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My wifes favorite movie can now be watched for weeks without renting it over and over. Thanks for saving me money in the lond run.

For those of us who lived and breathed the 90s... This movie rocks! It totally captures our generation, what seems to be the long gone era of grunge... before boy bands, Britney, Paris and Bush came along to destroy humanity. Grab a popcorn and get nostalgic.

The Bottom Line: A depressingly formulaic and unappealing movie in which the main character must decide romantically between a suit-wearing bigshot and a soulful poet-writing ne'er do well (guess which one she chooses), Reality Bites should be of interest only to those who want to steep themselves in mid-90's nostalgia.

This movie is a bit of history now for Gen Xer's that have moved on in life.

I think that `Reality Bites' has been unfairly labeled as thin and hollow. I actually feel as though the film tackles its issues with grace and delicacy, handling the subject in a way that feels complete when the credits begin to roll. The film was never meant to be a weighty message type film but more a relaxed look at real concerns of the youths of the 90's (or `Generation X'). For what it sets out to do, I think `Reality Bites' works very well. When you couple the finely crafted script with the exceptional cast and Ben Stiller's surprisingly attune direction you have a very entertaining and satisfying cinematic experience. The film follows a group of friends after they graduate from college and struggle to decide what to do with their lives. Their lives in general are being documented by Lelaina, an aspiring filmmaker. She passes around her video camera asking her friends intimate questions and capturing their every moment on film in order to document the struggles of the average young adult. Her friends include the promiscuous Vickie (Garofalo in a sublime supporting performance), the slacker Troy and the closeted Sammy. Together they make for an interesting group, and when you add in Michael Grates, a video executive who takes a liking to Lelaina after a fender-bender causes them to meet. The script allows the cast to really sink into the issues their breed of young adult faces in a world that is not ready to accept them despite the fact that they are finely crafted. They are over-educated and under-appreciated and cast into a world that doesn't `get' them. Each actor really grabs hold of their character and delivers a strong and passionate performance. Janeane Garofalo is wonderful as Vickie, really getting the sense of her characters fears and ambitions. Steve Zahn is good as Sammy, but he does take a backseat to the rest of the cast. Ethan Hawke and Ben Stiller are both superbly cast as the two opposite ends of Lelaina's love life. Hawke creates a very believable mess inside of Troy, and Stiller finds new depths of sincerity in order to make Michael a likable and nearly lovable man. The real star is Winona Ryder though, who just illuminates each scene as Lelaina. She had such a wonderful year (with this and her Oscar nominated turn in `Little Women') that it is a shame to see that her star has faded to date. In the end I must say that I was very impressed with `Reality Bites', and am pleasantly surprised to say that it is one of the hidden (or maybe more or less misunderstood) gems of the year that was 1994. Sure, the year in general was not overly impressive (aside from a few amazing films it was rather dull), but `Reality Bites' is one of the highlights of the year, and is definitely better than the film that ultimately won Best Picture (don't hate me because I'm right).

Reviews

Imaginary Crimes (1994) has exactly the same pacing and a reminiscing of one's childhood and upbringing as in "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood", although the story, location, and everything else is entirely different. This work is not in itself, what the public would considering entertainment, or something that anyone would be prepared to spend cash on for an evening of fun, at the movies. However, that is not to say the release is entirely withouht merit, as it serves a purpose of balance in the body of work of movies, that not everything in life surrounds action, drama, comedy, etc. As such, the calling attention to the stuggles of the everyday man, becoming widowed (man or woman), raising children, and everything else is in fact, difficult, as is the struggle to survive, succeed when placed in difficult circumstances. At the end of the day, the will and spirit to succeed, and being thankful to be alive assists greatly those who might not have every toy, luxury, luck or comfort. Harvey Keitel plays Ray Weiler, a man who has his own demons to conquer, and challenges to make a place for himself in the world, all the while maintaining by himself a household, to raise 2 girls, played by Fairuza Balk and Kelly Lynch, both exceptionally well, on screen. Overall, the actors and actresses are gems, the music soft-spoken, the capacity to pace and tell a purely autobiographical story (which, in itself, might be a technique and not rooted in reality) is very well done. As stated earlier, perhaps the only question is the deeply introverted nature of this movie, as the author mulls over a distance childhood, and loved ones that mattered deeply in another time and space. Kudos, again to Keitel and all the cast for bringing to light a very human story, that is one of many hundred million, obviously, but unique in its own way.

