JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonA Scanner Darkly (2006): In Cinemas-Trailer Included
November 21st 2006 01:25
A Scanner Darkly: In Cinemas November 30
Poster-In Cinemas November 30
Novel: Phillip K Dick
Cinematography: Shane F Kelly
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Robert Downey Jnr, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, Rory Cochrane
Scored a preview pass to this much anticipated release and saw it last night.
“Alright, I'm gonna give you a little feedback since you seem to be proceeding through life like a cat without whiskers perpetually caught behind the refrigerator. Your life and watching you live it is like a gag-reel of ineffective bodily functions. I swear to god that a toddler has a better understanding of the intricacies of chew-swallow-digest-don't kill yourself on your TV dinner! And yet you've managed to turn this near death fuckup of yours into a moral referendum on me!” - Barris
Phillip K Dick novels are notoriously fragile things when it comes to cinematic translations. Blade Runner stands tall, but the film is quite removed from the book.
Minority Report, Screamers and Total Recall showed promise but ended up as minor stains on Sci-Fi theatre history, bogged down in happy endings, (Spielberg) studio tampering and poor casting. (Arnie, Tom)
We don’t talk about Paycheck and Impostor. Dick’s latest opus to reach cinemas is his surveillance obsessed novel A Scanner Darkly.
Gathers-no-moss Director Richard Linklater (Waking Life) digs deep to communicate the philosophical world from the page, employing the ancient technique of Roto scope animation to explore alternate perceptions.
Los Angeles, 7 years from now the drug epidemic is approaching genocidal proportions. A massive portion of the population is hooked on an instantly addictive pill named,”substance D” aka “Death”, society functions in a chemically induced haze.
To fight the problem, surveillance cameras and sound bugs saturate the city; big brother sees and hears everything.
Bob Arctor (Keanu Reeves) is an undercover narc who has crossed the line, leading a duplicitous life as a user and dealer.
Armed with a scrambler suit which transforms the wearer into an anonymous face in the crowd, his perception warped by substance D, reality is slipping away.
Experiencing a schizophrenic identity crisis, struggling to make sense of what’s happening, paranoia and confusion envelope him. Unaware, his superiors assign him to find a top level dealer.
Philosophical quandaries, existential hyperbole and cerebral manipulation ensue.
“What does a scanner see? Into the head? Down into the heart? Does it see into me? Into us? Clearly or darkly? I hope it sees clearly because I can't any longer see into myself. I see only murk. I hope for everyone's sake the scanners do better, because if the scanner sees only darkly the way I do, then I'm cursed and cursed again” - Fred
John Doe says:
Indie-minded, Richard Linklater's (Tape, Slacker, Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise, Fast Food Nation), Waking Life was a mind smashing exploration of the lucid dream that offered infinite brain candy and supplied the animation tools for his new film.
A Scanner Darkly occupies the same space, I am not a fan of the word “Trippy” used as an adjective to describe a film, but it is perfectly apt here.
The arresting visuals, constantly morphing with a story that is equally fluid, put the viewer a little bit closer to understanding what day to day life might have been like through Timothy Leary eyes.
Compelling from the first color soaked frame to the last, this is a sensory experience enhanced by the fact that the actors are clearly discernable under there cartoon surface. Performances are untainted by the process, maybe enhanced.
Woody Harrelson (NBK, People Vs Larry Flynt, Wag the Dog) and Robert Downey Jnr (Wonderboys, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Chaplin, Restoration, Short Cuts) are electric together, bouncing off each other, bickering and waxing lyrical all their unique character quirks are taken to a new dimension. (Fans of Wonderboys, will delight in hearing two Downey Jnr lines recycled for the film)
Keanu Reeves (Rivers Edge, My Own Private Idaho, Permanent Record) is surprisingly adept in the film and pulls off the difficult demands inherit in the role. He projects a depth of emotion that is lacking in most of his appearances.
Winona Ryder (Heathers, Night On Earth, Edward Scissorhands, BeetleJuice) returns to cinema after hiatus and the style of the film seems to have freed up her delivery.
Linklater regular Rory Cochrane who played Slater in Dazed and Confused again is a presence that dominates his scenes and will keep you smiling with his trembling delivery.
I love my job, it has been so long I can’t even remember when I put this on my must see list and seeing it early was a treat.
I'm a sci fi whore who grooves on smart contemplative pieces on the human experience.
There is no doubt that the film is only going to please a niche market, it is intellectual science fiction to match Primer and Pi. Most will not be willing to invest their undivided attention in order to digest the, in hindsight simple story and its peripheral stimulations.
Those who are in the target demographic rush out now. The rest wait till DVD where you can press pause, rewind and discuss openly what your interpretations are as it progresses.
Cinematography: Shane F Kelly
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Robert Downey Jnr, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, Rory Cochrane
Scored a preview pass to this much anticipated release and saw it last night.
