The Man Who Fell to Earth

Rating:
Summary: A voyage to the human soul !
Review: A moody and cerebral science fiction tale , that works as original device to explore the most intimate places of the human soul from the allienian point of view.
This may be the masterpiece of Nicholas Roeg and one the two most terrific performances given for David Bowie (the other one would be Merry Christmas Mister Lawrence best known as Furyo).
Do not miss this one .
A timeless cult movie .

Rating:
Summary: ILLEGAL ALIEN?
Review: A thin, pale, androgynous David Bowie is THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH -- Special Edition (Anchor Bay), a two-disc set of Nicolas Roeg's film.

Previously available on DVD, this widescreen (enhanced for 16x9 TVs) edition looks sharper, the clean DTS surround sound is THX approved and there's a new, interesting 24 minute featurette, "Watching the Alien."

Slow moving and beautifully photographed, this movie adaptation is faithful in theme to Walter Tevis's novel. An alien being, disguised as a human, comes to earth to seek a way to save his home planet from turning into an arid wasteland. He funds this project by designing inventions worth gazillions and becomes bigger than Bill Gates. Unfortunately, he also becomes contaminated by our earthly ways and sinks into a mystical malaise of depression and alcohol. A sweet and chirpy Candy Clark lures him into an affair that, strangely, doesn't help.

This hypnotic and provocative film long ago achieved cult status. More than anything, it's a visual meditation about an outsider, stymied by material success, who is on a journey back to a home that cannot in fact be reached. (Hey, who can't relate to that?)

Fully restored and uncensored (there's full frontal nudity), this new digital transfer is from original materials. Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Cracked Actor
Review: David Bowie at the height of his popularity and some may argue beyond the peak of his creativity, musically had begun to turn his attention to other projects.
In order to understand the metaphor represented here , one must understand Bowie's state of well being. Burned out after Ziggy , Introspective and retrospective become inter-twined. The resultant psychosis is manifest here in The Man Who Fell To Earth.
Imagine a rock star having both opportunity and the means to explore his own projects and so highly thought of that no-one dare say no to you , but all you really craved through your exploration was to be understood.
People's misgivings and misunderstandings about this movie are a reflection of the criticism that Bowie in his drug fuelled career had endured to this point. Its surely no suprise then that this movie confuses, suprises , amazes and revulses us. I think the director and Bowie convey this perfectly.The compulsive obsessive behaviour , the need to repeat a formula of success and the reliance upon a substance that will keep him sane and give him perspective. All conveyed admirably here.
Bowie is not the worlds best actor , this is maybe not the best picture ever made , but what we see are a glimpse into the mind of a Musical Genius exploring a side of him that could not be conveyed within the medium of audio alone.
This movie is of its time and those that are aware know what DB writes of "Time" , unfortunately I cannot convey those lyrics here , but would suggest you consult Mr Bowies excellent CD back catalogue if you need a reference to them.
The only other criticism that I can make is that it could have been done with a little less self indugence. The pace may not be to everyones taste either , but is certainly no different to that of Lucas' THX-1138 in that regard.


Rating:
Summary: TERRIFIC SCI-FI...
Review: I first saw this film when it was released in the mid nineteen seventies. I recalled how much I had enjoyed it, when I saw that it was available in DVD. The DVD itself is disappointing, as it offers virtually none of the features one has come to expect from a DVD.

This aside, the film itself, though somewhat abstract, is terrific, as it is not just a science fiction film with a twist. It is a film that explores themes that are timeless: desolation, alienation (no pun intended), and loneliness. At times, these themes are palpable, due to David Bowie's wondrously androgynous performance, which is heartbreakingly moving at times.

The plot is fairly simple. An alien, Davie Bowie, leaves his family on his dying and arid planet in search for water. He lands on earth and begins his project to send water to his devastated planet by amassing the wealth that he needs to do this. He patents numerous lucrative inventions which eventually find him at the head of a world wide conglomerate. He joins up with a kindly, though stupid and vapid woman who drinks gin like a fish, Candy Clark, with whom he begins a liaison of sorts. Yet, he is always lonely and melancholic, and like her, begins to spiral into an alcoholic haze, sometimes sidetracking him from his purpose here.

At some point, excruciatingly sad and lonely, longing for his family, he reveals himself to her for who he truly is, shedding his earthly appearance, only to be met with absolute horror and repugnance by her at the sight of him. She ultimately tries to understand him, but it is truly beyond her ken. He is infinitely sad at this and longs all the more for home.

On the threshold of returning to his planet and loved ones, he is kidnapped by corporate raiders who take over his holdings, and it is here that the movie begins to disintergrate somewhat. Yet, it remains strangely hypnotic and compelling, and becomes a sort of "Lost Weekend" of betrayal, booze, and promises that will never be kept. A parable of wanting to belong, yet knowing one never will. A story about wanting to go home, but knowing on some level that one can truly never go home again.

