The Midnight Sky (2020)

This movie has been nominated for an Oscar in the category of visual effects, and as is almost always the case, is competing against other moives that are nominated in only one or two categories. This year none of the visual effects nominees is nominated in sound, which is reflective of just how deep the field is in sound this year and in no way implies that the sound here is to be found lacking. George Clooney portrays a nearly dead man (I imagine that his now three year old children will be surprised by just how ancient dad looked in this film), Augustine Lofthouse. He is a scientist on an Arctic station at the end of the world. The Extinction Level Event is not clearly described, but when we get a look at the planet from outer space, it is entirely brown with so much dust swirling up that visibility is quite impaired. Climate change comes to mind, along with a possible nuclear mishap. Either way, a man made event. Augustine stays behind while others evacuate to be with their families at then end in order to reach a space ship and warn them against coming back. The space scenes are beautiful and dangerous to behold, and the back story about why Augustine is so intent on saving this particular crew makes for a moody film indeed. It is not m y choice in this category, but worth watching.