Rating: 
Summary: Tom Cruise tries to David Lynch His audience
Review: It was better than I thought it would be. Good acting all around, although I can't stand penelope cruz and her "i can't speak english" accent coupled by her "look how cute I am" bug eyed stare into the camera. Cameron Diaz once again shows that she's more then a booty shaker, but at times she goes over the deep end with the character. This film is a pretty good mystery, although the soundtrack should have been skipped in favor of an orchestral score but oh well. The only bad thing was how at the end everything is literally told to us step by step so that even the casual movie goer will not leave the theatre perplexed. Some ambiguity would have been nice, something to discuss with others after seeing the film. The end scene was a bit dragged and could have been shorter. One last complaint, our main character is supposed to be learning a lesson through out this film. But by the end he really doesn't learn anything. If you see the movie you'll understand what I mean. The choice he makes at the end isn't soo hard as he is explained how life must continue for him. If he was faced with a more bleak future yet face it courageously we might feel more for this uptight sometimes charming always prideful rich white guy. Can't feel sorry for him, even when his face is deformed he still is good looking. Oh well. It's worth seeing once, not bad at all. Good directing work and a pretty good story. I love surrealism, and at times it goes for the "WHAT THE HECK JUST HAPPENED?" Reaction that is mostly found in David Lynch Movies. Check out Mulholland Dr. and you'll see a 5 star attempt at this same genre.
Rating: 
Summary: It Opened my Eyes...
Review: I saw this movie three times in the theatre, and every time I saw it, it just got better and better! When I saw the movie for the first time, I was a little confused as to what was going on. But towards the end, everything fell into place. This movie really makes you think about relationships and fate. Your dreams become reality and your reality can only become a dream. Great movie and I can't wait until the DVD comes out!
Rating: 
Summary: Abre Los Ojos (Open Your Eyes)
Review: Before fans of this film savage me, can I just start off by saying that I so much wanted to love this movie. I am a Cameron Crowe fan, I like Cameron Diaz, loved Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire and looked forward to seeing Penelope Cruz in a decent role. The preview trailers were excellent, although misleading, and made me optimistically look forward to an excellent romantic thriller with a stellar leading cast; Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz and the very sultry Penelope Cruz and on that basis this movie looked like a sure fire winner. Ultimately though this movie has a character crisis, unable to decide whether it's one thing or another (thriller or morality tale, science fiction or romance) it falls into the gulf between.
I don't like to spoil the movies for those who haven't seen them before by revealing too many plot details but for what its worth the outline story, told in flashback, is as follows; Tom Cruise is David Aames a rich, handsome New Yorker, who has inherited a magazine empire from his father and has everything he wants: A great life, a great car, a beautiful occasional girlfriend (Cameron Diaz) and a great art collection, including a Monet, from whence the films Vanilla Sky title comes. However at his glamorous birthday party, he falls for his best friend's girl, Sofia (the beautiful Penelope Cruz, reprising her role from Open Your Eyes). Unfortunately though, this excites the jealousy of David's latest conquest, Julie (Cameron Diaz), a would-be singer and bunny boiler, leading to the 'not very stable' Julie driving off a bridge, with him in the passenger seat, permanently (?) disfiguring him. Doctors provide him with a prosthetic mask and then set about restoring his appearance and David learns the true meaning of love and the superficiality of good looks but something is rotten in the state of Denmark (okay maybe not Denmark but you get the point), as David's life starts to unravel with terrifying hallucinations, opening up a Chinese box of puzzles: He is arrested for murdering Julie/Sofia/Julie/Sofia (he's not quite sure which one) and his only ally is Kurt Russell as a very unlikely psychiatrist assigned to his case and given to making profound observations like: 'The subconscious is a powerful thing.' Wow, that's like...really...ahem...deep...don't you think? As previously mentioned, I am a fan of both actor and Director, particularly Crowe for Almost Famous and Jerry Maguire but I have also enjoyed the ex Mr Kidman in the likes of Rain Man too. The idea of the star and Director of Jerry Maguire re-uniting seemed irresistible but frankly it just doesn't work. One of the big deals of this movie is supposed to be that Tom Cruise gets his face mashed in a car accident leaving him hideously disfigured, sobbing in front of the mirror at the horror of his own appearance but the irony is that although disfigured it isn't very hideous. In fact for much of the movie every opportunity it seems is given to Mr Cruise to peel off his shirt and ripple his six pack (okay, I admit to being jealous on that point). I can't