good, but overhyped (some SPOILERS for this and another movie)

Rating: 7/10 (23 June 2000)

i liked this movie, and maybe i would have liked it more if it hadn't been so hyped for me ahead of time. i think spacey and bennett are both awesome actors, but they've both been better in other films. a specific word on spacey: even though he is one of my top 5 favorite actors, there's something about him that i think usually makes him shine more in supporting roles, such as in usual suspects, LA confidential, ------SPOILER AHEAD---- seven, and also a less known movie called swimming with sharks. he's one of those actors who compliments the cast better as a supporting actor rather than dominating as a leading man. just my opinion. the kids were good in this too. however, i thought the movie was too predictable (and i'm getting sick of movies trying to mystify the audience with a surprise ending (oooh who kills him?? ooohh). in fact one of the few things i found surprising and interesting was when the soldier guy next door turns out to have repressed homosexual tendencies. also i liked the scene watching the plastic bag floating. nice idea. i took a philosophy class on Kant's aesthetics in which we talk about how Kant thought only certain things can be beautiful and i agree with the premise of this movie that beauty can be seen anywhere. overall a nice movie but it didn't blow me away.