Ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstance.

     For any American with a conscience memory of November 22, 1963, the events of that tragic day are shared in the collective consciousness.  But then again for each and every American the memories and emotions of that day are different.   Especially the feelings and what the day was like in the morning and how it fell apart in the split second it takes to fire a bullet.  Parkland hospital is where the the mortally wounded President was rushed in an effort to save his life.  And perhaps the hope of an entire generation.  The hospital staff is the centerpiece of Parkland and a very new take on a story that's been told and retold from just about every point of view.  The film also tells us the stories of others who were there but may have never heard of. "Parkland" begins with the hospital staff arriving to work on that fateful day.  The ensemble cast is packed with great actors.   Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden plays the Head Nurse at Parkland hospital with understated reserve.  She doesn't have many lines but you can almost read her mind by looking at her face.  It's like peering into her heart. Paul Giamatti plays Abraham Zapruder, who is excited for the chance to see President Kennedy in person, and decides to use his brand new camera to film the motorcade.  He ended up shooting the most famous film in history.  He is filled with excitement as the President approaches his location near the grassy knoll.  His elation is instantly turned to horror when he realizes that he just filmed the murder of Kennedy.  Powerful stuff, and Giamatti plays it perfectly.  Lee Harvey Oswalds brother, mother, and Billy Bob Thornton as a secret service agent take their turns.  Thornton is an perfectly cast as Secret Service Agent Forrest Sorrels.  A man who feels personally responsible for not preventing the assassination.  But for me the most engaging scenes are in the hospital.  The staff, like on any other work day, chatting, gossiping, doing work, and excited about the President visiting Dallas.  Next thing they know Kennedy is being wheeled in on a gurney and everyone is fighting for his life. Extremely powerful and engaging to watch.  I could not even imagine.  The weak point in the film is the use of actors to portray Oswald and the Kennedy's.  These people are so much larger than life it is nearly impossible to do them justice.  And for a film with the title "Parkland", not really needed.  I am a history buff and have done much research into the Kennedy assassination.  Yet I found this film to be well crafted, engaging, informative, and in the end: Entertaining.  This is a good date movie if your date likes the History Channel or anything to do with history.  Otherwise, wait for the DVD.  Don't get me wrong I am glad I went and loved this movie.  I just don't think it will be for everyone.

I give this movie a grade of: B- 

In space no one can hear you scream.

     "Gravity", starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, opens today in wide release.  The buzz and accolades this film is garnering makes this the must see film so far this year.  The movie is offered in 2D, 3D, and 3D Imax.  I recommend viewing this film in the 3D process, preferably Imax.  The movie opens with a long shot of planet earth from outer space.  It is a nod to "2001 A Space Odyssey"  and the shot looks all too familiar.  I think paying homage is a good thing. As we slowly move in, a tiny dot of light keeps growing until we realize it is the Space Shuttle, whose crew is doing maintenance on the Hubble Telescope.  Bullock plays Dr. Ryan Stone, a biomedical engineer, who is trouble shooting electronics while attached to the robotic arm.  Meanwhile Matt Kowalski, played by Clooney, is a veteran astronaut, on his last mission before retirement.  So, as Stone works on the telescope, Matt tools around the Shuttle on a Space Walk.  He keeps mentioning that he will fall short of the record for space walking by an hour.  Soon all hell breaks loose and we find them in a battle to stay alive.                             Unlike most "space" films there are no aliens, villians, death rays, worm holes, or other staples of the genre.  Instead they are battling against the deadly vastness of space.  Really scary stuff because it is real.  While watching Bullock spin aimlessly I was reminded of the tag line from "Alien"  which was, "In space no one can hear you scream".  "Gravity" is most certainly a stunning achievement in film making.  Don't just take my word for it.  James Cameron, director of "Titanic" and "Avatar", said this of "Gravity":  " I think it is the best space photography ever done, I think it's the best space film ever done, and it's the movie I've been hungry to see for an awful long time."  Certainly high praise from a man who knows a thing or two about film and film making. 
     I could go on and on about the wonder and beauty of this film.  Like "2001 A Space Odyssey", "Gravity" blasts the senses with visuals never before seen in film, with a realism to match.  But at the heart of this film is Bullock, stretching her acting chops, and making it all seem so effortless.  I will say right now, she is a shoo in for an Oscar nomination with a good chance to win.  She carries this movie squarely on her shoulders and through most of the film she is on her own.  Clooney is good but he is more of a character actor in a supporting role.  George Clooney, character actor? Yeah right.  Though "Gravity" takes place in outer space in the final analysis it is a human story.  About how we deal with our own mortality, and the triumph of the human spirit.  This would be an excellent date movie.  Tell your date they remind you of either Clooney of Bullock.  They might buy it.
This movie is a solid A.