Gravity

The best movies aren't the ones that you merely watch. The best movies are the ones considered experiences due to the amount of involvement the viewer gets when watching them. This defines Gravity in a nutshell. If it were any more involving you would be spinning as you were watching it.

The first 10 minutes of Gravity are worthy of a trip to the theater alone. It's breathtaking art and what's the most intriguing is that this is before shit hits the fan. The visuals in Gravity are so stunning that an Academy award should have automatically been distributed right after the first showing.

Gravity is eye candy from beginning to end but luckily your eyes aren't the only body part that will be taken for a ride. After things immediately go wrong with medical engineer; Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) being immediately knocked off course your breath will stop. Things get even more horrifying as the scene continues with the realization that, in space, "No one can hear you scream". The claustrophobic situations and sheer silence (clever move to not include music) will increase your heart rate.

Your heart will melt for Bullock's character. Whether she's panicking, waiting for death, feeling completely hopeless, or ready to fight her way home you really get involved with her emotional, physical, and mental journey home. The most frightening situations are the ones where you feel helpless and Gravity's journey will lock her up and throw away the key.

This toll that Gravity's dark and frightening tone would have never been as effective if Bullock didn't hold her own. Not only does she hold her own, but her performance is so strong and unforgettable it's almost impossible to picture her typical fare in slapstick comedy. She could clearly do the physical humor but Gravity proves she can handle the dramatic material as well.

And though he isn't given as much to do as Bullock in her role, George Clooney also strives as Matt, the astronaut who is Stone's only aide as things get worse. He brings a charm to his character and a guiding force to get themselves out of this situation.

Gravity is a moving, beautiful and terrifying piece of art that will never be forgotten.

4/4