A Star Is Born

7

AlinzparkJun 17, 2019

“A Star is Born”, co-written, directed, and starring Bradley Cooper (Guardians of the Galaxy, American Sniper), is Hollywood’s fourth telling of a classic tale of success and self-destruction; though this time, the story has been given a“A Star is Born”, co-written, directed, and starring Bradley Cooper (Guardians of the Galaxy, American Sniper), is Hollywood’s fourth telling of a classic tale of success and self-destruction; though this time, the story has been given a refreshingly gritty 21st-century makeover and is helped along by career-best performances by its all-star cast, stunning camerawork, and a powerfully tragic script sure to please audiences in the mood for some musical melodrama.
The film follows Jackson Maine (Cooper); an aging, alcoholic rock star who discovers Ally (Played by Lady Gaga), a bar waitress with an extraordinary amount of untapped musical talent; whom he quickly falls in love with. Maine then decides to help launch Ally into stardom, all while his own career falters and crumbles due to his crippling addiction to pills and alcohol.
While the film proves that Bradley Cooper is a fairly skilled director overall, the cinematographer, Matthew Libatique (Black Swan), is the unofficial second star of the film. The skillful camera work and lighting make every concert played by the stars an eye-popping spectacle bejeweled with blinding lights and swirling camera movements. Overall, while the whole cast gives excellent performances with not a weak one in sight, the beating heart of the film undoubtedly belongs to Lady Gaga and her up and coming starlet. Every moment she is on screen, Gaga shows her character’s natural quirkiness and insecurities with surprising skill, though her acting isn’t as Oscar-worthy as many would think. Someone who did give an Oscar-worthy performance is Sam Elliot as Jackson’s older brother, who gives the best performance in the movie with a single, car-related scene.
This brings us to the script which, while largely charmingly written and armed with an entourage of emotional gut-punches, does suffer from a pretty drastic pacing issue; with much of the third act dragging in a way that greatly softens the emotional impact of the film’s final moments. Additionally, it becomes distractingly apparent Bradley Cooper wanted to give himself as many Oscar-worthy moments as possible in the runtime; smothering the film with close-ups of himself and tearful monologues that are certain to grab the attention of The Academy.
Luckily, none of the film’s flaws are enough to undercut the overall efforts of the collective cast and crew and those in the mood for some soupy melodrama are sure to enjoy this retelling of a classic Hollywood fairytale.… Expand

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6

arrivistJun 15, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This film gave me an uneasy feeling. Occultist and confidant of Marina Abramovic, Lady Gaga, with her surgically modified face, and Bradley Cooper; friends of Anderson Vanderbilt Cooper (look up Gloria Vanderbilt), with his angry glare undoubtedly have chemistry, as their involvement has since broken up both their private relationships. This is the 3rd time A Star is Born has been remade, it starts strong and has some powerful moments, but it is badly edited and at times forced. The ending is as bleak as the reality of Hollywood.… Expand

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10

GarbageXJun 14, 2019

Deserved every award this award season. From Best Picture to Best Actress/Actor to Best Original Song to Best Cinematography and everything in between. A globally legendary era that will be remembered by everyone.

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10

rafaelmelloJun 5, 2019

10 só pela cena de Shallow, onde Ally vai ao show do Jack com seu personal colega e é chamado para cantar a música, me senti como se eu estivesse lá naquele momento, 10 pela cena final do filme, onde Jack aparece cantando um pedaço do refrão,10 só pela cena de Shallow, onde Ally vai ao show do Jack com seu personal colega e é chamado para cantar a música, me senti como se eu estivesse lá naquele momento, 10 pela cena final do filme, onde Jack aparece cantando um pedaço do refrão, super emocionante., até pensei que ele não tivesse mordido.… Expand

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8

Wavy_YeezyMay 25, 2019

This is a good movie, but I do think it stretches out too much. It's also very cliche and not as emotional as I've heard of.

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7

Bertaut1Oct 19, 2018

A strong directorial debut

The fourth version of the template (the fifth if you count What Price Hollywood? from 1932), this particular remake is written by Bradley Cooper, Eric Roth, and Will Fetters, and directed by Cooper, who sticksA strong directorial debut

The fourth version of the template (the fifth if you count What Price Hollywood? from 1932), this particular remake is written by Bradley Cooper, Eric Roth, and Will Fetters, and directed by Cooper, who sticks pretty close to the beats of the previous versions. Jackson Maine (Cooper) is a fading drug-addicted and alcoholic country and western singer suffering from tinnitus, who is just about being held together by his tour manager and elder brother, Bobby (an exceptional Sam Elliott). When Maine encounters Ally Campana (Lady Gaga), he's impressed by her singing abilities, and at his next show, he brings her on stage to sing one of her own songs. Joining him on tour, they soon they begin a romance, but as Ally's popularity grows, Maine begins to voice disapproval.

So, to begin with some aspects which I disliked. The first half is markedly superior to the second, which comes down to pacing issues and editing rhythm. Whereas the first half really takes its time in setting up the characters and their relationship, the second half often feels rushed, offering a highlight reel of events spread out over many months, without really giving any of them time to breathe. Another issue, and one which I recognise I'm in the minority regarding, is that I found Gaga's performance a mixed bag. Essentially doing a Barbra Streisand impression, she doesn't really go any way towards showing us why this young woman would want to be with an alcoholic twice her age (apart from the fact that he's good for her career). Gaga never lets us see her fall in love with him, despite the framework being right there in the script.

I also had some problems with the gender politics. As is the case with all previous versions of the story, although the woman is ostensibly the lead, the man's troubles are the focus of the narrative, with the template inviting the audience to pity the man more than admire the woman. Indeed, Ally is controlled and manipulated by men from start to finish, and the entire story is predicated on the fact that she needs a man's help to make her breakthrough. In this sense, it might have been interesting to reverse the genders. It would probably be automatically criticised by the type of men who downvote anything gender progressive, but it would have been an interesting modern spin on an old story.

To counter that suggestion, however, and move onto what I liked about the film, it could be argued that by effectively maintaining the themes of the previous iterations of the story, the film is simply embracing its histrionic Classical Hollywood genesis, unapologetically retelling a traditional story in much the same manner as it was originally conceived.

Copper's direction is also pretty impressive, giving the rock world milieu a sense of lived-in verisimilitude, in what is probably the most vibrantly realistic portrayal of the music industry since Almost Famous (2000). For the most part, Cooper as director is invisible, which makes sense, given the nature of the story (the ominous nooses seen hanging above Maine on a billboard are a little over the top, however). For the most part, he strikes a fine balance between over-the-top showbiz fantasy, populated by larger-than-life characters and cartoonish histrionics, and a more grounded romance about the sacrifices one may have to make for the person one loves. To cite just one example of this dichotomy, the scenes which introduce the two leads are as far as you can imagine from razzmatazz - Maine is shown alone in a green room popping pills before staggering onto stage, and Ally is shown in a toilet cubicle breaking up with her boyfriend over the phone.

All things considered, A Star is Born is an impressive directorial debut, and is probably the best of the four versions of the story (it's certainly better than the 1937 and 1976 versions). Signalling the arrival of an interesting new directorial voice, I didn't think it was as good as a lot of people, finding it a little too disposable at times, but I certainly enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to whatever Cooper does next.… Expand

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8

IsaacJApr 6, 2019

Here, in his directorial debut, Bradley Cooper presents a third retelling of a timeless romance. It is said that each generation has their own version of A Star is Born; whether it’s the 1937 original, Judy Garland’s 1954 retelling or BarbraHere, in his directorial debut, Bradley Cooper presents a third retelling of a timeless romance. It is said that each generation has their own version of A Star is Born; whether it’s the 1937 original, Judy Garland’s 1954 retelling or Barbra Streisand in 1976. This modern adaptation draws on that same arc of one star ascending whilst another falls, but it also feels very different; Cooper’s film is a raw, affecting love story, perfect for the audiences of today.
Cooper himself stars as Jackson Maine, grizzled and drug-addled country rocker, cruising through fame down the side street of self-destruction. The film opens in the midst of an immersive rock concert… before which we see Jack swig from a bottle and pop pills on the side of the stage. Soon enough, we meet the other half of our captivating double act, as Jack stops off at a drag bar only to find Lady Gaga’s Ally performing a belting version of La Vie En Rose. He’s instantly smitten both with her and her undeniable talent. What follows is a love story of highs and lows, as Ally’s success blooms and Cooper’s Jack spirals steadily into a pit of addiction. This film not only explores the personal struggles of a relationship, but the paralysing and enticing nature of fame.
Bradley Cooper is transformative in his performance as Jackson; his gravelly tones and haggard gait make for a portrayal that is unrecognisably convincing. What is even more revolutionary, however, is Cooper’s direction, an attentive approach to a story that deals with tough themes. Lady Gaga is a powerful force as Ally; we already know this megastar’s ability to dominate a stage and deliver a vocal performance, but what is even more impressive is what we see of Ally when she is still a waitress too afraid to sing the songs she writes. Gaga’s performance is a compelling one and the director in Cooper is brilliant at playing to her strengths; we learn to love Ally as she grows into herself, with the help of (but not dependency on) Jack. Ultimately, what makes A Star is Born a story worth retelling is its central romance; this film always rested entirely on that being believable. Gaga and Cooper’s chemistry is simply wonderful; theirs is a real relationship, full of laughter, love and resentment. There’s something so ineffable just in the way the characters look at eachother that makes their love so potent and only heightens the emotional effect of the tragedy that follows.
Whilst Jack and Ally’s relationship is the obvious focus, other characters stand in the background with Sam Elliott giving a beautifully understated performance as Jack’s half-brother Bobby. The relationship between Jack and Bobby is superbly done; the screenwriters know never to allow it to take too much light but it still reaches an emotional payoff in one of the best scenes. In contrast, a manipulative triangle that forms between Jack, Ally and Rafi Gavron’s hissable manager is one of the weaker aspects of the film, a little too cliched and rather stunted.
There are also a few structural problems; throughout the second act, events in the story (from hastened wedding to SNL skits) stream too quickly by, yet the pace of Cooper’s edit seems to drag. These are quickly resolved by the third act, however, where we are brought back to the lyrical pace of the first hour that works so well. The soundtrack leaves one slightly underwhelmed; whilst the film’s booming anthem, ‘Shallow’ will stick with you for days, many of the songs lack much memorability with only a few really aiding the storytelling. You almost forget about the songs however in the many concert scenes; Matthew Libatique’s cinematography is judicious, an engrossing shoot, from the bright neons of Ally’s tour right through to Jackson’s rock concerts which we see in the same drunken haze of their star. Outside of these moments too, the film is shot with a tenderness that also manages to feel totally involving.
Early on in the film, Jackson wisely states the importance of having “something to say and a way to say it”. This couldn’t ring truer of A Star is Born; despite being a third remake, it’s a retelling that feels like it was meant to be told. Two alluring lead performances and Cooper’s deft direction make this film far from ‘Shallow’, but rather a deeply moving and dramatic love story that hits all the right notes… Expand

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5

dc127Apr 5, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I don't get this movie. It had overwhelming critical praise. My wife and I both really like Bradley Cooper and had no expectation for Lady Gaga. We requested the movie from our local library (go libraries!) and watched it at home. We found it hard to be engaged. I thought that Bradley Cooper gave a very convincing performance and Lady Gaga was fine. We both were engaged for the first third of the move and then . . . just stopped caring. We turned the movie off and didn't finish it for a week. We were also very annoyed by the ending. Sure he was an addict, but he cared about her and was trying to get his life together. Killing himself didn't make sense. There were a hundred other ways he could have removed himself from her life without hanging himself in the garage.… Expand

