Genres

Visitors Review

Sayed Ahmed 2012-05-24 19:10:03

If you have feels inside of u.....u would like it......Brit marling is awesome...

you don't see this kinda movie usually.....its a movie that will make ufeel calm and surprised and keep u thinking that whats gonna happennext....nd the ending is great.....if u watch it with a calm mind, u ll get it.....if ur too pumped up uwont.... it looks like science fiction but its not..... its more of ahuman drama with some spices that totally fits with the movie.... greatwriting and simple enough to understand....the starting is bit slow but as it progresses the story gets alive...ending is surprising...and if you don't like it then u probably dintget it again, Brit Marling is greaaat......she is also the writer of themovie....

Nic_Spivey_Mara 2012-05-24 08:08:47

Incomplete until the last shot.

Incomplete until the last shot. Something that can be said aboutliterally every film ever made, though it is rarely ever as crucial asit is here. I found myself watching this with amazement for severalreasons; it's beauty, it's complexity and it's seemingly hollowness.How those three things could ever be coupled together is a mystery tome. I wondered how it was possible this was my take on the film as Iwatched it. It perplexed me, and it continued to right down to thefinal shot. Something was missing throughout it's entirety and itbothered me. I loved the camera work, the performances, the screenplay,all of it and yet somehow something felt missing. As beautiful as itall looked it felt hollow. I couldn't understand why.Brit Marling fronts what is essentially a two person show along withWilliam Mapother in a very honest and daring way. She plays RhodaWilliams in such a disconnected manner that I was wasn't able to get afull grasp on her for a good part of the film. She sees, hears andknows the world around her but she never really feels any of it. Astarling position to be in. One that she put me in. She is a troubledindividual dealing with a terrible incident that occurred to her. Onethat she feels she is the cause of. She was disconnected from her worldand as such I felt disconnected from her. Something that, uponreflection, was perfect. That is until her encounters with WilliamMapother's John Burrow who is also dealing with a life alteringtragedy. Mapother's John Burrow is a lost man. A man who used to knowhis way until one fateful night. Stricken with grief over a tragicevent he has unraveled. He doesn't seem to care anymore. He spends hisdays and nights watching TV and drinking heavily. He doesn't appear toleave the house much nor does he appear to have any real desire to. He,like Rhoda, has nothing to live for. It is because of this shared stateof disconnection they are able connect. Together they find a sort ofmedium with each other. Marling's Rhoda starts to feel again. Starts tofeel as though she has something to live for. Something that balancesher existence out. It is then that we are finally able to connect toher and it is a moving experience.Mike Cahill and Brit Marling wrote what is my favorite screenplay ofthe year so far. Everything about this extraordinary story feels realand true. Even amidst the back drop of the finding of another planetthat seems to be exactly like ours the film never feels like somethingthat isn't a documentary. Cahill's direction does nothing but solidifyand back this up. Marling's Rhoda and Mapother's Burrows feel like realpeople not characters being portrayed by actors. It never feels asthough Cahill is directing a string of events, but rather that hehappened to be the one present when they took place. A feat very fewfilms have ever managed to achieve.The ending is an astounding one. In a sense everything comes fullcircle. The last shot lingers in the mind long after it cuts from thescreen and the credits begin to roll. I sat amazed and bewilderedstarring at my TV screen watching the white letters roll up theirblack, empty backdrop until they were gone. I pondered what I had justseen. It was undoubtedly very well acted, directed and written but didI like it? Why had it felt so hollow? Was it lacking something, and ifso what is it? I thought about it and thought about it. Nothing wascoming to me. I couldn't point out one thing that I didn't like. Icouldn't point out one thing that I thought should've been changed ordone differently. I then realized that the film had cut off and I wasjust staring at a blank TV screen. My reflection staring back at me. Itwas then that I understood why it felt hollow. It was because whilewatching I didn't see the whole picture. I couldn't. It was only afterthat last shot lingered in my mind, and everything had stopped, did Isee the beauty of it all.10/10

