Hello there, and welcome to November’s film club blog. The theme for this month is Space – the boundless dark void beyond Earth’s atmosphere which has interested scientists for millennia. Last month played host to World Space Week, so you can think of this as a belated celebration. The following films each highlight the perilous work of astronauts, while attempting to visualize both the extremities and beauty of space in different ways.
We begin with a film that celebrates one of science’s greatest discoveries – Gravity (2013) directed by Alfonso Cuarón (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban). Astoundingly it features only two actors in physical performances, the talented Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side, Speed) & George Clooney (The Monuments Men). They play Dr. Ryan Stone & veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski respectively. Kowalski is the commander of the space shuttle ‘Explorer’, sent to service the Hubble Space Telescope. However, the mission goes horribly wrong when a cloud of space debris damages the ship during a spacewalk and Ryan’s cord is severed.
Matt must devise a way to save Ryan and work with her to find a way home. “A huge and technically dazzling film” [Matt Zoller Seitz – RogerEbert.com] sums this movie up quite nicely, as the visuals were the most praised thing about it. Renowned director James Cameron [The Terminator, Avatar] himself exclaimed, “I think it’s the best space photography ever done… the best space film ever done”. It received a whopping 10 Oscar Nominations! Winning an incredible 7, including Best Director and Best Cinematography. Gravity is available to experience now only on e-stream, and you can watch the teaser by clicking the link below:
From space stations to celestial bodies, next up is the thriller Moon (2009), the directorial debut of Duncan Jones (Warcraft: The Beginning). Lead by the underrated Sam Rockwell (Galaxy Quest, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy 2005; with supporting turns from the likes of Dominique McElligott (Leap Year, The Guard) & Kaya Scodelario (The Maze Runner franchise). Rockwell portrays space engineer Sam Bell, who works for Lunar industries – maintaining a machine on the Moon which mines for an alternative fuel source [helium-3] and launching the canisters of fuel back to Earth (which is an oil crisis). This process is a one-man job, and the little communication Sam does have with Earth is mostly recorded messages from his wife Tess (McElligott).
Sam is nearing the end of his 3-year work contract; however, he suffers an accident one day and awakens with some memory less. The premise follows him as he attempts to discover what happened to him (guided by the stations artificial intelligence – GERTY) and begins to realize everything is not what it seems. A modest release, Moon flew somewhat under the radar with audiences but was lauded by critics – with Damon Wise [The Times] using the words “thoughtful” and “poignant” to describe it. Roger Ebert exclaimed, “Moon is a superior example of that threatened genre, hard science-fiction”. Available only on e-stream, you can watch the interesting opening scenes of the movie by clicking the link below:
Going back to the 2010s, we have the epic Interstellar (2014) directed by the renowned Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight Trilogy, Oppenheimer). Set in a dystopian future of the year 2067, its cast includes: Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyer’s Club), Anna Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada) and Jessica Chastain (The Help) among others. The premise centres around widowed former NASA pilot Joseph Cooper (McConaughey) who is drafted into the latest mission (Endurance) in a line designed to send astronauts to a distant galaxy to search for a new home for humans (who are on the brink of extinction due to a world blight).
Though his children attempt to dissuade him, he agrees to go as it may be their last hope of survival. He is accompanied by a crew of scientists led by Dr. Amelia Brand (Hathaway). Beginning their journey by travelling through a wormhole near the planet Saturn, they are woefully unprepared for what is to come next. Interstellar was well-liked by the majority being praised for its visuals, with Dave Calhoun [Time Out London] labelling it – “a bold, beautiful cosmic adventure story”; and also, its scientific acumen and accuracy, with theoretical physicist Michio Kaku stating that it – “could set the gold standard for science fiction movies to come”. It won Best Visual Effects at both the Oscars & the BAFTAs. Loan it now, only on DVD from the Library. You can experience the truly spectacular wormhole scene now by clicking the link below:
Lastly, one year after Nolan’s attempt, Sir Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Alien) decided to try his hand at a realistic space drama with, The Martian (2015). Based on the 2011 novel by Andy Weir [also available to loan in the Library], it boasts a large ensemble cast with household names such as; Matt Damon (The Bourne franchise), Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels (Dumb & Dumber), Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years A Slave) and Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids). Taking place mainly on Mars in the year 2035, it focuses on astronaut and botanist Dr. Mark Watney (Damon), a member of the Ares III mission crew. The mission is a 31-day expedition on Mars, however half-way through a severe storm forces them to evacuate at the behest of the Commander Melissa Lewis (Chastain).
In the ensuing chaos, Mark is accidently left behind, believed to be deceased. When the mistake is realized, Watney must figure out how to stay alive long enough for the team back on earth led by Director of Missions Vincent Kapoor (Ejiofor), to figure out a way to rescue him and bring him home. The Martian was a smash-hit with critics and audiences alike – praised for its themes, emotional core, humour and scientific authenticity. Aerospace engineer Dr. Robert Zubrin called it “the first genuine Mars movie… the first movie that attempts to be realistic.” Watch it now on e-stream or DVD. View the exhilarating opening scene by clicking the link below:
Experience the vastness and magic of space liked you’ve never scene it before with these visionary pieces of art. It’s also a perfect way to wind down after exam resists for those of you that sat them.
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