Sublime

Back around 1980, when cable TV started its proliferation, it still had that anything goes feel that happens with something new. HBO was one of the first premium channels and along with the usual movies that filled out its limited on-air hours (it was not on 24 hours back then) the network often programmed what could be described as filler content especially on the weekends when it was on the air for somewhat longer stretches. Most of these films were forgettable movies like Ashanti" (boring and lifeless) and "Voyage of Tanai" (truly a WTF movie if there ever was one). But into this mix would sometimes appear movies that did spark interest and sometimes became hits because of their airing on cable. Two films that come to mind are "Over the Edge" (which made a big impact on the girls in my 8th grade class due to Matt Dillon) and "Homebodies", a truly oddball movie about senior citizens becoming homicidal when confronted with the prospect of being evicted from their homes. Both of these films were true finds and could have found life playing commercial stations as well but their presence on cable made their impacts more pronounced because of the lack of commercials and no editing. "Sublime" falls into this category. Apparently a straight-to-video release, it stars what could only be described as second tier TV actors (Tom Cavanagh, George Newbern) and directed by Tony Krantz who had no directorial credits to his name. Surprisingly, the movie plays extraordinarily well. It's suitably eerie, confusing (intentionally so) and most importantly, it makes you care about the main characters especially Cavanagh's George and Kathleen York's as George's wife, Jenny. I will admit that I did not "get" a lot of what is allegedly the films symbolism and frankly the point of the movie really didn't hit me (I kept rewinding it right before the end to hear what Jenny and George were talking about because it seemed to be related to what he does) but to me, it didn't really matter. "Sublime" is not a film that someone just threw together. It has a great atmosphere, is intelligent and thoughtful and is certainly not your run-in-the-mill enterprise.

This movie is very watchable,yet provocative and also slightly irritating-all at the same time. The latter because the way it is presented is somewhat obscure and must be highly confusing for some people. Rather like a painter on canvas the work which is created may be obvious to the artist, but others can see it differently or simply not see the same as the artist or indeed not see it at all. Nevertheless I found this film generally good and interesting.

A middle age successful man is shortly to go into hospital for a routine procedure but is troubled by a recurring dream. After he awakes from the procedure he is subjected to a series of horrendous events in the hospital. Are these events really happening or as I interpret it: is he simply going through a nightmare and experiencing his fears etc?

All the performers are excellent, the design of the film is first rate and the music is often brilliant. I myself consider this movie more like a black comedy/horror and overall I conclude it deserves: 7/10.

Very deep movie that is bold enough to ask those fundamental questions of life that seem to be completely out of fashion nowadays. The film is technically very well done, the actors are up to the not so easy challenge and sometimes they perform at the highest levels, but the most outstanding thing is the script. The movie can be seen as an excellent investigation on fear. Fear of Death, but, most important, fear of Life. If this was not enough, the script also delivers a wonderfully well packaged metaphor of the relationship between USA, Europe and the rest of the world. If you are in the mood to think, take your time ad watch this movie about your fears and be aware: you are gonna watch it again (I will!) ;-)

This film had potential but it is tedious n very predictable. A family man admits himself to a hospital for a routine test. A nite before his hospital admission, he is celebrating his fortieth birthday wher he n his pals discuss about iatrogenic illness. Later we come to know that his stay in the hospital gonna be long cos of some serious medical negligence. This film is more like a low budget Jacob's Ladder. Tension n suspense ain't present, zero kills, a lousy sex scene n it gets a bit tedious towards the end. Mentioning the film Jacob's Ladder may be spoilers for some. Saw this few days back on a dvd which I own. It had been inside my drawer for almost a decade. Wasn't getting the excitement after reading the name Jacob's Ladder in the review section.

I'm not going to rate this as a bad film, and I can't see why people would. Don't expect a horror when watching this, it clearly reflects psychological thriller. The story will keep you wondering until the end on what exactly is happening in this film, and when the end does come the concept is acceptable but the events that took place during the ending seemed a little odd.

Let's also bear in mind that this is Tony Krantz first film as Director, and if you ask me he pulled it off well, the direction and shots where well laid out, the editing had some creative transitions between flashbacks, and the story was quite original in a day of cheesy slasher flicks. All in all the film was entertaining and filled out a night pleasantly

If your into Psychological thrillers *** Dave Recommends ***

• A Clockwork Orange ~ Stanley Kubrick