After Earth - Will Smith drags Shyamalan and Whitta into the Scientology abyss

[Polari]

That Rolling Stone review is a doozy:

After Earth merits comparison with 2000's Battlefield Earth, John Travolta's godawful film tribute to the sci-fi novel by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Yes, it's that bad. This time poor, ravaged Earth, uninhabitable by humans, is occupied by predatory birds, monkeys and tacky computer-generated aliens. So what are Will Smith, 44, and his son Jaden Smith, 14, doing there? Ask Big Willie, he dreamed up the story. What we see on screen, with a sodden script co-written by Gary Whitta and director M. Night Shyamalan (a galaxy away from the glory days of The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable and Signs), is an unholy mess of platitudes and posturing that makes 90 minutes drag on like a life sentence. Daddy Smith plays Cypher, the militarist leader of Nova Prime, the planet where humans live after they destroyed nature's balance 1000 years ago. Cypher is one stoic, thin-lipped dude. No wonder his son, Kitai Raige (Jaden Smith), can't get close to him. Kitai can't even cut it in the United Ranger Corps, where his father is considered a God. OK, he's a general, but you take my point. What can bring father and son together? A disaster, of course. When a spaceship crash strands Cypher and Kita on Earth, the boy must become a man. Cue the clichés. Cypher breaks both his legs. This means he sits around staring at computer screens while sonny boy does the heavy lifting, running a 60-mile obstacle course to another part of the ship's wreckage to recover a beacon that will save the day and both their lives. If you're thinking this movie won't be going where you think it's going, snap out of it. So what we have here is a Will Smith, devoid of humor, charm and screen time, waiting in the car while his kid does the driving. Whaat? The young Smith has energy, but not the acting chops. And he's no miracle worker. The burden of carrying this dull, lifeless movie is just too much. And it's hell on an audience. It's not a good sign when you sit there thinking – Make. It. Stop.

[Himu]

the onion review

I really feel for Jaden because he's got talent. I just hope he goes his own way.

[Phoenix Dark]

Whitta says it has nothing to do with scientology. Also it didn't even start as a sci fi film, so I doubt scientology was Smith's intention

Will Smith conceived this story when he was watching the television show I Shouldn't Be Alive with his brother-in-law Caleeb Pinkett.[4] It was originally not a science fiction story but about a father and son crashing their car in the mountains or some remote region, with the son having to go out and get rescue for his father. Will Smith then decided to change the setting to 1000 years in the future, which imposed a higher budget. Smith had his production company Overbrook contact Gary Whitta (who was then known for his script for The Book of Eli) with a simple log line for a movie: a father and son crash landed on Earth 1000 years after it had been abandoned by humankind. Impressed with his idea and excited about the opportunity to work with him, Whitta fleshed out Smith's idea and pitched it to him, subsequently becoming the first employee on the project.

Pretty obvious Whitta is responsible for the film, although the script was rewritten a bit after M Night joined. Considering neither of them are scientologists, I think this accusation is unfounded.

[Don Flamenco]

it's like sci-fi fans make sci-fi nowadays and there are no real sci-fi writers/directors left. 

[Shadow Mod]

Well it's either that or butchering great SciFi lit.

[Cerveza mas fina]

it's like sci-fi fans make sci-fi nowadays and there are no real sci-fi writers/directors left.

I think this is a larger problen across many things we like, things being made by fans of just trying to fanservice and sell stuff instead of real artists creating new stuff we dont even know we might like.

Its funny because in this regard big budget productions and things like kickstarter are both part of the same problem. On the one hand is companies shoving down things down out throats based on market research and on the other hand its despo consumers buying in to more stuff that is safe and they like.

Whats gettinh squeezed out in this scenario is real innovation, on both ends. Its both just marketing ploys and consumers deciding on what should get made when it should be the artists.

[Great Rumbler]

it's like sci-fi fans make sci-fi nowadays and there are no real sci-fi writers/directors left. 

Outside of a few exceptions, though, that's always been the case, especially for bigger movies.

[Himu]

it's like sci-fi fans make sci-fi nowadays and there are no real sci-fi writers/directors left.

Perfect description.

