This is tough to do this plus the A to Z Challenge but here we go with this week's theme which is Astronauts. To find out what the the others have picked, head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves to see. Here are my three....
1. FORBIDDEN PLANET-1956
I love this movie because it is pretty classy and has some intelligence to it. Yes, this is an early film with the great Leslie Nielsen of the Naked Gun series, who stars as the Captain of a spaceship who land on a planet and find it inhabited by just 2 people, a man and his daughter. Now this daughter is very innocent despite the very, very short skirts she wears and has no idea that her father is ready to go all creepy nuts when he sees she has feelings for the Captain (and vice versa). The crewmen start getting killed, and no, they are not wearing red shirts, so the Captain and his right hand man, the Doc, try to figure this out. This also brought Robbie the Robot to our attention.
2. SPACE COWBOYS-2000
Now this is just goofy fun and not to be taken seriously even if there are some key issues here...namely aging and death but hey! It's still fun. These 4 were the pioneers for the Space program and they are asked to come back since there is some satellite having issues and the technology is so old that only these guys would have a clue to know how to fix it. I love the camaraderie of the 4 actors and wished that Donald Sutherland and James Garner had bigger roles. They play their parts well and it is just a nice movie.
3. THE MARTIAN-2015
I was concerned about this movie since everyone was gushing over this like they did with Gravity(Bleccchhhhh). Anyhoo, this film is excellent and I was really taken with the acting of Matt Damon who had to carry the picture and make it interesting. There were real nail biting scenes along with some very comical ones and done in such a way that it all worked and you can picture that this could actually happen. The effects are great as well as the story. You know Matt Damon's character gets stranded on Mars but then the story starts from there and is special. I would see it if I were you.
Haven't seen any of these, yet, but I will see The Martian soon. I also hope to watch Forbidden Planet soon. It's one of those movies I "almost" watched about a thousand times. I'll continue to pass on Space Cowboys, though.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes the two movies you wish to see are great. Space Cowboys is not a major film but just fun especially if you don't want to think for a couple of hours.
ReplyDeleteOne I've seen and two I have not seen. Can you guess which one? If you guess Forbidden Planet is the one I have seen, then you have guessed right. I love that film. I really need to pick it up some time. I still want to see Space Cowboys, but have not made up my mind about the third one. I think I need to start visiting the cinema more. Even if I have to go alone, which is something I hate to do.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Forbidden Planet great? I love it. I was on the fence with The Martian and I saw it with a little reluctance but once it started to get going I was hooked and that is mainly due to Matt Damon's acting.
DeleteHere is an interesting note. I just started watching Lost in Space and the episode I watched last night was called, "War of the Robots" It featured Robbie the Robot as the evil alien robot. Crazy, he looks like such a friendly Roboticon.
DeleteI loved The Martian. I was so happy to see Ridley Scott do something great again. And Matt Damon just nailed the role, and carried the whole film wonderfully.
ReplyDeleteHe did and it was so nice to see Ridley Scott making another excellent film.
DeleteI think I saw Space Cowboys but haven't seen the other two movies. I hope to see The Martian in the not too distant future.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll enjoy the Martian.
DeleteI loved The Martian. I also chose it, and it's the only one I've seen from your picks.
ReplyDeleteI always smile because you see so many great films that I have not seen but you have not seen many films I have seen. the Martian is excellent
DeleteHi, dear Birgit!
ReplyDeleteAs I told you the other day, I enjoyed Leslie Nielsen's performance in Forbidden Planet. I have seen the movie several times over the years, beginning at age six when it was released. Anne Francis was a dazzler as "Alta," daughter of Dr. Morbius (Walter Pidgeon). As a kid, I was fascinated by space travel and Forbidden Planet captured my imagination with Robby the Robot, the mysterious invisible force field around the camp, the frightening invisible creature born of Morbius's dreams, unlocking the secrets of the Krell, etc.
I have not seen the other two films but would like to see the one with Matt Damon.
Thank you, dear friend BB!
Gotta love Anne Francis in this little dresses. I love that movie and Robbie the Robot even though I lost my heart to the robot from lost in Space. I think you will like The Martian because it's well acted and has some great scenes that you could see happen built in with humour
DeleteI saw two of these movies!!!! That is an accomplishment. I did like Space Cowboys, in fact when I saw the theme, even before I saw your picks, I thought of that movie.
ReplyDeleteWe recently saw The Martian. I too thought it was very well done and you are right, Matt Damon carried his part very well.
betty
I always liked Space Cowboys and felt it was a nice homage to people who age but can still do work. Matt Damon is the film, to me anyway.
DeleteThe only one of these I've seen is Space Cowboys. That was a good movie, and I liked it a lot. I've noticed that I dig most Clint Eastwood movies (acting and/or directing). I haven't seen The Martian. I'm not a big Matt Damon fan, but maybe that's okay...
ReplyDeleteI like Clint Eastwood too and like most of his films like Gran Torino. Matt Damon carries the movie so not sure you will like it.
DeleteOf the lot of 50's sci-fi Forbidden Planet is probably the top of the line while still being preposterous. Be that as it may Nielsen plays it all stiff upper lip and Anne Francis is never less than picture perfect in her get-ups despite being zillions of miles from the closest beauty parlor!
ReplyDeleteI liked but didn't love Space Cowboys, I agree the camaraderie of the cast is what made it worth seeing.
I wasn't blown away by The Martian, the parts with Matt Damon were terrific as was he but whenever it turned its gaze from him it flattened out. A decent movie but one watch was enough for me.
My first thought was the great duo of Apollo 13 and The Right Stuff, two of my favorites, but I was expecting to see them everywhere today so I went in search of more obscure titles. However so far they haven't shown up so now I'm kicking myself!
