On Demand: George Clooney in futuristic 'The Midnight Sky' and more
By Matt Shiverdecker
Now on streaming services:
"The Midnight Sky": Adapted from Lily Brooks-Dalton's novel "Good Morning, Midnight," this science-fiction drama is directed by and starring George Clooney. He plays Augustine, a scientist who is suffering from an illness and likely doesn't have much life left in him. That doesn't really matter because, as the film begins in 2049, the planet is experiencing an unknown catastrophe that is quickly making it uninhabitable all around the globe. As everybody else at his Arctic research facility flees to underground shelters, Augustine stays behind to attempt communication with a spaceship that is on its way back to Earth. The crew on board was searching for new areas where humans could potentially relocate but is now headed back to a homeland destroyed to the point where they would not even be able to land. If the pressure of getting ahold of them wasn't bad enough, Augustine discovers a stowaway — a young girl named Iris who missed the window to escape. Together, they must try to keep themselves and the astronauts safe from harm in an increasingly bleak scenario. From a technical perspective, the film is top-notch. The set design and effects work are genuinely impressive, and Clooney's performance is solid, even if it relies on him to carry the load of an occasionally confusing script and an emo-leaning final act that stumbles. More "Ad Astra" than "Gravity," the supporting cast (including David Oyelowo, Felicity Jones and Kyle Chandler) helps elevate the proceedings, as does the gorgeous score by Oscar winner Alexandre Desplat. (Netflix, 4K Ultra HD available)