Dark City (1998) Retrospective / Review
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Dark City (1998) Retrospective / Review
Get Dark City on Blu-ray here goo.gl/IjGLyB
Get the soundtrack to Dark City here goo.gl/OWQB7j
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Get Dark City on Blu-ray here goo.gl/IjGLyB
Get the soundtrack to Dark City here goo.gl/OWQB7j
it looks great on a CRT TV , does the Blu Ray look any better. i alwys feel that Film Noirs loose there atmosphere when in HD
this is Mandella effect
When I first found your channel, I saw this video and it blew me away. I'd seen Dark City maybe once prior, but this Retrospective/Review gave me a new appreciation for the movie and I ended up hunting it down on Blu-Ray. Five years later I still watch this and still go back to my Blu-Ray. One of my favorites.
It's CRAZY that The Matrix, The Thirteenth Floor, Dark City, Existenz and The Truman Show all came out around the same time.
They were trying to tell us something but we chose not to see what they gave us.
@@JM-qt5mg Nope, there's a way simpler answer. Studios copy. They spy and steal ideas from each other. That still happens today. Studios use the marketing of other studios to ride on it and push their own movies with similar themes. It's all about money and how to take it out from the public.
Total Recall was conceived right after Twilight Zone's Dreams for Sale episode, which probably also inspired all of the movies you listed.
Science-fiction was at an all time high as the Star Wars prequels came out and the internet exploded in popularity.
@@harryshuman9637 That was a very cool episode of The Twilight Zone. The first major influences for stories like that were Philip K. Dick's "Ubik" (1969) and "A Maze Of Death" (1970) and the German film "World On A Wire" (1973).
The novel that the German film was based on was also the basis of "The Thirteenth Floor".
This movie is so good but so overlooked that it hurts.
Kira Lawlet all good sci-fictions suffer that a lot. They are timeless, doesn't mean block buster ensured.
Johnny Cage I thought the same for the matrix and I thought this was the Matrix done well to each his own tho.
Johnny Cage It could've been really good but it has not aged well and was just so up its own ass with philosophy and pretentious bullshit sad part is The Wachowskis haven't really been able to move past that.
Kira Lawlet This movie would be my favorite movie if it had elements that I found it lacked. Oddly enough, The Matrix contained these missing elements but lacked elements that Dark City had. It's strange, Dark City is a runner up for my favorite movie in my head for it's unique style, story and atmosphere and the way it's done, but yet I still think of movies I like better somehow.
+Kira Lawlet it doesn´t hurt much really; when you see the kind of crap that make the headlines. .nah. wait.. .on a second thought; it does hurts. It is also frightening :/.
Rest in Peace, William Hurt. Criminally underrated actor and movie.
the directors cut is a masterpiece
did not know theer was a directors cut !
dark city , enemy mine and dune r masterpieces
How Long's The DC!!?? Coz I've seen the blu ray!!!!
Didn't know there was one. I'll seek it out. Thanks!
Crazy how they spoil the twist in the opening minutes in the theatrical cut
I think films like 'Dark City' help to reveal a truth about quality esoteric films versus junk populist films. Esoteric films are made for smaller audiences, they have an identity and personality, they don't aim to please all or be for all. And these films are very much an endangered species due to the rise of junk populism, which is doing away with artistry and specificity, and trading those tools in for factory production-line techniques in order to reach the lowest common denominator and the highest return. But as time wears on, those populist films age and get lost in the sea of the same, because they have no identity... and ultimately no soul.
The esoteric quality films may not be received well or even find an audience on initial release, but they cultivate an audience and build followings over time, and people grow to love and champion such stories in really passionate, literate and well-reasoned terms.Not in the same way that geek culture champions things as it's not vociferous and belligerent. The quality films become these precious experiences to people - favourite films, regularly recommended to others, accumulating new eyes and new loves as time goes by. A quality film - in whatever genre and from whatever country - stands the test of time and means something beyond simply nostalgia or visceral excitement. They have depth and ideas, and a distinct voice. 'Dark City' is one of these such precious experiences.
I should just copy this for when people ask me why I look disgusted when people ask me about Transformers or Fast and the Furious.
Well said.
agree
Well said my friend
I saw this when it originally came out with my parents. We are all big sci-fi lovers and cinema buffs and we loved the movie! It still is a favorite of mine and I wish Proyas had made more movies on the level of this one. I didn't know about the director's cut... time to add another blu ray to the collection!
