astevensaz

(2012-04-30 16:00:56)

Movie ruins the great story the book portrays

Having read this story a while ago I was very excited to see the movie.I read the book again. It is one of my favorite Nicholas Sparks books.What I think what makes the story is the relationships. That was thedown point for me in the movie because I think the relationships werepoorly expressed in the movie. I have no idea what the point ofchanging main characters roles (Tim's and Alan's characters). The moviedidn't at all capture John and Savannah's relationship. Maybe if youhaven't read the book you might like this movie, but I thought it wasso dull compared to the book. I thought Channing was a great pick forJohn,but I had a feeling he was going to bring all young adults out towatch it, so I think it was more geared towards them. The ending cutsthe whole point of the book out so I was also unhappy with that. I washoping the movie was more like the notebook or a walk to remember andthe way they captured the books. I do feel like I wasted a Friday nightout and 10 bucks on a sappy love story, not at all the story I wasexpecting to see.

(2012-04-30 00:24:24)

Need to watch!

This review is from: Dear John (DVD) I've read all of Nicholas Sparks' books. Dear John was one of my favorites so when it came to the big screen I naturally wanted to see it. I was NOT disappointed. NO MOVIE will ever match the dynamics of the book. When you go into a movie with that knowledge, you can enjoy what the movie has to offer. While this is no "The Notebook", Dear John is definitely worth seeing. I can't wait to buy it on DVD and I generally don't buy a lot of movies on DVD. Back to "The Notebook"....I'm not sure if any movie will ever be able to match the delight, heartbreak, and hope it offered but that's ok with me!Watch Dear John...I don't think it will disappoint.

(2012-04-27 13:51:39)

Good but whyyy??

I just watched this movie.. I feel the moral duty to warn you about the ending of the movie..I wont tell you the ending.. Watch the movie as I did.... You will be dissapointed.. DONT WATCH THE ALTERNATE ENDING is even worst.. GOOD movie but the ending is baddddd.. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED...

Lisa Schwarzbaum

(2012-04-26 19:01:43)

Lasse Hallstrom directs with a softness that makes even combat look tranquil.

(2012-04-22 04:41:07)

Romantic and Sexy

This review is from: Dear John (DVD) I had seen the movie in the theater shortly after it came out and really enjoyed it. I'm a big Nicholas Sparks fan and I try to see all the movies made from his books. Except for the ending, this movie was fairly true to the storyline in the book. I purchased the DVD because it is the type movie that I will want to watch over and over again. I like the DVD because it has an alternate ending which I liked better because it is more like the ending Sparks wrote in the book. I especially liked the chemistry between Amanda and Channing/Savannah and John. I thought it was very romantic and sexy and Channing Tatum is quite a hunk. If you have not read the book, I recommend reading the book first before seeing the movie. I think the story/movie will make more sense and be more interesting.

(2012-04-21 18:11:53)

It was Okay

This movie was slightly better than average. For the most part, it was okay. It was not as moving as some other dramas, such as the Notebook - which was also written by the same author.

Kelly Vance

(2012-04-21 18:41:27)

An inconsequential two-hanky lost-love woman's pic disguised as an inconsequential home-front war drama.

Bruce Bennett

(2012-04-21 03:46:04)

Proves that old-fashioned stories are fashionable again; only romantics not cynics, need apply.

keyshoust

(2012-04-07 22:01:29)

Amanda Seyfried steals it

Much better than the average score given here, in my opinion, Dear Johnis one of the rare movies that I started watching again as soon as itwas over, mainly because I couldn't get enough of looking at AmandaSeyfried. She is such an attractive young woman in every way, but shekind of sneaked up on me. I thought that she was attractive when Ifirst saw her, but that was an under-estimation on my part. Due to herunique and ultimately stunning looks and way of acting, talking andapparently feeling, I was completely captivated by her by the end ofthe movie. Somehow, over the course of the movie, she came to representeverything that I want in my life, and everything that is missing. (Itprobably didn't hurt--or yes, it did, hurt, I suppose--that she is assimilar looking and acting to my first love as probably any woman Ihave ever seen on the screen). Anyway, solid movie, overall, andpoignant love story, but Seyried absolutely stole it, and stole myheart in the process. By the way, I didn't read the book--and havenever read any Nicholas Sparks book--even though I read quite a bit.

