G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra by Stephen Sommers

Category: English

I enjoyed this film, growing up playing with the figures and watching the animation, the movie was a let down in places but not completely.

This film tracks down the origins of Cobra and establishes a lot of the characters and their motivations (albeit superficially). Even still, some of the characters manage to stay with you even after the film is over. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is definitely one of the characters to watch out for. Christopher Eccleston is pretty formidable as Destro.

Well it's still not the best cinema you're going to encounter and as such is pretty mindless in places including the famous chase sequence in Paris. Sienna Miller is put to good use as is Rachel Nichols.

Recommendation level: 1/5 - Christmas cheer! But very crappy in places, if you like G.I. Joe then it should be a 5/5.

Unleashed by Louis Leterrier

Category: English

Probably one of the Jet Li's under appreciated roles and movies in general. Bob Hoskins captures Jet Li when he's a kid and trains him to be a living weapon, trained only to kill and basically everything non-human almost like a "dog". When his collar is removed, Danny goes on a mindless killing spree. Eventually the dog escapes and his helped by a blind musician portrayed by Morgan Freeman.

Bob Hoskins wants the dog back and bla bla!

The movie doesn't deal with any great themes barring some references to classical music. It's written by Luc Besson, and one wonders why does that even matter when the film is obviously not so well crafted.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - Just for Jet Li & Massive Attack's soundtrack! If you like action films and Jet Li then this would be a 5/5 for you.

Avatar by James Cameron

Category: English

By the time you read this, most of you will have already seen Avatar. You must be in awe and possibly even looking forward to a ton of new movies based on the ingenious film-making concepts executed in this film.

The story is crap, but you know this, the themes are complete rubbish either - there's no deeper meaning in this film. If you're here to even consider that a simple dialogue of Stephen Lang's character about "waging a war on terror" be a shot at America's own war on terror then you're even more stupid than the people who just watched the film for the pretty blue colors.

Avatar's dealing of the issue of aliens and the proverbial "who's side are you on?" raised once again by Lang's character at the end is also pretty weak. District 9 speaks volumes of such issues on the deepest level till date. Avatar is just very revolutionary, just like that first film made by the Lumière brothers where people ran out of the cinema hall thinking the train was coming towards them. It's going to be remembered, make no mistake about it but does it have any aesthetic and artistic value? I'll leave that to you to decide.

The histrionics aren't that superb either, their passable, Stephen Lang had me cheering for him in the end. Now that's a fucking G.I. Joe.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Path breaking, but everyone's too quick to judge the story, I think even Cameron made peace with himself about that before he made something like this. For me, I am not sure how much we should be relying on technology to interfere with our art form, we're already so distant from reality, do we need more distance?

Paa by R. Balki

Category: Hindi

My first Hindi movie in a while and how about it! While the melodrama got to my brain after a point and the ridiculous situations executed by the director and of course the pathetic acting by almost everyone in this film is only redeemed by the half decent performance put in by Amitabh Bachchan thanks to help from the make up artist.

While there are some genuine moments in the film that can tug on your heart much like Elephant Man by Lynch (in many parts, am not sure how many of you picked it up but he sounds a lot like Merrick portrayed by John Hurt. The film is pretty straight up, Abhishek Bachchan and Vidya Balan have a passionate affair in which Amitabh Bachchan's character is conceived.

After more than a decade of hiccups, Amitabh Bachchan finds his way to the successful MP's (Abhishek) line of sight.

Everything else is predictable after it and there's nothing special beyond a point. This film has some moments which include the explanation provided for the name "Auro" and err... some decent close ups and nothing else.

Recommendation level: 1/5 - Kinda sucked after a point, saw this in a cinema hall.

Pineapple Express by David Gordon Green

Category: English

My reviews will continue to get more and more erratic this month as I try to find time since it's Christmas!

A stoner movie starring Seth Rogen wasn't something I was looking forward to but thanks to his superior supporting cast (James Franco of Harry Osborne fame in Spiderman, Danny McBride, Gary Cole) the film is actually watchable. So the movie has Seth Rogen as a process server and on one of his errands while smoking the wonderful Pineapple Express he ends up witnessing a murder and he immediately runs to his peddler (Franco). Little did all of us know that Gary Cole is a mob boss now out for Rogen's blood. He deploys two hitmen, one of them portrayed by Kevin Corrigan.

On the way running from the mob there's tons of faces they come across, they even pick up a 3rd member towards the end (McBride who refuses to die from gunshot wounds). The film oddly enough gets a little serious and violent towards the end and I couldn't figure out why. None the less this isn't the best cinema you can watch, but it's alright to watch it with friends.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - Purely because of Franco and the supporting cast.

In the Loop by Armando Iannucci

Category: English

A spinoff from the popular BBC TV series - The Thick of It, In The Loop is probably one of the best political satires to have come out in recent months and it definitely doesn't let down. Sinking it's teeth into the juicy flesh of British politics right from the start we're introduced to Peter Capaldi's character Malcolm Tucker who is somewhat of a spin doctor for the British PM and the government. Soon we find out that a cabinet minister, Tom Hollander's character has shot his mouth off about a possible outbreak of war in the middle-east.

What follows is an escalating set of events that while spirals out of control is completely manipulated by the ferocious Malcolm Tucker and later on his assistant.

This is the kind of movie that you have to watch with the right kind of people to get the references and of course the amazing humour that makes this really high class. Making it a must watch comedy for any young mind. There are stereotypes and there are unconventional characters, there's also James Gandolfini as a U.S. General. Do watch it if you have the time and take a look at how events are controlled by the Government right to the final dot.

Recommendation level: 3.5/5 - A MUST WATCH! Got this from a friend. Watch out for Peter Capaldi's character, you might just fall in love!

The Fifth Element by Luc Besson

Category: English

While I found this movie extremely crappy the first time I saw it, I must say even after more than 10 years the movie doesn't seem as bad as I thought it was years ago.

The plot is simple, Milla Jovovich's character is the fifth element sent to save the world from a probable catastrophe. She lands into Bruce Willis' taxi (he's a taxi driver) and they set out to save the world along with Sir Ian Holm. There's also a wealthy industrialist, Gary Oldman who is out to claim the ultimate power to himself.

