Tuesday, October 13, 2015

A great movie and an OK play

Matt Damon in The Martian
Judy and I have been busy the past few days. We saw the play Forever Plaid at the Mt. Baker Repertory Theater this past weekend and enjoyed it very much. The only real problem we had with it, actually, is that one of the four young men in the singing quartet didn't have much of a voice. The entire play revolves around four young men who were just about ready to perform in front of an audience when tragedy strikes. They come back from the dead to perform their show, with lots of hits from the 1950s and 1960s, which I loved, and it did have quite a few real laughs.

But then we went to see The Martian, with Matt Damon as the main character. Wow! It's not often that I see a movie that makes me want to go see it again almost immediately. Even though it's a long movie (2:20 hours), I never once felt I wanted it to be over. It's incredibly well done, and even though it's available in 3-D, we saw it in standard view, and it was still very exciting. The premise of the movie is that sometime in the future the US sends a manned ship to Mars, which leaves early because of a huge storm. It also causes them to leave one astronaut behind, believing he is dead. The movie hangs on what happens after that. Obviously he didn't die, but he's got to find a way to stay alive with limited food, oxygen, and water, the sole occupant on the planet.

I won't say any more than that, but I have thought about scenes from the movie many times since I saw it, and I guess I'll be forced to buy the book it's based on so I can get more details. And I will see the movie again, at least once more! If you go, let me know what you think of it. Did you love it too?
:-)
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22 comments:

  1. Terra October 13, 2015 at 2:29 PM

    We bought the book and my husband read it and says it is excellent. Then we saw the movie and agree with you. Eventually I will read the book too.

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  2. GigiOctober 13, 2015 at 3:29 PM

    Wow, I heard a movie review on it that was tepid at best. But I trust you more than that critic...so I'll add it to the list of movies I want to see!

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  3. Linda W.October 13, 2015 at 3:29 PM

    I just finished reading "the Martian" and it is an excellent book! Highly recommended read. I don't see many movies, but I just may have to see this one.

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  4. Far Side of FiftyOctober 13, 2015 at 4:55 PM

    I will wait until it comes to Netflix:)

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  5. GwenOctober 13, 2015 at 5:12 PM

    I hear the book is great and much more detailed. We, too, LOVED the movie!

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  6. GwenOctober 13, 2015 at 5:13 PM

    Gigi, it got 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is a phenomenal score. It's a movie not to be missed, and should be seen on the big screen of a theatre. (and I have a 53 inch tv at home.)

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  7. RedOctober 13, 2015 at 5:36 PM

    You got lucky to see two really good shows. Nice reviews that show your enthusiasm.

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  8. Sally WesselyOctober 13, 2015 at 7:04 PM

    Always love your reviews.

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  9. Elephant's ChildOctober 13, 2015 at 9:54 PM

    I have heard very good things about The Martian. And no bad things. Thank you for adding to the list.

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  10. RitaOctober 13, 2015 at 11:41 PM

    I've heard nothing but good things about this movie. Look forward to seeing it. Didn't realize it was based on a book. Sounds like that is good, too. Can hardly wait till it comes out on Netflix. Too bad Forever Plaid didn't have a complete set of decent voices for a performance like that dependent on the band. I wonder if the movie is good?

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  11. Linda KayOctober 14, 2015 at 5:49 AM

    Hubby and I went to see it this past weekend. I'm a huge Matt Damon fan (all the Boerne movies) and he was at his best in this one. How exciting! That time went by very quickly and I was totally engaged. There are rave reviews for both Damon and the producer.

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  12. TomOctober 14, 2015 at 6:21 AM

    Both B and I read the book, "The Martian" and so we were thinking we didn't need to see the movie. But now you've got me fueled up and ready to rocket over to the multiplex this weekend.

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  13. Trish and Rob MacGregorOctober 14, 2015 at 6:49 AM

    We went to see it this past weekend and loved it! It's Oscar material and Damon was just great!

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  14. Arkansas PattiOctober 14, 2015 at 8:53 AM

    OK, you have pushed me over the edge and I will just have to make the 3 hour round trip to a theater. I was almost convinced just from the premise but you gave me the final nudge. Thanks.

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  15. AnonymousOctober 14, 2015 at 11:29 AM

    David saw it yesterday in 3-D and loved it.

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  16. amandaOctober 14, 2015 at 3:26 PM

    I love that I can always look to for an interesting book recommendation or to learn the latest in the movie world, DJan! I definitely take your word for it, and will have to see The Martian! I've been saying it for a long time, I don't see movies.. but I'd like to make more time for one now and then in my life.
    I regret not being around much in the past month, I hope you are well!!

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  17. SnoskredOctober 14, 2015 at 4:15 PM

    Well, at the moment Matt Damon is kinda freaking me out. In my kitchen, there is an enormous The Martian drink cup which I got in a deal with popcorn, and every time I went in there it was like he was staring at me. So I've turned it around the other way.. :)

    The movie was fantastic and so was the book. I too wanted to see it again once it was finished. It felt like it was maybe 20 minutes long to me, time seemed to stop passing while watching it. And I loved, loved, LOVED the use of the David Bowie song. :)

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  18. #1NanaOctober 14, 2015 at 5:14 PM

    It's on my list to see.

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  19. Linda ReederOctober 14, 2015 at 10:22 PM

    Thanks for the review and the recommendation. I'k sure we'll see it eventually.

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  20. Hootin AnniOctober 15, 2015 at 4:35 AM

    I read that this movie is quite good. I also read a review by an 'ex-astronaut' and he complimented with a good report all for but one thing...astronauts wear diapers....that piece of trivia stuck in my mind.

    I tend to watch movies that are excellent, over and over.

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  21. Stella JonesOctober 15, 2015 at 9:55 AM

    Larry read the book and couldn't put it down. Yours is the first review I've seen of the film.

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  22. KayOctober 21, 2015 at 3:42 PM

    Art and my son-in-law really want to see this. Now that I've read your review, I will go with them.

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