martynl Reviews

Vanilla Sky (2001)

Visually stunning, highly ingenious

[9/10 · 26 July 2002]

The very best thing about this film was that I had somehow managed to avoid seeing any trailers or pre-publicity. So I was expecting some kind of thriller/romance type movie. I was so delighted to be wrong. This was a truly compelling movie. Visually stunning, it still managed to grip both based on plot and character. Replete with plot turns and unexpected developments, there was no way to know what to expect. Cruise, Russell, Diaz and Cruz were all believable in tough situations, and compelling. Crowe combined the best that modern special effects have to offer with some great basic cinematography and direction, including an awe-inspiring beginning in Time Square.

Super, fascinating, devious, ingenious, innovative. Best thing I've seen in ages. 9/10.

What Lies Beneath (2000)

Poor pacing spoils interesting concept

[7/10 · 11 June 2002]

M. Night Shyamalan's understated 1999 The Sixth Sense demonstrated clearly how blood, guts and gore are ephemeral to successfully scaring audiences and keeping them on the edge of their seats. Robert Zemeckis' movie takes a similar, understated approach, but sadly is not building on the foundation of a compelling plot or comprehensible characters. Ford and Pfeiffer turn in good performances in their lead roles, but tension fails to build as it should. The picture feels over-long, but this is as much about poor pacing as it is about length. The movie is definitely worth seeing, if only because the first hour is quite suspenseful and enjoyable.

Worth a shot. 7/10

The Last Kiss (2001)

Fascinating social satire and study of Italian romance

[7/10 · 9 June 2002]

We saw Gabriele Muccino's latest romantic comedy at the Seattle International Film Festival, and it certainly justified our wait in line. What stands out most about this movie is the pacing, the editing and the stylish intercutting of the various plots. What's most surprising about the film is how little the writer/director injects his own ethical judgments into the action. One might argue that the whole movie disapproves of the universal infidelity portrayed, but there are several sequences in the movie that call this into question. Muccino seems to enjoy most poking fun at everyone's hypocrisy, and this is always great to watch, especially with an expressive, passionate Italian cast. The movie has just enough of a traditional romantic centre to make it all hang together, and yet a great enough diversity of characters to make a wide range of witty points.

Well worth seeing. 8/10.

Highlander: Endgame (2000)

Yet another dismal Highlander sequel

[5/10 · 9 June 2002]

There is very little good to say about this movie. Each Highlander movie after the first has been a severe disappointment. The TV series has its adherents, but I've found it repetitive, if not awful. Fortunately, this movie has more in common with the TV series than with the dismal sequels. There is still way too much reliance on swordplay, on pseudo-meaningful flashbacks, and on very artificial excuses for critical plot points. Avoid unless you love the TV show.