DVD

Average customer rating:

GREAT FIREFIGHTER MOVIE
A Must See for Everyone...
Heavy Burden on the Viewer's Emotions
Great attempt at realism
Love, Sacrifice, Virtue

Ladder 49 (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix , John Travolta , Jacinda Barrett , Robert Patrick , and Morris Chestnut
Director: Jay Russell
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Touchstone
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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Similar Items:

Backdraft (2 Disc Anniversary Edition)
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National Treasure (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B00063MAXQ
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Amazon.com

In paying simple tribute to firefighters, Ladder 49 gets to the heart of those who risk their lives for a living. Director Jay Russell brought similar sincerity to his memorable family favorite My Dog Skip, and despite the banalities of an ultra-conventional screenplay by Lewis Colick, Ladder 49 generates so much goodwill toward its Baltimore firemen that you may find yourself unexpectedly overcome with emotional appreciation for guys like Jack (Joaquin Phoenix), a firefighter whose career, courtship, marriage, and fatherhood are viewed in flashback as he struggles to survive in the present-day framing scenes, cut off from his fellow firemen in the fiery guts of a collapsing 20-floor building. There are no surprises in the familiar scenes of male bonding, dangerous rescues, injury and death, and the supportive concern of Jack's wife (Jacinda Barrett), but by focusing on the simple integrity of Jack's personal and professional commitment, the movie gives Phoenix a showcase for unselfish virtue, while John Travolta provides dignified support as Jack's mentor and devoted firehouse captain. Ladder 49 is routine in most respects, but it's a much-deserved valentine to working-class heroes. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Academy Award(R) nominated stars Joaquin Phoenix (Best Supporting Actor, GLADIATOR, 2000) and John Travolta (Best Actor, PULP FICTION, 1994) ignite the intense action in this heroic tale of ordinary men with uncommon courage! As part of a tightly knit brotherhood of skilled firefighters, Jack Morrison (Phoenix) grows from inexperienced rookie to seasoned veteran as he faces a dangerous job that makes him a hero to strangers but often shortchanges his wife (Jacinda Barrett -- THE HUMAN STAIN) and kids. Then, when he becomes trapped in the worst blaze of his career, the things Jack holds most important -- family, duty, courage -- come sharply into focus.

Customer Reviews:

GREAT FIREFIGHTER MOVIE.......2007-06-29

LADDER 49 IS A REALISTIC LOOK INTO THE LIVES OF FIIREFIGHTERS. I'M A FIREFIGHTER AND I HAVE TO SAY THIS MOVIE IS NO JOKE. FROM THE MINUTE WE GET IN OUR TRUCK OUR LIVES AND ARE IN DANGER. JUST GET THE MOVIE.

A Must See for Everyone..........2007-04-01

Full of drama, Joaquin Phoenix and John Travolta compliment each other's acting talents in this heartwrenching story about guts, glory, teamwork, and love.

Heavy Burden on the Viewer's Emotions.......2007-01-12

This film captivates you by playing on your emotional response to the story. There are a lot of good characters and interesting sequences switching from the present and then to flashbacks leading the story up to the point of the central catastrophic fire where Joaquin Phoenix is trapped and cutoff from the other fire fighters. His Captain portrayed by John Travolta tries futilely to rescue him keeping in touch over a wireless. Ultimately it is a very depressing film. I don't see the point of it all. This movie has its moments but it is too hard to take.

Great attempt at realism.......2007-01-11

This movie is so refreshing in its portrayal of firefighters. Its amazing that Hollywood would even attempt to make it as real as possible. The charactors are realistic and believable. Great movie.

Love, Sacrifice, Virtue.......2006-11-14

I was reluctuant to watch this movie because of many of the reviews I read here on Amazon. While generally praised, that praise is here often tempered with comments like "predictible story line"; "uninspired plot", etc.. Only somebody suffering from postmodern malaise could be indifferent to this movie. The hero is humble, the action varied and intense, the story line relecting the aspirations of millions of Americans. I think what must blanch for those suffering from postmodernity is the hero is not a homosexual, and that he has a happy married life with two kids and dog. THAT is what THEY consider to be "quaint" or "predictable". If you are a humble, God-fearing, decent human being you will probably love this movie. If you prefer a less "predictable" life like searching gay bars for sex with men, or alleys for sex with stray animals, than you probably won't like this movie.

