Film: Gravity

GENRE: Drama, Suspense
RATING: PG for intense sequences & some language
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 30 minutes
STARRING: Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side, Crash, 28 Days)
George Clooney (The Descendants, Up in the Air, Ocean’s 11)
DIRECTOR: Alfonso Cuaron (Harry Potter 3, Children of Men)
WRITERS: Alfonso & Jonas Cuaron (Children of Men)
PLOT: Two astronauts try to survive after an accident leaves them adrift in space.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:
1 Talk about visually spectacular. This film is simply beautiful. The images of the earth, the vastness of space, even the chaotic dance of destruction. Wow. I already predict a Oscar winner for best visual effects.
2 Cuaron uses the silence well. There are a couple times when the music is a tad schmaltzy but he also uses a cacophony of sound to show perfect contrast.
3 Bullock does an amazing job and keeps the audience connected at all times. Her constant fear is beautifully juxtaposed to Clooney’s calmness. He is fun to have aboard this amazing trip.
4 Even before this film, the thought of being in space scared me. This film brings this fear to a whole new level. The suspense is gripping; this is not a relaxing film.
5 Like Don Jon last week, I am enjoying these 90 minutes films. I think it’s the perfect amount of time. Gravity plays out in mostly real time and it is just enough. Add another half hour and I’m sure I would have gotten restless. Way to keep things succinct.    

RECOMMENDATION: See it in 3D in theatres
UPCOMING REVIEWS: Escape Plan, Fall TV Scorecard