Nova

No matter the budget, it's a miracle if you can get a film made and worth it if you have something to say. Nova attempts to ask questions about how we treat our own creations, especially at moments of crisis when the choices only become tougher along the way. Aside from the scenes of peril that offer excitement, Nova works best when it leans on its dramatic aspects, most notably with Lelia Anastasia. Her performance as the Captain leading a doomed ship lends authenticity and dimension to a character with both nobility and bias- especially against the AI of the film- played with haunting understatement in the case of Juliet Chevelle's title character. For a shoestring budgeted sci fi film, it's nice to see that it concerns itself with drama between characters and allowing the performances to be the film's greatest special effect.

To be completely honest, I did consider turning it off after a few minutes. But as the film progressed I did not mind the acting style. In fact, it started to provoke feelings. I really do not know why, but I did get pulled into this film.

The plot is cliche, but there is something I cannot put my finger on. I just wanted to keep watching. It might be that the illustration of the moral dilemmas facing the crew is so clear and highlighted. Maybe it is because there is not much else to focus on. Either way it works. I found myself getting emotionally involved in the characters in ways that even star studded casts have failed.

I don't know if my experience is unique or not, but I like this film.

Poor acting, poor choice of cast, poor script, poor dialog. Looks like a student film. The kid did the best acting.

The long eyelashes looked silly, but are needed to distinguish the androids (the 'Uncanny valley').

During the dance with Nova and Abilene, the conversation suggests that Nova volunteered for the mission and Abilene followed. If an android can volunteer, that goes against the premise that androids have no freedom.

Poor acting, poor choice of cast, poor script, poor dialog. Looks like a student film. The kid did the best acting.

Poor acting, poor choice of cast, poor script, poor dialog. Looks like a student film. The kid did the best acting.

What happens when robots begin to feel? Should we nip that in the bud? Or allow them to flourish? What happens when they start to learn things that they weren't necessarily programmed to do? How dangerous is that?

Yes, this film is extremely low budget, but I think it's worth a watch if you want to see one possible outcome to these questions. If you just want action, go watch something else.

The actors aren't very good, but considering the majority of the cast are robots...not sure you can judge that.

Ok. I have to get the costumes off my chest. The fem bots. Literally. The female robots have big hair held in place by a huge barrette. And eye lashes that are so big... maybe they double as antenna?

The film was very entertaining and thought provoking. Androids that go beyond being just robots. It had a very diverse cast which In this case was a fantastic choice. Nova is an android who has a connection with Abilenes (I think that's how you spell it). The solar flares were interesting. Eventually you get to a point where you're not sure who was human or who was a robot. The set was well done. I wonder though if the captain and crew ever make it to Mars. Will there be a sequel? If so I would like to see it explore what happens with the robots and Mars itself and how they explore that idea. It was a fun film.