A Scanner Darkly (2006)

Dick is a genius

...man, Linklater 😍
...I’ll honestly never figure out why I’m so obsessed with him...

🙂

Michelle Ramirez20 said:The book was written by Philip K. Dick and it’s genuinely wild. The guy also wrote "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" which became "Blade Runner," plus "Minority Report," and several other stories adapted into films, like "Screamers" and "Total Recall." I definitely recommend it. It’s been published here in the States under the title "A Scanner Darkly," though I can't recall the specific publisher. It offers a pretty decent depiction of the "junkie" community and addiction, though it doesn't lean too heavily on sex or violence... it isn't the primary focus. I assume they couldn't quite avoid showing those elements in the movie.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_k_dick
http://www.philipkdick.com/

Thanks. I know a fair amount about this author; I've watched Total Recall and Blade Runner (that unforgettable scene where Harrison shoots that girl in the back while she's running) dozens of times, and Screamers once. Now I know exactly what I'm reading over the next few days... 🙏 🙏 👍

Lawrence Booth2 said:Dick is a genius

Agreed. Probably more of a messed-up genius, but those are always my favorites.😉

Yeah, definitely not peaceful.
I've no idea which edition you were reading, but he basically wrote this whole thing as a tribute to all his buddies who either passed away or ended up totally wrecked from overdosing. Even Dick himself was caught up in it. He lists them all at the end of the book. It’s pretty heavy when you realize all those characters he dropped into that sci-fi world were actually just descriptions of his real-life friends who are gone...

The book is incredibly dark, it offers zero hope for a better tomorrow (well, maybe a tiny bit 🙂), and I'm really curious to see how much they changed it...

When I said "unhinged," I was mostly thinking about VALIS—though by the end, I wasn't sure if it was him, me, or all of us together. I'm sticking with the first option, since Wikipedia mentions he had some "episodes," and honestly, that just fits better.

A Scanner Darkly is bleak; that's just how that world works. But if you actually pay attention to the descriptions, the "straights" are portrayed normally, even from their own perspective in everyday terms. For example: "if i had known it was harmless, i would have killed it myself." It’s stupid and pathetic, but it sounds like something at least 70% of "straights" would say, both in real life and in Dick's fiction.

And finally... let's not waste time debating this and ruin the experience for people who haven't read 🙂

Just finished watching this movie.

It’s a hell of a creation—really easy on the eyes once you get used to all the shifting faces—but the story is what sticks. It’s one of those classic dilemmas where you always have to sacrifice one person for the greater good of the majority.👍 👍

Where'd you even see it?? As far as I know, it hasn't hit theaters here in the States yet, man. I know it'll probably pop up on DVD soon enough, but I'd much rather catch it on the big screen or at least on Blu-ray first.

I caught this movie yesterday at the local independent cinema during the Human Rights Film Festival, and honestly, it’s a must-watch once it hits the mainstream theaters. It’s truly excellent.

It was directed by Richard Linklater and is based on the novel by Philip K. Dick.

Here is the link:

Anyway, Keanu Reeves stars in it. Now, he isn't exactly known for his range as an actor, but since he's playing an addict with a completely fried brain here, the role actually fits him perfectly.🤣

So, has anyone else seen it? I'd love to hear your thoughts or comments...

...ugh, seriously 😢 missed it yesterday 😢

I’m with you there, it’s a solid movie... great story, killer acting, I just can't shake the feeling that it leaves a few too many loose ends hanging... oh, and apparently they shot everything first and then just went ham with the CGI in post-production.

...captured on film and then animated later on...🙂

The book is superior. ☕ The film is well-crafted, though it is easy to lose your way within it. No Dickov film ever truly captures the essence of how the poet intended the story to be told (though, to be fair, most films struggle with this regardless of their source material). As for Dick, you are better off reading the book.

BTW: anyone looking for a movie recommendation? 😬

opi said:I agree, it's a great film... solid story and acting, though it feels slightly unfinished to me... apparently all the scenes were shot and then digitally enhanced later.

Dick always sounds incomplete if you don't understand him.

I haven't had a chance to watch it yet

The film just doesn't do justice to a genius like Dick.

(And no, I haven't actually seen it 😁)

Donna Hughes80 said:The film just doesn't do justice to a genius like Dick.

🙄

😁

This book is easily one of Dickov's worst—and honestly, 'Waking Life' drove me insane (at least from what I've seen 😎), so I’m not expecting much here

Dennis Martin6 said:Honestly, this book is easily one of Dickov's worst attempts. I mean, even just watching bits of 'Waking Life' totally rubbed me the wrong way (at least from what I caught a glimpse of😎), so I’m definitely not holding my breath for this one to be any good

wow, you've officially become my favorite reviewer. 🙄

Look, people type too fast—they make stupid mistakes they don't even notice. So, let me fix this for you:

Over There said:Damn, you just became my favorite commenter. 🙏 👍 😘🙂 🙂 🙂

thanks🙂