Rating: 
Summary: A goofy mix of psycho drama and science fiction
Review: Well, there are some good things that can be said about this movie. Cameron Diaz and Penelope Cruz are lovely. Diaz has a meaty part as an undervalued lover. Cruz plays the perfect woman that every man wants -- and thus she's not very interesting, although I can't complain about her love scenes with Tom Cruise. Tom Cruise is perfect as the man women can't resist. He should be. He's played this part about 50 times. If this movie stuck to being a psychological thriller it might be pretty good. The problem is that the director wants to combine the thriller plot with science fiction. After an interesting first hour, the movie turns stupid and the last wordy half-hour is about as bad as it gets in movie-land. Clearly, the moviemakers thought that big stars, good technique, and rocking music could make up for deficiencies of vision, plot, and coherence.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a movie, but an adventure.
Review: People with short attention spans or who can't enjoy deeper levels of humanity won't enjoy this movie. Vanilla Sky really brings to life an experience rather than just a story. There is not a better woven romantic story in the history of film. Throughout this movie there are clever lines between the characters and very vivid elements that are bestowed thanks to Crowe style direction. Cameron Diaz is brilliant with her character Julie...and Penelope Cruz is charming enough and carries off the clever perfection she is meant to be. Tom Cruise, besides looking lovely as ever in most of his scenes, has great chemistry with both Diaz and Cruz...and his struggles throughout the movie to figure out what the hell is going on are imminently endearing. Your mind is incessantly trying to solve the mystery of the story...and they definitely give you enough information to work with...and it literally feels like a speedy coaster as you're moving toward the ultimate result of the film. For those who love romance, this is it at its best. For those who love mysteries and thrillers...this is brilliantly done. Side Note: If you haven't seen Ocean's Eleven...DON'T. It was the most pathetic display of overpaid acting I've ever seen. No plot, not clever. Enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Just not nearly as good as the original !!!!!!
Review: is Vanilla Sky a good movie? well maybe if you have not seen the original Open Your Eyes it would be BUT the original is so superior to this remake i can only reccomend you bypass vanilla sky and buy Open Your Eyes on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: I.Q.
Review: Basically, this movie siphons out the averagely intelligent, simple-minded, mediocre commoners from the above-average to highly intelligent folk capable of complex thought processes. Which are you? But seriously, folks---I thought it was good. It was a movie that questions what we individually and socially deem to be important in life, and how that affects us, the future, and the consequences of our past actions.
Rating:
Summary: Advice to Potential Viewers
Review: In one of the reviews here, I read a remark stating that someone had heard a fellow theater-goer suggest that this film is good *if* you understand it but otherwise not so good. While the reviewer who made that remark contended that such is not the case, I wholeheartedly agree that it is very much the case; if you do not get it, you will not like it, but if you do get it, you will probably like it very much. This movie is incredibly good in the same sense that "Eyes Wide Shut" and "Magnolia" are incredibly good. You have to be ready, able, and willing to think your way through it and enjoy that process. Unfortunately, as is obvious in many of the reviews, many people are incapable of grasping and enjoying films of such depth. Those people will not like it and should not even attempt to watch it without the realization that it might be completely beyond their personal tastes or conceptual ability. This realization must be had in order to avoid the defensive, embarassingly telling reviews that I've read here and elsewhere. Given a thorough explanation, I'm guessing that many of the negative reviews would turn positive, but there are still those, I'm sure, who are beyond help in "getting" this movie. Furthermore, some who get it may honestly just not like it because they want more straightforward entertainment and do not with to be challenged by a movie in any way, shape, or form. Beyond all of this, the acting was incredibly good. The plot is extremely complicated but very well connected. Those inclined toward this type of film should "get it" without the least bit of difficulty. (There were three people in my group when I saw it. We all got it and were left with that stupid smile of pure delight when the credits began to roll. Of course, we are all partial to movies of this sort and love digging the worth out of a surreal, complicated piece of art.) I would love to go into detail about the movie, but I think it is truly -- for those who can appreciate it -- a film best revealed as was intended in its making. It is true that the film is not likely to come together in one's mind until the final revelation, but there are ample hints throughout the first part of the movie that tie brilliantly into its conclusion. Speaking of conclusions: Don't watch "Vanilla Sky" unless you like movies that are of the same nature as "Eyes Wide Shut" and "Magnolia". Don't miss anything; the plot is very complex. Finally, if you don't "get it," think about it, watch it again, discuss it with someone, or just forget about it. Just because one does not "get" something does not mean that there is nothing to "get." There is no use in complaining that a movie is too complex, too deep, or too intense, because it is very likely that that is exactly the goal of the movie! In the end, you either like that type of challenging movie or you do not. For those who like it, see "Vanilla Sky"!
