Dark City is a crazy neo noir scifi thriller from 1998, that was clearly a strong influence on The Matrix. It's also a great, fun, intriguing puzzle of a movie in its own right.
Even as a teenager, I remember sitting in an almost empty theatre watching this movie, and knew I was watching something special. Few movies at that time had mastered pacing and atmosphere as well, and the fact that it didn’t get more well know is a crime of cinema.
congrats then. not many people would get this, let alone as such a youngster, even though it's not really rocket science to discern good movies from bad ones. it was the same for me, i loved it but i will never understand how most people of the audience cannot appreciate a good movie like this.
@@arrathix1063 that's what i did and it makes no sense to me whatsoever. i realize modern audiences are mostly dumbed down but it wasn't always like this. at least not this bad
@@underdogjourney203 yeah, the phone booth Trinity uses to escape the agents at the start of The Matrix is the same phone booth Schrieber uses to call Murdoch from at the start of Dark City. And the spiral staircase Neo sees the de ja vu cat on is the same staircase Baumstead chases Murdoch down in his apartment building. In my opinion Dark City > all those movies.
I love when someone points out that this movie exist, it's one of the movies that when I saw I thought "how is it that I never heard about this absolute gem before?". The '90 were a blast: Strange Days, Dark City, The Matrix, Gattaca, Seven, 12 Monkeys...
Not to mention eXistenZ, Cube, The Usual Suspects, From Dusk Till Dawn, Leon.... the 90's were good to cinema, it's the reason I became a projectionist
Another hidden gem you can throw in this bunch is Mimic. At least I thought it was well done. Guillermo del Toro directed and Mira Sorvino when she was at the height of her popularity after her Oscar win/nom?
Kiefer Sutherland is great in this movie, and it's interesting to see him in a non action role for a change. The way he talks in this movie is so strange and adds so much to his character. Also, goes without saying, but William Hurt is a master class actor as always.
Your point on Kiefer Sutherland's voice, for most of the movie he gives off this creepy villain vibe that just plain marks him as suspicious. One of his best, if not the best performance from him.
Honestly, the doctor is probably the most interesting character in this movie. Everything he does catches your attention, because you never truly know what his agenda is until the very end, and his personal story is very interesting to learn about.
@@richardhockey8442 Yea, and there's this cool duality to his persona. You can clearly tell that he enjoys the work the strangers have him do, and you also see him help John. Combine that with his unique speech pattern and odd gait (courtesy of Sutherland's great acting) and he becomes such a fascinating character.
Spring 1998, 26 yrs old walking around downtown solo at dusk when I came across the poster for the movie. Decided on a whim to check it out. I was one of only three other people in attendance. When I walked out, I took unexpectedly the alley exit of the cinema to be greeted by the night after a spring shower with steam rising from the asphalt and manholes, no one in site and eerily not a sound. I stepped out of a visual masterpiece only to step into what felt like another fictional world until I made it to the end of the alley and got jolted back to reality. This film holds a special place in my heart. Cheers!
To this day, Dark City remains my favorite movie. Way back in the day, my friends took me to see this movie, which hadn't been on my radar at all. Despite the narration that the director's cut thankfully excises, that was quite the experience. Particularly since that group of friends were players in the old White Wolf TTRPG Mage: the Ascension. Which was all about the mutability of reality, perception, and belief. So that was neat.
This is a tragically under appreciated and overlooked movie. I saw this in the theater when it was released without knowing anything about it. The cast sold me and I was blown away after seeing it. Still watch this at least 2x a year and it’s still great.
I have a framed poster of it in my living room and own 4 copies of it - the Theatrical Cut Region 2 DVD (my region), the Theartical Cut Region 1 DVD, the Director's Cut DVD and the Director's Cut blu ray. If they bring it out on 4K UHD I'll get it on that format, too. 😃 Yes, it's my favourite film.
I bought this movie unseen on a whim last year and watched the director's cut of this movie first. I am so thankful that I did. COMPLETELY AVOID the theatrical cut until you've seen the directors cut. The directors cut lets you explore and learn what is happening. The theatrical cut was the result of studio execs thinking the audience would be too dumb to get it otherwise.
It's my favorite film. The combination of film noir and sci fi is brilliant as is the addition of German expressionism. It's a hidden gem worthy of more fame.
Dearest Drinker , acknowledge the directors cut as it makes this film into the masterpiece it was always meant to be. Alex Proyas is one unsung director.
@@johnnyskinwalker4095 Gods of Egypt wasn't a bad movie. It just got bad press from the ignorant racist SJW mob who mistalenly think all Africans must be Black. Alex Proyas was born in Egypt, to a millenia-old community of Greek-Egyptians, and had every right to make that movie, which was a complete non-controversy in Egypt itself btw. Yes it was a weird movie. Weird is good. Weird means taking risks, something Hollywood used to do.
@@humankirk9196 Taking risks? I don't think Gods of Egypt was a weird movie. Dark City was a weird movie. Gods of Egypt was an over produced over-the-top Hollywood movie. Shallow CGI entertainment. Now I don't think it was an abomination like some people are saying but it felt like a for-hire work in the vein of Clash of Titans or Wrath of the Titans. The traces of Alex Proyas the artful interesting filmmaker was long gone from this movie. It's the sort of movie they could have given to any video clip directors.
I'd also add the film "The Thirteenth Floor" to this. It was made about a year earlier, and literally has the same concept of a virtual world. The movie isn't perfect (or amazing), but it blew my mind before I saw the Matrix (The Matrix #1 is still an amazing movie). The movie has been copied 1001 times since then - I think it's worth the watch.
@@johnstrawb3521 It may not be the deepest of movies, but it has a lot of atmosphere. It has a strong 1950s noir feel to it and also feels dreamlike at the same time, which I love and enjoy in itself. The story can be secondary in that case. @ Ze'ev Abrams The Thirteenth Floor was a year later (1999) than Dark City.
I was working as a projectionist when this movie came out. Couldn't wait to see it! I think Kiefer Sutherland playing the doctor with a Peter Lorre vibe was brilliant!
Can we all just take a moment and admire that this is a movie about mind erasing aliens with a film noir setting, packed with sex, mystery and an interesting protagonist
I saw this when it came out in the cinema. Apart from the stunningly inventive story I was amazed at the high calibre of cast. Some truly legendary names came together in this.
