What’s Up? The Space Place: “FLY ME TO THE MOON”

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What’s Up? The Space Place: “FLY ME TO THE MOON”


 Hey Space Placer Movie Lovers!

My bride and I saw “FLY ME TO THE MOON” today and I have to say, it was a FUN movie that at spots gave me goose bumps. 

The movie revolves around the work up to the Apollo 11 mission and starts with the tragic Apollo 1 fire which carries through the entire movie due to Tatum Channing’s role as Launch Director for both missions. 

Woody Harrelson is his as usual excellent character and Scarlett Johansson steals the show with her portrayal.

The movie is a time warp back to the ’60’s with JFK’s “We Choose to go the Moon” speech, Vietnam, Nixon, fast muscle cars and great music hits. If you grew up in that era like we did, you will love seeing the movie.

A neat part of the movie involves the ads of the day that were “space based” – you’ll see some real ones and some not for real ones.

The real scenes of Apollo 11 lifting off and Walter Cronkite’s coverage were goose bump moments for me.

Space geeks will enjoy the various NASA scenes and some of them I have actually visited, so memory lane there for me.

The movie is at its core an enjoyable Romance-Comedy taking place within the start of the Space Age and 60’s.

I think Channing Tatum’s role is very loosely based on real life Mercury Astronaut Deke Slayton for reasons you will recognize if you are a well informed student of NASA.

I won’t give anything away, BUT be sure to catch the name of the program used for a Top Secret project.

You ought to see the movie on July 20th, International Moon Day, to celebrate Apollo 11.

Sky Guy in VA

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