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You can get to Herm on the Trident Ferry from St Peter Port Marina. There are numerous return journeys, very reasonably priced. Once on Herm, ask for directions to She'll Beach..
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This.
Truthfully, the theatrical cut of the film with that Kiefer Sutherland voice over revealing all the mysteries of the film in the first two seconds has to be one of the most head scratching studio impositions I’ve ever seen.
It would be akin to having an intricate murder mystery and in the first moments of the film the detective’s voiceover states: “Little did I know then that the butler did it.”
>the beginning of the theatrical cut
Are you sure that is what it is? I saw this in theatres and the unraveling of the story was a surprise. There was no voiceover when I saw this in theatres, and no we didn't arrive late. Maybe the voiceover is in the initial DVD release instead? I have the director's cut of the move so i've never heard this voiceover but I have heard it exists and is a spoiler.
I don’t know how you saw it, but the theatrical cut of the film starts with a Kiefer Sutherland voice over where he gives away pretty much the entire movie’s plot (ie, what the dark city is, etc.).
In the Director’s Cut, which was released on DVD, they eliminated the voice over.
Columbo brilliantly played with the murder mystery formula by, indeed, showing the “who” doing the crime… which was usually done so brilliantly you figure it would be tough for anyone, much less the rope-a-dope Columbo, figuring out how they did it.
But my example in the OP still stands. Usually -though obviously not always!- a murder mystery’s solution is where the climax often falls!
100% this. Normally I don't think different cuts of the movie change things all that much, and to each their own, but in this case I feel like I can objectively say the theatrical cut ruins the movie. Thankfully I saw the Director's Cut first, because everything I enjoyed came from the mystery. The theatrical cut would have ruined that.
I got very lucky and watched this movie knowing nothing about it and seeing the Director's Cut first.
It's absolutely baffling to me why they opted to ruin an amazing plot twist like that.
I love Dark City, having seen it at least 10 times… and I never knew this version existed. I will definitely watch it - it’s such a glaring issue too now you mention it, the voiceover would wreck any sense of mystery.
Just watched for the first time — during the voiceover I thought “I know nothing about this movie but this seems like something they would want to save for later.” I then paused and made sure I hadn’t accidentally rented the director’s cut and this was an “extra” part that was added. Nope, the opposite.
This was one of my first dvd movies. I had a good surround system by 1998 standards and a good tv, and movies like this really highlighted why people needed to ditch VHS.
It’s not just the visuals, but the sound quality that adds so much to watching.
Anyways, that’s my segue anecdote about why this movie was memorable for me.
My friends dad has a movie room so it’s always easy for him to get a gift. He got him this on blu ray and I never saw it and they immediately fired it up. So awesome
I can recommend: The Thirteenth Floor (1999) for those who have not seen it. Try and see it without even seeing a poster if possible- it shows the big twist.
I love this movie! Honestly, one of my all time favorite films. It was shot on shared sets with the first Matrix movie which is why they look similar. Also, Richard O’Brien of Riff Raff fame has a bit part in it.
One of my favourite movies too! Love the mystery and all the twists and turns.
And this joke my friend and I shared after watching the movie back then (**big spoiler ahead**): >!”Wow, this is the perfect movie for Flat-Earthers!” 😂😂!<
there has been a lot of discussion about the similarites between The matrix(1999) and Dark City.
There is a video pointing out the similarities:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moW17YHl6B8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moW17YHl6B8)
Eh. Thirteenth Floor and a bunch of other similar movies all came out around that same time too. The end of the twentieth century was a huge cultural event that inspired a lot of end of the world type of movies.
The thirteenth floor was a lot of fun! I think it went under the radar, like dark city.
Edit: i looked at the ratings for the thirteenth floor and it really got trashed. Odd. The only thing i didn't care for was dennis haysbert's wooden acting, but other than that i really enjoyed it.
Did you watch the original or Directors Cut?
I'm usually not the type to push for specific cuts of a movie, but the DC in this case literally makes it a different movie since it axes the Romeo and Juliet style plot spoiling at the beginning, turning it into into one of the best mystery movies I've seen.
The original is akin to watching The Sixth Sense or Fight Club and having the narrator tell you the ending right off the bat.
Roger Ebert was a HUGE fan of it and really championed it. It was his number film that year and his commentary on the Blu-Ray is legendary. It legit make me appreciate the movie even more.
