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by Bethany Steichen and Scott Trenda
With today¹s technology in films, science is intrinsically everywhere in them, from filming to audio to editing. However, the storyline of many movies is left to the CLA folk. In this article, we take a look at films based on scientific people and events, from the new (A Beautiful Mind) to the fairly ancient (Tron).
STARRING: Russell Crowe (Gladiator, The Insider), Jennifer Connelly (Requiem for a Dream, Labyrinth), Ed Harris (The Truman Show, The Abyss)
DIRECTED BY: Ron Howard (Apollo 13, Ransom, The Grinch), 2001
SYNOPSIS: A Beautiful Mind centers around the life of John Nash, a Nobel Prize-winning mathematician, and his battle to develop an original theory. However, his task is complicated when he is forced to confront the delusional world of schizophrenia he has created for himself.
Bethany's Rating: 3 out of 4
This movie struck me as good overall, but there were certain omissions and discontinuities that bothered me. I liked how Crowe and Connelly portrayed the Nash family grappling with Nash's schizophrenia, but other characters were scripted in a confusing manner. For example, people who had formerly disliked Nash suddenly give him a second chance. This created transitional gaps in the story for me. Also, issues of homosexuality, arrests, and problems with children‹discussed in the book by Sylvia Nasar on which the movie is based‹were left out entirely. While perhaps not the most accurate story, it is a sweet movie with touching moments.
Scott's Rating: 2 out of 4
I must say, I was somewhat impressed with the movie until about the last 10minutes. Ron Howard does a decent job of painting an image of schizophrenia and the pain of uncertainty of one's environment. However, I think he also indulges a little too much in corny sentimentality that leads to certain moments in the movie being out of sync and uncharacteristic of the portrayed personalities. Personally, I was not incredibly moved by the movie, but I can see it winning lots of awards.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
imdb.com/Title?0268978
STARRING: Gertrude Elion, Ashok Gadgil, Michio Kaku, Maja Mataric, Steven Pinker, Karol Sikora, Patricia Wright (Scientists)
DIRECTED BY: Michael Apted (Nell, The World Is Not Enough), 1999
SYNOPSIS: Me & Isaac Newton interviews and follows seven scientists working in different fields of research. They describe where they're from, what they're working on, what they've discovered, and where they plan to go with their data.
Bethany's Rating: 2 out of 4
Me & Isaac Newton would make a good video showing the diversity of scientific fields to sixth graders. The stories are appealing in and of themselves, but I wouldn't seek this sort of documentary out on my own. The filming is paced well, ensuring that one does not become bored with each of the scenarios before moving on, but once again, it isn't an entertaining film to watch on a Saturday evening.
Scott's Rating: 1 out of 4
I think this movie makes a mediocre documentary but a sub-par movie. The pacing is done well, but the flow is choppy. Each story follows a similar progression, and so we have to continue to re-identify with each new scientist as the former one's portion of the story ends. This would be okay if you were watching it in a classroom setting, but as entertainment it leaves much to be desired.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
imdb.com/Title?0218433
STARRING: Sean Gullette (Requiem for a Dream, Artifacts), Mark Margolis (Ace Ventura, Jakob the Liar, Hannibal)
DIRECTED BY: Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream), 1998
SYNOPSIS: A computer and mathematical genius, Max Cohen is striving to find a pattern to "millions of human hands at work, billions of minds... a vast network, screaming with life: an organism" the New York Stock Exchange. While searching, his computer seems to go insane and, right before it dies, spits out a number which could be the key to discovering something more important than Max could ever imagine.
Bethany's Rating: 4 out of 4
The casting, cinematography, directing, and editing in this film were quite impressive. However, at times, I found myself unable to follow the plot. There are also some scenes in this movie that may be objectionable to audiences, a human brain being poked by a pencil for example. I personally wasn't bothered by the graphic sections, and I absolutely loved the surrealist dream-like quality of black-and-white cinematography. Coupled with stark, sometimes jarring scene shifts in editing, I thought the black-and -white highlighted the contrasts between the pure logic of mathematics and Max's steady descent into insanity. While there were several elements about this movie that I was taken with, overall I felt like I had been holding my breath for the whole film waiting for a relaxing sigh only to end up with a confused, let down exhale.
