I recently re-watched Silent Running on DVD and it struck me that this was a movie that could only have been made in the early '70s.

Then I saw the trailer for the new movie Moon:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/moon/

I'm not suggesting it is a remake of Silent Running, but it seems to belong to the same sub-genre (one-actor, indie space epics).

At the very least it should prove that there are some science fiction movies out there that aren't sequels, prequels, or remakes.

Alright...

You sucked me in with the title of Silent Running, which is one of my favorite 70's SciFi films (I also just recently watched it). I couldn't help but check out the promo....

Interesting - a modern SciFi film that manages to eschew all the trappings of what's currently being offered in the genre as of late. I wasn't so sure when I saw Sam Rockwell's name (I can't help but recall his role in Galaxy Quest), but it still looks really good. It's a very simple premise, but so many possibilities.

I'll gladly stand in line for this one!

Bryan

Cool.

Go out to the official site http://www.sonyclassics.com/moon (http://www.sonyclassics.com/moon) and read the press kit:

"I have always been a fan of science fiction films. In my mind, the golden age of SF cinema was the ‘70s, early ‘80s, when films like Silent Running, Alien, Blade Runner and Outland told human stories in future environments. I’ve always wanted to make a film that felt like it could fit into that canon". - Director Duncan Jones

That really does look like it might have potential.

Kevin Spacey was really an inspired choice for the computer voice.Hard to think of anybody else that would be as good as a modern day Hal 9000.

I wasn't so sure when I saw Sam Rockwell's name (I can't help but recall his role in Galaxy Quest), but it still looks really good. It's a very simple premise, but so many possibilities.


Rockwell can be obnoxious(remember Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy), but he can deliver in dramatic parts with a strong director. I liked him in Frost/Nixon and The Assasination of Jesse James, even though I thought Assasination was a pretty bad movie.

I can really see the genetic connection there to old-school "last man" sci-fi movies.

But am I the only one who was able to piece together the entire plot from what was shown in the trailer? I don't know anything about the movie except what I saw in the trailer and here is what I think it is:

Oh yeah, POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD??????

Big Bad Corp sets up a mining op on the Moon. Realizing it's too expensive to rotate crews, they grow (or send in one batch) clones to run the show. Aided by a Hal like computer who is in on the lie, one clone at a time is given the same implanted memories of a wife and kid back home to keep him motivated. He gets regular pre-recorded messages from the wify, and he lives and works hard for the day at the end of his 3 years term when he'll get to go home ...which is most likely his expiration date (or worse, the bean counters figured out that efficiency drops off after 3 years). Until one day, clone number 678 figures it all out ofter stumbling on another clone copy of himself. In classic old-school style, he battles it out with Hal 2, finds all the secret compartments that tell the back story, and he may even steal a shuttle to return to Earth where he finds that all human life has been gone for a very long time and he is alone ...meanwhile, back on the moon Hal 2 initiates another meaningless three year cycle with another hapless clone ...just as it has for centuries.

I could be wrong. Maybe there is more to it or maybe I mis-pieced things, but I don't think so. What is the point of giving so much of the story away in a teaser instead of stopping short so as to, ya know, tease? Example: rather than showing the scene with the full lines, "who is this ...and why does he look like me?", a slightly edited "who is this..." gets the job done without spoiling anything.

John O.

I can really see the genetic connection there to old-school "last man" sci-fi movies.

But am I the only one who was able to piece together the entire plot from what was shown in the trailer? I don't know anything about the movie except what I saw in the trailer and here is what I think it is:


John O.

I made similiar connections from the trailer, maybe we've both see too many movies. However, I saw an interview with the director (who's David Bowie's son btw) and when describing the film he was pretty upfront and matter-of-fact that Rockwell meets a clone of himself, he didn't act like it was some Usual Suspects-type twist he was revealing, and he directly said it was a clone. If we're right, they don't seem to be trying to be secretive about it, so maybe it's a little deeper than that.

