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I just watched a "sneak preview" of "Contact" and thought it was just grand. It hasn't really been hyped like so many of the other films this summer so I was surprised to see just how BIG a movie it was. Jodie Foster was great (of course), the effects were phenomenal, and it was extremely intelligently written and thought-provoking. Hope you had a chance to see one of the previews as well. Anyways, just enjoyed the movie and wanted to pass on my thoughts. By the way, you've got a good page there...
From: Crazy Dave nicholsd@tuns.ca. Sat July 5, 1997.
I just saw the sneak preview, unbelievable! I wasn't a big Jodie Foster fan before this, but her talent is simply breathtaking! Brilliant film making.
From: Scott Bell scottbell@mail.utexas.edu. Mon July 7, 1997.
After reading some of the reviews from magazines like 'Time', and many other relatively serious articles, I find that most of them are making the movie too political and discrediting it. In those reviews, you could find in between the lines that they are trying to tell you that the movie is a joke and desparate. I find this rather disappointing and am rather annoyed at the narrow-mindedness and the stereo-type kind of attitude by these review people. The movie "Contact" itself is a symbol of what many of us is yearning for. People need inspiration no matter during what time or decade it is. Jodie's character in the movie inspire people to have a greater vision and while Palmer stands as a reminder that one must not abandon ones faith in this technological world. For those who after watching Contact and was not inspired, it is like what Carl Louis said during last year's Olympic games after wining his forth long jump gold medal,"If you are not excited about this, you should not be here." Comparing this movie with other movies this summer, generally speaking I would rank this one and Face Off together as the top movie. Think for a moment, this is the only few movie (like Forrest Gump) out of so many of the Hollywood's mindless and empty movies that we waste our money on for stuns, violence and sex. This will be the 'few' that is going to be deep in my memory after watching it.
From: Charles Yu c0y0183@unix.tamu.edu. Thu July 24, 1997.
I saw this movie with my wife, and it was totally awesome. 'Twas one of the best movies that I've ever seen, ever. The plot was great, and Jodie Foster was terrific. I can't wait until this thing comes out on video."Viva Las Vega!"
From: Steve Carrasco "steve.carrasco."@blitz.emc.maricopa.edu. Thu July 24, 1997.
I've seen the movie twice now and I'm still amazed. This movie has brought about questions that society needs to face. I've never had a favorite movie until now. It was excellently written and it addressed questions that I've struggled within myself for as long as I can remember such as where do you draw the line between God and science? This movie has a great cast with two of my favorite actors (Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey). It was truly amazing and it has changed my life.
From: Sarah Lizotte sklizott@bighorn.accessnv.com. Thu July 24, 1997.
Hey I thought the movie was great and very inspiring..................but today I did a little math and I figured out that in order for Ellie to have traveled 26 light years and back in aprox. 18 hours she would have had to be traveling at 25.306 times the speed of light or aprox. 27.312.292.093.630.000 miles per hour! That is fully cruising. Leave it to Carl Segan to dream up speeds that exceed our current unit table.
From: D. Naranjo crabby@global.california.com, DNaranjo@Vanstar.com. Thu July 24, 1997.
I was looking for one more movie in the paper reviews. And though Contact was rated only two and a half stars, Jodie's presence and that whole tension in the movie ads, I just couldn't resist it. I got there, saw it. OOH how right I was to go! It's a blow away thing. I walked out of the movie theater so amazed astonished, shocked whatever. I was all inside Contact. To tell you the truth, still partly there, listening for that out of nowhere dazzling and so powerfull noise of signal. Wow. Still hanging above huge machine with its gigantic circles spinning like hell. It's not that cheap, unreal, dull thing. It's got its philosophical side. Deep, adventurrous, magical film. Been waiting for such movie long time.
From: Polibijus@aol.com. Fri July 25, 1997.
