Search - Rare Birds on DVD

Really Funny Offbeat Movie

L. J Nary | Indio, CA United States | 10/20/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I say this is really funny and it was to me. I saw this in an arthouse theater in SLO and laughed my head off, unfortunately more than half the audience did not. Many were not amused. Whats happening out there? This movie has the most audacious characters. Especially Phonce, Andy Jones, who is so believable in his role. Actually all the actors were excellent! Probably some of the best acting I've seen for awhile. The story weaves around the beautiful coast of NewFoundLand and William Hurt's characters restaurant, The Auk. Hurt is a great cook but his place is located in some remote seaside area, which causes a lack of customers. Anyways, Phonce, who is always the creative planner, the leader in the twosome, comes up with some zany ideas to bring fortune to Hurts character and also to himself. The scenes involving the mini submarine are some of the funniest I've seen in awhile. Like I said though, many in the theater were not even cracking a smile, this is an offbeat comedy so may appeal to some and not to others. Unique and different, these characters are the real rare birds in this cool little film. Also the actress, I think Molly Parker?? does another great job in getting her role to shine, even without alot of film time, well done!
Lisa Nary"

NOT AN UGLY DUCKLING AT ALL.

yaaah69 | albuquerque, nm United States | 07/28/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is yet another movie filmed in New-Found-Land , the other being 'The Shipping News' and that being said, it is the only similarity... Where as Ship News was dark, moody, and sinking in its' own sea of muck. (Rare Birds) is on the opposite end of the scale, light, witty, much more lively character to watch. This little gem of a movie got lost in the 9/11 murder-madness and went right to dvd and video. I am reviewing the DVD, which has a lot of info. on it.William Hurt, John, " Kiss Of The spider Women ,"Altered States, is very funny as the (Off the beaten path restaurant gormet cook, owner.) Whose clientele is non existent? John is about to throw in the towel when his friend, Andy Jones(ll), (Phonce), comes up with an idea to get people for the restaurant.
He comes up with an idea of sighting a rare bird, Duck, in the ocean below the restaurant. The scheme and how they set it up is hilarious. Also Phonce has a paranoia re; people in motor homes and he thinks the're out to get him which is half right. There is a scene in a homemade submarine which Phonce built in his secret tunnel under his garage. A real hoot! There are frogmen, a CEO from a corp. trying to get an invention which Phonce's one time partner invented, sheet's of light hung up on clotheslines , with clothspins , in the tunnel.
The people start coming to eat, and John hires more staff and there is a love which develops between John and Alice. But things start to unravel and the laughs keep getting longer. The cinematography is great and the sun really does shine in New-Found-Land!!
ciao yaaah69"

Never a Dull Moment

Karen Kegley | Clinton, MS | 06/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie is going to be added to my video collection as soon as the price drops. William Hurt's performance is quite believable, as is that of Andy Jones. Hurt's character, Dave, is a restaurateur whose eating establishment is in an out of the way place on the bay; so out of the way that The Auk is going under for lack of business! Enter Phonce (Andy Jones). Phonce invites Dave over for a look at his "RSV" (recreational submarine vehicle) which he has been constructing in the WWII vintage tunnel that is on his property. Add to that the mystery surrounding the "svedtka" lamps which the Europeans left in his tunnel, and Phonce's plan to rescue Dave and the restaurant from bankruptcy, and POOF! - a grand scheme to spot a rare bird in the bay in front of The Auk, and bring in "birders" from everywhere. Birders who will, naturally, be very hungry. Very funny movie and heartwarming story. Great acting; zany characters. A must see, and after you've seen it once, you'll have to own it."

Wonderful Intelligent Escapist Fare

Charlie | Rome, Italy | 09/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Why else to watch a film, except for an intelligent escape from the mundane; otherwise, one could simply recount one's day, write in one's diary, or read the friggin' newspaper, if that were literate or non-fiction. Let's not even talk about TV news; HBO is the most real thing on television. I happened across this movie on cable, while eating dinner. Do yourself a favor and take in this film; do others a favor and buy the DVD, to promote intelligent and thoughtful entertainment. I know I will. The cinematography alone is worth it, but, so is the acting, the writing, the imagination..."