Home :: DVD :: Mystery & Suspense  

Blackmail, Murder & Mayhem
British Mystery Theater
Classics
Crime
Detectives
Film Noir
General
Mystery
Mystery & Suspense Masters
Neo-Noir
Series & Sequels
Suspense
Thrillers
Vanilla Sky

Vanilla Sky

List Price: $9.99
Your Price: $9.99
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 .. 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 .. 74 >>

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Confusing till the End
Review: This was one of the worst movies I saw this year. From beginning to finish it is hard to figure out what is going on. Is this a dream? Is this real? What is going on? I can assure you that you will be asking yourself these questions. The ending tried to explain but there were too many twists and turns to undo. The acting was good but the story messed it up. Maybe the directors should have taken advice from the first one and opened their eyes. I would not recommend this movie unless you enjoy being confused for two hours.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The latest mind bender
Review: VANILLA SKY follows such recent releases as MULHOLLAND DRIVE, MEMENTO and THE OTHERS as a visual exercise in alternate perspective. It offers viewers another chance to leave the theater and actually think about what they've just seen rather than forget the experience as soon as the derriere lifts off the seat as perhaps happens with the usual FX-saturated thriller.

Tom Cruise plays David Aames, the playboy inheritor of his deceased father's publishing business, who finds himself caught between his current recreational lover, Julie (Cameron Diaz), and a new infatuation for the winsome Sofia (Penelope Cruz). David's women problems result in suicide, murder, and David's severe facial disfigurement. At least, that's what seems to happen. For the audience, the trick is to try and discern what's real and what isn't.

Cruise is excellent in this film, and I admire his willingness to allow the disfigurement of his famous good looks as a plot device. (Actually, I off-handedly can't remember any male Hollywood Super Star who's tolerated that in a script.) The chilling subsurface imbalance of the Julie character is effectively portrayed by Diaz, and Penelope Cruz is enchanting as the endearing Sofia. However, VANILLA SKY is too long by perhaps twenty minutes, and Kurt Russell's role as McCabe, David's court appointed shrink, is non-descript at best.

Somehow, I just wasn't as enthralled with this movie as I was with the other three mentioned. In MEMENTO, the director chose to tell the story by beginning at the end and working back. In MULHOLLAND DRIVE, the beginning and the end meet in the middle - at least that's my take on it. And THE OTHERS was a fairly standard (and mediocre) ghost story until the 180 degree flip in viewpoint at the conclusion inspired in me an admiring "Wow!" Perhaps my difficulty with VANILLA SKY is that my sympathy for the Aames character was never more than lukewarm; he came across as an irresponsible and shallow twit. However, I might be persuaded to award the film one additional star if I could be convinced that the only "real" scene was the very last.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: This movie was awful!
Review: When I got out of Vanilla Sky, I could not believe how bad it was! I sat there and pondered the movie for a while, trying to figure out if I was missing something. I do not think I am. I thought the movie was going to be good for the first hour, but then it took a turn in a completely different direction and I got lost. I can not believe Tom Cruise was a part of this project. Don't waste your money. Wait until it comes on video and you have a lot of time on your hands.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Very Disappointing...It Could Have Been Great
Review: This film seemingly has all the elements necessary for success: at least four great actors in starring roles, a compelling plot, spectacular camera work. But somewhere in the middle it all begins to go horribly wrong. A story that seems similar to "Fatal Attraction" ends up more similar to "the Matrix," but without the success or viewer satisfaction of either.

"Vanilla Sky" is about a rich young man, David Aames (Tom Cruise) who is "snowboarding through life," with girls, fast cars and great parties in his New York apartment. His one party girl, Julie Gianni (Cameron Diaz) becomes insanely jealous when David falls for another girl, an ingenue named Sofia Serrano (Penelope Cruz). Julie shows her appreciation at being jilted by taking David on a rather exciting car ride while lecturing him on "breaking promises" that his "body made."

David survives the car ride (I am not giving away the plot -- there would be no story if he had not), but is facially disfigured. Will Sofia still love him?

At this point the film develops a serious case of schizophrenia, and we are never sure what is real and what is not. David's face is successfully repaired by a surgeon -- or is it? One reality morphs into another, and the viewer is left to guess at what is real and what is dream or hallucination as David struggles to get his life back on track.

