Here are the new releases for December 9th, 2014.
Guardians of the Galaxy. Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + Digital Copy Disney / Buena Vista. 2014.
An Earth-born outlaw who came of age in space, Peter “Star-Lord” Quill joins with four idiosyncratic aliens, including a bounty-hunting raccoon and a living tree, to recover a coveted infinity stone and fight an intergalactic evil. (Source)
Gremlins. Best Buy Exclusive until Dec 09, 2014 / Special Edition / 30th Anniversary Diamond Luxe Edition Warner Bros. 1984.
When a man brings home an adorable creature from Chinatown as a Christmas present for his son Billy, the shopkeeper’s sage advice — no midnight snacks, no water, mood lighting only — goes unheeded. As a result, devilish green creatures with a million vices take over the small town on Christmas Eve. (Source)
Time Bandits. The Criterion Collection Criterion. 1981.
A curious boy named Kevin is whisked away from his dreary English home by six mischievous dwarfs who have stolen...
Guardians of the Galaxy. Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + Digital Copy Disney / Buena Vista. 2014.
An Earth-born outlaw who came of age in space, Peter “Star-Lord” Quill joins with four idiosyncratic aliens, including a bounty-hunting raccoon and a living tree, to recover a coveted infinity stone and fight an intergalactic evil. (Source)
Gremlins. Best Buy Exclusive until Dec 09, 2014 / Special Edition / 30th Anniversary Diamond Luxe Edition Warner Bros. 1984.
When a man brings home an adorable creature from Chinatown as a Christmas present for his son Billy, the shopkeeper’s sage advice — no midnight snacks, no water, mood lighting only — goes unheeded. As a result, devilish green creatures with a million vices take over the small town on Christmas Eve. (Source)
Time Bandits. The Criterion Collection Criterion. 1981.
A curious boy named Kevin is whisked away from his dreary English home by six mischievous dwarfs who have stolen...
- 12/9/2014
- by Sarah Skidmore
- Destroy the Brain
The evolution of eyes, love and death are the themes in director Mike Cahill's latest sci-fi drama. Here's our review of I Origins...
I Origins is the second film from writer and director Mike Cahill, who previously brought us the low-key and beautifully-acted 2011 sci-fi drama, Another Earth. I Origins has a similar sensibility, in that it’s intimately shot and muses on fundamental existential themes - this time love, grief, guilt and the possibility of life after death.
Michael Pitt plays Dr Ian Gray, a scientist who’s set himself the task of charting the evolutionary origins of the eye. A staunch atheist (we know this because he reads Richard Dawkins books) Dr Gray aims to prove that the eye isn’t the product of a divine being, as creationists believe, but rather the result of billions of years of evolution. While Dr Gray's still a young scientist studying...
I Origins is the second film from writer and director Mike Cahill, who previously brought us the low-key and beautifully-acted 2011 sci-fi drama, Another Earth. I Origins has a similar sensibility, in that it’s intimately shot and muses on fundamental existential themes - this time love, grief, guilt and the possibility of life after death.
Michael Pitt plays Dr Ian Gray, a scientist who’s set himself the task of charting the evolutionary origins of the eye. A staunch atheist (we know this because he reads Richard Dawkins books) Dr Gray aims to prove that the eye isn’t the product of a divine being, as creationists believe, but rather the result of billions of years of evolution. While Dr Gray's still a young scientist studying...
- 9/24/2014
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
★★☆☆☆With sophomore feature I Origins (2014), American independent director Mike Cahill once again utilises the theoretical landscape of the science fiction genre to analyse the human condition. Similar in style and tone to his high-concept, low-budget debut Another Earth (2011), this science-versus-faith puzzler looks to expand upon the established maxim that "eyes are the window to the soul", eluding that they might in face be the conduit in which our souls traverse the limitlessness of existence. I Origins opens with a startling montage of eyes. As their pupils dilate under the camera's unforgiving flash, we're reminded by Dr. Ian Gray (Boardwalk Empire's Michael Pitt) that each one is as unique as a person's finger print.
