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"After Earth"- new Will Smith sci-fi movie

Started by Bryancd, December 10, 2012, 06:34:28 PM

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Bryancd

Haven't heard anything about this!
http://youtu.be/zaN0HV_N6UA

Rico

I've heard just a little about it so far.  Looks intriguing.

M-5

This is the first I've heard of it.

Looks good.

Bromptonboy

I'll see it, as long as Willow doesn't sing in the movie....  ;)
Pete

WillEagle

Looks like the Karate Kid is in it too. I think it looks pretty good.

Bromptonboy

Quote from: WillEagle on December 11, 2012, 05:43:33 AM
Looks like the Karate Kid is in it too. I think it looks pretty good.
Ralph Maccio?!  :)
Pete

Rico


WillEagle


Bromptonboy

Some food for thought on this movie:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/a-scientologist-reviews-earth-guest-561310

Ex-church member Marc Headley says Will Smith's latest contains language, concepts and imagery plucked directly from the L. Ron Hubbard playbook.

I grew up in Scientology and worked at their international Sea Organization headquarters for 15 years. In 2005, I managed a desperate escape, which only succeeded thanks to the local county authorities. I wrote about my experiences in my best-selling book, Blown For Good: Behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology.
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Box Office Shocker: Will Smith's 'After Earth' Narrowly Loses Friday to 'Now You See Me'

After Earth: Film Review

'After Earth' as Scientology Propaganda: What Critics Are Saying
Who better, then, to investigate the whole Scientology debate surrounding After Earth, the new sci-fi movie from M. Night Shyamalan starring Will and Jaden Smith, than a former Scientologist -- one who's received counseling from Tom Cruise himself? I am in no way "glib" on the subject; I've done the research.
STORY: 'After Earth' as Scientology Propaganda: What Critics Are Saying
I saw the movie After Earth and took notes on any parallels or "coincidental" similarities to Scientology teachings. While most of the movie involves following Jaden Smith's character as he faces off against apes, a large, angry bird and a leech, (none of which have much to do with Scientology -- besides maybe the leech), most of the Scientology influences play out in the film's dialogue.
"Fear is a choice."
Will Smith's character, Cypher Raige, tells his son, Kitai: "Fear is not real. It is a product of thoughts you create. Now do not misunderstand me: Danger is very real. But fear is a choice"
L. Ron Hubbard's teachings insist that emotions and fear are triggers and are part of the reactive mind. Through Scientology, one is supposed to "rid oneself of your fears."
"Be in the present moment."
Through Scientology training, one learns how to be in "present time," or PT as it is commonly referred to by insiders. In order to operate as a higher being and be in control over one's environment, it is considered key that a person exist in present time and not react to the past.
"What do you touch, see, feel, smell?"
While undergoing certain types of Scientology counseling, you are asked to recall what you see, hear, touch and smell. This is part of putting yourself in the moment and observing the moment with "full perceptions."
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Besides the film's dialogue and its direct similarities to Scientology teachings, there are also some other clues in After Earth that cannot be ignored.
Volcanoes
The movie's climax takes place on a volcano that could have been ripped right off the cover of Dianetics, the look is so similar. In Scientology, the volcano is a common thread through many different teachings. This image was used not only on the cover of Dianetics, but has also been used in many of Scientology's TV ads over the years.
Then you have the intergalactic overlord Xenu who, in cahoots with the psychiatrists of the universe, imprisoned millions of souls, froze them and then dumped them into -- you guessed it -- Earth's volcanoes. Of all the places in the galaxy! This is part of the upper-level teachings of Scientology that members only find out about after they've spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Scientology counseling.
Robotic Emotions
Will Smith's character is pretty much devoid of all emotions for the entire movie. While this may be part of his character or something that was directed in the script, in Scientology, one goes through great amounts of training and counseling to control one's emotions and "mis-emotion," as described by Hubbard. Anyone who has done even the smallest amount of Scientology training will recall sitting and staring at a person for hours on end without being allowed to blink, smile or turn one's head. Will Smith pretty much masters that for the entirety of this movie.
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Few people know that Battlefield Earth, the film adaptation of Hubbard's novel produced by none other than famous Scientologist John Travolta, was meant to be a way to introduce Scientology to the masses. Even the story itself is a veiled reference to the story of Scientology versus the psychiatrists.
We all know how that turned out. Battlefield Earth is considered by many critics to be one of the worst films ever made. After watching After Earth, I would say that Battlefield Earth might have finally met its match.
Two Xenu thumbs down.
Pete

X

I think all of that it pretty reaching. Almost everyone in the universe has heard or says that fear is only in the mind at some point. Climax taking place on a volcano? So did Joe verses the Volcano.

I think that that whole article is all about making a conclusion then finding the "facts" to match.

David Lynch's Dune must also be a big Scientology Propaganda film if that's the criteria.

Bryancd

Quote from: X on June 01, 2013, 05:12:14 PM
I think all of that it pretty reaching. Almost everyone in the universe has heard or says that fear is only in the mind at some point. Climax taking place on a volcano? So did Joe verses the Volcano.

...and the Intro to ST- Into Darkness...

RickPeete

#11
I took the family to see this movie last night.  I have to say that I was not at all impressed by it.  I thought the performance by Will Smith was 'wooden'.  He was going for the unemotional, closed off, all commander no nonsense type of character but I didn't always by into it.  His son, was a bit better than his Karate Kid role though.

The story moved along okay, but I found it very predictable.  The best parts of the movie were in the last 15 minutes.  My son felt the same way, but my 21-year old daughter really liked it.

I didn't see it in IMAX but I wouldn't recommend spending the extra money for it.  In fact, this is a movie best rented on RedBox/iTunes when it comes available.

Bromptonboy

Pete

ChrisMC

I wasn't too bowled over by it, but I went in resenting the fact that Will Smith's kid gets to be in movies because of his dad. I don't find him all that great of an actor. Visuals were pretty nice. Just sort of a blah movie to me.
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bevs_plaything

Saw it this afternoon and didn't like it!  I wanted to like it, but I found the film dull and slow paced!  :(