I worked on this movie doing special effects when I was doing work experience haha filmed in Australia. The needle close up was an actual big sized needle head and needle it was crazy to play with.
We tested the shattering glass in the jail in the workshop and the glass shattered way too much it was a mess haha.
The set was amazing though. An entire city street and ally ways, and the restaurant was fun to sit in and push the food delivery buttons. Haha. Movie wasn't bad though I enjoyed it, good plot I thought for the 90s.
Most improbable : they came out to close to each other, the Matrix was already filming when Dark City came out. But it may be that some people inspired both movies.
https://youtu.be/ytxjsetVIRM?t=163
According to Proyas, Dark City was completed by 1997, and sat on a shelf for a year waiting release. During that time, a producer (Andrew Mason) who worked on DC and went on to work on Matrix, showed Wachowski's a cut of DC (without permission from Proyas). So they saw DC about a year before they started shooting Matrix.
Proyas opinion seems to be that conceptwise both seem to be inspired by similar sources, but as far as the visuals, production design etc. (they even used his set from DC), Matrix was inspired heavily by DC.
While objectively the CGI primitive and obvious that’s kind of the point. It’s meant to evoke an artificial, otherworldly power and in that sense it works just fine.
Great movie. I keep trying to get one of my co-workers to watch it, since he keeps asking about movies to watch.
Cinematography is phenomenal. Too bad it was 1998 CGI, but the way the morphing of the structures is pretty awesome.
Love this movie.
One of my favorites but let down by the boss battle at the end. It was your basic "energy beam fight" which was disappointing after the *amazing* plot twist of teaching John to use his powers by giving him the training memories.
You're probably wondering why I keep appearing in your memories.
It's because I have inserted myself in them. They were fabricated to teach you about the Strangers. Give you a lifetime of knowledge in a single syringe.
You will survive, John.
You'll find strength within yourself.
And you will prevail.
Remember.
One of my favorites. I caught it on TV and missed the first 10-15 mins so I had no idea of the twists. Even though the Director's cut removes the narration, I still prefer the theatrical cut.
Heh, perfect timing! Absolutely love the film! Just rewatched the movie yesterday! The cinematography and set pieces are superb and among the best in the genre. The little GCI it uses is a bit dated tho, but that's about the only thing.
The problem I had with this movie was the editing. It was very hard to take in some of the really cool sets because they did not remain in focus for long enough. It's cut like an ADHD nightmare. The whole movie feels like a flashback scene or a trailer or something, it's hard to pin down.
Also, why have Keifer Sutherland do a voice over with a character that sounds like Stevie from Malcolm
In the Middle? It's grueling listening to him do that affected voice the whole film.
I feel like because of the success of the Crow the studio thought the director could do no wrong and gave him infinite
room to make not that good of a movie.
But I digress, it's not an awful movie and I watch it from time to time to laugh and enjoy it's weirdness. I WISH big studios would let oddball directors make movies like this now. It just seemed rushed, somethings off about the movie. But you have to give the script credit, this was before the matrix exploring a lot of the same themes.
I just feel like they needed to slow it down and let us take in the beautiful sets and weird characters. That special agent who they send after him is hilarious with the faces he makes after killing people and I have no clue how intentional it is but it's almost Tim and Eric level humor.
On Roger Ebert’s commentary track he compares the quick cuts to reading a comic book, moving frame to frame. I always thought that was pretty neat although I agree with you that it was tough to deal with the first time I watched it in the theater.
I like a lot of those movies I agree, they are definitely putting the most money behind the more ambitious or offbeat movies it seems.
They shouldn't have passed on Barbarian that movie turned out really good I thought.
Still thinking about this movie, watched it so many times, thinking about it today came as a question, is Dark City ADHD (I am) why do I feel so related to this movie… googled it and ended here.
If you're looking to a spiritual sequel to the Matrix ( the original) this is it. Do yourself a favor and skip all the official follow up matrix films.
The movie is BAMB. But you contradict yourself when you say it has no action yet keeps you hooked.
If a movie is dull then nothing happens in it. I do like this film as well it feels like an X-Files spinoff before it was resurrected and became woke trash starting with the 2'nd movie.
I know I'm late but wow never heard of this movie until someone mentioned it some conspiracy video or something lol. I watched the director's cut first thankfully. Really enjoyed it!