Another excellent performance by Harvey Keitel as Mr. Ray Weiler, a widowed father who is doing his best to raise two young girls despite his limitations and emotional handicaps. It is a realistic portrayal of a family's struggles through death, hard times, and the difficulties of a teenage girl as we experience all of this turmoil through her eyes. It has a realistic ending, not the typical Hollywood fare that is served up these days with everyone "living happily ever after".

Is the wish for love greater than the need to hate? An interesting question posed by, and the complexity of which is examined in this film about the effects of the decisions we make during the course of our lives, and how those decisions ultimately affect our families and loved ones. Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Sheila Ballantyne, "Imaginary Crimes," directed by Anthony Drazan, stars Harvey Keitel as a widowed father raising two young daughters in 1950s Oregon. Ray Weiler (Keitel) is no role model for fathers, however. In fact, in the words of the author, "Never has a man less equipped for parenthood tried so hard." And failed, she should have added. Ray is not a "bad" man, per se, but he's a dreamer and a schemer, following one deal of a lifetime after another that, up until the day she died, kept Valery (Kelly Lynch) and their daughters, Sonya (Fairuza Balk) and Greta (Elisabeth Moss) living in a one room basement apartment. To the very end, Valery was always a "technicality" away from what she wanted most: A home of her own. And when she died, that dream apparently died with her. Ray's dreams, however, continued; as did the dark clouds his lifestyle cast over the Weilers, beneath which they were forced to live every day without hope or respite. A dreary life, indeed, for two young girls with nowhere to turn. Told through the reminiscences of Sonya (with Balk providing effective voice-over narration), the story unfolds with the help of flashbacks which reflect the turmoil of young Sonya and Greta's lives with Ray. The sequences involving Valery are especially poignant, and presented with such care and subtly that it enables you to feel and share her every disappointment-- and there were many. You also share her joy at winning a simple raffle at the neighborhood movie theater, where she would escape with Sonya every Wednesday night. And when Sonya points out the fact that her mother cried at every film, no matter what it was, it says volumes about Valery's state of mind and the despair and unhappiness with which she lived, yet masked so convincingly in front of Sonya. It's also easy to understand the bond between the sisters, formed as a means of steeling themselves against the unconscionable neglect of their father. Though not physically abusive, the pain he inflicted on his daughters psychologically was immeasurable. Yet they stood by him; perhaps because they had nowhere else to go and no one to whom they could turn. Filmed on location in Oregon, the film has a wistful, almost dreamlike quality that successfully reflects the era it depicts, as well as the overall mood of the story, aided in no small part by the atmosphere director Drazan creates. He renders a touching sense of injustice that keeps the viewer acutely aware of the helpless and seemingly inescapable situation in which the girls are forced to remain, and he makes the girls so readily accessible that it is easy to emphasize with them. And it makes you realize that even as big as the world is, everybody lives within their own little part, and it's different for every individual. The world of your next door neighbor may not resemble the world in which you live in any way, shape or form; and because of that, need often goes undetected and want thrives. As Ray, Harvey Keitel is outstanding, giving a restrained and understated performance that allows you to like him and hate him at the same time. This is a complex character that Keitel develops extremely well, showing you the schemer and the con-man, but also giving you something of an indication of what lies beneath. This is a man capable of disciplined introspection, yet too selfish to do what he must know is the right thing by his family. He's a man who is past believing in himself, but has actually fallen victim to his own con and is unable to let loose of his irresponsible dreams. It's a strong performance, through which he paints the picture of a desperate man, who has no idea of just how desperate he is until it's too late. And the saddest thing about it is the effect it has on Sonya and Greta. Giving an affecting performance, as well, is the young Fairuza Balk, whose dark beauty and intensity make her perfect for the role of Sonya. She has such expressive eyes that they veritably serve as a window into the soul of her character, which nevertheless seems to emerge from a very private place, and one that gives it definition. Like Keitel, Balk's performance is rather restrained, which gives even more power to her already mesmerizing screen presence. She makes you understand how her circumstances have affected her, which she subtly conveys in the way she relates to those around her, including Greta. There's a sense of the exceptional about Balk, who in an industry filled with young actors seemingly just off the production line, remains unique and has served herself and her career well by exploring some diverse characters in such films as "American History X," "Things To do In Denver When You're Dead," "The Waterboy" and possibly her most definitive role, as that of the young witch in "The Craft." Sonya is one of her more down-to-earth characters, and she delivers her quite well. The supporting cast includes Vincent D'Onofrio (Mr. Webster), Diane Baker (Abigail Tate), Chris Penn (Jarvis), Amber Benson (Margaret), Annette O'Toole (Ginny) and Seymour Cassel (Eddie). Thought provoking and emotionally involving, "Imaginary Crimes" will take you to a dark place, and it's one that may be all too familiar to some who see this film. This is no happily-ever-after fairy tale, but a very real look at some hard facts about the world in which we live and the people who surround us, and the necessity of reaching out to those who just may be in need.