http://jonnyfendi.blogspot.com 2012-05-24 09:17:49

Large-Scale Metaphor of Life

What if there is another you on another earth? Thiz question willgenerate other hundreds or maybe thousands of new questions. On the eveof the discovery of a second earth, Rhoda's car accidentally crashedinto john's and killed his wife and his little boy. Now after four-yearsentence, Rhoda with her guilt tries to approach the frustrated John toask for forgiveness. I won't tell you where the rest will lead us. Thestory centers on two main characters, Rhoda (Brit Marling) and john(William Mapother). Brit Marling made her acting debut through thizmovie. She can show her vulnerable emotion convincingly. WilliamMapother also made a good balance on their interaction. Even thoughfirst-time feature Director Mike Cahill has very limited resources, heseems so successful to raise a debate among the audience with hisunique story. I realize that thiz movie has an ambiguous ending. Itmeans the ending could mean anything depends on how the content isinterpreted by the viewers. Thiz kind of art house movie reminds me ofSpike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman's strange smart movies like in "BeingJohn Malkovich" (1999), "Adaptation" (2002), "Eternal Sunshine of theSpotless Mind" (2004), "Synecdoche, New York" (2008) or "Where the WildThings Are" (2009). I think thiz movie is a large-scale metaphor oflife. It's straightly about how to redeem a guilty feeling. Certainly,we cannot change the past. So the movie reminds us of the importance offorgiveness. To put it simply, if you want to make people around you tofeel happiness then you have to make yourself happy first. Otherwise,if you want to make yourself to be happy, then you have to make otherpeople happy. We're all in the same boat. It's a good contemplation.Visit My Blog on JONNY MOVEE: http://jonnyfendi.blogspot.com

chaz-28 2012-05-23 18:04:25

Deep Introspection Joins with Otherwordly Exploration

Another Earth contains both an outward looking expansionist grandvision and an inward focused deep introspection. First, the externaland gargantuan stimulus is that another planet appears in the sky. Atfirst, it's just a speck like any other planet or distant star. Then itkeeps coming closer is soon apparently our same planet dubbed Earth II.The internal and emotionally scarred center of the film, however, isRhoda (Brit Marling) who is just released from prison four years laterafter being convicted of vehicular manslaughter. As a 17 year old girlwho just got accepted to MIT, she drove drunk, hit a car with a familyin it, and killed the pregnant wife and five year old boy. The husband,William Mapother, went into a short coma.To avoid human contact and most forms of communication, Rhoda opts forjanitorial work upon release. Her family wants her to resume her lifewhere she left off but her psyche will not allow that. So begins adeeply philosophical exploration on regret, guilt, forms offorgiveness, and compassion all while a new, mirror-imaged planet iscoming closer and closer. Did Rhoda commit the same mistake on EarthII? Is that family torn apart or still together on that new planet?These and a host of other theories and possibilities are tossed aroundfor the audience concerning not only a mirror planet, but about pastevents and moving forward.In real life, Brit Marling graduated from Georgetown with and economicsdegree and instead of pursuing a banking career with Goldman Sachs (anoffer she turned down) took off for Hollywood. She was only offeredsmaller roles in cheap horror flicks. So instead of demeaning herselfin garbage like that, she sat down with the eventual director, MikeCahill, and wrote her own script. Brilliant move. It was a much harderroad to travel to write her own script and then get it picked up by FoxSearchlight who bought the distribution rights at Sundance, but shepulled it off. It really is a breath of fresh air to see a film likethis, learn its back story, and become immersed in it as opposed towhatever the most recent superhero movie is.

