Ad Astra (Brad Pitt SF)

bnt

I just heard about this today: Pitt stars as an astronaut who "travels to the outer edges of the solar system to find his missing father and unravel a mystery that threatens the survival of our planet". Also starring Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Donald Sutherland. Release was already delayed from January to today, but it's been delayed again until September in the USA, reportedly due to the visual effects taking longer. I'm just surprised it hasn't been mentioned here yet (I searched) or that there's no trailer yet.

Sad Professor

I'm looking forward to seeing what James Gray does with a sci-fi canvas.

peteeeed

https://twitter.com/adastramovie/status/1136165254516346882?s=20

peteeeed

on youtube

Dades

I can't get my head around the plot. It's like a mix of genres. The moonbuggy battle threw me. Love SF so still hoping for good stuff.

If I have a reservation it's that I prefer 12 Monkeys Brad Pitt, to Meet Joe Black Brad Pitt.

He's better when he get a range, and not with a Ryan-Gosling-First-Man type staring into space performance.

brevity

Stopped the trailer half way through. I’m in.

Getting Interstellar and Contact vibes from it. That’s good enough for me.

MfMan

Another excuse for Pott to get high.

pixelburp

Maybe it's how the trailer is cut but I don't really know what this film is meant to be or trying to say. Looks enticing but hard to get a handle on it all the same.

Sad Professor

I was sold on it already just based on the people involved, but it's not a great trailer. Too much plot and makes it looks far more conventional and Interstellar-ish than I suspect it actually is. It's a mid-budget sci-fi movie with a big star and an auteur director. Studios forgot how to market movies like this years ago.

expectationlost

looks like mix of interstellar and gravity... with something about psychology in there

Slydice

I like the look of that!

Space Elevator and Moonbase! Sold!

bnt

It took me a minute to figure out what was going on in that scene where Brad falls to Earth. To me it looks like he's on a space elevator construction rig of some sort, and that's all we see - not the elevator itself, which atthat point could consist of single filaments, invisible to the naked eye. Such a space elevator would be built from the top down, all the way from geosynchronous orbit, 35,786 km above Earth.

In the scene from the trailer, then, they have built down all the way to the stratosphere: we see an airliner flying past below them, in case there was any doubt about that. So at that point Brad is not in orbit, and it's possible for him to fall off. Which explains why he is (a) wearing a parachute at the time, and (b) not dead afterwards. :P

Slydice

This trailer did not look impressive on the IMAX screen this evening before Spider-Man.

Strange, I thought it would have. Space movies usually look well on big screens.

pixelburp

A new trailer has surfaced, a bit more structured than the last one, with a greater sense of the story & setting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxi6rtBtBM0

Sad Professor

Much better than the first trailer, but they still don't seem too sure how to market this. Unfortunately not a new problem for Gray.

Slydice

Each trailer and I'm like... MOON BASE!!!

MisterAnarchy

This looks very promising

pixelburp

Another new trailer has popped up, more focused on Brad Pitt's character and his headspace within the story (as well as the overall plot itself). The trailer's very heavily leaning on the epic scope & action of everything, but I wonder how true that is to the final film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htvVnHnroQ4

Dades

It's hard to do epic in space now without being compared to Interstellar, but it's harder when it seems you've borrowed the score. Shades of Close Encounters, too.

Hopefully it'll be its own thing.

expectationlost

it will be 80% him sitting in a psychologist's chair, 10% Tommy Lee Jones speechifying and we've seen the rest in the trailers.

Hector Savage

Wow, not since Interstellar have I looked forward so much to a sci fi film...

Sad Professor

Much better trailer than the previous ones.

I'd imagine the filmmakers want people comparing it to Interstellar. They hired the same DP after all. And the composer (Max Richter) temp tracked Interstellar as well.

Hector Savage

Wow, visiting Moon, Mars, Saturn and what looks like Neptune !!!
Hope they don't try and pack too much in ....

Slydice

Every single trailer and I'm resold!

JP Liz V1

With this and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, 2020 could be Pitt's year for an acting Oscar

brevity

It was shown at the Venice film festival and seems to be getting rave reviews too.

peteeeed

very good reviews

https://www.metacritic.com/movie/ad-astra

El Duda

I think this will be great but also a financial flop. Just like 2049.

pixelburp

For anyone curious, a clip has been released showing more of the action on the moon, seen in previous trailers.

Suddenly I'm not sure what kind of tone this film is going for, given it involves ...

