Just watched Man from Earth. Thank you. I found it very interesting. The only thing not previously said about the movie is that it reminds of old Science Fictions stories, particularly from Isaac Asimov: a group of people sit together and have a very long and deep conversation that is very important.
Grew up with Japanese animation like Astro Boy, Kimba The White Lion, Speed Racer, Battle Of The Planets... so Akira I saw on a VHS subtitle in the 90's as soon as it was available. Just stunning!
Solaris and Stalker are absolutely brilliant. They both belong on lists of best sci-fi films ever made, just below 2001. If you can mentally set the original aside for a couple of hours, the Soderbergh remake of Solaris is a decent enough film.
Aeon Flux was so amazing when I first viewed it, and Liquid Television was a godsend with very little good animation on at the time (on tv) Compared to now where we have access to literally everything. Also loved Chung's Animatrix bit. Naturally Akira was my temple for some time, just such phenomenal animation, and still one of the best. Many more have joined it since though. Thanks for such wonderful reviews.
@@terrytalksmovies True, when I was young puppets like Fireball XL5 used to disturb me, it was like people were making television but not using actors? And because of it the whole show seemed surreal in some way. (I was quite young though.)
Did you just say that there was very little good animation on tv at the time?? Really???? Liquid Television lasted from 1991-1995. Let me remind you that during that time we ALSO had.... Tiny Toon Adventures, Darkwing Duck, The Ren and Stimpy Show (quite possibly THE most important and influential animated tv show of the entire decade), Batman The Animated Series (the OTHER most important and influential animated tv show of the entire decade), Rugrats, the X-Men Animated Series, Animaniacs, Beavis and Butt-Head, Rocko's Modern Life, Duckman, Swat Kats, The Tick, Freakazoid, Pinkie & The Brain, MTV's own The Maxx, and even the What A Cartoon Show on Cartoon Network which would go on to give the world Dexter's Laboratory AND the Powerpuff Girls. If that's what counts as "very little good animation on tv at the time" i'd hate to know what's considered Sub-par.
@@the-NightStar well I did say compared to now, but I certainly agree on the groundbreaking shows in your comprehensive list, but apart from Saturday mornings and some weekday afternoons for maybe one hour, on the two stations available (in Tasmania) for my animation loving partner and myself, we felt starved waiting for the anticipated 'Akira' at the cinema, (which we still did not see in English until the 90's,) or amazing Anime like Ghost in the shell and other rare VHS imports. We never got Cartoon network, also, many of those cartoons you mention were aimed at children, or even teenagers, where as Liquid television felt adult, like the hens teeth R rated Japanese stuff.
I liked Man From Earth, I will have to find the sequel, it sounds as cool as the first. One movie that blew me away and it's fairly recent, is Moon. It flew under the radar.
Thanks Terry, will definitely check out Japan Sinks which sounds intriguing. Not so fun fact about Stalker is that they shot the entire film but the film stock used was dodgy and degraded quickly and the film we actually have was from a total reshoot. I always wonder what the original would have looked like. So Tarkovsky spent even longer in that environment shooting the film that probably affected his health leading to his eventual death. 😢
Tarkovsky's Solaris is one of my favourites. It's the epitome of the philosophical sci-fi story. The cinematography is superb and many scenes are unforgettable. The music by Bach (Chorale prelude F Minor) is haunting and paintings by Brueghel perfectly fit the mood of this film. I did like the Clooney version, but IMO, not a patch on Tarkovsky.
I loved Man from Earth. The sequel, not so much. I saw the Clooney version of Solaris and liked it. I will try to find the Russian version. Thanks, Terry.
I recorded the Russian version of Solaris on DVR. Unfortunately, the DVR cut off the last few minutes. When I took the DVD out of the library... I realized how important those last few minutes were!