Ginger Van Es 2012-05-22 22:34:47

Great performances, but a couple of things I question

I just saw this film at SXSW (it was the 'sneak preview' screening) andwas really interested to see what other people had thought of it. Ienjoyed the film a lot, mainly because Brit Marling's performance wasamazing. She's stunning to watch and just so talented. I'm sure thatthe idea of finding life on another planet piques the interest of mostpeople, and I'm no exception. The fact that the beings inhabiting thisnewly found planet are versions of ourselves was something that I didnot see coming and really enjoyed thinking about. Only two things bothered me about Another Earth. I cringed a lot (alot) when the protagonist, Rhoda, and the 'leading man' became lovers.I had gotten a very asexual vibe from their relationship right up untilhe played the saw for her. In fact, up until they return to his housefollowing his saw playing, I was hoping against hope that they wouldn'tdo what I knew they were going to do. Not just because she had thishuge secret either. I thought maybe she was doing it out of pity, whichis probably why I felt so awkward.The only other thing was that Earth II started out being a tiny bluestar off in the distance and by the end of the film it was taking upquite a large portion of the sky. Yet no one was worried it mighteventually collide with Earth?Despite these two things, I enjoyed the story, performances, andcinematography a lot and was engaged from beginning to end. BritMarling will no doubt be a household name soon.

steva-4 2012-05-22 06:00:12

Piece of crap

This is one of those "wannabe deep and meaningful film". In otherwords, peace of crap not worth watching. I see all other reviews andpeople are saying this is great, wow, amazing, etc. But can anyone tellme point of this film? No. Girl kills some guy's family and she feelsguilty and cleans his house and gives him ticket for trip to Earth 2.What is deep and profound in that? Nothing. Just because movie is slowand has few dialogs it means that it is peace of art, and people rightaway think its awesome. Nope guys, this is just a bad film, but if youwant to stay ignorant, give it 10/10. Better watch real masterpieces,and if you think i am hater, watch these titles and tell me that afterwatching it: Gone with the wind, Seventh Seal, Umberto D, SpaceOdyssey, Barry Lyndon (and all Kubrick's), K-Pax, King Of Comedy, DeerHunter, Aguirre, That Obscure Object of Desire and many more. etc.

henk321 2012-05-22 07:28:13

This is a allegorical movie about human kind.

Another earth to help us see ourselves. A serious accident to show ourhuman drama. So with the movie we are encouraged to see our own humandrama on our own planet. The people on the other earth are us! We havealready forgotten the impact of the picture of Earth taken out of theApollo capsule. We live in a world where wars and conflicts are raging.Where millions suffered and are suffering. Where a financial crisis isgoing on. Where we are unable to solve our problems. In the movie ourworld is suffering, the other world is how it can be. The composer'sfamily is alive. Rhoda finished her study. Rhoda sees her better selfin the end of the movie. The other world population is how we could be.The other world is a jewel in the sky. The other world is the jewel weshould keep in mind. The movie helps us to change our perspective, fromhaving to accept grim reality as it is on this world to a dream for abetter world. Only a jewel in the sky of our mind, our dream, keeps uswanting to change the world for the better. As Rhoda gives her journeyto the other world to John, so we should give to the other in a moreurgent need. I think this was meant with the movie.

FilmRap 2012-05-22 06:22:15

Grabs you from the beginning and leads you into a unique premise

This film grabs you from the beginning and then leads you into a uniquepremise. Screenwriter and director Mike Cahill in his first featurefilm is clearly quite talented and achieved a very good-looking film ona shoestring budget. He and co writer Brit Marling, who also starred inthe movie have a great imagination and a very subtle touch. They alsopulled in excellent photography and great music background to sustainthe mood of the film. Veteran actor William Mapother joins them and heand Marling appear to occupy the screen just about all the time.Flashes of television news reports, talking heads and other clipsestablish the appearance of " Another Earth" or "Earth Two " as it iscalled. We also see our twin planet in the sky throughout the film andare introduced to the idea that that such a situation would appear tohave everything including people exactly the same as on our own Earth.The implication to Marling's character is quite profound as bothcharacters are enduring unbearable suffering. In our post filmdiscussion with Cahill and Marling it seems that they feel that thehuman condition leads people to have great desire to understandthemselves and the possibility of meeting oneself, commiserating andperhaps even altering one's fate and suffering is a universal fantasy.Perhaps because we believe that self reflection and therapy is the wayto go when there is such a need or perhaps we just couldn't give up ourreality base, the movie didn't work as well with us as it did with theSundance crowd who chose it as an award winner and with Fox Searchlightwho picked it up for big time distribution. It will be making therounds later this month, on this Earth.FilmRap.net

robmessier 2012-05-21 14:13:42

Absolutely horrible!

