A Scanner Darkly
 

Hey there!

The new site for the movie has just opened and it's REALLY well-designed! There's some pretty cool stuff in there!

A Scanner Darkly Site

For those who didn't know about this movie, it tells the story of Bob Arctor, an undercover NARC who develops a second personality due to him using a new drug called Substance D. His other self, Fred, befriends a couple of wild characters who are crazier and stranger than one another. One day, he is asked by his department to spy on a supposed drug dealer called Fred, himself. Now he must take a deeper look at his life and surroundings and may discover things he didn't want to find out. Mainly, that his brain is starting to fry and that he's starting lose his sanity.

This movie was filmed 2 years ago and was drawn over to create a sort of psychedelic animated feature film. It stars Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson and Winona Ryder.

Check it out July 7th!

I'm really looking forward to this... I think rotoscope animation is awesome, regardless of what anybody else says about it. It blends live action and animation into one very odd medium, and very appropriate to this story.

If anybody's seen Waking Life (by the same director, I believe), I think that was one of the first features to employ all rotoscope animation.

Oh man, I'm a raging Philip K Dick fan and I can't wait for this.

Hasn't it been pushed back, like, three times now? ='(

Waking Life bored me, but this looks interesting. Reminds me of a lot of the vector-based art that graphic designers use today, and graphic design is my cup of tea.

Yeah, it was due out last summer, then September and finally it's gonna be out officially next July! Finally!

And there was some friction between the Director and the production team since he wanted the quality of the flick to be pushed to the max which is why it was pushed back so much.

Pshh, screw this, I want VALIS adapted. But seriously, I'm all over this opening day.

P.S. Hell yes I actually would like to see someone try a VALIS film.

I hope you're not talking about this VALIS:

http://www.playright.dk/covers/valisiii_smd_us.jpg

I just got done talking about tentacle rape in the other thread so I won't bring it here. As for this movie, the one in the topic and the one that everybody is talking about, yes, I am not very interested. The plot feels like it's been done before and the visual effects "gimmick" they're using seems kind of pointless.

I feel like such a hypocrite. I usually enjoy stuff that's all flash and style over actual substance. I'm probably judging this one too early.

Oh, awesome. That plot synopsis sounds really interesting - I'm pretty interested in psychological storylines. The animation style looks really cool as well, judging from the website's layout and intro movie. I think it could be a little distracting in the first few minutes, but I can see myself admiring the style as the movie progresses.
I'll definitely be waiting for it to come out.

There's some interesting features on the website, too, lol. Apparently, I have Severe Brain Dysunction - Madness.

I hated Waking Life. If I have to be subjected to that animation for another 2 hours, my head is going to explode.

Going to rent Before Sunset though. The director has some interesting stuff to say and while the animation is amazing, it's way too much to digest in a single movie.

I really couldn't watch all of Waking Life in one sitting...mostly because of the subject matter, I think. But I'm sure that this film will be much more watchable, plus I like that sort of animation. It sure beats "Squigglevision" animation...

No, I meant the VALIS where:

Yeah, VALIS might as well have been PKD's take on scientology.

I want a movie of Eye In The Sky. And The Game-Players of Titan. Preferably ones that don't suck - one Paycheck was enough. :(

NEW UPDATE!

There's a little interview with Richard Linklater followed by two scenes from the movie.

And I must say, they handled the Scrambler Suit extremely well! Especially the scene where Keanu Reeves (Fred) talks to his lieutenant about Bob Arctor, a petty drug user who is actually Fred. You go inside the suit and watch Fred painfully explain what he's become, an undercover narcotic officer who lost his life due to drug addiction.

There's another scene showing Robert Downey Jr., who will probably steal the movie, showing his 'drug friends' what he just bought for 50 bucks. I remember reading that scene in the book and seeing it played out by actors is just marvelous!

Well, here's the link:

http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/player....ve/index.jhtml

Enjoy!

Wow, it seems like those clips are showing us a bit too much of the scenes, but I can't take my eyes away. Great stuff, I just know this is going to be on my all-time "Top Movies" list, at least.

Have they released an estimated running time yet?

EDIT: Checked at IMDB. Aw... it's only 100 minutes. Here I was hoping for a long-ass visual mindblow. Looks to be short but sweet. At least it looks watchable, as opposed to Waking Life (I just can't sit through the philosophical ramblings).

I am seeing this on the day it's out. No question.

Apparently those scenes aren't available where I am. Time to get a proxy :(

Don't worry, these scenes are played out fairly early in the story. Just serve as 'exposition', if you will, to show how Keanu's character(s) Fred/Bob Arctor is affected.

A shame Waking Life seems to be so denigrated here; some actually interesting concepts (amid some admitted bs) were discussed on there--enhanced often by the animation, and excellent music.
And as a HUGE PKD fan, I'm really looking forward to A Scanner Darkly; I'd heard a rumour that a movie version of The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch was in the works as well.

koji

Haven't heard anything, although the movie NEXT coming next year is based on his short story, The Golden Man.

I cannot WAIT for this to come out. Make sure to stay for the closing credits—a song off Thom Yorke's (of Radiohead fame) new album will be playing.

I haven't read the novel yet (planning on doing that this week), but I have high hopes. I've had PKD recommended to me by many people, and I'm fairly sure I will take a great liking to him.

With how excited everyone was about this, I'm surprised nobody posted after it came out, even after its DVD release. I just downloaded and watched it, and I have to admit that even though I knew what was happening, the ending left me befuddled. After reading the synopsis of the book, the one question I had was answered, but I just found it to be almost like if you haven't read the book, you won't know for absolute certain what's really going on at the end.

The movie was very well-done, though. I like the animation/visual style immensely, and the music was rad. Robert Downey, Jr. definitely stole the show, his acting coming across as the most believable without being too cliche OR over-the-top, while still retaining the essence of the character.

I'd be happy to provide a download link to the 700MB avi file, if requested.

I saw it recently too, great movie, definately one to re-watch know I've missed something. Like the end seemed to all happen all at once with the chartacter, I was expect a less a rapid decline.

Definately want to by the DVD for the extra's.

The film still hasn´t been released in Germany, I don´t know about the rest of Europe. Hopefully it won´t be a DVD premiere.

You may aswell just buy the DVD on ebay instead of waiting :psyduck:

Felt I should quote this one and say something about it.

They're kinda changing it a bit. And by kinda changing, I mean fucking ruining. The plot apparently involves using a psychic to find terrorists and prevent another 9/11 and crying eagle waving flags god bless america.

PKD movies are like Star Trek movies: The odd-numbered ones are always best.

I watched the film when it was in theaters, even though it only played for one week here in Visalia. The rotoscoping was an awesome employment of resources for the film but regardless of the great look of the film, it's not really an accessible film that will be embraced by all audiences.

It had good pace and great performances (most notably Robert Downey Jr.) but narrative takes a back seat to style. Viewers usually find themselves marveling at the animation or the look of the film instead of concentrating on the story; and this is a film that demands strict attention from the audience. So if your mind is elsewhere, so will the film.

This movie has CULT FOLLOWING written all over it.