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El Cosmico Recommends SPACE COWBOYS
El Cosmico here, with my recommendation to the lot of you for this weekend's viewing...
As with every weekend, many people find themselves asking..."What's the best flick to see this weekend?" Often, the question is more accurately, "Is there anything showing this weekend that doesn't suck?"
Well, yes, there most definintely is. If you're hankering for a good excuse to plop your patootie in a theatre seat, you won't find a better reason this weekend than Space Cowboys.
I mean, Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, James Garner, and Donald Sutherland, all in the same film. Do you need to know more? These guys have been in enough films to dodge the crap by now...and Space Cowboys is a fine example of just how damned excellent a bunch of actors can get.
It's been a good long while since I laughed so much at such well written and performed humor. But, Space Cowboys is sort of like two films. One, which occupies the first hour or so, takes place on the ground, and is one of the best comedies you'll see anywhere. The other part of Space Cowboys takes place in space (surprise!), is well-shot, with excellent effects work, and is, well, more dramatic. So, you might find yourself a bit emotionally confused...but only slightly. No, it's not one of the greatest films of all time, but as I think about the year so far, it may very well make my top ten of 2000. Ultimately, what's important to me here is that I enjoy the act of watching the film. Maybe not genius plot development, maybe not a believable story, but really fun to watch.
Space Cowboys is incredibly easy to enjoy, and flows along in a thoroughly satisfying manner. Tons of witty humor, delivered with great skill and ease. All this, and cool space scenes too. In other words, these guys know what they're doing. You ought to go check it out.
-El Cosmico
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My thoughts exactly
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This is a funny, poignant tale that is acted to perfection by a great ensemble cast. The screenplay may be the weakest bit of the film, but at this point in the summer season, WHO CARES?!! There is too much that does work in the film to nitpick. Just go and enjoy.
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Not wanting to piss on a national institution or anything, but the time has come for Clint hang up his acting trousers.
From the above review and others I've read elsewhere I'm sure Space Cowboys works like a charm, but there's no getting away from the fact that in the last 5 years Eastwood is an actor with a movie star reputation but not an out-and-out movie star.
I notice the only recent films where he has been quite good are ones where his age is a crucial part of the character (Unforgiven, In The Line of Fire, Space Cowboys).
He should stick to directing, a job where he could rest his tired old legs in a comfy director's chair.
His acting in True Crime was indeed criminal. -
You've gotta be kidding me! This was one of the weakest films I've seen in awhile. Yes, the early parts of the film have some nice one-liners by each of the characters, but the second half is overblown pap, in the grand tradition of 'Armageddon'. The film is basically a running gag with tired humour focusing on how old these guys are, how all of their friends are dead and how they're al such horny bastards. Then the "action" portion (although the effects aren't bad) is filled with so many trite cliches its almost unwatchable. Yes, I still think Tommy Lee and Clint are two of the coolest guys around, but what could have possessed them to do this kind of trash, other than the desire for an easy paycheck? Give me Dirty Harry any day of the week and twice on Sunday before forcing me to sit through this kind of formulaic garbage! Balls!
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Let's hope this movie kicks ass and gives us our fill after the Hollow Man and (heaven forbid) Coyote Ugly.
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Haven't seen it but surely this script-o-matic is as predictable as the tides. First half of the movie: Viagra and Maalox barbs traded. One "snot-nosed kid" astronaut throw into the middle of these Vets Who Know the Score. Every codger has a wife/girlfriend at least 30 years younger than the codger. At least one astronaut named "Mooner" or something referring to some unpublished event during the Apollo days when Mooner flashed his butt during a space telecast. Second half of the movie - whoever got tossed out of the program years before due to his failure at conquering acrophobia/claustrophobia/seasickness/inner ear problems winds up being the one who has to do the spacewalk to save either the the Snot-Nosed Kid or another codger who never forgave him for "what happened" on THEIR mission. Am I far off? We'll see.
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Darth Brooks, you're more "on" than I'd like to admit. It was a sad, sorry affair. Oh yeah, but you DID forget the part about the daredevil "loner" Cowboy finally becoming a team player and saving the whole world. No joke!
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This isn't one of the greatest stories of all time, and the screenplay is a little weak. That said, it is BY FAR the best movie to open in a while. If you stay away because it's "crap", you won't be seeing many movies this year. Go see it, have fun. My biggest hope is that the DVD has an optional audio track that makes everything that happens in the vacuum of space SILENT.
