MovieChat Forums > Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) Discussion > Was I the only one who liked this movie?

Was I the only one who liked this movie?


I swear every time i talk about it, people always tell me it sucked!!! In every website it has like a half a star. I always read people complaining about how the movie was crap and how it was incredibly stupid etc.

Cuz i have disagree with them!!! I absolutely loved this movie!! It rocked!
Please if there are any lovers of this movie, please put in your two cents. I beg you, those people need to "spanked". lol. Really we need to tell them how good this movie is. Peace Out!!

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I've just watched this again on Sky Movies and No, your'e right mate, this film doesn't suck. It is one of the most spiritually lifting films ever. The acting, music and pace of the film are excellent. Check out this site for more http://www.mindspring.com/~waponi/index.htm. I Love it, you are not alone.

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Roger Ebert gave it 3 1/2 stars out of 4, which is generally high praise.

It's a movie that works on so many levels that I find it absolutely amazing. It's one of my three favorite movies. But it's not a movie for people who don't pay attention, or who pay heed only to the plot. Of the movies I've seen multiple times, I think this may be the only movie that gets better with each of the first five viewings.

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[deleted]

This is a great movie. It's sweet, unique, wacky, funny, romantic, poignant, artsy, and inspirational.

I think generally people either talk trash about it because they haven't seen it or because they have no imagination.

_ _ _

"Why spend your life making someone else's dreams come true?"

-- Ed Wood, the movie

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This is undoubtedly my favorite film of all time. Not because it's fantastic directorially, or for the screenwriting, but because it's a perfect modern fairy tale. Shanley and all the actors took the movie for what it is, and their complete love for storytelling come through beautifully. Excellent film.

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The first 2/3 of the movie was good. The last third was a major disappointment though. Except for the luggage of course.

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You are right, I have had the same experience.

Every time I bring it up everybody says it was terrible. I have never been able to get why there was such a strong negative reaction from so many people, because I really liked it.

Specifically: the music chosen was spot-on, the casting was also great, and his job at the beginning... man have I been there...

I think that this movie could be perfect to turn into a stage play. Most of the shots are pretty tight, and the dialogue is perfect.

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[deleted]

everytime i go to watch this movie i almost always start it right before the so called "money man" makes his appearance the beginning is so boring
you will never know love unless you surrender to it

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i enjoyed it until Joe reached the orange soda island....

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I have loved this film for years. I remember wanting to see it when it came out, but I never got around to it. I finally rented it about ten years ago and was totally amazed. Such a sweet, lyrical, delightful film. I had some friends of mine sit down and watch it about a year ago and they mostly found it to be okay... It's better than them being the sort of people who use it as a punchline, but I still don't think they appreciated everything it has to offer. I love the dialogue, the visuals, the running jokes, the music (especially when it plays Ray Charles' version of "Ol' Man River" and Joe hugs the dog)... Abe Vigoda as an island chief in the South Pacific. Sure, it's not quite perfect, but what it gets right, it gets so right that it's breath-taking.

"Old hungers never die... they just fade away."

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Definately not. This is my favorite movie. It speaks to my soul, and I quote it often.

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You're not the only one. Not by far.

I agree with the other guy who said it was one of the most spiritually lifting films of all time. From the dreary start--has tedium at the workplace ever been portrayed so effectively? To the liberating joy of him finding out he only has so long to live... The scene of him just hugging that woman outside of the doctor's office is classic.

And I think that everyone who loves this movie has the same favorite scene: Where Joe is stranded in the middle of the ocean on his "luggage raft" and sees that epic moon, breaking down crying and apologizing to God (or whatever) for "forgetting". That scene moved me to tears and that is a rare thing indeed. If I ever get rich I am buying that luggage.

I thought there were some flaws, like the tribe at the end that worshipped Orange cola, and their comedic relief tribe leader, even though I thought them pampering Joe and those things were enjoyable to watch. They did not need to make this a comedy to justify its existence. The two best scenes listed above were not funny at all, just touching.

So even though I think it has technical flaws, I gave it a 9/10, and I think it is the greatet "Carpe Diem" movie ever made, and would rather own this than even some movies I think are a 10/10, as the good moments are truly unforgettable.

I think this movie changes people, and I love the rest of you for letting it get through just like I did. The rating on IMDB should show that not everyone out there is like us... They judge on the failed jokes and lame Tribe Leader instead of weighing them against the classic scenes contained in this gem. The majority may "hate" this movie. It still exists, and that is enough for me.

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