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The Butterfly Effect 2 (2006)
Watchable flick if viewed in isolation from its predecessor
Despite negative reviews all around, I actually enjoyed this one. It may not be as brilliant as the first instalment of the franchise, but the unpredictability of the plot kept me glued. I would rate the acting above average. The direction was well-oiled. You would definitely like it if you watch it in isolation from its predecessor. The movie kept its momentum till the end.
Overall, a watchable flick if viewed in isolation from its predecessor.
Veep (2012)
A good comedy show which has maintained its quality throughout its run
Veep is a delightful sitcom. I started watching it mainly because of Dreyfus, but it has since then developed its own engaging repertoire. The characters are funny, and even without the crutch of hilarious happenings, they make us laugh. I like the way the show pokes fun at the hard-nosed politician without becoming tardy. The relationships the Veep shares with her associates are the key focus of the mirth. I would have wanted more screen-space for Hugh Laurie in the later seasons as he seems under-utilized. Jonah Ryan could have been the breakout character like Barney Stinson, but it seems he has become the Joey Tribbiani of this show. Some characters like Amy--though acted well-- suffer from under-development.
Overall, a good comedy show which has maintained its quality throughout its run.
Jaws (1975)
A potboiler of the 'slow-death' variety
A potboiler with grisly action scenes that border on the ridiculous, 'Jaws' is another of the 'slow-death' entertainers of the 70's era. The premise is simple, and the ending predictable. Special effects are of the 70's quality, so sometimes they made the scene quite funny. The actors don't impress. The shark doesn't impress. There are some gaps in the story line. It must have been popular because of the shock value the scenes had in the era it was released. It was one of the most successful films ever. Spielberg has made much better films later on. Good cinema should endure. This didn't.
Watch it only if you want some comedy of the ridiculous kind.
Proof (2005)
Masterfully done cinema underlining the best of human emotions
I happened to watch this one accidentally. It was a happy accident!
At the core of the film lies a daughter's grief for the loss of her father. I could only compare the portrayal to Intersteller's heart-wrenching drama about a father and a daughter trapped in space-time, to underscore how well it has been done. Gwyneth Paltrow has made a fan out of me for her lifelike performance in this movie.
Apart from the stellar acting performances of the entire lead cast, the film's narrative structure is most interesting, and original in terms of build-up and climax. The story does not become predictable, and it's only towards the end we understand Catherine's inner struggles to accept that her father is gone. This is a treat to watch. Gyllenhaal and Hopkins also have lived their characters well.
Overall, it is masterfully done cinema underlining the best of human emotions.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
A classic potboiler and historically significant film
I saw this one in 2017, and found it entertaining. Though the visual effects understandably seem artificial, the pace slow and the story predictable, I can see why this was a big deal at the time it was released. The climax was a bit of let-down, I can see that the director wanted as much screen-time of shining UFO lights as possible, and maybe it did dazzle the contemporary audience, but to me it seemed rather unnecessary. The acting is just okay, and the characters seem confused. Some parts of the story are just overkill, but forgivable. I even got bored at some point.
Overall it is a classic potboiler, historically significant and mildly entertaining film.
Byôsoku 5 senchimêtoru (2007)
Simple yet powerful visual art, a treat for the artist in you
This is easily one of the most beautiful movies I have seen. Simple yet powerful, the visual narrative is breathtaking. By the end, I was rooting for a happy ending, but it wasn't meant to be.
This a simple love story powerfully told in an artistic way. One can see the artist's imagination working in the minute details that get captured in each scene. For example, Akari gets up from her seat in her office to go to a meeting, and her chair rotates slightly--empty--as the scene cuts. At that moment, the story is devolving into how Akari has moved on in her life, and this little ending drives the message home. Similarly, Takaki says to himself at some point that he didn't know when he started composing messages on his phone meant for nobody, meaning that loneliness has become a part of him. That standard of storytelling is hard to emulate.
In short, a treat for the artist in you.
