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Reviews
Red Dragon (2002)
A solid movie with lucid performances
Introducing us to Dr Hannibal Lecter as he was prior to "The Silence of the Lambs" and "Hannibal", the introductory sequence to "Red Dragon" sets the scene for a fast-paced, well structured thriller that will capture your attention right up until the film's climax. Danny Elfman's powerful, thunderous score claps and booms as newspaper clippings detailing the shamed Dr Lecter's trial and incarceration are flapped across the screen.
Anthony Hopkins' performance as Dr Lecter is as rich as ever. Mary Louise Parker's performance is noteworthy. Edward Norton's acting is subtle, a striking contrast to the vicious, animalistic approach Hopkins uses. But the real talent in Red Dragon is displayed by Ralph Fiennes' portrayal of serial killer Francis Dolarhyde. Emotionally disturbed, physically deformed and beautifully tattooed, it would have been nice if his childhood was explored in greater depth, as the book did.
If it weren't being compared to Silence of the Lambs, or the cheap and tacky Manhunter, Red Dragon would receive more praise from critics. Standing alone, it's a solid movie with lucid performances from the entire cast.
8.5 out of 10
Mulholland Dr. (2001)
Confusing, but satisfying... (vague spoilers)
Mulholland Drive's tagline does the best job of accurately summarizing the film: "A love story in the city of dreams." It's a depressing movie that explores themes of paranoia, jealousy, revenge, guilt and self-doubt, ultimately proposing that the real world is not a place where happiness can be accessed by everyone.
After the first viewing of Mulholland Drive, I didn't see a connection between the film's plot points and was ready to dismiss it as a self-indulgent, incoherent piece of trash. Upon watching it a second time, the sense of satisfaction as everything clicks together is enormous. There are many subtle clues in the first section of the film that bring sense to the seemingly incomprehensible last section, but they're so easily overlooked. Mulholland Drive contains a great deal of symbolism, and there are still some elements of the film that I've yet to understand, such as the grotesque being living behind Winkies. It's possible that the creature can be interpreted a number of ways, one which is simply that it embodies all that is evil, or perhaps it is a symbol of justice; churning out retribution to all who deserve it. One of the most important purposes of Mulholland Drive is to expose the struggles of keeping up with the fast-paced, kill-or-be-killed movie making industry. The film is a critical analysis of Hollywood.
Naomi Watts gives a dynamic performance as Betty/Dianne, and Laura Harring plays two different representations of her character well; submissive as Rita, wildly cruel as Camilla.
Summing up, Mulholland Drive is an unusual movie which requires a lot of thought from the viewer to appreciate it. You'll probably need to view it more than once to get a grip on the film's narrative, but it's an unforgettable experience regardless of whether you understand it or not.
9/10
8MM (1999)
Festering
"8mm" sucks you in from the moment you watch the snuff film with Nicholas Cage, not letting you go until the very end, where it spits you out encased in a cocoon of bloody phlegm.
The director successfully creates a gritty atmosphere that remains constant right up until the end, but the plot isn't so lucky. As others have pointed out, things get ridiculous towards the films finale, which if crafted with more tact could have made "8mm" a great film rather than simply an entertaining one.
Cage gives a good, rather sombre performance as the private investigator hired to determine the authenticity of a snuff film found in the late husband of a senator's safe. From there on he's plopped into the festering world of deviant pornography, forced to explore the seedy bowels of stomach-churningly filthy underground sexual practices. Amy Morton's performance as Mary Ann's mother is perfect, conveying the emotions of a distraught, depressed mother beautifully. Joaquin Pheonix steals the show as the charismatic owner of a sex-shop.
Full of suspense, this film should at least entertain you as you watch with disgust and repulsion some of the dirtiest human habits imaginable.
7 out of 10.
The Astronaut's Wife (1999)
Potential, but a Tragic End - Contains Spoiler
"The Astronaut's Wife" started with a lot of potential, telling the story of a woman who suspects her unborn baby is not what it seems. Halfway through the movie, very little has been said in so much time.
What disappointed me the most was the ending (STOP reading here if you have yet to see it), rather than be daringly original and have Jillian on the brink of insanity, they deliver a conclusion containing exactly what we suspected. Alien twins. Wow. It would have been a classic if it was all in her head. After watching the film, I kept asking myself why the film makers even bothered.
It could have been a good movie if it wasn't so predictable.