MovieChat Forums > One Point O (2005) Discussion > Utter Nonsense:

Utter Nonsense:

posted 17 years ago by Pi_1
31 replies | jump to latest

Hey all,

Now normally I'm not one to go out of my way to bash a movie on a forum/message board, since I figure most people that stop by said forum are probably fans of the movie and more power to them if they enjoyed it and I didn't.....why try to ruin it for them? Actually, usually such people that spend the time to find forums for a movie or TV show they DIDN'T like just to bash rather than offer interesting banter or at least a useful review rather disgust me. That said, I just had to come here and offer my (quite negative) opinions on this movie......and I'll tell you why in a moment.....

I saw this film available today, so I stopped by these forums to check out a review or two, since I had never heard of it before. I noticed several very positive reviews, so decided to get it. on my way out of the forum, I also noticed Jeremy Sisto and Lance Henriksen starred in the film, which got me quite excited about it, since I'm quite fond of both of their previous works.

I proceeded to get the movie, pop it in my PC, and begin to watch. Without including any spoilers, at about at the point in the film where two of the characters sleep together (those who saw the film will know what I'm talking about), my finace long prior having fallen asleep, I felt compelled to pause the movie, come back to these forums, and see what in the H3LL the people whose reviews I read saw in this movie to rate it a 10/10 and "best sci-fi film of 2004". Surely, I thought, I must be missing some central plot point. Either that, or, as is sometimes the case here at IMDB, the reviews were written by people affiliated with the film.

I began to read the forums over, searching for some explanation on how this film could possibly be called "best of 2004"! Upon reading several of the people's reviews whose view of the movie obviously agreed with mine, I noticed some rather insulting responses to their perfectly legitimate reviews of the film. I was rather insulted by some remarks posted in response to a majority of the negative reviews of the movie, so just had to stop by and attempt to demonstrate that not everyone that disliked this movie is a, how did they put it......."tasteless idiot"......

Let me first say that I'm a big fan of independent film. I enjoy Lynch movies for the most part, although a couple have turned me off at the end as they spiraled from excellence into nonsense. I enjoyed Pi, and thought it was one of the better films the year it was released. I absolutely loved Lost In Translation. I've been a big fan of 1984, Fahrenheit 451, and similar books/films since I was in grade school. I too am disgusted with Hollywood and its "fluff machine" that spews out garbage cliche ridden films at record pace these days. I love Kafka, and Metamorphosis has been one of my favorite short stories since I was a kid. Anyway....you get the point....I'm not the "tasteless idiot" or "short attention span American" several of you described in your rants posted after the negative reviews of this film.

Anyway, to the point......I thought this film was horrendous as well. No backstory. No explanation of what is going on in the world. No development of characters. Forced, robotic dialog. Inexplicable and idiotic actions by the main characters. Lack of clarity in the script. Nonsensical interactions between characters. Just......all-in-all.......a bad movie (in my opinion).

Now, I'm all for leaving a film open to personal interpretation.....that's wonderful....but this film went far beyond that(or should I say fell far short of that)! It explained nothing. It made no sense. It might as well have taken place in a vacuum. No explanation of the events leading up to the film were given. Even a few newspaper articles or news clips shown at the beginning credits of the film showing a glimpse of the outside world would have sufficed. Either that, or don't involve the outside world at all. Keep the story confined to Sisto and his building......and create a claustrophobic feeling to the film, which it actually did succeed at in several parts. It did, however, involve the outside world, and brought in the concept of evil corporations, shady hospitals, conspiracy, fleeting comments and inferences to some "sickness" going around that seemed to be unrelated to that which the main character was suffering from, but yet which no one seemed all that concerned about......

The dialog was nonsensical at times and unrealistic at others, as were the characters actions. Why call the police when he thinks someone has broken into his apartment, yet not when a murder has occured? Are they corrupt? Are they in on it? No reason to think these things is ever given....if it had been, it would have made much more sense. And I don't know about you all, but shortly after discovering that I have been infected with a potentially mind altering and even deadly virus, the last thing I would be weasting my time with would be having sex with some strange (hideous) woman from down the hall, who earlier I suspected was in on it no less.

Earlier in the film, he seems concerned with his deadline, however, he constantly takes breaks from his work to do meaningless tasks and chat with other tenants. He tells what appears to be his supervisor that he'll be done in 24 hours, yet does nothing despite seeming to have every intention of finishing the project. Oh, and by the way, why is his supervisor in a panic and co vered with sweat every time he calls? Why is someone who seems to be making decent money......a computer programmer making enough to pay $80+ for milk......living in a hellhole, decaying building such as that? Is the world coming to an end? If so, why is he worried about software deadlines and following a porn star around to find out if he is the one that left an empty package at his door? If he has enough money to call a courier to bring him a security system, why live in such a place, and why is he being evicted for not paying his rent? Just more things that make no sense in the film.

