ALL ALONE - A MOVIE REVIEW OF "GRAVITY"

BY MATEO MORENO

In this age of "been there, done that" and "seen it all," it takes an extrodinary movie to knock us on our socks.  I mean by now, we have just about seen it all, right?  Director Alfonso Cuarón knew this couldn't possibly be true and set out to put the wonder back in watching a film.  And boy, has he done it.  If I didn't know better, I would SWEAR that parts of GRAVITY was actually filmed in space.  Thus is the wonder of this film.  Sandra Bullock plays Dr. Ryan Stone, a brilliant medical engineer who's aboard her first shuttle mission.  She's joined by Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney), an astronaut who has been on mission after mission.  When the film begins, they're enjoying the incredible view of earth (as are we, especially if you're seeing it in IMAX 3D) but suddenly disaster strikes and both need to work together to save not only the mission but each others lives.  And that's it.  No backstories, no other characters.  Just Ryan, Matt, the shuttle, and the cold vortex of space.

The true beauty of Gravity is in its simplicity.  Ryan does have some demons haunting her when she boards the shuttle, and we do learn about them, but from her, not a flashback or images of her life.  You are placed in the very present NOW and have to deal with everything as they do.  And it's heartstopping.  Bullock gives an incredibly powerful performance as a woman who feels WAY in over her head and still continues to fight.  Clooney pulls in a strong support as her wisecracking veteran partner, who also ends up being quite a comfort for her.  I'm not usually a fan of every movie going to the 3D or IMAX format, but what a sight to behold here.  Alfonso Cuarón brilliantly uses the technology to make us feel utterly weightless and brings us the closet to outer space that a film ever has.  Stunning in its setup and followthrough, anchored by a showstopping turn by Bullock, Gravity is truly a groundbreaking masterpiece.

MATEO'S GRADE: A

Directed by: Alfonso Cuarón Written by Alfonso Cuarón & Jonás Cuarón Starring: Sandra Bullock, Geogre Clooney

BOTTOM LINE: Simply stunning, breathtaking, and a visceral experience that you won't shake.

THE HEAT IS ON // A REVIEW OF "THE HEAT"

BY LIZ WHITTEMORE

In THE HEAT, Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) is an uptight, by the book, cop who is after a promotion. Her boss sends her to Boston to track down a drug lord, only to find that the officer who has her suspect does not play nice with anyone. Shannon Mullins (Melissa McCarthy) is the complete opposite of Ashburn. She has the strength and energy of a meth addict and the mouth of a sailor; a really angry Boston sailor. The two cops reluctantly come together to track down the drug lord and try to do so before getting Mullins’ brother killed. During the course of the film, we learn that McCarthy’s character has ratted out her brother and he has just out of jail. Turns out he has gotten mixed up with the same people Ashburn and Mullins are trying to nail. We also meet The entire Mullins family. They absolutely hate Shannon for snitching on a family member. There is a scene around the dinner table where all the actors, in very thick Boston accents, verbally assault Sandra Bullock. Story has it the entire scene is improvised and Bullock had no idea what was going to be thrown as her. The most hilarious family member, hands down, has got to be Mrs. Mullins played perfectly by Jane Curtain, most famous from her time on Saturday Night Live. She may not have a ton of dialogue, but her facial expressions alone are killer.

Pairing up Bullock and McCarthy was comedy gold. We’ve seen Sandra play a cop many times now (Miss Congeniality, Numbers) and yet it’s still a whole new character. Melissa McCarthy is funny in anything, period.  Give that woman a stage and you’ll have a hilarious performance no matter what.  Director, Paul Feig, most noted as a television director, has done a great job in The Heat. Bringing along McCarthy from his first box office hit, Bridesmaids, was a genius move. The movie stands on it’s own, both hilarious and entertaining through and through. Personally, I am already looking forward to the DVD and any outtakes they want to throw my way. Although, probably not sequel worthy (Bullock has already stated there won't be one), you should catch in theaters. I promise you will leave happier.

LIZ'S GRADE: B+

Directed by Paul Feig  Written by Katie Dippold  Starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy  Rated R for pervasive language, crude humor and violence  NOW PLAYING NATIONWIDE

BOTTOM LINE: Bullock and McCarthy are hilarious together. Their improv and comedic timing togethr cannot be beat and you’ll be rolling in the aisle.