Scott's Rating: 4 out of 4
I think it's safe to say that everyone loves a good movie. Yet I think it is so much more impressive when a good movie is made with no studio backing and a budget of approximately five dollars. Pi was amazing for me because it's the only movie I have ever seen that was both interesting and confusing. I could not understand the entire film my first time through. I think there's a certain feeling that one gets from a good flick, and I got that feeling throughout this whole movie, even though I consider it a little difficult to pay attention during black-and-white films. Overall, this is a breakthrough masterpiece from one of my favorite directors.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
imdb.com/Title?0138704
STARRING: Jonny Lee Miller (Trainspotting, Dracula 2000), Angelina Jolie (Tomb Raider, Girl, Interrupted)
DIRECTED BY: Iain Softley (K-PAX, Wings of the Dove, Backbeat), 1995
SYNOPSIS: Dade Murphy is a hacker who created a virus that crashed 1500 computers, including Wall Street, when he was 11. Banned from using computers or touch-tone phones until his 18th birthday, he turns 18 and resumes hacking, becoming part of a hacker community. With his new friends, he gets himself into a twisted situation with an online bank. Now they must rally to prove that the hackers are the innocent ones.
Bethany's Rating: 2 out of 4
A movie whose humor hinges on jargon puns can swing either way on the spectrum of good to bad, and for me this movie was definitely the latter. Not only did I find the dialogue trite, but I was also bothered by the portrayal of teenagers' clothing, actions, and general lifestyle. They, like the plot line, were too contrived. I did like some of the collage-like sequences of old movie scenes and digitized images swirled together. Conceptually I like the idea of protagonists who use brain rather than brawn; I commend it for that, but little else.
Scott's Rating: 3 out of 4
I have to admit that this isn't the best made or most brilliant film in the world, but I also like this movie a lot more than my rating would indicate. The script is delightfully corny, the plot all too predictable, and the acting well below par, but whereas Tron horrifically fell short as a film, I don't think the same elements that annoyed me in Tron affected me at all in Hackers. I laughed both at and with this movie, which is a new feeling for me. I wouldn't recommend this to a film society looking for a good conversation piece, but I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun movie without thinking too hard or paying too much attention.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
imdb.com/Title?0113243
STARRING: Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko, Highway), Chris Cooper (American Beauty, The Horse Whisperer), Laura Dern (Jurassic Park, Novocaine, Focus)
DIRECTED BY: Joe Johnston (Jurassic Park III, Jumanji), 2000
SYNOPSIS: Set in Coalwood, West Virginia, a traditional coal-mining town, Homer Hickam is expected to become a regular coal miner, like his father, after graduation because he can't play sports well. He learns about the Sputnik satellite and takes an interest in rocketry despite the stern disapproval of his father. His science teacher encourages him and a few classmates join him in his research, while they aim toward the national science fair.
Bethany's Rating: 4 out of 4
While it is easy to see where this movie is headed even from the beginning, there are some nicely unexpected turns in the film. It's a triumphant tale that would be difficult to watch if you didn't know that it was a true story. At a few points the acting is a bit overdramatic, but in the context of the quintessential American Dream story it is quite excusable. The soundtrack fits well and the whole movie transitions nicely. Overall, this was an easy movie to watch because it'sjust plain happy, and it's the kind of story that begs to be told. Very uplifting.
Scott's Rating: 3 out of 4
I was very impressed that the story line was almost verbatim to real life it makes it much more remarkable. I liked the ideas and foundations of the film it's an inspiring story. Although the acting is a little overdramatic and the script a little corny, the movie flows well and there's enough happening in the plot to divert your attention. In all, it's a decent feel-good movie that's just plain amazing when you look at it from a true-story point of view.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
imdb.com/Title?0132477
STARRING: Jeff Bridges (K-PAX, The Contender), Bruce Boxleitner (Kuffs, Six-Pack Annie), Cindy Morgan (Caddyshack, Galaxis)
DIRECTED BY: Steven Lisberger (Slipstream, Hot Pursuit), 1982
SYNOPSIS: Flynn is a computer programmer who invented several million-dollar video games that were stolen from him by his former company. When he goes back into the company with two ex-coworker friends to try to set things right, he ends up getting sucked into the inner mainframe of the massive computer system by the evil main program running the company. From there, he must fight his way free by playing gladiator-like electronic games.
