Christmas on Mars
Seen it?2008 | 82 min | Music, Science Fiction
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With almost no lasting buzz and middling reviews (50% on Rotten Tomatoes), it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for sci-fi fans. If you loved Help!, start here.
- The mood
- Easygoing.
- The pace
- Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 22 min.
- What might put you off
- Nothing much for most grown-ups.
The film tells the story of the experiences of Major Syrtis during the first Christmas on a newly-colonized Mars. Coyne has described the film as "Maybe Eraserhead or Dead Man crossed with some kind of fantasy and space aspects, like The Wizard of Oz and maybe A Space Odyssey, and set at Christmas-time. The story that unfolds is intended to hint at childlike magic within a tragic and realistic situation."
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
50% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 15K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Help!
Saturday SpecialAnother musical music film that's easy to miss.
A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish Weeknight WatchAnother Christmas music film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
John Carter Weeknight WatchAnother sci-fi film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
The Time Machine Saturday SpecialAnother fantasy film, and a Saturday Special.
The Giver Weeknight WatchAnother sci-fi film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Wayne Coyne, Bradley Beesley, George Salisbury
- Steven DrozdMajor Syrtis
- Wayne CoyneThe Martian
- Fred ArmisenPhilosophical and Hymn-Singing Astronaut
- Scott BookerPsychiatrist
- Adam GoldbergMars Psychiatrist
- Michael IvinsSunglasses-wearing Astronaut
- Michelle Martin-CoyneMother
- Jimmy PikeFaithless Astronaut
- Kliph ScurlockAstronaut Confronting Cosmic Reality
- Steve BurnsMajor Lowell