Rating: 
Summary: Houston, We Have A Problem
Review: Houston, we have a problem. Those five words sent chills through the NASA space center in April, 1970. Apollo 13 had just lifted off on its voyage to the moon. On board were Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert. Approximately halfway through the voyage, an explosin rocks the ship. One of the oxygen tanks burst as it was being stirred. The explosion crippled the ship and left the astronauts unable to land on the moon, and put their return to earth in jeopardy. Tom Hanks (Lovell), Bill Paxton (Haise), and Kevin Bacon (Swigert) give riveting performances as the astronauts, and Ed Harris gives an Oscar-caliber performance as Gene Kranz. Gary Sinise is also excellent as Ken Mattingly, originally scheduled to be on the misson, but was kept off due to exposue to the measles. However, Mattingly still played an important role in bringing the astronauts back to earth by working in the simulator to develop a plan to conserve the engegy aboard the L.E.M. so the computers could be powered up for re-entry. Ron Howard does an excellent job with state of the art special effects which bring this apollo mission to life. Combining excellent acting, historical correctness, and edge-of-your-seat excitement, Apollo 13 is worthy of inclusion in any video collection.
Rating:
Summary: Failure is not an option
Review: Perhaps no single event in the history of spaceflight (save for the horrible "Challenger" tragedy) was as humbling as the near-catastrophic saga of Apollo 13. When an oxygen tank ruptured and exploded in the service module as the three-man crew of Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert were within 50,000 miles of a touchdown on the surface of the Moon, not only was the lunar landing scrubbed, but there was the strong possibility that neither they nor their ship would last long enough until re-entry.Ron Howard's gripping 1995 epic shows us how the tragedy unfolded before an America that had become complacent, and also how some very sharp minds at Mission Control ensured that this most perilous spaceflight had a triumphant conclusion. Based on the book "Lost Moon" by Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger, APOLLO 13 gets great performances from the three-man team of Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, and Kevin Bacon, as well as first-rate support from Gary Sinise (as Ken Mattingly, the initial command module pilot who was beached because of a feared rubella infection that never materialized), Kathleen Quinlan (as Marilyn Lovell), and Ed Harris as flight director Gene Kranz who urges his Mission Control team on by telling them "Failure is not an option." APOLLO 13 gives credit to both the crew and the entire Mission Control staff for having made the flight come to a successful conclusion when it could have ended in irreversable tragedy. Scientifically accurate special effects and James Horner's Copland-influenced music score are the icing on this, one of the best movies of the Nineties.
Rating:
Summary: Correction to previous post. regarding cropping the DVD...
Review: Hey Zahnduhl, You're right to point out that we want to see movies in their true "theatrical aspect ratio" so I commend you for that. Film is an artform - would you crop a Picasso to fit your TV screen? However, I felt it necessary to note that what you have noticed here in this case is most likely an instance of Universal Pictures releasing the un-masked (or Full-Ap) version of the movie as a 1.33:1 release instead of the typically butchered Pan&Scan version that we all so detest. I can't say for 100% sure on this DVD, but I will say that this was fairly common in the past to help the VHS sales. I commend them for at least doing this as opposed to cropping, but I can see how it could leave you (and others) thinking that your precious movie was cropped for the WS transfer. Rest assured, however, that most likely you are just getting "more" in this VHS version than was ever released theatrically. This is possible when the studio decides to release original Full Aperture footage for the VHS release. Although, you will likely find that Visual Effects shots will still typically be cropped b/c most of the time VFX houses will only work in the final theatrical aspect ratio. Anyway, I hope this clears up any confusion for you, now go buy the DVD. ;) -anonymous
Rating:
Summary: Houston we have a problem
Review: This is by far one of the best movies ever made. In fact, it is a great shame that it did not win the Academy Award for Best Picture. The way that director Ron Howard and his team put the film together is truly amazing. Also, the scenes transition beautifully with great color ambience combined with avid camera angles. Additionally, the filming aspects clearly indicate an attention for detail and authenticity. However, the acting and screenwriting are the aspects that make this film truly amazing. The all-star cast including Tom Hanks and Gary Sinise puts on a terrific performance as they portray their characters as dynamically as possible. Nevertheless, Ed Harris put on the best overall presentation with the exception of Hanks. His intensity and overall screen appearance are incredibly realistic, and they cause the viewer to forget that he is watching a movie but rather viewing the action live. Lastly, the sound effects and musical compositions put the icing on the cake. The sound synchronization as well as the emotionally appealed soundtracks accent the action on the screen in a way that creates the full film experience. Thus, all of the technical aspects as well as those of the sheer entertainment value contribute parts to form an excellent whole as the film Apollo 13.
