Currently Browsing: Arts & Entertainment
Indie film ‘Moon’ eclipsed by Hollywood blockbusters, but still pulls at viewers’ emotions
Photo courtesy of the Official Moon Website.
Written by Haleigh Krantz - Staff Writer
Moon is a science fiction film that transcends all the sci-fi genre’s cliches. Although revolving around an astronaut on an isolated moon base, Moon also fits into the psychological thriller genre with it’s exploration of solitude and the effects on the human psyche. Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) has to spend three years extracting ‘helium-3’ from the lunar soil, to be used as clean energy back on earth. The film opens with him nearing the completion of his contract and preparing to go home to his wife and child. But before the two weeks are up, strange things began to happen.
Unfortunately there is not much more I’m able to say about the plot without ruining the wonderfully delivered plot tense. This is Duncan Jones’ directorial debut, and I can’t wait to see what he does next. The first half of the movie had me saying to the screen ‘Wait, what?’, but instead of being frustratingly confusing like most movies that attempt these sort of intricate plot lines, it was satisfyingly suspenseful. It went places while still leaving the viewer tense. Kevin Spacey lends his voice to Sam’s robot, Gerty, and he does so with all the poignant monotony that he is so well known for. Moon grabs onto you and absolutely refuses to let go. It’s one of the most creative movies I’ve seen in a long time, and Jones executes this intriguing story with all the grace of a veteran filmmaker.
It’s upsetting that Moon has so far been ignored by the major award shows. Although having an 89% Fresh rating on the well regarded movie review site, ‘Rotten Tomatoes’ and winning Best Film at the British Independent Film Awards, it seems people aren’t quite sure what to make of Moon and the sci-fi hybrid plotline.
This is a movie that anyone who’s even vaguely interested in the sci-fi genre, the drama genre, or the thriller genre should see. Moon will capture your attention from start to finish and you will enjoy every minute of the movie. Go out and rent this gem of a film as soon as you can!
April 20th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Great to see you writing in the A&E Haleigh!!