9. Sunshine (2007), dir. Danny Boyle

[strange_complex]

IMDb page here. Seen at the Hyde Park Picture House with la_guapita and Nicolas.

It didn't sound that good from the IMDb plot summary - I only suggested it to Charlotte and Nicolas because I wanted them to have the experience of the Hyde Park Picture House, really. But once Charlotte had reacted with 'Ooh, yes, I really want to see that', and johnnydefective had enthused wildly about it over curry, I figured it must be worth checking out after all. Those are two people whose film opinions I usually trust.

See, what the plot summaries just don't bring out (although maybe because it is so blindingly obvious given the setting that they felt they didn't need to) is that this is an example of one of my favourite kinds of film - the 'cabin-fever' movie. Like The Thing, Night of the Living Dead or (best of all) Cube, you have a small number of people trapped in an extreme situation - and the rest is really about their character interactions, rather than about the specific setting.

The science of it all is pretty obviously bollocks, and there was also one point where it felt like a huge chunk of footage had just been taken out, causing us to leap suddenly forward to an event which it had seemed a moment before wouldn't be happening for quite some time (I'm trying to be non-spoilery, here!). But neither of those things really mattered. As I said, it's character-driven, and that side works out just fine. There are some tense moments, some unpleasant realisations, and the consequences of some bad (but plausible) decisions to be faced. And of course there is Cillian Murphy, who's already proved his worth in a Danny Boyle cabin-fever movie in 28 Days Later. He manages to do the 'small, vulnerable human facing things too terrible to imagine' thing very nicely.

So yeah - I wouldn't say re-arrange existing commitments to see it, but if you get a chance, it's a good use of an evening.

Comments

[ms-siobhan.livejournal.com]

Night of the Living Dead is one of my all time favourite films....though that could also be because its filmed in b+w and most of my favourite films are b+w.

[gillywoo.livejournal.com]

I loved sunshine-as you say you must avoid the bollocky science but I thought it was beautifully shot and the characters were well developed.

By the way, I'm planning a tripto see 28 weeks later next week,if you fancy?

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that would be cool. I'm slightly nervous about it, because I thought 28 Days Later was so good, and am worried they'll mess it up. But on the whole it should be good. I will be in Brum from Monday to Wednesday evenings inclusive, though, so wouldn't be able to come on those days.

[gillywoo.livejournal.com]

i know exactly what you mean, I'm a bit nervous about it as well, because 28 days later is one of my favourite films and I wasn't overly enamoured of the trailer for 28 weeks later, still I'm hoping it won't be a disappointment!

28 weeks later comes out on the 11th (Friday) and I was thinking some time at the back end of next week. So i'll let you know when x

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

OK, thanks. Friday the 18th would be particularly good for me, as I have an Italian listening exam that day, so it would be nice to go out and do something fun afterwards. But whatever suits you, really.

[gillywoo.livejournal.com]

Ace - I'll let you know when I know what's happening. x

[nigelmouse.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I didn't realise it was showing at the Hyde Park. I might just have to get myself along to that sometime this week.

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Yep, I'd recommend it if it is still running. I noticed it was on at the Light in town over the weekend, too, but we thought the Hyde Park would be more fun.

[nigelmouse.livejournal.com]

Yep, it's showing every night up until Friday. As you know my preference is *always* for the hyde park, it's an ace cinema.

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Indeed! I shall be pleased when I move to Headingley, as I'll then be living in walking distance of it.