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Gravity (2013)
Tense. Masterful. Stunning.
The movie begins with a man made craft floating in space; a speck in a vast universe that is yet to be conquered by mankind. This opening shot is around 17 minutes in length and within 02 minutes in to this shot, several people in the theater gasped "wow". So did I. This is the most spectacular opening shot I've ever seen in a motion picture and the movie is a visual triumph by all means. If you were a fan of the single shot sequences in Alfonso Cuarón's previous movie "Children of Men", then this one will blow your mind.
There has been lot of hype about this movie, and Gravity delivers. I am predicting 03 Academy Award nominations for this already; Best Picture, Best Director and Best Visual Effects with the latter having a high chance of winning. Unlike any other recent science fiction / space movies, Gravity isn't a movie about a parallel universe with advanced technology or concepts. It's a survival story set in space, with one tense moment after another. Alfonso Cuarón's Gravity stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, two A-list heavy weights perhaps suggested by WB studio in case the film needed the star power push considering the bold concept of the film. It works but the true star in Gravity is neither a person nor a living being, but a technical achievement; it's visuals that take you along for a breathless ride.
The argument of whether 3D cinema must exist or not continues, but all it takes for a movie like "Gravity" to reminds us that 3D can be spectacular when used by filmmakers with a clear vision. In honesty, watching this in a normal screen would be similar to owning a sports car yet only using it in its first gear. Gravity is tense, moving and even terrifying. Combine that with amazing shots of space, this easily becomes my favorite movie in 2013.
Nairobi Half Life (2012)
Superb storytelling, one of the best from Africa
Was able to watch this gem at last year's Dubai International Film Festival. By the end of the screening, I was sure that this had to be my favorite movie in the festival. The performances were fine. And this being a trial-and-error sort of attempt for the filmmakers, Nairobi Half Life was really good than one can expect. The story is solid, and probably the best part of the experience. And best part is, the director manages to tag as long for a journey throughout Nairobi, from the police jail cells, the slums, to the gangster infested roads, it is like visiting Nairobi after all. Everyone in the audience loved it. If the film is playing near you, please go watch it.