Moon (2009 film): Difference between revisions
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==Critical reception== |
==Critical reception== |
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''Moon'' received positive reviews at the Sundance Film Festival.<ref>{{cite news | last=Flynn | first=Gaynor | url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/brits-in-the-thick-of-it-at-sundance-1514545.html | title=Brits in the thick of it at Sundance | work=[[The Independent]] | date=24 January 2009 | accessdate=24 February 2009 }}</ref> Damon Wise of ''[[The Times]]'' praised Jones's "thoughtful" direction and Rockwell's "poignant" performance. Wise wrote of the film's approach to the science fiction genre, "Though it uses impressive sci-fi trappings to tell its story—the fabulous models and moonscapes are recognisably retro yet surprisingly real—this is a film about what it means, and takes, to be human."<ref>{{cite news | last=Wise | first=Damon | url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/film_reviews/article5575266.ece | title=Poignant tale of starman waiting in the sky | work=[[The Times]] | date=24 January 2009 | accessdate=24 February 2009 }}</ref> Duane Byrge of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' applauded screenwriter Nathan Parker's "sharp [and] individualistic" dialogue and how Parker combined science fiction and [[authoritarian personality|Big Brother]] themes. Byrge also believed that cinematographer Gary Shaw's work and composer Clint Mansell's music intensified the drama. Byrge wrote, "Nonetheless, 'Moon' is darkened by its own excellencies: The white, claustrophobic look is apt and moody, but a lack of physical action enervates the story thrust." |
''Moon'' received positive reviews at the Sundance Film Festival.<ref>{{cite news | last=Flynn | first=Gaynor | url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/brits-in-the-thick-of-it-at-sundance-1514545.html | title=Brits in the thick of it at Sundance | work=[[The Independent]] | date=24 January 2009 | accessdate=24 February 2009 }}</ref> Damon Wise of ''[[The Times]]'' praised Jones's "thoughtful" direction and Rockwell's "poignant" performance. Wise wrote of the film's approach to the science fiction genre, "Though it uses impressive sci-fi trappings to tell its story—the fabulous models and moonscapes are recognisably retro yet surprisingly real—this is a film about what it means, and takes, to be human."<ref>{{cite news | last=Wise | first=Damon | url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/film_reviews/article5575266.ece | title=Poignant tale of starman waiting in the sky | work=[[The Times]] | date=24 January 2009 | accessdate=24 February 2009 }}</ref> Duane Byrge of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' applauded screenwriter Nathan Parker's "sharp [and] individualistic" dialogue and how Parker combined science fiction and [[authoritarian personality|Big Brother]] themes. Byrge also believed that cinematographer Gary Shaw's work and composer Clint Mansell's music intensified the drama. Byrge wrote, "Nonetheless, 'Moon' is darkened by its own excellencies: The white, claustrophobic look is apt and moody, but a lack of physical action enervates the story thrust." |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 13:24, 8 April 2009
| Moon | |
|---|---|
| File:Moonposter.jpg Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Duncan Jones |
| Written by | Duncan Jones Nathan Parker |
| Produced by | Stuart Fenegan Trudie Styler |
| Starring | Sam Rockwell Kevin Spacey (voice) |
| Cinematography | Gary Shaw |
| Edited by | Nicolas Gaster |
| Music by | Clint Mansell |
| Distributed by | Sony Pictures Classics |
Release date | June 2009 |
Running time | 97 min. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Moon is an upcoming science fiction thriller film about a solitary lunar employee who finds that he may not be able to go home to Earth so easily. The film is the feature film debut of commercial director Duncan Jones, and actor Sam Rockwell stars as the lunar employee. Kevin Spacey voices his robot companion. The film premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival in January 2009. Sony Pictures Classics will commercially distribute the film in the United States and Canada in June 2009.
