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Comment by dr_kiszonka | Hacker News Reader

Stalker is a beautiful movie but perhaps not the easiest one to watch, especially if you are not used to 10 min long shots of nature (e.g., water in a stream). Possibly Solaris, which you recommend too, would be an easier movie to watch first.

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Instead of 10 minute long nature shots, Solaris has a 10 minute long car ride on Tokyo freeways

It's Moskow, not Tokyo!

It was filmed in Tokyo, but is possibly supposed to depict a futuristic Moscow.

That is one of my favorite scenes ever, and I think of it whenever I’m in a big freeway system or tunnel.

But yeah probably not easy if you’re not already fairly deep into art-house films.

It’s only five minutes.

I've tried twice now to watch Solaris and fell asleep both times - someone let me know if it's worth it! I've seen every other Tarkovsky film and love his work, this one just felt particularly difficult for me.

It's worth it.

You have to approach the movie like sitting down with a good book. Make a day around it! Brew some tea/coffee ahead of time, watch it when you are refreshed and can soak it in. And not just the plot.. but the art of what’s on the screen; how it’s shot. You’ll be rewarded in the end.

I liked Solaris well enough, but in the end it was far less interesting than say the better Star Trek episodes.

When I rewatch Solaris I always skip the first 30 minutes or so (the part on Earth). Makes it a much easier and less slow watch!

The first time I watched it, I fell asleep part way through and woke up at the end. But then I decided I really wanted to watch it, so I immediately restarted it and and stayed awake and LOVED it. I think it's worth it.

Same. Definitely worth watching.

You have to allow yourself to be immersed in it. It's a slower pace than commercial film makers adopt, but the atmosphere builds.

The Mirror is one of my favourite films but I always fall asleep 2-3 times while watching it!

I find it so relaxing that I’ve just learnt to enjoy the whole experience and enjoy the dozing as part of the experience of watching the film.

Perhaps the dreamy effect is inducing a magic like experience as if we as a viewer are seeing through a dream

Great to hear that, I'll plan to watch it on those nights that I need to sleep but my brain keep having the best idea ever

The book is excellent, but I also find that both adaptations drag a bit and can be a boring watch.

You could — at the risk of being burned at the stake by purists — try the other one [0] which is faster paced but touches on the same ideas. Then if you’re really intrigued by that, go back to the original.

[0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solaris_(2002_film)

I found the 2002 Solaris very moving and would recommend it to others. (And, in case there has been some burning at the stake, I am up-voting your comment.)

I had to split it up into three viewing sessions, but I thought it was worth it.

The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters.

Or mimoids.

Stalker is what happens when Russians remake The Wizard of Oz.

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