Joel Shumacher brings his trademark motifs of cynisim and mystery to this disturbing thriller about the dark underground world of hard pornography and heavy sadism. Oscar winner Nicolas Cage is the private investigator hired by the widow of a rich and reputable socialite to look into a snuff film she uncovered in her late husband's save. Despite such films being known to be urban folklore, Mrs Christian remains unsettled until the film documenting the butchery of a teenage girl is proven to be fake. Cage embarks on a grossly dark and treacherous path to uncovering the truth behind the reel of film. Vividly real sets and a highly-believable plot leaves your sanity ajar for a moment and your mind uneasy for a while longer. A darker and heavier Seven that haunts more than it scares, 8mm is a beautifully filmed story that educates and widens perspectives. Despite a slightly disppointing ending, this film manages to push buttons. Probably not a wise 1st date choice but definitely not one to be missed.


CRUEL INTENTIONS
Sexual conquests, masturbation references, explicit innuendoes and streams of seduction, Cruel Intentions is nasty and uninhibitedly vulgar - bordering on the line of being tasteless. The plots' so twisted the intentions become almost more crap than cruel. Sarah butt-kickin' Gellar @ Buffy plays Kathryn, the evil stepsister with little else but sex and revenge on her mind. Dangerously charming Ryan Phillippe is the stepbrother Sebastian who has conquered every lady he wants in Manhattan ; all except kathryn. A bet is set between the siblings for Sebastian to deflower a sensible girl from Kansas. The wagers are his jaguar and what else but herself. Things get awfully cruel and sticky as the seductions entail and the treacheries unfold. A perfect gen-x teen-crazy crowd movie with lavish expensive sets and wardrobe shouting style and sophistication (despite how ironic this may sound) don by gorgeous actors in this fantasy world. Gen-y and above crowds should find this movie nonsensical and a total waste of time. Some will undoubtedly enjoy this. Enter at your own risk.


THE PHANTOM MENACE

Said to be the most anticipated movie of the century, this prequel to the most successful trilogy in cinematic history raked in US $200 million in a fortnight, half the time it took Titanic to earn that much. Liam Neeson takes centerstage as Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn, the master of apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi played by Ewan McGregor. They are sent on a mission to save the queen of planet Naboo from the threats of the Trade Federation ran by Mandarin-accented squid-like lifeforms coerced by the evil Darths. Beautiful Natalie Portman (The Professional) is Queen Amidala, the future wife of Anakin Skywalker @ Darth Vader who is but a kid in this episode in the form of Jake Lloyd (Jingle All The Way). This well casted ensemble brings us on a fun ride through the realm created by George Lucas over 20 years ago.

What this installment promises are cool light-sabres fighting scenes (including the introduction of Darth Maul, a real life martial arts expert with a double-bladed red light-sabre), the story behind the Anakin, C3PO, R2D2, Obi-Wan, 2000 special f/x shots including a digital character named Jar Jar Binks who is essentially episode 1's Chewbacca, and almost enough fast-paced action sequences and battle scenes to quench a 2 decade long thirst. While test audiences found the movie plotless and disappointing, it is understandable that nothing can live up to the hype of such magnitude created by the media and fans. The screenplay pales in comparison to episode 4 and 5. The Phanton Menace may display visually stunning settings and images but the Anakin starship battle scenes are not half as exciting as Luke's journey to the core of the DeathStar in A New Hope. The light-sabres and swashbuckling action may be more fanciful but they don't come close to The duel between Darth Vader and his son in The Empire Strikes Back. All in all, The Phantom Menace is enjoyable but personally, I didn't feel the familiar adrenalin rush I was expecting, not even till the credits rolled.


NOTTING HILL

It's true when they say that Notting Hill is better than Four Weddings And A Funeral. Hugh Grant may be nearing 40 but thanks to the honest and hilarious script, he recaptures the brooding sensitive screen personality the world so enjoyed 6 years ago. What made the movie exceptional was the perfect casting of the leads. Julia Roberts exudes such glow and charm as the world's biggest movie star it takes a split second to fall in love with her all over again. The beautiful couple go on a on-and-off courtship that explores the possiblity of a romance between a media-scrutinized celebrity and an ordinary nobody guy. Intimate and cosy, Notting is typical of a British picture and this quality sets it apart from My Best Friend's Wedding. Just when we thought that the only American to score in a British film is Gwyneth, in comes Julia's character Anna Scott, mesmerizing audiences as an endearing girl in need of real down-to-earth love. Clearly a winner in its league, Notting Hill will definitely continue to bring in box-offices figures after a great 1st week receipt. Fans of romance, Julia or Hugh, you're in for something this summer.


EDTV

Raved as The Truman Show wannabe, EDtv is really far from the Jim Carrey acclaimed vehicle about a human being 'bought' by a TV network whose entire life has been aired without his knowledge and needless to say, his consent. ED is very much similar to MTV's Real World where people are hired by the network to have their daily lives aired on national television. In the movie's case, the chosen one's life will be recorded and aired 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without any editing or acting presumably. Matthew McConaughey as Ed got the part and transformed into a national icon days after the revolutionary show began. His life turned almost Melrose Place when the camera crew that shadows him captured his cheating brother's bimbo-of-the-week, his kiss with his brother's girlfriend, his hot-n-heavy date with a model-and-sorta-an-actress (Elizabeth Hurley of Austin Powers), his nude girlfriend in the car and his complicated parental history. With viewership ratings breaking records, his privacy was at the mercy of the network when they decide to pursue this show indefinitely. The lost of privacy and anonymity along with his integrity drove him to outsmart the contract deal that bonded him to the network : a clever move unmatched since Mel Gibson turned the table around and changed the ransom fee into a wanted man rewarded sum for the kidnappers in Ransom.

Viewing the journey of how a normal man traded more than his time and privacy for some good money can really change your perspective. Director Ron Howard of Apollo 13 does a more realistic Truman Show without losing the interesting contexts and emotional heartstrings of such storylines. Although not as exciting as watching Jim Carrey uncover the truth, ED does offer its own kind of flavour and enjoyment. Not a 'Thumbs-up' kind off movie but nevertheless a fine show to consider for a date.


WAKING NED DIVINE