Oblivion

[scifiwolf]

I found this while reviewing sketches for some design studies I'm doing. Scrolling down through the guest speakers' profiles, I came across Daniel Simon, who did some art for Oblivion. The example they have posted is an iteration for the bubble ship. Pretty cool to see the influences of the old Bell 47 and dragonflies to build up the form. It was something I hadn't seen before, so I thought I'd post it to share. Also figured if any Hypers are able to attend the workshop, they might enjoy it.

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Just got back from this, really enjoyed it but at the same time was slightly dissapointed. The movie was confusing in parts it shouldnt have been, which made some of the revelations towards the end lack a bit of bite in my eyes.

The cast were great, Cruise, Riseborough (that swimming scene, wow!) and Kuralenko were all very good, and Freeman and Coster-Waldau, despite having small roles, did make an impact and got you invested in them. The visuals are the movies strong point, i'm sure everyone has heard by now but the movie really is gorgeous, the sound and score help a lot with the mood as well. The score was excellent, though not quite as good as the one for Tron: Legacy.

The action was very good as well, but a word of warning, its not an "action-packed" movie by any means, there are maybe 3 set-pieces in the whole movie, there are some very slow and talkative parts as well so if you want an action romp dont come to this.

The story was quite good, though it borrows heavily from other, even recent sci-fi movies, however the execution was done pretty well, even if parts dragged and the big reveal was pretty predictable. But this brings me back to the confusing parts, what were the aliens exactly? And

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

what were they doing cloning humans, why couldnt the drones just monitor Earth and return to the TET when they needed repair, also why were the aliens here, was it just for the planets resources? Why even make up the story to Jack and Victoria about them leaving for Titan, etc, why the big elaborate scheme just to keep them happy?

For a film full of talking moments and exposition, I really shouldnt have this many questions, but overall I did enjoy it, and it is well worth seeing at the cinema. 8/10.

Kosinski really needs some help with his story-telling though, he slows things down too much to get the plot explained in both his movies so far.

[Kane52630]

Originally Posted by AVEITWITHJAMON

But this brings me back to the confusing parts, what were the aliens exactly? And

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

what were they doing cloning humans, why couldnt the drones just monitor Earth and return to the TET when they needed repair, also why were the aliens here, was it just for the planets resources? Why even make up the story to Jack and Victoria about them leaving for Titan, etc, why the big elaborate scheme just to keep them happy?

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

There were no aliens on Earth (according to Beech), the Tet was creating and using the clones to help take over the earth and drain their resources. I guess you can say that Tet was the alien in this movie. I think Tet wanted that elaborate story to prevent them from remembering too much and give them a false hope? The Drones needed repair but they needed a human touch which is another reason why the clones was created.

On a side note yes, dat Riseborough.

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Originally Posted by Kane52630

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

There were no aliens on Earth (according to Beech), the Tet was creating and using the clones to help take over the earth and drain their resources. I guess you can say that Tet was the alien in this movie. I think Tet wanted that elaborate story to prevent them from remembering too much and give them a false hope? The Drones needed repair but they needed a human touch which is another reason why the clones was created.

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

Yeah I got that the TET was alien in nature, but what was it exactly? It seemed like more of a machine than a biological alien, so if it was a machine then who sent it and why did they not feel the need to be present themselves in case anything went wrong. Also if it was a machine, what did it need resources for? I just think the aliens themselves needed a bit more explanation, especially of their motives and what they need the resources for, was their world dying? Were they just a cruel race who wanted to wipe out others, there were simply too many questions about them for my liking.

Originally Posted by Kane52630

On a side note yes, dat Riseborough.

Indeed, the body on that woman is amazing, she is a pretty great actress as well.

[Kane52630]

Originally Posted by AVEITWITHJAMON

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

Yeah I got that the TET was alien in nature, but what was it exactly? It seemed like more of a machine than a biological alien, so if it was a machine then who sent it and why did they not feel the need to be present themselves in case anything went wrong. Also if it was a machine, what did it need resources for? I just think the aliens themselves needed a bit more explanation, especially of their motives and what they need the resources for, was their world dying? Were they just a cruel race who wanted to wipe out others, there were simply too many questions about them for my liking.

