Rating: 
Summary: Stay up for this one!
Review: The director of "Memento" keeps the chronology moving forward this time, but continues
the mind games that will get under your skin, again. Insomnia is Christopher Nolan's first
big Hollywood movie, and he couldn't have made a bigger name for himself.A murder has plagued a small Alaskan town, their police force has called in Los Angles
detective Will Dormer (Al Pacino) to help catch the brutal killer (Robin Williams).
Dormer is accompanied by his partner, Hap, (Martin Donovan) who is threatening to
reveal details about a former case that could put Dormer's career in jeopardy. From the
start, we see turmoil between the two cops. Dormer and Hap travel with the local cops to
an isolated beach house out in the Alaskan wildlife where they suspect the killer to be
located. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous, a refreshing site that we are starting to see
less and less of thanks to George Lucas and CGI that produce artificial environments in
virtually every movie being made. There is an intense chase through the thick fog and
consequently, Dormer fatally shoots his partner. We automatically think it was an
accident, but the rough beginning between Dormer and Hap will make you question
Dormer's integrity. When backup arrives, Dormer lies and tells the Alaskan cops that it
was the killer who shot his partner. Detective Ellie Burr (Hilary Swank) is assigned to
investigate that specific shooting and begins to suspect Dormer after learning about his
past. While working on the case, now without a partner, Dormer gets a call from our pal
Robin Williams, who tells Dormer that he saw the whole incident and blackmails Dormer
into helping him set up an innocent man to take the fall. I didn't know what to expect walking into the movie knowing that Al Pacino would play
the good guy, and Robin Williams the role of a book writer that has brutally killed a 17
year old girl. But it worked. In fact, Williams was disturbing. I tried seeing Williams in
his "Mrs. Doubtfire" days, but I couldn't produce an image. He was evil, and did one hell
of a job. Pacino was just as good. His tired expressions were believable and so was his
attitude. Besides having to track down the killer, Dormer has to face an even bigger obstacle. It is
summer in Alaska, and the sun has been shining for his entire stay. Dormer finds himself
awake every night, unable to sleep through the blistering sunlight. Pacino's naturally raspy
voice and baggy eyes make you feel his pain, and he always sounded like he was awoken
at 3 a.m. As each day passes, his character gets no sleep, and he keeps getting flashbacks
of the chase where his kills his own partner. He also begins to hallucinate while his health
sharply deteriorates with each passing day. The chemistry was strong between Williams and Pacino, much of the time together was
them simply talking, trying to work something out so Dormer could save his career and maintain his reputation as a the great detective that he is known as. All of the acting was
convincing and nearly flawless. No corny punch-lines that haunted Star Wars: Episode II
and other mainstream flicks. Insomnia had nothing less than a solid script. The constant daylight becomes it's own entity, making the frosty Alaska a surprisingly
creepy setting for Dormer to roam. Insomnia is a movie you want to stay up for, even if
you haven't been awake the past six days, like detective Will Dormer.
Rating: 
Summary: Pacino and Williams are riveting!
Review: Name a movie that Pacino hasn't delivered a masterful performance? Has he ever disappointed his audience? Christopher Nolan's Insomnia comes after his success with Memento, a film I gave only 3 stars, but received critical acclaim from my peers in the film industry. In Insomnia, the difference is Pacino and Williams. Two academy award winners in two great performances. Robin Williams is as great in dramatic roles as he is in comedy. If fact, he's better! Williams was able to hold his screen presence with Pacino, one of the greatest actors in history. Pacino as only he can, brilliantly immerses himself so deeply in to his role that you only see the character and not Pacino! The movie is a solid R rating due to language and violence. For the mature audience it a must see! Enjoy the twists and turns!
Rating:
Summary: Understated and compelling
Review: While it's difficult to not compare this remake to the original Insomnia (with Stellan Starsgard), this version stands alone and isn't dependent on the viewer having seen the original. Pacino gives a fantastic portrayal of an on-the-edge, burnt out detective. In addition to this character portrayal, the detective can't sleep because of the white nights. We see Pacino lose lucidity and eventually see hallucinations because of his sleep deprivation. In another, less experienced actor, this would be heavy handed and distracting. However, Pacino portrays this smoothly and convincingly. Your eyes will be droopy by the end of this film. Williams' portrayal of the 'bad guy' is also extremely well done. Several people I know express hesitation about seeing this movie because they're wary that Williams will deliver a ham-handed character. This is not the case. Like Pacino, Williams also creates a wonderful, understated and compelling character. Swank also does well. Her performance is slightly reminiscent of the role of the Frances McDormand in Fargo. Swank gives a solid performance and reveals the many conflicting emotions and layers of character of the sole woman on the small-town Alaska police force. Through a perky facade, Swank reveals her character's extreme intelligence and power of observation. And yes, those expecting a similar film to Memento will not find that in Insomnia. Nolan has made another unique film and is carefully avoiding falling into the trap of filming the same story multiple times (like Guy Ritchie). With the award winning trio of actors, Nolan creates a film that isn't dominated by any one performance and is a solid and compelling film. Recommended. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title
Rating: 
Summary: EDGY..............