Rating:
Summary: A thrilling story of a man's dream to go to the moon
Review: Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks) and many of his family members and friends have just seen the first man (Neil Armstrong) walk on the moon. Jim is an astronaut, and right away, he gets the idea that he also wants to walk on the moon if it's the last thing he does. Fred Haise (Bill Paxton) and Ken Mattingly (Gary Sinise) share that dream just as much as Jim does. Will the three friends and colleagues be able to make it through all the training exercises to prove their worthiness of taking an out of this world trip? If so, will Apollo 13 safely make it to the moon? These are a couple of questions to keep in mind while you watch this 1995 classic called "Apollo 13". "Apollo 13" is a great movie in many ways. First of all, it has great acting (how can you go wrong with Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, and Ed Harris?) and it was directed by one of the best directors, Ron Howard. If you're either an action or drama fan, then you'll see plenty of it in this movie. "Apollo 13" also has great special effects, but it is not a movie that relies a great deal on eye-popping effects. You'll be hooked to the screen while you watch this thrilling story of a man's dream to go to the moon. You'll see both unforgettable triumphs and suspenseful struggles. If you like suspense, drama, action, or trips to the moon, add "Apollo 13" to your collection today!
Rating:
Summary: "Failure is NOT an option!"
Review: In April 1970, a radio transmission containing these words crackled back to earth from the tiny Apollo 13 spacecraft, which was carrying three men on a quarter-million mile journey to the moon. Spoken by the spacecraft's commander with a deliberate calmness, these words alerted the world of a deadly accident which occurred nearly 200,000 miles from earth . . . an accident which literally threatened to maroon the three passengers aboard Apollo 13 in space for all eternity. In 1995, Imagine Entertainment released "Apollo 13", a wonderful motion picture directed by Ron Howard. This film masterfully dramatizes those harrowing seven days in April 1970, when the world watched and waited to see if the Apollo 13 astronauts would return to earth safely, or be lost forever in the vast ocean of space. Based upon James Lovell's memoir of the flight, "Lost Moon," this film brilliantly recreates all of the tension, the high drama, and the heroism of that fateful week. "Apollo 13" is an outstanding film in every way. The acting is uniformly superb! There is no question that the dominant performance in this movie is turned in by Ed Harris as the irascible, focused Gene Kranz. In every scene in which Harris appears, he simply towers above the other actors. His performance is stunning in its realism and accuracy. Tom Hanks brings an wonderfully easy-going, almost "aw-shucks" demeanor to Jim Lovell's character. Bill Paxman is excellent as the quietly intense Fred Haise, and Kevin Bacon shines as the somewhat impetuous but extremely competent ladies' man Jack Swigert. Kathleen Quinlan suffers beautifully as the superstitious Marilyn Lovell, a woman who seems to have had about enough of being an astronaut's wife. As with all Ron Howard/Imagine Entertainment films, the technical aspects of Apollo 13 were, for the most part, outstanding. Ron Howard's direction provided scenes which were very effective in heightening the film's overall sense of drama while realistically conveying the gravity of the crisis at hand. I thought a couple of scenes surrounding the launch of Apollo 13 seemed to venture into the realm of the over-dramatic, and came close to stretching reality to its breaking point. Most other scenes - most notably the sequences where the spacecraft has broken radio contact with the earth - are wonderfully sensitive and poignant reminders of the emotional toll being wrought on the astronauts, their families and friends, and the men at Mission Control who struggled so mightily to ensure a successful resolution to this crisis. "Apollo 13" is an important movie which accurately depicts one of the most harrowing events of the 1970s. Sandwiched as it was between the American army's incursion into Cambodia in early April and the killing of four students at Kent State University on May 4, 1970, the Apollo 13 mission has largely been forgotten. This superb film brings that event - which Gene Kranz called "NASA's finest hour" - once again to the forefront, and restores the players in this real-life drama to the pantheon of American heroes.
Rating:
Summary: Correction to previous post. regarding cropping the DVD...
Review: Hey Zahnduhl, You're right to point out that we want to see movies in their true "theatrical aspect ratio" so I commend you for that. Film is an artform - would you crop a Picasso to fit your TV screen? However, I felt it necessary to note that what you have noticed here in this case is most likely an instance of Universal Pictures releasing the un-masked (or Full-Ap) version of the movie as a 1.33:1 release instead of the typically butchered Pan&Scan version that we all so detest. I can't say for 100% sure on this DVD, but I will say that this was fairly common in the past to help the VHS sales. I commend them for at least doing this as opposed to cropping, but I can see how it could leave you (and others) thinking that your precious movie was cropped for the WS transfer. Rest assured, however, that most likely you are just getting "more" in this VHS version than was ever released theatrically. This is possible when the studio decides to release original Full Aperture footage for the VHS release. Although, you will likely find that Visual Effects shots will still typically be cropped b/c most of the time VFX houses will only work in the final theatrical aspect ratio. Anyway, I hope this clears up any confusion for you, now go buy the DVD. ;) -anonymous
Rating:
Summary: Murphy's Law in Outer Space
Review: Talk about rolling snake eyes. To begin with, your mission is numbered "thirteen." Then the pilot you've trained with is grounded prior to lift-off because he's allegedly been exposed to the measles; he's replaced by a young buck still wet behind the ears. Once you're within spitting distance of the surface of the Moon an oxygen tank explodes. Obviously, it takes oxygen to breathe, so now what? Shut down everything in the command module, of course, shiver in the lunar module, and hope the gravitational tug from the Moon will slingshot you back home. And I thought I had my bad days. Yet the problems mentioned above merely scratch the surface of the true trials and tribulations of APOLLO 13. Director Ron Howard recreates this gripping, compelling story, right down to beehive hairdo's and computers the size of Mt. Rushmore. The drama, the sense of urgency--on the part of the astronauts, and the NASA staff in Houston frantically trying to save them--is so powerful and vivid I felt I was watching the actual event itself. To magically weave the viewer into the story is a crowning achievement for any filmmaker, and here, Howard succeeds like a wizard waving a wand. Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Ed Harris, Kevin Bacon, and Gary Sinise headline a stellar cast in a grim race-against-time that had the entire world transfixed in April of 1970. I remember being glued to the TV watching Walter Cronkite broadcast around the clock to give us the latest developments of the Apollo 13 story; I remember the relief and joy I felt when that banged-up capsule was retrieved from the ocean. To relive the triumph--and near-tragedy--of this event is an awesome experience, and APOLLO 13 is awesome, indeed.
