Oculus

In Oculus two siblings try to defeat the supernatural entity within a mirror that hung in their childhood home. Kaylie (Karen Gillan) the older sister has done extensive research on the history of the mirror’s past owners. It’s grizzly and full of strange, awful deaths. After her younger brother, Tim (Brenton Thwaites), is released from a mental institution, she secures overnight possession of the cursed mirror as it is sold in an auction. She hangs the mirror up where it was in their childhood home and sets up lots of equipment; cameras, computers, alarms and a guillotine-like blade that can destroy the mirror once they get enough proof. 

Proof of what? Tim asks. After years of therapy he believes that the horrible events of their childhood surrounding the mirror were just domestic issues. But Kaylie knows better and as the night and the mirror’s power progresses, the siblings remember the awful events of their childhood and live a new nightmare courtesy of the mysterious lady in the mirror.

This movie is great at playing mind games with both the characters and viewer at the same time. How did the cameras move? When did those plants die? Is there really broken glass everywhere? Is that an apple or a light bulb they just bit into? It’s creepy, disturbing and can get under your skin perfectly. Sometimes it’s fun trying to guess what is real and what isn’t. If you’re like me, you won’t always be right and the surprises keep getting better. 

The visual manifestation of the cursed mirror is worth noting. Usually it’s a lady, pale, dressed in white, watching in the shadows and always with mirror eyes. They reflect out in a blank, malevolent stare. As far as modern movie monsters go she’s no Freddie Krueger, but once you look into those mirror eyes you don’t forget it.

Oculus does not use cheap reflective mirror ideas that I half expected to pop up. No backwards messages on the wall or anything like that. Instead the mirror duality is shown in how the past pairs up with the present and how history repeats itself. As Kaylie and Tim are terrorized as they try to outsmart the mirror, their unhappy memories may help them, but the mirror may have a clearer and longer memory than they do.

Overall, Oculus is a great psychological thriller with an intriguing supernatural element. It’s a smart, thrilling ride that starts safe, with a few mild jump scares, and dives deep into creepy mind games. Oculus is definitely not a good choice for family movie night. But if you’re looking for a good scare to keep you on your toes and guessing until the end, Oculus is worth seeking out. 

“Hello again! You must be hungry.”

The Conjuring

From the very beginning, the filmmakers of The Conjuring want you to understand that what you’re about to watch is based on a true story. Maybe they know that makes this story all the more terrifying. With any movie, we expect some exaggerations and liberties to be taken for dramatic effect, but when deciding how much of this horrific tale is true, I’d be left aghast at any of these creepy occurrences being true. The Conjuring tells the story of a case Ed and Lorraine Warren (portrayed by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) took in the early 1970s. Supposedly, it’s so terrifying that they decided to keep it under wraps, until now.

When the Perron family move into an old farm house, they start noticing some creepy occurrences. As the family happily walks into their new home, the dog refuses to go in. They discover a cellar that’s been boarded up. And soon strange noises happen. The youngest child starts talking to an imaginary friend. Another starts sleepwalking, always bumping into an old wardrobe. Soon, doors start closing, the mother has unexplainable bruises and one daughter sees someone behind her bedroom door. This case has it all and the family call the Warrens for help.

Shit really starts hitting the fan when the Warrens and their crew arrive to investigate. Lorraine, who is a medium, senses a sinister presence has attached itself to this family. She also can sense that horrible events have happened in the home and one presence wants to make history repeat itself. To save this family, there will have to be an exorcism, but the priest is on hold and they’re running out of time.

The whole setting is designed to be so dark and foreboding. That dog had the right idea to not even step foot in that creepy house. The inside feels like a cave; hollow, deep and dark. The walls are a creepy texture of gray with a touch of green for a sickly color. The whole house looks like no happiness could ever occur within those walls. Only fear, pain and tragedy.