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8

ARGzelderMar 16, 2019

La primer experiencia de Bradley Cooper como director nos da una película memorable y encantadora, la química que tiene él como protagonista y Lady Gaga trasciende y nos vende esta historia de amor que se crea en el contexto de los escenariosLa primer experiencia de Bradley Cooper como director nos da una película memorable y encantadora, la química que tiene él como protagonista y Lady Gaga trasciende y nos vende esta historia de amor que se crea en el contexto de los escenarios y giras musicales.
La historia nos introduce a Jack, un músico que esta lidiando con problemas de alcohol y una inevitable perdida de la audición, tras un recital decide hacer una parada por una bebida y se encuentra con Ally, una chica frustrada en el ambiente musical que logra cautivarlo por su voz y su creatividad.
La película es una historia de amor a pesar de la adversidad, de como una persona puede llevar a su pareja hacia nuevos caminos por el sólo hecho de que uno cree en el otro, y viceversa. Sin lugar a dudas uno de los puntos más fuertes es la actuación de Lady Gaga como Ally, en su primer participación como actriz principal da todo de ella y nos da una credibilidad en cuanto al amor de su personaje por su pareja. La música es muy interesante desde letras profundas a ritmos que enganchan la banda sonora cumple un gran rol.
Una gran historia de amor, recomendable para quienes gustan de éste género o quieren probarlo, la película se hace sentir corta porque entretiene en todo momento.… Expand

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8

RaduAMar 16, 2019

82/100 I liked it very much.
Bradley Cooper did a really good job, considering his first film.
Lady Gaga looks better without makeup, my opinion. The acting was good, I liked the song a lot (most, not all of them), the cinematography was82/100 I liked it very much.
Bradley Cooper did a really good job, considering his first film.
Lady Gaga looks better without makeup, my opinion.
The acting was good, I liked the song a lot (most, not all of them), the cinematography was decent.
The chemistry between Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga was great. The end seemed to me a exaggerated but it did not bother me so much.… Expand

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7

JoeCoolMar 11, 2019

Good enough to go see, even if you're not really into music movies. I had some doubts about whether Lady Gaga would be any good as an actress but she really came through. The Oscar for Shallow is obviously well deserved if anyone had anyGood enough to go see, even if you're not really into music movies. I had some doubts about whether Lady Gaga would be any good as an actress but she really came through. The Oscar for Shallow is obviously well deserved if anyone had any doubts.
The second half of the movie A star is born (as another star fades) isn't exactly a feel good movie, but the music kinda helps you through it, but not really, as the predictable story unfolds. Nice to see Gaga without all the extravagance, just as a solid singer. If you really don't like Lady Gaga then this movie won't be for you though.… Expand

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10

ryneMar 12, 2019

Exceptional job by Bradley Cooper in his directorial debut and was also impressed by both he and Lady Gaga's acting in the movie. This is the movie that should have won the Oscar for best picture.

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9

RdgmonsterMar 11, 2019

Muy buena la verdad de lo mejor del año, película que genera sentimientos mientras la miras, bien.

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10

ewhiteMar 5, 2019

Beautiful movie, Gaga and Bradley both delivered and their acting was spectacular. Although the ending was sad, everything seemed to work out perfectly. The performances of "Shallow", "I'll Never Love Again" and "Always Remember Us This Way"Beautiful movie, Gaga and Bradley both delivered and their acting was spectacular. Although the ending was sad, everything seemed to work out perfectly. The performances of "Shallow", "I'll Never Love Again" and "Always Remember Us This Way" deserved it's own Oscar.… Expand

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8

JoseAngel47Mar 1, 2019

Yeah It's good. Great music, Great Directing, Great Performances from the entire cast.

Go Watch It

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6

eagleeyevikingMar 1, 2019

Even at 2 and a quarter hours, the stars' rise and downfall feels rushed and unearned. However, their acting is powerful, the music is exemplary, and there is genuine chemistry between the stars, which goes some way in redeeming the film.

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9

HucksterFeb 28, 2019

Deeply moving with an outstanding performance from Cooper. Absolute authenticity. The music is first rate and powerfully emotive. Lady Gaga delivers brilliantly as expected. Only slightly jarring thing is the editing - it jumps a littleDeeply moving with an outstanding performance from Cooper. Absolute authenticity. The music is first rate and powerfully emotive. Lady Gaga delivers brilliantly as expected. Only slightly jarring thing is the editing - it jumps a little too much between critical scenes - without allowing time to absorb important plot points. Otherwise perfect.… Expand

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9

AJGo85Feb 27, 2019

“We’re Far From the Shallow Now”

I was skeptical when I saw the trailer for A Star is Born; it seemed like just a big budget vanity project for Bradley Cooper who stars, co-writes, directs, and sings. When I finally saw A Star is Born, I was“We’re Far From the Shallow Now”

I was skeptical when I saw the trailer for A Star is Born; it seemed like just a big budget vanity project for Bradley Cooper who stars, co-writes, directs, and sings. When I finally saw A Star is Born, I was more than pleasantly surprised. Before the credits rolled, this film had me so thoroughly entertained and moved, I knew this was the kind of experience I hope to have (and so rarely get) when I go to the movies.

This is the fourth version of A Star is Born. The previous versions were made in 1937 with Janet Gaynor and Fredric March, 1954 with Judy Garland and James Mason, and 1976 with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. In 2018, Bradley Cooper plays Jackson Maine, an alt-country singer-songwriter who can still pack auditoriums but is deep into alcoholism and substance abuse. One night, at what Jackson is too drunk to realize is a drag bar, he meets a talented young waitress and singer named Ally played by Lady Gaga. He immediately recognizes her talent, invites her to his next concert, drags her out on stage to sing the song she sang for him the night before, and overnight, yes, a star is born.

The music in A Star is Born is good enough to justify the success of the fictional musicians. Jackson Maine’s songs are just the right blend of country and rock to have mass appeal. The break out hit from the soundtrack is “Shallow” sung by both Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. It would be a complete and utter shock if it did not win the Oscar for Best Original Song. As a performer, Lady Gaga is famous for her over the top and outlandish theatrics that for me always distracted from her voice and music, which I quite enjoy. Here, her voice and skills as a songwriter are front and center. As an actress, she, unsurprisingly, has a great screen presence and proves that she is not just a musician trying to be a movie star. She is the emotional center of A Star is Born. We believe and never question her love and loyalty for Jackson despite his alcoholism. Lady Gaga's nomination for Best Actress is well earned. Bradley Cooper plays one of the most believable drunks I’ve seen on screen. When playing an alcoholic any actor or actress has the temptation to go for big showy scenes of sloppy behavior. Cooper, wisely, and more accurately, plays Jackson as someone that is a little drunk all the time. The people closest to Jackson as aren't worried about him flying off the handle as they are about keeping him on his feet. He remembers that alcohol is a depressant, so his outbursts are as sleepy as they are soul crushing and regrettably memorable. Sam Elliott turns in a great performance, of course, as Jackson’s older brother and is nominated for Best Supporting Actor. I found a particular delight in watching Andrew Dice Clay play Ally’s father because he is playing a character we so rarely see on film, a believable loving and supportive father. A Star is Born has picked up 8 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, but shockingly Cooper did not receive a Best Director nomination. Retelling A Star is Born was a passion project for Cooper; he held on to the project until he was the right age to play Jackson Maine. Finding a compelling and engaging way to tell a story that has been told three times before is no easy feat. I watched all 3 previous versions recently and it is amazing how A Star is Born 2018 hits so many of the same beats, and even has the some of the same dialogue as the previous versions but does not feel like a tired rehash. The approach Cooper the director and cinematographer Matthew Libatique take toward the material makes every scene look and feel fresh even as we move down a familiar path. A Star is Born is something almost nonexistent today: a movie for grown-ups from a major studio. This film does not condescend to its audience and allows its characters to behave to like real people dealing with serious problems. This is a sentimental picture but that sentiment is earned. Jackson and Ally’s romance is believable because of the hard valleys we see them experience as well as the peaks. A darkness looms over Jackson, but Ally does what she can for him, and for herself, because that’s what you do for someone you love. A Star is Born works as love story, a drama, a fantasy and cautionary tale of stardom, and a story about substance abuse all wrapped up in a soundtrack of great music. Even if you know where the story is going it is so well executed that every moment and every emotion is still gripping and affecting. There may be another A Star is Born made 20 years from now, but I think this one will remain as the stand out.… Expand

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8

MayfieldjaFeb 26, 2019

A Star is Born hits all the beats that it needs to and I completely understand why people love it. There are moments that down right gave me chills, specifically when Gaga performs and Sam Elliott gives a pretty rock solid performance. ForA Star is Born hits all the beats that it needs to and I completely understand why people love it. There are moments that down right gave me chills, specifically when Gaga performs and Sam Elliott gives a pretty rock solid performance. For all the good, there are still some flaws, mainly in some awkward chemistry moments between Cooper and Gaga where they struggled to find the emotional chords that they were looking for. Still a rock solid movie. 8 out of 10… Expand

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7

MattBrady99Feb 25, 2019

"Maybe it's time to let the old ways die."

'A Star Is Born' is a depressing look on love, drugs and rock n roll, but will occasionally stumble into some cliche moments with the main message shooting itself in the foot. I mean, the whole "if"Maybe it's time to let the old ways die."

'A Star Is Born' is a depressing look on love, drugs and rock n roll, but will occasionally stumble into some cliche moments with the main message shooting itself in the foot. I mean, the whole "if you’re talented, but don’t have anything to say", which is just this movie. Nothing new is said at all. However, as soon as the credits rolled, I was left speechless. A mishmash of emotions that left me drained.

Bradley Cooper is absolutely excellent as the talented, yet deeply troubled Jack. Every time Cooper is on screen, I really bought him as the alcoholic rock star. The way he carries himself throughout with his mumble speech was totally believable. I don't know what’s more impressive: This is Cooper’s directorial debut or his singing voice...maybe both.

Lady Gaga is also really great and finally shows off her acting chops, something that her previous roles failed to do. While some of her line delivery was a bit unnatural, but I thought she’s terrific during the dramatic aspects. And of course her singing voice is dynamic.

Sam Elliott, on the other hand, absolutely broke me and his screen time is very slim. Without spoiling anything, there’s a scene involving him reversing his car and we get a close up shot on Elliott’s face, with no dialogue and music, just his reaction. It’s some of the best acting.

The sound design is incredibly detailed, especially during the concert scenes. The songs itself are really good and you can understand why within this story it made them stars. Although the editing is a bit clunky at times and the directing isn't anything too special. The movie can get a little bit predictable, because it almost follows the Oscar bait formula, but didn’t distract my emotional investment .

Overall rating: Out of all the movies nominated this year at the Oscars that I thought are either bland or straight up bad - this is probably my third favorite with the others being 'The Favorite' and 'Roma'.

*me to Bradley Cooper* "I just wanted to take another look at you."… Expand

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10

nytstalkFeb 23, 2019

A fantastic movie, after 2 mediocre ones of the same name. Even if you don't like Gaga as an artist you should chack it out!