Review: Great move casting Oscar winners Pacino, Williams and Swank in this remake. A younger Pacino previously visited this terrain in "Cruising" and Williams began to show his darker side as the unbilled 'defrocked' psych in "Dead Again", as for Ms. Swank? Possibly a better choice that the risky "Affair of the Necklace" - this might put her back on the 'A' list. Also an odd career choice for the brilliant Christopher Nolan to direct this 'remake'. Despite the cast and budgeted location, this version disappoints somewhat. This version becomes a "star" turn especially for the male stars. The original is emptier, darker and far more unsettling ...... a dangerous blending of moral choices. Better to stay with fresh material!
Rating: 
Summary: Waste of Time
Review: I had the opportunity to see a sneak preview of Chrisopher Nolan's Insomnia. Here are my thoughts: Poor Camera Angles: The camera switched angles so constantly that the person sitting next to me turned and said "what is this?" I almost got a headache. It got a little better as the movie progressed though. Ridiculous Plot Holes: Because this is a remake of a foreign film (which is considered superior to this version), there are several ridiculous plot-holes that make the movie rooted in nonsense almost. A few people left the movie early. Original?: Unlike Memento, Insomnia is extremely by-the-book. There is very little in terms of surprises, it's such standard fare - what's the point? If you've seen the trailer, you've seen most of the movie. Acting: But the actors do a good job with the material... What a waste of talent.
Rating:
Summary: Breaking News! A New Cure for Insomnia!
Review: I got to watch an early screening of "Insomnia" at my college. First, let me say that I liked Memento very much. I was also a fan of the original Insomnia. When I heard there was a remake, I thought it might be good. I was wrong! Insomnia is... trash. Let me start off praising a few things about Insomnia. The feel of the film is okay, which is necessary. The acting is just good. There won't be any awards given to this cast, but everyone holds their own. Everyone plays their parts like they should. Nothing else seems to work though. Those looking for a faithful retelling of the original will be dissapointed, as Pacino's character is softened up with some key sequences from the original taken out (teenage girl scene, dog, etc.....). The pacing is poor. The editing is dirt. Memento, this is not. In the middle of the film a few people got up and left. I was tempted to get out of there too, but my foot fell asleep. Nothing really happened. Oh yeah, Williams is blackmailing Pacino. Pacino is trying to cover himself up. It gets to the point where no one cares! Don't get me started about the ending either. One would expect a sophisticated ending, but we're just reduced to one which looks straight out of a Rambo film. One of my main dissapointments with Insomnia, is that Nolan is trying to shoot Memento again. Most shots are over-stylized. How many quick cuts do we need? This is not Moulin Rouge, or the Blair Witch Project, no one wants to get a headache watching Pacino having sleep problems. In fact, I'm surprised Pacino is even having sleep problems in this film (everyone else in the audience seemed to have no problem catching some sleep). This isn't a unique film in any way. It's not entertaining, it was handled poorly, and it was a waste of time. Go watch paint dry instead. Hey, the popcorn was good though. Never underestimate good popcorn.
Rating:
Summary: hmmmmmm
Review: It's hard to respond to this movie, which I had the opportunity to see at an advance screening. Judged on its own, it is a pretty good thriller with good acting and nice scenery, as corny as that sounds. Al Pacino is great, and, along with the movie's direction, really portrays what 6 days without sleeping must be like. Robin Williams is also very good in his role, as is Hilary Swank. I enjoyed it, but I don't know that I loved it. It was definitely not your typical Hollywood movie, but, at the same time, was not as memorable as Memento.
As far as the remake of the earlier "Insomnia" goes, it's well done, but almost seems unnecessary. They were equally good-the major difference being that this version seemed to draw out the themes of the earlier one, which was more subtle (for better or for worse). I'm not great at articulating exactly what I think about it, but I don't think you can make a qualitative comparison between the two. They're just approached a little differently, and either one could be more to your liking. Since I am not initially thrilled with the movie, I'm only giving it 4 stars, but it is surely something worth checking out.
