Pi: Buy it or rent it?? - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

02-07-2001, 08:47 PM

I've heard some good stuff about this one but I was hoping to get some input first. Was it any good? How's it look/sound? Requiem for a dream was very well received and since this guy is going to get the Batman franchise...

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Eye · 02-07-2001, 08:58 PM

Rent. It's a good film (a very good film), but I'd rent it because of it's "quirkiness". . .you may find it engaging, but not worth of multiple viewings.

I should say that my criteria for buying a DVD is if I'll watch it multiple times. If that isn't yours, then I'll just piss off for now.

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Eye | Moderator | ICQ: 44594001 | eye@mail.dvdfile.com | Visualize world violence.

Wesly Moore · 02-07-2001, 09:00 PM

I really liked Pi a lot. I think the DVD does a good job at representing the high-contract, washed-out, grainy image of the film. The sound is much better than it was in the tiny theater where I saw it. The disc has a nice set of supplements, including an interesting commentary by Aronofsky.

People seem to either love this movie or hate it. You may want to rent it before committing to a purchase. I do encourage you to check it out, though!

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My collection...out of control

They mostly come at night. Mostly.

manigrasso · 02-07-2001, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wesly Moore:
I really liked Pi a lot. I think the DVD does a good job at representing the high-contract, washed-out, grainy image of the film.

Good point, thought perhaps not necessary for this forum. It's an indie with an intentional ragged look. I recall someone at a local store that rents DVDs bitching about how "it didn't look like no DVD, it looks like shit." Apparently, the moment the guy noticed some grain on the film, he started questioning the whole "DVD being the future of entertainment" shpiel he got at the store where he bought his hardware. People are strange.

mahavishnu · 02-07-2001, 11:34 PM

Pi... rent? buy? burn more like!!

Though I have to admit I made the sorry mistake of buying it, a couple of years ago now. I saw it once in the theatre and found it interesting, but subsequent viewings revealed a core hollowness to the entire cynical work. I would like to believe that I would spot this on a first viewing now, and would not make such a misguided purchase again...

Eye · 02-08-2001, 12:06 AM

Exactally. If you read mahavishnu's post multiple times, you'll see at it's core that he's saying. . .rent this before buying it. It's worth viewing at least once.

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Eye | Moderator | ICQ: 44594001 | eye@mail.dvdfile.com | Visualize world violence.

tcjennings · 02-08-2001, 05:45 AM

It's certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but really worth finding out if it's yours. I found it to be a good movie, and I'll be buying it eventually.

By all means, rent it.

Ratboy · 02-08-2001, 08:12 AM

It's easy to say buy it about a movie like Fight Club; even if you didn't like the movie, it is an awesome DVD. Pi, although I own it and love it, definately isn't everyone's cup o' tea. Rent it. You could kick yourself for not seeing it sooner, or you could be glad you didn't waste more money. It is an aquired taste. I mean: a sci-fi movie about math? That must have been an interesting pitch to investors.

mahavishnu · 02-08-2001, 07:03 PM

I don't think it is an aquired taste, just the opposite - flashy and superficially interesting but ultimately shallow.

Drexl · 02-08-2001, 07:09 PM

So, Mahavishnu, you're saying it's like a bimbo?

Ratboy · 02-08-2001, 08:34 PM

Mahavishnu, I respectfully disagree.

****Spoiler (Kinda, I guess)****

I think that it makes the interesting point that seeing how the universe works is as unsetteling as seeing how sausage is made. There is a reason we're prevented from looking behind the curtain.

samuelk · 02-08-2001, 10:27 PM

Without knowing what kind of movie you like, I'd say rent it.

It's a good independent film, and thank GOD there's a commentary on the DVD.

mahavishnu · 02-09-2001, 11:05 AM

Pi just takes some very "hip" ideas that were floating around at the time, especially the lovely realm of "popular science", and turns it into a stylised MTV thriller. For some, there may be initial excitment about a film about fractal theory, etc, but that excitment will turn to disappointment when they realise Aranofsky has nothing to add to any debate, he was simply plundering current ideas to raise his profile.