There aren't too many positives about this film, the sub standard acting or the wafer thin plot doesn't give this film a lot of ability to expand on itself. Still if you're completely bored then go ahead and watch this film. Everything is pretty main stream - so what does that mean? Right from the dialogues to the production values to the future they portray... Everything is very much the way Hollywood has been looking towards the future.

There's some experimentation done with the film used in this movie, but I couldn't be bothered, also Luc Besson and everyone else involved has done better cinema than this.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - Saw this on TV.

Layer Cake by Matthew Vaughn

Category: English

erm, if you've seen any of the Guy Ritchie films (read the trilogy I reviewed a few weeks back) then this one isn't that different from them. Yeah, pretty insulting but it's really true, this one however lacks and benefits from certain factors.

It lacks Guy Ritchie but it benefits from Daniel Craig and Sienna Miller!

The plot is simple at the start with Daniel Craig playing XXXX who deals heavily in cocaine and decides to eventually quit the business until everything turns upside down and inside out. There's betrayal and most of the characters who come on screen have their own agendas which they are interested in executing - no matter what the price.

I am not really sure how much I liked this film, but I think it's just about average in places.

Recommendation level: 2/5. Got this from a friend.

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay by Jon Hurwitz & Hayden Schlossberg

Category: English

I didn't think it would take something like 2 directors to make a film like this. Considering how simple stoner movies are and how only in particular places do they go over the top (Read: NPH getting his guts blown out). So of course in the sequel to the famous Harold & Kumar Go to WhiteCastle, is no different than the original which had the main characters riding a cheetah under the influence of marijuana.

The sequel takes off almost immediately with the guys deciding to head to Amsterdam - except that they don't. What follows is adventure to get back to America after a stop over at Guantanamo Bay. They encounter old friends, new allies and of course the dire need to find the women they are madly in love with. The sappy part which pretty much drains a good stoner film of its essence. Apparently this film was more successful - financially. There's also the crazy American authorities who create some funny moments during the interrogation sequences.

There's more of NPH this time around and of course there's more weed and crazier situations. It's worth a watch if you have nothing to do on a Saturday evening, if you have some friends over feel free to watch it with them.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - I liked the original better, got this one from a friend. It's the second time that I've seen it though so it has some mild repetitive value.

Control by Anton Corbijn

Category: English

Control is a biopic based on Joy Divisions' lead singer Ian Curtis. His tragic life and his brilliance is captured by Corbijn, right from the first frame that we're introduced to Curtis' character there's an odd sense of tragedy coming, there's a sense of brilliance in the way he looks at the butterfly sticker and recites Wordsworth. That's what we're talking about.

The film - shot completely in black and white follows Ian Curtis from his high school days and eventual rise to fame, the band grows stronger and stronger and eventually so the workload also increases and eventually after having an early marriage he's caught between finding himself attracted to others. He does pursue that and for a long time seems almost unable to decide between his wife Deborah or Annika. Eventually there are several factors that start taking a toll on his mental health.

The music and the situations created around this film are pretty impressive, if you are a Joy Division fan then you must watch this movie because you'd be able to connect with the songs and the situations better. Even Curtis' poetry compels you to watch and take part in his journey, it's the only time a vocal narrative is introduced in the film and his words capture the film and moments so strongly.

As I mentioned earlier, if you are a fan of Joy Division this is a must watch, if you aren't then it's a must watch too because of their music and Ian Curtis. The leads are all powerful - Sam Riley and Samantha Morton are so strong in their roles as the loving young couple gone awry. There's also the supporting cast which is prominent too.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Got this from a friend and definitely one of the better movies to watch.

Atonement by Joe Wright

Category: English

Atonement has Keira Knightley and James McAvoy portraying the tragic characters of Cecilia Tallis & Robbie Turner. Torn apart by a simple misunderstanding, their separation eventually pans out as the the 2nd World War reaches it's peak.

Due to a mis-read letter and a certain set of events, Saoirse Ronan mistakes the kind and gentle housekeepers' son to be a sexual offender and as a result even though he has the potential and determination to follow his dream of becoming a doctor he is sent to prison where he's given the chance to be drafted into the army or stay in prison. His love for Cecilia denied by destiny he looks to find her.

The film - for a popular one doesn't follow a linear narrative, at many times exploring with the past and present and even what is reality and what's not. Ronan's character grows up and decides to Atone for her misgivings against McAvoy's character. Eventually the film explores what exactly is Atonement and if it can be rectified or if anything is possible to even do something about it. Does speaking out the truth make it all better? Simple questions raised, nothing extraordinary about this feature film, but they are raised in a delicate fashion which makes this film a little sensitive.

The acting is pretty top notch, some of the camera work is interesting and the editing is well done, doesn't get on the nerves and for a popular film this leaves a lasting impression on the viewers. A little knowledge about the World War might help in understanding what happens at Dunkirk and why exactly certain characters meet their fate the way they do, that's something not touched up on in depth in this film, the War is a brilliant way of juxtaposing a forlorn love story but perhaps the war isn't the main character here. This is a adaptation of a novel of the same name.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - Got this from a friend, but do catch it, it's a little emotional in parts but not overtly done. Perhaps the end wasn't needed and should have closed on Vanessa Redgrave's face in a close up.

Ninja Assassin by James McTeigue

Category: English

This film released pretty early in India, but am really not sure if that was the right decision considering the cold response the film got in the cinema hall I was at.

The movie has Rain (pretty South Korean singer among other things) performing some breath taking stunts and fighting through almost everything for what he believes in. Turning on his own Ninja clan he soon faces the wrath of them for his betrayal. Along the way he goes to save a lady who is investigating a recent assassination. The assassination is rumored to be done by Ninjas and as such she unearths a massive underground conspiracy.

That's about it for the plot, there's every possible cliche to be used in an action film like this. There's the "brother fight" with Rick Yune, surprisingly looking out of place. Well with out of place, everyone else also is. Rain can't act or even deliver dialogues properly and comes across as constipated most of the time. There's no real star in this film barring the fight sequences.

