Possession (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)There is so much right with Possession: Sarah Michelle Gellar is beautiful and affecting as Jess; Lee Pace is (psychologically) dark and sexy as Roman who might be Ryan, and Michael Landes is pitch-perfect as Jess's artistic, sensitive and loving husband, Ryan. The premise of a woman confronted with the possibility that the spirit of her beloved, comatose husband might now be residing in the body of her dangerous brother-in-law is outright fascinating and could have been mined for so much more than it is, here. I agree with those who said the alternate ending was better, but even there, Possession suffers from the fact that the directors couldn't decide if they were making a psychological horror film, a supernatural horror film, or a woman-in-danger thriller. They got that they were making a romance, but apparently became confused as to whether Pace or Landes should be the true object of Gellar's affections. Ignore the image on the DVD case which has more to do with the direction that the film should have taken than anything remotely related to the film as it was actually made (including deleted scenes and alternate endings). If you are a fan of any of the three actors, you'll want to see this film in which case you should definitely buy the DVD for the more emotionally satisfying alternate ending as the official ending manages to reassert the supernatural theme at the same time it leaves us in a logical and emotional limbo. If you are a fan of the original Korean film, Addicted, you will likely be disappointed in the westernization of a film with a very neat and unexpected twist at the end. I give this a rating of four primarily for the three leads and the atmosphere and the potential. Sadly, potential that is not quite realized.

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The Machinist Review

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(More customer reviews)The Machinist would probably have to be one of the creepiest and psychologically complex movies of the year. The film is also a standout because of Christian Bale's withering, and soul-destroying performance as a man wracked by insomnia, and tortured by guilt. Much has been made of Bale's dramatic weight loss and his astonishing transformation into the main character - he purportedly wanted to undergo a complete physical and mental metamorphosis - but nothing will prepare the viewer for the reality of Christian's starving, skeletal-like body. Bale is nothing short of amazing in this movie - he's an actor of astounding capacities; and it's not just the feat of his physical transformation, but the fact that he totally inhabits and becomes so totally immersed in his character.
With a beautifully moody musical score and a dark, somber, yet visually stunning look, The Machinist is riveting jigsaw puzzle, an astute intellectual exercise where the viewer is left to put the pieces together, and decide which world is actually fantasy or reality. Trevor Reznick (Bale) has terrible insomnia and hasn't slept in a year. He's decimated physically and mentally and has become irrevocably trapped in a prison that is his own guilt-ridden, paranoid, and disillusioned mind - every time he tries to close his eyes something interrupts him. As the story opens, Trevor is busy trying to dispose of a dead body; the story then jumps to the events leading up to this incident.
By day Trevor works in a factory as a machinist, and at night he zealously writes messages on post-it notes, and fanatically washes his hands with bleach. He seeks solace in his favorite hooker (played with tender resolve by Jennifer Jason Leigh), and also the company of Marie (Aitana Sanchez-Gijon), a waitress at an airport coffee shop. He enjoys her company and likes to leave her extra large tips. One afternoon while at work, Reznick - distracted for a moment - contributes to a terrible accident involving a colleague. At the same time, Ivan (John Sharian), a bald-headed figure with a horribly malformed thumb and two fingers missing and whom no one else can see, constantly follows Trevor. Increasingly paranoid, Trevor becomes convinced that Ivan and Miller, his co-worker, (Michael Ironside) have trumped up some kind of conspiracy against him and are trying to drive him mad.
The Machinist is weird and difficult. As Trevor embarks on a journey of self-awareness, the viewer is left wondering whether fatigue has robbed him of reason, or whether there is some grand scheme to drive him nutty. Brave and visually sumptuous, one of the movie's many memorable visuals occurs when Trevor takes Marie's son on a horror ride called Route 666, with terrible results for both Trevor and for the boy. Guilt, loss of self, repression and odd mother fixations are all themes that are astutely and cleverly woven into the fabric of the story. For most of the film, Reznik is just a literal bag of bones, desperately floating through empty, dark apartments, and grey, storm-ridden industrial landscapes -a kind of postmodern anti-hero, a ghost who is desperately looking to make his peace. Mike Leonard October 04.