Dominik Pfleghaar · 02-09-2001, 04:37 PM

Maybe I should take it off my shelve and finally watch it after all. Must be a kick-ass movie if mahavishnu dislikes it [ducks and runs]

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Horizon · 02-10-2001, 12:56 AM

Some of you guys refer to this film as a MTV hip thing. That's a totally dis to the director right there. This film was shot prefectly and everything worked! Now go watch a film called Requiem for a Dream! Best show of the year 2000! Just cause it has fast cuts and moves at a breakneck pace doesn't mean MTV. MTV puts out crappy shows such as Save the Last Dance, or they shows videos that are horrible. All I ask is that you watch Both films, and please don't compare it to such crap as MTV.

Taxi · 02-10-2001, 01:00 AM

I think the reference is more towards the quick-cut style of many MTV music videos (which they don't hardly even play anymore...) and not the movies that they have produced.

mahavishnu · 02-10-2001, 01:38 AM

I have seen them both. To sum up:

Pi = 3.5/10
Requiem for Dream = 4.5/10

The year 2000:

Dancer in the Dark 10/10
L'Humanite 9/10
Beau Travail 8.5/10

samuelk · 02-10-2001, 05:33 AM

Oh, come on...it's obvious Pi should get a 3.14 out of 10!

[This message has been edited by samuelk (edited 02-09-2001).]

willb3d · 02-10-2001, 04:54 PM

Pi drops to $15 in mid-April, so wait a few months.

Rock · 02-11-2001, 01:34 AM

Just a word of warning for Jack's User Name: Maha has kind of...different...tastes when it comes to movies. He doesn't like Speilberg films, for example, and abhors probably 99% of the movies you like.

Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, mind you, but is something you should consider when listening to him. So, take his opinions on Pi or Requiem for a Dream or whatever with that in mind.

Personally, I thought Pi was completely awesome. I'd call it a 'buy' because the film was good and the extras are a plenty on the DVD. Even if you end up thinking the movie is so-so, things like Director's Commentary still make it a 'should buy' DVD.

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Stop reaching for the stars...they are really really far away, and made of fire. Reach for a booty instead.

[This message has been edited by Rock (edited 02-10-2001).]

02-07-2001, 08:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
I am Jack's User Name	Pi: Buy it or rent it?? I've heard some good stuff about this one but I was hoping to get some input first. Was it any good? How's it look/sound? Requiem for a dream was very well received and since this guy is going to get the Batman franchise... ------------------ "*I am Jack's wasted life." AKA:cyberjeff6* MY DVD LIST

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02-07-2001, 08:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Eye Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Usa	Rent. It's a good film (a very good film), but I'd rent it because of it's "quirkiness". . .you may find it engaging, but not worth of multiple viewings. I should say that my criteria for buying a DVD is if I'll watch it multiple times. If that isn't yours, then I'll just piss off for now. ------------------ Eye \| Moderator \| ICQ: 44594001 \| eye@mail.dvdfile.com \| Visualize world violence.

02-07-2001, 09:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
Wesly Moore Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles, CA	I really liked Pi a lot. I think the DVD does a good job at representing the high-contract, washed-out, grainy image of the film. The sound is much better than it was in the tiny theater where I saw it. The disc has a nice set of supplements, including an interesting commentary by Aronofsky. People seem to either love this movie or hate it. You may want to rent it before committing to a purchase. I do encourage you to check it out, though! ------------------ Wesly Moore ------------------ weslymoore@aol.com My collection...out of control They mostly come at night. Mostly.

02-07-2001, 11:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
mahavishnu Actor Join Date: Jun 2000	Pi... rent? buy? burn more like!! Though I have to admit I made the sorry mistake of buying it, a couple of years ago now. I saw it once in the theatre and found it interesting, but subsequent viewings revealed a core hollowness to the entire cynical work. I would like to believe that I would spot this on a first viewing now, and would not make such a misguided purchase again...

02-08-2001, 12:06 AM	#6 (permalink)
Eye Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Usa	Exactally. If you read mahavishnu's post multiple times, you'll see at it's core that he's saying. . .rent this before buying it. It's worth viewing at least once. ------------------ Eye \| Moderator \| ICQ: 44594001 \| eye@mail.dvdfile.com \| Visualize world violence.

02-08-2001, 05:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
tcjennings Actor Join Date: Dec 2000	It's certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but really worth finding out if it's yours. I found it to be a good movie, and I'll be buying it eventually. By all means, rent it.

