God does dry cleaning; he wears a smock

I have seen two very interesting movies in the last couple of days. Both came out in 2007, and I wanted to see them in the theater, but I missed out.

Rocket Science is a quirky, strange, and funny film about Hal Hefner, a lonely kid with a stuttering problem who searches for love and himself by joining the school's policy debate team. Directed by Jeffrey Blitz and starring a cast of unknowns, led by Reece Thompson, Rocket Science is poignant and moving, but comical and quite entertaining. This is a little movie, but it throws in some big ideas. I definitely recommend it.

---

Sunshine is most decidedly not comical, though it is ironically much more about rocket science than Rocket Science. Sunshine, starring Cillian Murphy, is the latest film by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, Millions), who has gone the science fiction route, and the result is completely fascinating. The basic plot involves a team of scientists who must deliver a giant bomb to the dying sun (it makes sense in the film). Between the breathtaking special effects, the creative film tricks, and the heart-stopping tension (oh, there are some plot twists), I was absolutely glued to this movie. A stirring score featuring Underworld only adds to the film's psychological power. Oh, and the movie is kind of spooky too.