The rebirth of the Dr. Ryan Stone

Gravity is the nail-bitting and stunning journey of rebirth and survival. It is one of the best films I’ve seen this year, probably in years”

Directed by Alfonso Cuarón

Produced by Alfonso Cuarón David Heyman

Written by Alfonso Cuarón Jonás Cuarón

Starring Sandra Bullock George Clooney

Music Steven Price

Cinematography Emmanuel Lubezki

Editing Alfonso Cuarón Mark Sanger

Studio Esperanto Filmoj Heyday Films

Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures

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Words cannot describe how mesmerized I was after watching “Gravity.” It is a stunning, hypnotic, and emotional experience from its first frame, with a new, clean, and monochromatic Warner Brothers logo that dissolves to a mega shot of outer space. The 3D is so realistic; you almost feel you are floating there, witnessing the beauty of space and the drama of the film. I can even dare to say, I wanted to hear “The Blue Danube” or “Also Spach Zarathrustra.”

Photo by Courtesy of Warner Bros. Picture – © 2013 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc

As the camera glides through a space station, it introduces the movie’s main and only characters: Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski (George Clooney). Quickly, we learned their stories. Dr. Stone is the helpless rookie, and Kowalski is kind of a salty sailor but charming. Everyone is happy because it is their last day on their space mission, and it’s the last day of Kowalski’s career, as he is due to retire. However, life throws them a curve ball or, literally, debris of a Russian satellite. These destroy their space station, leaving Sandra Bullock and George Clooney the sole survivors, and they have 90 minutes to find a way home or die. 

In my book, this is Sandra Bullock’s best film of her career. I was never too keen on her “Blind Side” performance. She carries the drama of the film with such a tour de force that is just impressive. Dr. Ryan Stone reminds me of a young Lt. Ripley who, for the second half of Alien, was so resoursive and had such a survival spirit.  I don’t know if Alfonso Cuarón made it intentional, but when Sandra Bullock changes space suits, it’s like the metamorphosis of a timid astronaut to a brave yet vulnerable soul.

Technologically speaking, “Gravity” is a giant leap for mind kind. Five-time Oscar nominee cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki and visual effects supervisor Tim Webber created a poem in space, pretty close to the jaw-dropping photography of 2001: A Space Odyssey. The huge difference is the camera moves so freely in space; it had no boundaries and, as a result, made the audience a witness like never before.

I predict that “Gravity” will win an Oscar for Alfonso Cuarón, Emmanuel Lubezki, Tim Webber, and, of course, Sandra Bullock.

You know it; go ahead and see Gravity today in IMAX 3D! This is how 3D is done, minimalistic and pumping it every now and then. It should underline the story, not be the story.

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Valentin (Eugenio Derbez) and Maggie (Loreto Peralta)

What is it about single fathers in films that are so moving? Their vulnerability? The connection they have with their kids? The fear of the challenge? After all, there are thousands of single mothers who do it worldwide. Even so, we have seen lovable and tear jerking films such as ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’, ‘The Champ’, and ‘I Am Sam’, and the funny and charming jewel from Mexico, ‘Instructions Not Included’ (‘No Se Aceptan Devoluciones‘).

Like a Roberto Benigni in ‘Life is Beautiful’, Mexican comedian Eugenio Derbez directed, produced, acted in, and wrote the screenplay for the film.  Hispanic audiences know him for his successful TV shows, and in the US he acted with Adam Sandler in “Jack and Jill” and a TV sitcom with Rob Schneider.

The film tells the story of Valentín, a Mexican playboy who lives in Acapulco. One day Julie (Jessica Lindsey), a hippie American, knocks on his door with a little surprise: his baby. She is an adorable girl named Maggie. As soon as she has the chance, Julie flees and abandons Maggie, leaving her with Valentín who has no clue on how to raise a little girl. Soon after Valentín decides to go to LA to find Julie and give Maggie back. However, in the process, two things happened: he falls in love with his daughter and finds a job as a stunt man in Hollywood. In order to keep Maggie happy, Valentín keeps her spoiled in a fantasy world and he does not tell her that Mom abandoned her. This causes Maggie, brilliantly played by newcomer Loreto Peralta, to have an amazing personality and imagination. Their lives seem to be in perfect harmony, until one day, Mom visits them.