If you can sit through this slower than a turtle film with the depth ofa mud puddle; then they should study you to help cure people withattention deficit disorder! How in the world could we just now discoveran earth-like planet that's so close to our planet that it appearslarger than the Moon in the sky? And can even be seen in broaddaylight? If you have any hopes of seeing this planet up close, or it'sinhabitants, don't hold your breath- as you won't. I fail to see whythe sci-fi angle was even added. Obviously they realized the writingand story were horrible, and they needed something to lure people intowatching this garbage. Occasionally throwing in 'gems' like the firstcontact scene to keep the audience awake, or from walking out of thetheater.If the casting director was shooting for 'plain Jane' when he/she castBrit Marling they sure hit the nail on the head! I hope for the sake ofher acting career it was how the director wanted the characterportrayed- boring and with no depth whatsoever.The whole thing reminded me of a college students attempt at an'artistic' movie....and I'm talking freshman with a straight C average.The story is nothing new or exciting; and there surely weren't anyphilosophical points touched upon that a teenager hasn't alreadyrealized.The people that consider this art are very likely the same ego-drivenpeople that would pay a million bucks for canvas with random paintsplatters all over it- resembling something a two year old couldcreate. The same people that can look at a bowl of fruit for hours andsay it's brilliant and full of meaning.Don't waste your time with this one unless you're looking for analternative to Valium!

Taliezin Aneirin 2012-05-21 05:11:01

Most ingenious story ever

Review preferences: Name: Taliezin Aneirin Location: Netherlands,EnschedePreview: Summary: Most ingenious story everThe movie starts with a terrifying and unexcapable tragedy so depravedof any hope or happiness, it prommises a dark and heavy story tofollow. But after such a tragedy, the story develops surprisingly andsooths the viewer in to a confidant witness of someone dealing withthis tragedy, with warming everyday human interaction, that plays outso magically, that nobody could think up a better life you wish for thesurvivors, involved in this tragedy.  And on top of that, it ends withthe same abrubtness as its beginning, both shocking in it's own way.Ending a ingenious story with a perfect balance. This picture moved me all over the place, this is in my experience, themost moving and ingenious story I ever seen. I wonder how beautiful themovie could be which could top this.The beginning of the movie shocked me trough the core. I didn't knowanything about the movie, only title and cover. No info is in thiscase, a bad mistake. "You have to read the descriptions." The beginningis not for the weak hearted or for childish minds.  I thought it to bea nice easy movie with only the cover and it's name in sight. Somethinglike a family-movie. Watching in this state, I almost had aout-of-my-body experience. I really pressed the stop button on myremote. I was shocked by the sudden entry of the horrible element inthis story. Its beginning. My temperature dropped like the blood-levelsin my head... I was unprepared.  But in darkness of this beginning, themovie kept on drawing one after another the most fantastic moments ontop of the previous. The most lovely solutions, the most beautifullies, the most ingenious plot advancement.  The end is totally worthyto such a movie. I really hated it in the first seconds, until Iunderstood that this end gave the most satisfying en balanced outcomewhereby, I totally forgot the horror I was in, asking myself, whyanybody could or dared to end such a perfect story so abruptly withoutany satisfaction. After the first seconds, the minutes went by when theoutcome sinked in and got hold of me with the last surprise. Thesimpleness of perfection of it, shines it's significance and fulfillsthe viewer whole. Just like the tragedy in the beginning of this movie,almost swallowed you whole. This movie is a 24 carets diamond. 

OZFlyBoy 2012-05-18 18:52:13

Don't bother to watch this one!

