HD release doesn't disappoint

I enjoyed this movie in the theatre, and can now enjoy it even more with the HD disc. Yeah, it's a chick flick but has some real meat to the performances and explores, in it's own unique way, both sides of the male-female adventure we call 'life'. The only disappointment was Jack Black's character. While written really well, I didn't get the feeling Jack Black really felt comfortable in the romantic role. He hammed his way through moments that cold have been really touching. What was on-target were the two other relationships in the picture: first the May/December relationship between Kate Winslet and Eli Wallach. They were spot on as two classic movie roles that would have been romantically involved if they had been the same age, but fall in love nonetheless. Second is Cameron Diaz and Jude Law, who are spot on as the over-stressed movie trailer editor on vacation and the grounded father. Both of them NEED to fall in love after many disappointments, but only by accident find each other and the affection they need. Cameron Diaz seems to be playing a version of her life; Jude Law seems to be playing what he'd like his life to be. THE DISC: the transfer was fabulously done. The HD was spot on, the surround soundtrack very well done, and the extra features were actually interesting. All-in-all, an excellent movie and disc, and well worth adding to the collection of any motion picture fan.

Surprisingly Good

(For plot summary, click the link above - this is a review only.)

I am honestly shocked that I liked this film. Yes, I am a heterosexual male, and yes this is definitely what people would call a chick flick. However, it ended up being a very good film, with only a few moments of sickening saccharine (mainly when Jude Law was trying to act).

The cast was great. Jack Black didn't jump around and wiggle his appendages throughout the entire film - he managed to appear normal. Cameron Diaz was the most believable on-screen female I've ever seen; sorry ladies, but the way her emotions led her through an almost bipolar succession of dating philosophies (I love you, I hate you, hold me, don't touch me!) reminded me, very uncomfortably, of a couple of ex-girlfriends. Scary stuff, kiddies! Also, that chick, whose name I forget, from Titanic was really good, too. And no Celine Dion music this time, thank the gods! Rufus Sewell was malevolent as always, and Jude Law did not make me physically ill, which is a vast improvement over his last few films.

I would highly recommend this film as a date movie. It's got the corny stuff women crave, and it is boyfriend safe - no men were harmed during the testing of this product. Moreover, and pardon me for being serious for a moment, it is a pretty good story, with many interesting subplots woven together in a believable way.

Check it out.

A holiday is a vacation! Not a REAL holiday

So people are confused, they don't seem to know what holiday this movie might be about! Is it about valentine's day? st patrick's day? st. switten's day? No it's about a bloody vaction (not to non brits: it's not really bloody).

Since this was a gift to my sister and I only watched it at a local theatre near you I don't knwo the names of the players in this little farce.

Basically it boils down to the following: 2 wonky women from 2 different places switch homes sinces they are so overstresseed from whatever it is they are stressed by they allow a complete and total stranger to live in their owm for the duration of the holiday. One goes from a frosty and charming English cottage to a way cool Los Angeles happening pad and the culture shock takes some getting used to (you've seen it before and done better) along the way the two women find love with one's brother and the other's friend...blah blah blah it ends happily enough if you like this sort of thing.

Get it if you have a girlfriend or a whimpy guy, I'm sure they will like this romantic comedy but it's just not my bag babby

J

The Holiday - a wonderful throwback romantic comedy!

I'm someone whose preferences in film run to either foreign/indie/offbeat, or, when I'm in the mood, light romantic comedy but only if it's really good. I put off watching this film thinking it was not for me, and then one day while flicking, lingered, and was pleasantly surprised and then...delighted! The 4 actors are wonderful - even Cameron Diaz, (though not a favorite, I find quite good sometimes in comedies where she's never afraid to let herself go), LOVED Kate Winslett and Jude Law and Jack Black, whom I also love but who often goes overboard, I found restrained and adorable - his best since High Fidelity. The story is just wonderful - like all of those totally unrealistic romantic comedies of the past. Jude Law was told by the director to watch lots of old Cary Grant movies in preparation, and he is as cute and quirky as Cary in this one. Best of all, the script is a delight (Kate Winslett called it "Butter")...just right, not too much, funny light not guffaw funny, but you watch with a smile on your face from beginning to end. And the best thing of all was the choice for the two small girls...absolutely au naturel lovely! And here I am, I never write reviews...

Whose watching the dog?

I loved the storyline of Kate Winslet's Iris. I would have been perfectly content to have Iris (Kate Winslet) be the star of this movie rather than sharing the screen with Amanda (Cameron Diaz). They both did a good job but I always paid more attention when Kate was onscreen with Jack Black or Eli Wallach. My mind wondered whenever Cameron Diaz and Jude Law were onscreen. One moment Cameron and Jude are having a purely sexual relationship then the next they're madly in love? Kate Winslet and Jack Black was more believable because it started out as friends.

Throughout the movie (when my mind wondered), I found myself worried about the dog - whose watching the dog while Iris goes to the U.S.? Did Amanda feed the dog? Does the dog have water in his bowl? Why is Amanda packing when Iris is still in the U.S., whose going to watch the dog? Would you leave your dog with a perfect stranger? I would hope not.