One of the best sci-fi movies ever
-
rgcustomer — 14 years ago(August 07, 2011 05:49 PM)
I also enjoyed what they did with some of the shots. For example, early on when Newton is looking out over a city, we tilt up and look at the Orion constellation, which then starts falling and transforming into fireworks. It's a beautiful picture.
-
nephihaha — 14 years ago(August 14, 2011 02:12 PM)
It's about corruption Newton is more or less a fallen angel, who is destroyed by humanity, rather than a fallen angel setting out to destroy humanity, like Satan.
It's also a brutal satire on big business, and hypocrisy of capitalism.
It's not "sci-fi", it's SF! -
WarpedRecord — 14 years ago(September 03, 2011 09:41 PM)
Beautifully put, Gavbrown01! This would certainly be in my Top Five for sci-fi, and possibly even be No. 1. Honestly, I'm not even sure this is really sci-fi because it's more a meditation on loneliness. Regardless, it's beautifully filmed and skillfully acted.
Unfortunately, this film came out at the end of a era for the genre, when cerebral films like this would be replaced by space epics, and characters and story would surrender to special effects. I'm glad it's at least getting a 35-year rerelease. I'd love to see this on the big screen again. -
rolotomasi_70-398-336619 — 13 years ago(June 24, 2012 02:09 AM)
Fantastic!
The innocence, and imagination
The corruption. the sacrifice..
the new mexican backdrops
In some ways TMWFTE does share similarities with Tarkovsky's 'Solaris', but, stylistically, it is a world apart
Roeg's film seems altogether more human, more loving Nevertheless, they both share a similar theme, that is, to stir the mind and to move the soul -
ewaf58 — 12 years ago(January 26, 2014 04:55 AM)
Good review - I've put some postings on this thread trying to defend it. It almost seems like some 'critics' on here were disappointed because an alien spaceship didn't appear at the climax - rescue David - collect water and zap all the bad guys.
-
WarpedRecord — 12 years ago(January 26, 2014 10:11 AM)
Thanks very much. It seems the definition of science fiction has become quite limited in the post-"Star Wars" era. This film is not easily classifiable, but I think science fiction would be an essential part of the description. Frankly, spaceships and light sabers bore me, and I love that Nicolas Roeg takes a more nuanced approach here, showing the alien that may exist in all of us.
-
ewaf58 — 12 years ago(January 26, 2014 12:39 PM)
Yes it can't be specifically defined because it is so rich in just about everything and I agree with Roeg's nuanced approach.
A reviewer from 'Time Out' has suggested that it should no longer be seen as a cult classic - rather a classic.
If we are ever visited I doubt it will be by beings in huge spaceships blowing up everything in sight - but possibly a scout ship looking for resources although unless there is cheap and practical way of traveling light years I think it's highly unlikely any aliens will ever be coming our way.
So as we may have to make do exchanging holiday snaps let's hope they do their best to look presentable.
By the way the 1987 TV film was just terrible. -
gorguruga — 12 years ago(May 07, 2013 01:50 PM)
I just finished watching the movie for the first time and it was disappointing to say the least. It could barely be classified as sci-fi so to call it one of the best sci-fi movies ever I feel is a disservice to the genre and misleading to people like myself who watched it based on those sort of outlandish claims made by people who saw the movie years ago, are probably David Bowie fans and have subsequently lost all sense of context and objectivity. There are hundreds of sci-fi movies and TV shows which are far superior to this.
-
gorguruga — 12 years ago(May 15, 2013 02:30 PM)
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but do you mind answering a few questions honestly..
- Are you a David Bowie fan?
- Have you ever heard or owned a David Bowie music album?
- What's your favorite Bowie track *if you have one?
- Have you seen other movies which starred Bowie? If so, how many?
- When was the last time you actually watched The Man Who Fell To Earth?
- Do you watch many science fiction films or just the occasional one?
-
gavbrown01 — 12 years ago(May 15, 2013 02:53 PM)
- Are you a David Bowie fan? y
- Have you ever heard or owned a David Bowie music album? y
- What's your favorite Bowie track *if you have one? Too many good ones to pick a favorite
- Have you seen other movies which starred Bowie? If so, how many? not that I recall
- When was the last time you actually watched The Man Who Fell To Earth? around the time of my original post on this thread
- Do you watch many science fiction films or just the occasional one? lots
-
gorguruga — 12 years ago(May 16, 2013 09:21 AM)
Ok fair enough, thanks for the honest answers.
If you haven't seen Labyrinth (1986), to me it's a much better David Bowie movie even if it is a children's movie.
http://www.imdb.com/board/10091369/