The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Review: What a weird but original movie! I've always been a big fan of Bill Murray but he certainly takes on some challenging projects, which are way out of the norm. In this movie, he plays a music manager, Richie Lanz, who is looking for the next big thing. He decides to take his only act Ronnie (Zooey Deschanel), to Kabul but the conditions are unbearable, and she escapes with his passport and money, with the help of Bombay Brian (Bruce Willis). He is then approached by Jake (Scott Chan) and Nick (Danny McBride) to sell arms to some mercenaries, for a large amount of money and a passport home, so he heads out with Brian and a local taxi driver to do the deal. Whilst trading in the desert, he hears a young girl singing in a cave, Salima (Leem Lubany), who he thinks, could be the next big thing, so he tries to convince her father to enter the Afghan Star competition but it's completely against there religion for ladies to sing in public. After much deliberating and impossible situations, and with the help of Merci (Kate Hudson) they finally get Salima on the show, so there is different elements which does touch the heart towards the end. Murray was brilliant as Richie, and with the many different laws in Afghanistan, it must have been hard to film a movie in this genre, especially one that questions there beliefs. The fact that it was based on the true story of Setara Hussainzada, who was the first female singer to sing on Afghan Star, does give this crazy movie a meaning but the events that lead to that moment, were mad. Its one of those movies that you have to watch twice to totally get it, because there is so much going on and you just don't know what is going to happen from one scene to the next. Personally, I enjoyed it but I can understand if some people might find it slightly offensive. If you take it as a comedy, and not a political statement, then I'm sure that people will enjoy it. Enjoyable!Round-Up: It's not very often that a movie starring Bill Murray and Bruce Willis, makes such a lose at the box office, which is a shame because it has been some time since Murray has made a comedy, we're he is in the leading role and I personally think that people were taking it too seriously. Barry Levinson, 74, has made some classic movies like Diner in 1984, Good Morning Vietnam, Rain Man, Avalon, Disclosure, Sleepers, Wag The Dog and Sphere but then his career seemed to go on a downhill spiral with Bandits, Envy, Man of the Year, What Just Happened, Poliwood, the Last Act and the Bay. He certainly has covered many different genres and he has touched on some subjects which have never been brought to the big screen, as he did with this movie. This might be one of those films which pull a bigger audience on DVD, than it did at the box office, which I hope it does because it is definitely worth a watch.Budget: $15million Worldwide Gross: $3.4millionI recommend this movie to people who are into their music/war/comedies, starring Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, Kate Hudson, Zooey Deschanel, Scott Caan, Danny McBride, Kelly Lynch and Leem Lubany. 6/10

Well.. i liked it quite a bit. not fantastic, but solid. Murray is a washed up rock agent, who reminisces about when he met this and that star, but his wife kicked him out and he hasn't got a penny. His break comes when one of his protegees, Zoey Dechanel - don't get excited, she's in the film for 5 minutes - is offered a tour of Afghanistan, supporting the troops.Zeoy makes it to Kabul but immediately freaks out, and disappears, leaving Murray with no money. But, due to the situation, Murray's old talent for "making magic happen" resurfaces, as he finds new and exciting adventures in the chaos of Kabul.Nice film; Murray is left without a co-lead almost immediately, and while the supporting characters are all interesting (even BRUCE WILLIS!! , in a horribly miscast role), Murray has to do most of the dancing alone.As the film progresses, it gets to be slightly more serious, and imho this is where it gets even more interesting; but i can see how it could put people off, as it veers away from comedy into more "existential" ground, although not too much.The film is well made, from a direction/editing/production point of view, and the script is pretty solid, if not particularly daring. The conclusion is a bit phoned in, but still entertaining.Would recommend, as a decent film for mid-week.My vote: 7/10

Have you heard of 'AFGHAN IDOL' ? No? What about "The most hated woman in Afghanistan"? Her true name is Setara Hussainzada. Why is she the most hated woman in Afghanistan? Because she dared to sing and dance in the TV final of her country's version of American Idol. During her sedate routine, her headscarf slipped, showing her hair and outraging the war-torn country's religious fundamentalists. This film is inspired by this. And it deserves more than 5.5 stars. Leem Lubany is very good as Salima, the character inspired by Setara. Bill Murray is very good as her manager, Richie Lanz. Bruce Willis as Bombay Brian, Kate Hudson as Merci and Zooey Deschanel as Ronnie, are efficient too. Great music, great film.

There was No Way that this Little Film was going to Escape Controversy. No Matter what Your Political Stripe or Country of Origin, it was Inevitable that in this Noble Effort there were bound to be Things that Offend, Outrage, and Disappoint."Tradition is the illusion of permanence.".......Woody AllenNo Doubt, in the Far Future, Our Current Time with its Borders, Language Barriers, Religious Differences, and general overall Mistrust and Hatred for Anything or Anyone "Different", will be Studied and most likely Viewed with much Wonder and Amazement, along with Anger and Pity.We can take some sort of Solace knowing that our Current Paradigms and Dogmas will eventually be Tempered by the Winds and Sands of Time. In the Meantime the Mind Boggling and Hurtful ways We go about our "Business" of Everyday Life in the 21st Century, You Either Laugh or Cry.Director Barry Levinson and Bill Murray choose to Laugh. Or to be more Precise, try and make Us Laugh. The Movie has been Destroyed by the Critics and One Wonders what any of Them have done Lately to find some path to "Peace in the Middle East".Overall, the Film is Worth a Watch for its Heart and Intent. It Deserves a Hearing, just on its Effort alone. Whether You Find it Funny, Pertinent, Poignant, or Pathetic, it's at least Trying to ride the Peace Train in a Wild World.