Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Gravity and A Little Something Else

Lana and I went to see the movie Gravity today. We watched it in 3D at the IMAX theater. Those of you who know me know I'm a long way from a movie buff. Frankly, I usually don't give a crap about them. But I have to say the 3D IMAX version of Gravity was pretty overwhelming. 3D has come a longggg way since the last time I saw such a movie, which was probably 15 or 20 years ago. It was incredibly engrossing and did not feel contrived at all. I did have a mild headache after leaving the theater, but I'm not sure if that was a function of the 3D effect, the thunderous sound system, or both. The headache went away pretty quickly.

Even in non 3D, I suspect this movie would be very good. It was as intense and suspenseful as anything I've seen in years. Sandra Bullock and George Clooney did amazing jobs as the only two characters we ever put real faces to. I've always liked Bullock, have generally not been particularly admiring of Clooney, but both deserve award nominations for this movie.  Of course, much of the credit also goes to the writers who put wonderful dialogue into the actors' mouths.

The special effects were just outstanding. Although we expect good special effects these days, I thought this movie took it a step above and beyond (so to speak). Both Lana and I felt at times like we were right there inside the astronauts' suits. The sheer immensity of space and the awful loneliness of it came through in just about every frame. As Bullock or Clooney reached to grab for a hand hold, or strained to reach something just off their fingertips in the darkness, I reached with them. I felt like I'd gone through the ringer by the time it was over, and will give the movie my hearty recommendation. I've not done that very often for movies here.

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I'll end with a little change of pace. Here's a little teaser I worked up for "Under the Ember Star."  What do you think? I've done a couple more of these as well and will be posting them over the next few days.

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20 comments:

Vesper said...

Thanks for the great review, Charles. I've always admired Sandra Bullock. I can imagine how 3D could be especially impressive for such a movie, maybe even overwhelming...

I like the teaser! :-) I remember when you were looking for a name for the main character. The one you chose looks great.

Riot Kitty said...

Amazing tales of ass-kicking is a real book? Woot!

Mr. RK liked the movie too. I am not really into space stuff unless it's a bit silly (e.g. Star Wars, Star Trek) though.

Randy Johnson said...

I've seen the trailer for GRAVITY and was intrigued. Unfortunately my theater days are over and I usually wait for it to hit OnDemand before watching a movie that catches my interest.

Very few do these days.

Like the little blurb.

Prashant C. Trikannad said...

Charles, the film has received mixed reviews here but generally people who saw it have liked it. Bullock is a good actress and she can carry any role. The blurb looks good to me. Will you be posting it on Amazon or B&N?

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I like the teaser.
I agree that the film was above and beyond as far as the special effects go. Plus incredibly intense. If you don't see 3D movies often, that could account for your headache. I used to get them after a really long 3D movie, but not anymore.

Charles Gramlich said...

Vesper, yeah, I rather like Ginn myself.

Riot Kitty, this one was really pretty serious, although there were a few lighter moments.

Randy, this one would be worth catching even on regular TV. Very intense.

Prashant, I posted the blurb on facebook and may do it on goodreads.

Charles Gramlich said...

Alex, I tended to have lots of eye strain issues with the old 3D effects. This one was very minimal.

Angie said...

Definitely looking forward to seeing this movie. Not in 3D, though, unfortunately. My eyes are a bit weird, and I can't see the 3D effects in movies; last time I tried, I spent the whole movie squinting, and ended up with a major headache. :/

Last time I got glasses, it took the doctor a while to figure out what was up with my eyeballs. Although by the end she was beaming, because she'd had to dig out lenses she'd never-ever used before, since the day she bought the set when she first went into practice. [wry smile] Glad to contribute to the usefulness of her equipment, I guess.

Angie

BernardL said...

I agree about 3D IMAX. We saw the new Star Trek movie there. It was like being on the bridge or in the middle of the battles and fights.

The teaser grabs the attention.

Charles Gramlich said...

Angie, I still think it will be very good, even if not in 3D

Bernard, thanks, man

Erik Donald France said...

Superb on both review and blurb.
I guess that makes it a post supblurb?

I haven't seen a 3Der in a while, for sure -- cool beans.

Gina Gao said...

Although Gravity was pretty good in terms of special effects, I honestly did not dig the storyline all that much.

www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

laughingwolf said...

sounds like a good yarn, dunno what movie houses are like here, not even tried to look.... am sure no imax anywhere close by, too small a city

David Cranmer said...

I enjoy the IMAX experience. Been twice an its always an event that lingers long after.

Charles Gramlich said...

Erik, I was surprised, though probably shouldn't have been, at how far 3D had come.

Gina, different strokes, I guess. I liked it quite a lot.

Laughingwolf, the one we went to was in Slidell, which is pretty good sized but not all that large.

David, and wow was it loud!

the walking man said...

I like the kicks so much ass...


With one eye i wonder if i could even see the 3D, maybe i should go to a movie once in a while.

the walking man said...

I like the kicks so much ass...


With one eye i wonder if i could even see the 3D, maybe i should go to a movie once in a while.

Travis Cody said...

3D gives me a headache...even with the current technology. I wanted to see this movie in the theater. I've heard great things about how internalized Ms Bullock's performance is. If we go I think we'll look for a standard 2D version.

Love the teaser!

jodi said...

Charles-I will see this one for sure when it hits cable. The 3D stuff is totally amazing now tho. I adore women who kick ass. I've been boxing for about 5 years and I love it!!

Charles Gramlich said...

Mark, I'd imagine not having binocular vision would be a problem for 3D. when we took off the classes in the movie we definitely saw blur.

Travis Cody, I thought her peformance was excellent.


Jodi, I will have to use you as a character model!