I had to look this up because I had no idea what the hell this meant and was prepared that I had not seen any movies, but I was wrong! It's basically future Sci-Fi with a pessimistic bent to it. I do prefer more optimistic sci-fi flicks like Star Trek because, if aliens have visited us, they would have already obliterated us if they thought we were a-holes. I also believe in the human race(some idiots aside) and don't think we will do ourselves in...I have faith. Wandering Through The Shelves picked an interesting theme this week. Let's see which 3 I have chosen....
1. BLADE RUNNER-1982
This is an excellent film directed by Ridley Scott that, initially bombed at the box office but gained cult following as the years passed. I remember watching this when it first came out and thought it was excellent and had even more respect for Harrison Ford as an actor since I had a crush on him. He plays a bounty hunter after Replicants who were slaves to humans before wanting to lead their own lives(how dare they!) It's rainy, miserable, dark and dreary but the Noirish look to the film elevates it past the depressing aspects. I also love Rutger Hauer as the leader of the Replicants and who gave quite the performance in this film. The ending is controversial but I like it...so there.
2. BRAZIL-1985
I saw this in the theatre as well and loved it! I love Terry Gilliam (Monty Python fame) and will watch anything he creates because, I think, he is brilliant. This is a very dark (underline Dark) comedy about a low level paper pusher who dreams of being like the Arch Angel Michael who is free, flying and saves the love of his life. We know he is anything but, as he does his job and visits his mom who is hooked on plastic surgery(talk about seeing into the future with all the botox, surgery, lifts etc... being done today) and talks to his friend, played by Michael Palin(also Monty Python fame). Before you know it, he becomes involved with the terrorists one who looks remarkably like the girl in his dreams. The poor schmuck is now being chased himself by the central intelligence and realizes that the terrorists are more of a resistance movement with Robert De Niro as one of the leaders. I have not seen this film in ages but I watched it once with my dad who said it was the stupidest thing he ever saw (well, he was more colourful but without the F-bombs). It is not for everyone but I think this is brilliant.
3. DARK CITY-1998
I bet most people have not seen this film which is a shame because it is quite intelligent and must be viewed more than once since there is so much imagery here. We have a man who wakes up in a room, can't remember who he is when a doctor comes in and tells him to run as the "Strangers" are after him. He finds out he is wanted for murder but the more he tries to figure things out the weirder it gets to the point where he can manipulate reality just like "The Strangers". He finds out he has a wife and lives on the beachside area near this depressing, raining city. It seems no one truly knows they are being manipulated nor do they seem to be bothered by the fact that it is always dark. He also has a cop on his trail and you wonder if the amnesiac will ever find out what is truly going on. An excellent movie even if it is, sorry, dark but with an ending that quite surprised me. Roger Ebert, the famed film critic, thought it one of the best films he ever saw and was dumbfounded when it didn't get any awards that year.
So...can you think of any movies that fit this theme?
I'd have to Google that topic too. Is "Terminator" one? Dark City sounds interesting. I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteTerminator works for sure
DeleteHi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteI have joined you in the balcony "At The Movies," dear friend, and it's my lucky day because I have not seen any of these picks of yours, affording me the opportunity to learn. In the past I tended to avoid bleak, depressing, post-apocalyptic, dystopian tales on the big screen and small, but I too have found a few good ones which I will mention momentarily.
Based on the clips and your review and recommendation, I commit to watching Blade Runner. I like Harrison Ford (am often mistaken for him) and love watching early 80s "it girl" Sean Young do her femme fatale thing wearing red lipstick. It appears to be an intelligent film, a psychological thriller that doesn't rely solely on special FX. I like that. Brazil looks like a hoot. I love dark comedies - the darker the better. I trusted film critic Roger Ebert and agreed with his reviews of most films I watched. Based on your and his thumbs up, I'd like to see Dark City, especially since Jennifer Connelly is in the cast.
I'm going to name an obscure cyberpunk film that is in my personal collection. It stars one of my favorite actresses Barbara Alyn Woods from Honey, I Shrunk The Kids The TV Show and One Tree Hill. The movie is Circuitry Man (1990). IMDB sez: << In a future where most humans have moved underground to escape the pollution, one of the few pleasures left is a kind of narcotic in the form of chips which can be plugged directly into the brain. >>
Slightly off topic and off genre, I'd like to make mention two TV series that star two more of my favorite actresses. The first is Wayward Pines (2015-16) featuring Carla Gugino. IMDB sez: << Secret Service agent Ethan Burke arrives in the bucolic town of Wayward Pines, ID, on a mission to find two missing federal agents. But instead of answers, Ethan's investigation only turns up more questions. What's wrong with Wayward Pines? Each step closer to the truth takes Ethan further from the life he knew, from the husband and father he was, until he must face the terrifying reality that he may never get out of Wayward Pines alive. >>
Then there's Colony (2016-18) starring another fave of mine, Sarah Wayne Callies from Prison Break. IMDB sez: << Set in the near future, Colony centers on a family who must make difficult decisions as they balance staying together while trying to survive. They live in L.A., which has been occupied by a force of outside intruders. While some people have chosen to collaborate with the authorities and benefit from the new order, others have rebelled and suffer the consequences. >>
Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend BB!
I’m so glad you will watch the films. I think we you will like Brazil which is surreal and quite funny in a freaky kind of way..maybe creepy. I think you would like Dark City as well. I have t seen your choices but would like to and like you going to Tv for 2 of your choices.
DeleteI was just talking about Dark City with someone else last night so it's awesome to see it on your list. I need to see Blade Runner!
ReplyDeleteThat’s pretty cool that you were just talking about Dark City. I hope you do see Blade Runner.
DeleteI've seen the first two but you're right not the third.