This film has all the classic haunted house creeps ticked off and uses them effectively. Plus there are some jump scares, but they’re not the main source of scares. The use of the blindfold-clap game creates amazing suspense. Best of all, there’s enough well crafted, true terror to make this horror fan to look away to avoid nightmares. Like any good horror film should, there are some creepy images that are left burned into your mind after the film: hands reaching out of that wardrobe, a reflection in a music box, blood being vomited over a white sheet during an exorcism. You can’t unsee that.

What I believe makes this film so truly scary is the careful storytelling. We see these events unfold so organically around this family that we can relate to so easily that we cannot help but be pulled in and feel a part of this terror. And when Lorraine explains the history behind these hauntings, the story gets a whole level deeper and thrills viewers even more. By the crazy-intense third act, we are hanging onto our seats and crucifixes for dear life.

I do have one main gripe: movie starts out with story about a creepy possessed doll, Annabelle. While it’s cool and creepy as fuck, that’s not what the story is about, but is used as just a segway to the Warrens. I guess that’s why the film had the working title The Warren Files. It’s interesting and no doubt sets up interest for its own movie, but I wanted the focus on this story, it’s surely so rich and powerful it doesn’t need any fillers. Also, keeping a doll you know is possessed in your home with a kid around is just asking for trouble, even if you’re a demonologist.

Overall, The Conjuring is a truly scary movie and one of the best horror films I’ve ever seen. The dark setting, the uneasy suspense and horrific third act all add up for a terrifying ride. Whether or not you choose to believe, the based on a true story bit can make it even more horrific. I watched this film at home, in the middle of a hot summer day with my newborn son. I’ll admit that at one point I jumped so hard while holding him that he woke up and was not happy with me. And I tried my best not to think about this movie during his late night feedings. Unless you’re really not scared of anything, keep the lights on and don’t do it alone.

“There’s a lady in a dirty nightgown that I see in my dreams. She’s standing in front of my mom’s bed.”

The Croods

When The Croods first came out, I dismissed it, afraid it would only live up to its silly, barbaric name.  But I gave it a shot later, after its Oscar nomination for best animated feature and was happily surprised.  The film is a fun family comedy about growth and adaptation that has potential to become a classic.

The Croods are a family of six cavemen, perhaps the last of the cavemen since all their neighbors died in some prehistoric way (like being stomped by a mammoth).  They have survived because they’re extra cautious, a trait patriarc Grug (voiced by Nicolas Cage) continually teaches his family.  For days they will stay cooped up in their cave and come out only to hunt.  While this lifestyle is safest, teenage daughter Eep (Emma Stone) longs for more.  The fact that she is full of curiosity (a trait that her father warns will get you killed) makes her long days in the cave worse.

When Eep follows a strange new light outside the cave one night, she meets Guy (Ryan Gosling).  He warns her that something he calls the end is coming.  As soon as Eep is in trouble for leaving the cave, the end arrives; a huge earthquake destroying the family’s beloved cave.  Suddenly, they are thurst into a new world on the other side of the rocks, full of colorful creatues, lush jungles and new dangers to discover.  Thankfully, they find Guy again and he helps them survive, adapt and think for themselves.

However, Guy’s arrival is a threat to Grug’s authority.  According to Grug’s tired old stories, everything new is bad and trying anything new will result in death.  Being thrust into a world where everything is new and their newest member has inventive tricks to help them survive quickly has Grug’s family trusting in Guy.  Annoying as he is to Grug, eventually they will have to learn to work together in order to survive.

Once we are into act two of the film, where the family is in new and unfamiliar territory, everything suddenly becomes so lively and colorful.  There are red birds that devour animals like locus, a tiger that seems like an overgrown rainbow cat and giant carniverous flowers, just to name a few treats.  It’s all very eyecatching and delightful, even if it’s doubtful that such creatures ever existed.

The hunting scenes are especially enjoyable and show the family members roles.  They work together like a team, flipping a coin to see if eager Eep will make the first run or the clumbsy, reluctant son, Thunk (Clark Duke).  It’s easy to see Grug is trying to better prepare his son and is more protective of his daughter.  From the sidelines, Grug directs and cheers his son on, while the mother, daughter, baby and grandmother wait for their turn to run and assist.  In the heat of the chase, the giant egg the family has snatched is tossed like a football, the end zone back at their cave.  And in tense situations their secret weapon, the most primative of the bunch is unleashed, “Release the baby!”  It’s a fun bit of action that let’s us get to know the family and how they work together.