Fix the spoiler tag on your post before anyone sees it.

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

I dunno, I dug the little ambiguity for the real aliens, It leaves the door open for a sequel. It reminded me of the other older scifi movies and novels that go that route which is what Joe wanted to make in the first place.

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Originally Posted by Kane52630

Fix the spoiler tag on your post before anyone sees it.

Phew, just fixed it then, hope I didnt spoil anything for anyone, apologies if I did.

Originally Posted by Kane52630

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

I dunno, I dug the little ambiguity for the real aliens, It leaves the door open for a sequel. It reminded me of the other older scifi movies and novels that go that route which is what Joe wanted to make in the first place.

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

I dont mind a little ambiguity, I actually prefer sometimes that they leave things open to our imagination, I am someone who loved Prometheus for example. But in Oblivion they gave us virtually NOTHING on the aliens, they didnt leave to our imagination IMO because we literally had nothing to go on, we dont know what they look like, what the TET was, nothing, which I found the only really dissapointing aspect of the movie. We literally didnt know what the humans were fighting against, nor did it look like the humans fought back when they initially invaded, the aliens just destroyed the moon then left us for a while before sending the drones in.

As for a sequel, has Kosinski said he wants to do one? I followed this movie from the start of its production and dont remember hearing anything about a sequel, I always thought this was a stand-alone feature like Moon and Sunshine?

[terry78]

So she made your borough rise, is what you're saying.

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Originally Posted by terry78

So she made your borough rise, is what you're saying.

Definately! Have you seen the movie? If so you will know what scene we mean.

[Kane52630]

Originally Posted by AVEITWITHJAMON

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

I dont mind a little ambiguity, I actually prefer sometimes that they leave things open to our imagination, I am someone who loved Prometheus for example. But in Oblivion they gave us virtually NOTHING on the aliens, they didnt leave to our imagination IMO because we literally had nothing to go on, we dont know what they look like, what the TET was, nothing, which I found the only really dissapointing aspect of the movie. We literally didnt know what the humans were fighting against, nor did it look like the humans fought back when they initially invaded, the aliens just destroyed the moon then left us for a while before sending the drones in.

As for a sequel, has Kosinski said he wants to do one? I followed this movie from the start of its production and dont remember hearing anything about a sequel, I always thought this was a stand-alone feature like Moon and Sunshine?

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

ah, I can see why you were disappointed, I didn't get that feeling myself. He said he doesn't want to immediately go back to this world but he left a maybe sign during a WonderCon interview.

http://www.iamrogue.com/news/wonderc...cy-sequel.html
“Potentially. Honestly, just in casual conversations. We’ve talked about what happened before the movie and what happened after. That would be a thing where you’d really want the demand to be there before you start thinking about it. For me, I think it would be great to take a little break from this world for a little while. But that’s not to say we wouldn’t want to go back to it at some point.”

[Kane52630]

You know...if the we ever get a Portal movie Joe would be the perfect guy to direct (and hire the writer from the game).

[DorneyDave]

My lack of interest based on the trailers and plot-line combined with the mixed reviews have convinced me to just wait for the Blu-Ray of this one. I know I'll be missing out on the "Imax" experience, but with tickets being 19 dollars, have to pick and choose. Going to save that 19 bucks for Iron Man 3 in a few weeks.

[Destructus86]

Den of Geek is the ONLY site i'll even give consideration for when it comes to movie reviews...and they seem to like it.
http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/obli...blivion-review

[Monsieur Xavier]

The Tet was Hal and Sal 9000 evil son, a sentient bio organic computer.

[Kane52630]

Originally Posted by Destructus86

Den of Geek is the ONLY site i'll even give consideration for when it comes to movie reviews...and they seem to like it.
http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/obli...blivion-review

He pretty much hit the nail on the head with that review. I like this quote:

It’s a well-constructed story, even if some of the narrative beats have been seen before. Kosinski keeps the twists coming thick and fast, and just when you think you’ve got a handle on where the narrative's going, it alters trajectory and forges into new territory. And because the plot emphasises characters over action, the set-pieces, when they do arrive, have far more impact: one aerial chase sequence is particularly exhilarating.

