This is my first day reviewing, in anticipation

Today we saw the movie "The Astronaut Farmer" with Billy Bob Thornton, which came out this year, 2007. This is the sort of movie which is sort of-kind of watchable, from bed or wherever your favorite DVD comfort spot is. However, it is pretty slow going...Jim said it needed editing. I concur.

It is about a man named Farmer (get it? And he's an astronaut?) who used to be in training at NASA, but he had to leave and go home to save his family from losing their farm when his father dies. So he loses his chance at going into space, but keeps ahold of his dream, and decides to build his OWN rocket in his backyard.

As Judy Tenuta always says, "Like this could haaaaapen!"

Billy Bob's movie family are loyal and true, except for the occasional tantrum from his wife when they run out of food. I hate when my husband is a failed astronaut and we run out of food, too. Of course the family are all adorable looking and look like they all came out of a Hanna Anderssen catalog and frequently run around with wildflowers filling their arms. I don't know what it is that they farm. Possibly I was dozing off at that point. Billy Bob stares into space, a lot. He does some serious emoting in this movie. It's pretty heavy, being him.

Jim chose this movie, about rockets and outer space, obviously.

Does this sound like something I would eagerly wait to watch?

However, it has a Don Quixote aspect to it, which is poignant. Therefore, watch out: because...

You might not want anyone to see you crying when this movie gets sappy. And sappy it gets. I cried several times. Or let's just say this: I got "dust in my eyes " several times, and snuffled quietly from "a sudden hay fever attack".

Let's also say this movie is ridiculously improbable. If it is a true story I will eat my cowboy hat. Or my laptop.

It has lovely performances by supporting cast members Virginia Madsen and even Bruce Willis: you have to figure Billy Bob has a lot of pals and cronies in Hollywood. None of which you can hate! Yes, Billy Bob WOULD have cronies. I think I might have seen wildman John Sayles in there. He rocks. Look for him as the sheriff. And Bruce Dern apears, looking a zillion years old. Either that is a really good make up job, or The Dern Family has the genetics of Yoda. Whoa!

One good thing about this film is that you can do a lot of stuff like wash dishes, etc., and come back to check in on it, and nothing much has happened. I liked that aspect, as I always have stuff to do around the house.

The son's acting was great--he was loyal and devoted... and his name in the movie was Shep. Note to self: I must name my next kid (or German Shepherd) Shep--awesome name! What is THAT a nickname for? Shepardly? Shepardoo? Shepardusty? I could go on all day.

Ah!

Jim just made me feel stupid and said the kid was named Shep for Alan Shepard, OBVIOUSLY.

Jim just further informed me that Alan Shepard was the first American in space. What is known as "Shepard's Prayer" goes as follows:

"Please, Dear God, Don't let me fuck up."

I think we can all relate to that.

There is one inexplicable scene which appears to have spun crazily back in time to the 1800's for gratuitous reasons and as such is very dramatically shot, with sunset back lighting and stark silhouettes. Because one of my favorite movies is "Unforgiven", by Clint Eastwood, I see some references to that film shoehorned in there at that spot for dramatic effect. You'll know what I mean if you choose to see this.

I do love a nice Billy Bob movie upon occasion, even though I find him, as a person, incredibly frightening. I would not like to be caught in a dark alley with Billy Bob. In REAL LIFE. Or in an elevator, a rocket, a bar in Vegas, or in the same state, for that matter.

I would give this movie, The Astronaut Farmer, a B minus. I did indeed watch it, and I did indeed cry, so that is why it gets a B minus instead of a C minus. I wonder what Tennessee Williams would have done to the screenplay. Just an idle thought for fun.

Well, there's nothing left to say but that I admit I like movies about people who have hopes and dreams, no mater how idiotic. I am just a sucker for that. I love people who try.