There's a thorough demonisation of the Ninjas and most of the film has some really misleading facts in it. I read that the director wrote the entire script in 53 hours and truth be told it does seem like it. I can't believe he's the same director who gave us V for Vendetta. Do kindly note the presence of South Korean actors portraying Japanese characters.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - For the action sequences and of course any film that depicts the Ninja (sadly this one has them as really bad but it's one of the rare occasions they aren't overshadowed by their illustrious rivals - the Samurai). Action fans would give it a 5/5 for the slick kills.

Saw by James Wan

Category: English

At it's core Saw is about a killer who doesn't really kill his victims, he gets his victims to kill themselves. Much like how people aren't born killers but societal norms probably help them become a killer. The primary antagonist in Saw is Jigsaw who believes that people take their lives for granted and thus need a rude and shocking awakening, this can only be possible by extreme torture (physical and mental) to oneself. So he sets up games...

The most famous franchise in survival horror these days - Saw started off as a short film (just youtube it). Eventually finding it's way to movie executives and eventually the big screen. The first film has Leigh Whannell and Cary Elwes stuck in a room together and trying to work their way out. As time passes by we're introduced to the characters and more importantly to Jigsaw who's not revealed completely until the end of the film.

The acting is quite decent for a film that obviously doesn't require anything more than a squirm or a grimace from the actors on screen. I kinda liked the film because it was something unique and although the second film is heavily borrowed from the Cube series and the others since have been bad, this one always remains as one of the movies to watch.

Recommendation level: 2.5/5 - Got it from a friend and just about at 2.5 : )

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Miloš Forman

Category: English

One Flew... has Jack Nicholson portraying a criminal who gets sent to the "institution", at the institution we're introduced to a host of inmates. They follow a particular routine everyday and everything is controlled by Louise Fletcher's Nurse Ratched. Eventually with his introduction the monotony is destroyed and soon there are minor revolts, people want to watch the World Series, they want to go out and have fun, meet women. Soon after this the situation gets serious when one of the evenings "out" the in-mates led by Jack Nicholson ultimately head towards the climax of the film.

Finally at the heart of it, One Flew... talks about the institution and how we view in-mates. While they deserve to get treated it's advised through the film that perhaps a more "human" approach is what is needed. Particularly the end of the movie raises some serious concern about how Nurse Ratched and the hospital administration are portrayed. At some point in America there was a debate about the kind of values this stood for and how it was against the then psychiatric norms of treating patients.

Do have a look at the film though, it's engaging and the characters (particularly Brad Dourif, Christopher Lloyd & of course the leads) make this film above average.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Got this from a friend!

Zack and Miri Make a Porno by Kevin Smith

Category: English

Kevin Smith has written and directed this film and to be honest it's been a big let down. As soon as the movie was done I was left with a crappy feeling. After some introspection I do feel this movie was bad.

Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks' characters are down out of luck and money and after their 10 year high school re-union they find out they have to pay bills or the electricity, gas, water will shut down. So after a MMS clip scandal featuring "Granny panties" the duo who have been friends forever and never had sex decide to make a porno. They do end up having sex for the first time on camera and that changes everything.

I have to tell you the first 30 minutes held immense promise, I thought it would be one of the rare buddy/stoner films (Harold & Kumar, Clerks etc) with female and male protagonists that could actually work. Then it all went downhill.

The humour goes beyond crass and lacks any real class. Kevin Smith even brings out two of his biggest assets - Jeff Anderson (Randal from Clerks) & Jason Mewes (Jay of Jay and Silent Bob) but alas even they can't save it from Seth Rogen's ineptitude and crappy timing. What we have left is some reasonable acting from Elizabeth Banks and from Justin Long & Brandon Routh, sadly the latter two just last all of the first 30 minutes.

Recommendation level: 1.5/5 - Disappointing film, can give it a skip unless you want some crass jokes overall with one genuine funny moments thrown in.

Event Horizon by Paul Anderson

Category: English

Paul Anderson has made some mistakes in his career most notably Aliens vs Predators or Soldier. But then the promise he showed with his first film Shopping seems to have all disappeared, for the remainder of his career he seems to grasp at bigger budgets instead of focusing on the elements that make Cinema... Cinema.

Event Horizon has Sam Neill as the mentally unstable Dr. Weir who created a ship that could travel through Space and Time, bending laws of physics (literally) to access any point in the known galaxy. When it goes missing for 7 years and suddenly resurfaces it's up to Laurence Fishburnes' motley crew aboard the Louise and Clark to find out how things got messed up. As they slowly find themselves losing their minds they also lose their original ship and are forced to deal with the now enigmatic Dr. Weir and his lovely ship.

The ship as it turns out as been out of the boundaries of "normal" space and time and as a result could have been in a hellish dimension.

Sam Neill and Laurence Fishburne do a really good job in what would be one of my favorite space suvival horror films in a long time. Sure the dialogues get a little patchy at times but there's nothing scarier than Sam Neill delivering his dialogues in such menace that you do get reminded of his Damian (read: Omen III) days. The rest of the supporting cast does its job although some of them aren't as memorable as the others.

Recommendation level: 2.5/5 - "You can't leave... She won't let you". Watched this from a friends DVD.

2012 by Roland Emmerich

Category: English

This was one disaster film I was waiting to destroy since the time I heard about it. Roland Emmerich has been making stupid films for years, I don't even know why he's credited as a director considering it takes close to zero skill of his own to complete any of those superlative tsunami's, tidal waves, earthquakes, volcanoes etc. To his credit he made 3 good films in his life, if you're a fan of his work then this is the time you go and pick the 3 best, because I am really sure every other film of his has been a turkey at some point.

I really can't be bothered to explain a film like this, it has the proverbial estranged couple. He does throw in the Indian scientist but let's face it everyone is down right terrible, even Woody Harrelson sucks . The Tsunami and Volcanoes have more acting capacity than the botox enriched cast. Oliver Platt is about average in his role and it's pretty obvious every known face just wanted the extra cash and every unknown face on screen wanted some fame.

I have no doubt that this film will do well and it should, the primary audience that Roland Emmerich has made this film for (read: 10-14 year olds) will definitely find this a "WOW!" film. I had to see this film because I wanted to. But the amount of kids going for this is ridiculous! Also there's the invulnerable hero (Cusack), his crappy ex-wife (Peet), pesky kids and some annoying Russian billionaire named Yuri. I think people must be really stupid to watch Emmerich's films, but worst of all I think he goes laughing all the way to the bank considering the crap he puts on display every single time he has a release.

