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Dark City is an INCREDIBLE film
- Thread starter MrOogieBoogie
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SuperStiltzkin
Member
Whenever someone asks me what my favorite movie is, Dark City is the only answer I can come up with. It might not actually be my favorite movie ever, but it's one of the few movies that comes to mind whenever I get asked that question and can answer it with confidence.
I remember first seeing it on TV. Even with the narration at the beginning basically spoiling the twist, the movie still captivated me. Love the neo-horror-noir atmosphere.
Curious if anyone has seen the director's cut one for their first time. The one without the narration.
I remember first seeing it on TV. Even with the narration at the beginning basically spoiling the twist, the movie still captivated me. Love the neo-horror-noir atmosphere.
Curious if anyone has seen the director's cut one for their first time. The one without the narration.
Corpsepyre
Banned
Theatrical or the director's cut? That is the question.
hardcastlemccormick
Banned
The only thing I would change about Dark City is that the movie cuts to so many angles so quickly. Not a fan of the editing.
adamsappel
Member
Joss Whedon also ripped off The Strangers for the Hush episode of Buffy.
Union Carbine
Member
Love this film, one of my all-time favorites. Roger Ebert was a big fan as well (RIP), his commentary track is great.
It is, yes. I hope you watched the Director's Cut?
That's why the DC is so much better. That part gets cut and the movie is much better for it. Plus, dat cover
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018O4YT0/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Director's Cut by a country mile. For a first time watch, Director's Cut is the best possible experience with the movie. I'd really only watch theatrical cut at this point to see some historical context on how studio meddling can negatively impact a movie.
That's why the DC is so much better. That part gets cut and the movie is much better for it. Plus, dat cover
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018O4YT0/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Director's Cut by a country mile. For a first time watch, Director's Cut is the best possible experience with the movie. I'd really only watch theatrical cut at this point to see some historical context on how studio meddling can negatively impact a movie.
Thanks to OP I just rewatched my DVD (theatrical release). I don't think the introduction is so bad. We are exposed to the
strangers and their abilities
we're not really watching a film noir,
they come from somewhere else and are able to apparently stop the time
timestop
I'll get the director's cut for the extra dialogues but the theatrical release is still very much enjoyable.
Also I just realised
he didn't create an artificial sun, he just twisted the city.
RoyaleDuke
Banned
This is the other Bladerunner for me, it's a fantastic film and deserves far more credit.
The thing about the intro is not that you don't see the Strangers but that you don't know who they are or what they're all about. The problem with the intro is takes away a great deal of the mystery. That's why the DC is better. You see the powers but don't know the context.
TheExecutive
Member
Absolutely fantastic movie and one of my favorites
MrOogieBoogie
BioShock Infinite is like playing some homeless guy's vivid imagination
I'm pretty sure I watched the theatrical release (whichever one it is that's on HBO) and I had no issues with it.
I'm in for a surprise if the DC is even better like you all say it is.
I'm in for a surprise if the DC is even better like you all say it is.
Union Carbine
Member
The DC is better but I'll always have a soft spot for the theatrical release because that's what I first saw and loved.
I watched it in the theaters and loved this movie so much. Was always so bummed out it didn't do better at the box office, it was so superb. I loved how the people were being manipulated from day to day and reset. It really showed that very well with people going from rich to nothing and those from nothing to rich.
When the Matrix came out I remember watching it and loving it yet so much of it felt like deja vu and that Dark City really didn't get it's fair shot. I know the movies were different yet it felt like to me the two had a lot of cross over appeal. But I suppose Dark City wasn't as flashy as Matrix was.
When the Matrix came out I remember watching it and loving it yet so much of it felt like deja vu and that Dark City really didn't get it's fair shot. I know the movies were different yet it felt like to me the two had a lot of cross over appeal. But I suppose Dark City wasn't as flashy as Matrix was.
Doc Holliday
SPOILER: Columbus finds America
Not only is the story very reminiscent, the visuals are extremely similar as well. That's one of the reasons I didn't like the matrix as much as my friends when I first saw it.
PHOENIXZERO
Member
Best movie David Goyer had a hand (no matter how large or small) in writing.
lastflowers
Banned
Scared the living shit out of me when I was younger.
Yeah, the ending really stuck with me, knowing that everyone these people had ever been were irretrievably lost.
The brief flashback of the doctor wiping his own memory... Fucking horrifying...
Not only is the story very reminiscent, the visuals are extremely similar as well. That's one of the reasons I didn't like the matrix as much as my friends when I first saw it.
Oh wow. This can't be a coincidence, can it?
Valkyr Junkie
Member
You should watch the director's cut since in that version Connelly actually does the singing herself..... poorly.
Extra Sauce
Member
Dark City is not perfectly written but the ideas it presents as well as its visuals and general atmosphere are all very compelling.
SuperStiltzkin
Member
I remember reading somewhere that that was on purpose.
Because the Strangers mix and match memories and put people in different roles each night, Conelly's character has the memories of being a singer, but doesn't have the talents of one. It's simply the role she has to play during that night.
SpoonyBard
Banned
Better than Matrix.
Arthr2ShdsJcksn
Banned
One of the very few blurays that I own is this gem. I love the film and will echo that its much better than The Matrix, which in itself is a great film.