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8

SrPepeFeb 23, 2019

A Star is Born es una película muy buena, una gran adaptación que cuenta con una ost excelente y buenas actuaciones.

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9

OphiriaFeb 18, 2019

A surprisingly honest, harsh, and non-corny plot held together with amazing performances and wonderful pacing. The direction is extremely well done, with each scene (apart from some slight sagging during the second act) feeling like itA surprisingly honest, harsh, and non-corny plot held together with amazing performances and wonderful pacing. The direction is extremely well done, with each scene (apart from some slight sagging during the second act) feeling like it contributed a lot to the story. This film was pleasing to both critics and audiences, and it’s clear to see why. The emotionally heavy plot mixed with supplementary music makes for a pleasing and impressive experience.
You can also see how the characters change throughout the film. The thing that distinguishes this from your generic Hollywood fame story is the characters and their struggles. They all have their own problems whether it be self image, substance abuse, what have you.
Overall, this film takes on challenging subject matter with wonderful direction, strong emotional power, amazing performances, and wonderful music. A-… Expand

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7

DjakeirFeb 18, 2019

A star is born seems to be a humble film about the rise of a star and the simultaneous fall of another. This humility I think has been lost in the recent award season but whether or not this film deserves oscars or not, proably the former inA star is born seems to be a humble film about the rise of a star and the simultaneous fall of another. This humility I think has been lost in the recent award season but whether or not this film deserves oscars or not, proably the former in my opinion, the film still has positives and negatives. Lady Gaga is a tremendous talent and excels as her role which she clealry has some emotional connection to. She delivers dialogue and emotions earnestly and is able to convey emotions proportional to on screen events. Lady Gaga only offers to lift this movie up with her unavoidable star presence.
Bradley Cooper is a very likeable actor, he has had an accomplished career as an actor so far and his performances aren't always versatile but are consistently good. Here Bradley portarys a complex character with previous and existing issues. His acting of his characters' addiciton was more believable and effective in some scenes more so than others. He was at times overshadowed by his famous co-star but I do believe Bradley Cooper held his own and played a role that no one could easily have taken. His job as a director was solid, the directing didn't hinder the movie but its hard to think of any times where it excelled, which isn't too bad a criticism for a directorial debut, but I have seen better debuts by actors (Paul Dano's Wildlife).

The soudtrack was really good, again an area where Lady Gaga came through. Bradley Cooper has to be commended for his contributions to this soundtrack however it is obvious his acting is where his comforts lie. The storyline was ok but it was obvious how this movie was going to progress. This movie tries to tackle difficult themes and for the most part it managed to do so effectively. However, I do think that certain issues, especially the one related to the conclusion of this movie was a bit awkward. The movie seems to be clunky in the sense that half way into the movie they realise they need to start preparing for how its going to end. This results in a drastic change in mood that whilst creates a feeling of dread in the audiene it also feels like an uncomfortable attempt to depress them also. This may have been the goal of the film but then again you could have shown a short film of histroical tragedies which would require little effort on behalf of the film maker to elicit the same feeling. A more creative way to show the downfall of a perons life would have been more relatable and would have created a deeper feeling of sorrow in the audience rather than just a depressing afternoon.… Expand

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4

ClariseSamuelsFeb 17, 2019

A Star Is Born never loses its appeal as the ultimate American rags-to-riches success story—with a love story to boot. First made in 1937 with actors Janet Gaynor and Fredric March, the film was remade in 1954 with Judy Garland and JamesA Star Is Born never loses its appeal as the ultimate American rags-to-riches success story—with a love story to boot. First made in 1937 with actors Janet Gaynor and Fredric March, the film was remade in 1954 with Judy Garland and James Mason, then again in 1976 with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, and now we have the twenty-first century version with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. The film’s hype and award-season nomination sweep is partly due to the impressive soundtrack of heartfelt songs sung with the powerful mezzo-soprano voice of Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, known popularly to most of us as Lady Gaga, who also co-wrote many of the songs.

To begin with, there are many surprises in this film: 1) The moving and emotionally fervent songs were sung live on the set by Gaga and Cooper; 2) it appears that Bradley Cooper could have been a rock star if he had not succeeded as an actor; and 3) Stefani Germanotta is a natural beauty who goes to great lengths to make herself look as bizarre as possible with her platinum hair and overly dramatic make-up in her persona as Lady Gaga. Strangely enough, Gaga said in an interview that she felt ugly looking like her real self in the role of Ally. There is also an autobiographical footnote in the film when Ally confesses that producers always told her they like the way she sounds but not the way she looks, which might explain Gaga’s decision in real life to make herself look as outrageous as possible. In the film, Ally says that producers complained about her nose, and in interviews Gaga admitted that this tidbit was from her real experience. (Ironically, Gaga’s patrician nose is quite elegant and reminiscent of ancient Roman aristocracy—there’s nothing wrong with her nose.)

The film begins strongly with a meeting of two musical minds—Ally lives at home with her dad, works as a waitress, and only gets to sing at night at a drag club where they tolerate that she is a real female because they like her. Cooper plays a famous country rock star, Jackson Maine, who is so famous that he could stumble drunkenly into any tiny bar in any city and instantly be recognized by every single person sitting there, which puts him in approximately the same league as Mick Jagger or Elton John. Cooper’s character is strikingly authentic as a musician and rock star, but Cooper’s dramatic skills are a bit rough and unpolished in this role, as are those of Lady Gaga. Gaga is playing her real self stripped naked, so to speak. She is unable to completely transcend her natural reticence about her real self to be convincing in the role of Ally. And Jackson Maine is supposed to be drunken, difficult, and debauched, with a perpetual chip on his shoulder; yet, he turns into a tender, docile lamb every time he looks lovingly at Ally. The viewer might wonder whether this is Jackson Maine, Ally’s lover, or Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga fan. The f-word dominates the script so unremittingly that at times it sounds like they are speaking an unfamiliar and deviant dialect of the English language.

The across-the-board award nominations for this film are a true testament to the impressively large fandom of Lady Gaga, making this film part of the popular culture that the Academy seeks to include in its nominations.… Expand

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10

licinhaandFeb 15, 2019

omg. Best film of 2018, no words. A star is really born. Bradley and Gaga. Shallow is the best song of the decade

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6

Slovenly_MuseFeb 9, 2019

Competently directed, with superb acting and many stirring emotional moments, this film can't quite surpass its sense of being a vanity project for Bradley Cooper. It is much more tightly focused on Jack than Ally, to the point of nearlyCompetently directed, with superb acting and many stirring emotional moments, this film can't quite surpass its sense of being a vanity project for Bradley Cooper. It is much more tightly focused on Jack than Ally, to the point of nearly abandoning exploration of Ally's complicated feelings about her own rising stardom midway, and ceding all points it almost makes about sexism and fame to the music industry, in order to get on with Jack's story. Unevenly paced, and with some dangling threads to pick up, the film was enjoyable, but ultimately lacked the courage to take its breakout song's promised dive into the deep end.… Expand

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10

NicholasandrewFeb 7, 2019

It was the first movie that made me tremble emotionally. Almost cried at the end, really beautiful and touching story. The way the characters are held throughout the movie is impecable. Amazed with Bradley's singing talent and Gaga's acting.It was the first movie that made me tremble emotionally. Almost cried at the end, really beautiful and touching story. The way the characters are held throughout the movie is impecable. Amazed with Bradley's singing talent and Gaga's acting. The songs are great and simply hits. That's it, amazing movie, one of the best I've seen till' now!… Expand

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9

MateoSanchezJan 31, 2019

WONDERFUL. I could not detach myself from the screen when I saw it. The direction of Bradley Cooper is amazing, the photography is magnificent and Lady Gaga shines like never before in her debut role on the big screen.
The music is beautifulWONDERFUL. I could not detach myself from the screen when I saw it. The direction of Bradley Cooper is amazing, the photography is magnificent and Lady Gaga shines like never before in her debut role on the big screen.
The music is beautiful and it made me feel a lot.… Expand

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3

Xeba_1Jan 29, 2019

Aburrida, actuaciones chatas, un sacrificio llegar hasta el final ya que desde el minuto 20 había perdido totalmente el interés.

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1

frannorthstarJan 29, 2019

Substance Abuse is NOT a Disease!!
…how could a disease be abusive yet it’s been coined that for years coercing the public to a better expectancy of what is simply self-indulgent just as the acting and script for this FOURTH remake trash onlySubstance Abuse is NOT a Disease!!
…how could a disease be abusive yet it’s been coined that for years coercing the public to a better expectancy of what is simply self-indulgent just as the acting and script for this FOURTH remake trash only deserving one star here for Elliott’s work though his ‘The Hero’ was by far much better yet receive what exactly apart from stoners heaven…… Expand

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0

KELEO2000Jan 28, 2019

I was looking for the whole movie but my biggest question was never answered ... where is the star? I never got to see her

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9

AndrewBurgeJan 26, 2019

The most amazing thing about this film is that while it has many firsts going on, it does not feel like it: Bradley Cooper's directorial and writing debut, but more impressive was Lady Gaga's debut performance as the timid but aspiring AllyThe most amazing thing about this film is that while it has many firsts going on, it does not feel like it: Bradley Cooper's directorial and writing debut, but more impressive was Lady Gaga's debut performance as the timid but aspiring Ally which was absolutely stunning (not that Cooper's disturbed Jackson Maine was any worse). Sure, Cooper had two previous remakes to inspire from, but still! Both him and Gaga are the stars of this picture carrying the story nicely.

The reason why I think this version is the best, is because of how effective and true are the issues which it deals with nowadays. The gap between quality, artful music and superficial, commercial pop was never as big as it is today. Watching the troubled, drug, alcohol and pill-infused Jack struggle with connecting with this modern world was especially sad. But while the story it presents is as old as show-business itself, the visions each characters have about it is vastly different. Jack feels guilty for what Ally has become, even if she basks in success. She is a bonafide pop star along with backup dancers and a 'hip' manager who wears modern ankle-socks; something that Jack was quick to notice.

Sure, Ally struggled to keep from becoming a plastic, industrial star, but the appreciation she gets is powerful enough to feed her insecurity, so she just goes with the flow. I am also especially happy that Lady Gaga got to play Ally because her career more or less followed the same path Ally did. From insecurity she became a flashy pop star and now a mature woman. But beneath this analysis that I did here, this is simply a beautiful film to watch.

The music scenes are great, the way Ally jumps in and starts singing "Shallow", a great song, by the way, is truly powerful and glorious. Every supporting character offers true insight and beyond the tragedy closing in at the end of the film, Jack becoming more and more disconnected with the current world, Ally, his legacy, is there. She is content, and that is a triumph.… Expand

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5

imanzbrjdJan 27, 2019

Considering Cooper's first directing exprience, it was fine but in overall, the movie was just a simple repeatitive cliche. The script was lazy written. I don't understand all these hypes and positive reviews. It was Bradley Cooper and songsConsidering Cooper's first directing exprience, it was fine but in overall, the movie was just a simple repeatitive cliche. The script was lazy written. I don't understand all these hypes and positive reviews. It was Bradley Cooper and songs that kept me going till the end of the movie. I think it might be Cooper's best acting ever. On the other side, Lady Gaga was horrible. I mean it was totally fake. Her acting was bothering the sh*t out of me. If you guys wanna see a real "A Star is Born" movie, go watch Walk the Line starring Joaquin Phoenix. The crazy life of the great Johnny Cash.… Expand

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3

DzimasJan 27, 2019

In this day and age most music and films are written and produced for 13 year old girls. I suppose in a way Star is Born took a sardonic view of Ally's rise as a Beyonce-like starlet replete with back-up dancers doing a song somewhatIn this day and age most music and films are written and produced for 13 year old girls. I suppose in a way Star is Born took a sardonic view of Ally's rise as a Beyonce-like starlet replete with back-up dancers doing a song somewhat reminiscent of Sing Ladies, but the world-weary Jackson let her play out her dream, ultimately escaping into a bottle of Tequila and sucking the worm inside.

