O/T - the movie, The Astronaut Farmer

[Mudcat]

This is a Billie-Bob Thornton flic that just came out on DVD this week and I saw it yesterday. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I doubt it is the kind of thing the Academy would consider for Best Picture; but I can't think of a movie I have seen this year that I enjoyed more.

Or maybe I'm just getting soft in the head in my old age. Usually I'm a movie snob and this is doesn't seem like a movie snob kind of movie. It is somewhat formulaic and corny (although it is also very quirky.)

Anyone seen it?

[MrX]

It is somewhat formulaic and corny (although it is also very quirky.)

Somewhat formulaic? Well, I usually agree with your taste in movies, but I thought this one was godawful.

You should check out The American Astronaut. Now there's a great astronaut movie.

[Willie Bee]

I try to avoid Billy Bob's movies.

[Mudcat]

I think if I took the movie literally, I might have found it less enjoyable. But I don't think it was meant to be taken that way. The Polish Brothers who wrote and directed it are pretty bizarre guys judging from previous work. I think they were shooting for more of a metaphor. It reminded me in some ways of Field of Dreams.

Well, kids might enjoy it on a literal level.

Anyway, it was not my intention to sell the movie so much as to determine if I have indeed gone soft in the head. Maybe so. I was checking the rating over at imdb and it was 6.6 which is just a hair below average.

[tacomax]

I try to avoid Billy Bob's movies.

Since I was going to add that despite not seeing the film Billy Bob is one of the most versatile actors out there, I'd be interested to hear your view of him.

[Mudcat]

I'm a big BB Thornton fan. That certainly added to my enjoyment of this movie.

I'll say one other thing about the acting in Astronaut Farmer too: BB's character has three kids in it. Like the movie or not, Mr. X, didn't you think those kids did amazing jobs?

[MrX]

I'll say one other thing about the acting in Astronaut Farmer too: BB's character has three kids in it. Like the movie or not, Mr. X, didn't you think those kids did amazing jobs?

Actually, yes, I thought all of the performances were pretty strong.