Today I did something that I rarely do. I paid to see a new movie. I usually like to wait a year or 30 before I watch a movie. I like to make sure that all of the reviews are in before I spend any money. But something drew me to see The Martian (2015). I think it’s because Chris Matthews dropped a major spoiler on “Hardball” when he interviewed the story’s author Andy Weir.
So on a Saturday afternoon, I found myself sitting in the theater wearing my high-fashion 3D glasses. Yes, I made the mistake of picking a 3D movie when I was interfacing with the machine that has replaced the human ticket seller. Did you know they now have assigned seats? But that’s another issue.
Back to The Martian (2015). I am going to say right off the bat that this was a very fine movie. The CGI was amazing and didn’t really need the 3D effect to carry the movie. Jessica Chastain was amazing but that is to be expected. There was a rather large and talented supporting cast and it was great to see Kristen Wiig expand beyond her comfortable comedy roles. However, the movie had enough comedy in it to break the tension that pervaded the movie.
Go see this movie in the theater. This movie brought back memories of a few older movies and if you are like me you might want to check out these older films where many of the plot elements can be seen.
Of course, the first movie that I thought of was Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964). IMDb summarizes the movie as “Stranded on Mars with only a monkey as a companion, an astronaut must figure out how to find oxygen, water, and food on the lifeless planet.” This is not so different from the dilemma of Astronaut Watney. Of course, Watney didn’t have a monkey or a Man Friday. Or did he? Beep.
The next movie on the list is Dark Star (1974) written and directed by John Carpenter. IMDb says “In the far reaches of space, a small crew, 20 years into their solitary mission, find things beginning to go hilariously wrong.” I thought this in for the problems with solitude and the inherent comedy. Our supply of toilet paper has been destroyed.
The third movie hits very close to The Martian (2015) except it’s a little closer to home. IMDb says of Marooned (1969) “Three American astronauts are stranded in space when their retros won’t fire. Can they be rescued before their oxygen runs out?” It is a very intense movie and does a good job showing the mission command side of the problem and the political considerations that must be made. And there might be a special visit from an old enemy. Also, Gene Hackman stars as one of the astronauts.
The final movie Capricorn One (1977) is very different than The Martian (2015) but it shows another side of mission control and it’s just a good movie. IMDb states: A NASA Mars mission won’t work, and its funding is endangered, so they decide to fake it just this once. But then they have to keep the secret…”
I am recommending that you see The Martian (2015) on the big screen but check out these other four movies. Remember you have to know where you have been to know where you’re going.
Must See Video
Reviewed Sci-Fi Films
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Godzilla (1954) Classic Movie Review 315
If nuclear testing continues, then someday, somewhere in the world, another Godzilla may appear. – Godzilla (1954) Godzilla (1954) Giant The post Godzilla (1954) Classic Movie Review 315 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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Krull (1983) Classic Movie Review 260
Only the king and his Lord Marshall carry this key! Today on Classic Movie Review, we are taking on Krull The post Krull (1983) Classic Movie Review 260 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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When Worlds Collide (1951) Classic Movie Review 216
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Logan’s Run (1976) Classic Movie Review 215
Fish, plankton, sea greens… protein from the sea! Today on Classic Movie Rev, we are taking on Logan’s Run (1976). The post Logan’s Run (1976) Classic Movie Review 215 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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The Last Starfighter (1984) Classic Movie Reviews 205
Greetings, Starfighter. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the frontier against Xur and the Ko-Dan armada. The post The Last Starfighter (1984) Classic Movie Reviews 205 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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Archaeologist Dr. David Anderson Talks Science Fiction for Archaeology and the Movies Series
Archaeologist Dr. David G. Anderson of the University of Tennessee Knoxville joins us today to share his expert knowledge on The post Archaeologist Dr. David Anderson Talks Science Fiction for Archaeology and the Movies Series appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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Them! (1954) Classic Movie Review 169
What kind of sense does that make? Is sugar a rare cargo? Is there a black market for it? Did The post Them! (1954) Classic Movie Review 169 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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Forbidden Planet (1956) Classic Film Review 160
Another one of them new worlds. No beer, no women, no pool parlors, nothin’. Nothin’ to do but throw rocks The post Forbidden Planet (1956) Classic Film Review 160 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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Westworld (1973) Classic Movie Review 155
Oh, well, I think it would be – The Men! I just feel marvelous. I mean it’s just a warm, The post Westworld (1973) Classic Movie Review 155 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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Marooned (1969) Classic Movie Review 147
You know of course that by 22:31:06, the crew will be dead. Today’s movie is Marooned (1969). This movie is The post Marooned (1969) Classic Movie Review 147 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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Capricorn One (1977) Classic Movie Review 145
Hey, Dr. Kelloway. Funny thing happened on the way to Mars. Some people believe the moon landings were faked. Those The post Capricorn One (1977) Classic Movie Review 145 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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The Time Machine (1960) Classic Movie Review 144
The war between the east and west which is now in it’s three hundred and twenty-sixth year Today’s movie is The post The Time Machine (1960) Classic Movie Review 144 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) Classic Movie Review 143
Gort, Klaatu barada nikto Today’s movie is The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). Directed by Robert Wise, this is The post The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) Classic Movie Review 143 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) Classic Movie Review 122
In the beginning God created beast and man so that both might live in friendship and share dominion over a The post Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) Classic Movie Review 122 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) Classic Movie Review 121
An emperor ape might do slightly better? – Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) Today’s movie is Conquest The post Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) Classic Movie Review 121 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) Classic Movie Review 120
I am an archaeologist, I can even draw one. Today’s movie is Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971). The post Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) Classic Movie Review 120 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) Classic Movie Review 119
They will dissect you! And they will kill you! In that order! Today’s movie is Beneath the Planet of the The post Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) Classic Movie Review 119 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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Planet of the Apes (1968) Classic Movie Review 118
Maniacs!! You finally blew it all up! – Planet of the Apes (1968) Today’s movie is Planet of the Apes The post Planet of the Apes (1968) Classic Movie Review 118 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956) Classic Movie Review 102
When an armed and threatening power lands uninvited in our capital, we don’t meet him with tea and cookies! – The post Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956) Classic Movie Review 102 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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Back to the Future (1985) Classic Movie Review 88 MPH
When this baby hits 88 miles per hour… you’re gonna see some serious shit. Today’s movie is Back to the The post Back to the Future (1985) Classic Movie Review 88 MPH appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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World Without End (1956) Classic Movie Review 28
Armageddon. The slaughter of humanity. An atomic war no one wanted, but which no one had the wisdom to avoid. The post World Without End (1956) Classic Movie Review 28 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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First Men in the Moon (1964) Classic Movie Review 22
Madam, the chances of bagging an elephant on the Moon are remote. First Men in the Moon (1964) is a The post First Men in the Moon (1964) Classic Movie Review 22 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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Night of the Lepus (1972) Classic Movie Review 16
Attention! Attention! Ladies and gentlemen, attention! There is a herd of killer rabbits headed this way and we desperately need The post Night of the Lepus (1972) Classic Movie Review 16 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964) Classic Movie Review 13
All this trouble over a fat little man in a red suit! Ho ho Ho Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kicking The post Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964) Classic Movie Review 13 appeared first on ClassicMovieRev.com.
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