Time Code

Starring:Xander Berkeley, Golden Brooks, Saffron Burrows, Viveka Davis, Richard Edson, Aimee Graham, Salma Hayek, Glenne Headly, Andrew Heckler, Holly Hunter, Danny Huston, Daphna Kastner, Patrick Kearney (II), Elizabeth Low, Kyle MacLachlan, MÃa Maestro, Leslie Mann, Suzy Nakamura, Alessandro Nivola, Zuleikha Robinson
Director: Mike Figgis
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Timecode divides the screen into four parts and follows, in four uninterrupted shots, a series of overlapping stories. There's the wife (Saffron Burrows) of a movie producer (Stellan SkarskÃ¥rd) who's considering leaving him; the producer is having an affair with an aspiring actress (Salma Hayek); and the actress is the lover of a wealthy woman (Jeanne Tripplehorn), who jealously plants a bug in the actress's purse when the actress pretends to go to an audition. Meanwhile, the producer's partners and employees (Holly Hunter, Xander Berkeley, Steven Weber, and others) are trying to cope with the producer's increasing instability. There's a drug-dealing security guard; a dim massage therapist; a temperamental director who can't find the right actress; and assorted other Hollywood types who float in and out of the action. Earthquakes and aftershocks shake things up, a lot of cocaine is snorted, and there's some sex and some violence, all improvised by the actors around a story set up by the director, Mike Figgis (Leaving Las Vegas).

Amazon.com

Timecode divides the screen into four parts and follows, in four uninterrupted shots, a series of overlapping stories. There's the wife (Saffron Burrows) of a movie producer (Stellan Skarskård) who's considering leaving him; the producer is having an affair with an aspiring actress (Salma Hayek); and the actress is the lover of a wealthy woman (Jeanne Tripplehorn), who jealously plants a bug in the actress's purse when the actress pretends to go to an audition. Meanwhile, the producer's partners and employees (Holly Hunter, Xander Berkeley, Steven Weber, and others) are trying to cope with the producer's increasing instability. There's a drug-dealing security guard; a dim massage therapist; a temperamental director who can't find the right actress; and assorted other Hollywood types who float in and out of the action. Earthquakes and aftershocks shake things up, a lot of cocaine is snorted, and there's some sex and some violence, all improvised by the actors around a story set up by the director, Mike Figgis (Leaving Las Vegas).

Customer Reviews:

Watch it four times, and it might make sense.......2003-05-27

Timecode is a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood life - the business, the politics, the jealously, and even the drugs, sex, and rock `n' roll. Salma Hayek plays Rose, an aspiring actress who will do anything to get an audition - even if it means cheating on her jealous lover (Jeanne Tripplehorn) with a male film exec (Stellan Skarsgard).

But I said that Timecode is unique, right? Well, it is. It had no script - just a story, four digital videocams, and a bunch of actors who could improvise their way through 90 minutes of filming. The four cameras shot non-stop - no cuts, just one take. The entire film was shot 15 times - and the final one was released. No editing was required because viewers see the footage from all four cameras - simultaneously. The screen is divided into four quarters, and it's up to the viewer to decide which one to watch. Believe me - it's not exactly an easy task. Though you're often given audio hints (the sound of one quarter will dominate for a while), you'll still keep jumping from quarter to quarter, trying to figure out what's going on - and what you've missed. It's definitely not a movie to watch if you're not completely alert. It is, however, very interesting. And while I wouldn't say that this is one of my favorite movies, it's still an interesting experience. If you're looking for something out of the ordinary, it's worth checking out.

If you happen to pick up a copy of the DVD, you'll find all kinds of goodies. The special features include the entire Version 1 of the film (and yes, it really is different) and an audio option that allows you to choose which dialogue you want to listen to. Perhaps, then, if you watch the entire movie four times, you'll be able to make sense of it all...