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I live in NYC. There is N0 way am I paying to see this movie. X-Men yes, Space Queer Boys... NO
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I did not know that. I thought the prices were high enough in TO ($11.00 CDN)! I agree that Space Cowboys is not worth the 11.50US but it's still a pretty good movie. Actually Clint hasn't really disappointed me ever, so it wasn't surprising that this was solid entertainment. But again, there isn't really that much special about this movie. It's funny, clever, witty with some genuine tension but nothing really that makes you stand up and jump for joy. But when compared to some other movies like TPS (which was the free flick last weekend), SC is a masterpiece. Anyway, I have a DUMB question for those of you who have seen the movie - What was the significance of the last scene ? I am not that well knowledged about Space Exploration, and the last scene just kinda baffled me - Is he/she still alive ??? Sorry, I know this is a dumb question, but could someone please explain. Thanks.
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These actors took time to learn their craft that's why they're good on the screen! I'm there!
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It looked more appealing to me in that sense. I didn't want to see some action-movie attempt with aging astronauts, which is what I originally thought they were going for. Worth checking out, I'm sure.
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Good review. 'Nuff said...
www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2000/08/04/cowboys/index.html -
Aug 04, 2000 12:45:05 PM CDT
No movie is worth $11.50 let alone $8.50. See the matinee for $5
by regis travolta
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Aug 04, 2000 1:19:00 PM CDT
" Well, you've just gotta ask yourself one question... 'Do I fee
by user id indeed!
HAAA HA HA HA HA ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!! Whew!! Oh,man. I just... whew... I just gotta.. catch my breath... heh heh.. whew. I'm- HPPPHMMPH!- Ahem, I'm ok. I'm alright. Yeah, I can do this. I'm sure. Just.. whew... wow. I'm ok. Yeah, here we go. WEIGHTLESS!!! WAAAH HA HA- w- OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, I got it. Yeah, that was it. Positive. Yep... alright, here we go. Ahem. Cough. Ahem ahem. Alright, I can do this. Yeah... alright. This movie actually looks somewhat decent, sort of. Was that good? Ok, 'cause... yeah, ok, 'cause I can do it again. Yeah. Well, it could've been better, I know, I was just trying to get it right... YES, I did. Fine. I'm alright if you are... ok. Ahem. This has been a Moment w/User ID Indeed! Moviewatchers.com. NOW.
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I believe the average prices to buy tickets are $5.00 for matinee and $8.00 for evening, at least that's the way it is in the Bay Area. If there's $11.00 or higher, then that's insane (unless the theatre itself is pretty friggin cool).
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...bitch bitch bitch!!! Hey, I'm more than a casual sci-fi fan. I know there is no sound in space. I'd venture to say the majority of audiences knows there is no sound in space. And as much as we don't want to believe, Hollywood isn't dumb (greedy, yes... but not dumb) and even they know there is no sound in space. You know why it's there? Of course you do... Why do sitcoms have laugh tracks? Why do movies have soundtracks? Sound is part of the experience. If you want scientific accuracy go park your ass at the nearest IMAX and wait for the next "Earth: Beautiful Blue Planet" or whatever comes next. Or go to a museum and learn something besides that reassuring fact that there is no sound in space. Whatever you do, stop complaining about "stupid Hollywood dumbasses putting sound in space." As I can best recall, there have been two movies where there was no sound in space: 2001 and Robot Jocks. The latter did not win any points for its realism. Okay, I'm done... forgive me for ranting for so long on something so trivial. By the way, Space Cowboys looks fun. If they go all go to an all-female bar the night before the mission to have one of those trusty courage-building chats it'd be even better... two birds with one stone.
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A friend and I saw this Tuesday and loved it. It's one of those movies you realize you may have to see again because you missed a third of the jokes because the audience around you was laughing too loudly. It does change mood in the second half and loses a lot of its humor, it is predictable, it is cliche, but it is so fun to watch -- the way movies are supposed to be.
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I'm sure the movie runs the same formulaeic stuff as many others tend to (Scream made off with 3 - count 'em - 3 formula movies!!!), but I'll reiterate Cosmico's thoughts "Was anything else opening this weekend worth watching as much as this flick?"
