Moon

One of my favorite movies.

What a great low budget movie. A real mind-bender, too.

"Moon" is your cup of tea if you like understated science fiction films. Examples of 'understated' science fiction would be Gattaca, Solyent Green, Primer, and perhaps Ridley Scott's "Alien." An 'overstated' science fiction film would be pretty much any Star Wars incarnation, or something from the Roland Emmerich/Michael Bay school of "blow their minds and their eardrums" film making. That Moon lightly borrows from Stanley Kubrick's 2001 is no revelation (is there such a thing as "isolation horror"?), but the similarities are different enough that one cannot rightly say Moon is a copycat. If you enjoyed any of the films I mentioned above, you'll enjoy Moon. If your brand of science fiction film is less story-based and hinges more toward (overly) simplistic dialogue, the latest cutting edge special effects, etc. then Moon isn't for you.That's not to say the special effects in Moon are no good. They're fantastic, actually. The reason I think they worked well is because as an Apollo junkie, I have poured over nearly every surface photograph from project Apollo I have been able to get my hands on since the 1980s. Specifically I felt Moon looked a lot like the vistas you would see from Apollo 16 - distant mountains (not up close like Mons Hadley from Apollo 15, or Taurus-Littrow's mountain valley from Apollo 17), with wide plains, which is precisely the type of landscape explored by Apollo 16 in 1972. The mountains in the background look a lot like the Apollo surface photographs. Two minor quibbles with Moon's lunarscapes - the movie is supposed to take place on the lunar far side, which never faces earth. The corollary to this is that while on the lunar far side, it is impossible to see the earth in the sky. Several outside shots, while beautiful, show the earth in the sky. I recognize this is for effect, but in the end, it's an inaccuracy that could have been avoided. Secondly, the shots of the lunar rovers and harvesters are impressive, but you'll notice small lunar dust clouds rising up and billowing near the wheels. Dust would only billow like that if there was an atmosphere. On the moon, dust indeed gets kicked up, but its trajectory is much more linear. If you carefully watch the 16mm film footage of John Young driving the LRV, you'll see what I mean, and to a less obvious extent, the rover TV footage of the Apollo astronauts' feet as they kick up dust - no billowing/lingering of dust whatsoever (I recommend the closeups of Cernan & Schmitt discovering orange soil from Apollo 17 - the dust their feet kick up is in the right light to see what I'm describing). Since these shots are most likely CG, this could have been avoided. Or perhaps it was left that way to allow the viewer to relate to it on a more fundamental level. Regardless, I'm probably one of maybe ten people in the entire world who noticed this, so don't let it ruin the film for you. I thought I would point it out because science fiction viewers typically have an edge and a keen eye on what they're shown (don't get me going on Alfonso Cuaron's " Gravity " - what a science mess that film was!), so film producers sometimes take liberties, and while some are taken with Moon, they're nominal at the most. This film is about STORY.There are a few things that raised some questions. First, if Lunar Industries is going to clone Sam every three years, why implant in him memories of home at all? Instead, they could have implanted in him the basic premise that being a clone working on the moon is a perfectly normal thing for a sentient and self-aware entity, with no memory of earth life whatsoever. That would have greatly diminished the risk of escape. He would have never known the difference if they had never showed to him. Or, if memories are some sort of biological need, perhaps why not implant memories that recall a life not worth yearning over? We can theorize about this (maybe the only thing they had to work with were the memories Sam came with initially), but ultimately theories are useless unless they can be explained within the film. This left me vexed.Perhaps I missed it, but I can't recall the source for Sam's illness - was it the crash with the harvester? If so, why would he suffer beyond external injuries, to the point of spewing up blood and coughing out whole teeth? I understand the eye and hand injuries he sustained, but how his external injuries spread into something internal (pathogenic) to me remains unanswered. Or was his deterioration part of an automatic, internal self-destructive expiration, like the replicants from the movie Blade Runner? Maybe I missed the explanation of that.Why did Lunar Industries even bother with radio jammers on the surface of the moon? Couldn't one take care of that issue with software at the base? Or, since the base is on the far side and so there's no direct line of sight to earth (see above), they could just shut off the communication relay satellite, or block outgoing transmission at that point. That aspect seemed to make me wonder too.Anyway, aside from these questions, you'll feel like you're there with Sam. You'll wonder what Gerty is up to and if he's being truthful, and in the end, you'll wonder "which Sam" you've been viewing the whole time. And don't underestimate Clint Mansell's wonderful musical score. All of this compounds into the kind of sci-fi worth watching. I'd rather take the things I questioned above (again, maybe they were explained/resolved, but I missed it if they were), then I would a sci-fi extravaganza with horrible characters and terrible writing. This film is understated and beautiful.