Clever, but also a bit narcissistic.......2002-12-12

Whatever. I mean, I appreciate the experimental nature of the film -- the screen split into four separate-but-interlocking screens, each shot in a continuously-running tracking shot, filmed on digital video. The "action" shifts from scene to improvised scene, and gradually we figure out how each of the characters know each other. Still... did the story really have to be set in (yawn) Hollywood? Can't modern filmmakers think of something else to make movies about? Couldn't the actors improv their way through somebody else's life, for once? Regardless, this is one of the better uses of DVD technology I've seen -- they kept the audio tracks intact on each camera's footage, so after you soak up the edited version of the film, you can go back and see (hear, actually...) what they had to work with... Rarely do we get such a clear-cut chance to get into the headspace of the director and editor, so that at least was kind of cool.

brilliant execution, lame story.......2002-10-02

Timecode is quite simply a well-executed but failed experiment.
The concept is brilliant, but it is not supported at all by a good plot. What we have is basically mindless hipster dross; jet-set stereotypes stabbing each other in the back with their cell phones, and not much else. And yet, I was entertained by the film on a technical level. Certainly worth a look, but I would love to see this idea done again, even by Figgis, with a more engrossing story.

Blah.......2002-08-05

When I rented this, I was under the impression it was a good movie. Well, I was wrong. True, the four-screen idea is innovative and couldn't have been easy to do, so I'll give Mike Figgis credit for that. In addition, the movie was shot in continuous takes, so the actors involved have proved that they have the chops to pull off something like this. And in case you're wondering if you can follow four stories at once, the volume is usually muted for three of the screens, so it's obvious which one you're really supposed to focus on at any given time. On the minus side, any time actors are given the chance to improvise their dialogue, the viewer learns anew that we really do need screenwriters, and this movie is no exception. Most importantly, this movie doesn't have ANY interestng stories or characters. Movies need those things! So, if you're interested in the techniques Figgis used, by all means check this out. But don't expect to be entertained.

Innovative, but more of an experiment than a movie.......2002-04-07

"Time Code" was directed by Mike Figgis, best known for "Leaving Las Vegas." I'm not a fan of his work, but was intrigued by the concept of this movie - it was filmed in one 90-minute take and is told via four cameras shown in different quadrants of the screen. The movie was filmed 15 different times over a period of a few weeks, with the 15th take being the theatrical release. The story (such as it is) concerns 20+ people in Los Angeles who are connected in one way or another to a small indie film studio. The soundtrack is emphasized in certain quadrants at any given time to show you where to direct your attention. I was concerned that the movie would be difficult to follow, especially on a TV, but it was actually fairly easy to watch it and understand what was transpiring.

The technique is innovative and daring, and one cannot help but admire its audacity. It was also interesting seeing how the different stories overlapped. However, there are simply too many weak points for the movie to ultimately succeed. First, the acting and script was largely improvised, and it shows. Selma Hayek has one of the largest roles, and she is simply not up to the challenge. Holly Hunter also comes off poorly with her tentative stuttering character. Second, the plot (which was loosely structured by Figgis) is not very interesting. If this same script was shot in a conventional manner, it would not be worth the price of admission. Third, the concept of the four quadrants is interesting, but most of the time little is happening in any given quadrant. For example, the upper left quadrant, features mostly Jeanne Tripplehorn and she spends a huge portion of the movie sitting in the backseat of a limo or pacing the sidewalk in front of the studio. It just isn't very entertaining.

Description

From the director of PIECES and SLUGS, comes WHERE TIME BEGAN based on the Jules Verne classic "Journey to the Center of the Earth". Juan Piquer Simon helms this tale of an expedition, led by Kenneth More, to the earth's core via an inactive volcano. There they discover an underground sea, giant mushrooms and prehistoric creatures.

Customer Reviews:

Great outdoor scenes, and a good movie ...............2007-02-13

Maybe this 1959 version did not have a big budget like the other version with
Pat Boone, but after seeing again, i was pleasently surprise but some of
the caves and mountain scenes,,, as most of the movie is filmed in the great
outdoors the movie moves along pretty good. Always fun to watch a different
version of your favorite movie, and this one left me with a smile.
Great for the whole family. Enjoy

WHERE TIME BEGAN - FABULOUS JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EART.......2007-01-12

This is a low budget version of the 1959 classic Journey to the Center of the Earth. Similar plot with all the character going to the center of the earth & finding monsters. Some of the monsters are really cool to me while one of them , a King Kong ape wanna-be looks like Edward G Robinson and has a super goofy look to it. Characters and situations arent up to the 1959 version with James Mason (no remake to me has been nearly as good). I thought it was entertaining for the most part, & some changes in the story (the man from the future joining the foursome) and there was an uneccessary vomit scene, but overall not too bad. Better than a lot of J Piqor Simon movies like Pieces , the Unearthling, etc. This may have been his biggest budgeted movie for all I know.

