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[ckohler]

In the film there's (I'm just going to spoiler this, because I'm not sure what the policy is for the thread) an implication that

Spoiler

the far future has high... radiation levels or something (assuming I interpreted that right?) because Moronym can't stay there long and keeps injecting herself with... whatever that thing was.

Is that present in the book? And is that supposed to be a thread carried over from the 1970s storyline?

I think there is indeed some minor

Spoiler

radiation on Hawaii in the novel because Zachary's first story is of his first child being born without a mouth or nose, so it suffocates and dies. They call them "freak births". However, I got the impression those were a coin toss chance and not the norm. I don't remember Meronym having to deal with radiation sickness in the book. In fact, the Precients whole plan is to relocate to Hawaii and live with the Valleysmen to AVOID plagues elsewhere on Earth. So the radiation must not be that bad.

Like I said, a departure from the book.

 

[Croc]

in the end they're in an entirely different galaxy. the significance was related to the ppart in the beginning when he was talking about the connectedness of our histories

I don't think it was an entirely different galaxy because

Spoiler

they clearly say that you can see Earth in the sky, as well as show it (and it's blue). So I think it's kind of implied that it's at least somewhere in our solar system.

 

[ezekial45]

There's some pretty interesting things here.

http://www.slashfilm.com/15-things-cloud-atlas/

- Tom Twyker directed the 1934, 1973, and 2012 sections, while the Wachowskis did the 1849, 2144, and Fall segments.
- There were originally 9 stories from the book, one involving a Korean Rapper.
- David Mitchell

Spoiler

appeared in the Sonmi section in the Rebe Base

 

[Ashhong]

This is probably a must buy when it comes out on video

Yup. Hopefully they go all out with the initial release and not do a double dip later. The movie looks to be a bomba so they can't expect there would be a demand for a rerelease..

I don't think it was an entirely different galaxy because

Spoiler

they clearly say that you can see Earth in the sky, as well as show it (and it's blue). So I think it's kind of implied that it's at least somewhere in our solar system.

Also, there were

Spoiler

2 moons, which Mars has. But I doubt it was Mars.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Thanks for the huge spoiler at the top of the page, fellas. Really appreciated that shit.

Anyway, here's a great interview with the directors. Had no idea they had to put up their houses to make up the budget.

 

[Ashhong]

Thanks for the huge spoiler at the top of the page, fellas. Really appreciated that shit.

Anyway, here's a great interview with the directors. Had no idea they had to put up their houses to make up the budget.

It wasn't really a spoiler, don't worry about it. And it's GAF, you gotta expect people to not tag correctly after the movie comes out. We arent gonna tag everything forever, and you won't get it for months lol

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

It wasn't really a spoiler, don't worry about it. And it's GAF, you gotta expect people to not tag correctly after the movie comes out. We arent gonna tag everything forever, and you won't get it for months lol

Excuse me for thinking I had more than 24 hours till all spoiler tags were done away with before somebody talks about the ending at the top of the page.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

It wasn't really a spoiler

Depends how you think about it. I'd say it's a minor one if you're trying to stay completely spoiler-free.

 

[Daft_Cat]

I'd say that's a pretty major spoiler, actually. It's not like anything really hinges on that specific detail, but it definitely gives away the logistics of the ending. Tag it.

 

[Ashhong]

Excuse me for thinking I had more than 24 hours till all spoiler tags were done away with before somebody talks about the ending at the top of the page.

You are excused. You know damn well people post spoilers and it was bound to happen, that's all I'm saying.

Small Spped Racer tangent:

LANA WACHOWSKI: -unveiled Guernica, I mean he was like literally hounded by a mob out of the city. We knew that adults cannot accept challenges to their conventional aesthetic, the aesthetic that they are bonded to, adults, if you sort of assault that aesthetic they will really rage in this primitive way. So we thought maybe we can make it for kids because kids are much more open aesthetically than kids are.

So it really was stuck between a kids movie and an adult movie. That's where the disconnect it.

Depends how you think about it. I'd say it's a minor one if you're trying to stay completely spoiler-free.

I think it's a spoiler in the sense that it was a surprise and we didn't know about it, but at least to me, it didn't affect the plot at all and just had no effect on me. It was as much a spoiler as the dates of each story. How did you think about it that made it a spoiler?

I'd say that's a pretty major spoiler, actually. It's not like anything really hinges on that specific detail, but it definitely gives away the logistics of the ending. Tag it.

Can you explain what it gives away?

 

[Daft_Cat]

Can you explain what it gives away?

Spoiler

It gives away where Hanks and Berry end up at the end of the post-apocalyptic story, and the poster also took a shot at explaining the thematic significance of that particular scene.