- 9/24/2014
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
"The eyes are the windows to the soul." This particular cliché forms the narrative and philosophical basis of Mike Cahill's latest, I Origins, which follows in the high-concept, indie sci-fi vein of his first feature, Another Earth (2004). The title also has a rather obvious pun embedded within: "I" = "eye," get it? And true to this idea, the film itself is full of eyes, beginning with the visually arresting opening sequence, a montage of eye close-up photos, which race by as the scientist protagonist Ian Gray (Michael Pitt) relates his lifelong obsession with eyes. He has photographed countless numbers of them over the years, and has made this the basis of his scientific research. His life's mission is to use his analysis of the evolutionary mechanisms...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 7/26/2014
- Screen Anarchy
Chicago – In the current debate between metaphysical spirituality or intelligent design versus scientific and provable fact, there are demands regarding the religious or metaphysics that do not relate to those facts. What the new film “I Origins” hopes to provide for, is that there is room for both forms of mysticism in our lives, if only the eyes remain open.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Writer/Director Mike Cahill, in his first film since the transforming “Another Earth” (2011), takes on our ability to remain faithful in a tech-and-science realm, which seems to dispute faith with every passing discovery. By highlighting a research scientist – portrayed with magnificent clarity by Michael Pitt – Cahill brings forth a story that rocks our real world of assumed knowledge. The research scientist is on the edge of a cliff in this drama, and discoveries are made because this time they’re personal.
Ian Gray (Michael Pitt) is a graduate student...
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Writer/Director Mike Cahill, in his first film since the transforming “Another Earth” (2011), takes on our ability to remain faithful in a tech-and-science realm, which seems to dispute faith with every passing discovery. By highlighting a research scientist – portrayed with magnificent clarity by Michael Pitt – Cahill brings forth a story that rocks our real world of assumed knowledge. The research scientist is on the edge of a cliff in this drama, and discoveries are made because this time they’re personal.
Ian Gray (Michael Pitt) is a graduate student...
- 7/25/2014
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
I Origins, the second feature film from writer and director Mike Cahill, tells the story of Dr. Ian Gray (Michael Pitt),tells the story about a molecular biologist studying the evolution of the eye, and finds himself in a struggle between science and spirituality. Recently, I sat down with director Mike Cahill and star Michael Pitt to talk about the film Check it out below!
He finds his work permeating his life after a brief encounter with an exotic young woman (Astrid Bergès- Frisbey) who slips away from him. As his research continues years later with his lab partner Karen (Brit Marling), they make a stunning scientific discovery that has far reaching implications and complicates both his scientific and spiritual beliefs. Traveling half way around the world, he risks everything he has ever known to validate his theory.
What is the impetus of the idea?
Mike Cahill : This idea...
He finds his work permeating his life after a brief encounter with an exotic young woman (Astrid Bergès- Frisbey) who slips away from him. As his research continues years later with his lab partner Karen (Brit Marling), they make a stunning scientific discovery that has far reaching implications and complicates both his scientific and spiritual beliefs. Traveling half way around the world, he risks everything he has ever known to validate his theory.
What is the impetus of the idea?
Mike Cahill : This idea...
- 7/25/2014
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Keeping his distance from highly profitable mainstream roles, versatile actor Michael Pitt has managed to construct a career out of those characters that speak to him regardless of how challenging they could be. His careful choices have taken him to work with some of the most important filmmakers working today. Legendary figures like Martin Scorsese, Bernardo Bertolucci, Michael Haneke, and Gus Van Sant have cast him throughout his young but prominent career. In his latest adventure “I Origins” by Mike Cahill, Pitt plays Ian Gray, a man whose lost love will push him to seek closure through science. The complex blend of ethereal imagery and provocative science fiction gives the actor a chance to explore the character’s nuances. Always looking for something beyond the ordinary, Pitt seems like the perfect choice for the job.
The often hilarious and always insightful performer talked to us recently about the future of film, what interests him about each new character, and even the importance of spiritual conviction.
Carlos Aguilar: What drew you to a film like “I Origins”?
Michael Pitt: A couple things drew me to this film. One was that it was a character that I hadn’t played before. The other thing that was really interesting to me was working with Mike Cahill. I’ve worked with a lot great directors who have huge resumes, but I’m really trying to be active in my career in supporting the new generation of cinema. I like taking some time to try to support and be a part of that. Mike Cahill is one of the directors that I picked and he picked me, it was a mutual thing.
Aguilar: Where you a fan of Mike Cahill’s first feature “Another Earth”?
Michael Pitt: I was a fan of “Another Earth.” The things that I’m more interested in is making films that are unique, things that are being done that I don’t see anyone else doing. What I could see in “Another Earth” was that the director had a very distinct voice. He was making a science fiction film that is not like other science fiction films. This genre has become about how many bells and whistles can you blow, how many special effects can you get, but the writing of Sci-Fi, at its root, is for the thinking man. What I liked about “Another Earth” is that you have to think in order to watch that film. You can’t just sit there. He is asking you to be active and think. He is also trying to do very difficult things in this new film.