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THE MACHINIST is the story of Trevor Reznik, a machinist who hasn’t slept in over a year. Working in a machine shop, Trevor faces the usual occupational hazards, yet his extreme fatigue only makes them worse, causing him to accidentally cut off a co-worker’s hand.What Trevor suffers from clearly isn’t a typical case of insomnia…

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Shattered Review

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(More customer reviews)Please keep in mind that I am one of a handful of people that saw this film ON THE BIG SCREEN IN A MOVIE THEATER instead of just on TNT, butchered for television, with commercial interruptions. It is much better the way it was intended to be seen. After seeing the film twice ON THE BIG SCREEN during its limited release, these are my comments:
Imagine a Yuppie Gerard Butler. Great looking. Confident. Successful. Gorgeous wife. Beautiful sweet daughter. The perfect life in upscale suburban Chicago. Enter mysterious menacing stalking stranger and their worst nightmare begins. He threatens the life of their daughter as insurance for their obedience to his demands.
Sound like the typical 'kidnapped kid' flick? It's not.
It's taut, suspenseful, edge of your seat storytelling combined with good solid performances by all, especially Bello and Brosnan. Butler is very good, but I've seen him better. I believe he filmed this on the heels of the grueling demands of 300 and it shows a bit. He may not be at the very top of his game here, but he still performs well.
Brosnan upped his credibility as an actor for me in this film. He played the menacing stranger perfectly. Just the right tone of voice and facial expressions, joined with his eyes and body language, spoke in unison to perfection in every scene. I'd really like to see more from him, he is a very good dramatic actor. I like him better as an older, mature man. More gritty, less suave.
Maria Bello is perfect as the mother held hostage by mother love and the need to protect her child at all costs.
I loved the score. Where you might expect a really intense, gritty score, this one opts for a quieter one with a hint of bluesy undertones and it works. It intensifies at the right moments, but never takes a front seat as often happens in thrillers. It melds with the action and helps makes each scene into an audiovisual, emotional emulsion.
In fact, the whole film is just quieter than one would expect, given what is usually served up with films of this genre. There are no car chases, no last minute rescues, no heroes. It never goes over the top. It has its feet on the ground and its eyes on what's human and real.
This film is no dud. Even though it had a very limited release, it is not the fault of the filmmakers or the actors. It is good movie-making. You may not think it's one of the best films you've ever seen, but there's a good chance you'll be satisfied that you got your money's worth. I give it a definite thumbs up.
Scale of 1-10? I give this an 8.
Warning: DON'T read much about this film. DON'T watch the trailer over and over. The less you know going in, the better your experience of it will be. Because of one seemingly innocuous remark made by someone who'd seen it, I guessed the ending about halfway through. I wasn't even trying. But things we hear stick in our minds whether we like it or not. I sincerely wish I had not guessed correctly. The rest of the film lost it's suspense for me.
Hint: This is a two timer. It's even better the second time.

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Vanilla Sky (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)As you can see from the customer reviews bouncing between loving and hating this movie, it is not for everyone.
The first time I saw this movie in the theater I was unable to move when it was over. I was utterly stunned. I can count on one hand the times this has happened to me over a lifetime of movie viewing.
Tom Cruise plays David Aames, a rich young man who has inherited a publishing empire from his late father. Cameron Diaz is the girlfriend he really doesn't care about, and Jason Lee plays his best (and perhaps only) friend. Aames is utterly disconnected from his own life, and seems to care little about anything. One night his friend (Lee) brings an intriguing dancer (Penelope Cruz) to his birthday party. Cruise takes up with Cruz, but then experiences a waking nightmare that destroys his life. I can't reveal more of the plot without giving it away, and I suggest you NOT read any more reviews of this film and just see it--otherwise you'll deprive yourself of one incredible movie ride.
This movie is visually spectacular. There are scenes that set off the dive klaxon deep within my brain but I couldn't figure out why until much later in the film when the plot is revealed. What is this film? Science fiction? Yes, but... A psychological thriller? Yes, but... A love story? Yes, ultimately.
It's better not to categorize Vanilla Sky, and just enjoy (or not enjoy) it. I think this movie either works on you, or it doesn't. And this is probably the most polarizing movie I have ever seen. You'll either love it or hate it.
Jason Lee and Cameron Diaz give the performances of their careers. I would have said the same of Cruise, but then he uncorked Collateral. Kurt Russell has a relatively small part as Cruise's psychologist, but he nails it perfectly.
Vanilla Sky is based on Spanish filmmaker Alejandro Amenábar's Abre Los Ojos (Open Your Eyes). I liked Vanilla Sky a lot more than Abre Los Ojos, unlike most American remakes of foreign films, because it contains additional scenes and more spectacular visuals. However, an English-only speaker like me can't really make a fair comparision because there are so many subtitles to watch in Abre Los Ojos it makes it hard to watch the actors. Penelope Cruz plays the same role in both films.
The real value of this film is that it makes you think about what (and more importantly, who) is at the core of your own life, and how will you feel about how you have lived when the clock runs out?
Vanilla Sky is a rare movie--unique in plot, and made with passion and care. I can't guarantee you'll like it, but there is no other movie more worth taking a chance on.

