Review : 8MM (1999)

VIA swotti.starmedia.com

This brilliant crime thriller traces the story of a private investigator who has been assigned the task of finding out if a snuff film is real or not. And as expected things get more than a little uncomfortable and out of hand. But is it real? And why would someone make a snuff film? All these things get answered in this nerve wracking thriller.


As a horror fan I have seen far worse. But still this got to me. Not much but it made me uncomfortable. And not many movies have had that distinction. But this movie made me think about many things including my film choices. But then i had to admit- some people are disturbed. But that's no excuse for doing things which are morally wrong. But there's no stopping them. And this movie delves right into the minds of the psychotics to see what drives them to do such things. And the answer can shock you......


Director Joel Schumacher directs this beautifully haunting thriller. Before this my favourite movie  of his was Phone Booth. The fast paced thriller was a smash hit. And one of my all time favourite. And compared to that its a tad slow. More atmospheric. More words. Less action. But its more disturbing as well. And that's what attracts me to it. He with the writer Andrew Walker who has SE7EN and EVENT HORIZON to his credit create an atmosphere of absolute lush dread. Everytime the snuff film plays the sound and imagery can shake you. New York and LA have never looked this unattractive to me before. The seedy underbelly and the tough conditions are exposed. He directs this with conviction trying to give a message of doom and hope which is HOLLYWOOD. Some make it in movies, some in porn and some in snuff films. Disturbingly great work. 

VIA sinanbastas.com

Acting. Oh boy! Acting is helmed by my third fav actor in the world. (Jim Carrey and Al Pacino the 1st two) Nicholas Cage. What an act. What an utterly beautiful haunting act. He shows the nervous breakdown of a man who is assigned to delve deep into something as disturbing as the origin of a snuff film. He plays the private investigator Tom Welles who must uncover the truth even as his family is threatened. As he cowers seeing the disturbing moving images we falter too. He just gets it damn right. And strengthens my belief in his acting ability. He remains on number 3. And to support is the fabulous James Gandolfini. So sad he died yesterday. But he gave us innumerable memorable performances to remember him by. One of those is in this movie. The dreadful murderer Eddie Poole. He looks scary and intimidating as the big old bag of sh*t. Who does shit. And the other one is Joaquin Phoenix. He looks amazing as the struggling musician Max California who's into porn business to make ends meet. And there are others too. Like Peter Stomare who just do their work with lot of conviction. And manage to scare n piss you off. So an amazing cast who do their work beautifully. Well done.


Production design has come in for special praise from everyone around and its really well done. Cinematography is excellent. Making everything beautiful around look fishy, atleast to me, is damn nice work. And accompanied by superlative music this will move you. It will tug you and ask questions of you. Nice work people.


HighTension Verdict: A little slow but disturbing. 2hours long. But you'll never feel bored. And an ending which seemed forced. That climax could have ended a bit early i think. Maybe saved a couple of minutes. But most of the time the feeling of dread and repulsion never leaves you. And Nicholas Cage will surely move you to tears in this one. Must watch.


HighTension Verdict: 8/10.


Best QUOTE:

Max California: There's three rules in life: One, there's always a victim; two, don't be it.

Tom Welles: And three?

Max California: I forgot what three is.

    

RIP James Gandolfini. Always will remember you with all the wonderful performances you left for us.Thank you.