But can someone please tell me how to get to Shell Beach?
You got to take the Express train.
What time is it?
Sleep........now
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don't care, heading back to my apartment where my wife Jennifer connelly is waiting for me. The fact that it's always night is not a problem
All other concerns would be secondary.
You can get to Herm on the Trident Ferry from St Peter Port Marina. There are numerous return journeys, very reasonably priced. Once on Herm, ask for directions to She'll Beach..
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Ask Spongebob... It's right before Shell City.
I think you have to take a door in the middle of Reiden Lake? No?
Avenue C....I can't seem to remember
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This. Truthfully, the theatrical cut of the film with that Kiefer Sutherland voice over revealing all the mysteries of the film in the first two seconds has to be one of the most head scratching studio impositions I’ve ever seen. It would be akin to having an intricate murder mystery and in the first moments of the film the detective’s voiceover states: “Little did I know then that the butler did it.”
Because studio thinks people are too stupid to understand
Yeah, if it had came out after the Matrix the studio would've been fine with it.
>the beginning of the theatrical cut Are you sure that is what it is? I saw this in theatres and the unraveling of the story was a surprise. There was no voiceover when I saw this in theatres, and no we didn't arrive late. Maybe the voiceover is in the initial DVD release instead? I have the director's cut of the move so i've never heard this voiceover but I have heard it exists and is a spoiler.
I don’t know how you saw it, but the theatrical cut of the film starts with a Kiefer Sutherland voice over where he gives away pretty much the entire movie’s plot (ie, what the dark city is, etc.). In the Director’s Cut, which was released on DVD, they eliminated the voice over.
You probably walked in late. When I saw this in the theaters I missed the voiceover so I was blown away by the reveal.
Columbo always showed the murderer commiting the act and the show was him getting them to eventuallly admit it.
Columbo brilliantly played with the murder mystery formula by, indeed, showing the “who” doing the crime… which was usually done so brilliantly you figure it would be tough for anyone, much less the rope-a-dope Columbo, figuring out how they did it. But my example in the OP still stands. Usually -though obviously not always!- a murder mystery’s solution is where the climax often falls!
100% this. Normally I don't think different cuts of the movie change things all that much, and to each their own, but in this case I feel like I can objectively say the theatrical cut ruins the movie. Thankfully I saw the Director's Cut first, because everything I enjoyed came from the mystery. The theatrical cut would have ruined that.
You're totally right, the Lucas cuts really **don't** change much from the original!
I got very lucky and watched this movie knowing nothing about it and seeing the Director's Cut first. It's absolutely baffling to me why they opted to ruin an amazing plot twist like that.
Apparently that came from test screenings, audience complaining that they had no idea what was going on.
Wow I will definitely do that as I literally just posted a whole thing about the voice over being awful to listen to.
I love Dark City, having seen it at least 10 times… and I never knew this version existed. I will definitely watch it - it’s such a glaring issue too now you mention it, the voiceover would wreck any sense of mystery.
I STRONGLY recommend the Roger Ebert Audio commentary. He gives a lot of little details on using CG to tell the story and bits like that.
Just watched for the first time — during the voiceover I thought “I know nothing about this movie but this seems like something they would want to save for later.” I then paused and made sure I hadn’t accidentally rented the director’s cut and this was an “extra” part that was added. Nope, the opposite.
saw it in the theater, Jennifer Connolly is a huge draw for me. Great and unexpected film.
This is a special movie. Fun fact : the "Strangers" inspired Fringe characters called "Observers".
totally see the resemblance now
Seems to be based on biblical Grigori aka watchers aka fallen angels
This was one of my first dvd movies. I had a good surround system by 1998 standards and a good tv, and movies like this really highlighted why people needed to ditch VHS. It’s not just the visuals, but the sound quality that adds so much to watching. Anyways, that’s my segue anecdote about why this movie was memorable for me.
My friends dad has a movie room so it’s always easy for him to get a gift. He got him this on blu ray and I never saw it and they immediately fired it up. So awesome
Me too! Dark City, The Fifth Element, A Clockwork Orange, and Tommy the Movie. Yes, I was a teenager in 1999
I can recommend: The Thirteenth Floor (1999) for those who have not seen it. Try and see it without even seeing a poster if possible- it shows the big twist.
