The Illustrated Man
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Movie Reviews of The Illustrated Man
Movie Review: Bradbury's classic brought to life
Summary: 4 Stars
Perhaps this was cutting edge fantasy forty years ago. Today, it might better be called a "cult classic," enjoyable as much for its dated look and effects as for its association with Bradbury's brilliant set of short stories, The Illustrated Man. This captures just a few of the short stories originally collected in the IM anthology. It starts with "The Veldt," one of the greats of the creepy-little-kids genre. The next story tracks astronauts stranded on Venus, back when Venus's shroud concealed a verdant monsoon instead of a burning desert, baking under sulfuric acid clouds. It ends with a tragic (if somewhat predictable) story of intellectual hubris gone wrong. The whole set is bound together by the Illustrated Man, whose magical tattoos act out these scenes - or cause them to appear in the viewers' minds.
The illustrations - Steiger's painted-on tattoos - form another story in the extras section of this disk. That goes through the months of planning, followed by long hours of intensive work transferring the images onto his skin. Today, the job would probably be done post-production in the bowels of a compute farm. Back then, it was real ink on real skin, producing a Peter Max-ish look that evokes Yellow Submarine.
Nostalgia buffs and Bradbury completists will enjoy this immensely. It dates from the era of the original Star Trek series, though, and carries some of the same look and acting style, for better or worse. If that works for you, great - it works for me.
-- wiredweird
Movie Review: Rod Steiger at his best
Summary: 4 Stars
We all know that in most cases the movie is a poor reflection of the book it is based on. This is in movie about stories within a story. It is very well paced to give you a feel for what is happening and time to anticipate what may happen. Rod Steiger has time to really act instead is being a cameo. The stories are naturally imaginative. The sets are well designed to bring out the nuances and display the implications of the character's actions. In all this is a very well designed movie for 1969.
A man is encountered who has skin Illustrations all over his body. Each illustration represents a tale from the future. The illustrations come to life and tell a tale of doom or impending doom. In this way ray Bradbury can tell related but different tales in this book. Its Bradbury's writing style and dialogue that holds you as much as the storyline.
At first they are intriguing and fresh. Later they don't as much repeat but are similar in form and function.
One of the best "The Veldt" is first. Of course everyone will have a different favorite.
I suggest that you make your cats leave the room during the veldt scene.
Movie Review: Strange Science Fiction
Summary: 4 Stars
Rod Steiger and Claire Bloom turn in solid character performances in this anthology chosen from the classic Ray Bradburry novel.
The broad premise of the movie has a deranged Steiger searching for revenge on the mysterious woman who illustrated (tatooed) him. Robert Drivas plays a young traveler who bumps into Steiger on the road.
The movie flows between stories of how Steiger picked up the illustrations, along with the three stories told by them:
- Two parents strugling with their declining relationship, and their children's use of a Holodeck-like virtual reality playground.
- A group of space travelers pushed to madness in a relentless rain storm.
- A family coming to grips with Euthanizing their children on the last night of civilization.
There's a surreal edge to all the stories - an otherworldliness enhanced by the lack of high tech special effects. The impact is powerful, but in the end, one is left to wonder "What's this all about?"
Not too much exciting on the extras - there's a story on how Steiger put on all the fake tattoos, but nothing too profound.
Movie Review: Oldie but Goodie
Summary: 4 Stars
Good video (not outstanding, but good). The extra's are fun, but the quality is not very good. If you are a science fiction fan, this is a must-see and is probably the best quality you can get.Movie Review: Illustrated DVD
Summary: 4 Stars
The DVD came in a fairly speedy amount of time. It was in good condition and plays with no problem. Definitely will assist in my lessons on the novel! :)