[Don Flamenco]

don't worry guys, i will save us with my sci-fi epic

[Verdigris Murder]

I bet Smith pitched Scientology to Whitta, in that weird friendly and yet fanatical way some people have about them. It's a bit like when you see a thirsty guy chatting up a hot girl who's clearly not interested, but is too polite to tell him to fuck off, and anyway would quite like that free drink he promised.

[Don Flamenco]

nah, it's just money and Will Smith is a big name to be associated with.   

ironically, this might just have killed Gary Whitta's career  

[Phoenix Dark]

Isn't it doing decent at the box office? Also I doubt Whitta is screwed given how people tend to fall up in Hollywood. M Night "touching up" your script must suck, even if you're a shitty writer.

[Barry Egan]

has Gary Whitta written anything that has been fun to watch/read?  genuinely curious. 

[Joe Molotov]

has Gary Whitta written anything that has been fun to watch/read?  genuinely curious. 

The Walking Dead (2012) videogame

[Great Rumbler]

Isn't it doing decent at the box office? Also I doubt Whitta is screwed given how people tend to fall up in Hollywood. M Night "touching up" your script must suck, even if you're a shitty writer.

$27 million opening on a $130 million budget. As Oscar said, that's not particularly good.

[Cerveza mas fina]

It will prob break even though, somehow, at sone point.

Cant beliece smith turned down django though

[nudemacusers]

after earth will disappear from the screen the day man of steel appears. couldn't even beat now you see me.

[Polari]

It will prob break even though, somehow, at sone point.

Cant beliece smith turned down django though

I doubt it. Studios get about 55% of the take. Budget was $130 mil, marketing probably at least another $80 mil on top of that. The mauling from critics means it should fall off pretty quickly, and it's hard to see home media sales making up the shortfall.

[Phoenix Dark]

Just saw the final numbers, ouch. This should have stayed a family drama about a son saving his father after a car crash.

[Cerveza mas fina]

Yeah that could have been a hit.

[Great Rumbler]

It will prob break even though, somehow, at sone point.

The rule of thumb I've heard is 3X production budget to break even, which would mean they'd need to bring in about $390 million. Foreign audiences may be a bit more kind to it, though. But to give some perspective, this is a weaker opening than Oblivion and John Carter, neither of which even sniffed $100 million domestically.

[nudemacusers]

Yeah that could have been a hit.

Don't know about hit, but it also would not have cost $100+ million. And actually, it could have played will for Disney/family audiences.

[archie4208]

has Gary Whitta written anything that has been fun to watch/read?  genuinely curious. 

The Walking Dead (2012) videogame

He was the lead writer for episode 4, which was the weakest one.

[Polari]

It will prob break even though, somehow, at sone point.

The rule of thumb I've heard is 3X production budget to break even, which would mean they'd need to bring in about $390 million. Foreign audiences may be a bit more kind to it, though. But to give some perspective, this is a weaker opening than Oblivion and John Carter, neither of which even sniffed $100 million domestically.

Not to mention those two reviewed much better than this has.

[Oblivion]

Not surprised this turned out to be a steamer.


Speaking of Shamalayan, I feel compelled to regale about my experience watching The Village at the theater back in 2004. The audience and myself were enjoying the movie for the most part in the beginning, minor annoyances aside. Then came the "twist".

I swear, I've never seen an audience reaction to something related to the plot, either before or since that movie, but it was glorious. Once the "twist" was revealed, I shit you not, virtually every single person in the audience let out a uniform groan. Amidst that were shouts of "what the hell?!" and "are you fucking kidding me?!". This went on for about two minutes. It was the most entertaining thing I ever witnessed at a theater.

[Human Snorenado]

Somewhere, Ridley Scott is laughing and saying, "bet you bitches would have rather watched Prometheus again instead, huh?"

[Verdigris Murder]

Will Smith fans are a different demographic.

[nudemacusers]

Not surprised this turned out to be a steamer.


Speaking of Shamalayan, I feel compelled to regale about my experience watching The Village at the theater back in 2004. The audience and myself were enjoying the movie for the most part in the beginning, minor annoyances aside. Then came the "twist".

