James Gray's films are so polarazing. Why is it so? Check out Rotten Tomatoes. The reviews are contradictory.
Ad Astra - Critiques: 83% | Audience: 40%
The Lost City of Z - Critiques: 86% | Audience: 57%
The Immigrant - Critiques: 85% | Audience: 60%
What are your opinions about this director-writer?
https://preview.redd.it/l834uo8g1q181.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3e0bb9c8e7e08ba0d6691e92b8051e77b001d0f4
For the films fans on this sub,
I donโt identify with any particular religion, but I grew up in a Christian environment and have always been immensely interested in religious philosophy. A few years ago I moved to the United Kingdom to pursue a degree in filmmaking, and as a part of those studies began a small YouTube channel that specializes in film analysis.
One thing that I was surprised by during my studies was how little discourse there is about religious themes in film despite their fingerprints being everywhere. I donโt mean this in a cultural sense as much as a philosophical one: the human desire to believe in something greater than oneself - the same desire that births religion - is the driving force behind some of the greatest films of all time.
I wrote an essay on the subject, and later translated that same paper for the video that youโre currently looking at. It draws primarily from the works of theologian Reza Aslan, a man who like me was raised Christian but later converted to Islam.
I wonโt write more here as if Iโve got your interest, the essay will speak for itself. I am looking forward to any and all discourse that this may bring about.
Shit is getting REAL. The Hype is BIG.
Have multiple copies of some titles, so if it doesn't say SOLD, I may still have stock--don't hesitate to ask!
Newer Paramount codes are single redeem only. They are no longer splittable.
PAYPAL F&F ONLY. Codes are checked before posting and double-checked before sending.
FEATURED
AD ASTRA4K(MA, VUDU)$6SOLDBAD BOYS FOR LIFE4K(MA, VUDU)$5SOLD- A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD 4K (MA, VUDU) $6
- BLACK PANTHER 4K (MA, VUDU, iTunes) HD (GP) $5
- DISTRICT 9 4K (MA, VUDU) $6
- FROZEN II 4K (MA, VUDU, iTunes) HD (GP) Full Code $5
HARRY POTTER COLLECTION 1-84K(MA, VUDU)$40SOLDINCREDIBLES 24K(MA, VUDU)HD(iTunes, GP)$5SOLD- JOHN WICK 1+2 HD (VUDU) $8
- KILL BILL VOL. 1 HD (iTunes, VUDU) $5
- KILL BILL VOL. 2 HD (iTunes, VUDU) $5
- THE LION KING (1994) 4K (MA, VUDU, iTunes) HD (GP) $5
MULAN (2020)4K(MA, VUDU)HD(GP)Full Code$7SOLDTHE NEW MUTANTS4K(MA, VUDU)HD(GP)Full Code$7SOLDNO COUNTRY FOR OLD MENHD(iTunes, VUDU, FN)$5SOLD- PLANET OF THE APES 9-FILM COLLECTION HD (MA) $40
SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY4K(MA, VUDU)HD(iTunes, GP)Full Code$5SOLDSONIC THE HEDGEHOG4K(iTunes, VUDU)$5SOLD- WAR OF THE WORLDS 4K (iTunes, Vudu) $6
WRECK-IT RALPH4K(MA, VUDU, iTunes) HD (GP)$5SOLD- ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP 4K (MA, VUDU) $5
MOVIES
4K TITLES/PRIORITY TITLES
ALIEN: COVENANT 4K (iTunes) HD (MA, VUDU) $5
ATOMIC BLONDE 4K (iTunes) $5
THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS (THEATRICAL) 4K (MA, VUDU, iTunes) $5
GEMINI MAN 4K (iTunes or Vudu) $5
THE HUNGER GAMES 4K (iTunes) HD (VUDU, GP, FN) $5
LA LA LAND 4K (iTunes) HD (VUDU, GP, FN) $5
OVERLORD 4K (VUDU) $5
OVERLORD 4K (iTunes) $5
THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 4K (iTunes) $5
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (2014) 4K (iTunes) $5
TERMINATOR: DARK FATE 4K (iTunes or Vudu) $5
TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART 2 4K (iTunes) HD (VUDU, FN) $5
TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON 4K (iTunes) **$
... keep reading on reddit โกEDIT -- SEE NEWEST POST
Another trend from the 2010s regarding films is that there were more movies about astronauts. Gravity, Interstellar, The Martian, First Man, and Ad Astra all involve NASA related themes, but have different storylines. Out of the 5 NASA themed films, how would you rank them from Best(1) to Worst(5).
