Prometheus (2012)

[Jamescush]

Originally Posted by DCW

[Show spoiler]Hey all. I only pop in and out of these forums occasionally but I have a question about this blu ray. I bought it yesterday and flipped through it without any problems but when I put it in today not one scene of the movie is smooth. The home menu works fine, chapter selection is VERY sluggish though, but once the first frame of the movie starts there is pixelation in every frame from beginning to end.

I tried cleaning the disk, which already looked flawless, tried starting the movie in different spots, tried cleaning my blu ray player (other blus play fine), but nothing is working. Here are a couple pictures below:







This is the first time I've ever had a problem with any of my blu rays. I won't be able to return it to Best Buy since I sold the DVD copy that came with it last night. Is there any replacement plan in place? What is the best thing I can do? Any help would be appreciated.

Mine did the same thing about 40 minutes in. I turned off my player and restarted at the same point and the picture was back to normal.
No idea what was up with it.

[Reubania]

Originally Posted by greg_achen

Agree to disagree. From a storytelling and thematic standpoint, the last shot is very important. Though David, the character, didn't infect Holloway with the intent to create the Deacon, an obviously unforeseen consequence, the payoff to that particular subplot was always designed to be the Deacon and wasn't just a mere afterthought tacked on. Remove the Deacon, and it makes the Holloway gets infected, Shaw gets pregnant and gives birth to the Trilobite, and Trilobite "mates" with Engineer subplot largely irrelevant. If you wanted them to go all out in connecting it to Alien, instead of the more subtle approach the film took, that's definitely your opinion to have. I, however, happened to love the film's approach, including that last shot.

+1. Well said. I got the general gist of it whilst watching the movie (twice), but haven't been able to eloquently put it like you have.

I think this subplot was largely lost on the moviegoer. I went on opening night at the IMAX screening with hundreds of fanboys (and girls). Well, can I say, when the last shot was depicted, everyone (including) myself, burst out laughing. It looked incredible cheesy, predictable and rather "unnecessary." But now upon further viewings and your commentary, it does make sense and it had to be like that (evolution, birth of the Deacon and also provide a stepping stone to future sequels that will further bridge the divide between the Prometheus world and the Alien world).

[Brahby]

I think if that mural was never on the wall with the Xenomorph already in then everyone would have been fine with the ending because it actually would have worked.

[drichter33]

Originally Posted by IlGialloMondadori

http://www.christianpost.com/news/ri...of-evil-76176/

""And the biggest source of evil is of course religion," Scott said."

Yes, but the spirit of that quote is necessarily that he is opposed to religion and he hates it cause it's evil. It's about how the topic in and of itself creates so much war and disagreement. at the bottom of the article he clarifies:


"Everyone is tearing each other apart in the name of their personal god. And the irony is, by definition, they're probably worshiping the same god," he added.

[drichter33]

Getting back on topic regarding the disc release, I bought the 3D version last night, but havenet watched any of it yet.

Has anyone watched the 3-hr documentary or listened to the commentary?
How about any other features?

I am debating on whether or not to go right to them or the movie first. I feel like I need a refresher on the movie since its been 4+ months before I start delving into what it means.

[BrandonJF]

Originally Posted by timothyj

Would this bug anyone else?....

For this, it did. I know that's happened in the past and I never cared... I have no idea why it sets off my OCD for some things. I ended up trading cases with something I cared less about.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by drichter33

Getting back on topic regarding the disc release, I bought the 3D version last night, but havenet watched any of it yet.

Has anyone watched the 3-hr documentary or listened to the commentary?
How about any other features?

I am debating on whether or not to go right to them or the movie first. I feel like I need a refresher on the movie since its been 4+ months before I start delving into what it means.

I've watched everything. If this thing doesn't win disc/set of the year, I don't know what will. It's epic in all phases.

[Reubania]

Originally Posted by greg_achen

It is implied and evidence supports, though not 100% confirmed, that the xenomorphs are in existence before the events in Prometheus. Whether the Engineers created the xenomorphs or they are a "naturally" existing species is also unconfirmed. The film implies that the black goo is capable of transforming lifeforms into xenomorph-like creatures, as evidenced by Fifield's transformation. If the black goo transforms lifeforms into xenomorph-like creatures, that could account for the mural on the wall for one of two hypothetical reasons.

The first hypothetical reason is that the xenomorphs are a naturally occuring species, complete with a lifecycle, and the Engineers are manipulating the DNA of the species to create a biological weapon that turns lifeforms into xenomorph-like monsters. The second hypoethical reason is that the xenomorphs are NOT a naturally occuring species nor do they have a complete lifecycle, at this point. Therefore, for this reason, the xenomorph depicted in the mural is a representation of what the black goo does to humanoid lifeforms.

These two hypothetical reasons have significance in how one chooses to interpret the Deacon birth at the end. If we are to believe that xenomorphs exist as a species with its own lifecycle, the Deacon at the end is a NEW species, a hybrid, with elements of xenomorph, human, and Engineer DNA. However, if we are to believe xenomorphs are an artificial creation of the Engineers, then the Deacon at the end symbolizes the creation of the future xenomorphs as a self-sustaining species, complete with its own unique reproductive cycle. Whichever way you interpret it, the Deacon is not the xenomorph in the traditional sense, and while its creation was accidental, it is no less cool because of it. In fact, I find it cooler for that reason.