--D. Mikels
Rating:
Summary: One of My Absolute Favorites
Review: Apollo 13, the story of NASA's near-loss of one of its manned spacecraft in 1970, is on my top-five list of all-time favorite movies. This, for me, is one of those movies that I've see a million times, know all the words to and get everyone whose watching it with me annoyed because I HAVE TO say the lines along with the actors. The acting in the movie is fantastic...everyone from Tom Hanks to Ed Harris on down the list superbly act this true event from our nation's history. Even the background music is great...seamlessly fitting into the mood of the movie. Annie Lennox does the vocalizations, and her voice is, as always, immensely powerful. As someone who craves the day when this nation returns to the resolve it had in the 1960's and early 70's when we were shooting for the moon, the story of Apollo 13 should inspire those who yearn for humanity's renewed interest in exploring the immensity of what lays beyond our small planet, not just with robotic devices, but with people as well. Apollo 13's failure to land on the moon, and near-loss, should prove to humanity that from failure, we can still triumph. That is something that I think we have forgotten today...especially after the loss of the Shuttle Columbia, we have nearly forgotten the incredible risk of exploring space is more than worth the benefits we will reap with our explorations...even when some do not return home.
Rating: 
Summary: Houston, we have Apollo 13 on DVD...
Review: To infinity, and beyond! No wait, wrong movie... Apollo 13 was pretty popular when it came out, as I understand it, but I wasn't in to a lot of movies when I was young, so it wasn't until recently that we got to view this newly-born classic on the small screen. And considering that computer and graphics effects haven't really taken off until quite recently, this film is still a spectacular cinematic accomplishment. Directed by Ron Howard (whom we all can't help but think of as little Opie Taylor), it's excellent historical...well, I can't really say fiction because it's reenactments of the real events. All the actual persons about whom this movie tells have stated that the facts are nearly 100% accurate. PLOT: Three astronauts: Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks), Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon), and Fred Haise (Bill Paxton) are taking part in a second visit to the moon, but must struggle for survival when they experience a dangerous accident. GOOD: Of course, it's on the good side that Apollo 13 was real, and took place not that long ago. Jim Lovell among others gives this film excellent ratings, because of the accuracy of the story. It is a griping story of survival and the American spirit of endurance and courage, and one that has particular significance given the even more recent events surrounding the crew of space shuttle Columbia, and its tragic story. The drama, suspense, and thrill of watching this story unfold on the screen is a really awesome experience. The fact that it really happened adds a lot to the story. The music is simply spectacular, and the goodies included with the DVD are pretty good, compared to some of the earlier movies that were released on DVD. And take note: On the main menu for the DVD? If you simply keep it on the main menu, the film's ENTIRE FILM SCORE will play through. And this music is really something to listen to, just by itself. BAD: There is a bucket-load of swear words included in the film. Though if one rated swear words, we don't have any R-rated words, just the D-word (a lot) and the H-word (a lot). I don't think too many children are going to be frightened by this film, but you would know the best. There are some scary elements, but it's the real world we're talking here, so we aren't going to see monsters or scary apparitions like that. And of course, these days a movie doesn't fly without some sort of sexual content, but thankfully, Apollo 13 keeps it to a minimum. In an opening scene, Tom Hanks' Jim Lovell has a gathering at his house to watch the moon landing, and one scoundrel of an astronaut is shown describing to his girlfriend the excitement of guiding a probe into its destination, and how satisfying it is. (Using a beer bottle and glass to show her; He's referring to the shuttle maneuver, but the innuendo is quite present) The same guy is later seen coming out of the shower to answer the phone, leaving the girl he was playing around with back in the shower. Another scene shows Mrs. Lovell in the shower and accidentally dropping her wedding ring down the drain. One might say that this scene contains brief partial nudity, but it's debatable. THOUGHTS: All the bad elements aside, this movie is a great watch. Family members of all ages will most likely enjoy not only the action, but will get a history lesson out of it as well. As previously stated, the music is wonderful, the acting is great, and the visual effects are fantastic. Apart from the few bad elements (which I only highlight because you have the right to know), I really do enjoy this movie, and I think you will as well. 8 out of 10 stars.
|
