Film: 12 Monkeys

[Banquo]

This movie is classic. Of all Gilliam's films, this surely deserves more than just cult status. It seems like the most evenly paced of his works. It never really slows down too much (a criticism which others have leveled at his films). The dream-sequence airport scenes with the overexposed film effect and the scientist interrogations are the best bits for me. But even thinking about the film as a whole, it's tough to pick out a weakness. Like other Gilliam films, there are a myriad of quirky little details that make repeated viewings enjoyable as well (e.g. the pencil ear picker, the hamster wheel, the re-appearing medieval priest). A great film to rediscover.

from Lee Harvey:

 

[Jefe]

If you're a fan of this film, check out the short film that inspired its creation.

Jetée, La

 

[Finder]

I haven't seen this film in its entirety despite being a fan of the genre. I believe I caught a bit of it on TV a while back.

/adds to netflix queue

 

[lifeisforliving]

Yes. I agree. 12 Monkeys is definately a unique movie. There are VERY few movies I'd watch more than once.. this one is worth a few views.

 

[Rasclatt]

yes I love this film, it also seems to me that its the only film thats bothered to have a logical circle when its gone into the idea of time travel.

 

[Banquo]

yes I love this film, it also seems to me that its the only film thats bothered to have a logical circle when its gone into the idea of time travel.

hmmm...one thing that bothered me is that the scientists in the future had Cole's first call (the one from Dr. Railly) but not the second one from the airport. a possible explanation might be that the future was still shifting after the first call and that Cole's fate was determined by choice so to speak. i've read too many arguments about fictional time travel to get bogged down in this, though.

 

[wizekrak]

I saw this in the theater back when I was a kid, and I loved it. I still watch it when ever it's on TV. Great story, solid acting, solid soundtrack.

I was pissed off that Pitt didn't win the academy award for his role as Jeff Goines. Then I saw The Usual Suspects and was blown away by Spacey, well deserved.

"crazy as a LOON!!!"

 

[michael]

filmed at eastern state penitentiary, possibly one of the creepiest places in philadelphia.

 

[clip']

from what i remember, there was slightly too much emphasis placed on whether he was crazy or not from his own point of view.

 

[L2R]

i fuckin love this film.

everything about it

 

[onetwothreefour]

it's amazing.

i've never seen la jetee though, despite being a massive fan of the theory surrounding chris marker's work (if such a thing can even exist ).

 

[Banquo]

rate it! %)

 

[-=ReD-hAzE=-]

It isn't bluelight.NU anymore though. As his shirt says...

I give five star to it.

 

[user99]

heh, would be funny if it was really marked in the film
great film btw , i remember watching it in theatres

 

[L2R]

i can't count how many times i've seen this film. i loved each and every viewing too.

the original short film that it's based on "le jetee" is around for those who want to find it.

 

[panic_the_digital]

I haven't seen le jetee, but I need to. This movie fucking rules.

 

[frizzantik]

excellent film 5 starts

 

[supertrav77]

I haven't seen it since I saw it in the theater and I thought it was pretty lame them. Never understood the appeal.
Back in the 90's, it was cool for every movie to have a crazy plot twist at the end that completely changed the meaning of the previous 90 minutes you just watched (Fight Club, Usual Suspects, etc). This movie's twist was a lot lamer than others.
Plus, Bruce Willis is a horrible actor.

 

[Dalfir]

Spoiler: 12 monkeys

So, was the virus outbreak caused by the scientists of the future trying to prevent it, but in turn actually causing it...Or did Willis' character manage to change the way the virus was distributed, but still couldn't prevent the inevitable fate? Reason I ask the latter is because earlier in the film, during a flashback to his childhood, we see Pitt as the carrier of the virus. At the end of the film, it's Pitt's father's collegue.

So did Willis ultimately change the person who released the virus, but wasn't able to actually prevent the outbreak? (ie, getting rid of one person just leads to another taking there place.)

 

[L2R]

la jetee on google video