FilmRoar

Visually stunning, Requiem for a Dream (2000) is a testament to Darren Aronofsky’s cinematographic genius. Aronofsky proved himself in the independent-film gone right Pi (1998), then followed it right up with another hit by adapting Hubert Selby Jr.’s Requiem into this superb film. Uncompromising, disturbing, superbly written and excellently acted, Requiem is one of those special movies that refuses convention in favor of innovation and artistry.

CineMovies has posted a new trailer for Cypher (2002). The movie, starring Lucy Liu and Jeremy Northam looks like Gattaca (1997) meets Matrix, The (1999) meets Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001)… all gone cyberpunk. The movie is directed by Cube (1997) director Vincenzo Natali and does not seem to be showing in the US yet.

How self-referential can a film be? How about a movie that begins with the screenwriter describing how he is feeling as he begins to work on the screenplay for the movie you are watching? Now, what if the plot of the movie is the screenwriter?s frustration as he desperately searches for a way to write the movie? Throw in a scene where the screenwriter makes a cameo as his alter-ego while he talks to himself in the mirror and you have Adaptation. (2002)
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It is sad to see great actors wasted on a poor script. Excess Baggage (1997) stars Alicia Silverstone as a spoiled brat trying to find a way to get attention from her rich father. Benicio Del Toro and Christopher Walken, two of Hollywood?s best, try their best to give this movie some character, but are given little to work with.

A mockumentary in four parts, R2-D2: Beneath the Dome (2001) was created for the www.starwars.com web site. The short film includes “interviews” with George Lucas, Natalie Portman, Steven Spielberg and others. It is well made and quite amusing, though maybe not as original or impressive as its sister work Jar Jar Binks: The F! True Hollywood Story.