Rating: 
Summary: Not even close!
Review: This is the prime example of hollywood intention to destroy a great piece of art and show us exactly what they wanted us to see..The original film iwas and still is a big success in Europe and Latin America and this film is not even close to original in any aspect!... The only good thing about it is the cinematography and Al Pacino.....nothing else is even close or near to the original film!...get that instead...you wont be dissapointed!
Rating: 
Summary: Suspensful character study
Review: In between the Godfathers I&II, Francis Ford Coppola came out with a wonderful movie called "The Conversation". Though not as groundbreaking as either Godfather film, "The Conversation", in my mind, was one of the better movies from the 70's. I feel the same way about "Insomnia". Though not as revolutionary as "Memento", it is still a fine film in its own right and should not be compared to it. I mention this because a lot of people seem to unfairly criticize it as well as director Christopher Nolan because it's not "Memento II".By revealing early on in the film who the bad guy is, "Insomnia" adds a nice twist to the suspense genre. The suspense is held up by the protagonist's inner conflict of right and wrong. As you probably know, Al Pacino plays an L.A. detective Will Dormer who is brought Alaska to investigate a murder. It's also a chance for Dormer to escape some professional problems he is dealing with back home. Accompanying Dormer is Hap Eckhart (Martin Donovan), his partner from L.A. who can potentially make things worse for Dormer back home. Through a sequence of events, the problems that face Dormer back home are minimized, but not without consequences. The murderer in Alaska now has something on Dormer and wants to negotiate. What will Dormer do? These pressures coupled with Alaska's white nights keep Dormer up at night. The whole thing induces quite a bit of tension. Al Pacino is his usual amazing self. Definitely a satisfying suspense flick.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully acted!
Review: A wonderful role for Robin Williams! A film unlike any other for Williams. A film that is worth watching along with his new film "One Hour Photo." Both films are worth watching over and over.
Rating:
Summary: Good story.
Review: The story had me until all the chasing and hiding came into play. There is not enough about how insomnia affects the brain. We see Al Pacino running around trying to catch the killer, but not enough depth into what compels him to do it. Al Pacino and Robin Williams are superb. If you like this combination you will enjoy the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Road to Perdition
Review: I didn't think I'd like this movie as much as I actually did. It surprised me, I thought it was sad, but the story was very good, and so was the acting. I highly reccomend this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Insomnia
Review: Other than this movie having a great cast, it was incredibaly boring. My husband and I could barely keep from yawning throughout the whole thing. Some other people I know said the same thing, it moved very slow, and seemed to go nowhere. I would not reccomend it.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliantly acted
Review: Al Pacino (as always) gave an astonishing performance in this psychological thriller. I have to compliment the producers on this one for their intelligence in who they casted. When a theatrical trailer shows that three academy award winners are casted, and that it is from the director of the acclaimed "Memento," whether it is even good or not, the film is going to intrigue many people and rake in loads of money. This movie was not at all a disappointment though. Robin Williams was very fun to watch, and seeing him play as a psychopathic murderer for a change kept me as the viewer interested. Hilary Swank is also a brilliant actress and it was good to see her as a woman again! (Boys Don't Cry) Good movie, great acting, and well directed. I give it four stars out of 5. The R rating reflects violence, language, and some ever-so-brief views of a nude corpse.
Rating:
Summary: I wasn't sure what to expect
Review: The movie was ok. You gotta love the smart remarks you get from Al. Al Pacino was great in this movie. He goes to Alaska to help with a murder case and of course it's gotta be during the 6 months of light, so he's having a hard time sleeping (hence the name Insomnia). He has a couple run in's with the killer. I don't want to give any parts of the movie away, that's the reason for being vague. And The ending was pretty good. You wouldn't really think that what happens is going to happen.
