The Flick Filosopher responds:
If ya feel like a Gen Xer, then you are. Join us...

posted 08.23.99
ericulibarri writes:
You know it sucks to live in 1999 with all this instant information at our fingertips. Long before i saw The Blair Witch Project, i heard about it, i read about it, i surfed the website -- it just built my expectations because no one knew anything -- then people just started talking about it, before the movie went wide. Everyone i knew wanted to see this movie, i would even go so far to say the urge to see this movie was as palpable as The Phantom Menace -- because it was going to my generation's Exorcist (the scariest movie you will ever see in its first theatrical run).
Alas, it wasn't to be. Your first paragraph tells why: dumb ripoffs and sequels.
Sitting in the darkened theater with my girlfriend and 2 friends, a buddy leaned over to me and whispered "you know, i could sell my Corolla, buy a super 8. You, I, and Phung walk into the bosque searching for La Llorona." It was then i that i knew i would not like this film -- even though it had barely reached Burkittsville. While i watched the 3 actors shamble their way to death, i couldn't stop but reliving too many camping trips and being told not to venture to close to the river. The movie in my head was far scarier than what was on the screen.
So while i applaud the filmmakers on a good anti-film: bad camera work, real emotions, ugly people. I cannot applaud them for either a good horror/psychological movie or moving . In the end, i was just bored.
Sincerely,
eric ulibarri
PS: kudos on the Eyes Wide Shut review.

The Flick Filosopher responds:
The TV and the computer have off switches. You can bookmark and flag reviews and features to read later. It is possible to avoid hype if you know it's going to ruin a movie for you.

posted 08.23.99
Patrick Dodds writes:
Dear FlikFilosopher,
I have read your scathing review of Alex Proyas' Dark City and have shook my head in frustration, but also with understanding. The first time I watched this movie I was pretty indifferent to it. Then I was encouraged by a friend to give it another chance which I did and I was surprised how much It began to grow on me. In fact it has become one of my all time favorite movies. Now the big question you'll ask is "Why?"
The film has flaws, yes, but the positives outweigh the negatives. First, Mr. Proyas was forced by the studio to tack on the opening monologue which hurts the movie by revealling everything at the beginning rather than let the story unfold as it should have.
Second, when they call this city dark they mean it. It's best to watch this movie on a properly lit screen.
Third, the characters are underdeveloped, but there's a very good reason -- they're supposed to be. The human character's personalities are artificially created and the Strangers have no soul. But they are good characters nontheless because their human element (that which the Strangers are searching for) creep through their strange personaes.
The film is filled with good moments and tons of irony.
My favorite scene is where Dr. Shreiber injects John Murdoch with new memories, mentoring him on how to use his powers, which creates a skewed parallel with Luke and Obi-Wan. The part where Dr. Shreiber dressed as a fireman rescuing young Murdoch from his burning house and telling him: "You will survive John. You will find strength within yourself and you will prevail," always moves me. And the ending is spectacular!
I'm sorry about the length of this e-mail, but I have strong feelings for this movie and it shares the same place in my heart that I have for the original Star Wars trilogy and other movies that deal with the fantastic and wonderful. I ask you to please give this film a second chance and to view it with an open mind and heart. Take care.
Sincerely,
Patrick Dodds

The Flick Filosopher responds:
I haven't seen Dark City again since I reviewed it, and frankly, I don't plan to see it again soon. My initial reaction to the movie was carefully thought out, and I tend to find that my opinions of movies don't change all that much on repeat viewings, except to intensify my first impressions -- I find more things to hate in movies I panned, and more things to love in movies I praised.
Thanks for writing anyway.

[home] [archive] [new to video/dvd]
[articles] [search the site] [faq]
[join the mailing list] [reader mail] [links]
[awards] [goodies] [manifesto]

thechick@flickfilosopher.com

(Warning: I won't correct your grammar or spelling!)

Copyright © 1997-99
MaryAnn Johanson.
All rights reserved.