Comments on Getafilm: 300 Words About: Moon

Here's where I admit to kind of like "Home Improve...

2009-07-27T11:12:14.139-05:00

Here's where I admit to kind of like "Home Improvement" back in the day...

Man, looking at this guy's credits, I can't believe how many Disney-ish movies he's been in. Jungle 2 Jungle, Joe Somebody, the Toy Story trilogy, GQ, Zoom, the Santa Clause trilogy, Wild Hogs. And then, randomly, Redbelt last year.

"I guess I just thought you were a big Tim Allen f...

2009-07-27T10:59:34.342-05:00

"I guess I just thought you were a big Tim Allen fan or something, haha"

How dare you, sir. Them's fightin' words...

I'm pretty sure I've seen you mention GQ before bu...

2009-07-27T10:42:41.205-05:00

I'm pretty sure I've seen you mention GQ before but I guess I just thought you were a big Tim Allen fan or something, haha. It would really have to grow on me to get UMOTM credentials, but per your recommendation I will put it in the hopper.

What what what?!? You haven't seen Galaxy Quest? ...

2009-07-26T23:10:34.387-05:00

What what what?!? You haven't seen Galaxy Quest?

Don't let Allen's presence fool you - it's one of the best comedies of the last 20 years (more of the "really well made" variety than the "laugh out loud" variety), and it gets better every time you see it. It would be a prime candidate for your UMOTM. I'm sure many others could chime in with their love for it. I highly recommend it.

Wow, Rockwell was in Galaxy Quest? I never saw it ...

2009-07-26T20:34:18.815-05:00

Wow, Rockwell was in Galaxy Quest? I never saw it so as to avoid Tim Allen, but I just looked at the cast and it was surprisingly well filled out.

I agree that an evil computer was not missed here, though I have to admit it was so similar to Hal that I really wasn't able to accept its "character". Assuming you review this I'll see where your focus your praise, as everybody can really appreciate different parts of this.

Finally saw this on Friday, and it appears as thou...

2009-07-26T14:18:56.304-05:00

Finally saw this on Friday, and it appears as though I dug it a bit more than you. I had tried not to read much about it beforehand, and I think I succeeded, as the surprises that came were actually surprises to me. Very well thought out and executed film, and the fact that it didn't go in the obvious directions (evil computer) is probably its biggest asset. Still, that doesn't overshadow the great performance by Rockwell; I enjoyed him more here than I have probably since Galaxy Quest.

Or in the case of George Lucas, money and a captiv...

2009-07-08T16:25:58.647-05:00

Or in the case of George Lucas, money and a captive audience they know they can exploit.

The other guys are spending money to cover up for ...

2009-07-08T12:40:35.603-05:00

The other guys are spending money to cover up for the fact that money is all they have.

Your last sentence should be the slogan for some p...

2009-07-07T15:58:05.258-05:00

Your last sentence should be the slogan for some production company that specializes in movies like this. The funny thing is, I'm pretty sure Jones proves with Moon that in some small way, most of the other guys are spending a lot more money to make their movies look a lot more fake.

I liked Moon a lot, mainly because of the amazing ...

2009-07-07T02:22:11.777-05:00

I liked Moon a lot, mainly because of the amazing Sam Rockwell. I swear I have some kind of weird man crush on that guy because I love him in everything he's in.

I agree with you about budgets and effects. I'm an old-school model guy. The fancy CGI is impressive, but there's a tactile quality that's still missing. A model is obviously a model, but it actually exists.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Knarf - alw...

2009-07-06T13:43:57.546-05:00

Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Knarf - always nice to have another Minneapolitan in the mix. I think 2001 is obviously a classic, and I haven't seen the original Solaris. The remake, though I haven't seen it in a long time, seemed too pretentious and Soderberghy smarmy for me. Anyway, Moon does do fairly well in establishing its own identity. I don't know why I just thought of this, but I'd even welcome a sequel and see if Jones can build off of it a little bit.

Thanks, Rick, I know you've been waiting for this one for a while and I still think you've gotta check it out. I'm not down on it at all, just thought there was a little more juice to squeeze out of it.

I'm still looking forward to seeing this, though l...

2009-07-06T09:39:00.855-05:00

I'm still looking forward to seeing this, though less so with this fine 300 (or so) word review.

Sigh.

Caught a matinee at the uptown today. I'm a huge ...

2009-07-03T18:48:10.048-05:00

Caught a matinee at the uptown today. I'm a huge fan of 2001 and Solaris (the original, though the remake isn't completely without charm) and I really enjoyed how Moon turned the familiar tropes of its (at times painfully obvious) inspirations on their heads.

Look forward to your thoughts, Film-Book. It ought...

2009-07-03T16:41:54.079-05:00

Look forward to your thoughts, Film-Book. It ought to be out wide fairly soon. But the Q & A screening was definitely a bonus. Jones wore the yellow spacesuit Rockwell's character wears in the movie.

Thanks, Sam, and I know I liked it significantly more than you did. I didn't really find it cliched (though not entirely original), but I don't think it reached its potential. I'll still watch it again because there was enough cool stuff to look at, and I'm definitely looking forward to Mute.

I am no fan of this film, despite Sam Rockwell's v...

2009-07-03T16:01:13.370-05:00

I am no fan of this film, despite Sam Rockwell's valient efforts and the sublime score by Clint Mansell. And I admit I do love science-fiction/futuristic films for the most part. This was cliched, redundant, tedious, and ultimately torturous to sit through.

I think your fine review makes enough of these points most clear.

Lucky bastard. I have been waiting to see this fil...

2009-07-02T14:52:10.166-05:00

Lucky bastard. I have been waiting to see this film.

Luddites unite! I love the term "luddite". You pr...

2009-07-02T09:56:12.384-05:00

Luddites unite! I love the term "luddite".

You pretty much nail it all right there. Despite all of the shiny effects and big explosions (whether it be Transformers or Terminator Salvation), some of the old magic is gone. But...I should confess that the effects in Star Trek and Sunshine (two space movies, like Moon) looked pretty excellent.

Speaking of Sunshine, that was kind of dark, claustrophobic tone I was hoping for here. You know, without the space zombie.

Can't read all of this as I'd like to see the film...

2009-07-02T01:39:55.939-05:00

Can't read all of this as I'd like to see the film, but I saw this:

"I'm of the opinion that for the most part, bigger budgets and bigger CGI developments have led to less impressive and less realistic effects, and I'm even tempted, for example, to argue that the effects in the original Star Wars trilogy are better than the prequels"

Amen, brother. I'd never think myself a luddite, but technology only stifles creativity as it pertains to filmmaking. The computer guys might get to see THEIR creativity flourish, but I don't think that translates to the screen very well. I'd much, much, much rather watch Michel Gondry work his lo-fi magic than see the whiz-bammery of a Transformers. The magic of today's computers should be used only to enhance effects; that's where the mistake is made (looking squarely at you, Lucas).