Annabelle

Movie Name: Annabelle
Year of Release: 2014

Director: John R. Leonetti

Stars: Annabelle Wallis, Ward Horton, Tony Amendola, Alfre Woodard, Kerry O'Malley, Brian Howe, Eric Ladin, Ivar Brogger, Geoff Wehner, Gabriel Bateman
Genre: Horror

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 3

Synopsis:

Following the critical and commercial success of "The Conjuring", there was a quick need from the producing studio to capitalize on the impact that feature has had on the general audience. "Annabelle" is a prequel to "The Conjuring" and focuses the attention on a doll, that is possessed by a malevolent entity. This doll comes into possession of a young couple, who are in the midst of becoming first time parents, and for whom this supernatural occurrence throws their lives into disarray. They struggle to find help to overcome this entity that threatens to destroy their household and claim their young daughter's life.
John R. Leonetti has made his career primarily as a cinematographer, including James Wan's "The Conjuring" and "Insidious", as well as Chuck Russell's "The Mask". His directing career has been primarily in low budget films such as "The Butterfly Effect 2" and "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation". His ambitions are clearly to work within a B movie constraint, and in the case of "Annabelle" focus on telling a horror based story, one where the family unit is shaken and threatened by an overwhelming force. The film has some traces from Roman Polanski's "Rosemary's Baby", but none of the sense of paranoia that the classic film successfully depicted. There is primarily a focus on building some tension around the progressive attacks that the family experiences, but unlike "The Conjuring" where the director successfully built a backdrop story for the family, this one simply never gels. The actors are poorly cast also - both lead actors are wooden and bring no sense of depth or emotional range to a story that ends up being quite predictable and ultimately not very engaging. There are some echoes of the work that James Wan has built with "Insidious", but sadly not explored enough to keep this film interesting. A sadly missed opportunity.

Fearless

Movie Name: Fearless
Year of Release: 1993

Director: Peter Weir

Stars: Jeff Bridges, Isabella Rossellini, Rosie Perez, Tom Hulce, John Turturro, Benecio Del Toro, Deirdre O'Connell, Debra Monk, Cynthia Mace
Genre: Drama, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8

Synopsis:

Peter Weir's "Fearless" came out in 1993, after the success of his previous features, both "Dead Poets Society" and "Green Card". The film follows the story of Max Klein, a businessman who survives a terrifying plane crash, alongside a few other people. In the aftermath of the crash, Max responds to it by becoming convinced that he is godlike and invulnerable, and his behavior is increasingly distant from his old life and in particular from his wife. In contrast with Max's attitude, there's Carla Rodrigo's, who's consumed with guilt over the loss of her baby. These two people meet and through this relationship they both come to terms with that traumatic event.
Peter Weir is a unique director, one who always focuses his stories on heroes that even though are every day people, find themselves at odds with realities that simply won't abide to their unique way of seeing the world. "Fearless" is a fantastic film that focuses the attention on Max Klein, who finds himself in a unique situation, and whose life is completely changed in the aftermath of that traumatic event. The fabric of relationships that are woven in the film, showcase the director's ability to probe the depth of the dynamics between different characters, something that Peter Weir has always excelled at. The film benefits from the fantastic performances from Jeff Bridges and Rosie Perez, both of whom truly embody the inner turmoil of these characters (and Rosie Perez earned an Oscar nomination in the process). The beautiful cinematography from Allen Daviau also elevates the aesthetic of the film, and the score from Maurice Jarre is haunting. A beautiful film worth watching.