As advertised. Arrived promptly. No damage. All good.

Duncan Jones has a bright future in filmmaking. Starting out unsure of what he wanted to do in life, he ultimately decided to make a film (Thankfully for us.) His passion and enthusiasm for his craft is one thing that makes all of his feature films thus far so enjoyable to even a casual viewer. His love for pop culture and original source material delights both fans and newcomers to pre-existing properties (such as Warcraft) or he delights those that are fans and newcomers to a particular genre, such as this first masterpiece of his: Moon. For Jones, he is definitely carving his own path separate from the legacy of his father, the late David Bowie, and his own path is one worth following as this reviewer has discovered. Jones' first feature film is both ambitious and simple. With a cast mostly consisting of one person in the wonderfully charismatic (and underused) Sam Rockwell, Moon entertains, enthralls, and delivers its story, concept, and world in one of the best original science-fiction films of the last two decades. For those that are fans of action, this may not be the film for you, as it is a more personal and thoughtful look at some of the moralities and sci-fi concepts with a strong focus on what isolation can do to one person. The movie celebrates the gift of human interaction and yet also shows the value and the downside of isolation. The acting and effects are so well done. Without spoiling anything, there is an effect in the film that the concept relies on. Simple to create but hard to sell as an actor, and it is done so well I never once doubted the authenticity of the effects. For such a low budget film and production it outshines and outdoes many of the big budget productions and establishes a new director and creator to film audiences around the world. This is an excellently made and written film which showcases the talent of someone like Sam Rockwell as an actor, but also that of Duncan Jones, the creator and director, and his crew. While some may find the film slow, I never grew tired of it, and upon multiple viewings, I like the film more each and every time. I strongly recommend picking up the film. Specifically any version that would come with special features, such as a commentary or making of, since its a very fresh seeming concept in a time where everyone is growing tired of sequels, prequels, remakes, reboots, re-quels, and retreads. This film (and his others) have made me a steadfast and very much intrigued Duncan Jones fan. I sincerely hope he continues to get the chance to make films as original and with as much creative control as this film. Any science fiction fan or indie film fan should pick this one up, or rent it. Its a solid investment that I do not regret having added Moon to my film collection. And please, Duncan Jones, please keep making movies. (Grade: A+)

Though the idea behind this movie was thoughtful and clever, and in execution it was well-acted and directed, it yet has a very big problem: It gets the moon totally wrong! The fact that the moon features only 1/6 earth gravity mysteriously only applies out on the lunar surface but is conveniently dispensed with inside the moon base, where everything from pouring liquids, eating, and moving about to fist fights and treadmill routines is clearly under normal one-G gravity. On a similar note, an interactive video call between the moon and earth exhibits no time lag whatsoever. While I grant that this into account would have greatly complicated writing, acting, and production, I simply can't get past this. They should have at least tried to find a way to make it work!

A coworker of mine from many years back recommended this movie to me. The first time i watched it, I was intrigued on the concept. 20plus years later- I suddenly had the urge to watch this film again. It does not disappoint. Actually, I decided to buy this because my daughter and her friend wanted a recommendation and I thought well, maybe something sort of cerebral and a thinking movie. This is one of those movies where you want to just play it for someone without and introduction. Watch it.

Le film repose surtout sur les dialogues et peu à peu l'intrigue se construit. Peu d'action, mais combien intgrigant ! J'ai beaucoup aimé ce film dont le dénouement est pour le moins surprenant.