What I believe propelled The Croods into its Oscar nomination was it’s perfect combination of top-level animation and a story with a lesson all ages can enjoy.  While Grug is initially a brute unwilling to change for the safetly of his family, we see that even the most hard-headed caveman has potential in the new world if he is willing to try.

“I was in love once.  He was a hunter, I was a gatherer.  It was quite the scandal.  We fed each other berries, we danced.  Then father bashed him on the head and traded me to your grandfather.”

Oscar Predictions 2013

The big night is almost here!  So without much fluff, here are my official predictions for tomorrow night’s Academy Awards:

Best Visual Effects

Obviously Gravity.

Best Production Design

This is a toss-up, I can justify any of these films winning.  So why not American Hustle?

Best Film Editing

The way those long-shots were built better earn Gravity this award.

Best Animated Feature

Sadly, I only go to see two of the five nominees: Frozen and The Croods.  Of those, I’d choose Frozen easily.  However, knowing that The Wind Rises is Miyazaki’s last film may tip the votes in his favor.

Best Original Song

Let it go, let it go! I haven’t been able to stop listening to that song for weeks.

Best Adapted Screenplay

I have not seen Before Midnight yet, and I doubt a screenplay with a few extra hundred f-words will win, so I would choose 12 Years a Slave.

Best Original Screenplay

Her is such an original story that flows so well, I would love to see it win.  My second choice, Nebraska.

Best Supporting Actress

I bet Jennifer Lawrence will win again, for blowing up the science oven, but part of me feels Nyong’o could easily take it.

Best Supporting Actor

All the hype is with Jared Leto, and I agree it was a great performance.  Everyone else is too close to call.

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett was the strongest part of Blue Jasmine, she stands apart from the pack.

Best Actor

Way too close to make a confident call.  DiCaprio is overdue, Dern has seniority, Bale and Ejiofor both guide their films, yet McConaughey  seems to be the favorite.  I pick McConaughey.

Best Director

I see no front runner, so why not Steve McQueen.

Best Picture

If I’ve learned anything from studying the Oscars, it’s that this category can be unpredictable.  But if I had to make an educated guess, I’d take 12 Years a Slave, though I would not be surprised if American Hustle or Gravity wins over the Academy voters.

No matter what the results, I’m sure Ellen Degeneres will be a delightful host, so let’s all have a fun Oscar night.  Enjoy!

Dallas Buyers Club

Based on a true story, Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey) leads a fast and rough life.  He’s an electrician working in dangerous areas, a swindling gambler at the local rodeo, drinks heavily, snorts coke and has plenty of loose women.  When we first meet him, there is no denying his physical condition is atrocious.  He is sickly skinny with sunken eyes and blacks out the moment he gets home to his trailer.  After an accident at work, he wakes up in a hospital to the news that he is HIV positive and only has thirty days to live.

At the time, 1985, HIV and AIDS were stigmatized as a homosexual disease, so the news is a lot for a rough neck cowboy to take in.  After some initial denial and tension with his homophobic friends, Ron takes action.  He does some research and tries to get AZT, but the drug is only in clinical trials.  His searching for it leads him to Mexico, where a doctor is doing his own research on AIDS.  After nursing Ron back to a more manageable health, the doctor gives Ron a mixture of drugs and vitamins to smuggle into the United States to sell to others who are HIV positive or fighting AIDS.  With the help of a transvestite he met at the hospital, Rayon (Jared Leto), Ron takes to the streets of Dallas trying to give the HIV and AIDS community a better chance at life.  But the FDA, muddled in red tape, money and pushes out useless drugs, tries to shut Ron down.

