I went into American Hustle with high expectations and was disappointed. I went into Gravity with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. Both received multiple Oscar nominations in 2013. The former won zero, the latter seven, mostly in technical aspects. Gravity is a simple tale of survival set in outer space. It comes in at an economical 91 minutes, even less minus the closing credits. Its budget was 100 million, most of which probably went to its two stars, Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. Would the film have been as successful at the box office without them? Who knows? But the casting paid off enormously, as the film brought in more than 274 million in the U.S. alone. The performances are solid. I would expect nothing less from two such gifted actors. The real show is the spectacular visuals and the tension, which is thick despite the fact that one always expects the protagonist to prevail in such fare. Is the science sound? I have no idea. It was my worst subject. I’m sure most laymen wouldn’t care, and this is manifested in its high rating at IMDb, where 338,000+ contributors forge to a consensus of 8.1 of ten. The commentary there is interesting. There are several nitpickers on the science, and some who bash Bullock, which is ludicrous. Their reasoning seems to be that a big Hollywood star has no right to play a scientist, as if any glamor is injected into the role. Brothers Alfonso and Jonas Cuaron, Mexicans, co-wrote the screenplay. I wonder how many times they’ve watched 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), particularly the too long rescue segment. Gravity outdoes that part theatrically and cinematically, but does not approach the latter in substance, nor does it try. It is sheer entertainment. Alfonso Cuaron directed. His other notable work is Children of Men (2006). On a scale of five, I rate Gravity 3.8. What I liked best is its celebration of the courage of mankind. I could not help thinking how brave astronauts are. Human beings are microscopic measured against the vastness of the universe, yet several have boldly gone where few would dare even dream to go. As a writer, I also appreciate the duality of the meaning of the title.
I had a great afternoon at the Lafayette High School athletic complex, where a group of alumni played an old-timers baseball game in honor of legendary Coach Joe Gambuzza. There was a lot of love on display, and no coach deserves it more than Buzza, who was as successful as he is revered. There was a lot of hugging and kissing, and ragging by both the Coach and his players. As for the game, it was slow pitch, station to station. Fortunately, no one was hurt. It was a special thrill for me, as I got to see Roger, Andrew, Joe, and Bob. I hadn't seen Rog in at least 30 years. He and Andrew are the best football players I ever coached. Each played both ways, and to see them go at it in practice was both a privilege and scary. I frequently held my breath, fearful one or both would be injured. Roger has done very well in banking and Andy owns five Dolphin gyms. I'm proud of them. Joe is still trading gold options at the Exchange, where I worked for nearly 25 years. Bob, a former softball teammate, is a marathon runner who during his 50th year completed 50 of them. It was his post at Facebook that alerted me to the event. My thanks, and to Roger, who purchased Killing, and to Joe, who bought, naturally, Exchanges. He will recognize many of the characters. The title of our school song is Our Strong Bond. I certainly felt it today.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Horror Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
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