I swear, I've never seen an audience reaction to something related to the plot, either before or since that movie, but it was glorious. Once the "twist" was revealed, I shit you not, virtually every single person in the audience let out a uniform groan. Amidst that were shouts of "what the hell?!" and "are you fucking kidding me?!". This went on for about two minutes. It was the most entertaining thing I ever witnessed at a theater.

I'm glad the Devil trailer was attached to ... Avatar?  when I saw it in the theater. The full audience seemed relatively interested, but oh man, when they announced his name, the hisses and groans were something else.

[Great Rumbler]

Halfway through The Village is literally where Shyamlan's entire career imploded.

[Cerveza mas fina]

Dude made 2.5 good movies.

It will prob break even though, somehow, at sone point.

The rule of thumb I've heard is 3X production budget to break even, which would mean they'd need to bring in about $390 million. Foreign audiences may be a bit more kind to it, though. But to give some perspective, this is a weaker opening than Oblivion and John Carter, neither of which even sniffed $100 million domestically.

Thats mad, really mad.

And they say gaming is fucked up.

[Great Rumbler]

Thats mad, really mad.

And they say gaming is fucked up.

Movies do have things to fall back on, though, like home video release, TV rights, and lots of product tie-ins [including videogames].

[Oblivion]

Halfway through The Village is literally where Shyamlan's entire career imploded.

God, has there ever been any movie director that built up so much good will from the public only to throw it in the shitter so suddenly?

[Great Rumbler]

Every movie director's going to have ups and downs, but Shyamalan put together three highly-regarded and very successful movies and then followed that up with five absolute duds. I can't think of another director who's crashed that hard and STILL hasn't found a way to come back. Remember, it's been ELEVEN years since Signs came out.

[Phoenix Dark]

Yup, I saw The Village in the theater too and the reactions were similar. However it was worth it solely due to two black women in the front row. They literally ran out the theater room screaming when the "monster" reveal scene happened in the woods.

[Oblivion]

Every movie director's going to have ups and downs, but Shyamalan put together three highly-regarded and very successful movies and then followed that up with five absolute duds. I can't think of another director who's crashed that hard and STILL hasn't found a way to come back. Remember, it's been ELEVEN years since Signs came out.

Yeah, I expect most good directors to churn out one or two stinkers throughout their careers, but Shymalamakajflkjalk dug himself into a ditch that he's never been able to get out (his strategy seems to be to dig UP). Bryan Singer pissed off a lot of people with Superman Returns, as did Peter King with King Kong from what I understand, but the audience isn't gonna curse either of their names if they see it on screen.

[Phoenix Dark]

To be fair, only one of his movies has been an outright bomb (Lady In The Water). Even The Happening grossed triple the amount of its budget, worldwide.

[Oblivion]

To be fair, only one of his movies has been an outright bomb (Lady In The Water). Even The Happening grossed triple the amount of its budget, worldwide.

Wow, really? :/

[Phoenix Dark]

Yup. That's why he'll continue to get work. He's not a horrible director technically, and even his bad films have some great visuals/shots. The problem has always been that he's not a good writer, especially when it comes to dialogue. Sixth Sense and Unbreakable are very good IMO but even those films have some puzzling dialogue lines if you rewatch them.

I used to be a pretty big M Night fanboy, and when I first found out about The Village it became an obsession of mine. I carefully followed the production and any bit of info I could find online; and I remember watching that lol-worth SyFy channel special. It looked like it would be a fucking awesome movie, and I was bitterly disappointed when I left the theater; it has some great moments, and I like how he brings the town alive, but ultimately the BAD dialogue and shitty ending ruin it.

About a year later I went to see some movie, and The Lady In The Water teaser played during the previews. Nearly everyone in the audience groaned the minute M Night's name appeared on screen. His films may be making money, but he has lost a stunning amount of respect/mindshare over the years.

(also I've heard he's a complete asshole in person, and a lot of people hate his guts)

[chronovore]

But The Lady in the Water was a good movie. No, really.

remember when i called gary a shit hack and everyon here fellated him fummy how im the one always right

Wrong board. You're having NeoGAFlashbacks.

Not surprised this turned out to be a steamer.


