Highly original, beautiful film
Added 9/26/2009
If you're looking for explosions or anything with a basic plot structure, this movie isn't for you. But if you're looking for something unique, original, and interesting, you have to check this out.
The movie pulls off the black and white perfectly; it sets the tone of the story extremely well. It's an interesting twist on numbers and math; it's a nice exaggeration of the power of numbers. The black and white pixelization technique is amazing, to say the least. When i first saw this, i was waiting for more plot, but what i later realized is how amazingly this movie is in the most subtle ways. It left a lasting impression on me, begging for a re-watch.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Pi (1998)-Another film about a paranoid scientist, but a good one.
Added 9/9/2009
Pi (1998) was another great five star film about an apparently paranoid, but brilliant scientist having a preoccupation with numbers. His paranoia is evident as he has practically barricaded himself into his apartment with several redundant locks (like Jack N. in "As Good as it Gets"), and only ventures out to meet with his old teacher. His prefessor recommends that he slow down. Max, his fameous and best student is trying to computer model the governing dynamics of the stock market, while his mentor and old professor has been looking for patterns in pi (3.14159, etc.). I suppose the math work behind these objectives is enough to drive anyone over the edge, but his professor actually does die mysteriously from something half way through the film.
Although the much overused theme of a paranoid scientist living in the 90's appears on film once again, this movie was really well done. The film featured some great photography using enhanced contrast B&W film stock, neat shots of multi-ethnick lower Manhattan and New York's fameous subway system with lots of atmosphere, and a really interesting plot guaranteed to drive you insane
A nice, even charming side feature is when Max is approached by a very friendly but odd person who asks him if he is Jewish. A few moments later, just like a regular customer of one of New York's fameous Mitvos-Mobiles, Max is praying and learning how to be a good jew. He soon finds out that his good natured host is also using math to study jewish scripture. Hold onto your sanity, now we are really off to the races.
One sign I noticed of a low budget film was the bald skull cap that Max wore after he shaved his head. You could see wrinkles all over the poorly made prop. I think you will like this film as it has many subtle touches. I also enjoyed the opening graphics which looked like they were taken from some advanced work in mathematics. Just one thing, I don't think anyone will be too crazy about the "musical" score which is all loud percussion and electronic noise.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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I hate Math...
Added 7/13/2009
...but I don't hate math quite enough, which is one reason why Pi is an intriguing look at the world through the eyes of a reclusive, paranoid math genius. Pi really does have an interesting, somewhat bizarre take on Math. It's the kind of film that makes me giddy because the fact that numbers and graphing have such power. Throw in a great use of film-making (which enchances this movie in a way I never thought possible) and you probably have the most unique science fiction movie of the 90's.
Pi really does it's workings by delivering this concept about Math, being that it can be applied to everything. It can be applied to nature, and when you graph it, patterns can even emerge. Comparisons to David Lynch are kind of haphazard, but while David Lynch admittely makes some of his films pretty normal if you stripe away all of the symbolism and film making (please tell me if Mulholland Drive really is weird on the core), Pi actually deals with something a bit less cliche. Pi 's main theme is trying to find patterns in chaos, and him using those patterns to find exactly how the stock market works, he wants to find a pattern. Having him narrate the film also works well in making the story more effective, getting into the charaters head a bit more, which giving it a slight advantage that books give. It's something that I wish more film makers would do.
.
Sure, the plot and pacing are great, but the filmmaking tops it all. It's a reason why Pi is such fun to watch. Shooting a movie in black and white is sometimes very haphazard, making a movie pretentious looking, but other movies in black and white have proven to use that to an advantage (Sin City, Psycho, Eraserhead), and Pi would not be look as good any other way. How the black and white affects something also makes effectiveness a priority. There's a very distinct use of lightning that makes everything so cyber and sleek, like it's from another dimension, or at least's Max's. Of course, another would be Darren Aronofsky's directing, which is tops. The debate whether or not he is original really isn't the point anyway, as he uses those close ups (the many close ups called a "hip-hop montage") in such an exhiliarting way, it just's sublime. Even more impressive is some of the meticolously crafted sound design, as well as his extremely amazing camera work too. Whether or not he stole these techniques is not the point, as the paranoia and thoughts of Max and his actions are highlighted perfectly through those shots. Pi is just as much a flexing of the power of film-making to create an art form as much as the story itself.
Pi is sometimes confusing, but even if it doesn't quite make sense all the time, it's genuine inspiration and makes it well worth owning. And even if you hate doing math (pat of the reason I don't like doing it is because I stink at it, not because I just do), Pi's mathematical themes are intriguing and sometimes make you wonder how numbers can hold so much power. Be sure to grab your copy along with Requiem For a Dream in the Requiem For A Dream/PI (Two Pack), by the way (I'l review that one second).
B
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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I was interested in the figure in Math called Pi. Why would Pi be so
important and useful for so long and still be more than a Whole Number?