Average customer rating:

GREAT FIREFIGHTER MOVIE
A Must See for Everyone...
Heavy Burden on the Viewer's Emotions
Great attempt at realism
Love, Sacrifice, Virtue

Ladder 49 (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix , John Travolta , Jacinda Barrett , Robert Patrick , and Morris Chestnut
Director: Jay Russell
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Touchstone
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Backdraft (2 Disc Anniversary Edition)
Hostage
Walk the Line (Widescreen Edition)
Hitch (Widescreen Edition)
National Treasure (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B0006L0L5C
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

GREAT FIREFIGHTER MOVIE.......2007-06-29

A Must See for Everyone..........2007-04-01

Full of drama, Joaquin Phoenix and John Travolta compliment each other's acting talents in this heartwrenching story about guts, glory, teamwork, and love.

Heavy Burden on the Viewer's Emotions.......2007-01-12

Great attempt at realism.......2007-01-11

This movie is so refreshing in its portrayal of firefighters. Its amazing that Hollywood would even attempt to make it as real as possible. The charactors are realistic and believable. Great movie.

Love, Sacrifice, Virtue.......2006-11-14

Average customer rating:

SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE...
"We open our eyes and dream"

Ladder 49 [Blu-ray]
Starring: John Travolta , and Joaquin Phoenix
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Touchstone
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Adventure | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video

General | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video

Drama | Blu-ray | Formats | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Reign of Fire [Blu-ray]
The Departed [Blu-ray]
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Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl [Blu-ray]
Casino Royale [Blu-ray]

ASIN: B000L212GS
Release Date: 2007-02-13

Customer Reviews:

SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE..........2007-03-26

First and foremost, this is a drama, not an action film, about firefighters, with the focus on one firefighter in particular. The film tells the story about the life this one firefighter, whose life is revealed in flashback, when he finds himself in a bit of difficulty while fighting a fire and engaging in a rescue. That singular moment in time is grounded in the context of his life as a firefighter. While the film may be said to be somewhat formulaic and predictable, it does not take away from the fine acting, the great fire fighting sequences, and the poignant and funny moments that occur throughout the film. In many ways it is reflective of life itself, with some highs and lows, as well as a ready, steady core of reality in which all is grounded.

The firefighter who finds himself in a quandary is Jack Morrison (Joaquin Phoenix), a firefighter at a Baltimore firehouse. The viewer sees Jack in his rookie days as he is initiated into the brotherhood of firefighters and begins the bonding process with his fellow firefighters, whereby they become "family". Some of those bonding scenes are quite funny, especially the one involving his initial meeting with the then Captain of the firehouse, Mike Kennedy (John Travolta). Others are quite serious and poignant, as the dangers of the job are brought home to the viewer, especially when Jack loses a member of the brotherhood that is near and dear to him. The film shows, as the years go by, Jack's progression through the ranks from rookie to respected firefighter. It is clear that it is a job that he loves, despite the ever present danger to life.

As the viewer sees Jack's professional life unfold, the viewer also catches glimpses into Jack's personal life, from the moment that he meets his future wife, Linda (Jacinda Barrett), to the moment of their wedding and the birth of their children, with the wife and children also becoming part of the larger firefighter family or brotherhood. The film also shows the tremendous pressure and stress that a firefighter's job can have on one's spouse and children with their ever present concern for the safety of that beloved firefighter. After all, firefighters go where others dare not, simply so that others may live. The film shows how firefighters and members of their families cope with this ever present sword of Damocles that hangs over their respective heads.

