tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post8756592811805598969..comments2024-03-05T21:05:36.848-05:00Comments on CommentaramaFilms: Film Friday: Dark City (1998)AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-74291633960710710092011-10-06T12:55:30.067-04:002011-10-06T12:55:30.067-04:00That's a good point, we can probably infer wha...That's a good point, we can probably infer what Earth is like from what we see because they are basing their world on what they find inside the minds of these people. So it probably is "now-ish."<br /><br />That actually sparks another interesting thought -- everything is so dark and evil in this world, but since it's based on what they found in our mind, I guess that's meant to be a message about us? In many ways, this city is the nightmare view of a place like New York City.<br /><br />Excellent thought about Schreber. I'll have to do that!AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-11981876681218765202011-10-06T12:47:43.780-04:002011-10-06T12:47:43.780-04:00I've always gotten the sense that the Stranger...I've always gotten the sense that the Strangers have abducted people over time, replacing people as needed. As they say, "We use your dead as vessels." So we know people have died. I've noticed that while the overall atmosphere seems rather 1940s-ish, there are some newer bits of technology and later model automobiles. <br /><br />I'd say that the people are from "now-ish" but the mixing of memories has obliterated any definitive sense of particular era. The hodgepodge of technology and trends is because all the Strangers know about humanity comes from jumbled memories. <br /><br />RE: Sutherland. Try watching the film sometime with Dr. Schreber in mind as the protagonist. It opens the story up in whole new ways.tryanmaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09881154741574720094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-67761800230583121892011-10-06T12:39:30.163-04:002011-10-06T12:39:30.163-04:00tryanmax, I too wish I could see this one for the ...tryanmax, I too wish I could see this one for the first time again because it really is such a fantastic mystery with such incredible twists and turns. I can't recommend this film highly enough to people.<br /><br />Excellent breakdown of the acting! I agree entirely. I think this is truly excellent science fiction -- it does everything right, from the plot to the atmosphere to the acting to the effects. It all works together to create a deep and brooding world that you really do get lost in.<br /><br />Sewell impressed me a lot too. He gives this role exactly what it needs. He's never over the top and, as you note, he doesn't change his character like I think a lot of other actors would have. A Tom Cruise, for example, would have played angry and confused in the first scene and then confident and cocky once he got a handle on things. Sewell doesn't. Sewell plays it exactly like a real person would if they woke up under these circumstances -- never too sure, never over-confident. He's completely believable for someone who wakes up in a strange world.<br /><br />I was super impressed with Sutherland too. This was such a different role than anything else he's played and he plays it so excellently. You can almost crawl into his mind as you watch the character, even with only a minimum of dialog!<br /><br />One question that has always fascinated me about this film is what era is it? Where did these people come from? I know the film doesn't answer that, but are these people from the 1930s? the 1830s? or 2530? I'd love to know more. If they made it back to Earth, what would they find?<br /><br />(P.S. <i>Fight Club</i> is great!)AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-27181386220895718182011-10-06T12:14:18.028-04:002011-10-06T12:14:18.028-04:00Ah! One of my favorite films, if not the favorite....Ah! One of my favorite films, if not the favorite. I sit down with this about every six months or so, specifically looking for new things. I've been doing this for about a decade now. This is one of those rarest of gems that never gets old. (Incidentally, my original VHS copy is unwatchable now, but I still won't part with it. Same with <i>Fight Club</i>.)