Aguilar: You have worked with some of the best directors from around the world, what makes Mike Cahill special or different from your previous experiences?
Michael Pitt: I think what makes him special is that he has a good understanding of the technical aspects of film, which I noticed right off the bat. He spent time as a cameraman and he spent time as an editor. I believe he understands what it is to be a filmmaker right now. Right now is a very interesting time because of the digital cameras, and the fact that you can edit anywhere. It’s a great time to be a filmmaker, is a great time to be starting off. I believe he understands the future of cinema.
The other thing I like about him is that he has a very clear vision of what he wants, very clear, but he is not like “You have to do this!” He knows how to let his actors do their job, whether he is aware of it or not. He always directs you towards his vision, but you can still move around. Many directors don’t know how to do this. Usually they are so tied to their script and they don’t see anything that is going on. On the other hand, some are so free that they have no vision. He has both, which I think is very special to have that early in your career.
Aguilar: How difficult was it to play a scientist that is confronted with this incredibly spiritual dilemma? It seems like he is very conflicted.
Michael Pitt: Is not difficult [Laughs]. No, it was an extremely challenging character because there were a lot of things that you needed to feel, but there were also a lot of things that you just needed to do. It was a full character. I needed to change the way I talk, my accent, the way I walk, all of that. On top of it I needed to show the things underneath, what he feels underneath, which is not as technical. It is difficult to explain how to do that. It is more like magic.
Aguilar: How did the two female characters, played by Astrid Bergès-Frisbey and Brit Marling, shape your performance?
Michael Pitt: It was amazing to work with Astrid and Brit. They are two completely different actresses. They are both very beautiful, lovely people and very talented. Working with Astrid was more primal and instinctual. English is not her first language, so it was better if we ran with it and rehearsed. With Brit, we sat down and talked for hours about what we wanted to do. Then we would go home and think about it. Once on set we would just try it. They were two different ways of working, but it was really amazing.
Aguilar: Are eyes the “windows to the soul”? Why do you think they are so important in Mike’s film?
Michael Pitt : No I don’t thin so. [Laughs]. Yes they are. I think they are important in life. Everyone looks into someone’s eyes and they feel things. In this film, Mike is trying to explain something that is like “magic”, but he does it through a scientist studying the eyes. It’s such an interesting way to play with that.
Aguilar: Did going to such spiritual place like India help your process as an actor?
Michael Pitt: No, we shot that in Brooklyn [Laughs]. No, we did go to India. It is an amazing country, so beautiful, corrupt, devastating, touching, spiritual, and scientific. I was going to make a film right after, if I hadn’t had to do that, I probably would have stayed for a while.
Aguilar: With science being at the center of “I Origins”, at least on the surface, do you think some people could find the film inaccessible?
Michael Pitt: Another interesting thing is that a lot of the films that I’ve made I wouldn’t say they are accessible. A lot of them are inaccessible. Mike has taken this very difficult subject and made it very accessible. His films are just going to get better and better, he is still very young.
Aguilar: How much was input did you have on your character? Where you able to be involved in creating him?
Michael Pitt: Nothing. He said, “I’m the puppet master and you are the puppet”[Laughs]. I had a lot of input. We developed this character together, which is amazing. Martin Scorsese never gave me my blocking, Gus Van Sant never gave me my blocking, but Michael Haneke gave me my blocking. What’s great about Michael Heneke - I know I’m straying right now - is that if you ask him “Why should I do it like that?” The answer is never “Because I told you so” or “Because I’m the director” That’s never the answer. He sits you down and he tells you exactly why, and he is happy to tell you. He’s thought about it, it’s never just bullshit. When a director does that you just say “Ok, you are smarter than me man”
Going back to Mike, what is cool about him is that we developed this character together every step of the way through. It was fun to be that involved.
Aguilar: It seems to me that both of Mike’s films are about a second chance. In “Another Earth” a woman sees a chance for redemption in a place far away, in “I Origins” the second chance comes in the form of reincarnation. It is very profound. What is you take on spirituality?
Michael Pitt : That’s interesting, I never though of that. That’s an interesting point. Without getting too personal about my beliefs, what I love about this film is that people can walk away from it saying, “It’s a very scientific film”, but I also love that they could walk away and say, “It’s a very spiritual film.” That’s kind of where I’m at. I think these two things can live next to each other. When people go at war they cheapen things. If a religious person says “No, no, no” and they won’t listen to science, it makes me think that they don’t have faith in their own religion.
