Contact (Snap Case)
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Movie Reviews of Contact (Snap Case)
Movie Review: One of my favorite movies
Summary: 5 Stars
One of my favorite subjects as I was growing up and into my early 20s, was backyard skywatching and astronomy. I believe this movie accurately portrays the emotional aspects of science in general and astronomy in particular: the sense of awe and beauty when confronted with infinity, and the sense of lonliness felt by everyone with an idealistic passion.If you have ever read Carl Sagan's books, you'll see that this movie touches upon the usual staples of a Carl Sagan read: the foundation of religion vs. the foundation of science, the mutual misunderstanding and struggle between those governed by curious optimism versus those governed by primal fear, and a demonstration of the dangers of a world that depends on science which is filled with so many people who do not understand it.
Some have argued that they find Contact to be "preachy." I don't really see much of a foundation in that assessment of the movie. Just like in real life, the ultimate philosophical answers are left wide open at the end of this movie, leaving it open to many different interpretations. And I think it's refreshing to see a movie that doesn't follow the contemporary pattern of avoiding any serious discussion about morality and philosophy. These are some of the conversations the human race will be forced to have with itself if we want to survive the coming centuries. Recent events since this movie was released and Carl Sagan's death only accentuate the importance of facing this fact.
I love this movie. From the beautiful computer-generated opening sequence, through the middle sequences detailing the main character's relentless and passionate quest for scientific knowledge and exploration, to the adventurous surreal climax, I felt that I had a personal connection with almost every aspect of this movie.
Movie Review: Top notch, thoughtful sci-fi
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie tells an intelligent story about a possible type of first contact between humanity and an extra-terrestrial civilization. While that is part of the reason that I gave this movie 5 stars, I was even more impressed by the director's ability to catch a glimpse of what can be the dog-eat-dog world of scientific funding, credit and credibility. Jodi Foster plays a brilliant, budding young scientist who wants to pursue SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) work. Her former mentor (Tom Skerritt), now head of the National Science Foundation (the government's primary funding agency for science), sees that work as professional suicide. He then does what he can to pull the rug out from under her and her work. In the meantime, Foster meets McConaughey, a handsome ex-priest who seeks truth not via science, but through spirituality.
When Foster recognizes that contact is taking place and she makes that information public, Skerritt swoops in and attempts to take control of the project.
I am extremely impressed by this movie's ability to tell a great story of a possibility, presenting the premis of non-confrontational contact. This is no shoot-em up movie. It does, however, have a healthy dose of special effects, but those effects are not the heart of the show.
There are interesting plot developments, instructive insights into the lengths that some scientists may go to gain recognition among their professional peers, and the conflict that some scientists face when they realize that there are more ways to learn about who we are and why we are than via science.
I encourage you to give this movie a look. The combination of story, acting, special effects, and implications of the story make for a great movie!
5 stars all the way.
Alan Holyoak
Movie Review: A Brilliantly Crafted Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I first read Carl Sagan's novel "Contact" as a teenager and was instantly hooked on the stories premise of intelligent beings sending us a coded message that held within it the blueprints to build a machine. It was a book I just couldn't put down and one that sticks in my mind as a truly great story. However I am always skeptical of films made from books, as they never capture the true essence of the story. This one did not disappoint though.Jodie Foster plays Ellie Arroway, a radio astronomer, desperately seeking signs of extraterrestrial life in the universe. This sign eventually manifests itself in the form of the above-mentioned message. What follows is a thought provoking journey of love, betrayal and political intrigue as she fights for the machine to be built and for her place on the maiden voyage. Her performance is full of enthusiasm and heartfelt emotion.
The DVD is positively brimming with extras including insights on how certain special effects scenes where created as well as three (yes THREE! ) audio commentaries from Jodie Foster, the director Robert Zemeckis and the guys responsible for the special effects. Jodie's commentary is informative and she puts herself across as a very intelligent woman. As for picture and sound quality you cannot fault this DVD. The picture is crisp and flawless while the sound is an audio treat for the Home Cinema enthusiast. It will put your Dolby Digital amp to the test with plenty of use of surround sound, especially during the scenes within the machine. The opening scene with the camera pulling away from Earth will leave you in awe.
In a nutshell this DVD is worth every penny and one that I will return to again and again.
One to show your friends just how good DVD can be.
Steve.
Movie Review: Contact DVD Review: A Truly Superb movie!
Summary: 5 Stars
This film was very important for me to watch. I don't know too much about Carl Sagan but I've listened to enough Art Bell that I am interested in SETI and the pursuit to find out the truth of life outside our universe.This movie focuses on several topics such as extra-terrestrial life and also the battle between science and religion. I for one am a person who thinks scientifically but at the same time a God believing person and for others they can't compare the two, both are at opposite ends of the spectrum and this movie is really good at showing that.
Also, the involvement of the US government. Very interesting. Also, the movie uses a lot of major newscasters from CNN and President Bill Clinton. Also, very interesting.
This DVD is one of the best intelligent movies and the whole story including the special effects are wonderful. The video is nice and clear and the use of many colors in the film are brilliant. The sound on digital 5.1 is also very nice.
As for the DVD extras, I have to give Warner Bros. an applause for doing this movie justice by including three feature length commentaries by Jodie Foster, the director and producer Robert Zeickis and Steve Starkey and another group being Ken Ralston and Stephen Rosebaum. Also, it was nice to see the computer animation concepts and tests, special effects designs and more. I'm not sure if there were many deleted or cut scenes but I wish they included them but I can't expect much, they did a great job and by including three commentaries, that's really awesome!
I'm sure some people will love or hate this film due to the science vs. religion overtone but I know what my heart believes and I can only say that this DVD is highly recommended!
Movie Review: If it's just us...it seems like an awful waste of space
Summary: 5 Stars
Directed by Robert Zemeckis of "Forrest Gump" fame, there are the same type of visual effects, and more, in "Contact", a movie about receiving an earth-originated TV-broadcast from the star Vega, 26 light-years from Earth.
Jodie Foster plays astro-scientist Ellie Arroway, who is listening for signals from space, and finally detects one. After decoding the message, NASA builds a large machine that was described in blueprints contained within the message. Ellie's slimey boss, played by Tom Skerritt, is selected to be the designated passenger in the machine, but the test-launch is sabotaged by a religious lunatic, killing Skerritt and destroying the machine. Luckily, there is a second machine, secretly built in Japan, and Ellie is chosen to man it. She ends up taking the ride of her life.
The movie co-stars Jena Malone as Ellie as a girl, William Fichtner as a blind astro-scientist, James Woods as the National Security Agency head, and Matthew McConaughey as a not-quite-priest who develops a relationship with Ellie.
The 2-1/2 hour movie is very well made, has many special effects (some are the type you don't notice), generally good acting, and an interesting premise.
The inexpensive DVD has 3 commentaries - one by Zemeckis, one by Foster, and one by the special effects guys; analysis of several specific special effects; sparse analysis of a few computer-animated concepts; includes extensive text-based behinds the scenes information.
Based on Carl Sagan's book "Contact" which interweaves military, religious and science aspects to space-travel. The movie science is suspect, but the story and bigger ideas are solid. Take "the ride".