Pretty Good

Expected more

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

This movie just wasted a good hour an a half of my time. I went into it expecting a Cube-like experience, but unfortunately it came nowhere near. What's wrong with it?First of all, half the movie is so dark you can't see anything. Now I'm well aware that often the less you show, the stronger the suggestion and thus the stronger the suspense. But when you can't see what's happening whatsoever, there's no suspense at all.Second, in any story there has to be something that makes you keep watching (or reading). There has to be something of a storyline and advancements within that. If what's happening (providing you can see it) is so unclear as in this movie, it's making you stop wondering (and caring) at all.Third, I like movies that are less straightforward (Cube, Mulholland Drive, Pulse (the Japanese one), Pi). Just because a movie is less clear, doesn't mean it's not interesting. But, the opposite is true as well: just because it's less clear, doesn't mean it's interesting. An 'arty appearance' does not equal 'Art'.My advice: don't bother and do something else with your time(take a nap or whatever).

Eden Log is a gritty visceral vision shot in underground caves, creating a very immersing and believable subterranean environment thanks to brilliant set design, cinematography and sound design. Unfortunately, narrative development is a arduous affair, with little emotional connection or character development and this renders it short of any real lasting impact.Conceptually, it is dark and creative, exploring mankind's ruthless pursuit of energy and development. Nevertheless, it explores this idea with little depth; more a brief snapshot of an idea that is revealed at the end, which because of the lack of connection with the main (nearly the only) character, the view is left a little unsatisfied. It has the feel of a short made into a feature.Overall, the film's strengths are its cinematography, set/creature design, and eerie use of minimal ambient sound. It unfolds with careful precision, which is almost too sterile and obvious at times, but does, ultimately, lead to an inspired conclusion which has a Darren Aronofsky's 'The Fountain'esque feel to it.Be patient and open minded.

excerpt, full review at my location.Opening to mixed reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2008, Eden Log marks Franck Vestiel's directorial debut. Dealing with the classic argument between nature and machine through his gritty vision of a dystopic future; Vestiel is influenced by his previous work in intense French horror alongside directors such as Moreau and Palud.An engaging and disturbing film with a simple premise, dealt with in a complex way. Overall it is 97 minutes of tense exploration and discovery, both of the plot and of the character behind it.

Watch this movie. I am laughing as I type this, as it has been a VERY long time since I have seen a film so awful. Seriously, it's awesome how bad it was! Mystery Science Theater unfortunately couldn't even use it though, since there are not enough "actual scenes" to comment on. And please ignore all the "People with low IQ's will hate this movie" comments. Realistically, it's more like people with IQ's ranging from 100 - 110, will somehow find a way to appreciate this film, in an attempt to appear more intelligent.I don't need a big-budget film to be entertained! And ironically, the low budget had nothing to do with this film sucking. Well, unless they spent the money allotted for a script on candy for the crew.But I don't think so. I think this is perfection, and exactly what they intended. I mean, the premise is good, right? But it's like a choose-your-own-adventure book, where after the opening page, there's only one choice, and it's the one where you die.Anyhow, I just HAD to write something about this movie, as I am still in shock, and still laughing too. I think this movie should win all the Oscars, in every category. It is 100% perfectly bad. And THAT is a film-making achievement!