ACTION

I have placed "sizzler ratings" next to movies to give you an idea of how good they are

	8mm
	Arlington Road
	Memento
	Sexy Beast
	The Negotiator

8mm (1999)

Starring:Nicolas Cage, Joaquin Phoenix
The plot: Mrs Christian calls upon the discrete services of Private Detective Thomas Welles to help her investigate a mysterious "snuff" film she found in her dead husbands vault. Welles initial reaction is that this film is just a hoax, but as he investigates, he gets dragged into a world of darkness and horror that the ordinary mind does not want to acknowledge or comprehend.
Comment: Word of Warning: This is NOT a movie for children! The horrors depicted in this movie truly make it deserving of a "R" rating. Although the critics canned this movie, I found that for the most part, it has a well-written plot and superb performances were delivered by Cage and Phoenix. The only 'flaw' that weakens the movie is the ending where after years of wishing that the good guys instead of circumstances exact revenge, it finally happens. Now I know why films should not have the good guys exacting revenge for themselves....
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ARLINGTON ROAD (1999)

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Tim Robbins, Joan Cusack
The plot: Michael Faraday saves the life of a child in his street and becomes firm friends with the child's father, Oliver Long. However, Faraday's occupation as a Lecturer on Terrorism at the University of George Washington soon has him suspicious about some of the things in Long's place.
Comment: This film was delayed in America due to the killings at Columbine High School in Colorado earlier in 1999, but it really doesn't relate to that beyond the menacing threat of violence. The film smoothly builds up to the shocking and somewhat unexpected ending. Tim Robbins is superb as Long, and Bridges gets to play his usual role (or so it seems...) of respected citizen deteriorating as the plot unfolds.
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MEMENTO (2000)

Starring: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano
The plot: Leonard Shelby has no short term memory since an accident involving the death of his wife. Prior to the accident, Shelby was an Insurance Investigator. While investigating insurance claims, Shelby met a fellow who suffered the same thing, and Shelby learns from that 'long term' memory - you have to have a direction, and you have to have a system to remember things. With a collection of photographs and maps, Shelby methodically tried to track down his wife's killer.
Comment: Clever, clever, clever! The story is told backwards to simulate the short term memory loss that Shelby experiences, so the viewer never knows what is happening next, and all we have to go on are Shelby's system of filing information for future use. Don't for one minute assume that by knowing the end, you know what to expect - the beginning is just as shocking! This is an intelligent film, and not lighthearted entertainment as it actually forces the audience remember the pieces of the puzzle, the lies, the deception, the abuse... All the cast deliver strong performances as the hunter, the prey and the abusers. A thoroughly clever and entertaining film from star to finish and a must see for anyone sick of the mindless Hollywood plots which require no thought.
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SEXY BEAST (2001)

Starring: Ben Kingsley, Ray Winstone, Ian McShane
The plot: Gal is fat and retired thief, soaking up the sun and life in Spain. However, his life is thrown into terrifying chaos when he is told by his friend that Don is coming for him. Upset and terrified, Gal tried to find it in himself to tell the psychotic Don that he isn't interested in coming out of retirement. However, Don is unpredictable.
Comment: A critics favourite, but not necessarily an audience favourite. The film is very slow most of the time, with momentary spurts of thrilling terror. However, that only detracts from the fact that even though you may get restless watching it, you are still riveted by the fact you have absolutely no idea which way any character (except Gal) is going to react with each uttered sentence. This lends an absolute sense of complete unpredictability throughout the entire film, making it compelling nonetheless. Ben Kingsley(Don) is superb as a man who will not take no for an answer and Winstone (Gal) gathers sympathy like a rolling stone as Don refuses to hear or believe the word, "no."
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THE NEGOTIATOR (1998)

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey
The plot: Danny Roman (Samuel L. Jackson) is a successful hostage negotiator for the police. After completing one successful negotiation, his parnter is suddenly murdered and Roman finds himself negotiating for his own innocence. To help him accomplish this, he requests unknown hostage negotiator, Chris Sapein (Kevin Spacey).
Comment: A fast start, a slow build to the middle and then fast-paced action to the end. If you can endure the slow bit, this movie is really worth the wait.
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