Gravity (Alfonso Cuarón, 2013)

Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock), Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) and their crew are floating in space as part of a shuttle mission in earth orbit. They are working outside of the shuttle and everything goes according to plan, when they suddenly get the order to immediately return to earth. Before they can do anything, the debris of several broken satellites tears their shuttle to pieces in silent violence. After the debris has passed, only Stone and Kowalski are alive. With Stone’s Oxygen tank down to 3%, they have to find a way to survive.

Sandra Bullock in Gravity

I’ll try to contain myself, but I’ll say it right now: Gravity is a must-see. I was sceptical at first: what could be so good about two people floating in space for 90 minutes? Well, just about everything. The film starts off with a slow shot of Earth from outer space, which is only the first of many breathtakingly beautiful shots. The visuals and aesthetics in Gravity are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. There were many times, when I just sat there, totally consumed by the film’s images. Besides those and the actor’s great performances, what impressed me most were the music and the use of sound. The suspenseful soundtrack in combination with great sound design and unique use of sound (since sonic waves can’t carry on in vacuum, you just see the shuttle getting shredded, but you don’t hear it) create an everlasting tension. This tension makes the movie quite exhausting to watch and Gravity is something you can’t watch every day, but it is an extraordinary experience you should not miss!

TL;DR: Space-drama with incredible visuals, actors and sound design. Unrestrained recommendation.

P.S.: The film is best if you don’t see any trailers before, but if you have to:

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, 2000)

Everett  (George Clooney), Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson) and Pete (John Torturro) are prisoners, guarded while breaking stones on the side of the road. In an opportune moment, they can escape and begin their journey through Mississippi to find a hidden treasure. On their long literal odyssey, they are seduced by women, betrayed by friends and strangers and incidentally get famous for recording an improvised song.

Tim Blake Nelson, George Clooney and John Torturro

The film is an interpretation of Homer’s ancient “Odyssey”, set in Mississippi and converts many famous elements into the new setting (e.g. the sirens, the cyclops Polyphemous, the blind prophet Tiresias). Besides the wonderful cast, who impersonates the diverse characters appropriately, the soundtrack is great (example below) and fits the setting perfectly.

TL;DR: Interpretation of the “Odyssey” with a great soundtrack and good humour.