So true, agreed! This is something I want to add to it, people who respect the artist's vision and try to understand their creation is the best way to appreciate art and the artist itself and thus encouraging them to create more otherwise art and the artist dies. General popular trendy culture is fun and is fine but is it special, I do not think so!
This trailers for this film haunted me as a child. I remember being 10-years-old, and being petrified by the music and the images of the Strangers floating above the streets. I finally worked up the courage to see it when I was in High School six or seven years later, and I'm glad I did. It's a phenomenal film, and one of the best sci-fi movies of the 90's. Truly an underrated masterpiece. Just watched it again on Blu-Ray last night, and it's remarkable how well it holds up.
Ho.Actually Jennifer Connelly's debut was in the mesterpiece "Once Upon a Time in America"by Sergio Leone in 1984.Then she starred in Phenomena by Dario Argento in 1985.Afterwards in "Seven minutes in Paradise" by Linda Feferma, always in 1985,and finally in Labyrinth in 1986.
I like the word "mesterpiece", it's not used nearly enough!
This is a fantastic movie. I was able to see it when it was new in theaters and it's one that has always stuck with me. I'll have to pick up the BluRay Director's Cut sometime, I have the original release on DVD.
I also saw it when it was first released (or at least shortly after it was first released, at a sadly departed discount theater in Manhattan), and I bought it on VHS as soon as I saw it for sale. Although I was a big fan of it, I haven't seen it in years.
@@grasmereguy5116 I went back and watched it last year. It still holds up incredibly well!
Thank gawd I never saw the original, I only saw the directors cut. If there was an intro explaining what was going on it would have completely ruined the film. The great thing about this movie is how everything is a mystery and is slowly uncovered to the viewer, so there is a great sense of participation and discovery by the viewer. The build up makes the grand finale very satisfying! I haven't seen very many films of this nature that successfully did this, Memento did this also but its not a sci fi film.
I heard about this movie from a buddy when I was a teen, but never got around to watching it until years later when it was on tv. I was fortunate to pick it up 5-10 minutes in, so I missed the reveal, and got to put together the pieces with Jon Murdoch himself. That's one reason I appreciated this movie so much more than the average viewer and even regard it as my favorite film to date. Also playing parts are I enjoy noir, movies that are visually stunning like this one, the rich metaphorical content, and how much it makes one think from an existentialism p.o.v. You don't have to agree with the conclusions it's making either and I think you can have numerous theories as to what it's really trying to say.
Unfortunately I saw the original before the directors cut, and it ruined the movie for me. It sucks because it’s not even the fault of the movie. It’s the studio sticking their fingers into the movie because they thought audiences would be too stupid to get it.
Best film of '98, IMHO...saw it in a theater, and by the finale, my heart was racing faster than it ever had seeing a film...I walked out of the cinema feeling almost as if I was on drugs, smiling and gushing non stop with my friends about how brilliantly original and gorgeous the entire production was, from top to bottom...oh, and Jennifer Connelly. LOVELY, stunning Jennifer Connelly...;)
Truly an unappreciated gem, I am very happy to see you give it some more deserved recognition...many thanks to you, Mr.Harper, an amazing review and insights, as always.
How do you feel about the Matrix controversy?
By "controversy" do you mean that the sequels weren't very good?
You mean how the original writer of the Matrix was Sophia Stewart?
I felt EVERYTHING you stated my friend. I was buzzing and overwhelmed when I left the theater. Great comment!
"Shell Beach."
"Yeah we never made to Shell Beach."
"Shell Beach."
"Exactly, buddy, yeah. The place we never got to."
"Shell Beach."
"Ok, now your just starting to bum me out, Patrick."
I was driving up the 101 from LA. It had been some years since I had seen Dark City, but Shell Beach was prominent. Somewhere along the southern coast I saw a billboard for Shell Beach. I immediately grew a giant smile and had to stop off at the real Shell Beach. Im not sure I found it, it was just a speck of a place. But that made it even better.
"I'm a goofy goober yeah"
One of the best movies I have ever seen in my life.
That and Brasil, they get somewhat similar themes, probably this is better one, but Brasil is more like a comedy, but oh boy - what a movie!
Dark City is one of my favorite movies just for that reason! You can rewatch it and discover something new all the time. I just love the film-noir balance aswell.
