The Popkorn Junkie

Are we alone in the universe? Do you believe in aliens? What do aliens look like? If you ever saw an alien, how would you know it's an alien? What if aliens could look like people? What if the mental patients that think they are aliens really are aliens? Would you believe if you met an alien? These questions and more will fill your mind after seeing "K-PAX".

The film is a sci-fi, dramatic, mystery about a man who claims to be from the planet K-PAX and the physiatrist who treats him. The alien's name is prot and he claims to have traveled to Earth by a beam on light. Of course because of his claims he is arrested and taken to a mental institute and examined. The funny thing is, there are funny things about prot-- he can detect UV light- when it's a fact that no human can, he can take doses of drugs and not be affected, and he can eat a banana whole-- ok, not too weird, but you get the jist.

Dr. Powell is prot's physiatrist. At first Dr. Powell ignores the strange unhumanlike qualities that prot posses, but after a while, becomes more and more unsure-- maybe prot is not a psychotic delusional after all, maybe he IS an alien! (Who's the psycho now?)

Anyhow, the movie has a great plot and many interesting side stories as most films that take place in a mental institute posses-- mental people can be very interesting, what can I say? Besides the obvious "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" meets "Starman" appeal, there is also a dark mystery that makes the story even more interesting and dramatic-- but that's a secret.

Kevin Spacey is a wonderful actor and he shines like the star he is in "K-PAX". Jeff Bridges is also good, but I've never really paid much attention to him before so I have nothing with which to compare his acting (in this film). If you are interested in science fiction, if you like to ask questions, and if you like Kevin Spacey be sure to catch the next beam of light to see "K-PAX". It is a wonderful film.

-- Patsy (3 1/2 out of 4 pops )

Talk about this film with other Popkorn Junkies

Other Junkie's opinions.....

Billy Ray ( 4 out of 4 pops )

I'll skip the subtlety and get straight to the point--"K-Pax" is the greatest film I have seen this year. It is a one-of-a-kind, extraordinary film about a mental patient who claims to be a visitor from another planet. The film builds up your anticipation, not knowing whether he is an actual extraterrestrial or just some idiot savant. Then, the ending leaves you guessing still and let's the audience form his/her own hypothesis as to what Prot (Kevin Spacey) really is. Spacey delivers another unbelievable and emotional performance as the mental patient and Bridges adds life to the role of the determined hospital doctor who develops a bond with the unusual stranger. The camerawork in the film uses light in many different ways and most of the shots are absolutely beautiful. Director Iain Softley has crafted a film which is 45% "Phenomenon", 45% "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Best", and 10% "Awakenings", but adds originality and depth. This is one of Spacey's best performances yet, and the Academy would be a fool to snub him at Oscar time. This one is worth much more than the price of a movie ticket.

James ( 3 1/2 out of 4 pops )

What a wonderful movie. It's got a nice message. It's brilliantly made and acted. Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges were amazing. I don't think Spacey ever gave a better performance than this one. I thought Jeff Bridges gave his best performance in "The Big Lebowski", but this one is almost as good. I give this movie 3.5 pops. It's not 4 because I thought it could have been tighter. There were some scenes that didn't need to be and the movie could have done without them, but check this one out.

Mike ( 3 out of 4 pops )

"K-PAX" is a very good, entertaining movie that everybody should like. However, I didn't think it was quite as good as it could have been and thus I can't rate it as a four star film. First off, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey are great as usual. They are the reason to see this film. It had some intelligent messages such as making each day in life count. Although, the theme of the doctor getting "healed" from his patient is an old and not original one. However, my biggest complaint is with the musical score. Seems to me that much of the music should have been haunting instead of the uplifting "make the audience feel happy" music that is used in so many films. A more dark and haunting score would have put a much different tone to the movie and I believe would have made it a better one. This movie cried out to be different but the much of the score as well as certain scenes gave this film the standard Hollywood feel.