Under the Skin is Unlike Anything You Will Ever See; A Modern Masterpiece in Every Way

It’s been 10 years since Jonathan Glazer’s last film, “Birth” starring Nicole Kidman, opened to maddeningly polarized reviews. “Under the Skin”, his third feature, marks his return to the film world. Glazer had planned to direct the film after the release of his debut feature, “Sexy Beast” back in 2000, and originally co-wrote the film to star Brad Pitt as one of two aliens disguised as farmers. However, he ended up choosing to instead tell the story from an alien’s perspective of society, and decided to make that alien a female, scrapping the Brad Pitt character. 

Scarlett Johansson, dressed in a shaggy yet short, brunette wig complete with a fur coat, skinny jeans and cute heels, portrays the mysterious female alien (her name is never given). She drives around various towns and areas in Scotland in her white van, stopping every so often to talk to lonely men walking the streets. Her story for stopping is different with every man she stops for. Sometimes she tells them she’s running an errand, sometimes she’s lost, but no matter what she tells them she’s doing, her intent is to get them into her van, and home with her. Though it’s never explicitly stated, reading between the lines will tell you that there is a promise of sex, which excites her potential suitors. Once their inside, however, it’s clear that sex is not what’s going on. 

Denver Film Critics Anoint Gravity

Some last minute "winning" traction after a big win with the PGA makes for a good Oscar campaign.


Best Picture: 

• Gravity

Best Director:

• Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity

Best Actor:

• Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club

Best Actress:

• Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine

Precursor Buzz: Could Scarlett Johansson get an Oscar Nomination for "Her"? & Other Recipients.

Scarlett Johansson has had an interesting career ever since her she burst onto the scene. She gained indie cred and acclaim with roles in "North" and "Ghost World", but her breakout role in Sofia Coppola's "Lost In Translation". She unexpectedly won the BAFTA award for Best Leading Actress (though she missed out on the Oscar), and turned in another acclaimed performance in the little seen "Girl With The Pearl Earring", and again in Woody Allen's "Match Point".

Gravity: Not Just A Film, but an Experience

Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in Gravity (Credit. Warner Bros.)

I'm sure by now you've all heard the rave reviews for Alfonso Cuaron's sci-fi epic "Gravity" starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. I'm sure you've all heard words like "amazing", "perfect", "breathtaking", in addition to raves for Sandra Bullock's performance. When movies like this come along, it's often impossible for them to live up to some of the hype. The horror movie "The Conjuring" that opened earlier this summer is an example. While it was disturbing and horrifying, it was not as frightening as marketing made it seem (largely in part to its borrowed tricks from films such as The Exorcist. However, the film was still excellent). Gravity, I'm pleased to announce, is not in the same category as overhyped films such as The Conjuring. It is as good (if not better) as everyone has been raving.

Gravity...... is coming

I'll be going to see Alfonoso Cuaron's critically acclaimed Sci-Fi film Gravity either tonight or tomorrow. A review will follow. Stay tuned!!