Olympus Has Fallen (2013)
Thriller with a simple but captivating story-line
This is a pure action film with a very clear one-dimensional story-line. There is a villain out to take the White House (Olympus) and a hero to avert him and save the POTUS. I would say that despite the simplicity of the story-line, the film is gripping, to say the least. There is a sense of urgency, a sense of foreboding cunningly crafted into the narrative which makes you root for the good guy. Gerard Butler is as usual the tough Secret Agent who cannot die or lose. I would have liked the other subplots (for example Butler's girlfriend) to have gotten more attention. This is not a serious film with a layered plot. It is a genre film with obvious plot holes and inconsistensies, but they hardly matter when the drama is so well enacted and tightly scripted. I would have rated it a score of 6.5 but the system doesn't allow that. Overall, a nice action film that delivers with grace.
The Theory of Everything (2014)
A fine film about the more obscure aspects of a famous physicist's life
If you know a bit about Stephen Hawking, you would be pleasantly surprised how close this picture comes to describe him. The film leaves out the obvious parts of him, and dwells on the obscure, mainly his wife Jane. The duo give a glowing performance. Having seen other biopics like 'A Beautiful Mind', this film follows a similar pattern about a protagonist faced with challenges coming to terms with his place in the world. Stephen Hawking's research is hardly mentioned, and his overflowing humour a major part of the film. Eddie Redmayne has impressed me again after 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'. Overall a fine film with great performances by the lead characters.
Westworld (2016)
An imaginative bold experiment in the Western genre with scintillating music
Right from the beginning, the series captures one's imagination with its wide-arced storyline and its original starcast. Although I felt a little lost in the middle with some redundant plot lines, the first season ends with a flourish. The main themes of the series are consciousness and artificial intelligence. The series is ambitious in its scope, and would do well if the problems in its pace are fixed. For example, I heard about the Ford's 'new narrative' in the very beginning of the series, but it could not take shape until the very end of the first season. Also, sometimes I hope that the characters don't talk in riddles this much; it makes one nauseous. Most of the actors have done very well, and the background score is magnificent, to say the least. The music captures the Western genre's mayhem succinctly. Character development of the major characters is somewhat lacking, and maybe the second season would be kinder to that aspect.
I would be looking forward to watching the second season.
The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015)
A nice documentary film on a great mathematician's life
This had been on my list for long and it did not disappoint me. This biopic traces Ramanujan's life from India to England and back. Dev Patel seems rather nervous in some scenes, the dialogues ordinary, but Jeremy Irons strikes a punch as the emotionless professor Hardy. Hardy makes Ramanujan face the world, give proofs for his theorems, and fights for his Fellowship. I found the back story of the mother conniving to hide the wife's letters somewhat silly. I understand that the directors wanted to add a sense of tragedy and pathos to the story, but it should be credible. Dev Patel does not seem to fit the bill. His exaggerated Indian accent makes matters worse. Jeremy Irons does exceedingly well. Overall a nice film.
Dear Zindagi (2016)
A serious letdown, clichéd dialogues and sappy story
This movie is a spectacular letdown. You go in with high expectations, get bored with over-the-top clichéd dialogues, hope for it to end before sleep claims you, find an off-color Shahrukh giving life lessons to a confused Alia with adoring eyes, and you wonder, how and why would SRK do this kind of a sappy film. There was only one memorable dialogue from this movie, and it was 'genius is knowing when to stop.' I think if the director had known when to stop doling out the life lessons, we could have had the chance to save some time. Alia tries a lot to play the confused, conflicted young adult, and SRK's is merely the scaffolding the director wanted Alia to build on. But alas, such a sheer waste of talent this film is. Kunal Kapoor is never utilised, SRK seems to totter in some scenes, Ali Zafar seems to come from cheesy-lines-land, Alia seems hysterical in many, and the other characters stay underdeveloped. Story is simplistic-- it is mainly a character drama. I suspect that the editing of the film may have removed the required layers to make an emotional connection with the supporting characters.
Anyway, a gross letdown it is.
Doctor Strange (2016)
Very average action film with incredible graphics
Benedict Cumberbatch looks stuck in a particular kind of a role. He is forever playing the role of a genius egotist who has to save the world. When I saw 'The Imitation Game' I gave him the benefit of the doubt and now it's the same thing all over again. The movie follows a fairly predictable path of evolution as we see him making wisecracks at his colleagues and then falling at the hands of his own arrogance. Here again, his portrayal of a genius egotistical eccentric doctor reminds me a lot of Dr House from the TV show House MD. As he enters the world of metaphysical voodoo of inter- dimensional travel, the story starts to make a lot less sense. The little jokes in between were of some relief in the tiresome spiralling of the plot as we chased the camera down to time travelling forces having the one and the only motive of 'destroying earth'. The special effects are amazing in this one. I really liked the cape though; thought it had some personality which neither the story nor the characters had. Even the rogue wizard turned out to be an expressionless fall guy. The villains could have done with some more panache. I think that holds for the film as a whole as well.
