Identity is a stylish film in the vein of the usual suspects and the sixth sense. It succeeds in generating chills and keeps your mind on its toes. I found it an interesting tribute to PSYCHO, the mother of all demented slasher films but it also owes a lot to Ten Little Indians and other classic who dunits. Where identity deviates is in it's original twist(which I will not spoil) at the end. The acting throughout by all involved is exceptional, especially Cusack and Peet. There are some lapses in logic in the third act, the transporting of a serial killer by such careless methods doesn't ring true but we must suspend disbelief for the sake of the ending. All in all I loved identity for its ingenious take on a familiar tale. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Reviews
5 Reviews
Erin Brockovich
(2000)
Perry Mason in a push up bra.
4 August 2004
In all seriousness this film works because Julia Roberts shines in this role, in fact I don't think any other actress could have pulled it off. Now, I'll be the first to admit I never thought much of her. Aside from pretty woman, I thought she was over rated, but here she shows me what she can do. I couldn't help but fall in love with the sassy, humorous, intelligent, powerful, determined, character she portrayed. I think she and Albert Finney (always amazing) lift the film to heights it would not have reached. Director Steven Soderbergh holds this movie together well, though at times it seems to be losing the narrative momentum. The screenplay is laced with wonderful dialogue and the relationships are well thought out. Overall it works thanks to Julia, who puts it all together and turns in the performance of her career and creates one of the screens most memorable female roles since thelma & louise.
Minority Report
(2002)
An interesting futuristic film noir dealing with moral and emotional issues.
4 August 2004
Minority Report is an interesting tribute to film noir, sci-fi and the works of doyle, christie an hammett. But the orwellian vision created by Steven Spielberg owes as much to Kubrick's 1971 classic CLOCK WORK ORANGE as it does to the script by Frank Scott or the original short story by Philip Dick. The basic theme of "how much are we willing to give up to exist in a safe society" was already handled and handled brilliantly by Kubrick in 1971. This film tackles it in a more conventional (commercial) way and works on many levels. The acting is first rate, the plot is involving and intelligent, the atmosphere is haunting and the emotional center is held together by Tom Cruise who does his best to draw us into his world and share his peril. I enjoyed the film, especially Samantha Morton's portrayal of the lead pre-cog, Agatha. She is always mysteriously intriguing and completely balances the pain and sadness of her role. I was especially thrilled to see the visual tributes to CLOCKWORK ORANGE that spielberg laced into the film. Overall the third act does border on melodrama but I found it effective nonetheless. Minority Report is highly recommended for those who want to wrestle with the moral dilemma of solving crimes before they happen and the challenges of keeping a good concept and system honest, in the face of corruption. It also raises the question of how to rationalize the murder of one person for the benefit of the many, all topics that should draw discussion after the end credits fade.
Sweet and Lowdown
(1999)
A virtuoso performance by the greatest actor of our time.
4 August 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Sweet and Lowdown is the story of a fictional jazz guitarist who is self admittedly the second best in the world(next to that gypsy in France) but there is one thing that is clear while watching this movie, sean penn is second to no one. He is simply the greatest actor of our time and he once again proves it here. As emmett Ray, sean penn invests his very soul and embodies the role of a vain, talented, yet oblivious and cold hearted man who is actually filled with self doubt and remorse. The character is as crude a low life thief and pimp as he is a excellent musician. He is the zany, pathetic artist with a heart of stone. That penn can make you feel for him is no easy task. Penn also did an exceptional job mastering the appearance of playing the guitar for the role. Woody Allen has crafted a gem of a film filled with poignancy and humor. Samantha Morton is incredible as Hattie the mute girl who clearly worships everything about Ray, though Ray doesn't have the ability to notice a good thing when it's standing in front of his self absorbed face. That Ray is both a genius and a fool is clear and it's the emotional core of the film. He's just as at home shooting rats at the train tracks as he is performing drunk for his adoring audience. At the end of the movie there is a series of scenes in which the emotional weight of Rays mistakes seem to finally be understood by him. In one he meets Hattie again on the same boardwalk where they originally met, though she is now happily married and a mother. The false bravado of Rays personality seems to crack momentarily only to be swallowed again by his deluded machismo. The second even more heart wrenching is the final scene at the railroad with Gretchen Mol. Penn in an ill fated attempt to show off his skills for her seems to have all of his regrets, conceits and pain hit him at once. Watching Penn slowly remove the mask of Rays lonely broken heart is a gift, in an acting class of it's own. He is truly the master of American acting. Who won best actor in 2000? Russell Crowe in gladiator? And we wonder why penn doesn't believe in acting awards.
Boogie Nights
(1997)
The Raging Bull of Porn
4 August 2004
Incredible...from the first frame to the last. Anderson does for porn what Scorsese did for boxing. Easily the best picture of 1997. I suspect the future will hold boogie nights in the same category as the Godfather and Star Wars for it's impact and relevancy in the film world. It's not perfect but it's damn close. An uncompromising look into the adult film industry. Long Live Dirk Diggler. A unique portrayal of the rise and fall of a fictional x-rated legend. In a time of cookie cutter, commercially driven, obvious films, boogie nights is the exception to the rule. From acting, direction, cinematography, screenplay, and score, boogie nights delivers the goods. An instant classic, that I hate to say, anderson may never again equal.
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