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Reviews
The Second Arrival (1998)
Incredible leaps of logic
I am not sure which part of this movie was the most poorly done - the acting or the script. The acting was very superficial. I got the idea they took the first cut for a number of the scenes - unfortunately these were the ones the co-stars had to carry all by themselves - without special effects. I didn't believe a word or care about these people. Nor did I believe that the characters were experiencing what they portrayed. The script was even worse. Even if the acting was good I wouldn't believe the story. These characters made incredible jumps in logic. They could figure things out at the first look. Any computer programmer that was as good as "Jack" would never think their brother got the brains.
Even with the flaws it wasn't a total waste of time. It was another chapter in an ongoing story - not the second novel in a trilogy - just a few chapters. It should have been a TV series episode. And the special effects were nice in some places. I can see why this movie went right to cable and skipped the theaters.
Titanic (1997)
Went for the effects and fell in love
I was one of the hold outs that only saw this on video. Decided to buy the widescreen even though it wasn't a director's cut. I loved it. The first time I saw it I was stunned by the portrayal of all those people dying. The love story left me a little cold. The second time I started getting over Leo looking 16 (forget Leo - what about Jonathan Phillips -- 2nd officer Lightoller?) and Kate looking 22 and started watching the love story. It is a beautiful love story/triangle. I was touched by the scene where Rose could have "opened her heart" but chose the path to stay closed. (A portrayal of a critical juncture in many relationships.)
After I read a lot on the Titanic I realized that many of the situations and lines (probably that others say are cheesy) are exact quotes or similar situations that happened on the real Titanic - albeit to other people. Such as a steward telling someone who broke a door that he would have to pay for that. And many, many others. I was also impressed on how accurate Cameron portrayed what we know about the shipwreck. Although I am disappointed on a few glaring errors - i.e. Murdock closing the watertight doors after the ship struck instead of before, Andrews being aware of the ship hitting something. Or don't agree with a few of the portrayals - Bruce Ismay was too evil and there is a lot of dispute on which, if any, officer shot himself.
Overall, this film has been one of the best I have seen. A joy to watch and one I will probably watch over and over. I hope a director's cut is released with more of "A Night to Remember" details. Cameron is one of my favorite directors - Aliens, The Abyss, Terminator and he didn't let me down here.
Although, I tried to talk my father into seeing it and he said, "why would I want to see a bunch of people drown?" I should have said, "they don't drown, mostly they freeze to death." But that probably wouldn't have swayed him.
The Abyss (1989)
The director's cut is best
Great movie. I have the director's cut and haven't seen the other version in years so I can only comment on the director's cut. Believable characters, believable plot. In fact, an awe-inspiring hope for the future. This movie as well as Contact, and Close Encounters, show us the wonder and joy in finding alien life. As well as the fear. Beautifully woven story.
I sometimes pop in this video for "background" and end up on the couch watching it.