Bonjour,DVD neuf arrivé le 18 avril 2018 en 2 jours... dans une enveloppe !Comme le l'ai souvent écrit, vous le savez, je suis un collectionneur acharné,Qui transforme sa Vidéo-thèque en ''DV-thèque'' pour ce mois d'avril, principalementdans ces films d'actions avec par exemple : Kevin Costner, Matt Damon, Jennifer Lawrence, Dolph Lundgren, etc...Il est donc inutile de vous dire, que je recommande ce genre de DVD à toutes et à tous !Par ailleurs ils sont forts bien notés dans les avis et/ou dans la presse.Pour voir ou revoir ces films cultes... aux prix moyen d'un paquet de clopes.CordialementDaniel BINTHERL'Auditorium 319

In this science fiction drama, Sam Rockwell{known for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(1990), Galaxy Quest(1999) as the hilarious 'Guy', The Green Mile(1999) as the devilishly funny ‘William Wharton’ and Charlies Angels(2000) a few of his previous titles}, co-starring with his AI counterpart Gerty voiced by Kevin Spacey{from Se7en(1995), The Usual Suspects(1995), L.A Confidential(1997), Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil(1997) and American Beauty(1999) a few titles of note} in this fabulous production.What is a human life worth? For one, insurance policies seem to be able to put a value on such things; have a look at this intriguing title. In this sci-fi production, corporate production coefficients do just that, put a value on a human life by adding up all the production costs and derive the most economical form to satisfy shareholder requirements.Take the chance with Moon and put this along side your other science fiction classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Alien, Prometheus and the others.My thanks once more to Sam Rockwell for another superb performance along with Amazon for each and every safely delivered item.Respectfully,Very Satisfied Repeat Australian Customer

shot for five million dollars in little over a month, this is the kind of science fiction movie that we haven't seen too much of in recent years. A movie of ideas rather than spectacle, with miniatures rather than cgi.Sam rockwell plays sam Bell. The latter runs a mining operation on the moon for a corporation, with nobody other than a robot called GERTY for company. It's just the two of them on their lunar base for three years, till the end of sam's contract. And that time has almost come.Till sam has to go out on the lunar surface and crashes his craft. Then he wakes up back at the base. Finds there's a wrecked craft out on the lunar surface. And finds himself inside it.Suddenly, there are two sams on the base.Will they be able to get along and find out what's going on?And to say any more than that would spoil things.Two great performances dominate this film. Sam Rockwell plays both sams, all with the aid of split screen technology and excellent continuity. It's astonishing to watch. Kevin Spacey voices GERTY, bringing us a very subtle performance with some excellent vocal delivery as a robot who has aims. But which are not quite what you might expect. GERTY has a visual display screen showing a smiley face that changes expression dependent on the situation at hand. It's a clever effect.Is sam's dilemma psychological or is there more to it than meets the eye? The plot manages some clever twists and turns, all leading to an emotional crescendo ten minutes before the end with one of the most moving scenes of cinema you'll ever see.A slight pity it doesnt end there because the last ten minutes afterwards, whilst tying up the plot, don't have quite the same impact. But they're necessary, so I can forgive it for that. Because this is excellent and very memorable film making, establishing the director duncan jones as a talent to watch. And it should put sam rockwell into award contention.The dvd is a single disc edition.It has the following languages and subtitles:languages: englishsubtitles: english, hindi.It contains two commentary tracks. The first is from the writer/director, the director of photography, the concept designer and the production designer.the second is from the writer/director and the producer.other extras:whistle: a short twenty nine minute long film from duncan jones. all about a british man living in rural idyll with his family in europe. but with a secret. the job he does. He's a deovted family man in his family life and a rather cold hearted individual during his work time. when something happens during the latter he's forced to realise a few things. a nicely paced and thoughtful little piece about what's it like to be a father, this is worth a watch. It also has a very good score.the making of moon is a sixteen minute long making of documentary.creating the visual effects runs for eleven minutes.both of the above are pretty absorbing stuff, revealing much about the technical trickery that was used.There are two question and answer sessions with the director from film festivals. one running twenty one minutes and the other eleven. the first answers lots of questions about the movie and is well worth a look. The second tends to duplicate the first and is more about congratulating those involved, but it has it's moments.There's also the theatrical trailer for the film.And in a section of trailers a generic one for blu ray plus five trailers for some totally non related movies.A decent dvd package for an excellent movie. be warned though that after watching it you might just have a certain one hit wonder pop song stuck on the brain for a while after.

Incredible performance and story