Genres

Visitors Review

Theothervip 2012-05-25 03:04:02

You just have to see it again!

Rating: **** out of 4.Darren Aronofsky's THE FOUNTAIN was such a disappointment on his partthat, eventually, it's bound to inspire a few defenders who thinkdifferently from the not-too-impressed critics and audiences. You caninclude me there! I just saw THE FOUNTAIN a few days a go and thoughtit was great; a movie that may demand multiple viewings for it to sinkthrough and you can count on it, I will see it again! One of the thingsAronofsky wanted for THE FOUNTAIN, like its own main character, was forit to remain timeless. People might look at THE FOUNTAIN today and findit confusing, difficult, and rather odd, but art is sometimes likethat. A work of art is not evaluated immediately; a true work of artstands the test of time and I think THE FOUNTAIN could prove itself tobe a future classic. Right now, it's an immensely underrated butlovingly defended film for a more thoughtful and patient audience. It'scertainly bigger, in scale and budget, that Aronofsky's earlierefforts, but it packs the same punch and is bound to find moreaudiences in the future as those films had.The story unfolds in three separate time frames. Dr. Tom Creo (HughJackman) is a scientist desperately finding a cure for the tumor that'sslowly killing his wife Izzi (Rachel Weisz), but too much time workingsets him apart from his already dying spouse. Rewind a thousand or soyears, and an almost similar tale unfolds with a conquistador (alsoplayed by Jackman) searching for the Tree of Life in a hidden Mayantemple for his Queen (also Weisz). Meanwhile, in the far future, aspace traveler (Jackman--with a bald head) protects the Tree of Lifeconcealed inside a space bubble, taking it to the Xibalba Nebula where,it is said, stars go to be reborn. So it's part historical epic, partsci-fi, and all love story, or at least a story about love and a questto save it that spans across time.Jackman and Weisz may not be the most compelling couple ever, but theymake their characters work and we believe that there is love betweenthese two. Ellen Burstyn provides some excellent support (this is her2nd time working with Aronofsky, after REQUIEM FOR A DREAM). ClintMansell's score is alluring, mysterious and at time simply beautiful.The stunning cinematography and the use of lighting all play asignificant part in telling the story, something that's best saved formore discussions to come.So if you haven't seen it yet, give this underrated masterpiece a shot.Never mind the critics on this one and judge it for yourself. You mightbe surprised at what you get here.

moerchi 2012-05-24 05:29:11

Pure beauty

Many people, mostly critics, have accused The Fountain of beingpretentious; of being an esoteric, manipulative mish-mash that clamorsabout its own importance in every scene.While I can see and understand the angle where these people are comingfrom, I think The Fountain is one of those films where you just need tostop thinking. I don't mean stop thinking in a bad way - not like witha Michael Bay film; rather, one needs to immerse himself in the flow ofthe images, the atmosphere and the message Aronofsky's film is tryingto convey. It may not have a really deep meaning or one that hasn'tbeen dealt with in film yet, but Aronofsky, behind all the flashyvisuals, delivers it with such an honesty and passion that I have notseen in years, in any film.The mistake Aronofsky does make is that he thinks he needs to make thismessage more complex, more ambiguous in order to make viewerssusceptible to it. And so he goes a bit overboard with the closingscenes. He doesn't know when enough is enough, and that detracts a bitfrom The Fountain's elegance and beauty.Nonetheless, this film is one of the most enjoyable pictures I've seenthis year, one that really doesn't deserve the hate it gets.

abuzahid 2012-05-22 03:22:18

idea was good but Aronofsky tried too hard and so messed it up

I really liked his other two movies Pi and Requiem for a Dream. So Ihad high hopes. I understand that the concept of this one differentcompared to the other two. I think what happened was that he tried toohard and he lost his passionate creative spirit. I am hoping this isjust temporary for this movie only. Symbols and transitions back aretoo obvious as opposed to Lynch for instance. It was like Aronofsky fordummies. It has the taste but not like the original taste if you will.I still have high hopes for this guy. Rachel Weisz was not acting well.It could have been much better if female character was Natalie Portmanor even better Naomi Watts. Hugh Jackman was so so.