Dracula Untold

Movie Name: Dracula Untold
Year of Release: 2014

Director: Gary Shore

Stars: Luke Evans, Sarah Gadon, Dominic Cooper, Art Parkinson, Charles Dance, Diarmaid Murtagh, Paul Kaye, William Houston, Noah Huntley
Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 4

Synopsis:

"Dracula Untold" is the first feature from director Gary Shore, and aims to shed new light on the story of Dracula (and uses the premise of the book written by Bram Stoker as a base canvas). The film follows the story of Prince Vlad, who is forced to make a deal with a supernatural creature in order to save his family and kingdom from the eminent attack from the Turks. This entity makes Vlad into a supernatural force which unbalances the attack of the Turks, who aim to personally attack Vlad at every instance. It's up to him to defend his family and kingdom with these new powers, that come with some drastic consequences.
Gary Shore's "Dracula Untold" is a feature that tries to present a different side to a story that has been told by many directors, some of whom are now classics, namely "Nosferatu" from F. W. Murnau and more recently "Bram Stoker's Dracula" from Francis Ford Coppola. Shore's vision is sadly very diminished by a mediocre screenplay that gives nothing new to an engrossing mythological creature and backstory - the characters feel flat and uni-dimensional (the supporting characters barely register), and the villainous figure of the film is barely menacing (there's really no sense of menace). The film benefits from some interesting visual choices from the director, the costumes from Ngila Dickson are stunning, and the lead actors are solid, particularly Luke Evans, Sarah Gadon and Charles Dance. Overall this is a mediocre effort that brings nothing new to a classic mythological story.

The Nighmare Before Christmas

Movie Name: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
Year of Release: 1993

Director: Henry Selick

Stars: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens, Ken Page, Edward Ivory, Susan McBride, Debi Durst, Greg Proops, Kerry Katz
Genre: Animation, Fantasy, Family

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 10

Synopsis:

"The Nightmare Before Christmas" has become a classic since coming out in 1993. It's a perfect marriage of the universe and aesthetic of Tim Burton, with the universe of director Henry Selick (who went on to direct the fantastic "Coraline" and "James and the Giant Peach"). The film follows the story of Jack Skellington, the host of Halloweentown, who is in a funk, trying to regain his inspiration and trying to understand where he fits in. By chance he encounters Christmastown, as is totally enamored by that season and what it represents. With that in mind, he convinces everyone from his Halloween city to create a new Christmas, while giving Santa Claus, a well deserved vacation. The results though different, aren't necessarily well received by everyone. It's up to Jack and his lady, Sally, to save the whole holiday season.
Tim Burton's universe is always filled with central characters who are at odds with the universe that surrounds them. They are usually the loners and oddballs, who are sensitive and artistic, who therefore see the world quite differently. These are the heroes who learn to accept themselves as they are, and in the process, the same occurs to the social setting where they are immersed. This concept can be found in "The Nightmare Before Christmas", which is one of the most beautiful films committed to celluloid, aesthetically, musically and through its narrative. The film endures throughout the years, because it's central love story, the feeling of inadequacy, and the perfect joy that it depicts, are all truly unique. This is a film always worth revisiting and watching!

Gone Girl

Movie Name: Gone Girl
Year of Release: 2014

Director: David Fincher

Stars: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, Carrie Coon, Kim Dickens, Patrick Fugit, David Clennon, Lisa Banes, Missi Pyle, Sela Ward, Casey Wilson, Emily Ratajkowski, Lola Kirke, Boyd Holbrook
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 9

Synopsis:

Director David Fincher is back, after the wonderful "The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo" (which was one of my favorite films of 2011). "Gone Girl" is the adaptation of the novel by Gillian Flynn, which focuses the story on a married couple, Nick and Amy Dunne, who after meeting cute in New York and getting married, are forced to relocate to Missouri (due to Nick's mother being ill). Nick settles into the life in Missouri as a bar owner, and Amy stays around the house. This seemingly idyllic existence is shattered, when Nick comes home one morning to find the house vandalized, and Amy missing. He immediately calls the police, and a whirlwind of press and attention descend upon him. As this attention increases, the ridges and frictions that existed in the marriage become apparent to everyone, and the question starts to arise if Nick did indeed have a part in the disappearance of his wife. And is Amy indeed gone or not.
David Fincher is a director that is known for rigorous detail in every story he approaches. There's a methodical approach to his films, and a polish and aesthetic that are intrinsically his. He also tends to focus his attention on stories where the heroes and central characters are damaged individuals, where the whole view of that person/character, invariably brings to light the fact that it is indeed a flawed individual (such is the case of the core characters of "The Game", Fight Club" or even "The Social Network"). "Gone Girl" is a perfect example of this - the film works as a dissection of media in general, how quickly portraits are painted of people without having a notion of whom is being sanctified or vilified. It's also a portrait of a crumbling marriage, one where both people are ultimately not right for each other. There are scenes that feel like a clear inspiration from "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", but this film succeeds in it's own identity, again featuring fantastic performances from a trio of female performers: Rosamund Pike, Kim Dickens and Carrie Coon. The cinematography from Jeff Cronenweth is as usual stupendous, as is the score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. A fantastic film worth watching.

Jurassic Park

Movie Name: Jurassic Park
Year of Release: 1993

Director: Steven Spielberg

Stars: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Bob Peck, Martin Ferrero, Joseph Mazzello, Ariana Richards, Samuel L. Jackson, BD Wong, Wayne Knight, Miguel Sandoval
Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8

Synopsis:

Steven Spielberg had a great year in 1993. He came out with two huge critically acclaimed films, both of whom were box office hits and won Oscars at the the Academy Awards: both "Jurassic Park" and "Schindler's List" were the films of that year.
"Jurassic Park" is an adaptation of Michael Crichton's novel and focuses the attention on an amusement park where the main attractions are dinosaurs that have been recreated genetically.  In order to get further funding for the park, it's owner and manager, John Hammond, assembles a team of experts to provide scientific backing and endorsement that he needs. He finds scientists Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler and Ian Malcolm, and alongside his grandchildren, he assembles a tour of the park during a weekend. However, all that could go wrong, eventually does, and most of the people in the park end up having to fight for their lives from those dangerous creatures.
Steven Spielberg is a fantastic film maker, and throughout his career the core of his work has always touched and emphasized the concept of broken families and the formation of different family units. "Jurassic Park" uses Michael Crichton's scientific take on the dangers of genetic manipulation, to build a film that is suspenseful and truly thrilling, very much in the tradition of what Spielberg had done with "Jaws". The film manages to create a sense of menace and excitement, also seen through the eyes of the children who are part of the cast and for whom, the experience of seeing dinosaurs is like the unfolding of a new universe. The cast is uniformly great, particularly Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum and Laura Dern. The visual effects are stunning as is the cinematography from Dean Cundey (and the score from John Williams). A great film always worth revisiting.

Philadelphia

Movie Name: Philadelphia
Year of Release: 1993

Director: Jonathan Demme

Stars: Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Antonio Banderas, Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen, Joanne Woodward, Anna Deavere Smith, Ron Vawter, Bradley Whitford, Ann Dowd, John Bedford Lloyd, Charles Napier, Daniel von Bargen, Tracey Walter
Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:

Following the critical and commercial success of the wonderful "The Silence of the Lambs", director Jonathan Demme tackled an original screenplay from Ron Nyswaner, one that focused on the emergence of the Aids virus. This was the first film to focus on that subject matter, with the backing of a big studio, in this case, Columbia Pictures (Norman Rene's "Longtime Companion" for instance also tackled the same subject matter, but it was a more independently financed film).
The film follows the story of corporate attorney Andrew Beckett, a successful young man, who suddenly sees himself laid off from his job with a very well regarded law firm. Andrew tries to find a lawyer to represent him, since he feels he was sabotaged by his former employers, who wanted him out of the office, once they realized he had Aids. Andrew manages to get Joe Miller to represent him - Joe is initially repulsed by the idea (particularly since he's homophobic and doesn't know much about the virus and how it is transmitted), but he comes to realize who Andrew truly is.
Jonathan Demme has been known to tackle very different types of stories throughout his eclectic directing career. One thing that remains constant throughout his films is the deep humanity that he allows his characters to have. His films always feel very authentic and genuine, where actors are fully able to flush out the characters they embody. Sometimes the tissue and the weaving of the story itself, isn't the most interesting, but the characters always seem alive and authentic. "Philadelphia" is no exception: Demme successfully makes a film that goes beyond propaganda - the film shows the reality of a mortal ailment that doesn't affect just a stereotype that people may have created in their minds. Andrew Beckett is a man that has a family life, who has a partner and whose life transcends the perceptions of what people may have of what gay life is about. The actors are uniformly good, in particular Tom Hanks, Jason Robards and Mary Steenburgen, all of whom bring their characters to life in a vivid and memorable way. The cinematography from Tak Fujimoto is beautiful as is the score from Howard Shore. A solid film worth watching.

The Piano

Movie Name: The Piano
Year of Release: 1993

Director: Jane Campion

Stars: Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill, Anna Paquin, Kerry Walker, Genevieve Lemon, Tungia Baker, Ian Mune, Cliff Curtis
Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 9

Synopsis:

Director Jane Campion is one of the most interesting voices of contemporary cinema. Her films are fiercely personal and follow characters that are usually strong willed women, struggling to find their own path.
"The Piano" came on the heels of Jane Campion's previously fantastically accomplished films "Sweetie" and "An Angel at My Table". The film follows the story of Ada, a mute woman who alongside her daughter, gets sent to New Zealand to marry a man whom she's never met (in the 1850s). Ada uses her piano as a way to express herself, and she's forced to teach lessons to a local landowner, since her piano is used as a negotiating tool by her new husband. The proximity between these disparate souls creates a connection that has dramatic consequences.
Jane Campion has managed to create a career that is punctuated by films with central heroines that are strong and resourceful, though they are met with adversity in the shape of men who are insecure and frightened of female resourcefulness and sexuality. "The Piano" places the central character in an environment that is harsh and primal, one that contrasts with her poetic way of expressing herself through her music and piano. In this environment the blossoming of an erotic and passionate love story emerges, one that is all consuming. The core performances are fantastic, from Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel and Anna Paquin. Also worthy of plenty of praise are the beautiful cinematography from Stuart Dryburgh and the score from Michael Nyman. A classic always worth revisiting from a truly unique voice in modern cinema.

Love is Strange

Movie Name: Love is Strange
Year of Release: 2014

Director: Ira Sachs

Stars: Alfred Molina, John Lithgow, Marisa Tomei, Darren E. Burrows, Cheyenne Jackson, Manny Perez, Christina Kirk, Harriet Harris, Charlie Tahan, John Cullum
Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8

Synopsis:

Ira Sachs follows his latest film "Keep the Lights On", with the wonderful "Love is Strange". The film follows the story of George and Ben, a gay couple who have been together for 39 years and live in New York. After they both get married, George is laid off from the church he teaches in, and due to that the couple loses the apartment where they have lived for over 20 years. The logistics of finding a new apartment in New York is complex and forces the couple to seek a place to live within their family and close friends. Both George and Ben are split up, living with different family units while trying to navigate the process of overcoming the high cost of living and still stay together.
Ira Sachs has successfully built a film that anchors its strength on the performances of the actors and the core of the story that it depicts. The film showcases the amount of tenderness that exists between a couple that has lived together for a lifetime - this is superbly acted by John Lithgow and Alfred Molina, who both excel in creating characters that are alive and feel real. Sachs also successfully addresses the issues pertaining to aging and the difficulties of living in a city that is intrusively expensive. The film is simultaneously heartfelt, realistic and ultimately memorable - a celebration of a lifetime. A fantastic film worth watching.

