Ridley Scott’s movie based on Andy Weir’s book follows the Robinson Caruso on Mars template. Matt Damon’s character is accidentally marooned on the Red Planet. The book and movie both revel in the science of survival. On a planet where nothing grows, Damon grows potatoes (he’s a botanist!). Damon’s character takes his dire predicament in stride with confidence and humor. But disaster strikes again, and time is running out for the only man on Mars. The focus of the movie shifts to the NASA administrators and scientists who try to develop a plan to recover their stranded astronaut. I wish Ridley Scott had found something more for Kristen Wiig to do other than to stand around and look pensive. If you like movies like Apollo 13 you’ll love The Martian. Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Michael Peña, Sean Bean, Kate Mara, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Donald Glover fill out the first-rate cast of The Martian. GRADE: A-
“Robinson Caruso on Mars ”
That made me laugh – how would Caruso’s voice sound in that thin atmosphere?
Wolf, I’m glad you caught my little joke! You will really enjoy THE MARTIAN.
Good cast. I’m sure we’ll see it, as it is what Jackie calls a “big screen” movie.
How come WordPress stopped saving my information? I’ve had to retype it the last two days.
Jeff, WordPress gets cranky sometimes. Sometimes when Patrick does a WordPress upgrade, the commentator information vanishes. Annoying!
I’ve had to re-type mine in too. It may be in your settings, George, and not just “cranky” software (since software only does what it’s told to do).
Rick, I have never touched the settings on my blog. Patrick is the “Administrator.” I just post stuff.
I was wondering too – so I put in just my first name and now my comment is in moderation …
So again:
I like that “Robinson Caruso” – wonder how his voice sounds in the thin Martian atmosphere …
Wolf, this is a bravado role for Matt Damon. He’s onscreen a lot in THE MARTIAN. There’s a powerful moment when Damon hears the voices of his crew mates after two years of reading text messages.
Tonight we see it. Saw the drug cartel one-can’t remember the exact spelling –last night. Scary and good but BREAKING BAD was better.
Patti, I’m seeing Sicario in a couple of days. You and Phil might find the 141-minute THE MARTIAN a tad too long.
Hey, George. Could you ask Patrick if he has any idea why any comment on my blog comes through to my email with the name Chris on it. I wrote blogger but no answer? This just started about a month ago. There is a joke in here somewhere but I haven’t found it.
Also Emily Blunt stands around looking pensive and worried during most of that drug cartel movie.
Patti, I’ll ask Patrick your technical question as soon as I track him down. I think he’s in Santa Fe this weekend (the kid is always on the move). Yes, too many movies waste talented actresses by just having them stand around and look pensive. It infuriates me.
Barbara may see this when she goes to movie watch with her friend, but they’re still deciding what to see. I’m not sure there’s enough plot interest on which to spend that amount of time.
Rick, Matt Damon’s character shows plenty of ingenuity in stay alive in an alien environment. Ridley Scott knows how to make a movie look eye-popping. The subject matter would have to engage you to see through a 141-minute movie.
Thanks, George, but:
141 minutes – at our age that’s a no go, at least for the cinema, so we’ll have to wait for the blueray – or maybe my wife’s son will find a way to download it (in Hungarian of course …)
I just looked it up on wiki – read some interesting stuff:
It was filmed mainly in the studio in Budapest!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Martian_%28film%29
And a funny coincidence:
The novel’s author, Andy Weir has something in common with Isaac Asimov:
He’s afraid of flying …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Weir_%28writer%29
Wolf, there’s an app that tells you when to “take a break” during a movie so you don’t miss anything important. Yes, Ridley Scott did a lot of THE MARTIAN in Budapest. Costs in the U.S. are way too high!