Solaris

[Tsargrad]

Some of you are probably aware I have been after this film for months, wanting to hire it to see what it is like.
Well I bought it last week and it arrived today in the mail.
I have just finished watching it, and I must say I am impressed. It has been called the Russian 2001: A Space Odyssey. Far from it. The only similarity is that it is not main stream Sci-Fi.

The movie is spread over 2 discs. It is Anamorphic widescreen, and is in 5.1 in English / Russian / French. I viewed in the dubbed English. About 5% of the film still contains the Russian dialogue but subtitles appear on all but 1 occassion. Most will watch this in Russian anyway as it is the native language.

The DVD recording rate is well above average. Stayed around 8.4 and even venture breifly to 10.0 - this is opposed to an average of 4.5 in Mallrats (R1).

I thoroughly recommned people checking this movie out. Approx was $55 including delivery from the UK.

[markow50]

Hi orko007.5:(


Dude this must have been a surreal experience for you,as most so called Sci-Fi Fanatics have never heard of, Solaris or let alone seen it.


It was Soooooooo long ago that I 1st saw this masterpiece and was suitably impressed and to see it so superbly treated on Dvd just goes to show you the high esteem in which this film is still held:


***Others worth watching are: This Island Earth,and a special favorite of mine(where have I heard that line before)Enemy Mine


Enjoy your discs.

CYA

markow50

[MrMacabre]

Markow50,





Just Curious as to






why you always






space out your







replies?

[markow50]

Hi MrMacabre,



Ah MrMacabre,MrMacabre,there I was thinking another Sci-Fi/Horror Fan had risen to the occasion of commenting on such a great movie.

But don't worry Dude the floor still yours,and I thought the spacing was quite obvious,it gives me time to think.HeHeeeeee.

Is that tight enough for you?.

CYA
markow50:D

[MrMacabre]

Yep, much tighter. Good :D hahaha

[Tsargrad]

Yeah Markow50 dude, it was awesome.

I dont even know how I heard about the film, but it started to become an obsession to see it. Cant wait til i have some spare to review it again.

The George Clooney / Steven Soderburg remake should be interesting. It wont be as awesome, but i think it may be worth a looking.

[dvdpunk]

Scheduled for Release on 11-26-2002 (next tuesday) Solaris: Criterion Special Edition

yes the film/dvd has all this. but at $63 AUD is this film one of the greatest sci-fi films or not...?
synopsis. Ground control has been receiving strange transmissions from the three remaining residents of the Solaris space station. When cosmonaut and psychologist Kris Kelvin is sent to investigate, he experiences the strange phenomena that afflict the Solaris crew, sending him on a voyage into he darkest recesses of his own consciousness. In Solaris, legendary Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky creates a brilliantly original science-fiction epic that challenges our preconceived notions of love, truth and humanity itself.


Features:
Audio Commentary by Tarkovsky Scholars Vida Johnson and Graham Petrie co-authors of The Films of Andrei Tarkovsky: A Visual Fugue
Nine Deleted and Alternate Scenes
Video Interviews with Lead Actress Natalya Bondarchuk, Cinematographer Vadim Yusov, Art Director Mikhail Romadin and Composer Eduard Artemyev
Documentary Excerpt with Solaris Author Stanislaw Lem
Essay on Solaris by Akira Kurosawa and Philip Lopate

Video:
Widescreen 2.35:1 (Anamorphic)
Audio:
RUSSIAN: Dolby Digital Mono
Subtitles:
English

[JamesBond007]

Spacing of replies facilitates speedy scanning.;)

[suspiria]

Originally posted by orko
I viewed in the dubbed English.

errrr.. why the hell did you watch the English dub track when subtitles are available!?!

[Tsargrad]

Originally posted by suspiria
errrr.. why the hell did you watch the English dub track when subtitles are available!?!

Who knows dude. This was 6 months ago.. Mighta been to lazy to read or this Misses was watching who cannot read the subtitles as their too small.



This Criterion release sounds good. The mono track isn't on the Artificial-Eye R2 release, would be good having this original mix, also that commentary track.

But $60 is a fair whack for a film I already have on an excellent DVD.