Originally Posted by Monsieur Xavier

The Tet was Hal and Sal 9000 evil son, a sentient bio organic computer.

Yeah, pretty much.

[Kane52630]

[Quasimod0]

Can't wait to see is. I LOVE tron legacy. Do you guys think ill like this? Is it similar?

[Kane52630]

Originally Posted by Quasimod0

Can't wait to see is. I LOVE tron legacy. Do you guys think ill like this? Is it similar?

It's similar in pace and the futuristic design aesthetic. For story wise, think of it as a big budgeted twilight zone episode with a lot of nods to the old 60's/70's scifi novels and films.

[Quasimod0]

Originally Posted by Kane52630

It's similar in pace and the futuristic design aesthetic. For story wise, think of it as a big budgeted twilight zone episode with a lot of nods to the old 60's/70's scifi novels and films.

Sounds like ill love it. Thanks Kane

[Hunter Rider]

Monsieur Xavier is pretty much spot on about the TET.

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

It lured in Jack Harper who was supposed to be one of our finest, an astronaut and I assume a military man. Then they cloned him, perhaps 1,000's of times and an army of Jacks were sent to Earth to wipe us out. Once done they left clones of Jack and the only other human they had, Vicka, and created the backstory for them in order to keep them in line with the traditional human life of husband and wife along with sense of duty as both were clearly that type as they went to examine the TET to begin with.

The part about Titan was so they would fly up after so many rotations to be replaced by new clones as the TET knew eventually one or both would potentially start to ask too many questions and need replacing, plus to keep the clones motivated they needed something to aim for, that was what Titan represented.

Originally Posted by scifiwolf

I found this while reviewing sketches for some design studies I'm doing. Scrolling down through the guest speakers' profiles, I came across Daniel Simon, who did some art for Oblivion. The example they have posted is an iteration for the bubble ship. Pretty cool to see the influences of the old Bell 47 and dragonflies to build up the form. It was something I hadn't seen before, so I thought I'd post it to share. Also figured if any Hypers are able to attend the workshop, they might enjoy it.

Awesome! Thanks for posting this, I stand by my view that the bubble ship is the greatest sci fi vehicle created since the Falcon and Salve 1. I'm disappointed that no collectibles company has made a model of it.

[Hunter Rider]

I also loved how the Drones were made to feel so menacing; sentient and soulless killing machines, like floating Terminators. The sounds used for them were perfect.

[dude love]

I'm avoiding posts in this thread for fear of spoilers. If I took my ten year old cousin to this, would he be entertained?

[Kane52630]

Originally Posted by Hunter Rider

I also loved how the Drones were made to feel so menacing; sentient and soulless killing machines, like floating Terminators. The sounds used for them were perfect.

Indeed, they made them into ruthless killing machines and the sound was one of major reasons why.

Originally Posted by dude love

I'm avoiding posts in this thread for fear of spoilers. If I took my ten year old cousin to this, would he be entertained?

Depends, if he doesn't mind a slow paced film then he should be entertained. When sh** does happen they make sure sh** hits the fan.

[dude love]

Hmm, might not risk it and take him to Iron Man 3. He's pretty mature, but not that ready for a heavy sci-fi flick. He'd better be ready for Interstellar though!

[Hunter Rider]

Originally Posted by dude love

I'm avoiding posts in this thread for fear of spoilers. If I took my ten year old cousin to this, would he be entertained?

As Kane says it depends on if he's a 10 year old who doesn't get bored with too much talking and not enough action. The action is great when it comes but the movie takes it's time to get to it which invests you in the main character.

Originally Posted by Kane52630

Indeed, they made them into ruthless killing machines and the sound was one of major reasons why.

I especially thought the scene where the drone killed Vicka was chilling.

[Kane52630]

Originally Posted by Hunter Rider

I especially thought the scene where the drone killed Vicka was chilling.

Same here, my jaw dropped when I realized what just happened.