This isn't rocket science. Tag spoilers or make a spoiler thread.

 

[CF_Fighter]

Saw it this morning. Theater was over 50% full for 10:30 am on Saturday, a good sign in my mind. I simply loved this movie. Many people have covered what I loved about it in this thread from the directing, to the acting, the effects both makeup and CGI, the writing, the score, and the fact that they took a book and made it feel like an original film and not simply an adaptation on screen. My favorite segments were 1849, 1936, 2144, and After the Fall. The editing was fantastic and the way the stories connected at certain points were amazing. And yes, I did get choked up as the end came together. Especially how the 1849 and 2144 segments played off each other, like one character was getting the better of the other in different time periods. It was beautiful and heartbreaking. It was that type of magic that only movies can bring about when done to such a high level of artistry. Needless to say I will be seeing this again a couple more times and getting it Day 1 on Blu-Ray.


In regards to the Fall and Sonmi stories

Spoiler

Was the mountaintop transmission base Zachry and Meronym venture to the same one Sonmi gave her transmission from? A couple of things connected it in my mind.

Sonmi's story:
-When we see the last stand of the Union in the Sonmi story the architecture, especially the doorways and the floor looked identical.
-When Sonmi says where they went to the Archivist we see a hovercraft going over the water to an island that looks like it belongs in the Pacific.

After the Fall:
-I remember Meronym saying something to the effect of "This was the place the Oldens and the people on the off-world colonies 'met'." Which implies to me they communicated there.
-The huge statue of Sonmi along with that carving of her on the wall behind the transmission computer signifies the importance of this place.
-As for the bodies on the floor I don't think they were the Union and Unanimity forces as there were too many and some were huddled together implying these were probably people hoping for a rescue of some kind as the world fell apart during the Fall.

 

[indigo-cyclops]

The social commentary in this movie was fucking incredible. Absolutely loved it (for more than just that too).

People of all races, genders, and ages were playing other people of all races, genders, and ages. It's one thing that is so crazy with Hollywood today is how whitewashed it is. It was amazing to see a Korean woman play a white freckly woman, a black man portrayed with asian features, women play men (and vice versa), and white men play asian men all in the same film.

I've yet to see the film, but today on NPR there was mention of how Asian actor are especially upset that they weren't casting more Asian actors for the parts that might call for it. I don't know the context obviously, but it seems like the intention was to really blur the lines of race identity and imply that these souls are more universal. The body/image is not important, essentially.

Anyone have anymore commentary on that?

 

[jokingbird]

This was by far my favorite movie this year. I highly recommend it to anyone on the fence about seeing it.

 

[Technosteve]

Spoiler, The White Actors that were playing Koreans all looked like Romulans

 

[Quick]

Spoiler, The White Actors that were playing Koreans all looked like Romulans

I initially thought "mantis", but Romulans! Yes!

Like I said earlier in my quick (lol) review, I wasn't sure if they're supposed to be wholly Asian (with exception to Keith David's character), or if they're all coincidentally mixed somehow.

 

[Kai Dracon]

Spoiler, The White Actors that were playing Koreans all looked like Romulans

Shyamalan Twist: Romulans are actually Space Koreans.

 

[ckohler]

In regards to the Fall and Sonmi stories

Spoiler

Was the mountaintop transmission base Zachry and Meronym venture to the same one Sonmi gave her transmission from? A couple of things connected it in my mind.

Sonmi's story:
-When we see the last stand of the Union in the Sonmi story the architecture, especially the doorways and the floor looked identical.
-When Sonmi says where they went to the Archivist we see a hovercraft going over the water to an island that looks like it belongs in the Pacific.

After the Fall:
-I remember Meronym saying something to the effect of "This was the place the Oldens and the people on the off-world colonies 'met'." Which implies to me they communicated there.
-The huge statue of Sonmi along with that carving of her on the wall behind the transmission computer signifies the importance of this place.
-As for the bodies on the floor I don't think they were the Union and Unanimity forces as there were too many and some were huddled together implying these were probably people hoping for a rescue of some kind as the world fell apart during the Fall.

Spoiler

It was not the same place where Somni was. Zachary's story takes place on Hawaii (called "Ha-why" in the book). I think the bodies on the floor were people who died on Hawaii, huddled up for protection during The Fall. That room with the statue of Somni isn't in the book but the book does mention that the observatory's air was sealed off enough to preserve the bodies of Oldens who died during the Fall. In the book, it isn't a transmission base, it's just a radio telescope. They find an astronomer's body still sitting at the console. Zachary thinks it's an Olden King.

 

[Lumiere]

Went to watch it this morning, my local theater had it in IMAX, and there was actually a decent number of people for a very early showing. They even had a line for the showing after mine!

