Friday, November 21, 2014
Apollo 18 (2011)
Apollo 18 is the biggest conspiracy theory since the faking of the moon landing. This found footage film documents NASA's "real" last manned voyage to the moon, which had been kept top secret due to what the astronauts found there. It's a brilliant premise, although I don't think it quite lived up to my expectations, and a lot of that may be due to its clever but ultimately less than compelling interpretation of extraterrestrial life. A lot of reviewers mention the copious plot holes, but I was mostly able to overlook them. The movie succeeds in creating a tense atmosphere, and there is some good mystery involved, even if the film doesn't deliver on its potential - this could have been an excellent "Lovecraft in space" story. It's not a really great film, by any standards, but I don't think it's as bad as it's been given credit for, either. Certainly, it's a unique setting for a found footage film, and if you like films like these, it's worth a watch.
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I have a major 'thing' for this type of story because I just go ga-ga over the idea of being on some desolate planet or moon, days from even reaching Earth. It's the most obliterating and beautiful loneliness.
ReplyDeleteFelt this movie was decent. A similar movie you might want to watch is Europa Report. Very similar, not amazing but I'd probably say it's a little better. And Europa... ooh, imagine being there. So, so far from Earth. On a tiny little ice moon. Chilling.
Cue Pink Floyd's Marooned, lol. Have you seen Interstellar? It has quite a bit of that feeling, with the added tension of mankind back home being on the verge of potential extinction. Plus, it's a fantastic movie.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it's funny you mention Europa Report (or maybe not such a coincidence) - Netflix recommended it to me after watching Apollo 18, and I was already planning to watch it within the next few days!
Also, looking forward to seeing Mockingjay sometime over the Thanksgiving holiday!
Haven't seen Interstellar but I'd like to see it someday. Looking forward to Mockingjay as well. Hasn't gotten the best of reception but it's my favorite book of the trilogy and Part One is bound to be full mostly of exposition, nuance, and detail -- which is way better than action in my book! Deathly Hallows Part 1 was my favorite HP film too.
ReplyDeleteSomeday? SOMEDAY? What are you waiting for? :-p
ReplyDelete