Diary entries forStrange Days
Strange Days
It's been a while since I have seen a dark dystopian type movie with an excellent mystery to boot, and this movie excels in both its atmosphere and storytelling. The idea of using what we now refer to as VR, but taking it one step further and adding the users FEEL the experiences as well, is a really cool concept to use as the new drugs. In this universe, Ralph Fiennes finds himself both an addict and a dealer too. The underlining themes of the movie are really well executed, and Kathryn Bigelow does a phenomenal job directing the movie, switching between traditional and POV shots when the “SQUID” sequences take place. The opening scene to this movie is an exceptional display of on-edge filmmaking. A stunning movie overall that deserves to be talked about a lot more in the scope of 90s Sci-fi movies. Side note: I kept saying to myself throughout, “Man, Vincent D'Onofrio really looks like a young Orson Wells here,” completely forgetting that he played that role in the Ed Wood biopic.
Strange Days
“Memories are meant to fade. They're designed that way for a reason” Even if the only Kathryn Bigelow films you've experienced, like I have, are this and Near Dark, I feel like that's enough to know that she just gets how to film the sleaziest-looking tragedies while having the most beautiful-looking light still shining through the cracks But also I've frequently been told these two are the best/only Bigelow films I should bother with, so. Maybe I just want the version of the director who made this one back, even if that ending gave me some pause
Strange Days
❝Memories are meant to fade. They're designed that way for a reason.❞ · · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · I'm surprised this film isn't more well-known considering its quality and substance, and the fact that both Kathryn Bigelow and James Cameron are pretty big names in the industry. The film mixes still-relevant politics with fresh, futuristic concepts and tech to create an intriguing plot. The introduction and integration of the SQUID devices was very smooth and didn't feel like a lot of information was being dumped all at once, but I felt that the pace was a little slow to begin with. Once the main story began, though, everything became more high-speed and stayed that way until the end. It was interesting to see how a lot of issues like police brutality, racial profiling and just straight discrimination were broached using the cover of futuristic technology, and it's disappointing to see that in present times we're moving even more backwards than the film prophesied; I started laughing when it was mentioned that astrologers were predicting that by 2025 there would be a second woman president, when only a couple of months ago America couldn't even manage to elect its first. Initially I didn't think Ralph Fiennes was the best person to play Lenny, but he soon fleshed out his character and proved he is a great actor, although his American accent was medicore at best. However, Angela Bassett stole the show: she was dynamic and badass as Mace and became my favourite very quickly. There were some shaky performances from the rest of the cast, and the plot twist of Max being behind the vile discs was predictable the moment he appeared on screen. I loved the cinematography and visuals; it was stylish and bold, and the first-person scenes recorded onto the discs were shot so well. The first recording of the robbery was heart-pounding and really cool to watch, and the action sequences were high-octane and electric. I liked the soundtrack too, and it coalesced with the film skillfully. All in all, Strange Days was an awesome experience and I would highly recommend giving it a go.
Strange Days
il faut avoir honte de cette fin quand meme
Strange Days
ralph fiennes was so HOT GOSH
Strange Days
Prescient techno noir. Great cast, well made.
Strange Days
So glad this is on HBO Max and more people are getting a chance to check it out. This has aged remarkably well. What a stunning cast.
Strange Days
It’s fucking scary how relevant this movie is right now, especially with our political climate. Who would’ve thought that a movie made 5 years before the start of the millennium would accidentally predict not just LA, but our entire country in general becoming a police state, 25 years late, might I add? Absolutely brilliant, fucking killer soundtrack, and it’s Kathryn Bigelow’s best.
Strange Days
“Hey Lenny, we made it.” “Yeah, we did.” If you would like a real review here is my firstone (https://boxd.it/447hcF)that I don’t think many people saw. Happy New Year everyone! This marks my 450th film of the year. I’m drunk, just got home from watching the ball drop with friends, and really optimistic about 2024’s vibe so far. I think we’re gonna make it too, you guys. So here’s to us in the new year and a sincere thank you for following me and reading my thoughts and coming with me on this film journey of mine. Looking forward to doing it all over again with you all very soon!🥂🤍
Strange Days
“You say it, you think it, you can have it.” STRANGE DAYSis forewarning in its portrayal of civil unrest, living under a police state and technology slowing beginning to bridge the gap between reality and fiction. Whether that fiction is a fantasy or just the false image you have of someone in your head—it doesn’t matter. It’s not real. Would never have guessed that Bigelow shooting a Cameron sci-fi script would go as well as this did, but clearly, it’s a match made in heaven. Action scenes are dynamic and well-shot. Tension proliferates every scene as the weight of the new millennium presses in on the characters. You can really feel the impending doom via the grunge-y atmosphere Bigelow creates. And that’s nothing to say of the sexual tension between Basset and Fiennes. It’s palpable and is what really drives the last half of this film forward. Hollywood is so sexless now and watching these two interact made that even more clear. Will definitely re-visit this again next New Year’s. Illicit crimes, electronic music, and a kiss at midnight to ring in the coming year. You couldn’t pick a better film to watch on the day.