This is a great movie. I'm amazed that it got made and done so well. First kudos go to Sheila Ballantyne who wrote the novel. A story like this cannot be made up in committee or by hiring the hottest screen writer in town. It has to be lived. There's no question that Ballantyne lived it. And then it has to be understood in the light of love before it can be shared with us. And she did that.Second kudos go to Tony Drazan who directed and interpreted. It can be seen that he loved the story and he wanted it to be beautiful, and he made it so. He picked the dearest, sweetest girls to play the parts of Sonya and Greta at various ages. And he had to have the right man for their father, a flawed man, like all of us, a man doing the best he can, a man with values that don't really work, a man who lost his young wife to cancer and was left to raise his two daughters alone, a man like Arthur Miller's Willie Loman who had big dreams never realized, a man neither hero nor villain; in short a man who had to be played with delicacy and without maudlin sentiment. Harvey Keitel fit the part, that of a schemer and a dreamer and a self-deluded hustling con man, and did a fantastic, flawless job.Fairuza Balk, who played Sonya was wonderful, and Elizabeth Moss as Greta was adorable beyond expression, and so beautifully directed. The girl who played the young Sonya was not only excellent, but looked enough like Fairuza Balk to be her younger sister: perfect casting. And Kelly Lynch who had a limited role as the mother was exquisite. The interaction between the father and the daughters was painfully veracious, filled with real-life tension and heart-breaking disappointments, but done without abuse and without any of the dysfunctional family sicknesses so often expressed these days. We see his failure as a father on one level, and yet in the end we see through the eyes and the voice of Sonya a greater truth: in spite of his weaknesses he actually succeeded as a father. In fact we see that whether he knew it or not, the one thing that he did right in his life, although he wavered plenty, was bringing up his girls against the great odds of his defective character. And the love shown him by his daughters, so beautifully projected by both Balk and Moss, was wonderful to experience since it is so seldom seen these days when the usual style is to trash men and their part in the family. And the nonexploitive, nurturing and loving role of Sonya's English teacher, played with a fine delicacy by Vincent D'Onfrio, was a much-needed change from the usual cinematic use of teachers as sexual lechers. In this movie we can see that men are people too. I should mention that the screenplay by Kristine Johnson and Davia Nelson was carefully crafted to showcase the story dramatically, and to warn you that this is a tear jerker. It starts a little slow, and seems a touch old fashioned, but stay with it: it's a beautiful movie, one the best I've ever seen.

Even as young as she was here, Fairuza Balk was wonderful in this movie. Harvey Keitel, one of the best character actors around, also did a wonderful job. Wonderful movie!!

Reviews

What happened when an American company tried to bring electricity to a country formerly part of the USSR is what this doc is all about. The Georgians aren't accustomed to paying for power, but AES is determined to get the money out of them. Though US, most of the company's employees seem to be Brits. Well done.

Excellent documentary on the trials and tribulations companies face investing in the former USSR and what the smaller republics face in trying to build a market economy in the former Soviet Union. I felt for the elderly who could not pay their bills. I greatly admire AES for trying to tackle the problems they faced in Georgia. They finally sold AES Telasi to the Russians in 2003 and from what I have read the situation is worse now because of the economic situation in the country.