Recommendation level: 0/5 - Haha - here I thought I couldn't find a film as bad as Stealth. Thanks Hollywood. Saw this in the cinema hall, a little bit of the cinematic magic dies with films like these.

Dr. Strangelove by Stanley Kubrick

Category: English

I am sure there's a lot been already said and written about Kubrick's war movie, in fact every great film maker or someone who has had some kind of connection with greatness and cinema needs to have attempted a war movie at some point.

The film is based on a U.S. General, during the height of the cold war decides to launch an all out nuclear aerial assault against mother Russia. Soon enough the President and all the important heads in the government begin sweating it out to possibly try and save the world from the Russian fail safe - The Doomsday Device.

While the plot is of almost no consequence since the film is a heavy and vicious attack against the Cold War and all the people associated with it. There's no point in trying to poke jokes at the names since Kubrick is very much in control of this film. There's several takes on the British, the Americans, Russians, Nazis and even the fool hardy war loving people. Most of all there's the funny rant about Coca Cola. What's crazier the Cold War or the people behind it?

Am sure there's been plenty of people who have already dissected this movie bit by bit, so all I can say is you need to watch this film when you get a chance. Peter Sellers is excellent in this film, might I add.

Recommendation level: 4/5 - Very purposefully executed. Must watch!

Gladiator by Ridley Scott

Category: English

Here's a rather fascinating film that at some point has been watched by most of humanity that has access to any form of cinema halls, TV, internet.

The premise is simple, Russell Crowe starts off a top General in the Roman armies to the point where he's almost set to take on the title of Caesar but plotting from Joaquin Phoenix ends up in him being branded a traitor and family executed. Crowe barely survives and ends up taken in and sold as a slave to compete as a Gladiator. He eventually finds himself in Rome to face the Emperor face to face.

Ridley Scott excels as a director in this movie to get such powerful performances from his lead and support cast. The actors to watch out for in this film are of course the leads - Connie Nielsen, Joaquin Phoenix, Russel Crowe but also Oliver Reed Djimon Hounsou take this film to a completely different level.

There's a lot of CGI used in the movie, but a lot of people are drawn to the movie by the rather strong characterizations and emphasis on finishing moves in the Coliseum. Do watch it though, it's one of the modern films one must see.

Recommendation level: 3.5/5 - Sadly no Hollywood movie can go beyond a 3/5 here, or maybe a 3.5! Got it from a friend, so props to him.

Dawn of the Dead by Zack Snyder

Category: English

Dawn of the Dead sees the survivors banding together in a mall. Their thereafter struggle with each other and while some of them think of living there the general consensus becomes that it's important to get the hell outta there!

This re-make doesn't hold a candle to the original and so I wouldn't recommend it if someone is genuinely interested in Romeroesque films. Try and catch it as a stand alone film and it has its moments. The Turbo zombies (really fast and strong) make for some minor exciting moments but over all don't have the same feel as Romero's zombies.

The problem is, there's just too many characters and there's immense relying on the stupid moments rather than real character development. This leaves you feeling almost nothing for the people except of course the main characters.

Recommendation level: 1/5 - Good try! Got this from a friend, so cheers!

Forgetting Sarah Marshall by Nicholas Stoller

Category: English

Funny movie with a simple premise, Jason Segel gets his heart broken and is trying hard to forget the girl of his dreams aka Sarah Marshall. She picks the British lover over him and as he first fights to come to terms with the break up he eventually realizes several things about their relationship which probably could never have been worked out.

He's also aided by Mila Kunis' character.

The movie is sadly funny in patches and not completely a stellar film to check out. The 4 characters we find on screen regularly do a good job but there's nothing solid in the script or the execution of it. As a result there are some funny scenes but sadly Kristen Bell's plastic face makes this film really boring in many parts. Am sure it's fun to watch with friends or when drunk but normally this is an average movie.

Recommendation level: 1.5/5. Got this from a friend!

Shaun of the Dead by Edgar Wright

Category: English

I had my reservations about this movie since I am a big fan of the Zombie movie genre and to see it getting ridiculed would be painful. I did watch this film and thankfully there's a decent amount of gore and British humour to take this film to a 3 star rating!

Obviously ZombieLand will be another good film to watch but this one completely hams away at the Zombie genre. The movie has Shaun looking to take charge of his life by doing a completely 180 degree with his girlfriend and of course sort his relationship with his step dad and try and find a great job! All this takes a de-tour as Z-day strikes and wreaks havoc. Ironic in nature the survivors head to the nearest pub to survive the catastrophe.

This is definitely one of the must sees of the Zombie films one will come across, Simon Pegg is remarkable and this film has his brand of humour completely stamped up on it. Do take a look at the supporting cast as well.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Hell yeah!

Day of the Dead by George A. Romero

Category: English

Crap, I've forgot to watch films this week, but fear not I managed to lay my hands on a chunk of them so expect a river of reviews in November.

Romero's third film in his now 6 part franchise of sorts called, "...The Dead" series. While his previous films in this tackle race (Night of the Living Dead) & consumerism (Land of the Dead) this one is a vicious take on the military and what happens in the context of a zombie holocaust. The actors aren't any famous folk, but have claimed cult status thanks to their work in Romero's films. This one is no different.

What sets Romero's films from the rest? Even in this day and age his Diary of the Dead is probably miles ahead of most Zombie movies we see day in and day out. On a very simple level he brings out the best in his characters and their slow degradation as human beings, there's not much room for melodrama but there's room for emotions. That's where he is King and no one can come even close.

The plot has the Army and a group of scientists working closely together to find a cure for the flesh eating zombies. There's a break down and the soldiers assume the right of might, while the scientists continue to get ruled over, not everyone can keep their sanity till the end.

Recommendation level: 3.5/5 - This is one of Romero's finest.

Stealth by Rob Cohen

Category: English

A spanking new AI controlled aircraft goes out of control due to a bolt of lightning and costs one of the pilots his life. There's also the sub plot of love between the other two pilots and then there's the ethics of war.

Crappy movie :( They should have at least used Biel in the right ways.

Recommendation level: 0/5 - Don't even dare... watch it.

Get Smart by Peter Segal

Category: English

Okay so this movie is really funny only because of Steve Carell and partly Alan Arkin.

