Solaris

Rating:
Summary: Solaris : A Planet full of Emotion and Quietness
Review: I have wanted to see this film since its release. And I just finished watching it. Even though it was a box-office bomb and had negative reviews. I have to say that it is one of the best science fiction films I have ever seen (next to Gattaca). The movie was not what I expected but it is a slow moving piece of art in which you have to think. Some people don't like to watch movies that you have to think about but this film is so filled with powerful emotion and desperation that it overpowered me. And its so beautifully crafted, including the acting, directing, and also score. This score, I know I would buy. I think that this film is a lost classic. And to reviews who say that this movie is Hogwash are wrong. I absolutly loved this movie but you have to understand that this is a very deep, quiet and at times confusing type of movie. But I feel in love with the quiet mystical planet called Solaris

Rating:
Summary: Hypnotic Score!
Review: My husband and I rented the DVD, and after the first viewing, though enjoyable, we still had lots of questions. The meaning is left purposely obscure, rather esoteric, but the intention seems simply to explore human concepts of life, love and relationship in death and spirituality. Note the flashback where theism and atheism are argued briefly in the restaurant. Plus, the very "gift" that Solaris offers seems to be a reflection of reincarnation spirituality, with some minor twists.
I listened to the Director's Commentary and read the Screenplay, both offered in the "special features" section, and discovered that much had been edited out that would have explained more about events in the film. I would encourage anyone to go there for more answers.
For myself, however, I really enjoyed Solaris. I loved the rich visual color and found the score, coupled with the flashback scenes between Kelvin and Rheya, hypnotic, beautiful; the story absorbing.
Although my husband also liked the movie, we would recommend renting before buying, just to be sure it's what you're looking for.

Rating:
Summary: Hmmmm....
Review: This is one of those films that has it's share of problems but if you're in the right mindset you really might enjoy it. It is a mood piece to be sure. Not even so much a science fiction movie (it's really a thought provoking love story), and it has Clooney's best performance since Three Kings. I loved the look, sound and acting in this film. And more importantly I appreciated what I think Soderbergh was trying to do with the film. Personally I think it's better than the original. The original may have had more going on with the characters but it is really slow in spots whereas I think the pacing in this one is surprisingly strong. This is not a movie for everyone and it is not a science fiction film. If you can handle that aspect about it then I think you will like it. It works better as a "weird" love story.

Rating:
Summary: The emperor has on NO clothes.
Review: Many reviews of this move start with "If you are epecting...." you won't like this movie. And positive authors will add that if you are expecting it to be "like the novel" or "A NORMAL sc-fi movie" or "movie that doesn't make you think....." you won't like it.

Most of the positive reviews insult the viewer who does not "get" this movie because it is so deep that if you are of average intelligence, you are just not smart enough to understand.

HOGWASH--- When ask to explain what happen-- they can't. The probably couldn't stay awake and to hide their embarassment, make up some stupid lie.

1. This movie is first and foremost boring.
2.It does not make any sence, this maybe intentional, but that does not make it a good movie, or even a thought provoking one.
3. The movie is still boring (I know this is a repeat, but reading some of the reviews I first thought I must have watch a different movie from everyone else. But read what they wrote....they speak vaugly and with many different opinions on what actually happens, which is fine to some degree. But in this movie it is because the scipt does not make any sense.)

Watch the movie if you like, and try to answer these quesitons:
1. Why does the company send a lone therpist into a know crisis situation?
2. Who pilots the aircraft getting him there?
3. Why does the company pay from him to be transported, they've already lost a military transport and now they're going to send in a lone civilian?
4. Why does he not try and make radio contact with them before boarding the ship?
5. Who is the little boy?

This question will not help you to enjoy the movie, but atleast give you something to do during the painfully borning movie.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, rent it though, don't buy
Review: This movie maybe tries too hard...it didn't really go anywhere.

Rating:
Summary: Slow-aris
Review: What was initially interpreted as a science-fiction drama became a slow, boring, risque, but somewhat interesting show. At first, it makes you think it's going to be a creepy spaceship thriller, then it makes you think it's going to be a psychological, thought-provoking escapade, but it finally just decides to be a tired and uninspiring hour and a half. Solaris IS interesting, I'll give it that. But it's not intriguing enough for me to recommend it to anyone. For being science-fiction, it had very little of it. A sci-fi flick doesn't need to have aliens and explosions to be entertaining, it just needs to move along at a fairly quickened pace and give the viewer something to think about in the end. The only things I thought about after watching Solaris was: Did I miss something? What was the obsession with Clooney's rear end? Why did I watch this ridiculous movie, anyway?

Rating:
Summary: An Opinion
Review: First things first; this IS a good movie, assuming that you are a certain kind of viewer. Solaris will be misunderstood and deconstructed as boring, unemotional, and the type of movie only "pseudo-intellectual" viewers would like. This is not true. If you like this movie, it does not mean that you are a posturing, wannabe, film critic, it only means that you saw something in it that other viewers did not.

Some might characterize the performances and infrequent dialogue in this film as lacking chemistry or slow, however if you realize that sometimes what is NOT said is as important as what IS said, you should recognize the masterful performances of Clooney and McElhone. The relationship between the two is very powerful and drives a suspensful story that held me in thrall until the credits rolled. Not every movie can make me wait with baited breath.

Some viewers may sense a lack of conflict or not be able to identify a protagonist or antagonist, but this is only because they do not recognize the oldest and most intricate form of conflict. Man vs Self.

Performances aside, this movie deserves a certain modicum of merrit based solely on cinematography and set design. Through the rare understanding that less can be more, Soderbergh creates a very powerful and beautifl movie without being caught in the trappings of its science-fiction setting. If you have a thing for cinematography, check this movie out.

On a final aside, this movie is simply not for everyone, but don't let one person's opinion condemn this movie before you see it. You may find it a VERY enjoyable experience as I did. Some books are meant as entertainment, but some are meant as enriching experiences. While Dickens may not be fast paced or exciting, have you ever heard anyone refer to his writing as meaningless?

Rating:
Summary: Boring Art-House Sci-Fi
Review: One of the reviews on the video box said "4 stars! Science fiction the way it's supposed to be done!" Something to that effect. If that sentiment is true, no wonder I've never much cared for science fiction. One of the most god-awful boring movies I've ever sat through. Suitable for pseudo-intellectuals to ooh and aah over, but normal humans should keep away.

Rating:
Summary: A subtle masterpiece? Which movie did he watch?
Review: I had heard this was a 'slow' movie and I had adjusted my expectations accordingly. I looked forward to uncovering the riddle. The movie contains, on average, about 10 lines of dialogue for every 7 minutes of film. I cannot remember a single satisfying scene. No music. No laugh. Not even a thoughtful epiphany. I kept expecting to be drawn-in by thoughtful dialogue about humanity reaching the stars. I did NOT enjoy one minute of this movie. It has absolutely no continuity - due in large part to endless (and quite meaningless) flashbacks. Even more frustrating, it lacks any sense of chemistry - I couldn't care less who dies and who lives. It lacks a protagonist and an antagonist. It lacks any sense of suspense - other than the viewers' own longing for thoughtful diaglogue to cause us to question our own existence. Some have touted this movie as sublime or sutle - hog wash. This movie is a TURKEY.

Rating:
Summary: The point?
Review: I just watched this sci-fi film last night and felt lost when it ended. The film was well done the acting was good the movie is beautiful to look at and the production value is sky high I just felt that I missed the whole reason I was watching this film.
I will have to watch it with commentery to see what everything was meaning near the end I just dont know if I can sit though it again. Rent before you buy is my advice.