Spider
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Movie Reviews of Spider
Movie Review: One of Cronenberg's best films
Summary: 5 Stars
So no, this isn't typical Cronenberg. It's obvious that he didn't write the script, and that he's adapting someone else's story. But, what a bang-up job he does with it. Throughout the film, you feel as if you're receiving less and less air. By the end, it feels like coming up after nearly drowning. This is one of the most claustrophobic films ever made (up there with Polanski's REPULSION and Romero's DAY OF THE DEAD, though those films are radically different thematically). At first I thought the film was subpar, not fully taking in just how nuanced and controlled it really is. Upon the second and third viewing, the film revealed itself to me to be a masterpiece (a word I don't use loosely). For a fan of Cronenberg or just great films in general, get SPIDER. How I'd rate it among Cronenberg's works:1.DEAD RINGERS
2.SPIDER/CRASH
3.VIDEODROME
4.THE FLY
5.NAKED LUNCH
6.M. BUTTERFLY
7.SHIVERS
8.RABID
9.SHIVERS
10.EXISTENZ
(I think all his films are fantastic, btw, but that's how I'd rate em.)
Movie Review: 5 Stars
Michael Powell ["Peeping Tom"] would heartily applaud this subtle homage to his work. Drab, dreary, funky and utterly disturbing - a sinister portrait of genteel madness, obsession and love that would even turn Kafka's head[s].THE movie ultimately belongs to Miranda Richardson ['Dance with a Stranger] in a triple role, mother, whore and caretaker. As the Blonde-Bombshell Diana Dors clone she shines with utter perversion - then there's the mousy mother ala Rachel Roberts, and the cold. clammy caretaker - still with sex appeal....
Ralph Fiennes as the semi-mute muttering mental case is sad to observe - especially his non-ability to connect. John Neville - as an inmate - true or false - another great find - very underrated performer, and Gabriel Byrne's fractured father figure is quite quite devastating in its DH Lawrence 'manliness' - all brawn - little or no brain .....
Costumes are perfect to the period.
Not quite Cronenberg's best [perhaps Crash?] but a stellar chamber-piece!
Movie Review: David Cronenberg, A Brilliant Vision Amongst the Hollywood Rubble
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie builds suspense unlike few films. David Cronenberg is the master of unsettling thought provoking cinema, and this movie is a great new chapter in his career. Ralph Fiennes is an underappreciated actor with powerful dramatic skills, which are on full display here. These are the kind of roles in which truly talented actors shine in. The sparse dialouge requires Fiennes to portray his character without spitting out thoughts and feelings in words but rather in expression and body language, which in my opinion is far more difficult. Tom Hanks in Cast Away, Bill Murray in Lost in Translation are good examples of less is more such as this. I really enjoyed the supporting cast as well, Miranda Richardson and Gabriel Bryne are both excellent. Cronenberg is a genius surrounded by hacks when compared to the majority of living film directors, a brilliant and original maverick of the cinema. He is a true class act who has never compromised his art to be commercial and for that I applaud him.Movie Review: An acting master class.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not the sort of movie I would normally see but I'm glad I did otherwise I would have missed Ralph Fiennes remarkable performance as a very disturbed personality, Spider Cleg.. It is watching Fiennes that really made the movie come alive for me. He presents the schizophrenic character so perfectly, facial expressions, body language, mannerisms, the entire persona is so believable even though he says very little direct dialogue. His first appearance, soon after the start, sets the scene, a train arrives at a London terminal, the passengers stream past the camera until the platform is empty and then Spider steps down from the carriage, immediately you sense that here is a person who is different and you're hooked. I would suggest that this movie is recommended viewing for every acting/drama class in the country.
Director Cronenberg has turned out a fascinating movie with lots of little subtleties that could easily be missed on the first viewing.
Movie Review: Stuck with Me
Summary: 5 Stars
Director David Cronenberg and lead actor Fiennes do a dead-on job of not only showing the viewer, but by sucking the viewer into the life of a schizophrenic. This portrait of a schizophrenic is an expressionistic piece of art. Watching this, I couldn't help but be moved by the sheer emptiness, and frustration of Fienne's character as he recollects his past, and tries to come to terms with a murder commited in the family.
The acting is superb by Miranda Richardson, Fiennes, Gabriel Byrne, and the kid who played Fiennes' charchter as a boy. Those familiar with Cronenberg films will recognize this as one of his right away, as it is shot as only he can think of. The directing, the set, the camera angles, the minute details all add to this poignant world of layers, it leaves a feeling of helplessness..you will realize just how creepy this movie is in the following days, as it lingers on.
A certain must-see for all lovers of fine film.