Sci-Fi Thriller 'Sunshine' Comes to the Sunrise

BY BRENDA PHELPS: SPECIAL TO THE PILOT

Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 19, the science-fiction film thriller "Sunshine" plays at the Sunrise.

"Sunshine" opens 50 years in the future, aboard the spaceship Icarus II, en route to the sun where the job of the crew is to perform solar engineering to keep the star from dying from a "Q-ball."

The Icarus II represents mankind's last hope, and the eight people aboard know it. The mission is the No. 1 priority for each of the ethnically and sexually diverse crew. The captain is Kaneda (Hiroyuki Sanada). His first officer is Harvey (Troy Garity). Capa (Cillian Murphy) is arguably the most important person on board -- the engineer in charge of the payload designed to reinvigorate the sun. Others include Cassie (Rose Byrne), Corazon (Michelle Yeoh), Mace (Chris Evans), Searle (Cliff Curtis), and Trey (Benedict Wong).

The first two-thirds of "Sunshine" offers a gripping adventure yarn in the man-versus-nature category. While technology plays a big part in this struggle, it's essentially about how a crew of eight can overcome one setback after another to keep things on target. The last part of the film becomes more man against man, as a demented fanatic stalks the corridors of the ship, killing the crew and attempting to sabotage the mission.

more ethereal look than the average science fiction movie, and this film is considered more of a step into reality, since among the film's credits is a science consultant, and the filmmakers made every effort to follow his suggestions. The film is written by sci-fi novelist Alex Garland ("28 Days Later") and directed by Danny Boyles, their third partnership.

The film is 1 hour and 47 minutes, rated R for violence and profanity. (Note the times, for there are changes from the usual schedule.) The film begins tonight, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 23, except for Friday, Sept. 21, to make room for The Kruger Brothers concert. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. as well as 2:30 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for matinees, and $5 for children under 12. Beer, wine, bottled water, sodas, candy, nuts and popcorn with real butter are available. The Sunrise Theater is located on 250 SW Broad Street in Southern Pines.

For more information, call (910) 692-3611 or visit www.sunrisetheater.com