Rating:
Summary: sci-fantastically superb
Review: I just purchased THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH and was completely blown away by the sheer eclectisism of the film. Bowie does a great job in portraying "Mr. Newton"...the alien slash not so human freek pod who falls from the heavens in search for water, to save his planet from an ecological disaster. He becomes a multi zillionare off these quirky little patents he puts together, to strong hold the technological industry. The music is straight groovy. I recommend you get a little intoxicated with your choice of narcotic before you watch. I did not give the movie 5 stars because the dvd being THX certified did not include a THX trailer before the film. Enjoy my fellow Space Cowboys and uh' pass the water i'm thirsty!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Loving The Alien
Review: I never went into thi film expecting anything that
conventional,considering David Bowie stars in it.But it is a
socially relevant science fiction movie about an alien who comes
to Earth in search of water to aid his draught-ridden planet and
in the process get's caught up in the corrupt politics of human
culture.In the end he basically forgets why he came to Earth to
start with after falling in love and becoming owner of a big
cooperation.The overall message-if aliens arn't visiting this

planet there's a REASON!The movie uses stark settings and is
shot very surreally so it isn't for those without the most
open mind to avante-garde film making.Bowie,having already had
mime and theatre experience (and being the dramatic Ziggy Stardust of course) is brilliant as an actor and it is all too
believable that he doesn't come from Earth (I wonder if Bowie
really IS an alien sometimes anyway).But for those who can make
their mind and visual spectrum stretch and who don't mind a sadly
ironic ending you will enjoy this film.

Rating:
Summary: Another sub-par Anchor Bay disc
Review: I suppose the flimsy slipcase, free-floating booklet design was intended to ward off Chinese pirates (Arrrh!) and sidewalk counterfeiters; however, the presentation is so awkward and unsatisfying to the die-hard collector that I've decided to consign this must-see film to my permanent memory bank and ditch this coaster set. As my collection grows, I find it increasingly difficult to find time to watch everything I've got (let alone multiple viewings which, if you think about it, is kind of the point of having a disc) and, thus, previously essential items are being turfed if they do not conform to Criterion-like presentation standards; heck, I'm even ditching some Criterions (take that, Antonioni!). Anyways, excuse the ramble folks and enjoy the rest of the reviews.

Rating:
Summary: Restored science fiction art classic
Review: It was an odd year. 1976 saw the release of Logan's Run with its occasionally heavy handed parable about the youth culture, Ralph Bakshi's Wizards gathered steam at the box office and included a trailer for some movie called Star Wars. Along came Nickolas Roeg with his arthouse science fiction epic and totally mystified everyone. David Bowie is perfect as the alien in this classic science fiction film. He's left his arid, dying planet and come to Earth in hopes that some of "his" inventions could create enough capital so that he can take resources from our planet to save his.

Unfortunately, Bowie's character pretends to be human all too well--he's sucked into the very flaws that cripple humanity. He becomes a victim of our culture rather than master of it. Roeg's film is fragmented and spooky (particularly the scene where Candy Clark discovers that Bowie's character has various attachments to make him seem human). The visually unsettling photography and editing help bring an edge to the film. Roeg manages to fuse science fiction to his European art sensibilities very well. In fact, Man is probably Roeg's most powerful film outside of Don't Look Now his gothic take on the horror film.

Anchor and Bay have restored the film to its original, uncut running time. They also have gone back to the original negative and camera elements to create as sharp a print as I've ever seen. The aspect ratio is finally correct and the sound, while not perfect, is a huge improvement over the previous DVD, video and television versions that have been floating around.

Rating:
Summary: A stimulating visual feast that suffers from being too long
Review: Nicholas Roeg's "The Man Who Fell To Earth" is an overall visually stimulating flick that suffers from being too long and lacking some action. The only thing that was keeping me in my seat towards the end was some amazing visuals and David Bowie's way too cool for words performance. The problem is the same information, scenes and visuals keep repeating themselves. The film is unconventional and floats around and is meant to be more of a visual experience. I liked the experimentation and there was a lot of interesting stuff that happened but after a while it got a bit too boring and I found myself drifting away. It's obvious that the film is meant to be watched stoned. I loved David Bowie's performance, which was truly the most memorable part of the film. I recommend this for those who are into experimental and unconventional films and if you are not, you're going to hate this film. I'm glad I saw it and was entertained but wished it was much shorter. I liked "Performance" better.

Rating:
Summary: Dull as dirt (Vol. II)
Review: Note: I am a patient man. I do not have to have non-stop action (or any action, for that matter) to enjoy a good movie.

I purchased this DVD after reading glowing reviews everywhere I turned. That was a mistake. I've tried to watch this thing at least three different times (allowing a good year between viewings in one instance).

SHORT REVIEW: It's boring; I don't know how else to describe it.

Same thing goes for Don't Look Now: BORING. If either of these films were edited better (i.e. about 30 minutes cut from each), then there might be something worth watching.