Speaking of Shamalayan, I feel compelled to regale about my experience watching The Village at the theater back in 2004. The audience and myself were enjoying the movie for the most part in the beginning, minor annoyances aside. Then came the "twist".

I swear, I've never seen an audience reaction to something related to the plot, either before or since that movie, but it was glorious. Once the "twist" was revealed, I shit you not, virtually every single person in the audience let out a uniform groan. Amidst that were shouts of "what the hell?!" and "are you fucking kidding me?!". This went on for about two minutes. It was the most entertaining thing I ever witnessed at a theater.

I saw The Last Dragon in its initial theatrical run at a theater in a predominantly black neighborhood in Long Beach. That was the most immersive and entertaining theatrical experience I've had.

[Great Rumbler]

The Village was so much better when the monster was actually real.

[DCharlieJP]

Speaking of Shamalayan, I feel compelled to regale about my experience watching The Village at the theater back in 2004. The audience and myself were enjoying the movie for the most part in the beginning, minor annoyances aside. Then came the "twist".

I swear, I've never seen an audience reaction to something related to the plot, either before or since that movie, but it was glorious. Once the "twist" was revealed, I shit you not, virtually every single person in the audience let out a uniform groan. Amidst that were shouts of "what the hell?!" and "are you fucking kidding me?!". This went on for about two minutes. It was the most entertaining thing I ever witnessed at a theater.

here's why Shamalayan movies are fucking turds - "there's a plot twist - i bet you don't get it!" - every single one... fuck me. The Village lasted about 5 minutes before we knew what the twist was - the only thing that i was waiting for was how they explained it all away and then came the "billionaire told planes not to fly here and blah blah blah". Total fukcing garbage. Made the mistake of seeing Sixth Sense after Fight Club as well.... "so he's already dead then?" in the scene with the wife. So then all you are left with is a shit movie to stumble through.

Flush all involved in this movie - i read the whole plot thing.

[Barry Egan]

The sentence "I've heard [M. Night Shyamalan is] a complete asshole in person" reminded me of the amazing "mockumentary" he made about himself for SciFi.  It was released before The Village and after Signs, so he was starting to lose some of his luster but his name hadn't become a punchline yet.  It's about the length of a feature film, and I would be very impressed if anyone managed to sit through the whole thing. 



This is what taking a great big leap up your own asshole looks like.  On some level it's obviously meant to be taken as tongue in cheek, but it's not indicated anywhere in the documentary itself.  The tone is deadly serious, so it comes across as brazen self-mythologizing.  Johnny Depp and Adrian Brody give sullen interviews about how mysterious and brilliant the man is.  In retrospect the whole thing is hilarious, but it does remind me that there was a short span of time when the guy really was considered the next Hitchcock.

[Great Rumbler]

This is what taking a great big leap up your own asshole looks like.  On some level it's obviously meant to be taken as tongue in cheek, but it's not indicated anywhere in the documentary itself.  The tone is deadly serious, so it comes across as brazen self-mythologizing.  Johnny Depp and Adrian Brody give sullen interviews about how mysterious and brilliant the man is.  In retrospect the whole thing is hilarious, but it does remind me that there was a short span of time when the guy really was considered the next Hitchcock.

That's not even the best part:

In 2004, Shyamalan was involved in a media hoax with Sci-Fi Channel, which was eventually uncovered by the press. Sci-Fi claimed in its "documentary" special—The Buried Secret of M. Night Shyamalan, shot on the set of The Village—that Shyamalan was dead for nearly a half-hour while drowned in a frozen pond in a childhood accident, and that upon being rescued he had experiences of communicating with spirits, fueling an obsession with the supernatural. The Sci-Fi Channel also claimed that Shyamalan had grown "sour" when the "documentary" filmmakers' questions got too personal, and had therefore withdrawn from participating and threatened to sue the filmmakers.

In truth, Shyamalan developed the hoax with Sci-Fi, going so far as having Sci-Fi staffers sign non disclosure agreements with a $5-million fine attached and requiring Shyamalan's office to formally approve each step. Neither the childhood accident nor the supposed rift with the filmmakers ever occurred. The hoax included a non-existent Sci-Fi publicist, "David Westover", whose name appeared on press releases regarding the special. Sci-Fi also fed false news stories to the Associated Press and Zap2It, among others. A New York Post news item, based on a Sci Fi press release, referred to Shyamalan's attorneys threatening to sue the filmmakers; the attorneys named were non-existent.