ladymoonpictures

(2012-04-07 18:25:24)

A Nicholas Sparks Cash Cow: An Implausible 'Notebook' Template

Today, being President's Day, my wife and I had "The Notebook" DVD,checked out at our local library. It's a movie released in 2004 thatfell beneath our radar, as we are big movie goers. I'm a publishedauthor with hopes of screen playing my first book. I'd noticedreferences to "The Notebook" in reviews of other movies which is why Ibrought it up about us watching and this morning provided the perfectopportunity. We both really liked it. It made my wife cry; we couldrelate to many things in it with our own, continuing love affair andeven I fought back choking up.This afternoon, after lots of chores, yard work and eating, we decidedto actually catch a matinГѓВ©e. When we got to the theater, having seenmost of the current batch of films playing, we elected to see "VictoriaDay" which for some reason was not at the theater, even though bothIMDb and my phone movies showed it playing there. So, instead we lookedat the poster for "Dear John" and that it was written by the samewriter as "The Notebook", making it the obvious choice as we enjoyed'TN' so much.What a disappointment! First, the characters did not have the samebelievability or sense of empathy as 'TN'; and we kept commentingthroughout all the similarities -- two dozen or so -- quickly causingus to realize this movie was nothing but, as another reviewercommented, "a poor man's Notebook!" It had a real 'cash cow' feeling,meaning the Sparks simply threw a story together, based on the exacttemplate of 'TN' simply to make a quick buck. Not only that, after the'bug-eyed' trollop improbably 'Dear John's-John' for the wimp cancerpatient, we ridiculed the movie with each, passing soapy stupid lineall the way through to the end. There were only about 6 of us in thetheater during this 4:45pm Monday matinГѓВ©e and my wife even told me tokeep it down so I wouldn't ruin it for the others...it was so bad.Seeing this on the heels of 'TN' ensured that the rip off similaritieswere vividly recognizable and Sparks blatant, cheap attempt at templatewriting painfully obvious. We only wish we could've seen "Victoria Day"instead...no matter how bad it might've been after seeing this poorentry to cinema. And oh..., for the last 30-minutes, I kept saying"...don't give that cow the coins ...don't give that cow the coins?"

nrob-2

(2012-04-07 07:45:46)

Brave special forces soldier falls in love with a weak girl who can't go the distance.

First, I'll admit that I am prejudiced against stories that have stupidcharacters who jettison their True Love and marry out of sympathy foranother person like themselves: weak, unworthy, and pitiable -- orpitiful, however you'd like to describe them.The girl Savannah can't take the worry and fear of having her TrueLove, special forces soldier John, be away from home and in danger.While he is fighting and risking his life in Afghanistan, dumps him andmarries another man for reasons that some might find noble, but thoseare the same people that think Romeo and Juliet is a terrific romantictale.She sacrifices her own happiness (although presumably she does get amartyrdom kind of joy from her actions) and marries a weak man with anautistic son, and causes utter heartbreak and pain to her True LoveJohn in the process. I'm sure she thought her actions were noble. Sodid Tess of the D'Urbervilles. Boo-hoo-hoo. They are indeed pitiable,but not admirable.Savannah is a terrible role model and her actions should be condemnedrather than praised. No, we shouldn't live only for ourselves, but TrueLove is a rare gift and she was utterly faithless to herself and toJohn.The end of the film shows them finding each other again, but I have tosay he is crazy if he still thinks she would be worthwhile. However,unless she finds some other poor schmuck with personal problems and whois a sucking black hole of need, maybe she'll be faithful to him thistime.Tatum Channing has sex appeal that melts the screen and conveys auniverse of emotions with just a simple look. Amanda Seyfried is lovelyand very appealing, and does a good job with her flawed character. Butcan I recommend this movie? NO. Watch Step Up instead.

