Title.
The first half is great with number of really exciting scenes. Suspenseful, mysterious, scary, imaginative, although not very original. The random events turn out to have a purpose, shocking and intriguing enough to keep the interest till the end, and in the meantime to hide all the false acting and silly dialogs. But it's all forgivable, because it's the ending that is under the question here.
For some reason I don't like this pseudo-creationism, director Alex Proyas is trying to push in his films, I wasn't very excited from his Dark City either. Interpreting religious believes in unusual way is still accepting and promoting them. I mean, the title of the film is "Knowing", which is pretty much the next step of "Believing", and this is exactly where he takes it.
He does get points in originality and attempts to imagine what cataclysmic Biblical event will really look like, for example he shows what biblical "and the heavens opened" expression actually means, but his approach is too serious, too preachy, I am not getting any kind of skepticism from this film at all. This is why the ending felt too flat and disappointing to me, but I guess less cynical and more spiritual people than me will like it because of the optimistic message of hope it creates.
The Brøken, UK/France (2008)
I liked this film. The camera is slowly moving through spaces, showing empty rooms and corridors, characters are standing in front of the mirrors, staring at themselves, not much talking either. It is all so atmospheric and monotonic, yet there is always a sense that something just wrong, and this sense increasing and becoming more and more intense.
Although I guessed what is going on early in the film (it is really not that hard to do) it did not spoil the ending, because, apparently, this film is more intelligent and smart to end itself with some cheap twist.
Lena Headey is looking really good and has great presence in this film, transforming herself into very fragile and classy character, it is very pleasant to watch her. Richard Jenkins is also prominent in small but heavy role, and overall the cast was very efficient, great achievement by the director.
The premise of the film is good and well executed, some visual images are truly scary, proving that some movies don't need explicit violence and gore to make a point. Although the slowness of that film has its charm, this is also its weakness. It makes the movie to be a bit boring and less effective in its emotional involvement of the viewer. It is also too enigmatic.
For me it was complex and interesting movie, that can really make your imagination run wild, but The Brøken is definitely not for everybody.
8/10
The Day The Earth Stood Still, USA (2008)
The gap, between the level of visual effects and size of production to poverty of the content and the banality of the story, is truly amazing.
Why is everything is so god damn serious? The didactic preaching is not a way to make a movie, at least where is self irony? Even over the top patriotic and saccharine Independence Day used humor and some sort of simple complexity to reduce the nausea it may inflict.
But The Day The Earth Stood Still is so dull and unimaginative in its approach, you can wonder who was the target audience and what were the creators thinking? Eventually I end up wanting the destruction of the Earth, just so I won't see this kind of movies again.
Keanu Reeves is again emotionless alien, looking around with his wooden eyes and extremely white face, and by being the main attraction this movie can suggest, he is very anemic and plain. Jennifer Connelly is doing her normal routine of having no idea what movie she is in. I think she is half sleeping in most of her scenes, and after the filming was over she completely forgot that she was in it. Even with that half effort and sad faces, Connelly still more effective than anyone else.
The whole point of the movie is not accurate as well. It's hard for me to imagine that peaceful and advanced alien race will decide to destroy all humanity and all its possessions just for the mentioned reasons. I found it completely unconvincing.
And regarding that matter, it was extremely offensive for me, on intellectual level, to watch how old professor was trying to present the case on behalf of human race. His argument was rather infantile and dumb, this is not how you defend your species. And Connelly's character should know better, that the best way to make Klaatu to call off the attack is to fuck his brains out. After some booty action and a cigarette he would've change his mind just like that (snapping fingers). And he had the lube in his pocket already ...
Anyway, nice visual values of the production cannot cover the lack of decent substance that this movie pretends to have. The movie is ok to watch, but it rarely has any worthy moment. Truly, if aliens were to decide Earth's future by watching this movie - pack your bags, because Earth is going bye bye.
5/10
Outlander (2008)
Outlander, USA/Germany (2008)
Ridiculous, laughable and doesn't make a lot of sense, with many embarrassing moments. On the other hand, what can you expect from a movie about vikings fighting an alien from space?
The general idea and some parts of the movie are good, but the execution is mostly boring and the movie is too long, should be at least 30 minutes shorter. Mildly enjoyable an watchable overall, but as it goes toward the ending it's losing all the energy and interest.
My rating: 6/10 IMDB >>
Cloverfield (2008)
Cloverfield, USA (2008)
My rating: 7/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1060277/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloverfield
The Happening (2008)
The Happening, USA (2008)
My rating: 7/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0949731/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Happening_(2008_film)
The Mutant Chronicles (2008)
The Mutant Chronicles, USA (2008)
My rating: 6-/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490181/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mutant_Chronicles
Dante 01 (2008)
Dante 01, France (2008)
Interesting situation but the movie is worthless. Too much religious references, and not in a good way, with bad ending.
My rating: 5/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0487928/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dante_01
The X Files: I Want To Believe (2008)
The X Files: I Want To Believe, USA (2008)
Too much talking and too much unnecessary drama. The story is one of the worst in the X Files history, and the emphasis on the religious theme is very disappointing. But the biggest letdown is the character of Dana Scully, which turned out to be a confused and sentimental wuss, with an obvious case of hypocrisy and radical belief in superstitions.