Moon Pirates!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stOVFXuyyWQ

AMKC

Am looking forward to this and the best part. I have not seen any of the trailers nor do I intend to before watching the film.

TheIrishGrover

I was quite interested in this. Some of the trailers are better than others. Good cast. Liked the look of the trailers to varying degrees... but then..... a moon-chase? I don't know why but that just looked.... looked wrong and silly.

bnt

This is officially out next Friday, though we can go and see it from Wednesday. Initial reviews look pretty positive, particularly regarding Brad. From the Guardian 5* review:

Brad Pitt is an intergalactic Captain Willard, taking a fraught mission up-river in James Gray’s Ad Astra, an outer-space Apocalypse Now which played to rapt crowds at the Venice film festival. In place of steaming jungles, this gives us existential chills. Instead of Viet Cong soldiers, it provides man-eating baboons and pirates riding dune-buggies. It’s an extraordinary picture, steely and unbending and assembled with an unmistakable air of wild-eyed zealotry. Ad Astra, be warned, is going all the way - and it double-dares us to buckle up for the trip.

AMKC

So went and seen this this evening. All I will say is wow what a masterpiece. Find the biggest best loudest screen you can and go enjoy this for the work of art that it is. Best sci-fi film in years. Only one thing I can think was wrong with it was its not long enough. I could have easily sat through another hour of it I loved it that much and the time flew by watching it too.

10 out of 10 for me.

pixelburp

My local cinema (Santry) has a gigantic screen, complete with "Atmos" surround sound, but Ad Astra isn't getting it; no no. Instead it'll continue to show ... ... Downton Abby.

:rolleyes:

Now I don't watch it, and have nothing against the show myself, but that division of screens just doesn't compute (even if I'm guessing punters are streaming in for "big screen" Abby thrills). What a waste of a cinematic canvas.

Will just have to sit closer to the screen I guess lol.

AMKC

pixelburp wrote: »

My local cinema (Santry) has a gigantic screen, complete with "Atmos" surround sound, but Ad Astra isn't getting it; no no. Instead it'll continue to show ... ... Downton Abby.

:rolleyes:

Now I don't watch it, and have nothing against the show myself, but that division of screens just doesn't compute (even if I'm guessing punters are streaming in for "big screen" Abby thrills). What a waste of a cinematic canvas.

Will just have to sit closer to the screen I guess lol.

Well you could go and complain about it and get as many people as you can to go with you. The Point Odeon screen 1 is good but if I were you I would try go watch it at screen 17 Cineworld. Wish I had.

ixoy

I was disappointed with this. It looks and sounds gorgeous but it's also pretentious - it's trying to make some profound points at times but it's heavy-handed with far too many monologues. Pitt does it well but the material itself seems all a bit shallow.

Other elements bugged me too. The director making claims that it's highly realistic, for example, but then:

showing Earth-like gravity on the planets took me right out of the feel of an alien world he was trying to go for

.

The script really isn't as clever as it thinks it is, which is ultimately a shame. I'd echo then that if you are going to see it, do see it on a big screen because the visuals and score are the best thing about it.

johnny_ultimate

Can we officially classify 'middle aged man dealing with family crisis / trauma through epic space adventure' as a subgenre now? Because between this, Interstellar and First Man we've got a lot of that going down these last few years. Thankfully this is probably the best film out of the three, or at least refreshingly different enough to stand apart.

Love the different visions of space travel we're presented with here. From an epic but just about credible man-made construct that opens the film, to the grimly believable hyper-commodified representation of space tourism* (you'd absolutely be charged for a blanket ), to the beautiful, angular, sandy desolation of Mars... just an all round great piece of sci-fi (many) world building. Hoyte van Hoytema is one of the best cinematographers in the business, and thankfully I think Gray as a director is in far less of a rush than Nolan always is so you get more moments to savour the awesome sights before we move on. It's not a particularly slow film, but it does take the time it needs. The score hits the right tone too - absent the bombast you get in most films of this ilk, and instead sort of glides along unusually while keeping with the rhythms of the film.

If you've seen The Lost City of Z, this is operating in broadly the same tonal register - this incredible adventure set against serious, moody contemplation on human folly. While this can often be a bleak, sombre film in that respect, it ultimately lands on a

strange note of thoughtful secular optimism

. It can drift into overly ponderous territory at times, but I mostly appreciated its self-seriousness: it knows exactly what it is.

