TotalTelly.co.uk
Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV
Pi [1999]
![Pi [1999]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412KQQVGCRL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £12.99
Our Price: £9.10 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Patterns exist everywhere: in nature, in science, in religion, in business. Max Cohen (played hauntingly by Sean Gullette) is a mathematician searching for these patterns in everything. Yet, he's not the only one, and everyone from Wall Street investors, looking to break the market, to Hasidic Jews, searching for the 216-digit number that reveals the true name of God, are trying to get their hands on Max. This dark, low-budget film was shot in black and white by director Darren Aronofsky. With eerie music, voice-overs, and overt symbolism enhancing the somber mood, Aronofsky has created a disturbing look at the world. Max is deeply paranoid, holed up in his apartment with his computer Euclid, obsessively studying chaos theory. Blinding headaches and hallucinogenic visions only feed his paranoia as he attempts to remain aloof from the world, venturing out only to meet his mentor, Sol Robeson (Mark Margolis), who for some mysterious reason feels Max should take a break from his research. Pi is complex--occasionally toocomplex--but the psychological drama and the loose sci-fi elements make this a worthwhile, albeit consuming, watch. Pi won the Director's Award at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. --Jenny Brown
This film does an outstanding little mathematical constant a disservice
Review date: 2008-09-24 Rating: 2 out of 10
I waited and waited for the mystery and originality to crop up in this film and then the end credits came up. Large number theory,(yawn), number significance in religious texts, (considering a lobotomy now- actually the bloke does a DIY one at the end- maybe he watched the film).
Some people described this film as thought provoking but I checked and I'd flatlined by the half way stage; now clinically dead I've got to the end of the film, (being unable to move) and have come face to face with the gaping chasm of infinity, (see the little joke I pop in there, oh so clever and mystical-not), oh no, the films still running that's all, my agony simply won't end. My recommendation, buy a book on the origins of Pi, log e or limit theory/calculus because if you enjoyed this film the mathematical texts mentioned will send you delerious.
Similar Products
Reviews
Disappointing
Review date: 2008-08-26 Rating: 4 out of 10
Having recently read Hofstadter's excellent book "Godel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid", I was looking forward to watching PI. Despite the intriguing idea behind this film (and I myself am no stranger to mathematics), this is probably the worst film I've ever seen. Disturbing images, chaotic, and boring. Thank goodness the torture lasted no longer than 80 minutes.
I wish I could be more positive in my review, but this film is just unbearable and overdone.
What a disappointment!
Okay if you like being bored, terrible if you like being jolly.
Review date: 2008-08-18 Rating: 2 out of 10
I unfortunately missed the first 10 minutes of this film fiddling with my colour knob. As it happens, the whole film is in black and white and grey which seems like a waste of time when so many people have colour TV's today. Maybe the director was trying to save money as it was his first film, who knows. From what I gather of what I saw it is a very boring film where not much happens other than a bit of paranoia, some electrical soldering, mathematical pseudo science babbling and a self inflicted head shot. If this was about the formula for Pi it was way off mark. Endless numbers like Pi are not a mystery in themselves, it just serves to highlight the inherent problem with our mathematical system not coping with inverse or obverse infinity as an expressable form. Simplicity like a fraction such as 1/3 ends up as .333 recurring, how silly is that?
OMG! This will give you a headache!
Review date: 2008-04-12 Rating: 10 out of 10
For £5 this film is a bargain, cheaper then a cinema ticket. Is worth the DVD if u didn't see it!
This film is in black and white and i thought it might be dull.... but oh no
from tecno matrix style opening. To the repetitive scenes of being shot with a tranquiliser gun this film is one of weirdest I've ever seen. It kinda set to music, there's a headache inducing noise throughout the film if you can call it that.
This is supposed to be a window into the mind of a paranoid genius with a mysterious formula that might explain ..., everything! or the stock market maybe. And perhaps it's pretty realistic?? despites it's craziness the lead character is believable... you start believing in his crazy formula to! The black and white really works making everything feel 'quantified'.
Then people start offering him millions of pounds ... and like a crazy person he naturally trys to run away! not wrecking the plot, that's about the first 3 minutes!
Maths, mysticism and obsession
Review date: 2007-10-02 Rating: 10 out of 10
Taut, thought-provoking, and stylish. A film about maths, mysticism and obsession, powerfully realised on a micro-budget. Forgive the occasional lapse in believability, and enjoy the trip.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Ben Shenkman (II)
Mark Margolis
Pamela Hart (II)
Sean Gullette
Stephen Pearlman
Creators:
Sean Gullette (Primary Contributor)
Mark Margolis (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Pathe Distribution
Manufacturer: Pathe Distribution
EAN: 5060002830062
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Black & White, PAL,
Release date: 2004-07-19
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 80 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1998-07-10
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: English (Subtitled)