It’s been a great last decade of space-themed movies, which have superb visuals and well told stories. These films cover the thrill of space exploration, the existential question about where humanity is placed in the cosmos.
1. Interstellar (2014)
A mind boggling space and time adventure that audiences can enjoy, from Christopher Nolan's film «Interstellar». It takes to the streets of humanity and the distant planets and wormholes that we might too survive. The pilot's name, Cooper, played by Matthew McConaughey, is lead astronaut on a mission to seek out a new habitable world. Drama laden, with a daring narrative and cutting edge science, Interstellar has become one of the most successful space films of the modern day. Its themes of sacrifice, love and the future of mankind play out on as expansive visual effects as they do.
2. The Martian (2015)
The Martian is a thrilling survival story on Mars by Ridley Scott. Andy Weir’s novel is turned into it, about astronaut Mark Watney played by Matt Damon who’s strung from his crew after they mistakenly think he’s dead. Since supplies are limited, what Watney has available are his wits, science and grit to ensure he survives. There is humor and balance between the tense moments of the film which portray the amazing ingenuity of the human spirit. Critical for its realism, attention to detail, and Damon’s performance as a lone survivor marooned on the all but inhospitable planet of Mars, «The Martian» was a critically acclaimed film.
3. Gravity (2013)
«Gravity» from the direction of Alfonso Cuarón is a visually stunning movie, one that keeps no seat free in the audience. The film is about two astronauts, Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, who are astronauts playing a board game who have their shuttle destroyed. Gravity takes the viewer on a heart pounding ride through the terrors of space, encompassing vast deep space silence. The film won seven Oscars, and that was helped by Cuarón’s precise direction, and groundbreaking visual effects. Its stunning technical accomplishments have paralleled the human at its core will ever remain a benchmark of space cinema.
4. Ad Astra (2019)
It’s a deeply philosophical journey into space, with astronaut Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) chasing after his long lost father, at the edge of the solar system. James Gray direct the movie which examines the themes of isolation, the unknown, and the complex relationship between father and son. «Ad Astra» is a slow paced movie compared to others in the space film genre, however it really is a thought provoking cinematic experience that is aided so well with the amazing cinematography and haunting score. That’s a film that’s also looking outward into the stars as much as it’s looking inward.
5. First Man (2018)
«First Man» is a story of one of the most iconic events in human history: the moon landing, driven by the hand of Damien Chazelle. Where the movie does what a few of the biopics haven’t: It doesn’t just plow into Neil Armstrong’s (Ryan Gosling) inevitable flight achievement, touching more on how that effort burrowed its way into his private life, drawing out the toll it took on him emotionally and personally. With Chazelle’s direction it’s a visceral, close up view of space exploration that is at the same time grounded and human. First Man’s authenticity is celebrated, in peace(iness), in its likeness to Armstrong’s marriage and his portrayal on the mission Apollo 11.