Here is my Personal Ranking:
- The Martian(2015)
- Gravity(2013)
- Interstellar(2014)
- First Man(2018)
- Ad Astra(2019)
How would you rank these films in your own opinion.
I am obnoxiously passionate about space. All things space excite me, and Iโve been watching many movies about it lately for fun. The Martian was fantastic, Gravity was fantastic (despite defying science a couple times), and Apollo 11 was FANTASTIC.
I saw the Ad Astra movie recommended for me on Amazon Prime, so I decided to watch it. After all, itโs Brad Pitt, right? WRONG.
Within the first 30 seconds, it is entirely scientifically incorrect. Somehow, Roy (Brad Pitt) โfallsโ from space into Earthโs atmosphere??? With no problems??? And uses a parachute??? With NO PROBLEMS???
Then, the ISS that he was working on explodes (out of Earthโs atmosphere, so ZERO G) and the debris falls to Earth too! Literally how???
Oh god, then they get to the moon and there are dune buggie pirates trying to shoot Roy, of course. Insert metaphor for how destructive humanity can be even on the moon here, YAWN. Then, they go to Mars, where he finds out his father is still alive but they plan on killing him rather than saving him, without Royโs help, so heโฆ sneaks onto a space ship. But BEFORE he does that, he SWIMS underground through some weird tunnel for what I could only imagine would be 2-3 hours, considering Marsโ atmosphere, all the while the rocketโs engine is running?!?!?!? Somehow, he makes it in time (of course) and he kills his crew on the ship because they try to kill him first. Whatever.
Now, he has somehow perfectly navigated to Neptune from Mars in like 70 days, and perfectly navigates to his fatherโs ship? Alrighty!
He manages to get inside, finds his father, and takes him out with him to return to Earth. Notice in this scene that he is tethered to the spacecraft. His father pushes some button that propels him backward toward Neptune, taking Roy with him, and you can clearly see the tether Roy has to the spacecraft break off. Long story short, his father cuts the tether and dies floating around near Neptune, and somehow, Roy justโฆ floats completely still. Then, he turns around and justโฆ floats back with ease toward the spacecraft??? HOW??? And THEN, the tether reappears!!! Then he miraculously launches himself out of Neptuneโs orbit by โsurfingโ on some sheet of metal (???) and manages to accurately calculate the landing with no problem at all, which is like, a one in 3 trillion chance, but of course he does.
Then, he just goes back to Earth in what seems like 20 days, no problem. And apparently faces no repercussions for disobeying his orders. And itโs all
... keep reading on reddit โกSPOILERS for those who havenโt seen the film, obviously.
I find it interesting at how polarized the audience reactions were to AD ASTRA last year in the weeks after its release. Personally, being familiar with James Grayโs work, I loved it. I thought it was an intimate story told grandly โ and even though Pittโs character was portrayed as emotionally withdrawn, the film was filled with moments that explored his psyche and mapped out his capacity to think outwardly. The voiceovers even, being one of the more controversial aspects of the film, didnโt bother me. I thought it added to the novel-like quality of the film that Grayโs films do so well in emulating. The movie was one of my favorites from last year and Iโm rather torn that it only broke even at the box office because of how much I enjoyed it.
For a while, there has been a ton of discussion surrounding the reshoots that apparently changed a lot of things from AD ASTRA. While a few things from these reshoots were confirmed, such as Pitt and Gray being uninvolved, there remains no definitive scope on what the reshoots added or outright changed from the original edit.
An early draft of the screenplay, dated from August 2016, tells a whole different story entirely. The beats from the film and the screenplay are remarkably similar, but several character interactions/motivations or certain scenes have been altered from what was eventually shown on screen. Whether later drafts of the screenplay would bring the two mediums more in alignment, or if the reshoots were that extensive, remains to be seen. As such, Iโm going to try to lay out the main differences between the two to indicate how different these two films would be, had the original screenplay been filmed.