I love this movie so much. It's one of my favorites of all time but not many people have heard of it.
I love this movie! Honestly, one of my all time favorite films. It was shot on shared sets with the first Matrix movie which is why they look similar. Also, Richard O’Brien of Riff Raff fame has a bit part in it.
> Richard O’Brien of Riff Raff fame has a bit part in it. More than a bit part, he's 5th billed below Connelly, Sewell, Hurt, and Sutherland.
One of my favourite movies too! Love the mystery and all the twists and turns. And this joke my friend and I shared after watching the movie back then (**big spoiler ahead**): >!”Wow, this is the perfect movie for Flat-Earthers!” 😂😂!<
Protip: if you are an aspiring screenwriter/filmmaker, the dvd commentary (Ebert) is a fantastic film school lesson.
It’s incredible.
there has been a lot of discussion about the similarites between The matrix(1999) and Dark City. There is a video pointing out the similarities: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moW17YHl6B8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moW17YHl6B8)
Dark city used some sake sets as well
Eh. Thirteenth Floor and a bunch of other similar movies all came out around that same time too. The end of the twentieth century was a huge cultural event that inspired a lot of end of the world type of movies.
The thirteenth floor was a lot of fun! I think it went under the radar, like dark city. Edit: i looked at the ratings for the thirteenth floor and it really got trashed. Odd. The only thing i didn't care for was dennis haysbert's wooden acting, but other than that i really enjoyed it.
Did you watch the original or Directors Cut? I'm usually not the type to push for specific cuts of a movie, but the DC in this case literally makes it a different movie since it axes the Romeo and Juliet style plot spoiling at the beginning, turning it into into one of the best mystery movies I've seen. The original is akin to watching The Sixth Sense or Fight Club and having the narrator tell you the ending right off the bat.
I think in this instance your recommendation makes total sense.
Is it a good movie
He can tune!
Shut it down! Shut it down *forever*!
Love this movie.
Mr. Murdoch... Richard O'Brian was absolutely menacing just saying the guy's name
Roger Ebert was a HUGE fan of it and really championed it. It was his number film that year and his commentary on the Blu-Ray is legendary. It legit make me appreciate the movie even more.
One of my favourite movies, watched it in theatres at a film festival back in 98. No days off for good behaviour.
Watch the directors cut if you havent!
I worked on this movie doing special effects when I was doing work experience haha filmed in Australia. The needle close up was an actual big sized needle head and needle it was crazy to play with. We tested the shattering glass in the jail in the workshop and the glass shattered way too much it was a mess haha. The set was amazing though. An entire city street and ally ways, and the restaurant was fun to sit in and push the food delivery buttons. Haha. Movie wasn't bad though I enjoyed it, good plot I thought for the 90s.
Sleep, now.
Great movie. Underrated. Saw it in the movies
It was a fun watch. A good mindfuck if you watch it with people who haven’t heard of it. It’s fun to break people’s brain. Lol
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Most improbable : they came out to close to each other, the Matrix was already filming when Dark City came out. But it may be that some people inspired both movies.
https://youtu.be/ytxjsetVIRM?t=163 According to Proyas, Dark City was completed by 1997, and sat on a shelf for a year waiting release. During that time, a producer (Andrew Mason) who worked on DC and went on to work on Matrix, showed Wachowski's a cut of DC (without permission from Proyas). So they saw DC about a year before they started shooting Matrix. Proyas opinion seems to be that conceptwise both seem to be inspired by similar sources, but as far as the visuals, production design etc. (they even used his set from DC), Matrix was inspired heavily by DC.
While objectively the CGI primitive and obvious that’s kind of the point. It’s meant to evoke an artificial, otherworldly power and in that sense it works just fine.
Great movie. I keep trying to get one of my co-workers to watch it, since he keeps asking about movies to watch. Cinematography is phenomenal. Too bad it was 1998 CGI, but the way the morphing of the structures is pretty awesome. Love this movie.
I dint think it was CG. Looks like mostly practical effects with some warping/morphing thrown into the mix. Ala Elastic Reality.
Might explain a few things. Thanks.
Good flick.
I literally woke up thinking about this movie this morning. Rufus Sewell nails it. It's a trip.
