Pi

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Summary: Wished I saw it on the big screen...
Review: Wow. pi is great! Can you define obsessive/compulsive behavior? Let this movie help... and let it possess you emotionally as well.

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Summary: A Mind-Bending Tour Full of Paranoia and Striking Visuals
Review: Pi is not just a "math movie." This chaotic, tense movie, shot in stark black and white, is sure to be a cult favorite. Racing visuals and paranoia underline the plot, which concerns a math/computer genius and the various self interest groups trying to manipulate the man's mind. Sure, there's a lot of math ideas that mathematicians will appreciate, but anyone with a sense of the bizarre will like this flick as well. Definitely a see-it-again kind of film.

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Summary: Amazing, truly amazing
Review: All of Max's paranoid searches culminate in a single moment of crystal clarity that defies the imagination. It took me a long time to come down off of the buzz I got from this movie...I hadn't felt this way about a movie since I last saw "Apocalypse Now"..a must-watch. A warning, however: not everyone will "get it". For those who can keep an open mind, the movie will be more enjoyable...

Rating:
Summary: Mathematics: alluring?
Review: A black and white film about mathematics? How watchable could that be? In this case, very! The central character, Max, can be described by the cliche 'genius bordering on madness' but he is a multi-layered character, not the stereotypical 'mad scientist'. The theory he is working on is not purely an academic exercise. It has applications in the real world that make Max much sought-after by shady characters looking to profit from the solution. With the rapid succession of cuts and shots that focus upon objects instead of actors, this film resembles a music video (the music sets the mood perfectly, too!) You will get so immersed in Max's head that you will feel the excitement as he gets closer and closer to the solution and as the stakes rise. You will also experience his insistent, growing madness!

Rating:
Summary: Pi: A glimpse into the abyss of a paranoid genius.
Review: Pi is a movie for the thinking man, and definitely not for the squeamish. Both Orwellian and Kafka-esque in its mood, the film is photographed in black and white, which only enhances the moods of paranoia, delusion and grandeur which Max exhibits. The soundtrack will probably irritate most viewers...much of the music sounds like nails scratching on a blackboard. However, the soundtrack greatly adds to the story and accentuates everything which Max experiences throughout the story. Pi has some deep concepts as well. Many of us probably detested math, algebra and trigonometry in high school. Yet, Max explains mathematics as a form of communciation in which everything can be expressed. Too bad I never had mathematics explained to me in this manner. I might have shown more interest in my homework. Max's genius leads the viewer on a pathway to hell as Max attempts to break the enigmatic code of "216", and fight for his life against Wall Street corporate thugs seeking his secrets, and Ultra-Orthodox Hassidic Jews attempting to discover the secrets of God. This is some deep stuff. I strongly recommend the DVD version of Pi. If some of the material is too deep or cerebral, the Director's commentary will answer many unresolved questions. The deleted scenes are also an added bonus. Although definitely not for the mainstream movie fan, Pi offers a great deal for the sophisticated viewer.

Rating:
Summary: "Eraserhead" shows more character development...
Review: Patterns are everywhere, true enough. Eighth grade mathematics class starts to reveal this to all but the most blind of children. An intriguing premise for a movie? Indeed. That (and all of the glowing Amazon reviews) prompted my purchase of "Pi". I must say that visually, the movie is a treat, and I watched it all of the way through. It is a movie that showcases the director's vision and abilities, but it is ultimately nullified by a cast of characters that could easily be bested by the literally two-dimensional troupe of "South Park." My recommendation to director Aronofsky: Remake the movie from the point that the main character trepans himself... make the movie about the rediscovery of his madness, make him more human. That "Staring Into The Sun" bit is nowhere near enough.

Rating:
Summary: Darren Aronofsky is an extremely talented director!!!!!
Review: I saw this movie the other day and I loved the director. I think he is definately one of the most talented directors in the business right now , and soon will gain a huge market! The quick cuts and the amazing soundtrack makes this movie worthy to watch more than once!

Rating:
Summary: An incredible adventure
Review: I just saw this movie the other day, and I was most amused. The way at which the startling humor was pulled off by the director astounded me to say the least. I think many misunderstand the philosophical implications of the film though; it's not just about humor and the pursuit of love -- it's about blueberry, apple, your cream-pies, chocolate pies, and even black-bottom. It's an incredible movie that makes me hungrier for pie everytime I see it.

Rating:
Summary: Pi is not equal to dry math
Review: People will start seeing the tangible and fun sides of Math when they watch Pi. Try doing another math problem again without thinking of the pulsating techno/electronica soundtrack that accompanies this vivid and intense movie. You will never think of Pythagoras, Leonardo da Vinci and random seashells in the same way ever again!

Rating:
Summary: High interest on a low budget.
Review: Shows what you can do when you have a story to tell instead of just a star or a 'concept' to showcase. Watch the scene in which Max is playing go with his mentor, Sol. Max is explaining his work on pi, and Sol is telling him he should take it easy for a while. He has gone too far too fast. Simultaneously, Sol plays a stone on the go board into what looked like solid territory for Max, laying ruin to his game in one play. He had gone too far on the go board, also.