First the plot is absolutely absurd. No attempt (however stupid) ismade to explain how a duplicate earth can be in the same orbit as ourmoon. If you can swallow that, then you have an equally unbelievablecar cash, where a child in a car seat (in the back of a (parked) fullsize American sedan) is ejected some fifty feet. Come on guys, itscalled inertia! Meanwhile the passenger is killed, the driver knockedsenseless into a coma, however the driver of the (sub compact) Saabwalks away with a cut lip? Now we get to the sentimental slop and theso so predictable love story. Here the characters do follow physics,but its quantum physics, not reality, into fantasy land. The ending ...what ending? I think the budget went into severe overrun so theproducers said just go with what you got. Its a wrap!

adams137 2012-05-18 14:02:40

A lifeless series of stills that drift from one scene to the next.

I have listed this as a spoiler just in case, although I provide nodetails regarding the outcome of the film. I merely hint at things.I went into Another Earth with hopes of finding something unique. Afterall, the trailer, log line, and tasteful stills all pointed to the ideathat Mike Cahill's pet project was something different than what I wasused to.I was mistaken. Badly so.Disappointment cannot even begin to convey my feelings towards thisfilm. The most heartbreaking aspect of Another Earth is that it failsto deliver an emotional payoff despite consistently setting upemotional-anchored scenarios. Rhoda (Brit Marling) hits and kills thechild and wife of John Burroughs (William Mapother). She sees thebodies and CUT! we jump to four years later to find her back with thefamily (whom, I might add, seem bizarrely awkward around theirdaughter. She was in jail, not Siberia, for the last four years. Did noone ever think to put visitor hours to good use?). We don't see thereal emotional impact of her mistake because she comes home a livingzombie: empty, quiet, deadpan, and flat out boring.Which leads me to another problem: depressed people don't haveLego-brick personalities. And if they do, they don't star as leadcharacters in films (unless we're talking Twilight). Cahill seems tobelieve the only way to convey guilt is to make Rhoda an unkempt ragdoll with an expressionless face. To him, having her stare off intospace for thirty seconds shows just how "emotionally deep" her problemsrun. For us in the audience, it means it's time to check our watches.The silence in the film (and there's a LOT of it) doesn't tell usanything about Rhoda. Instead, it acts as a precursor to a lot ofoverly artsy shots that make you think about how much color correctionthey did in post. In fact, this entire film could run as a series ofphotographic stills— after all, it seems to care more about how prettyEarth 2 looks into the sky than the emotional struggles of the girlstanding beneath it.Dialogue is contrived, painfully so. If you've watched even oneHollywood film, you can probably guess each and every line before it'ssaid. Things fall in a predictable fashion and characters flip floppersonalities depending on what the plot calls for. There are numerouspoints over which characters throw massive fits, only to dismiss thesame problem a scene later.And then, of course, there's the blatant unrealism of it all. No, I'mnot talking about Earth 2. I can suspend my disbelief for that. WhatI'm talking about is the set up between Rhoda and John. Despite whatJohn's been through, he's not an idiot; it shouldn't take him an hourand ten minutes to figure out Rhoda's not who she says she is.Another Earth expects you to ignore basic logic in order to swalloweven the most simple of moments. It interprets "suspension ofdisbelief" as meaning "you can't judge this film because it's artsy."This film lacks the depth it so desperately attempts to flaunt. Itcomes off cheesy, pretentious, shallow, and self-obsessed. Characterspinball through events and come out as empty as they started. The onesthat do change do so without any real good reason. There's no pleasureto be had in watching this film unless you absolutely love staring atempty, motiveless images (and characters) for long periods of time. Butif that's the case, I recommend watching a Discovery Channel doc. Atleast you'll be learning something.To conclude, Another Earth is a complete waste for anyone looking toenjoy themselves. It delivers nothing in exchange for your time andmoney and expects you to come out praising it for its "uniquedelivery." Do your eyes, wallet, and gas tank a favor and avoid.