Husbands and Wives

Movie Name: Husbands and Wives
Year of Release: 1992

Director: Woody Allen

Stars: Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Judy Davis, Sydney Pollack, Liam Neeson, Juliette Lewis, Lysette Anthony, Ron Rifkin, Blythe Danner, Caroline Aaron, Nora Ephron,
Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 9

Synopsis:

Woody Allen's "Husbands and Wives" came out in 1992, to great critical acclaim, on the heels of the less well received "Shadows and Fog". The film follows the story of two middle aged couples, one of them, composed of Jack and Sally, announce their imminent split to their best friends, Gabe and Judy. Judy in particular receives the news of this breakup quite painfully, and as the relationships progressively move ahead, and Jack and Sally start seeing other people, Gabe and Judy also start to question where their relationship is.
Woody Allen in the 90s continued his rich streak of probing the relationships of well established couples in New York. "Alice" (from 1990) was a way for him to use comedy and a whimsy sense of wonder to depict the story of a woman's discovery of herself and personal ambitions, "Husbands and Wives" went in the direction of capturing the demise of a crumbling marriage and marital relationships. The film uses a documentary tone and feel, to capture a feeling of authenticity and immediacy which gives the relationships between the main characters a very realistic feel. All the actors excel in their roles, as is usual in Woody Allen films, particularly the fantastic Judy Davis (who was nominated for an Academy Award). The cinematography from Carlo Di Palma is also stunning. This is a modern classic, one that captures the emotional peaks and lows of any relationship. Worth watching.

Bram Stoker's Dracula

Movie Name: Bram Stoker's Dracula
Year of Release: 1992

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Stars: Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, Cary Elwes, Sadie Frost, Bill Campbell, Richard E. Grant, Tom Waits, Monica Bellucci, Michaela Bercu, Florina Kendrick, Jay Robinson
Genre: Horror, Romance

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 9

Synopsis:

"Bram Stoker's Dracula" was director Francis Ford Coppola's first big hit, after the previous decade (the 80s), where he tackled wonderful films that didn't find an audience (such as "One From the Heart" and "Cotton Club" to name but a few). The film is an adaptation of the Bram Stoker's novel, and follows the story of Count Dracula, an immortal bloodthirsty creature, who was at one point a respectable and reputed nobleman who fought the Turks in the 15th century. He lost his adored wife at the time, and has since tried to discover some re-incarnation of her. When Jonathan Harker, under his employ, comes to Romania to assist him, he accidentally sets in motion the attention of this creature towards his fiancee, Mina.
Francis Ford Coppola has had a fantastic career, one filled with true and unmistakable features that are now classics ("The Godfather", "The Conversation" and "Apocalypse Now" to name but a few). "Bram Stoker's Dracula" features some of his most interesting concepts, both aesthetically and thematically. He converts the Bram Stoker's novel, from a tragic and suspense story about a supernatural creature, into a love story that crosses centuries. It's a tragedy of operatic grandeur, with the lovers separated by time and by choices that they both have made. The film benefits from great central performances (even if some are borderline overacting), from Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins and Winona Ryder. The cinematography from Michael Ballhaus is unforgettable, as is the stunning costumes from the late Eiko Ishioka (who justifiably won an Oscar for her work). The film works on all levels, from the more suspenseful tone that it builds upon, while simultaneously developing the chore romantic relationship of the lead characters. Visually it's equally phenomenal, with the several camera tricks the director uses, to better paint his canvas. A modern classic always worth revisiting.