And such an ecclestic cast, too! Keifer Sutherland, Rufus Sewell, Richard O'Brien, Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt, Ian Richardson - these are actors that you just wouldn't expect to see in a movie together, and yet they all work so amazingly with each other. Richard O'brien is the writer of the Rocky Horror Picture Show and also plays Riff Raff, but he's perhaps best known here in the UK as the host of a gameshow from the 80s/90s called The Crystal Maze - and yet here he is absolutely slaying it as a villain in one of the most sinister and disturbing performances I've ever seen. This was just before Sutherland's big comeback with 24 but you'd still never expect to see him and O'Brien in the same movie, and yet they have such amazing chemistry with each other, it's fantastic. Also, Bruce Spence, who played the Gyro Captain in The Road Warrior, is in this movie as Mr. Wall. 😃
I though Sutherland and Hurt were amazing, Hurt became one of my favorite because of this movie. And Sewell was also excellent. And, well, we all know that some Jennifer Connelly in a movie is never a bad thing. I did not know them at the time, but the two main villains were very good.
This is my favorite movie. There's just something about the style (that mishmash of 20s, 50s, and 80s you mention) that grabs me (And I've had a crush on Jennifer Connelly since Labyrinth). The 2008 Director's Cut removes the opening narration, adds lots of dialogue, and puts the majority of cut scenes back in.
That's the only version I have seen- never knew there was an opening narration and wondered what Drinker was talking about ...til I read your comment of course:)
It was funny how every movie she appeared in, including Dark City, was a great movie but mostly bombed in theaters. The best of these is Dark City. Seen it over 100 times by now
What I want to see in a fancy restaurant, is a large 100" lcd tv turned on it side to display a lip-synching avatar of Jennifer Connelly wearing that sexy green dress while various slow jazz music plays. Have the avatar's eyes follow every passer-by with a flirty wink, and you've got a hit.
NOTEWORTHY: Roger Ebert felt so strongly about championing this underappreciated film that he did a commentary for the disc release. One of the best commentary tracks ever put on disc. Really adds to the appreciation of this movie. (EDIT - I initially brain farted and put "Gene Siskel" - corrected)-
Yes this audio commentary is a mini film school and then some! You can learn more from RE’s commentary about directorial perspective on the disc than you will in a year in school IMO. I listened to it twice in a row once. Glad you brought it up!
You forgot the best Matrix fact... part of the opening of The Matrix (the rooftop chase) was _literally shot on the same set_ as Dark City, with that in mind I can only imagine the whole similarity is a coincidence. They wouldn't be audacious enough to do that if they were ripping the movie off, would they? And the actual productions were so close together... Plenty of films around that time were about escape from our dull reality. Hell, '99 even had a hat trick of deadbeat office escapees with Office Space (February), The Matrix (June) and Fight Club (November).
Evne tho their moment of glory pasted The Wachovski's are reall cinema and Pop culture lovers So them using Dark City sets, is not has innocent or fortuitous as you might think, while also not being them ripping it off. Maybe there is no other deep meaning than to just be an easter egg or a Nod to a film that inspired them, or at least was in the same themes that they wanted to make a movie about Matrix also shares many visual similarities with their First movie Bound.
Thank you for covering this. Dark City is one of those movies I always find myself coming back to every once in a while. There's just something special about these 1990s movies (e.g. Se7en, Fight Club, The Matrix, Heat, The Usual Suspects), and I notice how many of them have aged way better than stuff produced years later. It was a point where filmmakers seemed to have found the perfect balance between style, character development and an interesting plot, and special effects were done just right, with a nice balance between practical effects and CGI.
Damn, that's a helluva line up right there. The only one I haven't seen is The Usual Suspects. All my friends tell me it's a must see and right up my alley. I think our society as a whole peaked in the 90's.
I could not agree with both of you more. I would even throw Blade in there - yes, I know it's an absurd comic book action movie about vampires, but my point is even a daft movie like _that_ exhibited the qualities you listed in the 90s, before everything went down hill.
I managed to convince a friend of mine to teach this movie as part of his science fiction literature course. It's an absolute benchmark of storytelling against which other movies and stories should be compared. Also, two words: Director's Cut (eliminates the opening narration and adds a little more that enhances the movie.)
I still love how the crazed detective was the former lead actor of the Australian cop drama, Water Rats. Colin Friels made a great Walenski. Still feel Dark City is the superior film against The Matrix. Kinda glad we only ever got one film, too, 'cause look how it turned out for the latter.
@Simulation algorithm I was hoping you were trolling, but nope... just saw this on ScreenRant, _"The Crow director Alex Proyas reveals that he is in the "very early stages" of preparing a TV series adaptation of his 1998 film Dark City."_
This film got absolutely trashed by the critics who often called it a "confused mess" or "unintelligible" and I remember thinking at the time that if such an awesome movie with a not too intricate plot could completely go over the heads of critics and audience alike, then maybe intelligent sci fi plots would always be doomed. Thankfully things have changed somewhat since then, but this film was truly revolutionary and ahead of its time. It was one of the first DVDs I ever bothered to own (HD with 2 sides to fit the whole movie on!) and I reckon I wore it out. Exceptional film!
yeah every critic that said that I just thought were stupid people I mean actually unintelligent like small children or a dog...well maybe not even a dog
@Neon Thunderbird Roger Ebert lost a few points when he condemned John Carpenter's "The Thing", though. Good, but not the greatest. He had his off days. I can relate better to the Drinker.
@@vilefly he watched *everything*, in every genre, reviewed them honestly, and never read off a script. Only one who comes close to him is Leonard Maltin. Was the only reviewer I'd read before going to the cinema. Rotten Tomatoes doing these things algorithmically is nonsense as most reviewers that RT base their score upon are untrustworthy
One of the best movies of its time. I remember being bored and had walked pass the little cinema several times and being curious about it. finally asking the lady at the ticket widow weather it was any good and she beamed with big smile and said Onyah! seen it a dozen times already and I never get tired of it so I bought a ticket. I remember when I came out of the theater looking around waiting for the building to start changing and saying to the ticket lady everything is going to different now. just in the same way when you see other life changing movies. you start asking questions and not quite trusting things around you anymore, well we know all about that these days, HUH! it was sort the same after I read Gorge Orwell's 1984 except this was a cool fantasy sci fi and 1984 was prophecy.
