Is Gravity The “Best Picture” for 2013?

‘Tis the time of year when movies vying for awards are beginning to make their way to the local multiplex. This weekend saw the opening of Gravity, a space-based thriller starring two unlikely candidates for the astronaut program: George Clooney and Sandra Bullock. On that alone I went into the screening with less than stellar expectations.
A mere 90-plus minutes later I walked out and had to remind myself to breathe again. Gravity literally removes the audience from their uncomfortable seats that are badly in need of new cush (at least in the theater where I screen many films) and sucks them into the screen like few movies do. And while Clooney plays pretty much the usual Clooney, Sandra Bullock excels far beyond even The Blind Side. Literally lost in space we sense her feeling of utter loneliness and desperation.

The next day I couldn’t help but wonder if I was just a sucker for a good space film (one of my favorite genres). After checking Rotten Tomatoes and other critic and audience measurement sites it appears the praise for Gravity is nearly unanimous. With a 98% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes the critics all seem impressed. Add to that a surprise $55.6 million opening weekend (in a year where most box office surprises are in the negative direction) and it seems this movie has left a positive impression on virtually everyone who has seen it.

Our reviewer Kerry Bennett offers her complete take on Gravity with, of course, your kids in mind. While it’s certainly not appropriate for all ages, teens and adults may find this race in space to be well worth the price to see it on the big screen, and you may be one of the first to see this year’s Best Picture.

Use the comments below to let us know what you think. Should Gravity take home the golden statue?