I am reposting (with some edit) whatever I have written from filmwurld into here ...

My only comments are:
WOW ... Joseph Gordon-Levitt's performance was superb!

Unfortunately it is not a mainstream movie ... 
Hence, I think his chances of being nominated for any mainstream acting awards are reduced ... 
;(

I, however, do not quite like the "alien take" of the movie ... As I have watched the movie quite some time ago, this is what I can vaguely recall ... *guilty grin* ... maybe I should watch it again?! hiaks hiaks ...

The main reason that I do not like the "alien take" is because:
-- The entire movie comes across as a bold, thought provoking critique of society, plagued with plight, humanity and realism ... In essence, I deem it as daring, disturbing and dark!!!
-- However, the "alien take" (at least the way the movie is filmed) has overshadowed the initial intention (if any at all) to add that slice of "sci fi", supernaturalism and hence, unrealism to the movie. Worst of all, it actually peppers the movie with "comical" moments which I do not really appreciate. In my humble opinion, it actually veers the audience off track in terms of mood and feel ... 

I feel that the director could have filmed the sci-fi aspect in a more "down-to-earth" or "realistic" fashion (oxymoron?!) as opposed to now, which comes across as "incredulous" or even "absurd". In other words, this is what I feel/suggest: if we look at movies in the drama or sci-fi genre, there are many that are filmed that touches the audience (as opposed to them "disbelieving" or even "ridiculing" the protagonist). 

I do NOT mind the director keeping the "alien belief" of the protagonist, but the obsession can be dealt with in a way most successful films did it (i.e., for a moment, we actually "believe" in the existence of aliens!) ... so that the entire movie can maintain a consistent style as well as a consistent mood, and most important of all, makes everything "realistic"!


Even I can't believe myself! Guess what ...
I actually went to watch the movie again ... so that the discussion would be more fruitful ...

So, did the movie actually depict UFOs and aliens?
yup ... on several occasions
(i) During summer, Brian, his sister and his mother literally saw the UFO flying over their house ... and not just a blurred UFO ... but a rather detailed UFO ...
(ii) In another scene, he was touched by the "green hands" of aliens, only to wake up ...
(iii) The next scene is more "understandable" ... when the TV enacted the story of the girl who claimed she was abducted by aliens ... so they even featured three aliens and her elevating ...
(iv) When the girl brought Brian to the animal and insisted he put his hand into blah blah blah ... suddenly he felt the "green hands" of the aliens touch him again ...

that's about it ...

Despite my lament over the take of the aliens, I would still recommend the film -- go watch it!


** Noteworthy, when the film was featured in San Francisco International Film Festival (as a "surprise" film), many audience walked out way before the film was over.

** Once again, I hope more people in the voting committee (for main stream awards) would recognize Joseph Gordon-Levitt's performance and at least get him nominated ... winning is not the point ... but I think he should not be penalized simply because of a daring role in a daring film!