I love how John Murdoch has a frightened and confused look on his face the whole time. That's the same way I've felt my whole life and I always have that same exact look on my face everywhere I go.
There was a movie called 'Split' that came out in 1989 (unrelated to the 2016 movie of the same name) that dealt with that whole "reality is fake" concept.
My wife has me watching the Masterpiece Theater series Victoria. And in it, Lord Melbourne is played by Rufus Sewell. I was telling her how I remembered seeing him in some cool sci-fi noir movie from the 90’s but couldn’t remember the name. How serendipitous! Thanks for covering this one, Drinker!!
Dear Drinker- thank you for this. Dark City is my favorite science fiction film of the last 25 years, And, like Roger Ebert, I thought it was the best movie of the year when it came out. Thanks for drawing attention to this little masterpiece!
Roger Ebert pretty famously trashed this movie when it came out initially. Only years later did he rewatch it and walk back his review, giving it too marks and apologizing to Alex Proyas, and even recording a commentary track for the director’s cut.
Reaper Ezekial that’s not true, sir. He never trashed this movie. In fact he called it the best movie of the year, and provided the commentary track for the DVD that came out of it in 1998. And he praised it on Siskel and Ebert immediately You may be thinking of Blade Runner- which RE did famously give a Luke warm review to, even while others called it a classic. He did admit many years later it was a masterpiece
@@reaperezekial5168 you are mistaken. Siskel and Ebert gave it two thumbs up. Ebert gave it four stars in his print review published on Feb 27 1998. He would later call it his best movie of the year. Look it up.
@Matt Jaycox @Human Kirk You are both correct, and I rescind my earlier comment. You know that phenomena where people swear a fact is true since forever ago only to find out it’s not? I seem to be having that when it comes to Dark City, which is boggling because it’s one of my favorite films. I vividly remember Roger Ebert stating that he initially hated it only to be swayed to its genius years later. Clearly this is proof that I shifted in from an alternate dimension at some point, because the facts all agree. Moral of the story? Never trust your memories alone, always corroborate against actual facts. Also maybe Sliders was a documentary and it’s easy to jump dimensions.
I remember reading a Negative film Review for The Matrix when it came out and I remember 1 line that stood out and I still remember it to this day "........All it is is 'Dark City' with Martial Arts. And Dark City is a much better Movie" I haven't seen it since High School but I remember it being pretty good. Might need to give it a rewatch
So The Matrix is Dark City + Cobra Kai? That would explain how Johnny "cures" Miguel's asthma and helps Aisha lose weight. Jokes aside Dark City's the film I own on DVD, not The Matrix.
I loved Dark City when it came out. Another interesting film from the same time and in the same vein as this and the Matrix is The Thirteenth Floor. Maybe that would make for another good After Hours review.
This movie is truely epic. I can't say how many times I've watched it. In the original cut, they dubbed over Jennifer Connely's voice in her singing scenes. In the Directors Cut, they used her voice... That girl can sing!
Dark City is an absolute hidden gem. Till this day I highly recommend it. The last battle even looks great without looking totally dated and was quite awesome. Amazing movie.
One of the most underrated films. I love this movie...the director's cut that takes away the dialogue that spoils the reveal is an amazing movie for people who have never seen it...
Superb movie. A great follow from Alex Proyas to The Crow. Used the same set as The Matrix, I believe. Sets shot on film just look better than greenscreen shot on digital
I love the effects that can be done with greenscreens and CGI, but like any other toy Hollywood gets its grubby mitts on, it doesn't know when it's too much.
"The drinker sympathizes with this situation." Illeism + Context = Perfect line. I'm getting floored by the visuals you're showing. Everything is bled out in terms of the color palette and yet what you mention in the 50's cars and 80's industrial buildings along with everything else creates something that is downright lush and that would seem to be impossible considering drained colors are normally anything but lush. To put it bluntly, it looks incredible. I think my dad saw it when it came out and I'm not sure whether he liked it or not. Maybe the flaws you mention got to him or were distracting. Whatever the case, again, the movie just looks stunning and it will probably be inexcusable for me to miss it at this point.
If you're going to see it, see the Director's Cut. It fixes nearly all the problems of the Theatrical Cut, including the stupid exposition at the start of the movie that almost ruins the payoff. The Director's Cut is superior to the Theatrical in every way and is the ONLY way to view this movie.
WOW. I had just decided to watch it tonight to see if it was as good as I remember. And u upload this video. And I didn't remember it because of the new Matrix. I remembered because I watched an OG noir film called "The third man".
@Simulation algorithm I took a Graham Greene seminar in graduate school many years ago (from Dr. Peter Wolfe, who is still, I think, recognized as a foremost Greene scholar) and read most of his novels and "entertainments.". Greene was really good.
@Subpar JennaTalia Third Man was an Orson Welles movie shot on location in Vienna just after WW2. They couldn't remake that movie even if they tried, it's a time capsule
Forgot about this classic. Been burnt out with scifi as it's just the same railroad dilemmas dressed different, but I can't deny this one stands out. Thanks for bringing up this film, going to watch it again
Mr. Hand was amazing! He seemed to have a touch more individuality than the other strangers, and really suffered with his desires. In the director's cut he more or less explains his pain to Emma Murdoch by the water. Kind of an outlier of his species, even capable of sudden, brief periods of rage. Absolutely desperate to experience "a soul" as he misunderstood it, he was more than willing to risk his life for it with his proposal to be imprinted under the false pretense of just catching Murdoch.
I'm so glad you have done this one Drinker!! I saw it back in 98 at the cinema - it was awesome!! Greetings from Australia 😁. ps ---> we could do with alot more movies these days that stray away from "The Message", as I'm rather over having that particular agenda rammed down my throat any time I choose a movie to watch. 🙄
I remember renting this on VHS when it was first released for home video, and I enjoyed it. I don't think I've watched it again since so I guess I'll do so soon.
Drinker, this is a criminally underrated movie. Very creepy atmosphere and setting. It reminds me that every once in a while a film comes out that doesn't follow the template set out by the huge conglomerates but blazes its own path and becomes something special. Great choice sir!!
I'm glad you finally covered this movie. It's one of my top 10. I've seen it a few dozen times. I remember seeing it in the theater and was blown away. The Director's Cut Blu-ray includes a lot of commentaries. I've listened to Roger Ebert's and it's very good.
