| ||
Random quote: "I was walking down the street wearing glasses when the prescription ran out." - Steven Wright - (Added by: Administrator) |
The Man From Earth Moderators: Admin Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
General Discussion -> Film & Television | Message format |
Deven Science |
| ||
Uber User Posts: 202 Location: Sacramento, California | Last night I watched The Man From Earth, which is about to fall off of the NetFlix "Watch Instantly" option, so I had to squeeze it in. It's about a college professor who's suddenly put in his resignation, and moving. All his friends come over for a "farewell" party, and in this intimate setting, he reveals that he's actually 14 thousand years old, and that he has to move every decade or so, when people start to notice that he doesn't age. He has no proof, he doesn't really expect them to believe him, but he's never told anyone before (well, one other time, but they discuss that), and he just wanted to know how it would go over. There is no special effects, no flashbacks, no action. The entire movie is simply an all night conversation. Each of his friend's reactions are different. A couple who think he's certifiable, one who wants for it to be true, one who's simply humoring him, another who gets very angry about the whole thing, etc. Written by veteran Star Trek and Twilight Zone writer Jerome Bixby, the movie seems to have been made as a labor of love by friends and fans of Jerome, who apparantly wrote the script shortly before his death, and didn't get to see it made. It stars many people seen on Star Trek and other shows he's worked on. So, what did I think of it? I really liked it. I have heard some complaint of the acting in the movie, but I had no problems with it. The only fault I had was how quickly some of his friends were willing to play along or even believe him, but as a group of college professors, they probably saw his confession as an interesting thought experiment. The acting was well done, in any case. I was never bored. I wouldn't even have minded had it been a bit longer. The ending had some unnecessary misfortune, but it was a movie that I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys movies like Diner, or Robert Altman films. Films about the friendship and the conversation, and where it can take you. | ||
Administrator |
| ||
Admin Posts: 4003 Location: Dallas, Texas | Deven, I second your assessment! I just love the idea that's at the center and the simplicity of the whole film. Nothing flashy, no unnecessary parts (except that bit near the end) and some great dialog. It really felt like a stage play more than a movie to me. Partly because of the simplicity of the few sets they used and partly because it relied completely on the conversation. It seemed to me that they could have filmed the whole thing in one long take. I would love to see this on stage for real! I think that the reason some of the characters bought into the idea so quickly is that they've known him for 10 years and he's not aged at all while they have all obviously suffered the usual ill effects of time. They could have played that up some more to make the transition a little smoother but that's a pretty small quibble. You're right about the misfortune scene. Really didn't add anything to the plot and just felt a bit forced. It's a cast of supporting actors all the way, with no real stand out performances but that's not necessarily a bad thing for an ensemble movie like this. I kept thinking "I've seen that guy!" but I don't know any of them by name. Despite that, I thought the acting was pretty decent overall but it's the story that sold me. I did not know about the writer passing but it definitely felt like a labor of love by folks who really enjoyed the story. Ultimately, this is a movie I really enjoyed despite the few stumbles. It's a great example of an SF movie with something more to it than action and special effects. Recommended. | ||
Deven Science |
| ||
