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The Nines [2007]


RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £4.50 (subject to change)

Subtle and intriguing
Review date: 2008-11-08 Rating: 8 out of 10

Didn't have this one pegged as a Friday night wind-down film but I really enjoyed it. No need to recap the plot, it's just simpler if I enclose an easy "is it for you guide?":

1. Did you enjoy Donnie Darko, Memento and other non-linear films? Then you should be OK with this.
2. Do you enjoy picking the bones out of unusual plotlines where you are presented with alternate realities? If so, go ahead.

This is a very subtle, understated metaphysical gem. Like the aforementioned films, I am unlikely to ever watch it again, but that's just the nature of this sub-genre and not a criticism that the film is lacking in any way. I think it's a bit of an overstatement to say this movie will blow you away but there is no doubt that it is unique. The acting is spot on - totally credible and engaging. The dialogue is crisp and drives the film along nicely. The soundtrack is also excellent and completes the whole package of this relatively unknown treat.

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Reviews


wowness!!
Review date: 2008-10-13 Rating: 8 out of 10

i was so surprised to see ryan reynolds in a role that was thought provoking instead of his usual no brainer chick flicks. The idea behind this was engenious! The same charactor in three seperate stories with other characters entertwining around him at the same time. I'll be honest, its a very confusing film to watch but such a new and unusual story that i can't help give it a high mark!

Original movie with great cast, let down by only one or two moments
Review date: 2008-10-03 Rating: 8 out of 10

Wow. If nothing else, this movie is a poke in the eye for all those people who thought that Ryan Reynolds was limited to teen movies with beer, goofy jokes and semi-naked girls. Reynolds is brilliant in the starring role in this original film that combines three "stories" linked by the same actors playing different characters (or are they the same characters? Who knows?). Melissa McCarthy is also exceptional, and her character in the first story is one of the best performances I've seen in a long time.

Of the three parts, as other people have said, the first story "The Prisoner" stands out head and shoulders above the rest. The actors all put in amazing performances, and the film skips easily between comedy, drama and the surreal (like characters bursting into musical numbers a la David Lynch). This could easily have been made into a film of its own, and would have been a winner at that.

The second part is cleverly written so you begin to see the overlaps with the first, but nothing is obvious. However, you feel that this was written around those overlaps, rather than being "coincidence" and so the story is thin and contrived. The third section is in some respects the key, but I found by far the weakest of the three. I was trying to work out the link to tie the movie together and didn't really care about the characters. It wasn't that the acting wasn't great, but I was too wrapped up in the film as a whole to pay much attention.

All in all, I would say a great movie, that doesn't really fall into the sci-fi/fantasy genre, but I think this is the audience that it would appeal to most. Also, fans of David Lynch and people who enjoyed Stranger Than Fiction a couple of years ago. Sort of Donny Darko-lite.

So why four stars and not five? As I mentioned above, the second and third parts of the film are weaker than the whole, and the special effects department should be docked a week's pay for the awful computer generated effect that we see close to the end.

Overall, I got the impression that the cast and crew loved making this film, and it shows. The film is littered with nice touches, like using McCarthy's real life husband to play her husband in the last scene. It made sense, and when you see the movie you'll know why.

Definitely recommended. But maybe one for rental if you're not a die hard fan of off the wall movies.

Ryan reynolds best performance of his career so far.
Review date: 2008-08-31 Rating: 10 out of 10

i live in england and this film wasn't released in cinemas here but i did hear that ryan reynolds (my favourite actor) had done this film so i bought it and i am so glad i did as ryan does a fenominal job especially in the second part of the film where he plays a homosexual writer i thought the cafe scene between him and his characters best friend was amazing since i was so used to seeing him in comedic roles it really took me back to see him do this and do it really well.

the story is set into 3 parts and ryan plays 3 different characters
the troubled actor/the failing writer/ the video game maker - family man
it is three different stories with different settings and characters but using the same actors.

ryan plays 3 men with names all beginning with g (this represents him being a god like figure on earth) imagine him being like someone who likes to play 'the sims' except we are the sims and he can create us and our lives and also join us here in our world the problem is the longer he stays with us the more he forgets where he has come from (some heaven like place) so others like him (the nines) come to get him and remind him that he isn't human and he doesn't belong here with us (humans)

he is not god himself. imagine on a 1 to 10 scale that god is a 10 the ultimate there is no one like him/her what ryans character is is a 9 this is where the title the nines comes from.

it is touched with some very humorous scenes (singing nun, bouncy castle etc.)

it can be confusing as it leaves the watcher to figure out all the answers but when you do you feel really proud

truely unmissable i'll be hanging on to this one for a long time

ps. on the dvd there is an extra bit called 'god' that 'the nines' was based on it is hillarious and it's worth buying the dvd just for that added extra.

Hmmm...very interesting and then rather tame...
Review date: 2008-05-17 Rating: 6 out of 10

I guess there must be something about this film because this is the first time I've written a review on here after several years of being an Amazon DVD rental person. I'm a great fan of Lost on TV and, for a long time, I was enjoying this film for the same reasons I enjoy Lost. There's lots here that makes this film a bit different. I loved all the cross-references and the gradual build of clues and then sideways movements of plot. There's quite a bit here for the film buff to show off with as well, as they do seem to reference a lot of other films or actors.

It was all going so well.

Now, no spoilers, but personally I was very let down by the ending. I just felt it took the easy way out and I wanted more. I know it wasn't the "easy way out" as it was the story all along, but I did feel disappointed after enjoying it all so much until then. Hence the three stars.

Worth a watch and it will give you something to talk about with your friends for a while afterwards, so that's got to make it worthwhile. But I just hope Lost doesn't end in the same kind of way.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Dahlia Salem
David Denman
Hope Davis
Elle Fanning
Ryan Reynolds

Creators:
Dahlia Salem (Primary Contributor)
Ryan Reynolds (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Optimum Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Optimum Home Entertainment
EAN: 5055201802408
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-03-31
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 96 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2007

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