Diagonaldi Very well executed

Cassandra Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Jenni Devyn Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

nea_pea_ikea the movie itself isn't gonna be remembered for that long, but it is historic in one sense. it has what must be the worst ever kissing scene in history in it- between elijah wood and rachel leigh cook. first off there's no chemistry between them at all throughout the movie and on the day of shooting they must've served garlic in the canteen 'cos neither opens his/her mouth until the kiss is over. it disturbs me greatly that two young actors would miss the opportunity for a free snog. the whole scene is disastrous and the kiss should be shown to kids so they know what not to do. elijah looks like he's kissing his grandmother whilst frantically shaking his head. it's a must see.

Aeris4ever Since seeing LOTR: The Two Towers, I've been on an Elijah Wood kick, trying to see as many of his films as possible. I first saw him in "The Good Son" almost 10 years ago and immediately saw his talent, as he upstaged the great Macauley Culkin in that film. I knew this was an independent, low-budget film, so I didn't expect much. The movie was so strong in some areas, but very weak in others, making it an odd viewing experience.All the characters in this film were incredibly well played. The acting was top notch. The actors playing the kids in the hospital did such a fine job, that I really fell in love with their characters. In my head, I chastized Mazzo for being so mean to Barney, but came to like him in the end. These are the kinds of feelings any great actor tries to elicit in his viewers, and in this case, they all succeeded. The big names, Elijah, Rachael, and Janeane, were just as good. Especially Elijah, who has this incredible gift of conveying emotion with a simple glance. I was so impressed with the acting, overall, that I could go on forever.Now it's time for the not so good things, mostly due to the film's low budget. I wasn't thrilled with the film's environment. The hospital looked so cold, I felt like shivering. I'm sure that was the point, but I wish we could have seen more than just the hospital, the junkyard, and the little park outside. There only seemed to be 3-4 patients, including Barney, so the hospital felt really empty. I won't take extras for granted again, because tossing a few in this movie would have added so much. I can come up with symbolism for everything in this movie, but at first glance, the film is just "cold".Another "low budgetism" is that rush to get everything filmed and in the can. One of the most annoying mistakes was mentioned by another user, the way Mazzo's name was pronounced "Mazzo" by everyone except Elijah, who said "Matzo" every time. Things like that shouldn't happen. The romance between Barney and Cassie just wasn't working. Not that they're incompatible, but the story made it a rush job. The kiss at the end was so awkward and it was hard to watch. It looked like someone was behind Elijah, pushing him onto Rachael.My biggest problem is with the story itself. SPOILERS! Barney is an amnesia victim, staying at a care center for terminally ill children. The only things Barney can remember are his name and a red convertible. He is subjected to some form of treatment that affects his memory. Mazzo, a terminal cancer patient the same age as Barney, is extremely angry at him for invading the kids' "turf". The other two kids befriend Barney for the most part. When Mazzo's twin sister, Cassie, comes to visit, she and Barney meet and start a rather unrealistic romance. All is well until Barney finds out who he really is - a cancer patient who was cured by having his memory erased. This theorizes that if a patient doesn't remember his cancer, his body won't recognize it, either. He had agreed to take part in the experiment, the stupidly titled "Bumblebee Project", but obviously can't remember. In the meantime, he manages to build a car out of junkyard parts and helps Mazzo in his longing to go out (die) in a blaze of glory. There is something so horribly wrong and ludicrous about pushing a dead person out a window. It may be symbolic, but geez was it wrong. I'll stop with that, because there is more to the ending, but I just about had it with the wheelchair going over the roof.It probably sounds like I hated this movie, but I really didn't. It's a great film for die-hard fans of any of the castmembers. As a drama, it has excellent acting and a good setup, with the storyline developing at a good pace. The story manages to skip around the medical mumbo jumbo that could have killed it, so thank goodness for that. It just wasn't a captivating story for me. But the acting was great, so I'll give the film a 7.5/10.

