.... but a good story once you got past the fact that it is hard to get invested in Matt Damon's character.... he is just too quiet and wooden to have feelings for during this movie.
Angelina Jolie just didn't have enough screen time to make her character better.
The Skull & Bones, the OSS, the CIA, this coulda been a contender.... instead it is just a loooooong movie.
Shame, it coulda been a lot more!
Just a rental movie, sorry can't recommend it for purchase.
This movie is about a Skull and Bones CIA mans life. He has tough choices to make from his love life to his sons life. He lives by the code of being a good American is what matters first and foremost. The Yale Skull and Bones organization and its standard is only part of what made him who he is. His father committed suicide beacuse he was weak. He lives his life being strong. I found that you must pay close attention in order to fully understand the movie. It is 2 hours and 40 minutes, a bit drawn out. But the climactic revelation of the trader was worth watching this for. I found the acting to be very good, but Matt Damon was too young looking to have a son older than 10. He needed some better aging characteristics. Still, this is a very good movie. I say watch it then decide if you want to buy it.
Lots of unanswered questions, all stars. Makes you think. Interesting to think what facts that they based this fictional story about the CIA on. IMDB has some good thoughts on that. Recommend!
Great performances, a subtle, gripping script and solid direction by Robert DeNiro make this one a winner. A look at the actual beginnings of the CIA through the eyes of a fictional, composite character, this is a character-driven spy drama the likes of which we haven't seen in many years. Matt Damon has never been better on screen; his chemistry with Angelina Jolie is amazing, and a great supporting cast with John Turturro and Alec Baldwin make it an instant cinema classic, and I don't use that term loosely. When you see this film, you'll know what I mean.
I like the service to maintain excellent products and ship a good distance quickly I am quite pleased. Over all an excellent movie delivery and purchase experience.
i have dealt with this seller before and have never had a problem with any of the items. all of the dvds i purchased play fine. seller packaged items carefully.
Was contacted by the seller using a screen from ebay. Sent the $75.00 plus $15.00 fee and never received the DVDs. Contacted ebay, and was told I went outside of ebay. I had no way of knowing I was outside of ebay. I even sent ebay an email, asking why I needed to pay with western union instead of pay pal, and ebay advised "because that how's it is", and if no purchase made, would be a negative towards me. So, I sent he money. I sent ebay all facts, spent a lot of time trying to get all the information, and I get a standard form letter.....ooops you went outside of ebay and therefore they can not do anything to assist. Contact the police? Last purchase I will ever make with ebY. they a good buyer. Shame on you ebay,shame on you......I would have thought they would want information like this to prevent other customers from getting ripped off, but no...I guess they are just too busy for there customers?
The once-used dvd, The Good Shepherd, played crisp and perfect.
For truth seekers,tellers, and spy-buffs, this movie is a must see and study. An excellent version of dramatizing the rise of a Skull and Bones initiate of 1939 to his compromised CIA-directed Bay of Pigs event of 1961.
The depiction of a ritual initiation into a secret society is enormous for reasons of; similar college experiences, timely and a warning because the recent 27 years of the USA have been under the spell of the Skull and Bones Bush-family, and the juvenille antics of evil that are passed-off as fun to bond men for life-long committment.
Although, the normal conversations are crisp and clear, its the hushed voices that are difficult to hear, even with the volume cranked-up. Word captions would be helpful, and may be an option I did not activate ?
The big mystery is_ who betrayed the Bay of Pigs plan ? Was his CIA-son, set-up to take the fall ?? The best movie on the Skull 'n Bones and 2nd-best on the CIA-Bay of Pigs. Avid aficianados need to see, also, "The Company" with Michael Keaton as Angleton. You will then appreciate both movies as the best yet ! !
this is a good movie..angelina and matt damon. angelina is not the typical anglina vixen sort of movie..its more about matt and the character he plays. very entertaining...not alot of sex but has drama. watch it if you want to be distracted and entertained. price is great..five bucks..and i can hardly rent it for that price.
I received the movie in good condition and on time. There were no problems with the movie and it was a great one. Thanks for the prompt delivery. I will recommend this seller to anyone.