erdoc2803 2012-05-12 05:54:39

A truly compelling film

I was one of those who gave Another Earth a standing ovation at the premiere.I live in Park City and have been attending the Sudance Film Festival for five years. I have attended several premieres, including those of The Runaways, The Girlfriend Experience, Finishing the Game, Splice, and The Cove. While The Cove had me in tears, Another Earth has been, perhaps, the most compelling experience of my time at Sundance.Watching a film at Sundance is something like watching a gymnastics floor routine in the Olympics. The routine starts and the music is engaging. The athlete lands the first stunt. You lift your eyes from the chips and salsa in front of you and watch a little more closely. The athlete lands another stunt. The audience applauds loudly. The announcers seem intrigued. Your attention becomes fixed to the screen. Another stunt. Perfect. You realize this could really be something special.And then comes the final run. A jump. Flip. Perfect landing. Your heart leaps and tears well up in your eyes. You realize you have witnessed something truly outstanding.That was the premiere of Another Earth.I'm not one to get choked up in a film. Viewing the film with my younger sister, who was visiting from San Francisco, I tried to hold back the tears. But, sure enough, they came.Another Earth is a film you have to see. It's beautiful, it's moving, it's inspiring. Sundance seeks to inspire, and, in the years I've attended the festival, it has, on occasion, done this. But not to the degree of Another Earth.It's a film to be seen and pondered. And to let inspire you. As you truly witness something remarkable.

chrismsawin 2012-05-11 15:33:35

Intelligent sci-fi; a rarity in itself

I think just about everyone looks up at the sky every so often andwonders what else is out there. Outer space is filled with so manyunexplored territories that logically speaking there has to beintelligent life out there somewhere. Otherwise it'd just be a waste ofspace. Undiscovered planets and unimaginable life forms are only thehalf of it. What if there's another planet somewhere in the cosmossimilar to earth? Raising the stakes a bit, what if you and everyoneyou knew was also on that planet in addition to earth like an alternateuniverse that was right within our grasps? That is essentially whatmakes Another Earth so interesting.Earth 2; that's what the planet is being called that is right withinour atmosphere. They're saying another you is on that planet that mayhave made all the decisions you wish you had or married the person youalways wish you did. Sometimes the concept of a film is reallypowerful. It's so powerful and so intriguing that it kind of backsitself into a corner since there's really no way the film will ever beable to follow through with a product that's quite as good as itsconcept. Another Earth is kind of like that. The film does its best tointertwine the stories of Earth 2 and the blossoming relationshipbetween Rhoda Williams (Brit Marling) and John Burroughs (WilliamMapother) and it all comes together in a really satisfying way. Butyou're also left wondering what the planet would be like if we actuallygot to take the trip there in the film. Is animal life the same? Dothey have similar technology? Are famous monuments altered at all? Thequestions are endless and while its best to leave these questions openended, part of you is left wondering if some of these questionscould've been answered with a larger budget.The soundtrack was nearly as brilliant as the concept of the film. It'sa rather brilliant mix of classical and electronic music with more ofan emphasis falling on the classical part since John Burroughs is acomposer. Classical scores always seem to bring out the best in filmsand the few electronic tracks threw in a little bit of unpredictabilitythat also strangely fit the tone and atmosphere of the film.The biggest weakness Another Earth has is its camera work. It feelsdownright amateurish at times. Things seem to smooth out a bit in thesecond half, but objects and people on screen start off being blurry orout of focus right from the start. So while there were a fewinteresting perspectives thrown in, it didn't really make up for thecamera being out of position at times and wondering if the awkwardcamera work was intentional at others.Another Earth latches onto your interest right out of the gate with arather high impact introduction and keeps that engrossing factor alivethroughout its duration. The bonding that takes place between Rhoda andJohn takes the front seat while the hype around Earth 2 is kind of theside seat driver; you're always hearing about it but it never reallybecomes a factor until the conclusion. Another Earth also delivers areally satisfying ending. Thinking back on it, there really isn'tanother way to end a film like this. If it wasn't for the camera workthat feels somewhat unprofessional at times, Another Earth would bereally fantastic. An absorbing and engaging film with a uniquestoryline, Another Earth is one of the most thought provoking films ofthe year.

Michael Thompson 2012-05-07 07:53:57

This is NOT a Science Fiction Movie.