As much as I love this movie, even I forgot about it 😞. It was eclipsed by the matrix and my late teens/early 20 self was "blinded" by the early internet, Virtual reality and video games emergence of the 90's. Now, I actualy prefer Dark City. Maybe it's the Classy Look of the gorgeous Jennifer Conolly and the "ageless" atmosphere of the movie compared to the very dated 90's feel and aesthetics of the Matrix, from the music, the "grundge" look of the "real world" and the Leather and trenchecoat wardrobe to the beautiful, latex clad, Carry Ann Moss. I think Dark City, like a beautiful woman, demands appreciation. 😉
I watched and rewatched this movie on DVD, years ago, but more recently I tried watching the director's cut in a VR virtual theatre...and it transformed what was already a fantastic movie. I would love to have had the chance to see this in a real cinema, but with that having slipped me by, it's easily the best way to experience this movie. It drips with details that beg to be on a big screen.
This is a good one. Memorability is on of the key measures of movie quality. I haven't seen it in ages, but I remember it clearly and still quote little bits of it in conversation sometimes.
This film has been one of my all-time-favorites since renting it at the local video store with my friend as a 90s kid. We used to run down there with a couple bux and rent VHS movies and Nintendo 64 games. Kids these days will never know.
Let's be honest any film with a young Jennifer Connelly is a very good film.
Would still fire one into her.
absolutely. i forgot just how goddamn great she looked. they sure as shit don't make em like her anymore.
Agreed and Melissa George isn't hard on the eyes either!
@@silenceoftheyams7647 All the buxom women are on cam sites earning a fortune for less work.
She was divine in this film.
And she still turns heads today.
I adore this film. The director's cut does away with the awful narration.
Oh really? Very interesting.
Enjoy this movie, yes?
Agreed, if you're going to watch this film, the Directors Cut is the only proper way to experience this awesome movie.
@@satnav1980 Yep. It also adds in cut scenes and more dialogue. Absolutely superior to the theatrical release.
That’s good to know. Great movie, but I’ve never watched the director’s cut.
Even as a teenager, I remember sitting in an almost empty theatre watching this movie, and knew I was watching something special. Few movies at that time had mastered pacing and atmosphere as well, and the fact that it didn’t get more well know is a crime of cinema.
congrats then. not many people would get this, let alone as such a youngster, even though it's not really rocket science to discern good movies from bad ones. it was the same for me, i loved it but i will never understand how most people of the audience cannot appreciate a good movie like this.
@@hazardeur Just compare it to what actually is popular for a few seconds and it all makes perfect sense :)
@@arrathix1063 that's what i did and it makes no sense to me whatsoever. i realize modern audiences are mostly dumbed down but it wasn't always like this. at least not this bad
Yea if you like watching a mash up of the movie momento and a darker version of total recall
Basically, if you combine Dark City with Ghost in the Shell, you’ve got the Matrix.
The Matrix was actually filmed at the same studios as Dark City (the Fox annex in Sydney, Australia), and even re-used some of the same sets.
@@AdmiralBonetoPick Oh really? That actually makes a lot of sense then! Lol
Also, if you combine Blade Runner with Robocop, you get Ghost In The Shell...
Definitely some favorites!
@@underdogjourney203 yeah, the phone booth Trinity uses to escape the agents at the start of The Matrix is the same phone booth Schrieber uses to call Murdoch from at the start of Dark City.
And the spiral staircase Neo sees the de ja vu cat on is the same staircase Baumstead chases Murdoch down in his apartment building.
In my opinion Dark City > all those movies.
It was filmed at the same studio as The Matrix- Fox Studios in Sydney. A friend of mine worked there and got me in for a peek at the sets.
I love when someone points out that this movie exist, it's one of the movies that when I saw I thought "how is it that I never heard about this absolute gem before?". The '90 were a blast: Strange Days, Dark City, The Matrix, Gattaca, Seven, 12 Monkeys...
Gattaca. . . fkn awesome and worthy of an Extra Shots
Dang! Now I’m going to have to watch 12 Monkeys again. So good!
Not to mention eXistenZ, Cube, The Usual Suspects, From Dusk Till Dawn, Leon.... the 90's were good to cinema, it's the reason I became a projectionist
Another hidden gem you can throw in this bunch is Mimic. At least I thought it was well done. Guillermo del Toro directed and Mira Sorvino when she was at the height of her popularity after her Oscar win/nom?
One of the last great movies I went to see at the cinema. It definitely left a lasting impression. Sort of like Brazil.
Strange Days was exellent too.
Kiefer Sutherland is great in this movie, and it's interesting to see him in a non action role for a change. The way he talks in this movie is so strange and adds so much to his character. Also, goes without saying, but William Hurt is a master class actor as always.
Your point on Kiefer Sutherland's voice, for most of the movie he gives off this creepy villain vibe that just plain marks him as suspicious. One of his best, if not the best performance from him.
I think he was going for an Orson Wells voice
Honestly, the doctor is probably the most interesting character in this movie. Everything he does catches your attention, because you never truly know what his agenda is until the very end, and his personal story is very interesting to learn about.
@@carljohan9265 He's the only one apart from the strangers who has an inkling of who the people in the city were, and even doesn't remember anymore
@@richardhockey8442 Yea, and there's this cool duality to his persona.
You can clearly tell that he enjoys the work the strangers have him do, and you also see him help John.
Combine that with his unique speech pattern and odd gait (courtesy of Sutherland's great acting) and he becomes such a fascinating character.
Spring 1998, 26 yrs old walking around downtown solo at dusk when I came across the poster for the movie. Decided on a whim to check it out. I was one of only three other people in attendance. When I walked out, I took unexpectedly the alley exit of the cinema to be greeted by the night after a spring shower with steam rising from the asphalt and manholes, no one in site and eerily not a sound. I stepped out of a visual masterpiece only to step into what felt like another fictional world until I made it to the end of the alley and got jolted back to reality. This film holds a special place in my heart. Cheers!
To this day, Dark City remains my favorite movie. Way back in the day, my friends took me to see this movie, which hadn't been on my radar at all. Despite the narration that the director's cut thankfully excises, that was quite the experience. Particularly since that group of friends were players in the old White Wolf TTRPG Mage: the Ascension. Which was all about the mutability of reality, perception, and belief. So that was neat.
ah that's funny I always wished director Alex Proyas should have done a Vampire: The Masquerade adaptation.
