wickford, Local Online News Community, Forums, Chats, For Sale, Classified, Offers, Film Reviews, Events, Motors Sale, Property For Sale Rent, Jobs, Hotels, Taxi, Restaurants, Pubs, Clubs, Pictures, Sports, Charities, Lost Found
  1. Published on: 26/10/2018 06:41 PMReported by: Film Critic
    Plot: The story of the first Moon landing seen from Neil Armstrong's Perspective

    There were so many reasons why I was excited to see this film.

    I've always been fascinated by space, the space race and a successful space drama goes a long way with me.

    Plus, with it being directed by Damien Chazelle who directed the brilliant Whiplash and the very enjoyable La La Land, you have to expect this to be another Oscar contender.

    It's hard to know where to begin with this. For the most part, I was simply flawed by it. What I loved about this, was the approach to this story.

    Naturally, you would expect to see high powered American's heavily involved in the story and we see how the space race develops at the high end of American society.

    However, what we get is all from Neil Armstrong's perspective which was great to see. We understood more about his family and how he was taking in all the media attention. I was aware of Armstrong' humble personality and that anything he did in life was all done very professionally and he never came off as this larger than life character.

    So it was totally refreshing to see this monumental human effort be shown in this way. It never felt sensationalized or sugar coated. It felt really grounded and made it more of a human story rather than about the moon landing.

    What they also covered was the sacrifices people had made in the build-up to this final moment, and seeing all it just made the pay-off even stronger and more impactful. There is one tragedy that apparently is fairly well known to people who were around at that time. However, I had no idea, and seeing it happen on screen was just crushing to watch.

    The performances from a solid ensemble cast all came to the party. While Ryan Gosling's performance is not trying to get attention, it was exactly as I expected as I am aware of Armstrong's very low-key persona. During the numerous terrifying space scenes when things were going wrong, Gosling showed Armstrong's professional and calm approach to situations perfectly. Those moments put the stamp of approval on that I was watching Neil Armstrong rather than Ryan Gosling. It just shows that in an age where Marvel and DC rule the cinemas at the moment, that heroes can come in all shapes and sizes.

    Claire Foy was a really big surprise for me. Firstly, I had no idea she was in this so that initial shock of seeing her was nice. But as the film went on, her performance just continued to elevate. But there is one moment just as we went into the final act that was astonishing that could be the scene that gives her a chance of winning Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars. I've seen enough of Foy in films and TV shows to know how she is probably the most exciting female actor to watch right now. But this supporting role caught me completely off guard as the role of the astronauts wife in previous films in usually rather one-note in its execution. But Foy made the most of her screen-time and did something very powerful with it.

    It was really interesting to see how Buzz Aldrin was portrayed by Corey Stoll. If his performance is what Aldrin is really like, then it was fascinating to realise that. His personality of saying what you would think of but never talk about made him come off as a bit of a jerk and that was intriguing to find out.

    There were other notable performances to speak of. Particularly Jason Clarke who had great chemistry with Gosling throughout his development and gave me another character to strongly care about. I also have to give props to the performances by Kyle Chandler and Olivia Hamilton.

    There are lots other positives to speak. There were so many amazing sequences leading up to the event that we are all aware of. But the build-up to it was fantastic, and that just made the pay-off even more breath-taking.

    Also during those sequences, it was really hard to tell what was CGI and what was practical. So if that's case then I guess that they did a brilliant job with the visual effects?

    The cinematography was quite bold in its choice of camerawork. There is a fair amount of 'shaky-cam'. However, I think that was well suited with certain scenes. Don't worry, there is plenty of moments where there are some gorgeous wide shots for the moments that would be best utilised with those types of shots.

    A big positive to mention is the way they executed the various missions. They really make you feel that you were in the cockpit and feeling the almost rickety spacecrafts that there inside of. You can feel the materials that are keeping them alive vigorously shaking about and the claustrophobic environment. All of that just showed how dangerous space travel is. All of those emotions reminded me of similar feelings I had when watching Gravity. While I love finding more about space, it always reminds us how terrifying it can be.

    Also the noise in those scenes were terrific. I saw this in IMAX, and I would highly recommended spending that bit extra to see this film in that format. It really enhances the sound design that I think is a shoe-win for the Oscar win and the images we get were just made to be seen on the biggest screen possible.

    While mentioning Gravity, the film also has one particular moment that is a clear homage to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Be sure to look out for that bit.

    The closest thing to a negative is the very end. While the very final scene gives us a nice subtle emotional gut-punch, it did feel abrupt at the same time. But I think that was totally purposeful by Chazelle to make it unexpected. So I would only see it as a minor negative just for personal reasons rather than from a film-making perspective.

    This film is quite the visceral experience. Chazelle is becoming quite the director. To do this after making two music-centred films finally shows us the variety he has in his arsenal of film-making. After this, I could see many different films being made by him and his team and for sure more Oscars are coming his way.

