New On DVD: Duncan Jones’ ‘Moon’
Not one, but TWO of my favorite films from last year came out on DVD and Blu Ray today. Duncan Jones’ astonishing feature film debut Moon and veteran Kathryn Bigelow’s action-packed war flick The Hurt Locker are now available in stores and online. Moon is a brilliant science fiction epic the likes of which haven’t been seen for a long time in mainstream cinema. 2009 was a kind year to sci fi fans, but also provided us with films that remind viewers why gimmicks and effects aren’t always the right way to go (Avatar). So films like Moon and District 9 are a welcome change to the sci fi enthusiast, recalling the days of provocative and intellectual story telling in place of sweet explosions and huge f*****g robots. Duncan Jones is already working on his next project, and there are talks of him returning for a sequel to his debut. His possibilities right now are endless, and I only hope that he continues to make films as awesome as his first one. Check out the synopsis for moon below from IMDb and a trailer at the bottom of the post.
With only three weeks left in his three year contract, Sam Bell is getting anxious to finally return to Earth. He is the only occupant of a Moon-based manufacturing facility along with his computer and assistant, GERTY. The long period of time alone however has resulted in him talking to himself for the most part, or to his plants. Direct communication with Earth is not possible due to a long-standing communication malfunction but he does get an occasional message from his wife Tess. When he has an accident however, he wakens to find that he is not alone. He also comes to realize that his world is not what he thought it was.
Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker is straight up action, and this is a director that knows action very well. Having plenty of experience in the genre with films like Point Break and Strange Days, Bigelow has crafted a fantastic white-knuckle thrill ride in the setting of modern day Iraq. Free of any social commentary, the film follows an Army bomb squad as they painstakingly carry out their every day duties. I haven’t witnessed on screen tension like this in a long time, and Bigelow does an excellent job making sure that the tension is the only thing you’re focused on. Forget about the setting, forget about the politics, this is straight up action… and it is absolutely glorious. Check the synopsis from IMDb below and the trailer at the bottom of the post.
An intense portrayal of elite soldiers who have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world: disarming bombs in the heat of combat. When a new sergeant, James, takes over a highly trained bomb disposal team amidst violent conflict, he surprises his two subordinates, Sanborn and Eldridge, by recklessly plunging them into a deadly game of urban combat. James behaves as if he’s indifferent to death. As the men struggle to control their wild new leader, the city explodes into chaos, and James’ true character reveals itself in a way that will change each man forever.
-William Gutheil
