Rating: 
Summary: GOOD PREMISE, POOR PACING
Review: A COUPLE [NICOLE KIDMAN AND SAM NEILL] ARE TERRORIZED BY A PSYCHO [BILLY ZANE] AT SEA. THIS MOVIE HAS A CLEVER PLOT, BUT IT'S JUST PACED POORLY AND AFTER A WHILE, THE LACK OF ACTION SEEMS TO REALLY GET ME BORED. THERE IS A REAL STEAMY SEX SCENE BETWEEN NICOLE KIDMAN AND BILLY ZANE THAT IS WORTH WATCHING. I WILL GIVE IT THAT. IF YOU LIKE MOVIES SET AT SEA, YOU'LL DEFINITELY LIKE THIS.
Rating:
Summary: You know what I'd love for lunch?
Review: Before director Phillip Noyce went on to do the Jack Ryan films, he made the little ditty known as Dead Calm. I wasn't sure what to expect when I watched it, but let me tell you it was one of the first films that I have seen that would not allow me to pinpoint a direct love or hate. At the beginning, when the plot was taking it's time to take off, I was not enjoying this film. I felt that I was having trouble really understanding John and Rae and the relationship that they have. I think this stayed with me throughout the film, and when they finally split up I finally began to enjoy it.
I thought that there were some really wild scenes in this film. The infamous "rape" scene was intense. I never saw that coming at all. The chemistry between Zane and Kidman was perfect, while the connection between Rae and John was not. I think, honestly, Sam Neill was miscast in this film, or he was trying to play too deeply into his character. At first I felt that we were watching a film about robots, but then I saw our characters go into the water and I knew that technology wasn't around in the 80s (for fear of other crew being shocked). I also had trouble distinguishing the ethnic background of the characters. Kidman was heavy on the Australian accent, but Neill and Zane seemed almost American. Not that this normally makes any difference, but I think it would have put these characters on sturdier ground.
I don't know my exact feelings on this film. It was good, it was bad, then it somehow seemed good again. The ending was completely laughable. I really thought they should have just ended with the two of them in each other's arms, but instead they had toss in there a classic clichéd Hollywood moment.
It was a well rounded film, but somehow some edges were getting dull. It is almost like having a flat spot on your tire. You hear the noise, but know that you can continue driving if you want to. For those of you out there that are considering watching this film because you are a fan of Kidman, I would have you look at both sides of the story. This is not the best work from her, but it does give us a good indication on where she is going with her acting career. Second, she does get naked. So, if acting doesn't matter and you would rather see Kidman naked, than Dead Calm may be the film for you.
I don't know why I am so wishy-washy with this film, but I can't seem to want to say if it was bad or good. Rather, more of a combination of both. The scenes with Kidman and Zane are the best, while Neill is what brought this film down. Nothing was revealed prior about him (or rather about anyone), so it is hard to connect with the characters, but it does carry some decent suspense.
Overall, if you find this film for free somewhere, I think you should get it, but I wouldn't spend more than a penny on this film.
Grade: *** out of *****
Rating: 
Summary: Stay Calm, Cool, And Collected
Review: Before Nicole Kidman catapulted to international fame, Sam Neill faced the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, or Billy Zane took a ride on Titanic, and director Philip Noyce helped action hero Jack Ryan, they all collaborated to make Dead Calm a memorable thriller. After Rae (Nicole Kidman) and John (Sam Neill) Ingram suffer the devastating loss of their child, the couple decides to take a sailing trip, in the hope of dealing with the tragedy. Once on the high seas, the pair discovers a disabled cruise vessel, with a lone survivor on board. It seems that the the rest of the passengers died mysteriously. John stays aboard the ghost ship to try to get her working again, while Rae tends to the welfare of Hughie Warriner (Billy Zane). Little does the couple realize that Warriner is not exactly as friendly as they are led to think--putting both of them in considerable danger. It's pretty amazing that the film is as taut as it is, given that, the film's plot is a simple one and that it only centers around three characters. Noyce makes great use of confined spaces and settings. Kidman is great as Rae. She proved just how talented she is, even back then, holding her own agaist Zane's chilling psychotic portrayal. Zane, who has had an up and down career, gives what I think is his best performance here. And for his part, Neill is good too, considering he has to act alone through most of the movie. The film does lose a few points for resorting to a well worn tricks for some of the climax. However, by then, your hooked, and it shouldn't (?) matter too much. Save for the film's theatrical trailer, the DVD offers, no other bonus material. Given, what has happened to the principal actors and the director since, some sort of retrospective or commentary would be nice...in the future perhaps? Viewers can watch the movie in either the full-screen or widescreen formats. Dead Calm is a fine thriller, that despite a few hiccups, is recommended. The small cast is the reason to watch this one
Rating: 
Summary: But what if you really don¿t care anything about boats?