“Alright, I'm gonna give you a little feedback since you seem to be proceeding through life like a cat without whiskers perpetually caught behind the refrigerator. Your life and watching you live it is like a gag-reel of ineffective bodily functions. I swear to god that a toddler has a better understanding of the intricacies of chew-swallow-digest-don't kill yourself on your TV dinner! And yet you've managed to turn this near death fuckup of yours into a moral referendum on me!” - Barris
Phillip K Dick novels are notoriously fragile things when it comes to cinematic translations. Blade Runner stands tall, but the film is quite removed from the book.
Minority Report, Screamers and Total Recall showed promise but ended up as minor stains on Sci-Fi theatre history, bogged down in happy endings, (Spielberg) studio tampering and poor casting. (Arnie, Tom)
We don’t talk about Paycheck and Impostor. Dick’s latest opus to reach cinemas is his surveillance obsessed novel A Scanner Darkly.
Gathers-no-moss Director Richard Linklater (Waking Life) digs deep to communicate the philosophical world from the page, employing the ancient technique of Roto scope animation to explore alternate perceptions.
Los Angeles, 7 years from now the drug epidemic is approaching genocidal proportions. A massive portion of the population is hooked on an instantly addictive pill named,”substance D” aka “Death”, society functions in a chemically induced haze.
To fight the problem, surveillance cameras and sound bugs saturate the city; big brother sees and hears everything.
Bob Arctor (Keanu Reeves) is an undercover narc who has crossed the line, leading a duplicitous life as a user and dealer.
Armed with a scrambler suit which transforms the wearer into an anonymous face in the crowd, his perception warped by substance D, reality is slipping away.
Experiencing a schizophrenic identity crisis, struggling to make sense of what’s happening, paranoia and confusion envelope him. Unaware, his superiors assign him to find a top level dealer.
Philosophical quandaries, existential hyperbole and cerebral manipulation ensue.
“What does a scanner see? Into the head? Down into the heart? Does it see into me? Into us? Clearly or darkly? I hope it sees clearly because I can't any longer see into myself. I see only murk. I hope for everyone's sake the scanners do better, because if the scanner sees only darkly the way I do, then I'm cursed and cursed again” - Fred
"Can you see the zit on my nose under all this make up?"
John Doe says:
Indie-minded, Richard Linklater's (Tape, Slacker, Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise, Fast Food Nation), Waking Life was a mind smashing exploration of the lucid dream that offered infinite brain candy and supplied the animation tools for his new film.
A Scanner Darkly occupies the same space, I am not a fan of the word “Trippy” used as an adjective to describe a film, but it is perfectly apt here.
The arresting visuals, constantly morphing with a story that is equally fluid, put the viewer a little bit closer to understanding what day to day life might have been like through Timothy Leary eyes.
Compelling from the first color soaked frame to the last, this is a sensory experience enhanced by the fact that the actors are clearly discernable under there cartoon surface. Performances are untainted by the process, maybe enhanced.
Woody Harrelson (NBK, People Vs Larry Flynt, Wag the Dog) and Robert Downey Jnr (Wonderboys, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Chaplin, Restoration, Short Cuts) are electric together, bouncing off each other, bickering and waxing lyrical all their unique character quirks are taken to a new dimension. (Fans of Wonderboys, will delight in hearing two Downey Jnr lines recycled for the film)
Keanu Reeves (Rivers Edge, My Own Private Idaho, Permanent Record) is surprisingly adept in the film and pulls off the difficult demands inherit in the role. He projects a depth of emotion that is lacking in most of his appearances.
Winona Ryder (Heathers, Night On Earth, Edward Scissorhands, BeetleJuice) returns to cinema after hiatus and the style of the film seems to have freed up her delivery.
Linklater regular Rory Cochrane who played Slater in Dazed and Confused again is a presence that dominates his scenes and will keep you smiling with his trembling delivery.
I love my job, it has been so long I can’t even remember when I put this on my must see list and seeing it early was a treat.
I'm a sci fi whore who grooves on smart contemplative pieces on the human experience.
There is no doubt that the film is only going to please a niche market, it is intellectual science fiction to match Primer and Pi. Most will not be willing to invest their undivided attention in order to digest the, in hindsight simple story and its peripheral stimulations.
Those who are in the target demographic rush out now. The rest wait till DVD where you can press pause, rewind and discuss openly what your interpretations are as it progresses.
Check out the trailer below-
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Comment by Nina
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
If you enjoyed Linklater's Waking Life then you have a good idea what to expect.
It certainly is a unique cinematic experience with a style all its own.
Have you read the book?
Comment by Nina
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I love the work in Waking Life ... and have you seen Lars Von Trier's The Five Obstructions?
I see you're branching out from behind the DVD covers John ...
I saw a media screening of Deja Vu yesterday (opens here in January) ... best Hollywood flick I've seen in a while (Tony Scott directing). It's very Phillip K. Dick, and also appears to be heavily influenced by La Jetee/12 Monkeys ... Although I had trouble with the last minute of the film ....
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I actually read the book years ago and dont remeber much of it other than of course digging it. I think I may quest out a copy myself soon. Good luck finding the time.
Hi Bryn,
I have been on a big screen drought for 3 months, inundated with work, most of the films I see are usually for publications like FilmInk.
