INSOMNIA (DVD Review) - 20/8/06
This was originally going to be a review of a TV movie called "Revelation" a supernatural thriller with a journey through ancient symbolism and mystery - But unfortunately the BBC started the film late and my recorder cut the end of the film off - So hence no review. Even more annoying was the point where I got in the film with the Indiana Jones style sand cascading into the underground vault and the heroes fighting to escape and then it stopped - I really hate that!! 
So bearing in mind that I'm constantly playing catch-up with films and they are making one as I write - It's a constant game of trying to watch stuff and keeping up. This film "Insomnia" was an American remake of a Norwegian/Swedish film of the same title and was directed by Christopher Nolan of "Batman Begins" and "Memento" fame. Starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams and Hilary Swank in the leads and a fine ensemble cast we get a taut, claustrophobic feel to a film set in the wide open spaces of glacial Alaska where a murder has been committed in a small town in the middle of nowhere and hemmed in by the wilderness. The more you watch this as the film progresses the more tired you feel as the midnight sun never sets and it's constant daylight starts to irritate. In black and white it has someone spray-painting a grey swathe right in the middle of everything and nothing feels quite one way or the other as the tale unfolds. Twisting back and forth it has elements of a Hitchcock thriller about it as all the threads tighten in the rug to the final weaving - literally - in the case of the blood stained clothing.
The DVD covers feature the original film on Region 2 (UK) and also the remake on Region 2 (UK). It is also available on Region 1 (USA) in a couple of versions - Pan & Scan, Fullscreen & Widescreen.
SPECIAL FEATURES: The Region 2 (UK) remake is rated 15. Colour Pal. Runtime Approx: 113 Mins. Widescreen Format: 2.35:1. Languages: Dolby Digital 5.1. English/French. Subtitles: English & Central European. Bonus Features minus subtitles. (2) Commentary Tracks, 180 Degrees: A Conversation with Chris Nolan & Al Pacino, Day & Night: The Making Of Insomnia, In The Fog Featurettes, Stills Gallery and Deleted Scene and more. ALCON /Summit / Touchstone. Z1 D888696/ISBN # 5017188886963.
So bearing in mind that I'm constantly playing catch-up with films and they are making one as I write - It's a constant game of trying to watch stuff and keeping up. This film "Insomnia" was an American remake of a Norwegian/Swedish film of the same title and was directed by Christopher Nolan of "Batman Begins" and "Memento" fame. Starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams and Hilary Swank in the leads and a fine ensemble cast we get a taut, claustrophobic feel to a film set in the wide open spaces of glacial Alaska where a murder has been committed in a small town in the middle of nowhere and hemmed in by the wilderness. The more you watch this as the film progresses the more tired you feel as the midnight sun never sets and it's constant daylight starts to irritate. In black and white it has someone spray-painting a grey swathe right in the middle of everything and nothing feels quite one way or the other as the tale unfolds. Twisting back and forth it has elements of a Hitchcock thriller about it as all the threads tighten in the rug to the final weaving - literally - in the case of the blood stained clothing.
The DVD covers feature the original film on Region 2 (UK) and also the remake on Region 2 (UK). It is also available on Region 1 (USA) in a couple of versions - Pan & Scan, Fullscreen & Widescreen.
SPECIAL FEATURES: The Region 2 (UK) remake is rated 15. Colour Pal. Runtime Approx: 113 Mins. Widescreen Format: 2.35:1. Languages: Dolby Digital 5.1. English/French. Subtitles: English & Central European. Bonus Features minus subtitles. (2) Commentary Tracks, 180 Degrees: A Conversation with Chris Nolan & Al Pacino, Day & Night: The Making Of Insomnia, In The Fog Featurettes, Stills Gallery and Deleted Scene and more. ALCON /Summit / Touchstone. Z1 D888696/ISBN # 5017188886963.
posted by Hugh Jarrs | 9:30 pm
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