I also heard the subtitle track is alot better on the criterion release, which may persuade me to change down the track.


If anyone hasn't seen this DVD ship it in. R2 version also works on R4 non modified machines. Better than 2001 and even after a few watches It is still mind bending and amazing - and to some point confusing.

[Tsargrad]

COMPARISON OF THE RUSICO / ARTIFICIAL EYE & CRITERION RELEASES OF SOLARIS (http://207.136.67.23/film/dvdcompare/solaris.htm)

This may take a while to load

[electric_dude]

Orks, thought you might be interested in this- I picked up the latest issue of Empire today(the film mag) and there was a review of the Soderberg/george clooney film- 2 stars(2 out of 5).


Not a great rap I'm afraid....even from someone like Steven Soderberg and the co-producer James cameron - anyone know how this went at the US Boxoffice???:confused:

[craptest]

Originally posted by electric_dude
Orks, thought you might be interested in this- I picked up the latest issue of Empire today(the film mag) and there was a review of the Soderberg/george clooney film- 2 stars(2 out of 5).


Not a great rap I'm afraid....even from someone like Steven Soderberg and the co-producer James cameron - anyone know how this went at the US Boxoffice???:confused:

Did badly at the US boxoffice. I saw Clooney on Letterman the other night and he said pretty much that.

But hey, "Big Mamma's House" did well at the US Box office so it doesn't mean avoid the film.

Looking back its often the films that don't do well at the B.O that become classics later on.

One things for sure. If they rereleased the Russian original even less americans would go see it.:D

Hey Orks. SO you definately recommend a blind purchase on this one? I nearly imported the Criterion the other day. Is the Criterion disc the one to get?

I believe the remake comes out here Feb 13. Its kinda 'Solaris Lite' for the MTV generation (or whatever they watch now... I dont know. Dont have cable)

[Tsargrad]

Craptest I would go the criterion, not that I have it...

The R2 Artifical Eye release is in 5.1 but I prefer the original mono soundtrack for a film of this nature.

Plus the extras are a little better I think and so are the subtitles. But saying that, the R2 release is still sensational

[Tsargrad]

Originally posted by electric_dude
Orks, thought you might be interested in this- I picked up the latest issue of Empire today(the film mag) and there was a review of the Soderberg/george clooney film- 2 stars(2 out of 5).


Not a great rap I'm afraid....even from someone like Steven Soderberg and the co-producer James cameron - anyone know how this went at the US Boxoffice???:confused:

It probably did poorly as it isn't a total main stream film. So fans of Cameron wouldn't go as they would assume it sucked compared to stuff like T2.

Fans of the original like myself may not go because remaking a classic film is a traversty...

I'll probably go in with a half opened mind about the film, but even from the trailers I was doing comparisons between the original and the current.

[electric_dude]

Hey Tsargrad,
you planning on seeing this this week(open on Thursday)? I actually could of gone to a sneak preview last night- but couldn't make it.

[Tsargrad]

yeah I am.. Theres probably 3 groups of people which will walk out of this.

1/ Man the film was slow
2/ It was good
3/ Sucked compared to the original.

My main problem is to watch it individually and try not to compare. But I am looking forward to seeing it, and hopefully this version will get people to check out Tarkovsky's masterpiece.

[Tsargrad]

Any one gone and seen it yet. I am going on Sunday to watch it in the city. Our local Greater Union doesn't have it on. Typical though, they'll put on mindly trash like Jackass for 6 sessions a day, but anything that has the remote chance of using a brain doesn't get shown. (Yes I am ****ed off about this)... Seems to be typical of this area. Even the video stores suck. Not one had Brazil when I was trying to hire it, and god mention foreign films... No chance.

So yeah back on topic if you did see it what'd you think.

Margaret and David? on SBS Movie Show both gave it **** but I dont know if that was out of 4 or 5.

[electric_dude]

Originally posted by Tsargrad

Margaret and David? on SBS Movie Show both gave it **** but I dont know if that was out of 4 or 5.



Out of 5 that is Tsargard- not bad coming from them.

[redbears]

Saw it last night, interesting, excellent cinematography... I liked it. I'd give about 3 or 4 out of 5 though.