Almost Famous (The Bootleg Cut)

Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous has always been a masterpiece, but Paramount has truly outdone themselves with this 4K Ultra HD release. As a massive fan of physical media and boutique limited editions, I can confidently say this is one of the most satisfying upgrades in my collection.The MovieIf you haven't seen it, the film is Crowe’s brilliant, semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story set in 1973. It follows 15-year-old aspiring music journalist William Miller as he lands a dream assignment for Rolling Stone and hits the road with the rising rock band Stillwater. It’s a heartfelt, authentic look at the dying days of the golden era of rock and roll, carried by phenomenal performances from Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson as the enigmatic "Band Aid" Penny Lane, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as the legendary rock critic Lester Bangs. It’s a nostalgic, emotional journey that gets better with every viewing.The 4K TransferThe video quality is nothing short of a revelation. Sourced from a brand-new native 4K scan of the original camera negative and supervised by Crowe himself, the Dolby Vision/HDR10 presentation breathes incredible new life into the film. The vintage 1970s aesthetic shines perfectly. You get gorgeous, natural film grain without any distracting digital scrubbing. The rich earth tones, the textures of the denim and velvet costumes, and the gritty details of backstage dressing rooms look stunningly realistic. The black levels are deep and inky, while the concert lighting pops off the screen.The SoundtrackThe audio is just as impressive. The DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix handles the film's legendary soundtrack flawlessly. The dialogue remains crisp and perfectly balanced, but the mix really flexes its muscles during the musical moments. The classic rock needle drops and Nancy Wilson’s evocative score sound phenomenal, and the live Stillwater concert scenes are so immersive and dynamic that you feel like you are standing right in the front row.The Supplemental MaterialThe absolute crown jewel of this release is the fact that Paramount included both the 122-minute Theatrical Cut and the 161-minute "Untitled" Bootleg Cut—and they each get their own dedicated 4K disc to maximize bitrates. The bonus features are stacked. You get fantastic legacy extras like the famous, incredibly charming audio commentary featuring Crowe and his real-life mother, Alice. On top of that, there are great new featurettes including "Filmmaker Focus," "Rock School," and a look at the casting and costumes, plus extended scenes and outtakes.From the gorgeous collectible packaging to the flawless A/V presentation and the definitive collection of extras, this is a day-one must-own release. Long live physical media!

Almost Famous Untitled: The Bootleg Cut - Director's Edition.I've decided to review the Bootleg Cut of "Almost Famous" as most of the other reviews are of the original theatrical release.This is a wonderful two-disc ( actually 3, more on this later ) DVD collection.First, the packaging. We are presented with a brown tri-fold package, much like the bootleg recordings of the seventies. Not a whole lot of artwork on the cover. Simply a small photo of Kate Hudson (Penny Lane).The first tri-fold presents us with a wonderful addition to this DVD set. Included is a STILLWATER Music CD. This music CD is only available in this collection and features songs from the film as performed by Stillwater. Four of the tracks are co written by Nancy Wilson ( of Heart ) and Cameron Crowe ( the director ). This little bonus CD is great and very appropriate to the theme of the set.I'll jump now to DISC 2 of this set which is the Original Theatrical Version of "Almost Famous". This is the academy award winning version that was released and it's great. The story is well told and very engaging.DISC 1 is "Untitled: Almost Famous : The Bootleg Cut" which is not rated.This version is a gift.Cameron Crowe has taken the time to ( lovingly ) recut his film and include an additional 36 minutes of film. The addition of these precious minutes change the film but do not deminish it's impact or watchability.The additional 36 minutes add mostly to the character of Penny Lane ( Academy Award Nominee Kate Hudson ) and expand on her history.Unlike many extended versions which add little to character development, this version of "Almost Famous" brings more insight and depth to nearly all characters.The acting is outstanding, and it's clear that the scenes not in the original release were cut strictly due to time constraints as the acting is right on.This is a great cast. Kate Hudson is a stand out, as is newcomer Patrick Fugit. Billy Crudup is wonderful as well, this is the movie which should have made him a movie star. Jason Lee ( of "Chasing Amy" and other Kevin Smith films ) is hysterical and just enough over the top to be believable. The movie, this version, rests soundly with Kate Hudson and Patrick Fugit.I would think, had this Bootleg version been released theatrically, then perhaps Kate Hudson would have actually won the Academy Award rahter than just being nominated. She's done a wonderful job with this complex character.The director's commentary is priceless, much like attending a film school seminar as conducted by Cameron Crowe.This two disc set is a must have for any film fan. Even if you've got the original DVD release ( rather than this special edition set ), this is still more than worth the purchase price.I would recommend this set. Strongly.Best Regards,turtlexPS - if you've enjoyed this review, feel free to add me to your favorite people list as I try to write reviews frequently.Thanks for reading.

