Alexander Ullom’s feature debut, It Ends, has been billed as a horror movie, but it’s more of an existential exercise wrapped inside a genre premise. That same description could be applied to Solaris, though Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1972 science-fiction classic takes nearly twice as long to ponder the nature of life in a situation where death has no meaning anymore. So this week we’re discussing whether Solaris’ deliberate pace and opaque symbolism work toward or against its emotional core, its relative accessibility compared to Tarkovsky’s other work, and what about the film invites its reputation as the “anti-2001.” Then in Feedback, a listener brings an alternative reading to our recent discussion of War of the Worlds as a response to 9/11.

Please share your thoughts about Solaris, It Ends, or anything else in the world of film, by sending an email or voice memo to comments@nextpictureshow.net, or leaving a short voicemail at (773) 234-9730.

This episode is presented by⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Regal Unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code NEXTPIC26 for 15% off.

Alexander Ullom&rsquo;s feature debut,&nbsp;It Ends, has been billed as a horror movie, but it&rsquo;s more of an existential exercise wrapped inside a genre premise. That same description could be applied to&nbsp;Solaris, though Andrei Tarkovsky&rsquo;s 1972 science-fiction classic takes nearly twice as long to ponder the nature of life in a situation where death has no meaning anymore. So this week we&rsquo;re discussing whether&nbsp;Solaris&rsquo; deliberate pace and opaque symbolism work toward or against its emotional core, its relative accessibility compared to Tarkovsky&rsquo;s other work, and what about the film invites its reputation as the &ldquo;anti-2001.&rdquo; Then in Feedback, a listener brings an alternative reading to our recent discussion of&nbsp;War of the Worlds&nbsp;as a response to 9/11.
Please share your thoughts about Solaris, It Ends, or anything else in the world of film, by sending an email or voice memo to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:comments@nextpictureshow.net">comments@nextpictureshow.net</a>, or leaving a short voicemail at&nbsp;<a href="tel:(773)%20234-9730">(773) 234-9730</a>.
This episode is presented by⁠ <a href="https://www.regmovies.com/join-unlimited" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.regmovies.com/join-unlimited&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1788917988893000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2iHFzpCVNp5v53iJOtb9BB">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Regal Unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code NEXTPIC26 for 15% off.

Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen review new and classic movies, offering "affable, insightful film analysis since 2005" (NY Times).

New and classic movie reviews and top 5 lists.

Filmspotting

In space, no one can hear you philosophize.

#539: Existential Zones, Pt. 1 — Solaris (1972)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d3bf1582-58d2-4228-88d1-b4bf001e160d/transcript