honest, funny, sincere, and joyful. And for creating something that aches in a sad, human, and beautiful way. I find it comforting that a film like this, or any work of art like it, exists. The film made me look at the passion, impact, and beauty of music in a different and more powerful way. And it’s stuck with me ever since. The characters, the time, the place, the music, the passion, and the feeling of the film is something very near and dear to my heart. The film depicts and captures a world I want to be a part of. So I’ll always be happy to revisit it. I also think that it captures ideas and feelings that I have carried with me and always will carry with me. Do you ever listen to music or something like that and I think: “That sounds like me? Or that feels like me?” Or is there something that you connect with in a profound and personal way? Like every once in a while you come across something that is so...you? I feel that way about Almost Famous. For me, it captures the passion, the spirit, the heart, and the sweet and sour of who I am and what it feels like to see and feel the world the way that I do. Or the way I want to see it and feel it. The characters, the time and the world and feeling the film contains and offers...makes me feel happy and like I belong. Like I’m home. That’s a big reason why I love the film as much as I do.
I basically ran away when I was 17 and followed my dream to be a US Marine. Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it. Great movie. That kid was cooler than I'll ever be.
I recommended this movie to you in the comments section of a previous video. So glad to see you actually watched it! I love this movie, and really wish more people did videos for it. Loved your take on it, btw.
One of my favorite movies! The style, the mood. Iconic moments and a great soundtrack.
I love your movie choices/choices of your community. Keep going! And get well soon! 😊
Kate Hudson's line of "I'll never tell" would've been a GREAT rewatch line if she had said "a Lady never tells" and god damn i hope they realize the potential in the onstage
production
A favorite film of mine, means so much to me personally. I also love the extended edition, it’s about 40 minutes longer. Thanks for reacting to it! Hope you feel better 😃
almost famous is one of my all time favorite movies
The bus scene is absolutely one of the best in movie history.
I tour with artists doing lights for a living. It's very stressful, and yes, you get stir crazy and homesick. But there's something about it that gets in your blood and you love/hate it.
First of all, hope you're feeling better!! Nancy Wilson, who scored the film, was Cameron Crowe's wife AND more famously one of the Wilson sisters in the band Heart!!
Heart and Cameron were close to Led Zeppelin, that is why Zep allowed the use of their music for the first time ever in a movie.
Cheers 🍺
So happy you reacted to this one. In my top three movies of all time. Get well soon!
This was the very first time Led Zeppelin allowed any of their songs used in a movie .. WHY? Because they knew Cameron .. this happened .. they met him when he was 15 on a tour, they are friends.
Jimmy, Robert and John Paul Jones gave the OK. They have never done it since as far as I am aware. They had a private screening with Cameron before the film was released and they were all elated and gave him their blessing.
That tells you a lot.
Cheers 🍺
There is also an "untitled" extended version of this film that is SO MUCH BETTER! You HAVE to watch it on your own time.
Great reaction, as always. This is one of my favorite films of all time.
I own the dvd to this, I highly agree!
Except it doesn't have my favorite song in the soundtrack. "Future Games", with the line "turn off all the lights" right as Russell flips the light switch.
In honor of the 20th anniversary of the film Rolling Stone just published the fictional Rolling Stone article by William Miller. It was good read. It started out something like "I'm in an airplane with the band Stillwater and we're all about to die."
I actually met Cameron Crowe around 2003 or 2004. I was working at a Border's Books & Music store. He was in town because his wife was on tour. His wife was Nancy Wilson, guitarist of the legendary band Heart. I fanboy-ed a bit as I rang up his purchase (which was a few CDs). I told him that I loved 'Almost Famous' and that it was my favorite movie of all time (which it is!) and that I wasn't sure if I liked the movie he did afterward...'Vanilla Sky' with Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, and Penelope Cruz. He was so cool about it. He said, "I'm not sure I do either" with a little smile. He is no longer married to Nancy Wilson (who wrote the scores for a few of his films), but they had two sons together.
If you were to get the 'Almost Famous - The Bootleg Cut' set, Crowe actually calls the director's cut of the film 'Untitled'. It is about 40 minutes longer than the theatrical cut. The set has TONS of BTS stuff, deleted scenes, and commentary on the 'Untitled' cut with Crowe, Wilson, and Crowe's mom, Alice...who always turns up in his films somewhere. I wholeheartedly recommend it!
3:17 - The hand that is writing out the opening credits is Cameron Crowe. His favorite film of all time is 'To Kill A Mockingbird' and the title sequence is inspired by that film. In fact, Frances McDormand was moved by Cameron messing up the spelling of her name, erasing a letter, and re-writing it as she also loves 'To Kill A Mockingbird'.