Cameron Crowe wrote and directed "Almost Famous", which is fitting since it is largely about his own beginnings. Cameron was the youngest writer for Rolling Stone magazine and, as a teenage journalist, he followed numerous bands as they went on tour. In this film, these bands are rolled up into a four-man group called Stillwater. These guys get my vote for the best band that never was. Since I was just out of kindergarten when the story was set, you should forgive me for thinking, after my first viewing, that Stillwater was an authentic recreation of some famous group from the early 70's. The realism is that perfect!But this movie is not about a band, at least not predominantly. It is a coming of age story. A young man raised in an unusual household, with an unusual mother, is taking his first steps to adulthood. The interesting thing is that his first steps are so large as to stretch past most people's entire careers. Through a combination of talent, luck and timing, young William Miller, played perfectly by Patrick Fugit, is recruited by Rolling Stone magazine to write an article on Stillwater. This strange occurrence actually makes sense when you watch the film despite sounding ridiculous as I write it.If William goes through dramatic changes in a short time, his mother is a rock of stability. Elaine Miller is able to "freak out" most people, with a few choice words but to her son, she is home, safety, love and in a way... imprisonment. She is very intense but caring and it is this combination which drives her eighteen year old daughter to a life of airline stewardship. We can see Elaine's true courage however, when she agrees to let the fifteen year old William go "on the road" with a drug taking, womanizing rock band. This, after we have seen her characterize Simon and Garfuncle as "stoned" and forbidden their music from her house.One of the most important people William comes into contact with, on his journey, is Penny Lane. She is a beautiful, glowing, perfectly permed young dryad who follows the bands and has a following of her own. Adamant that she is not a groupie, Penny has created a concept called "Band Aids." Her subscribers refrain from sex with the performers in an effort to more truly embrace the pure experience. She talks a good game but in the end, she's just a young woman in love. The object of her affection is Russell Hammond, the lead guitarist and Zen-master for Stillwater. Her situation is complicated after William falls in love with her, at first sight.Thus Alice enters Wonderland and many an adventure is had. Despite William's best intentions and the good advice of his mentor, Lester Bangs, the band manages to seduce him. His plan, to get in and out before missing a test, is soon discarded in the face of a larger than life rock and roll experience. There is one truly touching scene where the band, (and company), is riding their bus to the next gig and singing along to "Tiny Dancer." William leans over to Penny and says, "I have to go home!" To which she replies, with a magical pass of her hand, "You are home." That says it all.There are several contrasting character changes happening during the film. One stands out more than most. William starts his professional career as a fan, loving the band, the music and the whole lifestyle. As the tour progresses and his eyes are opened, he becomes, not jaded but more worldly, professional and wise. Conversely, Penny Lane is introduced to us as the epitome of sophistication. She is young but knowing, and handles William as an older sister might. As the film progresses we discover that Penny is not so all knowing as she seemed. She is just as fragile and naively hopeful as any other girl her age. In the end, it is William that has to send her a reality check.Everything about this film is fascinating. The music is just wonderful, with Billy Crudup and Jason Lee bringing authenticity to every performance. The band's interpersonal dynamic is almost a character of its own. This climaxes during the famous plane crash scare, when each confesses their deepest secrets to the unrestrained laughter of the audience. William, his Mother and Penny are all unforgettable creations. Crowe is a wonderful writer, so good in fact, that I am disappointed he didn't turn this story into a book. Watching the movie will just have to be enough, for now.

This has been one of my top five favorite all-time films since it released 26 years ago. This version gives the Director's Cut a high-res look and sound to go with the Blu-ray tech. If you still find it impossible to pass up this film when channel-scanning, this is a worthwhile upgrade.

First of all, I want to commend this movie for its historical accuracy. _Almost Famous_ mostly takes place in 1973, and all the music is from 1973 or earlier.Kate Hudson does a standout job as the "band-aid." She follows the band around because she is a fan. She also a charming relationship with the main character. Hudson's character is convincing and lovable, in spite of her obvious issues.Patrick Fugit does a great job as the teenage lead. He is based largely on the real life of Cameron Crowe, who also went on the road with the Allman Brothers as a teen.One can tell that Crowe care deeply about this film. It shows throughout. It seems that this film comes from Crowe's own longing to be cool. You won, Cameron Crowe--you made a cool movie.This also features an early role for Zooey Deschanel. She is charming as always.Frances McDormand does a great job as a the uptight, overprotective mother.It's a fun movie and a very realistic portrayal of life on the road. I definitely recommend it.