2012-05-21 18:59:49

Great movie, grainy transfer

This review is from: The Fountain [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray) The blu-ray edition of The Fountain certainly has moments of stunning beauty, but it also has moments of grainy images. I expected the blu-ray edition to be crystal clear, which it is for the most part. However, there were a few scenes in the hospital and in the jungle that seemed a little lackluster. Overall, it is a powerful film with great acting and effects. Hugh Jackman definitely shows off his acting chops in this role. Rachel Weis is a beauty in her own right and a gifted actress. My wife loves this film, which makes her cry every time she sees it. If you enjoy weird love stories or science fiction that really makes you think, then this is the film for you. I would recommend it over the standard DVD release, but only marginally.

iik71 2012-05-21 07:14:29

Perfect

It is rare to find a movie so meaningful, interesting and beautifulaltogether. The music is perfect. It really can give some idea of thereincarnation, karma and eternity - the process that all we areinvolved in this world. Although it does not go far than this, to thequestions as "Is there anything beyond karma, and incarnation", and"what is it?",or "How to go there". The conclusion that the eternallife in this world is impossible, or even if it becomes almost possibleis meaningless, is another marvellous insight. The movie does not givethe way but it can help for certain realizations for the real seekers.Serious movie that is a must to see. The real average rating should beover 8.

cryptic3481 2012-05-20 18:35:36

A different look

I truly enjoyed this film. I told my brother after watching, "If youdon't get it the first time through, watch it a second time.". It's anawkward story telling, especially since most people are used to alinear perspective. One plot for one movie. Some suggest this movie isabout the past, present, and future. I think they are wrong. I believethis is more about three uniquely different ways to explain oneconcept. Two plots are metaphors, and the one is the basis for theothers. All three stories tell a different side to both maincharacters. Take a step back during this movie. It's a lot to take in.So I suggest you sit and watch. Follow but don't try to makeassumptions. Let your mind just take it in. When your finished. Thinkabout what you just saw...still confused, then give it just one moretry. It's deserving of it. Great acting, great writing, intelligent,thought provoking, and ultimately enjoyable.

Autumn 2012-05-18 23:46:45

Beautiful

This is a beautiful movie. It takes a little bit to get into it, butonce you become aware of what's going on — it transforms from avisually stun art house flick into a wonderful love story. Thecinematography was breathtaking and the acting was well done. I wentinto this film not know what to expect except that it would be visuallystunning and I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and beauty of thestory. It reminded me a lot of What Dreams May Come in the visuals andthe love story. I was sad to see that there were only four other peoplein the theater at the showing I attended. Of course, it doesn't haveexplosions or graphic sex scenes, it's just a beautiful film and thatis obviously not where Hollywood is right now — that's a shame. Withthis film, Mr. Aronofsky has thrown his hat into the ring as a worthysuccessor to Stanley Kubric.

deaken-1 2012-05-18 13:42:26

Much better the 2nd time

I saw this in the theatre and wanted to berate Aronofsky for what Ithought was a completely pitiful plot and in general a piece ofgarbage. In fact I posted a review on another website after seeing itoriginally, that was very similar to most of the people who have givenit a 1 star rating.When it came out on DVD I decided to see it again because - to havedespised it so much I thought there had to be something that Iidentified with but was rejected for some reason. Similar to the overlyzealous homophobe who's really just a closet homosexual and doesn't yetknow it. That actually turned out to be the case as I picked up onquite a few things I didn't pick up on the first time and saw what Ithought to be a pretty cool story line. I guess you could say - incoming to like this movie, I metaphorically came out of the closet.With this movie you either love it or hate it.In seeing it the 2nd time I have to say I appreciated it much more.Visually it's a stunning movie and although it does not use dialogue toexplain the plot it does use imagery and metaphor quite a bit.This is my belief on the story line. The past was simply the story Izzihad written and that Tommy finishes in time. There were many symbolsthat overlapped from the present and the future which makes me believethat the future is a real story line. It starts off with Tommy in thepresent finding a cure to cancer but just a bit too late. Devastated hevows to cure death because it's a "disease" and so he gets to work inthe lab. I mean in his mind he's thinking - well if I can cure cancer Ican cure death. This is where everyone else leaves him in the lab andin turning off the lights leave him in darkness. He plants the seedover her grave, which - in line with the Mayan belief melds with herbody.Next we find him again in darkness - in his space bubble. He has withhim of all things a tree - which as I see it is most likely the treethat once grew over Izzi's grave - now melded with her body. It evenhas the little hairs on it that stood up when he got close and spoke toit - just like Izzi. We find him in space with - interestingly - thesame tattoo ring mark that he had in the present and at the end hisring. The ring tattoos up his arms are the accounting of years or maybedecades. This journey is from my best guess an attempt to die and bereborn with her in the explosion of the star. Full circle. He had todie to live again and possibly find Izzi again.I can't leave out the possibility that I'm just reaching for meaning inthese story lines and that this movie could be what I originallythought it to be - as 3 disjointed stories that go nowhere. Althoughnow I do believe the story to be cryptic one cloaked in beautifulimagery and metaphor.

