Strange Days

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  November 23, 2009

  stopitgoaway

  Strange Days is a truly astonishing science fiction offering, part scripted by James Cameron and directed with relentless panache by maverick lady-director Kathryn Bigelow. It presents a depressing and bleak, yet worryingly probable, view of the near future, and hooks its story t...( read more)hreads upon the impending millennium eve celebrations. Although December 31st, 1999, has been and gone since the making of this movie, it is a credit to the makers that this film still offers a plausible viewpoint about where the world might be at in the next decade or so.
  
  Ralph Fiennes seems initially miscast, but soon wins over the audience as Lenny Nero, a sleazy racketeer who sells "memories" captured on some form of disk, similar to virtual reality but recorded from real experiences rather than computerised ones. He is desperately trying to get back with his ex-girlfriend Faith (Juliette Lewis), but she doesn't want him as she has hooked up with a music producer named Philo (Michael Wincott). Lenny acquires two disturbing tapes, one showing the rape and murder of a woman, the other showing a racially motivated slaying, and before he knows it he is on the run from the culprits who want to kill him before he exposes their crimes. The only person he can trust is his best friend, lady bodyguard Mace (Angela Bassett). To complicate matters further, his ex-girlfriend Faith seems to know something about the disks, and may either be involved in the crimes or at great risk from those responsible.
  
  Bassett is the real star here, in the role of a lifetime as a morally strong and physically stronger heroine. Lewis plays the same old white trash girl she has played many times, but at least she has the experience to bring total conviction to the role. The production values are incredibly high, especially the party at the end which seems to realistically convey an entire city celebrating in the streets. The plot unfolds slowly, but this is a strength rather than a criticism. Each new development slots into place beautifully, and the audience is given time to get into the characters and the situations (which, in too many movies, we are not allowed to do since the pace is often too frenetic).
  
  Strange Days is challenging and aggressive and frequently disturbing. It is also inventive and exciting and ingeniously staged. It is simply a terrific science film which any devotee of the genre absolutely must see.

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  September 26, 2009

  ironclad1609

  Set on new year's eve 1999 this action thriller combines sci-fi- and psycho-murderer-elements (machines can record what people see through their eyes), the omni-present fear of the millennium and mega city problems like police violence and race issues into an extremely entertaini...( read more)ng and exciting mix. Ralph Fiennes shines in what was pretty much his only action hero role, as dealer of said first-person-clips who stumbles into a conspiracy and murder case that are taking quite a few twists and turns until the excellent two-part showdown solves it all with a bang. That's smart, fast, gripping and offers characters with a lot more than just a few layers. Angela Bassett portrays one of the strongest action heroines of the last 15 years and makes Fiennes (intentionally by writer James Cameron) look like a wuss. A bit dated, since we all survived the millennium, but still a great thrill ride with many surprised. Deserves more attention that it got.

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  September 25, 2009

  SirPant

  I don't know what it is about this film, it?s a strange one but I love it!

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  February 16, 2009

  franktowers

  cool sci-fi memory movie

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  December 13, 2008

  middleeasternfilms

  Ralph is excellent in a very different role from what he's used to and Angela Bassett and Juliette Lewis are good, too. The ending is pretty predictable, though.

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  November 24, 2009

  ElCochran90

  Strange Days is a James Cameron's story I couldn't help myself but to like more than I should have. We are witnessing the very foundations of a Ghost in the Shell type of society, the incarnation of the most provocative sins conquering our minds while we deviate our consciousness...( read more) from an apocalyptic reality of the birth of a new millennium and... seeing typical Hollywood action. More disturbing is the concept than the "snuff" material itself. Nice ride.
  
  63/100

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  November 22, 2009

  21rclemente

  I accidentally added this to my favorites. What a horrible thing... I haven't seen this movie and I have no intentions of seeing this movie. Shit! I cant believe I just favrited this crap.... How do I undo it??

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  November 7, 2009

  InaHH

  It takes a woman's touch - to make an action flick that I do not only like, but outright love. Multifaceted storytelling, gruesome glimpses into a dark future (year 2000 - which is funny in retrospect) and some good old-fashioned action. This is exciting without insulting the aud...( read more)ience's intelligence.

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  October 24, 2009

  JuddBlue

  Twisted pearl-er.... Fiennes & Sizemore are great with Bassett and Lewis just 'HOT'.

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  October 22, 2009

  Erdren

  Watch it... if you enjoyed "Blade Runner" but yearn for a stronger dose of character and plot development, for "Strange Days" works not only as a satisfying thriller, but also as a fascinating exploration of the ways we interact with technology and with each other.
  
  Avoid it......( read more) if you prefer easier-to-watch space operas to this emotionally and intellectually grueling sort of material.

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• Strange Days
• Angie