Primed.

Ok, so I just got done watching the 2004 film Primer for the second time, and where that might not sound all that impressive/post-worthy at first, the fact that I hadn't seen one time 4 hours ago should tell you where I'm going with this post....

Yes: as soon as I finished Primer this afternoon (and before I even let the credits role), I immediately watched it again, pausing only to turn on the director's commentary. I can't remember the last time I watched a film back to back like that... and what's really crazy is that I want to watch it again! NOW!


It did really help that Primer is only 78 minutes long, but are a number of other reasons that made this film compelling enough to "require" (at least for me) multiple viewings.

Subject/ideas/story: The film is about... well, maybe you don't want to know before seeing it, although I personally don't think that knowing the plot really matters - especially because Primer deals with the subject pretty originally. Anyway, I guess I'll kinda skip this for now, saying only that it's a sci-fi flick that deals with a subject/idea that I really like, but that, if meant to be taken seriously, sometimes doesn't go over too well because of the number of questions that come up while you're watching... maybe you know what I mean... But this film and its characters are as involved with these questions as you are, and the film deals with them in a way that is pretty intriguing - if not vaguely believable.

...and MAN! I'm still not sure about everything that happened in this one, and especially what it all implied...!! Argh! (Heh Heh. In a good way!)

That was a ramble. Sorry.

Also, this was a personal, impassioned, incredibly involved independent film that eventually premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. It was the baby of director, producer, writer, actor, and sometimes reluctant cameraman, Shane Carruth (not to mention cinematographer, casting agent, editor, sound designer...). The film's actors and extras were mainly Shane's friends and family. The sets were his family's houses and workplaces.

The scale of this film's accomplishments certainly matches its creator's intentions, but reaches far beyond the means of the men and women who stood behind it.


Needless to say, I was impressed. Right now (in my excited state) I'd even be willing to say this is one of my favorite films of all time. And I [really] think you should see it.

HAS anyone else seen it? Remember it? Love/hate it? (BTW- If you hated it, you are wrong.) :)