tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53913069410223210262024-02-07T04:36:54.792-08:0090 mm© Reviews & Talkies ~ your simple window to Good CinemaVJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5391306941022321026.post-42007708752535041332011-08-31T08:21:00.000-07:002011-09-01T07:31:31.771-07:00Celebratin' 3000 Pageviews<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heeheeheehoohahahee... Bravo blogger bravo! 3000 is but a fickle thing Batty guy!</td></tr>
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Thank you dear Reader (or browser.. or picture viewer.. or the accidentally landed on the random blog guy), for giving us three thou hits! Here's a snapshot people.. of what's been happenin' on this blog thus far,<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wish my personal finances can show that kinda graph!</td></tr>
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This is just the beginning of aplenty more reviews to come. Movie-reviewing is as old a job as the mighty Eastwood himself.. and hope it stays strong and true as the man himself. I've had an good journey, that's just begun, and enjoyed writing about films that I love (or not). Hopefully, as a reader, I hope you've been enjoying the read/ride as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's bin' a blast! Thank you guys!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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To commemorate this historic and precedented event, I've decided to rate.. <br />
and review a very special film. One that closed the last century with a ☼bang☼ .. and led an entire industry into making a caricature of itself.. and still does!<br />
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So let us all meet when we meet 'coz <i>we are all here to do what we are all here to do!</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming soon.. to a blog-post near you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>VJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5391306941022321026.post-36265419293253776152011-08-27T12:47:00.000-07:002011-08-27T12:47:59.775-07:00Joe Johnston's ♦ Capt. America ♦ ( 3.5 / 5 )<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nostalgic trip to the age of heroes.</td></tr>
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</script>[reader's rating for the movie] <br />
Not another super-hero flick?! If that's your impression when you come across this film at a cinema near you, please forgive Evans' earlier outings like 'Not another Teen movie' and take courage, for this movie has 'something' to offer. <br />
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Reasons why I looked forward to seeing this on a big screen -<br />
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1. I am a sucker for 'period' films. (esp. if they involve world-war drama)<br />
2. Also a sucker for good, clean, epic story-telling such as Joe Johnston's works (parallels of Spielberg, Lucas, Howard, Zemeckis etc.)<br />
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Reasons why I thought it may not deliver -<br />
1. 3D (one never thought a mathematical annotation could become a movie-goer's bane!)<br />
2. Racy, jumpy, cartoon-ish action we've come to expect in several superhero flicks. (Hollywood, I implore thee to rescue the prestige of 'CGI' that was birthed with such legendary and genius works in the Abyss, Terminator-II and Jurassic park)<br />
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The movie justifies almost all of my reasons listed, plus and minus. No, the 3D is not that effective (needless to say if you find a normal two dimensional screening of the movie, book the tickets now!) and thankfully, the action has gravity and good effects in it. The rollicking, roller-coaster adventure-ride of our plucky young Evans as Steve Rogers/Capt. America in a Nazi infested spy-world of the second world war era, aided by eccentric and archetypal scientists and abetted by die-hard friends and a lady love from across the Atlantic, is brilliantly 'immersive'.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi530zWJJfaL8-GfTxO6s99009Q8jxwDxw6cRYVUkPiHU5mhyphenhyphenj2R__62gwQdO_WDTkeQ8uXR0pb99GPTTtpoWD9bzVkY2OJZUhb1QV-khPnYa1S2ywT-LKdZDCVrn8E74KAMH0fPTmGQHhyphenhyphen/s1600/captain-america-movie-image-600x399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi530zWJJfaL8-GfTxO6s99009Q8jxwDxw6cRYVUkPiHU5mhyphenhyphenj2R__62gwQdO_WDTkeQ8uXR0pb99GPTTtpoWD9bzVkY2OJZUhb1QV-khPnYa1S2ywT-LKdZDCVrn8E74KAMH0fPTmGQHhyphenhyphen/s400/captain-america-movie-image-600x399.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Villainous Schmidt played by our erstwhile agent Smith</td></tr>
