Memento

Rating:
Summary: One of the best.
Review: I bought the dvd having no idea what the movie was all about except for the "backwards" concept. After watching the DVD, i'm glad that it was well worth it. It's one of the best films made.

The storytelling is undoubtledly one of a kind. the movie actually starts at the end, where Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) successfully finds his wife's killer and executes him. No spoiler here i guess. Then the movie moves backwards about 10 minutes at a time leading to the events happening previously.

In between these 10 minute reversals are black and white segments that actually move forward. these black and white segments more or less kinda introduces the character and his illness bit by bit so that the viewer can make sense of what is happening to the character as each of the 10 minute segments are being played in reverse.

as the black and white segments move forward, and the normal segments moves backwards, they converge into the climax of the movie.

The Memento LE DVD set is a definite collector's item. it has a lot of features that you'll really appreciate. A special feature on this DVD is on the second disk where you can veiw the Original short story and an easter egg where you can actually view the movie in its chronological order! Also, the director's commentary is a useful feature that lets you in on insights into the making of - and the meaning of - Memento.

The DVD's navigation system can be a bit tricky for some users. upon opening the dvd, a series of words flashes by, and you are required to remember those words to navigate the main menu, which is a test of text retention. Actually you don't have to remember a thing since the correct answers are the only ones you can select. Disc 2 is the same but instead of word, it flashed a series of images. no memorization here actually. This can be a challenging and rewarding exercise letting you fully interact with the viewing process. This exercise can actually become frustrating. Because once you've cracked the puzzles on disc 2, this feature becomes inconvenient and irritating whenever you want to access the features again. That's basically why i gave this 4 stars instead of 5

For the technical aspects of this DVD, the sound quality is great. This edition has a DTS 5.1 track on top of the Dolby 5.1 surround track. DVD is presented in high definition anamorphic screen and the picture quality is very good.

If you're a Memento fan or a lover of "intellectual" movies. This DVD is an absolute necessity.

Rating:
Summary: Good Movie. Bad DVD.
Review: I really enjoyed this movie for it's uniqe chronology, and for the numerous other reasons I'm sure have already been mentioned here.

I do, however, need to complain about the ridiculous nature of the "Limited Edition" DVD. Making me navigate through numerous menu screens answering multiple choice questions to find the content is not my idea of good interface design. If you must do this give me an option to see a real menu. I had to find a website that "decodes" the stupid menu system to know if I'd watched everything on the DVD--I hadn't. I don't think I should have to crack the Rosetta Stone to watch a movie I've paid for.

However, if you really like the movie, like I do, you may have to get the Limited Edition to watch the movie in chronological order. To do so go to the sixth question in the clock choice and put the pictures in reverse order.

Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Backward and Forwards
Review: I stayed away from this move for a long, long time. Due to mixed word of mouth, and personal tastes of movies. After viewing the two disc version I am gald I did. First and formost this is a very good film. It kept me thinking long after my first viewing.

Then, it was my friend who showed me something on the second disc that totaly blew my mind. How to unlock the film so it plays in cronological order. I like the packaging, the enigmatic menu selections (play around with the test on disc two for some very neat stuff). Well worth it.

Rating:
Summary: one of those sleeper hits...
Review: Memento is a thrilling movie about Shelby Leonard, a widower who cannot form new memories. Shelby is on a quest to avenge the assult on his wife that killed her. This is one of those movies that did not do too well in theaters, but word of mouth has spread making this movie a must see. This is one of those movies you have to watch again when you finish it, understanding the little details which eluded you before. Without giving any more of the movie away, I can only say you need to watch it. Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss and Joe Pantoliano give great performances

Rating:
Summary: Good yes, Great no
Review: Memnto is impressive but in the end it dosen't leave much of an impression. Like a day in Leonard's life, it slips easily from memory, favoring sensation over insight and frisson of artificial confusion over any contemplation of human reality. Leonard's tatoos and photographs are a poor and unreliable substitute for the thick confusion of memory and Memento for all it's undeniable formal dazzle, is a triumph of mind in the absence of matter.

Rating:
Summary: Unique Plot Convention Done Well
Review: The idea of creating a story from end to beginning is not new.To create a convincing film that starts with the ending and to make it worth watching is much harder in film than on paper. Christopher Nolan succeeds at this daunting task.

Guy Pearce, Joe Pantoliano and Carrie-Anne Moss do terrific work. Essentially an ugly film on multiple levels Pearce in particular creates a memorable person who has short term memory loss. Excuse the play on words but his performance is essential to pulling off the backward plot convention. Joe Pantoliano's character Teddy is immediately (the word greasy comes to mind) not likeable although we do not find out exactly the nature of his relationship with Leonard until the film unfolds it's twists and turns. Similarly Carrie-Anne Moss's Natalie is cleverly plotted and the general theme of the film is equally well concieved and developed. Memento's themes take a bit of time to develop besides the obvious short term memory loss. I won't discuss the themes as they are best seen and experienced by the viewer.

