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| Director: Rob Reiner
Actors: Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Sean Hayes, Beverly Todd, Rob Morrow
Studio: Warner Bros.
Buy New: $3.99
Rating:  187 reviews
Sales Rank: 74
Genre: Adventure
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: Video On Demand
Running Time: 98 Minutes
ASIN: B001BKV9TY
Theatrical Release Date: January 11, 2008
Release Date: August 8, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 187
Worthy 'List' June 18, 2008
Rocky Raccoon (Boise, ID)
18 out of 23 found this review helpful
(3.5 *`s) You've probably seen the previews, so much elaboration isn't needed, but `Bucket List' is still a worthy journey even if the plot is laid out for you already. Sweet, sage, and funny, Rob Reiner delivers another heartwarming gem that's rejuvenating to watch.
They couldn't be more opposite. Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) is a wealthy owner of hospitals where the frills are fleeting at best. "We run hospitals, not health spas," Edward brashly tells his potential clients. "Two guests to a room, no exceptions." Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman) is mild and wise. He is a mechanic at a garage supporting his family, but is an academic at heart and a trivia expert who would make Cliff Claven blush. A fellow colleague is always trying to stump him with questions from a trivia book, and Carter's favorite past time is to blurt out the answers (questions really) while watching 'Jeopardy'.
You guessed it. They both have cancer and have to share a room in one of his hospitals. Thomas* (whose real name is Matthew, but is too hard for Edward to keep track of) is his assistant. He can't have his own room because it would be bad PR not to follow his own rules. Edward does get top service by his doctor (Rob Morrow who plays a far different MD than he did on `Northern Exposure'.) The odd couple take a while to warm up to each other. Each is absorbed in his own interests, and each has foibles that would annoy anyone.
As their prospects both turn terminal, Edward comes across Carter's "bucket list". Meant to be a whimsical exercise from Carter's philosophy professor, it gets them thinking about using their precious last moments to do what they haven't done before. Edward has the money but Carter has the wisdom, so sorting out their priorities turns from a final blessing to a final battle. Carter, who always wanted to be a history professor, decides to take up Edward's offer to take a whirlwind tour of the world and discover the joys of skydiving and race car driving to name just two. ("You gonna drive it or give it a dress?" asks an impatient Edward to Carter the mechanic who would truly appreciate the opportunity.)
This is all to the chagrin of Virginia, (also Ginny)[Beverly Todd], Carter's devoted nurse wife. ("You're a fool who's figured out a way not have cancer," she chides her husband. And to Edward: "My husband is not for sale.") Carter rekindles Edward's ability to think deeply. He offers Edward the challenge that below the surface relationships and getting one's house in order really matter. It's not just about the fun.
Once they're on the road, they have several disagreements. One of the best merits of the movie is how it can transition from fun and funny to philosophical. Some may find the whole affair ponderous, but I loved the way both grapple emotionally, physically, and intellectually to the challenges that death provides. If you liked books and movies like 'Tuesdays with Morrie,' then surely 'Bucket List' should appeal to you.
We've all seen "The Little Old Lady from Pasadena" routine so often: Gramps or granny is in a hot rod, saying displaced things like "cool" and "far out." It usually is funny and offensive at the same time. This factor couldn't be more remote from the film. There's never a bitter aftertaste when watching the elderly men doing young things. It's all done thoughtfully and tastefully. The dialogue is excellent. The jokes are funny; the questions posed are interesting, but without the dead ends, for they provide some thoughtful answers as well.
Watching this film reminds me that watching a three-and-a-half-star film can sometimes be more rewarding than watching a five-star film. In the end, 'The Bucket List' is a feel good movie with some substance that should be put on your movie "list".
(*Sean Hayes whom I recognized, but didn't figure out 'til late to be the 'Will and Grace' star in a far different role.)
 how DO you understand the measure of a life ??? April 23, 2008
Matthew G. Sherwin
16 out of 19 found this review helpful
The Bucket List tells the sensitive and well thought-out story of two older men who are diagnosed with cancer so severe that they have six months to live--or maybe a year if they're lucky. Look for stunning performances from both Morgan Freeman as Carter Chambers and Jack Nicholson as Edward Cole. Beverly Todd also acts her heart out as Beverly Chambers, Carter's wife.
The action begins when Carter Chambers, a working class black man, and Edward Cole, super-wealthy self-made rich white guy who actually owns the hospital they're in become roommates in the oncology ward of the hospital. At first Carter and Edward don't exactly hit it off but it isn't long before they forge a friendship. When they each learn that by coincidence they have six months to a year to live, they embark on a trip to accomplish certain lifelong dreams and personal goals before they die. The list of things to do is called The Bucket List because it's a list of things to do before they "kick the bucket."
Of course, because Edward Cole is wealthy many scenes in this movie become almost miraculously possible. They travel the world by private corporate jet; and they live more in just a few weeks than most people ever do in a lifetime.