I saw Contact twice during its first 2 weeks of release. I loved it so much that I would go and see it 15 million more times. I am a HUGE movie connoisseur, and this movie already ranks as one of my top 3 movies of all time, and it is likely #1. It challenged me in so many ways. I hope that everyone goes to see this movie. Spread the word that this is not just for sci-fi fanatics, but for everyone. GO SEE THIS MOVIE! It has changed my life, and it might just do the same for you. I cannot wait to own this movie when it comes out in video.
From: D. Young dyoung@uniserve.com. Sat July 26, 1997.
Contact is the best movie I have seen in about 2 years, since the Shawshank Redemption. It was entertaining yet thought provoking and I think it was beautifully done. Jodie Foster deserves an Academy Award for her performance, and I feel certain that I won't see a better movie anytime soon, since movies of this caliber are rare.
From: Terry Stepp TerraCom@snowhill.com. Sun July 27, 1997.
I loved it!!! I would definitly see it again. I will probably buy the video when it comes out, and I have only bought 5 videos in the past, but this is a must have. Great effects.
From: TnT tnt@magicnet.net. Sun July 27, 1997.
I truly loved it and was inspired. It was wonderful. Beautiful.
From: Adrienne holmes5@lcsipdp.littonlcs.com. Sun July 27, 1997.
I want the e-mail software that was used in the movie... Does anyone know how I would go about getting ahold of this? Is the software available? Please advise via mail to this site.
From: Robert Cowle rcowle@earthlink.net. Mon July 28, 1997.
I thought contact was an exceptional movie. Great cast and story line. One problem, well it was brought to my attention by my brother, at first I didn't realize it but now thinking about it the problem seems valid. It is when Matthew talks to Jodie Foster and tells her if she ends up taking the voyage, if she was to be gone for 4 years when Jodie returns to earth about 50 years will have expired and all those people who she cares about will be dead. The problem is this, when Jodie finishes her trip to Vega about 18 hours of time had expired but only a few minutes (if that) expired on earth, but according to Matthew's statement many hours should have expired on earth not just a few minutes. Please respond. If I missed something in the movie and this problem was not really a problem I apologize, let's just say I was buying popcorn, thanks.
From: Jay john@lloyds.ca. Mon July 28, 1997.
I just saw 'Contact' today. It is an excellent movie. I'm positive that it will get best picture of the year and that Jodie will be awarded best actress of the year. I loved it. Thank You.
From: Michael Schuster mschuster@sprynet.com. Mon July 28, 1997.
This movie bridges the gap between science and religion like nothing has before, either movie or discussion. How else can you explain the moving ending of an agnostic scientist trying to explain what just happened to her without the benefit of one shred of proof? Maybe we are alone in the universe, but we certainly need something to hold on to. This just gives you another thing to think about before you dismiss your next thought on the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence or the Almighty.
From: pxystick pxystick@netins.net. Tue July 29, 1997.
Beautiful, provoking, inspiring for all human kind to go beyond their everyday grudgery, and find meaning to their routine lives. Foster's character showed such great courage and complexity (only Jodie has the stature to up hold such an intelligent role). Not only does this movie push your own personal limits, it keeps the entertainment industry inline with the style of movies they should promote and produce!!!! Thanks Zemeckis, you've done it again!!
From: szemered@pacbell.net. Tue July 29, 1997.
That movie was to me, and I think what should be to the entire human population, one of the most inspirational movies of all kind. The whole thought provoking concept from " the big picture" of the movie was truley tremendous. It invaded my thoughts for days to come after first seeing the movie. As for the entertainment factor, I can honestly say during those hours, the only thing that existed in my mind was that movie and I. It was a sci-fi that I would recomend to any person even if they are not into the whole science fiction genre. I hope that is one of the most auspicious movies of all times.
From: Ken eb0nicsman@aol.com. Tue July 29, 1997.