wyoon This is a film that needs watching more than once to get all the subtle symbolisms and meanings. Heck, I've BOUGHT this film, and keep noticing something new each time I view it. As an English teacher, I suggest that those who don't get it, try again. Maybe it's just over your head?As far as the acting goes, I was initially disappointed at the lack of clear emotions being expressed. But as time goes on, I've decided I appreciate the low-key displays of emotion - certainly closer to real life than the usual soap-opera acting present in such an emotionally-charged movie, As for the plausibility of the story line, anyone who has a relative or friend being treated for cancer knows the importance of mind-over-body techniques; and certainly patients who tire easily will sometimes feel the need to use a wheelchair, and sometimes not - that is not the big issue here. The screenplay does a fairly accurate job of showing life in a long-term care facility, while restricting itself to a relatively small number of characters. What you want to consider is... what would your decision be, considering all the consequences?Did anyone else watch all the way to the end of the credits and notice that at the end of the "Special Thanks to..." list they included a priest, and Elijah Wood's mother and sister? I HAVE seen all his previous movies, and this is the only time they have been listed. I'd love to know the true story behind that. Verrry interesting, hmm?

herebedragons3 "Weird" is a word that comes, inexplicably (ha!) but irresistably, to mind. The strangest movie ever made is patently "The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T", but "Bumblebee" is in the top five, at least. Don't get me wrong, I liked it. I didn't love it, except for about five minutes that I feel now I can't live without, but I liked it. Having been in love with Elijah Wood since I was seven and first saw "North", I was pleased to see him looking so well (ie, minus curly hair, pointed hears, and hairy hobbit feet, though the haircut he sports here makes him look so fey). And all you people saying he's wooden are patently deaf and blind. Elijah Wood can express more emotion with his eyes than the whole of Harrison Ford and Meryl Streep put together (I'd like to see what they look like together, wouldn't you?) and he's got enough everyman in him, despite his peculiar face, to be a great, great actor. it would have helped some of the lines (I wish they would have taken the script to the repair shop) if his voice was sharper and more emphatic, but really it's not his fault, he just happens to have a very soft voice. What I DID get a kick out of, having read the foregoing comments prior to watching the movie, was the much-hyped kiss. Hey, I'd like to kiss Elijah Wood if nobody else will. Granted, he's not got much romantic experience (movie-wise, anyway). I mean, who's he kissed? Leelee Sobieski. Briefly. I haven't seen all his movies, sure, but that's the only kiss I know of in his nice long history. This kiss, though...gosh. After it was over, I could just hear him booming, "YES, I AM NOW A MAN." He went at it with all the urgency of somebody who has no idea what he's doing and figures, if he does it enthusiastically enough, nobody will notice. Apparently nobody did. Incidentally, I wonder how many times he had to kiss Rachael Leigh Cook--- "Action." "Ow! Oh, sorry." "Cut. Action." "Oops." "Cut. Action." "What, I'm supposed to kiss her LIPS?!?" I'm in a cynical frame of mood today, feeling a bit depressed. Also, I'm short, and to kiss Elijah Wood I'd have to stand on a chair. You think I'm kidding. Whoever it was playing Mazzo did a terrific, terrific job. I like that kid. I don't know who he is, but I like him. What's up with Barney calling him "Matzo" all the time, though? The ending was bothersome. I was yelling, 'You're gonna go down the roof in a STRINGBEAN?" I wish Elijah Wood was in more and better movies. I'm addicted to Lord of the Rings- I loved North- The War was great (he won)- and Radio Flyer was sweet and made me cry. Flipper was a contaminating hunk of junk, though. THAT'S why they don't want to let Paul Hogan back into Australia, he keeps embarrassing them. So what I'm saying is--- oh, gosh, I've completely lost whatever it was. My train of thought has derailed. Bzzzz... Prior to THE KISS (ha-ha) Barney told Cassie, "Only you." I couldn't wait for him to get down on his knees and start to sing. there are SO DARN MANY opportunities for a bit of humor in this flimsy script, and they didn't take any of them! I know I'm a cynic, but I hate watching movies that force me to re-write as they go along. But there are good things here. Bad things, too, but good things. And if you concentrate on the good things, it's a moving, unique little film.If you concentrate on the bad things, you end up in a home, drooling creamed spinach. OH MY GOSH! FLIPPER CONTAMINATION!!!!!