The Bucket List (2007)

Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman light up the screen in the Bucket List

Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman... how good can you get? You get the best male actor ever known and the best African American actor ever put them together in a heart warming, touching movie like this and you have pure gold. I can not say enough good things about the Bucket List. It's inspiring, moving, and heartbreaking. The best that Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman have to offer. Both make this movie look true to life, effortless acting, and spunk to boot. Putting them together was the best of the best any director, movie studio, or writer could have imagined. Check out the Bucket List... it'll make you laugh, cry, and feel good in many ways. July 1, 2008

A Must See

This movie is motivational and fun spirited. It carries the message about being true to the ones you love as well as living life to the fullest. The title comes from all the things you want to do before you "Kick the Bucket." I already have 78 items on my "bucket list" after being inspired by the video. See the movie and then begin your "bucket list" right away! July 1, 2008

Two legends save movie

This movie is good b/c Nicholson and Freeman are great. The first third of the movie takes place in a hospital room. It's there dialogue that carries the film and keeps you interested. I guess this film is a good way to look at life. ("you only live once" kind of thing.) In the end I thought it was a good movie. If you're able to get past the fact that the two leads heads are super-imposed on the bodies of others while skydiving, riding a motorcycle on the great wall of china, etc. then you'll be just fine. All in all a "nice" movie.
July 1, 2008

White, Black, Death, Life, Perfect

Jack Nicholson is as good as it gets for crazy in love with life, and Morgan Freeman is as good as it gets for smart, thoughtful, and good to the core.

This movie is one that I got, skimmed through, dismissed, and then sat down and watched all the way through.

It is NOT a depressing movie, nor is it a "joy" movie. It is a lovely mix of suffering, love, fulfillment, discovery, and reconciliation.

BRAVO.

See also:
Joyeux Noel (Widescreen)
Bonhoeffer
Sabrina
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
July 1, 2008

There are things you always wanted to do...intended to do. Now "some day" has arrived.

Based on previews and coming attractions, "The Bucket List" was a movie that held no interest for me. Sure Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson are among the best actors in the world. Sure Rob Reiner has directed at least a dozen other movies that I've liked a lot. But the premise of "The Bucket List" sounded weird and unappealing. This movie is proof that an excellent cast and a skillful director can turn straw into, if not exactly gold, maybe stainless steel. The movie certainly exceeded my expectations.

Two men with nothing in common except cancer and chemotherapy meet while sharing a hospital room. Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman) is a family man who has been married for 45 years. He has a loving family, an insatiable intellect and the soul of a philosopher. Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) has been divorced four times, is estranged from his only child, has no friends and is accompanied everywhere by a paid personal assistant. His lifelong talent and passion has been for business and making money; he's a billionaire.

As an academic exercise Carter starts a list of things he'd like to do before he dies. Edward, picks up the discarded list and is immediately intrigued. So, with unlimited funding from Jack, the two set off to do all the things they wanted to do... intended to do.... someday.... before 45 years blew past "like smoke through a keyhole."

Sean Hayes is terrific as Edward's assistant, Thomas. I always found him annoyingly over-the-top on "Will and Grace." Here he proves that he can be more charming and much more funny when he dials it down a few notches.

The DVD special features are limited; a brief featurette - "Writing a Bucket List" and a John Mayer Music Video 'Say'. You can insert the DVD into your PC's disk drive more additional special features - something that always seems more trouble than it's worth. There is no commentary track.

"The Bucket List" isn't a raucous comedy. The premise sounds grim but there is humor throughout the film - low key, subtle and thoughtful. I give it 3 1/2 stars for being better than it had any right to be considering the material. June 29, 2008

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