It's inspired by an old tv series by Mel Brooks and hence there are some odes used towards the end of the movie.

Steve Carell plays an unlikely agent who has spent his entire life at the desk of a super secret agency called "Control". After getting thrust into the thick of things he dazzles in areas and also fails with a straight face in some. This is partly due to the magic of Carell as well as the beauty of the character itself.

I don't know just watch this film, it's really funny in several parts.

Recommendation level: 2.5/5 - There's only so much Carell can do for this movie all by himself!

District 9 by Neill Blomkamp

Category: English/Prawn language

The film has obviously been watched by a lot of folks so the plotline isn't really worth talking about it in here. But just in case I'll still do it. The world has been exposed to its first real extra-terrestrial visit, not much is known about them except that they are stranded here and while they take residence some of them turn out to be violent. They are then moved into District 9 a slum in South Africa.

Shortly after that a few decades later they are to be moved into a completely different area which will be heavily guarded. The Earth leaders want to make sure they can operate Alien technology while one of the "Prawns" (derogatory term to them due to their features) has figured a way back to get home and possibly move on from Earth. Wikus is in charge of this operation and gets infected with a spray that starts converting him to the very people he was supposed to evacuate.

The movie deals with a lot of themes pertaining to futuristic theories such as xenophobia towards aliens and explores social structures on a basic level. There's of course the presence of the local mafia who are dominating the prawns. There's heavy exploitation ironic enough done by the one race that's been exploited for centuries. I liked the film because it was the first time some theories like this got addressed. Although in anime there have been tons of examples of such themes getting covered.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Oh the alien guns ZAP well : )!

I Am Legend by Francis Lawrence

Category: English

The first time I saw this a few years back I didn't exactly appreciate it and I think one can appreciate it only if you see it the second time after a gap. The film is definitely one of my favorite zombie driven movies.

A Doctor finds a vaccine to cure Cancer using a mutated strain of the Measles virus. The only problem is it turns out to be lethal and mutates, the virus kills 90% of humanity, the remaining 10% are left either being zombies who feast on blood or immune people about to become food for said zombies.

The film follows Will Smith's character as he tries to live a "normal life" by himself, as well as find a cure for the virus. Eventually things shape up for a big showdown as one of the zombies referred to as the Alpha Male, becomes smarter.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - It's not superb cinema, but it will do. Watch out for Will Smith, he's really stellar, even though he is such a big name.

Sleuth by Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Category: English

Having seen the remake before the original I have to say the original is far better. Michael Caine is better off as Tindle the young bloke out to steal Wyke's wife. Wyke portrayed by Laurence Olivier is for sure a choice as Wyke. The remake featured Jude Law as Tindle and Michael Caine as Wyke. End result of equation? Jude Law sucks.

The plot has Wyke tricking Tindle into committing a robbery on his own estate, he's then shot by Wyke in the process of doing so. What follows after that is a cat and mouse game that goes on with endless twists and turns. The house becomes an important character after that, being the 3rd real character in the movie. Mankiewicz gets the house into character as well, with all the oddities present around the place.

Finally it's the acting between the 2 leads which can keep this movie entertaining, even though at 2 hours the film can be a little annoying at times. A much better finish in comparison to the modern day remake which takes up a very odd turn later on. There's also a few characters missing and barring a few plot twists which have been taken from the original the remake is light years behind. This film as well is based on a play, so perhaps the play has to be the best of the 3?

Recommendation level: 2/5 - How many twists and turns can one plot take? Watch this 1972 film to find out!

Revolver by Guy Ritchie

Category: English

The "Trilogy of Crime" as I am going to dub it comes to a close with Jason Statham finally getting a lot of screen time all to his pretty face. This time around Mr. Ritchie takes his setting to a presumed American ground, probably in Las Vegas. Mr. Green has just been released after 7 years of imprisonment, solitary imprisonment. In there he has conversations (but never meets) two inmates who befriend him and he slowly learns the "formula" to win any game. After his release from prison he spends the next 2 years cleaning up casinos and going after the man who sent him to the chiller in the first place, Dorothy Macha.

There's also a Mr. Gold who gets attributed to the ego.

I won't ruin the main parts of the film because there's constant commentary in this one and there's also exquisite violence from over the pond by Guy Ritchie this time. The story is a little wayward even though the film holds you tightly. Unlike the other 2 films, Ritchie gets a smaller cast and gets more juice into his characters. The commentary is a bit too much in parts and seems a little over the top particularly in the elevator sequence, even Guy Ritchie can't control cinema that well.

Ultimately it's the smaller characters who leave an undeniable mark on you, prominent being the sure shot - Sorter (who incidentally is the same actor who portrays Pinbacker from SunShine). There's also the gentle, Avi and not to forget Macha who is very strong in his own right. Finally don't forget to see the reactions at the end of the film before the end credits roll out. One word of advice Mr. Ritchie - No one takes Deepak Chopra seriously, unless you're Parmeshwar Godrej or you have no self-respect.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Yeah, he's out of bounds in some places but overall I enjoyed it. Even though it's a little insulting to think he managed to decipher the formula of "chance" or "luck".

Snatch by Guy Ritchie

Category: English

Day 2 of the Guy Ritchie "fest" of sorts, this one is also features a ton of characters but this time he's got known faces to back them up. Well "known" now anyway. So the basic premise has Jason Statham looking to fix up a boxing match for a pig feeding mafioso called the Governor. His boxer ends up getting destroyed by a pikey called Mickey and he ends up taking him for the next fight, which Mickey is supposed to throw, but he doesn't.

In between all of this is Frankie "Four Fingers" who ends up stealing a massive diamond but ends up giving into his biggest greed - Gambling. He's tracked down by Boris the Blade who employs 2 pawn shop brokers. There's also Vinnie Jones thrown in as the proverbial gun for hire/bounty hunter, with the cool dialogues. If Quentin Tarantino was British then he'd be Guy Ritchie.

There's plenty of sub plots and minor characters thrown all around. There's one close up on Brad Pitt's face after he sees the burning trailer and that is one of the most under-rated and powerful moments in the film. It's one of the few places where literally the anger is visible at first and then slowly fades away into nothingness of the face. Just for that alone Mr. Ritchie gets a better rating this time around. The film is also firmly entrenched in London, 2 remarks - Benicio del Toro sports a weird accent and the camera angles used for him look straight out of Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas and secondly - Brad Pitt looks like he strolled a bit off from the sets of Fight Club onto this one!

