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Some Kind Of Wonderful [1987]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

In Some Kind of Wonderful, John Hughes crystallises, for good and ill, much of the stock material of the modern high-school romantic comedy. There is the outsider boy Keith (Eric Stolz) with artistic talent and sexual ambitions above his lowly status in a hierarchy based on wealth and popularity. There is Watts, (Mary Stuart Masterson) the tomboy next door, whose good looks and love for him he has somehow always failed to notice. And, most interestingly, there is Amanda Jones (Lea Thompson), who has parlayed her looks into running with the rich kids, but is starting to realise she has the worst of the bargain.

There are some odd ambiguities here--all three take passive-aggressive behaviour to a level that is not entirely sympathetic--as well as some slick plotting: Keith's attempt to befriend Amanda by following her into detention brings him into contact with delinquents like Duncan, a terrifying skinhead who is more than he seems. In the end, there is just enough edge and invention here to keep it from being as crass and sentimental as films which have imitated its formula.

On the DVD: Some Kind of Wonderful is presented in 1.78:1 visual aspect ratio and has Dolby 5:1 sound in English, surround sound in Italian and mono in German and Italian--it also has subtitles in those languages and Danish, Dutch, French, Norwegian, Swedish and Turkish and no other special features whatever. --Roz Kaveney

Editorial
Special Features

English
Region 2

Editorial
Synopsis

Keith (Eric Stoltz) is finishing up with high school. A sensitive loner, he prefers to work on his art over going to sporting events and hanging with the cool crowd. Instead, he platonically whiles away the hours with Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson), the pixieish drummer girl he's known since grade school. But Keith does have one popular obsession: Amanda Jones (Lea Thompson), the most desired girl in school-- and girl friend of obnoxious rich guy Hardy Jens (Craig Scheffer). When Hardy and Amanda part ways, Keith finally has his chance---and true blue Watts will do all that she can, even it that means biting her tongue and suppressing her true feelings for her longtime friend.
John Hughes's follow-up to the classic PRETTY IN PINK takes essentially the same story and flips the gender roles. Once again, a positive "follow-your-heart" moral and another great soundtrack (featuring The Jesus & Mary Chain, Flesh For Lulu, The March Violets) set the scene.

Timeless love story. An easy and pleasurable film to watch
Review date: 2008-01-28 Rating: 8 out of 10

Ordinary boy chases unattainable, stunning, beautiful girl. All the time not noticing that his best friend is in love with him. It's a cliche and low on plausibility, but that doesn't matter. The scenes represent our dreams as teenagers, not reality.

What makes this a great movie is what isn't in it. For example when the street gang turns up at the rich kids party, it is left to our imagination as to what results. Best of all the tomboy doesn't put on a the obligatory ballgown to impress boy, she does it in character, as herself.

There is no escaping the fact that Mary Stuart Masterton does carry the movie. She is a dazzling lovable scamp. I would defy anyone not to fall in love with her. Eric Stolz, the male lead, I thought was wooden to the point of being annoying much of the time. Which is one reason I haven't given this 5 stars.

What is most boys fantasy? To be able to win over the best looking girl in the class from her idiot boyfriend. Then, realising that she isn't right for you, you quickly notice the overlooked girl next door. She is amazing and madly in love with you. You slap a ring on her finger and live happy ever after. Does it happen in the film? Watch and see.

I would recommend this to anyone with a romantic soul, who wants to be reminded what is is to be young.




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Reviews


The BEST ever Teen 80's film of all Time!!!!,
Review date: 2007-09-30 Rating: 10 out of 10

I was in my local Target Store this past Monday and I came across a copy of Some Kind of Wonderful on DVD FOR $8.99AU
I was in my early teens when this movie was released back in 1987. I remember enjoying the movie and every time I see the 3 lead actors in other productions I think back and remember that he or she were in "Some Kind of Wonderful"
At first I could not remember much about the movie as I had not seen it for over 19 years.
Last night I sat down to view the 80's teen film. I can not tell you how wonderful this movie is. The story line is Typical and Predictable. However as other reviews have mention it is the lead actors that pull of this production.
Watching this gem of a movie took me back to my teen years and remembering why I first feel in love with this production.
This is far the best of John Hughes movies of the 80's. Outstanding even Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club.
If you can only have one of John Hughes movies from the 80's, Some Kind of Wonderful would be it.
With a wonderful cast and soundtrack at a great price you can not go wrong.

NOTE For Parents: This movie has Course Language which is what gives the movie its rating.

Had a very powerful influence on me.
Review date: 2007-06-07 Rating: 10 out of 10

When I was a teenage boy, I loved this film. Being a romantic soul then, this film summed up everything that I would have liked to happen in my own life. For a time I was obsessed with a passion about this film and during my late teans I probably watched this about 20 times (although I never mentioned it to my friends).

I heavily identified with the loner character, Keith, played by Eric Stolz. I thought May Stuart Masterton was wonderful in it and fell in love with her character. And with MSM's character secretly in love with Keith, you cannot believe how much I wanted to be him.

I loved everything about the film, including the characters and the plot. As far as I am concerned, this film achieved what any movie should. It caused a profound emotional reaction and completely imersed me in its fantasy world.

On an objective level, I am not sure this movie is worth five stars. I think the acting in some places is a bit shaky, the dialogue does not always flow and even the editing was poor in a couple of scenes. But on a personal level, I was passionate about the movie and did not really care. Despite its imperfections, because of the effect that it had on me, I think it would be unfair not to give it a full five stars.

I think anyone who likes romantic comedies may like this, especially if you feel like one of the outsiders. You may like it, but probably not as much as I did.

I still have a copy at home now.



Blast from the Past
Review date: 2006-04-22 Rating: 10 out of 10

I was in my early twenties when this movie came out, and my girlfiriend and I (now my wife) went to see it. Some of the songs from the movie stayed with me, especially Brilliant Mind by Furniture, but I had fogotten where I first heard it. I recently bought SKOW and was transported back to my youth instantaneously!!
A must have movie, great performances from Eric Stolz and Mary Stuart Masterson has prompted me to buy Benny and Joon, Breakfast Club, etc etc.

BUY IT and wallow in nostalgia!

Okay, but not wonderful!
Review date: 2005-06-09 Rating: 6 out of 10

Being of the "Breakfast Club" etc. generation I was keen to see this as I'd missed it at the time. It was enjoyable enough, but a little deriverative. Performances by the 3 leads were okay. But overall not awful at all if you just give in to it and imagine you are 15 again!!

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Eric Stoltz
Craig Sheffer
Lea Thompson
John Ashton
Mary Stuart Masterson

Creators:
Eric Stoltz (Primary Contributor)
Mary Stuart Masterson (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
EAN: 5014437823533
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL,
Release date: 2002-11-04
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 91 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1987-02-27
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: German (Subtitled)
Language: Italian (Subtitled)
Language: Norwegian (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: Swedish (Subtitled)
Language: Turkish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Dubbed)
Language: German (Dubbed)
Language: Italian (Dubbed)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)

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