Cameron Crowe who just recently released a bootleg version of his Oscar winning film "Almost Famous" on dvd, has added another feather to his cap with the amazingly provocative brain twisting crazy beautiful film "Vanilla Sky"

The film is a remake of a foreign film called "Abre los Ojos", which of course we all know means, "Open Your Eyes". (OK, I had to look it up). The original came out in 1997 and was written and directed by Alejandro Amenabar. Amenabar recently directed Nicole Kidman in "The Others", but enough about him.

Tom Cruise stars as, David Aames, a guy who has it all, money, power, looks, chicks, including a f**k buddy, Julie, played by Cameron Diaz. On Aames 33rd birthday he throws himself a big bash and his best friend, Brian, played by Jason Lee shows up with a date,Sofia, who is played by Penelope Cruz. Cruz also played this same role in the original film. Aames falls for her in an instant and his life is changed forever.

During their first encounter Aames jokes that he is being stalked by Julie and wants Sofia to cover for him.

Unbeknownst to him Julie is actually stalking him and has far more stronger feelings for him than he has for her. As Julie learns that David would rather have Sofia, she loses her mind and drives her car off a bridge, oh did I mention David is with her.

With that the movie then delves into a bristling psycho-thriller that covers many feelings and emotions. Cruise delivers an outstanding performance that is matched by Cameron Diaz who really shows what she's got. Jason Lee and Penelope Cruz also do good work, along with Kurt Russel who plays a psychiatrist trying to find out if David Aames is crazy.

There are many twists and turns and this is not your average Tom Cruise film. This is a good companion piece to "Eyes Wide Shut" which also just happened to be a step off the beaten path of the usual Cruise fair.

Cameron Crowe does a great job with the camera and with the help of his music choices can convey just what he wants us to believe is happening even if it isn't.

I do not want to give away too much but be warned, this is not a movie where you want to check your brain at the door and go in. You will need to watch and think at the same time.

If you liked, "Fight Club", "Sixth Sense", "The Others", "Memento", "Unbreakable" or "Eyes Wide Shut" , then "Vanilla Sky" should be right up your alley.