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The first rule of any proper action flick is to find a bad-ass villain that one properly hates. It's also a classic Hollywood proof that when it comes to it, no one beats the Nazis. If in doubt, visit Mr. Indiana Jones. His best outings were those where he battled them. Here, we have our wonderfully talented Hugo Weaving playing Johann Schmidt aka the 'Red Skull' (a very unimaginative name), painting a classic villain that may not be as great as the Batman's Joker but good enough with his German accent and world-domination proclivities. Infact, he has found his groove in this role that sets as wonderfully as the Smith of the Matrix. Unfortunately, we see more of him in action, and less in thought and motivation. A little more screen time to the latter would have given a more satisfactory outing for the viewer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsyb7WznkSeCZN45KP6kEs5eEFl26dqijrY5BIvGlUXViStkJ_BNKyKTIC7EVU8kcwwJJQzmuhmhmI35S1cfw_d3eXZB0TpZG7Wd1Gxe1tth9fwNnzA-a7eMJqM9X7dr26EL5t7xVPyTe/s1600/captain-america-small-steve-rogers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsyb7WznkSeCZN45KP6kEs5eEFl26dqijrY5BIvGlUXViStkJ_BNKyKTIC7EVU8kcwwJJQzmuhmhmI35S1cfw_d3eXZB0TpZG7Wd1Gxe1tth9fwNnzA-a7eMJqM9X7dr26EL5t7xVPyTe/s400/captain-america-small-steve-rogers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evans plays Steve pleasantly with a restrained and solid performance</td></tr>
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The CGI isn't a weak-link for this movie. Infact, it creates almost a nostalgic experience in us in terms of good, honest and down-to-earth, yet incredible effects of the decade past. This reflects ofcourse on Joe's clear and grounded vision of the script. The first of several in the film is the bone-thin and almost emaciated Steve Roger we see, before a macguffin experiment that buffs him (also CGI) to the Captain's scale. His journey from his repeated 4F rejections to the final 1A acceptance is told with the effort and time that it deserves. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_System )<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_g7eY8uuXkQQ8n9GiC5fIrE5-HCGc7_DS9FtPhzWNEngKoFKULvLmFDIfjh0okgpAmMHshJ5bzAouuCeKQtTmOIR7bBujRBCBME1HA0I4jbRRfeBlKM2LSXv0Ie6LlLNmvEr-4Twiguf/s1600/detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_g7eY8uuXkQQ8n9GiC5fIrE5-HCGc7_DS9FtPhzWNEngKoFKULvLmFDIfjh0okgpAmMHshJ5bzAouuCeKQtTmOIR7bBujRBCBME1HA0I4jbRRfeBlKM2LSXv0Ie6LlLNmvEr-4Twiguf/s640/detail.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6GoiIOxPKrw5CmvprhKdbIWr-t6z4ELCC_m0rmksCCjtGpB8vi2XEhyoMShunhi8_da6tbpRKNlwGkqu592zEaQHaE1tmq85PNdt-xvrDrpw3rkRtRy0e8cZzj9PiJBusJhTFDReyNsH/s1600/detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6GoiIOxPKrw5CmvprhKdbIWr-t6z4ELCC_m0rmksCCjtGpB8vi2XEhyoMShunhi8_da6tbpRKNlwGkqu592zEaQHaE1tmq85PNdt-xvrDrpw3rkRtRy0e8cZzj9PiJBusJhTFDReyNsH/s400/detail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> The 1A happens thanks to an ingenious mind with a big heart, Dr. Abraham Erskine, no doubt modeled upon the several German and other European scientists who fled to America from Hitler's madness (luminaries like the Albert Einstein, Neils Bohr, Enrico Fermi etc). Stanley Tucci (seen on the right), gives a satisfactory portrayal of the character, who has developed a serum and the macguffin experiment, in collaboration with the American engineering genius, Howard Stark.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwWikUb5GROdSzY1T8bqx4U62HF2HSSEFavhaiwV5hCmz8AsqxmdwX3UORMkGThciIG1uSpHxDJu13rz5vQDzZD4fzJpbQdRDw-48EB48OxI4Xs0DOwERJEsHqO6EkuXDWcqqx4uk8DnW/s1600/captain-america-movie-hd-wallpaper-Stark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwWikUb5GROdSzY1T8bqx4U62HF2HSSEFavhaiwV5hCmz8AsqxmdwX3UORMkGThciIG1uSpHxDJu13rz5vQDzZD4fzJpbQdRDw-48EB48OxI4Xs0DOwERJEsHqO6EkuXDWcqqx4uk8DnW/s640/captain-america-movie-hd-wallpaper-Stark.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dominic Cooper as Iron-man's Pop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> One look at that image and you know he's a Howard Hughes clone. I've never read a single Capt. America comic but if the movie is any reflection of it, Stark and Erskine are enjoyable characterisations. Stark, ofcourse, will go on to father a super-hero and another well made Marvel film, the Iron man. Hopefully, upcoming comic based movies will study these two films well before creating other mutations like the crab-man, monster-mom and fishy-legs. Enjoyed Cooper's Stark as the rambunctious-can-do American whiz and look forward to his portrayal of Saddam Hussein's son in the upcoming, Devil's double.