(VIDEO) "Out Of Sight" (9/10)

[Brock Landers]

"Out of Sight" A Brock Landers Overview of A Steven Soderbergh Film (9/10)

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00004R77B.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

The title of this film says it all. "Out Of Sight" is a phenomenal landmark in Soderbergh's career…not to mention all of those involved…Clooney, Lopez and the like. It's one of those films that is exciting and innovative on so many levels, that it makes it difficult to know where to begin. I mean, it has clever dialogue… great bits of high-brow and low-brow humor… outstanding acting… exquisite photography, creative editing and gorgeous cinematography… and one-of-a-kind direction by one of the best contemporary director's around…where to begin…where to begin… I guess I'll start with the story…

Jack Foley (George Clooney) enters a standard bank…he's unarmed (unless you count the astonishing trick where he snaps his finger over a Zippo and the thing lights up…I mean, how in the hell does he do that? I gotta know…) …anyways, he calmly robs the bank using good looks, charm and smooth talkin'…he is one cool hepcat…until his car won't start. Fast forward to prison…Clooney executes his own prison break, again with all the style and vitality of a cool career criminal, this time however, he ends up in the trunk with an abducted U.S. Marshal…with amazingly enough, the body of Jennifer Lopez. Their brief contact in the confined space sparks an undeniable attraction between the two, and after some seemingly confounding sequences of scenes, they must find out if they can overcome the boundaries of their chosen professions…

The whole shape of the story is mutilated, moving around with no care for chronological order…completely non-linear (as was Soderbergh's film "The Limey" to a certain extent)…however some artistic scope and efficient editing make the film rise to the occasion. George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle (gotta admit, after seeing him as the sweet Buck Swope in "Boogie Nights", it's tough to take him serious as a gangsta'), Albert Brooks and Steve ("Oh man, if I wasn't stoned, there is no way you would have talked me into this!") Zahn all turn in memorable and solid performances. Great cast of background characters as well. The script is fast-paced and perceptive, and with all of the elements working, it's difficult to decide who should get the pat on the ass…director, cast, screenwriter or photographer…(I wouldn't mind patting Lopez's bootay). I think they all did a great job on this one…(I'm such a kiss ass fan boy sometimes)…

(DVD Note: The Collector's Edition DVD is pretty damn good…The anamorphic widescreen is flawless, no grain whatsoever…blacks are good…the daylight is a little oversaturated (mostly in the Miami scenes), but that's all (don't adjust your TV settings)…the Dolby Digital 5.1 is great (you can get DTS separately but with no extras…a decent trailer and music highlights…a decent commentary with director and screenwriter (nothing special)…the best extra is the "Inside Out Of Sight" documentary (broken down in chapters with its own menu…and full of behind-the-scenes insights and interviews with everyone involved)…It's a must own…)



[This message has been edited by Brock Landers (edited 09-29-2001).]

[Raena]

Anyone notice that Michael Keaton's character in OUT OF SIGHT is the same character in JACKIE BROWN?---Of course this has to do with the fact that both flicks were adapted from Elmore Leonard novels.

My thoughts on OUT OF SIGHT:

1. Great acting by all. The whole cast was great. Period. George Clooney made me forget he had been on ER. Jennifer Lopez is easily a better actress than she is a singer. Steve Zahn was great as usual, as was Don Cheadle, Albert Brooks, Ving Rhames, and whoever else.---Heck, even Catherine Keener was great.

2. Great chemistry between the leads. If romance ever plays a part in a movie, nice chemistry always helps. Clooney and Lopez had more than most. Also, I loved the trunk scene and the fourplay (if you want to call it that) in the bar.

3. Well-directed. Simple as that.

4. Interesting plot. But what can you expect from a script adapted from an Elmore Leonard novel?

[This message has been edited by Raena (edited 12-18-2000).]

[SirReel]

Out of Sight is a FANTASTIC movie and my pick for Best Picture in '98.

Thick with style, texture and moodiness. Out of Sight delivers great dialogue made even greater with stellar performances all the way around... Now, I realise the film's stocked with great talent, but you both failed to mention Dennis Farina - this guy always delivers the funniest, most sarcastic, yet totally likable characters succeeding once again as Lopez's subtly protective father.

The movie is a great story both brilliantly directed and brilliantly performed. I gained a great affinity for everyone involved with this production.

And how 'bout the little cameo at the end...? Superfly cool!

SirReel.

[Brock Landers]

...since you mentioned the cameo at the end, I will call your Superfly and raise it a Shaft (Sam Jackson-style)...also the mugshot of George Clooney's character Jack Foley (of which Karen says "He doesn't even look like
that") is the mugshot of Clooney's character Seth Gecko from "From Dusk Til Dawn."...and reportedly the trunk scene was shot 45 times...Lopez must have been smellin' nice after all that time...and George Clooney asked to have his character's smoking scenes removed, since he had quit only a few years earlier and didn't want to risk getting hooked again...I guess nobody told him that smoking isn't bad for you...man oh man...