14:32 - The perfect moment in my favorite movie of all time. Every time I see the "Tiny Dancer" scene...I get choked up. EVERY SINGLE TIME!!!!
17:44 - Reg from Humble Pie is played by rock legend, Peter Frampton. If you know the song "Baby, I Love Your Way", you know who he is. Peter was Billy Crudup's coach for guitar, as Peter is one of the best guitarists of that era. His album 'Frampton Comes Alive' is one of the milestones of the 70s and one of the best live recordings ever!
There is so much about this film, so many little things, that just make it perfect to me. I am so happy you did this one. Thank you!!!!
Kate Hudson was the perfect "Penny Lane" for me. I had a huge crush on her mom from seeing reruns of Laugh-In in the seventies(I was born in '65) and the lovely Miss Hudson has the same eyes and smile. Two amazingly beautiful women who are also amazingly talented. And vice versa.
This is definitely my all-time favourite movie of all time. I just love it, it makes me happy.
The blond-haired guy with the glasses who is sitting to Russell's right when they gamble away Penny Lane is Peter Frampton.
FINALLY!!! I’ve been waiting for someone to react to this. My favorite movie of all time.
OMG Thank You! This is one of My All time Favorite Films.. Hope You feel Better ... COVID back in February and it was So Horrible. Your channel is 1 of My 3 Favorite reaction channels along with Cinema Rules and Ashleigh Burton.
oh Im glad you like the vids!! I appreciate the well wishes. Im feeling so much better!
I kind of feel like it was a coming of age tale for Russell, too. That was Penny's goal, he had just been putting off growing up a lot longer than he should. Some people die old men, never having done so. She talked about how she had "projects", and Russell was her last one, and wanted (maybe needed) the kid's help. She was always trying to help both of them grow up. That was her last project, very great film.
What's so great about growing up? When I grow up, I'll die
Well Russell was a prick, and the other was literally a kid, but I do take your point. You don't want to grow up too much.
I absolutely love this movie! Thank you for reacting to it!
it's great! such an enjoyable watch!
@@ShanelleRiccio agreed!
@@ShanelleRiccio React to Perks Of Being A Wallflower please!
Another small music trivia thing... the scene with Stillwater in a circle singing before a show is something Crowe picked up from Pearl Jam, who do that before each show.
Get well soon! This is my favorite Cameron Crowe film by far. I love the odyssey. I got hooked as soon as William put on Tommy, and Kate Hudson's Penny Lane is ethereal.
It was fun watching you watch it. I recall when critic Roger Ebert saw this film he proclaimed this was HIS story.
This is one of my 10 favorite films of all time. Almost every detail of this movie is fantastic. The soundtrack incredible.
Also, feel better!
I love that song "Hold me closer Tony Danza"
When "The Beatles" returned to Britain from their Scandinavian tour, they were asked how it was. John Lennon said: "A room, and a room, and a room, and a room, and a cheese sandwich." Nothing glamorous about it.
"Look, I thought I was supposed to be getting a change of scenery. But so far, I've been in a train and a room, and a car and a room, and a room and a room. Well, maybe that's all right for a bunch of powdered gee-gahs like yourselves, but I'm feeling decidedly strait-jacketed."
In the commentary on the dvd Camron Crow said the airplane ride was a combination of one he took with Deep Purple & what the surviving members of Lynyrd Skynyrd told him.
The conversation by the pool was based on an interview with Ronnie Van Zandt of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Such a great movie on so many levels. Not the least of which is including the character of Lester Bangs. His columns in Creem magazine in the 70s were the equivalent of the internet for rock fans back then. Hope you feel better, stay healthy!
Dude i love you for doing this movie!
A lot of this actually happened to Cameron crowe when he was younger but y'know.. fictionalized and made into a movie.
For more Fugit do wristcutters: a love story
I could teach most youngsters a multitude of instruments in a year, including singing. Rock and roll is a state of mind.
Wishing you a complete and speedy recovery Shanelle. I adore this movie and enjoyed your reaction very much.
So this movie slipped past me when it came out and I just forgot about it. I was flying home from 18 month long deployment in Iraq in 2004 and it was playing on the plane. I cried and loved the movie, it was the first time I felt OK in a long time. So now this movie has a whole other layer of feelings attached to it for me. Great movie, great soundtrack, and great reaction!
15:57
I got the released screenplay. Some stuff gets a little too out-there at times.
- Like the first place they stop, William tries to assert himself and gives a speech on not calling him “Opie.”
- William talks to Russell on the bus right after the electrocution, and Russell describes what it felt like.
A lot of little odds and ends that Are somewhat wrangled in.
20:06: "Can you swallow a tube like that?" Speaking as someone who's had their stomach pumped (don't ask) the answer to your question is Yes. Not comfortably. But it can be done.