claim the cultural and intellectual high ground in having not seen the original but by all apparent counts though Vanilla Sky is a glossier but inferior version of the 1997 Spanish movie Abre los Ojos (Open Your Eyes) directed by Alejandro Amenábar, who subsequently went onto stylishly direct the Nicole Kidman movie, The Others. An oddity however is that although Amenábar and his co-writer, Mateo Gil, are credited, the credits also proudly proclaim that it is "written for the screen and directed by Cameron Crowe" as if the story had come from some obscure European source material (like a book or a cave painting). Another of the oddities of this movie is that you can't fault the cast, they all give decent performances, although Kurt Russell was undoubtedly miscast. Ultimately though, the movie falls down because it doesn't know what it is, plus you've seen it before and you've seen it done better. The plot twist doesn't work and is a disappointment and if you want to see a movie that twists and turns between nightmare, hallucination and reality go rent (or even better buy) Jacob's Ladder it would be money better spent. I'm also led to believe that as movie fables go John Frankenheimer's 1966 film, Seconds, in which a clandestine organisation provides youthful bodies for the ageing rich and arranges for them to fulfil their dreams with new lifestyles, is a much more rewarding watch. Vanilla Sky on the other hand is a major disappointment, not awful just disappointing...
Rating:
Summary: Vanilla Sky: An Unforgettable Experience
Review: Vanilla Sky is Cameron's Crowe most adventurous film to date. After his two previous outings Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous, Vanilla Sky charts new territory as it marks a very different quality and style from the usual embracing of the human spirit that his previous films have explored. Vanilla Sky at its most basic level is a modern love story that seeks to explain the choices and repercussions that an individual makes. Tom Cruise's character David Aames is a person that has it all, good looks, wealth, success and the women. However the appearance of Sophia (Penelope Cruz) at a party catches his eye and he immediately falls for her. After a self-revelation occurs in that meeting, he sets out to change his life but before he can even get into it, he is involved in a major car accident after spurned lover Julie Gianni (Cameron Diaz) drives them off a bridge. That is where the story begins, and David is taken through a totally incomprehensible mind-blowing experience where he finally finds out the truth about his life and himself after numerous twists and turns. This film questions many of the things that human beings stand for, our sense of reality, our perceptions of love, hate, relationships, friendships. It points out excesses and how all of this can turn into an total mind-warping nightmare or a blissful contented existence. We are asked to look reality in the eye and examine our own selves as we journey with the movie. It is best to approach Vanilla Sky with a very open mind, do not watch the movie with Cameron Crowe's other films in mind, it is very different from them and you will be totally frustrated if you do so. Many people panned the movie because they did not understand its complexities and character complexities. Vanilla Sky defintely warrants more than just one screening, it is filled with numerous clues and cleverly framed scenes. One should watch the movie very carefully and pick out the little tidbits and giveaways. The features on this DVD are very comprehensive. There is an excellent commentary from Crowe and his wife Nancy Wilson where they talk about the movie and its subtle nuances. He enlightens the viewer on some of the perplexing issues that confused audiences during its theatrical run. With DVD, one can leisurely pause and review the movie bit by bit. Perhaps Crowe sums it up best in his comments that Vanilla Sky is "a movie that extends an invitation...and whereever you want to meet it, it will meet you there." One has to peel away the layers and put our fixed perceptions and mindsets aside to fully embrace what it has to offer. Tom Cruise also pops up midway during the commentary to talk a little about the movie, so fans will not be disappointed. For those seeking a context that places the movie in perspective before viewing it, the feature "prelude to a dream" serves as a suitable introduction to the movie. Crowe introduces the movie and explains some of his ideas, telling you how to approach the movie and what he essentially set out to do. Other features on the DVD include "hitting it hard", a look at how the movie was promoted in various countries by the cast, 2 theatrical trailers and a short interview with Paul McCartney on his composition of the title track 'Vanilla Sky'. In all, Vanilla Sky "celebrates the things that made us" and it is an excellent choice and easy recommendation on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: If you love Open Your Eyes and Amenábar, you will hate this
Review: I went to the movies to see this movie after I saw Open Your Eyes, I was specting to see something just as good, but I was very disapointed, the whole story gets distorted, losing a LOT of the Amenábar touch portrayed in Open Your Eyes, Tesis and The Others.