Shirase 2012-05-09 13:44:11

Something I've never seen before... Perfect!

In one word, wonderful... This movie is an explosion of visuals, soundand emotions that can't make anybody stay still. It's reallypsychologically strong and, even if everybody can't really appreciatethe story, everybody can take a deep breathe and let their soul enjoythis great trip into human heart. It's all about death, in a way thatno one has shown it before, I can't even find the words to describe it! Emotionaly, it's really strong and should not be seen by youngchildren, but it's so beautiful! Go see it right now, you won't regretit! I think this movie is one of the best pieces of art I've seen inall my life!

2012-05-09 03:18:23

Excellent

I have seen Pi and part of Requiem, and so I am familiar with Aronofsky's style, and I was very pleased with this. It has elements of Kubrick (a tired 2001: Space Odyssey anaology, I know, but its true) but unlike Kubrick, it drew me in and made me feel the characters instead of contemplating them. The plot is non-linear, so its not the easiest to follow, and perhaps tries too hard at that, but there are worse film offenses, believe me. Another review called the love story one-sided, reducing Weisz's character to an object, which I disagree with- while it is somewhat one-sided, I don't think she is made an object, so much as maybe a symbol of the unattainable. Certainly on a human level I can understand the emotional aspects of wanting to hold onto the one you love, no matter what. Well worth watching, perhaps even with someone you love (not even necessarily in a romantic way)

tigersport 2012-05-05 00:14:13

A simplified take of "The Fountain"

First of all excuse me for not being an eloquent writer like most here(I have some language disabilities) and this is my first "review."Not till the last scene of the movie did it really hit me what I justwitnessed. I've only watched the movie once so there maybe some smallthings I missed. Simply put the movie is about a young woman (Isabel)dying of terminal brain cancer, she knows she is dying and accepts herfate with grace, and ease, but her loving husband Tommy, a researchdoctor in the field, can not accept the inevitable… her passing. Isabelas she is coming to grips with her fate and what may lie beyond deathresearches Mayan beliefs of death and renewal (these secrets take placein the Orion Nebula). She writes a fantasy book based on these beliefs…"The Fountain." She writes chapters 1–11 but leaves the last chapterunfinished for her husband to finish... something that he is veryreluctant to do. Her part of the book is about a Spanish conquistador(her husband) searching for eternal life to save his queen (herself)from the Spanish Inquisition by finding the biblical "Tree of Life"hidden in the Mayan world. The space scenes (not necessarily in thefuture) with him and the Tree of Life in a bubble craft is the way hefinishes the book consisting of him reaching the Orion Nebula in orderto renew the dying Tree of Life (the metaphor for his beloved wife). Hefinds that the only way to achieve eternal life is through death, thenrenewal. In the end I came to the conclusion that the book was the lastgift Isabel could give him… a way to accept her death (and death ingeneral) which in the end he does.

indigoazure 2012-05-04 17:43:54

And the children of the earth poison us, yet again

It is disturbing to me that childish and dysfunctional relationshipsand understandings of life are passed off as "normal" and even worse"moving". Honestly I don't see why they just didn't cast a 4 year oldchild instead of the man, after all he acted like one the entire time.It would seem some believe infantile co-dependency on our loved ones issynonymous with love. Never once did he consider the needs and desiresof his wife in all his "love" for her. I gave this movie a "2" ratingonly because of its beautiful cinematography. The main character's wifewas also pretty one dimensional. This movie reminded me of "The 6thDay"; the scientist who only worked so that he can find a cure for hisdying wife. Ugh! Can any writers in Hollywood come up with somethingoriginal?