Please don't read any further if you don't want to know about detailsin this film.I was left very disappointed after watching this film.Another Earth is the discovery of another planet the complete double ofearth, with exactly the same people on it.A short time into this film, we see and hear a woman talking to herexact same self via a radio transmitter. And this for me was the mostinteresting piece in the film.The majority of this film has people walking around, asking themselvesphilosophical questions about what would they do ? and say ? if theymet themselves on this other earth.I like down to earth science fiction. I like Twilight Zone, and OuterLimits.There is a movie with Roy Thinnes of The Invaders fame. The movie iscalled "Journey to the far side of the Sun", and is also about a planetthe double of Earth, on the completely other side of the Sun.I was wondering how the two films would relate ? Another Earth was forme a complete waste of time. The writers could have expanded the storyfrom 90 minutes, and added much more.At the end of the film, a supposed shock ending, the leading ladyplayed by Brit Marling, ( I had never heard of her ), suddenly findsherself confronted by her "other" "Earth" self, who suddenly appearsbehind her, And then the screen goes black, and the credits role.This film had plenty of interesting hype, but delivered nothingsubstantial, and I'm truly surprised at how many people liked it,judging by their reviews.I thought it was rubbish, from start to finish.

David Ferguson 2012-05-06 18:55:16

This Me or That Me?

Greetings again from the darkness. An award winning film at Sundance,this one seems to carry the same polarizing effect that "Tree of Life"does. The reviews and comments have been discordant and contentious.After sitting through a Q&A with Mike Cahill (co-writer, director) andBrit Marling (co-writer, star) I am guessing they are taking greatpride in the love/hate responses. Their film was designed to take youdeep ... make you think and self-analyze. This is not a fluffy OwenWilson rom-com. Explaining what it is, well, that's a challenge.The story begins with Rhoda (Brit Marling) out for a night of partying.We learn she has been accepted to M.I.T. and that she is quite thespace and astronomy lover. Her very poor decision to drive home afterdrinking results in a horrific accident that changes her life and thatof a young family. At the same time, scientists discover "anotherEarth" has been hiding on the other side of the sun. Flash forward fouryears as Rhoda is released from prison.She is a broken spirit whose bright future has been dashed. She tracksdown the man who survived the crash she caused and has every intentionof apologizing. Instead, she cleans his house. She finds John (WilliamMapother) has dropped out of society and found numbness in the bottle.I won't say more about the story because it is really something towatch unfold. What I will say is that I found the advertisements to besomewhat misleading. This is not a sci-fi film per se. Sure the secondearth brings about numerous questions concerning the "other" us. Whatwould we say? How would we react? Have I done better there than here?But that is actually an underlying element to this story ... alwayspresent in our thoughts and those of Rhoda. Instead, this film is apsychological drama. And a dark one at that.You will recognize William Mapother (The Grudge, Lost), who plays John.He has a regular guy look to him and stretches well from happiness todepression to, once again, showing a spark. Brit Marling is one youdon't know, but will soon enough. She is an amazing presence on screenand avoids the Hollywood acting crutches. She plays Rhoda as thedamaged, confused creature she is in the story. Very well done.A couple of other interesting notes include Kumar Pallana (The RoyalTenenbaums)as Purdeep. With minimal screen time, his character providesRhoda with a lesson she needs. There is also a scene where John plays asaw as a musical instrument. The sound is amazing and the music isactually from Natalia Paruz, who is knows as the "saw lady". Othermusic in the film is outstanding and courtesy of Fall on Your Sword.Very unique, but a perfect fit for the film.

lickermuchly 2012-05-06 01:28:36

Another Earth/Another You - So What

Would anyone really want to spend the day with himself/herself ifhe/she found there was a planet that contained an identical self foreach of us? "Uh, remember in 5th grade when I-you-we..." "Yep, Iremember, I was there too..." Who cares. Interesting premise, but Ithink most people would be bored of themselves pretty quickly; evenidentical twins/triplets/quads aren't that similar. And everyone wouldalways suspect everyone else of playing "switch-a-roo" tricks onothers.The movie asks a lot of questions heavy-handedly, and the audiencefills in its' own answers - that's weak writing. And what is the John Burroughs character going to do on "Earth 2"? Ishe going to find his other self with his wife and children, and say,"Uh, I know it's not your fault that a drunk-driving ditsy-ding-batslaughtered my family on Earth, but, uh, I want to take your place uphere on Earth 2 so I can be with my family again...uh..." ?The acting was a bit stiff throughout, but it wasn't terrible. BritMarling as "Rhoda Williams" was perfect as a sort of gawky "Olive Oyl"with a pretty face; she played an "outsider" really well. I never feltbad for the "Rhoda Williams" character, but I could not take my eyesoff of her either. It's a very moody, atmospheric film of little consequence.