I've read the book and thought it was a great adaptation. Frobisher was already my favorite and I wish his story had a bit more screentime... I thought Ben Whishaw made a FANTASTIC Frobisher. Also loved Broadbent, who was absoltely great as Cavendish

 

[ckohler]

I agree that Broadbent was perfectly cast as Cavendish. Cavendish's story was probably my least favorite in the book, but it was great in the movie thanks to Broadbent's performance. I saw the movie at 10:45 last night and the theatre only had like 10 people in it but they were laughing aloud at his stuff. It was great.

Funniest line in the movie:

Spoiler

"The one and only reason listed for admission: pussy."

 

[~Kinggi~]

I agree that Broadbent was perfectly cast as Cavendish. Cavendish's story was probably my least favorite in the book, but it was great in the movie thanks to Broadbent's performance. I saw the movie at 10:45 last night and the theatre only had like 10 people in it but they were laughing aloud at his stuff. It was great.

Funniest line in the movie:

Spoiler

"The one and only reason listed for admission: pussy."

Lol, that line worked so well given the scene.

 

[Quick]

Funniest line in the movie:

Spoiler

"The one and only reason listed for admission: pussy."

SO GOOD. The entire theatre was howling.

 

[Nazgul11]

I just got back from seeing this earlier. Amazing movie. I Really liked it.

I don't know if this has been posted yet, but MovieBob did a review of it on his "Escape to the Movies" show. It's a good watch. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/escape-to-the-movies/6452-Cloud-Atlas

 

[razielim]

Lol wrong thread.

 

[Technosteve]

Shyamalan Twist: Romulans are actually Space Koreans.

fucking space koreans stealing our women

 

[KevinCow]

Great the first time, better the second time.

I loved the subtle foreshadowing and references scattered throughout the movie:

-

Spoiler

When she's first introduced, '70s Halle Berry says, "I just want to throw that guy off the balcony. Then in 2012, Tom Hanks throws that dude off the balcony.

-

Spoiler

When Ewing first talks to the doctor and he tells him about guys punching each other's teeth out. Then in the climax of Cavendish's story, the Scottish guy punches a dude's tooth out.

-

Spoiler

"Soylent Green is people! Soylent Green is made from people!" And then the reveal at the end of Sonmi's story.

This movie is so ridiculously detailed. I'm sure there are plenty of other things like that that I missed.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

Great the first time, better the second time.

I loved the subtle foreshadowing and references scattered throughout the movie:

-

Spoiler

When she's first introduced, '70s Halle Berry says, "I just want to throw that guy off the balcony. Then in 2012, Tom Hanks throws that dude off the balcony.

-

Spoiler

When Ewing first talks to the doctor and he tells him about guys punching each other's teeth out. Then in the climax of Cavendish's story, the Scottish guy punches a dude's tooth out.

-

Spoiler

"Soylent Green is people! Soylent Green is made from people!" And then the reveal at the end of Sonmi's story.

This movie is so ridiculously detailed. I'm sure there are plenty of other things like that that I missed.

There was also:

Spoiler

- Frobisher returning to his hotel room prior to Hanks as the manager inquiring about how much it would take to keep the room free - Frobisher is signed under the cover name of Ewing, and he passes Sturgess in the stairway as Hanks calls out "Mr. Ewing"

 

[richiek]

- There were originally 9 stories from the book, one involving a Korean Rapper.

Oppa Gangnam Style?

 

[Messofanego]

I don't think I'll be able to vicariously live through your impressions or reviews or I'll lose my mind.

Oooh 25th November in Czech Republic? Might have to hop there, one month wait ain't so bad

I just got back from seeing this earlier. Amazing movie. I Really liked it.

I don't know if this has been posted yet, but MovieBob did a review of it on his "Escape to the Movies" show. It's a good watch. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/escape-to-the-movies/6452-Cloud-Atlas

I tend to be hit-or-miss with him because of his genre/comic book bias but this was reaffirming.

Sounds like Oscar for best editing and make-up are in the bag?

 

[abic]

Just watched this. It was good. Music was incredible.

For some reason I'd like to watch it again, but mainly the music was great.

 

[KevinCow]

One thing that bugged me about the movie:

Spoiler

Halle Berry and Tom Hanks were able to have a happy ending together in one of the stories. Same with Sturgess and Sonmi. But what about Frobisher and Sixsmith? Why didn't they get a happy ending together in any of the stories?

 

[bob page]

So is this like "Tree of Life" amazing where it's unwatchable? I've tried reading up on it and still don't know what to make of it, and the videos I've seen don't help at all. Mostly thinking of seeing it because Tom Hanks is great.

Not at all. You can easily watch Cloud Atlas and enjoy it without paying attention to the philosophical aspects.

