Chrysalis

Finally got to see Chrysalis on demand this week and I have to say I was really pleased. I was hoping they wouldn't go and turn Bradbury's story about human evolution into another piece of post apocalyptic violent junk. I'm glad to report that wasn't the case. I didn't recognize any of the actors but Bradbury's dialogue and story keeps things very interesting. The movie features a series of Emergency broadcasts all throughout which are used to fill the characters (and the audience) in on what's happening in the rest of the world during this ecological crisis the movie presents. I think that's one of the most clever storytelling techniques in the film. I really enjoy how the story is told on two different fronts -- the main characters inside the research facility with their dilemma about the Chrysalis and the rest of the world suffering through the eco-crisis which we get to discover through the emergency broadcasts. Highly recommend it for fans of true hard sci-fi. Can't wait to get it on DVD. Would love to see some footage from the film festivals and Comic Con panels that Bradbury has participated on to promote the film.

I'm getting the feeling that this was a pretty faithful adaptation of Bradbury's story. I haven't read that story, so I don't know how close, but Bradbury (who amazingly, is still alive) had unprecedented control over his work. (As opposed to Richard Matheson, whose work is pretty much put through a blender.) The thing is, this was a movie made on the cheap, and I'm not sure it really translates well to screen. Okay, I wasn't expecting a CGI shoot-em-up, but an hour and a half of guys arguing about whether a prop in the middle of the room is a danger or not gets boring after a while, too.

Worth watching? Maybe to hardcore Bradbury fans looking for faithful adaptations.

I'm dying to see this again. Saw it earlier this year at the Sci-Fi fest in Boston amid dreadful films that don't even deserve to be in the science fiction genre (Alien Raiders, please...). The crowd at the event was more into the b schlock movies and was not the type of group that can appreciate cerebral science fiction. I was really upset that this was the only real SF film premiering at this year's event, but was totally satisfied by it. I have been telling friends about it ever since, wanting them to check it out but there's no date on when it will get a wide release.

Unfortunately all the creature and gore movies get released and genuinely good stories that truly deserve to be seen, and that actually uphold the great science fiction literary tradition don't get the attention they deserve. somebody please put this film out!!!!

I was quite surprised with this film. if anyone has read the story it came from, FINALLY someone has been loyal to the Ray Bradbury Story and not moved off into their own self-belief. I suppose if you are a teenager who expects a Scyfy monster of the week, this isn't for you. But real Science Fiction is what this film is, and at it's best. Obviously the film is on a small budget, but it is handled well and succinctly by its producers and director. the actor work well and appear credible.

The make-up effects work well and the film manages to purvey a dark/gloomy tone. It is not meant to be a film like 300 with a huge scope and bombastic action. It is an intellectual examination of an alien presence on Earth. Watched it once, will watch it again.

More films like this please!

Any word on more release dates? I did see the Los Angeles Shriekfest screening listed on the website. I saw it's also playing in Phoenix later this month. Any word on when this will be released wide? Please show it in Chicago soon. My friend's went to Comic Con this past summer and during the Ray Bradbury panel they said that the movie was coming out near the end of the year. I'm surprised to see it's already playing in film festivals. We need more info please... I thought there was an episode of Ray Bradbury theater based on this story too. I just ordered the DVD set of that show and noticed how I was wrong about that. Now I want to see this movie even more since it's actually an untapped piece of Bradbury material.