Almost Famous is a near note-perfect recreation of the rock music millieu before it had exhausted itself in excess in the middle to later 70's. Director Cameron Crowe weaves heavy doses of his personal experiences into a fictional tale of how a hard working band, Stillwater, rises to stardom aided by all sorts of willing dreamers.The interactions between the band members and all of the people whose lives they touch are simply mezmerizing. Especially interesting is the examination of the range of participation that people have with music. Crowe differentiates in many shades between the casual and the romantic aspects of music: On the casual side we see music as a business -- its creators and fans as product to be sold or reported on, to be seen with or to have casual relationships with; On the romantic side we see music as a revelation unto itself -- it generates love to be shared between people.The characters and actors (great casting!) are all believable and, in the end, inspiring. The sex and drugs aspects are sanitized a bit, but then this is a love story with a relatively happy ending, not a tale of failed music.Some of the lighter fun includes all sorts of visual and spoken references to many of the premier performers of the early seventies: Bowie, Sabbath, The Who, Led Zep, Elton John, Allman Brothers, Joni Mitchell, Lou Reed and a blur of others...If you like the theatrical version and are interested in the autobiographical aspects in more detail, I highly recommend the director's cut. The mother-son relationship that seems somewhat implausable in the film was apparently right on the money, and Cameron Crowe did in fact skip 3 grades (one skip instigated by a simple mistake!) and graduated high school at the age of 15. The near airplane crash, the Lester Bangs relationship, the sister who leaves Cameron with her music collection and her wisdom and then meets him sitting alone in an airport -- all true!Another interesting note from the director's cut is that Cameron is married to Nancy Wilson of Heart and they co-wrote the fictional Stillwater band's songs and she wrote other parts of the soundtrack as well. Cameron also comments on several reactions to Almost Famous from bands or individuals that were included on the excellent soundtrack of the movie.Finally, In addition to the autobiographical richness, the director's cut adds insightful personal and relational depth to virutually every major character in the movie.Unless you really dislike the aforementioned musical sources, I recommend you take a look at this movie as a cultural historical document, if nothing else. If you enjoy music from that period of Rock or were growing up during that time, Almost Famous is not to be missed.

The Bootleg Cut version better than the regular version because it lasts longer!

This is by far my favorite film of 2000 and one of my all-time favorite films ever! I have owned this film on every platform it’s ever been released on and this 4K version is simply put, absolutely beautiful and amazing in picture and technical quality! This autobiographical tale about Cameron crowes real life will make you feel envious about the life that the films director, Cameron Crowe himself has made here! Not many people get to live a life like his and this film is about his actual early teen years following around a band in the 70s instead of studying to be a lawyer as his mother would prefer. This film is full of nostalgia from a bygone era that many wish they could return to. This movie will make you laugh, cry, reminisce and rethink your life all at the same time! A must see and a must have for any film collector!

Me hice tanto de la pelicula como de la BSO en cd, para amantes de la música de los 70

Great Movie👍

Increible pelicula para los fans de la música de los 70s, la calidad 4k es increible en esta pelicula, recomendada, entrega en tiempo y forma

[Amazon migrated my original review of this great movie across to the Blu-Ray edition from the Region 1 "Boot Cut". Unfortunately this means that a lot of it is completely inaccurate! The Boot Cut has great extras, such as the superb commentary, and the Blu-Ray has nothing much aside from the extended version of the film. Quite why it was possible to do more with the DVD format than it is with Blu-Ray I'm not sure, but with no Stillwater CD, no "Stairway to Heaven" scene, no deleted scenes etc. this is an opportunity badly missed. Still, it's the extended version and the film really is wonderful ... so it keeps its 5 stars either way.]"Almost Famous" is a truly great film about music by someone who was also a great rock journalist. If you missed it in cinemas, this is a great opportunity to pick it up for home viewing.The three discs here are a short CD by "Stillwater" (the fictional band from the film), a DVD of the original theatrical release and the main event: a DVD of the Director's Cut with a commentary by Cameron Crowe and his mother.The longer version, it should be noted, takes what was already a brilliant autobiographical film and adds some key scenes, most of which explore further the rock world of the early seventies. Crowe himself wanted to tell not merely a love story, but - more importantly - the love story between a band and its fans. The additional detail really "sells" this aspect of the film, most notably in an extraordinarily moving scene when Kate Hudson's character is thrown a birthday party by the band. If you haven't seen this version, you haven't really seen the film: it really does make that much difference.Finally, the commentary, which is one of the most informative that I've encountered. Crowe's mom (played to great effect in the film by Frances McDormand) provides a wonderful foil to Crowe himself as they talk about how closely events in the film tracked the actual events of his life as a journalist with Rolling Stone. If you think that the movie is inauthentic before you hear the commentary, you will have changed your mind by the end of it. Both come across as really warm, funny people as well, which is more than can be said for most commentators on DVDs.One niggle: there's an important scene that was deleted presumably because Crowe couldn't get permission to use "Stairway to Heaven". It's here as an extra on the disc (you have to play your own CD along with it) but isn't incorporated into the "Untitled" Director's Cut. It's a shame that in this area the copyright holder spoiled what was in every other respect a great DVD version of one of the better films of recent years.

Film molto bello.