Newcomer Mexican actress Loreto Peralta steals the movie.

Verdict: ‘Instructions Not Included’ is a smart, charming, and heartwarming story. I loved the script, casting, and soundtrack! Loreto Peralta steals the movie! She is a shooting star. No wonder the studios decided to distribute the film in more screens after the first strong weekend opening. Also, for those who hate to see a movie in subtitles, don’t do think like this The love of a father and daughter is universal, and you will love this film too.

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It is a shame Mathew Vaughn stepped down to direct the sequel, the first one was so cool and funny. This time, Kick-Ass joins a group of Vigilantes headed by the psychotic Jim Carrey. Meanwhile, Red Mist aka The Mother F**er, plans to avenge his father’s death. So he also recruits a gang of the world’s deadliest villains. What can I say? ‘Kick-Ass 2′ deserved a better director and script. Of course, Chloe Grace Moretz saved the film. Let’s do a Hit Girl film.

Watch the review and comment.

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Dane Cook as Dusty

Hello fellow movie freaks, this is Claudio Martinez-Valle with a video review of Disney’s latest animation ‘Planes‘. After watching it I felt it was built with the same parts and equipment from ‘Cars‘, and ‘Cars 2‘. Instead of McQueen we have Dusty, a crop duster plane who wishes he can participate in an international aerial race; problem is he is afraid of heights. With a little help of his friends, he might do it.

‘Planes’ stars Dane Cook, Stacy Keach, Brad Garrett, Teri Hatcher, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Carlos Alazraqui, Gabriel Iglesias and two cool cameos by Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards.

 Do you agree with me? Share your thoughts below or tweet me @4moviefreaks.com.And don’t forget to check our 4moviefreaks YouTube channel.

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Bad Ass Sharito Copley

A couple of months ago, I was lucky enough to catch 10 minutes of Neill Bloomkamp latest science fiction flick ‘Elysium‘, starring Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Diego Luna and scene stealer Sharito Copley. As I mentioned, the footage rocked the house, but now that I saw the whole film did it delivered?

Click below to find out.

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Great news! 4moviefreaks has now movie reviews in video format! Click below to view the 2 Guns review and don’t forget to comment.

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Ed and Lorraine Warren

Have you noticed Hollywood has been producing dozens of demonic possession movies lately? Whatever happened to monsters or masked killers? It’s official: demons are hot! The Rite, Insidious, the Paranormal Activity series, Mama, Evil Dead, The Last Exorcism, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, The Possession, and Sinister are some examples.Unfortunately, they relay cheap haunted house clichés. Using shadows and loud noises, they may make you jump. Fortunately, The Conjuring is smarter and does not abuse these resources. This is because James Waan (Saw and Insidious) knows how to lure the audience with a compelling story, good actors, and really scary moments.

The Conjuring is based on a true story of paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren (played by Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson). He is a demonic expert and she is a clairvoyant. Together they solve frightening cases, but one day, they have to work the most terrifying case of their career: the Perron family possession.This case started when Roger (Ron Livingston) and Carolyn Perron (Lily Taylor) move with their five daughters to an old house in the middle of a forest. Like most these movies, the house has a secret, and as time passes by, dark forces start attacking the members of the family. Even though they are not Catholic, they ask the Warrens for professional help, for an exorcism. It is then that all hell gets loose – literally.

Old house with old secrets

As I mentioned, The Conjuring does not use cheap scares. The first act of the film might be slow, but the last two is one scary ride. I must say, kudos to the female leads. Vera Famiga (Bates Motel and The Departed) plays a very interesting and sympathetic clairvoyant, who every time she absolves negative energy from a room, she loses something. Furthermore, Lily Taylor (High Fidelity) is impressive as a loving mother who towards the end wants to kill all her daughters. 

This is not your ordinary blanket ghost

So, now we have to wait for September 13 to see James Waan’s next film, Insidious: Chapter 2. Will it be better than Insidious and The Conjuring? By the way, the film also stars Patrick Wilson.

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