Most of the support cast is strong as can be expected, there's a bountiful of cool dialogues and various shenanigans thrown in to keep people hooked and I can completely understand the cult status that Guy Ritchie commands now. I am just not sure how important this film is in terms of cinematic quality.

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Told you he gets a better rating this time around! Tomorrow will be Revolver, once again thanks to a friend for lending me these films. If you're a Guy Ritchie fan, it's a straight up 5/5!

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels by Guy Ritchie

Category: English

Guy Ritchie week, I forgot to write this last night. Anyway - the movie is simple in its out look that 4 blokes (each skilled in their own small way) are conned at a card game and must now pay half a million of pounds if they want to retain their lives and appendages.

In between all of this is a a drug baron whose private stash of cannabis has been robbed by a set of greedy crooks who have been buyers at some point. There's also the 'cleaner' who moves around with his son, there's also the Porn King to whom the 4 mates have to pay up within a week. There are also some small time crooks who had to steal some expensive muskets but didn't.

All of these explosive elements come together which seems like almost a familiar finale. I haven't seen this film earlier so it was a treat watching it, even though it gets a little patchy in parts. There's some debate about how good it is but I think it's stylish in the most commercial manner and absorbing only if you love the emphasis on characterization. There are some good shots in the film particularly of the close ups used, but their too far and wide and end up getting lost somewhere between the power of the plot and style.

However, props to most of the actors used - they do what their called for and exceed at it by very far.

Recommendation level: 2/5 - It's good in parts and overall engaging but nothing really path breaking, excessive reliance on violence and "bad ass" dialogues to carry this movie forward. Props to a friend of mine for the movie, remember no downloading illegally!

Break #3

Taking a break this week, I've got fucked over by some international films I had... Gutted. I need to organize the films a little better. Until then probably start posting by next week. Have a nice week all of you : )

Boudu Saved from Drowning by Jean Renoir

Category: Non-English

Renoir's comedy from 1932, evokes the true power of a canvas and what an artist can do with it. Boudu is a tramp who is all set to drown himself but is found rescued by a Bourgeois book seller, Mr. Lestingois. The otherwise quiet household finds itself under immense scrutiny by the unique charm that Mr. Boudu holds within himself.

The movie has plenty of jabs at the established class, there's plenty of references to prominent French intellectuals and their books. But I think more than that it's the charm of the director himself that shines through this rather unique film for its time. Renoir's comedy is done with a straight face, better the fact that it's done in a very nonchalant manner. In turn by his actions and characters he's taking a shot at the then existing methods of making films. I must have probably said this a 1000 times already but viewing French directors take on a completely different genre than they always do is remarkable. Might not be his first comedy film, a rather bad way of putting this film since even in it's limitations and stationary camera work it hits out hard.

The acting is top notch with just 4 main characters the plot is tight and the narrative is paced well, every situation that occurs is completely planned out and while it seems like a bunch of scenes put together for the people who don't know, every scene brings out another facet of the characters on screen. Michael Simon is the stand out character here but Charles Granval is equally powerful in his role as the care taker of the tramp.

Recommendation level: 4/5. Got it from the Enlighten Film Society collection or however you say that. Print was good, worth a watch.

Dead Man by Jim Jarmusch

Category: English

This film was a little hyped for me by a friend and so I was naturally compelled to take a look at this film. It's quite a minimalistic film in which Johnny Depp plays William Blake, a man who comes into Injun country to make a living to find himself out of a job in the first place by a very well placed Robert Mitchum (in his final role ever). Eventually he manages to get into a world of trouble as he finds himself hunted by 3 bounty hunters, prime among them is Lance Henriksen's cannibalistic character.

Proceeding with the story, Blake encounters a native Indian who has been on the receiving end of a harsh life - exploited by the white man he hails his new found partner as a re-incarnation of the famous poet.

The movie has a very entrancing Neil Young on his electric guitar and the background score keeps you well entertained throughout. To see the accountant Blake go on to becoming a gun slinger is almost hilarious and comical at times, not to say that it's badly executed, if anything the film is quite an anti-western in that sense. There's a lot of play on words and there's also the poetic language of Blake used to full effect. Then there's Jarmusch's style.

Needless to say, this film was very engaging and from what I've read on this film - very detailed about the lifestyle of the Injuns. Watch out for Alfred Molina's role as the Pastor!

Recommendation level: 3.5/5 - It's a little too long in places, and it could have been a little made a bit tighter. Depp's good as usual but nothing extra ordinary, he's surrounded by a really strong cast and director.

The Time Traveler's Wife by Robert Schwentke

Category: English

The movie features Eric Bana as a man who suffers from a strange genetic disorder that makes him travel through time. Rachel MacAdams plays the love of his life who has waited her entire life.

The movie falls apart at several places, even despite the presence of some capable acting talent there's almost nothing can do with such a weak script. Fans of the book even claim that the dialogues and scripting in general is very weak and thus is not even close to the book.

For me personally the movie is very flat at places, since I have never read the book it's almost impossible for me to contextualize it so I suppose aside from Rachel McAdams no one really stands out. Eric Bana's acting talent disappears every time his on screen persona takes a journey through time.

Recommendation level: 1.5/5 - There's some novelty value and of course 1 star for Rachel McAdams. Even fans of sappy love movies will find themselves walking out sooner than the movie ends.

Inglourious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino

Category: English

Tarantino is apparently back to doing what he does best or so people say, but truthfully Chapters 3 and 4 in this saga of revenge (a theme from his previous venture) actually establish him in my books as someone who can make the 60's European cinema (as a friend also remarked) come alive, barely but yes. Chapters 1 and 2 are very much like what Tarantino churns out consistently or as I'd like to call it exquisite violence. Chapter 5 is a toss up.

Once again Tarantino relies on creating heavily memorable characters such as Donny Donowitz or Hugo Stiglitz through dialogues, violence and of course the cold blooded killer look. But this time around he relies on some powerful close ups, such as the German Major who first encounters 'The Jew Bear'. He uses plentiful cinematic references in Operation Kino and basically insults people's intelligence by explaining things in a very child like manner (Ref: Nitrate Film).