Anyway, I could list a million more things that just irritated me about the movie, but won't, since I don't want to waste anymore of my time and don't want to be someone who bashes a film others enjoy just for the sake of bashing it. My point is simply the following........this is not the great film some of you make it out to be. There are immense plot holes, which, rather than leaving it "open to interpretation" or "imagination" as some of you put it that obviously had your minds made up to like the movie before you even watched it just because of the fact it was a supposedly "smart independent film", rather left it open to intense annoyance for those of us that need some logical plot thread to grab hold of.

In closing, I will say that I enjoyed the final few minutes of the film far more than the bulk of it, and while I would still rather watch something like this than most of the drivel out there these days and enjoy seeing Sisto and Henriksen get work (although Henriksen's career seems to be spiraling further downward with each passing year - see: Pumpkinhead - Ashes to Ashes), those of us who didn't think it was a classic hardly deserve to be insulted and ridiculed (and especially stereotyped because of our nationality, as if no Americans have any taste). The movie had serious flaws.....some could overlook them....we could not. Enough of the personal insults and offensive stereotypes being launched at anyone with an opposing view......

[–] DSC_182 17 years ago

Hello Pi_1,

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion (and/or interpretation) of the film. However, we take (extreme) exception with one of the statements in your post...

"Either that, or, as is sometimes the case here at IMDB, the reviews were written by people affiliated with the film."

This statement is factually incorrect. There is only one review on the IMDb that was written by anyone affiliated with the film, and that is the review that was written by Gio Shanger (a.k.a. "gshanger"). Mr. Shanger made the Paranoia: 1.0 making-of mockumentary, which is available on the North American DVD. Regular IMDb users, users who are not affiliated with the film, wrote all the other reviews. Despite the fact that he is affiliated with the film in this way, we think Mr. Shanger is entitled to his own opinion (and review) of the film.

Good day to you.

Regards,
DSC

[–] roell29 17 years ago

Even a few newspaper articles or news clips shown at the beginning credits of the film showing a glimpse of the outside world would have sufficed.

There are some newpaper articles shown in the tabloid he picks up in the supermarket that do provide some context, although you have to freeze-frame to read them. One article states that Farm Corp. (the corporation that is testing it's mind control technology on the tenants of the apartment complex) is diversifying into entertainment, since traditional methods of advertising are becoming obsolete. Tie that in with the designer of virtual pornography games, who says that viruses (like the brain mites) are part of the game. How will we know in the future, when we play video games which will become increasingly immersive and addictive, interfacing with all of our senses, that our minds are not being covertly "programmed" by corporations or elite interest groups?

If you appreciate Kafka, then why try to force a strictly literal interpretation of the movie? It's part conspiracy-thriller and part kafkaesque nightmare. Although if you are aware of what is going on in the world today, you may see more reality than fantasy. National borders are breaking down, leading to regional governments (The EU, the North American Union) and eventually to a one-world government in which soulless, amoral corporations will reign supreme over humanity (the world depicted in the movie). The human mind is becoming the battlefield in which corporations are trying to stake out their territory. The technology of mind control is advancing at a frightening pace, and freedom of thought and will are becoming ever more precious and tenuous commodities.

Bible prophesies in the Book of Revelations refer to the "mark of the beast", which will be mandated for anyone who wishes to buy or sell in the "last days", the time when an anti-christ will rule over a one-world government. The Real ID Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Bush on May 11, 2005, mandates that all U.S. citizens will receive a National ID card by May of 2008. Without this National ID, you won't...

* Drive your car
* Board a plane, train, or bus
* Enter any federal building
* Open a bank account
* Hold a job

As we move to a cashless society, it's likely that this ID will be implanted as a chip which will register our credits and debits. I am not personally religious but find that some of these prophesies are truly uncanny as they could not have even been implemented before the age of computers and the internet. How then were they foreseen? Many of the qualities we value as being uniquely human are under attack. There is much to be realistically paranoid about in the world today and I find it easy to identify with the protagonist, although clearly the movie was not intended to be taken entirely literally.

[–] neo1011 17 years ago

How will we know in the future, when we play video games which will become increasingly immersive and addictive, interfacing with all of our senses, that our minds are not being covertly "programmed" by corporations or elite interest groups?

http://forums.finnbros.com/viewtopic.php?t=3131&highlight=

REM You question Science & Religion & looking like an idiot you don't longer care HOPE

[–] flyingcowherder 17 years ago

"It explained nothing. It made no sense. It might as well have taken place in a vacuum. No explanation of the events leading up to the film were given."

...Read the back of the DVD case. It explains the basic plot and the fun of this film is trying to find out how all of the clues fit together.

You have a negative opinion of this movie simply because you don't understand it!
All of the points that you posted above do in fact have answers! I can't think of just one plot hole.

I don't care if somebody dislikes the movie... But I do find it annoying that you dislike it only because you don't understand it.

[–] somf 17 years ago

where the heck is the DVD available. Not on Netflix, not on Amazon.