I read this book by the Dalai Lama, who loves science, he so interested in it. The topic of this book is science over religion, but he was never threatened by the science. Because he was never threatened, it made me think, “This guy really believes in what he is saying”, it’s a very powerful thing when someone is confident in relation to this. In the same right, when I saw a debate between Richard Dawkins and a spiritual leader who was saying, “How could you say this? This is what I believe,” he became very insecure to me. He didn’t want to hear anything about science or data, or “There is evolution, we came from apes”. He didn’t want someone to prove him wrong.
Aguilar: Whose eyes would you say are unforgettable?
Michael Pitt: Eyes are so powerful. Astrid’s eye is on the poster for the film. Maybe the person whose eyes I will never forget is Astrid for certain. I’ve seen so many pictures of them [Laughs].
"I Origins" is now playing in L.A and NYC. It opens in more cities around the country on Friday July 25th.
The often hilarious and always insightful performer talked to us recently about the future of film, what interests him about each new character, and even the importance of spiritual conviction.
Carlos Aguilar: What drew you to a film like “I Origins”?
Michael Pitt: A couple things drew me to this film. One was that it was a character that I hadn’t played before. The other thing that was really interesting to me was working with Mike Cahill. I’ve worked with a lot great directors who have huge resumes, but I’m really trying to be active in my career in supporting the new generation of cinema. I like taking some time to try to support and be a part of that. Mike Cahill is one of the directors that I picked and he picked me, it was a mutual thing.
Aguilar: Where you a fan of Mike Cahill’s first feature “Another Earth”?
Michael Pitt: I was a fan of “Another Earth.” The things that I’m more interested in is making films that are unique, things that are being done that I don’t see anyone else doing. What I could see in “Another Earth” was that the director had a very distinct voice. He was making a science fiction film that is not like other science fiction films. This genre has become about how many bells and whistles can you blow, how many special effects can you get, but the writing of Sci-Fi, at its root, is for the thinking man. What I liked about “Another Earth” is that you have to think in order to watch that film. You can’t just sit there. He is asking you to be active and think. He is also trying to do very difficult things in this new film.
Aguilar: You have worked with some of the best directors from around the world, what makes Mike Cahill special or different from your previous experiences?
Michael Pitt: I think what makes him special is that he has a good understanding of the technical aspects of film, which I noticed right off the bat. He spent time as a cameraman and he spent time as an editor. I believe he understands what it is to be a filmmaker right now. Right now is a very interesting time because of the digital cameras, and the fact that you can edit anywhere. It’s a great time to be a filmmaker, is a great time to be starting off. I believe he understands the future of cinema.
The other thing I like about him is that he has a very clear vision of what he wants, very clear, but he is not like “You have to do this!” He knows how to let his actors do their job, whether he is aware of it or not. He always directs you towards his vision, but you can still move around. Many directors don’t know how to do this. Usually they are so tied to their script and they don’t see anything that is going on. On the other hand, some are so free that they have no vision. He has both, which I think is very special to have that early in your career.
Aguilar: How difficult was it to play a scientist that is confronted with this incredibly spiritual dilemma? It seems like he is very conflicted.
Michael Pitt: Is not difficult [Laughs]. No, it was an extremely challenging character because there were a lot of things that you needed to feel, but there were also a lot of things that you just needed to do. It was a full character. I needed to change the way I talk, my accent, the way I walk, all of that. On top of it I needed to show the things underneath, what he feels underneath, which is not as technical. It is difficult to explain how to do that. It is more like magic.
Aguilar: How did the two female characters, played by Astrid Bergès-Frisbey and Brit Marling, shape your performance?
Michael Pitt: It was amazing to work with Astrid and Brit. They are two completely different actresses. They are both very beautiful, lovely people and very talented. Working with Astrid was more primal and instinctual. English is not her first language, so it was better if we ran with it and rehearsed. With Brit, we sat down and talked for hours about what we wanted to do. Then we would go home and think about it. Once on set we would just try it. They were two different ways of working, but it was really amazing.
Aguilar: Are eyes the “windows to the soul”? Why do you think they are so important in Mike’s film?
Michael Pitt : No I don’t thin so. [Laughs]. Yes they are. I think they are important in life. Everyone looks into someone’s eyes and they feel things. In this film, Mike is trying to explain something that is like “magic”, but he does it through a scientist studying the eyes. It’s such an interesting way to play with that.
Aguilar: Did going to such spiritual place like India help your process as an actor?
Michael Pitt: No, we shot that in Brooklyn [Laughs]. No, we did go to India. It is an amazing country, so beautiful, corrupt, devastating, touching, spiritual, and scientific. I was going to make a film right after, if I hadn’t had to do that, I probably would have stayed for a while.
