Apollo 13
1995 Directed by Ron Howard
Synopsis
Houston, we have a problem.
Technical troubles scuttle the Apollo 13 lunar mission in 1971, risking the lives of astronaut Jim Lovell and his crew in director Ron Howard's chronicle of this true-life story, which turns a failed journey into a thrilling saga of heroism. Drifting more than 200,000 miles from Earth, the astronauts work furiously with the ground crew to avert tragedy.
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A proper movie.
Made by a proper film director. And this is his best film.
It's an epic.
Epic acting combines with an epic real life story, a story so great that Howard, wisely doesn't feel the need to tamper with it. Although that does lead to a slight drop in knuckle whitening towards the end. But it is a well acted tension fest with that Hollywood sheen.
In what was a brilliant year for movies, Apollo 13 is one of the best.
Ever.
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A simple but well crafted script, combined with a director who shows tremendous restraint and a deft touch with tension, give us a master class in how tension isn't about explosions or dramatic camera angles, just damn good basic filmmaking.
Those last two words aren't at all an insult. They're an incredible compliment, the fundamentals are so damn tight.
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This movie is a masterclass in dramatic exposition.
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For someone who loves The Right Stuff as much as I do, it should come as no surprise that I have a general interest in films about the space program. For instance, I can also heartily recommend the documentaries In the Shadow of the Moon and For All Mankind as exceptional introductions to the real thing.
Apollo 13 remains well in the lunar shadow of The Right Stuff, but must still be considered a good film. There is really little wrong with it technically. However, it fails to engage me quite as much as the selection process of the Mercury astronauts. Of course, this has partly to do with the fact that I know far too good where this is…
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Some smart alec website once told me that Apollo 13 was a found footage space film. And I thought neat, i'll give that a watch. I can only imagine the sights that prick has seen whilst running through the country with bags of my money. Fuck you whoever you are. Though I do love me some space. Dare to dream motherfuckers. After I grabbed this, I became weary that I had made a huge mistake. This is a two and a half hour film and it seems like sentimental Oscar bait from the covers and quotes. But there are plenty of glowing reviews. But wait there are plenty for all the rest you hated. Finally I took the plunge since…
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If they say Apollo 13 mission was a successefull failure, this movie sure wasn't. For me, until today this stays as Ron Howard's best film.
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The good news is this isn't "Contact."
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Some smart alec website once told me that Apollo 13 was a found footage space film. And I thought neat, i'll give that a watch. I can only imagine the sights that prick has seen whilst running through the country with bags of my money. Fuck you whoever you are. Though I do love me some space. Dare to dream motherfuckers. After I grabbed this, I became weary that I had made a huge mistake. This is a two and a half hour film and it seems like sentimental Oscar bait from the covers and quotes. But there are plenty of glowing reviews. But wait there are plenty for all the rest you hated. Finally I took the plunge since…
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If this and Forrest Gump are anything to go by, Tom Hanks and Gary Sinise should do more films together.
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A solid flick, for all it's a very deliberate tear-jerker. It's absolutely depressing to realize how much our space program has fallen behind technology though.
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Para pasar el rato, si no tienes nada mejor que hacer
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A simple but well crafted script, combined with a director who shows tremendous restraint and a deft touch with tension, give us a master class in how tension isn't about explosions or dramatic camera angles, just damn good basic filmmaking.
Those last two words aren't at all an insult. They're an incredible compliment, the fundamentals are so damn tight.
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"Looks like we just had our glitch for this mission"
Watched as part of my Final Countdown challenge for The Film Project 2013.
As good now as when I first viewed it, Hanks, Paxton, Sinise, Bacon and Harris all shine. Ron Howard directed a wonderful film that remains tense right to the end (like Argo, knowing the outcome as it actually happened doesn't diminish the tension you feel) and the score from James Horner is excellent.
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Still one of the finest pieces of American cinema. Ron Howard was seriously robbed of any Oscar glory.
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An intelligent and well-crafted film about the Apollo 13 crisis. Strong acting across the board and excellent direction from Howard.