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Bookmark this pageSanctum (2011)
Director: Alister Grierson
Synopsis
Producer James Cameron's twin interests in 3D technology and underwater photography combine in this cave-diving thriller from Aussie director Alister Grierson.
Movie review
From Time Out London
A team of cave divers are swept away by a torrent of clichés in Alister Grierson’s dull subterranean adventure, the unique selling point of which is its use of the same beam-splitting 3D cameras as executive producer James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’. However, none of the unremarkable underwater sequences were actually shot that way – just those featuring cathedral-like caves, claustrophobic crevices and labyrinthine tunnels, all of which look like the studio sets they obviously are. Trapped underground by a tropical storm and the resulting flood water, grizzled cave-diving veteran Frank McGuire (Richard Roxburgh), his resentful 17-year-old son Josh (Rhys Wakefield) and reckless financier Carl Hurley (Ioan Gruffud) eke out the dwindling food and failing light, while a string of supporting characters meet predictable, watery ends. Josh’s maudlin voiceover marks this out as a sentimental rites-of-passage tale, and even in this dim light, one can see every plot development coming a mile off.Author: Nigel Floyd
Time Out London Issue 2111: 3 – 9 February, 2011
User reviews of this film
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- Thomas Noctor said...
- Posted on Apr 04 2011 12:49 What a quality movie! This wasn't your usual Hollywood film! The rocky relationship between Father and Son really determins the outcome in this tension packed movie! It's like 'Cliffhanger' in a cave, and not just an ordinary cave, but the most dangerous and unexplored cave in the world! Top notch sets, great acting, tough characters! I really can't understand people knocking this film because it has everything! If you like a good tense action movie, then you will enjoy this! Film of the year so far!
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- BigMac said...
- Posted on Mar 12 2011 19:39 mozaads i totally agree! are u on crack mike? the 3d effects were spot on throughout the film! and waht are talking about ? clished? have u ever seen a 3D cave diving film before? and its called Binary opposites you fool! there always has to be good and evil, otherwise it will make no sense, thats what Propp realised when he did his theory of characters, theres always a hero, and theres always a villain, otherwise there is no problem to solve! come talk when you know what your saying nooby!
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- mozaads said...
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Posted on Feb 20 2011 11:40
Thought 3D effects were great - did Mike have his 3D glasses on ? -
husband and I saw film- thought it great best 3D film We have seen - did rthe person who said 3D was crap have their his 3D glasses
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- Mike said...
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Posted on Feb 12 2011 22:12
I have a feeling I know what James Cameron was trying to achieve here:- How to remind critics and audiences what passes for a one star movie. And he’s achieved it. Take a bow, Mr Cameron.
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The opening 3d sequence is terrible, and doesn’t bode well for what’s to come. I’d strongly suggest anyone brave enough to see this movie takes motion sickness tablets beforehand – not because of all the water gushing through the caves, but because the 3d’s so bad – I nearly brought up the pork chop I had for supper. I found myself ducking – not because of the (absent) 3d water, but to dodge the clichés – they come at you left, right, and centre – and in quick succession. In the absence of any decent dialog, the script usually resorts to expletives, which is a sure sign of a turkey in any “action” movie. ITV’s “Crossroads” had more convincing sets and actors than this film.
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This has to be the worst movie on current release. Time Out’s review is entirely accurate. One star. - Report as inappropriate
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- maplesden said...
- Posted on Feb 08 2011 10:26 good film but no one to watch while eating chocolate :) overall 7/10
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- scrumpyjack said...
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Posted on Feb 07 2011 23:01
3D's good. film's half way there.
Not one to rush to 5/10 - Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Alister Grierson
With: Rhys Wakefield, Allison Cratchley, Christopher Baker
Genre(s): Action/Adventure, Thrillers, Drama
Rated: 15
Duration: 109 mins
UK Release: Feb 4 2011
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