AD ASTRA Opening:
-
The opening text in the screenplay states that the events take place โONE HUNDRED YEARS FROM NOWโ rather than โThe near future.โ McBride (Pittโs character) is not introduced here via psych-eval, but as part of a group interview on the television.
-
In addition to the Gravitational Interferometer Space Antenna we see in the opening, the screenplay also depicts MACHINES called โself-replicatorsโ working alongside humans on the antennaโs scaffolding. These machines are described โlike spiders on a web. Or HYDRAS, with CYCLOPS-LIKE BRIGHT LIGHTS in their centers.โ
-
There are no voiceovers in the script at all. Whether this was reshoot-mandated or made its way into another draft is unknown. But McBride never goes into interi
I put off watching this movie. I donโt know why, I donโt have a reason. There was, however, always a part of me that worried I would regret it... and sure enough I absolutely do. I wish I could rewind time and see it in IMAX. I am blown away that the movie received mixed reviews, but I can understand why some wouldnโt enjoy it.
The visuals... good lord. I had a slight high while watching (which Iโm sure enhanced everything to some degree), and I think my jaw was dropped for half the movie. Iโve been in love with space for a long time, and this was some of the most beautiful space imagery Iโve ever seen. Holy shit.
The soundtrack! I am obsessed. To The Stars and The Wanderer... good lord. Iโm a sucker for a solid emotional soundtrack, and my god this is the best Iโve heard in quite some time. The sound mixed with the cinematography, visuals and editing... I loved every part of it.
Now for the story. I understand why this storyline could be inaccessible to many. But as someone who struggles deeply when it comes to connecting with others, I havenโt related to a character this intensely in a long time. Itโs not that I donโt feel things, itโs actually that I feel too many things. Iโm overwhelmed by my emotions, and because of that have bottled them up for close to a decade. I donโt know if Iโm afraid of vulnerability, or if Iโm afraid that expressing myself would crush me beneath the weight.
Being alone in space, completely untethered from the world and the people surrounding you... realizing that you would do anything to feel a connection, that being alone isnโt actually how you want to live... it spoke directly to me. I donโt know how to voice anything so I simply donโt, and itโs made it virtually impossible to truly connect with anyone. When Iโm among other people, Iโm putting on a performance just like Roy. I find it damn near impossible to express my feelings to people, even (or especially) those closest to me.
I wonโt spoil the ending, but I loved it. The Neptune sequence will stick with me forever. Being as far from earth as you could possibly be, and choosing to overcome your past traumas for the sake of pursuing human connection... it was so perfectly done. It made me want to go to therapy. It made me want to talk about everything that Iโve bottled up for so long. Itโs made me want to reach out to those that I love - I want them to actually know me. I want to be known, I donโt want to be floating in the galaxy with nothing but my bottled-
... keep reading on reddit โกI was really a passenger on Roy's trip for the whole film and Gray did a great job of making it pretty much a singular pov in which you and Roy become sort of the same. At one point, when he's going to Neptune, I was asking my friend if the movie is becoming trippy or it was the LSD. For the most part I sat still, with my jaw dropped because it didn't want to close and just moving my eyes from left to right, not having anything else to do with the rest of my body.
Everything was very subtle, not becoming pretentious or over-indulgent, the soundtrack from Max Richter and Lorne Balfe being there to create the mood and inner feelings Roy was having and visually it was beyond incredible. Van Hoytema is slowly becoming a legendary DP at this rate.
I feel Gray delivered a low key masterpiece and this sort of big budget space film doesn't come out often from the Hollywood system. It was quite a profound experience, especially in the last 45 minutes.
Aside from that, I noticed a good deal of scenes shown in the trailer weren't in the actual film, so maybe it will probably get an extended/director's cut sometime in the future, like Apocalypse now, which was a big inspiration on it.
Anyway, what have you guys watched while tripping and how did it feel?
I wonโt spoil anything but this film is a must see if youโre interested in hyper-realistic near future space travel. It really reminded me of Todd Howardโs comments about making space travel feel incredibly dangerous and costly. I was constantly thinking of how gritty a Bethesda space RPG could turn out in comparison to other science fiction games like Mass Effect which is more fantasy oriented.
