Strange Days
New Year's Eve 1999. Anything Is Possible. Nothing Is Forbidden.
It’s the eve of the millennium in Los Angeles, December 31, 1999. Lenny Nero (Ralph Fiennes) is an ex-cop turned street hustler who preys on human nature by dealing the drug of the future. It’s 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. Angela Bassett and Juliette Lewis co-star in this provocative, action-packed thriller written by James Cameron (Titanic, The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgement Day).
Member Reviews
Absolutely LOVED this flick!! - DDmoviebuff
Loved all of the actors and the storyline! All of the actors played out their characters really well!!! it was soo believable and i felt it was really happening in the now!! Though I saw it several years ago when it first came out I am looking to purchase this one as it was great right through to the ending!!Basset and Fiennes *sigh* such a cute pairing;P BTW the soundtrack is awesome too! I bought it! Different types of artisitic vocal stylings with a hard rock/alternative/synth-techno edge to it.Strange Days Indeed - Filmgal
Strange Days is a film which should be given more credit. Set in “futuristic” 1999 Los Angeles, the film shows the underground world of a virtual reality-type of technology on the eve of the millennium.
Former cop, Lenny (Fiennes) is caught up in the world of the past, reliving his memories with his ex-girlfriend Faith (Lewis) through the wonders of technology while selling sleazy captures of other’s virtual reality “memories” to the underground club slum. When Lenny discovers a “blackjack” clip of a popular rapper’s murder by the police which has sparked riots in an already violent L.A., Lenny tries to save himself from death with the help of his friend Mace (Bassett).
As far-fetched and now dated as the plot is, the reason to rent the film is for the cast, and in particular, Ralph Fiennes performance- the actor has never been so seedy and sleazy as Lenny, but yet the role suits him perfectly. Strange Days is a sci-fi action flick, entertaining enough and easy to follow for non-technophiles.
By no means a great film, it is enjoyable and entertaining to watch, and brings up interesting debate on technological societies. Worth a spot on your Ziplist, although don’t rush to put it at the top of your list. Must-see for any Fiennes fan.Ahead of it's time. - cathyottawa
James Cameron (Terminator, Titanic, Aliens) wrote, though didn't direct this futuristic sci-fi thriller.
Set in L.A. on the eve of New Years 1999, when fears of Y2K and revolution were rampant, this movie follow Ralph Fiennes as a former cop turned criminal, peddeling an illegal form of virtual reality, in which the user becomes "wired in" to a recorded experience.
His wares involve mostly porn, and thrill rides like small time criminal activity - until someone leaves him a cd of an actual murder.
I liked the atmosphere of this movie. It has a real Bladerunner feel to it. The pounding punk/metal soundtrack will turn some off, but I thought it suited the movie.
If it weren't set in the time of Y2K, you'd never know how dated this movie is. The effects are good. It actually took them a year to develop the cameras they used for the virtual reality scenes, and it's good stuff.
Angela Bassett really shines as a strong woman. No damsel in distress here. And Juliette Lewis isn't half bad as a tough babe who sings in a punk/metal band - and she does all her own vocals.
My complaints? This movie is bloated at 2 hours and 25 minutes. They could have trimmed some fat.
And there are elements of the ending that are way over the top, and a bit formulaic for what was up to then a pretty clever movie.
Still, while over the top, the ending was certainly topical to what the mood was in L.A. in 1995 (the year this movie was filmed). You'll know exactly what it's referring to.
Point of interest - Juliette Lewis is in a band now - the Licks - who's musical style isn't all that far off from what she does in the movie.
Member Reviews
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Absolutely LOVED this flick!! - DDmoviebuff
Loved all of the actors and the storyline! All of the actors played out their characters really well!!! it was soo believable and i felt it was really happening in the now!! Though I saw it several years ago when it first came out I am looking to purchase ...Strange Days Indeed - Filmgal
Strange Days is a film which should be given more credit. Set in “futuristic” 1999 Los Angeles, the film shows the underground world of a virtual reality-type of technology on the eve of the millennium.
Former cop, Lenny (Fiennes) is caught up in the ...Ahead of it's time. - cathyottawa
James Cameron (Terminator, Titanic, Aliens) wrote, though didn't direct this futuristic sci-fi thriller.
Set in L.A. on the eve of New Years 1999, when fears of Y2K and revolution were rampant, this movie follow Ralph Fiennes as a former cop turned ...