K-PAX

K-PAX

Only Earth people would accept this movie as watchable . As a proud Xanian I can only offer my sympathy for you earth people . Back when this movie was being released there was a trailer that appeared many times on television and this formed the basis for viewing the movie . Too bad the makers of this film chose to lie to us and change the movie in a way that altered the plot . In the trailer Prot is asked what his name really sounds like . Prot then offers a very deep and inhuman collection of sounds that could not come from a human . From this I was led to believe that Prot was in fact an alien . When I saw the movie at a local theater I was shocked to discover that this scene was conspicuously missing . Despite his astronomical knowledge the certainty of his heritage is back in question . Don't lie to us . We hate that . If he talks like an alien then show us . And another thing . The people that are in mental institutions are not wacky or quirky .They certainly are not anything like the inhabitants of this facility that Prot visits . What they experience is unspeakably horrifying . To create the illusion that mental illness makes you amusing and comical is a sin that should land you in a real mental institution for a few months . Maybe then you'd realize that their plight is one of worst things that can befall a human mind . It's not an amusing escapade that some bluebird or cute maxim will solve . You should be ashamed of yourselves . There are dozens of other reasons why this movie is vacuous pap . But my spaceship is ready . Good day to you .

This movie is a lame and embarrassing copy of Hombre Mirando Al Sudeste, a movie from Argentina that´s 100 times more original and better. It´s a shame that fine actors like Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges are used in this movie.

I was surprised that at the end of the film at least the message "Inspired in the movie Hombre mirando al Sudeste" was not shown...the film is almost a remake!!!! It's a good version, but the fact that they never mention it makes me feel a little uncomfortable.

I think this was one of the early films where the cocaine-fueled "we can remake everything, and somehow that will be good!" rot set in to Hollywood. The real film, the Argentinian original, "Hombre mirando al sudeste" or "Man Facing South-East", is a masterpiece that grips you, makes you cry and uplifts you at the same time. This is a pale, dumbed-down, watered-down... it's just crap, it's just a crap copy, and that's all. And what's with Spacey's lip-sucking antics? Are we supposed to want Jeff Bridges to actually punch him - repeatedly - instead of analysing him? See the original, forgive Kevin Spacey this bad, cynical, money-making mistake, then forget "K-Pax" ever existed.

When any of us sit down to watch a film we need to make one of two choices - are we going to believe the premise is possible, or are we going to believe it is impossible? In TOY STORY and SHREK, will we believe that toys and animals can talk? In BACK TO THE FUTURE, will we believe time-travel is possible? In THE MATRIX, will be believe one can travel between reality and virtual reality? In SUPERMAN, STARMAN, and E.T., will we believe that a being from another planet can visit us and interact with us? The answer is perhaps obvious, "yes" if we are to become immersed in the story and enjoy the film. This film, "K-PAX" is just like that. If one sits down to it and buys into the premise, that it is possible for Prot to be from a far-away planet called K-PAX, then it is a totally absorbing film. One of the best I have seen in a long time. Ultimately this film isn't about aliens or space travel, it is about the human condition, and about finding out what is really important to us. The character, Prot, is a catalyst in this story and it doesn't matter in the end whether he really is from K-Pax. some possible SPOILERS - On my second viewing of K-PAX, tonight, I took careful note of everything that was said and presented. When you do so there should be no residual doubt that Prot, in this story, really is a K-PAXian. An alien who is completely harmless, and who is more like a guardian angel than anything else. One who can travel anywhere he wants on a beam of light, taking one and only one person with him. Through most of the story he takes the catatonic Porter with him. At 5:51AM on July 27th, 2001, he returns to K-PAX, leaves Porter behind in the care of the good doctor, and takes one of the patients with him.

I can't believe I had never heard of this movie before I came across it. I mean, how have I not heard about a movie starring masterclass actors like Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges? The dialogue between these two characters was written extremely well. It's not often you can have a movie where there's this much sitting and talking between two charachters and not get bored. With this movie it's the exact opposite, you actually get sucked into the conversations because of how interesting they are. Probably my favorite aspect of this movie is the mystery that surrounds this whole dilemma. It keeps your mind active the entire time wondering whether Prot is in fact an alien, or just a man who's disillusioned. At different times they'll give clues to have you leaning one way or the other, but they'll never let you completely make up your mind. Overall, the talented acting and the skillfully crafted writing are what make this movie so enthralling to watch. This is one of those movies that definitely deserves more noteriety than it's gotten.

Although, supposedly, there is a book in which this mess was based on, I just couldn't stop thinking about another, better Argentine film directed by Eusebio Subiela, HOMBRE MIRANDO AL SUDESTE, that came out a few years ago. The premise is the same, almost to the point that I thought, K-Pax was a remake of that other film. Kevin Spacey should employ someone with keen insight to advise him on what films to appear since he, obviously, either goes for his gut feeling, and or, the money, and the results are not very pretty, as was the case with last year's fiasco, Pay it Forward. On the other hand, this actor can make very interesting choices in the theatre and also he has a fine sense of helping other worthy causes, as he did with COBB, at the Lortel Theatre in NY, in which he spent his own money because he thought it was a good play. There are people that keep comparing him with that other actor who makes dismal choices, but Spacey is an intelligent individual who can act, be it in the theatre, television, or films and he deserves better material in which to shine on his own. Let's hope The Shipping News will redeem him for the bad selections he's made in his career. One can only hope that if this medium fails him badly, he can come running to the New York stage any time soon.

In KPAX Softley brushes on the subtleties of Eastern Religious Mores from the small archetypes embedded all over the film to the actual purpose of Prot. Spacey (Prot) assumes a predominantly didactic role throughout the entire film - it is as if the statements he makes embody general truths about a culture of peace which is strongly promulgated in Buddhism and Hinduism. It can be said that Prot is the eye of the storm - the world is in disarray and is 'bright' and the false veil of reality is what everyone else sees, but Prot sees truth - he sees the minute - and appreciates it and at some points fears it as he transcends his social construction of reality and becomes more humanly. The film is particularly detailed, therefore I would recommend that you watch it at least twice to see how Softley interjects nuances. Listen carefully to the narratives at the beginning and end as they truly touch on concepts not commonly presented in western philosophies. 9 of out 10 rating - Superb - with nominal room for improvement.

I had a lot expectations about this movie but when i started watching it, it was soon evident to me that the storyline was lifted from a famous Argentinian movie of the 80s called "Hombre mirando al sudeste". And when i say lifted, i mean its almost a copy but no reference to the original is found anywhere nor any info about the script or rights being purchased by American producers/director. It is a pity, because i like Kevin Spacey. But watching so obviously a copy made me feel uncomfortable and ended up hating it. You cant beat (or steal) a classic. Plus, this movie seems to lack some of the deep and uncomfortable questions that the original creates in the viewer; the story is sort of "bleached". So, if you are thinking about watching this movie, go and watch the original version instead. If you have already watched it, go and watch the original too, you won't regret it.