Rating:
Summary: Not for everyone...
Review: I have to admit that this film is not for everyone, but I found this film to be good overall. I am no film critic, so I will not comment on the acting and such, but I found myself engrossed in this movie from beginning to end. The plot is convoluted with many twists and turns as he (and we along with him) try to figure out what really happened. Did he commit murder? Is he deranged? The film, however, does have a positive outlook on life, perhaps an important lesson after our own tragedies of Columbine, Oklahoma City and of 9/11. I have to admit that there is an interesting scene at the end in which takes place on the roof of a large tower in NYC. Just behind "Tech Support" you can partly see the Twin Towers. It is out of focus and is far away, but the outline of the Towers is unmistakable.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Movie!!
Review: I can understand some people's reaction to this movie, you either love it or you hate it. I can also say that the trailers for this movie were a bit misleading, when I first saw them I thought it was going to be a completely different movie then what it was. When I first heard about it I thought it was going to be awesome so I did some reading about it and found out that it was based on a Spanish film "Abres Los Ojos", so living in a small suburb you cant always find good foreign movies, so I took a chance and bought it at a local Best Buy, I am so glad that I did because It is now one of my favorite movies. So after seeing that one, I wanted to see this version a lot, I am a huge Cameron Crowe fan. Even though I knew what was going to happen I still enjoyed this movie immensly, everyone involved did a fantastic job, especially Jason Lee, Cameron Diaz and Kurt Russell. I am not a huge fan of Tom Cruise, but in this movie I actually found him tolerable. And there is definetly some exotic quality to Penelope Cruz. My only complaint to this movie is that at the end they explained far too much of what happened prior in the movie. The best thing about the original is that they left enough for you the viewer to think about. They probably believed that most audiences want to have things explained to them, which a lot do, and that is truly sad. In short See this movie, or if you hate Tom Cruise or any of the other actors/actresses see the original.
Rating:
Summary: American Beauty meets Total Recall?
Review: You should see this movie for one or both of the following two reasons ONLY: (1) This movie has an amazing soundtrack. The music is used appropriately at all times in the movie and really works great. (But do you need to pay $9 to SEE a movie for the music?) (2) You see a breast in this movie. Twice. Sorry, but those are really the only two legitimate reasons to see this film. This film is so confusing that it is not worth the effort to understand it. Just listen to the music (see above) and look at the three pretty stars. If you are lost, can't understand Penelope, or think the end is rediculous, don't worry; you are in good company. Wait till video.
Rating:
Summary: Oscar Worthy Performance by Cruise
Review: How strange the human mind is; this center of activity wherein perceptions of reality are formed and stored, and in which one's view of the world hinges on the finely tuned functioning of the brain, this most delicate and intricate processor of all things sensory. And how much do we really know of it's inner-workings, of it's depth or capacity? What is it in the mind that allows us to discern between reality and a dream? Or can we? Perhaps our sense of reality is no more than an impression of what we actually see, like looking at a painting by Monet, in which the vanilla sky of his vision becomes our reality. It's a concept visited by filmmaker Cameron Crowe in his highly imaginative and consciousness-altering film, "Vanilla Sky," starring Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz. At the age of thirty-three, David Aames (Cruise) inherits a publishing empire left to him by his father. His fifty-one percent controlling interest, however, has made him something of a marked man, as there are seven members of his board of directors, and each deems himself more worthy than the young Mr. Aames of the lion's share of the company. And fueling the fires of discontent is their perception that David lacks the focus the job requires. Admittedly, David likes to play; still, he's in control of the business and does what he sees fit, whether the board (he refers to them as the "Seven Dwarfs") likes it or not, and no one has ever had the courage to challenge him directly. But during a lavish birthday party in his honor, one of the corporate lawyers, Thomas Tipp (Timothy Spall) warns David that the seven are up to something behind his back. At the time, however, it's the last thing on David's mind; he's been having a casual affair with a friend, Julie Gianni (Cameron Diaz), but even that moves to the back burner when he meets a woman at his party that he can't get out of his