[PackBacker]

Just cause I'm always Mr. Sunshine:

I fell asleep during "Out of Sight." I found it incredibly boring. Even beautiful Jennifer Lopez couldn't keep me interested. I think it's probably due a second look but I'm leary of paying money to fall asleep...I can do that for free.

[Brock Landers]

To each his own PackBacker...by the way, what was it that you didn't dig about "Out Of Sight"...cast? direction? plot? soundtrack? or just everything? I'm just curious...I mean, I have fallen asleep during great flicks before...but usually it has to do with exhaustion...at least in my case...

[PackBacker]

Everything. It's not one I bash due to a specific flaw but rather one that I just couldn't get interested in. Some flicks just knock me out....still haven't seen Blade Runner or Last of the Mohicans all the way through despite at least four tries with each film. Will probably give Out of Sight another look-sie during the holiday break.

[Raena]

I'm going to agree with PackBacker for a moment.

While I totally dug OUT OF SIGHT, I don't think it's a movie to watch if you're tired or have had a long day.

Why I say this?

Because the first time I started watching OUT OF SIGHT, I almost did fall asleep. Was it because the movie was boring? Not at all. It's just one of those flicks that take a little bit more concentration, and at the time, I didn't have the kind of concentration it took.

[PackBacker]

Didn't take any concentration from me and I think that was part of the problem. Nothing to keep me interested besides an occasional beautiful shot of Lopez.

[Brock Landers]

Man...you guys sure hit the nail on the head...mood, fatigue & alertness all play such a huge role in how a film is viewed...I remember when I went to see Philip Kaufman's "Quills" the other night and I was all hyped up on amphetemines...prescribed by my ex-brother-in-law...I'll tell you, I almost couldn't sit still and pay attention. Also, I don't know if the drugs effected my judgement since I thought it was the greatest film of 2000 after leaving...

...another example was after being awake for over 36 hours and I went to a screening of "Eyes Wide Shut"...title says it all...

[R. P. McMurphy]

A good review for a good movie. "Out of Sight" is loaded with style, and it takes a very nice approach to a love story. Also, I love how Clooney robs banks in this movie...I was so tempted to try it out and see if it works. /ubb/smile.gif

"Mr. Sunshine", is there a movie you do like...?

[Jon Lap]

Speaking of the "viewing state" you're in, and how certain film may be overlooked, or looked upon too favorably depending on that state... have you guys ever disliked a film initially, only to fall in love with it after catching a piece of it on HBO or IFC or SOMETHING? I know it's happened to me.

[Jon Lap]

...oh yea. When I first saw OUT OF SIGHT, I was smitten with the entire production, on all levels. Then screened the DVD for my Uncle, who was disappointed, as was I on a second viewing. There seemed to be a lot of holes, or implausiblities within the script. It didn't take away from the energy, performances, or visuals however.

Then we listened to Steven Soderbergh's commentary with "Screenwriter", and they made themselves sound foolish... often unaware of choices that were made. He certainly didn't sound like the "omniscient-director." It was offputting, because he didn't sound the "experimental-type" either... more the "haphazard-type." Nonetheless he makes some of the better films in contemporary times.

[This message has been edited by Jon Lap (edited 12-21-2000).]

[Brock Landers]

Jon Lap...I was that way with another Steven Soderbergh film..."sex, lies & videotape"...I actually feel asleep in the theater after consuming vast quantities of a frosty beverage...I didn't even remember much of the film...years later when I got the tape...I watched it over and over again...I love that film now...

I also didn't think much of the commentary on the disc...Soderbergh is not very fun to listen to talk about his films...some director's are that way...then again, there are great, interesting commentaries from director's like David Fincher, The Farrelly Brothers, Paul Thomas Anderson, Mike Newell, etc...go figure...it would seem to be as Kosher as Christmas...gotta' go spin a dradle..."American Psycho"-style...I mean, if you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any puddin'...how can you have any puddin', if you don't eat yer meat?

[JoBlo]

<moderator bump>

[Brock Landers]

I love this flick.. everything from gangs to white-bred lovers...

[Brock Landers]

The thing is... I already put my shots ahead of most of the bands... Anyhow, I believe in the horror hollywood beginning. Shock the monkey and all that... Oh yeah, I love the criminal threat that jumped on year,m,m.. a fake DVD request... you made me feel for my "whitebreads' film...

[This message has been edited by Brock Landers (edited 09-29-2001).]

[Brock Landers]

hBrock Landers.. lotdb o' neginning outsmartrd...

[urbanlegend23]

Loved this movie. I thought it was intriguing, clever, full of class and well executed. The romance had alot of chemistry and the acting was superb. The ending was good and the movie had excellent writing and direction. I would also give it a 9/10, it's one of my favorite films of 1998. I liked the book, too, and if you enjoyed the film, I recommend reading it - it is by Elmore Leonard and titled the same as the movie. http://www.joblo.com/ubb/cool.gif

[Favourite end]

I`m asking myself how is possible so many people to like this movie.Guys, it`s unexplicable to me.Anyway my opinion is that there`s nothing special in the movie, bad script, bad acting, but a good soundtrack http://www.joblo.com/ubb/biggrin.gif.My score-4/10.