Gravity [Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray] [2013] [Region Free]

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Disregarding the flaws, it is impossible not to marvel at the astounding effects sequences which alone make Gravity worth seeing, but not necessarily on the big screen. The shot is explicitly designed to fully immerse viewers in the reality of Gravity from the outset, and does just that to amazing results. More than simple visual effects breakdowns, each of these scene-specific featurettes takes an in-depth look at the creation of one of the film’s key sequences. My wife and I watched the Blu-ray 3D disc using my Oppo BDP-93 player mated to my reference Epson 5020UB projector.

These two films share a tangible sense of isolation – although Gravity is more nuts and bolts and matter-of-fact and not nearly as existential and philosophical as Eubank’s criminally-underrated feature debut. In eschewing the nausea-inducing shakycam and rapid-fire editing style favored by other 3D releases this year, Cuaron clearly shows he is aware of 3D’s limitations (especially on a gigantic maxi-screen) and therefore steers well away from such annoyances to instead focus on creating long floating camera moves which when coupled with minimal editing (only cutting when absolutely necessary) – creates an enormously captivating and enjoyable 3D experience. At most she would stop when the ropes reach the end of their slack, in which case Kowalsky would also have stopped. Later, when Stone is at her lowest, she and the Soyuz capsule are "stranded" over the frozen, glacial north. This is one film I've always wanted to watch the 3D version of, as I've heard its one of the best 3D movies done, and watching the 2D version, I can see how it was shot with 3D in mind.

Ryan Stone, a novice astronaut who finds herself fighting for her life after a catastrophic accident in Earth’s orbit.

Stone (Bullock) is a rookie astronaut, unenthusiastic about life, which often lessens the need to care about her during moments of peril despite her issues.

We heighten the reality because obviously there are plausibility issues, but I'm happy with whichever label [it has]. Gravity also received a large number of additional awards, recognising the incredible Direction, VFX and use of sound - and was selected to open the Venice Film Festival. A silent movie would be pretty boring, so they did two things that create a unique sound experience. Equally impressive, perhaps more so, are the sustained long takes including the much-hailed opening 13 minutes.

The 3D image the Epson put forth was among the most engaging I've seen yet, with minimal crosstalk and little flickering to speak of. Director Alfonso Cuaron was very clear with this intention to use 3D as a central tool to take audiences out of this world - with his breathless thriller set on the International Space Station. From the opening nail-biting collision sequence to Ryan's depleting oxygen levels, Cuaron's use of subjective point-of-view shots, frantic close-ups and eerily tranquil wides create a palpably visceral landscape. My Oculus and Steam user names are Ravenger, and you'll know its me as I have a Southpark style profile pic with a sniper rifle.Years from now, it's one of those films about which you'll say, "I can remember the first time I saw that. The hefty, comprehensive Documentary – Gravity: Mission Control – runs a good quarter-hour longer than the main feature itself and is split into 9 sub-sections, covering every element in the production of the movie, from the story, scope and space-setting to the casting, shooting in space and scoring space. From there, Stone grows and fights for her survival, seeking guidance under various faiths (we see Jesus in the Soyuz, Buddha in the Shenzhou capsule), and eventually crawls out of the water in a clear nod to Darwinism -- at first on all fours, and then rising to two feet, taking her first steps anew in the primordial ooze.