I do not (yet) own that version of Solaris but that is merely a matter of time. I own Stalker which I also need to watch again. Akira has been a favorite from first viewing. There are only a few on this list I've not seen but the ones that I have, yeah buddy! RR has been a favorite director of mine from his debut (which I had on VHS, and of course I have since replaced it). If you've not covered it, his attempt to create a live action anime with Alite: Battle Angel is as much fun as his more silly (and highly entertaining) films. Good show, sir.
Wow Terry, I’m watching the man from earth on Amazon prime and I’m so glad you told me about this movie. It’s really good. I premises a bunch of other movies but this is done well I will definitely watch the next one thank you very much.
Dear Terry, from now on I consider you my brother. Until now there has been no one able to resume so freshly and simply the main attractive features of the movies I regard as the highest masterpieces of the (ci-fi) cinema: Solaris and Stalker. By doing so, you will surely have succeeded in getting many people who had certain preconceptions about "intellectual" cinema to watch them and discover the wonders they contain. I particularly appreciate the fact that you mention that every time you watch "Stalker" again you discover more things in it. It came naturally to you that it is a film that deserves (and should) be seen more than once, a concept that many people do not share. My best regards to you
Don't be afraid to hit the fast forward button while watching Solaris or Stalker. There are a lot of long, slow shots of nothing. It's Tarkovsky's trademark. Hitchcock once said something along the lines of "Movies are life with the boring bits cut out." Tarkovsky crams his movies with extra boring bits. BTW the novels the two movies are based on are fantastic. Stalker is Roadside Picnic by the Strugatsky brothers.
I remember the theme from "The Man From Earth" being used earlier by Clifford D Simak in his story "The Grotto of the Dancing Deer." It looks like I am going to have to steal some more hubcaps and look up "The Man From Earth." Be thou of good cheer.
The director of Akita done some other movies that are worth finding.Roujin Z , Metropolis and Steamboy . All are good . maybe not at the same level,as Akira but close . Also the Manga of Akira is a must read if you like the movie . I got both the 70 version of Japan sinks and the latter film from 2006 . Not a fan of the Russian films . I love Man from Earth . I tried out for a role in the play when a local theater did it . Did not get a part .
I agree with you about the Solarises. There is an earlier Russian TV version which was on this app and is also a good watch. Which shows the power of good source material.
I saw Japan is Sinking in the theater, but as a shorter, dubbed movie called Tidal Wave. I wondered why they called it Tidal Wave... where only one scene contained an actual tidal wave.
Jerome Bixby wrote Requiem For Methuselah as well which is a Star Trek episode from the original series. I really loved the idea of an immortal human and wished that TNG would have found another immortal from Earth. Another little known movie is Moontrap which stars Walter Koenig. It's a 1989 film where cyborgs lure astronauts to the moon in order to escape. Well worth a watch after the kids have gone to bed since there is some nudity.
@@terrytalksmovies Man from Earth was written by Jerome Bixby and Holocene was written by his son and is an attempt to sell a series of the story. I've talked to his son online and while he didn't say anything he was responding to my querry about the Federal agent at the end who was looking for him and my comment about "Was the agent the Roman soldier who stabbed the man on the cross 2000 yrs earlier looking to finish the job?" Similar to the story line of "Forever 2014" with the eternal working as a coroner to figure out why he can't die and being stalked by the Roman senator who killed Caesar on the Ides of March.
Thinking of Akira (and Ghost in the Shell) the sound track and sound effects stick in my head as much as the look of the film. Worth getting suitable audio equipment to go with any update to your screen.
Terry: I saw the Japanese original cuts of "Japan Sinks" and "The World Sinks Except Japan" on RU-vid. One serious (and stands up to any blockbuster coming out of Hollywood) the other just drop-dead hilarious (a Japanese version of Arnold is priceless). The only American movie coming close to either would be any schlock cranked out by Roland Emmerich...which I guess would be somewhere in the middle. Can't wait for another batch of Sci-Fi next week!