However, that was pretty much the only takeaway as far as I am concerned, as this film was loaded with cliches when it could have been tailored for the times. Instead, it feels like a badly dated 1970s redux of the classic film with none of the joie de vivre we would expect from two headliners like Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.

This is all her movie. It is fun to watch Gaga raw and unplugged in the early scenes of the movie. She has a great voice and is the obvious successor to Barbra Streisand. But, Brad is no Kris Kristofferson, who could both act and sing. Brad does neither very well. He just falls further and further in the hole he has dug for himself one wasted scene after the next.

I would think we are beyond this kind of sentimental tripe but apparently not judging from all the glowing reviews. The industry chews up and spits out these starlets one after the other. No real comment on the system other than to give us the Faustian Rez Gavron who appears to call in Jackson's contract in favor of Ally. Mercifully, Cooper avoids the love triangle that appeared to be coming, but ultimately Ally chooses Rez while hanging onto Jackson like you would an old dog. Too bad because this film could have been so much more.… Expand

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8

ThrenodistJan 24, 2019

The story is relatively simple. The soundtrack and acting performance put this firm into the Great category.

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6

TommyTimberlakeJan 21, 2019

This movie makes me angry. It makes me angry that people enjoy this movie, and think that it has a touching story. The characters are selfish and shallow. And the fact that people think the ending is touching or sad is infuriating. Lady GagaThis movie makes me angry. It makes me angry that people enjoy this movie, and think that it has a touching story. The characters are selfish and shallow. And the fact that people think the ending is touching or sad is infuriating. Lady Gaga portrays a lovable character that remains insanely loyal to Bradley Cooper's. The puzzling thing is that throughout the film Bradley Cooper does nothing but bring her down. He does absolutely nothing redeemable the entire film. Sometimes films are about rehabilitating an old, washed-up soul. This movie wants to be that, but in the end Cooper decides to betray Gaga, the most supportive person in his life, and hold her back even more by heaping unnecessary grief onto her already stressful life. It isn't romantic or tragic, it is selfish. It solves none of the problems in either of their lives, and he only did it because he was a little bit sad. What a great message.

Despite the good performances in here by Gaga and Sam Elliot (Cooper is very one-note), and some good direction, the characters are atrocious. Don't believe the hype.… Expand

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9

marcmyworksJan 19, 2019

What a wonderful journey to be taken on. The characters of Jack and Ally are raw and relatable and resonate as some of the most honest I have seen on screen in a long time.

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7

rwbronsonJan 17, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Finding your voice...and losing it

A Star is Born(70/100)

(Possible spoilers(but not if you've seen any of the previous 3 versions)

Acting/Script Score(15/20) Cooper's finest moment is his final embrace with Gaga, just as March's goodbye to Gaynor was in the '37 version. But once you've seen an actor pull off that scene do we really need to see it again? And I was tragically unmoved at the end. It seems that 2 minutes of critique from Ally's manager is all it takes to push Jackson over the edge. The characters who inspire and captivate us are those who find sacrificial strength in love(Joy Newsome in "Room", Georges Laurent in "Amour", Frankie Dunn in "Million Dollar Baby.) Jackson seems content with his one attempt to conquer his demons.
Gaga's finest moment was definitely her first performance at Jackson's concert but that seems to be more a product of the cinematography than anything else.

Take Your Shot/Find Your Voice Score(40/40) The first concert scene with both Jackson and Ally is definitely the highlight of the film. Well paced(Ally waits just long enough before stepping to the mic), well photographed(Cooper's penchant for close-ups is best used here) and great musical chemistry between Jackson and Ally.

You've got something to say Score(0/20) This is where the movie totally lost me. Both her husband and her manager tell Ally that she now has a platform to say things the world needs to hear. She's found her voice so what will she say? Well, she says, "Why did you do that, do that. do that, do that, do that to me?" Yeah, I'm out.

Comparison Score(5/10) The vocal performances and lyrics were superior in the '76 version. Gaga's finale was superior to Streisand's failed attempt at rock though.

Kelly Score(10/10) I saw the film with my daughter Kelly and she felt that the story dealt with the question of Ally's failure to use her platform to say something important. And she found Jackson more sympathetic that I did. Perhaps this is because of the work she's done with the marginalized in St. Louis. I reconsidered my view and ultimately stuck with my original opinion but this helps me realize it's just my opinion and many may disagree(certainly most critics who've reviewed the film do.)

70/100

[ Rabid, Ranting Kansas Fan Font on] One reason the "Say Something" issue bothered me so much is that my favorite group, Kansas, faced the same pressure as they started in the music business. Their albums featured songs running up to 11 minutes in length that were about such topics as the colonization of America, visions of lost spouses, and themes from Herman Hesse novels. Their record company pressured them to write short love songs but they stuck to their guns. Their breakout hit "Carry on Wayward Son" was nearly 5 minutes long and still dealt with profound themes. Ally chickened out. [Rabid, Ranting Kansas Fan Font off]… Expand

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9

imthenoobJan 16, 2019

Cooper is firing on all cylinders with this film (as the lead actor, director and writer) and Gaga is right alongside with him killing it as the lead actress. And while this film is the third remake of the original, It doesn't feel like youCooper is firing on all cylinders with this film (as the lead actor, director and writer) and Gaga is right alongside with him killing it as the lead actress. And while this film is the third remake of the original, It doesn't feel like you are watching a remake but instead, an original masterpiece.

A Star Is Born does everything right and does nothing wrong (aside from the disappointing lack of Sam Elliott). I really enjoyed it and it'd definitely be my pick for best film of the year.… Expand

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8

zrhumphreyJan 15, 2019

Fantastic performances, solid first time direction by Cooper, and the songs are catchy as hell. Didn't hit me as hard as I wanted it to.

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9

ThatFilmGuy20Jan 15, 2019

A Star is Born is all kinds of special, it truly captures the love story that film revolves on, it just hits all the right spots, from the amazing music to the unbelievable acting to the great directing, it offers a lot of things at once andA Star is Born is all kinds of special, it truly captures the love story that film revolves on, it just hits all the right spots, from the amazing music to the unbelievable acting to the great directing, it offers a lot of things at once and the best thing about it is that they all say one thing and that's there is incredible.
And now for what I think was the centerpiece of this film, Lady Gaga just wows, it is incredible to see her perform like this in her first serious role and her first ever lead, she delivered a heartwrenching performance that captured her own real-life persona, in other words, she played herself in a way, it felt natural and seamless and effortless and in my opinion she really outperformed Bradley Cooper, which brings me to his role which he excelled at playing as he incorporates his vision as a director into the character that he played, you can actually feel that he's in command of his performance as he knows exactly what to do to complement Gaga's performance, one thing that really made it what it is, is the chemistry between the two leads, their love story is charismatic and charming and I really enjoyed watching that unfold.

Cooper does a really good job of framing this film in the right way, you can see that he carefully picks his scenes and just let the leads draw the scene and I felt like that worked perfectly.

A Star is Born is a dreamy downright exhilarating film that leaves with a timeless good impression, it's just magical to watch.… Expand

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9

thurm33Jan 14, 2019

Really impressed by Bradley Cooper's directing. Lady Gaga also surprised my as an actress. The story is written very well and connects you to the two main characters throughout the movie and does a great job portraying their relationship. TheReally impressed by Bradley Cooper's directing. Lady Gaga also surprised my as an actress. The story is written very well and connects you to the two main characters throughout the movie and does a great job portraying their relationship. The only downfall in my eyes was the ending, but I don't think it takes away from the rest of the movie. Definitely worth a watch.… Expand

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6

mnandaJan 12, 2019

Movie that is less than the sum of its parts and it's ultimately crippled by an unconvincing romance anchored by a sadly underwritten female lead. It's a testament to Lady Gaga's vitality and charisma that she makes Ally seem like a realMovie that is less than the sum of its parts and it's ultimately crippled by an unconvincing romance anchored by a sadly underwritten female lead. It's a testament to Lady Gaga's vitality and charisma that she makes Ally seem like a real person when, as written the character has motivations and desires which shift whatever way is most narratively convenient, but with zero logic or consistency. First she's a ballsy performer at a drag club, fiercer than any Queen. Then she's a mousey never-was who doesn't believe in herself. She seems unaffected by Jackson's fame and taken with the man... But then belts an original tune in a parking lot. She's a passionate, authentic singer/songwriter who can only connect with her material when she's also playing the music herself... But then she's doing slick, choreography to a bland pop hit. The biggest mystery of all is why she's with Jackson in the first place. They don't have much chemistry beyond both being very good-looking. Clearly he can help her career, but there's no hint that she might be mercenary, so why is she with him? Especially after she instantly pegs him as a drunk. I could go on, but am going to bail... just like I thought of walking out of the movie every 10 minutes or so after the first hour. That said, the final song did make me cry–a real sign of Lady Gaga's talent as a performer, and a sign of a good song.… Expand

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10

jwurgracesJan 12, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One thing I can say for sure is that Gaga is awesome singer who make us cry by only sing.… Expand

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9

goncalocoutoJan 10, 2019

"A Star Is Born" conta uma história interessante e arrebatadora e excelentes músicas. As performances de Cooper e Gaga foram magníficas e este filme deixa-nos de coração cheio, e também, partido...
9/10

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7

AMFcriticJan 10, 2019

A musical that tells the tragedy in an almost masterly way. Touching deep issues such as the vice that comes from depression, and suffering as a result of the disease. 79.4 / 100 (7)

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9

HarryPettigrewJan 9, 2019

A Star is Born is a film about a country singer who helps a young new artist rise to fame, while he fights his struggle with alcoholism.
The film is set in modern-day America as it reflects on the current state of the music industry through aA Star is Born is a film about a country singer who helps a young new artist rise to fame, while he fights his struggle with alcoholism.
The film is set in modern-day America as it reflects on the current state of the music industry through a fictional story.
It follows the Hollywood trend of recent years where studios release high budget musicals like The Greatest Showman and La La Land. It also features a star-studded cast consisting of Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliot and Dave Chappelle.
The film reinvents this trend by casting Lady Gaga in the lead of the film. This allows the songs featured to be more impactful as the raw talent of her vocals demands the audience’s attention. Director Bradley Cooper must have studied the previous versions of the film as A Star is Born 1976 featured Barbara Streisand who is known for her singing ability. Casting Lady Gaga shows that he respects the source material and understands what made the original film so great. This is impressive as this is his directorial debut.
Bradley Cooper does a tremendous job in the role of director while acting in the film as well. His singing voice embodies the character of Jackson Maine in a way that many films that have come out in recent years haven’t quite managed to achieve. For example, in La La Land Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling played characters that were very similar to their real-life personalities, so it was hard to distinguish them from their characters. This portrayal is far more believable as it resembles the stories of many musical legends of the past such as Kurt Cobain, Mick Jagger and Bruce Springsteen.
The run time for the film clocks in at 2hr 16 minutes which does hinder the films pace as it slows down significantly towards the middle of the film. This is needed though as the climax of the film is more impactful because of this. It is also easy to follow as the story is told in a linear structure.
The film received an age rating of 15 in the United Kingdom, so it is targeting a mature audience and will be inappropriate for younger viewers. This is due to the film including swearing and disturbing images.

