The Net (1995)

3.5 / 5

Tagline: Her driver's license. Her credit cards. Her bank accounts. Her identity. DELETED.
Directed by: Irwin Winkler
Written by: John D. Brancato, Michael Ferris
Actors include: Jeremy Northam, Sandra Bullock, Dennis Miller
Genre: Thriller, Action, Crime
Length: 114 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
A software engineer Angela Bennett (Sandra Bullock) who does everything on the computer so she doesn't have to leave the house winds up in a predicament after being sent a virus from a friend. Her friend was supposed to fly out and visit her but he died in a crash on the way. She decides to go on vacation to the beach but it's then her life turns into a nightmare when she meets a charming young suitor. Suddenly she's in a very dangerous situation and she learns her identity has been stolen...but who can vouch for her? Barely anyone knows her or has seen her...how can she get out of this one? It's a decent enough little no brainer thriller, it's maybe a little less effective in this day and age because computers have advanced a fair bit but identity theft is still something folks can relate to. Not great but still decent enough as far as time passers go.

Availability:  On DVD

Dolores Claiborne (1995)

4 / 5 May '10
Tagline: Sometimes, an accident can be an unhappy woman's best friend
Directed by: Taylor Hackford
Written by: Stephen King, Tony Gilroy
Actors include: Kathy Bates, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Christopher Plummer
Genre: Thriller, Drama, Horror
Length: 132 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Well finally, another successful King adaptation, so few pay off but I think this one was quite effective. I think I read the book many years ago but my memory is quite hazy, the story is quite wonderful. Kathy Bates is brilliant as Dolores Claiborne, a Woman who is accused of murdering Vera the elderly Woman she has spent years caring for. The thing is when Dolores' husband Joe was found dead under mysterious circumstances years before. Some folks thought she was guilty including the Detective in charge of the Vera case and even her own daughter Selena blamed her. Selena returns home to aid her Mother during this time after not seeing her for 15 years I think it was, so their relationship is rather strained. Of course as the story unfolds we learn more and more that things aren't quite what they think they are. It really does teach that one shouldn't make assumptions and so forth. Although it's a very long movie the story is gripping enough that it should keep anyone's attention. The continual flipping between the past and reality was a bit much at times but I still thought it was easy to follow. Recommended for those who enjoy a good story and a good King adaptation.

Availability:  On DVD