Uber User Posts: 202 Location: Sacramento, California | I cross-posted this on my blog, and one of the movie's producers left a comment! In it, he specifically addresses the "was this a play" question asked by another commenter. Here is his comment in full: Hey man, saw your post! Glad you liked "Jerome Bixby's The Man From Earth"! Bixby started working on the screenplay in the 1960's and finished it on his death bed in 1998. We optioned the screenplay (after we read it and found it to be fascinating) and made it into a movie. It was originally a screenplay (not a play at first, Kristal... sorry), however, because so many people asked us about making it into a play, we adapted it and it's available at Samuel French. Please tell people about the flick... keep the word of mouth going! Thanks again. Eric D. Wilkinson Producer Jerome Bixby's The Man From Earth This is the second time this has happened to me recently, as once J.C. Hutchins left a comment after I recommended his "7th Son" podiobooks. | ||
Administrator |
| ||
Admin Posts: 4003 Location: Dallas, Texas | Hey, that's pretty cool! The Man from Earth is a movie I like to tell people about. It's not the kind of movie that gets a lot of attention but definitely deserves a look. I'm glad they made a play out of it but I'm sure it won't be showing anywhere near Dallas. | ||
jynnantonnyx |
| ||
Uber User Posts: 64 Location: Dallas, TX | Sounds like My Dinner with Andre meets Highlander. | ||
hihik |
| ||
Regular Posts: 92 Location: Boston, MA | If I were asked what was my favorite movie of all times I'd probably spit out "The Man From Earth". Terrific. | ||
Speculations Afoot |
| ||
New User Posts: 4 | Awesome Movie! In my All-Time Top 30. I actually have a list of over 200 ranked in blocks of 50. The top 30 with dual indication. Jerome Bixby, gotta love it. One of the all-time great short stories, "It's a Good Life" (great Twilight Zone episode too). My favorite movie type is minimalist, atmospheric, cerebral, thinking (thought provoking), etc. I like them sometimes, but I get tired of the blockbuster, special effects, action types all the time. Other SFF in the top 30 are Solaris (1972), Stalker (from Roadside Picnic), Fantastic Planet, Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back. Edited by Speculations Afoot 2016-09-01 7:42 PM | ||
Deven Science |
| ||
Uber User Posts: 202 Location: Sacramento, California | I also enjoy minimalist, cerebral films, though I must admit that I enjoy the Marvel type blockbusters almost as much. Specifically with the minimalist angle, when a movie is mostly in one setting location, and uses that one setting well, I really dig that. | ||
Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page] |
Search this forum Printer friendly version E-mail a link to this thread |
Books
BOOK AWARDS
Hugo Award
Nebula Award
BSFA Award
Mythopoeic Award
Locus SF Award
Locus Fantasy Award
Locus FN Award
Locus YA Award
Locus Horror Award
August Derleth Award
Robert Holdstock Award
Campbell Award
World Fantasy Award
Prometheus Award
Aurora Award
PKD Award
Clarke Award
Stoker Award
Otherwise Award
Aurealis SF Award
Aurealis Fantasy Award
Aurealis Horror Award
Andre Norton Award
Shirley Jackson Award
Red Tentacle Award
Golden Tentacle Award
Legend Award
Morningstar Award
Nommo Award
BOOK LISTS
Classics of SF
SF Mistressworks
Guardian: The Best SF/F
NPR: Top 100 SF/F
Pringle Best 100 SF
Pringle Modern Fantasy
SF: 101 Best 1985-2010
Fantasy 100
ISFDB Top 100
Horror 100
Nightmare Magazine 100
HWA Reading List
Locus Best SF
200 Significant SF Books by Women
David Brin's YA List
Baen Military SF List
Defining SF Books:
50s | 60s | 70s | 80s | 90s
SF by Women Writers
A Crash Course in the History of Black Science Fiction
Authors
Top Authors
All Authors
All Women Authors
Author Videos
AUTHOR AWARDS
Damon Knight Memorial
World Horror Convention
WFA Life Achievement
Cordwainer Smith Rediscovery
AUTHOR LISTS
Starmont Reader's Guide
Publishers
Top Publishers
All Publishers
PUBLISHER LISTS
Ace Doubles Series:
D | F | G | H | M | #
Conversation Pieces
Classic Library of SF
Critical Explorations in SF&F
EP Masterpieces of SF
Fantasy Masterworks
SF Masterworks
Laser Books
Liverpool SF Texts and Studies
Author's Choice Monthly
Pulphouse Short Stories
Winston SF
Resources
Podcasts
BookTubers
Magazines
Conventions
eBooks
Bookstores
SF/F/H Sub-Genres
Websites
Clubs & Groups
WWEnd Member Sites
WWEnd
BookTrackr™
The Responsible Parties
WWEnd Patrons
Support WWEnd
Advertise on WWEnd
FAQ
Contact Us
My World
Sign Up now and enjoy the enhanced features only available to members.
Blog
2024 British Fantasy Awards Winners
2024 British Fantasy Awards Shortlists Announced
2023 Nommo Awards Winners
2024 World Fantasy Award Finalists
2024 Aurora Award Winner
Forums
Home | © 2024 Tres Barbas, LLC. All rights reserved.
(Delete all cookies set by this site) | |