I’m so glad you did this movie. It’s in my top 10 all time favorite movies. I truly enjoyed every second of you watching it. Thank you for another great video.
You are possibly the best at this. I watch quite a few reaction channels and I don’t think any of my other favorite reactors include the knowledge, sincerity, and TRIVIA which was a great surprise for me. please keep doing what you’re doing!🙂🌹
I knew you'd adore this film. What I haven't put my finger on is why I like watching your reactions. I own this film and must have seen it a half dozen times but that was my era. Those were my albums and I was reading Rolling Stone and Cream. I wasn't sure if someone who hadn't lived it could get into it.
Glad you're feeling better. Good luck!
One of the greatest movies ever. Doesn't get much better.
The shot where Zooey looks out passenger window in curlers, is a cinematographer's dream. Frances was great as usual. And yes Phillip!
"I think she said feck...". "What's the difference??"... "The letter U". Lol.. One of my favorite exchanges ever.
I think you may have missed that Penny was older (likely 21-24), but playing to William's innocence, as every time she would say "meeee too!", he would open up and confess a bit more. I say this because in the end when Russell (27, as you had said) calls and says he will come to her this time, or cashing in her tickets for one to Morocco, makes it less likely that she is a 17 year old minor. Even though there are several "influenced by" characters, I believe Lester Bangs (Philip Seymour Hoffman's character), and Ben Fong-Torres (Rolling Stone editor) were the only truly nonfictional people. It is neat the number of cameos though, like Peter Frampton as the manager of Humble Pie (a band he was actually in around the time the movie is set). Great reaction!
Ahhh i did miss that. I thought she was really 17!! Lolllll
Oh, my grandmother totally lied in order to get my father into school earlier than he was supposed to be in the 60's so everyone thought he was older than he was lol
I get happy chills every time I watch this movie and hear "You ARE home".
Very underrated movie. Star power is insane. Soundtrack is insane. Real life storyline is insane. I mean, how many “chances of a lifetime” can one character have? The scene when William and Penny had intense eye contact during that “deflowering” scene… wow. Amazing every time I see it.
Hope you get to feeling better Shan.
One of my favorite movies.
One piece of trivia I heard was the scene where Phillip S. Hoffman is talking with William on the phone saying "we are uncool" was originally envisioned by Cameron Crowe as more of a battle cry, "WE ARE UNCOOL!!!". Hoffman saw it differently and did it quietly as you see in the film. Crowe said that this was exactly what he wanted, but didn't know it until Hoffman did it.
My kind of movie also, pretty much a favorite I can watch anytime in any mood. Yes, Kate was awesome! Loved your 70's beach party story & all your input on the movie & the times.
Touring is like the traveling part when you take a vacation with friends - all the waiting around, delayed flights, traffic, wearing the same shirt three days in a row, sharing bathrooms with 6 other people, bad tray food and no sleep - day in and day out for months at a time.
Nancy Wilson of Heart is the musical director and was married to Camron Crowe at the time
When I was in college in the 1990s, it was at a big university in a small college town. When bands would come to town, they would play at the university's arena, and nearly everyone attending would be students. However, almost none of the bands would give an interview to the college newspaper. From what I heard, the only band that gave the paper an interview every time they came to town was Aerosmith. For that reason, I've always respected them.
You should watch swingers. A group of early 20 year old wanna be actors in early 90s LA hoping to be actors. Jon Favreau wrote it about his life at the time as a stand up leaving NY for LA. Any anyone into film making should see it. Hell everyone should
One of my all time favorites! Such a perfect film, amazing performances from everyone. :)
So glad to see a reaction to this film. It is definitely one of the best from this century. While it was critically praised, it disappointed at the box office. As a result, it is overlooked by many.
If I remember right, Cameron Crowe went on the road with Black Sabbath during the summer when he was 16, and much of the movie is his experiences from thar. It led him to a long career with Rolling Stone along with writing such iconic screenplays as Fast Times at Ridgemont High, A Beautiful Mind, and Jerry Maguire, as well as a long marriage to Heart's Nancy Wilson, whom he split with in 2008. She served as musical director and songwriter on this movie with Peter Frampton.
One of the very few movies i have seen more than one time in theater. it cuddle and break my heart at the same time every time.
Probably my fav coming of age movie - I was only alive for the last 2 years of the 70s, but it makes me feel major nostalgia just for the essence of being young and falling in love with music
The music was written by Nancy Wilson, one half of Heart, and was then Cameron Crowe’s wife. The director’s commentary on the DVD is actually conducted by Crowe and his real-life mom. They both complained about the women over-acting behind Frances McDormand at William’s graduation.
It's a magical movie. Life will never ever be that "free" ever again.
One of my favorite movies. Thanks for reacting to it.
This is my favorite Jason Lee performance ever.