Gravity

Gravity
(2013) [Trailer]
Director: Alfonso Cuarón [IMDB]

I went to check out Gravity with some friends of mine last night (Doug & Shawn... shout outs!) and they both left the theater saying the same thing... Gravity didn't feel like a movie to them. I wasn't really sure what they meant by that. What makes something a movie and what criteria excludes film from being....well, a film? If Holy Motors is considered a movie, then this sure is hell is one too. Well, I'm getting ahead of myself, let me stick to the same stupid format I have with all my reviews. Here's your synopsis, then your meat and potatoes.

Synopsis: Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are two astronauts who get stranded in space.

This is absolutely a movie in my book and a really good one to boot. There are a few cheesy moments towards the end, but ultimately it's a film that keeps you on edge and interested for the whole experience. When I mentioned that Doug and Shawn felt like this wasn't a movie, it's because it's extremely realistic. Now, I'm no astronaut and I'm sure not everything is 100% accurate here, but it's Hollywood, who cares. It's entertaining. If I wanted reality, I'd watch a documentary. But I think that's their problem with Gravity, it's a film that's so real, it gives off that docu-type vibe. It pretty awesome in my opinion and doesn't feel like any film I've ever seen.

Besides its technical prowess, it also delivers a suburb score and the performances were all fairly on point. Like I said, there are some wanky moments occasionally with the dialogue but outside of that, it's a home run... nah, it's more like a triple.

This Is the End

This Is the End
(2013) [Trailer]
Director: Evan Goldberg [IMDB], Seth Rogan [IMDB]

I dig everyone involved in this movie. Each actor displayed in that poster over there has done a movie, or movies, that I've really enjoyed and laughed at... primarily Franco and Rogan in Pineapple Express. So, This Is the End should be great right?

Synopsis: A group of Hollywood all stars come together to face the apocalypse.

I liked This Is the End, but didn't love it like many others seemed to. It also feels like it's the kind of film that could grow on you, like whenever I get a haircut... I normally don't like it right away and then after a week it starts to feel right. Hopefully, that'll be the case with This Is the End, except instead of a week, it'll be probably a year or so before I rewatch it.

There are a few awesomely funny moments and some lulls as well. One moment involving a so called penis seemed to be all I heard about before seeing this, it isn't as humorous as I had hoped... and I'm always looking to get a good chuckle from the male reproductive organ.

The cast all seemed natural and comfortable in their roles, which made it more believable... even though the concept is absurd. The ending is a little cheesy and made the film lose some points from me. But who am I really? Just some dude, so watch it for yourself and be the judge.