The Salton Sea
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Movie Reviews of The Salton Sea
Movie Review: The Salton Sea
Summary: 5 Stars
I think Val Kilmer is underappreciated as an actor. He has been called less than that in so many ways and yet he proves himself time and again in movies like "The Salton Sea". Personally I like him and think a person sure of themselves will always get the envy of others and so I think the disparaging remarks about him only reflect that. This movie was well written and directed and only an actor of Val Kilmer's caliber could pull it off without making it seem another inept rehash of Traffic or some other drama about a person's life turned upside down.
The story is centered around a man looking for the killers that murdered his wife while they were lost near the Salton Sea. He goes undercover as a civilian with another identity and dives into the life of drug users known as tweakers. He follows clues to link her murder to the right two men that think they are above the law. The characters he meets along the way are extremely believable thanks to an excellent support cast and exceptional script. I love Kilmer's narration throughout and truly appreciated the smattering of humor thrown in to lighten the mood of this often dark story.
After viewing this I immediately ordered it and I can not say the same for the majority of tragic dramas. It is a credit to this movie due to great story writing, casting, directing, sets, music, and effects. If you enjoy dramas be sure to see it. Good quality picture and sound with some standard extras. If you enjoyed this be sure to catch Spartan.
CA Luster
Movie Review: Moving, stunningly bleak, heartbreaking
Summary: 5 Stars
In the "Salton Sea" Val Kilmer gives the performance of his career. (His oft-praised performance of Jim Morrison in The Doors, a terrible movie, was nothing more than a buffoonish caricature.) Unsure of his identity and at times even the real motives behind his actions, he plays a man whose life has fallen apart. While critics have taken numerous and well written wizzes on the film for it's postmodern, Tarantino-esque attitude toward drugs and violence, I think this has been focused on too heavily. The movie has a flavor all it's own, one of mystery and how a man reacts when what he loves is taken away forever. Danny Parker, haunted drug addict and truly frightening individual, is juxtaposed with former musician and husband Thomas Van Allen. It is safe to say that Danny has taken over when the film begins.Giving an amusing history of methamphetamine, Danny asks the viewer to help him discover who he is and follow him in what will eventually become a path of revenge. And when the revenge does come, it is both vicious and unforgiving. The ending, despite trying to appear upbeat (perhaps in a last ditch attempt to not depress the softer viewer's to death), is actually fairly sad. Although I will not reveal any of the plot twists (and one is more important than any of the others), one has to ask oneself what is left for Danny/Tom at the end of the film. An unforgettable movie, one that will haunt your dreams. To miss this would be a disservice to all the masterful film noir that came before it.
Movie Review: A Great Drug Movie and Just a Great Film All Around
Summary: 5 Stars
The director of "Taking Lives" and the writer of "Murder By Numbers" have made a movie that has surpassed both of those films. "The Salton Sea" is a terrific movie with some stellar performances by everyone. Val Kilmer recently made a drug movie called "Wonderland" and while I did like the movie, this film I think is quite possibly Kilmers best film. Kilmer plays Danny.
Danny is a lot of things. Tweaker, snitch, and trumpet player?
Danny basically leads a double life. For this however he has a good reason. I don't want to tell you the reason and I hate how Amazon kind of tells you, cause I consider that like revealing the twist in "The Sixth Sense." Anyway, Danny hangs out with his friend Jimmy (Peter Sarsgaard) at crack houses and then reports
them to the cops (Anthony LaPaglia and that dude from "The Green Mile"). While trying to make a drug deal by himself with the sadistic, noseless Pooh Bear (Vincent D'Onofrio, who looks like he's having fun) the cops find out and all of Dannys secrets may be revealed. The many twists that this movie has are terrific and the movie unfolded nicely. Another thing I noticed is that this movie was a lot better than most drug films that are being released today. I think this film was better than the movie "Traffic" which won 4 Oscars. Kilmer, who I dislike, was terrific and could become one of my favorite actors. A.
Movie Review: I don't mean to impose, but I am the Ocean
Summary: 5 Stars
It took me quite a significant amount of time to write a review about this movie, as I didn't particularly believe I could possibly review the movie in a justifying and satisfactory manner.Here goes :
"The Salton Sea" is already one of my favourites, ever. It took 2 viewings to join the company of my other favourites ranging back to the 40s....YES, this movie is THAT good. I can't fathom how the film wasn't critiqued as positively as it ought to have been. A pity, considering many potential viewers won't watch the film.
This is film noir meets murder mystery meets a slight Monty Python quirkiness. Artistic cinematography, EXCELLENT acting on the parts of Val Kilmer and Vincent D'Onofrio (playing one of the most memorable on screen villians.....EVER), great score and soundtrack. The Salton Sea has repeat viewing quality like no other.
This movie draws the viewer into the confusing, euphoric, mildly humorous and yet bleak, tortured world of Val Kilmer. A heap of memorable and quotable dialog to boot. A truly draining and rewarding film experience. I'm atwitter thinking about DJ Caruso's next project!
If you don't own a copy yet, push this to the top of your MUST-BUY list.
Movie Review: Weird, grotesque and unpleasant. I thought it was great!
Summary: 5 Stars
This 2002 film is a rather weird and grotesque story set in the world of drugs. Val Kilmer is cast as a former trumpet player on a downward drug spiral. He's a middleman dealer, a police informant and a speed freak himself. The drug scenes are lurid and explicit. And the violence never stops. It's also a roller coaster ride for the audience, with a complicated plot that finally makes sense. There are also special effects and moments to make me cringe.Vincent D'Onofrio is cast as a demented drug dealer who has lost his nose due to his habit. He's a sadist who boasts about torturing people who have tried to scam him and he puts Val Kilmer through some horrible moments. There's double crossing going on of course, and even triple crossing. This makes the plot rather interesting as our perception of our hero changes as the film moves along.
It's all a strange and unpleasant trip but I must give credit to fine performances and excellent and edgy directing. I enjoyed it but do stay away if you're squeamish in any way and don't want to be haunted by nightmarish images. Recommended only for the adventurous few.