I'm actually a bit more jazzed about seeing this than Star Trek, the movie (and Rockwell's performance) have been getting really good reviews on the indy film sites.

Sometimes, knowing the gist of story is not the point. Sometimes, the journey the creators takes us on is the real gem.

Sometimes, knowing the gist of story is not the point. Sometimes, the journey the creators takes us on is the real gem.

Oh, I completely agree. I used to argue this point about the new BSG all the time, the unfolding of the story is often more important than the bald plot points. I just found that after viewing the trailer it didn't seem there's much left for me to spend 10 bucks on except an expanded version of what I've already seen.

John O.

I've seen the film, and you won't be disappointed. The word "gem" is overused by critics, but in this case it's an apt description. Moon is the sort of smart, emotional, imaginative and original sci-fi low-budgeter that comes along far too seldom.

Trek is a lot of fun, but Moon will stay with you.

Too bad they didn't get Joan Baez to sing the opening scene.

Too bad they didn't get Joan Baez to sing the opening scene.

They made a far better choice imho, Clint Mansell, who did the soundtracks for Requiem for a Dream and The Fountain. The music in the trailer is from the score.

Too bad they didn't get Joan Baez to sing the opening scene.
Or the director could have gotten his father to help out.

"Ground Control to Major Tom..."

Has anybody besides Rob actually been able to see the movie? Near as I can tell from Fandango & the IMDB, it's not playing anywhere in Florida.

I had read on one of the indy film boards that Sony has a bad history with promoting & theatrically releasing smaller films, unlike say Miramax. Looks like they were right.

This link (http://www.sonyclassics.com/moon/dates.html) shows where it will be opening. It seems to be slowly opening around the country. It looks like it will playing in Florida starting July 10th.

Here in the Twin Cities, it's opening in our major "art theater" next weekend.

This link (http://www.sonyclassics.com/moon/dates.html) shows where it will be opening. It seems to be slowly opening around the country. It looks like it will playing in Florida starting July 10th.

Here in the Twin Cities, it's opening in our major "art theater" next weekend.

Well, I was wondering when it would come round these parts. When I saw that the film had been released on June 12, I've been checking theater listings every Friday to see if it had shown up yet. It looks like I'll have to wait another week as it comes to Sacramento next Friday. About damn time, too.

Bryan

This link (http://www.sonyclassics.com/moon/dates.html) shows where it will be opening. It seems to be slowly opening around the country. It looks like it will playing in Florida starting July 10th.

Here in the Twin Cities, it's opening in our major "art theater" next weekend.

Handy link, thanks:thumbsup:

I can really see the genetic connection there to old-school "last man" sci-fi movies.

But am I the only one who was able to piece together the entire plot from what was shown in the trailer? I don't know anything about the movie except what I saw in the trailer and here is what I think it is:

Oh yeah, POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD??????


If it's 3/4 as good as your extrapolation it'll be a good movie. hmmmm July 3 in Atlanta.

I'm surprised nobody's started a threat about this movie--looks like it's going into somewhat wider release today so more people will have a chance to see it. It's a sci fi movie with Sam Rockwell as a guy whose job is to monitor an automated mining system on the moon--by himself. It's a cross between Silent Running, 2001, Space: 1999 and Outland, and it's a FEAST of miniature work the likes of which we haven't seen in movies in years. There are big six-wheeled moon rover trucks, giant ore processing machines on treads, a space station and even somewhat of a takeoff on the Outland shuttle. I can't imagine we'd ever see kits but there are some great diorama and vehicle possibilities in the movie.

We discussed it a little while ago here.

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?t=253863&highlight=moon

I think the limited release also limited the discussion. Now that it's getting out there, things should pick up. I want to see it.

The first time I even heard about Moon was in a Cinefex magazine a few weeks ago. Looks like it might be pretty good. I'm actually more interested in this however:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjihaK7HfGs

Wow Jeff...That does look like a cool movie...Thanks for the Heads up this is the first I've heard of this :thumbsup:
Mcdee

District 9 looks cool too--BTW I said 'space station,' I actually meant a moon base--what's remarkable about Moon is the scope of the miniature work. I can't wait to read the Cinefex article because this is going to be the first piece I'll read in years where the whole article isn't just about how images were rendered on computer.