Summer of '99 was spent bullshitting with my friends from high school who would come out on top of a Stranger vs Jedi fight and John Murdoch vs Neo
Dark City rep wins in both cases
Maybe?
They're kind of a hive mind, but they're not pink, and they're not really controlling anyone's thoughts so much as continually altering their memories...
JimtotheHum
Member
You mean The Matrix?
Thats why It was overshadowed, imo. Same with 13th Floor.
But amazing Trailer, We shall all watch, now...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSpowoKqSzc
Oddly enough, isn't that Enya too?
Dark City came out before the Matrix. I remember when I saw the Matrix thinking, "Well, that was just a lesser version of Dark City."
One other thing, make sure you watch the director's cut instead of the theatrical! The intro of the theatrical sucks all the mystery out of the movie. When I first saw the movie, I walked in 5 mins late, and missed the horrible voice over at the beginning. When I finally did see it, I was super disappointed. The director's cut takes that out.
One of my all time favorite movies. Also made me fall in love with Keifer Sutherland's goofy ass.
It's not. Matrix and Dark City I believe were filmed on the same sets. Wouldn't surprise if they were like "eh, fuck it, use those props from Dark City" too.
It's not. Matrix and Dark City I believe were filmed on the same sets. Wouldn't surprise if they were like "eh, fuck it, use those props from Dark City" too.
Jables Swan
Member
The Matrix used some of the same sets as Dark City apparently.
Edit: Dammit. Just beaten.
Edit: Dammit. Just beaten.
Union Carbine
Member
Same here.
Mighty Chin
Banned
I think I started a Dark City thread about a year ago.
What a great movie.
What a great movie.
Screaming Meat
Unconfirmed Member
The name Dr Daniel Paul Schreber and much of the eeriness of the Strangers in Dark City, can be traced back to one Daniel Paul Schreber; a man whose book (Memoirs of My Nervous Illness) told stories of how he was haunted by "fleetingly improvised men", how "on some nights the souls finally dripped down on to [his] head, in a manner of speaking, in their hundreds if not thousands, as "little men."", and how God was slowly turning him into a woman to give birth to the next Christ.
For serial.
Oh, it's a great movie, too.
For serial.
Oh, it's a great movie, too.
Crimson-Death
Member
I first saw it on VHS because of Roger Ebert's high praise and review of the film, so I bought the movie when I had a chance. The beginning narration spoils plenty, but there are bigger twists as the movie goes along in my opinion. I cannot forget what a mindfuck it was when they finally
reach "Shell Beach" and lose it, and then try to see what is beyond.
I also say Dark City when people ask for my favorite film, that and Gattaca, even though there are too many movies that would qualify. But the surreal sci-fi noir, Twilight Zonesque dream and the thematic of the movie compels me.
Give us your review and I hope you enjoyed it as much as most of us.
Icomp
Member
I've finished watching it now. I can't believe I've missed this movie until now. It truly is a hidden gem.
Sure, there are a lot of cheesy moments, but the overall atmosphere weighs up for every such moment, every single time.
The architecture is great, the whole movie feels like it could just be paintings after paintings.
And of course William Hurt is great as the inspector!
I suck at reviewing
let's just say that you will enjoy this if you like Bladerunner and Matrix!
Sure, there are a lot of cheesy moments, but the overall atmosphere weighs up for every such moment, every single time.
The architecture is great, the whole movie feels like it could just be paintings after paintings.
And of course William Hurt is great as the inspector!
I suck at reviewing
let's just say that you will enjoy this if you like Bladerunner and Matrix!Crimson-Death
Member
William Hurt was truly a highlight of the movie, no doubt.
The director's cut adds some 15 minutes expanding on some scenes, tweaking some, adding others. I prefer it myself, but I also keep a DVD of the original version for nostalgic reasons. You should buy the director's cut for Bluray if you can.
Yep, I really miss watching Ebert on TV and reading everything he had to tell us. I sure did not agree with plenty of it, and sometimes it wasn't the best analysis, but Ebert had an insightful intelligence that was a joy to reflect upon. And he always pointed me in the right direction to find some truly great gems, case in point, Dark City.
The director's cut adds some 15 minutes expanding on some scenes, tweaking some, adding others. I prefer it myself, but I also keep a DVD of the original version for nostalgic reasons. You should buy the director's cut for Bluray if you can.
I know it has already been said, but Ebert's commentary track is one of the finest I have ever heard. I miss Ebert.
Yep, I really miss watching Ebert on TV and reading everything he had to tell us. I sure did not agree with plenty of it, and sometimes it wasn't the best analysis, but Ebert had an insightful intelligence that was a joy to reflect upon. And he always pointed me in the right direction to find some truly great gems, case in point, Dark City.
TOP SHOTTA
Member
I saw it in the theater while in college. And I only saw it that one time.
I remember feeling let down. I wanted it to be so much move, and it wasn't. It came sooooooo very close to what I wanted it to be, and it quite didn't "go there" enough for my tastes.
That being said I absolutely need to watch it again, especially if there's more to it that I might have missed when I was not as much of a movie snob and critical thinker about this kind of thing.
I remember feeling let down. I wanted it to be so much move, and it wasn't. It came sooooooo very close to what I wanted it to be, and it quite didn't "go there" enough for my tastes.
That being said I absolutely need to watch it again, especially if there's more to it that I might have missed when I was not as much of a movie snob and critical thinker about this kind of thing.
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