“Interstellar” (2014)
When “Interstellar” rocketed into cinemas on Oct. 26. 2014, moviegoers were promised a ticket to Christopher Nolan’s latest cinematic adventure. What audiences got is a near three-hour visual spectacle for the eyes. Visions of galaxies, distant planets and jaw-dropping cinematography is sprinkled throughout the film.
The film has a mixed reaction from both critics and fans. Some view it as a showcase of modern movie magic, while others criticize a convoluted plot about space and time. There are valid concerns on both sides.
“Interstellar” stars Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway as astronauts on a mission to save a not too distant version of Earth. The planet is depleted of nearly all its natural resources. What follows is an admittedly topsy-turvy plot about time as a relative property. The film does lose a bit of its momentum during some of the explanations of these plot points.
However, it’s also because of this idea, that the two most emotional scenes of the film hold the weight they do. This is not a spoiler post, go watch the movie to understand these scenes. You won’t be disappointed.
“Interstellar” is a visual treat. Before it’s release, there wasn’t a single film that could make audiences feel like they were truly leaving Earth. Even those that have critiques around the plot can agree on this.
One scene in particular, is what makes “Interstellar” one of the most iconic films of the decade.
As the first third of the film is wrapping up, the astronauts embark on their journey. The scene shows the launch of a NASA rocket from a spaceport on Earth. The rumbling of the rockets is deafening and shakes the viewer to their core. But that’s not all.
As the rocket launches into the stratosphere, one of the film’s central characters reads the poem “Do not go gentle into that good night” by Dylan Thomas. The feeling of dread and suspense that is levied against the viewer in this moment will send shivers down anyone’s spine. If you were lucky enough to see the film in a cinema, this will most likely be the scene that you remember after you walked out of the auditorium.
“Interstellar” is a flawed film. But the ideas it presents, and the warning of climate change at the heart of the film remains relevant half a decade later.
–Ryan Freeberg
“Frozen” (2013)
“Frozen” grossed about $1.29 billion in the box office, making it one of the highest ranking animated movies Disney has ever produced. It stood at first place from the time it came out in 2013 until this year, topped only by the new “The Lion King.”
“Frozen” quickly became popular even before its release, with lines forming around theatres the day of the premiere. After it left the big screen, Disney released it on BluRay and DVD, started licensing a stage adaptation, made millions of different kinds of merchandise and even began planning for its sequel.
The movie’s intricate animation alone dazzled audiences around the world. The complexity of the design of the ice and snowflakes, the ice castle and even Elsa’s hair were so pointedly detailed that each frame was its own different work of art.
The most notable feature of the movie, though, is the music. From the catchy “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” to the lovable “In Summer,” to the empowering ear worm, “Let it Go,” people will remember the music as one of the most fun and sing-a-long-able soundtracks Disney has put out there yet.
-Sarah Strang
“OJ: Made in America” (2016)
Despite covering events primarily from the 20th century, the acclaimed ESPN documentary revolutionized the medium of the sports documentary subgenre, which began to hit its stride in the 2010s.
The film’s uniqueness stems from its juxtaposition of OJ’s rising sports stardom with the increasing racial tensions in Los Angeles and the US in general, which both came to a head in one of the most infamous, divisive and widely publicized criminal trials in US history. It blends two of the most popular documentary sub genres of the decade—sports and true crime—while also touching upon relevant societal issues within the U.S.
-Matt Cotter
“Her” (2012)
As we reflect on what’s changed in the past decade and look towards the next one, the movie “Her” gives us a glimpse of new and different types of love we can expect to see in the near future.
“Her” was released in a time of rapid technical advancement and the rising acceptance of non-traditional relationships in society. The film wrestles with the question of whether love between a human and an AI can ever be real. This narrative is accompanied by a lonely, but full world where people are 100% engrossed by their phones, and in turn, their new relationships.
-Austin Daly
The Sagebrush Staff can be reached at ryleejackson@sagebrush.unr.edu or on Twitter @NevadaSagebrush