Aguilar: With science being at the center of “I Origins”, at least on the surface, do you think some people could find the film inaccessible?
Michael Pitt: Another interesting thing is that a lot of the films that I’ve made I wouldn’t say they are accessible. A lot of them are inaccessible. Mike has taken this very difficult subject and made it very accessible. His films are just going to get better and better, he is still very young.
Aguilar: How much was input did you have on your character? Where you able to be involved in creating him?
Michael Pitt: Nothing. He said, “I’m the puppet master and you are the puppet”[Laughs]. I had a lot of input. We developed this character together, which is amazing. Martin Scorsese never gave me my blocking, Gus Van Sant never gave me my blocking, but Michael Haneke gave me my blocking. What’s great about Michael Heneke - I know I’m straying right now - is that if you ask him “Why should I do it like that?” The answer is never “Because I told you so” or “Because I’m the director” That’s never the answer. He sits you down and he tells you exactly why, and he is happy to tell you. He’s thought about it, it’s never just bullshit. When a director does that you just say “Ok, you are smarter than me man”
Going back to Mike, what is cool about him is that we developed this character together every step of the way through. It was fun to be that involved.
Aguilar: It seems to me that both of Mike’s films are about a second chance. In “Another Earth” a woman sees a chance for redemption in a place far away, in “I Origins” the second chance comes in the form of reincarnation. It is very profound. What is you take on spirituality?
Michael Pitt : That’s interesting, I never though of that. That’s an interesting point. Without getting too personal about my beliefs, what I love about this film is that people can walk away from it saying, “It’s a very scientific film”, but I also love that they could walk away and say, “It’s a very spiritual film.” That’s kind of where I’m at. I think these two things can live next to each other. When people go at war they cheapen things. If a religious person says “No, no, no” and they won’t listen to science, it makes me think that they don’t have faith in their own religion.
I read this book by the Dalai Lama, who loves science, he so interested in it. The topic of this book is science over religion, but he was never threatened by the science. Because he was never threatened, it made me think, “This guy really believes in what he is saying”, it’s a very powerful thing when someone is confident in relation to this. In the same right, when I saw a debate between Richard Dawkins and a spiritual leader who was saying, “How could you say this? This is what I believe,” he became very insecure to me. He didn’t want to hear anything about science or data, or “There is evolution, we came from apes”. He didn’t want someone to prove him wrong.
Aguilar: Whose eyes would you say are unforgettable?
Michael Pitt: Eyes are so powerful. Astrid’s eye is on the poster for the film. Maybe the person whose eyes I will never forget is Astrid for certain. I’ve seen so many pictures of them [Laughs].
"I Origins" is now playing in L.A and NYC. It opens in more cities around the country on Friday July 25th.
- 7/24/2014
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
We've been provided with a new clip and several photos from the incredible must see sci-fi film I Origins. The movie comes from writer and director Mike Cahill (Another Earth). The clip features a major discovery that will help a group of scientists move to the next step of their project of building an eye from scratch.
I Origins centers on medical student Ian Gray (Michael Pitt). Ian specializes in the evolution of the human eye. One day he attends a party where he meets a masked woman whose eyes transfix him, and soon the two fall in love. Years later, Ian makes a startling discovery in the lab, forcing him on a trek across the globe in order to uncover profound truths about mankind.
The movie is currently on a limited release theatrical run, but will expend into more theaters soon. It stars Michael Pitt, Brit Marling, Astrid Bergés-Frisbey,...
I Origins centers on medical student Ian Gray (Michael Pitt). Ian specializes in the evolution of the human eye. One day he attends a party where he meets a masked woman whose eyes transfix him, and soon the two fall in love. Years later, Ian makes a startling discovery in the lab, forcing him on a trek across the globe in order to uncover profound truths about mankind.
The movie is currently on a limited release theatrical run, but will expend into more theaters soon. It stars Michael Pitt, Brit Marling, Astrid Bergés-Frisbey,...
- 7/24/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Chicago – The debate between science and intelligent design (God) will go on as long as man evolves and searches for answers. A new and provocative film, “I Origins,” takes on the challenge of the debate through storytelling, and features hot actor Michael Pitt (“Boardwalk Empire”), directed by Mike Cahill (“Another Earth”).
Mike Cahill also teams again up with actress Brit Marling, who plays a research co-worker to Pitt’s main scientist character. Her last collaboration with Cahill, “Another Earth” – Marling also co-wrote the script – also investigated the concept of scientific certainly when faced with the mystery of an expansive and perplexing universe. In “I Origins,” the examination of the unique nature of the eye is explored, especially within its definition as a “window to the soul.”
