| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
damalc 
"last watched: Sausage Party"
|
 Posted - 07/14/2009 : 02:03:50
|
"Moon"
not quite excellent, but a very good sci-fi film, obviously influenced by "2001: A Space Odyssey," but less artsy.
|
|
|
randall 
"I like to watch."
|
Posted - 07/14/2009 : 10:34:48
|
My take from Sundance:
MOON**** [World Premiere] �Indie� science fiction. Sam Rockwell tends a mostly automated lunar station for the big company that provides Better Life Through Energy back on Earth. His three-year hitch is almost up, and the replacement and ferry home is on the way. A major plot surprise ends Act One, changing everything for the rest of the picture and making one particular role a tour de force. [At the Q&A, director Duncan Jones said he wouldn�t mind if people knew about it beforehand, and it may well be revealed in the forthcoming trailer, but you won�t get it out of me!] Some people are going to find this movie slow; it�s a chamber piece a la SOLARIS or SUNSHINE, very human-oriented. [If you hated both of those, you should probably avoid this one.] Visual effects are perfectly workable, though they might feel cheesy to anyone expecting a $100MM popcorn film. It�s not that at all. But it does tackle provocative Clarkeian/Dickian subject matter, and I liked it very much. Trudie Styler is one of the producers; she and her husband, a Mr. Sumner, were there are the preem.
My complete Sundance 2009 report |
Edited by - randall on 07/14/2009 14:15:01 |
 |
|
|
Demisemicenturian 
"Four ever European"
|
Posted - 07/20/2009 : 22:49:06
|
Moon
I intentionally saw it today, in my favourite screen in London, although only in the seat next to my favourite one.  
I really liked it. As damalc says, it is very influenced by 2001, although I actually found that film a bit annoying (to be fair, perhaps because I had seen too many cultural knock-ons from it before eventually the film itself) and so preferred this. Some good new takes on some well-trodden sci-fi themes. And that's a great review, damalc. I logged on to submit (spoiler) "We Are Sam", but your version is better. |
|
|
|
damalc
"last watched: Sausage Party"
|
Posted - 07/21/2009 : 17:03:37
|
quote:
Originally posted by Salopian
... it is very influenced by 2001, although I actually found that film a bit annoying (to be fair, perhaps because I had seen too many cultural knock-ons from it before eventually the film itself) and so preferred this.
...
"2001" is quite annoying enough on its own without the 100s of other pop culture nods. |
Edited by - damalc on 07/22/2009 23:07:05 |
|
|
|
demonic
"Cinemaniac"
|
Posted - 07/22/2009 : 20:14:01
|
| I loved it. I'm a fan of Sam Rockwell's work and seeing him in this kind of multi-faceted part was a delight. I was a bit annoyed to have a major part of the story ruined by the trailer, but glad that that particular reveal wasn't the biggest surprise of the film, of which there were many. Interestingly the more sci-fi literate you are the more there is to enjoy, quite the opposite to my initial feelings (well this is just like the Alien set, and this is just like Silent Running and Solaris, and this computer is like 2001, and this is a similar thematic device to Blade Runner...) but all those expectations lead you to intentional blind alleys - I really appreciated that. Duncan Jones clearly knows and loves his classic sci-fi and in directly referencing plays some subtle games and does a great job emulating his influences. Like the best sci-fi it's about much more than the trappings of the space setting and finally I thought it was eerie, funny in places and very moving in others. Definitely one of my favourites of the year so far. Hurrah for Zowie Bowie. |
|
|
|
Demisemicenturian
"Four ever European"
|
Posted - 07/23/2009 : 01:21:07
|
I'm guessing what you saw in the trailer based on randall's post above, and I'm really glad that I didn't see it. I know that the film's not mainly about plot, but I hate knowing that kind of thing (or really anything) in advance.
I gathered from Rock Golf's review that he was Bowie's son, but didn't realise that he was Zowie. That name is why I always thought that it was "Bawey" rather than "Boey", but it turns out that it's the latter, so assuming the names still rhyme then Zowie is strangely pronounced the same as Zo�. Anyway, good for him on this film. |
Edited by - Demisemicenturian on 07/23/2009 01:31:07 |
|
|
|
Demisemicenturian
"Four ever European"
|
Posted - 07/26/2009 : 02:52:12
|
| I submitted (spoiler) "Bell ringers" (currently not pending as it was over quota). However, I've got a horrible feeling that the name was probably chosen on that basis. What does everyone think? If people think it was then I won't resubmit it. |
|
|
|
Beanmimo 
"August review site"
|
Posted - 07/31/2009 : 09:36:03
|
A good film not a great film.
A simple a yet cleverly told story.
Acted to perfection.
Atmospheric and engaging.
As the others have stated above closer to Space 1999, 2001, Aliens and Blade Runner than Star Trek or Star Wars.
Definately worthwhile!! |
|
|
|
BaftaBaby
"Always entranced by cinema."
|
Posted - 12/15/2009 : 10:30:28
|
Have only just caught up with this ... it's the run-up to BAFTA voting time so I'm working my way through a stack of DVDs.
Like demonic I loved it. I thought it was paced just right for the story, and it was much more accessible than Tarkovski's Solaris. Rockwell did a terrific job of ringing Bell's changes. [fugheddabowdit, I already submitted that   ]
As for HAL vs GERTY - it's not a rip-off, tho possibly an homage. But what it does is take the premise further to reflect on the political developments on Earth. Not a direct comment on current events, but with a hint of warning.
I forgave all the naff sfx because what's important - story, characters, ideas - really engaged me.
I also bought into the references back to those pioneer stories of the old West ... where the trappings of so-called civilization and modernism tried to put a patina on the unknown threats of an alien landscape. I wish the soapy Defying Gravity were more like that. Sigh.
|
|
|
|
silly 
"That rabbit's DYNAMITE."
|
Posted - 12/15/2009 : 15:08:45
|
| It never played here but will be released on Netflix in January; so I have it at the top of my queue. I've heard nothing but good things, so I'm looking forward to seeing this. |
|
|
|
ChocolateLady
"500 Chocolate Delights"
|
Posted - 12/16/2009 : 06:51:24
|
| Hm... this didn't seem like something I would be interested in but now... Not sure I shouldn't give it a try. |
|
|
|
damalc
"last watched: Sausage Party"
|
Posted - 12/16/2009 : 18:00:02
|
looking back, probly the best movie i saw in 2009.
edit: i can't help but think that if Tom Hanks had been the lead, or if the Spacey/Rockwell roles were switched, "Moon" would have gotten a few Oscar noms. of course, TH & KS are better actors, but their names would have added credibility and exposure.
and they certainly would have cost more. |
Edited by - damalc on 02/04/2010 13:53:05 |
|
|
|
silly
"That rabbit's DYNAMITE."
|
Posted - 02/04/2010 : 18:20:24
|
I rented this last week, as promised, and loved it. Loved the pacing, the effects. I knew a bit about the plot from reading too much on the interwebs, but tried to remain open to a "maybe it's not what I think" attitude.
I thought Rockwell was great, but it also is fun to imagine another actor in his role and how that would have changed the movie for better or worse. Since he's everywhere, I'd suggest Clooney as well, but that may be too close to Solaris, a movie I have yet to watch so I can't say for sure.
I watched Pandorum the day after Moon and there just isn't any comparison, although it did feature the General from GI Joe, so that's something  |
|
|
|
chazbo 
"Outta This Fuckin' Place"
|
Posted - 02/13/2010 : 01:48:43
|
Just saw it on DVD and thought it was quite good, better than recent sci-fi overburdened with special effects.
The effects in Moon are sufficient, not excessive, which allows the film to focus more on Rockwell's (or is that Rockwells'?) fantastic performance(s). It was a joy to watch, even if scenes are sometimes a bit gimmicky (like the table tennis match). And Spacey's Gerty is .
I guess my only criticism of the film is that the man-confronts-self-as-clone story seems somewhat underdeveloped. And the ending to me is a little too cliche--(spoiler)the clone escaping its confines to expose to the world the immorality of the corporation.
But overall a very enjoyable film.
|
Edited by - chazbo on 02/13/2010 01:51:36 |
|
|
|
silly
"That rabbit's DYNAMITE."
|
Posted - 02/14/2010 : 18:04:06
|
I didn't really like the epilogue, I could have done without that and still loved the film.
I agree on the robot |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Moon