pmgray 2012-05-02 00:02:36

Pretentious claptrap

Another of those films that hopes do dazzle the audience with a plot soconvoluted and nonsensical that it hopes to embarrass the audience intothinking "I can't understand it so it must be a masterpiece". The filmhas impressive imagery and a memorable score by the Kronos Quartet butoutside that it has to be one of the worst films I have seen in a longtime. Ask people to explain it and they are at a loss to even describethe meaning or intent of the film so they use grandiose and irrelevantstatements as convoluted as the film itself. Unless you are in need ofa nap don't bother with this travesty. There are enough memorable filmsaround that actually reward your patience with a cohesive plot.

2012-05-01 14:02:30

The Fountain

This review is from: The Fountain (Widescreen Edition) (DVD) All over the place. I had a real hard time following the story line, it jumped from here to their and back again without any good reason why.

2012-04-30 19:59:34

Two hours can feel like a millennium

I sometimes wonder if I'm sharing the same planet. I recently rentedthis film from Netflix, anticipating a time-warping, mind-bendingexperience. Instead, I found a new archetype for fatuous pretension.Under-exposed film and sparkling lights cannot mask empty prattle. Ikept waiting for the camera's f Stop to be adjusted, and somethingmeaningful to happen. No luck!As one who has read and enjoyed science fiction for sixty years, fromH.G.Wells to Bradbury, Asimov and Clarke...from Jules Verne to H.P.Lovecraft, I found this abomination to be devoid of any value. Thescientist ranted and moaned, and most tellingly, swept and scatteredreams of research documents in a fit of pique. Had the rest of the filmdwelt on him gathering and re-assembling the papers, it would have beenmore entertaining. In desperation, I clicked "fast forward" hoping tofind something, anything! to stir the ashes.No luck.In an old joke, a man climbs the Himalayas seeking an answer to themeaning of life. On a windswept crag he encounters a mystic sage..."Please, sir, I've traveled the world,hoping to discover the Meaning ofLife...can you help me?"After sitting impassively for an hour, the old man replied, "Life is afountain pen." Incredulously, "LIFE IS A FOUNTAIN PEN??!!""Life ISN"T a fountain pen?"Now THAT was profound.A deeper mystery--who puts up the money for films like "The Fountain?

joseph-ritrievi 2012-04-30 11:09:44

Visual Masterpiece with Complex Thematic Interconnections

Summarizing this movie from a plot perspective is almost pointless,though I'll attempt it, anyway. The Fountain spans one thousand yearsto capture the portrait of a man and his woman's quest towardsimmortality. While the woman, representative of the female energy ofthe universe, nurturing and open, is receptive and aware of the film'sultimate ending, the man, representative of logic and rationalism, mustovercome his own intellectual ferocity in order to attain his destiny.The film is littered with geometric symbols that reflect the movie'sthematic iconography; for instance, the Tree of Life--as described inthe bible--represents divine order and purpose throughout the Fountain.However, what the average film-goer will miss in watching the movie isthe geometric visuals that are actual representations of the EgyptianFlower of Life and the mathematical Phi-Ratio as represented in thenautical shell. There are also an overwhelming abundance ofmandala-like entrances into rooms, artwork, and set design, which aidthe viewer into looking toward the infinite. With an explosivesoundtrack providing the final touch of ambiance, this might be myfavorite movie ever made.

Pihlaja 2012-04-30 11:00:30

A strong story not told overly well

It's a damn shame that Darren Aronofsky was forced to cut his budget inhalf, because I would have loved to see what he could have come up withthe original script. Because right now the film feels like it's halfwaydone. Like certain scenes are missing and that the film didn't reachits full potential.Right now the film is very much love it or hate it. Those film goers,who love deep and thought-provoking films will appreciate theunderlying themes and the quiet atmosphere that slowly builds as thestory progresses. Others, myself included, will see the fact that thefilm is not executed correctly. The overall story is a masterpiece,retelling the story of the first man and woman, but unfortunately thatsaid story is not told correctly. The choice to separate the story intothree different time periods and locations was a good one, but thosethree separate stories have to tie together in some way. And the firsttwo time periods actually do feed of each other and they feelconnected. But the last time period is there mainly for the gorgeousspace imagery and for the trailer shots. Or at least that's the feelingI was left with after I was done watching this movie. There are someminor scenes where the third time period ties together with the firsttwo, but they are few and far between.Thought I must admit that the first two stories are extremelywell-done. The love story between these two archetypical characters isbelievable and eventually even a bit heart-breaking. Both main actorsare very talented and they have a genuine chemistry. The cinematographyIS damn impressive, special effects are used skillfully and this moviehonestly managed to pull me in.Thus, in the end, this movie has an amazing story, but it doesn'tmanage to convey that story overly well. It's a brilliant movie forthose that can appreciate it from a thematic, aesthetic or atmosphericpoint of view, but it's definitely not for those who demand a coherent,well-told story above all else.