cderip 2012-05-05 12:20:49

Thank You Brit and Mike

Brit and Mike, the writers, a director, and great actress.I'd love to see this as series, always starting over on the day bothearth's glanced to the heavens and finally knew we are not alone, andthen later knowing were not alone among ourselves.Oh I need ten lines, The visuals of other Earth were well nice, goodjob SPFX. The sex(although not by any means over the top)wasn't needed,but brought the climax. It could have been just brought out with thetruth. All in all great flick, I've told my friends and thanks again Brit andMike, I'm now looking up other work you've done.

husker666 2012-05-05 02:51:16

good film for cube fans.

OK so it started so promisingly with the sharp impact of the car crashthen seemed to veer into hand held territory on a budget....what keptmy attention was the great storyline and the terrificperformances....and then the film ,as if knowing its potential, rose togreat heights....the premise isn't unfamiliar but it is done in a freshenough way to make it seem so....the realistic approach to Rhoda'sfirst meeting with the father and subsequent developments were alsosuperbly portrayed....the only clunkers to me were the blind cleanerwho was too philosophical and the brother who I didn't believe as acharacter.... the ending was superb no spoilers....a very enjoyablefilm :}

WEAPON OF CHOICE 2012-05-04 08:27:37

Can a movie suck massively, and yet be frighteningly Awesome? Why is this my first review?

Hammer your expectations down through the rocks. Here, let me help you.There's 1000's of fellow IMDb'ers who thought the movie suckedhorribly. A lot of suckage. It's not that great. It's not sci-fi. Ifyou're thinking of another movie to compare this to, no matter what youpick, this one'll fall terribly short. To the facts, Brit co-wrote the movie, she's gorgeous. I probablywould've given up half-way if it wasn't for the mysteriousness sheportrays. That face, gawd! Made on a shoestring budget. Heck, Brit hadto do her co-star's make-up in between shots. This is a movie made withpassion, and a lot of faith that they'd done good stuff. Well, let me sorta paint my experience watching 'Another Earth'. Gluedto my seat, for an hour and a half, almost as if this was a thriller?I'm serious. Captivated by the gorgeous shots of 'earth 2'. Waiting forthe little streams of info being released ever so stringently -- theannouncement on the radio as they discover earth 2, and a whole bunchmore. I've already mentioned how captivating Brit is. What? No Sci-fi? There's definitely food for the sci-fi enthusiast. Thepremise comes from a mixture of new-age string theory of the multiversekind. The ending'll have you wondering about Einsteinian space-timeimplications. The core of the movie is largely philosophical. Forgiveness. Rebirth.etc. Kept me struggling throughout with my emotions about the maincharacter. Past the acting. How much forgiveness can the viewerunleash? And is it justified? Chill out, leave your expectations at the door. You may not like it.It's slow. It demands your attention, so keep away from the caffeine.You might not feel the same way about Brit though. She's gorgeous. Shereally is. It's just a well-made passion-filled indie-flick. It's gotsome gorgeous imagery. The atmosphere, constantly thick, with color andemotion. This review's gone on way too long. Indie flick of the year?Gets my vote. Who cares? Oh BTW, its possible your friends'll hate you for recommending this.Especially if they're the kind that finds it hard to appreciatephotography, artsy stuff maybe, and don't have much patience, you know,generally. So there ya go, one final reason for you to dig this flick.The fact that you like it -- yeah it'll be one of those things you lookback on and say 'Hey, I really am different. I appreciate interestingdeep stuff. I'm like an artist, philosopher, or something. neat!'. Holyhell. What? Is that really why I...