‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ Download and Reviews

December 16, 2009 by Paul Wall  
Filed under Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi

“2001: A Space Odyssey” Movie Details

2001: A Space Odyssey tagline: Let the Awe and Mystery of a Journey Unlike Any Other Begin
Two Thousand and One: A Space Odyssey - DVD Cover

2001: A Space Odyssey DVD Cover

Actors:
  • Ann Gillis
  • Keir Dullea Dr. Dave Bowman
    Gary Lockwood Dr. Frank Poole
    William Sylvester Dr. Heywood R. Floyd
    Daniel Richter Moon-Watcher
    Leonard Rossiter Dr. Andrei Smyslov
    Margaret Tyzack Elena
    Robert Beatty Dr. Ralph Halvorsen
    Sean Sullivan Dr. Bill Michaels
    Douglas Rain HAL 9000
    Frank Miller Mission controller
    Bill Weston Astronaut
    Ed Bishop Aries-1B Lunar shuttle captain
    Glenn Beck Astronaut
    Alan Gifford Poole’s father
    Poole’s mother
    Directors: Stanley Kubrick IMDB Rating: 8.4/10 out of 150,332 votes

    “2001: A Space Odyssey” Movie Review

    “Two Thousand and One: A Space Odyssey” Plot Summary

    Mankind finds a mysterious, obviously artificial, artifact buried on the moon and, with the intelligent computer HAL, sets off on a quest.

    Magnificent and deliberately mysterious

    Spoilers ahead.2001: a Space Odyssey is without a doubt the most challenging and successful film by the late Stanley Kubrick. This is not a film that you watch in order to be entertained or amused. Instead it provides you with a banquet of food for thought, images that linger in the mind’s eye long after the movie itself is over. It is a film that you could meditate on

    The film intentionally offers us more questions then it can answer, it is made to puzzle and mystify, but leaves the viewer nevertheless with a sense of awe and reverence (that is allowing that he has engaged himself in the process of viewing it, enjoyment of this film requires some effort on the viewers part) the questions that it does pose are large and ominous, concerning the genesis and destiny of the human race, it’s ultimate place in the cosmic design and the existence or lack of some creative intelligence behind the structure of the universe itself

    The first of the films Four Quartets gives us a distinct view of the species past. We see our distant ancestors, half-ape half human, in a state of near starvation. The climate has destroyed most of the plant life and the vegetarian beasts are near starvation. An extra-terestial object, a perfectly smooth and angular black monolith, appears and the animals are simultaneously inspired by it’s presence to tool-making and violence. They are transformed overnight into carnevores, and when two tribes encounter each other near a water source, the tribe that has developed tool making capacity, as well as beligerence, soundly destroys the neighboring tribe. The new chief of the winning tribe, empowered by the first vestiges of technology triumphantly throws the bone that he used as a weapon in the air. We see the bone transformed into a floating satellite, which contains nuclear weapons. We soon learn that the world is torn apart by nuclear paranoia. The characteristics inspired by the monument’s appearance that once helped us to survive now threaten our very existence

    Once again humanity is in crisis, once again the unearthly presence represented by the black monolith will step in to aid humanity in the next step in it’s development. On an exploration of the Moon a monolith identical to the earlier one we have seen is discovered. The governments of the world, normally mortal enemies, have come together in secret to discuss the implications. A mission is arranged. the monument has been engaged in some kind of radio communication with Jupiter. A few men will travel to the destination of the transmission. Most of them will, for most of the time, be kept in a state of suspended animation. The pilot of the spacecraft will be HAL a super computer who has been programmed to imitate all of the traits of human beings

    The film has many outstanding sequences. As usual for Kubrick the use of classical music is outstanding. Most memorable are ‘Blue Danube’ and ‘Also Spake Zarathustra’ (particularly appropriate given the film’s theme of transcending ordinary consciousness.) The cinematography is particularly excellent as well, after a single viewing the film’s final 30 minutes will haunt you for the rest of your life

    The character of HAL is the most important from the view of the film’s central thesis. In imitating all the characteristics of human beings he comes to have their negative traits as well. The paranoia he develops which almost leads to the mission’ s ruin is an exact mirror of the paranoia that has allowed the political situation back on earth to reach a point of desperate crisis. The film suggests that these are the traits that we must leave behind if we are to proceed to the next phase in our evolution

    The architecture of the film is also meaningful. The designs of many of the spacecraft are intended to suggest reproductive organs and the process of birth and rebirth, the central motif of the movie. The ending of 2001 is the most spectacular and triumphant ever filmed

    This movie takes a view of life similar to that presented in the poetry of William Butler Yeats and James Joyce’s novel Finnegan’s Wake. It posits a pattern to history and human evolution that is cyclic, yet progressive, repeating the same events at large intervals, yet with the human race as developing according to the will of a being with a larger purpose in mind. Though we never learn what this purpose is, the film assures us that the human race is not meant for failure, it’s destiny is grand beyond it’s capacity to imagine. It continues to amaze me that in spite of this film many people continue to regard Kubrick as a misanthrope

    This is a religious film, not in the conventional sense of adhering to any specific creed, but because of it’s invocation of wonder at the vast panorama of existence and it’s involvement with the deepest and most vital questions of purpose and truth. In the hands of any other director, this would all be perhaps a little too much. Hollywood’s view of life is too puny, usually to encompass the grandeur and intensity of a vision such as this one. But Kubrick was a visionary, he directs with utter confidence, not only that he can handle material of this kind, but that he is the only one to do it. The process of making this film used all of his creative resources. The writing partnership with Arthur C Clarke is the most fruitful in cinematic history. Kubrick had to invent some of the special effects that were used in the movie’s astounding climax. The resources to bring his vision to life did not exist at the time, so he brought them into existence.2001 is a absolutely unique movie experience. Those who miss out on it do so at the detriment of their own intellectual and imaginative capacities.