Mike Cahill (center) and Michael Pitt Set Up a Camera for ‘I Origins’
Photo credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Michael Pitt is as memorable at times as James Dean,...
Mike Cahill also teams again up with actress Brit Marling, who plays a research co-worker to Pitt’s main scientist character. Her last collaboration with Cahill, “Another Earth” – Marling also co-wrote the script – also investigated the concept of scientific certainly when faced with the mystery of an expansive and perplexing universe. In “I Origins,” the examination of the unique nature of the eye is explored, especially within its definition as a “window to the soul.”
Mike Cahill (center) and Michael Pitt Set Up a Camera for ‘I Origins’
Photo credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Michael Pitt is as memorable at times as James Dean,...
- 7/24/2014
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Enter here for your chance to win passes to an advance screening of director Mike Cahill’s new film I Origins, starring Michael Pitt and Brit Marling.
For your chance to receive two (2) complimentary passes to see I Origins at the Landmark Main Art Theater in Royal Oak, Michigan on Monday, July 28th at 7:00Pm, just look for the “Enter the Contest” box further down on this page. But hurry, because there are alimited number of passes available and when they’re gone, they’re gone!
About The Film
I Origins : The second feature film from writer and director Mike Cahill, tells the story of Dr. Ian Gray (Michael Pitt), a molecular biologist studying the evolution of the eye. He finds his work permeating his life after a brief encounter with an exotic young woman (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey) who slips away from him. As his research continues years later...
For your chance to receive two (2) complimentary passes to see I Origins at the Landmark Main Art Theater in Royal Oak, Michigan on Monday, July 28th at 7:00Pm, just look for the “Enter the Contest” box further down on this page. But hurry, because there are alimited number of passes available and when they’re gone, they’re gone!
About The Film
I Origins : The second feature film from writer and director Mike Cahill, tells the story of Dr. Ian Gray (Michael Pitt), a molecular biologist studying the evolution of the eye. He finds his work permeating his life after a brief encounter with an exotic young woman (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey) who slips away from him. As his research continues years later...
- 7/23/2014
- by Administrator
- CinemaNerdz
This interview is a reprint of the one that ran during the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. When “Another Earth” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival three years ago, the quiet, otherworldly drama made quite a splash with critics and audiences alike. First-time director Mike Cahill’s talents were obvious—even on a low budget—and lead actress (and co-writer) Brit Marling was a breakout star. Fast-forward to Sundance 2014, where Cahill and Marling are once again setting the town abuzz. “I Origins” stars Michael Pitt as Dr. Ian Gray, a molecular biologist whose studies of the human eye break new ground in the interplay between science and spirituality. Sounds like heady stuff, but while Cahill (writing solo this time) once again asks his audience to confront big ideas, he invites us in by weaving intimate stories about people we care about, allowing us a smooth transition into a challenging concept.
- 7/18/2014
- by Kristin McCracken
- The Playlist
Michael Pitt is the rare actor who, after 15 years in the business (including a stint on Dawson's Creek), remains idiosyncratic and whole. Clocking most of his time with independent filmmakers and esteemed names like Gus Van Sant, Michael Haneke, and Bernardo Bertolucci, Pitt remains a stranger to the throes of studio movies — Murder by Numbers and The Village being rare exceptions. He has never been forced to fit a star mold. His collaborators wouldn't have it any other way. One hundred percent undistilled Pitt ranges from brooding intensity to lunacy of every color. He does what he does, and he does it well. The maturation of television worked in his favor; Boardwalk Empire and NBC's Hannibal have Hollywood sheen and artistic souls. One might describe Pitt the same way.In I Origins, Pitt skews closer to "leading man" territory than ever before. His character, Ian Gray, is a dapper...
- 7/18/2014
- by Matt Patches
- Vulture
I'll say this about “I Origins”: Michael Pitt and Brit Marling wear great-looking glasses in it. Those specs don't really fit the characters, but at least puzzling over writer-director Mike Cahill‘s costuming choices distracted me from the ridiculous love story underpinning the first half of the movie. Pitt, an unconvincing scientist if there ever was one, plays molecular biologist Ian Gray, a university researcher obsessed with eyes to the point he has assembled a database of them. One Halloween night, he takes himself and his eye-catching spectacles to a party, where he meets a goth woman with a stocking covering all.
