In the future Earths energy crisis is solved by the discovery of an unidentified metal found on the dark side of the moon. It is so pure that only one mining station is needed to get the ore to Earth and just one person and a computer run the place.
The man is Sam Bell. Hes signed up for a three-year stint that is a couple of weeks from ending.
His companion is GERTY, an omnipresent computer programmed to anticipate and meet his every need. Sam has cabin fever big time and is struggling with his sanity.
An early twist in Moon means I cant tell you much about the story. Though its a dark drama, most of the fun for you and for the actors is found in the plot pivot.
Duncan Jones son of rock singer David Bowie directs and developed the story. He and first-time screenwriter Nathan Parker pack Moon with excellent but not really real-looking special effects. Jones doesnt spend a lot of money on the sets or push them in your face. They are simple toy trucks on a gray moonscape with a picture of the Earth sometimes posted in the background.
Here, less is more, and they work brilliantly.
Jones also gives Sam Rockwells Bell and Kevin Spacey -- voicing the computer -- a creative, complicated, and best of all, intelligent plot to play with.
Other than The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, most of his work has been limited release in art houses, and Rockwell has seen very little exposure to mainstream audiences.
Few can do a character with quirks better than Rockwell. If you didnt see it, a great example is to check out last summers Choke, a dark little ditty about mental illness and sex addiction.
Moon gives Rockwell another opportunity to stretch, and he bounces off Spaceys dry menace perfectly.
Their fun is yours.
Fans of sci-fi should not miss Moon. See it early because it wont be here long. Non-fans of the genre ought to give this one a shot, too.
Mr. Movie rating: 5 stars
Rated R for mature themes but could even pass for PG-13. It opens Friday, July 10 at the Carmike 12.
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
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2011's best, worst and a few observations on 20 years as a film critic
2011's best, worst and a few observations on 20 years as a film critic
First some observations: If you're just interested in my best and worst of the year picks, scroll down. They're easy to find.
Two remarkable things about 2011.
No. 1: As I write this, I am wrapping up 20 years as the Tri-City Herald's film critic. No. 2: Last year I cried at a movie. Actually, I cry at a lot of movies but for a much different reason than you suspect. But more on that in a bit.
'The Debt' don't go into hock to see it
'The Debt' don't go into hock to see it
When a movie sits on a shelf for a year after the original release date is set it’s usually the kiss of death.
Plot flaws, bad acting, zero marketing budget and a host of other problems plague them.
This is not the case of the now-released The Debt or for last week’s Don’t be Afraid of the Dark . The official reason for the delay of both films is not plot problems or a marketing budget but the sale of distributor and art house fave Miramax.
'Contraband' smuggles into your good graces
'Contraband' smuggles into your good graces
Sometimes, all it takes to kick a movie up a notch is to change the setting.
Take werewolf movies. You know what you are getting with a werewolf movie. Lots of shots of the moon. Ghouly old forests filled with mist and moss. And a small village full of tight-lipped locals who are so damn rude they don't even warn the tourists about the high risk of getting devoured by night-monsters.
Pretty tired, right? But what if this was set on the moon itself ?
'Safe House' lots of camera movement for non-moving plot
'Safe House' lots of camera movement for non-moving plot
The movie is Safe House . It is anything but safe.
Denzel Washington is Tobin Frost, a rogue agent the CIA has been hunting for years. He has a mysterious chip that a very violent group wants. They corner him and faced with certain death, Frost — who is in South Africa — turns himself in at the American Consulate.
Ryan Reynolds is Matt Weston. He’s a CIA rookie running the safe house. Nothing ever happens there. He spends every day alone with nothing to do. His safe his is where they take the captured Frost. The men chasing Frost seem to know he’s there. They raid the safe house, kill Frost’s elite guard forcing Weston and Frost go on the run.
'Don't be Afraid of the Dark' offers few reasons to worry
'Don't be Afraid of the Dark' offers few reasons to worry
Emphasis. Don’t. That’s “don’t” as in Don’t be Afraid of the Dark .
This movie won’t leave you afraid of the dark or much else. No leaving the lights on for the night when you get home. No checking rooms and closets or peeking under the bed worried that something creepy might be there.
Nope. In the 99 very slow minutes of Don’t be Afraid of the Dark an expected jump or two is about all you get. And they’re not even that good.
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