 Sony Pictures // Buy from Amazon.comTHE NINES consists of three short films, each featuring the same actors in different -- and sometimes overlapping -- roles. Together, three stories form a single narrative that explores the relationships between author and character, actor and role, creator and creation. Alternately funny and unsettling, THE NINES is like a riddle where the answer is the question: "How does it all add up?" "The Prisoner" tells the story of a troubled television star (Reynolds) who finds himself under house arrest, with his chipper publicist (McCarthy) and his disillusioned next-door neighbor (Davis) providing his only links to the outside world. Mysterious events lead him to question whether one or more of the women are deceiving him about the nature of his incarceration. "Reality Television" is a half-hour episode of "Behind the Screen," a Project Greenlight-style documentary series tracking the process of creating a network television drama. "Knowing" finds an acclaimed videogame designer (Reynolds) and his wife (McCarthy) facing car trouble deep in the woods. Their daughter (Elle Fanning) uncovers information which leads to a difficult and irrevocable choice. I'm not even sure how to describe what I just watched -- the synopsis above does a decent enough job of explaining the basis and basics of the film, but it's a total and utter mindscrew, and I say that with no negative connotations, only stating a fact. My brain ached after this one, and I'm still trying to piece together how the pieces piece together. Shake shake shake. The acting is first-rate - with Ryan Reynolds delivering an especially solid performance - and the directing is impressive and ambitious. A first-time director, John August really grabs ahold of the camera and busts out of the typical, buttoned-down approach you might expect from a novice. However, it's the story that is the focus, and the conundrum - not entirely sure what I just watched, but am quite sure I enjoyed the experience. Not too often you're challenged, as a viewer, by a film, but this one rolls up its sleeves and shakes its fists at ya... c'mon, let's rumble. Video The 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer seems strong, merging together what appears to be several different types of sources and/or cinematography to create quite an original viewing experience. Audio The included Dolby 5.1 surround mix is impressive, doing a great job of mixing dialogue with moody, atmospheric soundscapes. Extras Closing Thoughts Very original, strange, entertaining film + solid assemblage of extras = not your typical viewing experience, but recommended Labels: review |
