Rating: 
Summary: a side bar
Review: I have not seen "Abre los ojos". I saw "Vanilla Sky" a few nights ago and liked it. And I started to read reviews for "Abre" once I realized "Vanilla" was a remake of it.
The reason I'm writing this "review" is that I've noticed everyone's been giving high praises to "Abre" for its originality. Now my disclaimer is that I've only seen "Vanilla", but while I was watching "Vanilla", I felt I recognized "strong" influnces and borrowing from a 1985 Japanese novel called "Hard-boiled wonderland and the end of the world" by Haruki Murakami. "Hard" is also a sci-fi/romance/thriller type of story that fluctuates between realities and the subconscious. By the end of the story, the reader along with the protagonist eventually realize that "the end of the world" is a creation from the narrator's consciousness that theorectically can last forever, except for his own sneaky subconscious and id lurking around in the background... The protagonist in "Hard" ultimately also chose the sweet-bitterness of reality over the imaginary kingdom where he reigned. I remember the protagonist had a difficult time choosing because he had grown to love the strange world his mind had created. He also felt responsible for the people that his mind had conceived, he was torn by the realization that these people that he had come to care about are all going to cease to exist once he leaves. I loved that book.Is there anyone out there who also see the "strong" similarities?
Rating:
Summary: The Original is Best !
Review: This is the original movie from which Vanilla Sky took it's story line. Vanilla Sky , though good, pales by comparison. This version has a wonderful cast - the characters are believable and passionatly portrayed. Watching this movie is like taking a roller coaster ride with Cesar, the main character. You get pulled through all the twists and turns of the plot right along with him. While he's trying to figure out what is happening and whether he is losing his mind you are right there trying to decide the same things. The plot isn't obvious and the story keeps you guessing to the last seconds. If you like psycholoical thrillers with lots of suspense, mystery and twists, this is a movie for you !
Rating:
Summary: Example of fine movie making out of Europe...
Review: Outstanding film. Bought this DVD after seeing and enjoying Vanilla Sky. If you liked Vanilla Sky, it's pretty interesting to see Abre Los Ojos, the inspiration for it. In fact, I was surprised how closely the stories stuck together. Scene for scene they unfold in almost the exact same way (unlike some Hollyweed remakes of foreign flicks). To be honest, I like both movies a lot, and for slightly different reasons. Not sure why some folks slam the heck out of Vanilla Sky and praise this to pieces since they're so similar (quite a few foreign film snobs seem to lean that way--which I don't understand since almost half of my DVD collection is comprised of non-American productions). Abre Los Ojos did an awesome job crafting a story that was interesting and pulled the watcher in without a bunch of over-the-top special effects. One of its strengths is just the sheer way it pulls you in with the simplicity of executing a far-from-simple story. I do think Penelope Cruz' performance was stronger in this version. She adds a little more depth to her character, and it feels a little more fleshed out. Conversely I think the Nunia/Julie Gianni character (the spurned love interest in the story) is better executed by Cameron Diaz. She injects just enough of an eery quality into her character that puts you cautiously on edge. Najwa Nimri, the actress in Open Your Eyes, does the roll well, but with less dimension. Another noticeable difference is Noriega's 'César' (the main character). In Abre Los Ojos, he comes across as more of a naïve victim of circumstance. Yes, he's callow and cocky, but not necessarily conniving. Cruise' character seems much more aware of his circumstances and bit more manipulative. Regardless of the differences, both flicks are way worth watching, and need to be given more than one viewing to be really appreciated. Strong performances across the board support an interesting and twisting story line that might leave you a little confused at times, but definitely not bored. Five stars, two thumbs up, and a 'hip hip hooray'!!
Rating:
Summary: Pure Genius
Review: Oh my goodness - what a brilliant film. Words cannot describe my reaction to it - my friend and I kind of looked at each other at the end and all we could manage was "Woah," and we're English majors that love to talk. This film is brilliantly done and both Noriega (II) and Cruz play phenomenal roles. To not see it would be an insult to the cinematic world. It makes you think about life in ways you didn't even think you could analyze it. In fairness, if you don't like to gain great insight from movies and don't want to think while you watch them, this is not the film for you. If you want to gain a whole new perspective on life, go watch it immediately! To quote a very wise literary great (E. A. Poe), "All we see, and all we seem, is but a dream within a dream." Watch the movie, and think about it.
Rating:
Summary: A Starlet is Born
Review: This film blew me away when I first saw it, even though I know no Spanish. Subtitles were good enough, and it's a disgrace that Americans needed "Vanilla Sky" to affirm it.
Penelope Cruz smokes Carmen Diaz, Halle Berry, and the rest of Hollyweed's "hot actresses". Too bad Hollyweed didn't notice her until she hooked up with Tom Cruise, but too good for him.
As for the film, I won't pretend I "got" it, but it has to do with the effect of computer technology on the mind. As media becomes more real, how do we know, or will we care, what is really real?
"Open Your Eyes" came before "The Matrix", has the same ideas, and relies less on special effects. It is a classic- "The Matrix" is a Hollyweed commercialized ripoff, and "Vanilla Sky" is for Americans who refuse to read a sub-titled film.
Rating:
Summary: Perchance to Dream...