phd_travel

(2012-04-06 22:03:26)

Amanda is just not pretty enough plus the plot is silly

Regarding Nicholas Sparks' novels into films its been downhill from theNotebook on. Casting Why does bug eyed Amanda Seyfried get so many romantic roles?She already ruined Mama Mia. She is not beautiful enough for leadromantic roles - she is just the supporting girl. Compared with RachelMcAdams luminosity Amanda's bulgy eyes are just gross. Channing Tatumhas to work on his range of facial expressions. They are just toolimited. He looks like he is struggling with his weight - needs to loseabout 15 pounds. Plot climax is silly and annoying. The main climax of the plot isirritating and illogical. Why on earth would she marry the sick guyjust to look after him. It just doesn't make sense. She could lookafter him without marrying him. And John's saintliness about sellinghis coin collection is clichГѓВ©d and silly. If we get anymore like this, people will start to lose interest.

Kimberly Gadette

(2012-03-31 06:54:47)

Dear Mr. Sparks and The Filmmakers: Due to unanticipated disappointments, I regret to inform you that I cannot love your film. Godspeed.

(2012-03-30 20:36:20)

True Love Story

This review is from: Dear John (DVD) Not your typical love story where boy meets girl and they live happily ever after. Unconditional love comes in to play and sacrifices are made. Very moving and makes you think about what true love really means.

Amy Nicholson

(2012-03-21 22:57:21)

When movie mechanics wedge into their romance, we check out. But there's enough love in this love story to make us feel for a son and his father and their attempts to connect

aandrewdorst74

(2012-03-21 11:39:33)

Good movie

Really good movie if you like this genre As far as a love story, Iwould give it a 8.5 As to the war the war aspect an 8 overall I wouldrate it an 8to an 8.5 The movie is well done and well acted. There arebetter movies, but this is a good one to watch. Compared to othermovies in the last couple years, it ranks up there. Unless you don'tlike love stories, ie. chick-flicks,you'll probable like it. Keep upthe good work guys.If there is a rating for these actors/actresses and the movies theyperformed in, I would have to say that this movie would be one of theirbest.Maybe not an award winner, but a good watch for anyone who justlikes movies and wants to pass the time and not be board.No complaintsfrom me, I am not going to nit pick on little issues.

(2012-03-17 08:21:07)

Awesome!

Great transaction, item arrived on time and in said condition. This is a terrific movie a must see! Heartfelt and romantic, very touching yet sad at times. Channing Tatum and Amanda Syfried shine in this movie, based from a Nicholas Sparks novel, well done. Great cast too.

(2012-03-16 19:27:41)

