Knowing

imdb Photos

Plot: Knowing is about a numerical prophecy written by a schoolgirl and found fifty years later by John and Caleb Koestler (Nicholas Cage and Chandler Canterbury.) John decodes the prophecy, and tries to interpret the unfulfilled prediction of coming disasters, which turn out to be increasing serious. John picks-up Diana Wayland (Rose Byrne) and her daughter Allison (Adrienne Pickering), and soon they encounter the mysterious Whisperers who are talking to the children.  This leads to a science-fiction apocalypse conclusion with biblical overtones, and lots of people die. 

Review: Knowing is a decent movie. I can't help seeing Nicholas Cage in National Treasure being obsessed about clues only he can see, and I was looking for something new. I an unknown actor would have been better. I also think the decoding of the numbers just seemed far fetched. 

The film has some interesting visuals, and the special effects do not rise to the level of recent masterpieces. My standards for excellent special effects have increased. I could not help thinking -- "that looks fake". Despite the fakeness, I liked the subway crash scene. It reminded me of Silver Streak. 

Cage is a decent actor, but I am tired of him. The two kids were a bit flat. Rose Byrne does an excellent worried and scared look, but her part is small.

Cast and crew:
Nicholas Cage, Rose Byrne; directed by Alex Proyas

Rating: 2.5 flasks
1/2
More:
How can a movie with so many people dying have a happy ending?

Even more: The movie wrestles with determinism versus randomness issues, but I don't get how aliens mean that we are all going to see each other in heaven.