Alright, alright, alright, let’s talk about Mathew McConaughey.  Between Dallas Buyers Club and his unforgettable cameo on The Wolf of Wall Street, this seems to be his best year yet.  He seems to have finally broken out of the pretty-boy rom-com roles and into more serious acting.  Best of all, his characters lately always come across as a bad-ass, always in control even when things are not going his way.  And his physical transformation to portray Ron is astounding and no doubt took some real commitment.  I just hope it was safe, we want him around for a long time.

And then there’s Jared Leto. He portrays Rayon, a HIV positive transvestite with a heart of gold that Ron meets in the hospital.  Right away, we see that he is genuinely kind, even when Ron is clearly uncomfortable with a homosexual in makeup befriending him.  What makes this such a great role is Rayon’s problems with drug abuse and his uneasy relationship with his father.  The hype has been with Leto long before his nomination, I’m curious to see how the Academy will vote.

Dallas Buyers Club is nominated for six Oscars including Best Picture, film editing, original screenplay.  McConaughey has earned nomination for lead actor and Leto for supporting actor, a first Oscar nomination for either of them.  The film is also nominated for makeup and hair styling, and between Leto’s makeup and whatever they did to McConaughey to make him look so sickly at times, I believe this film has secured the award.

Honestly, I feel a bit indifferent about this film as a whole.  I agree that this is a good movie, it is an important story that deserves to be told and the acting all around is great, but I just did not find myself connecting with it.  Maybe it was the way Ron seems kind of like a Texan Robin Hood, smuggling good drugs in and the FDA comes across like a money fueled Prince John scrambling to shut Ron down.  However, I would not discourage others from seeing it.

“What?  Hook me up to the morphine drip, let me fade on out?  Nah.  Sorry, lady, but I prefer to die with my boots on.”

Captain Phillips

I put off seeing Captain Phillips for a long time.  From the previews and commercials, I joked that Tom Hanks was just fishing for a new Oscar.  Even when the Oscar nominations came out, I was surprised and guessed the film depicting a recent big new story propelled it into best picture status.  When I finally watched it, I was pleasantly surprised.  The film became a fast paced, realistic thriller with a heart racing amount of tension.

The film is based on the true story of a 2009 hijacking of an American cargo ship by Somali pirates.  Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks) is captain of the unarmed MV Maersk Alabama and runs a tight ship.  Knowing the warnings for pirates in the area, he keeps his crew on their toes, running drills to make sure they are prepared.  In the middle of a drill, two boats are spotted pursuing the ship and actions are taken to slow them down.  It buys Phillips and his crew some time, but Muse (Barkhad Abdi) is a threatening adversary, and his crew are persistent.  In a heart pounding scene with Phillips’ crew doing all they can, Muse and his armed men storm the ship.

Immediately, tensions tighten, Phillips has to think fast to help his crew and prevent any violence.  A great amount of suspense is created as Phillips leads Muse and his men around the ship, trying to keep his crew informed without Muse knowing.  When Muse has had enough, he and his men take Phillips hostage into a lifeboat, where they plan to take him back to Somalia.  As Phillips tries to survive the cramped quarters with his captives, the Navy is on their way to save the captured captain.

The film reminded me of Greengrass’ previous Oscar nominated film, United 93.  Both illustrated a hostage situation, didn’t shy away from the villains, utilized a realistic, almost documentary style of filming with hand-held cameras and the majority of the films take place in a cramped space.  While I remember being very moved and terrified through United 93, I felt more curiously anxious during Captain Phillips.  Though I know both films are based on true events, Captain Phillips felt more like a typical narrative with a main character I could find myself rooting and worrying for.

One aspect I was very impressed with was the photography within such a small space.  The last half of the film takes place mostly within a small lifeboat, about the size of a large SUV.  Inside are Phillips and the three Somali pirates.  Though the air is obviously stifling for them, we do not feel so cramped.  Somehow the filming here finds the right angles that we understand the space is small which makes the situation more tense, yet a sense of claustrophobia is avoided.

Captain Phillips is nominated for six Academy Awards.  Among them are best film editing, sound editing, sound mixing, adapted screenplay and best picture.  And in a wonderful surprise, rookie actor Barkhad Abdi has been nominated for best supporting actor.  Somehow with the thick field, Tom Hanks was denied the Oscar nomination this film seemed destined to bring him.

