In Albert Brooks’ mostly-overlooked 1999 comedy, The Muse, Hollywood mogul James Cameron shows up onscreen for a brief moment to inquire with Sharon Stone’s titular individual of inspiration to ask her opinion about a sequel to his then-recent hit, Titanic (1997). Stone’s character then proceeds to guide Cameron out of the water — quite literally — by telling him to not make another aquatic-based adventure anytime soon. Of course, he didn’t listen. The same director that had previously manufactured The Abyss went on to several educational/documentary-type features centered on the depths of our great planet’s oceans.
To say nothing of Jimmy’s personal ATM machine, Avatar: that god-awful flick was utterly loaded with imagery that closely resembled to that which is normally only seen in the deep. But let’s not focus on that film any more than we have to, shall we? Now, in case you’re wondering what Cameron’s obsession with water is, it’s because he’s a big fan of diving. So is his pal and frequent collaborator, Australian underwater explorer/documentarian Andrew Wight, who did what so many of us all aspire to: turn a harrowing, real-life (but near-death) experience into a motion picture. Of course, such a dream helps when you have a buddy in the film industry.
Sanctum — the low-budget indie flick based on Wight’s extended jaunt with Death — was co-produced by James Cameron. The story, written by first-time drama screenwriters Wight and John Garvin, depicts a group of spelunkers/divers (pros and non-pros alike) whose expedition into the still-not-completely-chartered Esa'ala Cave in New Guinea goes horribly awry when a sudden storm cuts off their exit. Now stranded within the underground caverns, the survivors strive to find a way out — knowing full well that they might not make it.
Award-winning Australian actor Richard Roxburgh takes the lead here as the experienced pro who tries to lead his fellow humans to safety, and young Aussie hunk Rhys Wakefield portrays his somewhat estranged son. Welshman Ioan Gruffudd (still trying to save his soul after those Fantastic Four films) plays a rich American, who goes from being an all-around swell guy at the beginning to the movie to a complete and total bastard by the end as he comes face to face with Fate. Sigourney Weaver wannabe Alice Parkinson plays Gruffudd’s girlfriend; delivering one of the worst performances in this mostly-Aussie-made drama.
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Article comments
1 - Joe
"Avatar: that god-awful flick" I started reading up until that point...sorry, the majority speaks. Avatar is a good film, and most agree. Some people really hate CGI, and that jaded view even leads them to believe ALL CGI movies are bad, which is far from the case.
2 - Luigi Bastardo
So, you're saying style over substance is a good thing? Or are you suggesting that I alter my opinion(s) because "the majority" thinks differently than me?
Next time, try making it through an entire article; reading is good for you. :)
3 - Joe
Avatar had both style and substance despite what any small amount of people say. CGI does not equal "zero substance," but it seems that any thing that has CGI in it, even though its a good movie, some will hate on it because its CGI, which is just ignorant. But nonetheless you are entitled to your opinion, and not saying you hate everything CGI. But mostly people who say they hate Avatar just hate CGI-based movies, you may not be one of those and if that's the case kudos to you.:) Despite the Avatar-hatred I will give your review a try, since I haven't seen this movie but I am curious.
4 - El Bicho
some people hated Avatar because they hate movies poorly written. There wasn't much in the way of substance in the story or characters of Avatar
5 - Joe
funny, thats what most people say when they see a CGI flick...try again.