The Crying Game

Movie Name: The Crying Game
Year of Release: 1992

Director: Neil Jordan

Stars: Stephen Rea, Miranda Richardson, Jaye Davidson, Forest Whitaker, Ralph Brown, Jim Broadbent, Tony Slattery, Adrian Dunbar
Genre: Crime, Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 9

Synopsis:

When Neil Jordan's "The Crying Game" opened in 1992, it turned out to be the surprise of the year, earning accolades for both the director and the fantastic cast he had assembled (and earned 6 Oscar nominations and one win for Neil Jordan, in the screenplay category). The film introduces us to Jody, a young British soldier who is kidnapped by the IRA. During his captivity, Jody befriends Fergus, one of the men responsible for his imprisonment. When negotiations fail, and events turn for the worst, Fergus goes to London, seeking Dil, the woman who was involved with Jody. His goal is mainly to keep a watchful eye on her, but their relationship becomes more amorous and romantic along the way. However events from the past catch up with both of them.
Neil Jordan has made a name for himself, with an eclectic array of films in his filmography, where the range and style of films goes from the fantastic to the realistic (examples of these are "The Company of Wolves" and "Mona Lisa" for instance). Jordan is also a published author, and his films reflect his very unique vision of the world, filled with characters that are on an immediate perception, quite different (his films have focused on transgendered, vampires, ghosts, amongst others), they do manage to integrate into the web of every day life. "The Crying Game" came after Jordan's uneven Hollywood experience (that produced "High Spirits" and "We're no Angels"), and though a very small and independent film (budget wise), it managed to be nominated for the main awards of 1992 (Oscars and Baftas to name but a few) and dazzle for it's uniqueness and attention to the relationships between the lead characters. The cast was perfectly cast, with Stephen Rea, Jaye Davidson and Miranda Richardson, each creating indelible characters. This is a film that has endured and lived beyond it's initial surprise and twists, to become a veritable classic. Unmissable.

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

Movie Name: Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
Year of Release: 2014

Director: Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez

Stars: Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rosario Dawson, Bruce Willis, Powers Boothe, Eva Green, Dennis Haysbert, Ray Liotta, Christopher Meloni, Christopher Lloyd, Jeremy Piven, Jaime King, Juno Temple, Jamie Chung, Marton Csokas, Stacy Keach, Jude Ciccolella
Genre: Crime, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 5

Synopsis:

"Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" is directors Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez sequel to their successful 2005 film, "Sin City". The original film made popular the concept of shooting a film in full green screen context, which allowed for the backgrounds and effects to be done in post production, and closely resemble the drawings and art direction of Frank Miller. The sequel basically focuses on three episodes that cross the multitude of characters that inhabit this universe. One of the stories focuses on Dwight and his relationship with a femme fatale by the name of Ava Lord, a woman of exquisite beauty who lures men to her web of deception. Ava successfully makes Dwight kill her husband upon which she sets her goals on destroying him. It's up to Dwight and his accomplices to try to stop her. Another episode focuses on Johnny, a young man who is a professional gambler possessed of an extraordinary amount of luck. He successfully wins every game, until he deliberately crosses paths with the corrupt and amoral Senator Roark. He humiliates the politician during a card game, prompting Roark to go after him for revenge. The final episode focuses on Nancy, the dancer, who wants revenge against Senator Roark, for the death of her protector and lover, the policeman Hartigan. She secures the help of Marv, and they both go on a death spree, trying to end Roark's existence.
"Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" is for all intended purposes a direct follow up from the previous film that brought the name of Frank Miller to larger audiences and introduced them to the aesthetic and concept of a live (and highly stylized) graphic novel. The stories on both films are quite similar - Sin City is a corrupt city, where men still hold their honor, the police and politicians are corrupt, and women are dangerous and menacing. The film anchors most of the focus on the visual style, which is as the previous one, stunning and meticulously created. However, as a fully fledged film, it feels incomplete and somewhat limited - it relies heavily on large chunks of character narration and description, which makes the stories feel under-developed. The cast assembled is impressive, but the highlight is definitely Eva Green - she truly creates a femme fatale that is irresistible and unforgettable. A flawed yet interesting film worth watching.

