: The Thirteenth Floor
Author: Josef Rusnak & Ravel Centeno-Rodriguez (Based on the book Simulacron 3 by Daniel Galouye)
Director: Josef Rusnak
This was a cool movie. I was hesitant, as the previews I saw last spring didn’t explain much, and the critics didn’t like it (I don’t know why). I thought it was great. The liner describes the movie as a "sci-fi film noir" which is exactly what this is — it’s more of a murder mystery than science fiction, though of course, there are science fiction elements within it. The basic plot is that a scientist has created an artificial world within a computer — a simulation of 1937 (his childhood). When the inventor’s murdered, his assistant is suspect, and he’s forced to journey to 1937 to try and clear himself. What he discovers blows his mind — and possibly yours. The ending’s a bit predictable — but the lush photography, elaborate sets, and fascinating dual characters (all the actors play dual roles, one in modern day, one in 1937) make it so you don’t care. The movie starts off a bit slow and you’re not sure where it’s going, but all in all, I liked this much better than Dark City (which is visually interesting and has more special effects but I didn’t like quite as much as this). The DVD’s got a director’s commentary (which I haven’t listened to yet) so it’s got added value (I hate DVDs that just give you the movie and nothing else).
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