Lol I remember tiling that bathroom set with my boss. The damn tiles were the cheapest dust pressed super thin glaze which the art dept then painted with shitty green acrylic. This made the whole process long and shitty. We made all the lines in the room line up and were applying them to plywood which flexed and caused cracking and crazing. When we were done we were like ok good job it all looks great. Then the set designer comes in and says good job fellas and promptly takes a hammer and starts to break and crack tiles and ......yeah we were like ok.... Later someone told us it was going to be shitty run down hotel. Lessons learned ?......................not really but it was fun ; )
That’s pretty cool, I’ve just this last hour finished watching it and it was awesome, I can see how it inspired inception. I love set designs and my favourite is the blade runner 2049 miniatures.
@@jameslyddall I think it's more interesting how it "inspired" The Matrix... actually the Wachowskis simply stole from it
@@reezlaw there are green tiles quite a bit in the matrix. The room where neo and trinity are backflioping off the pillars in shootout. The pillars i think were covered in the green tiles.
For some reason 'Dark City (1998)' and 'The thirteenth floor (1999)' almost merge into one in my memory. They have a similar feel to them, similar moody music, night time shots and feeling of inescapability. In both films the protagonist yearns to escape and finds a barrier that he can't cross, revealing a big plot point. I'm new to this channel, but if there isn't a retrospective of 'The thirteenth floor' yet, i would love it if you made one.
Rufus Sewell is such an underrated actor.
It's certainly aged far better than the Matrix, this film almost has Blade Runner-level timelessness.
seriously? this movie didn't age nearly as well as the matrix...common....
Yoav Gruper That's fair enough, but think it does -- the Matrix is very late-90s stylistically. Dark City has this weird art-deco dystopian nightmare thing going on. Of course, the Matrix has higher production values but still!
The Matrix didn't age well AT ALL.
The main reason The Matrix didn't "age well' is because every unique
aspect of it was copied to death by every other movie at the time.
You must be high. Matrix is timeless
yes I still need to cover the first Crow film which I will do. I did watch the sequel when it came out..man that film stunk!. lol
This movie was awesome going where no one else dared to go ..Probably one of the most underrated movie ive ever seen....stumbled on it by complete accident.
Absolutely one of my all time favorite movies! So glad you covered this. I remember seeing it in the theater and telling everyone at school how awesome it was, and they all looked at me like I was nuts. :) Good times. Awesome freaking movie! Keep up the awesome vids sir.
jediarco I known that feeling, I had seen this movie for the first time in HBO; and I see it everytime that it passed in TV, even it passed beyond the two of the morning, I had passed the last fifteen years searching for the DVD of this movie, and now I finally found it.
jediarco Dark city is so underrated brilliant film
Maxx Kroes
love what?
I did see this, but was too young and action orientated to appreciate it. I'll definitely give it another watch now.
It reminds me of The 13th Floor, another movie I really enjoyed. I'd love to see you do a review of that film.
A great deep film, one of my favorites, I vaguely remember the trailer I have original and white box DVD, my 10 year old gets it my ex wife does not go figure
I watched Dark City for the first time in 2000. A real classic. I am beginning to think it's not just a science fiction mystery thriller but it is also a psychological thriller. As the film explores reality, what makes us tick and what makes us human.
I also thought that Rufus Sewell looked like Marvel's The Beyonder character from the 1980s. I never read the whole series but the likeness did add to my enjoyment of the film.
One of my most beloved films...EVER!!!
The very definition of a sleeper classic. I love this movie on so many levels.
I'm so glad to hear your retrospective and views on this exceptional film. One of my sci-fi favourites.
"Sleeper" lol.
@@Vaporvice84 HUH? 'Sleeper classic' -why I used it -
"In the entertainment industry, a sleeper hit is generally considered to be a film, television series, music release, video game, or some other entertainment product that was initially unsuccessful on release but became a success later on. A sleeper hit may have little promotion or lack a successful launch but gradually develops a fan following that garners it media attention, which in turn increases its public exposure and public interest in the product.[1] Another definition of a sleeper hit is given by Variety: "A 'sleeper hit' can be defined as the kind of show that catches us by surprise - programs whose popularity grows over time and can ultimately outshine the preordained hits."[2] While some sleeper hits are genuine surprises that tip toe into the theatres and perform greatly at the box-office. These films may not boast of superstars or great production values. They create history on the strength of the story, the novelty of the theme, the pride of performances and presentation. At times, the makers themselves don’t come in with great expectations and are left pleasantly surprised by the wide acceptance of the audience."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeper_hit#:~:text=In%20the%20entertainment%20industry%2C%20a,became%20a%20success%20later%20on.
