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Author
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Topic: Hollywood, we've got a problem; there's no space for real heroes
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-20-2007 07:27 AM
   
From the San Diego Union-Tribune:
Hollywood, we've got a problem; there's no space for real heroes quote:
I don't remember which Apollo-program astronaut said it, but whoever it was told a reporter many years back that every time he looked up at the moon, he smiled and thought, "I've been there."I'm quite sure it wasn't Neil Armstrong, though if anyone's entitled to that muse, it's the man who first walked on our moon, 38 years ago today. He's still a hero in my book, as are all the astronauts who made that most daring of journeys. So why, when filmmakers persist in making superheroes out of comic-book characters or icons out of macho gun-toters like “Die Hard's” John McClane, can't somebody right a wrong and make a decent movie about the Apollo 11 crew (Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins) and its historic achievement? Now that would be the right stuff.
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cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 07-20-2007 09:52 AM
Why no Apollo 11 movie?
Because it's a boring topic. At least if you put yourself into Hollywood producers shoes (they need to make a buck from their movies). Apollo 13 had drama (potential death). Try to bring drama (or anything else) from Apollo 11...Only space geeks understand and appreciate the achievement.  Chris. |
driftingtotheright
unregistered
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posted 07-20-2007 01:41 PM
1202 Alarm! 30s fuel! -- drama
Mrs. Gorsky -- sex
It's doable! |
Cliff Lentz
Member Posts: 655
From: Philadelphia, PA USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 07-20-2007 01:42 PM
The secrets of success in Hollywood (according to the film "Sweet Liberty")1. Defy authority!
2. Blow things up!
3. Take people clothes off! Any of that sound like Apollo 11? |
bruce
Member Posts: 916
From: Fort Mill, SC, USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 07-20-2007 02:05 PM
Using your list:1. Defy authority! - Apollo 7 - a very short (and boring) movie. 2. Blow things up! - Apollo 13 - actually, ALL of the launches, as in really "blowing" things "up". 3. Take people clothes off! - All of the flights when it was time for a human waste evac. Wouldn't really want to see that on the big screen. Best,
Bruce |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 07-20-2007 02:45 PM
"take your clothes off"Don't forget on Apollo 12 when Pete and Al had to remove their filthy clothes before Dick would let them into the CM. Tim |
poofacio
Member Posts: 268
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2006
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posted 07-20-2007 05:42 PM
The only themes in in the UK that might grab the imaginations (if they in fact possess such things!) of our younger generation would be I'm a celebrity astronaut get me out of here, The space X factor, Big Astro-brother or from the Earth to Posh and Becks. There are thousands of cabbages queuing in London as I type to buy the latest Harry Potter book at midnight. A film about something as boring as Man's first landing on the Moon? non starter! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-20-2007 09:11 PM
Of course, there was a quite wonderful film about Apollo 11, albeit just one aspect of the mission: The Dish. I think too many think Apollo 13 when they consider an Apollo 11 feature film. There are many ways the story could be told that aren't a direct retelling of the chronological mission. Personally, I have always been fascinated by Aldrin's post-flight admission to Armstrong: "We missed the whole thing." A very engaging movie might parallel or focus on the lives of a group of very different people on planet Earth as the events of Apollo 11 unfold, illustrating how the mission influenced their lives while unifying them at the same time. You would still show the astronauts on their journey, but only as a means of advancing the timeline on Earth. And on the off chance any Hollywood script writers or producers are reading this and like the idea, have at it... you can send royalties care of collectSPACE. |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 07-20-2007 11:04 PM
There was in fact a movie made called "Apollo 11" (I have it here somewhere on VHS tape), plus of course there was the Cliff Robertson movie "Return to Earth," which focused on Buzz Aldrin's post-flight problems. |
medaris
Member Posts: 181
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 07-21-2007 07:47 AM
Poofacio, I wouldn't be too hard on the kids queuing up to buy a Hrry Potter book. Excitement over a book, and particulary one that at least involves a bit of imagination, gives me some hope for the future. Of course, I'd rather they were queuing up for the next book in the University of Nebraska's 'Outward Odyssey' series - but that would be a fantasy story! |
tegwilym
Member Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 07-21-2007 05:46 PM
quote:
Originally posted by medaris:
Of course, I'd rather they were queuing up for the next book in the University of Nebraska's 'Outward Odyssey' series - but that would be a fantasy story!
