Ordinarily, I like to show movie previews before the movie has been released. This time around, I’m a little behind the curve. But my thanks to Rami for bringing this movie to my attention, since it seems like just the thing for us sci-fi geeks and buffs. It’s called the Europa Report, a near-future speculative science fiction film that follows in the vein of the 2001: A Space Odyssey and the Blair Witch Project.
Taking place in 2061, the story follows a group of astronauts who are sent on a private venture to Jupiter’s moon of Europa to investigate it for signs of life. Naturally, things go wrong, lives are lost, and the footage of their mission becomes the basis of a “report” that people back at Earth pour over, hoping to find some answers to the mystery of what happened.
The film was officially released just under two weeks ago, on August 2nd, and has received some pretty kick-ass reviews. Over at space.com, they claimed the movie was “One of the most thrilling and realistic depictions of space exploration since Moon or 2001: A Space Odyssey”, while IO9’s Annalee Newitz wrote of the film:
The representations of Jupiter and Europa in this film come directly from real satellite imagery gathered by NASA, and the journey to Europa itself is both realistic and gorgeous. There’s a lesson here about how dramatic tension and brilliant concept design, even on an indie budget, can create a sense of wonder rivaling that of a VFX blockbuster. And the payoff at the end is electrifying.
Hot damn, that’s a good endorsement! As for me, and I imagine Rami, I plan to see it and offer a review of my own! A movie like this couldn’t be more timely. Already, long-term plans are being made to send a lander or a space penetrator to Europa to have a gander at what lies beneath its icy veil. And I look forward to the day when the reality of that planet and all the speculative fiction can get together and compare notes!
Source: IO9.com
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This movie looks interesting. I really want to see it. š
I’ll tell you this much…no sci-fi movie will ever be as good as (2001: A Space Odyssey. That movie is an all time classic…and Stanley Kubrick was a genius and way ahead of his time with (2001).
Oh I know! I even preferred the movie to the novel. Which isn’t too surprising, the movie came first. But what made it so awesome was the combination of Clarke’s scientific knowledge and futurism with Kubrick’s genius for subtlety and visuals. What else have you seen of his?
Well, own the (Stanley Kubrick Collection movies).
Which include my all time favorites: A clockwork Orange, eyes wide shut, full metal jacket, the shining, Paths of glory, Dr. strange love, 2001, Barry Lyndon. and yours?
Everything but Barry Lyndon. Love the man’s style, and it’s fair to say it informed my writing. I always tell people that the best thing a writer can do is to show, and not tell. Letting the background fill you in instead of outright saying things is the best way to make a point. Of course, Paths of Glory was a bit more direct that way, but it was a different time.
Same here with writing. Kubrick taught me a lot in writing.
I tend to use a lot of unconventional styles/techniques in my writing which I don’t tell anyone about.
I will definitely try to see it. It looks right up my alley! And by the way, it’s Blair Witch, not Blare Witch.
Dangit! I hate typos! I know I need an editor for my books, but posts is another thing…
There there. We all have this problem occasionally.