Dark City (1099) release box office versus budget - on release -
"During its four-week theatrical run, the film earned $14,378,331 domestically. Internationally, it took in an additional $12,821,985, for a combined worldwide box office total of $27,200,316. The film's cumulative gross was the 105th-highest of 1998.:
Budget for the film -
"Budget $27 million"
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_City_(1998_film)#:~:text=Box%20office,-Its%20opening%20weekend&text=During%20its%20four%2Dweek%20theatrical,the%20105th%2Dhighest%20of%201998.
I saw this in the cinema when it first came out, and was blown away. It was so original, it took people a while to warm up to it. It has an ageless quality to it, because it’s not set in any particular time or place, it’s its own world.
Well I recently watched the extended version (with Jennifer Connelly's real singing voice and no voice over narration) it does have a slower pace and needs some patience. This move isn't easily "accessible" to some people who prefer more mainstream flicks. I love this movie (which was recommended to me a long time ago, I didn't know about it either when it was released) for the atmosphere and set design alone. I am a huge fan of both film noir and German expressionism (such as "Metropolis") - and 20th century anachronisms well mixed together. I also love the "Truman Show" aspect, where there is no "outside world". The run down, seedy, creepy unreal yet familiar interiors (not unlike those in "Barton Fink") add a lot to the "dream logic" feel. I do have a slight problem with Kiefer Sutherland who seems uneasy with his role here. I always thought that the late Philip Seymour Hoffman would have been a much better choice. Perhaps he was considered but too expensive? Anyway: thanks, Oliver for another great review with a lot of insight!
Yes, the role and direction (as in:by the movie's director) of Kiefer is a large part of that movie, no doubt! I just feel him a little uncomfortable in this role (but that's just me - it's subjective as you stated). For some reason I always imagined FSHoffman here, because he played similar, weasel-like roles - to perfection. But, of course, that's just me. Awesome movie anyway!
Underrated as hell, and I completely owe my appreciation for film noir to Dark City and The Terminator. Though I have to say, that as intriguing the story is, the writters just pulled out a "deus ex machina" at the end, with the machine that changes everything the protagonist wants it.
Just watched this film for the first time today. I don't think i'd call the ending a deus ex machina as the film had already established that the aliens use that machine to alter the city with their "tuning" ability, and we'd seen john gradually develop his tuning power through movie and then had it supercharged by the doctors inserted memories. I did however think it was convenient that he could use the machine to completely change the city's landscape instantly when the aliens needed all of them working together to make any changes.
Don't agree about the "deus ex machina" as you likely meant it. You do that it literally translates as "god from the machine", yes? That was also the literal truth about that ending, but it was one that fit. All through the film, John Murdoch had been exhibiting abilities like the Strangers and, with them all dead and himself now educated in his powers, he's the only one who can run the machines.
I encourage to also check out the German Expressionist movement of film, which was a precursor for film noir and a more direct inspiration for "Dark City".
itsj0eyhere Not convenient...hard-won. Murdoch spent most of the film getting the odd flash of ability until Schraeber gave him a crash course in how to work it. It's very likely that the good doctor had studied those machines far more closely than his masters ever imagined, enough so that he knew how to make it all work for John.
As to all of the Strangers needing to work the machines, remember that they function as a hive mind and were likely incomplete beings on their own in terms of psionic power. John Murdoch's human physiology may therefore have made all the difference.
Azatarot75 Good explanation.
The only DVD I've ever seen where Roger Ebert did a commentary track. There is no higher praise than that. Brilliant film.
Jennifer Connelly actually made her debut in Once Upon a Time in American in 1984, was in Phenomena after that, then a movie called Seven Minutes in Heaven, and then appeared in Labyrinth.
Definitely has that matrix feel with a bit of lovecraft mythos , can think of it as a being in Arkham , Providence Rhode Island
It is The Matrix that has that Dark City feel
What a brilliant film, I need to revisit it.
