One Point O

Paranoia 1.0 portrayed a not-so-distant future of isolation and corruption. Our protagonist - Simon J - suffers from the very beginning and his deteriorating state grows exponentially by the end. There is a clever gimmick behind his "sickness" which I can agree to be plausible.

This cinematic adventure's strengths are not in the casting, but in a grim atmosphere that entices the viewer with a special peek into the world of a paranoid being. This is done exceedingly well and I give much respect to the set designers.

Overall, 1.0 is a look into what corporate power may one day be able to exact upon the masses, in ever evolving, technologically proficient world.

In the near future a young software engineer is the victim of scheme for his mind. Paranoia and fear take over in a quest for survival. The horrible end seems inevitable. For he will be less and less able to make the difference between real and unreal, who to trust and who not.

The viewer is in the same position here, so you also have to make up your mind and try to figure out what is happening here. The clock is ticking.

Nice obscure characters and reliable acting by most of them. Although the dialogues could have been a little bit more acute.

If you like movies which leave you search for answers and will not give you all of them, go see this one. A little bit like Cronenberg.

Ms. Unger told us that she was drawn to the script, which reminded her of freaky directors she's worked with before.

in an nutshell, this movie is a freaky tale.

on one hand it's computer programer meets the neighbors on another hand it's a virtual sex machine on another hand it's about corporations, product placement, the dangers of commercialism.

the acting is incredible, the story will keep you glued, the cinematography is full of colors, moods, atmospheres, emotions.

this was my #2 pick for a flick at sundance this year behind the woodsman. go see it when it comes out near you.

In an undefined society, the computer analyst Simon J. (Jeremy Sisto) has a paranoid behavior, compulsively buying milk and receiving mysterious empty packages in his apartment. Although having surveillance everywhere inside the building, there are some dwellers mysteriously dying. His next-door neighbors are Trish (Deborah Kara Unger), a nurse in a cancer hospital that practices kinky sex to feel alive; Derrick (Udo Kier), an inventor living alone with the company of an eerie robot head; and a producer of SM videos and games (Bruce Payne). The janitor of the building, Howard (Lance Henriksen) seems to be a friend of Simon. There is also the administrator of the building and Nile (Eugene Byrd), who brings deliveries with his motorcycle to his clients. Simon tries to figure out what is happening with him.

In a heavy and uncomfortable atmosphere and with bizarre characters, this Kafkaesque film is a weird and intriguing story with potential of cult-movie. Very open to many interpretations, without being conclusive, it is a movie that makes the viewer think about how far the huge corporations might go in their relationship with consumers to achieve their targets. The distance between people living physically so close without knowing each other; the lack of privacy; the exaggeration in the consume; all of these situations are pictured and highlighted in this very interesting film, which deserves to be watched more than once. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Um Ponto Zero" ("One Point Zero")

Well it's finally been seen in the UK! Others reviewers have gone into vast detail so I'll leave that but stay away from matrix comparisons in terms of overall movie feel. Yes there's a computer programme affecting the lives of human inhabitants or at least so the main character believes but it's gritty and more cerebral. Think 1984 meets dark city on the budget of Pi! (Well OK a bit more cash than that, but not much!) I loved Lance Henrikson and Udo Kier in cameo roles, they introduce some lighter moments in the film and do so to good effect. Overall its not one for the masses but sci-fi and genre fans will appreciate it. Overall I enjoyed it and it was worth braving bank holiday crowds in central London. Finally the comments in regard to frederik Pohl mentioned in another's review are right on the money