First off, I'm a "documentary junkie", especially when the director edits the film so that it forms a storyline and doesn't use the film for "propaganda" purposes. When that happens, I don't need to know the subject in advance to seek it out and watch it. "Power Trip" meets those conditions on all levels. It's recent enough to be current (it takes place between 1998 and 2003). And filmmaker Paul Delvin follows the timeline from when the American Owned energy AES bought the government power company in Soviet state of Georgia until ...... well, I can't tell you or it would spoil the narrative. Like a good filmmaker, Devlin seemed to have his camera at the right place and at the right time and he is able to capture some incidents that were not expected at the time he started his film. Again, it's those surprises that make this film interesting. "Even handed" and "Well Balanced" are two phrases that come to my mind immediately in describing this film. There are no "good guys" and "bad guys" here. Well, yes there are. The politicians. (the corrupt ones anyway, who are the "bad guys".). But in the fight between the residents of Georgia who find themselves without power (no lights, no TV!) and the employees and President of AES (who are working for a company that can't collect payments for the power that THEY have to purchase), Devlin doesn't point any fingers or take sides. And the personalities of the employees of AES who are working in foreign counties is fascinating too. You'll remember AAES Manager Piers Lewis long after you've watched this film. The supplemental material is interesting as well, though not essential to the enjoyment of the film. I'm not reviewing this from a political point of view; just as an example of excellent documentary filmmaking. Steve Ramm "Anything Phonographic"

Devlin's gripping film unblinkingly exposes a Western audience to the fundamental upheavals accompanying major transformations in form of government. Shots of major blocks of the city going dark (as A.E.S cracks down on non-paying customers), and furious, uncomprehending people protesting the need to pay for electricity, bring into close proximity a far-away problem too few comfortable Americans even know about. An unnerving and cautionary tale, since energy could one day be a luxury for us all.

This film is funny, gripping and informative. It's hard to believe that a documentary about the privatization of the power grid in the Republic of Georgia could make such a fascinating tale. This film is excellent for use in classrooms trying to explain the political economy of post-socialist countries, or the problems facing foreign businesses in alien environments.

Reviews

I am almost to the end of this book, whitch I have not been able to put down! It draws you in. Best buy!

Bill and I have similar backgrounds if 8 years apart. It was nice to remenisce about the Catholic school system from years ago. I appreciate his style as he explains his reasoning. Many on the left can't or won't. I have only one other man that I hold in higher regard and that is Mr. Charles Krauthammer. I have read his book "The O'Reilly Factor" and am currently reading "The No Spin Zone". You will enjoy this book if you enjoy The Factor.

After reading this book you can see how the character of Bill O'Reilly was being developed and molded throughout his growing up producing His no beating around the bush style He exhibits with his guests and opinions today!

Listening to Mr. O'Reilly's book was a rela treat. I hope he keeps up the good work.

THIS WAS A GREAT BOOK... I LAUGHED AND CRIED AT THE SAME TIME.. IT REMINDED ME OF MY YOUTH, ONLY FROM A GIRLS SIDE OF IT... (WE WERE JUST A FUN LOVING AND DARING AS THE BOYS WERE) I WILL PASS THIS BOOK ON TO MY FAMILY TO READ. NOW I LOOK AT O'REILLY AND CAN SEE THE SAME MISCHIEVE IN HIS EYES, AS I PICTURED HIM GROWING UP IN THE BOOK..... WILL READ THIS AGAIN. SO MUCH WONDERFUL LIFE LESSONS IN IT...I WOULD HAVE LIKED MORE TO HEAR OF HIS LIFE AND FAMILY NOW. HE BARLEY TOUCHED ON THAT.

Reviews

I'd like his book a little better if he didn't spend so much time patting himself on the back

Glad to read there is still a bastion of common sense left in America, hopefully the voting majority will agree with these principals next election.

This book is based on the sad truth of the state of our country. Doesn't have the humor that Bernie Goldberg has, but it's a great book nonetheless.

People who don't like to hear the truth will not like this incredible book! What I enjoy about Bill's writing is his detail to Fact Check & when the research is done, you know he's right on! It is disturbing to read about some actors & what they've done & I've lost total respect for many of them. I think most people need to wake up & face facts, but a lot of them seem to believe otherwise. Excellent Read!

"No Spin" here; Bill presents the hard facts, and backs them up! I only have a couple of chapters left, and I don't want the book to end. The frightning fact is, however, if there is no end to this socialist movement, we, as a free nation, WILL end. This point haunts you through the read; yet, makes you love the fact that someone of note is echoeing what you've been thinking and saying all along. A must-read for pull-yourself-up-by-your-boot-straps, salt-of-the-earth, hard-working, take-care-of-your-ownself Americans! Bravo, Mr. O'Reily! Cheers, Beverly Swanson