Overall, a very average action flick with cool graphics.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)
A cozy new story in a slightly olden period of the wizarding world.
I was in such a trepidation about what this is about that I actually read the book by the same name first! Newt Scamander didn't come across to me as the daredevil he was cast as in the movie in that book but it is a compelling tale nevertheless. There are the same old themes of racism and the 'greater good'. You hear something about Dumbledore and Grindelwald, and your hopes rise. I would say this film doesn't disappoint. Newt's character is cast spot on, and the other cast members gel well too. The special effects are amazing, and the magical creatures are breathtaking.
Overall, a cozy story in a slightly olden period of the wizarding world.
Eye in the Sky (2015)
A tight suspense thriller about drone strikes and their impact
The film peers through the eyes of a military drone and mulls about 'Collateral Damage Estimates' (CDE). The film-makers have done a good job in showing the nature of drone strikes from the viewpoints of most involved parties--the collaterals, the generals, the drone pilots, the CDE soldiers, the politicians and the soldiers on the ground. Such an intense buildup from all parties needs a compelling climax, and the movie does not disappoint. The subplots involving the Kenyan population--children mainly--are realistic, well acted and blend subtly into the urgency of the mission. You root for the girl with the Hula hoop. Alan Rickman's last role as a general is done with the usual perfect dialogue delivery and poise.
Overall, a watchable film about the heart of the contemporary topic of drone strikes.
Café Society (2016)
A very average film from Woody Allen, with a forgettable story and underwhelming climax
This is one of those movies that focus on the characters more than the story. Not much happens by the time you finish the movie, and the characters don't stick in your mind for long afterwards. The look and feel of the 1930s America is spot on, but the characters are hardly memorable. There are frail unconvincing attempts to introduce comedy. There were some irrelevant (and useless) scenes that had no bearing on the film as a whole, and could have easily been edited out. The climax is similarly underwhelmingly unsatisfying.
Overall, a very average film from Woody Allen. I have watched his other films, and could scarcely believe that this was the same filmmaker who made Midnight in Paris.
Fan (2016)
A self-deprecating humor statement of Shahrukh Khan the human
'Fan' is uniquely crafted, brilliantly communicated cinema. Its idea is singular enough to deserve a place among the better films of Shahrukh Khan. Shahrukh is superb in his alternating personalities as himself and his fan. This film stands apart from his other films in many ways--there are no songs; there are pretty long chase sequences; and there are no lead actresses.
Shahrukh Khan runs his own show, and you cannot complain even for a second. I found it hard to turn away from my screen. Although the first half is better written than the second, I won't complain. A test of an actor's portrayal of a role can be if one could imagine some other actor being able to do it better, and in this case I can't think of any other actor who could have done justice to this role.
I think Shahrukh has given us the kind of film which he would be remembered for. This film is a self-deprecating humor statement of Shahrukh Khan. Many of the scenes of the film remind us of his earlier movies--there is the rooftop chase sequence of Main Hoon Na, then a scene reminiscent of the Alps from Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. Perhaps, the dialogues could have been written a little better.
Overall, an important milestone for Shahrukh and an absolute must-watch for his fan.
Suicide Squad (2016)
A missed opportunity
This film could have been a turning point for the franchise. There are only three characters worth watching in the film in certain scenes--the Joker, Harley Quinn and Deadshot; despite having an ensemble of talented actors. There are plenty of times when you wish the deafening violence to stop scattering your wits long enough to make sense of the convoluted plot. The scene of Harley Quinn reminiscing about her shared craziness (love?) for the Joker had a powerful effect on me. But the beauty of that short scene soon dissolved into the ugliness of punches and bullets; just like Quinn's sanity dissolved into that pool to give way to her insanity for the Joker. Will Smith is convincing in his role. All the other cast members seem ineffective, especially the Witch. There are numerous plot holes.
In conclusion, watch it if you absolutely must watch an action film, or if you are a Joker buff.
The Kings of Summer (2013)
A coming-of-age experience of merit.
