Strange Days

Underrated film that was a little too controversial on release and flopped which is a real shame. Because it's one of my faves. Bigelow showing she is a brilliant director. Loved her work since NEAR DARK and has since become a successful respected director in Hollywood. THE HURT LOCKER, ZERO DARK THIRTY, POINT BREAK to name a few great films. It's a fantastic cast, great original and intelligent storyline. Ralph Fiennes is fantastic as the heartbroken lead. Julienne Lewis looking stunning. Angela Bassett delivering a strong powerful performance. Hell.....even Tom Sizemore was bearable in this. And of course not forgetting the incredibly nasty as ever Micheal Wincott Plus Vincent O'nofrio Such a great cast, story and direction. It's shocking how it didn't knock it out of the park success wise. Maybe marketed badly? But it's since gained love from fans. 7.2 on imdb. It seems to have found its place. Eventually. Do yourself a favour and grab this masterpiece. Seriously get this if never seen you are in fir a nail biting intelligent time.

This film was released in 1994 directed by the excellent Kathryn Bigelow,script was by James Cameron. Amazing to see it was prophetic in it's predictions of American Police and it's attitude to the American Black Community. It all just happened 20 years later with the BLM riot's in Trumps Presidency. The film did have an advanced fiction of where Technology could be in the year 2000. But this very much catered to a Sci-fi element within the plot itself. Outstanding performance from Actress Angela Bassett who's feelings for the Main character played by a very young Brit Actor Ralph Fiennes (Who can pull off an American accent seamlessly), don't come out until much later but underarches the entire film. This is a Hi-tech Serial killer mystery at its core but with a message about the future, written in 1993/4. With a bit of that pre-millenium paranoia. Also worth mentioning one of Graeme Revels ( Film Music Composer) best scores ever put to film next to "The Crow'. I actually saw this film when it came out in British Cinemas originally(1994) But I hadn't seen it since. It was completely worth it. Especially with the advance of Cinematic Digital technology. This Blu-ray transfer to 1080 is sublime. As usual that clearer image of old celluloid film. Makes the film pop visually. It did show a vision very close to the eventual Celebrations seen across the world at the turn of the Century. But the best thing in the film is the grounded real life violence of the time. Plus Bigelow's almost adrenaline fuelled approach to Cinematic Storytelling. Backed up with an excellent more to real-life screenplay by James Cameron.

It’s been one of those films I’ve been a fan of since it first came out in 1995, and although it’s flawed, and touches on too many topics for it ever to come into focus because of the more mundane ‘conspiracy/whodunit’ plot elements that end up taking over, Kathryn Bigelow’s science fiction drama still has enough big scale (especially the finale), technical prowess and visual impact to still be worth a watch, even as some elements date it in ways that can only be found when looking back at early to mid 1990’s movies trying to visualise technology of the future can be. Scripted in part by James Cameron, it takes place over a few days at the turn of the Millenium. Lenny (played by Ralph Fiennes) is a former cop turned hustler who works in the L.A underbelly selling people memories experienced by others and recorded onto discs which can be played directly into the brain. So, if you can afford it, you can buy and experience any fantasy you want. Inevitably though, Lenny gets drawn into a larger conspiracy involving this technology when a friend is murdered. Unless you’re a big fan of ‘Strange Days’ I’d say there’s no real advantage to buying the Blu-Ray over the DVD that’s been out for years. The picture quality is better as you’d expect from the format, but extras are ported over from the DVD, which means a theatrical trailer, a 7minute featurette and what’s billed as a Director’s Commentary but actually isn’t. It’s a recording of a lecture given by Kathryn Bigelow discussing how the opening 5 minute sequence was created. It runs for about 50-odd minutes while the rest of the film plays as normal. It’s interesting as Bigelow gets quite technical about the processes involved but it doesn’t really allow any comment on the other two hours twenty minutes that follows. Good film, poor extras.

Although second user, excellent condition. Film is complex, brilliantly performed and cast. Not seen for a long time, but a keeper.

