movie

Movie recommendation: Sunshine

I’ve kept this one separate and I think it needs highlighting on its own. The movie is called Sunshine and is one of the best movies I’ve seen in years. It is from the director of Trainspotting, The Beach, Shallow Grave and 28 Days Later and the producer of 28 Weeks Later. Think along the lines of 2001/2010 with a bit of Solaris and Event Horizon mixed in.

It starts off a little slow but that is on purpose to portray how slow and boring life is in the spacecraft after 16 months of traveling. It shift into gear the closer it gets to the end. Basically the Sun is dying and the movie follows the second mission that is trying to kick it back into action by shooting a massive bomb at it.

It’s very interesting and, actually, believable story and great acting. It is more a psychological movie then a space blast ‘em up but the special effects are excellent; the Sun and the ship are brilliant. I bought it without seeing it, which I rarely so nowadays, so glad it was so good. The DVD hasn’t got much in the way of special features, but there are lots and lots of short web videos that are well worth watching.

I actually went through both of the commentary versions of Sunshine – something I don’t think I’ve ever done. In the first the director explains a few things I was hoping he would and answered all of my questions. The second commentary is with the advisor who explains the more scientific aspect of the movie – he points out of few errors which was interesting (all but 1 or 2 are on purpose anyway).

I think it beats 2010 for me but it’s a close call. Not sure if you would put Event Horizon in the same category? But it’s definitely more a Babylon 5 than a Star Trek if you know what I mean.  A must-see movie.

movie

Movie recommendations: September update

I’ve not posted any article for a while so here’s a few movie recommendations for the time being:

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

 

Very unusual story with a ‘wild’ ending: a boy with an amazing sense of smell tries to capture the smell of a beautiful girl he met and unfortunately killed.

The Illusionist

 

Edward Norton plays an illusionist in Vienna who angers the power-hungry Crown Prince with his friendship with his wife-to-be, Jessica Biel. Paul Giamatti plays the Chef Inspector caught up in the middle of all this.

The Prestige

 

Another magician movie set in the past. This one is about a rivalry between Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale which leads to deadly consequences. Great, great ending.

Smokin’ Aces

 

Oh this is just a blast ‘em-up. Complete carnage! Lots of big name actors here and another really good ending.

Zodiac

 

I liked this on a lot. It includes two of my favourite actors at the moment: Mark Ruffalo and Jake Gyllenhaal. The movie is based on the true story (allegedly) of the notorious serial killer who called himself “Zodiac” and the hunt to find him by the police and reporters. If the story interests you I would also recommend the 2005 version, Zodiac, which looks at it from another view.

movie

First movie recommendations

As I’m a big movie fan I thought I would add a few posts every so often on my recommended movies to watch. So have a looksee for some of these if you can:

Stay

Ryan Gosling, who’s quickly becoming one of my favourite actors at the moment, stars with Ewan McGregor in this near-death experience film with a twist.

The Departed

 

Yep a big movie and Oscar winning too (which I doubt you’ll see much of on this blog) but it’s great to see it’s actually a great movie! I liked this… a lot. Great story, excellent acting. Has to be seen.

Deja Vu

 

Denzel Washington with Halle Berry look-a-like, Paula Patton, in a kind of sci-fi/find-the-bad-guy movie. Interesting and a little different.

Blood Diamond

 

Something strange is happening, two movies in my list with Leonardo DiCaprio in them? Hmmm. Anyway, really good movie about ‘blood diamonds’ strangely, and the blood that was (is) spilt in Africa for them.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose

 

A little older than the rest but I thought it needed a mention, based on a true story allegedly. Great acting from Jennifer Carpenter as Emily who becomes ‘possessed’.

Crash

 

Another that’s a few years old, but needs recommending here, people need to see this movie! Very thought-provoking with excellent performances al-round.