My wife wanted to see Air Force One, of course we argued all the way to the theater. Luckily, Air Force One sold out! Contact was the Alternate choice. I loved the movie and found it very stimulating. I bought in completely, I want to explore more about SETI. The line between Religion and Science was well thought out. One Question or thought, when the alien host told Jodie that she had hands like her mothers, how could he know since she never knew her mother and they scanned her memory to produce their scene to make it easy on her? Perhaps her mother had passed that way onto her eternal progression? Or perhaps she was visited? I will see the movie again to see if I missed something, but if you have any thoughts I would like you to share them with me.
From: Lynn R. Jacobs bumble@coshocton.com. Tue July 29, 1997.
I hope that the makers of this movie are reading these comments. This was one of the most conscious efforts in film making I've seen for awhile, in America, anyways. Jodie Foster should win an Academy award for her performance - she was thoroughly believable and remarkable. I was engaged in the movie in a visceral way, which surprised me, and I found integrity and passion in the storyline. I only hope that Hollywood takes notice, because I probably won't (and haven't) spend my money on anymore "blockbuster" summer movies that instill the silly violent rethoric sci-fi junk that has provided escapism for many. I would rather put my substance into a movie with the pervading questions of our time with the thrill of Hollywood behind it instead of overruling it. Many thanks and keep up the good work!!
From: K. Bassett frazer@rmi.net. Wed July 30, 1997.
I am at the ripe age of 18. I have heard that the movie Contact does not appeal to teenagers. If so, they don't know what they are missing. I went and saw Contact 2 nights in a row and thought that it was unbelievable! Movies like this come along only once in a decade. I am an amateur astronomer and the facts and details were so accurate, that it was surprising. I went to the movie not knowing what to expect and when I left the theater, I left speechless. I have thought for a long time that it is impossible to have a unbelievable ending to a movie such as this. Many movies involving alines and such have failed. The last 20 minutes of this movie were breathtaking. It could have been 4 hours for all I care. The length of the film helped create the effect that came at the end. Sometimes, movies have too many sub-plots that don't fit in very well. In this movie, the sub-plots could not have fit better!. This movie buries MIB and Lost World. It deserves in Academy Award. Finally, someone is able to make the movie as good as the book. I am a fan of Jodie Foster now. I could go on and on but I will let the movie speak for itself.
From: jeans@trib.com. Thu July 31, 1997.
What can a person say? This subject grabs the attention of millions of people. Carl Sagan has created one of the greatest stories and fantasies. Throughout the movie and the book, I so desperately wanted this to be a true story, I wanted this to be happening in real life. To see the people of the world coming together for this one cause, hoping that we the human race could interact with another species was so exhilarating. This movie has opened the eyes of many people, the possibility of life in the universe beyond ourselves cannot be denied, to do so would be futile. The world suffered a tragedy with the loss of Carl Sagan.
From: Matthew Green greenmat@ix.netcom.com. Thu July 31, 1997.
After having read the book when it first came out, I was skeptical of how one would be able convey the depth and levels of the story into a movie. However, when I saw that Jodie Foster was going to be Elie, I realized that there would be a good chance that there would be some justice to this conversion. Then when I happened to catch a program on the making of the movie, I was hooked. Not only was I impressed that Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan was very close to the development of the movie, but I was also taken by the way the cast--and probably the entire group of people working on the film--was in awe of Carl Sagan's knowledge and how he expressed the most difficult concepts in science as if he were discussing the daily news over dinner.
Not only was I impressed with the movie, but I have a newfound faith in moviegoers today. The entire theatre was frozen, hypnotized, and totally silent throughout the film.
I am truly sorry that Carl Sagan was not alive to see this marvel. God bless him.From: Sandy Yoo artdept@digdomdes.com. Thu July 31, 1997.
I was EXTREMELY pleased with this movie..and I would send a BIG THANK YOU to those involved in it's creation..One of only 2 movies that I would BUY a copy of immediately... the other being Bill Murray in The Razor's Edge. Ghandi was also a good film. There are too many good things to say about Contact to know where to start... VERY GOOD JOB!! If you are awake in the world, you will want to see this film!!