- 7/18/2014
- by Diane Garrett
- The Wrap
Editor’s note: Our review of I Origins originally ran during this year’s Sundance Film Festival, but we’re re-posting it now as the film opens in limited release. Ian Gray (Michael Pitt) is a molecular biologist primarily interested in the function, capability, and evolution of the human eye. He’s worked on curing color blindness and takes photos of people’s eyes in his free time, but it’s his latest project that sets him on a spectacular course. Hoping to eliminate the sharpest arrow from creationists’ quiver of arguments against evolution (and for intelligent design), he sets out to map the various stages of human eye evolution. Karen (Brit Marling), a first-year student assigned to his lab, excitedly assists the project by searching for a currently sightless species that nonetheless feature the genetic material needed to create even the simplest eye. Running parallel to Ian’s work in the lab is his newly blossomed...
- 7/17/2014
- by Rob Hunter
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
For his second feature film, writer-director Mike Cahill has reteamed with Brit Marling, with whom he worked on his first feature, "Another Earth." Marling both starred in and wrote that movie alongside Cahill. In this new feature, "I Origins," Marling takes on the role of Karen, a scientist and love interest for main character Ian Gray (Michael Pitt). Karen does not represent the sole love interest in the movie. Also appearing in the film is Astrid Bergès-Frisbey who plays Sofi, Gray's first love. However, the movie is not a love triangle as much as it is a scientific exploration that turns into the fantastical. It is possible in fact to look at Sofi and Karen as two opposite sides of a single whole – Karen is the analytical side whereas Sofi is the free-spirited, ethereal one. That being said, Bergès-Frisbey does not necessarily believe that dichotomy to be true, she sees...
- 7/17/2014
- by Josh Lasser
- Hitfix
I Origins tells the story of Dr. Ian Gray (Michael Pitt), a molecular biologist studying the evolution of the eye. He finds his work permeating his life after a brief encounter with an exotic young woman (Astrid Bergès- Frisbey) who slips away from him.
As his research continues years later with his lab partner Karen (Brit Marling), they make a stunning scientific discovery that has far reaching implications and complicates both his scientific and spiritual beliefs. Traveling half way around the world, he risks everything he has ever known to validate his theory.
Like director Mike Cahill’s first film, 2011 Sundance Film Festival winner Another Earth, I Origins is a personal and unconventional exploration of the mysteries of the scientific world. To Cahill, scientists are important role models for filmmakers.
“They spend their lives asking the big questions,” he explains. “Why are we here? What are we made of? They...
As his research continues years later with his lab partner Karen (Brit Marling), they make a stunning scientific discovery that has far reaching implications and complicates both his scientific and spiritual beliefs. Traveling half way around the world, he risks everything he has ever known to validate his theory.
Like director Mike Cahill’s first film, 2011 Sundance Film Festival winner Another Earth, I Origins is a personal and unconventional exploration of the mysteries of the scientific world. To Cahill, scientists are important role models for filmmakers.
“They spend their lives asking the big questions,” he explains. “Why are we here? What are we made of? They...
- 7/16/2014
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
This Friday, July 18th, the second feature film from writer-director Mike Cahill will open in select theaters. The movie, "I Origins," centers on a scientist whose field of study is the eye. Michael Pitt ("Boardwalk Empire," "Hannibal") takes on the role of molecular biologist, Ian Gray. Gray's work on the eye is an attempt, amongst other things, to further the theory of evolution, something he knows will find skeptics, but in which he truly believes. However, he soon finds himself in the realm of the mystical and completely unscientific. Cahill, whose first film was "Another Earth," has returned to the science fiction genre for this film, although "I Origins" is certainly not standard sci-fi fare. Rather than taking place in the future or dealing with far out scientific concepts, Cahill's new movie takes present-day science and tweaks it slightly to get the ball rolling and explore more issues. The film...
- 7/15/2014
- by Josh Lasser
- Hitfix
I Origins Trailer and Poster. Mike Cahill‘s I Origins (2014) movie trailer, movie poster stars Michael Pitt, Brit Marling, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Steven Yeun, and Archie Panjabi. I Origins‘ plot synopsis: “Ian Gray (Michael Pitt), a PhD student studying molecular biology with a specialty in eye evolution has an [...]
Continue reading: I Origins (2014) Movie Trailer, Poster: Michael Pitt Uncovers a Secret...
Continue reading: I Origins (2014) Movie Trailer, Poster: Michael Pitt Uncovers a Secret...