I will start putting them in future. With my channel I always put up a preview to give the viewers time to view the film before I upload the Retrospective. :)
I'm happy to say I saw this in the movie theaters. I listened to Roger Eberts commentary more than once. This is defintiely on my top 10 favorite movies and it still ages awesomely over the years. Alex Proyas hasn't matched a success like Dark City so far but I still cross my fingers and toes for him.
One of those all time great yet largely unknown SciFi movies. Everything about it is wonderful. In terms of mixing story, thought, tone, art direction and world design it is getting close to Blade Runner. I way prefer this over the Matrix.
Oh and one other comparison worth noting. Once you strip out the Giant Robots, the hybrid Japanese/American animated show "The Big O" is playing around in some very very similar territories as this. The inspiration is rather transparent.
I remember seeing this in the cinema (it was virtually empty). The only reason I did was that it was made by the guy who directed The Crow. It looks amazing on Blu-Ray. As much as I like Proyas's work, these two films are the highpoint of his career, he's never been this good since.
+Keyser Soze Both times I saw this at a cinema it was virtually empty. One guy even walked out after the first "SHUT IT DOWN" scene lol
I like Garage Days, it's a very different film for him and I appreciate his attempt to do something completely off the beaten path, but with a lot of the same visual gusto, but it is sad how after that he definitely got eaten up by the Hollywood system. I, Robot and Knowing are very pedestrian compared to his best work and Gods Of Egypt...yikes.
I remember seeing this film in '98; I had just finished my phase 1 training with the Army, and I desperately needed some mental stimulation. I saw it in a little dingy theatre near New Milton somewhere, and was absolutely blown away. One of the most truly original films ever made IMHO, for me it was easily as provocative as any Tarkovsky, but so much more accessible, and bearing in mind I was an uncultured teenager at the time. In fact it is probably not an exaggeration to say that had I not seen it, I would never have developed any kind of appreciation of cinema as art. I am not lying when I say that I try to convince everyone I meet who has not seen this film to see it.
I do the same, Bravo. I first came upon a long time ago as a VHS rental. During a really bad period that was the tail end of my time working for Wal-Mart, I watched the film on tape religiously, always timing it to end right with the dawn. If you haven't already, I'd encourage you into the films that inspired this one: "Metropolis", "M", "Cabinet of Dr. Caligari", "Nosferatu". These were all part of the German Expressionist movement, which has influenced everything from sci-fi and horror to film noir.
I'm so glad I saw the director's cut first. It fleshes out the side characters more and doesn't have that narration in the beginning.
This looks like a great movie that I defenitely should see. Thanks for posting this.
it's great!
I saw it and you were right, it is a great movie.
Saigokun Have you seen The Thirteenth Foor? it's equally awesome. Highly recommend it
Excellent review! This belongs on a special list of "the best films you've never seen". And your closing vignette is probably one of your best edits yet, Olly!
The film passed me by. I ended up seeing it for the first time during Film Studies A-Level back in 2001. I loved the movie but 90% thought the film was ridiculous. Oh well...As for the opening narration I actually didn't catch the exposition narration first time I watched it so the thankfully the whole film wasn't spoiled and I knew as much as John Murdoch did. Great review Oliver as always.
90%? 100% of people in these comments love the movie, except for me. Maybe I'm .0001.
This is such a great movie and I am loving this and all your other retrospectives and commentaries. Thank you!
An extremely underrated, influential cult classic!
Such a touching review, particularly your last words; you summed up how I feel about this film.
you keep hitting them out of the park with these reviews!
This is one of my personal favorite movies. The directors cut specifically.
one interesting thing about this movie and its soundtrack is that it's trailer music was so incredible and was also included on the soundtrack for a change. It was also used in one of the riddick trailers and matches perfectly with the visuals in the crow trailer.
I Feel like I have found a Time Capsule LOADED with treasure! This channel is Unbelievably Amazing!
Thank You Oliver!
Jennifer Connelly was in Once Upon A Time In America before Labyrinth.
thats what i thought too.
Beautifully edited retrospective. This film never got the kudos it deserved. I've seen it many times and I appreciate more and more. Great choice again Mr. Harper. This film never tries, it just "does". Just like your reviews. Great Job!
Awesome review. Keep up the great work man :)
this was a great review Oliver, Dark City is fast becoming one of my favorite movies of all time and your review made me want to go back and watch it again
You my friend, are magnificent at doing this reviews. The intro and outro gets me speechless.
A very nice and kind review. Thanking you.