Joe is in a hurry to grow up. He wants to build his own house, hunt his own food and live without his grumpy old dad. With two of his fellows in crime, he runs away to live in the woods at a self-built log cabin.
The story is blasé enough, but the climax is well executed. What seemed caricatures from 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' in the first half, graduated with poignant moments of loneliness when Joe learns what it means to be alone. A month in the woods becomes a long internship to maturity. Friends leave him and love eludes him as he struggles to survive.
In short, the film is simple yet engaging. Definitely a one time watch.
Interstellar (2014)
An epic, the most beautiful film about humanity ever made
Cooper's haunted looks sear through. He looks so alone. Out cold inside a black hole, he yearns, and remembers. It is his daughter--back on Earth that he had left with a promise. A promise he now knows he can't keep. He has failed.
**************************************************
This is a film not just about parenthood. It is anthropological in its canvas. Humankind is struggling to survive, and we see all of our species' defining features here. It is about humanity's best and worst. 'Mann' lies to ensure his survival. Cooper braves a black hole to send Brand on her way, wryly quoting the Newton's third law, "The only way humans have ever figured out of getting somewhere is to leave something behind." Brand still loves someone who she hasn't seen in decades, and is pulled light years towards him. We may be three dimensional beings, but 'love is the one thing we're capable of perceiving that transcends dimensions of time and space.' For a moment, I am reminded of 'The Dark Knight Rises' when Mann says, "Our survival instinct is our single greatest source of inspiration." The film seems to be an ode to Murphy's law--whatever that can happen will happen—as almost every single thing that could have gone wrong with the mission goes wrong; and to the Darwin's law of adaptability, when Cooper and Brand adapt to the ever increasing complexities of their mission to stay alive.
"Once you're a parent, you're the ghost of your children's future."
Cooper's predicament is universal. He chooses 'not' to be merely a ghost. He rises above his immediate goals in favor of his future ones. He wonders. He plans. Thus he achieves.
"Nature is not evil."
Cooper boldly goes where no one has ever gone before--inside the singularity. For him, Murphy's law is not a pessimistic take on nature, it is about fairness. That is why he does not give up hope for the future of Earth's remaining inhabitants, and vaults into the 'gentle' singularity of the black hole, even though he had no way of relaying the quantum information just yet.
"Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
Dylan Thomas' famous poem is heard reverberating throughout. And that is how the action goes. Every character, even Tom fights to save the crop he grew. Cooper docks into a wildly spinning Endurance defying everyone around him, because he just couldn't give up. Humanity fights hard to survive across galaxies, as time watches.
"I'm not afraid of death..., I'm afraid of time."
Cooper's primary struggle is against time. He wants to save the future. He is left maimed by relativity, but he continues on, not caring for the costs. He is haunted by his memories, but he manages not to become one himself.
****************************************
Cooper's survival instincts kick in. He realizes the time tesseract is not a prison, but a gateway to peer into time. He watches his daughter stare forlornly towards the bookcase. Can he communicate with her in time? The harder he tries, the bitter the results are. He sees himself walking out the door, leaving her bundled up in her fury. He realizes what he has to do. Humanity was born on Earth, but it was never to meant to die there. And so it shall be.
Forrest Gump (1994)
It makes you laugh, it fills you with warmth and lifts you
Forrest's life is not an ordinary one. Lt. Dan maintains that there is a destiny for everyone to follow, while Forrest's mother tells him that 'life is a box of chocolates; you never know what you are going to get.' Forrest ruminates at the end that these two seemingly opposing views may not be irreconcilable after all. His life is proof enough that accidents happen; all you got to do is to follow them to completion, and they would become your destiny. Forrest got a few chances in his life, he followed what his loved ones told him to do, and got through. The feather may represent that randomness that can lead you to your destiny, because it looks as if it is floating idly in the wind, but the wind is not without design. Lt. Dan laughs when Forrest tells him that he would become a shrimp boat captain, but that same business would then make him rich beyond his dreams.
This is wonderful cinema. The act is top-notch. It makes you laugh, it fills you with warmth and lifts you. You could cry!