Capricorn One (1977)-While awaiting the launch of the first manned flight to Mars the command center realizes too late to abort that a malfunction in the support system will kill the astronauts during the journey. Needing a success to continue the program the astronauts are whisked away to a false lunar surface in the desert and the entire mission faked. When the spaceship burns up on reentry and the hoax is at risk of being exposed it becomes a cat and mouse game as the astronauts fight for survival.
Silent Running (1971)-All botanical life on Earth has ceased to exist, ecologist/astronaut Freeman Lowell (Bruce Dern) oversees a greenhouse on an orbiting space station to preserve various flora and fauna for future generations. Assisted by three robots and a small human crew who see no value in maintaining the forest, Lowell rebels when orders arrive to destroy the greenhouse in favor of carrying cargo, a decision that puts him at odds with everyone but his mechanical companions. Lowell and his robots are forced to do anything necessary to keep their invaluable greenery alive. A quiet and meditative take for the most part on the shortsightedness of the human race.
The Reluctant Astronaut (1967)-Agoraphobic Roy (Don Knotts) runs the kid spaceship ride at the fairground but his father hopes for better and applies to NASA for him. Surprisingly he’s accepted…as a janitor. After many crazy complications Roy ends up in space as the title pilot! If it sounds preposterous, it is but then it’s a Don Knotts comedy after all.
I was going to pick Apollo 13 too but thought it would be everywhere..we were both wrong:) I had to laugh with Anne Francis in her little outfits with only her dad around....hmmmmm. I have not seen Capricorn One not Silent Running which I have heard good things about both. I have seen The Reluctant Astronaut and thought it was a fun movie but I haven't seen it in a long time.
DeleteSpace Cowboys was fun, still haven't watched The Martian. Agreed, Gravity was a bit meh. Not sure what the hype was on that one.
ReplyDeleteI can't stand Gravity and don't get how everyone thinks it's a fantastic film. The Martian is 10 times better
DeleteI loved—loved—The Martian. Yes, Matt Damon did an excellent job... Any other year he would've gotten that Oscar, I think. (There was a funny meme about him and Di Caprio arguing about that... Wish I could remember how it went.) You said it: nail-biting galore, and laughter too, which is a weird combination—but it worked very, very well. It also made me curious about the book (which is also weird, at least for me).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visits over at Life In Dogs, Birgit... I'm far behind on replies and visits back, but I've loved every single one of your comments, as well as the bits you've shared about your dogs. Thank you for that...
That movie is quite good and so enjoyable. I am loving your blog
DeleteI haven't seen ANY of these and I have usually seen at least one of the films you mention. I feel like I'm missing out so I will have to search them out!
ReplyDeleteThat's Purrfect
I you hope you get to see one of these movies
DeleteBIRGIT, I haven't seen any of these. Well, you know, not Mr. SciFi Fan here.
ReplyDeleteI can't even think of a single "Astronaut" movie I like. And the thought of NASA ("Never A Straight Answer") employing a bunch of prior Nazi rocket scientists and wasting all our tax dollars on nuttin' kinda makes me mad.
Oops. Did my sense o' fun slip slip? I can't always keep that slip up.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
WHOA! CORRECTION!
DeleteJOEL's comment reminded me of 'CAPRICORN ONE'. I do like that movie because it spilled some real beans. That movie was closer to fact than fiction.
~ D-FensDogG
Yes, after the war the states and Russia were both trying to grab these former Germans and, even if these certain German may have done serious wrong, they were exonerated because they could further the other country's own gain. I have not seen Capricorn One. One day...one day
DeleteI just finished reading "The Martian" and really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to watching Matt Damon's take on it.
ReplyDeleteUsually the book is better but it will be neat to see what you think
DeleteI want to read the book first. Then I'll decide about the movie.
ReplyDeleteThe book is al out always better
DeleteI just saw The Martian rather recently. Enjoyed it immensely.
ReplyDeleteIt is really quite good isn't it.
DeleteAll of these were entertaining.
ReplyDeleteThey are and I love them all actually.
DeleteHaven't seen The Martian (yet) but I loved the other two.
ReplyDeleteIf you love the other 2 you will love The Martian.
DeleteI really liked Space Cowboys. When I saw your title, I thought of it.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good movie about older people who should be valued
DeleteThe Forbidden Planet holds so many hidden mysteries. Its such a basic film and yet compelling to watch right down to the last detail. all will be revealed by the great Dr Morbious who sounds like Darth Vader, hmmmm I wonder?
ReplyDeleteI love this film because Gene Roddenberry was inspired by this film from what I read. I loved that the ID was the monster and that there was so much more hidden things to look into
DeleteI need to see Forbidden Planet then. Love sci-fi, and love Leslie Nielsen. And I'm glad to hear I wasn't the only one that didn't like Gravity. It received so-called critical acclaim, and yet I thought it was a 90 minute yawnfest of Sandra Bullock flailing around in the vastness of space.
ReplyDeleteOh I think you will really like Forbidden P,a net from Robbie the Robot, to Anne Francis in little outfits. It really shows a great race that can still succumb to basic emotions. I thought Gravity sucked and laughed at her in the little shorts, being able to read Chinese and doing things that an accomplished astronaut would have trouble with never mind someone who is up there on their first mission.
DeleteLOVE Forbidden Planet, especially the robot! The Martian was one of my favorites from last year.
ReplyDeleteRobbie is great! The Maryian is excellent and loved the story
DeleteAha! Forbidden Planet is on my Blindspot list this year - saving that one. I truely loved The Martian, i was worried too at first about the hype but it lived up to it.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on Gravity. It's pretty to look at but I just didn't like the story. So I am looking forward to seeing The Martian, it looks much more interesting.
ReplyDelete