The American Astronaut (2001)

The first must-see film of the year.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

It's hard to describe this movie even with spoilers, let alone without. It's weird like Lynch did it, and reminds me of Jarmusch too. Strange combination of old school space SF, western, noir and musical. Extremely low budget and yet very effective. Cory McAbee, in Chaplin manner, brings us one man show. He wrote the script, directed, played leading role and wrote most of the music. And music is story for itself. It is impossible to picture it verbally. This has to be seen and experienced. You have to experience it for yourself.8/10

Alternative Cinema is like an Alternative Lifestyle. Not for Everyone. What we have here is an Obnoxious, Impotent, and Gross exercise in Unbridled Movie making. There is Witless and Juvenile Dialog with Embarrassing Antics by Ugly, Unappealing Characters. This Movie is just too Queer. There is an attempt at Creative, though Self-Conscious, Composition. This Ego-Maniacal Film is Shameful and Pretentious. There are some slightly Interesting Musical Numbers that have a Modern Trend of Retro Appeal. There is a Talented Cinema-Photographer at Work and it is this that can make the Viewing Experience not a Wretched Waste of Time. On the other hand, let us Applaud Anyone, (Ed Wood), that has the Temerity and Chutzpah to Write, Produce and Direct a Film and get it On the Screen and in Front of People.

After a series of ridiculously amusing shorts, Cory Mcabee made this amazing movie. Not the best film ever made by any means but my personal and eternal favorite. Terry Gilliam had once been my favorite directer. His entire catalog has been trumped by this single film and my own wiry anticipation of what Cory Mcabee might do next. This was the only 100% blind buy I've ever made on a DVD. I bought this based on nothing but stills accidentally found in a Google image search and the synopsis on Amazon.com. It's the best blind buy I've ever made. I've shown it to as many friends as possible. I'm sure the DVD has been in the hands of my friends as much as it has been in my own. All of my friends have grown fond of it. Some have bought it. For me, this movie comes with a higher recommendation than any other I have ever seen.

I saw this movie originally as part of the Southern Film Circuit Series in the Fall of 2003, I was instantly amazed by the entire film, but unfortunately because I had to view at a separate time from the viewing at the theater I did not get a chance to talk with the filmmaker who made it, which I now incredibly regret. During the beginning of the movie when the words are uttered "but it's my birthday" got me immediately interested in the film and its weird quirkiness is definitely held during the entirety of the film. The movie hold an odd mixture between old western and old science fiction movies that give the film a certain nostalgia. The movie is odd, which I love, so if you are looking for a regular run of the mill film, this is most definitely not it. But if you give the film a chance, you just may be able to recognize the various references made throughout the film and the beauty that is this rare gem.