Primer with Shane Carruth: DVD Cover
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Primer Director: Shane Carruth Cast: Shane Carruth, David Sullivan, Casey Gooden, Anand Upadhyaya

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  • DVD Release Date: 04/19/2005
  • Original Release: 2003
  • Rating: Rated PG13
  • Sales Rank: 18,598

Viewer Rating: (3 ratings)

Detailed Rating: "Visuals" See All

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  • Overview
  • Editorial Reviews
  • Scenes
  • Customer Reviews
  • Cast & Crew
  • Full Product Details

Scenes

Features

Closed Caption; Commentary track by writer/director Shane Carruth; Cast and crew commentary track

Full Product Details

Scene Index

Side #1 --
1. Some of This You Know [3:34]
2. 8th Grade Physics [1:19]
3. Wooden Pencil [2:57]
4. Creating the Box [5:19]
5. Tell Me You're Hungry [1:58]
6. Feedback Loop [4:21]
7. Protein Buildup [5:00]
8. Parabola [3:38]
9. Not a Prank [4:45]
10. Abe's Day [5:17]
11. Exiting the Box [3:25]
12. What Would You Do? [3:48]
13. Keeping Secrets [3:06]
14. Is Hero Here? [5:54]
15. A Long Day [8:04]
16. How? [4:08]
17. Following the Script [5:41]
18. Don't Come Back [2:26]
19. Epilogue [:38]
20. End Credits [1:41]

Scene Index

Editorial Reviews

"With great power comes great responsibility" may have been a quote from Spider-Man, but it also works for Primer -- a complex sci-fi morality tale that won the Grand Jury Prize for Drama at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. Writer-director Shane Carruth and David Sullivan star as engineers who spend their free time working with two other tech-heads on inventions in their garage. One of their projects turns out to have an unexpected use -- time travel. This is not your typical movie time machine where you set the date and you're whisked through a special effects sequence. "The Box," as it's referred to, is simply that, made of dull-grey steel. They don't know if it's safe, or how it works, just that it seems to. After testing it on a Weeble and a watch, and briefly discussing causality and ethics, Abe and Aaron fashion boxes for themselves. From here on out, the narrative gets really, really complicated; and these once close friends and confidants begin to mistrust each other. Made for a mere $7,000, Primer is the rare modern science fiction film that eschews special effects in favor of ideas. The story is so dense that some viewers may feel their brain melt while trying to keep up with who is doing what to whom, and when. The film's murky sound mix doesn't make things any easier, although turning on the English subtitles helps. You may end up thoroughly confused yet eager to watch it again. Few recent films, aside from politically divisive ones, have proven so effective in spurring debate and thoughtful conversation. Like the time-fractured instant classic Memento, Primer is a fascinating cinematic puzzle that calls out for endless replay on DVD. Bill Pearis, Barnes & Noble

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Customer Reviews

Amazing.by FFBuu

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January 04, 2009: "Here's what's going to happen. I'm going to read this...and you're going to listen..."

Primer is one of the greatest movies I've ever seen. There is so much to see and think and discuss about. If it weren't for it's low popularity it would be a cult classic.

"The Permutations are endless..."

Starting off the plot is simply stunning. Roughly, it follows the story of two average joes who stumble upon the method for building a time machine. The heavy technical jargon and conversations actually give the proposed method a grounded and highly possible feel. But it's not as simple as just building a time machine. Things quickly get complicated and a highly engaging story is built. Complications worsen and your left there, mind scrambled after the first viewing. At 80-some minutes the movie is short but you'll spend more time thinking then days of daytime television. Paradoxes and clever time workarounds are both spelled out and shrouded in little clues for you to figure out after your 5th time watching. The plot is amazing and clearly an amazing effort was set out between the writer, director, and editor for the seamless cohesiveness.

"They took from their surroundings what was needed...and made of it something more."

That's because they're the same person. Shane Carruth, the genius behind Primer, wrote, directed, spent years in post-production, AND was one of two lead actors for a movie he made on $7,000, almost all of which was spent on film stock. The movie never comes off looking cheap, in fact it looks more professional than many A-list movies I've seen. Visuals look very good, from simple rooftop views, to expertly placed fades and camera moves. Every frame seems meticulously planned, and that's needed because clues to the Primer 'puzzle' are everywhere.

Acting is solid, albeit dialogue confusing at times. It relies heavily on technical talk and this gives the movie a different feel. Perhaps considered as a downfall but the talking makes you feel involved, not like just a person sitting in a movie theater. It's like your watching the action unfold for the first time, and your left to figure out as the characters are.

"And if you look, you will not find me."

Primer is something that every 'thinker' or 'Intellectual' should give a try. Unless you happen to be a college professor on Time Paradoxes, this movie will leave you wondering and pondering for many long car rides to come. Watch it with a friend, and contemplate the possibilities, but please. Give this film a try. You won't be disappointed.

Superbby Anonymous

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May 02, 2005: This is how time travel will be discovered - more or less by accident. The characters and their conflicts and interactions are excellent and realistic. I bought the movie.


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