Sunday, July 12, 2009

Knowing...

Now that I have "Video on Demand" on my new TV, there is no stopping me. I can watch all the newest releases simply by pushing a button, et voila! it's on my screen. I love it, and I have been able to watch a couple of movies that I might not otherwise have chosen. The one I watched the other night is one I had not heard of before, called "Knowing" with Nicolas Cage. I love Nicolas Cage, so I chose the movie just to watch him, and I ended up being mesmerized by this movie. The theme of the movie is a subject of which I have had recurring dreams over the years.

The movie begins 50 years ago in 1959 with a group of school children burying a time capsule containing their ideas and visions of what our world will be like in 2009. When the time capsule is unearthed, one little boy -- Caleb -- is giving a series of chilling predictions that had been placed into the capsule by a little girl 50 years earlier. Caleb's father, John, (Nicolas Cage) is an MIT professor and astrophysicist, and he begins to realize the implications of the 50 year-old predictions.

The movie can be interpreted in a couple of different ways, and I think based on one's philosophical ideas, the indications of the ultimate prediction are very clear. If you have seen the movie, I would be interested to hear how you interpret it. If you haven't seen it, I would recommend you definitely put it on your list.

23 comments:

John said...

Thanks, Jo! Your movie recommendations haven't disappointed me yet, so I will have to rent that one. You make it sound very intriguing.

Nicholas Cage is such a good actor, especially in Leaving Las Vegas and Con Air-- a couple of his older movies.

We have "red box" vending machines here at several store, where you can rent a movie for $1.00 a day. You can't beat that!

PoirotK said...

hmm.. sorry Jo.. I disagree with you..

I already watch this movie, the story is good, and Cage is a good actor but the ending is so lame..

Kathy's Klothesline said...

I love your reviews, but never have time to watch a movie. I would be interrupted too many times if I tried before I closed for the night and after I close I would never make it to the end without falling asleep! Winter, that's my time......can't wait til winter!

The Panorama said...

Will watch it soon. Thanks for the review:)

heartinsanfrancisco said...

I like Nicholas Cage, too, and the movie sounds excellent. I'll weigh in after I've seen it, and thanks for the recommendation.

Deb said...

OK, I'm adding this to my Netflix list. I have come to rely on your movie picks which will only expand mine.
Tonight's movie is Bedtime Stories...my husbands kind of movie. I will report back!

SparkleFarkel said...

Coincidentally, we're planning to rent Knowing this week-- thanks for the review! Have you seen Nicolas Cage in the remake of The Wicker Man? You've got to, if you haven't already. What an unintentional laugh-riot! Cage bicycling through the island hills and dales like a red, hot banshee has to be seen to be believed. LOL! Plus, his white dress shirt never gets dirty through out the entire movie!

Alexandra MacVean said...

I have not seen the movie, but I think I am going to now. I LOVE Nicholas Cage. Thank you for your review and I will let you know what I think about it after I've seen it.

SweetPeaSurry said...

I haven't seen this movie yet, Jo. However, it was on my list and I'll have to peck it out of my 'On Demand' menu one of these first days. As a side note, I've noticed over the years that the movies that don't get very great reviews from the so called 'experts' are the ones I tend to love the most. Don't you find that odd?

Jo said...

John, I have a feeling you will like this movie. You can rent a movie for $1.00 day? Holy smoke! I like your new avatar, by the way. :-)

Putra, you found the ending lame? Omigawd! I found it terrifying beyond belief, because it is completely plausible. I could happen!

Kathy, I would imagine right now is your high season, and you are busier than a one-armed paper hanger (no offense to one-armed paper hangers...) :-)

The Panorama, I think you will really enjoy it!

Hearts, yes, the ending could be interpreted in two different ways. It's interesting.

Deb, I will have to put "Bedtime Stories" on my list too. It looks like it might be fun.

Sparkle, I haven't seen "The Wicker Man". Thanks for the tip. I have seen "Wicker Park" but that's a whole different movie. :-)

Amelia, I would be very interested to get your interpretation of the ending.

SweetPeaSurry, I never listen to the critics. Everyone loved "Slumdog Millionaire" and I thought it was the worst piece of garbage I had ever seen. The movies that the critics hate are always the ones I love. Go figure ... hey?

Leslie: said...

Hmmm....sounds interesting. Might give it a try.

Paula Slade said...

Jo, you should be in the PR business for the film industry - you do a marvelous job! It's now on my list!

Bea said...

Hi Jo! I saw the movie several weeks ago, and I remember the story was quite entertaining. I found a few weak areas in the plot, but nothing that detracted from the flow of the story. I especially enjoyed the special effects. Being familiar with Apocalyptic stories, I was able to figure out the ending. One question I had about the movie (spoiler here) what were the numbers Caleb was writing (feverishly) all about if the horrible predictions were already written by the little girl 50 years earlier? Don't want to say too much more so as not to ruin the story for others.

Jo said...

Leslie, you would love it.

Paula, goodness :-) Thank you!

Bea, that is what I find intersting about people's views of it. It was not Apocalyptic. It was science fiction. Those were not angels who took the children away, they were aliens from another planet. Interesting, hey?

Jo said...

Bea, I almost forgot. The numbers were the little girl's predictions of disasters that were going to happen, that did in fact happe. 9/11 was one of them.

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

Sorry, but I haven't popped around as much as I would like to. I have some problems opening your blog on my slower pc at home. Maybe because you have so many posts that need to load.
This is one of the movies that is on my "have to see" list, but I just haven't had the chance to get around to it.

Thiea Arantxa said...

I've heard of this movie before, and I was planning to watch it -- until my friend told me the movie is not so good. =(
But I think I change my mind now and I plan to rent it soon.
^^
Thanks for your review!

Aidan said...

I saw this movie at the cinema and it's actually awesome :D I too a bit Nicholas Cage fan and have many times argued that he is the last great movie star,

Good review :)

AJ
xx

Laura Doyle said...

Hmm. I usually try to avoid those global-disaster, end-of-the-world, people-dying-left-and-right type movies (b/c I think those ideas in a critical number of human minds could actually bring about those events), but I might try and watch it. I was avoiding "The Day The Earth Stood Still" for the very same reason but a friend convinced me to watch and I honestly liked it. It was inspiring, actually. I suppose I'll give Knowing a chance as well. : )

Lay said...

It's funny I have been passing by this movie over the last few days on demand wondering whether it was worth it to purchase,the description on the screen never caught my attention but your description of it makes me want to rent it, I am hitting play as we speak... Thanks!

Pat said...

My sister liked the movie so much that she BOUGHT it. So that 's two recommendations - I've got to see it now!

nelsoneroni said...

(SPOILER - SORT OF) I thought it was interesting that the "beings" at the end of the movie almost looked like they had wings as they ascended....quite angelic.

Patsy said...

I'd write something here but we both emailed each other so much about it several days ago that there is noting left to say.... at least for right now.