Dark Discussions Podcast, Podcasts

Dark Discussions Podcast – Episode 208 – Ridley Scott Focus: 2015’s The Martian

Save Matt Damon. First with Saving Private Ryan, then with Interstellar, and now with the new Ridley Scott film, The Martian. The film itself has more interest than the running joke of saving characters Matt Damon has played. First, it’s about the director. The Martian has been considered by many as a bounce back movie for one of film’s most famous directors. Second, it’s about the source material. Writer Andy Weir’s incredible journey of getting his novel published is a tale in itself. Third, it’s about the screenwriter. Drew Goddard has been behind the screenplays of such favorites as Cloverfield, World War Z, and The Cabin in the Woods. But what about the story itself?

During a NASA Mars landing in the near future, a sandstorm hits sending debris that slams into astronaut Mark Watney. With a short timeframe for takeoff, the crew leave him behind believing he has perished in the harsh Mars environment. Back on Earth, an observing technician notices satellite shots of the landing site where things have moved … and not arbitrarily. Mark Watney lives! With no communication equipment, low resources, and alone on an empty planet, this “Martian” must survive while in someway find a way to contact his would-be rescuers.

A smash hit, The Martian has stormed the box office world wide. Surviving weekly challenges, it’s one of a few recent films to not only win box offices weekly but to remain a top grosser for months. With an all-star cast including some fabulous genre favorites including Sean Bean, The Martian has received rave reviews from both critics and audiences alike. Dark Discussions discusses Ridley Scott’s latest film and the book behind the blockbuster.

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