The Martian

I unreservedly loved this movie, so much so that I was buzzing with emotion about it for a couple of hours after I left the theater.  It was a joy to watch.

I grew up dreaming of space.  I was 14 when men first walked on the moon.  I was 21 when I applied for (and was turned down for) the Mission Specialist program.  I have always wanted us to continue exploring space.  (Yes, I also very much want us to spend money fixing our problems here on Earth, but I do not see the two as mutually exclusive; I would cut spending elsewhere to fund NASA.)  I also love stories of people overcoming adversity through intelligence and hard work.  So, I am an ideal target for this movie.

I do understand the movie has flaws, including some science errors (though far fewer than most films), but none of them pulled me out of the story enough to matter.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you already know the film's setup, and you almost certainly have guesses as to how it ends.  Forget all of that; it won't matter.

Go see The Martian.  At worst, you'll have a good time.  At best, you'll come away as excited and inspired as I did.