- 4/13/2014
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
The debate between religion and science has been a long-standing one to say the least, and now director Mike Cahill ("Another Earth") brings a suspenseful twist to the conflict in his romantic mystery "I Origins." The film, which premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, stars Michael Pitt, Brit Marling and Astrid Berges-Frisbey. "I Originis" tells the story of Ian Gray (Pitt), a scientist whose aversion to religious beliefs is rooted in his need for scientific proof, until he meets the beautiful and spiritual Sofi (Berges-Frisbey), who believes the two of them may have known each other in a past life. The trailer gives a generous idea as to what's in store for the audience, featuring Ian as he encounters and ultimately loses Sofi only to discover someone whose eyes are identical to hers, an unbelievable rarity that leads him on a cross-cultural journey to find her. Fox Searchlight will release...
- 4/10/2014
- by Ziyad Saadi
- Indiewire
"I'd like to tell you the story of the eyes that changed this world." After making a splash with the indie sci-fi Another Earth at Sundance in 2011, director Mike Cahill returned to the independent film festival with the penetrating sci-fi drama I Origins. Now the first trailer for the compelling film starring Michael Pitt, Brit Marling and Astrid Bergès-Frisbey has arrived. This film is an absolute sensation (read Alex's Sundance review right here), and serves as an interesting, provoking bridge between the ever-strong debate between faith and science. This is one you'll want to seek out this summer for sure. Watch the trailer now! Here's the first official trailer for Mike Cahill's I Origins, originally from Apple: I Origins is written and directed by Mike Cahill (Another Earth). Ian Gray (Michael Pitt), a PhD student studying molecular biology with a specialty in eye evolution has an intense, but fleeting,...
- 4/10/2014
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth and The Tempest to hit UK cinemas in April.
Btv Post has completed work on three upcoming event cinema releases from Shakespeare’s Globe’s 2013 season.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream [pictured], Macbeth and The Tempest will be out in cinemas in April through Arts Alliance Media.
Grading, mastering and deliverables were completed at the Soho facility of Btv Post. Grading was completed by Ian Gray, colourist and online editor for Btv Post, with mastering and deliverables handled by Btv Post’s digital media services department.
Btv Post has completed work on three upcoming event cinema releases from Shakespeare’s Globe’s 2013 season.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream [pictured], Macbeth and The Tempest will be out in cinemas in April through Arts Alliance Media.
Grading, mastering and deliverables were completed at the Soho facility of Btv Post. Grading was completed by Ian Gray, colourist and online editor for Btv Post, with mastering and deliverables handled by Btv Post’s digital media services department.
- 1/30/2014
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Due to the current lack of concrete evolutionary mapping, the eye is often lauded as proof of intelligent design. So, Ian Gray (Michael Pitt), a PhD student studying molecular biology, is attempting to disprove Creationism by fully mapping the evolution of the eye. He is reluctantly teamed with a first year student, Karen (Brit Marling), who quickly dedicates her time to Ian's cause, agreeing to do the tedious work of looking for the Pax 6 gene -- a key gene that enables eyesight -- in a species without eyes. It will be like finding a needle in a haystack, but if Karen can locate that species, they can then attempt to mimic the evolutionary process by mutating that creature in such a way that it grows a fully functioning eye. In other words, they want to play god. As a side project, Ian is obsessed with photographing people's eyes. This is...
- 1/25/2014
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
After making his narrative feature directorial debut at Sundance three years ago with the brilliant Another Earth, Mike Cahill has returned to Park City for his sophomore follow-up, I Origins.
The film has opened to positive early buzz amongst festivalgoers, and it’s now officially amongst the early acquisitions. Fox Searchlight has announced that it has acquired worldwide rights to the existential drama, with Deadline hearing that the deal impressively closed around the $3m. mark.
Ian Gray, a PhD student studying molecular biology with a specialty in eye evolution, leaves his lab to go to a party and has an intense, but fleeting, encounter with a mysterious, masked model who escapes into the night. With only a picture of her stunning and iconic eyes, he tracks her down, and they fall in love. Their fundamentally different beliefs about life only serve to intensify their connection, and they vow to spend forever together.
The film has opened to positive early buzz amongst festivalgoers, and it’s now officially amongst the early acquisitions. Fox Searchlight has announced that it has acquired worldwide rights to the existential drama, with Deadline hearing that the deal impressively closed around the $3m. mark.
Ian Gray, a PhD student studying molecular biology with a specialty in eye evolution, leaves his lab to go to a party and has an intense, but fleeting, encounter with a mysterious, masked model who escapes into the night. With only a picture of her stunning and iconic eyes, he tracks her down, and they fall in love. Their fundamentally different beliefs about life only serve to intensify their connection, and they vow to spend forever together.
- 1/21/2014
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
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