02-08-2001, 08:12 AM	#8 (permalink)
Ratboy Banned Join Date: Jun 2000	It's easy to say buy it about a movie like Fight Club; even if you didn't like the movie, it is an awesome DVD. Pi, although I own it and love it, definately isn't everyone's cup o' tea. Rent it. You could kick yourself for not seeing it sooner, or you could be glad you didn't waste more money. It is an aquired taste. I mean: a sci-fi movie about math? That must have been an interesting pitch to investors.

02-08-2001, 07:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
mahavishnu Actor Join Date: Jun 2000	I don't think it is an aquired taste, just the opposite - flashy and superficially interesting but ultimately shallow.

02-08-2001, 07:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
Drexl Actor Join Date: Jun 2000	So, Mahavishnu, you're saying it's like a bimbo?

02-08-2001, 08:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ratboy Banned Join Date: Jun 2000	Mahavishnu, I respectfully disagree. **Spoiler (Kinda, I guess)** I think that it makes the interesting point that seeing how the universe works is as unsetteling as seeing how sausage is made. There is a reason we're prevented from looking behind the curtain.

02-08-2001, 10:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
samuelk Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA	Without knowing what kind of movie you like, I'd say rent it. It's a good independent film, and thank GOD there's a commentary on the DVD.

02-09-2001, 11:05 AM	#13 (permalink)
mahavishnu Actor Join Date: Jun 2000	Pi just takes some very "hip" ideas that were floating around at the time, especially the lovely realm of "popular science", and turns it into a stylised MTV thriller. For some, there may be initial excitment about a film about fractal theory, etc, but that excitment will turn to disappointment when they realise Aranofsky has nothing to add to any debate, he was simply plundering current ideas to raise his profile.

02-09-2001, 04:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
Dominik Pfleghaar Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Elm Street 123	Maybe I should take it off my shelve and finally watch it after all. Must be a kick-ass movie if mahavishnu dislikes it [ducks and runs] ------------------ Unca Dom dvdfile.com Administrator pfleghaar@dvdfile.com My HT My dvd collection

02-10-2001, 12:56 AM	#15 (permalink)
Horizon Actor Join Date: Aug 2000	Some of you guys refer to this film as a MTV hip thing. That's a totally dis to the director right there. This film was shot prefectly and everything worked! Now go watch a film called Requiem for a Dream! Best show of the year 2000! Just cause it has fast cuts and moves at a breakneck pace doesn't mean MTV. MTV puts out crappy shows such as Save the Last Dance, or they shows videos that are horrible. All I ask is that you watch Both films, and please don't compare it to such crap as MTV.

02-10-2001, 01:00 AM	#16 (permalink)
Taxi Admin Emeritus Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Orygun	I think the reference is more towards the quick-cut style of many MTV music videos (which they don't hardly even play anymore...) and not the movies that they have produced.

02-10-2001, 01:38 AM	#17 (permalink)
mahavishnu Actor Join Date: Jun 2000	I have seen them both. To sum up: Pi = 3.5/10 Requiem for Dream = 4.5/10 The year 2000: Dancer in the Dark 10/10 L'Humanite 9/10 Beau Travail 8.5/10

02-10-2001, 05:33 AM	#18 (permalink)
samuelk Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA	Oh, come on...it's obvious Pi should get a 3.14 out of 10! [This message has been edited by samuelk (edited 02-09-2001).]

02-10-2001, 04:54 PM	#19 (permalink)
willb3d Actor Join Date: Jun 2000	Pi drops to $15 in mid-April, so wait a few months.

02-11-2001, 01:34 AM	#20 (permalink)
Rock Cunning Linguist Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Parts Unknown	Just a word of warning for Jack's User Name: Maha has kind of...different...tastes when it comes to movies. He doesn't like Speilberg films, for example, and abhors probably 99% of the movies you like. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, mind you, but is something you should consider when listening to him. So, take his opinions on Pi or Requiem for a Dream or whatever with that in mind. Personally, I thought Pi was completely awesome. I'd call it a 'buy' because the film was good and the extras are a plenty on the DVD. Even if you end up thinking the movie is so-so, things like Director's Commentary still make it a 'should buy' DVD. ------------------ DVDFile.Com Administrator \| TheGreatOne@DVDFile.com \| My [partial] DVD List Stop reaching for the stars...they are really really far away, and made of fire. Reach for a booty instead. [This message has been edited by Rock (edited 02-10-2001).]