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Lies and Illusions is a direct-to-video film starring
Christian Slater and Cuba Gooding, Jr. ***
An author who has just published a bestseller is in
for a rude awakening. His wife-to-be is assaulted and assumed
dead. When he attempts to move on, nothing goes his way
and his sales dwindle. Eventually he discovers dark, deep
secrets about his presumably dead lover. Soon enough, he
gets caught up in the conspiracy - and discovers he can
trust no one. ***
Lies and Illusions is a huge disappointment, and you
don't have to be too far in to see why this one got a direct-to-video
release. The characters are one-dimensional, the so-called
“twists” are clichéd and by-the-book, and the movie throws
no twists and turns we haven't seen before. ***
The movie has some great actors in it, no questions
asked - Cuba Gooding, Jr. is one of the finest actors to
emerge in the last decade or so, and Christian Slater has
been delivering fine films since the 80s - even in his more
recent, lesser-known cinematic efforts and television work.
Sadly, even great actors like this pair can't redeem something
with terrible writing and sluggish pacing - you know something
is wrong with the movie when at just over 90 minutes, it
feels like it's dragging. ---
Image And Sound:
This is a weak transfer that falls well below this reviewer's
standards for Blu-Ray releases. It lacks detail and is horribly
inconsistent from one scene to another. Very few colors/scenes/etc.
really stand out, and the few that do don't look pleasing
or natural at all. It's a very “flat” looking transfer throughout.
Audio is equally underwhelming and never provides a true
sense of atmosphere. If you're a high-def buff who only
wants to purchase the finest Blu-Ray has to offer, this
is NOT the movie for you.
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