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Gravity @Ritzy Picturehouse

The SOAS Spirit goes to see ten-time Oscar-nominee Gravity, and we’re doing it in style, at the Ritzy Picturehouse in Brixton.

By Paloma Rao, LLB Law

Oscar-nominee Sandra Bullock, in a gravity- defying pose. Source: Warner Bros
Oscar-nominee Sandra Bullock, in a gravity- defying pose. Source: Warner Bros

Located in Brixton, the Ritzy offers the perfect day trip – a cosy atmosphere, great food and affordable prices. There are 5 screening rooms with a large choice of films, currently ranging from the newly released Gravity to Werner Herzog’s classic ‘Nosferatu the Vampire,’ released in 1979. Screening such a wide range of genres make the Ritzy cinema a warm and welcoming place for all ages, who would all undoubtedly love its velvet chairs and classic decor. The counter offers a standard choice of popcorn, chocolates and drinks; however, the popular bar and restaurant upstairs provides the ideal place to go for a meal or a drink before or after your film, with a great view to people-watch and listen to live music. There is also a monthly comedy fest, an open mic night, and performance and dance workshops available. The staff is friendly and wonderfully accommodating, going out of their way to help you.  A great offer for those who enjoy going to other Picturehouse cinemas in London and nationwide is their membership, which costs £30. With this you can benefit from three free cinema tickets, which makes membership completely cost-worthy, and £2 off all other tickets, with a 10% discount on all food and drinks!

Veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski (played by George Clooney) and medical engineer Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) are left to work together in space, when debris from an old satellite destroys their craft. To survive, they must find a way to Russian and Chinese stations. This wonderfully tense thriller, directed by Alfonso Cuarón, exhibits great performances from two Oscar-winning actors. With these being the only developed characters in the film, the full 91 minutes depends on their performances, which both of them do exceptionally well. Their acting, combined with the 3D effects, makes the film thrilling from start to end. It must be said that the plot is very simplistic – two astronauts in peril. The script is minimal, however the film overall is thoroughly enjoyable. This is a result of the incredible visuals and a perfect balance of sounds. The opening scene of the Earth is beautiful and the clarity and 3D effects make the setting of space incredibly realistic, allowing the audience to visualize and engage with the life-threatening situation at hand. This $100 million 3D action movie is probably one of the best films when it comes to visual effects and may contend for this year’s Oscar prize for Visual Effects, Sound and Editing.

Making the movie last only 90 minutes was definitely a good decision by the director, as it could have easily been stretched out into another 20 minutes. As it is, the movie allows the audience to fully appreciate the short and straight-to-the-point storyline, causing you to leave the cinema having shared a journey with Bullock and Clooney, while sparing you unnecessary gratuitous and superfluous film. The simple relationship between experienced astronaut Mike Kowalski and inexperienced Dr. Stone, on her first space mission, allows the audience to fully focus on the riveting situation at hand, as Bullock desperately tries to survive in space through the difficulties and obstacles that she faces. Her passionate performance engages the audiences and encourages us to consider how we would react in such a terrifying situation, and makes the film all the more exhilarating. Despite the simplistic and predictable plot, Gravity is definitely worth watching, if only for the stunning visuals and Sandra Bullock’s moving performance.

 

Gravity (12A, 91 minutes)  is one of nine movies nominated for Best Picture at the 86th Academy Awards and this is part of our Oscar Race reviews.

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