From: Steve R. bobbys@netdirect.net. Sat August 2, 1997.
I loved your movie!!! Although it was long, I enjoyed it a lot. The theories that the film presented were thought provoking and intriging. I was stunned that most of the the movie's theories were correct in the way that modern science has proven. The movie kept your nano-prosessors working and your electro-stagnet relays operating.
From:Dr Albert M. Latoria Phd bill.scavuzzo@postoffice.worldnet.att.net. Sat August 2, 1997.
I have thoroughly enjoyed your film, seeing that someone else has experienced the intragalactic-fortress universes enthrals me. I have visited many times in my highly secretive occupation in which I am forbiden to mention any further by other outside being. Even though it was long, it was very interesting to watch more primitive and lower life forms in their exploration of the universes.I must note that the yalmatin transporter was very realistic.I hope you will come out with a sequel.
From: Dr. Cosmos Mukaling P648\d7 bill.scavuzzo@postoffice.worldnet.att.net. Sat August 2, 1997.
Saw Contact yesterday....
Special effects were great...
Jodie Foster is sure made for the part!From: James J. Liden jliden@vine.net. Sun August 3, 1997.
CONTACT is a great movie - a classic science fiction film. It also transcends sci-fi because at its heart is a warm, emotional, wonderful humanity and spirit that renders its special effects and far reaching thoughts even more important and critical, so that in the end there is a pay-off that sticks to the captivating storyline - making it completely satisfying, yet also leaving a lot to your own imagination - that is great. I love this movie, and I'm convinced - Hollywood is still capable of making magic.
From: weresin weresin@ix.netcom.com. Mon August 4, 1997.
I have always enjoyed the work of both Jodie Foster and Zemeckis. And it seems only right that these two would eventually team up and work together. Obviously creating a movie with an emotional and a moral chaos...You find yourself drawn into the movie...Filled with awe and fear as well..I truly loved the film's future effect on humanity idea. I was pulling for Foster's Ellie character the whole time..As an actor and an admirer of her work ...I have to commend her for her wonderful portrayal..It was a tough role...afterall..who would leave their planet on nothing but trust and hope. That is certainly rare these days..I also must commend Matthew MConnehey for his great portrayal admired and loathed his character at the same time for his questioning at the press hearing ...that didnt let ..Ellie go on the first quest. But when he said that he didn't want her to go because of other reasons..that just won my heart. And I found myself questioning the God over Science theory...All in all it was definitely the picture of the year. And will be remembered for decades to come..especially for the impact it made on me.. a 17 year old girl from San Clemente California.. Thanks to all..Applause.....Brava.....Best wishes to all..
From: Jessica Payne prillrh@fia.net. Tue August 5, 1997.
I am 14 years old and I'm from bc Canada. I saw Contact and thought it was the best movie ever. It was a really good way of showing what might really happen if we ever did get a message. I also liked the way it ended so that you could decide what happened. I think both skeptics and believers like myself will enjoy this film. My goal in life has been to work for the SETI and every time I told someone that they said whats the SETI? So I think that this film will make the SETI more known and more respected like they deserve to be.
From: Shannon scully@prcn.org. Wed August 6, 1997.
Will there be a second Contact? I hope so I loved the movie, it seemed more realistic than any other. CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From: Janet Treat jltreat@intellinet.com. Thu August 7, 1997.
The day I went to see Contact was not exactly wonderful, and Brian and I hadn't even planned to see a movie. We just decided to try out the new state of the art theaters on a whim and we picked Contact because it started at the right time. Imagine our surprise after watching the film and realizing it to be the most wonderful film we had ever seen. Words cannot describe Jodie Foster's performance. Maybe, I just have a soft spot for anything by Carl Sagan, or maybe the scientific realism appealed to my analytical side, but it got to me. I cannot imagine anyone not loving this movie.
From: Jenny Covington jennyac@umich.edu. Fri August 8, 1997.
