Dead Again
|
Our Price: $12.05 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $4.50 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Dead Again
Movie Review: In The Mood For A Hitchcock-ish Thriller? "This Is For You"
Summary: 5 Stars
Kenneth Branagh follows up his 1989 remake of Sir Laurence Olivier's "Henry V" with this stylish, star-studded and well-executed drama-suspense thriller from Scott Frank (co-screen writer of "The Interpreter"), Sydney Pollack (producer and director of "The Interpreter", producer of "Sense And Sensibility") and Lindsay Doran (producer of "Sense And Sensibility"). The cast includes his then-wife Emma Thompson, Derek Jacobi (a frequent collaborator of Branagh's, on film/stage), Andy Garcia (the young cop in "The Untouchables" opposite Kevin Costner, Sir Sean Connery and Robert DeNiro) and Robin Williams (TV's "Mork And Mindy," "Aladdin"), here proving that he can step out of his usual shtick (see "One Hour Photo" and "Insomnia" if you want to catch him out of his fan-loved comedy routine of movies). The intriguing plot involves Mike Church (Branagh, sporting an entirely credible American accent), a hardbitten, but softhearted detective in L.A. who stumbles upon "Grace" (Thompson, also sporting a credible American accent), a woman who has no voice and no memory, but who always wakes up screaming in the night, victimized by horrible nightmares. When a noted hypnotist (Jacobi, in a devilishly sinister performance) offers to help discover the source of her nightmares and her true identity, a shocking revelation is uncovered, setting up a breakneck montage of chills and thrills to the film's end. The film's opening of a newspaper clipping that screams "MURDER!!" is enough to hook anyone who enjoys nods to Hitchcock's films (particularly to the Master Of Suspense's well-executed classic "Dial M For Murder," in this film). Andy Garcia and Robin Williams appear in small, but significant roles, as do Hannah S. and Gregor Hesse. Branagh's use of flashbacks is very well done. He and Emma Thompson were entirely convincing with American accents, as both of them are British and not many actors can pull off another accent, one of them being Jodie Foster in "Anna And The King." It kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last minute. Patrick Doyle (another frequent collaborator of Branagh's) wrote a heart-pounding score. The acting, directing and visuals were Oscar-worthy. Hitchcock would've been pleased. Rated PG-13 for some strong language and mild violence.Movie Review: I'M NOT ROMAN!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
No, Kenneth Branagh was not arguing his British heritage, he's trying to convince amnesia victim Emma Thompson that he is not the reincarnation of her former life husband who is trying to kill her. The supernatural meets Hitchcock meets American classic film noir, and Kenneth Branagh managed to complete this gear shifting, classy film for it's day. It got great reviews in 1991, it's still considered to be top notch 15 years later (judging by all these reviews.) With a super cast: Andy Garcia, Thompson and Branagh, Wayne Knight, Campbell Scott, Robin Williams (in a scene stealing performance) and veteran foreign actress, Hanna Schygulla, who plays a small but key role. Branagh, actually doesn't play a Brit either, he plays two roles: the quirky American private eye, Mike Church, and the overbearing, German composer/conductor husband, Roman Strauss.
It was a real change of pace from the Die Hard type thrillers that were being hammered out at that time, but it was a welcome change. When I originally saw it back then, I could tell that although different, I was definitely watching something special.
Branagh, hot off the success of his first film, Henry V, where he was director and star, he managed to pull off this gem of a thriller, again taking both director and lead actor roles. It proves that he is one talented fellow, and his former wife does an even better job perfecting her American accent. Emma Thompson is radiant in both roles, one set in the past and her supposedly reincarnated self in the future.
Not a fast paced thriller, but it has it's moments, and the twist ending is really juicy. I also liked the visuals and cinematography, especially in the black and white sequences. It had a simple, but stylish look, which I think makes it hold up very well today. One of the best films of the early 90's.
Movie Review: Why Dead Again is a Great Story.
Summary: 5 Stars
~SPOILERS INCLUDED~
Dead Again is, in my opinion, a classic case of a book quality movie. What does this mean? It means I find this representation to be all that a book would be but in movie realism. Every time I've watched this movie, I find something new and unique to this story, something that connects the past characters, Margret and Grace or Roman and Mike, together. Some are obvious after only one or two viewings. The slight stutter of our friendly "Laughing Duke" antiquity dealer, the spilling of the Champaign glass by Margret in the first regression scene. Other's, the `To Margret' toast of the same scene where Roman declares his date to have more charm then Grace, the way Gray Baker holds on to Mike's hand just a smidge too long while looking at it almost, dare I say, lovingly, are subtler examples that make this movie hands down one of thee most interesting, intricate love stories of all time. The relationships are real, not just fluffy prose. The action is believable, the devastation palpable and the score truly embodies, I believe, what this love story is all about. Hardships, loyalty, love, connection, Karma. I gained my first real look into the Karmic world via Dead Again and have believed whole heartedly in it every since. As a writer I thoroughly enjoyed the not one, but two daring plot twists. They are both, what I consider to be, the very definition of shock value. If your looking for an unlikely, non average romance then this is the movie for you. The action is as fulfilling as the story and the climax will not leave you with that `really I just wasted two hours watching that?' feeling by any means.
Movie Review: Excellent film: Intricate Detail
Summary: 5 Stars
The amazing thing about commentaries is that you get to discover things you never thought you would, for instance... why the screenwriter used the title DEAD AGAIN: its based on a story he read about a woman saying she was pregnant with her reincarnated husband.
Anyways, enough of trivia.
This film is a great ride.Branagh is so skilled in acting and crafting of film, theatre etc, that he had to come into mainstream films at some stage. So, he was working hard in theatre, and he ( and his wife) discover a script about a murder that gives rise to events recurring years later.
This film's cast is superb. If you listen to Kenneth Branagh's commentary, you will discover the most amazing connections. And throughout, they talk of this as a noir film, well, I have no idea what that is, but this film is a great entertaining piece, and it is in no small part to Branagh, Emma Thompson, Derek Jacobi ( brought in 3 days before he was asked to start, a last minute call), and others who made a wonderful film, and a solid entertaining piece.
The DVD extras are just the commentaries, but for this type of film, thats fine, since that is complex enough.
ENJOY
Movie Review: A Suspensful Film Noir That Should Be A Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Dead Again slipped into theaters from Kenneth Branagh while he and Emma Thompson were married and working very well together. The film is a mystery on several levels: a 1940s murder mystery, a present day identity search, and even whether reincarnation happens. Branagh blended black and white flashbacks with modern day action seemlessly.
The plots twists are superb, yet quiet. The entire movie gives you time to think about what is happening and to form your own conclusion about what will happen; yet you will find that your conclusion is wrong. Although mysteries usually lose something after the first viewing, when you find out how it ends, Dead Again actually gains. Once you know how it ends, you will want to watch it again and again to look for the subtle clues that were missed the first time through and even to try and find mistakes, although I will warn you, I have seen it at least 20 times and still have not found any mistakes.