The Brother From Another Planet

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Having been stymied in the midst of trying to make Matewan, John Sayles wrote what he thought could be a cheap, quick little movie and it turned out to be this near classic, which blends fish-out-of-water comedy with trenchant and serious science fiction. Joe Morton plays an extraterrestrial whose spaceship crashes in New York Harbor. When he swims ashore, he finds that most of Harlem is filled with earthlings who look just like him. He can't speak, but he quickly learns to communicate; he also finds ways to understand these strange, quarrelsome creatures, who seem to talk forever without really saying much. Sayles is at his economic best, drawing a touchingly complex performance from the silent Morton and good acting from a strong supporting cast of mostly unknowns. --Marshall Fine

Description

The visionary writer-director behind such films as Passion Fish, Lone Star and Sunshine State, OscarÂ(r) nominee* John Sayles has been at the forefront of independent cinema for more than twenty years. In this "vastly amusing, offbeat fantasy" (Variety), Sayles takes "a fresh look at our society" (Los Angeles Times) through the eyes of a black extraterrestrial (Joe Morton) who crash-lands on Earthin Harlemand is taken in by the regulars of a local bar. The alien changes everyone he meets on his "original and eye-opening" (The Hollywood Reporter) journey through the streets of urban America. But can his message of brotherly love resonate with the intergalactic bounty hunters trying to track him down? *1996: Original Screenplay, Lone Star; 1992: Original Screenplay, Passion Fish

Customer Reviews:

The Brother is Funny.......2007-04-22

I must say that this movie is one of my all time classics. It is a social commentary on race relations. It is a science fiction movie. It is a comedy. I loved the fact that the Brother sleeps with Dee Dee Bridgewater without ever saying a word. Let that be a lesson to guys who stumble over their tounges trying to come up with a come on line. Just be real and sincere and you may be surprised. Joe Morton is great. His acting was was not over the top. It was inspired on the part of John Sayles to have the Brother land in New York. This could have been a twilight zone episode. It had all the ingredients. A man who could not speak but had special powers living among humans. Get the movie you will enjoy it.

Morton is Magnificent, Brother Endures Time.......2006-07-21

If you appreciate fine acting, in particular, the artistry of silent acting, you will want to watch Joe Morton over and over again in this low-budget classic from John Sayles. Part Chaplin, part Keaton, even part Harpo, Morton is simply magnificent. His gestures and movements, his body language and facial expressions encompass a huge physical vocabulary from frightened innocence to gleeful joy, from tired resignation to bold determinism. In a heroic dash up and down Harlem, Morton's character pulls the audience along on a sometimes comic, sometimes gritty extraterrestrial flight from intergalactic cops.

The Brother from Another Planet, Sayles's funky sci-fi, grand metaphor of sanctuary and immigration, immortalizes Morton as a great silent star. Probably best known for his supporting role in Terminator 2 as the self-sacrificing scientist, he ironically enough got his start in the 1968 Broadway production of Hair and later earned a Tony Best Actor nomination for his performance in a musical version of A Raisin in the Sun. BTW, the first music you hear in Brother is a clip of rap that Morton's character "hears" from the graffiti-covered walls on a deserted back street. (Yes, he is able to pick up "lost" voices from walls and chairs and public spaces.) Watch the credits at the end and you will discover that the rapper is Morton himself!

Of course there is more to Brother than Joe Morton's sterling performance. Endless metaphors of racial inequality, issues of otherness, bureaucracy, drug trafficking, alienation, slavery, and the funny sadness of people constantly wrapped up in themselves resound throughout the film. Not as rough as a Sun Ra flick, but certainly as genuine and homey and wise, Brother endures time and looks just as current as when it was made in 1984.

Original and wonderfully fun to watch.......2006-07-09

If you enjoy quirky and dark humor, this is a delightful and thoughtful film. My wife and I are very happy to own this film.

Very good movie; lousy DVD.......2005-09-10

The story of a man on the lam, intergalactically, is compelling, primarily because of Joe Morton who says not a word in the entire movie. John Sayles' direction is unobtrusive but effective. One of my favorite lighter moments is the morning after a romantic night when the woman tells Brother that he's a terrific lover but he has to do something with those toenails (the only outwardly difference of Brother is his three toed feet with claws). [...] "Brother" deserves more.

