Two sci-fis ending in “ence”

[bigburner]

“Transcendence” (2014)

A dying scientist has his mind sucked into a computer and then proceeds to take over the world.

This film had an interesting start but went nowhere. I think the writer had a puff or a snort one night, came up with a bright idea, and then tried to turn his bright idea into a full story the next day. He clearly needed another puff or snort because the end result is a disconnected mishmash of non-contiguous ideas.

In summary, don’t make the mistake I did by watching this crap.

“Coherence” (2014)

A comet passes Earth and 8 thirty somethings at a dinner party start behaving strangely.

This film was far more interesting, especially to people who believe in the existence of the multiverse.

In summary, watch this one unless you’ve got something really good queued up. No, that’s unfair. Watch it anyway.

Nigel.

[Ovation]

Pretty much echoes what I wrote about Transcendence in the DVD forum:

Visually stunning in places (as could be expected from a film directed by long-time Christopher Nolan cinematographer Wally Pfister), with an intriguing premise and quality actors on hand. However, it lacks substance. Raises a number of interesting ideas about artificial intelligence and the concept of immortality but leaves them un- or underdeveloped. Not a horrible film but not one I'll revisit nor one anyone need take a detour to see.

Will keep an eye out for the other one.