A Star is Born is an ideal film for a date night as the screening I attended was full of couples.… Expand

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8

cameronhalmansJan 9, 2019

A Star is Born is an impressive directorial debut from Bradley Cooper. Powerful performances from the entire cast. The films cinematography and lighting were impeccable as well. A powerful piece of cinema that will probably be in most peoplesA Star is Born is an impressive directorial debut from Bradley Cooper. Powerful performances from the entire cast. The films cinematography and lighting were impeccable as well. A powerful piece of cinema that will probably be in most peoples top films of the year list. 77/100… Expand

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10

RothOct 14, 2018

Lady Gaga(Ally) & Bradley Cooper(Jackson) chemistry was afire you can see it since the very beginning when they first met at the bar. Lady Gaga shows her talented skills as a marvelous actress and singer too. On the other hand, we haveLady Gaga(Ally) & Bradley Cooper(Jackson) chemistry was afire you can see it since the very beginning when they first met at the bar. Lady Gaga shows her talented skills as a marvelous actress and singer too. On the other hand, we have Bradley Cooper the man with many talents I can say; you will be surprised how well he sings—he is a great composer, actor and not saying a skillful director. Finally, I assure you will not be disappointed in watching this grandiose film.… Expand

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10

riordanpettOct 8, 2018

This film is the best film I’ve seen in years. Ignore all the NEGATIVE reviews that are rated ‘3’ or under. Most of them are written by Gaga haters and Madonna fans. The reviews are biased and have been harshly posted to bring down the score.This film is the best film I’ve seen in years. Ignore all the NEGATIVE reviews that are rated ‘3’ or under. Most of them are written by Gaga haters and Madonna fans. The reviews are biased and have been harshly posted to bring down the score. Anything under ‘7’ is also not credible, as this film is the real deal. From someone who watches a lot of quality cinema.
It’s touching, moving, emotional, well-directed (especially for a directorial debut), has decent cinematography (the red and green colours used and the camera work), a great supporting cast, and great writing. Bradley and Gaga are at least on lock for at least a ‘Best Actor’ and ‘Best Actress’ nomination; which is huge for Gaga, being a debut role. She’ll be the first mainstream singer-come-actress to succeed in a film career, since Cher over 30 years ago. It doesn’t happen often. Madonna couldn’t do it, nor could Rihanna , Mariah or Beyonce, and the others. Gaga is indeed a revelation in this film. She performs beautifully, with a nuanced vulnerability that I preferred to her peers’ acting in 2018, that will allow her to go head-to-head with Glenn Close and Olivia Coleman at the Oscars in 2019. May the best woman win.
From all the male contenders I’ve seen this year, Bradley deserves that Best Actor win, in my opinion, but it appears to be going to Ethan Hawke instead. We shall see!

This version is less focused in the female and more on the male character. I’d say a 60:40 ratio. Don’t go in to the film with high expectations. Don’t pay any attention to the minority of film critics or the general public discrediting the film for being a ‘remake’. Many of you may not have even seen the other versions, so why does it matter? I’ve seen the 1954/1976 versions and all three are different from the other, in their own ways. Barbra’s was dreary and lacked chemistry, Judy’s was actually pretty captivating.
This new version is a fresh take on a timeless love story, but is also different from the others. The addiction is depicted more far more realistically here and the famous finale is 10x more emotional than previous versions. The final shot of the film and how it blacks out to the film credits was just breath-taking. The soundtrack is amazing. The standouts for me are: ‘Is That Alright?’ (screams wedding song and deserved better exposure than being played in the film credits) and ‘Look What I Found’. This film will sweep up the Golden Globes and I have high hopes for the Oscars next year.… Expand

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10

abdiespinozaOct 5, 2018

Gaga is the best artist in the world, this movie win the oscar:
Best picture
Best actress
Best actor
Best original song
Best music mixed

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10

JustAnOldManJan 3, 2019

A great directorial debut for Bradley Cooper. Well it's the 4th version of this movie and they did not do it any disrespect. Lady Gaga absolutely shined in the movie and their chemistry was great. Signing the music live and not lip-synced wasA great directorial debut for Bradley Cooper. Well it's the 4th version of this movie and they did not do it any disrespect. Lady Gaga absolutely shined in the movie and their chemistry was great. Signing the music live and not lip-synced was a great addition to the movie. From the script, to the movie, the acting, the music, the message and the chemistry is first rate!… Expand

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8

swelleanorJan 2, 2019

Great music, great performances, wonderful first hour or so.It got a bit long for me, though there were moments of greatness in the later part of the film as well. I haven't seen the other versions, and I know that they felt they needed toGreat music, great performances, wonderful first hour or so.It got a bit long for me, though there were moments of greatness in the later part of the film as well. I haven't seen the other versions, and I know that they felt they needed to keep some of the story beats from the others that I think could have used more of an update, but overall I think it was a successful melodrama. It's a well made film.… Expand

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8

ViniciusBritoDec 30, 2018

"If you don't dig deep in your **** soul, you won't have legs."
The third remake of the original "A Star is Born" from 1937. A depressed singer, Jack Maine, that while having problems with his mental healthiness, he is also have situations"If you don't dig deep in your **** soul, you won't have legs."
The third remake of the original "A Star is Born" from 1937. A depressed singer, Jack Maine, that while having problems with his mental healthiness, he is also have situations with his hearing, he is getting deaf little by little and deal with those things with alcohol and drugs. A girl, Ally, that sings in bars and have a ordinary job, write some songs and got mocked because of her look, hope that one day she will have a bigger chance to make success. These two met in a bar one day, and from that they will try to have a relationship in their personal lifes and professionally. Directed by Bradley Cooper and written by Eric Roth, Will Fetters and Bradley Cooper.
The story starts showing a bit of how both are, you can get a really nice shot and idea of what is going on with both of them, they do it quickly and well. There is one think that i didn't bought in this first act, wich is Ally saying that she couldn't get a contract because people said that she is ugly, i mean, they didn't made Lady Gaga look bad in this movie, she is still gorgeous, so i couldn't see that happening. You totally believe in their relationship, it does work a lot, you can get why each one would be with other, their chemistry is great. The immersion in some moments are really good, where they got in the show for the first time for example. The ending of the movie is really shocking, what happens is very shocking and the way that it was done was really perfect, it was raw. I found the film way to long, i think that it could have some minutes less, there were some specific moments where i got tired because was the same thing happening over and over again.
The way that they deal with the depression in this movie is very realistic and important, i see in this movie some really situations with drugs, hiding and consequences that you can see a lot in real life, that isn't the success of the money that will fix it.
Bradley Cooper wanted to make us think about people that change who they are, for the success, people in the show business that try to be something else to be more accepted andd easily work there way into the market, a thing that we can say that are some metalanguage in here, because Lady Gaga did somethings like this, so this definely adds value for this one
One thing that i have seen some people discussing about, i'm not quite agree with everything, but, i believe that is a nice thing to keep in the thoughts, wich is if the relationship that Jack and Ally had, has some kind of abusive situations, because an abusive relationship isn't only when someone beats the other, there are a few moments in this film that can make things go in this way, for example, Spoiler: When Jack driver says that he won't accept a no as a answer, or when Jack shows up out of nowhere inside of Ally's bed while she is sleeping, i gotta say, that in these i kind felt strange about what was happening, i wasn't sure, and are other moments, like when he passes the cupcake in her face, some people say that he was just drunk and did that, other people could think that he was actually being very disrespectful, because she was saying a important thing, but those are things that can be arguable, what you think?
Bradley Cooper is amazing, he is just spetacular in here, if not his best acting job is for sure one of the best, he made me believe 100% that he is a drunk man, his job with depression is also something that you can feel, you can feel sadness, the sorrow in him, and how happy he is for meeting someone that could pull him out of there, and also they that he looks, is damn amazing, OSCAR for this man, please, at least a nomination that he damn deserves it, and by the way, he is a really good singer. This is the first time that i see Lady Gaga acting, and i gotta say that she really surprised me very well, she did a very nice job, in sorrow and in hope, happiness and scary, there were one or another moment that for me it felt a bit to artificial, but overall she did a hell of a nice job, and while singing, i don't really have to say anything. Sam Elliot is also very well in here, i found him pretty strong, emotional and have a nice story in his character, you can see that he care. Andrew Dice Clay and Dave Chappelle have similar jobs, not big roles, but they both did it pretty well.
The soundtrack in this movie, as expected, is great, they can help the situations with very subtlety or in others very rocky. The original songs are good, i'm not gonna say that i'm still hearing all of them, but there are one or two that really got and are very nice, the Gaga and Cooper duo did worked.
The photography and technic stuff in here are really nice, they use a lot of colors that help us to understand how the character is in the moment, i think that we could have seen some open shots, but considering that it wasn't what the movie is about, i think it is ok.… Expand

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10

annbdDec 27, 2018

A Star Is Born left me speechless and I'm sure left even God speechless too. Immersed in the story till the end, I felt every part of the movie. Because it was so honest and both Gaga and especially Bradly Cooper's performances and all theA Star Is Born left me speechless and I'm sure left even God speechless too. Immersed in the story till the end, I felt every part of the movie. Because it was so honest and both Gaga and especially Bradly Cooper's performances and all the cast basically, the viewer got involved in the emotional experience and feels everything. Applause to Bradley Cooper's acting and his directing, which convex and will be remembered forever. Also amazed me with his voice. Gaga showed once again what she is capable of, but also acted unexpectedly good. So a summary 2 Oscars for Bradley and 1 for Gagaa !!!!!… Expand

7 of 8 users found this helpful71

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5

fiszmanmDec 25, 2018

Too much cliche drama. This is a movie to satisfy Holywood. It has oscar written over it.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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10

dalilaDec 18, 2018

This movie is phenomenal. Everyone did such a good job. Coming for those Oscars.

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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9

PipeCDec 17, 2018

"Far from the shallow," Gaga, Cooper and Libatique hit the right notes on this electrifying, gritty and down-to-earth journey to the stars.

Being honest, it's my duty to acknowledge I haven't seen any of the previous three movies, my"Far from the shallow," Gaga, Cooper and Libatique hit the right notes on this electrifying, gritty and down-to-earth journey to the stars.

Being honest, it's my duty to acknowledge I haven't seen any of the previous three movies, my knowledge about them does not go beyond what I have had the pleasure of extracting from think pieces, interviews and critics' reviews. It's also my duty to acknowledge, due to the nature of this new movie, it's not a remake that gets inventiveness as greatest grip; Cooper's "A Star Is Born" does not conquer by raw innovation, but the suitability of the new takes and shifts that make it shines purposely with a force never seen before in the spate of remakes. Will Fetters, Eric Roth y Cooper, based on William Wellman' and Robert Carson's story, have updated the material with such commitment and passion that not only is the most poignant big-studio star-crossed-romances since "La La Land" or the most powerful feature film on music since "Whiplash" came out, both of them directed by Damien Chazelle, but is one of the most wide-ranging, honest-to-goodness and resounding inspections on addiction, vice, aspiration, celebrity, entertainment industry and sacrifice in Hollywood. The script creates its own leitmotifs with respect, improves some others, dragging them into a new stylized "world" looking to set up a perfectly paced melodrama with overwhelming rhythm, with chiaroscuros making this complex romance drama as painfully as inspiring; A dreamy-yet-grounded portrait of dreams and showbiz, one star is born, whereas another is flaming out.