DVDs on the other hand i watch everyday and just review what ever I watched from my collection the night before. Also most films I want to see get delayed over here so I end up getting the DVd from the US or UK long before they arrive (eg: Road to Guantanamo- The Descent) which I then review as cinema releases when they come out.
Five Obstructions is a great recommendation, saw it at a film festival and plan to buy the recently released DVd soon.
I saw the trailer for DeJa Vu and must admit I wasn't impressed, doesn't help that i cant stand Denzel Washington and his Sidney Potier impersonation.
I like Tony Scott's The Hunger, Last Boyscout and True Romance, but generally his hackneyed style grates.
La Jeet/12 Monkeys of course rules so I may give it a chance on DVD.
PS I get to see Pan's Labyrinth tomorrow night so keep eyes peeled.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
True Romance is his best. No doubt about that. One of Tarantino's truly original scripts.
If you don't like Denzel, hmmm, yes, the film could grate. Personally I really like him. But hey, each to their own, right?
(there's some serous eye candy in it too .... if that's any kind of lure for you ...)
So you write for Filmink, huh? I used to ... wouldn't mind writing for them again ... Haven't actually bought a Filmink mag for a long time though, tend not to spend money on magazines ....
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Eye candy alone wont tempt me, I adore the time travel genre but this just looks a little to dumbed down for my liking......(think Butterfly Effect)- DVD for me.
FilmInk doesnt pay well but it is entertaining until a more viable form of income comes around, plus it always nice to see your words in lights.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I wasn't trying to sell the movie on eye candy alone, but hey, once you're there ...
Haven't seen Butterfly Effect ... is it really worth seeing?
Deja Vu isn't that dumbed down, considering its Hollywood. It's no Donnie Darko, but it's no Bill & Ted either .... lol
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Thanks for the 'heads-up' on this one... I love intellectual science fiction ... certainly one of the niche market I think and to answer someone elses question too... I think I'll make this a big screen experience and blow $10.
I am particularly interested in Reeves's role - because [as you say] he can put in such 'woody' performances... although there have been some good ones too - Chain Reaction comes to mind and no matter the critical... I liked the Matirx... for all it's dystopic inuendo's...(I'll probably be pelted with rotten tomatoes again...*lol*)...and many more you mention from the directors too, although this will be my first movie from this Linklater character... I will look some more of his work up...
thanks
Lilla...
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Avoid Butterfly Effect like the plague as I said it is a great idea dumbed down for the masses. In fact it is basically Donnie Darko's plot spelt out and highlighted with all the mystery removed.
No problem on Dejavu, I had made up my mind long ago that it was a DVD screener at best.
Hi Lilla,
I'm sure you will get something out of A Scanner Darkly and Linklater's WakingLife is a perfect compendium piece.
For head screw Sci Fi check out Alex Proyas Dark City, Darren Aronofsky's Pi, Shaun Carruth's Primer or the Canadian film The Cube
You can read my review of Dark city here and Primer here.
Comment by Filmpeeker
Film Peek Forum
Scanner Darkly looks great, I will probably see it very soon. Love this style it uses, like animated but still not. Hollywood should try more different ways to create a movie for exchange...
Have a good one!
//filmpeeker
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The film certainly does have a refreshing look and is a one of a kind.
Cib,
You probably will dig Scanner darkly. Unlike Waking Life there is actually a narrative thread and plot. It has a beginning, middle and end.
You didnt like Pi?-though that would have been right up your Cube lovin alley. have you had a chance to check out Primer yet?
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
The annoying thing about visiting your blog, JD, is that I always walk away with about ten titles to add to my must-see list...
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I too am not a Keanu fan, having him animated makes him somehow more tolerable. As you know Im not a Matrix fan either.
Glad to be feeding your must see list, I hope they live up to expectations. This site is kind of a one man hype machine so I sometimes worry that I talk the stuff up to much. Oh well its just my cinematic passion anyway.
Comment by Anonymous
-rach
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Their performances are so entertaining in this.
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Ooh! I love Wonderboys but it's been so long since I last saw it that I don't remember what they are... can you let me know?
> lucid dream
> Unlike Waking Life there is actually a narrative thread and plot
Well I know what I'm renting next time I go to Blockbusters! lol
I don't think I've commented here before but I think you have a natural flair for film criticism. Keep up the great work, JD!
> Hollywood should try more different ways to create a movie for exchange...
Hey Filmpeeker, I hear you... I'm quite bored with the visual style of most movies (indies too, unfortunately). The next movie I'm looking forward to on the basis of camerawork is Fincher's Zodiac, which is one of the only movies to be shot on Vipercam.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The 2 Downey Jnr lines from Wonderboys that turn up in A Scanner Darkly are-
"What in the Hootin annie do you suppose that is"
Damn, cant think of the other one off the top of my head. Will reply once I rememeber it. Sorry.
Definetly try and find a copy of Waking Life, though you cant buy it on DVD in Australia, it is available in the US and UK.
I appreciate your encouragment and please come back soon.
PS- On the topic of cinematography with prowess I am looking forward to Zack Snyder's 300. The lighting and composition looks spectacular. (Agree Fincher's Zodiac looks menacing and atmospheric.)