Of course, life has its ways of surprising just about any of us; so still the plot could go just about anywhere. How will Beverly, Carter's wife, react to all this? Will she understand and remain patient while Carter lives out a few lifelong dreams or will she want her husband home NOW? Will Carter and Edward be able to keep their cool when they are stranded in Asia during a monstrous snowstorm and they are not allowed to fly? What happens if one of them gets very sick along the way? What about Edward's refusal to make up with his daughter who disowned him long ago--will he ever decide to approach her or will he remain obstinate in his refusal to even meet with her? The results may surprise you. No plot spoilers here, folks--you'll just have to watch the movie to find out!
As a cancer survivor who is finishing my own chemotherapy soon, I will add that some of the side-effects of the chemotherapy they receive are exaggerated. However, I think director Rob Reiner added these elements to the film to make it somewhat more dramatic.
Overall, The Bucket List is an excellent movie; and I couldn't have enjoyed it more. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman turn in superlative performances that proves these guys can still act better than the vast majority of actors ever could. Beverly Todd does a great job as Carter's wife; and Sean Hayes also does well as Edward Cole's personal assistant Thomas. I highly recommend this film for fans of these terrific actors; and people comfortable with the subject matter will appreciate this motion picture as well.
 Have you ever asked yourself: Is this as good as it gets? ... April 24, 2008
! Steffan Piper ! (Burbank, CA)
15 out of 33 found this review helpful
I've taken baths deeper than this movie ...
It's pretty sad that so many of the exterior shots were done in the studio and in front of a green screen. Maybe the target audience for this melodramatic drivel wouldn't be expecting it or even notice it. It probably had a lot to do with the Director believing that they could get away with it. I don't think, for a moment that is what the writer intended. This film would've been really great if they had actually filmed it 'in the real world' and not on a green screen. But, oh ... I forgot, this generation that is ogling over this detritus is the generation responsible for blighting out most of the places that it's showcasing. Laughable.
I'm all for warm and heartfelt cinema, but this was not it. It's pandering at the most base level, and hardened fromage to boot. It's a shame to watch so many of the aging greats phoning it in in the last few years. GQ printed an article warning us of just this type of behaviour from these same people, all the way back in the summer of 2004. Now it seems that Nicholson, Pacino and even Morgan Freeman took GQ's advice and thought how easy it would be to just collect fat paychecks for sub-standard work for a few years.
Maybe it's a formula of attrition? They might just firmly believe that if they do enough stinkers that even mediocre films, quite possibly like this one, will look brilliant in comparison.
Aging Baby Boomers identify with this film in packs larger than lemmings near high cliffs. It also seems from reading most of the reviews on Amazon that this film is being used as a vehicle to start a very ungraceful and loud campaign of reminiscence, selfish indulgence and life-ending grandstanding. I don't think film critiquing has reached such lows since 'Cocoon II' and 'On Golden Pond'. Please, people -- get a grip!
The problem with most of these people is that they all believe that they're original in thinking that this movie actually applies to them and their horribly misspent and sold-out lives and that only an aging 'World Killer' could truly understand it, except for the simple fact that it was written by thirty-something, Justin Zackham.
I think 'The Bucket List' is just the first movie in a string of many movies to come, where aging trash-generating, world-killing, Baby-Boomers want to glorify themselves with a community swan song and we're going to be subjected to much more of this kind of thing as time passes. Maybe, some people will be looking forward to that, I know for sure that I won't, and I can bet that I'm not alone in that sentiment.
What a shame. Cancer? This movie is a cancer. Shame on you Rob Reiner for stooping into the gutter of pomposity to Direct this green screen monstrosity. (No more rhymes now I mean it! ... Anybody want a peanut?) As for the screenplay, it's well-written. Too bad it wasn't well acted. This would've made for an interesting novel or short-story.
I'll try not to think of this next time I watch Five Easy Pieces.
A bucket full of suck June 12, 2008
Jonathan C. Pike (Canton, MA)
11 out of 24 found this review helpful
Sweet, a movie about 2 old fossils who decide to do some crazy stuff before they die. What a novel and brilliant concept! I bet it'll make for some hilarious hijinks: like old guys doing activities that they are clearly too old for! Maybe they'll even go skydiving. Haha, it'll be histerical! Those guys can't do that, they're too old! Hahaha, I'm still laughing over it. Bleh...
Nicholson is the same character he is in every movie he makes: loud, abbrasive, and unnecesarily aggressive. Morgan Freeman I actually like, but the movie was such a giant dose of suck that even he shouldn't be forgiven. Don't waste your time with with disaster.
The Worst Film of 2007...? January 9, 2008
jeffrey christian (brooklyn ny)
9 out of 31 found this review helpful
Easily, this would have topped my list of the Worst Films of 2007 had I seen it a mere 2 weeks ago. Nevertheless, this could still be the worst movie-going experience of the New Year. It's a cloying, manipulative, overacted, shameless piece of over-sentimental drivel. Nicholson portrays yet another typical Nicholson role - a grotesque, exaggerated caricature of every performance he's given the past 2 decades or so, and Morgan Freeman resurrects his usual take on the everyman, cashing yet another easy paycheck. Rob Reiner, with more hits than misses under his expanding belt, has directed a horror show more frightening in its audacity than his own "Misery". My grade: D
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