All in all, Captain Phillips is a good film, especially for those who enjoy realistic, tense situations.  It feels like it could have easily turned into a typical action movie, and I am very thankful it did not.  Phillips’ story got the movie it deserved, one that the average audience can enjoy as well.

“You said you were a business man!  Is this how you do business?”

Nebraska

My parents are only in their fifties but I already worry about them aging.  I worry that they won’t be able to keep up with their home, their land and that one might get dementia and the other won’t be able to handle it.  For David (Will Forte) in Nebraska those worries are his reality.  His father, Woody (Bruce Dern), believes he has won a million dollars in a mail scheme and is determined to get to Lincoln Nebraska to claim his prize.  Even if it means walking there from Montana.  David’s mother, Kate (June Squibb) can’t keep track of Woody whenever he decides to wander off and it’s more than she can take.  David’s brother, Ross (Bob Odenkirk) doesn’t seem to care or take it seriously.  So David decides to take his father to Lincoln, it’ll shut him up about this bogus prize and maybe give them a little more time to bond while his father’s mind is still around.

The word doesn’t come up much in the film, but most would diagnose Woody with early dementia.  His mind isn’t sharp, but it’s not completely gone, he can recall old friends and stories.  However, most of the time we wonder how present he really is.  He’s usually quiet, but not in a thoughtful sense.  And his history of alcohol abuse doesn’t help his mind any.

Their first night on the road, David finds out how hard it is to keep up with his father.  While he’s sleeping, Woody wanders off, loses his teeth and when he returns to the motel, he hurts himself in the dark.  When David shares the news of his father’s stitches in his head, his mother and brother decide to meet up with them in Hawthorn, their home town.

The film turns from a journey to rediscovering the past.  We meet David’s extended family, his degenerate cousins, sweet old aunts, and uncles that look just as out of it as his father.  We also meet old friends of Woody’s.  When word gets out that Woody is about to become a millionaire, old debts are brought up and everyone wants a piece of the dough.

Nebraska is filmed in a rich black and white and I believe it is the best choice.  Nebraska in the winter isn’t exactly colorful anyway, I assume the whole world would look washed out if it was filmed in color.  From the old small towns, everyone’s attire and all the natural scenery, black and white seems the logical choice to bring the most contrast to the images.  And it’s all so beautifully done, it earned a nomination for best cinematography.

The film has been nominated for five other Oscars as well.  Among them are Best Picture, original screenplay.  Alexander Payne received his third nomination for best director.  Bruce Dern is nominated for lead actor and June Squibb is nominated for supporting actress.

Let me say that I loved Squibb’s role.  She makes Kate the kind of old woman who doesn’t bite her lip and won’t take any shit.  We get the sense that she kept the family afloat and moving over the years and she is not ready to back down yet.  In a scene visiting the cemetery, she tells David about their family members there, without leaving out any of her crass remarks, “Nah, I liked Rose, but my God, she was a slut.”  She even flashes and taunts the gravestone of a previous suitor.  I especially love how she clears up any confusion on the cousins’ “volunteer work.”

After seeing all the best picture nominees, I would consider Nebraska my personal favorite film of the year.  It is part road trip journey, and all family story, filled with a good amount of dark comedy and surprising moments that steal your heart.  We feel sorry for Woody, identify with David and share their frustrations.  And the end, I won’t ruin it, but Woody sure has a great son.

“Have a drink with your old man.  Be somebody!”

Philomena

As a mother-to-be, Philomena struck a deep emotional chord.  Lately, I take pride in every kick and jab I endure from the child growing inside me and the thought of ever losing this new life scares me more than I have ever known.  Seeing the story of a young mother having her child taken away by women she was raised to trust and then search for him fifty years later was heartbreaking, powerful and makes me hold onto every kick and hiccup tighter.