That's the question to consider. Remember, we're already through the blockbuster portion of the summer so now it's just "popcorn-flick time" for the theatres. -
That's not nearly as funny as User Id Indeed's, but it's all I could come up with. :-)
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What better casting than to pick these two actors! Looking forward to seeing it tonight. A friend of mine saw it this morning and said it was great! Predictable, but great! One of the best scenes is when Clint is about to get into a fight with some punks and says, "I've got Medicade. Give me your best shot." Yeah, I'm there dudes!
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but if "Hollow Man" becomes a huge blockbuster hit, the Invisible Minority, aka "Clears", although that's rather racial, will no doubt demand recognition, and raise a big uproar. They will also get rather cocky, as they tend on getting. Friggin' Clears... think just because they can see their own food digesting their socks don't smell... argh. So let's just shun the both of 'em and go frolic in the masturbatory wonder that is "Coyote Ugly"! Either that or "Thomas and the Magic Railroad", as the Talking Train Coalition needs a good deal of support. This has been a Painfully Moronic Moment w/User ID Indeed!
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Hollow Man...Hollow Head. I'll bet any of those "old geezers" can kick your ass! Nuff said!
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Yes now! "Hollow Man" was almost as painfully moronic as the average post from yers trooly. They just let him go home? Screw that. First off, they should know he's dangerous by his cowboy boots. Cowboys are freaky. Secondly, how does he conceal the keys to his apartment? Wouldn't somebody notice a buncha flying keys? The whole thing was just filler between the gratuitous rape scene and the usual "He's dead! Oh wait, no he's not!" ending grind. Too bad, there were some nifty effects. I'd hate to be Kevin "Sizzle Mah Grits" Bacon if this thing tanked and all those stressful days of ill-smelling makeup and tight, itchy greenscreen suits were for naught. Yow. This has been a Moment w/User ID Indeed! Hey, didn't you call me a bit brain once? That was some cold shit, man. I curled up in my bed and cried for hours.
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Man this movie could open up a whole new untapped market. We could have Eastwood chugging some Malanta, or Garner saying "Uh-oh I just made a messy in my pants. Luckily I got my Depends on". What about Sutherland in a Ben-Gay ad, or Tommy Lee Jones doing commercials for Viagra. Man there are billions of oldsters in America (Well it seems that way when I'm driving on the freeway)So theres a ton of money to be made on this type of marketing. ~I am Jack's bullet to the head when I turn 60.~
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Radical. I saw Space Cowboys today and really enjoyed it. It has predictable moments, but you actually like the characters. Great scene where the young astros send over Ensure at the dining room to our heroes only to be upstaged later on when they retaliate and send over several jars of Gerbers baby food and Golden Books on space travel. The underlying story is sometimes you get a second chance at your dreams that you missed out on or were affraid to try. It makes you think that, "You know, maybe I will ask that girl out on a date. So what, if she turns me down." or "I'm going to write that script when everyone else says that I suck. Who are they to put down my dreams and ambitions?" Yeah, I liked Clint's movie. Take those chances in life because you may not get another one.
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We also recommended this movie, and offered some interesting insights. We just launched a week ago, so please drop on by and say hello.
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This movie is preposterous! To enjoy it you would have to removed numerous brain cells before the projectors roll! There is VERY little intelligence behind this film. Hollywood is really turning into a sewer.
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I guess you'll never get old. That's okay. I'll drink my Ensure. You eat your Gerber's baby food. Better stick to Golden Books while you're at it. I hear they're easier to read. They have pictures too!
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...the subject of getting old etc., should still demand intelligent writing (unless, using your logic, wearing Depends undergarments, griping about the price of Geritol, etc., brings with it a general deterioration in brains cells that make a film like SPACE COWBOYS seem poignant). Hollywood is still a sewer but perhaps when you get older one's sense of smell deteriorates.
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Hollywood is a sewar. No more than an industrial waste disposal plant churning out garbage. Its trash for the masses. They've run out of ideas and reshash old plots or film remakes. Yes, there are plot holes in "Space Cowboys", but when was there a movie that you actually "liked" the characters? James Garner was the soul of the group, Sutherland was the typical girl chaser, Jones; the reckless hot shot and Eastwood the bitter, but determined leader. I felt you liked these guys and that they got a second chance at something. Wasn't there an ambition you once had that you wanted to do or be and if you got that second chance would you take it? This film is a fun comic book that you liked as a kid. You discuss it with your friends, forget about it, but sticks in your mind because there was something about it that you liked. i.e. "Metal Men", "Challengers Of the Unknown", "Cave Carson", "Rip Hunter: Time Master".