This is a much more accomplished performance from Pitt than we saw in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood... a few weeks ago. His work there is great, but kinda feels like his brash comfort zone at the same time. This is a much more reserved performance and demands more as a result. He pulls it off. I appreciate how the movie keeps at a distance from him - I mean, it's hard to be totally on board with

the dude who straight up murders three innocent astronauts

- that I for one felt befit the film's overall sense of internalised melancholy. Everyone else is more or less here for a cameo.

Stray thoughts: loved the lunar rover chase, thought that was going to be silly but works great on the big screen. The film gets very on-the-nose

during the 'let me go' sequence in Neptune's orbit

, and while it's briefly a bit eye-rolly I'd absolutely take it over the embarrassing faff of Interstellar's final act any day of the week. It's always good to see a film with such forward momentum - everything kicks into gear nearly immediately - that still feels like it has the time to slow down and contemplate about the bigger picture from time to time. A very fine film.

*extra points for product placement that is not remotely flattering for any of the companies involved

Slydice

I've said it before, I'll say it again.. Moon Base! :)

Just back, saw it in 2D IMAX. It was good but mostly for the setting. The story felt a bit by-the-numbers.
The universe it built was cool. It all felt like it made sense.
I liked that Ruth Negga

was a Martian.. like I particularly liked the idea.. or the way she looked or played it or something.. maybe it's just Ruth Negga

AMKC wrote: »

try go watch it at screen 17 Cineworld. Wish I had.

I did! That scene with the Earth coming in from the right-side of the screen! YUHS!

Shelga

Saw it tonight. 3/5 from me. You'd probably like it more if you're a sci-fi buff. I like the occasional sci-fi movie (loved Sunshine), but between this and High Life earlier in the year, it's overall just not my genre, and that's fine.

I loved the visuals and the tone/atmosphere, but so much of it was just so incredibly far-fetched. Spoilers ahoy!

Why did it have to be Roy in particular who sent the message to his father? Ok yes they were using him for their own means as they knew Clifford had likely gone insane after killing the crew, but still

Him sneaking aboard a spacecraft by swimming underneath Martian waters was stupid.

Why were there rage-filled, 28 Days Later stylee monkeys in space, who were never mentioned again??

Little things bugged me, like when they showed a photo of young Clifford, it was in black and white as though it was taken in 1955, but if this is set say 50 years in the future, there's no way his picture would have been anything other than digital and in colour when he was 25.

When the dad said something like "I never gave you and your mother a second thought after I left, I didn't care" the dialogue was just so unsubtle and clunky, I thought for sure it was going to show Roy was tripping/hallucinating or something, especially as he'd just mentioned the effects of changed gravity (or something) in that region

I don't know, these kinds of films just don't resonate with me emotionally a fraction as much as they do for other people.

Brad Pitt still insanely hot at 55 though :pac:

*edit* Oh may I also commend the director for keeping the length to almost exactly 2 hours. So easy and common for movies like this to be 2 hours 30 minutes long, for no reason. Actually maybe he can give Quentin Tarantino some editing tips.

Drumpot

Yeh I think 6 or 7 out of 10 is fair.

It was an enjoyable slow moving movie that reminded me a bit of moon.

I loved Pitts

inner monologue

, loved his commentary on how his dad would feel about commercialized moon and there was some wonderful world building and scenes on the surface of planets.

But if really lacked something. Anytime I thought it was getting going it fell flat. Ironically I thought the moon

chase

was so offputting as it didn’t really make any sense and was a bit stupid to be fair.I mean Pitt is being sent to

give the message to his dad to supposedly save the world from obliteration and they put their entire fate with a few grunts who get easily picked off by space pirates

. Seriously? A movie like this actually didn’t need any

fight scenes

. Don’t get me wrong I like good space drama but in the way Nolan gets stick for not doing human relationships well this director made a bit of a mess of that scene for me. I actually liked the scene but just not in this movie.

I would also add that a to sneak onto a spaceship that’s going to save the world by getting in a hatch door, swimming under a lake and just walking to the ship with no security measures was equally a bit silly.

A friend who came with me to the movie called it right, without Pitt as the lead the movie would prob of fallen on its ass. He’s an absorbing actor in this. I actually watched a lot of the movie as if his life was a metaphor for depression.

closed off from those he loved, not much concern for his own welfare (heart rate never goes high even in dangerous situations), he’s lonely and his life does appear to be very sad/joyless

.

I also felt

Sutherland

and

negga

were kind of wasted roles. They could of been any random actor and what they had to work with wouldn’t of made much a difference.

