Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Genre

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Director

Stanley Kubrick

Country

UK | USA

Cast

Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Sydney Pollack, Marie Richardson, Todd Field, Sky du Mont, Rade Šerbedžija, Vinessa Shaw, Fay Masterson, Leelee Sobieski, Alan Cumming, Leon Vitali, Julienne Davis, Thomas Gibson

Storyline

New York City doctor William Harford (Tom Cruise), who is married to art curator Alice (Nicole Kidman), pushes himself on a harrowing and dangerous night-long odyssey of sexual and moral discovery after his wife admits that she once almost cheated on him.

Opinion

Last night I finally saw Eyes Wide Shut, film that will always be remembered for being the last work of Stanley Kubrick, one of the greatest filmmakers in film history. Just like every film he has made, this one has caused some controversy, and, I am sorry to say it, it did really disappoint me.

Overlong, tedious, and uneventful most of the way, Eyes Wide Shut is a major disappointment, and the writing is to be blamed.

Based on Arthur Schnitzler's 'Traumnovelle', the concept behind the story - a husband and wife rediscovering their passion through sexual experimentation outside the marriage - is interesting. But the slow moving story as a whole isn't particularly involving, and fails to make the viewer feel sympathy for the protagonists and care for their marriage.

The way too verbose screenplay does not tell through images, but through mostly banal dialogue most of the events.

Also, the film adds little to the stories of love, sex and betrayal used out of proportion in the film industry, and the veil of mystery and ambiguity that covers the film is not enough to save it.

Despite everything, the touch of Kubrick is there and you can feel it in the disturbing and creepy orgy scene, that shows perversion, and the negative side to lush without falling into pornography.

Fine acting from Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Sydney Pollack and Marie Richardson, but the upsetting thing is that there is no chemistry between Cruise and Kidman, and they were even married at the time.

Quotes

Dr. Bill Harford: No dream is ever just a dream.

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Genre

Comedy | Romance

Director

Gil Junger

Country

USA

Cast

Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Larry Miller, Andrew Keegan, David Krumholtz, Susan May Pratt, Gabrielle union, Daryl Mitchell, Allison Janney, David Leisure, Greg Jackson, Kyle Cease

Storyline

Popular, pretty Bianca Stratford (Larisa Oleynik) is in dilemma. A family rule forbids her from dating until her unpopular, rebellious, boy-hating older sister Kat (Julia Stiles) gets a suitor of her own. In an attempt to win Bianca, a potential boyfriend (Andrew Keegan) desperately attempts to set Kat up with Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger), another rebel who may just be able to win Kat's heart.

Opinion

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Adapted from William Shakespeare's play The Taming of the Shrew, 10 Things I Hate About You isn't really much more than just another teen romcom.

The film certainly does not teem with originality. The plot is always the same. The geek falls in love with the popular girl and eventually gets her. The good looking asshole with the beautiful car gets humiliated at the end. The stereotyped students and teachers are everywhere. 

Then, there is the badass and the rebellious girl. The evolving of their story is completely predictable. He asks her out for money, but eventually falls for her and he's returned, and when everything's going great she finds out about the money deal. I knew it would have ended like so since the thing started.

The writing isn't that good, I'm addressing this to the characters in particular. Kat's character is too cynical and harsh, especially to fall in love. The teacher rapping sonnets was definitely not cool, neither it is the way he treats his students. Cameron, Gordon-Levitt's character, only purpose seems to be putting together the plot. He isn't much of a character. Just an element in the movie.

However, the acting gives the film an extra point. Julia Stiles nails the feminist, anti-social role, and she is so authentic I feel like almost every girl can identify with her. Heath Ledger gives a charming performance, and he really is standing out. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is just adorable, and funny. Larisa Oleynik, Larry Miller and Andrew Keegan all do a good job.

I'm really sad I didn't fall for this film because I just love the cast. Oh, I almost forgot, I really liked the quote, "What is popular is not always right; what is right is not always popular." on the class's wall, but I'm not really sure it has something to do with the film.

Quotes

Kat Stratford: I guess in this society, being male and an asshole makes you worthy of our time.

The Sixth Sense (1999)

Genre

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Director

M. Night Shyamalan

Country

USA

Cast

Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams, Donnie Wahlberg, Glenn Fitzgerald, Mischa Barton, Trevor Morgan, Bruce Norris, Angelica Page, Greg Wood, M. Night Shyamalan, Peter Tambakis, Jeffrey Zubernis

Storyline

Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis), a successful child psychiatrist, takes on the task to help a terrified boy (Haley Joel Osment) who seems to be plagued by visions of ghosts. 

Opinion

Since this film has been spoiled everywhere - other films, TV shows, songs -, it has been hard to not think about the final twist for the whole film. However, it successfully managed to entertain me. A lot actually.

The Sixth Sense is fuelled by suspense, but also is has some humor, and some moving scenes - the final scene of the dialogue between the child and his mother brought me to tears, and I don't believe in that kind of thing.

M. Night Shyamalan managed to created a great mix of thriller and horror, but surprisingly the dialogue takes over on the blood, basically inexistent. The music by James Newton Howard and the ambience created by the director make the film very suggestive.

The writing is wonderful, and the final proves Shyamalan is a genius. Going back to the final twist - don't worry, I won't reveal it - it is cleverly camouflaged into the story; still paying attention to every single little detail, it is a puzzle that can be solved.

The acting. Bruce Willis gives one of the best performances of his career as the child psychologist. However, Haley Joel Osment is the real deal here. He delivers such a powerful performance as Cole Sear, the child who sees dead people. Toni Collette is wonderful as the suffering mother worried about her child.

Quotes

Cole Sear: I see dead people.

Malcolm Crowe: In your dreams?

[Cole shakes his head no]

Malcolm Crowe: While you're awake?

[Cole nods]

Malcolm Crowe: Dead people like, in graves? In coffins?

Cole Sear: Walking around like regular people. They don't see each other. They only see what they want to see. They don't know they're dead.

Malcolm Crowe: How often do you see them?

Cole Sear: All the time. They're everywhere.