The film traces the life of Shosanna Dreyfus who is inspired to avenge her family by eliminating the upper echelon of the Third Reich. The Inglourious Basterds led by Aldo are also on their way across the country rampaging through Nazis like ninjas and of course eventually making it to the climax of the film. Shosanna owns a cinema hall where all of her plans are going to come to reality at the release of "Nations Pride", A German propaganda film powered by Goebbels.

To be fair Tarantino does a really good job here of trying to cater to the mainstream audiences while also sticking true to his own brand and trying to incorporate a 60's European cinema feel to it. While also re-working the way we look at conventional WW2 films. Right from the name itself, there's a certain air about the movie that makes it untouchable by conventional cinema these days. The people who don't like homages in films or references to older cinema are obviously clueless about what they are talking about, which is perfect since Tarantino, sadly is making films for them

Recommendation level: 3/5 - Yeah, we're not sheep! Catch the film though.

The 300 Spartans by Rudolph Maté

Category: English

The movie that inspired Frank Miller himself to create his own 300 his graphic novel that spawned the testosterone driven 300 movie powered by Gerard Butler's abs and voice. However the best part about this film is the relative simplicity of the fights and the acting from the big hitters! Made in 1962 this film follows the same plot line from the Battle of Thermopylae.

There's the vast army of Xerxes, there's a queen who powers some of his decisions on the battlefield! As one of the generals notes, "During the day he comes to us for advice and in the night he goes to her". The movie isn't as ridiculous as you'd think it could be, in fact given the time and place and the right time of watching this movie I am pretty sure it was epic by its day and age.

Some of the dialogues we hear in 300 are present here as well, particularly the blotting out of the Sun and fighting in the shade. I really don't have to explain more, but yes if you want to watch an interesting film after consuming the CGI driven 300, then yes you must head to watch this!

Recommendation level: 2.5/5 - I liked this a lot! Although it's a little too romantic in places for even the most hardcore Spartan fans.

Voice of a Murderer by Park Jin-pyo

Category: Non-English

If I could I would turn back the time I'd prevent myself from watching this crappy film. After some decent South Korean cinema this film was very annoying and boring.

The film starts about how it is, "based on a true story". There's a kidnapping in which a famous news anchors son is taken away, the said anchor in question has used the power of the media to put away many people including friends and foe alike. Soon he's on the recieving end of this and the end although a little shocking doesn't really matter. Barring the father, none of the actors pull out anything unique, the detective has some style but eventually just "gives up". The film is very westernized in it's outlook (quick cuts, score, action) but the treatment is wrong... so very wrong.

BLAH, after a point you don't even care if it's based on real life incidents because it's all so dramatized and painful, the acting is hamming at it's best, there's almost no scope for anything unique. The camera work is at least something worth mentioning but beyond this, I spent 2 hours on nothing.

Recommendation level: 1/5 - See above.

Woman is the Future of Man by Hong Sang-soo

Category: Non-English

There are 2 really stand out conversations in this film which make up for the entire film. The first one revolves across two friends who have met after a long time and discuss their lives for a bit. The second one is where one of the said friends is conversing with his students over dinner and argues the benefit of believing in nothing.

These scenes and some more mixed with a plot line that doesn't really go anywhere. The film itself is quite an experimental piece in nature because like I mentioned earlier it doesn't go anywhere in the sense there's nothing concrete that is decided by the end of the film. This already makes it a stand out film for me. The characters are very complex, they are very much based in reality. But what makes it even more riveting is the banter the two lead friends share.

The plot revolves around 2 friends who aim to visit their third friend. There are some romantic undertones to the entire scenario, and some even explicitly sexual. But that shouldn't deter you from watching this 97 minute film, about nothing. Well not completely about nothing it holds a deeper value in what Cinema can achieve at times, this is Sang-Soo's art and you have to sit up and take notice of what this director is showing you and what he doesn't want you to try to decipher.

Recommendation level: 5/5 - Sheer novelty value and execution! If you want to look for something deeper in Asian cinema, start here! The title itself sets the pace for this film.

Flower Island by Song Il-gon

Category: Non-English

Prior to this Il-gon had only be making short films, as a result this film can be separated into 3 distinct halves. There's a clear line between the three sections.

The film follows the lives of 3 women, each with their own problems to bear. The first is a 17 year old girl who at the start of the film kills her own child by washing it down the toilet, we later learn she's a rape victim. The second is a renowned Opera singer who must undergo a surgery to remove the malignant tumour, the only catch - they have to remove her tongue. The third woman is a married woman with a young daughter who prostitutes herself to purchase a piano for the child. Each of them try to find solace in the "Flower Island" a mystical place where all your sorrows go away.

The first half describes them, the second half introduces themselves to each other & the last part sees their journey to the island itself.

The cinematography is almost flawless, shot entirely on a hand held camera and possibly a DV one at that. The message intended by the director is brought out not just by the dialogues but by pro longed silences, strong background music, facial expressions and of course the situations. Blitzing past into their minds at the drop of a hat and back into reality as it were for them. Il-gon is completely in control of this film. The cinematography at times even seems very unlike South Korean cinema, there's nothing pretty about the characters' problems, it's real, it's gritty at times and he doesn't relent. You have to endure it as the protagonists do.

The film is a little too long at almost 2 hours in length and this is something where the films narrative isn't as tight. Made in 2001, there's also one of the rare occasions where South Korean cinema deals with the topic of homosexuals (Gays only). It's touching in its execution and definitely while their problems may seem so deliberate they aren't, the problems these women face are what they are.

Recommendation level: 4/5 - It's not perfect but definitely one of the better Asian cinema films to watch. Some of the concepts & style used seem similar to Tony Takitani.

300 by Zack Snyder

Category: English

What more to say about this film than hasn't already been written! THIS IS SPARTAAA.

Ok aside from that, everyone knows this film is based on the 300 brave Spartan soldiers who fight crushing odds to hold off the Persian army led by King Xerxes. Leonidas as a true king leads from the front and fights right until the end, making a statement even before his life comes to a close.