"The Good Shepherd," directed by Robert DeNiro, is an under-praised, straight-up, and subtle film about the dirty deeds routinely done by the O.S.S. during World War II and by its successor, the CIA, during the Cold War. Only twice in the 2 1/4-hour film did I see a major plot twist coming. It's a thinking person's film, requiring the viewer to connect a confusing and often disquieting array of dots--exactly the kind of riddle the characters grapple with. Matt Damon, in the lead role, disappears into the brilliant, borderline autistic CIA spook he plays, and DeNiro shows that he's almost as good behind the camera as in front of it.
I was told in a E-mail that the movie was mailed to me but I never recieved the DVD. I tried to contact the seller and his account said he/she was on vacation. I don't know how this happened or why but I believe this to be unacceptable. I'd like an explenation and I'd like to recieve either the movie or a refund as soon as possible.
I really enjoyed this movie but I am a history buff. It does jump around alot and you have to pay close attention so if you want some light entertainment, this is not for you. I thought the acting was superb and the message that our lives are shaped by previous events is a good reminder that "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW" I look forward to watching it again to catch what I missed the first time!
Do you know those commercials for sleep aids? Forget them, you have The Good Shepherd. Have you ever heard those rambling paranoid conspiracy tales told by the illiterati? Forget them, they are now enshrined in The Good Shepherd. About once every 5 to 10 years I walk out of a move. I walked on this one after TRYING my best to put up with the horrible dialogue, acting and ridiculous tale. I wasn't alone. About five others walked out and were talking about just how bad it was out in the lobby. DeNiro? GOD AWFUL. He reserved pretty-much the only F-word lines for himself, since, truth be told, he can only deliver lines with curse words (and I curse like a trooper)... Matt Damon? A STONE. A ROCK. ZERO. Like Kevin Costner on a good day. Joli? Could have been played by any no-name better. What really riles me is listening to the inside-holllywood reviews of trash like this. I watched leonard Maltin's review of this and he compared it to the Godfather. Deniro's performance as great. LIES, and he knows it. They just all push each other at our expense. Legends of nothing; poor acting they describe as their "craft". Come on. And the tale itself? It is a sewn together ridiculous non-plot of bits and pieces from skull and bones to cuba...all implying some connection - which there could be, but certainly has no hope of being found in this complete dishrag. A COMPLETE INSULT TO THE MOVIEGOING PUBLIC.
If the truth be known, I only watched the final moments of the movie. This was, however, the best ending of any DVD/Film I have ever seen. Why? Because the last minute or so features my son, Brad Lee Wind,pushing a file cabinet right across the screen. Is that not a mother's dream come true? Can you wear out a DVD? I'll have to buy another one on ebay!
First of all, the movie was indeed long but I didn't actually even check the time until about three quarters through the film.
Secondly, the plot was good and strong. The movie told a story and held my interest during the entire time. There were some twists and turns, but not to the point where following the storyline was difficult.
Thirdly, Matt Damon did an excellent job playing his character. This viewer had a strong sense of who and what Edward Wilson was about. There was a scene in the movie where Wilson had to make a decision. His adversary had him cornered and I kept saying, "He's not going to let himself get cornered."
Suffice to say and without giving away any of the movie, I was right. Edward Wilson was not a man who would allow himself to be cornered; not because of his pride but instead for the sake of what he truly believed in.
The Good Shepherd is admittedly long but worth watching!
ITEM SHIPPED FROM HONG KONG, TOOK FOREVER TO ARRIVE, BUT MOVIE AND PACKAGING WERE LEGITIMATE AND NOT BOOTLEGS. SELLER IS NO LONGER A REGISTERED USER, WHICH IS DISTURBING.
this one I found very hard to follow. You have to really pay attention or you will get lost. Once I paid close attention it was easier to follow. I will have to watch this one more then once to get it all. Great cast and I like true stories, I just wish it was easier to follow.
I enjoyed this movie but it was a little too slow moving and there jsut wasn't enough action or suspense.
The cast is great and all give incredible performances there just wasn't enough to keep me too interested... and did I mention this movie is 3 years long.
Final Verdict:
3/5
Worth buying?: It's worth watching once, unless you're a huge CIA fan in which case its worth buying
Robert De Niro's cinamatic view of the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency. De Niro creates a tone of somber determination, creative characters, and engaging plot. One thing it could have used more of was action and a bit more suspense, but overall a great movie.