sajiky

This and Solaris... NOT the one George Clooney was arrested and imprisoned for. Wait!? He wasn't? Wow, remaking a film as perfect as Solaris feels like a misdemeanor. While remaking it into a barely technically adequate "movie", more like a felony. Just a crime against humanity I guess.

Anyway, this movie and Solaris have got to be the two best films I've ever seen. Used to have Solaris a nose ahead. But after viewing them both again recently, Stalker edges in front.

Seriously, the second scene blows my mind. It is a gorgeous, stunningly filmed scene of people living in absolute squalor. And the film only gets more mind blowing from there.

I guess the reason it's so extremely low rated (yes 8.anything for this film is an extremely low rating), and the reason for the remake are one and the same. Short attention spans.

Both films require patience. Not a great deal of it mind you, because every scene no matter how deliberately paced is a visual feast (no, not due to CGI, due to amazing directing and camera work. Fascinating concept, someone today should try it), and there's a lot to think about. The reason for the sepia tone in the first act is awesome, for a minor example.

But even the little bit of patience this films requires seems beyond most people these days.

And yes, I am a touch older (47). And yes, ranting about the how things were better in my day, is an awful lot of fun (try it sometime). But dammit this rant is perfectly valid.

If there is a more perfect film, I've yet to see it.

This movie is an absolute must see if only for one reason. The character Richard sings the coolest song ever recorded in a movie (not the best just coolest heh).

Its an insane mishmash of love and hate and you really really have to hear it to appreciate it. I've never found any piece of music in any movie as humorous as this one unintentionally was. You can check out the lyrics to the song here on IMDb they are put down as a quote for Richard but it's much funnier to actually hear performed.

If you're fan of Mystery Science Theater or RiffTrax I highly recommend downloading the RiffTrax commentary to go along with this movie it is one of the best movies for getting the RiffTrax treatment.