Dead Calm

it is a decent premise, but the execution is subpar. it can't decide if it wants to be serious or just schlocky, so it varies from scene to scene and doesn't do either very well. a lot of the film rests on billy zane's shoulders, but he can't really act and lets it all down. this film desperately wants early 2000s matthew mcconaughey to play the billy zane role, he would have been perfect for it. brad pitt would have been able to nail it too and he was the right age and fame level for the role when they made this film. the stuff with sam neill on the other boat would have been a lot more read more

like one of those seedy home invasion thrillers of the 90's, but at sea, and not quite the 90's yet. this movie is pretty dope, and works so well by keeping everything super lean. there aren't a lot of wasted scenes or set-ups here, as things expertly switch back & forth between neill's being stuck on a sinking ship, and kidman trying to get the upper hand on billy zane. also i feel like we never appreciated billy zane enough? must be that pretty boy vibe because the dude can bring it. like, nic cage-level bring it. anyway, very much worth anyone's time. read more

6.5 calma total read more