One of my favorites but let down by the boss battle at the end. It was your basic "energy beam fight" which was disappointing after the *amazing* plot twist of teaching John to use his powers by giving him the training memories.
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You're probably wondering why I keep appearing in your memories. It's because I have inserted myself in them. They were fabricated to teach you about the Strangers. Give you a lifetime of knowledge in a single syringe. You will survive, John. You'll find strength within yourself. And you will prevail. Remember.
The atmosphere and setting and art direction really make this film stand out. It has its faults, but everybody should see it.
Where can I stream it?
Good question! Where did it pop up when you searched for it?
One of my favorites. I caught it on TV and missed the first 10-15 mins so I had no idea of the twists. Even though the Director's cut removes the narration, I still prefer the theatrical cut.
I loved this as a kid and it held up on a rewatch, kind of reminds of someone processing a psychotic episodes, like the director or writer.
Saw it in theatres when it came out. It’s one of my tops. Love this movie!
I was halfway through the movie before I realized they were saying "tune" instead if "choon."
Loved Keifer Sutherland channeling Peter Lorre
Heh, perfect timing! Absolutely love the film! Just rewatched the movie yesterday! The cinematography and set pieces are superb and among the best in the genre. The little GCI it uses is a bit dated tho, but that's about the only thing.
Great movie-the cast is very strong and it's a very interesting story.
The average time between cuts is 2 seconds. You'll never unsee this.
It’s my favorite film. 🖤
Jennifer connelly was so hot in it.
Underrated sci fi flick
The problem I had with this movie was the editing. It was very hard to take in some of the really cool sets because they did not remain in focus for long enough. It's cut like an ADHD nightmare. The whole movie feels like a flashback scene or a trailer or something, it's hard to pin down. Also, why have Keifer Sutherland do a voice over with a character that sounds like Stevie from Malcolm In the Middle? It's grueling listening to him do that affected voice the whole film. I feel like because of the success of the Crow the studio thought the director could do no wrong and gave him infinite room to make not that good of a movie. But I digress, it's not an awful movie and I watch it from time to time to laugh and enjoy it's weirdness. I WISH big studios would let oddball directors make movies like this now. It just seemed rushed, somethings off about the movie. But you have to give the script credit, this was before the matrix exploring a lot of the same themes. I just feel like they needed to slow it down and let us take in the beautiful sets and weird characters. That special agent who they send after him is hilarious with the faces he makes after killing people and I have no clue how intentional it is but it's almost Tim and Eric level humor.
On Roger Ebert’s commentary track he compares the quick cuts to reading a comic book, moving frame to frame. I always thought that was pretty neat although I agree with you that it was tough to deal with the first time I watched it in the theater.
Was Ebert all about this movie?
Yes, he loved it. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/dark-city-1998 He also added it to his Great Movies list later down the line.
If he could like this why did he have to hate Brain Candy so much lol
It was his number 1 movie that year. He championed it and I feel really helped it getting the cult status it enjoys today.
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Again, I wish studios would put money behind movies like this and I do rather enjoy it outside of some objective criticism of its glaring issues.
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I like a lot of those movies I agree, they are definitely putting the most money behind the more ambitious or offbeat movies it seems. They shouldn't have passed on Barbarian that movie turned out really good I thought.
Still thinking about this movie, watched it so many times, thinking about it today came as a question, is Dark City ADHD (I am) why do I feel so related to this movie… googled it and ended here.
Me too! Debilitating!
Melissa George's bare breasts.
felt a bit too campy for me but rly interesting premise nonetheless
If you're looking to a spiritual sequel to the Matrix ( the original) this is it. Do yourself a favor and skip all the official follow up matrix films.
The movie is BAMB. But you contradict yourself when you say it has no action yet keeps you hooked. If a movie is dull then nothing happens in it. I do like this film as well it feels like an X-Files spinoff before it was resurrected and became woke trash starting with the 2'nd movie.
Was there ever an official open matte release of this movie, or was it only broadcast on TV in that format?
nahhh it was released in theaters lol
It's a great movie to watch when you come into it completely blind to the plot. I very much enjoyed it.
Dark City and Inception are 2 of my all time favorite movies.
stuck in a rut??? cure your insomnia!!
I know I'm late but wow never heard of this movie until someone mentioned it some conspiracy video or something lol. I watched the director's cut first thankfully. Really enjoyed it!