<br /><br />I prefer the director's cut, which again is a rarity. The only major difference is that it drops the opening narration, which puts the viewer in the same mental state as Murdoch at the outset. I wish I could go back in time and see it that way first. The rest is minor stuff. A little extra attention is paid to the ancillary characters we meet during the "tunings," which is a superior substitute for the narration. Also, the director uses Connelly's vocals in the nightclub scene rather dubbing Anita Kelsey's in. I don't really understand why that decision was made in the first place. Connelly is a first-rate singer. <br /><br />I noticed that you didn't give much attention to the acting when you wrote this review. I hope you won't mind my supplement. <br /><br />Rufus Sewell is not an actor I have much familiarity with, but he does fit the role of John Murdoch nicely. Essential to the role is the ability to move the character from utter bewilderment to total confidence without changing who the character <b><i>is</i></b>. Sewell pulls this off nicely by giving us glimpses of Murdoch’s internal steadfastness from the earliest moments of the film. <br /><br />William Hurt logs in a typically William Hurt performance as Inspector Bumstead. In fact, in his fedora and long coat, he looks stripped from the pages of a classic detective comic. A solid casting choice if only because it leaves so little room for comment.<br /><br />Conversely, we are treated to Keifer Sutherland in a rather atypical role for him. Rather than playing a strong and confident lead, we meet Dr. Schreber, a sniveling opportunist and cohort of the Strangers. His redemption is that he recognizes in Murdoch a savior for the rest of humanity and fosters it the only way he knows how: a special imprint cocktail. Sutherland throws himself into the role and one can’t help but feel pangs for the wretched character he portrays.<br /><br />Jennifer Connelly’s role as Emma is less important than the others in terms of moving the plot. She represents the untold number of citizens who are simply caught up in the Strangers’ scheme. As such, she is played with utter sincerity, which is precisely what is called for. Of course, Connelly’s natural beauty enlivens every scene she is in, but this film certainly does not showcase her full talent. <br /><br />Again, this film is a rare gem, especially within the science fiction genre. Aside from the main characters, every supporting, minor, and bit part is played with absolute authenticity. Nothing ever seems hokey or strained. An exemplary moment comes when a couple is instantly transformed by the strangers from poor to wealthy. Their conversation changes completely, but not a beat is lost. They are oblivious to the switch.tryanmaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09881154741574720094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-61684843326483333672009-11-13T09:59:57.894-05:002009-11-13T09:59:57.894-05:00I seem to recall watching this movie. Maybe when ...I seem to recall watching this movie. Maybe when I was someone else? ;-) Must rewatch it. <br><br>Love all the story questions about what defines us. This sort of reminds me of a more high-tech (and not quite so campy) Twilight Zone. My kinda movie. You're right about science fiction, too. You can get away with so much more because you can effectively create your own world. Very cool.<br><br>Great review!Writer Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16505411188186283813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-9205962089822443262009-11-13T10:02:49.299-05:002009-11-13T10:02:49.299-05:00This film is one of my husband's favorites, al...This film is one of my husband's favorites, along with Bladerunner(which deals with many of the same issues). I think that we are, to a large extent, products of our memories and experiences. However, I believe that we have a core self that really determines who we are, and that self is hard to change regardless of circumstances or memories, and informs how we respond to our experiences.Dinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-63539397188634034752009-11-13T10:41:27.243-05:002009-11-13T10:41:27.243-05:00Thank X, Glad you liked it! I completely agree ab...Thank X, Glad you liked it! I completely agree about science fiction. Science fiction lets you address all kinds of neat issues because you aren't limited to the world we know.<br><br>You can also disguise so much through the clever use of characters and environments that act as metaphors for real world issues, so you can create a story that is both deep and thoughtful, but also can be taken as just sheer entertainment.<br><br>Few other genres give you the same ability.AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-84088162263455302202009-11-13T10:43:52.990-05:002009-11-13T10:43:52.990-05:00Di, I want to believe that there is a core to me t...Di, I want to believe that there is a core to me that is the real me, regardless of environment or memories. In other words, I would like to think that I'm the same person even if I was born in a different family, a different time, or a different culture.