SXSW Film Preview: Moon

Who does crazy better than Sam Rockwell? Seriously, even in that Charlie’s Angels he was pretty bitchin’, looking all kinds of nuts (didn’t he do a split or something? What kind of villain does that?). And when he played the game show host who thought he was CIA, that was pretty believable. Sure, he can play a normal guy, or a sad sack guy, but looneys are what he does best.

In Moon, Rockwell plays an astronaut in the near future, who has been working on the lunar surface for three years. Now it’s time to go home, but all that time alone has given him a serious case of the paranoids. Or, has it opened up his eyes to an actual conspiracy? Has the normal guy gone crazy? Or is he just a pouty face who doesn’t want to go home?

We’re hooked based on the premise alone, and the fact that an awesome actor like Rockwell has the lead only sweetens the deal. On top of all THAT, director Duncan Jones has helmed some pretty cutting edge stuff, starting out as a “wild cam operator” (we don’t know what that is, but it sounds awesome) for action movie god Tony Scott (a little movie called Top Gun? Anyone?), so he’s BOUND to know his cool-ass shots.

To recap: Sci-fi thriller with interesting premise. Excellent actor with great crazy eyes. Hot new director. In space. You in line yet?

Moon screens Saturday, March 14th at 7:30 PM at the Paramount. Check your friendly neighborhood SxSW Film Guide for more information.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By mateoraneo in Arts & Entertainment on March 12, 2009 3:00 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

nickc

the movie is amazing BTW

nickc

Seth, I totally agree with you, but that's why later in the week you get drunk at free day music shows and go to the re-screenings with the pass (or indv. tickets)- to catch the "gems" you might have missed. And if it's a one-off screening, you still stand a good chance with a pass to see it at the Paramount (not so much S. Lamar) because it's HUGE.

seth

Just to give more of a breakdown to my earlier post, not to debate msfrederick, who I am in agreement with that Observe and Report might be a good watch....

Early bird film badge: $300

14 screenings (hustle and you might see this many movies)

Cost per movie on a badge: $21

Film pass: $65

10 screenings (less popular movies you could get into)

Cost per movie on a pass: $6.50

So, the passes get reasonable if you can make it inside ten screenings, but if you do get into a screening on a pass, it's less likely that you're watching one of the festival gems.

Seth

mateoraneo

If I were only going to one film, though, this might be it. You know the Apatow gang's

movies (I love you Man, Observe and Report) are going to be good, and in general, you know what the good ones will be this year, bt this one? It seems under the radar, and as I said, the premise is killer.

seth

I'm excited to hear there's finally some hollywood money getting allocated to the sci-fi genre. The last few years have been pretty vacant. Seems like hollywood can't stop churning out horror re-makes or franchise serials.

But I'll wait for this thing to come out in a regular theatrical release. SXSW prices don't work out very well per screening:

Badges $350, Film Pass $65, Individual Tickets $8

With a pass, you might get into a few movies, and individual tickets rarely work out for getting into the popular movies.

Seth