Joaquin Phoenix, who is one of the finest young actors of his generation, gives a low key, but poignant, performance as the salt of the earth kind of guy who wants to do the best that he can for those whom he loves, in a job that he loves, with those with whom he loves working. He gives a quintessential portrayal of a working class guy for whom firefighting and family are concepts at the central core of his being. John Travolta gives a humorous and, at times, affecting performance as Mike Kennedy, the firefighting official who clearly is not above playing a practical joke on his firefighters but who pulls out all the stops to ensure that none are left behind when fighting a fire. Jacinda Barrett is effective in the role of Linda, the concerned wife who does her best to allay her fears and, over time, become supportive of her husband's chosen career. The rest of the supporting cast is equally effective in their respective roles.

This is a film that those who would like to sneak a peek into the life of a firefighter will appreciate. It will certainly let the viewer see the everyday types of situations that may confront a firefighter, as well as enable the viewer to discern why firefighters form such close relationships with each other. After viewing this film, a viewer can certainly walk away with an understanding as to why firefighters are such a unique brotherhood and why they bond as they do. It takes a special person, indeed, to walk into a towering inferno. This film does firefighters proud, and my hat is certainly off to firefighters everywhere. It is with good reason that we, in The Big Apple, call our firefighters New York's bravest.

"We open our eyes and dream".......2007-01-08

From the very first we are immersed in explosive scenes as watch Jack Morrison (Joaquin Phoenix), a well trained fire fighter is disregarding his own peril as he saves a man from the burning high-rise building. The inevitable happens and Jack is trapped in the burning debris. As his comrades rush to save him the rest of the film is a series of flash-backs from his rooky days until the present.

The story focus is on Jack Morrison's life and secondarily firefighting in general. Captain Mike Kennedy (John Travolta) holds the team together. John Travolta is believable in the film.

Aside from the numerous clichés and shads of 9/11 this is a well done formula movie.

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The wide screen DVD was very clear on watching on the laptop. This film would be a good candidate for "Superbit".

There are some extras such as an audio commentary with director Jay Russell and Editor Bud Smith.

There is a lot of interesting backgrounds music to the various scenes. This soundtrack is available.

Average customer rating:

Firefighting-a quick look inside this career
Awesome movie combo!

Backdraft / Ladder 49 (2 Pack)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

World Trade Center (Widescreen Edition)
National Treasure (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B0007Y5U7W

Product Description

Region 1 DVD - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Customer Reviews:

Firefighting-a quick look inside this career.......2006-01-17

Both of these movies have their Hollywood moments, but in all seriousness, they permit you a look inside what the firefighter is all about. The life of firefighters everywhere reflect human beings. They are not perfect, and the rest of the world's population isn't neither. Backdraft, in the first 5-10 minutes, shows how fighting fire in the 1960's of Chicago really was. And as it progresses into the late 80's and early 90's, it shows alot of fire service tradition still hanging around. Ladder 49 is realistic throughout on a calmer scale, although a bit boring...not much Hollywood fire and rescue here. In Backdraft every call was a major incident. Ladder 49 shows the routine side of emergency response...not alot for Hollywood to sell more movies by keeping you on the edge of your seat. Enjoy the movies for what they are...entertainment. They are not real fire scene footage documentaries. They are not training films. They are fiction based Hollywood movies for your enjoyment. Hey, if you appreciate what firefighters do for their fellowman after viewing these movies, then, that's alright. Someone special has to fight the Dragon...and sometimes the Dragon wins.

Awesome movie combo!.......2005-03-29

1991's classic "Backdraft" and 2004's "Ladder 49" are really awesome yet similar movies yet they have their distinctive characters that sets them apart.

The first movie is of two feuding brothers who've had a history of not getting along too well but are forced to abandon their differences when a sudden spike of arson attacks occurs in the ghettos of Chicago and they must find the culprit behind the attacks.

"Ladder 49" is much different yet very similar as it is also an inner-city themed movie but this one takes place in Baltimore and a rookie firefighter starts at the bottom of the ladder but ultimately rises to become a veteran firefighter but faces the worst fire of his career when he is trapped in a burning factory and reflects on his life.

Both of these movies are really great and are highly recommended.

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