This is a tragically under appreciated and overlooked movie. I saw this in the theater when it was released without knowing anything about it. The cast sold me and I was blown away after seeing it. Still watch this at least 2x a year and it’s still great.
Yes. Agreed, and same.
It definitely bears rewatching. I wish I could have seen it in a theater the first time. I saw it on a VCR and a 20 inch screen. I think I lost out.
@@comingviking I solved that problem by getting a projector and 80” screen for my home. It really brings a lot of movies back to life!
Me to them got a dodgy pirate copy lol Great film
I have a framed poster of it in my living room and own 4 copies of it - the Theatrical Cut Region 2 DVD (my region), the Theartical Cut Region 1 DVD, the Director's Cut DVD and the Director's Cut blu ray. If they bring it out on 4K UHD I'll get it on that format, too. 😃
Yes, it's my favourite film.
Dark city is one of my all time favorites. It's a masterpiece. Glad you picked it up.
One of the last great movies I went to see at the cinema. It definitely left a lasting impression. Sort of like Brazil.
I bought this movie unseen on a whim last year and watched the director's cut of this movie first. I am so thankful that I did. COMPLETELY AVOID the theatrical cut until you've seen the directors cut. The directors cut lets you explore and learn what is happening. The theatrical cut was the result of studio execs thinking the audience would be too dumb to get it otherwise.
"Dark City" is the first movie I ever purchased on DVD. Worth watching, worth re-watching.
The directors cut was my first bluray purchase 🙂
It's my favorite film. The combination of film noir and sci fi is brilliant as is the addition of German expressionism. It's a hidden gem worthy of more fame.
I literally can't get enough of this style of movie. 90s was full of this gold.
Name some pls
Strange Days, Brazil, both come to mind
@@humankirk9196 Brazil came out in the '80s. One of its tentative titles was "1984-1/2" ("Nineteen-Eighty-Four-and-a-Half").
Gattaca also, such beautiful science fiction movies that were actually about something.
Also check out In The Mouth of Madness.
Yes. Yes it was
Dearest Drinker , acknowledge the directors cut as it makes this film into the masterpiece it was always meant to be.
Alex Proyas is one unsung director.
I've always been drawn to this movie's message. I'd love to see the director's cut. Can you help me find it?
...and then he made Gods of Egypt
@@adampositron6871 video stores or second hand stores should be able to help you find a copy.
@@johnnyskinwalker4095 Gods of Egypt wasn't a bad movie. It just got bad press from the ignorant racist SJW mob who mistalenly think all Africans must be Black. Alex Proyas was born in Egypt, to a millenia-old community of Greek-Egyptians, and had every right to make that movie, which was a complete non-controversy in Egypt itself btw.
Yes it was a weird movie. Weird is good. Weird means taking risks, something Hollywood used to do.
@@humankirk9196 Taking risks? I don't think Gods of Egypt was a weird movie. Dark City was a weird movie. Gods of Egypt was an over produced over-the-top Hollywood movie. Shallow CGI entertainment. Now I don't think it was an abomination like some people are saying but it felt like a for-hire work in the vein of Clash of Titans or Wrath of the Titans. The traces of Alex Proyas the artful interesting filmmaker was long gone from this movie. It's the sort of movie they could have given to any video clip directors.
I'd also add the film "The Thirteenth Floor" to this. It was made about a year earlier, and literally has the same concept of a virtual world. The movie isn't perfect (or amazing), but it blew my mind before I saw the Matrix (The Matrix #1 is still an amazing movie). The movie has been copied 1001 times since then - I think it's worth the watch.
Thirteenth Floor is an empty drag, unfortunately.
The book is much better: Simulacron-3 (1964) (also published as Counterfeit World), by Daniel F. Galouye
And made as World on Wire, right?
@@kinghadbar yes, originally; altho this german production is much obscure and less known than the Hollywood version.
@@johnstrawb3521 It may not be the deepest of movies, but it has a lot of atmosphere. It has a strong 1950s noir feel to it and also feels dreamlike at the same time, which I love and enjoy in itself. The story can be secondary in that case.
@ Ze'ev Abrams The Thirteenth Floor was a year later (1999) than Dark City.
God I'm always glad to see this one covered. It remains one of the best underrated cult movies ever.
The soundtrack is absolutely BANGING, too.
I was working as a projectionist when this movie came out. Couldn't wait to see it!
I think Kiefer Sutherland playing the doctor with a Peter Lorre vibe was brilliant!
he was just excellent and I never connected peter lorre to this but now that you have its all i can see lol
@@mikepette4422 thank you! It's an underscore to the movie's classic noir roots.
Can we all just take a moment and admire that this is a movie about mind erasing aliens with a film noir setting, packed with sex, mystery and an interesting protagonist
Why would we need to take a moment to admire that? That’s a weird thing to say
Great spoiler, asshole.
@@sultanjelle9168 Sounds like something a mind erasing alien would say.
@@OpusBuddly ummm...critical drinker says basically the same thing in the video. Not spoiling anything if you watch the video you commented on.
@@OpusBuddly spoiler for a 13 year old movie?
Honestly the Extra Shots channel has become my go to when I need new movies to watch
I saw this when it came out in the cinema.
Apart from the stunningly inventive story I was amazed at the high calibre of cast. Some truly legendary names came together in this.
And such an ecclestic cast, too! Keifer Sutherland, Rufus Sewell, Richard O'Brien, Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt, Ian Richardson - these are actors that you just wouldn't expect to see in a movie together, and yet they all work so amazingly with each other. Richard O'brien is the writer of the Rocky Horror Picture Show and also plays Riff Raff, but he's perhaps best known here in the UK as the host of a gameshow from the 80s/90s called The Crystal Maze - and yet here he is absolutely slaying it as a villain in one of the most sinister and disturbing performances I've ever seen. This was just before Sutherland's big comeback with 24 but you'd still never expect to see him and O'Brien in the same movie, and yet they have such amazing chemistry with each other, it's fantastic.
Also, Bruce Spence, who played the Gyro Captain in The Road Warrior, is in this movie as Mr. Wall. 😃
@@JadeRunner Bruce Spence! The ONE guy who played in the LotR trilogy, the Matrix trilogy and the Star Wars prequel trilogy about at the same time.