Overall I enjoyed it but like I said, it felt like a really missed opportunity to be a classic.

sweetie

This is the Mubi (go) app film of the week. Free showing in Vue, Liffey valley.

brevity

Anyone in cork trying to book this in the maxx screens in Mahon?

It’s only in screen 7 as far as I can make out...

liamtech

I was curious to see what people would think of this - I am a sci fi buff myself, and while nothing will ever hold a torch to 2001: a space odyssey (i read the book, then watch the film then read the book, and so on - addicted - masterpiece) - i did expect this would be decent

It wasnt...

Spoilers Below

Average to below average for me - kinda reminded me of Sunshine - in that it started off decent -

few highs (effects, commercial flights to the moon - and a sense of wonder and expectation - something out there causing surges - perhaps ET's etc) - the plot then fell flat on its face and resorted to unbelievable action sequences - silly scenes (space baboons :eek: )

And then finished with a very low level of writing and imagination -

the station is causing surges - Tommy Lee is not playing with a full deck - and we are alone in the universe apparently - which makes Brad Pitt optimistic (the smell of Intelligent Design Theology was rather pungent at this point)

Nah - very dissapointed

4/10 - a Bare pass

Im sure it will do good in the Box Office but for someone who likes proper Hard Sci Fi - PASS on this

EDIT - i suppose Hard Sci Fi doesnt sell these days so - should have expected this

I mentioned 2001 btw, not because i ever expected it to be of that level - but i did think this would be a proper Hard Sci Fi film that would leave me thinking - that perhaps it would be like the Expanse in that respect -

2001 a space odyssey is the 1960s Brazil team with Pele

The Expanse is Spain circa 2008-2012

This is Doncaster Rovers - on a bad day

Very Interested to see and hear what others have to say

Respectful as always

Slydice

liamtech wrote: »

Im sure it will do good in the Box Office

I don't think so.

Budget of 80-100million:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_Astra_(film)

Only predicted to make 19million opening weekend:
https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4547&p=.htm

No cinemascore yet but looking like bad word-of-mouth from
56% Audience Score on RT: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ad_astra


Probably lump another 20-80 million on the budget for advertising and this film may end up lucky to break-even.

RickBlaine

I loved the acting, visuals, world building, and the clear destination of its plot.

Things I didn't like were the extreme abundance of narration (show don't tell), and while the two brief action sequences are independently thrilling, they feel completely unnecessary. As mentioned above, there is one extremely on the nose moment that took me right out of the moment.

Its relatively slow pace may not be for everyone.

liamtech

Slydice wrote: »

I don't think so.

Budget of 80-100million:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_Astra_(film)

Only predicted to make 19million opening weekend:
https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4547&p=.htm

No cinemascore yet but looking like bad word-of-mouth from
56% Audience Score on RT: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ad_astra


Probably lump another 20-80 million on the budget for advertising and this film may end up lucky to break-even.

Yes you might well be right - tbh i am more curious by audience reaction to the plot- for me 'Glorious Special Effects, Amazing Acting and Action sequences, take a back seat to Plot and Writing

The former, especially acting and FX were spendid - but the plot was shockingly poor, IMHO

I would say acting and FX is the only reason that this film might do ok - and its the sole reason that i gave it 4/10 - if it were an unknown cast, as many Sci Fi Blockbusters sometimes use, then this would be far lower in my mind

Slydice

B- Cinemascore:
https://www.cinemascore.com/

Current front page only lists B- for:
Ad Astra
Hustlers (so far 55m https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=hustlers.htm)
The Kitchen (so far 15m https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=thekitchen2019.htm)

They had budgets around half that of Ad Astra.

Looks like Ad Astra will be relying on the draw of Brad Pitt to make back it's money.

AMKC

Can't believe the people here disappointed with it. I thought it looked and sounded stunning and the acting is excellent too. Sure there is one or two bits that it maybe could have done without. I agree they could have left his thoughts out of it but that is all that only slightly annoyed me and maybe the end could have been done different. I am thinking of going to see it again for a second maybe even a third time as it looks amazing on the big screen as I said already. I doubt it will look that good on a T.V screen.

tylercheribini

The ending was Bond movie-preposterous.

otnomart

Just seen it.
Thought Pitt was very good, most other characters were redundant though.
For me: better then Gravity but still not a patch on Moon , which remains my own favourite.

tylercheribini

The action bits felt tacked on and out of place, film ultimately fell between two stools, was good but not great.