So Bowie's son came up with the story and directed Moon.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1512910/
Didn't know that...

Zowie! :)

I saw it and enjoyed it quite a bit--it IS a gem, and I'm SO glad I didn't see the trailer--all I knew about the movie was the bare bones situation and that the double of Rockwell is a clone--although they solve that mystery in short order in the movie. It definitely does homage to Silent Running, 2001, Blade Runner and a surprising amount of Outland...if you're a modeler though you've got to see this movie for the miniature work. $5 million total budget--that's amazing.

...what's remarkable about Moon is the scope of the miniature work. I can't wait to read the Cinefex article because this is going to be the first piece I'll read in years where the whole article isn't just about how images were rendered on computer.

If you're interested in the miniatures then check out the latest issue of Sci-Fi and Fantasy Modeller which has an 18 page spread on the miniature work...

http://www.scififantasymodeller.co.uk/

I think it's available from the Cultman site...it's not cheap but it's the best magazine of its kind out there

That's great to know--the Cinefex piece was fine but too short for my money; I'm looking forward to the SF&FM piece.

This film just reinforces (as did Silent Running) that scarcity and creativity can go well together.

Saw it last night. Not your typical flashy Hollywood movie - very cerebral. The trailer doesn't give away all the twists and turns. Like others have said, the miniature work on the lunar surface and exterior shots is amazing.

Definitely :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Rob
Iwata Padawan

Definitely would like to see Moon. Kinda nice to see space films that are a little off the cuff that don't follow standard operating procedure. One that I began to like quite a bit after a few viewings was Sunshine. Really unexpected swings in that story. Not everybody's cup of tea and even my initial reaction was 'What the hell was I just watching?' But after another viewing it started to grow on me.

The Empire website has a video interview with Duncan Jones:

Part 1 (http://www.empireonline.com/interviews/interview.asp?IID=892)
Part 2 (http://www.empireonline.com/interviews/interview.asp?IID=893)

What I really appreciated about Moon was that it truly felt like I was watching an undiscovered early 70's SF film. Even the score seemed reminiscent of Silent Running at times, and the pacing was very much of that era. I also appreciated the nods toward 2001 and Outland.

A truly great film that is a welcome relief from the rather empty-headed, two-hundred-million-dollar-plus, flash-cut, Michael Bay-type cgi drivel that passes for most "sci-fi" films of today.

I saw it yesterday, and I really enjoyed it. It's about time there was a thoughtful s-f film again. I'm weary of the very loud and very stupid movies that embrace visceral impact over challenging ideas and characterization.

I thought Sam Rockwell was incredible. I couldn't take my eyes off him in both of the roles. He really conveyed two characters thinking and feeling in this situation.

And yeah, the FX are great, both model and CG. The whole film was probably made for the catering budget of Star Trek. Lots of creativity and resourcefulness.

Lee

I saw "Moon". My rating for it is; zero yawns.

Latest Trek film: 3 yawns.

Subjective of course but the way it was for me.

Go to see "Moon", use "Trek" DVDs as coasters.

My vote is zero yawns for Moon, zero yawns for Star Trek, ten thousand yawns for the ten thousandth sour grapes post about Star Trek...now we can begin closing the thread!

Going to drag the kidletts to this tonight. Kicking and screaming if necessary. They made me see Bruno last night. I'm still trying to cleanse the awfulness from my inner eye. Moon may be just the ticket. I'll give a full report later (moon, not bruno).

What I really appreciated about Moon was that it truly felt like I was watching an undiscovered early 70's SF film. Even the score seemed reminiscent of Silent Running at times, and the pacing was very much of that era. I also appreciated the nods toward 2001 and Outland.

