The words that sum up Apollo 11 hark back to magic – yes, this paen to science (technology, maths, physics) and humanity (bravery, a compulsion to explore, even teamwork) is spellbinding, entrancing, mesmerising. An extraordinary event deserves an extraordinary movie documenting it, and Apollo 11 is certainly that. In a modern era where there are few… Apollo 11 (Sundance London) Read More
Ad Astra trailers: the answers we seek are just outside our reach…
*** my review is now live (slightly spoilery) *** …and you’re going to have to wait until September for them too. Sorry. Still, these trailers are a great introduction to the much-anticipated movie. I love trailers about space that have soaring music, and movie stars with fishbowls on their heads dangling off the outside of a… Ad Astra trailers: the answers we seek are just outside our reach… Read More
Pulsar (Short Film) Short Film 3.5 stars
Jonah (David Gyasi), an intergalactic peacekeeper, has refused his latest assignment – to help the people of the warlike planet Ninevah, which is under threat. Yes this is a retelling of the Bible story Jonah And The Whale, in which Jonah refused God’s instruction to take his message to the godless city of Ninevah and… Pulsar (Short Film) Read More
Out Of Blue 3 stars
“Observation changes the result” we find out in Carol Morley’s timely thriller Out Of Blue. It’s a theory in physics, but it’s also interesting because of what it says about art and its audience. This is, the opening titles state, “a Carol Morley film”. Though maybe it isn’t any more? That’s a side issue though,… Out Of Blue Read More
2001: A Space Odyssey (Cannes 2018) 5 stars
I’m usually that person saying it’s okay to watch movies any way you can – Netflix, cinema, laptop, mobile phone. Hell, download it to your own eyeball then look for explanations in a recently-discovered ancient cave painting, if it works for you. But 2001: A Space Odyssey is one that, if you get the chance,… 2001: A Space Odyssey (Cannes 2018) Read More
Event Horizon 4 stars
“I created the Event Horizon to reach the stars. But she’s gone much, much further than that… When she crossed over she was just a ship. But when she came back she was alive” says Dr Weir, a man either possessed or insane, or possibly both, as the horrors on board the newly-reappeared spaceship Event… Event Horizon Read More
Dark Star 4 stars
Set in the 22nd century, Dark Star chronicles the lives of the crew of the eponymous spaceship – already in space for two decades, they are tasked with destroying unstable planets so Earth can potentially colonise other planets nearby. Contact between the Dark Star and Earth is perfunctory and occasional at best. Mission Control back on Earth make it clear… Dark Star Read More
Silent Running 4 stars
Scifi purists look away now, because the reason I didn’t watch Silent Running for years was because I kept getting it mixed up with Logan’s Run, where Jenny Agutter lives in a world where people are only allowed to live until they’re 30. It’s a fun film to watch in your youth but as you can imagine at… Silent Running Read More
Passengers 2.5 stars
Poor Jim. Waking up 90 years early on a space flight to a new planet, with only a third class ticket. Third class means no frills. Which means Jim is not even allowed a latte, just an ordinary coffee, FOR 90 LONG YEARS. I know, Instagram posts would drop by a third. Chris Pratt is Nice Jim… Passengers Read More