The first rule of Film Club is uhhh^(hhhh...) anyway welcome to part II of our brand spanking new film club!
This Sunday we'll be watching Ad Astra and discussing anything but the film over food and drinks.
ACT 1: Meet up 4pm at The York, pub opposite Angel tube station (Northern Line)
ACT 2: Roll into the cinema for 5:15pm to watch Brad Pitt floating about on a super massive screen!
ACT 3: Roll back out and into The Nag's Head for food and more drinks
We welcome film nerds, aspiring film nerds and potential film nerds of all kinds. If you're interested in joining us for this and/or future events just message me your number and I'll add you into the Whatsapp group (nothing shady ^(yet) ) or comment here and I'll message you to message me your number and I'll add you into the Whatsapp group. Hope to see you there! :D
^(...and bring yer) ^(yacht!)
#Have
####Misc
- $2 Vudu (VTHN)
- Free 6 Months of Spotify Premium (requires new account)
####Non-Disney Codes
4K
- Fate of the Furious 4K [iTunes > MA]
- Transformers: Dark of the Moon 4K [iTunes]
- Transformers: Age of Extinction 4K [iTunes]
HD
The Age of Adaline HD [Vudu/iTunes/Google Play/FandangoNow]- Deadpool 2 HD [MA]
- Dirty Grandpa HD [Vudu/iTunes/Google Play/FandangoNow]
- Five Feet Apart HD [Vudu/iTunes/Google Play/FandangoNow]
- The Hateful Eight HD [MA]
- Hellboy 2019 HD [Vudu/iTunes/Google Play/FandangoNow]
- How to Be a Latin Lover HD [Vudu/iTunes/Google Play/FandangoNow]
- John Wick 1&2 HD (Bundle) [iTunes] (may upgrade to 4K)
- Juliet, Naked HD [Vudu/iTunes/Google Play/FandangoNow]
- Fate of the Furious HD [MA]
Girls Trip HD [MA]
TV
- Game of Thrones Seasons 1-7 HD [iTunes]
####Disney Codes
These are available in any format listed beside their titles and are HD unless otherwise stated. All redemption options will push through Movies Anywhere to all connected providers (iTunes/Vudu/Amazon/etc).
- 101 Dalmatians | MA + DMR | MA |
- Aladdin (2019) | MA + DMR | MA |
- Ant-Man & The Wasp | MA + DMR | MA | GP |
- Avengers: Infinity War | MA + DMR | MA |
- Avengers: Endgame | MA | GP |
- Avengers: Endgame 4K | MA + DMR | MA |
- Beauty and the Beast (2017) | MA + DMR | MA |
- Black Panther | MA + DMR | MA | GP |
- Cars 3 | MA + DMR | MA | GP |
- Christopher Robin | MA + DMR | MA | GP |
- Coco | MA + DMR | MA | GP |
- Dumbo (2019) | MA + DMR | MA | GP |
The Fox & the Hound 2 | MA + DMR | MA |- Frozen | MA | DMR |
- Incredibles 2 | MA + DMR | MA | GP |
- Iron Man 3 4K | MA + DMR | MA | GP (HD) |
- The Lion King 2019 | MA + DMR | MA | GP |
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh | MA + DMR | MA |- Oz the Great and Powerful | MA |
- Pete's Dragon (2016) | MA + DMR | MA | GP |
- Ralph Breaks the Internet | MA + DMR | MA |
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story | MA + DMR | MA |
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens | MA + DMR | MA |
- Thor: Ragnarok | MA + DMR | MA | GP |
- Walt Disney Short Films | GP |
####Games (PC/Steam & Xbox One)
- Broforce (PC/Steam)
- Broken Age (PC/Steam)
- Day of the Tentacle Remastered (PC/Steam)
- Homefront (PC/Steam)
- Punch Club Deluxe Edition (PC/Steam)
- Remothered: Tormented Fathers (PC/Steam)
- Road to Ballhalla (PC/Steam)
- STARWHAL (PC/Steam)
- The Swapper (PC/Steam)
- World of Goo (PC/Steam)
#Wa
... keep reading on reddit โก
Today's film is Ad Astra.