Darren 2012-04-29 13:40:39

A film to remember

This was the first film I saw with someone i've been waiting to meetfor two and half years of communication across the world and eighthours ahead. I must say that it was a surprisingly good first film towatch. I have tried to determine what this film means to me and I findit difficult because i'm lost in the performance of the film and thegravity of who I was with.If it is a love story then I think it does well to say that it shows acouple different aspects of love, fate and heroism that all coupleswish to have. If the three story lines are tied to the same spirit ofthe Izzy and Tommy then we have the idea that fate has destined us tobe with someone forever, in some aspect. But they are not togetherforever as death separates them in all three stories. What if fate isdestined for us to find someone to be with forever? It is powerful tome because I think like many aspects of our life we can't control howwe feel. We can't control the nature of life and the plans that fatemay have for us but we can control how we act. Thomas loves his Queen,Tommy loves his wife and he will stop at nothing if he can help it tobe with her forever.To me this film is the enduring love that one person can have forsomeone else and never wanting to be away from that love. Never wantingthat person to know the pain of being out of love from you.Hugh does a fantastic job with his character and the obsession he hadwith fighting the loss he was afraid to deal with. Much like the fearwe all have of death in many aspects it wasn't his death he wasmortified with. He was so driven and it showed in his role as thedoctor. Rachel did an alright job as Izzy but I haven't been overlyfond of her performances. As a couple it was hard to see the chemistrybecause they were not often together on screen. In the few shortmoments they were I was hoping to see the love they shared and the bestI saw it was in the bath scene when he showed is care for her life, hercomfort and happiness. But still it was fueled with his obsession tocure her.I am a fan of Darren Aronofskys Requiem for a Dream. As much as Ididn't like the reality of the film because it was horrific to watch itwas a brilliantly done film. I look forward to his future films. I alsocongratulate the actors for their part and generosity.

franck-25 2012-04-28 18:14:41

Awesome and underrated movie

This is a true work of art... And it is very hard to describe.First point, the movie is gorgeous. Every still frame in this is apleasure to watch. The colors are strange but good looking. At thispoint even if you don't understand anything to the story, the moviewould be worth watching as it is a pleasure to the eyes.For the story, it's a bit hard to understand. You must not switch offyour brain a minute during the movie or you may end up with anincomplete story. It would be sad ! This is a very imaginative work combining three stories spanning threedifferent historical period. And yet, those three stories are relatedin a way you'll discover as the movie unfolds.It combines religion, mythology, science fiction and love in the samestory. If I would explain you that story right here, you would thinkthat the author of Requiem for a Dream has taken too much drugs. Don'tpay attention to what people are saying about this story, it'simpossible to do it justice with words. Go to the nearest theater orDVD shop and see this movie.It may seems a bit pretentious at times. Right ! But the result isreally awesome. We had not seen anything that ambitious since StanleyKubrick's 2001 ! Is it as good as 2001 ? Time with tell.

spammegardener 2012-04-28 08:18:33

yup

I totally agree with the last comment. The cinematography is trulysplendid, full of golden dust-scattered stars and other such metaphors.I cried three times watching it; there was so much beauty and sadness.Most people are not going to get it. I overheard some ladies in ouraudience discussing 'The Fountain' afterward, and they clearly neededcertain elements of the movie shoved down their throats. Thank goodnessthat Aronofsky does not do just that. Just to reiterate, the movie isindeed difficult, and because of this will undoubtedly be underappreciated for years. But if you come in with an open mind and quiteuncertain what to expect, great things will occur.