The Fountain

[Killroy]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005JPAR.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005JPAR/thedreamidemo-20)
The Fountain (Widescreen Edition)

Directors: Darren Aronofsky
Actors: Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, Ellen Burstyn, Mark Margolis, Stephen McHattie
Genres: Action, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
DVD Release Date: May 15, 2007
Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Number of discs: 1
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Warner Home Video
Run Time: 96 minutes
ASIN: B00005JPAR

Amazon.com Plot Synopsis:
Science fiction and romance collide in The Fountain, the ambitious third feature from director Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream), who labored for four years to complete this epic-sized love story that stretches across centuries and galaxies. Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz (Aronofsky's real-life companion) play lovers in each of the film's three settings--16th century Europe and America (Jackman is a Spanish explorer searching for Incan magic), the present day (Jackman is a doctor attempting to cure his dying wife), and the 26th century (Jackman is a space traveler seeking a gateway to the afterlife)-–who struggle mightily to stay united, only to lose each other time and again. Aronofsky may not have chosen the easiest presentation for audiences to absorb his theories on the lasting qualities of life and the transformative powers of death-–the final sequence, in particular, with a bald Jackman floating through space in a bubble, harks back uncomfortably to "head movies" of the late '60s-–but his leads have considerable chemistry (and look terrific to boot), which goes a long way towards securing viewers' hopes for a happy ending. Critical reception for The Fountain has been nothing short of bloodthirsty, with Cannes audiences booing, but there are elements to enjoy here, even if the premise throws one for a loop. Ellen Burstyn (who earned an Oscar nomination for Requiem) delivers a typically solid performance as Jackman's boss in the present day sequence, and special effects (most done without the benefit of CGI) are also impressive given the film's low budget (spurred by a mid-production shutdown after original stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett ankled the picture). And science-fiction fans whose tastes run towards the metaphysical (Asimov, Le Guin) will appreciate the attempt to present the genre in a serious light.

Planning on buying this DVD? Help out the site, click here and buy it from Amazon! (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005JPAR/dreamindemon-20/)
Or if you are renting it or stealing it, at least buy the poster! (http://affiliates.allposters.com/link/redirect.asp?aid=266796564&search=The+Fountain+%28Widescreen+Edition%29)

[McVain]

This was, in my opinion, the best film of last year. Hopefully there will be a better release for this down the line but I've had this one re-ordered for awhile now.

[Killroy]

I still have not checked this out. I may NetFlix it first, but everyone keeps talking about how good it is, I may just go ahead and buy it.

[McVain]

Just so you can get a feel for what my favorites from last year were...

Off the top of my head. 2 & 3 flip flop for me from time to time.


The Fountain
Babel
Children of Men
Pan's Labyrinth
The Departed

[Killroy]

Just so you can get a feel for what my favorites from last year were...

Off the top of my head. 2 & 3 flip flop for me from time to time.

The Fountain
Babel
Children of Men
Pan's Labyrinth
The Departed

Your list, in regards to the films in it, echoes mine except that I would have placed Babel under Children of Men. I liked Babel, and it was much, much better than The Departed, but Children of Men is already a classic in my eyes.

But your list definitely has me wanting to see this movie more than I did earlier today. :)

[McVain]

Like I said, Children of Men and Babel flip-flop depending on my mood. I saw Babel before I saw Children of Men. A day after watching Children of Men the first time (I like to give myself 24hours to think about it) I was sure it was better than Babel. Then I saw Babel again and I thought it was a bit better than Children of Men. After liking Babel more the second time, I did the same for Children of Men. Again I thought Children of Men was better.

So I think that both of them got better the second time I viewed them. As for The Fountain... I can't wait to finally see it again. I currently have the soundtrack in my car's CD player.

[Killroy]

Today is the day. Anyone picking it up?

[McVain]

Today is the day. Anyone picking it up?

I'm waiting for it to arrive at my doorstep along with Pan's Labyrinth, Army of Shadows and of course... World War Z.

EDIT: All of them came right after I posted this. Army of Shadows is going back though because the discs were loose and the 1st disc is scratched pretty badly now.

[McVain]

Have any of you that had previously not seen this checked it out yet? I noticed that the transfer is darker than the print I saw in the theater. Especially in the beginning. It's not for the better either. :mad:

[dop]

Rented it, It was a really good movie. Im planing on buying it.

[Horrorholic]

I remember reading an article on CHUD about a possible Criterion release for the film, so I'm holding out for that.
I do plan on renting this soon though. I missed it in the theatres and was skeptical on blind buying it because there really was no range to people's enjoyment of the film; Either they hated it or loved it.
I think I'm going to love it though.

[McVain]

I remember reading an article on CHUD about a possible Criterion release for the film, so I'm holding out for that.
I do plan on renting this soon though. I missed it in the theatres and was skeptical on blind buying it because there really was no range to people's enjoyment of the film; Either they hated it or loved it.
I think I'm going to love it though.