Totally forgettable and not important movie that didn't feel like an X Files at all.
My rating: 4/10 IMDB >
Timecrimes (2007)
Original Title: Los Cronocrimenes, Spain (2007)
Great award winning sci-fi thriller, not too complicated and with quite reasonable and clear story.
The movie is tense and enjoyable to watch. Highly recommended for all "time travel" genre fans.
My rating: 9/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480669/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Cronocr%C3%ADmenes
Species: The Awakening (2007)
Species: The Awakening, USA (2007)
Different from previous movies, trying to be more serious, dark and psychological. But there is a limit how serious and intellectual you can get with such material, so as result all the fun is gone and even sexy and half naked girls seem to be boring. Despite some good thrills, this movie feels heavy and not satisfying.
My rating: 6/10 IMDB >
Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007)
Aliens vs Predator: Requiem (2007)
My rating: 8/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758730/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliens_vs._Predator:_Requiem
Chrysalis (2007)
Chrysalis, France (2007)
Futuristic science fiction action flick. Nice idea, sexy chick, nice close contact fights and good atmosphere.
The story is kind of silly, big plot holes and below average ending. Worth to watch just because of the sexy french chick and hand to hand combats.
My rating: 7/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0884335/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysalis_(film)
Eden Log (2007)
Eden Log, France (2007)
Very stylish sci-fi with enigmatic story, so enigmatic that it's very unclear what's going on. You need to watch it again just to understand the big picture, but when the movie is over, you really don't want to. It's better to look for explanation on the web to save time. And it's not that complicated at all, it's just told with clues and fragmental information, and it's kinda hard to follow.
Eden Log is not for people with short attention span, or people that look for light entertainment, although the movie is quite good and becomes more interesting with the time. It's done very well, there is really a lot of thought behind it, but when you try too much to be creative, the story suffers. Nice idea and nice try, the film is watchable but not easy.
My rating: 7/10 IMDB >>
The Man from Earth (2007)
The Man from Earth, USA (2007)
My rating: 8/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0756683/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_from_Earth
Alien Agent (2007)
Alien Agent, Canada (2007)
Silly action Sci-Fi.
My rating: 3/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0820466/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_Agent
The Nines (2007)
The Nines, USA (2007)
Good idea for short film that somehow became full movie.
Small production that OK to watch, because it is mysterious and enigmatic most of the time, but the ending is not satisfying. Also, the selection of some actors is wrong and they are more annoying than helping.
My rating: 6/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0810988/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nines
Children of Men (2006)
Children of Men, UK (2006)
My rating: 10/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206634/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_Men
The Host (2006)
Original Title: Gwoemul, South Korea (2006)
My rating: 7/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468492/
Deja Vu (2006)
Deja Vu, USA (2006)
My rating: 8/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0453467/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9j%C3%A0_Vu_(film)
The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
The Chronicles of Riddick, USA (2004)
My rating: 7+/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0296572/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Riddick
Species III (2004)
Species III, USA (2004)
Light and not pretentious entertainment with naked chicks, mild action and ludicrous plot. Fun to watch after turning the brain off. Better to see at least the original Species first, but there is no actual need for that. This movie explains itself.
My rating:7/10 IMDB >
AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)
AVP: Alien vs. Predator, USA (2004)
My rating: 6/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0370263/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVP:_Alien_vs._Predator
The Core (2003)
The Core, USA (2003)
My rating: 6/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0298814/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Core
The American Astronaut (2001)
The American Astronaut, USA (2001)
Very cool and weird minimalistic sci-fi movie with unique vibe. Very interesting but not for everyone.
My rating: 8+/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243759/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_American_Astronaut
Donnie Darko (2001)
Donnie Darko, USA (2001)
My rating: 8/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0246578/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donnie_Darko
eXistenZ (1999)
eXistenZ, Canada (1999)
My rating: 10/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120907/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EXistenZ
Armageddon (1998)
Armageddon, USA (1998)
My rating: 1/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120591/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armageddon_(1998_film)
Event Horizon (1997)
Event Horizon, USA (1997)
My rating: 3/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119081/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Event_Horizon_(movie)
Alien³ (1992)
Alien³ , USA (1992)
Directional debut of David Fincher, in which he paid more attention to the lighting and camera angles than the story. But the movie is still interesting to watch.
My rating: 8/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103644/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_3
Aliens (1986)
Aliens, USA (1986)
More action and more aliens.
My rating: 8/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090605/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliens_(film)
Brainstorm (1983)
Brainstorm, USA (1983)
My rating: 7/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085271/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainstorm_(1983_film)
Blade Runner (1982)
Blade Runner, USA (1982)
My rating: 9/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083658/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade_Runner
Altered States (1980)
Altered States, USA (1980)
My rating: 9/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080360/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altered_States
Alien (1979)
Alien, USA (1979)
Classic and groundbreaking sci-fi. Slow, atmospheric and symbolic.
My rating: 9/10
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078748/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_(film)
