hannahbrewer

Babel is an anthology movie with three stories- one taking place in Japan, another in Morocco and the final one on the American/Mexican border. They are all rather poignant and hard hitting and the director makes us realize that most humans are a victim of circumstances rather than real villains. The cast is an eclectic mix of A listers, international stars and newcomers. This is a good film and worthy of your time though be wary- the subject is rather heavy and some scenes regarding the violence and nudity is extreme.

Gravity is for sci-fi lovers, it is for space lovers, it is for anyone who wants to be awed by the brutal nature of outer space. Amazingly shot by Mexican Alphonso Cuarran Gravity stars Sandra Bullock as an astronaut who suffers a problem in orbit and then must return back home any way possible. The cinematography and direction is amazing and the shots of the planet are humbling and scary at the same time. Of course, I know all this is CGI but it looks so real you'd be shocked. George Clooney also stars but he's barely in the film. Bullock is more than competent and carries the film though it is the visuals and the sequences of chaos that stay with you.

This is a harrowing, incredibly atmospheric short film based on a story by Charles Dickens. The premise is basic: A signalman in a far flung mini junction is used to his ways until a stranger appears one day. This is a ghost story as well as a take on solitude, technology and the supernatural. What I recall about this short is the haunting look and feel of the location. The film stayed with me because it reminded me of vague concepts such as time, space and memories. This is a short film (barely 40 mins) and yet it perhaps even exceeds the literary source if you go by some online opinion.