I think this may be my favorite series on CZcams. It is the most consistently well done and covers more or less every movie I've loved in my 30 years.
Love your intelligent views and insight on films. Great review to a great film! 💪
Oliver Harper you have a remarkable effect of causing me to continually drag my dvd player out of the closet to revisit old favorites. I can't believe I ever forgot about this movie.
I just watched my DVD of this again last night and didn't know until watching your video there was a director's cut! Cannot wait to see it!
This movie for me is one of the most criminally underrated sci fi movies of all time. Personally, I think it matches Blade Runner as one of the greatest sci fi movies ever made. I am very sorry that I didn't know about it when it was released, but the marketing wasn't great. I never saw any trailers. I only found out about it years after when I saw a trailer for it on an old video cassette and I even remember the film, Cop I think it was, the thriller with James woods. I saw the Dark City trailer and thought, was is THAT? Boy, did I ever find out. I'm proud to say I have the US blu ray now and I happen to like both cuts. A truly stunning sci fi masterpiece.
This is why I love your channel, you got great taste in cinema, I've never heard of this, but I'm buying it tonight, really excited
Thanks Kyle! I hope you enjoy the film!
I saw this movie when I was 8 when it came out on VHS and I love this movie. Sleep Now is a chilling song.
I saw this film in 2012 as part of my high school film class, and I have to say I was rather intrigued by the films style, and acting. I highly recommend watching this anyone who loves films as much as I.
Great review, Oliver. This film has really grown on me over the years and I never get tired. I do own the blu-ray and the original theatrical and extended cut versions on DVD so that should tell you I can't get enough of this film. I remember watching trailers and while I didn't understand what it was about, the visuals got to me. Once I saw it [the theatrical version], i was amazed but like you mentioned, it felt too easy to understand. I've made it a point to just watch the DC version always.
I saw Dark City when it was released in cinemas back in 1998. I remember being interested in seeing it because it was from the director of The Crow. My whole family went to watch it on a rainy Saturday afternoon. I loved the film but for some strange reason i haven't watched it since. Time to revisit it.
Another fantastic retrospective for one of my favourite movies Ollie. I remember being blown away when the story starting coming together and the finale was brilliant. My imagination was racing at the possibilities that lay before John at the end. He could practically make anything he wanted, go anywhere etc. would they go back to Earth? How long had it been?? Thanks for sharing as always buddy, I really enjoyed this
A great overlooked films of the 90's one of my favorites thank you for this retro review,
I'm glad when I heard about this movie that I saw the director's cut, this movie works way better when you don't know what's going on and you unravel the mystery along with the protagonist. That scene where the detective's last moments were realizing that they're not even on Earth anymore, was actually pretty unsettling in a good way
Good stuff on your reviews Oliver. Any chance you will dabble in Jacob's Ladder one of these days?
I was quite surprised when I saw this years ago. Found it on those lists of underappreciated scifis. Amazing visuals and overall enthralling movie.
I like your retrospective commentaries... Thank you.
keep up the good work
Like with the Crow, I saw this movie on its video release and fell in love. Rufus Sewel, who plays a villain usually, did a good job in the lead.
munstrumridcully agreed, when I first saw it I loved his performance and take on the character, but I had the feeling he wouldn't be well received as the main character, glad to see so many people share the same opinion
Wow. You do really great reviews. I love this movie and everything about it.
The first time I ever saw either Dark City or The Matrix was at a double feature in 1999. Helluva night for me.
I'm wondering that one of the reasons why it was not successful on its release was because Dark City did not have a well-known "star" to shoe-horn the general public into its unusual narrative? William Hurt, Rufus Sewell and Jennifer Connolly are all fine actors but they probably didn't have the blockbuster clout that Keanu Reeves had for the Matrix.
I went to see this on release and really enjoyed it at the time, I haven't thought about it for years though but i'm definitely going to seek it out for a re-watch.
Thanks for the review.
I think you need to understand that Ollie's reviews are retrospectives, for many of us that have already seen these movies.
I for one, greatly enjoy looking back through Ollie's eyes.
I saw Dark City in the cinema when it first came out. I think it went over my head a little. Will definitely give it another look.
First off, love channel and a subscriber. I didn't know you had done a video for Dark City, back in 2013. I was surprised I hadn't come across it before. I'm sure you've been told this by now or know yourself, but I noticed you said Jennifer Connelly made her film debut in 'Labyrinth.' I believe it was actually in 'Once Upon A Time In America.'
