Dead Calm (1989)

An excellent three-character thriller that takes place on the lonely ocean.  Beautifully shot, Philip Noyce shows how effective he is as a director.  Imagine how challenging of a shoot it must have been, out on the unpredictable, high seas.  Someday we can hope he attempts another small film like this than tackle another massive action film like Salt.  Nicole Kidman has never looked better although it's fascinating to see how far she has come along in her acting skills.  Even Billy Zane, who can sometimes lay it on thick, keeps his performance believable and scary without sneering like the typical villain.  It's not perfect, of course.  Even as tightly crafted thrillers go, there are a few plot holes but nothing outlandish to ruin the film.  Grade: B+.