Two words-SEE IT!.......2005-03-24

This is a very well done story whose low budget does NOT get in the way (in fact, it adds to the charm). The story about a Black extraterrestrial who winds up in Harlem and then...well, you'll find out. For non-sci-fi fans and those used to the typical action films or crude ghetto comedies featuring black casts, this film may take some getting used to, as it is sparse on dialogue. After viewing it once, I recommend watching it again and with John Sayles' excellent commentary.

Overall, once you get it, it's great. It speaks to anyone who has ever felt like a "fish out of water" and longed to be understood and become a part of a community (in this case, Harlem, one of the world's most famous communities, becomes a metaphor). Of course there is more to the film's message that that, but see the film, find out, and enjoy.

Average customer rating:

The Brother is Funny
Morton is Magnificent, Brother Endures Time
Original and wonderfully fun to watch
Very good movie; lousy DVD
Two words-SEE IT!

Brother from Another Planet
Starring: Caroline Aaron , Alvin Alexis , Reggie Rock Bythewood , Rosanna Carter , and Bill Cobbs
Manufacturer: United American Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000055XLV
Release Date: 2001-09-25

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Customer Reviews:

The Brother is Funny.......2007-04-22

Morton is Magnificent, Brother Endures Time.......2006-07-21

Original and wonderfully fun to watch.......2006-07-09

If you enjoy quirky and dark humor, this is a delightful and thoughtful film. My wife and I are very happy to own this film.

Very good movie; lousy DVD.......2005-09-10

Two words-SEE IT!.......2005-03-24

Sci-Fi 3-Pack (The Thing from Another World / Them / Forbidden Planet)

Average customer rating:

Great films, but there's a better way to purchase them
Great pack of classic Scf-fi.
Sci Fi 3-Pack(The Thing from Another Planet/Them/Forbidden Planet
Carrots, bugs, and tin cans

Sci-Fi 3-Pack (The Thing from Another World / Them / Forbidden Planet)
Starring: Margaret Sheridan , Kenneth Tobey , Robert Cornthwaite , Douglas Spencer , and James R. Young
Director: Christian Nyby , Howard Hawks , and Gordon Douglas
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000765I4U
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Customer Reviews:

Great films, but there's a better way to purchase them.......2007-09-01

I've been monitoring prices on these great classic 50's sci-fi films for some time, and for the life of me I don't know why people selling this trio used think they can get away with selling this three-pack for one hundred dollars. Especially when all three films are still in print, one is available as a double feature with an additional film, and another has been reissued in a two disc edition. If you buy all three new on this site you pay less than half of what these "vendors" are asking you to pay used for the same three films bundled together.

"Forbidden Planet" is now in a two-disc edition that was reissued in 2006 with lots of extras, "Them!" is available in a double-sided disc with "The Beast from 20000 Fathoms", and "The Thing From Another World" is available in the same edition as the one in this old three pack. If you don't like double-sided discs you can still get "Them!" alone on one one-sided disc. Take the money you save and go out and buy "Blade Runner" to go along with these.

Great pack of classic Scf-fi........2007-03-09

I've wanted these on DVD for sometime. Each story has great effects for the time - with Forbidden Planet being the best - even better then a lot of model based effects from movies made years later.

Sci Fi 3-Pack(The Thing from Another Planet/Them/Forbidden Planet.......2007-02-07

Classic Sci Fi. All three stories are original, and fun. The special effects are GREAT!!!!! See Robie the Robot for the first time, and possibly the first mini-skirt.

Carrots, bugs, and tin cans.......2006-02-18

The Thing From Another World
James Arness veggies out

It is easy to just say this is a classic. What makes it the classic is the formula and people. (Directed by Howard Hawks). There is the standard 50'sw sci-fi prolog. You are set up as they go to investigate a crash in the snow. The investigators hold hands in the snow to figure out the size of the downed plane under the ice and find it has a peculiar shape. From there you know it can only get better.

Do not expect the book story. But do expect blood and fire and sinister doings. There are naïve scientists, dubious airmen, and a generator running out of fuel.