At first I though it was gonna be another B horror flick, but I actually ended up really enjoying this this movie. It's one of my favorite gothic movies out there.
just got the directors cut! my BFF and I saw the dark crystal in a little theater last week and stayed up late talking about scores and trevor jones. Had to sit them down with this film! It’s still a great mystery! Now that i am older, I really see some links to City of Lost Children, especially with the light palate.
Excellent review. I LOVE this movie!
Dammit Oliver. Every time I watch your stuff I feel like watching all the movies. Your killing me here. ;p
I'm probably one of the few that saw this firm when it was released in theaters. I had to go out of my way to find a theater that was showing it. But I did, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Still do in fact.
Thanks a lot for another great review, Oliver. I just watched "Dark City" after your recommendation. It is truly a great movie. Way better than "The Matrix". Especially Kiefer Sutherland gives one of his best performances in "Dark City".
Good to hear from another fan of Dark City!
Oliver Harper You are welcome. Thanks a lot for the recommendation and review. I've watched several movies after having seen your reviews of them. Such as "Mouth of Madness", "Prince of Darkness", "Leviathan" and, off course, "Dark City".
I really enjoy your discussions of these older films, and the film media altogether.
Better than the Matrix? Wow you're way cool, dude.
@@paulstaker8861 lmao they are comparable in many ways, for most people they'd only care about the action which is why the Matrix would win out for most. I'd prefer dark city for the atmosphere alone.
great review
Great review, it has made want to seek out & watch this movie now. I have to admit that before this review I had not even heard of this film before. I usually have a great memory of films, especially those from the 90's era & I can honestly say I have no memory of this film at all. I cannot even remember seeing a small trailer for it, the marketing for this film must have near to none existent lol. But thanks for the review gives me something new to discover :)
Finally watched this! Loved it! But the score was basically The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky dialed up to 11 and played at different tempos. Doesn't make it any less amazing, I love Trevor Jones' work but he was clearly told "Use the Rite of Spring as the structure of this". Like how the Hudsucker Proxy score is a reworking of Aram Khachaturian's "Spartacus" suite. Really great stuff! Just a bit of trivia you might want to include if you ever do a second pass on this movie!
Never liked the „revised“ version with the opening narration! It takes away the big surprises. Without the narration you really believe it’s just a strange murder-story and you get totally blown away by the deeper alien plot later! But another great review about a great movie! 👌🏻
Little mistake there, Oliver.
Jennifer Connelly made her first film appearance in Leone's "Once upon a time in America".
excellent stuff remember alot of these 80s films from when I was a wee kid
Dark City is such an underrated film, I first saw it on tv late at night as was just flicking through the channels bored, and I loved it. So glad to see it being promoted more :)
This is hands down one of the best works of science fiction ever made in any medium. It's crying out for a sequel or continuation.
Was 13 when it came out, had arranged to go see it with friends but last minute the adult that would take us to the theater canceled. Finally saw it 22 years later, instant favorite.
There was one thing I preferred in the original (assuming I'm remembering correctly, I need to watch both versions again), Dr Schrieber's line as he injects Murdoch at the end, I just loved his delivery of "But I have _other_ plans." I believe it was cut or changed for the Director's cut.
Excellent review! I had seen this on it's original release twice and wore out a VHS tape of it. I haven't seen it in years but thanks to your recommendations I will buy the Directors Cut.
Thanks! You have encouraged me to watch. ASAP
Awesome movie... love the ending score when he opening the door and into the beach ..
I was lucky enough to see this absolutely amazing film in a theater and was shocked afterwards to discover that hardly anyone had even heard of it let alone seen it... The visual still stand strong today, and the story and characters are timeless and exceptionally interesting... A well-crafted and vastly memorable film, good to know you appreciate it as well Oliver... Apparently Ebert did too!....😉
Proyas is a confounding filmmaker. He has these awesome visions for movies, then when he gets a nearly unlimited budget, the film feels like they wrote the script in one night, and every bad idea, he’s ever had about Egyptian mythology, thrown in.
I made sure to see this movie on opening weekend. It was a shame the theater was empty. I had seen the trailer which sold me into seeing it. It's one of my favorite trailers. It features no dialogue whatsoever. Just awesome imagery and music.