Moon (2009)
By: Duncan Jones (director, story), Nathan Parker (screenplay)
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey
Astronaut Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has helped diminish our planet’s power problems.
Having this site and posting a review everyday is a learning process. If you’re unaware, I’m a film studies student, and while I’m not entirely sure what I plan to do with that degree once I earn it, I do know that talking about movies is something I want to do. I read some advice late last year that essentially said, if you have a dream job, start doing it right away, even if it’s on a small scale and even if you’re unskilled; start doing it now. I’m less than a month into my resolution and I feel like I’m slowly learning how to do this, but one thing I’ve not figured out yet is how to properly review a film that I don’t want to spoil for readers.
Take Moon, an elegant space drama helmed almost entirely by the ever-talented Sam Rockwell. This is a movie which is not simply good, but an experience unto itself, full of mystery and heartache and personal reflection, but there isn’t much else that I can say that won’t ruin it for any of you who haven’t seen it yet. And if there’s one thing I never want to do with a truly good movie, it’s ruin it for other people.
Moon has an impact. Artistically, emotionally and intellectually, it hits hard. I was afraid that this would be something of an art house piece: a vehicle for Sam Rockwell’s tremendous talent but little more. There were certainly moments when I was confused and moments when I was astonished, but I was never bored, and while Rockwell was predictably wonderful, as a movie, Moon holds itself up, a sort of perfect storm of cinematic talent.
And did I mention that it was directed by David Bowie’s son? I’m sure that Duncan Jones is sick of being referred to that way, but if that doesn’t make a guy awesome, I don’t know what does.
“one thing I’ve not figured out yet is how to properly review a film that I don’t want to spoil for readers”
I combat this by going out of my way to spoil! But I think that’s because I’m the kind of person who reads reviews only after I’ve seen a film. And it’s funny, because I want to read reviews that have opinions on specifics in the film; so many of the ones you find in standard places are glorified plot synopses with bonus info on how the actors or director fared. I want details, damnit! Which explains my own writing style.
Also, I have this moment of anxiety for every post here where I can’t see the rating until I start to scroll, and on the ones that I loved (like this movie), I’m always “Oh god, I hope she liked it…”
so many of the ones you find in standard places are glorified plot synopses with bonus info on how the actors or director fared
Ugh, yes. Which isn’t to say that I can’t admire the style of, say, Roger Ebert. But a LOT of the more famous critics have very little appeal to me. I enjoy your reviews, but I know that you’re very spoilery, so I don’t read them as much as I otherwise would. I had several people tell me that they were looking forward to my reviews as recommendations for what to watch, so I tend to feel like I can’t be quite as explicit as you are. Well, and I think some movies you can spoil and some you can’t, if that makes sense.
I have this moment of anxiety for every post here where I can’t see the rating until I start to scroll
LOL. We’ve actually been agreeing on a lot of films lately, I’m surprised.
Well, and I think some movies you can spoil and some you can’t, if that makes sense.
Definitely. I just saw Crazy Heart tonight and (for once!) I didn’t want to spoil what I thought was a great introduction for the main character, so I said it was awesome and left it at that.
I had several people tell me that they were looking forward to my reviews as recommendations for what to watch
Haha, I hate it when people tell me that. Make your own damn decisions!
We’ve actually been agreeing on a lot of films lately, I’m surprised.
Yeah, it’s weird. I’m sure the world will fall back into alignment soon.
That was supposed to be in reply to your reply to my comment, but clearly I am incapable of using threaded comments.
I am so glad you liked it, man. This was one of those movies last year which I fell completely in love with and wanted everyone to love, too.