Yeah, you have to give Harry Potter credit for stimulating imaginations in kids these days. I think the internet has really screwed them up!
As for sequels, I'm still waiting for volume 2 of "Carrying the Fire". 
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canyon42
Member Posts: 238
From: Ohio
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 07-21-2007 05:47 PM
Yep, I agree, the "cabbage" comment was uncalled for. At least those kids were out DOING something and planning to read a book--as opposed to, well, US folks who are sitting on our duffs at a computer! :^) |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3118
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-21-2007 09:12 PM
quote:
Originally posted by ColinBurgess:
There was in fact a movie made called "Apollo 11" (I have it here somewhere on VHS tape)
I have it on DVD! The Apollo 11 movie isn't bad, in fact it concentrates more on the difficulties involved in getting the mission off the ground.The real problem with doing a full-scale Hollywood blockbuster about Apollo 11 is that the mission succeeded. Afficionados of Project Apollo know about the difficulties during the landing, but as far as Hollywood and the public are concerned, the landing was successful, nobody died, so no drama. In December, 1911, Roald Amundsen and four other Norwegians became the first men to reach the South Pole. They returned home successfully. In January, 1912, Robert Falcon Scott reached the Pole with Dr Wilson, Captain Oates, Lt. Bowers and Petty Officer Evans. All five died on the return journey. I have never heard of a movie about the Amundsen expedition, but "Scott of the Antarctic" starring the late Sir John Mills still moves me to tears. Frankly, I'm glad that Apollo 13 was the only Apollo mission with the "Hollywood factor." |
tncmaxq
Member Posts: 287
From: New Haven, CT USA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 07-22-2007 06:49 AM
"Apollo 11" aired in 1996 on the Family Channel. It wasn't a bad film but it was somewhat limited and lacked the big special effects like "From the Earth to the Moon" had. The cast was pretty good, though there were few big names. Unfortunately I can't remember the name of the guy who played Armstrong but he has been in many TV shows and movies. Wendy Mallick from "Just shoot me" and other roles played Mike Collins's wife. And Matt Frewer of Max Headroom fame was Gene Kranz. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 07-22-2007 08:17 AM
If it ever gets made, wouldn't a "First Man" movie fit the bill?------------------
John Capobianco
Camden DE |
Jay Chladek
Member Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 08-13-2007 02:15 AM
I think that From the Earth To The Moon is about as close as we will get to big budget films of such endeavours, and frankly I think they did it better then a simple 2 hour movie could. It had all the special effects we could ever want in such a film as well and was more technically accurate then Apollo 13 (with the same guys in charge).Actually there was a movie about the lives of people revolving around Apollo 11. I can't remember the title, but as I recall the premise was a guy and a kid and a woman driving a car cross country to some desert at the same time Apollo 11 was heading to the moon as sort of a low tech sim parallel of the flight. It wasn't well received by critics at the time either as I recall. I believe it came out either in 1989 or 1994. |
Cliff Lentz
Member Posts: 655
From: Philadelphia, PA USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 08-13-2007 04:05 PM
Sounds like "Pontiac Moon" which can out in 1994.Cliff |
kr4mula
Member Posts: 642
From: Cinci, OH
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 08-14-2007 10:42 AM
I went to a First Man book signing and Hansen was asked about a movie version. He confirmed what I heard elsewhere that he had been in talks with Clint Eastwood about buying the film rights (specifically, Hansen said he played golf with Clint and Armstrong), but no deals had been signed as of the book signing. I haven't heard anything since then, but presumably any movie would have Apollo 11 as only a relatively small portion.Cheers, Kevin |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-14-2007 10:46 AM
Kevin, that must have been some time ago, as Warner Bros' and Eastwood's rights to First Man expired back in March. For the latest (as of April) about the movie, see: "First Man" Neil Armstrong movie update
Edited by Robert Pearlman |
kr4mula
Member Posts: 642
From: Cinci, OH
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 08-15-2007 11:35 AM
That was indeed some time ago. It was on Hansen's initial book tour soon after "First Man" was released. I don't remember the date offhand, but it was certainly well before March.Thanks for the movie update. I hope it actually makes it to celluloid one of these days! Cheers, Kevin |
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