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Equilibrium
The_Hiro writes ""Farenheit 451 - meets - Brave New World - meets - Matrix" (minus the overdone wire work). Created on a limited budget, Equilibrium combines the best of sci-fi with the action genre. Unfortunately, the marketing droids at Dimension have neglected to promote the film (release date: Dec. 6th). Chud.com has a glowing review of the film and some pretty pictures. Check out the trailer also."
I watched the trailer
But its a film about tooth whitening? Sounds boring to me.
The Only Thing Stronger Than The System
Is The Man Who Will Overthrow It
Wow... It would be kinda hard to overthrow it otherwise.
Are you there god? It's me, Nine. As you know, people keep making Matrix-esque movies. And also, as you know, I'm a big movie fan. I like to see most movies just for the hell ooop...heck of it. Why, god, do people continue to make Matrix-like movies? Why? The first one was terrible. I tried to leave the theater when I was subjected to the first one, but unfortunately, I was riding with others and I couldn't get my hands on their keys. I really, really tried to enjoy it, but the acting, well, you know. Keanu Reeves was in it. Lawrence Fishburne. I know you never meant for them to be actors. I know that they were meant for other things... like workers in fish canneries, but still, they were in it. And the script. Well, the script actually made me cry. I laughed so hard I cried. It wasn't a good cry either, since part of why I was laughing is because I spent money on admission to hear lines that sounded like they were written by a second grader who ate too much paste. And the story, god. God, the story. Why is a re-hashed version of ancient Western Philosopy, a philosophy that's been around for thousands of years, considered innovative and fresh? Why god, hasn't anybody studied even basic philosophy enough to know that this story is actually ancient? And the plot. Oh god, you didn't spare me on the plot either, you vengeful being you. The plot barely made sense. But why should I tell you that... you're omnipotent. But, since you're omnipresent, you probably had to watch it too. I'm sorry god. I'm so sorry for everything I've done. Please, god, please smite down with terrible wrath and anger all who attempt to make Matrix knockoffs. Are you there god? It's me, Nine.
"In the near future, freedom is a thing of the past."
They should have called the movie "Palladium."
I'm not sure if anyone else noticed, but the premise of the beginning of this movie seems quite like in the book, "The Giver" by Louis Lowry. In the book, everyone has no real emotion, and has to conform into their spots in society, all emotions are kept by The Giver, i'm not going to go farther into the book, for fear of spoiling, but there definitly seems to be some similarities. Definitly a recomended book to check out
Considering how long ago and under what circumstances the classics of totalitarain sci-fi (1984, Brave new World, Animal Farm) were written, it can be seen that fears of the all-powerful state are in fact a product of the Fascist (1930s-1940s)and Cold War (1946-1992) eras.
With the fall of communism, fears of totalitarian states have eased, and at present, the most immediate threat in people's minds is of course terrorism. As President Bush's "National Security Strategy Of the United States" puts it: "(our biggest threat) is less from conquering states than from failing ones". Evidence that Americans, and hence the movie-going public, agrees with this assessment can be seen in the widespread acceptance of the PATRIOT act's intrusive extension of law-enforcement's powers. It seems Americans want more government, not less.
My point, however, is not a political one. Whatever one might think of present attitudes toward government, the fact remains that marketing is an objective science, and marketers need to react to present attitudes as they exist. Therefore, given today's pro-government climate of public opinion, it was a rational decision not to spend too much money promoting a movie that is at odds with present attitiudes.
WHY THE H*** THEY WON'T LET ME DOWNLOAD A HQ TRAILER TO MY HARDDRIVE!! I just don't get their logic. It's a commercial for them; something they put there because they want people to know about their product, yet they don't want me to see it in anything but shitty quality? I "only" have 256k (and there are still a lot of modem users out there!) and I don't get to see that trailer in all it's (potential) glory.
Bitch/moan++: even if I had 768k, I still wouldn't be able to see it if I didn't have IE... well SCREW THEM! If they don't even want me to see their trailer, I don't want to spend any money on their movie.
I see this as somewhat akin to gamespot's move to a pay-to-see-video business model. It surprises me that anybody has signed up, because all they (essentially) get is commercials for games. That's right! They pay to see commercials! It would be ironic if it wasn't such a damned tragedy that someone went ahead and actually bough into that.
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Entranced by anime since late summer 2001 and loving it ^_^
This was my introduction into Hong Kong gangster films done by a master of the oeuvre. Must be one of my all-time favourites. The show-down gun-battle you mention is truly beautifully done.
A must-see for anyone who digs Tarantino (though, of course, he had a wide range of influences). Highly recommended, as is The Killer.
The key to this type of film is that they must be extremely character driven, and we have to care about the characters (note the plural) while at the same time be made unsure of the main character's direction. As you say, this genre tends to be relatively plotless, or plot figures less than the dialog and character development.
-- clvrmnky
What does the matrix have to do with the Dao or natural way of the universe which should be followed? What does it have to do with reincarnation or karma? What does it have do with meditating and given up earthly desires to reach enlightenment?
The parallel between The Matrix drew from Eastern (more specifically, Vedic) philosophy is the belief that the world we think we live in is an illusion, which affects us only insofar as we believe it it. And of course, if one becomes enlightened - whether by meditating for many lifetimes or by the grace of a scriptwriter - one may gain mystical powers that will really impress the viewing public.
While The Matrix is vastly overrated IMHO, it does have its merits in that it made many people think.
Gentlemen! You can't fight in here, this is the War Room!
Actually, I believe that the very fact that this film even got made is what is significant. You mention that the last time that orwellian predictions were brought up on a regular basis was during the cold war. I doubt that this was because we could see the opression in Soviet nations, but more because these were the times when western society felt threatened and gave extra powers to their governments in order to stay safe. It is at times like these when those who can see the trend towards an orwellian society feel that they must voice words of caution about the dangers involved in absolute governement power. That is why we saw these movies and books in the cold war, and that is why we are seeing them again now.