    I love it that it became a character study and have that independent feel rather than an over-the-top blockbuster and be about the event. It was captivating, breath-taking and I was constant awe of it. I will be surprised if this is not in my top 10 films of the year by the time 2018 is done.

    Rating: 8/10
     

  2. Your Comments:



You are in: UK / Wickford / East of England
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Wickford



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


Film Reviews, Last Cinema Movies, Movies, DVDs
wickfordwickford News


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
wickford Bathroom Supplieswickford Bathroom Tapswickford Bathroom Furniturewickford Bathroom Showerswickford Shower Enclosureswickford Bathswickford L Shaped Bathwickford P Shaped Bathwickford Wet Roomswickford Bath Screenswickford Bath Mixer Tapwickford Bidet Tapswickford Toilet Seatswickford Sanitarywarewickford Combined Toilet Basinwickford Stoveswickford Wood Stoveswickford Home Stoveswickford Cooker Stoveswickford Enamel Stoveswickford Designer Stoveswickford Contemporary Stoveswickford Multi Fuel Stoveswickford Accounts Softwarewickford Sage Softwarewickford Sage Line 50wickford Sage Line 200wickford Pegasus Accountswickford Access Accountswickford Car Servicingwickford MOTgwickford Tyreswickford Car Batterywickford Exhaustwickford Journalist Jobswickford Reporter Jobswickford Writing Jobswickford Freelance Writerwickford Self Employed Jobswickford Franchise Businesswickford Franchise Opportunitieswickford Driving Schoolswickford Driving Lessonswickford Driving Testwickford Driving Theory Testwickford Driving Instruction, 0000 wickford Driving Instructor, 0000 wickford Insolvencywickford Insolvency Servicewickford Insolvency Serviceswickford Liquidation Servicewickford Business Recoverywickford Insolvency Practitionerwickford Bankruptcy Servicewickford Winding Up Petitionwickford Business Financewickford Business Recoverywickford Voluntary Arrangementwickford Individual Voluntary Arrangementwickford IVAwickford Debt Advicewickford Debt Managementwickford Company Administrationwickford Administrationwickford Corporate Recoverywickford Corporate Voluntary Arrangementwickford CVAwickford Corporate Insolvencywickford Corporate Liquidationwickford Members Voluntary Liquidationwickford MVLwickford Partnership Voluntary Arrangementwickford PVAwickford Tax Demandwickford Invoice Financewickford Bridging Financewickford Voucherswickford Dealswickford Matalanwickford Firewoodwickford Fire Woodwickford Kiln Dried Hardwoodwickford Logs For Salewickford Log Supplieswickford Logswickford Firewood Logswickford Seasoned Logswickford Hardwood Logswickford Firewood Supplierswickford Firewood Log Supplierswickford Firewood Dumpy Bagswickford Firewood Crateswickford Cheap Firewoodwickford Homefire Logswickford Cheap Firewood Logswickford Kindle Coneswickford Pizza Oven Logswickford Heating Oilwickford Home Heating Oilwickford Red Dieselwickford White Dieselwickford Keresenewickford Commercial Fuelswickford Calor Gaswickford Propane Gaswickford Butane Gaswickford Heating Gaswickford Horse Trainingwickford Horse Trainerwickford Horse Whispererwickford Equine Whispererwickford Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithwickford Rattan Garden Furniturewickford Rattan Furniturewickford Rattan Sofawickford Rattan Dining Setwickford Rattan Directwickford Cheap Rattan Furniturewickford Rattan Corner Sofaswickford Rattan Day Bedswickford Rattan Sun Loungerswickford Rattan Cube Setswickford Rattan Bistro Setswickford Chimeneaswickford Firepitswickford Patio Heaterswickford Card Payments Processingwickford Credit Card Processingwickford Merchant Serviceswickford Merchant Accountwickford Merchant Paymentswickford Card Machineswickford Card Terminalswickford Online Paymentswickford Worldpaywickford Bouncy Castleswickford Bouncy Castle Hirewickford Garden Trampolineswickford Pramswickford Pushchairswickford Strollerswickford Hauck Pramswickford Huackwickford Childrens Trampolineswickford Baby Mobileswickford Baby Activity Matswickford Baby Bedroom Furniturewickford Childrens Bedroom Furniturewickford Hygiene Vendingwickford Washroom Vendingwickford Air Freshenerswickford Air Carewickford Aerosol Systemswickford Gel Systemswickford Water Savingwickford Urinal Water Savingwickford Eco Capswickford Sensaflushwickford Water Managementwickford Urinal Dosingwickford Urinal V Screenswickford Legionella Risk Assessmentwickford Legionaires Bacterialwickford Odour Controlwickford Odour Eliminationwickford Odour Removalwickford Airsterilwickford Hand Carewickford Hand Creamwickford Hand Soapwickford Hand Washingwickford Hand Dryingwickford Hand Dryerswickford Electric Hand Dryerswickford Fast Hand Dryerswickford Commercial Hand Dryerswickford Energy Efficient Hand Dryerswickford Hand Dryer Rentalwickford Hand Dryer Saleswickford Paper Towelswickford Roller Towelswickford Cotton Roller Towelswickford Blue Roller Towelswickford White Roller Towelswickford Janitorial Supplieswickford Janitorialwickford Cleaning Supplieswickford Cleaning Productswickford Cleaning Equipmentwickford Office Cleaningwickford Home Cleaningwickford Debt Recovery Serviceswickford Debt Recoverywickford Debt Collectionwickford Outsource Credit Controlwickford Collection Agencywickford Debt Collection Agencywickford Commercial Canopywickford Steel Canopywickford Bike Shedswickford Bike Storagewickford Bicycle Storewickford Bicycle Storagewickford Bikes Storewickford Bike Storewickford Outdoor Canopywickford Cycle Shelterswickford Cycle Shedwickford Cycle Storagewickford Cycle Rackwickford Cycle Compoundwickford Cycle Solutionswickford Scooter Storagewickford Scooter Shelterwickford Canopieswickford Canopywickford Play Area Canopywickford Entrance Canopieswickford Entrance Canopywickford Waiting Shelterwickford Smoking Shelterwickford Parent Waiting Shelterwickford Parent Shelterwickford Teen Shelterwickford Nursery Canopywickford School Canopywickford Play Canopywickford Envirolawnwickford Astroturfwickford Cheap Astroturfwickford Artificial Grasswickford Cheap Artificial Grasswickford Astro Turfwickford Artificial Lawnwickford Fake Grasswickford Fake Lawnwickford Fire Stove Glasswickford Heat Resistant Glasswickford Fire Glasswickford Stove Glasswickford Fire Resistant Glasswickford Replacement Stove Glasswickford Glass For Stoveswickford Spill Kitswickford Spill Control Kitswickford Spill Kit Refillswickford Spill Kit Refill GK6wickford Chemical Spill Kitswickford Oil Spill Kitswickford Solar Panelswickford Solar Panels Costwickford Solar Heatingwickford Solar PVwickford Commercial Solarwickford Photovoltaicwickford Dust Matswickford Entrance Matswickford Reception Matswickford Anti Fatigue Matswickford Floor Matswickford Logo Matswickford Washroom Serviceswickford Principal Washroomswickford Washrooms Supplieswickford Washrooms Solutionswickford Sanitary Disposalwickford Sanitary Binswickford Sani Binswickford Lady Binswickford Feminine Hygiene Unitswickford Sanitary Waste Disposalwickford Sanitary Wastewickford Sanitary Unitswickford Feminine Unitswickford Hygiene Serviceswickford Sanitary Bin Supplierwickford Sanitary Bin Rentalwickford Sanitary Bin Rental Serviceswickford General Wastewickford Trade Wastewickford Commercial Wastewickford Business Wastewickford Waste Managementwickford Waste Collectionwickford Cardboard Wastewickford Paper Wastewickford Plastic Wastewickford Glass Wastewickford Biomass Wastewickford Metal Wastewickford Confidential Wastewickford Confidential Waste Servicewickford On Site Shreddingwickford Off Site Shreddingwickford One Off Shreddingwickford Contract Shreddingwickford Dental Wastewickford Dental Waste Disposalwickford Dental Waste Legislationwickford Dental Waste Compliancewickford Accupuncture Wastewickford Accupuncture Waste Disposalwickford Accupuncture Waste Collectionwickford Tattoo Wastewickford Tattoo Waste Disposalwickford Sharps Binwickford Sharps Collectionwickford Hazardous Sharpswickford Non Hazardous Sharpswickford Cytotoxic Sharpswickford Cytostatic Sharpswickford Ink Blockwickford Wet_Wastewickford Tattoo Inkwickford Drug Destructionwickford Drug Disposalwickford Drug Denaturingwickford Unwanted Drugswickford Out Of Date Drugswickford Pest Controlwickford Rodent Controlwickford Bird Controlwickford Bird Proofingwickford Guano Controlwickford Pest Call Outwickford Pest Preventionwickford Pest Deterrentwickford Nursery Wastewickford Nappy Wastewickford Nappy Binwickford Nappy Disposalwickford Nappy Wheelie Binwickford Nursery Waste Disposalwickford Nursery Waste Collectionwickford Incontinence Padswickford Offensive Wastewickford Human Wastewickford Nursing Home Wastewickford Care Home Wastewickford Hazardous Wastewickford Infectous Wastewickford Pharmaceutical Wastewickford Medicinal Wastewickford Medicine Wastewickford Infection Controlwickford Hand Sanitiserswickford Clinical Waste Disposalwickford Clinical Waste Managementwickford Clinical Waste Policywickford EA Registrationwickford Hammockswickford Garden Hammockswickford Adult Hammockswickford Childrens Hammockswickford Baby Hammocks