I remember vividly seeing Dark City in the theatre on Staten Island when it came out back in 98 or 99. The year before, a big hit was 12 Monkeys, and everybody ooooh'd and aaaah'd about Brad Pitt's performance, which I thought overdone and no more (or less, mind you) than a great imitation of Dennis Hopper in Apocalypse Now. The problem with 12 Monkeys for me was that the riddle was kept up for so long that I started to not care what the answer was. In other words, the director kept the audience in the dark for too long.
For this reason, I thought that Dark City was what 12 Monkeys wanted to be, but failed. I thought we were kept sufficiently in the dark, (pun recognized) for just exactly the right amount of time. Then, once we had a fairly good idea of what was going on, the suspense only heightened. I really loved this film, and I hope that today's beginning whetted your appetite for more.
Along this same line of discussion, however, I have always disliked the opening scene, where the voice-over of Dr. Shreber basically gives the plot away. Fortunately, I have a terrible attention span, and am a really bad movie viewer (the first time around) so I forgot most of what he said.
I was very much tempted to delete that scene today, but I didn't because the cut was not seamless, and I just decided not to. But, lo and behold, I should have, because I looked the film up on Wiki, and found out that Proyas was forced to add that scene by a nervous studio exec who worried that audiences would be turned off without it. The fact that voice-over of this kind is endemic to film noir somewhat mitigates the crime, but the director's cut, which is available, apparently, starts teh film diffferently.
I also read something else that confirmed a statement I made today in class. (It is gratifying to hear that one's independent analysis is backed up by statistics). Apparently, this film has the shortest average cut time of any film on record at 1.8 seconds. This means that the average time between cuts is less than 2 seconds. During the scene where Detective Wallenski rushes in I think we had about 20 cuts in 5 seconds.
It was an intersting article. Wait until you've seen the entire film and then check it out. Meanwhile, if the class likes the film, perhaps we'll kick in 50 cents a piece, buy the director's cut, view it, and raffle it off among ourselves.
Remind me to send an email to Jessica Creech, class of '02, who loved this film more than it is humanly possible. I found it so gratifying at the time that she shared my love of this film and the memory of it has stuck with me through these years. And of course, she was a great lover of film, and an astute analyst as well.
She would have been right at home with this class, my very favorite, which I have recently given the title, "The All-Star Team."
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"The All-Star Team" for the win!!! =D
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I could not understand all of the dialogue and voice over of the very first scene so I don't feel like the film has been ruined for me. However I must admit that although I find this film incredibly strange, my interest has certainly been piqued, to steal your words from my Top Hat post.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am honored to be on the "The All-Star Team"
Yuriy, just because you're on "The All-Star Team", it doesn't mean that you're a starter. "The All-Star Team" needs a waterboy too. Of course, I kid. We are mostly of equal value except for Jimmy and Nick, for they outpost even Mr. Bennett.
ReplyDeleteAhem. Let's talk quality versus quantity, shall we. And as for Yuriy's spot on the All Star Team, I think water boy is way too exalted a position. After all, the players are thirsty and need water. Yuriy's position would have to be something utterly unimportant, though visually compelling.
ReplyDeleteI suggest the team mascot. Can you see Yuriy dressed like a chicken strutting up and down on top of the dugout, sqwaking invective upon the opposing team?
Hell no, I ain't being no God-damn waterboy!
ReplyDeleteBut I would be inclined to take a more visually compelling position like the team mascot...
When you think of it, in certain situations, the actions of the mascot is what either makes or breaks the game ---> I think a team bearing the burden and responsibility of holding such a name as the "All-Star Team", would most definetly be in need of a highly charismatic individual such as myself to be both the motivating force boosting the moral of our troops all the while striking fear into the hearts of every one of our opponents ;-)
And in regards to the age-old quality vs. quantity debate,
the infamous Iosif Vissarionovich Jughashvili uttered quite a timeless quote on the subject matter:
"Quantity has a quality of its own"
When you told us about your temptation to cut the opening scene, I decided to essentially not pay attention to that opening voiceover because I figured that was exactly what you were talking about. Guess I was right. I'm glad, I'm very much enjoying piecing together this film, which definitely seems like a requirement. I also found that information about Proyas not wanting the voiceover, and it just reminded me of how stupid movie executives think the masses are. The fact that they force directors to change their vision simply because we won't be able to handle it is extremely annoying.
ReplyDeleteI also found out that Roger Ebert said this was the best film of 1998.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am sure the All-Star Team knows who Iosif Vissarionovich Jughashvili is I will reveal his identity as Stalin for anyone who is too lazy to do some research.
ReplyDeleteMy role on the All-Star Team will be similar to that of Michael Jordan's when he led the Bulls to victory by sheer force of will. Both he and I are so good we make everyone else on the court better just by being there.