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Dark City (1998)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
27 February 1998 (USA)
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Tagline:
They built the city to see what makes us tick. Last night one of us went off. more
Plot:
A man struggles with memories of his past, including a wife he cannot remember, in a nightmarish world with no sun and run by beings with telekinetic powers who seek the souls of humans. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
6 wins
&
7 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(145 articles)
50 Influential Scream Queens: Part 1
(From Fangoria. 27 October 2009, 5:54 AM, PDT)
Triangle (Film Review)
(From Fangoria. 26 October 2009, 4:05 AM, PDT)
(From Fangoria. 27 October 2009, 5:54 AM, PDT)
Triangle (Film Review)
(From Fangoria. 26 October 2009, 4:05 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
A fantastic science-fiction masterpiece!
more (541 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Rufus Sewell | ... | John Murdoch | |
| William Hurt | ... | Inspector Frank Bumstead | |
| Kiefer Sutherland | ... | Dr. Daniel P. Schreber | |
| Jennifer Connelly | ... | Emma Murdoch / Anna | |
| Richard O'Brien | ... | Mr. Hand | |
| Ian Richardson | ... | Mr. Book | |
| Bruce Spence | ... | Mr. Wall | |
| Colin Friels | ... | Det. Eddie Walenski | |
| John Bluthal | ... | Karl Harris | |
| Mitchell Butel | ... | Officer Husselbeck | |
| Melissa George | ... | May | |
| Frank Gallacher | ... | Chief Insp. Stromboli | |
| Ritchie Singer | ... | Hotel Manager / Vendor | |
| Justin Monjo | ... | Taxi Driver | |
| Nicholas Bell | ... | Mr. Rain |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
MPAA:
Rated R for violent images and some sexuality.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
100 min | 111 min (director's cut)
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:16 |
Canada:13+ (Quebec) |
Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia) |
Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) |
Canada:AA (Ontario) |
Canada:PA (Manitoba) |
Spain:18 |
South Korea:15 (original rating) |
South Korea:18 (DVD rating) |
USA:Not Rated (director's cut) |
Argentina:16 |
Australia:M |
Brazil:14 |
Chile:18 |
Finland:K-16 |
France:-12 |
Germany:16 |
Hong Kong:IIB |
Netherlands:16 |
New Zealand:M |
Norway:15 |
Portugal:M/12 |
Singapore:NC-16 |
Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) |
Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) |
UK:15 |
USA:R (certificate #34966)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Roger Ebert called this movie the Best Film of 1998.
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Goofs:
Continuity: After John uses his 'tune' to force the Automat slot open to get his wallet, the broken spring and lever for the food slot fall in. When it cuts to a close-up of his hand taking the wallet, the broken spring is gone.
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Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004)
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Soundtrack:
The Night Has 1000 Eyes
more
FAQ
If everyone's memories are changed every twelve hours, how do Bumstead, Emma, etc. remember what's been happening?How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
How do I solve the "To Shell Beach..." game on the DVD?
more
more (541 total)
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An absolutely brilliant and nightmarish production! DARK CITY is an enriching and surreal experience, full of beautiful images and powerful symbolism.
John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) wakes up one night, resting inside a bathtub. He look around, realizing that he is inside a hotel room. In a state of shock, he finds a bloody corpse lying near his bed. Then...reality sinks in. He discovers an appalling revelation which he cannot accept. He is wanted for murder on six separate accounts. How does all of this fit in when he thought of himself as a completely sane person? He does not believe he was responsible for these murders, but the cops think otherwise as they chase him down... Next, a swarm of humanoid creatures known only as the "Strangers" have summon him. For unknown reasons, Murdoch happens to fit into their intricate schemes for conquest...
This is just scratching the surface of the premise for Alex Proyas' moody and engaging film, DARK CITY. DARK CITY is a very vivid film with an original concept. As the story expands and the main character must go into the heart of the matter, he learns that there's a conspiracy going on "mixing and matching" different identities together into one whole. The Strangers are the masters...the inhabitants are their puppets...and the city is their playground...
DARK CITY essentially has gorgeous photography, capturing aspects of the entire city where imagination paints the picture and provides the details. This film relies a lot on imagery and the fantastic production values are laced with a perplexing storyline that keeps the viewer's eyes glued to the screen. The eye-catching, stylish future noir designs a visionary world, evinced in the setting of the Big Apple itself, New York City during the time period of the 1940s. Dark City's visual backgrounds enliven a difficult and incomprehensible plot to comprehend and the special effects create an astounding experience, traveling into a vortex of mankind's phantasm.
DARK CITY, in addition to the superb background settings, allows for character development as well. The audiences grows greatly in a moment of eagerness as they want to determine what will happen next to the characters in this film. As always, the cast is wonderful. Rufus Sewell is excellent as John Murdoch, convincing as an ordinary man on the run from both the law and the strangers. Jennifer Connelly is sensuous and appealing as Murdoch's loving and concerned wife. William Hurt plays his cards right as a straitlaced NYPD inspector, Frank Bumstead, who keeps pursuing John Murdoch. As an eccentric psychiatrist, Dr. Daniel Paul Schreber, Kiefer Sutherland conveys a confused doctor who shares a frightening connection to these Strangers.
DARK CITY is splendid viewing injected with a theme about the loss of identity and the destruction of individualism in order to create an ideal society. DARK CITY is an unforgettable, breathtaking visual experience! This film is enriched with layers of characterization, a plot where there is more than meets the eye, and venturous special effects. DARK CITY is recommended viewing with the lights out! A thoroughly cogent flick which keeps you guessing what is going on. DARK CITY is a fine treat for the eyes and mind. This is one journey where you reach the point of no return!
RATING: *** out of ****.