It's Just Bad!!!!.......2006-10-19

This has got to be one of the top five worst movies of all time. They have some nerve using the same title as the classic Jules Vern movie (1959).My only recommendation is don't waste your time or money.

What happened?.......2006-02-02

Why does this release keeping getting dropped? I know the last time it turned out it was being released by some sort of bootleg company so it was stopped. I wish a company like Anchor Bay would get the rights to this film and release it already. It's a crucial 80s slasher to have in your collection.

NOT "WHERE TIME BEGAN".......2005-10-26

It's kind of amusing that everyone thinks that this version of JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH starring EMO PHILLIPS is actually the spanish film WHERE TIME BEGAN. Of course it does not help that MGM and AMAZON have listed the credits for WHERE TIME BEGAN, which is also an adaption of JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH. This film is actually from 1988 and I think even more obscure than WHERE TIME BEGAN if such a thing is possible.

I bought this version knowing it was not WHERE TIME BEGAN. I wish it was WHERE TIME BEGAN because I love that film. I have never seen this 1988 version starring comedian EMO PHILLIPS but I have always wanted to.

John Woo Collection DVD 2-Pack: The Killer/ Hard Boiled

Average customer rating:

You are gonna be really hard pressed to find 2 better Hong Kong action movies than this
Hard Boiled is worth it alone.
Bullets, bullets and more bullets!!!!
Great flicks last forever-special effects age!
Two influential action classics

John Woo Collection DVD 2-Pack: The Killer/ Hard Boiled
Starring: John Woo
Manufacturer: Fox Lorber
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

A Better Tomorrow/A Better Tomorrow II
Once a Thief
Full Contact
A Better Tomorrow
The Killer

ASIN: B00004W459
Release Date: 2000-10-03

Amazon.com essential video

The Killer
John Woo's 1989 Hong Kong action classic, a stylish, bullet-riddled elegy to friendship under fire, firmly established him as the maestro of mayhem. Superstar Chow Yun-fat, Asia's king of cool, plays the most charming hit man ever (and yes, he only takes contracts on those who deserve it), but when one of his killings leaves an innocent nightclub singer (Sally Yeh) blinded, he dedicates his life to giving her back her sight. Danny Lee is the cop on his tail, but the two adversaries become unlikely comrades when the mob decides to cancel its debt to Chow by taking him out, leading to a beautifully filmed and incredibly violent confrontation. Woo places the showdown in a church and punctuates the acrobatic gunfight with images of religious icons, flying doves, and burning candles. An ode to Jean-Pierre Melville's existential gangster classic Le Samourai, Woo's delirious mix of melodrama and stylized action recalls the balletic bloodletting of Sam Peckinpah, the elegant camerawork of Martin Scorsese, and the operatic, larger-than-life grandeur of Sergio Leone. Woo's love of American musicals (and his own background as a dance instructor) adds a touch of grace to the fluid choreography of the action scenes. In terms of sheer action, Woo topped himself a few years later with Hard-Boiled, his Hong Kong swan song, but most critics still rate The Killer as his masterpiece. --Sean Axmaker

Hard-Boiled
Masterful Hong Kong action director John Woo (The Killer, Face/Off) turns in this exciting and pyrotechnic tale of warring gangsters and shifting loyalties. Chow Yun-fat (The Replacement Killers) plays a take-no-prisoners cop on the trail of the triad, the Hong Kong Mafia, when his partner is killed during a gun battle. His guilt propels him into an all-out war against the gang, including an up-and-coming soldier in the mob (Tony Leung) who turns out to be an undercover cop. The two men must come to terms with their allegiance to the force and their loyalty to each other as they try to take down the gangsters. A stunning feast of hyperbolic action sequences (including a climactic sequence in an entire hospital taken hostage), Hard-Boiled is a rare treat for fans of the action genre, with sequences as thrilling and intense as any ever committed to film. --Robert Lane

Customer Reviews:

You are gonna be really hard pressed to find 2 better Hong Kong action movies than this.......2006-09-14

Both movies are brilliantly acted but the Killer has a very good story and is Chow Yun Fat's best role ever and then watch Hard-Boiled after to that to see an even darker movie that you will get a huge rush from. Guns are blazing like no other movie has shown before!

