A private investigator is hired to discover if a "snuff film" is authentic or not.A private investigator is hired to discover if a "snuff film" is authentic or not.A private investigator is hired to discover if a "snuff film" is authentic or not.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 2 nominations
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRussell Crowe agreed to do the film with Joel Schumacher when the film was slated to be a "dirty, handheld gritty thriller". Crowe had one stipulation to all this and it was the scene where his character is looking at the kiddie porn and throws it in the trash he throws a cigarette so it would start burning inside the trash can. Schumacher agreed. Then out of the blue, Nicolas Cage's agent called Schumacher and told him that he wanted to do the film as well. Schumacher then contacted John Calley at Sony and told him that we can do the film with Crowe as a "low budget, dirty handheld camera thriller" or a much bigger film with Cage. Calley then agreed to do the film with Cage as the lead which eventually led to a much bigger budget.
- GoofsTo ascertain Machine's identity, Tom calls several emergency rooms, pretending to be a police officer, asking for Machine's real name, insurance information, and home address. Even in 1999, no hospital would ever give this information out over the phone and would need an in-person request with a court order to be in compliance with HIPAA laws (which were first passed in 1996).
- Quotes
Max California: [on the porn industry] All I'm saying is... it can get to you.
Tom Welles: No worries. Thanks for the warning, though.
Max California: You're welcome. Pops... If you dance with the devil, the devil don't change. The devil changes you.
Tom Welles: Some of your lyrics?
Max California: That's cute.
- Alternate versionsThe German theatrical version is allegedly 9 seconds longer. Additional footage shows more of Poole being beaten to death by Tom Welles.
- SoundtracksSick With It
Written by Tairrie Beth, Marcelo Palomino, Rico Villasenor & Brian Harrah
Performed by Tura Satana
Courtesy of Noise Records
Featured review
A dark, graphic view into the underworld of pornography
Firstly, this film is hugely under-rated. For those reviewers who call this film a "waste of time" or place it in the "hall of shame", maybe they should go back to watching more obvious and simple films.
8mm focuses on "snuff" movies and follows Nicholas Cage as he ventures into the dark underworld of the pornographic industry. I'm not a great fan of Nicholas Cage (I still wonder how he ever made it as a movie star), but in 8mm felt he redeemed himself from past performances. Other actors in the film put on great performances, notably Joaquin Pheonix, and James Gandolfini (of Sopranos).
What makes the film worth watching though is the emotion, dark imagery and tense moments throughout the film. The storyline too is very well thought out although does have a few holes and untouched areas that may have helped develop the film further. There is no Hollywood ending, forced propaganda, or marketing. What you do get is graphic scenes, moderate violence, and an insight into "snuff" movies (which really is quite disturbing).
Having said that this movie is not for the faint hearted, so if you're a "puppy-dogs and ice-cream" kind of person I'd suggest watching something else. If however, you feel you will be able to stomach such a film then prepare yourself for a moving film, which will leave you feeling that little bit darker at the end.
I highly recommend this film. 8/10
8mm focuses on "snuff" movies and follows Nicholas Cage as he ventures into the dark underworld of the pornographic industry. I'm not a great fan of Nicholas Cage (I still wonder how he ever made it as a movie star), but in 8mm felt he redeemed himself from past performances. Other actors in the film put on great performances, notably Joaquin Pheonix, and James Gandolfini (of Sopranos).
What makes the film worth watching though is the emotion, dark imagery and tense moments throughout the film. The storyline too is very well thought out although does have a few holes and untouched areas that may have helped develop the film further. There is no Hollywood ending, forced propaganda, or marketing. What you do get is graphic scenes, moderate violence, and an insight into "snuff" movies (which really is quite disturbing).
Having said that this movie is not for the faint hearted, so if you're a "puppy-dogs and ice-cream" kind of person I'd suggest watching something else. If however, you feel you will be able to stomach such a film then prepare yourself for a moving film, which will leave you feeling that little bit darker at the end.
I highly recommend this film. 8/10
helpful•23828
- bealer
- Oct 29, 2004
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Eight Millimeter
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $40,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $36,663,315
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $14,252,888
- Feb 28, 1999
- Gross worldwide
- $96,618,699
- Runtime2 hours 3 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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