Based on a true story, Philomena (Judi Dench) is an elderly Irish woman who kept secret the fact that she had a son as a teenager.  After fifty years of silent grief and wondering, she decides to search for him with the help of a journalist looking for his next big project, Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan).  Together, as a bit of an odd couple, they travel and search for clues to track down Philomena’s long lost son.

Many important and enlightening scenes come from Philomena’s past, when she lived in Sean Ross Abbey.  The nuns there harshly chastise her sin of the flesh she committed, ignorant of its consequences.  She gives birth with no medication to a breech child, both of them lucky to survive.  As pennance and repayment, Phil and other young mothers living there work all day for no pay and have one hour to spend with their children.  This goes on with little to no objection until each girl’s child is sold for adoption without warning or a chance to say goodbye.  The image of young Phil seeing her son for the last time is a tearjerker.

Yet in the present, this aged Philomena is not angry or vengeful.  She is a very sweet woman who still believes in the Catholic church and is even understanding of the nuns she lived with.  Partially, we may see her as naive and ignorant.  She does not seem to have much formal education and is easily impressed by standard niceties on the road.  But I cannot help but be impressed and envy someone who can still have such a rosy outlook on the world when she has been so wronged.

Quite the opposite is Martin, an educated and cynical man who has done well for himself.  It is hard for him to see Phil be so trusting and nice to those who have done her wrong.  He’s the character who speaks up for her, looks for justice and condemns the Catholic church and the nuns for awful things Phil and others have endured,  as many of us in the audience would.

The opposing perspectives of our two lead characters can bring about how one may criticize this film.  On one hand, it can be seen as an attack on the Catholic church, raising awareness and exposing the wrongdoings of Sean Ross Abbey.  The harsh words Martin shares in a climactic scene certainly brings this idea to the forefront.  On the other hand, this film is simply a journey of discovery for sweet Philomena and how she reacts to what she finds may be a shining example of grace and forgiveness.

Philomena is nominated for four Academy Awards, including best picture.  It is also nominated for original score and adapted screenplay.  And Judi Dench is nominated for best actress in a leading role for a fifth time in her career.

What I believe has propelled this film into Best Picture status is the important true story it tells.  In the age of popular shows like 16 and Pregnant, it can be hard, especially for younger viewers, to imagine Philomena’s story.  We clearly see the hardships and wounds of the past and as the film progresses it is a journey that then unfolds like a mystery as we learn more and more about Philomena’s lost child.  This is an important story that needs to be shared for all the wronged mothers from Sean Ross Abbey.  Best of all, it can warm your heart and break it all at the same time.

“I forgive you because I don’t want to remain angry.”

Frozen

In Disney’s latest animated masterpiece, Elsa (Idina Mezel) and Anna (Kristen Bell) are sister princesses in the kingdom of Arendelle.  As little children they are thick as thieves, especially when Anna gets big sister Elsa to use her ice powers to play and build a snowman.  But when one late night snow playtime goes wrong, Anna is seriously injured by Elsa’s power and saved by their parents visiting a clan of magical trolls.  Elsa realizes how powerful and dangerous her abilities are and feels guilty for what happened.  To protect both the girls, their parents decide that Elsa needs to hide her powers and Anna should have all memories of them erased.  For the remainder of their childhood the castle is closed to visitors and Elsa keeps to herself in her room while Anna does not understand why her sister suddenly shut her out.

When Elsa comes of age, she is to become queen and the whole kingdom is invited into their once secluded castle home.  While Anna is excited about the sudden rush of social interaction, Elsa is nervous that her powers, that have only gotten stronger despite trying to repress them, will show and scare her citizens.  Things seem to go well, until Anna asks for Elsa’s blessing in accepting a marriage proposal from Hans (Santino Fontana).  Elsa does not approve of such a rash decision, since Anna and Hans met only hours ago and in the conflict that arises, Elsa’s powers come out in the middle of her coronation ball.  As people start accusing her of sorcery and being a monster, Elsa runs away into the mountains, her ice powers going out of control and unleashing a harsh winter on the kingdom.  Anna takes it upon herself to bring her sister back so she can reverse the winter, but she needs to be careful about the friends she chooses along the way.