5 star

STRANGE DAYS is surely KATHRYN BIGALOW'S masterpiece, though sadly unappreciated. This German BD is excellent but Strange Days is one those films that needs to be seen (at least once anyway) at the cinema on the biggest screen possible. This breathtaking and very stylish movie takes place on the last day of 1999 (the near future for this film made in 1995) the new millennium approaches (rather ominously it seems) continual riots on the streets of Los Angeles - casually observed by Lenny Nero (Ralph Fiennes) as he drives down them - burning cars in the middle of the road - Father Christmas been chased and mugged (in slow motion). Lenny is a petty criminal but instead of drugs he peddles SQUID a web that fits under a hairpiece and allows the wearer to experience first hand the activities of others - as if they were happening to them! Ralph Fiennes gives one of his best performances as Lenny a character who's pathetic, romantic, crazy but determined. He needs the assistance of his sidekick 'mace' ANGELLA BASSETT who's the real hero and does most of the fighting, JULIETTE LEWIS excels as Lenny's sensual, mysterious lost love who's gone over to the enemy. I can't say much about the villains of this piece (Michael Wincott & co) for fear of revealing the main rapist/killer but I must mention one minor but memorable female villain 'Vita' played by LOUISE LECAVALIER (why haven't I heard more of her since?) a unique & bizarre creation who's only line gives this review it's headline.

A science fiction film that many people have forgotten. It is a nice combination of various different films and styles including early James Cameron and David Cronenberg movies. It is a film of pros and cons. Ralph Fiennes playing the lead in an noir-action-science fiction film is really good and he has the charisma to carry the movie and his American accent is pretty good. The world is great, the setup is great and the opening scene which is a robbery all in one continus take in a POV shot from one of the robbers is really impressive and exciting. It's intial ideas and aspects of voyeurism are also really good. However, it has some problems, one of the most glaring being its scenes which are sexual and sexually violent. The problem is that its quite casual. For example one girl dies in a really horrible very sexually violent way. This would be fine if it was going to explore that sexual violence but it doesn't, it's just there to make the bad guy extra bad. Basically the woman is raped but then through some sci-fi technology starts to feel the pleasure the rapist feels and so she starts to enjoy being raped. That is a really strong thing to show but the film doesn't explore it. To show something so shocking and disturbing for no real narrative or thematic reason makes it feels cheap and exploitative. In my opinion you either make the film all about that or you don't put it in at all because only touching on it makes it feels sadistic, misogynistic and horrible. To a lesser extent, Juilette Lewis being constantly topless for no reason has a similar effect. Other problems include a literally pointless countdown device building up to the New Years Eve in Times Square, a few twists that don't work and some racial politics that feel a little thrown in. The film is a bit crowded with too many ideas that sometimes feel like they haven't been properly thought out. It's a shame because the first hour is truly excellent and has a lot of potential. An interesting but flawed film that opens strong but builds up to an unfufilling twist and climax. (Trivia: Angela Bassett saying "Right Here, Right Now" in this is what is used for the Fatboy Slim Song of the same name.)

This review is for the movie and the UK MediumRare Entertainment Blu-ray. PLOT... Its the Eve of the Millennium in Los Angeles December 31st 1999, Lenny Nero is an Ex-cop turned street hustler who preys on human nature by dealing the drug of the future. Its an environment that will lead him deep into the danger zone when he falls into a maze filled with intrigue and betrayal, murder and conspiracy. Strange days written and produced by James Cameron (Terminator 2, Aliens) a movie that fits several genres, Action, Crime, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller. A great story that even now is so much fun to watch, this idea has been duplicated different ways in many other movies over the years. This movie was massive budget for Fox back in the day with a fantastic cast of great actors/actresses, impressive set pieces especially the big celebration sequence at the end, the story is very long too at 2hrs and 25mins. The movie is well paced out with a good story that keeps you interested, and is constantly on the move, like I said the cast is amazing, Ralph Fiennes and Angela Bassett are great leads plus good roles from the sexy Juliette Lewis and Michael Wincott, William Fichtner and Tom Sizemore, all very popular at the time. If you like an intelligent thriller with a great story and good acting then this is still a great watch after all these years. Blu-ray looks great in HD. Features include a commentary, a featurette (7mins) trailer. Region B. Running time 2hrs 25mins. 1995/2017. English language movie. English subtitles.

