JOHNNY MNEMONIC (Robert Longo, 1995)

[Jox]

I just saw the B&W version finally, and I thought it was great. And with all its remaining flaws, the film is still very enjoyable and kind of endearing in some way.

I hadn't seen the film from beginning to end in maybe 10 years so it was a complete re-visitation. The BW looks as if the film had always been that way and it really enhance the mood of each shot as if they were drawn or painted by Longo.

Then afterwards if you watch the color trailer that's on the disc, the stark difference pretty shocking.

The conversation between Keanu, Longo and Gibson is very interesting as well, it's 25 minutes but you wish it was twice as long... Cool insights from Keanu notably.

[13school]

Excellent news - really looking to finally seeing this version

[Jox]

Vern @outlawvern

Man, JOHNNY MNEMONIC IN BLACK AND WHITE (actual on screen title) looks fuckin gorgeous.

Vern @outlawvern

Dolph Noir

https://twitter.com/outlawvern/status/1 ... 9987521537

[Jox]

Here is the special feature from the B&W Blu-ray, with Robert Longo, William Gibson and of course Keanu Reeves discussing the making of the film and the black and white version. It's a pretty good 25 minutes extra.

[Jox]

Not really on topic but composer Brad Fiedel is too rare to miss

[Jox]

Playing on the Criterion Channel in July
https://twitter.com/Criterion/status/16 ... 7635828743

MARK YOUR CALENDARS Coming to @criterionchannl
in July: a decade-spanning, 16-film AI collection exploring how this brave new world has been envisioned, in all its wonder and dread.

* A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
* JOHNNY MNEMONIC
* GHOST IN THE SHELL
* AFTER YANG
+ more!

[alex.sp89]

Jox maybe u know if there is any BD release with extended Jap. cut of JM in real HD quality, not DVD upscales and stuff...

[Jox]

No, I wish there was an HD disc of the Japanese cut...

[Jox]

Playing on the Criterion Channel in July
https://twitter.com/Criterion/status/16 ... 7635828743

MARK YOUR CALENDARS Coming to @criterionchannl
in July: a decade-spanning, 16-film AI collection exploring how this brave new world has been envisioned, in all its wonder and dread.

* A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
* JOHNNY MNEMONIC
* GHOST IN THE SHELL
* AFTER YANG
+ more!

The Criterion Channel will show the B&W version:

EXCLUSIVE PREMIERES
Johnny Mnemonic: In Black and White*

It’s 1995’s vision of 2021 and “mnemonic courier” Johnny (Keanu Reeves)—a human hard drive with a computer chip implanted in his brain—has twenty-four hours to unload highly valuable information or his head will explode. Oh, and he’s also being chased through a dystopian Newark by the yakuza and a deranged Jesus-freak hitman (Dolph Lundgren). Scripted by cyberpunk pioneer William Gibson and featuring an absolutely unhinged cast that includes Takeshi Kitano, Ice-T, Henry Rollins, and Udo Kier, this audacious cult favorite is a rapid-fire roller coaster of action and high-impact imagery. As part of the AI collection, the Criterion Channel presents the exclusive streaming premiere of a black-and-white version of the film released in 2021.

[Jox]

Review of the Blu-ray released last year for the B&W version:
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Johnny-M ... 83/#Review

Video Quality 3.5 of 5



I am not in possession of, nor did I review, the original Image Blu-ray, so I cannot speak on any similarities that may exist between this version and the Image release beyond the shift to black-and-white. Suffice it to say, however, that the film looks quite good here on its own merits, a few issues notwithstanding. Overall, the picture enjoys a very healthy, crisp, and efficient textural output. There are plenty of complex details to be found in skin and environments. The picture clearly thrives under the HD parameters, and while some of the visual effects are hopelessly dated by today's standards, the clarity with which they present and integrate into the film is bolstered by the resolution. The picture does suffer from some questionable grain management. While there are no signs of significant smoothing, grain can often appear static and push and pull in globular masses as characters move about on the screen. This is evident right out of the gate when Johnny wakes up in the New Darwin Inn sequence. This is easily the most problematic issue with the transfer. There are also some odd speckles, splotches, and stray vertical lines, but these are relatively few and far between and do not significantly interfere with a watch. The black and white grading is very elegant. While blacks are prone to crush in a few shots, there's a healthy and effortless feel for tonal gradation and balance between the extremes of white and black and the grayscale within. The grading is balanced and looks great across the board. Longo was certainly right to make the call to make the film in black and white, and while it took some time for his vision to come to fruition, there is no mistaking that aesthetically on the surface and narratively as a key component to the movie's structure, it's the right call.

Audio Quality 4.5 of 5



This new Blu-ray release of Johnny Mnemonic includes a pair of highlight audio tracks. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless presentation is terrific. The sound effects to open the film are astounding. They're heavily amplified and very much a product of their time, but the sense of full stage engagement, movement sweep, and discrete details converge into a wonderfully exciting and satisfying audio explosion. Moments later, intense crowd din pulls the listener into the midst of street chaos in a less dramatic, but no less full and excellent, audio experience. The 5.1 track holds to a full, loud, and invigorating structure throughout; these core observations carry for the duration, and when paired with high yield music and firm and centered dialogue, it proves to be a truly explosive track.

Additionally, Sony has provided a second English track in the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless structure. To be sure, the track is lacking the extreme surround engagement of the 5.1 track as well as some volume, depth, and overall audio tempo. Aurally, it is definitely the lesser track, but it is perfectly good in terms of dynamics within its constraints and clarity within the configuration. Width is never an issue, with the stage engaging the full way from front corner to front corner and dialogue imaging naturally to the middle. Whichever track listeners choose, they'll be in for a treat.

Special Features and Extras 1.5 of 5



This Blu-ray release of Johnny Mnemonic includes two extras. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipcover.

A Candid Conversation (1080p, 25:28): This feature presents Director Robert Longo, Writer William Gibson, and Actor Keanu Reeves discussing the film and the new black-and-white presentation via video conference call. They discuss difficulties on set, challenges for a first time filmmaker, how and why black and white enhances the film, fan favorite lines and moments, the film's prescience, and more.

Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2:19): The film's trailer, in color, so for those seeing the film for the first time in black and white can earn here at least a hint of what the film looks and feels like in color.

Overall Score and Recommendation 3.0 of 5



Black and white breathes new life into Johnny Mnemonic. Rather than a gimmick, it's an enhancement that accentuates the photography, setting, and themes. It works so well one can certainly theorize that Longo, even told he could not shoot the film in black and white, nevertheless shot it while envisioning such a final product. Despite some reservations with the video, it looks solid enough, and with the excellent audio and a high quality retrospective, this disc comes easily recommended.

[Jox]

WTF Happened to Johnny Mnemonic?
https://www.joblo.com/wtf-happened-to-johnny-mnemonic/

Audio/video version:

[Jox]

The Projection Booth Podcast has just released an entire episode on JM, including an in-depth interview with director Robert Longo (from 1 hour and 2 min mark):
https://www.projectionboothpodcast.com/ ... -1995.html



The Projection Booth has been one of my favorite podcasts on film for years so I'm looking forward to listening to it.

[Jox]

BW version screened today in double program including THE NET (Cambridge, MA)
https://brattlefilm.org/
https://brattlefilm.org/movies/johnny-mnemonic/
https://www.facebook.com/brattletheatre ... QM3SaxRDwl

With podcast episode tie-in "Lost in Alphaville: Noir and Technology"
https://open.spotify.com/episode/74c1Ws ... 1b353b4844

[Jamesflavell]

Something damned odd going on with the view counter here.
I just watched it add over 1000 views in one click!
I'd no idea that my mild interest carried such weight ....

[Jox]

The William Gibson fonds at the University of British Columbia Archives (Vancouver) has an impressive collection of documents on the development and the entire production:
https://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/u_arch/wgibs.pdf

18-2 Johnny Mnemonic: based on the story by William Gibson, written by Victoria
Homburg & Robert Longo - bound 27 February 1990
- “third draft”
18-3 Johnny Mnemonic: Revision of 2nd draft - MSS 27 January 1991
- annotated
18-4 Johnny Mnemonic – screenplay by William Gibson 22 July 1991
18-5 Johnny Mnemonic – screenplay by William Gibson – Revised Draft 26
January 1992
- annotated
18-6 Mnemonic Script – MSS January 1992 [found in box]
- two versions
- annotated
18-7 Johnny Mnemonic: A Very Technical Boy 10 November 1993
18-8 Johnny Mnemonic – by William Gibson - bound 29 November 1993
- annotated
18-9 [Johnny Mnemonic] – Shooting Script 31 January 1994
- no title page
18-10 Johnny Mnemonic By William Gibson January-February 1994
- on cover hand-written “On-set working copy 28 Feb 94”

BOX 19
19-1 [Johnny Mnemonic – show book] [n.d.]
- bound volume with pre-production work sketches – cover shows poster
mock-up with Val Kilmer in lead instead of Keanu Reeves
19-2 Johnny Mnemonic storyboards 1993-94
19-3 [Johnny Mnemonic – Set blueprints] January-February 1994
19-4 [Johnny Mnemonic Productions] 29 March 1994
- faxed sketches of animated story elements for movie, from Trisha Papas
19-5 Johnny Mnemonic – draft “crawl” – MSS [n.d.]
- draft narration (“crawl”), and first pages of screenplay
19-6 Notes for Robert Longo on an animate sequence in Johnny Mnemonic (film) –
MSS June 1994
19-7 [Johnny Mnemonic – notes and correspondence] 1994 [found loose]
- assorted written notes, print-outs, and fax documents, regarding script
revisions and other production matters – including a faxed letter from Bono
of U2
- includes photocopies of original thermal fax printouts
19-8 [Notes for Johnny Mnemonic script] [n.d.] [found loose]
- notes by Gibson, Chris Lee, and Robert (Longo?)
- includes photocopies of original thermal fax printouts
19-9 [Storyboard sketches] 13 September 1993 [found loose]
19-10 [Johnny Mnemonic – script notes and revisions] 1994 [found loose]
19-11 [Johnny Mnemonic – script notes and revisions] 1994 [found loose]
- photocopies of original thermal fax printouts
19-12 [Notes for Johnny Mnemonic script] 1994 [found loose]
19-13 Johnny Mnemonic recruited audience survey – report 3 November 1994
19-14 Johnny Mnemonic press package May 1995
- includes press information, production stills, and memorabilia
19-15 [Johnny Mnemonic – Alliance Productions press kit] May 1995
BOX 20
20-1 [Johnny Mnemonic – press information] [1995?]
20-2 William Gibson’s Johnny Mnemonic 1996
- book, includes script for movie and original short story
- autographed by William Gibson

Johnny Mnemonic (cont.)

Oversize materials

1 [Johnny Mnemonic artwork – Nilo Rodis Design Art] 13 September 1993
[over-size]
- includes story boards and set design drawings
2 [Johnny Mnemonic set photographs] [1993?]
- composite photographs of set design and construction

Photographs
1 to 5 [Johnny Mnemonic – B&W production stills?] 1994
- 5 20x25 cm b&w prints
1 to 11 [Johnny Mnemonic – Colour production stills?] 1994 [2 sets]
- 11 20x25 cm colour prints

A/V AND DIGITAL MEDIA
Johnny Mnemonic – VHS
VT 3112 Johnny Mnemonic (Promo): English Mix. – VHS recording. – 6 May 1994
- NTSC dub
VT 3113 Johnny Mnemonic: Reels 1-12. – VHS recording. – 14 June 1994
VT 3114 Johnny Mnemonic: Reels 13, 14. – VHS recording. – 14 June 1994
VT 3115 Johnny Mnemonic: First preview screening. – VHS recording. – 30 July 1994
- “Voodoo teacher”
VT 3116 Johnny Mnemonic: Animatic #6. – VHS recording. – 12 September 1994
VT 3117 Johnny Mnemonic: 35mm D/S Transfer @24 fps. – VHS recording. – 22
September 1994
VT 3118 Johnny Mnemonic: Opening sequence w/ exploding title. – VHS recording. –
7 January 1995
VT 3119 Johnny Mnemonic: Animatic #3. – VHS recording. – 11 January 1995
VT 3120 Johnny Mnemonic: Animatic #5. – VHS recording. – 13 January 1995
VT 3121 Johnny Mnemonic: Opening Sequence Animatic, Super Title Tests,
Cyberspace Stills. – VHS recording. 19 January 1995
VT 3122 Johnny Mnemonic: Opening Crawl. – VHS recording. – 20 March 1995
VT 3123 Johnny Mnemonic: Opening Sequence. – VHS recording. – 25 April 1995
VT 3124 [Johnny Mnemonic?] VR3 Rough 9/14. – VHS recording. – [n.d.]
VT 3125 Johnny Mnemonic: Domestic Version, R#1-5. – VHS recording. – [n.d.]
- HAS Timing Code, R#1ab-5ab
VT 3126 Johnny Mnemonic: Sega & PC CD Playfootage. – VHS recording. – [n.d.]
- Disk 1 – Elements / Disk 2 – Elements
VT 3127 Johnny Mnemonic: Finals to date. – VHS video recording. – 13 September
1994
VT 3128 Johnny Mnemonic: Reels 1-10. – VHS video recording. – 21 October 1994
VT 3129 Johnny Mnemonic: Test footage from digital cyberspace finale. – VHS video
recording. – 30 October 1994
VT 3130 Johnny Mnemonic: Reels 1AB-5AB joined. – VHS video recording. – 15
February 1995
- Viewing cassette
VT 3131 Johnny Mnemonic: Reels 1-10. – VHS video recording. – 16 March 1995
- Viewing cassette W VIZ TC
VT 3132 Johnny Mnemonic Featurette: Offline cut #3. – VHS video recording. – 25
April 1995
- Edited Master
VT 3133 Johnny Mnemonic: Rough Clips. – VHS video recording. – 3 May 1995
VT 3134 Johnny Mnemonic: Sc.