In the Shadow of the Moon
Traveling to the moon has been a part of cinema since its inception. In 1902 Georges Melies made a 14-minute silent movie called Le Voyage dans la Lune (A Trip to the Moon), the first science fiction film.
More than a century later comes In the Shadow of the Moon, a history of what Melies could only dream about.
The film features incredible footage of the moon landings, some of which has never been seen. Literally. NASA shot the footage and then left it in the can. 25 years later it’s been restored and screened in this movie.
There’s certain images that are, of course, iconic when it comes to the moon landings. Like Armstrong coming down the ladder. But compared to the high quality, pristine images of this film … well, you haven’t seen the moon like this. We see fotage from a rover as an astronaut drives around the surface. Or footage of a lander returning to the orbiting command module. I cannot tell you how jaw-droppingly amazing some of the footage is.
With the NASA footage are interviews with the astronauts, sans Neil Armstrong, who is apparently quite the recluse nowadays. But Buzz Aldrin, Jim Lovell, and Michael Collins are all there.
In fact, it’s Michael Collins who makes the movie. I probably couldn’t have named him until seeing this film, but now he’ll be hard to forget as the third member of the Apollo 11 mission. He is warm, interesting, funny, self-deprecating, and honest. The producers seem to know that, too, because he gets a lot of screen time.
About 3 billion people have been born since the first moon landing. This is a movie for them (or, since I’m one of those 3 billion, this is a movie for us). And for the other 3.7 billion who were around to see it in 1969, there will be a lot here you’ve never seen before.
In the Shadow of the Moon open at the Grand Cinema today.
Trailer:
18 comments
K KevinFreitas January 31, 2008
Hopefully this little bird wasn’t too liquored up ‘cause this would be fun stuff. Tho I’ll probably stick with PSP and Knapp’s for my b-fast needs. At least for the time being…
E Erik B. January 31, 2008
Now, a few days later, the word on the street is that the the folks at the Harmon Brewery on Pacific Ave have been checking out the space. The lease may even be signed by now. Their intentions? A Harmon with more of a neighborhood feel.
The Harmon could do it. The would have to revamp the inside. They need to add a bar.
However, the neighborhood is pretty hopping.
J Jake January 31, 2008
It is interesting that the owner of Harmon would open another Harmon when he was working on the Broadway Speakeasy. Unless the Speakeasy is dead.
I noticed the real estate company that the Harmon owner has interest in lost the contract for selling the Mecca Condos.
Anyone know if the Broadway Speakeasy is still a go?
E Erik Hanberg January 31, 2008
Seeing that this neighborhood Harmon would be my neighborhood Harmon, I only have one word for this. Sweeeeeeet.
J jdub January 31, 2008
A difficult street frontage, though the summertime foliage adds something to it. For those less inclined to um, a Doyle’s experience, the possibilities are endless. it could really round out the block.
J Jake January 31, 2008
It would be nice to see something built on the vacant lot to the north of the building. I am told a tavern used to be there but burned down. I bet the parking requirement has something to do with this. Erik B. takes over from here …….
D drizell January 31, 2008
The lot immediately north of the Stadium Bistro building is 25 feet by 130 feet. I recently put together a conceptual design for infilling that lot. Because the lot is so narrow, the only way to meet the minimum off-street parking requirement is to build parking spaces directly off 2nd St. This would be prohibitively expensive because the parking floors would have to be elevated to the same level as the gradually sloping sidewalk along 2nd. Of course, access to parking on the lot would all but eliminate the on-street spaces there.
My design includes two live-work spaces bookending the block with five two-story lofts between. And yes, the minimum parking requirements are met: there is a one-car garage for each unit.
If I knew how to work computers I would put in a link to the SketchUp project.
I in-tacoma January 31, 2008
awesome! Parking is not very good around there though. That area right there is pretty dense with apts and if I dont get home by 8pm I usually have to park 5 blocks away, Not bad compared to caphill but still street parking is getting pretty limited. I hope this comes through and I hope the harmon puts some walls up to divide up the space.
M morgan January 31, 2008
Jake @3: You’re not the only one that noticed that. I see also that they have 5,800 square feet on Broadway for sale at $1.2M. Is this the Speakeasy space?
A Andrew January 31, 2008
I hope the Speakeasy project is still a go. I think the brewery/movie idea is excellent. I would love to see the stadium project go forward, but it does seem odd they would do a dual expansion at the same time. I hope the speakeasy project is still intact too! Keep us posted Derek.
D dni January 31, 2008
Its my understanding that the Broadway space was intended to be the Speakeasy, and the Commerce space was to be leased for retail. Interesting.
E Ed Murrieta January 31, 2008
It’s confirmed.
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/edsdiner/2008/01/31/title_487
E Erik S January 31, 2008
Sounds good. I’ll miss the Central Cinema/McMenamins style brew-theater, but better to actually get this than dream about that.
A Alison January 31, 2008
I’d be happy if they would allow people to use St Helen’s Cafe gift certificates so that two of my xmas presents that I gave this year weren’t worthless. Probably not likely, oh well.
J Jenyum February 1, 2008
It’s good to see the space snatched up so quickly, and by a local business that has already been successful. (But if they’d put some fries on the menu that aren’t breaded, I’d be happier.)
B beerBoy February 5, 2008
It should would be nice if Tacoma could have a brewpub that made making excellent beer its highest priority.
Harmons used to have good seasonals but that has changed. Engine No 9? Don’t get me started.
C CA February 5, 2008
The Harmon brews the best IPA in the south sound. I also enjoy their Octoberfest. I think they call it “Killer Brew.”
B beerBoy February 6, 2008
Sorry, Dick’s Bottleworks IPA is far superior. I haven’t been to Centralia to check out their deli but I know they pour there so, technically, they would qualify as a brewpub.
Don’t get me wrong – Harmons is OK – but they don’t excite me. I used to go there for the seasonals but, since they changed managers it seems like they have cut back on the grain bill on those brews.