Characters are slightly shifted and/or refined likewise, not only more relatable and true to the running entertainment scene, but to today's audiences. Jackson Maine, inspired by American musician, multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Eddie Vedder, is a country rocker star widely known for his musical talent, his old songs and his messy "private" life. Dipsomaniac, downhearted and unhappy — unless a guitar is present, — Jackson begins to catch the sense of dreams when he finds another person to make them come true; a way out that changes worlds, but not fates. Although his final decision could be debated forever, screenwriters are respectful to the original ending, making some fitting, enriching changes along the way, drawing a more holistic design for a man who feels his most beautiful song is gone. In a feature film crowded with accolades and kudos, Matthew Libatique is the one who must take much of the praise. Skipping from L.A. to California, Libatique encapsulates a vibe of naturalness via pink sunsets, the illusion of natural lighting suffuses pictures of a dreamy spirit and the atmosphere of an annihilating stoicism and fluency. Director Darren Aronofsky's longtime collaborator converges lighting, control of form and vision with glorious prowess, the performance scenes shot at the Coachella and Glastonbury festivals and Saturday Night Live are organic and honest because of the fantastic camerawork, focusing entirely on the actors and impregnating intimacy and deprivation into Jackson and Ally's relationship.

Set in a supposed present-day entertainment world, cameos as Halsey and Alec Baldwin are guarantees of veracity for this remake, allowing audiences to relate briskly with the atmosphere. Above the romance and drama, "A Star Is Born" is not a musical, is a film about music, therefore, this feature corresponds to and pushes forward the plot. The soundtrack isn't as catchy as "La La Land"'s iconic and fadeless compositions; however, Lady Gaga' and Bradley Cooper's "Shallow" is a shoo-in for Best Original Song, a global phenomenon, a hit aimed by a meaningful, intense live performance amid the film. "A Star Is Born" has enjoyed a rapturous reception by tracks like "Always Remember Us This Way," "Maybe It's Time and "Look What I Found.

"A Star Is Born" by Bradley Cooper goes beyond a drama piece of loss and pleasure, fame and failure, hate and love, self-acceptance and selfishness; a fable of showbiz creatures designed in recording studios directed unflinchingly by Cooper and stylized by Libatique's keen visual eye, a meditation on Gaga's career, who delivers one of the performances of the year, shakes the music and film world up at the same time and leaves the viewer a bittersweet feeling, mirroring the true nature of dreaming. This generation's "A Star Is Born" is a painful breakdown of the toxic excesses from success, a vérité-ish take on the false "perfection" of an artist's public persona, a grounded and raw commentary as for how music and entertainment industry works, a love letter to love itself, a downright unwavering and beautiful depiction of the little compatibility between dreams and relationships, a theatrical melodrama and, in the end, a vehicle of spiritual magnificence and emotional depth on what dreaming really involves: some stars are born as others just flame out.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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9

CosiMOLOGODec 16, 2018

En 1954 estrenó Nace una estrella, protagonizada por Judy Gardland, la película a la vez adaptaba una película de 1937. Hubo otra versión en 1976, una cinta . Ahora Bradley Cooper, como su primera incursión como director, vuelve a traer estaEn 1954 estrenó Nace una estrella, protagonizada por Judy Gardland, la película a la vez adaptaba una película de 1937. Hubo otra versión en 1976, una cinta . Ahora Bradley Cooper, como su primera incursión como director, vuelve a traer esta historia protagonizada por Lady Gaga, también su primer papel como actriz y el mismo Cooper.

Jackson Maine es una estrella consagrada de la música, que tiene problemas de alcoholismo y drogas, lo cual esta terminando con su vida y carrera. Bradley Cooper decide darle a la película un tono más adulto y serio, recuperando lo mejor de las anteriores versiones, pero imponiendo un estilo que posiblemente veremos en sus siguientes trabajos, caracterizado por una cinematografía hermosa, , y una edición bien acabada, capturando imágenes tan bellas y coloridas como a la vez una muestra sombría de un mundo musical agobiante y devorador. Dentro de esas imágenes hermosas están las de los conciertos en las que el espectador queda impactado desde el inicio por la estupenda escena musical, que recoge la fuerza de un concierto real y emociona por la capacidad vocal Cooper y Gaga que ofrecen buenos temas musicales originales, que seguro serán las preferidas para la siguiente edición los Premios de la Academia. Pero también compartimos el sufrimiento del protagonista y todos los problemas que su vicio le causa, gracias a la excelente y conmovedora dirección e interpretación de Bradley Cooper, estas escenas llegan a un grado pocas veces visto en una película.

Tenemos escenas desgarradoras y de fuerte carga sentimental, como las que el protagonista comparte con su hermano, personaje que a pesar de no tener un papel principal se encuentra muy bien desarrollado. Sin embargo con Nace una Estrella, Bradley Cooper nos da una historia melodramática, que como pocas llega a conmover sin necesidad de impostaciones sentimentales baratas, retratando el sufrimiento y el tormento de un cantante a causa de excesos, recordando a cintas como la de Olivier Dahan, La vida en Rosa, cuya escena final comparte similitud con esta. Con esta película Cooper demuestra su gran potencial como director y ofrece una papel desgarrador, junto a Lady Gaga, que hipnotiza desde su primera aparición y conmueve hasta las lagrimas. Un aplauso para ambos.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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8

MackansfilmDec 16, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A STAR IS BORN //Full review on WWW.mackansfilm.org

A WORTHY DEBUT

Bradley Cooper has grown himself mature, as an actor from movies like Hangover, Limitless and the movies from MCU to making his directorial debut that throws him and Lady Gaga right in the spotlight where they both belong. With the same story about hat has been put on display before, this enrich a classic tale in a different light, enrich make it one of today best and most entertaining piece in the music genre. Somehow Cooper makes all the chaos and despair grasp these two character in the most relevant way.

Lady Gaga show a more immature performance until she outgrow to become the female pop icon. As she sings on the stages, you can see patterns of the artist behind it. You’ll love the power of her sings but not all in her performance. It is a little bit unsteady as she really tries her best to make her character likeable. Sometime it does work, sometimes it really doesn't. The thing is, with this movie, is that you know who is the good and briljant actor, and who is not that famous for being a good actor. Bradley Cooper show a different side of himself in this movie and as a director. It also levels up good as his and Lady Gaga's chemistry is quite nice where you can almost feel them sparkle at the screen...… Expand

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10

DiegisDec 15, 2018

Everything about the film is perfect. Superb & incredible acting By Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, powerful, touching, realistic. Wow!

5 of 6 users found this helpful51

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10

joanne-Oct 5, 2018

back to hollywood golden age. The chemistry between protagonists is magical.

23 of 39 users found this helpful2316

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8

LegendaryLassDec 14, 2018

Cooper reveals his incredible competence as a performer and director (simultaneously, no less) and the music and acting will convince you. Gaga is unfortunately relegated to not much more than a foil for Cooper (and a rather passive one atCooper reveals his incredible competence as a performer and director (simultaneously, no less) and the music and acting will convince you. Gaga is unfortunately relegated to not much more than a foil for Cooper (and a rather passive one at that) instead of the force one would think she could have been.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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9

dashtagDec 12, 2018

Surprisingly, one of the best films of the year. I really enjoyed "A Star Is Born" mainly because of the performances. Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga are SO good in this movie, they are really believable and with Cooper's directing, we reallySurprisingly, one of the best films of the year. I really enjoyed "A Star Is Born" mainly because of the performances. Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga are SO good in this movie, they are really believable and with Cooper's directing, we really have a built narrative about both complex characters. I thought the music was great, the cinematography was really well done, pretty much it was all good. It's not perfect, because it is Oscar bait and it is very dramatic, but it's done really well and it's kinda too good for what it should be.… Expand

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

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6

nokyam1Dec 7, 2018

A Star is Born” is supposed to be a great, tragic romance, a Hollywood opera. I didn’t believe them as a couple, didn’t fear for their future together and didn’t mourn the laughably abrupt climax that Cooper, finally remembering the movie heA Star is Born” is supposed to be a great, tragic romance, a Hollywood opera. I didn’t believe them as a couple, didn’t fear for their future together and didn’t mourn the laughably abrupt climax that Cooper, finally remembering the movie he was remaking, forced into the finale.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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10

RAMPunkDec 7, 2018

This movie is Absolutely amazing, one of the best I've seen in ages. The performance is awesome by Lady Gaga, and Bradley Cooper is definitely worth watching.

6 of 8 users found this helpful62

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0

TylerSmithDec 6, 2018

A musical with lazy storytelling, "A Star Is Born" attempts to shine brightly but that will not hide every dumb thing this movie has.

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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7

FeudDec 5, 2018

The acting was amazing from the whole cast but I especially loved Bradley Cooper and Sam Elliot. The songs were pretty good and so was the cinematography. I enjoyed the first half of this movie way more than the second. It really started toThe acting was amazing from the whole cast but I especially loved Bradley Cooper and Sam Elliot. The songs were pretty good and so was the cinematography. I enjoyed the first half of this movie way more than the second. It really started to drag and felt like a 3 hour movie to me.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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10

andryvDec 4, 2018

I'm absolutely in loooooooove with this movie!! Probably one of the best ones I've ever seen so far. I was crying like **** when I finished it, but it really is a movie that people will remember. Incredible, looking forward to watching theI'm absolutely in loooooooove with this movie!! Probably one of the best ones I've ever seen so far. I was crying like **** when I finished it, but it really is a movie that people will remember. Incredible, looking forward to watching the next Oscars. Best movie of the year… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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8

user214563Nov 28, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This was a good movie. I particularly enjoyed the music. Should win an Oscar… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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8

Joelee2637Dec 2, 2018

The film conveyed a powerful message; in which is a great compliment. The singing by Lady Gaga was amazing.., so amazing it is impressive. Although Bradley Cooper, did decent it did not compare to Lady Gaga.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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0

hankwmardukasNov 28, 2018

An Open Letter to Dave Chappelle:

Dear Dave, My name is Hank Mardukas. You probably don’t know me. I am but a longtime fan of your work. I have been a fan of yours since I first saw Half Baked in my college dormitory. As we watched you asAn Open Letter to Dave Chappelle:

Dear Dave,

My name is Hank Mardukas. You probably don’t know me. I am but a longtime fan of your work. I have been a fan of yours since I first saw Half Baked in my college dormitory. As we watched you as Thurgood have a conversation with yourself as “Sir Smokes-a-lot”, I said to my roommate Seven, “That guy right there… He is going to be a star”. Sure enough, it was written in the stars. I am writing you today concerning a disturbing quote I read from you regarding your new movie A Star Is Born. I saw in an interview after a screening at The Toronto International Film Festival a couple months back, you were quoted as saying A Star is Born was the first “good ass movie” you’ve been in. I sir, vehemently disagree with your modest analysis of your underrated acting career.