Lincoln (2012)
Amazingly crafted, very convincing indeed
Spielberg has dramatized the most difficult months of Lincoln's presidency in intimate and sympathetic detail. I remember the way Lincoln would connect with his audience, share an anecdote and immediately lighten up the atmosphere. He seemed like an immensely likable man. When the moment demanded, he could also be tough and exercise the power his charisma granted him over others. The film focuses on the visionary that he was, the realist he had to become to achieve his vision and the certainty he had in his beliefs. The one thing that separated him from his peers was the ability to seek out the important from the inane. It is shown that he was aware of the historical moment that was upon them in the form of the Thirteenth Amendment, and he 'cepit diem'.
Daniel Day Lewis has given us a remarkable performance. It is very hard to make out that the Lincoln we see brooding and connecting is actually an actor; someone for whom perfection has almost become a religion. The intensity of the gaze, the quiet voice, the slightly hunched posture, the thin grizzled beard have almost reanimated a history chapter.
The movie also delves into the personal conflicts of the great man. His own son joins the army, and he is faced with the tough choice between ending the war or passing the bill to abolish slavery. One could save his son and the other could save millions of people from a life of servitude. He doesn't back down, and the immaculate politician he was, manages to do both.
This is amazingly crafted, very convincing indeed. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
"If in pursuit of your destination, you plunge ahead, heedless of obstacles, and achieve nothing more than to sink in a swamp, what's the use of knowing True North?"
The Manchurian Candidate (2004)
An excellent thriller with blockbuster performances
This movie can really boast about its acting department. Meryl Streep, Denzel Washington and Liev Schreiber have done stellar work here. It is not often you see such strong performances from all of the protagonists of a film. I haven't seen the original one, nor have I read the book, but this is a fine film. The story follows a bit of a cliché--innocent soldiers caught in the web of maneuvering politicians and corporations--but it manages to create its moments of surprise and thrill. However, Meryl Streep could have been given a tad more screen time. She could have lifted off the film even more. I think the subplot of the FBI agent was a little stretched out and not too important to the main story. Overall, an excellent film.
Andaz Apna Apna (1994)
a classic comedy of deserving fame
This is an old classic. Situational comedy--achieved mainly through hilarious dialogues--is the forte of the film. The story is simplistic, and not much could be said about the filming, or the 4 minute song sequences. Even though the acting is average, the film scores in its genre of silly comedy and infantile dialogues.
With characters named like 'Crime Master Gogo', bimbos and eccentric caricatures of old Hindi film villains (including Mogambo), there is not a dull moment in the entire film. Aamir Khan and Salman Khan on the screen gel well together. One of the reasons why every scene of this film has tremendous recall value in India, is because it has been screened an insane number of times on TV, and since its forte lies mainly in scene-to-scene situational humour, one would never really need to see the entire movie to enjoy it. So almost everyone would have seen some part of this movie in India. In that way, the absence of any serious plot has actually been helpful in making it a cult comedy.
Overall, a classic of deserving fame.
Oblivion (2013)
Weak script, but nice cinematography
The story is the weak point of this otherwise beautiful movie. The vistas painted on the screen are breathtaking. The story is somewhat predictable, and the acting by the supporting cast is not up to the mark. But Cruise manages to hold his own, and tries to carry the floundering script through. There are some annoying plot holes, like how did the guerrillas know about Julia, and how could an intelligent being like the Tet not fathom Jack's intentions, or that he had a nuke in his ship. If enough attention had been paid to the script, this could have been one of the best space movies.
Freeman is visible in only a few scenes, and I feel he could have been used better to lift the story. The romantic moments between Cruise and the supporting cast do not really enthrall. It is at best somewhere between a romantic drama and a sci-fi mystery, not quite capturing either end very well.
Overall, an average movie with stellar cinematography and a cruising Cruise.
Zero Days (2016)
Informative and slightly political documentary
This film details Stuxnet as a phenomenon. It does a good job in deliberating about its ramifications and the situations that fomented it. Although the claims it makes cannot truly be verified, it does give you the general idea about the alleged attack.
I would say there was a political angle to the telling of the tale, but the movie drives home the point that Stuxnet was the primer to the era of cyber warfare of this century. We get to see the dramatization of the 'predicament' of the Bush administration, the sepia tinted Ahmadinejad speeches (which should have been subtitled in English, but were not), and the fictional NSA agent who tells us the role Israel and the US supposedly played in the story. In the end it tries to give out a moral message that all war is bad, more weapons just mean more calamities waiting in the wings, and secrecy around a weapon is the first step to let it run amok.
Overall, it was an informative and a slightly political documentary. Definitely worth a watch.