Insomnia (Full Screen Edition) (2002) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Insomnia, director Chris Nolan's second full length feature, doesn't have the same gut-wrenching and mind-bending plot twists that his feature length debut, Memento, had, but does an excellent job telling an original and gripping detective mystery.
The pleasure of Insomnia is to be found in its rich cinematography, beautiful landscapes, and excellent performances. The movie is one of the most visually compelling pieces of filmmaking I have seen in years, creating surreal juxtapositions with the vast, harsh Alaskan landscape and with close-up shots of crime scene evidence. The amazing visual landscapes (both large and small) are used effectively by director Nolan to emphasize the films themes of isolation and overpowerment, of losing oneself within ones environment and in ones choices.
Insomnia's plot will disappoint those looking for a new Memento, in that it does not have the sort of turns of action and motivation that Memento does. Insomnia works well without elaborate plot twists, however, it's mood benefits from a certain lack of ambiguity of action, although the ending is perhaps a little to predictable and cliched. Insomnia would have benefited, however, from more ambiguity of motivation - while the acting is top notch, especially on the part of Robin Williams, the connections between the characters actions and their motivations and decisions is too closely drawn by the script.
Overall Insomnia is an excellent movie, and a good entry into the detective/suspense movie cannon. It suffers slightly from a couple of bad edits (in a movie filled with amazing editing and shooting) and from its desire to clearly spell out the principle characters motivations, but these minor flaws are more than redeemed by the director's excellent camerawork and sense of pacing, a strong script, and very solid acting performances. Insomnia is a must see movie, and a welcome change from the "blockbuster" summer movie scene of 2002.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Insomnia (Full Screen Edition) (2002)

Crime never sleeps. Neither does Will Dormer (AL PACINO), a veteran LAPD homicide detective sent north to Alaska to head a murder case. There his investigation is disrupted by an ever-shining Midnight Sun that wreaks sleep-depriving havoc on his body clock and brings Dormer's shady, guilt-plagued past into the light of day.DVD Features:Audio CommentaryBiographiesDVD ROM FeaturesDocumentariesExtended takesFeaturetteFilmographiesFull Screen VersionInterviewsPhoto galleryTheatrical Trailer

Click here for more information about Insomnia (Full Screen Edition) (2002)

Read More...

The Banger Sisters (2002) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Many critics have already not been kind to "The Banger Sisters". Perhaps they didn't like "First Wives' Club" either, but that film has become a Goldie Hawn classic. And "Banger Sisters" has all the same elements that will make this a screen and DVD favorite, as well.
The key to Hawn's success has always been successful partnering with other actors and actresses that act as a catlyst for her charm. In this film, she's fortunate to work with Susan Sarandon, perhaps even better with Goldie than the combination of Diane Keaton-Bette Midler. Sarandon's character is a little bit of both. The comedy is gentle and the message has both women, in their late forties, go in search of what has been missing from their adult lives. They have a crazy camaraderie that was born of shared experiences as rock groupies in the late 60's and early 70's, when sex and drugs were plentiful. Hawn's character, Suzette, has continued to live the experience, and the film opens with a scene of her being fired from her job as a bartender.
Sarandon's character (Vinnie, now Lavinia), took a different road when she split from Suzette, and she's now the successful wife of a wealthy man with political aspirations in Phoenix. Lavinia's devoted herself to the care and raising of her two daughters, and is dismayed, at first, when Suzette shows up. She's never confided her wild teenage experiences to husband or daughters, and they're frankly shocked at her choice of friends, and the influence Suzette seems to have over her. The contrast is best expressed when Vinnie realizes her whole life, like her perfectly kept and coordinated wardrobe, has been "beige".
A plot contrivance involves character actor Geoffrey Rush as a hapless writer who arrives with Suzette in Phoenix, and evolves from an obsessive schmuck to a man whose been woken up to life again by the unpredictability of life with Suzette . Rush is peerless in his role, and his character helps to add to the humanity that makes Suzette's life worthwhile.
"Banger Sisters" is not laugh out loud funny, but there are priceless funny moments, as Suzette and Vinnie are caught with a toke in Lavinia's basement, while browsing through the Polaroids they took of memorable "parts" of their affairs with rock icons. Sarandon is laughable in her uptight moments, using floral arrangements to make amends with Suzette, and cleaning up the kitchen when under stress. There are also some miscues that aren't believable, like the "throwing chicken" scene, and scenes in which young actress Eva Amurri (Sarandon's daughter in real life) goes over the top as a spoiled brat.
The soundtrack of the Banger Sisters does its own star turn in the movie, featuring old hits (Steppenwolf's " Rock Me", "Burning Down the House" by Talking Heads) new covers by unusual artists (Tommy Lee doing Bowie's "Fame", Trevor Rabin's cover of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood") and great new songs by Richie Sambora and Dishwalla. The soundtrack is most evident in the movie's poignant scenes....Vinnie and Suzette dancing in a club, being "poster children" for a "got milk?" ad, and consoling each other outside the hospital where Vinnie's daughter is being treated.
Hawn and Sarandon are memorable and priceless in a little gem of a film. They light up the screen, make you believe in forever friendships, and hopefully set the stage to return to film as a duo.
I disagree with reviews that label this a mediocre movie, and urge you to see it, and enjoy!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Banger Sisters (2002)

BANGER SISTERS - DVD Movie

Get 40% OFF

Click here for more information about The Banger Sisters (2002)

Read More...