ReplyDeleteBlade Runner was okay but I've never watched it again after that first time nor had any desire to despite liking Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer.
I HATED Brazil with a passion. I'll have to look into that last.
This genre, which like you I had to look up, isn't my cup of tea in the main so I went an alternate route to my usual, I chose the three worst ones I can remember seeing.
Freejack (1992)-Future technology has advanced to the point that rich elderly citizens can hire thieves such as Vacendak (Mick Jagger) to jump back in time to kidnap young people, return with them then have their brains transplanted into the clients’ bodies. Racer Alex Furlong (Emilio Estevez) is captured, he manages to break free but finds this new world a dangerous place. Extremely short on logic this misguided flick managed to corral Anthony Hopkins and Rene Russo as well as Jagger. They collect a paycheck, the audience suffers.
Johnny Mnemonic (1995)-Implanted with a stash of information data courier Johnny (Keanu Reeves) must retrieve it within 48 hours or self-destruct. Guarded by turbo charged bodyguard Jane (Dina Meyer) but hunted by two foes he sets out to find the passwords needed to stop his death. When it’s not absurd it’s stupid.
Moon 44 (1990)-A group of prisoners is enlisted by a mining corporation against a corporate war where interplanetary companies vie for control of dwindling resources on distant moons. Agent Felix Stone (Michael Pare) is sent to the title planet when problems arise. This pastiche of Aliens, Blade Runner and every other conceivable cyberpunk film holds a whopping zero score on Rotten Tomatoes.
I knew you would hate Brazil. It’s interesting to me that some classic movies you hate like Brazil and LOTR. Why do you hate LOTR so much? WhT is it that makes you detest those 3 films? I am curious. I’m not sure you will like Dark City because this genre is not for everyone. I am not surprised that so many have such a negative view of the future with rain, pollution, brain implants etc,.. have succeeded over the positive. I prefer the positive. I love that you went with films that suck. I haven’t seen any of these but the first 2 are ones I have seen and found just plainly stupid.
DeleteBlade Runner was easy but Dark City - nice choice!!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you love my Dark City choice.
DeleteI was not sure what cyberpunk referred to either, but I guess I've seen some of these if I can remember them.
ReplyDeleteI've seen all three of your picks and especially like Dark City.
I like the Terminator series and The Matrix series. Not sure if the Road Warrior series fits this category, but that's another one I like.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Yeah I had no clue what it meant either. I’m glad you like Dark City which is a real gem. Oh I would say the Mad Max films fit this category for sure.
DeleteI've always meant to watch Dark City but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I know my husband loves it.
ReplyDeleteIt’s really good and I think you would like it.
DeleteI've heard of the first two but never have seen them. I don't like dark, so I don't have any movies to contribute. Cyberpunk is an interesting theme.
ReplyDeleteIt’s interesting but not my favourite because I don’t like so much pessimism. I do like hope which is why I like Blade Runner and Dark City. Brazil is not the happiest but it’s just so damn great.
DeleteI'm at a loss. I saw The Matrix a long time ago and thought it was interesting. That's all I have.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
The Matrix fits and the first movie is the best. The rest...meh...
DeleteYou aren't going to believe this, but I have seen ONE of your films this week. In fact, it is one of my favorite films of all time: Blade Runner. Beside Ford, I am a big fan of Sean Young. I've sadly never even heard of the other two.
ReplyDeleteI’m so glad you saw this film and who doesn’t have the hots for Harrison(back in the day). Sean Young is not a fav of mine and she seems a bit unstable from what I have read and heard but you never know with stories.
DeleteI didn't know what Cyberpunk was, either. Thanks for clearing it up. ☺ I enjoyed Blade Runner but thought Brazil was a bit "off the wall". Love Katherine Helmond, though. Dark City sounds interesting! The one movie that comes to mind is Total Recall, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was pretty good!
ReplyDeleteBrazil is very off the wall and you agree with my dad but he thought the bastard who made that film should have been shot! LOL. Total Recall is a perfect film for this week.
DeleteBlade Runner and Brazil are two great picks. We've talked about Brazil many times and I know we agree on that one. Hard to succinctly describe the appeal of that movie but there is a universal absurdity to it that has always resonated with me.
ReplyDeleteThe Mad Max movies certainly come to mind. As does an obscure movie from the mid-1970s called A Boy and His Dog. Oh, and Logan's Run. The 1970s were a gold mine for these types of movies.
Brazil,is absurd which is why I love it and Terry Gilliam reigns supreme in this. I love Logan’s Run(I Am Box!). A Boy and His Dog is a great cult film and a perfect 70s flick that somehow scored Jason Robards
DeleteAh.... 3 amazing films.
ReplyDeleteGlad you love these.
DeleteI'm so happy you picked the original Blade Runner!
ReplyDeleteYes..love it and need to see the sequel.
DeleteInteresting category. I know your first two choices but not the third.
ReplyDeleteIt's 100% satire but would "The Sleeper" count?
I think Sleeper would count for sure. I just love how that VW starts right away.
DeleteDark City sounds intriguing.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a lovely, pain-free weekend.
Dark City is intelligent and worth seeing, I think. I had my infusion on Thursday and so pain is better but feeling the pain in my hips and back tells me I will not escape future hip replacements....both of my parents had osteoarthritis.
DeleteAck on the osteoarthritis. My SIL had a hip replacement and she really does well. It relieved the discomfort.
DeleteI have seen Dark City quite recently actually. The story is dark and visually too. Can't say I enjoy the experience but it is an interesting movie.
ReplyDeleteSomehow that clip from Brazil reminds me of Doctor Who. What was that character's name that ended up only as a face? Cassandra?
ReplyDelete