Video Reviews: 'Vanilla Sky,' 'The Others'
Also New: 'Snow Dogs,' 'Pooh' 25th Anniversary DVD
UPDATED: 7:14 p.m. EDT May 31, 2002
'Vanilla Sky' (R)
In spite of what you may have heard, the Cameron Crowe sci-fi opus "Vanilla Sky" is not as confusing as you think. Like any other complex story, you just have to pay attention, and the payoff is a great movie that will leave you examining your own choices and the consequences of what they may bring you.
Cruise stars as David Aames, a publishing heir who has everything going for him until a jealous lover (Cameron Diaz) causes his life to spin out of control. Worst of all, his good looks are spoiled in a car crash, leaving David horribly disfigured.
Unable to accept what happens, it destroys hopes with a new love (Penelope Cruz), his relationship with his best friend (Jason Lee) and more. That is, if what is going on around him is real, or just a horrible nightmare.
Even though this is a remake, it seems as the role of David was tailor-made for Cruise. Part of this should be credited to Crowe for understanding Cruise's strengths, and Crowe's unique filmmaking techniques (in addition to kick-butt choice of songs for the soundtrack) make us able to care for David even though he's hardly a sympathetic character.
Best of all in the film, though, is Diaz, who continues to amaze with her diverse choices of roles. Forget about Jennifer Connelly, Diaz not only should have been nominated, but won the best supporting actress Oscar last year. With "Vanilla Sky," Diaz takes a stereotypical role and adds an amazing depth to it.
"Vanilla Sky" probably won't come completely together for you the first time you see it, and in fact, Crowe warns you on the one of the DVD's documentaries that he doesn't expect it to. It's a cinematic jigsaw puzzle, but the beauty of owning a film like this on video is that you can get something new out of it every time you watch it. It's a great mindbender of a movie.
DVD Features: Crowe puts a fresh spin on the doldrums of DVD "making of" featurettes by adding his personal narration to the pieces. Like "Almost Famous," he treats this movie like a journal (after all, he started as a journalist for Rolling Stone). Other features include commentary by Crowe and wife composer Nancy Wilson (and a conversation with Cruise), Babaataa music video, and an interview with Paul McCartney, who wrote the title track. (Paramount Home Entertainment)
'The Others' (PG-13)
From her first blood-curdling scream, Nicole Kidman has you hooked with her spell-binding performance in "The Others," an expertly crafted haunted house tale that doesn't rely on cheap thrills to get you squirming. It's a highly suspenseful and complex ghost story that will leave you guessing until the end, and delight you with its fresh, "Sixth Sense"-like story sensibilities.
Kidman stars as Grace, a woman who waits with her children (Alakina Mann and James Bentley) for her husband's return from World War II. Leading an isolated existence in a desolate mansion because her children's rare skin disease, Grace's already intense world begins to spin out of control with the arrival of three mysterious servants.
While Kidman and her supporting cast scream brilliance (no pun intended), writer-director Alejandro Amenabar is one of the true stars of the film. He creates an undeniably daunting atmosphere that's engrossing from beginning to end, which is made all the better by the film's beautifully orchestrated twists and turns.
What truly separates "The Others" from other psychological thrillers is Amenabar's employment of movie methods that seem all but lost on the current generation of horror and suspense films -- the power of suggestion, off-camera noises and a subtle, haunting score (composed by the filmmaker) that doesn't overpower, but becomes a part of the proceedings. It's the best gloom and doom atmosphere created onscreen since Tim Burton's amazingly creepy "Sleepy Hollow," but without the blood.
DVD Features: Presented in a double-disc set, special features include documentaries on the making of the film; a look at Amenabar on the set; and a look at Xeroderma Pigmentosum, the skin disease suffered by the children in the film. Apart from the film itself, the XP documentary is the most fascinating piece, as it takes a sad look at a real-life patient who has the disease, and explains why sufferers can only go outside when its dark. Other features include a still gallery and piece on the film's visual effects. (Walt Dimension Home Video)
Also New:
'Snow Dogs' (PG)
Cuba Gooding Jr. and James Coburn star in "Snow Dogs," a family friendly comedy that's a far cry from the glorious Oscar-winning performances by both actors in the 90s. Still, the duo's talents make "Snow Dogs" an entertaining movie that's provides enough humor for both kids and adults.
Gooding plays a successful dentist who surprisingly finds out he's adopted. Upon a trip to Alaska to hear the will of his deceased birth mother, he finds out a family secret that's much more complicated than he ever could have imagined.
Despite television spots that feature talking sled dogs, "Snow Dogs" is not a "Dr. Doolitle" knock-off. Yes, they talk, but it's only for one scene (that also features a hilarious bit by singer Michael Bolton). Even without its nice sparks of originality, "Snow Dogs"is a success with its positive, invigorating tone.
DVD Features: Deleted and extended scenes, three "making of" featurettes, a game, and audio commentary from director Brian Levant and producer Jordan Kerner. (Walt Disney Home Video
'The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh: 25th Anniversary' DVD (G)
The DVD debut of "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" to celebrate its 25th anniversary serves as a wonderful reminder as to why the character is just as lovable and popular after all these years. The magic and innocence of the tales (which include the first meetings of Tigger and Pooh, the story of how Pooh gets stuck in Rabbit's house after eating too much honey, and the wonderful "Up Down, Touch the Ground" segment) are just as adorable as ever.
The adventures alone in the DVD format would have been enough to make this a must for Pooh fans -- so the stack of bonus features make it all the better. The "making of" featurette traces the character's origins and far-reaching effect on popular culture, while Carly Simon provides a nice feature for baby boomers with her smiling rendition of the Pooh theme.
