The Astronaut Farmer-- Billy Bob Thornton is my new hero

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space_tycoon

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I am So. Frickin. JUICED. About this new movie. <br /><br />Trailer in WMP:<br /><br />http://movies.clevver.com/video/20118/the-astronaut-farmer-trailer.php<br /><br />This is one of those movies I am "genetically predisposed" as someone once said, to love. An American astronaut, played by Thornton, is forced to retire in order to save his family farm, which faces foreclosure. <br /><br />But the lure of the stars is too strong, and before too long, he decides to build his own rocket and fly himself into orbit--using only the resources, tools and manpower immediately available to him. <br /><br />Of course the federal government steps in and tries to stop this inexcusable individualism before it gets off the ground, so to speak--using all means necessary. <br /><br />This movie-- if it is as good as I think it will be-- could prove to be The Movie in 2007 for space-oriented types like myself. More importantly, it could be just the kind of shot in the arm we usually need around late February. <br /><br />I can't think of anyone else but Thornton in this role.<br /><br /><br />http://theastronautfarmermovie.warnerbros.com <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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1lurker

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I can hardly wait for it to come out in dvd. I would like very much to watch it and add it to my small collection of dvds.
 
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tom_hobbes

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Yeah I saw the trailer a few weeks ago. Are there any posters to SDC who didn't think, right on! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#339966"> I wish I could remember<br /> But my selective memory<br /> Won't let me</font><font size="2" color="#99cc00"> </font><font size="3" color="#339966"><font size="2">- </font></font><font size="1" color="#339966">Mark Oliver Everett</font></p><p> </p> </div>
 
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MeteorWayne

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Wow, looks like it will be a blast <img src="/images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /><br />I can't wait, and I might even actually go to the movies to see it!! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
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etavaunt

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Yep. Give us all a lift.<br /><img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /><br /><br />Sounds vaugely Heinlein-ish.<br /><br />Actually, anyone else looking forward to Avatar, by the bloke that made Aliens?.
 
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superluminal

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Yep we could all use a lift.<br /><br />Thursdays space work will be exciting.<br />I think space walk is a term that should be discontinued.<br /><br />This movie sounds fantastic. <br />I sure would love to build a rocket in my barn. <br />If only I had a big barn. lol<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><br /><strong><font size="3" color="#3366ff">Columbia and Challenger </font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="3" color="#3366ff">Starships of Heroes</font></strong></p> </div>
 
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tom_hobbes

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Yes, I've read what little Cameron's said so far. I'm very intrigued. I loved <i>Abyss</i>, one of the most wonderfully character driven stories in cinematic science fiction for me. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#339966"> I wish I could remember<br /> But my selective memory<br /> Won't let me</font><font size="2" color="#99cc00"> </font><font size="3" color="#339966"><font size="2">- </font></font><font size="1" color="#339966">Mark Oliver Everett</font></p><p> </p> </div>
 
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spacefire

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"This is one of those movies I am "genetically predisposed" as someone once said, to love. An American astronaut, played by Thornton, is forced to retire in order to save his family farm, which faces foreclosure. "<br /><br /><br />I hope they do a good job of explaining this, because it doesn't make any sense right now.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>http://asteroid-invasion.blogspot.com</p><p>http://www.solvengineer.com/asteroid-invasion.html </p><p> </p> </div>
 
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trailrider

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I'm new to this board, mainly confining my comments to the Missions & Launches section, but this is too good to pass up.<br /><br />I'm definitely looking forward to this movie. I agree it smacks a bit of Heinlein ("Rocketship Galaleo"), which is great!<br /><br />This sort of also reminds me of my summer job at the Cape back in '61. The Atlas booster to be used for the un-manned Mercury test flight was on the pad, and Major Grissom ("Sir, I'm Air Force ROTC Cadet X...!") was getting ready for his ride aboard the Redstone, 1/2 mile away from where I worked!<br /><br />There was sort of a joke going around, based on the number of parts reported to be in an Atlas-D, 300,000. We said if we snuck out one part at a time, it would take...(well, you do the math)... Only question was how to get the tanks out. But then someone had the solution! Just deflate it, fold it up like a handkerchief, and put it in the trunk of the car! <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> Those were the days...<br /><br />Ad Luna! Ad Ares! Ad Astra!
 
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etavaunt

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Actually, i was thinking "Billy Bob? the guys name is Billy Bob, and he is talking about farming space? . . . Farnhams Freehold?" the instant I saw the title of the thread. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />
 
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space_tycoon

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<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>There was sort of a joke going around, based on the number of parts reported to be in an Atlas-D, 300,000. We said if we snuck out one part at a time, it would take...(well, you do the math)... <p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br /><br />Wasn't there a Johnny Cash song along those lines? <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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JonClarke

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Sounds utterly unbelieveable and totally cliche ridden to me. People stopped writing stories about backyard rockets carrying them into space in the early 50's when people actually began to realise what was involved. The fact that movies are being made in the 21st century is a sad commentary on the gullibility of the movie going public and the ignorance and cynicism of the industry. This sort of nonsense is an insult to everyone who has ever worked to get people into space. <br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>
 
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MeteorWayne

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Hey, let's wait till we see it to bash it.<br /> <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /><br /><br />Of course it might be unbelieveable, but it's only a movie no matter what.<br /><br />And I am sensitive to the "crap" factor in many space movies. It gives unrealistic expectations to those who are not educated enough to realize the bad science. Unfortunately, the percentage of the breeding population in this state is far too high. <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
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JonClarke