In my very first issue of THE PURITAN POST, I reviewed one of my all time favorite movies, You’ve Got Mail. You can go read for yourself, if you’d like, Dave, highly recommend it. Issue No. 1 of THE PURITAN POST. In this issue, I talk about how your performance in that film is one of the main contributing factors to its success. That, along with fantastic performances from its two leads as well as a smart and timeless script by the late, great Nora Ephron. But I digress. My point is, Mr. Chappelle, that you shouldn’t sell yourself short in your acting career.

This isn’t a knock against A Star is Born. It’s only like the fifth Oscar-Baity remake of A Star is Born to come out in the last century. I feel like that’s not that many. Bradley Cooper is only mildly cringeworthy in it, and no, it doesn’t kill me at all that this is the movie getting him awards buzz after deserving Oscars for stirring and emotional turns in both Silver Linings Playbook and American Sniper. These things don’t bother me, Dave. They don’t bother me at all. You’ve Got Mail isn’t your only good ass movie in this writer’s opinion. The aforementioned Half Baked is stoner comedy gold. Your performances in Con Air and Robin Hood: Men in Tights are both scene stealers. Chi-Raq isn’t Spike Lee’s best, but it’s solid, as are you in it. Finally, a film you wrote and starred in, Dave Chappelle’s Block Party, directed by Michel Gondry, I believe to be one of the best documentaries ever made. You see, Mr. Chappelle, your acting career is full of good ass movies. In fact, I would contend that you almost exclusively make good ass movies. That is, aside from A Star is Born. Thanks for reading, Dave!

 Sincerely, Hank W. Mardukas  Editor & Chief, THE PURITAN POST… Expand

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

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6

entitetNov 28, 2018

Even if i don't agree with the high score some movies get, i usually do understand why. In this case, i don't. It's a pretty empty story with everything that's been done better many times before. Beside the song "Shallow" the music is notEven if i don't agree with the high score some movies get, i usually do understand why. In this case, i don't. It's a pretty empty story with everything that's been done better many times before. Beside the song "Shallow" the music is not even B-side worthy. But great performances by Gaga, Sam Elliot, Andrew Dice Clay and Bradley Cooper - altho Coopers character is far too unemotional and unlikeable.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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9

Vitor007Oct 11, 2018

Fascinatingly, "A Star is Born " lives up to all the great expectations created about the film. With a hassle-free screenplay, Bradley Cooper and Gaga leave us speechless. The musical factor was nothing exaggerated, because it is only takenFascinatingly, "A Star is Born " lives up to all the great expectations created about the film. With a hassle-free screenplay, Bradley Cooper and Gaga leave us speechless. The musical factor was nothing exaggerated, because it is only taken into account in rare points. It had a difficult introduction, with a certain incoherence in the events, but in its development and conclusion, it makes us forget this evil detail. I didn't keep tears in the end. 9.5/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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8

dennis_gtNov 26, 2018

There's a real chance that this is a pretty good "bad movie." Sure, it will win awards. But so did American Beauty. And nobody looks back on that as a great film. Don't get me wrong. This movie is entertaining. There are lots of thingsThere's a real chance that this is a pretty good "bad movie." Sure, it will win awards. But so did American Beauty. And nobody looks back on that as a great film. Don't get me wrong. This movie is entertaining. There are lots of things to like. But there's also some pretty annoying stuff and some questionable decisions. Like Cooper playing a "rock" star who rose to fame in the 2000s--when guitar rock is all but dead. Unless he sounded like the Strokes it makes no sense that he toured Europe for the first time in 2004 (as said in the movie). The manager who represents Gaga's character is basically a two dimensional villain. And some of the songs--especially the last one, which is supposed to be poignant--are awful. The whole thing has the feel of someone trying really, really hard to make an award winning movie. Not necessarily a good one.

But it's still fun. And often funny. It's definitely something that will be worth re-watching over and over when it lands on a streaming service. It'd put it alongside a movie like Titanic. Not great. But pretty fun. And it will will a bunch of awards. And people will kind of wonder why in two decades.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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5

garmonboziaNov 25, 2018

This movie was a mixed bag for me. It's full of cliches and by the book scenarios. Rushed beginning, naively developed and unconvincing plot (romantic comedies manner), forced and manipulative emotions and a lot of really unrealistic cringyThis movie was a mixed bag for me. It's full of cliches and by the book scenarios. Rushed beginning, naively developed and unconvincing plot (romantic comedies manner), forced and manipulative emotions and a lot of really unrealistic cringy moments (the whole grammy awards situation). The real star of the movie isn't Lady Gaga. Her character seems underdeveloped and her acting is very superficial. It really shows that she is at the beginning of her journey into acting - and I'm not convinced that she has what it takes to be an actor. After watching the film I have no idea who her character was. The girl was all over the place. The view on her career and music business was presented in such a shallow manner and again felt very unrealistic. The whole "we are going to change you and make you a star" felt like a short naive story from Britney Spears videos, and not like a plot from "wanna be treated serious" drama. What's funny is that the character's "fake for the business persona" is reminiscent of that of Lady Gaga. Only naive people would believe that her pop-star persona isn't created by the team of people and precisely designed for mass audience. So it's a bit funny to watch Lady Gaga playing a girl who had compromised her identity for a huge career in music business, when she's actually done that in real live. Of course she would deny that and said that her Lady Gaga persona is very personal, real and true - but it's not exactly the case. The real star here is Bradley Cooper. The problem is that his character is also a walking and breathing cliche. At least he was more convincing than Gaga. This movie falls into "Dirty dancing", "The bodyguard" (hit soundtracks/diva in the lead) etc. category. A B-movie loved by lots of people. I'm OK with that. It has a world-wide famous singer in the cast, and a directional debut of Bradley Cooper - of course critics will look somewhat favorably on it. But seriously the whole hype and oscar buzz is just so blown out of proportion of what this movie really is and what has managed to achieve. If this movie deserves to get any oscar recognition it should be for supporting role for Sam Elliot (he was the real real star and emotional blast in his tiny scenes) and for music. I would nominate the song which Gaga and Cooper sing together for the first time on stage. The last solo song was really disappointing and weak. It didn't have strong enough emotional struck despite the Gaga's impressive vocal abilities.
In conclusion. It's an OK movie. Too shallow, naive and emotionally manipulative to consider it - great drama. It's like Gaga's character from the movie, designed to appeal to the masses.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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0

jonestownNov 20, 2018

Over pretentious acting, gaga is a horrible actor and a mediocre singer. Save your money, do not watch this movie

2 of 23 users found this helpful221

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8

amehannaNov 20, 2018

Making his directorial debut, Bradley Cooper not only delivers a worthy film, but also an ode to the death of true artistry.

Sure, A STAR IS BORN is nothing new under the Arizona sun, yet something in the way that it executes its narrativeMaking his directorial debut, Bradley Cooper not only delivers a worthy film, but also an ode to the death of true artistry.

Sure, A STAR IS BORN is nothing new under the Arizona sun, yet something in the way that it executes its narrative not only makes it fresh and authentic but more importantly relevant to a 2018 audience.

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga fuse their considerable talents to depict the raw and passionate tale of Jack and Ally, two artistic souls coming together, on stage and in life. Theirs is a complex journey through the beauty and the heartbreak of a relationship struggling to survive.

As Jack’s stardom and fame start to fall apart due to his pills and fading relevance, Ally’s starts to grow, though not without slowly chipping away at her true self.

The screenplay, which is co-written by Cooper along with Eric Roth and Will Fetters, invites the audience on a journey that anyone who has been in a whirlwind relationship can empathize with. The consequences of lost lives crashing into each other, from fears, joys, doubts, anger, hopes, are all so intimately visualized within every line of dialogue, every bar of music, and every moment of silence.

Adding onto the layer of love, comes the ugliness of what it means to be both a seasoned star and a rising star in the entertainment business today and the amount of pressure, sacrifice, and pain that comes along with it.

This is extremely powerful and apropos to a 2018 audience, who is mostly interested in fame and the amount of followers and attention they get from social media.

A STAR IS BORN does not show the dream as it has been shown throughout the decades of Hollywood films, Cooper breaks that wheel, pulls the curtain, and surely puts his own personal experiences - he has been in the industry for years - onto the page and fearlessly projects them onto the screen.

From a nostalgic perspective, this film reminded of old Hollywood romantic films, that last decades by activating audiences’ emotions and imprinting themselves deep within the hearts of all who witness them.

Cooper’s embodiment of layered and haunted Jackson Maine is some of the best on screen performance in his entire career - this is Oscar-level delivery here and Cooper knows it.

When it comes to Lady Gaga’s characterization of Ally, there were moments where the character slipped away from her and you were looking at Gaga and not Ally - but those moments were few and do little harm to the overall power of the film.

Whenever the two shared screen-time, it was pure magic, as the chemistry between Cooper and Gaga oozes off the screen and it is sure to melt any cynic’s heart.

One cannot walk away without applauding the rest of the cast including veteran actor Sam Elliot who plays Jack’s older brother, whose seen him in and through, the best and worst of times, and Anthony Ramos, who plays Ally’s best friend and cheerleader Ramon.

Cooper and director of photography Matthew Libatique use this almost first-person perspective throughout the film giving the audience the ability to experience the intoxicating energy of performing live before a crowd. During all the concert scenes, no wide shots are ever used, instead the camera stays on stage with the performers looking out onto the massive crowds while capturing the interactions between the singers.

The lens lived inside the performance.

Yet, it was not just the lens that created this overwhelmingly powerful effect throughout the film - the sound design was also architected in a way that allowed for seamless transitions from backstage to centerstage.

To add to that, the musical performances were recorded live which meant that every crackle, cheer, and note was sharply heard.

At its core, the film is not only a story about love, it is a fight for love and staying true to oneself, and how difficult that can be when trying to balance it with one’s ambitions and the merciless entertainment industry.

There is no doubt that A STAR IS BORN will garner multiple Oscar nods including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress, and Best Song/Soundtrack. Until then, we are all sure to watch this film over and over again ensuring that we all off the deep end and our feet never touch the ground.

A STAR IS BORN stars Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga; directed by Bradley Cooper; produced by Bill Gerber, Jon Peters, Bradley Cooper, Todd Phillips and Lynette Howell Taylor; the screenplay was written by Oscar winner Eric Roth (“Forrest Gump”) and Bradley Cooper & Will Fetters.… Expand

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3

zedzdedNov 18, 2018

I wanted to like this movie. I like Bradley Cooper, I like Lady Gaga. I don't like this movie. They're both good actors but Cooper's musical performances are so flat and uninspiring and Gaga is such a talented performer that the whole thingI wanted to like this movie. I like Bradley Cooper, I like Lady Gaga. I don't like this movie. They're both good actors but Cooper's musical performances are so flat and uninspiring and Gaga is such a talented performer that the whole thing doesn't add up. Also cooper's suffering jesus is a bit painful to watch. The poor guy. It just didn't work for me and unless you're a die hard Cooper/Gaga fans, this is all a bit tepid despite good performances, story, secondary actors, direction, art direction, camerawork etc. which are all top notch. I need to review some movies I liked now cause I notice I'm only reviewing overhyped movies that i find crap.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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10

KevinChau5Nov 18, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. What an AWESOME FILM this is!!! Never heard Bradley Cooper sing before!! This film will take your breath away! Loved the performances by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga! This is a must see film! Go see this film everyone! Bradley Cooper did an awesome job making his Directorial Debut! You don't want to be disappointed!… Expand

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8

pedvieNov 18, 2018

Regarding the nitty gritty details, such as lighting, editing and subtitles in individual acting performances...we can leave those to the academy and film critics. I've learned that a good movie will captivate your attention for the fullRegarding the nitty gritty details, such as lighting, editing and subtitles in individual acting performances...we can leave those to the academy and film critics. I've learned that a good movie will captivate your attention for the full duration and leave you haunted for a while. For me, this version of A Star is Born is one of those movies. It ain't a pick me up sort of movie. Was really impressed with both Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga's characters. Not sure what other were talking about...the score was very well done. Coming from someone not into musicals. This one is a keeper. Will be remembered as a touching and powerful movie for some time.… Expand

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7

ImpeccibleTasteNov 17, 2018

Lady Gaga stole the show, like Kris Kristofferson did in the last iteration. Thoroughly entertaining, but shallow.