Really? That would be so fucking awesome. You know my love for Criterion, and The Fountain is awesome.

[Horrorholic]

Really? That would be so fucking awesome. You know my love for Criterion, and The Fountain is awesome.
If my memory serves me correctly...
http://images.scrippsweb.com/FOOD/2003/01/29/kaga_takeshi_d.jpg
The idea got started when Aronofsky asked Warner Bros. if they wanted a commentary track for the DVD and they turned him down. That got him thinking about Criterion, which had previously wanted to do a release for both Requiem and Pi. The reason those were never done is because the releases that are out now have every single known supplement already on them. Since The Fountain release is practically bare bones (I think there are like 3 featurettes...something like that), this makes me think that it really will come to fruition sometime down the line.

[brokenandtwisted]

Stupid Question Alert......

Did he die before she died?

[brokenandtwisted]

Nevermind...I figured it out...everything connects after multiple viewings...now, I just want to get my hands on that book...

[Horrorholic]

Check out the Aronofsky's myspace blog...
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=109383286
He's actually putting a commentary on his site for you to download and listen to with the movie, which is pretty great considering all the problems he had with the studio. He also mentions a certain email address (*cough*Criterion*cough*) that you should send your requests to for a bigger, better version of the film.

I finally got a chance to watch this the other night and I liked it. My favorite film last year? Not so much but it was better than a lot of the other shit I saw last year. I'd probably spring for a copy if Criterion released it.

[brokenandtwisted]

Great news...thanks! He's actually good looking too...

[McVain]

Awesome stuff horrorholic. Thanks. I'll definitetly be sending an email to Jon Mulvaney.

[Tobe_Romero]

Today is the day. Anyone picking it up?

yeah, I blind bought it. I guess I could out it in my top ten of 2006. The movie flew by. Maybe it could benefit from some added exposition. I have a feeling there might a very extended director's cut in the future but it already beat you in the head with repeated shots (seems like at least a dozen) or even minitakes. Maybe the redundant material was supposed to suggest the possible cyclic nature of the store ... or meant something else?

For me, it reminded by of A Christmas Carol. We see the past (the origin story of both the tree and our protaganists search for it, the present (the choice to ignore his wife , even though the research was for HIS/her benefit, and finally in the 2001 A Space Odyssey "climax". He got what he wanted, in a manner of speaking, but she was a tree.

And then the confusing part, did creation begin again as he reached the nebula and then when the trees were coming out of him or was that a look at the past making the story a big circlular metaphor for the expansion and eventual end of the universe ... or what?

or am I reading to much into this 90 min movie.?

[Horrorholic]

I actually received a response back from Criterion...

"Hi David,

We don't have any plans for 'The Fountain' at this time, but thanks for
writing in! We appreciate the suggestion and support.

Sincerely,

Tamara"

I think its pretty cool that they at least get back to you and don't dismiss your suggestions.

[McVain]

I actually received a response back from Criterion...

"Hi David,

We don't have any plans for 'The Fountain' at this time, but thanks for
writing in! We appreciate the suggestion and support.

Sincerely,

Tamara"

I think its pretty cool that they at least get back to you and don't dismiss your suggestions.

Ans this is what I got back...

"Hi Corey,

We have no plans for ‘The Fountain’ at this time, but thanks for the suggestion!

Sincerely,

Tamara"

No thanks for your support?! The whore! :lol:

I've gotten a reply every time that I have ever emailed them. They are great people. It's one of the reasons that I like to help support them.

[Horrorholic]

For McVain... and whoever else.

The Fountain Commentary (http://www.darrenaronofsky.com/fountain_com.html) went live today I believe. I am listening to it right now, though it would probably benefit me if I actually owned a copy. :lol:

[dop]

Wow, this is downrigth sad, a director of such a complex beutiful movie ofrers to do audio comentary im asuming for free(as hes puting it up for free himselve now) and the studios turn him down, meanwhile they put all sorts of bells and wistles on shity mainstream comedies and such.

[McVain]

For McVain... and whoever else.

The Fountain Commentary (http://www.darrenaronofsky.com/fountain_com.html) went live today I believe. I am listening to it right now, though it would probably benefit me if I actually owned a copy. :lol:
Damn dude... It's down. How big is the file? (Yes... I'm getting to the point in which I ask if you can either upload it or email it to me.) :D

[Horrorholic]

Damn dude... It's down. How big is the file? (Yes... I'm getting to the point in which I ask if you can either upload it or email it to me.) :D
The internet on my personal comp is down and Im using my sisters at the moment. But, I can download it on mine once it gets working again! You'll just have to wait a few days.:D

[dop]

Its really not hard to find on the torrent tracker sites, its 63MB.

Im still looking for a version already atached to the film tho.

[McVain]

The internet on my personal comp is down and Im using my sisters at the moment. But, I can download it on mine once it gets working again! You'll just have to wait a few days.:D
That's cool. I just don't do torrents so even when it's back up I'm not going to be able to download it from there.

Thanks a lot.... Again. ;)