Rating: 
Summary: COMPELLING PSYCHODRAMA MAKES FOR AN ENGAGING THRILLER
Review: I of course expected little from this small budget movie with unknown actors (including Brody, at that pre-Pianist time). Given these parameters, this is a very engaging thriller. Very effectively creepy. The psycopath theme is occasionally so disturbing that it's hard to watch in places. But what frightens even more is the horrifying glimpse we get into the mind of a killer. Brody offers us a frighteningly friendly and calm, hypnotically conniving psychopath, and Maura Tierney is very credible as a woman so self-destructive and full of self-hatred that in one disquieting scene she can barely look at herself in a mirror. Definitely worth seeking out.
Rating: 
Summary: fallin with fear
Review: i saw this movie by mistake one day and thought it was just another cop show series...until i focused on actor adrien brody. i thought this guy was some insane talent to be doing a crappy show and not be famous yet because his skill as an actor gets you so involved within the plot it doesn't even matter if you don't see the whole thing from the begining.his characters power over the enire police force and his victims is so so....sneaky and allurring that he becomes almost lovable and in a very sexual way that you don't even want him to get caught. i thought the movie was well scripted and someone did a fantastic job casting the film and would love to see it again
Rating: 
Summary: What? No fava beans and chianti?
Review: I saw this movie on late night cable. It's a wonderful substitute for "Silence of the Lambs" when I'm too lazy to pull out the DVD. Plot is excruciatingly similar-female cop has to drop her psychological armor to gain the trust of a psycho killer in order to free a high profile victim (a relative of a politician no less). Tierney and Brody gave very good performances. Too bad the characters' motives made absolutely no sense. One curious point-the husband/captain was named Tim. Actor Terry Kinney who played him also plays Tim McManus on HBO's Oz. To be typecast as a cop named Tim...
Rating:
Summary: What? No fava beans and chianti?
Review: I saw this movie on late night cable. It's a wonderful substitute for "Silence of the Lambs" when I'm too lazy to pull out the DVD. Plot is excruciatingly similar-female cop has to drop her psychological armor to gain the trust of a psycho killer in order to free a high profile victim (a relative of a politician no less). Tierney and Brody gave very good performances. Too bad the characters' motives made absolutely no sense. One curious point-the husband/captain was named Tim. Actor Terry Kinney who played him also plays Tim McManus on HBO's Oz. To be typecast as a cop named Tim...
Rating:
Summary: Suspense-filled Thriller
Review: I'm a fan of Maura Tierney after seeing every episode of "News Radio" on reruns about 5 times apiece. I decided to look her up on IMDB and try to rent all the movies she's been in. Oxygen happened to be the first I came across (since then I've seen her in the underrated "Forces of Nature" in which she is superb).
So, I have to admit I had a little bit of a predjudice coming in to this as a fan of hers. . .however, I was really suprised at the quality of this low budget straight to cable movie (I'm not 100% on this, but contrary to what other sources have said I'm pretty sure this movie was made for theatrical release but then suffered the fate of many movies in this modern age, it was instead sold to cable/tv and then shuffled out to the video stores). The -writing- is great, a wee bit (and only a wee) amaturish in places (which contributes to a 4 instead of a 5 rating).
The -direction- was above average and walked an unusal fine line between big hollywood and little indie style (something quite rare these days IMHO).
The -cinematography- was better than made-for-tv but not much above "good", that is to say I didn't really see any noticable or dicernable artistic style to the way it was filmed, which for some can be seen as a good thing as artistic style can detract from the internal reality of the film (film gods deliver us from assinine NYPD blue shakey cam techniques, and thank goodness that wasn't used in this film).
The -acting- is well above average, beyond average, and in some cases I believe oscar worthy. So far beyond formula tv acting as to make emmy winners hang their heads in shame. This is real cinema quality acting. All supporting cast are believable, and engaging, and emotionally involving. The killer is quirky and different enough to make one momentarily forget his ilk has become as cliche as Lex Luthor. And Maura, my goodness, she balances so many aspects of personality in such a realistic way that I forgot I was watching an actor, I forgot this was the same person who played the always frustrated Lisa on News Radio. All in all, if you're a fan of Cop shows, Serrial Killer shows, film noir, or of Maura, this is a definate "must rent."