After an AP reporter confronted Sci-Fi Channel president Bonnie Hammer at a press conference, Hammer admitted the hoax, saying it was part of a guerrilla marketing campaign to generate pre-release publicity for The Village. This prompted Sci-Fi's parent company, NBC Universal, to state that the undertaking was "not consistent with our policy at NBC. We would never intend to offend the public or the press and we value our relationship with both."

[Oblivion]

This is what taking a great big leap up your own asshole looks like.  On some level it's obviously meant to be taken as tongue in cheek, but it's not indicated anywhere in the documentary itself.  The tone is deadly serious, so it comes across as brazen self-mythologizing.  Johnny Depp and Adrian Brody give sullen interviews about how mysterious and brilliant the man is.  In retrospect the whole thing is hilarious, but it does remind me that there was a short span of time when the guy really was considered the next Hitchcock.

That's not even the best part:

In 2004, Shyamalan was involved in a media hoax with Sci-Fi Channel, which was eventually uncovered by the press. Sci-Fi claimed in its "documentary" special—The Buried Secret of M. Night Shyamalan, shot on the set of The Village—that Shyamalan was dead for nearly a half-hour while drowned in a frozen pond in a childhood accident, and that upon being rescued he had experiences of communicating with spirits, fueling an obsession with the supernatural. The Sci-Fi Channel also claimed that Shyamalan had grown "sour" when the "documentary" filmmakers' questions got too personal, and had therefore withdrawn from participating and threatened to sue the filmmakers.

In truth, Shyamalan developed the hoax with Sci-Fi, going so far as having Sci-Fi staffers sign non disclosure agreements with a $5-million fine attached and requiring Shyamalan's office to formally approve each step. Neither the childhood accident nor the supposed rift with the filmmakers ever occurred. The hoax included a non-existent Sci-Fi publicist, "David Westover", whose name appeared on press releases regarding the special. Sci-Fi also fed false news stories to the Associated Press and Zap2It, among others. A New York Post news item, based on a Sci Fi press release, referred to Shyamalan's attorneys threatening to sue the filmmakers; the attorneys named were non-existent.

After an AP reporter confronted Sci-Fi Channel president Bonnie Hammer at a press conference, Hammer admitted the hoax, saying it was part of a guerrilla marketing campaign to generate pre-release publicity for The Village. This prompted Sci-Fi's parent company, NBC Universal, to state that the undertaking was "not consistent with our policy at NBC. We would never intend to offend the public or the press and we value our relationship with both."

What the fuck.

[Tasty]

Thats mad, really mad.

And they say gaming is fucked up.

Movies do have things to fall back on, though, like home video release, TV rights, and lots of product tie-ins [including videogames].

Also, Hollywood accounting.

[Great Rumbler]

Here's some more:

When you look through the layers of mystical bullcrap and puffed-up narcissism, what you really see in “The Buried Secret” is a man desperately trying to build and control his own mystique. Because Shyamalan is supposedly so secretive about his filmmaking methods and so nervous about giving Kahn access to his set and his personal life, a lot of “The Buried Secret” takes place far from the production of “The Village.” This might be the single most hubristic element of one of the most hubristic films ever made: it’s a three hour profile of a filmmaker in which the filmmaker himself rarely appears. Apparently, Shyamalan thought his fans were so interested in his life that they’d sit through a three hour film about a guy waiting to talk to him.

For example, when Kahn interviews one of Shyamalan’s “childhood friends” and the friend says he stopped trying to get in touch with Night because he was starting to feel like he was stalking him, the implication is that Night has become too cool to hang out with his childhood friends. When Shyamalan’s “former neighbor” Georgine says that people drive through his old Philly neighborhood looking for him “often,” the implication is that Shyamalan is such a huge celebrity that people actually do kind of stalk him.