 

[Jimothy]

Not to mention Cloud Atlas has an actual narrative.

 

[Deleted member 30609]

One thing that bugged me about the movie:

Spoiler

Halle Berry and Tom Hanks were able to have a happy ending together in one of the stories. Same with Sturgess and Sonmi. But what about Frobisher and Sixsmith? Why didn't they get a happy ending together in any of the stories?

Spoiler

In the book, Frobisher believes they've already had their happy 'ending', and will continue to again and again for all time. It's the ending passage of Frobisher's story in the book and one of the most beautiful things I have ever read.

 

[Crisco]

I thought it was really really really good. As did my girlfriend. On the way out however, we overheard some girl complaining over the phone that it was "the longest movie ever" and "horrible". We both burst out laughing and the girl shut up. Some people are just going to be too stupid to enjoy this movie.

 

[Tabris]

I really want to see the credits again. Hopefully they release something on youtube or another site.

 

[Akahige]

Just got back from seeing, can't remember which Directors did which segments from the credits though, any help?

 

[jtb]

Just got back from seeing, can't remember which Directors did which segments from the credits though, any help?

Tom Twyker: 1934, 1973, 2012
Wachowskis: 1849, 2144, Fall

 

[Akahige]

alright thanks

 

[Zebra]

I just got back from seeing this earlier. Amazing movie. I Really liked it.

I don't know if this has been posted yet, but MovieBob did a review of it on his "Escape to the Movies" show. It's a good watch. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/escape-to-the-movies/6452-Cloud-Atlas

I've never seen this guy's reviews before, but is he always talking this fast? I'm with him on all points but by a minute in I felt exhausted. :lol

 

[Daft_Cat]

Just got back from seeing, can't remember which Directors did which segments from the credits though, any help?

Tom Twyker: 1934, 1973, 2012
Wachowskis: 1849, 2144, Fall

But the directors all insist it's pretty much an arbitrary distinction that the DGA forced them to stamp on the credits.

 

[jtb]

But the directors all insist it's pretty much an arbitrary distinction that the DGA forced them to stamp on the credits.

Well they definitely split up production into half and half (according to one of the interviews linked earlier... I'll try to find it) because they wouldn't be able to feasibly finish the film on time and under the budget constraints otherwise, so I'm not sure. I will say that the direction never felt disjointed at all and had I not read who directed what, I would have had very little way of knowing. The only exception is the 1970s sequence, where

Spoiler

I thought the action scenes were handled in a pretty... non Wachowski-way. Especially in comparison to the sweeping shots in the Sonmi 451 storyline. But I might be reading too much into that.

 

[Ashhong]

Frobisher story was so good. Loved that scene

Spoiler

where Sixsmith is looking for him at the top of that tower.

 

[Juice]

Have people seen the colbert thing from Thursday night with Tom Hawks?
that was sooo good and funny

Also can;t wait to go see this movie to

I just stumbled upon that clip after returning from the movie. So great. Tom Hanks is a login legend.

 

[Zebra]

Ugh, why must the soundtrack CD not be out until November 6th? My impatience is pushing me towards buying it digitally, but I really like having CDs...

I need "All Boundaries Are Conventions" in my veins.

 

[Quick]

Frobisher story was so good. Loved that scene

Spoiler

where Sixsmith is looking for him at the top of that tower.

Yep, great scene.

 

[Ceebs]

Well they definitely split up production into half and half (according to one of the interviews linked earlier... I'll try to find it) because they wouldn't be able to feasibly finish the film on time and under the budget constraints otherwise, so I'm not sure. I will say that the direction never felt disjointed at all and had I not read who directed what, I would have had very little way of knowing. The only exception is the 1970s sequence, where

Spoiler

I thought the action scenes were handled in a pretty... non Wachowski-way. Especially in comparison to the sweeping shots in the Sonmi 451 storyline. But I might be reading too much into that.

Spoiler

The car going off the bridge is one of the best shots in the movie though.

 

[Zebra]

Spoiler

The car going off the bridge is one of the best shots in the movie though.

For sure.

I managed to avoid all commercials and trailers for this film before seeing it, mostly by closing my eyes. :lol So when that scene happened I found myself gasping and holding my breathe.

Speaking of the trailers, since I only recently watched them: that extended trailer is a thing of absolute beauty. It gives me chills no matter how many times I watch it.

 

[jtb]

Spoiler

The car going off the bridge is one of the best shots in the movie though.

Oh absolutely. The whole movie is stunning, more just that the Wachowski's have a really distinct way of shooting action. And I was referring to the

Spoiler

foot chase through San Fransisco, more than anything.

 

[Ashhong]

That

Spoiler

speed bike chase

was pretty Wachowski, and pretty fucking awesome.