journal features

movie review - Phenomenon

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Toronto, 1997.02.20

I was astounded. This movie had broad streaks of Hollywood crap running through it, but it certainly started much better than I'd expected. It's about a guy who witnesses a bright object coming down from the sky, and wakes up with *powers*. I suspect it's got something to do with Scientology, as the lead is played by John Travolta. But the plot runs aground somewhere in the middle and the whole becomes less than the sum of the parts. Too bad! That's hardly groundbreaking.

Not recommended.

rand()m quote

The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love, and in order to occupy and distract himself without love he gives way to passions and coarse pleasures, and sinks to bestiality in his vices, all from continual lying to other men and to himself.

—Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov