Reviews

Slickly made, remains reasonably faithful to the original story, but wrong choices of actors mark it down. Samuel Jackson as the news caster is so wrongly cast,and Michael Keaton just doesn't come across a a billionaire - more an eccentric scientist- and the leather clad immaculately made up (even when hubby is on his death bed)Abbie Cornish isn't convincing. In fact trouble shooter Jackie Earle Haley is the best cast.It starts of pretty well in Iraq(or is it Iran)but dithers as it moves on.Also the special effects, considering the excellent effects in the 1987 movie aren't that outstanding 27 years later. All in all, an entertaining action movie that isn't going to linger in your mind for too long.

The 3 rating is only because Megan Fox tries so hard to do a decent job of a serious role, and because Bill Murray is okayish as the bad guy. Not for Mickey or for the sad script. Its such a pity to see Mickey looking so bloated, ragged and dysfunctional. Anyone who watched Angel Heart or 91/2 weeks will only shake their heads in pity at the ravages time has wreaked on Mickey Rourke. I read somewhere that its due to him doing plastic surgery to his face...whatever the reason...well, there's really no reason to watch a movie of his anymore, especially one where an 'angel'ic Megan Fox is forced to act like she's fallen in love with him. Man, you'd feel queasy watching them kiss. I kid you not. Sad. He used to be my hero...so cool, so easily handsome, so sexy. Sigh.

Its a misnomer to say that this movie is about romance or a love affair. I'd presume 'affair' would need some physical contact to be thus termed. Here you have one brief 1/4 of a second meeting of lips that could even be construed as unintended. However, there is no argument about the elegant laid back script. Patricia is perfect - typical well bred western woman a bit out of place in a place thats a world away from hers. Quiet, never giving offense, soft spoken...and sexually aseptic. But thats why the movie is so captivating. The subtle development of a friendship between two temporarily lonely persons,the exotic environs - so common on vacations - leads...well nowhere really. Just as its getting up and going, hte hubby comes along and ends everything, including the movie. In ending, I'd say while this is not everyones cup of tea, its well worth a watch. You'd remember it for a surprisingly long time.

Lets see...first of all there is no story really, no 'plot' to speak of, no clear direction of where the movies' going, no real humor, no reason to go especially to see it in a theater...if it comes up on TV, watch it until you fall asleep. Though I have to say that it started out in a positive fashion where you are 'treated' to an array of breasts on display in the cancer monitoring clinic! Couldn't accept Amanda Peet getting the hots for a fat porgy Oliver Platt and kissing him within 5 minutes of being alone. Don't know why they threw in the teenage daughters quest for jeans and clear skin - easily omitted and not relevant to the movie.

Its a slow meandering movie that shows in detail the boring lives of two rather mundane families going about their mundane lives, though the pretty Amanda seemed miscast as the uncaring granddaughter...

All in all, avoidable. And if seen, quickly forgotten.

And here folks is Mickey R at his finest, here is where he looks the most handsome of all his movies, including 9 weeks, and his acting is el perfecto.Crumpled jackets, ever present cigarette dangling from those sensuous lips, yessiree he's the man! Effortlessly, he carries the story, almost as if it was made for him. And yes, its one of Alan Parkers best, thats if you can overlook the not so subtle voodoo/satanic bits. Here is where I thought Parker could have been a bit more subdued,leaving more to the imagination of the viewer rather that going a bit over the top with the devilish parts especially the ending. Having said that, its an eminently watchable film. If you're one of those that is intrigued by Harlem (New Orleans) and Cult, you'll enjoy this 'un!

Now don't get me wrong, I have a weakness for SciFi flics, the traditional ones, I mean (traditional sci fi - contradiction in terms...)Alien, Cronicles of Riddick, minority report, surrogates, fifth element...you get the drift. Now about this movie:1.Dennis Quaid is wasted, with the least screen time of all the characters (a grand total of four!)

2. The entire movie seems to be shot within a single studio location, with almost no scenes of the ship from exterior except in the beginning and a bit at the end. Seemed a bit of a budget made flic to me. 3. Just four characters - leaving aside the alien creatures,who are not very imaginative, pretty yawn stuff. The main star is an unknown (Bill Foster), the female star is pretty enough, but somehow she doesn't fit in, and Dennis Q, as I said,is wasted in this role. 4. Weak plot, far-fetched and unbelievable. 5. For the year 2152 too many items and too many similarities to current years, like the torches, the style of talking, the computer keyboard, the lighting...hey, this is supposed to be 150 years or thereabouts in the future, but judging from the ship interior, their languaqe style etc it would seem to be only a few years ahead in the future. All in all, a movie you can safely give a miss. Watch if your'e bored and got the bluray free.

George Menon, Goa