6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 4.1 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.2 |
A single father links a mysterious list of numbers from a time capsule to past and future disasters and sets out to prevent the ultimate catastrophe.
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Chandler Canterbury, Rose Byrne, Lara Robinson, D.G. MaloneyThriller | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 60% |
Mystery | 14% |
Supernatural | 12% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Everything has a purpose, has an order to it, is determined.
The uncertainty of the universe may very well be its one defining attribute. It is in that singular
uncertainty -- that seemingly random string of apparently uncorrelated events that, in some
way, large or small, shape the fates a life, a planet, a universe -- that the one truism in all of
existence may be found. The only certainty in the universe is that nothing is certain, not even
the most
likely or unlikely of paths. Will this review someday be read by eyes other than its author's? If
yes, by
whom? If not, why? Will the final review -- or its author, for that matter -- exist an hour from
now, a day from now, a year
from now? Will the review remain indefinitely incomplete for one reason or another? Will a
potential reader, for whatever reason, choose not to indulge in its perusal? If not, why? How
many potential buyers of the disc reviewed herein will choose not to purchase after reading, and
how many readers will be influenced to buy the disc when such an endeavor was not previously a
tangible idea or concrete decision? Will the purchase of the disc -- or the decision to shun it --
someday result in a drastic change in the direction of the unset future? Will an otherwise
average buyer, maybe in some way influenced by the review, become fascinated with the film
and the medium in which it exists and pursue a career as an actor, a director, a
cinematographer, a scriptwriter? What if the reverse were true -- a potential buyer snubs the
disc for one reason or another, and by doing so, the world will lose a brilliant filmmaker or
scriptwriter before he or she existed as such? Would a potential lack of sales from a negative
review
ultimately cost an
individual a job, or would a potential surge in sales possibly resulting from a positive review be
received with a promotion, and for whom, by
whom, and otherwise affecting whom? The reactions to any action -- no matter how large or
how
small -- present options, futures, pleasures, pains, and everything in between in combinations
limited only by the scope of the universe and the number of distinct actions taking place in it.
Such theoretical under- and overtones populate the 2009 Science Fiction thriller
Knowing, a film that posits the question as to the order of things, be they purposeful and
the result of an influence from some higher plane of existence, completely accidental, or
somewhere in between?
Even with a series of complex equations, Cage still can't figure out which sphere is bigger.
Knowing features a jaw-dropping 1080p, 2.40:1-framed transfer. Most every shot throughout the film dazzles with incredible depth, unmatched clarity, intricate details, and amazing colors. Particularly stunning are the film's bright outdoor shots that capture the beauty of a Northeastern fall marvelously. The orange and golden leaves leap off the screen; don't be surprised if the area in front of the display device requires raking after the movie. Also impressive are the hues found on the clothing worn by students and faculty both in the 1959 open and at the 2009 ceremony. The red, white, and blue ribbons and bunting sparkle, and even the bronze of the time capsule cover takes on a perfectly realistic appearance. The level of visible detail never falters, either. No matter the object and no matter its place in the frame or relation to the camera, the transfer absorbs every last nuance and recreates it with amazing accuracy. Captured not on film but rather on the Red One digital camera, Knowing takes on a high-quality cinematic appearance that truly does bring the magic of motion pictures on the big screen to the home. If the transfer has one fault, it is that blacks sometimes appear just a bit too bright, but considering the breathtaking quality of every other aspect of the transfer, this is easy to overlook. In short, Knowing makes for a reference-quality transfer from beginning to end and is one of the best Blu-ray has yet seen.
Knowing features a predictably wonderful DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. One of the most aggressive and deafening soundtracks available, Knowing features plenty of hefty bass and loud yet crystal-clear sound effects. From the very opening of the film and onward, listeners will become privy to the definition of the track and the seamless sense of space it creates. Whispering sounds flow out of the speakers from every corner of the soundstage with a chilling realism. Subtle yet rumbling bass accompanies the score over the opening credits that transition the film from 1959 to 2009, the clarity of the lows only a hint as to what is to come later in the soundtrack. Marco Beltrami's score glows, its delivery clean and precise in every instance. The track also creates lifelike atmospheres that place the listener in the midst of the action. Exterior shots of the MIT campus, for instance, feature rustling leaves and chatty pedestrians, both of which are heard in a 360-degree sound field. Likewise, during the William Dawes 50th anniversary ceremony, the slight echoing effect from the microphone is heard subtly around the soundstage. Listeners will hear -- and feel -- a subway car moving from the back channels through the middle of the listening area as it speeds to the front. Fortunately, the track's impressive array of back-channel audio never sounds gimmicky but rather fits naturally into the experience. Where the track truly shines, however, is in the recreation of the many sounds of violent destruction that populate the film. The crash of an airliner or the sound of a crackling, raging fire engulfing any object in its path deliver intense, deep, and punishing bass and impressively loud-at-reference-volume sound effects that remain clear and accurate, not merely playing as a jumbled glob of sound meant to loosely recreate a sonic event. Alo delivering precise and clear dialogue reproduction, Knowing features a soundtrack to be experienced rather than heard. A track to be reckoned with now and into the future, Knowing represents one of, if not the, top soundtracks currently available on Blu-ray.
Unfortunately, Knowing opens up on Blu-ray without much material inside. First among the extras is a commentary track with Director Alex Proyas taking prompts from a companion, the end result a piece that plays like an interview with questions based primarily on the action playing out on-screen. Proyas still manages to cover the basic array of information about the shoot and the story, but also manages to go further into detail about the themes, the contrasts between the time periods depicted in the film, and more. Beginning with a smart discussion on the role of technology and Science Fiction in post-War America and also speaking on how characters developed over time from initial script to final product, the challenges of shooting in varied conditions, solving problems on-the-fly, and much more, the track plays as both informative and entertaining. This is another in a growing list of highly recommended commentary tracks. 'Knowing' All: The Making of a Futuristic Thriller (1080i, 12:36) is a rather standard sort of supplement that features the usual array of cast and crew interview snippets that speak on the quality of the story, the dichotomy in the film between science and faith, the background on the script, casting, creating the special effects shots, and more. Visions of the Apocalypse (1080i, 17:15) looks at the human fascination with the end of times and a few other discussions on some of the events that take place in the film, but further elaborations would spoil segments of the story. Finally, this release contains BD-Live (Blu-ray profile 2.0) functionality.
An all-around wonderful experience, Alex Proyas' Knowing delivers a nearly perfect blend of popcorn-munching entertainment, terror, suspense, and drama. It's superbly paced, well-acted, fabulously directed, and delivers plenty of spine-tingling and thought-provoking moments. Summit Entertainment's Blu-ray release sparkles from a technical perspective. Offering a reference-quality soundtrack and a bold, clear, and sparkling transfer, Knowing makes for a visual and aural treat for the senses that stands toe-to-toe with the highest-quality discs currently on the market. Unfortunately, the disc is a bit thin when it comes to bonus materials, but the main ingredients -- quality of film and technical presentation -- make this one well worth owning. This gem of a Science Fiction/Horror thriller earns an enthusiastic recommendation.
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