Dark City: One HELL of an underrated film!

[Guest Downhome]

First off, have any of you reading this right now never seen this? If not, then go out and rent/buy (the DVD has a GREAT commentary track btw) it ASAP, it's unreal. No, my reasoning for even mentioning The Matrix with this film is simple, as they both deal with the concept of reality, and just what is real and what is not. It's a great concept done by a few films, and these two I feel present it the best thus far. The basic story for Dark City is...

 

A man discovers that his memories, and reality as he knows it, are artificial creations. As he seeks to unravel the twisted riddle of his identity, he is drawn deeper into his murky surroundings. There he stumbles upon an underworld, controlled by a group of ominous beings known as "The Strangers".

 

...then we have a great cast with William Hurt, Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, and Richard O'Brien. Also, if you haven't ever checked it out then watch the trailer by clicking here.

 

Yes, I like this film about as much as I like The Matrix, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. It's just a shame that this film didn't/doesn't get talked about than it does. I suppose that it isn't "cool" enough for a lot of people, seeing how it's totally *gasp* void of bullet-time and the such!

 

So yeah, I love it, and if you have never seen it then go out and check it out ASAP. It's pretty close to flawless in my eyes, and it's both thought provoking as well as visually brilliant, while mixing up Sci-fi with a film noir feel that comes out wonderfully.

 

If you have seen it, what do you think of it?

 

Sincerely,

...Downhome...

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

I haven't seen it in a while, but I remember seeing it come out in theatres and said two things "this movie is so fucking cool" and "Jennifer Connelly is really fucking hot". I really like the message of the film: Are we really just a sum of our memories?

 

I should probably pick up the DVD some time this week.

[Guest The Grand Pubah of 1620]

It was a pretty sweet movie. I also like 12 Monkey's. It was all twisted like that too.

[Guest edotherocket]

Trivia: The sets of Dark City were reused for The Matrix.

[Guest IDrinkRatsMilk]

I like Dark City more than I like The Matrix, but then, I don't really like the Matrix much at all.

I've got Dark City on video, but it's been out of mind for a while... I'll probably pick up the dvd thanks to this thread.

[Guest Edwin MacPhisto]

I saw Dark City on its opening weekend way back in...97? 98? I was incredibly excited about it; the trailer had blown my mind.

 

Roger Ebert called it the best movie of that year, and I'm inclined to agree with him to an extent--maybe not the best, but way way up there. Great look, simple but effective themes, and a superb musical score (which is one of the few film soundtracks I actually own, by the by). It's got its problems, but it's one of the movies I remember most clearly from the theatrical experience. The imagery is really resonant in my mind to this day. I also love the fact that it's a modern sci-fi mystery, but that it doesn't rely on too many outlandish twists or desperate contrivances. There's fantasy for sure, but it's crafted logically in its own frame. There are enough hints that you get a sense of dread and awakening rather than just shock and surprise. It's always struck me as a really eloquently told film.

 

More fun: the budget for the movie was only about $25 million. Very minimal CG--most of the effects of the city shaping were done with actual models, which is probably part of why it looks so good.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

Simply put, this movie fucking owns. If you're reading this and you haven't seen it, see it. If you dont feel like shelling for the dvd just take mine on Kazza. Just SEE THE GODDAM MOVIE.

 

ps - I like this more that Matrix, and I like Matrix a lot.

[Guest ArkhamGlobe]

It's been years since I last saw it, but I remember being very impressed with it, both on a visual and narrative level.

[Guest C.H.U.D.]

I agree, an amazing, vastly underrated film.

[Guest Ravenbomb]

Dark City > Tons of movies and most of the movies that came out in 1998

[EL DANDY~! 0]

An absolutely mindblowing movie. Made you think so much your mind would explode. An outstanding movie, and one of Kiefer Sutherlands best performances ever.

[Guest NoCalMike]

A much better film than the Matrix, but at the same time it is presented in such a fashion that it will never have the same mass appeal. I could imagine people I know that like the matrix that would hate/not get Dark City like we all seem to.

 

Damn good movie.

[Guest Lethargic]

Is a movie really under-rated when everybody likes it? It wasn't a hit in theaters but it's gained wide spread recognition and popularity on DVD. I'd say, though I love the movie like everybody else, it's tinkering on the edge of over-rated more than anything else. It has become the movie that people use to prove what "intelligent" movie fans they are and if somebody else doesn't like it then they're stupid.

[Guest evilhomer]

I haven't watched it for about a year, so I don't totally remember it, but yeah, definately a great movie. Keifer Sutherland was amazing in it and it just blows your mind away with the possibilities.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

The only people I know who have seen this movie are the ones that I practically tied down in front of my VCR.

 

ps - yeah I forgot to mention, I love Keifer's character, especially the ~SWERVE~