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Contact (1997)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
11 July 1997 (USA)
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Tagline:
Get ready to take a chance on something that just might end up being the most profoundly impactful moment for humanity, for the history... of history. more
Plot:
Dr. Ellie Arroway, after years of searching, finds conclusive radio proof of intelligent aliens, who send plans for a mysterious machine. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar.
Another 8 wins
&
16 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(41 articles)
The Alamo Guide for December 10th!
(From AlamoDrafthouseCinema. 10 December 2009, 3:29 PM, PST)
Rumor Patrol: ‘Hobbit’ Producers Eyeing Tom Waits?
(From Screen Rant. 8 December 2009, 12:34 PM, PST)
(From AlamoDrafthouseCinema. 10 December 2009, 3:29 PM, PST)
Rumor Patrol: ‘Hobbit’ Producers Eyeing Tom Waits?
(From Screen Rant. 8 December 2009, 12:34 PM, PST)
User Comments:
"For Carl"
more (508 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Jena Malone | ... | Young Ellie | |
| David Morse | ... | Ted Arroway | |
| Jodie Foster | ... | Eleanor Arroway | |
| Geoffrey Blake | ... | Fisher | |
| William Fichtner | ... | Kent | |
| Sami Chester | ... | Vernon (as SaMi Chester) | |
| Timothy McNeil | ... | Davio | |
| Laura Elena Surillo | ... | Cantina Woman | |
| Matthew McConaughey | ... | Palmer Joss | |
| Tom Skerritt | ... | David Drumlin | |
| Henry Strozier | ... | Minister | |
| Michael Chaban | ... | Hadden Suit | |
| Max Martini | ... | Willie (as Maximilian Martini) | |
| Larry King | ... | Himself | |
| Thomas Garner | ... | Ian Broderick |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG for some intense action, mild language and a scene of sensuality.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
150 min
Country:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:PG (certificate #35448) |
Iceland:12 |
Brazil:12 |
South Korea:12 |
New Zealand:M |
Argentina:13 |
Australia:M |
Belgium:KT |
Chile:TE |
Finland:K-12/9 |
Germany:12 (bw) |
Italy:T |
Netherlands:AL |
Norway:7 |
Peru:PT |
Portugal:M/12 |
Singapore:PG |
Spain:T |
Sweden:7 |
UK:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Arroway's remark at the end that if humans were the only life in the universe it would "be a terrible waste of space" is a famous quote by author Carl Sagan.
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Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Dr. Arroway first hears the alien signal at the VLA, she shouts into her walkie-talkie the Right Ascension and Declination that the signal is emanating from. Twice, she says, "Declination plus 36 degrees," but when she repeats it the third time, she accidentally says "Declination 36 hours."
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Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "South Park: Pinewood Derby (#13.6)" (2009)
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Soundtrack:
We're in the Money
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (508 total)
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Reading other peoples' reviews, I see a split 50/50 argument where one side loves the movie and the other hates it. I am not one bit surprised, due to the importance of the film, and I feel this is proof that Contact is one of the most powerful movies of the decade. Like the reaction from the civilians to the machine, a movie with this much heavy firepower is likely to get both loathing and praise from its viewers. I for one praise the film, for its toughness and sensitivity, symbolism and passion, and the fact that it is a rare science fiction film, a gem which was released in a time where scientific intelligence in film has become a nothing short of a joke as the wonder of the universe has been ignored and the mystery of alien life have become a neverending trail of movie villains.
The film of course centers around the science vs. religion theme, the oldest and most frightening of all school debates. Instead of taking the more independent path the book takes, the film takes the more sensitive on the science vs. religion argument throughout the film by telling us that science and religion points to the same direction (the "pursuit of truth") but are misunderstood when studying the nature of their WAY of finding the truth (science uses evidence and answers, religion uses love faith). At the end of it all, the film lets us know that if science and religion stops colliding with each other and starts to combine and compliment each other (listen to Ellie's final words in her testament) the human race might achieve things we can only dream about now.
A perfectly refreshing film, with lots to say, great acting and directing, sound and special effects. Robbed by the Academy.