I though Sutherland and Hurt were amazing, Hurt became one of my favorite because of this movie.
And Sewell was also excellent.
And, well, we all know that some Jennifer Connelly in a movie is never a bad thing.
I did not know them at the time, but the two main villains were very good.
This is my favorite movie. There's just something about the style (that mishmash of 20s, 50s, and 80s you mention) that grabs me (And I've had a crush on Jennifer Connelly since Labyrinth). The 2008 Director's Cut removes the opening narration, adds lots of dialogue, and puts the majority of cut scenes back in.
That's the only version I have seen- never knew there was an opening narration and wondered what Drinker was talking about ...til I read your comment of course:)
A man of culture as well.
It was funny how every movie she appeared in, including Dark City, was a great movie but mostly bombed in theaters.
The best of these is Dark City. Seen it over 100 times by now
What I want to see in a fancy restaurant, is a large 100" lcd tv turned on it side to display a lip-synching avatar of Jennifer Connelly wearing that sexy green dress while various slow jazz music plays. Have the avatar's eyes follow every passer-by with a flirty wink, and you've got a hit.
More like 1920s, 30s and 40s. The Film Noir era. Definitely not the 1980s
NOTEWORTHY: Roger Ebert felt so strongly about championing this underappreciated film that he did a commentary for the disc release.
One of the best commentary tracks ever put on disc. Really adds to the appreciation of this movie. (EDIT - I initially brain farted and put "Gene Siskel" - corrected)-
Roger Ebert, not Gene Siskel. He also used the movie for university lectures about the Great Movies at the University of Illinois
That was Roger Ebert. He also named it the best film of the year.
@@humankirk9196 Of course! (Brain fart) corrected. Thanks!
@@scottmcfadyen293 Of course! (Brain fart) corrected. Thanks!
Yes this audio commentary is a mini film school and then some! You can learn more from RE’s commentary about directorial perspective on the disc than you will in a year in school IMO. I listened to it twice in a row once. Glad you brought it up!
Drinker, don't forget the awesome tag line. This film is truly an underappreciated movie.
I loved Dark City. Such a dark sci-fi mystery. Beautiful.
You forgot the best Matrix fact... part of the opening of The Matrix (the rooftop chase) was _literally shot on the same set_ as Dark City, with that in mind I can only imagine the whole similarity is a coincidence. They wouldn't be audacious enough to do that if they were ripping the movie off, would they? And the actual productions were so close together...
Plenty of films around that time were about escape from our dull reality. Hell, '99 even had a hat trick of deadbeat office escapees with Office Space (February), The Matrix (June) and Fight Club (November).
Evne tho their moment of glory pasted
The Wachovski's are reall cinema and Pop culture lovers
So them using Dark City sets, is not has innocent or fortuitous as you might think, while also not being them ripping it off.
Maybe there is no other deep meaning than to just be an easter egg or a Nod to a film that inspired them, or at least was in the same themes that they wanted to make a movie about
Matrix also shares many visual similarities with their First movie Bound.
the rooftop chase scene was directly copied, even the building jump and stumble.
And the little bald kid would later tell us, "There is no spoon.".
Dark City is a brilliant film. I will happily sit down and watch it any time.
Never tire of it.
Thank you for covering this. Dark City is one of those movies I always find myself coming back to every once in a while. There's just something special about these 1990s movies (e.g. Se7en, Fight Club, The Matrix, Heat, The Usual Suspects), and I notice how many of them have aged way better than stuff produced years later. It was a point where filmmakers seemed to have found the perfect balance between style, character development and an interesting plot, and special effects were done just right, with a nice balance between practical effects and CGI.
Damn, that's a helluva line up right there. The only one I haven't seen is The Usual Suspects. All my friends tell me it's a must see and right up my alley. I think our society as a whole peaked in the 90's.
I could not agree with both of you more.
I would even throw Blade in there - yes, I know it's an absurd comic book action movie about vampires, but my point is even a daft movie like _that_ exhibited the qualities you listed in the 90s, before everything went down hill.
I managed to convince a friend of mine to teach this movie as part of his science fiction literature course. It's an absolute benchmark of storytelling against which other movies and stories should be compared. Also, two words: Director's Cut (eliminates the opening narration and adds a little more that enhances the movie.)
I still love how the crazed detective was the former lead actor of the Australian cop drama, Water Rats. Colin Friels made a great Walenski.
Still feel Dark City is the superior film against The Matrix. Kinda glad we only ever got one film, too, 'cause look how it turned out for the latter.
Good thing it bombed at the box office. This gem must never get a sequel
@Simulation algorithm damn...
@Simulation algorithm F***
Friels was also in the excellent film Malcolm.
@Simulation algorithm I was hoping you were trolling, but nope... just saw this on ScreenRant, _"The Crow director Alex Proyas reveals that he is in the "very early stages" of preparing a TV series adaptation of his 1998 film Dark City."_
Another reminder why I miss the 20th Century. ..and how I love talking about films and how awesome movie experience was. Bravo Dirnker 🍻.
One of my favorite movies. Music was great too.
This film got absolutely trashed by the critics who often called it a "confused mess" or "unintelligible" and I remember thinking at the time that if such an awesome movie with a not too intricate plot could completely go over the heads of critics and audience alike, then maybe intelligent sci fi plots would always be doomed. Thankfully things have changed somewhat since then, but this film was truly revolutionary and ahead of its time. It was one of the first DVDs I ever bothered to own (HD with 2 sides to fit the whole movie on!) and I reckon I wore it out. Exceptional film!
yeah every critic that said that I just thought were stupid people I mean actually unintelligent like small children or a dog...well maybe not even a dog
Roger Ebert named it the best movie of the year.
@Neon Thunderbird Roger Ebert lost a few points when he condemned John Carpenter's "The Thing", though. Good, but not the greatest. He had his off days. I can relate better to the Drinker.