Pi = 3.1516. This movie is good at introducing the world of numbers to anyone. The whole escense of Pi is not covered in the movie. But it is a great start into the meaning both spiritual, and mystical regarding numbers.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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3.5 stars out of 4
Added 5/5/2009
The Bottom Line:
Pi is so often seen as simply the film that launched Darren Aronofsky that it's important to note it's also a very well-made film about obsession that uses its low budget trappings to develop and enhance an acute feeling of claustrophobia: it may not be the easiest film to sit through, but it's a darn good one.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Highly original, beautiful film
Added 9/26/2009
If you're looking for explosions or anything with a basic plot structure, this movie isn't for you. But if you're looking for something unique, original, and interesting, you have to check this out.
The movie pulls off the black and white perfectly; it sets the tone of the story extremely well. It's an interesting twist on numbers and math; it's a nice exaggeration of the power of numbers. The black and white pixelization technique is amazing, to say the least. When i first saw this, i was waiting for more plot, but what i later realized is how amazingly this movie is in the most subtle ways. It left a lasting impression on me, begging for a re-watch.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Pi (1998)-Another film about a paranoid scientist, but a good one.
Added 9/9/2009
Pi (1998) was another great five star film about an apparently paranoid, but brilliant scientist having a preoccupation with numbers. His paranoia is evident as he has practically barricaded himself into his apartment with several redundant locks (like Jack N. in "As Good as it Gets"), and only ventures out to meet with his old teacher. His prefessor recommends that he slow down. Max, his fameous and best student is trying to computer model the governing dynamics of the stock market, while his mentor and old professor has been looking for patterns in pi (3.14159, etc.). I suppose the math work behind these objectives is enough to drive anyone over the edge, but his professor actually does die mysteriously from something half way through the film.
Although the much overused theme of a paranoid scientist living in the 90's appears on film once again, this movie was really well done. The film featured some great photography using enhanced contrast B&W film stock, neat shots of multi-ethnick lower Manhattan and New York's fameous subway system with lots of atmosphere, and a really interesting plot guaranteed to drive you insane
A nice, even charming side feature is when Max is approached by a very friendly but odd person who asks him if he is Jewish. A few moments later, just like a regular customer of one of New York's fameous Mitvos-Mobiles, Max is praying and learning how to be a good jew. He soon finds out that his good natured host is also using math to study jewish scripture. Hold onto your sanity, now we are really off to the races.
One sign I noticed of a low budget film was the bald skull cap that Max wore after he shaved his head. You could see wrinkles all over the poorly made prop. I think you will like this film as it has many subtle touches. I also enjoyed the opening graphics which looked like they were taken from some advanced work in mathematics. Just one thing, I don't think anyone will be too crazy about the "musical" score which is all loud percussion and electronic noise.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
I hate Math...
Added 7/13/2009
...but I don't hate math quite enough, which is one reason why Pi is an intriguing look at the world through the eyes of a reclusive, paranoid math genius. Pi really does have an interesting, somewhat bizarre take on Math. It's the kind of film that makes me giddy because the fact that numbers and graphing have such power. Throw in a great use of film-making (which enchances this movie in a way I never thought possible) and you probably have the most unique science fiction movie of the 90's.
Pi really does it's workings by delivering this concept about Math, being that it can be applied to everything. It can be applied to nature, and when you graph it, patterns can even emerge. Comparisons to David Lynch are kind of haphazard, but while David Lynch admittely makes some of his films pretty normal if you stripe away all of the symbolism and film making (please tell me if Mulholland Drive really is weird on the core), Pi actually deals with something a bit less cliche. Pi 's main theme is trying to find patterns in chaos, and him using those patterns to find exactly how the stock market works, he wants to find a pattern. Having him narrate the film also works well in making the story more effective, getting into the charaters head a bit more, which giving it a slight advantage that books give. It's something that I wish more film makers would do.
.
Sure, the plot and pacing are great, but the filmmaking tops it all. It's a reason why Pi is such fun to watch. Shooting a movie in black and white is sometimes very haphazard, making a movie pretentious looking, but other movies in black and white have proven to use that to an advantage (Sin City, Psycho, Eraserhead), and Pi would not be look as good any other way. How the black and white affects something also makes effectiveness a priority. There's a very distinct use of lightning that makes everything so cyber and sleek, like it's from another dimension, or at least's Max's. Of course, another would be Darren Aronofsky's directing, which is tops. The debate whether or not he is original really isn't the point anyway, as he uses those close ups (the many close ups called a "hip-hop montage") in such an exhiliarting way, it just's sublime. Even more impressive is some of the meticolously crafted sound design, as well as his extremely amazing camera work too. Whether or not he stole these techniques is not the point, as the paranoia and thoughts of Max and his actions are highlighted perfectly through those shots. Pi is just as much a flexing of the power of film-making to create an art form as much as the story itself.
Pi is sometimes confusing, but even if it doesn't quite make sense all the time, it's genuine inspiration and makes it well worth owning. And even if you hate doing math (pat of the reason I don't like doing it is because I stink at it, not because I just do), Pi's mathematical themes are intriguing and sometimes make you wonder how numbers can hold so much power. Be sure to grab your copy along with Requiem For a Dream in the Requiem For A Dream/PI (Two Pack), by the way (I'l review that one second).
B
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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