Apollo 13

• TOP NOTCH (my top choices)
• HONORABLE MENTION (well worth watching)
• YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER (I like them but you might not)
• CLASSICS (Great movies up through the 1960s - many don't have any rating)

APOLLO 13 (1995) - PG - TOP NOTCH
Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon  

Summary -  NASA must devise a strategy to return Apollo 13 to Earth safely after the spacecraft undergoes massive internal damage putting the lives of the three astronauts on board in jeopardy.

Cautions - The movie begins with Kevin Bacon's character explaining docking procedures to a woman with a not very subtle reference to intimate behavior.

Commentary - It might be the most accurate historically based movie ever. Everyone involved was committed to authentically representing the events and they had access to many actual people involved. I mention that because of how much the film makes you feel like you are right there. You really feel awed by what they are doing.

Ultimately, it is a movie about coming home and overcoming the obstacles that stand in your way. It's the perfect balance of the challenges from the men in space, the skill and determination of those on the ground, and the loved ones who can do nothing but hope and pray. Amazing performances. Special effects that are so well done that they continue to hold up to modern scrutiny (especially the zero gravity look which has never be equaled). A fantastic James Horner soundtrack, especially the music for the last 20 minutes.

There is a reason it was up for so many Academy Awards. You may not watch it again and again but you should definitely watch it once.


Comments

Popular Posts