Gravity

Year of Release:  2013
Director:  Alfonso Cuaron
Screenplay:  Alfonso Cuaron and Jonas Cuaron
Starring:  Sandra Bullock, George Clooney

This film is kind of a disaster movie in space.  Doctor Ryan Stone (Bullock) is a Mission Specialist on her first space shuttle mission, accompanied by veteran astronaut Matthew Kowalski (Clooney).  Their mission is to perform maintenance on the Hubble Space Telescope.  They run into trouble when they are struck by high speed debris from a destroyed satellite.  Ryan becomes detached and is sent spinning off into space.  With oxygen rapidly diminishing and the shuttle destroyed they have to stay alive and fund a way to return home.    

This film is almost entirely a two-hander between Bullock and Clooney.  They are the only characters on screen, even though there are radio transmissions from other astronauts and Mission Control.  The film is a staggeringly beautiful experience as the astronauts and spacecraft tumble and fall against backdrops of starfields and the earth so near and so far.

It is also anchored by two powerful performances, particularly from Bullock who really provides the film's heart and soul as the terrified and vulnerable and yet strong and resourceful Ryan.  

It is definitely advisable to see it on the biggest screen you can and also in 3-D.  Yes, it is one of those very rare films where 3-D is actually a huge benefit to the experience.