Rating: 
Summary: Northern Exposure
Review: Directed by Christopher Nolan, this superb psychological thriller is based upon Norwegian written Erik Skjoldbjaerg's novel of the same title. It his follow up hit to the enormously successful film Memento, which grossed around $25 million, around 5 times its original budget. It also represents the first film starring the highly ranked actor Al Pacino in around 4 years and it is very encouraging to see that he is still capable of performances on par with his best. Set in Alaska (although filmed in Canada) this film revolves around Will Dormer, a veteran LA detective played by Pacino. Dormer is sent with partner Hap Eckhart (Martin Donovan) to Alaska in order to investigate the grisly murder of a 17-year-old girl. At the same time, Dormer & Eckhart are being investigated by internal affairs for some 'interesting' police work in the past, which Dormer believes Eckhart is about to give the game away on. The two colleagues are welcomed in Alaska by Ellie Burr (Hilary Swank), the enthusiastic local policewoman who appears as interested in Dormer as she is in the murder suspect. The story really begins when Dormer, whilst pursuing the suspect through dense fog, accidentally shoots his partner Eckhart. Knowing how it will look if he confesses to the shooting he claims that the suspect did the shooting and simply continues the investigation. Dormer's story is believed by all except Ellie although she keeps quite until much later in the film and so all appears well until a softly spoken telephone call from the suspect puts another twist on the story. The suspect saw what happened and wants to cut a deal or he will expose who really killed Eckhart. Against his better judgement, Dormer agrees and becomes the suspect's puppet. Soon, his mental turbulence and the lack of any dark hours in the Alaskan summer season find Dormer unable to sleep and he becomes closer to mental exhaustion as the film wears on. The on-screen relationship between Pacino & Williams appears to work very well. Bound by a strong director they give very convincing performances, with little left to complain about. Pacino appears perfect for the role, with his physical appearance (his rugged face & worn leather jacket) very much reflecting his own mental state; something for which Nolan is quite well known for being able to bring out of his actors. This is of course, a pioneering film for Robin Williams who, after recent Hollywood criticism for being a one-dimensional actor has decided to extend his possible character roles to include more unsavoury characters. This attempt to distance himself from more saccharine roles such as Patch Adams will be further shown in the up and coming Death To & One Hour Photo. His efforts are truly commendable & the result is a compliment to the film. His unlikely evil nature only adds to the character and exposes a side to Williams with much potential. Fuelled by an excellent script and cast/director combination, this film keeps you on the edge of your seat for its entire duration, and I would describe it as the best film of the summer, and I expect the year. The film was a great financial success, unusual and encouraging for a film with such a 'new kid on the block' director. It cost £50 million and made £60 million on its US opening weekend alone. I don't expect Nolan to be picking up any Oscars for this picture as he will likely lose to Julian Fellowes' Gosford Park but this is still a film that comes very highly recommended indeed.
Rating:
Summary: A satisfyingly tense, character-driven drama
Review: Having seen the 1997 Norwegian film of the same name, I was eager to see how the American-ized version of "Insomnia" would play out. Without delving too far into the comparisons that have been thoroughly detailed in prior reviews, I will say that this is one of the finer examples of how to film a remake. This version of "Insomnia" takes place in a remote Alaskan port city, and revolves around the murder of a young girl. However, as the movie unfolds, the murder slowly becomes only a small piece of a much more expansive, provoking, intense character drama. From a cinematographical perspective, the haunting beauty of Alaska is captured perfectly. In a way unique when compared to other films, the landscape is intertwined with the plot, further exposing the loneliness and isolation, while paradoxically highlighting its stark contrast with murder, death, and psychological demons. The sequence of the hunt/shooting amidst a thick, impenetrable fog is riveting and conveys a high level of tension, as the viewer shares in the disorientation the fog creates. "Insomnia" is driven by characters and acting, and a strong cast is assembled. Al Pacino - as expected - is wonderful in his portrayal of the world-weary city cop who escapes an Internal Affairs investigation by coming to investigate this murder. In many ways, we have seen Mr. Pacino in this role on numerous occasion, and he demonstrates this with the comfortable ease in which he carries his role. However, as his sleep-deprivation - caused by the long hours of daylight - intensifies, Mr. Pacino takes his character to a remarkable next level, as he battles to cover his questionable investigative practices and battle the psychological demons tied to similar practices in cases being investigated by Internal Affairs back in Los Angeles. As a viewer, you can empathize with his character, while at the same time watch in amazement as he struggles to keep himself from completely unraveling. Robin Williams is equally strong as the author-turned-murderer. Like Mr. Pacino, we have seen Mr. Williams in roles similar to this, and yet he is so good at pulling it off that you couldn't see any other person carrying such a role. His quiet, brooding character is psychologically scary; one senses that a violent, psychotic rage is bubbling just beneath his placid exterior. Also, Mr. Williams uses his comedic facial reactions to maximize the creepiness of his character. A couple of times he flashes a muted smile that subtly conveys the twisted pleasure he has in his cat-and-mouse game with Mr. Pacino's character. He is subdued, but brilliant, in this role. Hilary Swank also shines as the young, impressionable cop who ultimately uncovers Mr. Pacino's attempts to cover up the accidental shooting of his partner. She wonderfully evolves from one overcome with "hero-worship" in working with Mr. Pacino's character to one disheartened and mildly angry when she finds that her "idol" isn't who he is cracked up to be. Ms. Swank more than adequately holds her own in sharing the screen with Mr. Pacino and Mr. Williams, which is no small feat. The climatic ending to the film is perhaps slightly cliched in its quick tying up of loose storylines, but it plays well here. In its progression, you weren't quite sure how things were going to be resolved after the teenage suspect is arrested (falsely) for murder. One would almost have the sense that the movie could have ended with several loose ends hanging, allowing the viewer to ponder the outcome. But, there was instead the dramatic shootout, which ultimately was a satisfying resolution and conclusion to the film. All told, "Insomnia" was a very solid, quiet, tense drama that is worth the time to see. I give it a four-star rating, and recommend it to anyone seeking a good character-driven movie that is free of overwhelming special effects and action sequences. People seeking a fast-paced drama might want to steer clear, as they might find the pacing of this film to be too slow for their tastes.
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