Open Your Eyes
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VHS Movie Reviews of Open Your Eyes
Movie Review: Come here when 'Vanilla Sky' confuses the heck out of you
Summary: 5 Stars
'Abre Los Ojos' - or 'Open Your Eyes' - is Spanish director's Alejandro Amen?bar's master work. Amen?bar is famous here in the United States for his subsequent work with Nicole Kidman in 'The Others,' but he first burst into international prominence as the writer and shaper of the wildly inventive 'Ojos.'And that caught the attention of the international film set, including director/screenwriter Cameron Crowe and Tom Cruise. They re-shaped the 1997 release of Madrid-based 'Ojos' into 2001's NYC-based 'Vanilla Sky'.
Without getting into a lengthy blow-by-blow comparison of the two releases, let's just say that anyone who sees the original after the re-make has the same comment: "I really wish I had seen the original first."
Exactly. It's the far superior film. Crowe/Cruise add nothing to it, and in fact seem to have suceeded only in totally confusing or frustrating their audience.
Although I should point out that Cameron Diaz is really brilliant in 'Sky' as the doomed femme fatale, far better than Najwa Nimri, who played the same role in 'Ojos.'
Movie Review: a side bar
Summary: 5 Stars
I have not seen "Abre los ojos". I saw "Vanilla Sky" a few nights ago and liked it. And I started to read reviews for "Abre" once I realized "Vanilla" was a remake of it.The reason I'm writing this "review" is that I've noticed everyone's been giving high praises to "Abre" for its originality. Now my disclaimer is that I've only seen "Vanilla", but while I was watching "Vanilla", I felt I recognized "strong" influnces and borrowing from a 1985 Japanese novel called "Hard-boiled wonderland and the end of the world" by Haruki Murakami. "Hard" is also a sci-fi/romance/thriller type of story that fluctuates between realities and the subconscious. By the end of the story, the reader along with the protagonist eventually realize that "the end of the world" is a creation from the narrator's consciousness that theorectically can last forever, except for his own sneaky subconscious and id lurking around in the background... The protagonist in "Hard" ultimately also chose the sweet-bitterness of reality over the imaginary kingdom where he reigned. I remember the protagonist had a difficult time choosing because he had grown to love the strange world his mind had created. He also felt responsible for the people that his mind had conceived, he was torn by the realization that these people that he had come to care about are all going to cease to exist once he leaves. I loved that book.
Is there anyone out there who also see the "strong" similarities?
Movie Review: The Original is Best !
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the original movie from which Vanilla Sky took it's story line. Vanilla Sky , though good, pales by comparison. This version has a wonderful cast - the characters are believable and passionatly portrayed. Watching this movie is like taking a roller coaster ride with Cesar, the main character. You get pulled through all the twists and turns of the plot right along with him. While he's trying to figure out what is happening and whether he is losing his mind you are right there trying to decide the same things. The plot isn't obvious and the story keeps you guessing to the last seconds. If you like psycholoical thrillers with lots of suspense, mystery and twists, this is a movie for you !Movie Review: Example of fine movie making out of Europe...
Summary: 5 Stars
Outstanding film. Bought this DVD after seeing and enjoying Vanilla Sky. If you liked Vanilla Sky, it's pretty interesting to see Abre Los Ojos, the inspiration for it. In fact, I was surprised how closely the stories stuck together. Scene for scene they unfold in almost the exact same way (unlike some Hollyweed remakes of foreign flicks). To be honest, I like both movies a lot, and for slightly different reasons. Not sure why some folks slam the heck out of Vanilla Sky and praise this to pieces since they're so similar (quite a few foreign film snobs seem to lean that way--which I don't understand since almost half of my DVD collection is comprised of non-American productions). Abre Los Ojos did an awesome job crafting a story that was interesting and pulled the watcher in without a bunch of over-the-top special effects. One of its strengths is just the sheer way it pulls you in with the simplicity of executing a far-from-simple story. I do think Penelope Cruz' performance was stronger in this version. She adds a little more depth to her character, and it feels a little more fleshed out. Conversely I think the Nunia/Julie Gianni character (the spurned love interest in the story) is better executed by Cameron Diaz. She injects just enough of an eery quality into her character that puts you cautiously on edge. Najwa Nimri, the actress in Open Your Eyes, does the roll well, but with less dimension. Another noticeable difference is Noriega's `C?sar' (the main character). In Abre Los Ojos, he comes across as more of a na?ve victim of circumstance. Yes, he's callow and cocky, but not necessarily conniving. Cruise' character seems much more aware of his circumstances and bit more manipulative. Regardless of the differences, both flicks are way worth watching, and need to be given more than one viewing to be really appreciated. Strong performances across the board support an interesting and twisting story line that might leave you a little confused at times, but definitely not bored. Five stars, two thumbs up, and a `hip hip hooray'!!Movie Review: Pure Genius
Summary: 5 Stars
Oh my goodness - what a brilliant film. Words cannot describe my reaction to it - my friend and I kind of looked at each other at the end and all we could manage was "Woah," and we're English majors that love to talk. This film is brilliantly done and both Noriega (II) and Cruz play phenomenal roles. To not see it would be an insult to the cinematic world. It makes you think about life in ways you didn't even think you could analyze it. In fairness, if you don't like to gain great insight from movies and don't want to think while you watch them, this is not the film for you. If you want to gain a whole new perspective on life, go watch it immediately! To quote a very wise literary great (E. A. Poe), "All we see, and all we seem, is but a dream within a dream." Watch the movie, and think about it.