1995
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow
And we are back to movies require a bit of creativity to obtain. The remaining two titles are the Final Bosses in terms of difficulty. So it might be awhile until you hear from me again, but I'll come back, like a returning victorious army, ready to enjoy home cooked meals from their mothers.
In the last remaining days of 1999, LA has gone to hell. The FBI developed SQUID, an electronic device that records memories and physical sensations directly from the brain, and copies it onto a device for playback. The FBI had originally developed SQUID for body camera purposes, but the device has leaked into the black market. The movie begins with Lenny Nero, watching/experiencing a robbery from the point of view of one of the dead robbers. Nero is a former LAPD officer who is now a black marketeer of SQUID tapes. Nero is still in love with his ex girlfriend Faith and, of course, watches the"when we were happy" tapes over and over again, which are required in every sci-fi movie. When Nero gets wind that Faith is danger, he goes to any lengths to save her.
That might be one of the best opening scenes I've ever seen. I love the concept behind this movie, even as a writing exercise. What they do with the concept is about as disturbing as it gets, but I still enjoyed it. And the comments on police brutality were obviously still relevant, even if this was supposed to take place more than twenty years ago.
I didn't know how well Ralph Fiennes would do as a rugged action star, but he pulled it off well. Why is this movie so difficult to find? Is it because the Powers That Be are allergic to female directors? It's the best sci-fi movie the List has presented us with for awhile. And way better than Blade Runner.
RATING: *****
Interesting Facts:
Interesting Facts:
Juliette Lewis did all her own singing for the movie. The music she sings was written by P.J. Harvey. This excites me.
Bigelow wanted John Travolta for the lead role.
This is a fantastic film. It should be as famous as The Matrix. I still remember getting a new version of The Book upon publication and discovering that Meet the Parents had gone (yay!) but this had gone also (What? Really? Why?)
ReplyDeleteEqually, I'm a bit shocked to hear from you that it was hard to get hold of. I bet you had no trouble getting a copy of Keanu Reeves saving the world or Adam Sandler getting hassled by his prospective in-laws.