mind. Her name is Sofia (Penelope Cruz), and after knowing her for only one night, she becomes a pivotal part of his life-- which is about to be turned upside down, as on the morning after his party he makes a decision that will change his life forever. And he is about to learn that sometimes, there is simply no going back. Director Cameron Crowe has crafted and delivered much more than just another film with this one; far more than a movie, "Vanilla Sky" is a vision realized. Beginning with the first images that appear on screen, he presents a visually stunning experience that is both viscerally and cerebrally affecting. It's a mind-twisting mystery that will swallow you up and sweep you away; emotionally, it's a rush-- and it may leave you exhausted, because it requires some effort to stay with it. But it's worth it. Think "Memento" with a driving rock n' roll soundtrack and a vibrant assault of colors proffered by the stroke of an impressionist's brush. There's darkness and light, and sounds that pound and drive until you can feel the blood rushing through your veins and throbbing in your brain. And all played out on a landscape of virtual reality swirling beneath that ever expanding vanilla sky. Simply put, this one's a real trip; it's exciting-- and it's a mind bender. As to the performances here, those who can't get past the mind-set of Tom Cruise as Maverick in "Top Gun," or his Ethan Hunt in "Mission Impossible," or those who perceive him only as a "movie star" rather than an actor, are going to have to think again in light of his work here. Because as David Aames, Cruise gives the best performance of his career, one that should check any doubts as to his ability as an actor at the door. He's made some interesting career choices the past few years, with films like "Magnolia" and "Eyes Wide Shut" merely warm-ups for the very real and complex character he creates here. And give him credit, too, for taking on a role that dispels any sense of vanity; this is Cruise as you've never seen him before. "Jerry Maguire" earned him an Oscar nomination, and this one should, also-- as well as the admiration and acclaim of his peers. Cruise is not just good in this movie, he is remarkable. Penelope Cruz turns in an outstanding, if not exceptional performance, as well, as Sofia, the woman of David's dreams. There's an alluring innocence she brings to this role that works well for her character and makes her forthcoming and accessible, yet she lacks any hint of mystery that may have added that special "something extra" to the part. But Crowe knows how to get the best out of his actors, and he certainly did with Cruz. He also knew what he was doing with Cameron Diaz, who is absolutely vibrant in the role of Julie. She's never looked better, and fairly sizzles on screen. But make no mistake, this is no "window-dressing" part, and Diaz delivers a complete package with this character. The quality of her performance can be measured, in fact, in the impact she makes with rather limited screen time. And it's the persona she integrates so fully with her innate beauty that makes Julie so unforgettable. Overall, a terrific job by Diaz. The supporting cast includes Kurt Russell (Dr. McCabe), Jason Lee (Brian), Johnny Galecki (Peter), Armand Schultz (Dr. Pomerantz), Noah Taylor (Ed), Mel Thompson ("L.E." Man), Jean Carol (Woman in New York) and John Fedevich (Silent Ed). About half-way through, this one may have you questioning your own sense of reality; but rest assured, by the end of "Vanilla Sky" all will be revealed. It's a reality-bender, to be sure, and a wild one; but this is exciting entertainment that offers a satisfying-- and unique-- experience, one you have to see to believe. It's the essential, and absolute, magic of the movies.
Rating:
Summary: (...)
Review: I seriously cannot understand why this movie is being slammed (...). Forget everything you've seen or heard and rest assured that "Vanilla Sky" is nothing short of mind-blowing. This remake of 1997's "Abre Los Ojos" (Open Your Eyes) is brilliant simply because director Cameron Crowe does not mess with the plot. Most of the lines and situations in "Vanilla Sky" are taken almost word for word out of the original. Even Penelope Cruz reprised her role as "Sofia". Cameron Crowe does throw in a few of his signature touches into the mix including his love for music. "Vanilla Sky" also doesn't fall short in sheer star power either. Mega-Watt star Tom Cruise gives one incredible performance as David, a man who has everything and suddenly loses it all piece by piece, including his face... literally. Kudos to the makeup department on this one, they actually succeed in making the ultimate pretty boy into a horribly disfigured presence. Cameron Diaz is captivating as Julie, the woman who sends David's life into a spiraling nightmare. She managed to truly scare me. All in all, "Vanilla Sky" improves on its predecessor. If you are a fan of surprise endings this is one that you can't miss.
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