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YOUNG, HANDSOME AND WEALTHY, PUBLISHING TYCOON DAVID AAMES CAN HAVE ANYTHING HIS HEART DESIRES. STILL, DAVID'S CHARMED LIFE SEEMS IMCOMPLETE. ONE NIGHT, DAVID MEETS THE WOMAN OF HIS DREAMS & BELIEVES HE MAY HAVE FOUND THE MISSING PIECE. BUT AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN EX-JEALOUS LOVER SENDS DAVID'S WORLD OUT OF CONTROL.

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No Mercy (1986) Review

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(More customer reviews)A film that went unoticed in the 80's is a tight well acted thriller starring the incomparable Richard Gere as tough brash Chicago Cop who's on a revenge misson to the bayous of New Orleans to find his partner's killer and gets involved with a mobster's illerate mistress. Standard Script with a few good action sequences thrown in along with Gere's exceptional talent to hold the viewer's attention throughtout the entire film. Even though the viewer has been through familar territory with this type of script it is still a great movie. Memorable scene was when Gere & Bassinger are treding through the swamps handcuffed together Mouthing off to one another. First of two film this duo has done together the other film was released 6 years later in another steamy thriller "Final Analysis"

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No Description Available.Genre: Feature Film-Action/AdventureRating: RRelease Date: 23-MAR-2004Media Type: DVD

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The Cell (New Line Platinum Series) (2000) Review

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(More customer reviews){WARNING: There might be some spoilers here!}
First of all, let me start off by stating the obvious: this is not your average suspenseful cop chases killer kind of movie (it has far more substance than that). As well as achieving the understandable squeal or two (often because of grotesque things happening, such as flesh being stretched from suspension and intestines being pulled out), The Cell's visionary special effects is pure eye-candy that will undoubtedly thrill and excite you...
The film at first is divided into two different storylines. You have child therapist, Catherine Deane (played by Jennifer Lopez), who has devoted her life in trying to awaken a young boy by the name of Edward whom has lapsed into a coma. Then there is a swarm of FBI agents and criminal investigators (primarily Peter, played by Vince Vaughn) searching for clues to hunt down a serial killer that drowns his victims (all beautiful blondes), bleaches them to look like dolls once dead and then puts collars on them to make them feel that they belong to him.
Eventually these two storylines merge together...
When the FBI discovers where the suspect Carl (Vincent D'Onofrio) is living they immediately raid his house, but what they find is him lying unconscious on the kitchen floor. They rush him to the hospital and are crushed to learn that he has fallen into a catatonic state that is non-curable due to a mental illness of severe schizophrenia. He, unfortunately, is the only one who knows where his latest victim Julia is, so during the next 40 hours they must figure out where that is before the tank she's captured in fills up with water. The FBI then recruits Catherine to use an experimental device that links the two and enables her to travel within the killer's dark, perverse mind. Thus we enter imaginative worlds that intertwine reality with fantasy. Here Carl is a King in a very twisted kingdom, but as she delves deeper into his abusive childhood to better understand why he's the way he is, she tries to get him to trust her so that he'll reveal Julia's whereabouts before it's too late. Things get way out of hand, though, and when Catherine confuses reality with Carl's nightmarish dreamworld, Peter must go in to remind her that this is "not real" so that his mind doesn't become her prison...
'The Cell' is not quite a masterpiece but it is brilliantly unique nonetheless and is definitely one of the more original thrillers I've yet to see. And believe me, this is coming from a person who is not a big fan of Jennifer Lopez. I, however, truly feel she put on a good performance here. Therefore I recommend at least renting!