Great Selections once again you came through nicely. Two movies (Japanese) I would suggest for your edification, one a parody of the other, are "The X from outer Space" and "Monster X strikes back". The parody is hilarious in its absurdity.
@@terrytalksmovies Re: Lamorn's great tip on "The X From Outer Space"(i'm yet to see Monster X Strikes Back), the former film can be bought as part of a terrific four pack of Japanese genre films from the Shochiku studio...a company that was attempting to compete with the dominant Toho Company in the 1960's even though horror/sci-fi was not their usual schtick. In the 4 pack are also "Goke The Body Snatcher", "The Living Skeleton", and "Genocide". All of them are a lot of fun, but for me the standout is "Goke The Body Snatcher"" and the 4-pack set is called "When Horror came to Shochiku"-at around 60-70 Aus bucks its pretty good value. My recommendation, if low-budget, wild, weird and whimsical is your thing is "Plan Ten from Outer Space" directed by Trent Harris. yep, thats right "Plan Ten", Not "Plan Nine". Features a hilarious cameo from Karen Black, and it's a science fiction, musical, comedy set in Utah and exploring Mormonism and some of its bizarre myths. So, made in 1994, there was a crazy musical about the Mormons sometime before Trey Parker and Matt Stone's "Book of Mormon"! Unfortunately, it's rather hard to find, though might be available from Trent Harris himself via this site. He's definitely a film-maker who (like Larry Blamire) needs all our support, as those masters of oddball, always fun entertainment, are often forgotten in the swamp of louder, bigger budget dreck.
I stumbled onto your channel about a week ago, ( as a movie nut too, I don't know why it took so long), and I must say I like your easy style of reviewing the movie; equal parts of love of movies and the no bullshit way you chop up the ones you don't like. There are two movies I don't know if you have seen: Returner (2002) a Japanese Sci-Fi action movie with touches of Transformers, the two Time Machine movies, Terminator, and maybe some others I an forgetting at the moment. I think you will like it for the character development, and one of the best villains I ever have seen. The other movie is called Hard Core Henry (2015) and as the blurb in IMDB says, Henry is resurrected from death with no memory, and he must save his wife from a telekinetic warlord with a plan to bio-engineer soldiers. Which says it better than I can. Once the action starts it never stops till then end credits. The page on IMDB tells how crazy the making of this movie was. Anyway if you haven't seen these, I think you are in for a treat. On a side note, do you know haw many dvd's you have. My collection counting all the burned dvd's probably number north of 750. Thanks for what you do.
Some really FANTASTIC movies there Terry. Aeon flux, Ghost in the shell and Ultra violet are my favorite so bad they are good cyberpunk movies that i watch every couple of years back to back while just a little off my head haha all very entertaining. Much thanks.
@@terrytalksmovies hence my “kinda sorta” qualifier. :) I haven’t read the book, but watching the movie I kept thinking, “This is awfully damn familiar…” I suspect the movie was probably more influence by Stalker than the book was, but I base that on nothing whatsoever
I've seen Stalker eight or nine times, including at a cinema many years ago. There is actually a pretty good print on RU-vid currently, probably won't be there long. Im still finding new things to look at every time.'
I really liked Aeon Flux but had forgotten about it so shall revisit it , would make a good double bill with Ultraviolet. Really like the Spy kids films they are the sort you can pop on on a lazy Sunday afternoon . I take it you have read the background to the making of Stalker, lesser mortals would have given up .
@@terrytalksmovies I have just had a quick scan though it to remind myself , Wow I don't remember it being that bad. Must have been watching with beer goggles on last time.
Thanks Terry, I hadn't heard of "Man from Earth" and "Japan Sinks" and now I need to find them. Yes, Tarkovsky's "Solaris" is available in a Criterion Collection DVD (at least here in the US, don't know about Australia). Your discussion of Aeon Flux made me remember The Maxx, a short-lived animated show on MTV from about the same time. The main character, Maxx, is a homeless man whose consciousness sometimes slips into an alternate reality where he is a superhero. I can't remember much plot-wise, but I remember finding it fascinating at the time, and now I want to watch it again to see if it holds up.