In early 2020, r/OscarsDeathRace are hosting a viewing marathon in the run up to the 92nd Academy Award Ceremony. This series aims to promote a discussion of this year's nominees and gives subscribers a chance to weigh in on what they've seen, what they liked, and who they think will win. For more information on what we're going to be watching, have a look at the 40 Days of Film thread.
For a full list of this year's nominations have a look here and for their availability check this out.
If youโd like to track how many of the nominations youโve watched and your progress through the Oscars DeathRace, take a look at the DeathRace Tracking Google Sheet with community competition.
>Yesterday's film was Honeyland. Tomorrow's film will be Harriet.
>
>See the full schedule on the 40 Days of Film thread.
Today's film is Ad Astra.
Director: James Gray
Starring: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga
Trailer: Official Trailer
Where to watch: JustWatch / Reelgood / Megathread
Metacritic: 80
Rotten Tomatoes: 84
Nomination Categories: Sound Mixing
So I saw Ad Astra today, and was expecting it to be ok. I was blown away by how beautiful the film was and how incredible the experience of everything was. From Brad Pitt's acting, to the brief spurts of action, to the story, to the script, to the feeling of loneliness, to the claustrophobia, to the realism, to the exceptional special effects especially the space and planets. I was also very moved by the final 15 minutes when he has to let his father go!
The music by Max Richter is of course astonishing to listen to. I also love the way the movie starts dwindling characters as it goes on, almost representing the journey of Brad Pitt's character. From the crowded earth, to the sparse Moon to the claustrophobic Mars and finally the empty and frightening reaches of Neptune!
An absolutely incredible work of art, and is my pick for the best film of 2019 so far!!
4K
Rambo 3
Rambo 2008
HD
Charlie's Angels 2019
All the Money in the World
Hunter Killer
John Wick
John Wick Chapter 2
Madea Family Funeral
Rambo First Blood Part 2
Saw 8 Film Collection
Sicario
Sinister
Disney
Rogue 1
Planes
Beauty and the Beast
Request
Ford vs Ferrari
Ad Astra (multiple for 4K)
Blinded by the Light
Gemini Man (multiple for 4K)
Downton Abby
The Art of Racing in the Rain
47 Meters Down 2
Good Boys
Vudu Credits
https://preview.redd.it/be4exlg01q181.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d65c7d47ad0538c610286a5dc7c6bb3f19a653f8
For the films fans on this sub,
I donโt identify with any particular religion, but I grew up in a Christian environment and have always been immensely interested in religious philosophy. A few years ago I moved to the United Kingdom to pursue a degree in filmmaking, and as a part of those studies began a small YouTube channel that specializes in film analysis.
One thing that I was surprised by during my studies was how little discourse there is about religious themes in film despite their fingerprints being everywhere. I donโt mean this in a cultural sense as much as a philosophical one: the human desire to believe in something greater than oneself - the same desire that births religion - is the driving force behind some of the greatest films of all time.
I wrote an essay on the subject, and later translated that same paper for the video that youโre currently looking at. It draws primarily from the works of theologian Reza Aslan, a man who like me was raised Christian but later converted to Islam.
I wonโt write more here as if Iโve got your interest, the essay will speak for itself. I am looking forward to any and all discourse that this may bring about.
https://preview.redd.it/11uf5fqoiq181.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1478b1ff9b3fcd003ff8ca3be0c12da907dfadbc
For the films fans on this sub,
I donโt identify with any particular religion, but I grew up in a Christian environment and have always been immensely interested in religious philosophy. A few years ago I moved to the United Kingdom to pursue a degree in filmmaking, and as a part of those studies began a small YouTube channel that specializes in film analysis.
One thing that I was surprised by during my studies was how little discourse there is about religious themes in film despite their fingerprints being everywhere. I donโt mean this in a cultural sense as much as a philosophical one: the human desire to believe in something greater than oneself - the same desire that births religion - is the driving force behind some of the greatest films of all time.
I wrote an essay on the subject, and later translated that same paper for the video that youโre currently looking at. It draws primarily from the works of theologian Reza Aslan, a man who like me was raised Christian but later converted to Islam.
I wonโt write more here as if Iโve got your interest, the essay will speak for itself. I am looking forward to any and all discourse that this may bring about.
)