I picked up this DVD after reading a number of comments here. A lot of people really derided it, but there were a couple highly supportive positives, so I decided to check it out.
Yes, I suppose there are a couple reality question marks, but far fewer than the typical outrageous Hollywood film (and I happen to like Mission to Mars, Red Planet, Robinson Crusoe on Mars, Earth Vs The Flying Saucers, etc.). Stranded is a very good psychological study of a group of astronauts who crash land on Mars, have very limited resources, and no expectation of quick rescue.
The activity is driven by perfectly reasonable dialog (not sure if Hollywood remembers how to do this -- much harder than the typical action stuff). The acting is perfectly adequate to support the dialog and deliver the story. The strain associated with the circumstances is effectively communicated and the frictions here and there are entirely appropriate. As mentioned elsewhere, the cinematography is very well done and I had no problems at all with the closeups -- nice job.
I would suggest that anyone who doesn't appreciate the classic film "Lifeboat" by Alfred Hitchcock, definitely wouldn't like "Stranded". (Sure "Lifeboat" is clearly the more powerful of the two, but "Stranded" has a similar character.)
Yes, I suppose there are a couple reality question marks, but far fewer than the typical outrageous Hollywood film (and I happen to like Mission to Mars, Red Planet, Robinson Crusoe on Mars, Earth Vs The Flying Saucers, etc.). Stranded is a very good psychological study of a group of astronauts who crash land on Mars, have very limited resources, and no expectation of quick rescue.
The activity is driven by perfectly reasonable dialog (not sure if Hollywood remembers how to do this -- much harder than the typical action stuff). The acting is perfectly adequate to support the dialog and deliver the story. The strain associated with the circumstances is effectively communicated and the frictions here and there are entirely appropriate. As mentioned elsewhere, the cinematography is very well done and I had no problems at all with the closeups -- nice job.
I would suggest that anyone who doesn't appreciate the classic film "Lifeboat" by Alfred Hitchcock, definitely wouldn't like "Stranded". (Sure "Lifeboat" is clearly the more powerful of the two, but "Stranded" has a similar character.)