The Criterion Solaris is also available on Blu-Ray through the BFI, where it's Region B. The BFI has a much reduced but all Region B selection of many Criterion films. I'm waiting on the exchange rate to improve (AUD to GBP) so I can get the Criterion Blu-Ray of The Mirror, to replace the DVD version I have, to complete an all Blu-Ray collection of Tarkovskyy's movies.
Man From Earth went direct to DVD because it was boycotted by religious fanatics who couldn't face the facts it brings up. Like the bible is the worlds first Sci-Fi book.
i was actually surprised i could get sinking of japan in the UK ... imagine my surprise when i did in HMV in glasgow ... i only found out about it looking at disaster vids on youtube! great epic movie i saw akira on it's british tv premier on 8th january 1994, and it BLEW MY MIND, and started the manga craze over here. they showed a few mini series and a few of "those ones" too, and the full story was published in MANGA MANIA UK magazine, and i was slightly surprised at this ... i didn't know there WAS more to it! not a big anime and manga fan, i don't watch the big name series or read the graphic novels although i did enjoy sailor moon crystal when it was put out ... however wolf's rain is fantastic, with the damnest end theme (gravity by maaya sakamoto) such a beautiful song ... and have a few i would like to try and watch too (BEASTars, twin star exorcist, made in abyss) liquid television was on at 6pm here, so you can imagine what aeon flux did, the movie was fine ... apart from charlize wearing the outfit ...
I'm really hanging out for the Akira 4K which arrives next week. I'm selective with 4K purchases - review copies I like too- but that movie is so iconic, I'm happy to add it to the collection.
Good collection as usual. Interstingly, Aeon Flux came out in 2005, and a year later Milla Jovovich was in Ultraviolet, which had a lot of the same themes. While Aeon Flux did well Ultraviolet did not even make its initial costs back. I'd like to know your take on why one was so much more popular than the other. You would think there would be a steady market for dystopian sci-fi with female action heroes.
@@terrytalksmovies Oh, it had a lot of things wrong, but FX alone was not the reason it failed and FX alone is not the reason Flux succeeded. Millia had a solid reputation by this time. I just find it interesting.
I watched both Man from Earth movies a while back and thoroughly enjoyed them both. I found the discussions fascinating and intriguing and I agree that although they are in the sci fi genre they are purely dialogue and no typical sci fi effects. I did enjoy the sequel purely as a continuation of the story. When it comes to sequels in any genre I try , hard as it is , not to compare . As long as its not a total rehash of the original and continues the story although there are going to be obvious similarities , for me it makes a more enjoyable movie experience.
I brought the BFI copy of Solaris on special, interesting choices. Japanese film,Japan sink must have look at, I like summer Time Machine Blues has one our favourite Japanese actress, who was in Swing Girls, and GU GU the Cat.. I seen Akira number of time with different voice cast, it a film cannot get into. Sometime this I be watching Japanese film The Bullet Train made in 70's which heard much about.
Have you watched the anime Stein Gate? It a great time travel series . Also worth finding is both the animated move and the live action movies version of The Girl that leap through time
'Solaris' I always thought was a good follow-on from '2001: A Space Odyssey'... and came out within a few years of it.. kinda deep :) ...and consequently, 'Man from 'Earth' appeals as I haven't seen it. 'Liquid Television' was a great 'prompt' for a few things f'me.. my favourite would've had to be 'The Maxx'. I bought all the comics (the MTV series was only the start to the story) and still read them sometimes.. and the video of the series is worn out... Thanks for a very helpful post..
You've got quite the collection there. How many Ralph Bakshi movies are in there? He's my favorite director, he helped to keep animation alive during a time when it was in trouble. Also, his stuff is not kiddie matinee material, it's gritty. He deserves some good press. Solaris, I still prefer the original, it's so odd compared to the stuff that was being made in those days.
