The Great Buck Howard (US Version) DVD Region 1

Prior to THE GREAT BUCK HOWARD, writer-director Sean McGinly helmed TWO DAYS, a film that deals with themes of show-business failure. McGinly treads similar territory here, but whereas DAYS mixed dark comedy and tense drama in the internal struggle of a man who merely thinks he’s a failed entertainer, BUCK is a gentle charmer about a bona-fide washed-up star. When sensible but jaded law student Troy Gabel (Colin Hanks) decides that school isn’t for him, he takes off without telling his father (Tom Hanks, whose presence underscores how many mannerisms he and his real-life son have in common) and looks for the job that will get him a proverbial foot in the door of the entertainment industry. In the blink of an eye, Troy finds himself as road manager for the Great Buck Howard (John Malkovich), an aging mentalist in the tradition of the Amazing Kreskin. He may be a corny relic with an act full of piano interludes and lo-fi theatrics, but he’s also pretty entertaining and genuinely impressive, especially his signature bit in which he locates his own hidden payment. He’s prone to throwing prima-donna fits and blathering on about his 61 appearances on THE TONIGHT SHOW while he regularly performs to half-full rooms; but every time he screams "I love this town!" to the audiences of Wausau, Wisconsin, and Bakersfield, California, it becomes increasingly apparent that he means it. Buck is the best showcase for Malkovich’s hilarious eccentricities since BEING JOHN MALKOVICH. But seen through the eyes of McGinly’s semi-autobiographical Troy and a perceptive publicist named Valerie (Emily Blunt), he’s more than just a caricature: his brief, hipster-irony-propelled resurgence as a national celebrity and the movie’s lighthearted satirization of Hollywood suggest he’s the kitschy, infantile heart of every entertainer.

Troy (Colin Hanks) decides that his career as a lawyer has lost its appeal, so he drops out of school in favor of working for Buck Howard (John Malkovich). But the eponymous mentalist isn't the celebrity he used to be, and Hollywood and Vegas just don't call like they used to, making everyone question Troy's decision. Tom Hanks produces and makes an appearance as Troy's father.

"[S]weetly nostalgic and gently satiric....What renders it worth watching are three key performances. John Malkovich is pitch-perfect as the egomaniacal, vaudeville-style magician..." - Claudia, Puig (USA TODAY CRITIC), USA Today, 03/20/2009

"[A]n agreeable show business satire with a warm heart....John Malkovich exaggerates the familiar mannerisms of this self-described professional mentalist to create a barbed but affectionate portrait of a second-string trouper struggling for a comeback." - Stephen, Holden (New York Times Critic), New York Times, 03/20/2009

3 stars out of 5 -- "Buck is the type of 'take it and run with it' part that brings out the best in Malkovich....Blunt adds further star power to the film's terrific cast..." - Mark, Keizer (Box Office Critic), Box Office, 03/20/2009

"THE GREAT BUCK HOWARD gives the loopy John Malkovich the showcase he deserves....[The film] is in love with kitsch, the backwaters of showbiz, and true magic. It's a wee charmer..." -- Grade: A- - Owen, Gleiberman (Entertainment Weekly Critic), Entertainment Weekly, 03/27/2009

3.5 stars out of 4 -- "Colin Hanks is affecting....No one else could have played Buck better than Malkovich....The film is funny and perceptive..." - Roger, Ebert (Critic and screenwriter), Chicago Sun-Times, 03/18/2009

3.5 stars out of 4 -- "Malkovich is just right for the role of the quirky mentalist....The pacing and direction of the film match up perfectly with Malkovich's performance." - Premiere, 03/19/2009

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Product Title:	The Great Buck Howard (US Version) The Great Buck Howard (US Version) The Great Buck Howard (US Version) The Great Buck Howard (US Version) The Great Buck Howard (US Version)
Artist Name(s):	Tom Hanks (Actor) | Griffin Dunne (Actor) | Emily Blunt (Actor) | Steve Zahn (Actor) | Colin Hanks (Actor) | David Lightworks (Actor) | Sean McGinly 湯漢斯 (Actor) | 格芬鄧恩 (Actor) | 艾美莉賓特 (Actor) | Steve Zahn (Actor) | Colin Hanks (Actor) | David Lightworks (Actor) | Sean McGinly 汤汉斯 (Actor) | 格芬邓恩 (Actor) | 艾美莉宾特 (Actor) | Steve Zahn (Actor) | Colin Hanks (Actor) | David Lightworks (Actor) | Sean McGinly トム・ハンクス (Actor) | Griffin Dunne (Actor) | Emily Blunt (Actor) | Steve Zahn (Actor) | Colin Hanks (Actor) | David Lightworks (Actor) | Sean McGinly 톰 행크스 (Actor) | Griffin Dunne (Actor) | Emily Blunt (Actor) | Steve Zahn (Actor) | Colin Hanks (Actor) | David Lightworks (Actor) | Sean McGinly
Director:	Sean McGinly Sean McGinly Sean McGinly Sean McGinly Sean McGinly
Producer:	Tom Hanks | Gary Goetzman 湯漢斯 | Gary Goetzman 汤汉斯 | Gary Goetzman トム・ハンクス | Gary Goetzman 톰 행크스 | Gary Goetzman
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Release Date:	2009-07-21
UPC Code:	876964001922
Country of Origin:	United States
Picture Format:	NTSC What is it?
Color Information:	Color
Disc Format(s):	DVD
Region Code:	1 - USA, Canada, U.S. Territories What is it?
Rating:	PG (MPAA)
Publisher:	Magnolia Home Entertainment
Package Weight:	150 (g)
Shipment Unit:	1 What is it?
YesAsia Catalog No.:	1020523621

Director: Sean McGinly

DVD Features:

Region [unknown]
Keep Case
Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Subtitles - Spanish
Additional Release Material:
Deleted Scenes
Outtakes
Behind the Scenes
Making Of:
1. Making of THE GREAT BUCK HOWARD
Audio Commentary:
1. Sean McGinly, Director; Colin Hanks, Actor
Featurette:
1. The Amazing Kreskin
2. HDNet: A Look at The Great Buck Howard