This film could have ended as a realistic, romantic drama, of a wiser man overcoming terrible adversity...but it doesn't. Instead, it has an ending that comes out of left field. The final moment of the film brings it all into focus for the viewer and the truth, previously hidden, is revealed in a burst of insight: you just wasted good money on this stupid movie.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent and intriguing
Review: ...I absolutely loved this movie. I had heard it was bad, but went to see it anyway, and am not disappointed. I need to see it again, as a matter of fact. Yes, it is a little strange, and somewhat confusing, but that's the point! You have to think, and this movie is supposed to make you think. You will not be finished thinking when you leave the theater. The acting was superb; Tom Cruise was spectacular in this film. I saw and felt so much emotion throughout the entire film. I think the plot was played out perfectly.

The bottom line is this movie is probably one you will either love or hate, but you have to see it to find out. I loved this movie for its unpredictability, its great acting, and its mind-bending suspense.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: It isn't what you think
Review: If you saw the previews for "Vanilla Sky" and got that funny feeling in your stomach; Tom Cruise has made yet another film. Images of "Days of Thunder" and "Top Gun" enter your subconscious as you wonder what the superstar has in store for you now. This is not "Top Gun" and it isn't Cruise's version of "The Usual Suspects" either. The previews don't give this one away. If you want a feel good movie that occasionally tugs at your heartstrings, think again. If you want a film that evokes deep introspection, and forces the viewing public to take a strong look at ourselves and humanity, this is the one. With this film, there is as much polarization in opinion as there was when "Pulp Fiction" was released. When you see it and if you saw it, think "Contact" or "2001: A Space Odyssey" or even Robert Nozicks book "Anarchy, State, and Utopia" then you'll have it. Huxley's "Brave New World" is in the same category as well. The sort of depth and content found in these pieces are what "Vanilla Sky" possesses as well. A great triumph, but see for yourself.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: La Vita Nuova - Dante
Review: Happiness real or unreal.. Moral beauty.. Moral ugliness.. Scars from the mistakes we have made or lessons we have learned.. Do we wear them proud or in shame? Cover them with expressionless masks that no one might know us.. or bear them to those we love or who might love us? "In that book.. which is my memory.. on the page.. that I met you... began a new life.." La Vita Nuova. What heaven or hell does each decision we make create in its consequence... Did anyone get this movie...? I know I'm way at the end of the reviews, but did anyone understand at least that it was not a "science fiction" film.. that eternal life albeit from a cryogenic tube might...might be a metaphor for something a little deeper.. brushed as a Monet painting in the only colors that we might understand or wish for or recognize in our postindustrial society real or unreal.. How about this mind blower.. "that dog spelled backwards is god" That other guy who came back to life.. How many days was he lying there...? There were so many nice little tidbits in this film I don't even know where to begin... Did anyone even find the humor in calling the guy "tech support" for those that might not be fully following. Open your eyes indeed because what you might miss is a beautiful film.. well acted.. well shot.. well thought..

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: You've got to be mentally prepared...
Review: The first advice I'd like to give anyone who ventures out to see this movie is-don't question anything...just go with it.By questioning it you'll only confuse yourself more.But, to me, this is the beauty of it all.Its a great movie for those who enjoy thought provoking movies.In the recent years Cruise has stepped it up a notch with the "deep" movies, i.e. Magnolia and Eyes Wide Shut.He only proves even more that he is successful in doing so with this movie.I really enjoy this kind of movie and if you're in for a challenge and a thrill I strongly suggest seeing it!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: what a wild ride..........
Review: This is one of the most thought provoking movies I have seen in a long while. Cruise and Cruz are not only watchable and beautiful together, they really made me pull for them and their happiness. This is a movie I will see again as every scene contained so many nuances and messages to ponder. There is much to digest the first time around. It asks you to evaluate your own existence and values.

The acting is superb. Tom Cruise is at the top of his game. He continues to amaze me in his ability to create the most complex of characters. Penelope Cruz has that extrodinary vulnerability that draws you in and makes you want more, dare I say like my favorite, Audrey Hepburn. Kudos to Kurt Russell for his excellent work and Cameron Diaz for showing new strengths.

Bravo to Cameron Crowe for solid direction and Nancy Wilson for excellent musical choices. All in all this is not a movie for all tastes. It is beautiful and ugly at the same time and will keep you thinking long after it's conclusion. Convoluted......yes! I myself really enjoyed this well crafted wild ride!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: This is the worst movie that I have ever seen
Review: This movie was horrible. Save your money and your time. I was irritable for the rest of the day after sitting through this painful movie.


<< 1 .. 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 .. 74 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates