Welcome to the first text based posting for "What Would Jesus Watch?". Last night we saw the film MOON, and here are our reactions given in a discussion type format! Enjoy.
MOON is a sci-fi, psychological thriller starring Sam Rockwell & the voice of Kevin Spacey. Directed by Duncan Jones.
Chase Misenheimer: MOON is my favorite science fiction film since Danny Boyle's "Sunshine" from two years ago. Both are in the same vein in that each has its own sci-fi bent, but it's not really about what's out in space, but what happens in space. Unlike Boyle's film, "Moon" takes the psychological to the extreme and dwells on the human need for interaction. Brandon, first thoughts?
Brandon Norman: This was definitely a fantastic sci-fi film. I didn't know exactly what to expect walking into the movie, and what I did expect after seeing the trailers was pretty much dead wrong. Which is kind of refreshing. I really enjoyed the confined quarters this film takes place in, and really the thing that you have to leave the theater thinking (whether you enjoyed this or not) is that Sam Rockwell is a fantastic actor. He is given one of those defining roles of a lifetime, and it is in a movie with such a low cultural consciousness, that it may get overlooked by many. But not this guy.
CM: I think there is absolutely no doubt that Sam Rockwell knocks this one out of the park. It's hard to explain why without really giving too much away. Playing this type of role must be an absolute blast for an actor. Let's talk about the cinematography. The film is a palette of white and gray with only a few exceptions. It perfectly captures the drabness of this cold, cruel world that Rockwell has lived in for the past three years. Also at work is the used future. Pioneered by George Lucas, "Moon" takes the concept of a dirty, grungy space environment. Nothing is spic-and-span in this moon station. I like how director Jones doesn't throw this in the viewer's face, but merely lets the camera lilt around the interior.
BN: Absolutely. The cinematography is just fantastic. It largely uses the increasingly popular hand held cameras, that can commonly be seen in television and documentaries, but it put to fantastic use here. This also helps to really show just how long the station has been in operation. The station is starting to show the wear and tear of age. One thing that I absolutely love about this film is that it does not concern itself with the big twist of the story. Instead, it has the twist within the first half-hour, and the rest of the movie concerns itself with dealing with the aftermath of it. This is a great way to tell a story that I haven't seen in a movie before. It is nice to not leave the theater running through the lead up to the twist to see how it aligns and works out, but instead you are just focusing on the acting and the resolution of the story.
CM: Exactly. It put the "M. Night" moment in the most, to me, unthinkable of places. It truly is a unique experience. Let's not forget also that this is not "2001". Despite what you might gather from the trailers, especially with Kevin Spacey's monotone robot, this film is a different ride altogether. I see it as a meditation on the monotony of the workplace and what is it that actually gets us through the day to day grind.
In summary: A well acted, beautifully shot sci-fi head trip that will leave you re-thinking your astronaut aspirations. I give it 6 out of 7 moon craters. Brandon, final thoughts?
BN: The "M. Night" moment, as Chase put it, was definitely pointed at in the trailers. This movie, however, couldn't be farther from an M. Night movie. And it is probably farthest away from his forthcoming movie, a live-action adaptation of AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER. But, I digress. On a final note for me (pun intended), the music score here composed by Clint Mansell is excellent. He is one of my favorite composers, and his work really is an integral part of any movie he works on.
The movie is excellently put together. I definitely enjoyed it. This is absolutely worth another viewing, which I will give it when it comes out on DVD. The film is quite original from anything I have seen. Definitely worth an A- in my book. Check it out, if you get the chance.
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I had the same comments about the state of the station and placement of the twist. The dirt was much more realistic, and sci-fi directors too often rely on sleek and clean planes to give the futuristic look.
ReplyDeleteI do not know if you guys know this, but Duncan Jones is David Bowie's son. Who better to do sci-fi than someone raised by the man who created the Ziggy Stardust concept? Jones was 5 when his dad did The Man Who Fell to Earth, one of my first and greatest sci-fi experiences.