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Spoil sport! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />A much more realistic story about what people could do in their back yard is Rocket Man. Clever, funny, quirky, poignant, believeable, with stellar acting by a great cast. I can't recommend this series enough.<br /><br />Jon<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>
 
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MeteorWayne

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missing an "r" in the [/url]<br /><br />Is this series viewable in the ol' USA?<br /><br />I hope so, because with such a recommedation I'd be very upset if I couldn;t see it <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
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tom_hobbes

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Hmm, have you ever bumped into a methaphor, before? <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#339966"> I wish I could remember<br /> But my selective memory<br /> Won't let me</font><font size="2" color="#99cc00"> </font><font size="3" color="#339966"><font size="2">- </font></font><font size="1" color="#339966">Mark Oliver Everett</font></p><p> </p> </div>
 
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JonClarke

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I have never seen a methaphore (whatever that is), but I <b>have</b> seen lots of lophophores<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>
 
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tom_hobbes

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<img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> My mistake. Must type more slowly in future... I'm also wondering what a <i>methaphore</i> might look like. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#339966"> I wish I could remember<br /> But my selective memory<br /> Won't let me</font><font size="2" color="#99cc00"> </font><font size="3" color="#339966"><font size="2">- </font></font><font size="1" color="#339966">Mark Oliver Everett</font></p><p> </p> </div>
 
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loxing

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Astronaut Farmer movie:<br />This is kind of like a movie version of what the Altspace community is living in.<br />I think this character is like John Carmack or Burt Rutan...facing the government establishment..the little guy building a rocket <br />in their back yard to go to space. In a lot of ways its like the producers of this movie based it on them.
 
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JonClarke

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Except that Burt Rutan is not a little guy, but a very successful and highly experienced engineer heading a major aerospace company to do the work and with considerable financial backing from a major airline. Totally different from the premise of this story.<br /><br />This is going to be yet another "space" film that will a travesty of reality. Move over Armaggedon, Deep Impact, and Space Coyboys.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>
 
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trailrider

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"Sounds utterly unbelieveable and totally cliche ridden to me. People stopped writing stories about backyard rockets carrying them into space in the early 50's when people actually began to realise what was involved. The fact that movies are being made in the 21st century is a sad commentary on the gullibility of the movie going public and the ignorance and cynicism of the industry. This sort of nonsense is an insult to everyone who has ever worked to get people into space."<br /><br />Oh, I don't know... I was reading Heinlein's young people's stories in the early and middle-'50's, and it, along with visits to the planetarium, and reading "Uncle Wernher" articles in Collier's magazine got me interested, even though I knew it wasn't that simple! I'm NOT INSULTED, and I worked in aerospace for over three decades! Like I said in my other post, if we could have only figured out how to fit the Atlas-D engines in the trunk of my car! <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />BTW is James Cameron involved in making this movie?<br /><br />If this movie gets even one kid interested in human space exploration, it will be worth it!<br /><br />Ad Luna! Ad Ares! Ad Astra!<br />
 
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JonClarke

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It wasn't a chiche when Heinlein wrote it :). But he was one of the authors who helped it become one. In fact, Heinlein should have known better, even then.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>
 
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space_tycoon

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<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Sounds utterly unbelieveable and totally cliche ridden to me. People stopped writing stories about backyard rockets carrying them into space in the early 50's when people actually began to realise what was involved. The fact that movies are being made in the 21st century is a sad commentary on the gullibility of the movie going public and the ignorance and cynicism of the industry. This sort of nonsense is an insult to everyone who has ever worked to get people into space. <br /><p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />You must be loads of fun at parties... <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />Anyway, I am yet to see a science fiction film of any subgenre that doesn't contain an element of fantasy or stretches credibility to some degree.<br /><br />Name one that doesn't. <br /><br />I admire the spirit in which this film is being presented: if you want something, do it yourself. Don't wait for governments or mega-corporations to accomplish it for you.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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JonClarke

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I sure am load of fun at parties.<br /><br />All fiction requires a plausible suspension of disbelief. The level of suspension varies according to genre. A greater suspension of disblief is required for a fantasy novel than a historical novel, for example. Satire and comedy can stretch the limits too.<br /><br />However, I would argue, unless intended as a piece of period fiction, a commedy of satire, then any film that depects past present or near future spaceflight should be judged by very high standards (space fantasy films like Star Wars or Star Trek can have more latitude).<br /><br />Thus the crass and blatant errors of Mission to Mars, Armageddon, etc., I find completely unacceptable. Filsm of this type should not ignore the physical and engineering realities of space travel, nor posit inrealistic social, political, or ecvonomic circumstances.<br /><br />Since <i>The Astronaut Farmer</i> appears to be a straight (as opposed to satire or comedy) set in the now, then for me it needs to meet this standard. <br /><br />The wikpedia entry says (notes in square brackets):<br /><br /><i>When he discovers that he is in danger of losing his farm [1], NASA astronaut Charlie Farmer (Billy Bob Thornton) decides to give up his dream job to try and save his home [2]. With time, however, he begins to miss his former profession and eventually finds himself reaching for the skies once again. Using only the tools available to him in his barn, he begins to construct a rocket that will actually be able to leave the earth’s atmosphere [3]. Of course, his activities arouse the interests of his neighbors, who immediately assume he is crazy [4]. The media soon sniff out a good story and begin covering his progress. The government, on the other hand, approaches the situation with far more suspicion and considers him a potential threat that may need to be stopped [5].</i><br /><br />[1] How likely is it that an <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>
 
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