<br><br>But a lot of what we're seeing in science today does make me wonder -- particularly the total personality changes they can cause with certain medications now. That's creepy stuff!AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-2959380892864199432009-11-13T11:18:02.788-05:002009-11-13T11:18:02.788-05:00"Dark City" is cool sci-fi, but at times..."Dark City" is cool sci-fi, but at times a bit dark for me, no pun intended. There are no real winners, and I found it hard to really pull for anyone. It has a “Twelve Monkeys” vibe with a dose of “Ground Hog Day.” But if it’s your cup of tea, good review!StanHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07395708786509590321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-87265147883190511372009-11-13T11:27:07.540-05:002009-11-13T11:27:07.540-05:00Stan, A lot of people have compared Dark City to T...Stan, A lot of people have compared Dark City to The Matrix because of the similar themes, except that The Matrix goes much deeper. I've been waiting to write a review of The Matrix until I get a week or two to plan it, because there's so much going on -- people have written dissertations on it.AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-77025862777316797752009-11-13T13:08:39.637-05:002009-11-13T13:08:39.637-05:00Andrew: I watched it once, and didn't entirel...Andrew: I watched it once, and didn't entirely "get it." The second time, things started to fall into place. The third time, I was hooked. As StanH said, I saw some of "Twelve Monkeys" in it, but it was ever more layered than that. I'm not usually that slow to pick up what's going on, but this was a very complicated movie.LawHawkRFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800255923675295515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-23913634420859181502009-11-13T13:22:20.406-05:002009-11-13T13:22:20.406-05:00I saw this movie once five years ago (both by itse...I saw this movie once five years ago (both by itself and with Ebert's commentary) and I recall enjoying it but I think I need to see it again. (Understatement of the year.)<br><br>Interestingly enough, this is one of three movies that feature Jennifer Connelly and pier imagery - the others being Requiem for a Dream and House of Sand and Fog.<br><br>As for the subtext of the film... I don't know. Like you, I'd like to believe there is some basic blueprint and everything we experience afterwards is simply adding to it... but take that all away and give me a different life, there might still be some constants.<br><br>To put it in another way, you know I'm a big Star Trek fan. But if I had grown up in a different household where my mom didn't introduce me to the show, is it possible I still would've become a Trek fan through some other means?ScottDSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-35666201677643221582009-11-13T13:56:52.995-05:002009-11-13T13:56:52.995-05:00Lawhawk, This wasn't an easy one because they ...Lawhawk, This wasn't an easy one because they don't spell much out for you. It takes a couple viewings to get what they are talking about just beneath the surface. <br><br>Glad you liked the movie though! Great minds, right?AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-25622605029129351802009-11-13T13:59:35.562-05:002009-11-13T13:59:35.562-05:00Scott, I too like to think that there is something...Scott, I too like to think that there is something within me that constitutes me core, but it is entirely possible there isn't.<br><br>If my parents had not taught me to be so inquisitive, would I value knowledge and thinking as much as I do? If I grew up in 1000 BC, would I still be me? I don't know. I think it's a fascinating question though.AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-69039291181615876972009-11-13T14:37:13.636-05:002009-11-13T14:37:13.636-05:00Andrew: LOL. At least we're wise enough to ad...Andrew: LOL. At least we're wise enough to admit that we don't always get it the first time around.LawHawkRFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800255923675295515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-30198833340384160812009-11-13T14:39:02.421-05:002009-11-13T14:39:02.421-05:00Wisdom comes in being unafraid to admit that we do...Wisdom comes in being unafraid to admit that we don't know everything. . . a fortune cookie taught me that!AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-40624055700139118142009-11-13T15:21:10.229-05:002009-11-13T15:21:10.229-05:00Andrew: Good to know we get our great wisdom from...Andrew: Good to know we get our great wisdom from the same source. LOLLawHawkRFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800255923675295515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-33187415978737681842009-11-14T23:17:48.880-05:002009-11-14T23:17:48.880-05:00Thanks for the review. I thought you'd stoppe...Thanks for the review. I thought you'd stopped doing the films. I'm glad you didn't. Cool flick.MegaTrollnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-54348826911571316882009-11-14T23:46:52.355-05:002009-11-14T23:46:52.355-05:00You're welcome Mega. I've been too busy t...You're welcome Mega. I've been too busy to write these (they take a surprisingly large amount of time). So I can't guarantee I'll always get them done, but I will try.AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.com