I just found your channel (due to reviews of 'Thirteenth Floor VS Matrix) love your views on sci fi . Have you seen the anime series 'Gunslinger Girls' ? It's very good with young girls as partial cyborg assassins, takes place in Venice Italy, also has great soundtrack. I could reveal something here, about my own life, that is close to 'Man from Earth' but maybe another time. I would like to send private message, but don't know how. Thanks Terry.
I saw bits of Aeon Flux back when it was on Liquid Television. Loved Akira, I got the manga series which has a lot more plot but the look is pretty much the same. My favorite anime film, got to say my daughter watches lot of the new stuff and man is it hard to keep up with it all. I can't find these Japan Sinks films. Heard about the original one but not seen yet. I agree on Solaris, Tarkovsky's version is better. I liked both Tarkovsky films but it's been awhile since I saw Stalker. Have you seen Hard to Be A God? It was recommended to me but I found it tedious. Hard to understand and just goes on and on. Looks great.
I have seen a lot of the movies in this video and agree that they are great/good; aeon flux, spy kids, sola😢ris etc. I have read 'A Canticle for Liebowitz' which is about a man who lives through a nuclear war and watches civilization rebuild itself over a thousand years only to watch it destroy itself in another nuclear war. I wish this was made into a film. IMHO 'On the Beach' is a great but bleak movie. I will seek out Japan Sinks and Stalker PS I must try Vegemite as recommended by your good self
also has Steve Buscemi's first performance? good film and saw it when it first came out as part of the "new queer wave" or maybe it was even before that, being late 1980's rather than early 90's
Man from Earth was intriguing, I look forward to seeing the follow up. It occurs to me that MfE would make a good stage play, I will seek out Japan Sinks. What could be more depressing than Melancholia ? I first saw Stalker on my VHS. player. I rented it at the local Video shop. Thought it would be a slasher type movie, Was I surprised. The world he created in the zone was eerie and transcendent . I like long and drawn out, when it is done so beautifully. Same thoughts shared on 2001. By the way, I was totally creeped out by The Boy, 2015, It cries out for a sequel. I'm not talking about the goofy "Doll" one with the same name from 2016. It occurs to me that,, Cloud Atlas (2012) is vastly neglected. I view it as epic story telling. It too improves with every viewing.
@@terrytalksmovies Your response surprised me, Oh well, great minds don't always think alike. I just saw some clips from Excalaber and remembered how good it was. This might have been Boorman's best
I find the original The Lathe of Heaven to be in a similar vein of The Man From Earth. If you can get past the production values it's got loads of ideas.
been trying to find the name of this movie I saw as a kid- black and white about a female alien lands in the Arctic- at an army base ? and she has the ability to freeze people with a kiss - any idea ?
Criterion indeed has done a version of Solaris. 1st class transfer with a second disc of interesting extras as to be expected. I'm a little warm on the newer version even though I don't like Clooney, and of course the original is an absolute masterpiece. They're two different films. But isn't it ironic how the guy from Tarkovsky's version could easily be cast as a Russian knock-off George Clooney? Cloonsky, if you will? Ahem...
I have genuinely tried very hard to appreciate 'Stalker'. I have watched it twice, and even read 'Roadside Picnic' to try and understand the source a little better. I just don't get it!. Why is this film in every single Top Ten SF films? I found it boring... really boring. But then again I also found 'Gravity' and 'Ad Astra' equally tedious. What am I missing? I'm serious.
Aeon Flux the movie - just like Ghost in the Shell with Scarlett Johansson - is a pathetic soulless piece of crap. They were obviously made by people who didn’t understand anything the shows were actually about and didn’t care. They figured they’d just storyboard some cool visuals and neuter them down to PG13 and make a ton of money. Which of course they didn’t.
