A compelling and, most importantly, original science-fiction film which has that rare ability to also be believable.
Pi (1997)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 42
Fresh: 35
Rotten:7
Average Rating: 7.2/10
Consensus: Dramatically gripping and frighteningly smart, this Lynchian thriller does wonders with its unlikely subject and shoestring budget.
Runtime: 85 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Synopsis: Low-budget film that won Darren Aronofsky "Best Director" at 1998's Sundance Film Festival. Gritty, inventive black-and-white photography drives this story of genius mathematician Max Cohen who is exploring the possible existence... Low-budget film that won Darren Aronofsky "Best Director" at 1998's Sundance Film Festival. Gritty, inventive black-and-white photography drives this story of genius mathematician Max Cohen who is exploring the possible existence of discernible patterns in the stock market. With the aid of Euclid, his home grown supercomputer, Max stumbles upon a bug that crashes his system and spits out a seemingly meaningless number. A knowledgeable friend gives him insight using the ancient game of Go and warns of the spiritual ramifications of powerful numbers. A Hasidic cabalistic sect and representatives from an extremely powerful Wall Street firm then attempt to extract the number from him, by whatever means necessary, for their own ill-gotten gains. [More]
Starring: Sean Gullette, Ben Shenkman, Mark Margolis, Pamela Hart
Starring: Sean Gullette, Ben Shenkman, Mark Margolis, Pamela Hart, Lauren Fox, Ajay Naidu, Clint Mansell, Samia Shoaib, Kristyn Anne-Marie Lao, Espher Lao Nieves, Joanne Gordon, Stanley Herman, Stephen Pearlman
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Screenwriter: Darren Aronofsky
Producer: Eric Watson, Scott Vogel
Composer: Clint Mansell
DVD Info
Release:
Jan 12, 1999
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Letterboxed - 1.66
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 2.0 - English
Additional Release Material:
- Audio Commentary - 1. Darren Aronofsky - Director
- Bonus Footage - 1. Behind-the-Scenes
- 2. Lost Scenes
- Music Video
- Trailer - 1. Original Theatrical
Interactive Features:
- Interactive Menus
- Scene Access
Text/Photo Galleries:
- Production Notes
- Biographies - 1. Cast & Crew
Reviews for Pi
It's remarkable to what extent Aronofsky has rendered the cerebral kinetically intense. The film's imaginative, diverse images create a mind's-eye urban claustrophobia.
Director Darren Aronofsky creates an eerie Eraserhead-like world that keeps the film compelling.
An ambitious, stylish and intriguing first effort by Aronofsky and director of photography Matthew Libatique. If you're of a mind for an offbeat but fascinating film, give it a shot.
Pi is an interesting film. Not a particularly good one, but interesting nonetheless.
Embora Aronofsky cometa excessos visuais em alguns momentos (tendência comprovada em seu trabalho seguinte, Réquiem para um Sonho), sua eficiente direção, a ótima edição e o inteligente roteiro transformam Pi em um filme singular.
Shot in blotchy, grimy black-and-white and edited in a style almost reminiscent of the French New Wave, 'Pi' is as jarring to the eye as it is enticing to the mind.
Pi is like a Cronenberg film of the mind, where the unsettling images and lusts are driven by a desire for knowledge, not flesh.
Film fans who long for intellectual muscle have reason to hail Mr. Aronofsky for plunging into the mysteries of knowledge, power and the nature of God.
Delivers some thought-provoking questions about our digital age, numerology, and the hubris involved in all projects designed to decode the mystery of the universe.
The movie's low-budget look neatly matches the claustrophobia of Max's life, but the filmmakers have also devised some special shooting methods for certain scenes. These sequences -- breathless and jangly chases, for the most part -- look terrific.
...like the value for pi, which has been calculated to one billion decimal places and counting, it does not fail to generate curiosity and speculation.
Pi is a lesson to aspiring film makers everywhere: perfect your skills, be original, be bold. It's a pity young British directors aren't making films as unique and imaginative as this. Startlingly good cinema.
Latest News for Pi
March 28, 2007:
Aronofsky to "Fight" with Mark Wahlberg and Matt Damon
Last seen together in Martin Scorsese's "The Departed," Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg will reunite for Paramount's period piece boxing drama "The Fighter,"... More...
November 06, 2006:
Aronofsky to Go Biblical for His Next Movie
With "The Fountain" finally finished and ready for consumption, director Darren Aronofsky can turn his attentions toward a new project. And no, it's not that... More...
July 24, 2006:
Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz Get Real Close in a New Trailer for "The Fountain"
Armed with a love story taking place at three times over a thousand years, flawless special effects, and more period costumes than you can shake a stick at, the man who brought... More...
November 10, 2005:
Trailer Bulletin: The Fountain
OK, so it's more of a Teaser Bulletin than a Trailer, but there's still a promotional clip to be enjoyed, and this time it's for Darren Aronofsky's highly-anticipated sci-fi... More...
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by: White_Cracker 11/21/01
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