Oscar-winner George Clooney returns to directing with Netflix’s upcoming The Midnight Sky. Judging from the newly released trailer, the film feels a bit like a Gravity with a dire climate change message. It’s based on a novel by Lily Brooks-Dalton and features a stellar supporting cast, including David Oyelowo, Felicity Jones, Damien Bichir, George Clooney, and Tiffany Boone.
The Midnight Sky drops on Netflix December 23, 2020 and will screen in select theaters earlier in the month.
The Midnight Sky
On Netflix: December 23, 2020
In Select Theaters: December
Directed by: George Clooney
Screenplay by: Mark L. Smith
Based on the Book by: Lily Brooks-Dalton
Produced By: Grant Heslov, p.g.a., George Clooney, p.g.a., Keith Redmon, Bard Dorros, Cliff Roberts
Executive Producers: Barbara A. Hall, Todd Shuster, Jennifer Gates, Greg Baxter
Director of Photography: Martin Ruhe
Production Designer: Jim Bissell
Costume Designer: Jenny Eagan
Editor: Stephen Mirrione
Composer: Alexandre Desplat
Synopsis: This post-apocalyptic tale follows Augustine (George Clooney), a lonely scientist in the Arctic, as he races to stop Sully (Felicity Jones) and her fellow astronauts from returning home to a mysterious global catastrophe. Clooney directs the adaptation of Lily Brooks-Dalton’s acclaimed novel Good Morning, Midnight, co-starring David Oyelowo, Kyle Chandler, Demián Bichir and Tiffany Boone.
It looks fantastic. Given that Tenet is almost forgotten by now, it could take its place as the genre film that reaches the finals… specially given that Clooney looks giving a performance that could be up in the conversation (something Tenet completely lacks)… its main problem? It is ANOTHER Netflix competitor and it’s really packed competition, Netfilx will have to choose, and given that they – in a silly way – have dropped the ball – or so it seems – with Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods, they are already starting to focus on which of their offerings are going to push all the way for the win… last year, the fight between The Irishman and Marriage Story resulted in only 1 Oscar win (Supporting Actress) when basically they had The Godfather and Kramer vs Kramer competing in the Best Picture cathegory against each other. The result, the Korean movie won, something that NEVER happened before.
Given this, I think they are going to push all their effort on Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom for the wins in Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, Screenplay and will focus less on any other offering.
Da 5 Bloods? Came too early and it is also another African-American film. They will focus only in Delroy Lindo, I wouldn’t be surprised if they switch his campaign to Supporting, now that Boseman would be in Lead.
The Trial of the Chicago 7? It’s not winning picture nor director, and the performances are too packed (Cohen, Langella, Rylance and Redmayne could all lead their campaigns to the nomination, but I think only Cohen could pull off a win, out of them). They will focus on a Screenplay nomination, and go with the performer that does well in the precursors.
Hillbilly Elegy? They will probably focus on the actresses.
Mank? Their HUGE Best Picture/Director bet. It may pay off, but it is maybe the too obvious frontrunner and “Oscarbait” film? It looks like their obvious pick, but I am unsure it wouldn’t just become another “Roma” that would just miss the big award, even if it takes important ones.
I’m thinking on ending things? Already forgotten. It is not going anywhere beyond maybe an Screenplay nomination.
The Life Ahead? They will be pushing it for Lead Actress, that’s it. (EDITED: and song… maybe International Feature, if selected by Italy)
The Prom? That’s a Globe thing, from the trailer alone, it does not look going remotely close to Best Picture… but well, now that West Side Story and In the Heights have been moved to 2021… longshot.
Blonde? Already moved to 2021.
So, basically I think that Netflix’s bets are going to be both Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Mank. Anything else, they will just push for noms and only for wins, if precursors indicate that they stand a chance (I am thinking specially on Sacha Baron Cohen, who’s warranted to be in conversation given how 2020 has been an outstanding year for him)
This looks really good….but what’s the child doing on a deserted planet? I have come to not support or watch movies that “exploit” children and put them in danger. I always feel like it’s a Ploy. I could see if the child were a teenager….okay….but when they plop a child in the movie and it’s life or death, I’m not going to go there.
I haven’t read the book either. I only read the IMDB description. I do agree with you about the child, I can’t quite make sense of why she finds herself there.
As Gravity’s big fan, I really want this film to thrive.
However, this looks like an unoriginal, redundant, and snobbish compilation of many space movies (especially Gravity).
Really hope I’m wrong.
We should watch this one closely. Book is fantastic. I think this could be a surprise.
It looks fantastic. Given that Tenet is almost forgotten by now, it could take its place as the genre film that reaches the finals… specially given that Clooney looks giving a performance that could be up in the conversation (something Tenet completely lacks)… its main problem? It is ANOTHER Netflix competitor and it’s really packed competition, Netfilx will have to choose, and given that they – in a silly way – have dropped the ball – or so it seems – with Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods, they are already starting to focus on which of their offerings are going to push all the way for the win… last year, the fight between The Irishman and Marriage Story resulted in only 1 Oscar win (Supporting Actress) when basically they had The Godfather and Kramer vs Kramer competing in the Best Picture cathegory against each other. The result, the Korean movie won, something that NEVER happened before.
Given this, I think they are going to push all their effort on Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom for the wins in Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, Screenplay and will focus less on any other offering.
Da 5 Bloods? Came too early and it is also another African-American film. They will focus only in Delroy Lindo, I wouldn’t be surprised if they switch his campaign to Supporting, now that Boseman would be in Lead.
The Trial of the Chicago 7? It’s not winning picture nor director, and the performances are too packed (Cohen, Langella, Rylance and Redmayne could all lead their campaigns to the nomination, but I think only Cohen could pull off a win, out of them). They will focus on a Screenplay nomination, and go with the performer that does well in the precursors.
Hillbilly Elegy? They will probably focus on the actresses.
Mank? Their HUGE Best Picture/Director bet. It may pay off, but it is maybe the too obvious frontrunner and “Oscarbait” film? It looks like their obvious pick, but I am unsure it wouldn’t just become another “Roma” that would just miss the big award, even if it takes important ones.
I’m thinking on ending things? Already forgotten. It is not going anywhere beyond maybe an Screenplay nomination.
The Life Ahead? They will be pushing it for Lead Actress, that’s it. (EDITED: and song… maybe International Feature, if selected by Italy)
The Prom? That’s a Globe thing, from the trailer alone, it does not look going remotely close to Best Picture… but well, now that West Side Story and In the Heights have been moved to 2021… longshot.
Blonde? Already moved to 2021.
So, basically I think that Netflix’s bets are going to be both Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Mank. Anything else, they will just push for noms and only for wins, if precursors indicate that they stand a chance (I am thinking specially on Sacha Baron Cohen, who’s warranted to be in conversation given how 2020 has been an outstanding year for him)
This looks really good….but what’s the child doing on a deserted planet? I have come to not support or watch movies that “exploit” children and put them in danger. I always feel like it’s a Ploy. I could see if the child were a teenager….okay….but when they plop a child in the movie and it’s life or death, I’m not going to go there.
I thought Clooney and the child were on Earth and have to warn the ship not to come back as it’s become uninhabitable?
Okay, I didn’t read the book. Sorry.
I haven’t read the book either. I only read the IMDB description. I do agree with you about the child, I can’t quite make sense of why she finds herself there.
As Gravity’s big fan, I really want this film to thrive.
However, this looks like an unoriginal, redundant, and snobbish compilation of many space movies (especially Gravity).
Really hope I’m wrong.
I’ll wait for the reviews from the AWD viewers. They had thumbs down for the Chicago 7.
what is AW viewers?