By the way while your are at it just whose side is Dr. Arthur Carrington on?

And does Nikki just scream a lot or does she usually bring up the true nature of the threat?

Any way you slice it or dice it this movie holds it's own up against the bug pictures like "THEM!"
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THEM!
A movie worth ant-icipation

This is a movie about taller-ants. Fess Parker almost gets cough with his pants down. This is not a fly-by-night movie. It is an ant-by-night movie. William Schallert "Colossus - The Forbid Project" gets to be the Ambulance Attendant. Leonard Nimoy is the Telex operator. If this keeps up, he may find himself on a starship, where he can deal with ant-imatter. James Arness only wants to help Joan Weldon out of a plane and into the ant-echamber.

I watched this several times with my wife. The ants make a noise similar to a loose fan belt. So every time we pass a car with a loose fan belt she says, "Get the other antenna." This movie also makes a good background movie.

Don't wait for this to go on clear-ants.
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Forbidden Planet
Id vs. ego

In the 23 century a rescue ship is sent to the planet Altar to look for survivors of an earlier expatiation. They find nothing except an ominous voice warning them not to land. What would you do?

Notice that the investigating party is the captain, first officer, and medical doctor. Can your say Star Trek?

This movie has many plusses as both sociological (people like to compare this to Shakespeare's "The Tempest"). Visual from the color of the sky to the accoutrements of Altiara (Anne Francis). The speculation on what would you do in this situation. And the introduction of Robby the robot who went on to be a star in other movies and a guest on many TV programs.

The movie was great I watch it over and again. However it made a major deviation from the book or the book by W.J. Stuart, also written in 1956, deviated from the movie.

Average customer rating:

The Brother is Funny
Morton is Magnificent, Brother Endures Time
Original and wonderfully fun to watch
Very good movie; lousy DVD
Two words-SEE IT!

Brother From Another Planet
Starring: Caroline Aaron , Alvin Alexis , Reggie Rock Bythewood , Rosanna Carter , and Bill Cobbs
Manufacturer: Digital 1 Stop
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B0002B54S0
Release Date: 2004-06-21

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

The Brother is Funny.......2007-04-22

Morton is Magnificent, Brother Endures Time.......2006-07-21

Original and wonderfully fun to watch.......2006-07-09

If you enjoy quirky and dark humor, this is a delightful and thoughtful film. My wife and I are very happy to own this film.

Very good movie; lousy DVD.......2005-09-10

Two words-SEE IT!.......2005-03-24

Blue Manhattan and Brother From Another Planet (DVD Double Feature)

Average customer rating:

Blue Manhattan and Brother From Another Planet (DVD Double Feature)
Director: Brian DePalma , and Brian Sayles
Manufacturer: East West Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

No. 1: Blue Manhattan - Robert De Niro plays a vet who returns to New York and rents a rundown flat in Greenwhich Village and begins photographing his neighbors through the window, peeping tom style. 87 min RATED R Actors: Robert de Niro, Charles Durning, Allen Garfield. Directed by Brian de Palma. No. 2: Brother from Another Planet - An alien crash-lands in NYC with two bounty hunters from his home planet in pursuit. 108 min RATED R Actors: Joe Morton, Daryl Edwards, Steve James, Directed by John Sayles.

Average customer rating:

Another Planet
Starring: Sandy Daley , Kevin White , Marcia Brown , Daniel Lévesque , and Monique MacDonald
Director: Christene Browne
Manufacturer: Vanguard Cinema
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Description

Cassandra Jones feels trapped. Unable to relate to her brother Patrick or her overly pious mother, she decides to leave town. Through a foreign exchange program, Cassandra finds her way to a Canadian pig farm where she encounters Sylvie, a woman in need of change, and Sylvie's husband Kenny, who's afraid of change. Cassandra also meets Abdoulaye Diallo, her homesick African exchange counterpart. When none of Cassandra's expectations are met, she quickly becomes unhappy on the farm. A roller coaster series of events culminates in a surprising conclusion as Cassandra's presence creates plenty of tension, much of it wildly humorous.

DVD:

DVD

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