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6

gxm143Nov 16, 2018

Perhaps in part due to inflated expectations going in, I was very disappointed in this film. I found it flat, maudlin, boring in parts. The ending in this iteration of the story came across as unrealistic and untrue to the character. I didn'tPerhaps in part due to inflated expectations going in, I was very disappointed in this film. I found it flat, maudlin, boring in parts. The ending in this iteration of the story came across as unrealistic and untrue to the character. I didn't find Lady Gaga's performance at all compelling. The music wasn't anything special; certainly no song will end up being memorable, imo. There have been less worthy best picture winners, but this does not deserve Oscar glory. Hopefully the history of previous A Star is Borns fading at the finish line will repeat.… Expand

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5

DrBlahBlahNov 13, 2018

Easily the most overrated film of the year, this remake of a remake of a remake is a paint by numbers rags-to-riches melodrama with only the occasional flicker of compelling drama or believability.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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9

StraciatellasOct 17, 2018

A Star Is Born takes about 15 minutes to really grab you, and than doesn't let go untill the very last second of this marvelous film. First of all it's really enjoyable to see Gaga step in to the role of "shy" upcoming soon-to-be star. This,A Star Is Born takes about 15 minutes to really grab you, and than doesn't let go untill the very last second of this marvelous film. First of all it's really enjoyable to see Gaga step in to the role of "shy" upcoming soon-to-be star. This, combined with her vocals, makes for a fenomenal big screen debut. And while on the subject of vocals, Bradley Cooper suprised me and was able to meet the high expectations you get when advertising a movie about music featuring Lady Gaga. Another home run was the casting of Sam Elliot, who seems to so fit for this part that it seems to have been written for his person. The on-stage scenes are as good as it gets and give you the feeling that your right there standing between the characters. A top film, both musical and emotional, and by far the best rendition of this classic.… Expand

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10

sauldiazreyNov 11, 2018

This movie is everything I expected to be, simply fenomenal. Bradley made of this story something really amazing, he sings, acts and directs all at the same time. About Gaga, she is unrecognizable in this film, her performance is so clean,This movie is everything I expected to be, simply fenomenal. Bradley made of this story something really amazing, he sings, acts and directs all at the same time. About Gaga, she is unrecognizable in this film, her performance is so clean, natural and so trust with the character. The movie must win all the Oscars in where will be nominated. By far the best movie of the year… Expand

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4

red_arrayNov 11, 2018

The acting was good, but the ending was not earned. This movie (all four of them really) is basically just a 2 hour ploy to get women in the audience to cry.

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5

blahhhhNov 10, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. He kills himself at the end. What the --- who wants to see that???

The start is ok. He's an alcoholic star, finds a talent girl, falls in love, makes her a star. It's just the ending I hated, where he can't get past him demons and commits suicide.… Expand

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5

IamTrinaNov 9, 2018

Meh. The acting was good, more-so on Bradley Cooper's part, but Lady Gaga was okay too--and I enjoyed seeing what Lady Gaga really looks like, but honestly the plot was not very interesting. You shouldn't believe the ones who rate it a "0"Meh. The acting was good, more-so on Bradley Cooper's part, but Lady Gaga was okay too--and I enjoyed seeing what Lady Gaga really looks like, but honestly the plot was not very interesting. You shouldn't believe the ones who rate it a "0" because they have a beef with Lady Gaga, and you shouldn't believe the ones who say it is a "10" ...come on! That leaves no room for the big hit awesome movies. An average rating of 5 is what this movie deserves.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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8

vmiguelNov 10, 2018

A truly sad movie, which has a amazing cast, script and chemistry. The story and direction are A+. One of the saddest movies in recent years. A Star Is Born will definitively bring you to tears. Also, the soundtrack is fascinating. Can't waitA truly sad movie, which has a amazing cast, script and chemistry. The story and direction are A+. One of the saddest movies in recent years. A Star Is Born will definitively bring you to tears. Also, the soundtrack is fascinating. Can't wait for the DVD.… Expand

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10

Trineo99Nov 9, 2018

First off, the acting in this movie. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper had great chemistry in this film. Of course, everybody at this point knows that Cooper's a great actor, but not a lot of people know that Lady Gaga is a fantastic actress asFirst off, the acting in this movie. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper had great chemistry in this film. Of course, everybody at this point knows that Cooper's a great actor, but not a lot of people know that Lady Gaga is a fantastic actress as well and it shows in this movie. She deserves to be nominated for —hell, she should win— an academy award. She came across so genuine and like a real person that you can relate to. In every scene, she stole it. Bradley Cooper just turned himself into Jackson. He took voice lessons to work on his singing and he learned to play guitar. Bradley Cooper also directed this movie. It’s his first time and it doesn’t show. His directing in this movie seemed so professional like Krasinski, and I hope he keeps directing. Now, this film is a musical, and the music in this film is fantastic. I love all the songs in this film. The lyrics and tone were both meaningful to what was happening in the movie. When a scene was sad the song would be sad along with it. The Cinematography in this film was also stunning. The lighting, like the music, helped set the tone of each scene. If it was going to be crazy the lighting was more intense but it was calm the lighting was calmer. The last thing I want to talk about is the realistic relationship between the two main characters. It doesn’t show a constant happy couple but shows how couples go through ups and downs but stick together no matter what. In the end, “A Star is Born” is a great movie that you should check out.… Expand

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3

swingNov 9, 2018

Disappointing in that it's so predictable and cliche. Yes, the performances are good, but the story is going exactly where you know it's going. There is no suspense at all. Yes, she can sing, and she can too, surprisingly. But, it couldn'tDisappointing in that it's so predictable and cliche. Yes, the performances are good, but the story is going exactly where you know it's going. There is no suspense at all. Yes, she can sing, and she can too, surprisingly. But, it couldn't keep me in my seat until the end.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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7

LessIsMoreNov 7, 2018

Pretty overrated but Im still very impressed with Bradley Coopers direction and it has undeniable heart.

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10

minokuNov 5, 2018

Marvelous story with a very interesting plot and also Cooper and Gaga did an amazing job.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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4

caleb36Nov 5, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The movie was ruined at the very end when all of the blame is placed by Jackson Maine's brother on Jackson himself, and not on Lady Gaga's agent Rez who led her away from musical integrity into cheap but successful commercialism. Inside Jackson's own house, Rez devastates him with the cruelest comments imaginable, uttered coldly and calculatedly, starting with "we are not friends here." Why was Rez not blamed for the tragic outcome, and why is all the blame put on Jackson? Because Rez realistically represents commercial corruption in the music industry as well as in Hollywood. Bradley Cooper was either unwilling or was told not to confront Hollywood directly. So Rez gets off morally scot-free, and the movie is destroyed in infuriating fashion at its close. This was also a horrible thing to do to potentially suicidal people, putting all of the blame on them. For me, it turned a nine-star movie into a four-star.… Expand

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10

mbjwyoNov 4, 2018

A must-see movie. Amazing movie with what should be award-winning performances by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. It was an emotional roller coaster that told a heart-wrenching story with original music to support the story. There wereA must-see movie. Amazing movie with what should be award-winning performances by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. It was an emotional roller coaster that told a heart-wrenching story with original music to support the story. There were definitely a lot of sniffles and blowing of noses in the bathroom after the movie.… Expand

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9

DawnWyldeNov 4, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. (Spoiler Alert)
A Star is Born has many meanings within its own movie. Lady Gaga could be a new Hollywood born star, Bradley Cooper could be a new Nashville born star and also the new star of directing. Since the movie has debuted, Gaga and Cooper already have reached number one on the Digital Song Sales chart, according to Nielsen Music, with their song “Shallow”. When the award ceremonies begin this year, we will soon have an answer to the future of the two stars. The movie introduces Cooper’s character, Jackson Maine, “Jack”, as he is standing side stage washing drugs down with hard liquor immediately before running out to the front of the stage, grabbing the microphone and singing the next song in his set. After the concert, he enters his limo and asks his driver to take him to the nearest a bar in search of alcohol. The driver abides and within a couple of minutes, Jack stumbles into a bar. Jack buys a drink and soon discovers Ally when she steps on stage and performs a song. They spend the night flirting, bar-hopping and falling for each other. He pursues her as she plays hard to get.

Soon Ally caves in when Jack surprises her by sending a limo for her to whisk her away to a concert of his. Once she is at the concert and standing backstage watching Jack perform, he surprises her again by coaxing her on stage to sing a song she sang to him while they were out the night before. A Star is Born, and Ally is immediately catapulted into stardom. Have you ever dreamed of putting aside your fears and following your dreams, and in this case, of being a rock star? If so, this is the moment in the movie where you get hooked and place yourself in Ally’s shoes. The moment is conducted well and pulls the audience in. As Jack is trying to pull her onto the stage the audience can feel Ally’s emotions, she is frightened to go, says no and then she hesitantly says the heck with it, figures it is now or never, and walks out onto the stage. I could feel myself holding my breath, feeling frightened for her, nervous and excited.

Without giving the rest of the movie away, Cooper and Gaga have an amazing chemistry of which convinces and pulls the audience into Jack and Ally’s world. The overall movie takes twists and turns as we watch Ally’s career grow and Jacks career shift from unstable to rolling downhill. The movie is a rollercoaster of emotions. It speaks to several audiences and needless to say, when complete, not dry eye in the house. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are several awards won by both Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper for their performance.… Expand

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10

ScathachNov 3, 2018

I watched the movie yesterday and I'm chocked, Bradley is a amazing director and actor. Gaga, oh my gosh, she is really perfect. This movie made me cry in all scenes. I just cried on cinema room and hold my best friend on the lastI watched the movie yesterday and I'm chocked, Bradley is a amazing director and actor. Gaga, oh my gosh, she is really perfect. This movie made me cry in all scenes. I just cried on cinema room and hold my best friend on the last performance. A really perfect movie!… Expand

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10

ledaumasNov 3, 2018

We feel like Bradley Cooper handed this movie to Lady Gaga, but then, this movie's storyline is always more about the female than the male. Lady Gaga truly proved herself playing this role without her usual excessive makeup and has added yetWe feel like Bradley Cooper handed this movie to Lady Gaga, but then, this movie's storyline is always more about the female than the male. Lady Gaga truly proved herself playing this role without her usual excessive makeup and has added yet another facet to being a great all-around performer. But most singers emote when they sing, so her performance shouldn't be a surprise. The surprise is how sincere her acting is even though in real life Lady Gaga had the confidence to succeed, whereas in this movie, Ally needs Jackson to succeed. Either way, if it works, it works.… Expand

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A Star Is Born

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