Hard Boiled is worth it alone........2004-12-19

"Give a man a gun and he is a hero. Give him two and he is God"

Nothing can quite prepare you for the amount of bullets that are used in this film - all done to an impeccable action style that has still not been beat. If there was ever a Guinness Book of Records for the "Most bullets shot in a film" John Woo's Hard Boiled would be first place for a very long time. It is a terrible shame that this director has only been toned-down by Hollywood. There is not a hope that he would be allowed to do what he has done here with Hong Kong actors to the Hollywood cream of the crop. It seems that it is okay to have a Hong Kong Asian to shoot the hell out of everything but this same action when applied to Western culture would only shock and shame. The same can be said for the star of Hard Boiled - Chow Yun-Fat (Crouch Tiger, Hidden Dragon) who since moving to the West has fired less bullets in all his Hollywood films put together than he does in the first five minutes of this film. Does that really matter? In many ways - Yes it does. Unlike THEIR Hollywood films the gun violence here is not gratuitous. It is artistic and warrented. No one can come away from this film to say that have seen unjustified and unnecessary amounts of actions. It is all integral to the style and plot of this movie. Yes, innocent people do get mowed down in a hail of hot lead and yes the violence is bloody, but is that not what gun violence is? Here you see exactly what guns do to people. Forget Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine" - The true message of gun control is right here! The plot is even about the dangers of gun smuggling!

One thing for sure is that there is more gratuitous gun violence in most Hollywood productions than there is here. Here we have a hard boiled cop who is assigned to tracking down gun smugglers. He is a hard boiled cop because he knows how to use his guns. His superiors are using him to fight fire with fire. The action gets going from the word go as the hard boiled cop busts a gun dealing operation. His buddy cops and innocent people get killed in the process. He then goes to extract some revenge and put the big gun runners out of business - only problem is there are literally thousands of them he must cut down. Cue unrelenting battle sequences from start to finish all done in excellent style and slow-mo. You have not seen anything like Hard Boiled before, nor will you again. The ending in the hospital is like DIE HARD with ten thousand times more suspense.

Hard Boiled is also a wonderfully acted movie with excellent first rate action direction. The story is also coherent and good, especially for an Asian production. This is every action fans wet dream. Believe me if you have not seen Hard Boiled then it is about time that you did.

Majestic Filmmaking, not to mention John Woo's greatest film. This is the stuff of Legend with an action hero to root for.

Bullets, bullets and more bullets!!!!.......2004-08-13

The only thing I have to say is that this movie is one of the most action pack and non stop shooting,I can easily said that i saw this movie a few times and beleive me i never ever saw so much bullets in a movie, that why i have this "masterpiece of gold"
All i can say is that if you buy it you'll not be dissapointed!!! Booommm!!! trararartatatat!!!!

Great flicks last forever-special effects age!.......2002-11-17

Must see action films that are timeless.special effects only last a few years than we the public tire of them. Great direction last. The Godfater was made 30+ years ago in the past but its good diction and actors makes it timeless so is the case with The Killer & Hard Boiled.The actors portray thier rolles like taking a breath no Hollywood effects(ecept YODA) can compare with natual people.

Two influential action classics.......2002-11-01

I don't understand the other reviewer. The Killer is, with Die Hard, the best and most influential action movie of the 1980s, period. Sure, the budget is visibly tighter, but there's more energy and drama in here than just about any action flick ever made!

Hard-Boiled was made later and is essentially just a setup for a one-hour-long shootout -- which is great! It has some of the best-designed (and bloodiest) action scenes ever made, but it's not perfect.
Note: I have the Video versions, not the DVD.

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

Crusade in the Pacific Vol 5

Home

Masters of Martial Arts: Street Fighter's Revenge/Blood of t

DVD: The Eye of the Serpent

Geschichte der alten Kirche. Bd. 2. Ecclesia catholica