Summary: In this thriller from director Alex Proyas (DARK CITY; I, ROBOT), a cryptic numerical sequence is found in an unearthed time capsule, buried 50 years previously, which appears to predict all the world's major disasters since its burial. Nicolas Cage stars as as John Koestler, a widowed MIT astrophysicist, whose son discovers the cryptic document. John examines the numbers and tries to figure out their significance as the final date in the sequence approaches.

Based on a story by author Ryne Douglas Pearson, KNOWING is a moody sci-fi thriller starring Nicolas Cage as John Koestler, a widowed MIT astrophysicist who lives in wooded seclusion with his young son, Caleb (Chandler Canterbury). When Caleb is handed an envelope unearthed from a school time capsule buried 50 years earlier, its cryptic numerical sequence captures the interest of his dad, who soon realises the powerful significance of the document, which seems to predict major world disasters throughout history. Unfortunately, there are three calamities that have yet to unfold, and John, aided reluctantly by single mother Diana Wayland (Rose Byrne) and her daughter, Abby (Lara Robinson), must try to unravel the mystery of the numbers before many more lives are lost.

Alex Proyas's follow-up to 2004's I, ROBOT, returns to the shadowy atmosphere of the director's revered cult film, DARK CITY, while staying within the realm of the Hollywood big-budget disaster movie. Though the plot takes some outlandish turns, the film is grounded by solid performances from Cage, Byrne, and the impressive child actors, and Proyas further anchors the proceedings in moments of captivatingly bleak realism. Like the remake of THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, KNOWING is a pensive and melancholy thriller that rewards discerning viewers willing to follow its strange and intriguing tale.

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Ah-Ha! In 1995 Norwich's most famous son Alan Partridge made the transition from radio to TV with Knowing Me, Knowing You, a chat-show so wholly misunderstood that one clever-clog TV critic described it as "moribund". By way of rebuttal, just consider Alan's parade of fantastic guests, including a hypnotist who persuades Alan that he's an owl; a US pop diva with whom Alan shares a memorable Abba duet that happens to be in all the wrong keys for him; raunchy male dance-act Hot Pants; Cirque des Clowns, whose extreme violence upsets Alan; and, most exciting of all, Roger Moore (via mobile phone from a traffic jam on the Chiswick roundabout).

Steve Coogan's creation fell on hard times later--as chronicled in the magnificent I'm Alan PartridgeSeries 1 and Series 2--but here he's revelling in his prime-time exposure with no thought of becoming "clinically sad" or gorging on Toblerone bars. Co-writers Armando Iannucci and Patrick Marber lovingly recreate everything that's fake and contrived about the whole chat-show genre: the shameless plugging, the recalcitrant celebs, the novelty acts and, most of all, the insufferably smug host oblivious to his own tediousness. Coogan's regular guests are ably played by some faces familiar from The Day Today: Rebecca Front, Doon MacKichan, David Schneider and Patrick Marber himself. Other game guest stars are John Thomson (as a naval officer also called Alan Partridge) and Minnie Driver (as a transsexual agony aunt), not forgetting Steve Brown as disconcertingly gay music director Glen Ponder.

The high-water mark of Alan's career arrived with his Christmas special Knowing Me, Knowing Yulein which his own living room was lovingly recreated at Television Centre. Unfortunately, and despite the presence of Mick Hucknall, the new Chief Commissioning Editor of BBC TV, Tony Hayers, is deeply unimpressed with the show and gets punched in the face by Alan, who, it turns out, is handy with a turkey. On that bombshell, Alan's career took a downward turn.

On the DVD:Knowing Me, Knowing Youis a two-disc set including all six episodes and the Christmas special. There's a group commentary throughout with contributions from Armando Iannucci plus Patrick Marber, Rebecca Front, Steve Brown and Dave Schneider speaking in and out of character. Other extras include the original pilot show, Alan on Comic Relief, Alan's rural rambles, his TV trailers, plus stills and cast biographies. --Mark Walker

Aspect Ratio:	16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region B
Special Features:	Audio commentary, 'Knowing All: The Making Of A Futuristic Thriller': Featurette, 'Visions Of The Apocalypse': Featurette
Year:	2009
Release Date:	August 3, 2009
Runtime:	121 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	S U M 51235
Keywords:
Genre:	Science Fiction