Younger children should get a kick out of the "The Wonderful Thing About Tigger" sing-along; "Pooh's Shadow" read-along; and the "100 Acre Wood Challenge," a relatively easy trivia game. (Walt Disney Home Video)
Cruise stars as David Aames, a publishing heir who has everything going for him until a jealous lover (Cameron Diaz) causes his life to spin out of control. Worst of all, his good looks are spoiled in a car crash, leaving David horribly disfigured.
Unable to accept what happens, it destroys hopes with a new love (Penelope Cruz), his relationship with his best friend (Jason Lee) and more. That is, if what is going on around him is real, or just a horrible nightmare.
Even though this is a remake, it seems as the role of David was tailor-made for Cruise. Part of this should be credited to Crowe for understanding Cruise's strengths, and Crowe's unique filmmaking techniques (in addition to kick-butt choice of songs for the soundtrack) make us able to care for David even though he's hardly a sympathetic character.
Best of all in the film, though, is Diaz, who continues to amaze with her diverse choices of roles. Forget about Jennifer Connelly, Diaz not only should have been nominated, but won the best supporting actress Oscar last year. With "Vanilla Sky," Diaz takes a stereotypical role and adds an amazing depth to it.
"Vanilla Sky" probably won't come completely together for you the first time you see it, and in fact, Crowe warns you on the one of the DVD's documentaries that he doesn't expect it to. It's a cinematic jigsaw puzzle, but the beauty of owning a film like this on video is that you can get something new out of it every time you watch it. It's a great mindbender of a movie.
DVD Features: Crowe puts a fresh spin on the doldrums of DVD "making of" featurettes by adding his personal narration to the pieces. Like "Almost Famous," he treats this movie like a journal (after all, he started as a journalist for Rolling Stone). Other features include commentary by Crowe and wife composer Nancy Wilson (and a conversation with Cruise), Babaataa music video, and an interview with Paul McCartney, who wrote the title track. (Paramount Home Entertainment)
'The Others' (PG-13)
From her first blood-curdling scream, Nicole Kidman has you hooked with her spell-binding performance in "The Others," an expertly crafted haunted house tale that doesn't rely on cheap thrills to get you squirming. It's a highly suspenseful and complex ghost story that will leave you guessing until the end, and delight you with its fresh, "Sixth Sense"-like story sensibilities.
Kidman stars as Grace, a woman who waits with her children (Alakina Mann and James Bentley) for her husband's return from World War II. Leading an isolated existence in a desolate mansion because her children's rare skin disease, Grace's already intense world begins to spin out of control with the arrival of three mysterious servants.
While Kidman and her supporting cast scream brilliance (no pun intended), writer-director Alejandro Amenabar is one of the true stars of the film. He creates an undeniably daunting atmosphere that's engrossing from beginning to end, which is made all the better by the film's beautifully orchestrated twists and turns.
What truly separates "The Others" from other psychological thrillers is Amenabar's employment of movie methods that seem all but lost on the current generation of horror and suspense films -- the power of suggestion, off-camera noises and a subtle, haunting score (composed by the filmmaker) that doesn't overpower, but becomes a part of the proceedings. It's the best gloom and doom atmosphere created onscreen since Tim Burton's amazingly creepy "Sleepy Hollow," but without the blood.
DVD Features: Presented in a double-disc set, special features include documentaries on the making of the film; a look at Amenabar on the set; and a look at Xeroderma Pigmentosum, the skin disease suffered by the children in the film. Apart from the film itself, the XP documentary is the most fascinating piece, as it takes a sad look at a real-life patient who has the disease, and explains why sufferers can only go outside when its dark. Other features include a still gallery and piece on the film's visual effects. (Walt Dimension Home Video)
Also New:
'Snow Dogs' (PG)
Cuba Gooding Jr. and James Coburn star in "Snow Dogs," a family friendly comedy that's a far cry from the glorious Oscar-winning performances by both actors in the 90s. Still, the duo's talents make "Snow Dogs" an entertaining movie that's provides enough humor for both kids and adults.
Gooding plays a successful dentist who surprisingly finds out he's adopted. Upon a trip to Alaska to hear the will of his deceased birth mother, he finds out a family secret that's much more complicated than he ever could have imagined.
Despite television spots that feature talking sled dogs, "Snow Dogs" is not a "Dr. Doolitle" knock-off. Yes, they talk, but it's only for one scene (that also features a hilarious bit by singer Michael Bolton). Even without its nice sparks of originality, "Snow Dogs"is a success with its positive, invigorating tone.
DVD Features: Deleted and extended scenes, three "making of" featurettes, a game, and audio commentary from director Brian Levant and producer Jordan Kerner. (Walt Disney Home Video
'The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh: 25th Anniversary' DVD (G)
The DVD debut of "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" to celebrate its 25th anniversary serves as a wonderful reminder as to why the character is just as lovable and popular after all these years. The magic and innocence of the tales (which include the first meetings of Tigger and Pooh, the story of how Pooh gets stuck in Rabbit's house after eating too much honey, and the wonderful "Up Down, Touch the Ground" segment) are just as adorable as ever.
The adventures alone in the DVD format would have been enough to make this a must for Pooh fans -- so the stack of bonus features make it all the better. The "making of" featurette traces the character's origins and far-reaching effect on popular culture, while Carly Simon provides a nice feature for baby boomers with her smiling rendition of the Pooh theme.
Younger children should get a kick out of the "The Wonderful Thing About Tigger" sing-along; "Pooh's Shadow" read-along; and the "100 Acre Wood Challenge," a relatively easy trivia game. (Walt Disney Home Video)
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