[–] YStorm 17 years ago

I found mine as a used copy at Blockbuster. Bought it on a whim. Glad I did, too. You might want to try half.com, there might be a copy there...

Wils

[–] twelvepointnine 17 years ago

I really like you took the time to write a decent explanation of your dislike of this film. However… you missed the fact that One Point O was originally part of a trilogy, hence the "plot holes". Still, the unexplained bits never annoyed me. I simply love mind games…

[–] agaric247 16 years ago

You must be an american, only americans get this confused over movies like this.

I also had to laugh when u listed lost in translation as an independent movie.

This film explains everything it needs to, your just used to north american crap for film.

Seriously though, u dont get it, u probably never will.

Thanks for playing!

[–] TvDemon 16 years ago

"You must be an american, only americans get this confused over movies like this."

You must be joking, right? There is an enormous interpretive arts scene in America. True, most cathod fed mainstream drifters would probably have difficulty with it, but to say the difficulty to understand is an "American" trait is total nonesense.

Your snobbish hate speak is the stupidest chunk of text on this thread. The movie, by the way, is pretentious and boring. There is no metaphor. It reminded me of the empty symbolism of "Liquid Sky," another frighteningly overrated piece of psuedo art.

[–] twelvepointnine 16 years ago

It reminded me of the empty symbolism of "Liquid Sky," another frighteningly overrated piece of psuedo art.

Ehm, Liquid Sky has no symbolism. You have to see it in it's perspective, the early 80's NY new wave party scene drugs extravaganza. But that would be a discussion for another board.
If you don't like/get a movie, doesn't mean it's crap or that others are not entitled to their opinion…

The divinity laughed.

[–] geddyleeisgod 16 years ago

Ha HA!

"TV Demon" >snicker<

I'M American, and I can see quite easily that American movies are, with only a handful of exceptions, moldy, festering chunks of dooky.

That said, I have to give agaric a round of applause. He hit the nail on the head. It's not "hate speech" if he's right. Unfortunately, it's the lowbrow dolts peeing and pooing in the collective societal and cultural pool that are the sad reason for America's embarrassing slide into mediocrity.

Guess you also couldn't wrap your noodle around Liquid Sky either. Too bad. Stick to Bruckheimer. Lots of pretty explosions. Leave the thinking to the rest of us. KTXBY

As for "Pi_1" >snort<, who managed to bludgeon out on the keys the following "thoughts":
"I must be missing some central plot point."

Well, um... yes. Kind of like, well, the entire MEANING upon which the film hinges.

And no, I didn't have a god damned thing to do with the film.

I just have the mental capacity to recognize genius when it dicksmacks me across the forehead.

Smooches.

[–] crc-4 8 years ago

I'M American, and I can see quite easily that American movies are, with only a handful of exceptions, moldy, festering chunks of dooky.

As opposed to this pretentious form of dada pretending to be art.

[–] tipkin 16 years ago

"I also had to laugh when u listed lost in translation as an independent movie."

Last time I checked, American Zoetrope was an independent film company (and LIT won several Independent Spirit Awards).

Overall your post is plain ignorant unlike one of the person (whom you don't know) who is "used to north american crap for film."

[–] Movie_Tech 16 years ago

That is very a short-sided and prejudice remark. While this movie is film for art's sake not for entertainment's sake, film noir, if you will, it's certain;y not uncommon for Americans to seek out these type films.

I sought it out because I like dystopian films, and while I thought it was a well made film that "hit the mark" of it's intended purpose it is not the most entertaining film. Most people, around the world, prefer movies that require them to think about it afterwards.

[–] victimofmare 16 years ago

You can't just list negative after negative. There is always something positive to be said.

I agree with most of what you said, but I must say the cinematography and direction was fabulous. It kinda reminded me of Delicatessen.

The writing did need some help.

Overall, 6.5/10

"Those freakin elves man! They just came out of the trees! came out of the trees..."

[–] nospam-328 16 years ago

I just finished watching it myself and also found it somewhat tedious and opaque.

I didn't have a problem with some of the irrational behavior though as he is apparently losing his mind.

Yeah, it was better than a lot of the crap that gets shoveled out nowadays, but nothing mind blowing. I've just seen lots better cinema.

[–] gamingnutrpg 16 years ago

...
I have to agree. I didn't understand this film for crap. I mean I understood most of the plot but can someone...anyone explain the talking robot head? Can someone explain th fact he has all this money but can't pay his rent and living in a *beep* hole? I mean I understand the point is that he is so programed that he HAD TO BUY THE MILK to the point he was in pain but what did this have to do with a porn game? What did this have to do with the Hospital? What does this have to do with Adam the talking robot head?

Please for the love of everyhting decent EXPLAIN!!

Now with that said and me not understanding some (probably more then 1/2) the movie, I thought it was a decent film. Now Dont get me wrong, as this would put 90% of my friends to sleep but its a great thinking movie and I liked that.

I give it an 8 out of 10.