Rating: Summary: It could have been so much more. Review: This movie could have been so much more than it was. They had the opportunity to really explore some interesting concepts and ideas. But they utterly failed to explore them. They could have shown the how the killer was unassuming, almost pathetic, but how in his mind he is strong and powerful. But they never really explored it in any deapth. But what utterly destroys this film is Jennifer Lopez. She mumbles all her lines and delivers the role with as much animation as the kid in the coma. This movie just didn't want to try hard enough. As soon as the effects started it was just, look at the pretty images. Although the images are impressive it doesn't carry the movie. It is another example of making a half hearted effort and hoping the audience won't try and think.
Rating: Summary: This Movie Redefines Lame. Don't Waste Your Money. Review: The trailers for this film are very short because they used every good clip there is in this movie. It could have been a great film, but they blew it. The plot is weak, poorly structured, clumsily advanced and horribly contrived. The character development is non-existent and if the characters were any flatter they would be invisible. The underlying imagery is derivative, with no apparent originality and owes more to high-end corporate advertising than any storytelling. Parts of the movie are so bad, they are hilarious, like where for some weird reason the art director cheaped out and used the body armor from Coppola's Bram Stroker's Dracula as the encounter suits... If there was a way to give a movie no stars, this one deserves it. This movie is not even worth renting, much less buying. In fact, it is sooo lame, it isn't even worth more comments...
Rating: Summary: Terrible movie! Review: This has to big the biggest dissapointment of 2000. I bought the DVD (not having seen it before) and couldn't even stand to watch the extras. This movie is all eye candy and nothing else. You should STAY AWAY in my opinion. If I could give it less than one star I would. Terrible.
Rating: Summary: A visually stunning film Review: Ok, so Jennifer Lopez could stand a few acting lessons. So what? You still saw the Matrix didnt you? Keanu Reaves aint exactly Carey Grant either. This movie emerses the audience in its ambience. The colors, the subtexts, and the movie-within-a-movie feel are what make this movie the neat flick it is. I dont think it was ever meant to be the next Wizard Of Oz. It was meant to simply entertain, maybe give some chills along the way, and it does just that. One reviewer must have spouted off every multi-syllable word he could think of to put the movie down. Hint to that person: This movie isnt supposed to be realistic! Its simply a visual feast for the eye. Hat's off to first time (well, first major movie) director Singh. You made a complex movie incredible simple and fun to watch. Keep up the good work.
Rating: Summary: Beyond Bad - Bordering on Obscene Review: Visual imagery doesn't mean a thing if the plot is predictable and the dialogue bad. To the "enlightened", we DO get it, that's the problem. If Van Gogh had painted a picture of a pile of dog poop, howerver visually stunning, it would still be a painting of dog poop. Our companions at the theater had to leave they were so sickened. Once again, lacking any quality, Hollywood goes for shock and gore.
Rating: Summary: Heaven and Hell Review: THE CELL was an excellent mix of painful and creepy but mostly an enriching and layered trip between the minds of good and bad. Jennifer Lopez plays a psychologist named Catherine who has constructed a unique mind device that allows her to enter the minds of her patients for a form of direct thearapy so that she can better understand her patients needs and fears. Her currant assignment to help a young boy is put on hold when the FBI needs her in a case. A disturbed serial killer named Karl (Vincent D'Onfrio) has lapsed into a form of coma due to a strange mental condition shortly after his latest abuction. It's a dangerous job, and Catherine knows this, but she accepts. Catherine's job is to enter Karls mind in a dangerous attempt to uncover the whereabouts of his victim before it's too late. Jennifer Lopez is outstanding as the lead who for the most part is painted in a good light. Her scenes both in and out of her head paint a beautiful light of a person who wants to help the hurt while she is surrounded by a utopia of beauty and warmth. Vincent D'Onfrio also does a good job playing the twisted Karl. Scenes from his house, hideout and the interiors of his own brain are a disturbing and ugly brick-a-brack containing what look like leftovers from an MTV video, the demons of his abusive father and further images of the pain of both Karl and his victims. While not for everybody, (The film can be quite disturbing at times) THE CELL was surprisingly easy to follow and get into. I enjoyed it and the visuals that the movie provided were outstanding.
Rating: Summary: Watch ¿Dreamscape¿ with Dennis Quaid Instead! Review: Many people are probably dazzled by Jennifer Lopez appearance in "The Cell", and when I say "appearance" I mean just that. I am not talking about her acting or the credibility of her character, for I didn't find "The Cell" any more believable than the 1984 film "Dreamscape" with Dennis Quaid, which was similar in scope. Yet my low opinion of "The Cell" in not weighted in originality, but on how unspeakable, shock-value horror was past off as art. If this were a student film instead of Hollywood fiction real F.B.I. criminologists would be reviewing "The Cell" and the director would be getting some professional help.
Rating: Summary: Pretty. Ugly. Review: I will say this: it's been a long time since I've hated a movie so *actively* as I did this one--not just because it's preposterous (though it is), and not just because it's pretentious (though it is), and not just because it's self-infatuated (though it is), and not just because it's misogynistic (though--boy oh boy--it certainly is)...but because it's in such complete denial about what a spurious piece of trash it is and, by maintaining its poker-face throughout, hopes that we somehow won't notice. Earth to Tarsem: Art direction is not art. While there is some fun to be had in the spookhouse inside Vincent D'Onofrio's head, it's nothing shocking to anyone who's ever seen a video by Floria Sigismondi. And while it's surprising to find *anything* inside of Jennifer Lopez's head when we do end up there, what we find there is so spectacularly trite and pompous that it's hard not to gasp. I'm not one to give away endings, but here's a hint: inside every serial killer is a little boy that needs a hug (from Jennifer Lopez!) and then needs to be drowned like a baby bird. If that's a message you can get behind, then this is your movie, I guess.
Rating: Summary: o.k., o.k. . . Review: so the plot won't change your life ... yeah, J. Lopez is straight out of the Keanu-Wooden-Acting-School ... but the visual imagery is worth the price alone, not to mention Vincent D'Onofrio's terrifying character, who happened to creep me out worse than 'LAMBS and SE7EN put together. I've seen it 3 times, liking it better with each viewing ... seems like a winner to me!
Rating: Summary: Visually Powerful Review: This film, flat out, is a visual feast. The best visuals I have ever seen on film. The story, about a woman who dives into the mind of a serial killer to find where he has hidden his latest victim, is weak some times, yet strong most of the time, with outstanding performances by the entire cast. Yet, be forewarned: this is an extremely violent film. Very upsetting and graphic. Only meant for the 21 and above crowd. The mix of "The Matrix" as well was awesome. A dazzling film.
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