The entire film is one massive instructional video as to why you need to join a gym and get into shape. The performances are stand out and the film is overtly loud at places. Pretty much a film you want to see if the girl loves Gerard Butler and 300 semi-naked 6 pack sporting Spartans!

You get to see a wide variety of weapons being used and of course a wide variety of warriors in action as well. There's also the whole East vs West angle and the lovely women of Sparta too!

Recommendation level: 2/5 if you love cinema you can still like this! If you love action films; 5/5!

Shutter by Banjong Pisanthanakun & Parkpoom Wongpoom

Category: Non-English

If you can get out of the director's names you are in for a treat, the only problem with the Ghosts who seek revenge in such films is that they almost tend to look the same. The same creepy look from the Ring, the only way it probably works is because there's not much screen time otherwise devoted to such faces!

The movie has a familiar premise where a scorned lover returns to seek revenge and in the process ends up taking a few unexpected lives! In this case our happy photographer and his girlfriend have a calm life until a few of his best friends from school commit suicide and before that the happy couple ran over a girl! How are these two incidents linked? Find out.

The only real scary part of the film was when it's finally revealed why our hero had a nagging neck ache through the entire film. It gives you the goose bumps, I assure you.

The film isn't bad and passable but at places but it's a little too slow paced and the thrills aren't enough, until the very fag end of the film.

Recommendation level: 1.5/5 - Seen better horror films, this week will be South East Asian cinema week!

An American Werewolf in Paris by Anthony Waller

Category: English

Didn't get to complete this last night as the second disk gave me some problems. Anyway, kinda dated film the movie is funny in parts and is about 3 American youngsters partying it up and trying to live the crazy life in Paris until they come across a hidden sect of Lycans and the heart eating ceremonies they indulge in in make shift night clubs.

The film parodies several notions of the typical Yank in a foreign land and the ignorance they could perhaps be priding themselves on!

The actors are pretty good, Julie Delpy of From Sunrise & From Sunset fame is present here and does a decent job of holding the French accent. Thomas Everett Scott is believable as the tourist whos life has gone haywire thanks to Delpy's character.

There's tons of funny jokes and the occasional scare as well, the only problem is the CGI, why is it a problem? Because this is 1997 CGI we're talking about.

Recommendation level: 1.5/5 - Funny in parts but overall it's a little disappointing I must say.

Marley & Me by David Frankel

Category: English

Marley & Me is about a dog named Marley who enriches the life of Owen Wilson & Jennifer Aniston's character. The film spans the entire dogs life and has the lead pair portraying journalists. One good thing was there wasn't a LOT of melodrama in the first half and it's all pretty slick but the 2nd half as expected is loaded with it, so if you love dogs bring out the hankies!

I am really not sure what else I should be commenting on!

Recommendation level: 1.5/5 Yeah it's cute and the emotions behind it are real but the climax is a little drawn out and kinda expected. The film comes undone in the second half and that's a let down for me personally. Jennifer Aniston & Owen Wilson hold this film together along with the dog named Marley. 5/5 If you love dogs!

The Marriage of Maria Braun by Rainer Werner Fassbinder

Category: Non-English

Touted as one of the most commercially films of Fassbinder, The Marriage of Maria Braun is a very engaging film that although might not be represent of the New German Cinema movement but is a methodical and superb effort from Fassbinder.

The film plays out the life of Maria Braun, who like most women in the days post the II Great War were at the core of powering Germany. Their efforts in reviving the German economy is perhaps overshadowed by the returning men from the front lines. Maria Braun calls herself, "The Mata Hari of the Economic Miracle" at some point and rightfully you can see how she works for it at times even prostituting herself. Back to the plot! Maria Braun spends a while waiting for her husband to return she finds love in a African American GI known as Bill. The husband returns and while he takes the blame of the GI's death, Maria decides to work her way to the top by any means possible, mostly because she wants a life with her husband at any cost.

The movie is shot incredibly, Fassbinder doesn't blink as much as other directors do and when he does you can rest assured the framing and the close ups (non-face) add a whole new layer to the film. His film is an allegory for the state of Germany at that time and of course about the political scenario present in those days.

Watch out for the empowering scenes where he doesn't want to show his protagnoist weeping or when he doesn't want to break the scene and reality with an unnatural cut. Truffaut spoke about continuing an emotion in a particular scene and in Fassbinder's work you can see how he continues, how he doesn't want you to break away. He lifts poignant political questions and of course the start of the film has a picture of Adolf Hitler.

Recommendation level: 5/5 - You have to see this, somehow or another, find a way! Thanks to a friend who generously lent me his personal copies.

Autumn Sonata by Ingmar Bergman

Category: Non-English

One of the only color films of Bergman I have managed to land my hands on Autumn Sonata is a masterpiece in its own right. Although more celebrated for its performances by Ingrid Bergman & Liv Ulman, Bergman has to be credited with his almost flawless handling of the delicate relationship shared between a mother and a daughter.

Ingrid's character has been busy all her life, pursuing a career as a celebrated pianist she in turn has forgone her personal life and her children - Eva and Helena. Through the film Bergman pokes, prods and annihilates their personal space by creating a new one. He uses this new space to analyse and dissect their interpersonal relationship. From the start it's the mother who is in a dominant position but eventually it gives way to the daughter finally getting a hold on things and finally managing to get her mother to acknowledge the pain they underwent as kids. Helena on the other hand is a spastic child who is now almost incapable of communicating, only with the help of her sister, Eva can she actually put forth her emotions and comments.

The characters he creates and particularly the joy of what color can do for a film is brilliant exposed by Bergman. The lighting in the scene where there's a projector, when there's a warm glaze of sunlight coming from outside do you realize how important the lighting and how much color holds. The reds in Bergman's films are definitely always spoken about and for once I got to see a taste of this power.

Most of all Autumn Sonata - with it's powerful music of Chopin & Bach lend a very interesting comparison to the characters he creates on screen. His framing, relying heavily on his close ups but now capturing 2 central characters is almost undeniably brilliant of his work. Even though it's been made in 1978 it still, in my mind, belongs to the early 50's of European Cinema.

Recommendation level: 5/5 - Eventually the film is quite relentless but for his vastly different way of handling female relationships - Bergman gets a 5 on this! Note that unless you're used to Bergman you will find this 92 minute film to be quite boring. My personal copy!