Review: Dead Calm is one of those movies that many have told me they liked, yet I have never really gotten into it. Maybe under one circumstance or another I've started watching it, or had an opportunity (a friend?) But just never got far past the opening. So I finally sit down in front of it for 96 mins. I guess it tries hard to be a serious thriller, yet I can't take anything very seriously on a sailboat in the middle of nowhere. Phillip Noyce directed it, and, besides the two Jack Ryan movies he directed, he's made a couple of seriously flawed films (The Saint, Sliver). Maybe this movie takes itself a little too seriously. I far prefer a campier version, like Kill Cruise (with Jurgen Prochnow, Jennifer Rubin, and Patsy Kensit) There the captain is a drunk, and his two passengers are the lowest form of party girls. When it starts to hit the fan there, you expect it. You've waited for it. You want it. You love it. Here it's hard to imagine why Nicole Kidman didn't just kill Billy Zane any of the 1st 50 or so opportunities she had. The sort of needless and forced tension her hesitancy produces tends to lose my interest quickly. In the film's so called climax, she performs the Herculean task of driving the boat, and shining the light, and pulling her husband-200lbs of wet, exhausted man-to safety from a fast-moving boat. Yet in the film's opening she can't drive and talk at the same time without causing a fatal accident. One man's irony is another's idiocy.
Rating: 
Summary: Shades of Hitchcock all the way through!
Review: From the opening credits with that haunting music, to the tragic car accident scene, to the first scenes on the open sea (only 4 minutes in), all the way to the end, this movie is GREAT! There is no other movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The three person cast is amazingly talented. You feel trapped and scared with John Ingram (Sam Neill) as he tries to escape the bows of a sinking ship and get to his wife. You feel the hopelessness of Rae Ingram (Nicole Kidman) trapped with a madman and find yourself yelling "Yes! That's right! Go! Go!" as her quick witted mind begins to work as she attempts many different ways of defending herself. And it is understandable why she won't kill the captor, for after the death of her son, I think that she finds killing a last resort and will do anything not to have to kill a person. And as Hughie Warner, you can tell that Billy Zane is having soooo much fun with his crazed role. On top of all that the boat, Sarascen, is really cool. Plus, throw in a heart pounding scene as Rae fights Hughie inside the boat during a huge storm, a heart wrenching demise to the family dog, a handful of sleeping pills, and one too many flares, there you have one awesome thriller.
Rating:
Summary: Better than the imitations.
Review: I could go on and on about this one. One could theorize that the whole movie is actually a product of Kidman's mind. One could bring up the fact that the couple has sailed out to the metaphorical calm waters to get away from the insanity of the things that have happened in their life only to have insanity come rowing a boat out to meet them and now they (specifically her) must learn to deal with that insanity. That's getting a little deep, so I'll stick to what I know. Kidman and Neill are trying to get over the tragic loss of their child by sailing out to the middle of nowhere to get away from things. They run across a sinking schooner which has only one survivor (Zane). He rows out to them and climbs aboard. Neill, out of curiosity, rows over to the sinking ship to find out what happened. This leaves Zane and Kidman on the boat...alone. I think what I wrote about accepting the insanity is pretty accurate as Kidman, in order to survive, feigns a relationship with Zane when she realizes that her life is in danger. Neill discovers what really happened on that boat and most of his story becomes trying to catch up with Zane and Kidman. Metaphors aside, this is a good movie. The screenplay is taught. There are no scenes where you think to yourself that this is totally unnecessary. Everything establishes character or advances a situation. Neill's desperate struggle to get to the boat and his resourcefulness are real highlights. The DVD doesn't really add too much, but I still recommend it for those who care about the quality of picture. It looks awesome on HDTV. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Another Perspective......5 Stars for the visual effect!
Review: I found the experience of "Dead Calm" very satisfying. Judged by modern standards, the pace is rather slow. It also requires some imagination and thinking to put the pieces together. Watched in peace the movie has the effect of an opiate.
Yet, I want to focus on the films great sensuality. The colors are beautiful. The deep blue of gently flowing waters, the bright crackling yellowish-orange of the burning yacht, the strange red of blood, the delicious color of the skin and the poreous texture like a wet orange peel. The black hair, the red hair, the brown and green eyes, and much more. The sound is mild and realistic!
Rarely have I seen a film so beautiful, easily watchable. And if you want a good thriller with scenic beauty but without too many far out events, this may be your cup of tea!
Rating:
Summary: Proof That Sometimes Less Is More
Review: I had always wanted to see Dead Calm but for some reason never got around to it. Having seen it just this past weekend, I can attest that it is a well made and suspensful film, all the more that the story revolves around only three people, as opposed to other films of the genre filled with cast members whose only purpose is to be killed and provide a high body count. The cast is uniformly good, though I think Jason Patric might have also been a good choice for Hughie. I agree with other reviewers about the formulaic ending, but hey, there are rules dammit! The psycho killer always comes back for more!
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly good...
Review: I had my doubts about this movie; the plot seemed very cliche and I had low expectations.
I was very wrong! This is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that seems like it will never work out.
Exciting from the first 10 minutes, "Dead Calm" throws you into the South Pacific ocean with a psychopathic maniac. How does it end?
Watch this great movie and find out!
Rating:
Summary: Sexy Saturday Afternoon Movie!
Review: I thought this was a great movie. Nicole Kidman in here younger days, I was actually frightened at some scenes. However, I do love movies set at sea
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