I just saw Contact last night and WOW! I think it is probably the best movie I have ever seen. Never once did it feel like I was in a theatre, I was so awe-struck by it. I still haven't found words to try to describe it, so I won't even try. I will say this, if you don't absolutely love this movie you have to be brain dead. Simply a GREAT, GREAT, movie!
From: Darlo Verdoorn darlov@rconnect.com. Sat August 9, 1997.
I finally saw the movie and thought it was great. The open discussion about the existence of God in the face of science, exobiology etc. are long overdue. I was however a little disappointed in the ending. With the government coverup, (18 minutes of recorded static), I felt like I was transported into an X-Files episode. I thought a better ending would have been to leave it all on the table. An advanced alien race contacts us, we build a device and visit them, and they tell us we are on our own and must take 'tiny' steps to both preserve our species and explore the galaxy. "No more contact until you reach us on your own". IMHO, such an ending, would have answered our questions while keeping us moving forward. I thought the link between the scientific method and faith (which was the point of the movie's ending) was a little strained.
From: Michael Farmer michaelfarmer@mindspring.com. Sun August 10, 1997.
I saw Contact today. One word to explain it:
Awesome.From: Anne Szilagyi szilagyi@fuse.net. Wed August 13, 1997.
It's hard to discribe how I feel about the movie, still it's the best movie since Star Wars and I was 12 when it came out (I'm Jodie's age). I was amazed about the story, it stop me in a very long though about the author's theory, but my biggest surprise was when I saw at the Discovery channel on the week about alien, they told us about some signal that they got from space and it was CONTACT all the way again, but this time it was no fiction. So CONTACT for me is not a fiction any more. And for the search in space is not a way to find an answer of some sort for me but more about trying to find some one else to talk to or to learn from. Because I think that human try too much to find a sense to there lives, it's so simple that we try too hard and they get on false path. All that to finally tell you that I really really loved it, and Jodie is really more than a Hollywood super-star to me she's a real professional and she's hard to beat. Jodie you can say that you found your path in life because you always touch people no matter in what role you play, José!
From: Jose Fournier, from Trois-Rivieres, Quebec julibell@marche.com. Wed August 13, 1997.
I went to see CONTACT on August 3rd at a theater in Pennsylvania and I think it was excellent. It was especially interesting to me since I am an amateur radio astronomer and I was at the NRAO in Greenbank, West Virginia during the month of July while attending a meeting of SARA, the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers. After the meeting, I used the 40-foot radio telescope there to search for signal from the area of 70 Virginis and to my surprise I found some that repeated on 2 separate days. 70 Virginis is the star that has been shown to have a planet around it. You can see my research results at http://www.oocities.org/Athens/1555/seti.html To add to the intrigue, all of my files were missing from this geocities page for a week after posting my results - they said it was a server problem but who knows for sure? What brings me even closer to identifying with the movie is that I am a Religious Brother and the religion theme in the movie struck close to home. My real home is on St.Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and besides being a high school science teacher I am also the Caribbean representative for the SETI League.
From: James A. Petrait ab258@virgin.usvi.net. Thu August 14, 1997.
Contact is simply one of the best, if not the best, motion pictures I have ever seen! Why? Because it blends so many importantly great things together! While it's not your typical summertime movie, it accomplishes two things that very few, if any, movies ever do: it does a great job in looking at the conflicts between science and religion (faith) and it takes a much overdue focus on the greatest questions of all - who are we and why are we here?
Overall I loved the movie - it ranks right up there with my favorites of all time. The only thing I couldn't figure out was if the machine was still intact why didn't they just send someone else to test Arroway's story? In addition, the only "problem" I had with the movie is I wished they would have left out the part at the end where the "recorded 18 hours of static" came up! Considering the whole idea of the film, I thought it would have been better left up to the viewer to decide for him or herself if the journey was a "hoax" or if it did actually happen! Do you believe it on fact or on faith?
GREAT MOVIE!
From: sherertf@aol.com. Thu August 14, 1997.