As for purchase, I plan on buying it eventual because I've seen it three times so far and it holds up to repeat viewings (which, to me, is a prerequisite for purchase). Thanks.
Rating:
Summary: A brooding and depressing delight. Tierney shines!
Review: I'm a fan of Maura Tierney after seeing every episode of "News Radio" on reruns about 5 times apiece. I decided to look her up on IMDB and try to rent all the movies she's been in. Oxygen happened to be the first I came across (since then I've seen her in the underrated "Forces of Nature" in which she is superb).
So, I have to admit I had a little bit of a predjudice coming in to this as a fan of hers. . .however, I was really suprised at the quality of this low budget straight to cable movie (I'm not 100% on this, but contrary to what other sources have said I'm pretty sure this movie was made for theatrical release but then suffered the fate of many movies in this modern age, it was instead sold to cable/tv and then shuffled out to the video stores). The -writing- is great, a wee bit (and only a wee) amaturish in places (which contributes to a 4 instead of a 5 rating).
The -direction- was above average and walked an unusal fine line between big hollywood and little indie style (something quite rare these days IMHO).
The -cinematography- was better than made-for-tv but not much above "good", that is to say I didn't really see any noticable or dicernable artistic style to the way it was filmed, which for some can be seen as a good thing as artistic style can detract from the internal reality of the film (film gods deliver us from assinine NYPD blue shakey cam techniques, and thank goodness that wasn't used in this film).
The -acting- is well above average, beyond average, and in some cases I believe oscar worthy. So far beyond formula tv acting as to make emmy winners hang their heads in shame. This is real cinema quality acting. All supporting cast are believable, and engaging, and emotionally involving. The killer is quirky and different enough to make one momentarily forget his ilk has become as cliche as Lex Luthor. And Maura, my goodness, she balances so many aspects of personality in such a realistic way that I forgot I was watching an actor, I forgot this was the same person who played the always frustrated Lisa on News Radio. All in all, if you're a fan of Cop shows, Serrial Killer shows, film noir, or of Maura, this is a definate "must rent."
As for purchase, I plan on buying it eventual because I've seen it three times so far and it holds up to repeat viewings (which, to me, is a prerequisite for purchase). Thanks.
Rating:
Summary: Great Flick!!
Review: If you are a crime/cop buff addict this is the film for you, great acting and decent plot...Recommend this film highly
Rating:
Summary: Tierney and Brody are Great, The Movie is Just Okay!!
Review: It's been a long time since I've seriously blind bought a DVD or video. I normally go the rental way. But as I was passing through ... I stumbled upon this interesting film. It was called OXYGEN. I later discovered it was made for Showtime Television, as an original movie. I can see why, it's a potentially taught thriller, that's half realized. Maura Tierney (Scotland PA) stars as Madeline Foster, a New York City Cop with a few humiliating secrets. Adrien Brody, (The Pianist) is Harry, a psychopath who has buried a women (Laila Robins, True Crime) alive in an elaborate extortion plot. When Harry refuses to talk to anyone but Foster, these two lives are caught in a dangerous cat and mouse game, and a women's life is at stake. For what it's worth this is a well thought out thriller here. The elements are there to create a taught and fairly compelling cat and mouse game. But as the pieces fall into place, you realize its foundation is a house of cards and in the end everything is a little forced. I think the biggest problem is that Brody's character knows too much. He puts two and two together far faster than even the audience does. For instance, he notices cigarette burns on Foster's arm. Instantly he jumps to a conclusion, that while true, takes a leap far to big for it's own good. Tierney's character doesn't fare much better. The screenplay by Writer/Director Richard Shepard (The Linguini Incident) is too vague about her. Creating tension that goes nowhere. She's fighting demons of course, but does she do it for Alcohol? To give into some crazy fetish? Since the movie only makes a feeble attempt to sort out her problems, it falls flat. Every explanation comes from Harry's mouth a man she's never met before and I don't think he's that bright. But on a positive note, Tierney and Brody are excellent in their roles. Even if I didn't buy