David Ames is not the playboy Cesar is in the original, David is a nice guy, Cesar is just a guy, too much depth is given to the Julie character, where the character in Open your Eyes is just a girl Cesar's current affair, which happens to be a junkie, unlike Julie who is a singer, has a carrer and no motives to be unstable (4 times in one night sounds SO stupid a reason to kill oneself).
Sofia is really an actress who dresses as a mime in parks, not a dancer, which removes the dream and the rainy scenes from Open your eyes, key scenes.
David's friend makes a video of david and sofia together whereas Pelayo, Cesar's friend takes a PICTURE which he later shows to Cesar when he thinks sofia is not sofia, what did the other guy had to show? I noticed so many things removed or distorted is not even funny. So if you liked Open your eyes, rent this and take it as a joke, if you liked this, buy Open Your eyes, you wont regret it.
Rating:
Summary: NOT SUCH A BIG DEAL
Review: I am someone who appreciates movies. I enjoy all types of movies and give all movies a chance. In all honesty, I really tried with this movie. I thought the story was interesting and addicting, but the direction of the movie was very bad. It dragged way too much; an exageration in several scenes. Had this movie been directly differently, maybe it would have drew me closer, unfortunately, it failed to do just that. I don't recommend this movie to anyone at all. It is a complete waste of time.
Rating:
Summary: Don't know about you, but I loved it
Review: When I went to see Vanilla Sky in theatres, I was amazed by two things. One was how much I loved the movie, and the other was the single most negative audience response I have ever witnessed. I was literally the only person in the theater who wasn't annoyed at the end of the movie.
Oh well. Anyway, Vanilla Sky (like Magnolia, also starring Cruise) is one of those films where your appreciation will be directly proportional to how much you like the sheer joy of watching films. There is no grand point, and not really any moral. Just a twisting, turning narrative that you absolutely will not see coming. I mean it. Unless someone blew the ending for you already, there's no way anyone could predict that this movie would start out as a standard erotic thriller, then take a sharp 90 degree turn to something completely different, then implode in upon itself and become... well, see for yourself.
It's fantastically directed, and the acting talent is spotless, but the real joy of Vanilla Sky is watching the story twist and turn and shift genres seemingly at random, pulling the rug out from under you every thirty seconds. Complaints? I only have two. First, the ending might explain a little too much, but then again, it makes sense to reveal all of that information considering who is revealing it, and who is asking. Secondly, the choice Cruise makes at the very end of the movie... in actuality, I would have found it much more believable and interesting had he made the opposite choice. Then again, it doesn't really matter. The ending is basically a signpost saying "That's it, we're done with your head. You can go home now."
Overall, This is a film you will either love or hate. The only way to know is to see it. And I say you should. I mean, what do you have to lose? You might end up like me and be pleasantly surprised.
Rating:
Summary: A journey of the soul
Review: CLOSED MINDED PEOPLE BEWARE!!!! If you are an adventurous spirit and enjoy a thought provoking movie, then Vanilla Sky is for you. In one of the most beautiful and surreal films I've seen in years, Crowe takes the audience on a mind bending trip through the subconcious. Reality and fantasy become indistinguishable and when the ride is over the human experience is unvieled. Tom Cruise gives an oscar worthy performance. Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Jason Lee, and Kurt Russell all give stellar performances. I saw this movie 4 times at the theater and found something new every time.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good but confusing in places.
Review: I have still not fully gotten entire sense of what is happening in this film. That just tells ya how good Cameron Crowe is with confusing his audiences. The movie was edited in such an odd way. I wish to see this movie several times more and will hopefully enjoy it more when I understand every second of it. Also, Tom Cruise plays well in this story, other than Magnolia, this is probably his best role. I am also not a fan of bad/poorly done special effects, this film however had some really good FX, for example the Times Square sequence. I would really like to know how that was done and you will too.
Rating:
Summary: Most underrated movie of the year
Review: ... This is not a movie that everyone will like, but I can honestly say that it is my favorite movie ever. It is a movie that you will discuss for weeks if you get it. If you normally enjoy thought provoking movies, and you are open-minded, this is a must. Cameron Crowe and Tom Cruise show what a great team they are, and both penelope cruz and cameron diaz offer brilliant performances. ..., you will definately watch this movie, turn it off, and look for the nearest person to discuss this with.
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