Laughncat

How good is Solaris? I came across this title while hunting for Event Horizon and it sounds like something interesting. Any input? Also, since it's an Image disc, how good is the disc on the technical side? Well, I guess it's back to bigstar to see if I really want that copy of Event Horizon or not...it's one of the few films that actually gave me the willies in a long time.

John DVDz

SOLARIS is a great film. That being said, it is a slow paced film that is more cerebral than most films. It deals more with inner feelings and emotions rather than with the glitzy gosh-wow-boom sci-fi fodder of more recent decades.

If you can find a DVD of it, grab it. And then let me know where I can get a copy. Only a few were released before the company recalled them. Seems they didn't have the DVD distribution rights nailed down. Starnge but true. Now IE claims they never released any of them. I actualy had my hands on in a Best Buy in Ft. Collins, CO about a year or so ago. It was priced way to high and I thought I'd find it lower on the web. But NO one actualy had any in stock.

redshift

Agree with JohnDVDz on the film. "Solaris" is one of Tarkovsky's more accessible films, providing both a cohesive plot and an allegorical treatise on human behavior. However, it is not as mainstream (and infinitely more rewarding IMHO) than, say, Kubrick's "2001". I preferred this film to Tarkovsky's other sci-fi work, "Stalker". Tarkovsky's style is languidly paced, and more abstract than narrative, but his visual composition is precise and beautifully realized.

I tried ordering this on DVD from several sources when it was supposed to be released, but got cancelled everytime. Heck, I'd trade a future offspring for a copy of this on DVD!

[This message has been edited by redshift (edited January 06, 2000).]

Muishkin

Same here, got my orders cancelled everywhere. What can I say, get the dvd. It's my favorite Tarkovsky film behind Andrei Rublev. The Sacrifice is another excellent sci-fi film by Tark, too bad that's not available on dvd.

Sem

Generally speaking, you can't go wrong with any Tarkovsky's movie. Even if you feel confused after watching them the first time, like a good wine - it gets better with each year passing.
Yes, Solaris and Andrei Rublev
are the most accessible Tarkovsky's movies and are a must for any serious collection.
As for that particular dvd, I wonder why it didn't show up on eBay so far, because if it did it would fetch a higher price than LSOH. John DVDz, are you certain it was a dvd, not a laser ?

John DVDz

John DVDz, are you certain it was a dvd, not a laser ?
------------------------------

Yep. I know the difference There was some discussion of this on alt.videeo.dvd way over year ago. A fellow who said he was with IE gave the full history. Apparently, since they had made the laserdisc they thought they had the rights to release the DVD. They remastered the film adding all new subtitles and put it into production. From what I gather some units were shipped before IE got plastered with some litigation. They pulled whatever they could. My GUESS is the rest are sitting boxed in storage ... or destroyed.

[This message has been edited by John DVDz (edited September 21, 2000).]

Jepthah

I agree with Tarkovsky himself, who said that Solaris was his worst film. That being said, it's still leagues ahead of most science fiction in that it is an INTELLIGENT story about IDEAS. That's something we tend to forget in the genre today. I feel that Stalker is the best film Tarkovsky made and if you consider it science fiction, which I don't, it's a good example of that genre as well, although it's more allegorical than anything.

redshift

Wow! I really said that back in January? Needless to say, when it came time to choose one Tarkovsky film for the Senses of Cinema Top Ten Film Poll (under acquarello), I chose Stalker. I don't think Solaris is his worst film though. In fact, I don't think he has one.

------------------
Strictly Film School

Hendrik

...for anyone interested in Andrei Tarkovsky and his films, I recommend a visit to this dedicated site:
http://skywalking.com/tarkovsky/index.html

Enjoy!

! !

Hendrik

...and then I found this (which probably is old news to many, but it was genuinely new to me, so I decided to put the link here):
http://www.k26.com/solaris/SOLARIS_I...ris_intro.html

Soderbergh directing... hmmm... why not?!

! !

John DVDz

I note DVD Box Office in Canada has this title listed on their website as available. Anyone know if this is true? I just sent them an email and am somewhat impatient for a reply.

Richard Malloy

Is this disc really out there?

Please, if you have any idea where it might be found, post that information here!

John DVDz

My previous note tells you where to go Or at least that's where I found a reference to it. Here's the direct url:
http://dvdboxoffice.com/description....=1&country=cad

Rumors on websites indicate James Cameron's studio wants to produce a remake!

fisher_lee

READ the BOOK!!! I love most of Lem's books. Anyway there is a reference to the DVD here: http://www.bflicks.com/page/page.cgi...831334f4446544

Richard Malloy

Thank you, John!

Have you heard back from them yet?

I just now placed an order and rec'd an order confirmation via email - I'm not holding my breath, but worth a shot!

Hendrik

...I placed an order, too, and - to my great surprise - got a confirmation per E-mail...

Now all I have to do is sit back, relax, and see if/when/what I'll get...

Keeping my fingers and toes crossed...

! !

John DVDz

Nope. I haven't heard from DVDBoxOffice.com but I hope Hendrik hears from as he actually placed an order! I'm still waiting.

Jaymole

Fox Lorber/Winstar now has the rights to "Solaris" & "Stalker" but they've said that they don't plan on releasing them anytime soon.


[This message has been edited by Jaymole (edited September 25, 2000).]

buy.com sux

Anyone actually manage to get this from DVDBoxOffice.com?

jonathan.e

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Jaymole:
Fox Lorber/Winstar now has the rights to "Solaris" & "Stalker" but they've said that they don't plan on releasing them anytime soon.<HR>

Hmmm....something to be grateful for then!

Have the laserdisc but would love to upgrade. Not sure I could psychologically commit to buying a Fox Lorber release if they ever put it out.

[This message has been edited by jonathan.e (edited October 03, 2000).]