Open Your Eyes
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Movie Reviews of Open Your Eyes
Movie Review: Saw After Its Remake as Vanilla Sky & Both Are Superb
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved "Vanilla Sky" and wasn't expecting to like this as well. However, it too is an excellent film. The differences between the two are very slight. In fact, I am surprised that Vanilla Sky director Cameron Crowe was willing to film someone else's source written work when he himself is so well known and regarded as a writer. However, he is dedicated to Cruise as an actor and that must have made the difference. I'm going to give a slight edge to Tom Cruise as the male lead although Noriega does a splendid job in this original film version. In fact, Noriega may even be more believably damaged by what occurs in the film. However, Cruise has charisma and magnetism to spare and that comes through in "Vanilla Sky." I have to be very careful what I say about the plot because every time you think you may be getting a handle on what is really happening in this film, you later find out something else entirely is going on. It is a masterpiece of slight of hand and point of view. I will say that the handsome male lead DOES experience a major car crash which disfigures him. This occurs because of his involvment with the wrong woman. Everything else flows from that event and will keep you guessing until the very end of the film. Crowe did insert an outstanding soundtrack into "Vanilla Sky" which is absent from "Open Your Eyes." Since he began as a "Rolling Stone" rock writer though and is married to rock star Nancy Wilson of Heart, he has a decided advantage to coming up with stellar movie soundtracks.Movie Review: Open Your Eyes
Summary: 5 Stars
Cesar is a young, handsome, but vain showboater that never goes home with the same woman twice. That is, until he meets a smart and classy artist that he instantly falls in love with. The next day, he accepts a ride from an ex-lover who then runs the car off of the road out of jealousy, killing herself and hideously disfiguring him. His mind becomes as twisted as his new face as he falls into a deep depression and psychosis before finally losing touch with reality.
OPEN YOUR EYES is smart and original, although the many twists and turns can often become confusing up until the final reveal. It immediately grabs the audience through its sharp dialog and sophisticated characters that carry the film on an emotional high from start to finish. Much of the credit is due to the intense performances by Penelope Cruz and Eduardo Noriega, who create an intimate and sincere chemistry on screen. One of the many themes the film tackles is the importance of physical attraction and looks in society, with the concept being played out through the use of masks (both physical and emotional) all throughout the plot. There are also explorations of dream psychology and alternate planes of existence that occur as Cesar's mind starts slipping, but these elements must be left for each new viewer to discover on their own. Alejandro Amenabar breaks through with this bright script and clear directorial style, and he would go on to write and direct the 2001 hit THE OTHERS.
-Carl Manes
I Like Horror Movies
Movie Review: Simply incredible....
Summary: 5 Stars
If you like films that keep you guessing until the end, you'll LOVE this Spanish film. The editorial review gives as much a synopsis of the plot as possible, to give you more of the story would be unfair. It is only after the last 5 minutes of the film that you realize exactly what's going on - but the ride there will keep you enthralled. It is one of the best psychological thrillers I've ever seen, taking you deep into the twisted "reality" of a disfigured man (Eduardo Nuriega), haunted by his love for the beautiful Sofia (Penelope Cruz at her finest!) But if you think this is a film that just depicts a man dealing with disfigurement, you've only touched the surface. I found myself thinking about this film days after watching it the first time, and now after having seen it at least 5 times it still invokes questions inside of me on some of the deeper aspects of life. "What is successs, beauty, love and happiness?", "Who would we be and what would we do if everything was taken away from us?". In the end, I analogize this movie to a lesson on reincarnation. Think of that during the last 60 seconds of the film...as you find yourself covered in goosebumps.
Buy this film, because you'll want to watch it at least twice.
(I'm anxious to see the remake of this film, "Vanilla Sky", starring Tom Cruise)
Movie Review: An Eye-opening movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I've just watched Open Your Eyes for the second time and I still think that I'm missing some points in the film. Open... has a complex plot that stats very slowly just like any romantic ordinary movie. Then out of the blue, it has twist that makes for a very dark and complex psicological thriller. After that you bit your nails desperate to get any clue of what's going on. And you don't get it until the very last minutes.Writing more about it I would give away important points and I don't mean to steal all the surprise of those who haven't seen it yet. The cast is very good. I have never noticed how good Penélope Cruz is. When she speaks in Spanish, she can deliver her character much better than in English.
It's largely known that Tom Cruise has remade the film with Cameron Crowe directing and Cruz reprising her role. By this time there's no much to be said. The trailer looks nice and very close to the original picture. We have to wait...
And, last but not least, mark the name Alejandro Amenabar. This guy has made good films in Spanish and one of the best 2001 movie in English, "The Others", which is his debut in English. I can hardly wait to see more of his films. He is very imaginative and his movies have a dark appeal that we haven't seen alike lately.
Movie Review: A true DVD movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Open Your Eyes is one of those movies that film-lovers rejoice to see on DVD. Granted, it doesn't have any behind-the-scenes features or even a commentary track. However, the lack of extras is made up for by the sheer quality and replay value of the movie. The movie itself just absorbs you into its world, assisted by the outstanding picture quality. As the story progresses with its twists and turns dealing with dreams and alternate realities, I was just drawn deeper into the world. Each step taken by the filmmaker allows you to hold the story in an entirely different perspective. The performances given are also top notch, especially by Eduardo Noriega for his growing confusion and paranoia and Penelope Cruz and the purity in which she performs. Finally, the film hits you with an ending that will inspire conversation between everyone else watching the movie, and having the movie on DVD gives you the ability to skip back instantly to a few scenes and watch them in reference to the ending rather than having to rewind a tape endlessly. In the end, this is one of those films that you will both enjoy and want to watch over and over. You probably missed it when it came through the US theaters. Don't miss the opportunity to own what is sure to be a classic.