+1. So insightful! I wish I was into the whole Alien universe to fully understand this concept. But what you wrote makes perfect sense to me!

[Member-222782]

So what was all that "10-11-12" stuff about? That's today. Are the Blu-rays going to spontaneously combust or something?

[Vader72]

I think some are just looking for flaws just to look for them. This film was so much better than 80% of the crap they now release in theaters or on disc. Appreciate it for what it is and let the second film fill in the gaps further. This film makes you think, just like Inception. It's not the typical stereotypical garbage that's spoon feed to the movie going audience. These types of films are so rare now because Hollywood has dumbed down society and the film going audience has forgotten how to think for themselves without everything wrapped with a pretty bow. Hell, look at the generational gaps on how kids thought and how they think now. When I was a kid, I had SW figures and created stories with my imagination, today kids sit in front of a screen and push buttons and the story is feed to them.

[Reubania]

Originally Posted by Dead By Shaun

The mission of Prometheus (the crew and the ship) was not a secret. The fact that Peter Weyland was on board, however, was. In fact, nobody even knew he was still alive (much less on board) aside from his daughter and David. If you recall, in the beginning the crew are briefed about the mission by a holographic message supposedly taped by Weyland before his death. As far as the crew, or any other public relations are concerned, Weyland funded this trip as a scientific expedition based on Shaw and Holloway's discovery. Weyland's true motivations for the mission, however, were strictly selfish and self-serving.

This was a man with extreme wealth and endless resources who was approaching the end of his life and looking for a way to cheat death. His final hope lay in the slim possibility that Shaw and Holloway's discovery was indeed true and that they could inadvertently lead him to meet his creator. Who better to grant him immortality than the beings who supposedly created the human race? This covert mission to extend Weyland's life was being carried out solely by David. The rest of the crew were basically there as window dressing and completely superfluous to him in accomplishing his real goal, which obviously was to prolong his life. Taking all of this into account helps provide insight, not only into David's actions and motivations, but also the crew's lack of experience and professionalism...with the exception of Dr. Shaw, whom I suspect Weyland (as well as David) had some small amount of admiration for.

+1. Am I the only one that sees a theme that is extrapolated from Blade Runner? Replicants wanting more "life" from their maker (Tyrell)

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by Reubania

+1. Am I the only one that sees a theme that is extrapolated from Blade Runner? Replicants wanting more "life" from their maker (Tyrell)

Lindeof comments on that in the commentary. It's not by accident that Blade Runner's themes and motifs show up in this film.

[s2mikey]

Originally Posted by Vader72

I think some are just looking for flaws just to look for them. This film was so much better than 80% of the crap they now release in theaters or on disc. Appreciate it for what it is and let the second film fill in the gaps further. This film makes you think, just like Inception. It's not the typical stereotypical garbage that's spoon feed to the movie going audience. These types of films are so rare now because Hollywood has dumbed down society and the film going audience has forgotten how to think for themselves without everything wrapped with a pretty bow. Hell, look at the generational gaps on how kids thought and how they think now. When I was a kid, I had SW figures and created stories with my imagination, today kids sit in front of a screen and push buttons and the story is feed to them.

A little harsh, if somewhat true. Not everyone goes to the movies wanting to be placed in some deep-thought trance where their life will be forever changed. They just wanna watch something unfold, enjoy it, and then get back home. This is OK and it doesnt mean people are dumb or simple. Just means that they dont take it quite as seriously as some movie nerds like us might. And its really subjective anyways which the beauty of art in the first place: You can love or hate something irregardless of what someone else says. There are NO 100% truths or facts with art.

As for this movie - Im going to see it this week one way or another and will make my own judgement. From some reliable sources, Ive heard its well made but needs better writing and polishing. We shall see.

And, if we had iPads and iPhones as kids we would have been on them 24/7 just like kids now. We just didnt have all that stuff so we played with what we DID have. Lets not be too hard on the current gen - yes, they've softened a bit over the years but they are only playing with whats presented to them. Just like we did.

[Dr_Bedlo]

I have to say that I was more than a little disappointed with the film. I missed it theaters and decided to go with a blind-buy. Knowing that the film had some mixed reviews, I just associated the conflicting reactions stemmed from either how complex/much deeper it was (i.e. 2001: A Space Odyssey) or how much it did or did not fit in with the Alien anthology.

I for one can say that neither seems to be the case. I guess my expectations for a more profoundly moving statement where just set to high (maybe even to eleven). It was a pretty film to watch, excellent in 3D. I finally have a film in my midsize collection that I probably will probably not watch again, just doesn't beg for repeated viewings.

The film holds another dubious distinction for me,

[Show spoiler]the scene in which Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron) reveals her family lineage had all the lame and completely anticipated shock-less value that failed me from The Sixth Sense's...Bruce Willis is a ghost...and all of the emotional paternal angst-lessness of Sophia Coppola's laughable, "Dad" line in Godfather III. Just so lame (would be cooler to have added a background track of James Earl Jones howling, "Nooooooooooooooo!").