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A therapist (Jennifer Lopez, Out Of Sight) uses an experimental treatment to enter the mind of a serial killer (Vincent D'Onofrio, Men In Black) to learn his secrets. An FBI agent (Vince Vaughn, Swingers) must rescue her from the killer's nightmare mind

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Blackout (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)If a good thriller calls for isolating a group of people with a killer in their midst - the scriptwriters of this film found the ultimate setting. Three people are trapped in an elevator here. And one of them is a serial killer.
However, this is no slasher-thriller. It's a more intelligent psychological thriller with an emphasis on character. Actually, I think this movie has an even better premise and unfolds in a more interesting way than its producers intended.
There's no full Director's commentary on this DVD. However, there are interviews with all the people primarily involved in the making of "Blackout." These people seem unanimous in thinking their movie is about "fate" or "destiny." They see the finger of fate at work in the fact that their movie's three lead characters all have unusually urgent reasons for getting where they are going - yet find themselves infuriatingly bound inside the elevator. I can't see the sense of that. It could be said that any three people being trapped together in a dangerous dynamic would similarly represent fate at work. Or more generally, any of the trillions upon trillions of daily, shifting configurations of people, things, and events could be designated "fate."
No, I think the value of this movie is in the way it limns the obsession of a serial killer. There have been so many movies and TV episodes featuring ever more far-fetched serial killers. But this film makes the viewer feel what must surely be the arrogance, the hatred, and the ravening, voluptuous intensity of most real serial killers.
You can tell "Blackout" is going to be something special with its opening credits. These are filmed over an extreme, lingering close-up of human skin - papillae, pores, blemishes and all. It's clearly the sort of intrusive fascination that a killer probably feels when he sets his sights on a victim.

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Legacy (2010) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was extremely impressed with this film! Not only is Idris' performance awesome, but all the characters give great performances. Don't be fooled by the "terrorist" theme on the poster - this is a definite must see for psychological-thriller fans. The story is mind-bending and some scenes, while not for the squirmish, are unforgettable. Highly recommended!!

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Studio: Uni Dist Corp (music)Release Date: 12/28/2010Run time: 95 minutesRating: R

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The Haunted Airman (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm sure that most of the renewed interest in this film is because it stars Robert Pattinson. If that's your motivation you won't be disappointed with his performance specifically. He was brooding, handsome, and believable in the title role.
That being said, this movie doesn't have a lot to offer otherwise. At the end of the movie I felt like I had missed something important. Maybe I'd have to read the book to fully understand what was going on, but this movie didn't give me a lot of incentive to want to do that either. Throughout the entire story it was hard to see the motivation behind the characters actions. I don't believe it was that the actors failed to effectively portray the story, I think that the script (or maybe the book itself?) was fundamentally flawed somehow. There just wasn't enough backstory to understand how the characters became the way they are emotionally. Additionally, the movie did a very poor job explaining how the characters' relationships with each other came to be, instead expecting the audience to just accept those relationships as a given. Without the proper development between the characters, it was very hard to care about what happened to them.
The music was also terrible. It had that cheesy, old, horror movie vibe and didn't add to the movie overall.

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Flight Lieutenant Jugg (Twilight's Robert Pattinson), confined to a wheelchair after being wounded in action, arrives at a remote mansion in Wales to recuperate. Suffering from terrible nightmares and visions, he suspects the methods of his psychiatrist, Dr. Hal Burns (Julian Sands). His beautiful aunt, Julia (Rachael Stirling) seems to be the only person he can trust – until circumstances make him doubt even her intentions. Based on the novel “The Haunting of Toby Jugg” by Dennis Wheatley.

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