@@vilefly he watched *everything*, in every genre, reviewed them honestly, and never read off a script. Only one who comes close to him is Leonard Maltin. Was the only reviewer I'd read before going to the cinema. Rotten Tomatoes doing these things algorithmically is nonsense as most reviewers that RT base their score upon are untrustworthy
@@vilefly Honestly, I don't think he was wrong about "The Thing". I liked it, but consider it very good, not great
One of the best movies of its time. I remember being bored and had walked pass the little cinema several times and being curious about it. finally asking the lady at the ticket widow weather it was any good and she beamed with big smile and said Onyah! seen it a dozen times already and I never get tired of it so I bought a ticket. I remember when I came out of the theater looking around waiting for the building to start changing and saying to the ticket lady everything is going to different now. just in the same way when you see other life changing movies. you start asking questions and not quite trusting things around you anymore, well we know all about that these days, HUH! it was sort the same after I read Gorge Orwell's 1984 except this was a cool fantasy sci fi and 1984 was prophecy.
I wish I could see Dark City on a big screen. It's an underrated masterpiece that combines deep philosophy with stunning visuals.
What I love the most about Dark City is it has no Diversity. It's just a great, original, sci-fi horror with no tokens.
Whatcha talking about no diversity?
It has hottie brunette Jennifer Connely and hottie blondie Melissa George.
THAT there is some relevant diversity!
I rewatched this a couple years ago. What a hidden gem.
I love the part where John asks the detective "When was the last time you saw the sun?"
on his pc desktop
And not in some far, distant memory.
I watch it every year before Christmas. Phenomenal movie.
I loved this movie. One of my favourite Sci-fi films of all time.
I caught this one from a library rental years ago, and was SHOCKED by how captivating it was.
A film well ahead of its time. Absolute classic.
I love how John Murdoch has a frightened and confused look on his face the whole time. That's the same way I've felt my whole life and I always have that same exact look on my face everywhere I go.
The drinker has never steered me wrong, watch this for the first time last night with my life and we loved it.
This one of the best science fiction movie ever made.
Best.
Before the Matrix, there was this movie.
Also I love how Trevor Jones managed to recycle his score in Merlin for this movie.
There was a movie called 'Split' that came out in 1989 (unrelated to the 2016 movie of the same name) that dealt with that whole "reality is fake" concept.
@@judsongaiden9878 That sounds familiar. I'll check it out sometime.
Also "The 13th Floor" is a good one in this field
My wife has me watching the Masterpiece Theater series Victoria. And in it, Lord Melbourne is played by Rufus Sewell. I was telling her how I remembered seeing him in some cool sci-fi noir movie from the 90’s but couldn’t remember the name. How serendipitous! Thanks for covering this one, Drinker!!
I absolutely love this movie. I loved seeing it when it came out. It's such a shame it wasn't appreciated before. Director's Cut is so good
I have always loved Dark City. It’s about as underrated as any film.
Damn I loved this when I first saw it. Still one of the best SciFi mystery movies ever made!
One of my favorite movies!
Dear Drinker- thank you for this. Dark City is my favorite science fiction film of the last 25 years, And, like Roger Ebert, I thought it was the best movie of the year when it came out. Thanks for drawing attention to this little masterpiece!
Roger Ebert pretty famously trashed this movie when it came out initially. Only years later did he rewatch it and walk back his review, giving it too marks and apologizing to Alex Proyas, and even recording a commentary track for the director’s cut.
Reaper Ezekial that’s not true, sir. He never trashed this movie. In fact he called it the best movie of the year, and provided the commentary track for the DVD that came out of it in 1998. And he praised it on Siskel and Ebert immediately
You may be thinking of Blade Runner- which RE did famously give a Luke warm review to, even while others called it a classic. He did admit many years later it was a masterpiece
@@reaperezekial5168 you are mistaken. Siskel and Ebert gave it two thumbs up. Ebert gave it four stars in his print review published on Feb 27 1998. He would later call it his best movie of the year. Look it up.
@Matt Jaycox @Human Kirk You are both correct, and I rescind my earlier comment. You know that phenomena where people swear a fact is true since forever ago only to find out it’s not? I seem to be having that when it comes to Dark City, which is boggling because it’s one of my favorite films. I vividly remember Roger Ebert stating that he initially hated it only to be swayed to its genius years later. Clearly this is proof that I shifted in from an alternate dimension at some point, because the facts all agree.
Moral of the story? Never trust your memories alone, always corroborate against actual facts. Also maybe Sliders was a documentary and it’s easy to jump dimensions.
I remember reading a Negative film Review for The Matrix when it came out and I remember 1 line that stood out and I still remember it to this day "........All it is is 'Dark City' with Martial Arts. And Dark City is a much better Movie"
I haven't seen it since High School but I remember it being pretty good. Might need to give it a rewatch
So The Matrix is Dark City + Cobra Kai? That would explain how Johnny "cures" Miguel's asthma and helps Aisha lose weight. Jokes aside Dark City's the film I own on DVD, not The Matrix.
I loved Dark City when it came out. Another interesting film from the same time and in the same vein as this and the Matrix is The Thirteenth Floor. Maybe that would make for another good After Hours review.
Yes. The Thirteenth Floor was very interesting indeed. But Matrix got all the glory despite other films had the same concept.
This movie is truely epic. I can't say how many times I've watched it.
In the original cut, they dubbed over Jennifer Connely's voice in her singing scenes. In the Directors Cut, they used her voice... That girl can sing!
Dark City is an absolute hidden gem. Till this day I highly recommend it. The last battle even looks great without looking totally dated and was quite awesome. Amazing movie.
One of the most underrated films. I love this movie...the director's cut that takes away the dialogue that spoils the reveal is an amazing movie for people who have never seen it...
Dark City is one of my favorite movies.
One of the last great movies I went to see at the cinema. It definitely left a lasting impression. Sort of like Brazil.
I am loving these Extra Shots series. Practically every single one talks about movies that I own and love. This is a fantastic movie btw.
Oh I am so glad to see this movie pop up on your radar Drinker, this movie is a gem and deserves to be watched still today.
Superb movie. A great follow from Alex Proyas to The Crow. Used the same set as The Matrix, I believe. Sets shot on film just look better than greenscreen shot on digital
I love the effects that can be done with greenscreens and CGI, but like any other toy Hollywood gets its grubby mitts on, it doesn't know when it's too much.
Dark City doesn't get enough attention. A mate of mine called the Matrix when we came out of the cinema, "Dark City Lite" 😂
Thank you so much for reviewing one of my favourite films of all time. It is truly a forgotten gem.
Just got it on Blu-ray. Good film
"The drinker sympathizes with this situation." Illeism + Context = Perfect line.