When Shyamalan does show up, his mere presence creates havoc for Kahn’s microphones, which hiss, putter, and short circuit repeatedly whenever he speaks. This, I guess, is supposed to be another facet of Shyamalan’s supernatural mystique, though the obvious question — if Shyamalan’s otherworldly mojo screws with microphones, how the hell does he record clean sound on his movies? — is not addressed.

Kahn’s questions reveal more of Shyamalan’s self-obsession. He asks what it feels like to be so successful so fast (which reminds the audience how successful Shyamalan is), and whether he feels pressure to make huge movies (which reminds the audience that all his movies are huge movies). When Shyamalan takes Kahn on a tour of Philadelphia, two different people recognize him and ask to have their picture taken with him. At several points, various random strangers turn to the camera and point out how incredibly handsome Shyamalan is. After all the adulation, it’s kind of surprising Shyamalan doesn’t put down his Philly Cheesesteak and turn his fountain soda into wine.

In one scene, Kahn follows a lead to the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles where he interviews Johnny Depp. Like, the real Johnny Depp, who was apparently considered for the lead in “Signs,” but turned the part down because he found Shyamalan too weird (can you imagine?!?). “I don’t know what he’s up to,” Depp tells Kahn about Shyamalan. “I don’t think anybody does. But it’s not worth it. It’s only cinema. It’s only movies, man. Just have a good time. Step outside once in a while. Go get a donut.”

Depp’s offhand quip cuts to the core, not just of Shyamalan but also his “Buried Secret.” This movie’s constructed, artificial reality attains a deeper truth than it even aspired to. In creating this absurd and wholly artificial portrait of Shyamalan, it reveals the depths to which the man is genuinely obsessed with crafting his own image as a supernaturally powerful, wildly intelligent, devilishly handsome filmmaker. His movies may not be autobiography. But “The Buried Secret” is.

http://www.ifc.com/fix/2012/01/buried-secret-shyamalan-makes-no-sense

[thisismyusername]

Well Book of Eli sucked too, so why did anyone expect anything good when the writer and director are so so at best?

To be fair, the first half hour or so of the Book of Eli was pretty amazing. And then the twist was just M. Night-level. So it really wasn't a surprise the two got together for this.

(Seriously, if the Book of Eli was Denzel kicking ass and taking names without the bible in a post nuke world, it could've been the Black American Mad Max.)

[Robo]

I wonder how fat his ego is these days considering everyone thinks his life's work is tedious trash.

[BobFromPikeCreek]

I just want to say The Happening is a fucking hilarious masterpiece.

[Great Rumbler]

[hampster]

Terrible reviews and grossing below expectations? I think its time to pay a visit to the theater for the first time in a year. I love having the theater all to myself

[BobFromPikeCreek]

[ManaByte]

Gary Witta is full of shit, Scientologists are saying After Earth is Scientology:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/a-scientologist-reviews-earth-guest-561310

I grew up in Scientology and worked at their international Sea Organization headquarters for 15 years. In 2005, I managed a desperate escape, which only succeeded thanks to the local county authorities. I wrote about my experiences in my best-selling book, Blown For Good: Behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology.

Who better, then, to investigate the whole Scientology debate surrounding After Earth, the new sci-fi movie from M. Night Shyamalan starring Will and Jaden Smith, than a former Scientologist -- one who's received counseling from Tom Cruise himself? I am in no way “glib” on the subject; I’ve done the research.

I saw the movie After Earth and took notes on any parallels or “coincidental” similarities to Scientology teachings. While most of the movie involves following Jaden Smith’s character as he faces off against apes, a large, angry bird and a leech, (none of which have much to do with Scientology -- besides maybe the leech), most of the Scientology influences play out in the film’s dialogue.

“Fear is a choice.”
Will Smith’s character, Cypher Raige, tells his son, Kitai: “Fear is not real. It is a product of thoughts you create. Now do not misunderstand me: Danger is very real. But fear is a choice”

L. Ron Hubbard’s teachings insist that emotions and fear are triggers and are part of the reactive mind. Through Scientology, one is supposed to “rid oneself of your fears.”

“Be in the present moment.”

Through Scientology training, one learns how to be in “present time,” or PT as it is commonly referred to by insiders. In order to operate as a higher being and be in control over one’s environment, it is considered key that a person exist in present time and not react to the past.