Good

10代後半に劇場鑑賞後、ずっと見たかった作品でしたが ネット配信やレンタルも一切なく キャスリンビグローとジェームスキャメロンの感性が最大限に発揮された隠れた名作です Blu-rayがリリースされないと思っていた中 海外版はリリース済だったので早速購入しました ただ自前のPS4 ProやPanasonic Blu-rayレコーダー(DMR-UBZ1020)共にBlu-rayのリージョンB問題で「Sorry this Blu-ray regionB」となり再生NG… また同梱されていたDVDもPS4Proだけ 映像特典が再生が出来ましたが 肝心な本編はNG… 返品しようと思いましたが ジャケットデザインがカッコいいのと国内版DVDには未収録の 映像特典が多数あり保存する事に ※といっても 映像特典は英語+ドイツ語字幕で意味不明… 主演のレイフファインズも若く 今の淋しい頭頂部と異なり髪がフサフサでめちゃカッコいいです ※ちょっとお腹はぷっくり気味がまたお茶目な感じ そして周りを囲む俳優陣(アンジェラバゼット・ジュリエットルイス・マイケルウィンコット・ウィリアムフィクナー・ヴィンセントドノプリオ・トムサイズモア)等、超豪華なキャスティング、今見ても色褪せないストーリー(超感動するラストのモブシーンからエンドクレジットのBGMまで)、映像、音楽が全部がカッコ良すぎです いつか国内版のBlu-rayが出るのを待ちます

Masterpiece! I had not seen again this movie for decades but I absolutely loved it. Cast is fantastic (Angela Basset at its peak!!). Image on the bluray is great. For a minute ai had the impression the sound and the image were desync from a few milliseconds but it might be or my system. Great buy though!

Buena pelicula de cine negro con toques futuristas. esta edicion alemana tiene el bluray con la pelicula y un dvd de extras aparte. imagen y sonido buenos. no hay castellano pero si hay subtitulos en ingles a pesar de que no se indica en la contraportada.

Ils sont rares les films de science-fiction où le récit fictionnel se rattache de très près à notre réalité. Bien souvent, on a du mal à y croire et nous sommes emportés par le merveilleux. Dans le cas de "Strange Days", nous collons à une période contemporaine, et peu importe si aujourd'hui la date de l'an 2000 est dépassée. Ce qui y est raconté peut se passer à n'importe quelle occasion de grande fête. Nous avaons affaire à des caractères humains que l'on retrouve à toute époque, le cadre historique ou les technologies n'y changeant rien. En l'espèce, ce n'est plus de cannabis qui se vend sous le manteau, ou n'importe quelle substance addictive, mais des morceaux de vie, transcris de telle manière que la personne qui consomme ces morceaux ressent immédiatement tout le vécu de la personne qui est à la base de l'enregistrement. Cela donne accès à toutes les sensations plaisantes ou déplaisantes. Cela, c'est pour le côté fictionnel et cela entre en ligne de compte dans l'intrigue de fond, qui n'est autre qu'une histoire policière classique avec des ripoux, sur laquelle se greffe les peines de coeur d'un dealer. "Strange days" est un film formidable pour la cohérence de l'univers qu'il donne à voir au spectateur et pour son côté immersif. Les gros moyens donnés à la réalisatrice font que la trame du décors est très réaliste et ne se contente pas de fonds virtuels créés sur écran vert. Les foules sont denses, humaines, chaotiques, colorées, violentes. Visuellement, ce film est très impressionnant et certains longs plans séquences accroissent la sensation immersive du spectateur. Le final du film, tourné au sein d'une foule en délire, est très prenant. Sur le DVD, la qualité de l'image est excellente et donne une impression de réalité palpable. "Strange days" parle des perversions, de la communication entre les personnes, de la justice sociale, de la justice tout simplement, de l'amour qui, au final, permet de s'en sortir. C'est beau, c'est violent, c'est fort et c'est un très grand film.