1111. Gravity

Gravity
2013
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron

I thought we could take a break from reviewing the older entries on the List with something that is pure Hollywood. I am guessing this is one of those additions the Listmakers threw in to give the impression this Book is a scooch more fun than it is, and they will probably remove it on the next round. I will cherish my Clooney moments while I can.

Dr. Ryan Stone is on her very first space mission to service the Hubble telescope. The NASA space shuttle is commanded by veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski. A cloud of space debris strikes their shuttle and the telescope, which tears Dr. Stone from the shuttle and sends her tumbling into space, which begs the question: why the hell would anybody want to be an astronaut? Even the possibility of seeing Clooney in his space diaper couldn't entice me into a shuttle.

These kind of stories are always fun, where a disaster strikes and it is up to a resourceful protagonist to wriggle their way out of the situation. Of course, these plots are always a little more interesting if there's a realistic premise and execution. Not many space movies are scientifically accurate and this one is no exception. Still, it was nice to watch a movie with a space setting that wasn't a total mindfuck, like Solaris or 2001. And 90 minutes? I admire the restraint, especially coming from Cuaron.

The effects were outstanding and the actors were pretty, so it's a fairly engaging movie. Maybe not the most original entry on our List, but an impressive one nonetheless.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

The opening scene is a single shot that lasts 12 minutes.

Sandra Bullock stayed in the rig for up to 10 hours a day.

The movie was 80% CGI.