George Clooney (Gravity)
Astronaut Clooney starts acting right away, giving his lines with his characteristic smarm and confidence. He adds one more to the ensemble of arrogant charmers with one-liners that fit the stereotype and come from all walks of life and IQ levels. Now in outer space.
Best illustrated by his prolific work with the Coen Brothers, Clooney excels in those parts. Although it’s not his fault (maybe), it feels incredibly out of character in Gravity. In a movie with Bullock, Kowalski is too distinctly Clooney and tries a character that is very different from her regular ones.
George Clooney (Gravity)
David Wenham (300)
Theatergoers were eager for more of Frank Miller’s brand of machismo in 2006 because they were still high on testosterone from Sin City. With his signature super slow motion, director Zack Snyder gave us the anticipated gore and complex aesthetics (maybe a little bit more homoerotic than intended).
The movie hasn’t aged well; at the time, its depiction of the Persian people and empire drew criticism. Rodrigo Santoro does adequately as Xerxes, whatever the hell he is doing. The story is authentic to the original work by Frank Miller, with everything that implies.
300 features stunning battle scenes, a lot of screaming, and hairless, scantily clad Spartans. The entertainment value is up to the spectator, but everyone involved delivered visually stunning and scenery-chewing performances.
David Wenham (300)