I don’t think I have enjoyed the music in an animated film this much since The Lion King.  Rather than a musical obstruction that feels forced in to sell a soundtrack, each song flows into the scenes and expands the plot.  Best of all, they are genuinely enjoyable songs.  Some have quirky and cute lyrics that flow well with the characters.  Do You Want To Build a Snowman is sweet with just enough sadness that grows along with the sisters, while In Summer is a pure hilarious delight of a delusional innocent snowman.  And Let It Go is a wonderful hit that feels like it could be on Broadway and sends our hearts soaring, a perfect contender for best original song.

Not to give away any spoilers, but I love, love, love how Disney has recently taken to showing the importance of love between family, rather than some token prince charming.  Frozen follows Brave’s wonderful example of showing a princess protagonist who takes matters into her own hands and is not saved by a suitor.  As a kid who grew up on the whole slew of Disney’s animated films, this recent trend is refreshing and something I grew up wishing to see.  Now with my own child on the way, I’m overjoyed at the strong young women and family values Frozen shares and plan on adding it to my personal blu-ray collection.

For the newest addition to the Disney princess empire, Frozen is a fantastic film that the whole family can enjoy.  There is a good amount of snowy action and adventure, humor for all ages, male characters that add well to the plot, but aren’t always so charming, and romance that isn’t so mushy.  And it is the perfect film for young girls, especially sisters.  Frozen has been honored with two Oscar nominations: best animated feature and Let It Go for best original song.  But the greatest honor I can give this film, is saying that I have not enjoyed a Disney film (without the aid of Pixar) this much in nearly twenty years.

“The cold never bothered me anyway.”

Gravity

As I watched the opening scene in Gravity, I was in awe.  Right away, just seeing these astronauts float around on a routine space walk, the film was beautiful and thrilling.  A few minutes in, a couple behind me in the theater remarked with a sneer, “Where are all the satellites and shit?”  Their sarcastic question was more than answered and they didn’t make a peep the rest of the movie.  I believe the whole audience was absolutely spellbound.

In Gravity Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is a medical engineer turned relatively inexperienced astronaut.  As she and more experience astronaut, Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) work together, we understand that space is not her element, but perhaps an escape from her troubles on Earth.  During the opening space walk, satellite debris comes crashing at the astronauts, destroying much of the space station around them.  It’s a horrifyingly beautiful sight to see and clearly sets up the fear and danger of being stranded floating in space.  After the danger has passed, and Ryan and Matt are harnessed together, they realize their only chance of survival is to get to another space station, which means drifting through space in the right direction without running out of oxygen.

Many of the scenes are one continuous longshot.  In fact, the opening scene is over twelve minutes without a single break.  Granted, it is digitally edited from multiple takes to seamlessly flow into one continuous image, but still, my God their effect is amazing.  Hitchcock might have been green with envy of all the suspense they produce.

One thing that seemed to damper the film when it was first released was how many scientific inaccuracies could be spotted throughout the film.  For some people, that ruined it, if it’s not accurate then why care?  Personally, I don’t find the inaccuracies to be a problem, let it be fiction and if it’s good enough, I’ll believe what I want to.  However, when Ryan does nothing to stop those little bits of fire floating around the Russian space station, I got a little more ticked than concerned.  Floating fire does not seem like something a trained astronaut would ignore.

At ten nominations, Gravity is tied for the most nominated film of 2013 with American Hustle.  While American Hustle racked up the acting nominations, Gravity got its boost from more technical awards, including visual effects, cinematography, sound editing and sound mixing.  It is also nominated for Best Picture, production design, original score, film editing.  Alfonso Cuarón received his first Oscar nomination for best director and Sandra Bullock received her second nomination as lead actress.

Overall, Gravity is a captivating thrill ride of a film that clearly deserves all this Oscar love. From the moment those wayward satellites crashed in, to the very end, I was on the edge of my seat, nervous, excited and enjoying every minute.

“Because either way, it’s going to be one hell of a ride!  I’m ready.”