Basic Instinct

Movie Name: Basic Instinct
Year of Release: 1992

Director: Paul Verhoeven

Stars: Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Denis Arndt, Leilani Sarelle, Bruce A. Young, Chelcie Ross, Dorothy Malone, Wayne Knight, Daniel Von Bargen, Stephen Tobolowsky, Benjamin Bouton
Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 6

Watch it on Amazon

Synopsis:

Following the huge success of 1990's "Total Recall", director Paul Verhoeven tackled another controversial screenplay from writer Joe Eszterhas (he had also written at the time Costa-Gavras' "Music Box" and Betrayed", to name but a few). The film follows the story of Nick Curran, a seasoned and experienced police detective, one with a murky past, who gets involved in a high profile investigation of the murder of a celebrity in San Francisco. The main suspect of the investigation turns out to be Catherine Trammell, a rich and beautiful heir, who is also a writer of suspense/thriller books. During the process of investigating the suspect, Nick gets personally involved with Catherine, whom he suspects is indeed the killer. It's up to him to figure out who murdered the victim, and avoid himself becoming one.
Paul Verhoeven has been an interesting director since his early films in his native country, Netherlands. His career in Hollywood has been met with both highly financially successful films, such as "Robocop" and "Total Recall", and some that have been big disappointments such as "Starship Troopers" and "Showgirls". "Basic Instinct" was a big hit in 1992, while simultaneously launching Sharon Stone's career. The film in itself was a basic standard noir detective story - an embittered lonely cop, falls for the femme fatale, who is also the main suspect of the case. Where the story tried to differ from so many previous incarnations, was the focus on the more erotic undertone of the main relationship, and the fact that the female character is given a duplicitous sexuality. Paul Verhoeven tries to bring some dynamics to the story, but ultimately the film features all the cliches known to the genre, without benefitting from any particular surprises or character developments of notice. Sharon Stone manages to create a character that exudes intelligence and seduction (much like Kathleen Turner in "Body Heat"), and the film does have its over the top moments, which makes it a delicious pulpy experience. It may not be "Body Heat", but it has become a classic of the erotic thriller genre due to its slick production and cast. Worth watching.

Howards End

Movie Name: Howards End
Year of Release: 1992

Director: James Ivory

Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Helena Bonham Carter, Emma Thompson, Samuel West, James Wilby, Prunella Scales, Jemma Redgrave, Nicola Duffett, Susie Lindeman
Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 9

Synopsis:

"Howards End" was James Ivory's third E. M. Forster adaptation, following the successful diptych that were "A Room with a View" and "Maurice". "Howards End" is from all three, the one that encompasses a larger and more dramatic canvas, one where E.M. Forster addressed issues of class, affairs and children born out of wedlock. The film introduces us to the Schlegel family in England at the turn of 20th century, particularly the older sisters, both of whom are highly educated and progressive women, known for their literary gatherings. After a misunderstood relationship between the younger sister Helen, and a young man of the Wilcox family, both families resume a cordial relationship, when the older sister, Margaret becomes friends with the matriarch of the Wilcox family. This relationship is suddenly broken by the unexpected demise of Lady Wilcox, whom unbeknown to her family, had decided to leave her family home to Margaret Schlegel. This starts a series of events that suddenly puts both families in even closer proximity.
James Ivory has always been a director who allows for characters to come to life in worlds that are built out of detail and order. In these worlds of intricate structure, there are usually characters that attempt to break these barriers - in this case, that is epitomized by both sisters, Margaret and Helen, both of whom in early 20th century represent the evolution of mentalities and feminism. The film successfully anchors itself in the dynamics of class, between these upper class families and the characters on the periphery that change these dynamics (specifically the characters played by Samuel West and Nicola Duffett). "Howards End" is a nearly perfect adaptation of the book, boasting a meticulous attention to the period, fantastic performances from the cast (in particular Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter and Vanessa Redgrave), stunning cinematography from Tony Pierce-Roberts and score from Richard Robbins (the latter two, usual collaborators of James Ivory). A fantastic film always worth revisiting.