I JUST HAD to write this post separately from all my other reviews. Rarely if ever, does ANY film blow me away like how this one did. I’ll review all the other lesser movies in another batch session later. Meanwhile, if you have ANY means whatsoever to get your hands on this movie - do so and you won’t regret it (even downloading or getting a copy off the pirates).
Eric Wilkinson & Richard Schenkman, the producer and director for the movie wrote: “Our independent movie had next to no advertising budget and very little going for it until somebody ripped one of the DVD screeners and put the movie online for all to download. Most of the feedback from everyone who has downloaded The Man From Earth has been overwhelmingly positive. People like our movie and are talking about it, all thanks to piracy on the net!” (Read the rest of the email + discussion with fans here)
As of this posting, The Man From Earth has an IMDB rating of 8.4 with 7840+ votes and counting.
I must warn you though, that as mentioned, this movie has an extremely low budget of less than $200k. The whole movie takes place in a log cabin in the middle of nowhere, and consists entirely of dialogue. If you can’t take talking shows, then avoid.
But my oh my oh my, what unadulterated dialogue! Intensely thought provoking, wondrous, imaginative, emotional.. I struggle to remember another movie that actually made me sit FORWARD to listen rather than lean back in my seat. I felt like I was contributing to their intellectual discussions. I was so immersed, I felt every character’s thoughts and feelings. I was actually there, sitting next to that fireplace, lost in a realm of possibilities.
This movie has everything I love about sci-fi. It’s not about special effects, it’s not about gadgets and weaponry and dragons and what not. It’s about questions and answers. It’s acknowledging that nothing can truly be impossible. It’s about beliefs and faith and logic and science and everything in between.
More than ever, it shows that all you need for a great movie is a great idea, a great script and a great execution - irregardless of the budget or big names. This movie aced it.
Amazing.
