In Dreams (1999)

People are voting emotionally.

Good concept, poorly executed.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Last week I invited two friends of mine to see this polemic picture. They kinda liked it, for some reason, but I really didn't. From the get go, we're given a confusing story involving Claire Cooper and her torture to try to convince people that she isn't crazy. If I was any of those people she got involved with, I would've also thought she was delirious, since nothing she said could make sense. There are some references to the Snow White story, but they are bad executed. The main reason why I found this movie so boring was the never ending flashbacks; I never knew what was happening now and what was just a vision, so the story got extremely confusing and boring for me. Freud's explanation about dreams is more interesting, in my opinion. Besides, the photography directing is poor and makes it impossible to understand what's going on. I'm just not giving it a lower rating because my friends were able to have some fun in it, but I sincerely wasn't. If I were you, I'd just pass it.

Why You Might Like It: If you like thrillers that don't necessarily have to be realistic, then you will likely enjoy this film. It also has a nice cast and some superb acting which includes Annette Bening and Robert Downey Jr. At the end of the day it is a solid fantasy thriller story that makes for a good product.Why You Might Not Like It: It certainly isn't the most realistic thriller and therefore some might not be interested. There are some slow spots that can lose the interest of the audience if you aren't the most dedicated movie watcher.Acting/Casting: 7.5* - Annette Bening does a great job in the lead role playing Claire Cooper and Robert Downey is solid as the protagonist, Vivian Thompson.Directing/Cinematography/Technical: 5.5* - Outside of a few slow spots, the directing is great and has some cool underwater scenery.Plot/Characters: 5* - It is fairly average story and might have been a little better if it were more realistic in nature.Entertainment Value: 5* - It is going to blow you away, but is your run of the mill thriller that has some great acting and a solid story.My Score: 7.5+5.5+5+5 = 23/4 = 5.75 Email your thoughts to [email protected]

Overacting along with a weak convoluted story make for one shitty movie. So glad I didn't pay to see this film in the theaters. Don't waste your time with this trash. Everyone who acted in this film should be embarrassed to say so. I would question the taste of anyone who claimed that this film is worth watching. I wish I could get back the 90 minutes of my life that I wasted watching this movie. Perhaps DreamWorks can setup a fund to repay all the people who wasted their hard-earned money to see this crappy piece. Please take my advice and don't watch this movie. I don't care how bored you are, you shouldn't watch this movie.

Beauitfully shot and genuinely scary adaptation of Bari Woods' novel DOLL'S EYES, about Bening having the gift (or curse) of communicating with serial killer Downey through dreams. After a series of tragedies, her mental stability is called into question and after having no one to turn to, she must follow the killer through her dreams in order to find him in reality. Unfair harsh criticism triggered major plot twists occurring in the second act rather than the typical first or third act; but the beauty of this unsystematic approach allows the viewer to be as terrified, disoriented and confused as the mentally shattered main character. Adam Goldberg from All Movie Guide said, "it simply lacks a new and terrifying take on the dream/reality premise." That's for the viewer to decide, and it's up to the viewer to go into the film with an open-mind and a broad horizon, likely something Goldberg didn't do. Distinct for being the last film Downey completed before being sent to Corcoran State Prison on drug charges.**** (out of four)