Review: This mesmerizing and origional Spanish film from director Alejandro Amenabar is about the life we dream of, and the life we're given, and the manner in which it is told is nothing short of brilliant. Eduardo Noriega portrays a shallow bed hopping young man named Ceaser who has never given a second thought to real love until he falls for Sophia, who just happens to be the girl his best friend brings to his birthday party. Penelope Cruz gives a sexy and luminous performance in her own language as the charming Sophia. Contrasting her is Najwa Nimri as the overtly sexual Nuria, the one night stand who has Ceaser's shallow number and refuses to just go away. She plays on his weaker personality by accusing him of being scared to take a ride with her for one last fling and the aftermath is a mind altering journey. An apparently disfigured Ceaser finds himself in the criminal psychiatric ward after being accused of a murder he can't remember anything about. He tries to sort through his dreams, and possibly his memories, with the help of Antonio (Cheta Lera) and begins to slowly unravel what is real and what is imagined. To reveal more would ruin the journey for the viewer. This film is a terrific thriller that ultimately becomes a heartfelt drama of what can happen when we put the emphasis on the shallow and realize the need for tenderness and love too late. The performances are solid, the fawn like grace of Cruz a standout, lifting this film far above its inferior American remake. The ending will linger with the viewer a long time. This film is a fine argument for expanding your film library to include great foreign films such as this one. Pick this up as soon as you can.
Rating: 
Summary: Penelope Cruz is splendiferous
Review: This starts out like a love-triangle drama, with César (Eduardo Noriega) the wealthy scion of a restauranteur playing at love with every girl he meets. His latest Nuria (Najwa Nimri) is very aggressive sexually, but other than that of no interest to him. He throws a party, fails to invite her, but she shows up anyway. She knows he's dumping her but she can't help herself and throws herself at him. He evades her advances, notices Sofia (Penélope Cruz) who has come with his friend to the party, goes over to her and asks her to pretend to be interested in him to protect him from his stalker. (Ah, such technique!) Sofia is amused and interested. And so we have our triangle. I thought this was an interesting beginning. I expected Nuria to become increasingly obsessive, and for César to fall completely in love with Sofia, who after all is played by the strikingly beautiful and bewitching Penélope Cruz, who by the way, plays a mime at one point and is seen au naturel from the waist up at another. (In case you're interested.) And something like this does indeed happen. But then somewhere around the middle of the film the world of reality and that of César's dreams become indistinguishable. He becomes disfigured in an auto accident or does he? Nuria is dead or is she? Sofia seems to cool toward him, and then to love him. It is unclear what is going on. Normally at this point I exit. Notions of the supernatural or of virtual reality fusing with reality dreamed up by movie directors to be fed to the movie-going public are usually stupid, confused, juvenile, not to mention entirely unconvincing. However a couple of things kept me around. One, Penélope Cruz. Actually she was enough. But I also wanted to find out how director Alejandro Amenábar would sort this out. I now understand that I can do that by watching Vanilla Sky (2001), the Cameron Crowe remake of this film in which (I am told) the supernatural fusing of virtual reality and reality are made so obvious that even this old guy can figure it out. The fact that Penélope Cruz reprises her role opposite her current flame, Tom Cruise, strikes me as interesting. And Cameron Diaz as the sexually aggressive other seems inviting. Bottom line: Having to read subtitles causes one to miss some of Penélope Cruz's magic with the camera. On the other hand, one can crunch tortilla chips without fear of being unable to hear the dialogue.
Rating:
Summary: An ambitious unusual drama.
Review: A handsome young man by the name of César (Eduardo Noriegn) tries to recover from his terrible Car Crash, almost being Killed by His Jealous Girlfriend (Najwa Nirmi). His face is now grotesquely disfigured and now, he been placed in a psychiatric penitentiary for a murder, he doesn`t remember committing. César only hope is to find his own depths of his subconsicus mind. Where he could find the answer to end his living nightmare, what lies in his dreams. Directed by Alejandro Amenabar (The Others) made a clever mystery, sci-fi, suspense/thriller with a romance. The film is intriguingly complex, psychologicial thriller that blur the line between reality and fantasy. Noriegn gives a strong performance in this. Pénelope Cruz plays the romantic love of his life, which she replayed her role in the American Remake of Vanilla Sky. DVD`s has an fine anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) transfer and an strong Dolby Stereo 2.0 Surround Sound. Do not miss this strange film. Screenplay by the Director & Meted Gil. Grade:A-.
Rating:
Summary: Alejandro Amenabar's "Open Your Eyes (Abre Los Ojos)"
Review: Alejandro Amenabar's "Open Your Eyes (Abre Los Ojos)" is an exceptional piece of film making. At the beginning, I thought we were going to see some sort of European film about twenty something relationships. Instead, the whole film takes a turn and the viewer is left gasping for air or for some inkling as to what is really going on. The play of dreams and wakefulness make it even more baffling. We begin to doubt the sanity of the central character and then almost everything. Nothing in this film is there by accident. Watch it through the first time and then carefully the scond time to see how the drector plays his audience beautifully. Now that Hollywood has grabbed Alejandro Amenabar and we have already seen the Others with Nicole Kidman, I cannot wait to see what this inspired director produces next.
Rating:
Summary: Follow their lead
Review: This is a beautifully made, very provocative film, period. While the directing, cinematography, set, script, etc are all well-done, the best aspect of the work is that it is completely open to individual interpretation leaving the viewer to either simply watch it for its craft and take it at face-value or to delve into its deeper, darker aspects and consider its impact on his/her life (since great Art has the power to affect change)or at least make you think a little harder.
On a side note, Penelope Cruz does a very fine job here, as opposed to her role reprisal in Vanilla Sky; continuing on the side: Vanilla Sky is a piece of fluff (read: ...) compared to Abres los ojos.
|