SOULLESS, MELODRAMATIC, AND EXPLOITATIVE DRIVEL 4 OUT OF 10

For the longest time I struggled to write a proper review of Dear John and I couldn't quite figure out why. I had watched and mercilessly shredded other romance films I hated, so why couldn't I come with anything to say about another one I hate? Then it hit me: this film is so bland and so unremarkable that there is so little to be said about it. It's nothing but a bunch of Nicholas Sparks's annoying writing cliches thrown together in one boring, vapid, and hollow romance film that will only please women who like schmaltzy garbage without a soul. This is not a good romance film. It is not a good war drama. It is also not a tribute to soldiers, but instead exploits the current war all in the name of Nicholas Sparks's obsessive need to get tear-jerking reactions while also throwing in cancer and autism with reckless abandon for good measure.WHAT IT'S ABOUT: John is a solider in the Army, and while on leave he lives with his father who is autistic and likes to collect coins. Savannah is a supposedly nice Christian girl who attends college and has a fairly rich family. The two meet during spring break in North Carolina, and after a short period of time fall in love, but when John goes back to the Army, the two exchange letters between each other until she breaks up with him and marries a family friend for his money (What a b**ch!). However, as time goes by their love rekindles and they also go through more trials together in their lives. Can their love survive? Can John become closer to his father? Well, if you've read a Nicholas Sparks novel or watched any film based on his works you'll know the answers to those questions because he's already done it many times because he writes the same damn story over and over with few changes.MUSIC: The score is okay, but it definitely could have been a lot better because for a romance film the score should flow nicely and tug at your emotions. It's not a bad score, just not a memorable one.ACTING: Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried aren't very interesting in their performances, nor do they seem to care. They don't really have any chemistry to speak of, but then again when your script is nothing but a bad remake of The Notebook (Which was no masterpiece, by the way) what's the point of really trying? The dialogue is also badly written and doesn't allow anything to be believable or truly romantic. Every other actor is also bland aside from maybe two, but that's just disappointing.ACTION: This film is rather dull. The characters aren't interesting, the various situations aren't believable or even interesting, and the film just throws one cliche after another like clockwork. There were a few interesting moments, but those moments were few and far between.OVERALL: Dull, plodding, idiotic, exploitative, and melodramatic would be the proper words to describe this asinine romance film. While I have seen plenty of romance films that are much worse, Dear John frustrates me because it could have been great, but instead it decides to be cliched nonsense without a soul which makes it so boring. There are far better romance films you could be watching instead, so go watch one of those instead.THE GOOD: A few interesting scenes, a couple of good actors, and okay music.THE BAD: Crappy storyline, bad acting, bad dialogue, it's boring, and it's immensely cliched.

kennedy_maraj

(2012-03-12 12:40:00)

Bad "twist" destroys the film!!!

I am usually a huge fan of the romantic comedy/drama genre but havingbeen let down so many times I have learn not to expect much from thesekind of films."Dear John" ended up being another film in a long line of romanticdramas that just disappoints.The two leads (Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried) are two beautifulpeople to look at. Channing is hot and there are many shirtless scenesin this film to satisfy teenage girls all over. Seyfried have thatmagic quality in a star that you see only comes along every once andawhile. She has that engaging, sensuous appeal to her that captivatesyou the minute you see her on screen.For the first half of the film it works. You clearly get why Savannah -an innocent, conservative girl who clearly seems like she has her headfirmly on her shoulders as opposed to it being in the clouds - evidentin most teenagers of that Twilight/Justin Bieber grouping.She is immediately smitten by him as is he. There is a maturity abouttheir attraction and love though as opposed to it being some sillyteenage crush. That part works.What doesn't work is the second half of the film where John goes awayto the Army. There is a twist coming here and it does not make sensebecause during this time away the audience never gets to see Savannah'spain and longing to be with John. Instead she all but disappears fromthe film for a while as the trauma and horror John faces in the armytakes precedent. Therefore Savannah's revelation to John - whichultimately ends their romance - leaves the audience hating her asoppose to understanding her pain and heartbreak she must have obviouslywent through being away from John for so long.There is a scene in the film - it's the one where the film's poster istaken - where they're both sitting on the shore by the beach and shewhispers something to John that ultimately turns out to be a sillyjoke. Had the writers chose to go down that route and make it that whatshe whispers to John turns out to be true which she later keeps fromhim, this film could have been saved.Otherwise the current ending falls flat and I don't believe Savannah isever redeemed in the audience eyes that will make the audience want tosee her with John again.

(2012-03-12 01:46:40)

Dear Loveless John

The following is the story of Dear John: Boy meets girl. Girl is like an angel - if leeches were angels and angels fed off of people with issues. Boy has freaky dad. Dad collects a bunch of coins and then dies. Boy writes girl a bunch of letters (see the Notebook). Girl reads letters and writes back. Girl marries another guy with cancer, leeching off of his suffering until he is dead. Boy returns. They have a dinner and.... The end. I just saved you two hours! Two hours void of any love. Light some candles and dump a bucket of chicken on your dinner table - FAR more romantic. You're welcome.