Cronenberg's SPIDER
08-01-03 | 12:08 AM
#27
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From: Kansas City, MO
Bumping this thread since the movie came out on DVD recently.
I just watched it this morning. Not being very familiar with Cronenberg's work (all I've seen is The Fly), I wasn't too sure what to expect. Fortunately, the movie was everything people have said. At first it seemed like there wasn't much to it, but as I sat and thought about it as the credits rolled, I replayed the events in my mind and came to realize just how complex the movie really was. The thing that really threw me for a loop was finding out that
Pretty amazing. And I gotta give props to Ralph Fiennes. He was incredible in this role. I couldn't see anyone else doing it so well.
I just watched it this morning. Not being very familiar with Cronenberg's work (all I've seen is The Fly), I wasn't too sure what to expect. Fortunately, the movie was everything people have said. At first it seemed like there wasn't much to it, but as I sat and thought about it as the credits rolled, I replayed the events in my mind and came to realize just how complex the movie really was. The thing that really threw me for a loop was finding out that
Spoiler:
08-01-03 | 08:18 AM
#28
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Just picked this up on Tuesday as a blind buy (I'm a big Cronenberg fan) and I have to say that this is already my favorite film of the year. My wife and I watched the film, then all the supplements, then the commentary. We never do that.
Ralph Fiennes is AMAZING, and Miranda Richardson is amazing³. The entire cast is superb, particularly John Neville as a sympathetic elderly man who wears his pain on his face like a mask.
It isn't your typical Cronenberg film, there are no gross-out scenes as he's wont to do. Actually, my wife doesn't like Cronenberg movies for that reason, but as I said, she loved this one. There is however, plenty of Cronenberg style in the filming and sets.
Be warned...although the film is only around 90 minutes, it is slowly paced, as it should be and which is entirely appropriate. There are no explosions and no CGI, so if that's your cup of tea, you might want to be aware.
Highly Recommended.
Ralph Fiennes is AMAZING, and Miranda Richardson is amazing³. The entire cast is superb, particularly John Neville as a sympathetic elderly man who wears his pain on his face like a mask.
It isn't your typical Cronenberg film, there are no gross-out scenes as he's wont to do. Actually, my wife doesn't like Cronenberg movies for that reason, but as I said, she loved this one. There is however, plenty of Cronenberg style in the filming and sets.
Be warned...although the film is only around 90 minutes, it is slowly paced, as it should be and which is entirely appropriate. There are no explosions and no CGI, so if that's your cup of tea, you might want to be aware.
Highly Recommended.
08-01-03 | 05:38 PM
#29
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From: ...wait a minute, where the hell am I?
Wow, I was expecting something different but was pleasently surprised at just how good of a movie it was. I think it's Cronenbergs best work yet. Every fan of his needs to see this little gem. I rented it through netflix, but will definitely be adding it to my collection in the future. Top notch acting, direction, writing, cinematography, etc...
08-01-03 | 06:32 PM
#30
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From: Olympia, WA
Clothes Make the Man!
SPIDER is my favorite film, so far, this year. I saw it on the big screen twice and thought it was okay, then pretty good the second time, but the DVD clobbered me last night.
I actually think the anamorphic transfer was a better looking presentation than the two screenings I saw, and the 5.1 audio was definitely better at home. Also, somehow the film worked better for me on the little screen. It seemed more claustrophobic.
The extras are very good too! Highly, highly recommended!
cheers, Tony Block
As an aside the film, Cronenberg's direction, Patrick McGrath's screenplay (based on his novel), Peter Suschitzky's cinematography, Howard Shore's score, Ralph Fiennes, Miranda Richardson and especially John Neville, all deserve Oscar nominations. However, if any one of these folks get nominated, I'll eat my Spider DVD.
Oh, no! What did I just say/promise?
Gabriel Byrne, Lynn Redgrave, and Bradley Hall were all excelent too.
I actually think the anamorphic transfer was a better looking presentation than the two screenings I saw, and the 5.1 audio was definitely better at home. Also, somehow the film worked better for me on the little screen. It seemed more claustrophobic.
The extras are very good too! Highly, highly recommended!
cheers, Tony Block
As an aside the film, Cronenberg's direction, Patrick McGrath's screenplay (based on his novel), Peter Suschitzky's cinematography, Howard Shore's score, Ralph Fiennes, Miranda Richardson and especially John Neville, all deserve Oscar nominations. However, if any one of these folks get nominated, I'll eat my Spider DVD.
Oh, no! What did I just say/promise?
Gabriel Byrne, Lynn Redgrave, and Bradley Hall were all excelent too.
Last edited by Tony Block; 08-01-03 at 06:39 PM.
11-14-04 | 10:27 PM
#34
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I watched this movie today and have mixed feelings about it. Great performances from the leads and I get the movie, but it was simply too slow. Sure the material allowed the movie to unravel its story at a conservative pace, but it became too uninvolving in the process, IMO. **1/2 / ****