    Two Thousand and One: A Space Odyssey - Movie Still 1 2001: A Space Odyssey Movie Still 2 Two Thousand and One: A Space Odyssey Movie Image 3 2001: A Space Odyssey Screen Image
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    ‘The Aviator’ Download and Reviews

    October 12, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Biography, Drama

    “The Aviator” Movie Details

    The Aviator tagline: For some men, the sky was the limit. For him, it was just the beginning.
    The Aviator - DVD Cover

    The Aviator DVD Cover

    Actors:
  • Brent Spiner
  • Leonardo DiCaprio Howard Hughes
    Cate Blanchett Katharine Hepburn
    Kate Beckinsale Ava Gardner
    John C. Reilly Noah Dietrich
    Alec Baldwin Juan Trippe
    Alan Alda Senator Ralph Owen Brewster
    Ian Holm Professor Fitz
    Danny Huston Jack Frye
    Gwen Stefani Jean Harlow
    Jude Law Errol Flynn
    Adam Scott Johnny Meyer
    Matt Ross Glenn Odekirk
    Kelli Garner Faith Domergue
    Frances Conroy Mrs. Hepburn
    Robert Gross
    Directors: Martin Scorsese IMDB Rating: 7.5/10 out of 78,481 votes

    “The Aviator” Movie Review

    “The Aviator” Plot Summary

    A biopic depicting the early years of legendary director and aviator Howard Hughes’ career, from the late 1920s to the mid-1940s.

    One of the best movies of the century

    I only really like 3 movies, and this is one of them. I think this is an amazing movie. It was compelling, and captured my emotions within the first ten minutes. I just love everything about it-the story, the music, the acting, and the way it was filmed in general. Howard Hughes was such an amazing figure in history, and I think this movie captured the main sides of him, portraying him as the genius and billioniare that he was without leaving out or dwelling too much on what he became in his later years. If you haven’t seen this movie, you are missing out. I don’t know a lot about filming, but whoever directed this is probably one of the greatest directors of our time.

    The Aviator - Movie Still 1 The Aviator Movie Still 2 The Aviator Movie Image 3 The Aviator Screen Image
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    ‘Philadelphia’ Download and Reviews

    August 20, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Drama

    “Philadelphia” Movie Details

    Philadelphia tagline: No one would take on his case… until one man was willing to take on the system.
    Philadelphia - DVD Cover

    Philadelphia DVD Cover

    Actors:
    Tom Hanks Andrew Beckett
    Denzel Washington Joe Miller
    Roberta Maxwell Judge Tate
    Buzz Kilman Crutches
    Karen Finley Dr. Gillman
    Daniel Chapman Clinic Storyteller
    Mark Sorensen Jr. Clinic Patient
    Jeffrey Williamson Tyrone
    Charles Glenn Kenneth Killcoyne
    Ron Vawter Bob Seidman
    Anna Deavere Smith Anthea Burton
    Stephanie Roth Haberle Rachel Smilow
    Lisa Talerico Shelby
    Joanne Woodward Sarah Beckett
    Jason Robards Charles Wheeler
    Directors: Jonathan Demme
    IMDB Rating: 7.6/10 out of 48,553 votes

    “Philadelphia” Movie Review

    “Philadelphia” Plot Summary

    When a man with AIDS is fired by a conservative law firm because of his condition, he hires a homophobic small time lawyer as the only willing advocate for a wrongful dismissal suit.

    Rich, Compelling, Deep, Magnificent Film!!

    Before I saw this movie I rated Tom Hanks as a competent actor, always consistent and dedicated to his craft. Roles that stood out for me where undoubtedly Forrest Gump and of course The Green Mile. I came into this movie knowing absolutely nothing about the plot, characters whether it was popular or how widely known it was. My house mate had rented it out, and left it sitting on the table. I picked it up and looking at the cover saw Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington staring back. Of course with two solid and professional actors like that your pretty much guaranteed a movie of a certain standard. But still I was hesitant about watching it thinking it must be some already overdone story about two strong interesting characters coming into and then overcoming some obstacles, providing views on life and such along the way.

    I can’t believe I almost didn’t watch this movie. I wont tell you anything about the plot or the story. Because even though the plot is interesting and the story relevant, you’ll have seen it done a hundred times in other movies, television or literature. The reason you will want to see this movie will be to witness Tom Hanks sink his teeth so deep into a role that he will make Forest Gump look like a training exercise. Not that it overshadows it, the opposite in fact, seeing him capable of this extraordinary performance only leaves you wondering, if you didn’t already, how you didn’t see before what a remarkable actor he is. If I have led you to believe that this film offers nothing more than Hank’s incredible performance then that is not my intention. The film itself is staggeringly magnificent, see for yourself and let the film take you in and Tom Hanks leave you breathless.

    Philadelphia - Movie Still 1 Philadelphia Movie Still 2 Philadelphia Movie Image 3 Philadelphia Screen Image
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