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Am I the only person that thinks this movie was just a little... slow? And what about the fact that it's more predictable than Gone in Sixty Seconds? The upcoming "plot twists," if one can call them as much, could only be broadcast more loudly if the entire audience was given a pamphlet describing the exact plot. I mean, come on, how many times do you have to beat it into our heads that the satellite these geriatrics are being sent to work on is not what it seems to be?
It's my humble opinion that this movie is aimed at the dulled reflexes and minds of the aging baby boomers. I find it annoying that the reviewers at AICN complain constantly about movies being produced as though the directors have short attention spans. That's certainly not the case with this movie. Anyone can follow the plot, even if they fall asleep for ten or fifteen minutes at random intervals during the entire film. They tell you what happened, they tell you what is going to happen, they tell you what happened again, they throw in a quick one liner about how old the actors are, then they tell you whats going to happen again.
And where can you get off saying that the first half of the movie is as funny a comedy as you'll ever see? A few one liners every couple of minutes is good comedy? What comedies have you been watching recently?!? One of the best comedies you'll ever see is "Noises Off", not the first half of this movie!
I'll admit, this movie is not completely horrible, the special effects are marginally above average, and there are a few good lines, but the movie spends so much time explaining what's going on and so little SHOWING what's going on that there is no dramatic effect, no suspense, and no pain as Hawkins sacrifices himself. What could have been a touching moment is killed by horrible pacing, which also kills any suspense in the landing of the shuttle. I wasn't left thinking that I'd wasted my money on the film, but I certainly didn't think the movie was above average. -
Didn't it seem weird that Tommy Lee Jone's character died and everyone was like "See ya!"
It didn't seem like there was any sense of a sacrifice made on his part. Sure he had cancer, but he had 8 months! Sure his wife was dead, but a romantic interest that ended up going nowhere was started!!! WTF??? Nobody seemed too sad, making what should have been the most POWERFUL part of the movie just kind of fizzle, almost comic in a Slim Pickens Dr. Strangeglove sorta way.
Also, I wish it would have added a LITTLE more on the end as far as.... was this whole operation going to be covered up? I mean, what with Russkie nukes blastin away, this probably wouldn't be added to the Leno appearance and the "ripe stuff" article. Couldn't that have added more to it? You see all of these fascinating characters do these wonderful things, see the humanity in all of them, only to have it covered up? It was just sort of dangling there.
I really did like it, though, and would recommend it, but I think Tommy Lee's character got cheated. I thought he was stealing the show but then wasn't allowed a complete arc in his character. -
Set yourself down in that airconditioned thee-a-ter and see this written by numbers but damn enjoyable old folks save the world movie. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and when it's on cable you'll watch it again.
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I agree with you %100. The movie wasn't great, but it didn't exactly blow either. That is until Hawk's demise. I sat aghast as his "friends" shrugged their shoulders at his fate. I mean, common! I wasn't expecting a weepy, bullshit Armagedon Liv-Tyler-touching her daddy's-face-on-the-monitor scene, but maybe oh, I don't know, some recognition that the guy's gonna shoot his own ass to the moon! I mean, he was so cute with Marcia Gay in his boots and everything! Aaaugh! I'm too disgusted to continue.
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Hey I don't know people think it sounds when they say "This movie was too SLOW for me" or "These people aren't young and hot... go see an over-hyped special-effects bonanaza instead" but to meeee I think, what a poor soul... either he has no taste and never will, or else he simply hasn't been exposed to truly great cinema and still thinks "The In Crowd" is the height of psychological exploration on film. These godless wretches deserve our sympathy, not our hatred.
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EvilKnieval the movie WAS too slow. The instant they got into space, I already knew what was going to happen so I was left sitting there twiddling my thumbs wondering if any deviation from the predictable would occur... it didn't. And referring to great cinema in the Space Cowboys talkback section is like leaning over to the person sitting next to you at church and asking them to pull your finger. In all seriousness, everyone going to see Space Cowboys expects to see an "over-hyped special-effects bonanza", and that's exactly what they get, except that the pacing is slower and the actors are much older than most other movies in the genre. And WTF does religious affiliation have to do with one's opinion of this movie? Because I think this movie sucks I'm godless? What sort of madness is this? Does my dislike of Root Beer flavored jelly beans make me a pagan? Am I a satanist because I think Pepsi tastes better than Coca-Cola Classic?
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