the premise, those two actors are just so damn watchable. Tierney is like the girl next door with edge, the camera loves her, and she's so good at everything I've ever seen her do. I like how her performance transcends the material. She brings it all up a notch, something that a lesser actress would struggle with. Her performance reveals a woman who is struggling, even if the struggles are a little trite and silly. Furthermore, Brody makes a great psycho. I liked everything about his character. I love how there is never a moment that he feels cornered. He runs the show at every minute. Like Harry Houdini (in which the story makes frequent reference too), Brody's character is an escape artist, with a sarcastic edge. In a better film this kind of character could win him an Oscar. Hmm.... I wonder if they ever did Hannibal Lecter: The Early Years, if they would consider hiring Brody? He's that good here. OXYGEN is a half realized but watchable film. It wears its flaws on its sleeve. But it also has two really great performances in it. So do I recommend you see it? If you're nit-picky like me, than you probably won't like it. If you can give a movie its due despite it's many flaws, than yes. *** out of 5
Rating:
Summary: Tierney and Brody are Great, The Movie is Just Okay!!
Review: It's been a long time since I've seriously blind bought a DVD or video. I normally go the rental way. But as I was passing through ... I stumbled upon this interesting film. It was called OXYGEN. I later discovered it was made for Showtime Television, as an original movie. I can see why, it's a potentially taught thriller, that's half realized. Maura Tierney (Scotland PA) stars as Madeline Foster, a New York City Cop with a few humiliating secrets. Adrien Brody, (The Pianist) is Harry, a psychopath who has buried a women (Laila Robins, True Crime) alive in an elaborate extortion plot. When Harry refuses to talk to anyone but Foster, these two lives are caught in a dangerous cat and mouse game, and a women's life is at stake. For what it's worth this is a well thought out thriller here. The elements are there to create a taught and fairly compelling cat and mouse game. But as the pieces fall into place, you realize its foundation is a house of cards and in the end everything is a little forced. I think the biggest problem is that Brody's character knows too much. He puts two and two together far faster than even the audience does. For instance, he notices cigarette burns on Foster's arm. Instantly he jumps to a conclusion, that while true, takes a leap far to big for it's own good. Tierney's character doesn't fare much better. The screenplay by Writer/Director Richard Shepard (The Linguini Incident) is too vague about her. Creating tension that goes nowhere. She's fighting demons of course, but does she do it for Alcohol? To give into some crazy fetish? Since the movie only makes a feeble attempt to sort out her problems, it falls flat. Every explanation comes from Harry's mouth a man she's never met before and I don't think he's that bright. But on a positive note, Tierney and Brody are excellent in their roles. Even if I didn't buy the premise, those two actors are just so damn watchable. Tierney is like the girl next door with edge, the camera loves her, and she's so good at everything I've ever seen her do. I like how her performance transcends the material. She brings it all up a notch, something that a lesser actress would struggle with. Her performance reveals a woman who is struggling, even if the struggles are a little trite and silly. Furthermore, Brody makes a great psycho. I liked everything about his character. I love how there is never a moment that he feels cornered. He runs the show at every minute. Like Harry Houdini (in which the story makes frequent reference too), Brody's character is an escape artist, with a sarcastic edge. In a better film this kind of character could win him an Oscar. Hmm.... I wonder if they ever did Hannibal Lecter: The Early Years, if they would consider hiring Brody? He's that good here. OXYGEN is a half realized but watchable film. It wears its flaws on its sleeve. But it also has two really great performances in it. So do I recommend you see it? If you're nit-picky like me, than you probably won't like it. If you can give a movie its due despite it's many flaws, than yes. *** out of 5
Rating:
Summary: James Naughton Superb!
Review: James Naughton is that rare kind of actor that can lift a vehicle that might otherwise not be so hot to a different level. He's not only great in the dramatic sense, he's a magnificent musical star, as is proven by his two Tony Awards.
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