Monday, October 7, 2013

Gravity

Gravity, the latest film from director Alfonso Cuaron was, and this is without hyperbole or bluster, one of the best films I have ever seen. The performances were stellar and the visuals are absolutely jaw dropping. There is nothing like this film but I am sure every stalled or mothballed idea having to deal with survival in space productions are being revved up as you read this. That's how amazing Gravity is, and because of that I give it five buckets of Killer Korn with never ending refills.










Every now and then there comes a movie that renders you breathless, makes you say "HOLY SHIT", and then makes you wonder how they did that. Gravity by writer/director Alfonso Cuaron is that movie. It's a visual feast, a true delight for the eyes with a story aimed right for your heart and it hits both its marks dead center. It hits them, and then hits them again, and again, repeatedly until your jaw drops and your eyes well up. If I weren't already a fan of Cuaron's before this movie, this movie would have done the trick. It is without a doubt one of the most amazing films I have ever had the privilege to see.

Starring Oscar award winner Sandra Bullock and George Clooney who play Dr. Ryan Stone and Mission Specialist Matthew Kowalski respectfully, Gravity starts off with your everyday, run of the mill space walks as the crew of space shuttle Explorer attempts to upgrade the Hubble telescope. All is fine and dandy as Matt is jetting around with his propulsion pack on his back and having a little fun with Houston. Ryan is doing her best to add her special upgrades while trying to keep her lunch down in zero g. Suddenly Houston instructs Explorer to abort the mission due to the Soviets getting rid of the evidence of their wrongdoing. That sets off an amazing and frightening chain of events. Sandra was spectacular in her vulnerability, fear, and resolve, George was charming, affable, and inspirational. This movie was cast to perfection.

Gravity, written by brothers Alfonso and Jose is the kind of movie that propels someone to household name status. The story isn't all that spectacular really, but this character in the hands of Sandra Bullock makes it take flight. And when it finds its wings there is that potential for eyes to well up and for tears to fall. Shot by Emmanuel Lubezki, I have heard from one person that the movie caused motion sickness. While that didn't happen to me, my jaw did drop a few times at the visuals both in space and within the suits and capsules. Lubezki puts us right in the helmet of Dr. Ryan at times and gave us her frightening perspective with breath taking effect. It was brilliantly done and I have no desire to know HOW it was done. I want to keep the magic intact. Scored perfectly by Steven Price doing his second major motion picture creates an aural landscape that's both disconcerting and hauntingly fragile. SEE  THIS  MOVIE!!! See it the second you can because you will not be sorry, and I will see you at the theater.

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