Christopher Nolan's dual screenwriter/director duties serve him well as he allows his cast to work with the material and feed off one another, not a simple thing to do when every scene is essentially new to Leonard also called 'Lenny!'.

The city is generic enough and the look of the film is mostly seedy, film noir. The pace is fast and the script tight. You care for Leonard as his life unravels like a backwards train wreck and in the end you are left stunned.

Exceptional overall filmmaking and acting.

Rating:
Summary: A daring effort
Review: Memento is one of the boldest, most resounding and original debuts in recent Hollywood history, courtesy of its imaginative writer/director Christopher Nolan. Technically, the film is a marvel- stylish and clever despite the unoriginal b/w flashback sequences doing little to improve its overall standard of storytelling. The film's labyrinth plot (perhaps on the scale of Vertigo) is put together with a lot of thought and intricacy, prevailing substancially from one puzzling set piece to another.

The lightning pace and dark mood leaves the viewer breathless, confused and helps to mimic Pearce's short-term memory loss through the viewer, who like Pearce is left so dazed by each detail that they cannot themselves recall what previously happened. This is something that lets Memento down very much. It is difficult to piece together each detail into a realistic whole and you cannot help but have the feeling that Nolan himself isn't sure how clever his script really is.

It is crucially flawed through the casting of Guy Pearce's lackluster protagonist and Carrie Ann Moss also manages to provide little life into her character as the plot holes leave little room for character development. The story itself leaves you mystified as to why Pearce's character, who can only recall the nasty memory leading up to his wife's death and is unable to create new memories, is so desperate to catch his wife's killer in this horrifying predicament. Committing suicide would probably be the realistic path taken by the majority but his refusal to do so is never explained. Memento is often absorbing and admirable in its sometimes unique style and originality but as the anti-climax approaches the film's short-comings start to show.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic, words alone cannot describe this masterpiece
Review: Before Christopher Nolan would be tapped to direct a remake of 2002's Insomnia, he directed this modest budgeted thriller that sets bold new standards in mystery and suspense cinema. Guy Pearce (Ravenous) plays a man named Leonard Shelby who is searching for the man that raped and murdered his wife. That alone is pretty much the plot, but what sets Memento apart from other revenge themed thrillers is the fact that the film moves backwards event wise. The film starts out from the end and works it's way back to the beginning, letting the viewer find out not just how something happened, but why it happened. Memento is presented in this form due to the fact that Leonard suffers from a condition received when his wife was attacked that stops his brain from making new memories. Lenny can't remember faces, names, locations, or anything else on his own so he takes Polaroid photos, writes endless amounts of organized notes, and even makes himself home made tattoos. Pearce is simply unbelieveable in his role as the tortured soul Lenny, while Joe Pantoliano (The Matrix, tv's The Sopranos) almost steals Pearce's thunder as Teddy, a man who may or may not be on Lenny's side. Carrie-Anne Moss (another Matrix alumnus) plays a sympathetic soul to Lenny's crisis while hiding ulterior motives, and she gives a knockout performance as well. Memento requires more than one viewing to fully understand the complex storyline, but once you do you'll be left with your jaw on the floor. All in all, those looking for something delightfully different and intelligent should definitely give Memento a well deserved look.

Rating:
Summary: Superb movie but...
Review: This is a superb movie. I would buy it and watch it. However...be forewarned, the second DVD that is available on the limited release has the most annoying menu structure. You have to play like you are answering psychological questions in order to continue an aimless hunt for the special features. I can appreciate creativity and trying to add an extra dimension of fun but this just gets in the way.

Rating:
Summary: A film you won't be able to get out of your head!
Review: As great as this movie is...it's not for everyone.

That being said, I'll tell you why I see it as a WOW! Christopher Nolan has created a piece that is unmatched in it's originally and is on par with 'The Usual Suspects' in terms of storytelling at it's finest. The script is tight, and the performances (Guy Pearce...if you haven't heard of him yet, trust me...you will!) are solid.

The fact this film is told backwards gives you an intimate 'bond' with the protagonist, in that you can't remember what happened before either, and this adds a dimension that few films can project. But, you can't 'leave' for a second. If you have to do anything, pause it, because little clues are left all throughout the movie, and the different way the story is told can also leave you feeling lost if you miss some of it.

This is a true gem of a film that it's a shame it didn't get more buzz early on.