[IlGialloMondadori]

Originally Posted by Vader72

I think some are just looking for flaws just to look for them. This film was so much better than 80% of the crap they now release in theaters or on disc. Appreciate it for what it is and let the second film fill in the gaps further. This film makes you think, just like Inception. It's not the typical stereotypical garbage that's spoon feed to the movie going audience. These types of films are so rare now because Hollywood has dumbed down society and the film going audience has forgotten how to think for themselves without everything wrapped with a pretty bow. Hell, look at the generational gaps on how kids thought and how they think now. When I was a kid, I had SW figures and created stories with my imagination, today kids sit in front of a screen and push buttons and the story is feed to them.

See, I love original, challenging film making. Love it. I'm not sure how challenging Inception is, but I think it's a supremely well made film, and I adore it. With regard to Prometheus, I actually don't think there is anything to think about. I think it's just badly written, not deep. I think there are gaps in the narrative that are forcibly left there, like, why the heck would the engineers leave a map for us, or when Lindelof says the people aren't sure if they even went to the right place - I think Lindelof himself doesn't know, and he thinks leaving that out, or not knowing, is profound, instead of just wrong. I'm totally okay with things not being answered, and those gaps aren't my biggest problem with the film, which is that the characters do not act like people, they act in ways to advance the plot, such as getting lost just so they can be killed. As soon as the biologist and geologist get lost (in what is essentially a big donut - they went one way, just turn around - even though they just mapped it, and the captain is looking at said map so they can just ask him, and the people who didn't map it didn't get lost, etc...), we know they're going to be killed. It's not interesting at all, its just super boring, and terribly written to boot. Angry Geologist and Scared Biologist are one dimensional, cardboard redshirts to be killed in order to advance the plot, and nothing more. When David continually does stuff that is clearly dangerous, no one actually brings it to a head, like, "Man, that robot is seriously a problem. We need to stop it. It doesn't actually listen to us, and it's putting us in serious danger." That conflict would be interesting, and realistic, because David is seen as sub-human by the humans, a tool, yet he does not actually listen to them. But it doesn't happen, because that's not the plot that Lindelof had in mind, so everyone behaves mechanically in order to get to that point.
I think people desperately want to love Prometheus, because it is part of the much loved Alien universe, and it is made by a film maker who has made some great films, and it truly looks beautiful. But it's an empty film, through and through. Blade Runner gives you room to think, to ponder what it means to be human, the morality of creating life, the morality of Deckard's actions. Prometheus wants you to think those things, but it's like a high school student's attempt to ape Blade Runner, clumsy and stupid.

If you want truly challenging science fiction without hand holding, read some Gene Wolfe, such as The Fifth Head of Cerberus, or The Book of the New Sun. That is truly thought provoking, difficult writing, where the writer actually has the answers to how things happened, he's not just leaving gaps and pretending they're profundities to ponder.

[IlGialloMondadori]

Originally Posted by Dr_Bedlo

I have to say that I was more than a little disappointed with the film. I missed it theaters and decided to go with a blind-buy. Knowing that the film had some mixed reviews, I just associated the conflicting reactions stemmed from either how complex/much deeper it was (i.e. 2001: A Space Odyssey) or how much it did or did not fit in with the Alien anthology.

I for one can say that neither seems to be the case. I guess my expectations for a more profoundly moving statement where just set to high (maybe even to eleven). It was a pretty film to watch, excellent in 3D. I finally have a film in my midsize collection that I probably will probably not watch again, just doesn't beg for repeated viewings.

The film holds another dubious distinction for me,

[Show spoiler]the scene in which Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron) reveals her family lineage had all the lame and completely anticipated shock-less value that failed me from The Sixth Sense's...Bruce Willis is a ghost...and all of the emotional paternal angst-lessness of Sophia Coppola's laughable, "Dad" line in Godfather III. Just so lame (would be cooler to have added a background track of James Earl Jones howling, "Nooooooooooooooo!").

Oh God, what a comical scene. Truly horrendous, and meaning absolutely nothing.

[Show spoiler]Faaaatheeeeeerrrrr.......*glowers menacingly* followed by crickets in the theater, and some muffled laughter

[Lope de Aguirre]

Originally Posted by DJTommy

should be James Cameron, Prometheuses

This time it's WAR!!!

[Blu-Moon]

'Prometheus' clearly didn't pan out the way I thought it would, apart from most everybody getting slaughtered by the time the credits rolled. I think I know where this may have been intended to go way back there in the early planning stages, but wouldn't bet the family dog on it. I wasn't by any means outright bored by 'Prometheus,' but the whole thing still smacks of missed opportunities.

[R0CK0X]

Originally Posted by poke smot

ahh....and this whole time i thought the crashed ship was the one from alien. wouldnt that make more sense?

Yes it would. But that's not the movie we're dealing with here.

[RD1973]

I got the shiny 3D slipcover. Just curious, but is the Target slipbox different in appearance (matte finish, lenticular, embossed, etc.)?

Also, what's the 10-11-12 thing about? A BD-Live event or something?