I took my wife and one of my sons to see contact the other day. Fantastic I'm a amatuer astronomer at Prince George British Columbia Canada, Its nice to see something that is not only awe inspiring, but also quite factual as far as the physics are concerned and the real Phoenix SETI program. I checked into the SETI Phoenix program and other than some minor incorrect details was right on the money . My thoughts parralle very clost to Jodie Fosters charecter about science and if there is a GOD. I have a incredible curosity aboutn the stars and I love Physics. I feel strongly that life (in cluding intelligent life is out there. After all if ther100--400 billion stars in our own Galaxy and the huble Telescope now indicates 100's of billions of galaxies in the expanding universe there has to be life. If not the movies famous quote of a lot of empty wasted space seem very apropiate. Jodie foster did a good job, and its nice to see real science made interseting so it can be shared.
From: Steven Senger af115@frodo.pgfn.bc.ca. Sun August 17, 1997.
I finally made some time in my busy summer schedule to see the movie CONTACT. I don't know WHY I waited. I was fully stunned for a good hour or so after the movie. Amazing. The best movie to come out of Hollywood since, oh, since at least the last movie that Robert Zemeckis directed. If there aren't Oscars for Jodie Foster and Robert Z. this year, I resolve to never watch those awards again.
My praise for the movie has already been echoed by many others on your website. What I can't understand is why the movie was so poorly reviewed. Is it possible that people are so dumbed-down by big budget summer action movies that they can't stand a movie that challenges their mind a little bit? Are people so put off by "alien" movies that don't start Will Smith? Is the reason why Contact hasn't been made yet because we as a species aren't up to the task?
I bet this movie does fabulous business overseas. As for this country...I cringe when I think that Men in Black can outdraw Contact at the box office. I guess it can be expected though...there are still millions of people who think that the sun revolves around the Earth, and even more people that don't realize how long it takes the Earth to revolve around the sun. It's easier to accept false answers that are easy than it is to seek a truth that is difficult. I for one don't think we've come that far as a species at all. And until people start using their brains I doubt that I'll be proven wrong.
The only comfort is that there is a large segment of the population that appreciates movies like CONTACT, and I'm pleased that I know where to find them.
From: Jeff Williams williams@aces1.mds.lmco.com. Mon August 18, 1997.
I believe this movie is the greatest of the summer. The way it ties in both science and theology together, I think is amazing. Carl Sagan is a genius and an amazing writer.
From: Wade wdac4949@1stfamily.com. Mon August 18, 1997.
The wormholes rocked! the special effects ruled! the guy with the long blond hair was uuuuuuuuuuuuglyyyyyyyyy and probably has nail fungus. Please, excuse my friend but he is creepy! the ugly genius had bad teeth, but the ugly guys rocked the movie like hell:) Excuse my friend for writting so much critisism, but she really does like the movie. Jodie Foster was awsome.
p.s. i didnt like the movie i loved it:) It was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From: Eugene Kaganovich eugenek@erols.com. Tue August 19, 1997.
I thought that this was a great movie, and it seemed so real. I loved how they showed the planet fading away and then the moon. Then more planets. Then the solar system with more solar systems around it and so on. I think that this movie is very true in many ways. Now your probably thinking oh great a crazy person has my Email address what's next...no seriously though what if it was like that and we are not alone. Like they said on the movie it would be an awful waste of space...
Sincerly,
From: Ryan Thompson hotdog@oz.net. Tue August 19, 1997.
Are you only posting positive comments? I saw Contact this weekend expecting an incredible movie and was shocked at how horrible it was. Didn't you find yourself screaming at the screen simple comments like "it's probably 3D" and "how much noise did it record"? The scientists were written as idiots who don't seem to recognize simple ideas we viewers see. The press is shown as dupes to publicity hounds. None of the characters were believable. The alien meeting scene is one of the most overworked SciFi cliches around. All in all, the film was dreadfull.
From: Charles B. Owen cowen@cs.dartmouth.edu. Mon August 25, 1997.
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