A truly great film that is a welcome relief from the rather empty-headed, two-hundred-million-dollar-plus, flash-cut, Michael Bay-type cgi drivel that passes for most "sci-fi" films of today.

That pretty well sums it up. Couple things I felt:

Kevin Spacey is one of my favorite actors. His voice is so unique however, that I felt it a distraction as the computer's voice; they needed an unknown to voice the computer.

The need to have a man on the moon to monitor/repair equipment and send the shipments to earth was a bit contrived. Some greater reason to go to that expense was needed. But once you accept this as a given then the rest of the story follows.

Another movie in this genre is Solaris. I liked Solaris much more. I was left a bit wanting by the story in Moon, but Sam Rockwell's part was well acted and worth the price of admission.

Worth a rental: the special effects don't warrant seeing it on the big screen.

I really enjoyed it, a bit predictable, but ultimately enjoyable. I was nice to watch a movie where the storyteller didn't feel the need to pander to any demographic or rush the material.

I wonder if Gerty the robot was intended originally to have a voice at all? It seems the emoticons he displays are redundant, but maybe it's Spacey's voice that was added. In my mind's eye, the movie without Spacey voicing the computer would be more interesting and edgy.

Finally saw Moon over the weekend and was very surpised at how good it was. While I don't take back my comments earlier in this thread about the foolishness of giving the entire plot away in the movie trailer, it was still outstanding even knowing what was coming. I will say that this is a movie where the acting and presentation are so superior, it really doesn't matter if you know the plot; watching "how" it unfolds is far more important than the "what it is". Old Sam's phone call home near the end is genuinely heartbreaking.

Of course, the effects are nearly 100% believable, as are the settings convincing.

Highly recommend!

John O.

Yeah, I just watched it yesterday and I didn't even detect a hint of Silent Running other than going against "the man".

...I didn't even detect a hint of Silent Running other than going against "the man".

I think there's Silent Running in that it's the lonely outpost kinda thing, with only your computer or "yourself" to talk to.

John O.

Of course, the effects are nearly 100% believable

I don't think that new-fangled idea of using 'models' for special effects will ever catch on!

I was so fortunate to be able to see this last year in a theater (the ONLY place that played it in all over overdeveloped Orange County was a cinema next to UCI. Thank goodness for theaters in college towns. SO, as a result, it's nice to see a movie without the usual cineplex suburban doofuses.

It really is criminal that wonderful movies like this are so rare and cretinous steaming piles like 2012 and Transformers hit it big, but all that conceit aside and on to another, I was even able to highly recommend this movie to friends who actually went to see it and loved it as well and recommended it to others.

On the plus side, it seems to be doing decently in DVD sales and everyone that's seen it speaks highly of it...there may be hope yet.

Five million dollar budget. Just amazing. The DVD supplements detail the effects production, and I was never once aware when watching it for the first time that a lot of Gertie's articulated arms were CGI. And of course the miniature work was beautifully serviceable to the story and not in the interest of just being showstopping attention-getters (write this down, Roland Emmerich, you big hackarooney, you).

Kevin Spacey is one of my favorite actors. His voice is so unique however, that I felt it a distraction as the computer's voice; they needed an unknown to voice the computer.

The need to have a man on the moon to monitor/repair equipment and send the shipments to earth was a bit contrived. Some greater reason to go to that expense was needed. But once you accept this as a given then the rest of the story follows.

Another movie in this genre is Solaris. I liked Solaris much more. I was left a bit wanting by the story in Moon, but Sam Rockwell's part was well acted and worth the price of admission.

Worth a rental: the special effects don't warrant seeing it on the big screen.


I agree completely. Watched it on the small screen last night. Story holds up well for a second viewing.

FX are reminiscent of a Gerry Anderson show. Nothing wrong with that, they look fine.

I wish one of Kubrick's advisers would inform the film making world that in space no one can hear you scream. Rover wheels crunching as they roll over the moon's surface is another unnecessary distraction.

I watched it a few months ago on my son's recommendation. I thought it a very well done film. And I hope Duncan Jones treats us to more in the future.