Rating:
Summary: Two great films called Insomnia? Sleep might be impossible!
Review: This movie, while initially met with total disappointment by myself, has really peaked my curiosity. It is absolutely absurd to write a review for something this early in the game, but there are several notes of interest where this particular film is concerned. Firstly, this film is a remake of an excellent film of the same name by director Erik Skjoldbjærg. Usually a film like this will be remade as a Hollywood venture, and will have any singular trait sucked right out of it, like "The Vanishing", which was made as a phenomenal Dutch film and then remade as a much lesser film in the US and made by the same director, no less! Well, in the case of "Insomnia", it has been handed off to another director, but a sharp one at that. Christopher Nolan, of the extremely stylish and mind-bending "Memento", has directed the update to the Dutch original and all signs are good.
The story centers around a policeman who has been called to Norway to investigate a murder, and upon arriving, makes a miscalculation in firing at a suspect only to find out that it's his partner. The policeman continues the investigation, spending as much time covering his own tracks as following those of the killer. The relentless, ever present sun adds to the mix, depriving the doomed policeman with little or no sleep to work on. What culminates is a fantastic story of the thin line between madness and order, and good versus evil.
How, you might ask, could Robin Williams ever portray a fascinating villain always one step ahead of his pursuer and always knowing that the person following him is just as corrupt as himself? Simple. If you have been following Williams' career moves of late, you'll notice in particular the upcoming One Hour Photo, in which Williams portrays a serial killer who finds the perfect family in a series of photos he develops while working at a Photo shop in a mall. Williams has done much research into the motives of these people, studying interviews with various serial killers, and developing a character far from his usual nutty family fare. His move towards the character in Insomnia could open up a series of doors Mr. Williams has long steered away from.
As for Al Pacino, there is ample cop in him in past ventures from Serpico to Heat, but with the corruption invloved in "Insomnia" he could certainly show the appropriate meltdown. The overacting in Heat could allow his character to reach new heights of insanity as well as a great depiction of the onslaught of sleeplessness. Who knows?
It all comes down to why I would bother to write a review about a film I haven't seen. The answer is simple if you haven't yet seen the original with Stellan Skarsgård as the policeman. This film is definitely a cause for discussion, and marks one of the finest depictions of corruption on both sides of the law yet to be seen. It doesn't seem possible that a remake could top it, but any furthering of the interest is certainly welcome. Try and enjoy both if you can!
Rating:
Summary: Gripping
Review: While I did not see the original Norwegian version of this film, I intend to do so after reading about it amongst these many great reviews.
L.A. Detective Will Dormer (Al Pacino) travels to Alaska with his partner to investigate the murder of a local girl. Not only must Dormer face the daunting task of finding the killer, but he must also cope with the never setting sun, which eventually deprives him from much needed sleep. He also kills his partner by accident, and must also construct a way out of that as well. The movie's location in the beauty and lushness of Alaska make you want to pack up the camper and head there for a month. It really added to the depth of the film, as opposed to it taking place in the "lower 48".
Once Pacino and his partner arrive at their destination, they are greeted by Detective Ellie Burr (Hillary Swank), who idolizes Dormer. While I felt that this was kind of annoying at first, it was interesting to see the pivitol point where she transitions from trusting and admiring Dormer to suspecting him of killing his partner. While the chief of police seemed grateful for Dormer's assistance, I sensed resentment from the other local cops at his presence. It seemed as though they were subconciously saying "Why bring in an outsider when we are just as capable?" Nevertheless, the local officers eventually warm up to him and begin to trust and depend on his experience and expertise to catch the killer, played by Robin Williams. While Williams' performance as a villan was not on par with his phenomenal work in "One Hour Photo", he still plays his character well. He is the only witness to Dormer's shooting of his partner, and he uses this as psychological leverage throughout the second half of the film.
The movie climaxes with Dormer chasing Williams through an old fishing cabin. A must see!
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Thriller
Review: This is an excellent police thriller that takes place in small-town Alaska. Pacino and his partner are packed off to Alaska by the LAPD's internal affairs department; the exact reason why is unknown for most of the movie yet lurks subtly under the surface. As the plot progresses, characters (mainly Pacino) have to make difficult decisions, and it is those decisions that are behind the movie's remarkable tension. In the end, this is not a cat-and-mouse chase, and it's not a murder mystery. It's a thriller about ethics and the crossing of ethical lines - when is it OK to break the rules? And what rules can be broken? The acting is top-notch, especially by the three leads, and the editing + cinematography are great. "Insomnia" makes you think as it entertains. Highly recommended.
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