I'm getting floored by the visuals you're showing. Everything is bled out in terms of the color palette and yet what you mention in the 50's cars and 80's industrial buildings along with everything else creates something that is downright lush and that would seem to be impossible considering drained colors are normally anything but lush. To put it bluntly, it looks incredible. I think my dad saw it when it came out and I'm not sure whether he liked it or not. Maybe the flaws you mention got to him or were distracting. Whatever the case, again, the movie just looks stunning and it will probably be inexcusable for me to miss it at this point.
If you're going to see it, see the Director's Cut. It fixes nearly all the problems of the Theatrical Cut, including the stupid exposition at the start of the movie that almost ruins the payoff. The Director's Cut is superior to the Theatrical in every way and is the ONLY way to view this movie.
Apparently the opening monologue was removed and some added scenes included with the directors cut.
This is one of those movies that you love more each time you watch it.
1998 I was 18 had a vhs player and this movie among my collection...Good times! Just recently purchased this classic on CZcams.
WOW. I had just decided to watch it tonight to see if it was as good as I remember. And u upload this video.
And I didn't remember it because of the new Matrix. I remembered because I watched an OG noir film called "The third man".
Was that the film based on the Graham Greene novel? An oldie but goodie. Read the novel!
There is a cinema in Vienna that has The Third Man on permanent rotation.
@Simulation algorithm I took a Graham Greene seminar in graduate school many years ago (from Dr. Peter Wolfe, who is still, I think, recognized as a foremost Greene scholar) and read most of his novels and "entertainments.". Greene was really good.
@@humankirk9196 Wow!
@Subpar JennaTalia Third Man was an Orson Welles movie shot on location in Vienna just after WW2. They couldn't remake that movie even if they tried, it's a time capsule
Oh this is a classic, glad to see it getting some appreciation.
Seriously underrated movie. Siskel and Ebert gave it two thumbs up.
A great movie. Alex Proyas did a real two-puncher in the 90s, this one and The Crow. Thank you, Drinker.
You've got such good taste Drinker!! This has always been one of my favorite movies from better days.
One of my favorite films, I was obsessed with it when it came out.
Forgot about this classic. Been burnt out with scifi as it's just the same railroad dilemmas dressed different, but I can't deny this one stands out.
Thanks for bringing up this film, going to watch it again
Mr. Hand was amazing! He seemed to have a touch more individuality than the other strangers, and really suffered with his desires. In the director's cut he more or less explains his pain to Emma Murdoch by the water. Kind of an outlier of his species, even capable of sudden, brief periods of rage. Absolutely desperate to experience "a soul" as he misunderstood it, he was more than willing to risk his life for it with his proposal to be imprinted under the false pretense of just catching Murdoch.
I'm so glad you have done this one Drinker!! I saw it back in 98 at the cinema - it was awesome!! Greetings from Australia 😁.
ps ---> we could do with alot more movies these days that stray away from "The Message", as I'm rather over having that particular agenda rammed down my throat any time I choose a movie to watch. 🙄
Dude this is one of my favorite👍 “Remember… John” that scene give a me the ultimate goosebumps. Such a great unexpected hero movie. Love it!!
I remember renting this on VHS when it was first released for home video, and I enjoyed it. I don't think I've watched it again since so I guess I'll do so soon.
Drinker, this is a criminally underrated movie. Very creepy atmosphere and setting. It reminds me that every once in a while a film comes out that doesn't follow the template set out by the huge conglomerates but blazes its own path and becomes something special. Great choice sir!!
One of my favourites!
Especially the casting, premise, design, and plot!
One of my favorite movies. If they release a 4K Blu-ray release of the Director's cut, I would buy in a heartbeat!
The Drinkers eloquence never fails, love the peak at architectural knowledge and lingo !
A fantastic overlooked film. A classic!!!
I'm glad you finally covered this movie. It's one of my top 10. I've seen it a few dozen times. I remember seeing it in the theater and was blown away. The Director's Cut Blu-ray includes a lot of commentaries. I've listened to Roger Ebert's and it's very good.
Loved this movie. Been kind of buried by time, and somehow I always forget about it. Gonna have to watch it again!
I haven't seen this film in years, and have forgotten most of the plot and a lot of the movie. Thanks Drinker, I'm going to see it again now.
This movie was absolutely amazing. No one ever talks about it! Your got impeccable taste, drinker
Thanks for talking about this underrated gem of a movie, Drinker! I plan to watch it again.
As much as I love this movie, even I forgot about it 😞. It was eclipsed by the matrix and my late teens/early 20 self was "blinded" by the early internet, Virtual reality and video games emergence of the 90's. Now, I actualy prefer Dark City. Maybe it's the Classy Look of the gorgeous Jennifer Conolly and the "ageless" atmosphere of the movie compared to the very dated 90's feel and aesthetics of the Matrix, from the music, the "grundge" look of the "real world" and the Leather and trenchecoat wardrobe to the beautiful, latex clad, Carry Ann Moss.
I think Dark City, like a beautiful woman, demands appreciation. 😉
czcams.com/video/UxWnQBbIDgQ/video.html
I love people giving props to this movie, it's one of my favorites
I watched and rewatched this movie on DVD, years ago, but more recently I tried watching the director's cut in a VR virtual theatre...and it transformed what was already a fantastic movie. I would love to have had the chance to see this in a real cinema, but with that having slipped me by, it's easily the best way to experience this movie. It drips with details that beg to be on a big screen.
So glad to see this one pop up. This has been a long standing favorite of mine and it’s severely under appreciated.
Thank you Drinker, this is truly one of my favorite movie, such an underrated gem!
One of my fav movies of all time. Saw this at the theatres 3 times. Amazing.
I was absolutely floored by that movie when I caught it on Telly by accident one day. Cheers, mate!
This is a good one. Memorability is on of the key measures of movie quality. I haven't seen it in ages, but I remember it clearly and still quote little bits of it in conversation sometimes.
Alpha Centauri!!! That game raised me, cheers mate.
This movie also had one of the best trailer songs ever.
One of my favorite films of all times.
This film has been one of my all-time-favorites since renting it at the local video store with my friend as a 90s kid. We used to run down there with a couple bux and rent VHS movies and Nintendo 64 games. Kids these days will never know.
finally the good Matrix film