CLIPPED: THE OTHER SIDE OF “GRAVITY”

IN TWEET: A NEW SHORT FILM SHOWS THE EARTH-BOUND SIDE OF ONE OF THE MOST EMOTIONALLY RESONANT SCENES IN “GRAVITY.”

GRAVITY has grown into a monster hit and, as I noted in my review, is easily one of the best movies of the year. One of the many memorable sequences in the film has been given new life thanks to a seven minute short that is currently making waves on the festival circuit.

Fans of GRAVITY will surely remember the profoundly tragic scene that sees Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) trapped in a Russian space capsule. She comes face to face with her own mortality while listening to a disembodied voice on the other end of a garbled radio signal. Think back to the barking dog and crying baby and you’ll know the exact moment I’m referring to.

Putting a unique spin on things is Jonas Cuarón. His short film ANINGAAQ offers an alternate take on the proceedings by showing us the Earth-bound side of the harrowing sequence. Cuarón is the son of GRAVITY director Alfonso Cuarón.

As The Hollywood Reporter recently noted, Warner Bros. has decided to submit ANINGAAQ for Oscar consideration in the live-action short category. See what all the buzz is about right here:

REVIEW: GRAVITY

IN TWEET: DID YOU EVER HAVE ONE OF THOSE DAYS?

Let’s get this out of the way right here at the top: GRAVITY is the best movie I’ve seen this year. It’s a film that exceeds already lofty expectations and reminds you, in the hands of a truly gifted director, that there are still untapped wonders to behold on the big screen. Yes, GRAVITY is that good.

For those who leap to assumptions: no, you have not seen all of the best stuff in the trailers. The savvy marketing campaign only hints at the tip of a massive Murphy’s Law “iceberg” set in space. Things start out all ooh aah pretty and then go downhill fast…before getting even worse. GRAVITY is as terrifying as it is awe inspiring. After 90 thrilling, white-knuckle minutes, my lifelong fantasy of going into space is officially kaput.

Without giving too much away, Sandra Bullock plays Dr. Ryan Stone, a biomedical engineer on her first shuttle mission. She’s working on the Hubble Space Telescope under the watchful eye of commander Matt Kowalski (George Clooney), an experienced astronaut on his last trip to space. A screwed up attempt by the Russians to destroy one of their spy satellites results in a hellish chain reaction of deadly debris that turns a routine expedition into a harrowing fight for survival. Not only are Stone and Kowalski free floating miles above earth, communication satellites have been knocked out so, indeed, they are all alone.

Much has been made about the opening 15 minutes of the film. That’s good, because it’s only the warm up for a series of progressively more jaw dropping sequences of zero gravity terror. It’s a given that the visual effects are without peer. What really blew me away, however, is the way director Alfonso Cuarón keeps the focus on his actors with some of the most brilliant camera work I’ve seen in years. He pulls back at the moments when perspective is required but, more often than not, opts for intimate, often claustrophobic angles that make you feel as isolated and disoriented as the characters. The near perfect orchestration of digital wizardry and directorial prowess is astounding. I’ve never seen anything like it on the big screen.

Yes, Clooney turns in another strong performance but this is really Bullock’s movie. She’s our surrogate on screen and you are with her every step of the way (even in those moments when you have to avert your eyes because the tension is so unbearable). It’s a role that a less confident actor would screw up with lots of scenery chewing. Cuarón never misses a beat with the two-person cast and Bullock is equally pitch-perfect throughout. The scene where she cries zero gravity tears is one of the most profound and heartbreaking movie moments of the past five years. If she doesn’t get another Oscar nod, someone better cry foul.

It’s a testimony to the talents of all involved that you really have no idea how things will ultimately turn out. The stakes are high and at no point do you ever feel that anyone on screen is safe. GRAVITY is an epic journey that soars but also one that reminds us of the strength of the human spirit. It’s a message that has never been more timely or inspiring.

NOTE: I saw GRAVITY in IMAX 3D and cannot say enough good things about the format. I walked out of the theatre a sweaty mess. Be warned: if you are prone to motion sickness, you may want to stick to a 2D screening.

RONTHINK GRADE: A+

TRAILER: GRAVITY

IN TWEET: GEORGE CLOONEY AND SANDRA BULLOCK IN SPACE! A FIRST LOOK AT THE FALL RELEASE “GRAVITY” FROM DIRECTOR ALFONSO CUARON.

There has been more than a little curiosity about the Fall release GRAVITY. Less because it stars George Clooney and Sandra Bullock and more because of the guy behind the camera, director Alfonso Cuaron, and the roller coaster development history of the film.

Oscar-nominated for CHILDREN OF MEN (Adapted Screenplay, Film Editing) and the amazing Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN (Original Screenplay), Cuaron also directed HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN (one of the only films in that series I could get through. Yes, I’m a muggle and damn proud of it). He writes, directs, produces, edits, chops, slices and juliennes. Alfonso Cuaron is a talent to be reckoned with and I am a big fan. Still, there are dark clouds on the GRAVITY horizon.

For a movie with only two principle characters, casting (especially for Bullock’s role) became an A-list turnstile. We’re talking about a process that started in the early months of 2010 after Universal put the film in turnaround and Warners picked it up. Everyone from Angelina Jolie (who wanted $20 million to grace us with her presence) to Natalie Portman was attached to the project at one time or another. Once Bullock signed and didn’t flee, Clooney replaced Robert Downey Jr. and a picture was born!

I suspect we are seeing the highlights of the boom boom in the GRAVITY trailer because the main plot of the film takes place after the harrowing disaster seen here. Clooney and Bullock are tethered together and stranded in the silent darkness of space. I wouldn’t mind hanging out with either of them…but not under these circumstances.

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GRAVITY opens October 4, 2013 in 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D.