Bethany's Rating: 2 out of 4
This movie would be perfect for background party amusement. If you overlook the complete absurdity of the technology portrayed and the bland emotional acting, you can find a whole lot to amuse you. The computer graphics used in Tron were an amazing breakthrough at the time of its creation, and that lends this movie credibility. Overall, if you treat this movie like a b-film that can be laughed at rather than with, you might enjoy it. This would be okay if you were watching it in a classroom setting, but as entertainment it leaves much to be desired.
Scott's Rating: 1 out of 4
Aside from the technological value of the time, this "film" is in strong competition with Chairman of the Board for Worst Movie Ever. Half a star is very generous for this‹it's extremely funny when it's trying very hard not to be. The acting is far below lackluster, the plot is painfully linear and easy to predict, and the script makes every computer term of the time cliché within under three minutes‹a record for most computer movies. It's bad enough when a movie insults your intelligence‹there are enough of those films already‹but when they do it under a guise of an atmosphere that's intrinsically intelligent, the result is an idea for a movie that should have remained just that‹an idea.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
imdb.com/Title?0084827
STARRING: Liam Neeson (Schindler's List, Les Misérables)
DIRECTED BY: George Butler (In the Blood), 2001
SYNOPSIS: Intending to map across Antarctica, the crew of The Endurance set out in 1920, but was stranded in an iceberg field just on the outskirts of the
continent. This movie is the true account of how the Captain, Sir Edmund
Shackleton, and others kept all twenty-seven crew members alive despite being trapped for ten months. The film includes almost an hour of actual footage and dozens of pictures from the voyage.
Bethany's Rating: 3 out of 4
This is one of the best documentaries I've seen. Rather than being bogged down in dates and times, I felt amazed by the perseverance and success of the explorers. The historical context was intriguing. More of the story could be told. This, to me, is as much a marker of a good documentary as an interesting subject, quality directing, and pacing. While I was consistently surprised by the story of the Endurance's crew, the film is rather long, and dragged a bit in places.
Scott's Rating: 4 out of 4
Wow. That's all I can say. While this is not the most entertaining movie I've ever seen, it is an incredible story and the best documentary I have ever seen. To describe the plot, I'll paraphrase a quote from the movie: After their ship collapses, the crew is stranded on a pack of ice. They must row 250 miles to get to the nearest island. The story of the crew of the HMS Endurance is an incredible one, and the bravery and courage of the heroic Shackleton despite the hellish conditions inspired me. While I fell asleep the first time I watched it, I saw it again and was entranced by its excellence.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
imdb.com/Title?0264578
STARRING: Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, Event Horizon), Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld, The Tick)
DIRECTED BY: Rob Sitch, 2001
SYNOPSIS: This is the true story of how the moon landing almost wasn't a monumental event‹not because of problems with mission control, but because of technical difficulties with a TV transmission station in rural Australia. The Dish outlines the heroics of a small team of reception dish operators at the station who made it possible for the world to watch the moon landing.
Bethany's Rating: 4 out of 4
This is one of those movies that just leaves a person feeling good. It's humorous without being riddled with puns. The characters aren't the deepest I've ever seen, but I did grow attached to them. The Dish is also a welcome change from the typical space mission movie. I thought that there was something for everyone in this film and would recommend it to anyone.
Scott's Rating: 4 out of 4
I have to proclaim this my feel-good movie of the year. I was incredibly impressed with this, considering I had heard nothing of it from anywhere. Off-hand, I don't think I can remember a movie made from a true story that made such a cute plotline. The soundtrack is fantastic; along the lines of Forrest Gump, it has some good classic American rock songs. One of my favorite moments of the movie is when they're revving up the satellite dish and "Classical Gas" is playing in the background. The Dish has the magic that makes a movie enchanting, and it gave me the perma-smile that I love after seeing a good movie.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
imdb.com/Title?0205873