Premise
Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is an employee contracted by the company Lunar to mine on the moon the natural gas Helium 3, which could reverse Earth's energy crisis. Sam is stationed at the lunar base Selene with only a robot named Gertie (voiced by Kevin Spacey), but two weeks before completing his three year assignment, he begins feeling out of place. An extraction goes wrong, and Sam suspects Lunar of trying to replace him as he realises someone else is on the Moon.[1][2]
Production
Moon is the first feature film directed by commercial director Duncan Jones, who co-wrote the script with Nathan Parker.[3] The film was specifically written as a vehicle for actor Sam Rockwell.[4] The film homages the films of Jones' youth, such as Silent Running (1972), Alien (1979) and Outland (1981).[2] Jones described the intent, "[W]e wanted to create something which felt comfortable within that canon of those science fiction films from the sort of late seventies to early eighties."[5] The director spoke of his interest in the lunar setting, "For me, the Moon has this weird mythic nature to it... There is still a mystery to it. As a location, it bridges the gap between science-fiction and science fact. We (humankind) have been there. It is something so close and so plausible and yet at the same time, we really don't know that much about it." The director described the lack of romance in the Moon as a location, citing images from the Japanese lunar orbiter SELENE, "It's the desolation and emptiness of it... it looks like some strange ball of clay in blackness... Look at photos and you'll think that they're monochrome. In fact, they're not. There simply are no primary colours." Jones referenced the photography book Full Moon by Michael Light in designing the look of the film.[6]
Since Moon was a film on an independent budget, the director set rules to minimize production, including keeping the cast small and filming in a studio.[5] Moon was produced at Shepperton Studios in the United Kingdom,[3] where it filmed for 33 days.[5] Jones preferred using models instead of digital animation.[2] Jones hired effects specialists who worked on Silent Running for his film. He also hired a set designer from Alien to help design the lunar rover used in the film.[7] The moon base was created as a full 360-degree set, being 85-90 feet long and approximately 70 feet wide. The film's robot, Gertie, was designed to be bound to a rail within the base since the tether was critical storywise.[5] The visual effects were provided by Cinesite, who sought cut-price deals with independent films.[8] Since Jones had an effects background with commercials, he drew on his past experiences in creating effects under a small budget.[5]
Cast
- Kevin Spacey as Robot (voice)[9]
- Sam Rockwell as Sam Bell
- Kaya Scodelario as Eve Bell
- Matt Berry as Overmeyers
- Malcolm Stewart as The Technician
- Benedict Wong as Thompson
- Dominique McElligott as Tess Bell
- Robin Chalk as Sam
Release
The sales company Independent is handling international sales for Moon.[10] Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group acquired distribution rights to the film for English-speaking territories.[3] Moon premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival in January 2009.[11] Sony Pictures Classics will commercially distribute the film in June 2009.[12]
Critical reception
Moon received positive reviews at the Sundance Film Festival.[13] Damon Wise of The Times praised Jones's "thoughtful" direction and Rockwell's "poignant" performance. Wise wrote of the film's approach to the science fiction genre, "Though it uses impressive sci-fi trappings to tell its story—the fabulous models and moonscapes are recognisably retro yet surprisingly real—this is a film about what it means, and takes, to be human."[14] Duane Byrge of The Hollywood Reporter applauded screenwriter Nathan Parker's "sharp [and] individualistic" dialogue and how Parker combined science fiction and Big Brother themes. Byrge also believed that cinematographer Gary Shaw's work and composer Clint Mansell's music intensified the drama. Byrge wrote, "Nonetheless, 'Moon' is darkened by its own excellencies: The white, claustrophobic look is apt and moody, but a lack of physical action enervates the story thrust."
References
- ^ "Moon". ShockTillYouDrop.com. Coming Soon Media, L.P. Retrieved 27 December 2008.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b c "News Etc". Empire. February 2009. pp. 20–21.
- ^ a b c Siegel, Tatiana (5 May 2008). "Sony lands 'Moon' rights". Variety. Retrieved 27 December 2008.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ Dawtrey, Adam (14 January 2009). "U.K. co-productions storm Sundance". Variety. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ a b c d e Douglas, Edward (23 January 2009). "Sundance EXL: Duncan Jones & Sam Rockwell on Moon". ComingSoon.net. Coming Soon Media, L.P. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ Macnab, Geoffrey (23 October 2008). "Moon rising: Two new lunar movies are taking viewers back into orbit". The Independent. Retrieved 27 December 2008.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ Marshall, Greg (16 January 2009). "Sundance goes sci-fi with 'Moon'". Park Record. Media News Group.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Dawtrey, Adam (7 November 2008). "London's CG houses share digital wealth". Variety. Retrieved 27 December 2008.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ Moon (2009): Full cast and crew
- ^ Dawtrey, Adam (11 March 2008). "Independent flies to 'Moon'". Variety. Retrieved 27 December 2008.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ McCarthy, Todd (4 December 2008). "More star power at Sundance". Variety. Retrieved 27 December 2008.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ Swart, Sharon (23 January 2009). "Sony Classics nabs 'Moon'". Variety. Retrieved 24 January 2009.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ Flynn, Gaynor (24 January 2009). "Brits in the thick of it at Sundance". The Independent. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ Wise, Damon (24 January 2009). "Poignant tale of starman waiting in the sky". The Times. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help)