The American Astronaut (2001)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Cory McAbee

Writer:

Cory McAbee (writer)

Genre:

Musical | Comedy | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Space is a lonely town.

Plot:

Samuel Curtis, an interplanetary trader, sets forth through a rustic and remote solar system, unaware that his old friend Professor Hess is trying to kill him.

Plot Keywords:

Planet | Spacecraft | Bar | Stand Up Comedian | Musical Number

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Cory McAbee	...	Samuel Curtis / Silverminer
Rocco Sisto	...	Professor Hess
Greg Russell Cook	...	The Boy Who Actually Saw a Woman's Breast (as Gregory Russell Cook)
Annie Golden	...	Cloris
James Ransone	...	Bodysuit
Joshua Taylor	...	Blueberry Pirate
Tom Aldredge	...	Old Man
Bill Buell	...	Eddie
Peter McRobbie	...	Lee Vilensky
Mark Manley	...	Henchman #1 (Hey Boy!)
Ned Sublette	...	Henchman #2 (Hey Boy!)
Joseph McKenna	...	Doorman
Doug McKean	...	Silverminer Jake
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bentley Wood	...	Young Johnny R.

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M

Company:

BNS Productions

Trivia:

Bill Buell's dance during "Love Smiles" was choreographed on the spot by director Cory McAbee by shouting things like "show us your karate, Bill!" and "the birds are attacking, Bill!"

Quotes:

[Samuel answers the phone]
Professor Hess: Guess who this is?
Samuel Curtis: Professor Hess.
Professor Hess: That's right! You got it on the first try! For that, you get a kiss!
Samuel Curtis: I'll pass.
Professor Hess: W-what? You think I'd kiss you? You'd love it if I'd kiss you. And I would never kiss you.
Samuel Curtis: You said you were going to kiss me.
Professor Hess: I never said I'd kiss you. I never said that. You just want me to kiss you!
Samuel Curtis: Um... not really.
Professor Hess: Oh. I'm not good enough to kiss you. Is that what you're saying?

Soundtrack:

The American Astronaut

Secure Opinion

I viewed this film as part of the Midnight Series at the theater I work for, and it looks destined to be a cult hit. It's crowd pleasing, hilarious, and silly. Also very beautifully made for the budget. Many films I find myself ambivalent about; I'm not sure whether I really like them or not. That's likely a result of thinking too much about what I see. But I can safely say that I was grinning throughout virtually the entire film. I was indeed very impressed, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys film.

The soundtrack is also upwards of keen, it being a musical and all. We were selling them after the show, and I bought one myself.

I hope the Billy Nayer Show has plans to release this on DVD, for it shouldn't be limited to Midnight Showings. It's something to be enjoyed with friends, anytime.