“What do you touch, see, feel, smell?”

While undergoing certain types of Scientology counseling, you are asked to recall what you see, hear, touch and smell. This is part of putting yourself in the moment and observing the moment with “full perceptions.”


Besides the film's dialogue and its direct similarities to Scientology teachings, there are also some other clues in After Earth that cannot be ignored.

Volcanoes
The movie’s climax takes place on a volcano that could have been ripped right off the cover of Dianetics, the look is so similar. In Scientology, the volcano is a common thread through many different teachings. This image was used not only on the cover of Dianetics, but has also been used in many of Scientology’s TV ads over the years.

Then you have the intergalactic overlord Xenu who, in cahoots with the psychiatrists of the universe, imprisoned millions of souls, froze them and then dumped them into -- you guessed it -- Earth’s volcanoes. Of all the places in the galaxy! This is part of the upper-level teachings of Scientology that members only find out about after they’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Scientology counseling.

Robotic Emotions
Will Smith’s character is pretty much devoid of all emotions for the entire movie. While this may be part of his character or something that was directed in the script, in Scientology, one goes through great amounts of training and counseling to control one’s emotions and “mis-emotion,” as described by Hubbard. Anyone who has done even the smallest amount of Scientology training will recall sitting and staring at a person for hours on end without being allowed to blink, smile or turn one’s head. Will Smith pretty much masters that for the entirety of this movie.

Few people know that Battlefield Earth, the film adaptation of Hubbard's novel produced by none other than famous Scientologist John Travolta, was meant to be a way to introduce Scientology to the masses. Even the story itself is a veiled reference to the story of Scientology versus the psychiatrists.

We all know how that turned out. Battlefield Earth is considered by many critics to be one of the worst films ever made. After watching After Earth, I would say that Battlefield Earth might have finally met its match.

Two Xenu thumbs down.

[Barry Egan]

none of those ideas really strike me as belonging exclusively to scientology.  the volcano symbolism is suspect though. 

[Flannel Boy]

“Fear is a choice.”
Will Smith’s character, Cypher Raige, tells his son, Kitai: “Fear is not real. It is a product of thoughts you create. Now do not misunderstand me: Danger is very real. But fear is a choice”

L. Ron Hubbard’s teachings insist that emotions and fear are triggers and are part of the reactive mind. Through Scientology, one is supposed to “rid oneself of your fears.”

Cognitive behavior therapy?

“Be in the present moment.”

Through Scientology training, one learns how to be in “present time,” or PT as it is commonly referred to by insiders. In order to operate as a higher being and be in control over one’s environment, it is considered key that a person exist in present time and not react to the past.

Mindfulness?

“What do you touch, see, feel, smell?”

Robotic Emotions
Will Smith’s character is pretty much devoid of all emotions for the entire movie.

Bad character writing or bad acting?

[Don Flamenco]

I wonder if you could do the same Scientology cross test on all kinds of movies.  Star Wars might yield some results?

I saw The Last Dragon in its initial theatrical run at a theater in a predominantly black neighborhood in Long Beach. That was the most immersive and entertaining theatrical experience I've had.

I'm jealous!  I can barely get people to appreciate that one.

[Mupepe]

Lady in the Water would have been a great film if it wasn't so damn serious and didn't somehow cost $70 million.  I think the concept is pretty fantastic, but between Shyamalan jerking himself off during the movie and some truly awful dialogue it fails miserably.  It could have been a really great twilight zone-esque movie.

[headwalk]

i don't get whitta. he always struck me as a completely unremarkable poster.

i don't expect anyone who can barely handle themselves in a 200 word message board post to be capable of holding my attention for 90 minutes.

[ManaByte]

i don't get whitta. he always struck me as a completely unremarkable poster.

i don't expect anyone who can barely handle themselves in a 200 word message board post to be capable of holding my attention for 90 minutes.

He went from being the Hitler of Imagine Media (he would ALWAYS send threatening letters to game fansites) to writing shitty movies.

[Barry Egan]

(he would ALWAYS send threatening letters to game fansites)

wow just like Hitler