Directed by the Oscar-winning SFX supervisor of 2001, Close Encounters, and BladeRunner. But considering the films we've seen, the story of an obsessed botanist who's ordered to annihilate his huge space-greenhouse, but kills his crewmates to prevent this, is incredibly boring. Then again, signs that this may have inspired some of the greatest sci-fi flicks of our time: robots with personalities/feelings (Star Wars), blurring the line between human and robot (BladeRunner), robots uploaded with software to expertly perform procedures (Matrix), and most prominently, the claustrophobia of being alone in a huge spaceship (Alien), are included here. Still, it was boring.
Mo says:
Whaaaat! I can't believe you didn't like this classic Science Fiction movie. I loved it. No space battles or evil megalomaniacs but a touching subtle movie with a real ecological message. I cared about the little robots and Bruce Dern was fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI know. Roger Ebert gave it 4 stars when he watched it in 1971 also. But growing up in the age of the above-menioned movies, it was quite difficult for me to be entertained with this one - even though I'm a sci-fi lover. I have a very hard time convincing my wife (7 years younger than me) that "Star Wars" is greatest film of all time, for the same reasons.
ReplyDeleteSome of my friends use the blog as a tool to find good movies. I've tried to make a point in my short review why I think "Silent Running" is an historically important movie. But if I reflect that in my final score and readers go after it and see what a slow rhythm it has (meanwhile showing the same concepts that are better demonstrated in newer movies), I'm sure it would create a major disappointment. Same as if I'd given "Citizen Kane" a high score just because all the critics say it's the best movie of all time, while I don't "feel" its greatness myself. People would see me as a fake.
So in summary: Sorry!
:-/
No need to be sorry. I love Star Wars too but never got Citizen Kane. I don't really think any movie is the greatest of all time...except Evil Dead 2 or maybe Repo Man or could it be Muriel's Wedding....no, The Exorcist...
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I had seen the original "Evil Dead" a few years ago, and randomly picked up "Evil Dead II" from our local library last week! If you say it's that good, you should be reading my opinion on it here soon.
ReplyDeleteAnd "The Exorcist" is in my opinion easily the best horror movie of all time. Interestingly, William Freidkin says he never set out to make a horror movie. He was more going for a documentary-like narration of an exorcism event once performed in Germany.
I have the movie based on the German exorcism. It's called Requiem, directed by Hans-Christian Schmid. It's a disturbing and moving film I highly recommend it. The performance by Sandra Hüller is exceptional. It's not a horror film but is horrific.
ReplyDeleteGreat! It's available for instant viewing on Netflix. Hoping to see it soon, because I'm really interested in the subject.
ReplyDeleteMe too. I bought the book about the real life case but have yet to read it.
ReplyDeleteOn an unrelated note, I just acquired a documentary called "Heavy Metal in Baghdad", following a band through the hell of playing metal under Saddam's regime and during the occupation. It looks fantastic.
Excellent. Thanks, because that's available too (including the "Swamp Thing" sequel, I already have 4 of your recommendations in line! ;-) ).
ReplyDeleteIf you're interested in the subject, there's also an engaging semi-documentary about underground music in Iran, called "No One Knows About Persian Cats". You can find a review of it on my blog.
I will look out for that. It's stunning when groups in the west think they have it tough. Try being a truly underground band in a restrictive society!
ReplyDeleteI just checked and it's on youtube in 10 parts, I will watch it this week.
Can't agree with you more. Looking forward to reading your perspective on the movie.
ReplyDeleteFalse alarm! It's not on youtube but I managed to download it...without subtitles!
ReplyDeleteI have now ordered it from amazon UK but it has a two month despatch time. Still I should see it before the end of the year.
Sounds good. Hope you get to see it sooner than later.
ReplyDeleteI saw "Evil Dead II" last night. Loved it! Definite Mojo. Will write my short review soon.
Now you have put me in the mood to see it again...if I can find it in the chaos of my crumbling wind lashed tower!
ReplyDelete