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn68XenCHaV92zEXVgTot-H-umCYRPukTws4QKZGcZ4Bry5nAicHJLzQ-jlQE1XfdXdyqxGPbDeY0HH7vqnRn7TNmz8qpPnbhnmkBXKT6ydG8jUmTgbzJqZj6LXPvSjDzwbCpjCYcE7Kqx/s1600/captain-america-movie-wallpaper-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn68XenCHaV92zEXVgTot-H-umCYRPukTws4QKZGcZ4Bry5nAicHJLzQ-jlQE1XfdXdyqxGPbDeY0HH7vqnRn7TNmz8qpPnbhnmkBXKT6ydG8jUmTgbzJqZj6LXPvSjDzwbCpjCYcE7Kqx/s640/captain-america-movie-wallpaper-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hayley Atwell plays a spirited woman in 'Peggy Carter'</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I wish to spare you the details of a story that you well know how it plays out. It is however the esprit de corps and the honest motives of the characters that compel one to go on the ride. Much like Weaving's Schmidt, one wishes to see more of Atwell's Carter. Peggy is that winsome, wholesome military pin-up girl, with a heart of gold and fists of steel. She is on loan from the British forces to co-operate with the Americans on the secret project of creating super-soldiers under Col. Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones). Thankfully, Tommy has a lot of screen time to bring his wit and presence into the character as much as the story affords. Infact, Joe's known for such warm wit and old-world humor that he so effortlessly created in the 'Rocketeer'. There are several parallels here with that wonderful world-war action drama and seems to have been the reason which helped Joe in directing this pop-corn action adventure.<br />
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For all it's strength, the movie plays out to a relatively tame ending. The 'cosmic cube' that Schmidt seems intent on uncovering and using, looks like the cousin of the Transformer's 'Cube'. Expectedly, Red skull's fate will be tied with the cube and an all out crap-shoot scenario at the end. One cringes to see Peggy, someone who's until then portrayed with cleverness and substance, run into the battle all made up and with not even a battle-helmet or camo, looking ludicrous amongst the soldiers battling for life and death.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQG9gLsA9KvNhFSw-RsMAs9b362ssUSLDzww52Cu3bgJwIGGk4AWc3s_84XIzrrXtTcFGJBHGS-4fJzOKkFbggORUCKsbtbB6ULH7u2biLtRLJCnfbDkSdJ8X1YUdBIJtREUaUiZVs8-ug/s1600/peggy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQG9gLsA9KvNhFSw-RsMAs9b362ssUSLDzww52Cu3bgJwIGGk4AWc3s_84XIzrrXtTcFGJBHGS-4fJzOKkFbggORUCKsbtbB6ULH7u2biLtRLJCnfbDkSdJ8X1YUdBIJtREUaUiZVs8-ug/s400/peggy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> This is foreplay to the upcoming Avengers, and hopefully it builds upon the spirit espoused in the film and not simply go bang-bang bangitty-boom all the time. Although, one feels the movie could been so much more, one takes pleasure with Joe's unusual treatment with a mixed bag of comic-styling and dark drama, much like Favreau's Ironman. In the end, what remains is the story of a brave, much-bullied and humiliated young Steve Rogers, within whom beats the golden heart of a lion. Cheesy yes, but evokes an era where heroes where made and not born. The story is an indirect pointer to that moral. Also, watch out for a wonderful and an evocative montage of Capt. America 'selling' bonds to the citizens Broadway style!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJ0ExRrgmIP30jIKlYyAPpX_iiojZHz4OAunlt74q_lQUrI84FyJu1rgHt53O_2S08XjWUQ84kH2i0Kj5hdLwteibJTjFtIFQXoRT2NcuE31KEHnuJHpbbZor9z8vncpjt8TSf1F6sHv7/s1600/srogers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJ0ExRrgmIP30jIKlYyAPpX_iiojZHz4OAunlt74q_lQUrI84FyJu1rgHt53O_2S08XjWUQ84kH2i0Kj5hdLwteibJTjFtIFQXoRT2NcuE31KEHnuJHpbbZor9z8vncpjt8TSf1F6sHv7/s640/srogers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Johann Schmidt</b>: What makes you so special? <br />
<b>Steve Rogers</b>: Nothing. I'm just a kid from Brooklyn. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> </div>VJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5391306941022321026.post-11481406273815243372011-05-28T23:07:00.000-07:002011-05-29T14:12:12.009-07:00Space Cowboys ► 3.5 / 5 (Eastwood's Hollywood)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1827606982" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPUijUhzQ7Tn6UMkUs6KdDfUTT4ZNVAvIbVgDA80Ywu-PpO8ubZHTXJ1wU68WAbzNvKC1fYacXLAHzepribI4FpmMEWoHHJWcBnENmiF7eacYuvAK9dQLBlDsakgAIpvjz1z24F2xRMnB/s1600/space-cowboys-movie-0.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.. the not so right stuff</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="float: left; margin-right: 3px;"></div><div class="js-kit-rating" expr:path="data:post.url" expr:permalink="data:post.url" expr:title="data:post.title"></div><script src="http://js-kit.com/ratings.js">
</script>[your rating for the movie] <br />
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It is fate, I guess, that first led me to see the marvelous '<a href="http://vjnt.blogspot.com/2011/05/right-stuff-1983-46-5.html" target="_blank">The Right Stuff</a>', before this Eastwood's idea of what may have become of those brash, uber-confident, womanizing, cowboy-pilots. This movie takes off right where The Right Stuff lets go. The latter was an 'experimental-epic'. A newness in the genre of science, drama and even humor. Semi-sadly, Eastwood's venture is a semi-experimental, non-epic. There is much of a muchness and the same of a sameness. Much of it is the lack of scientific verity and content. The context, though, is intriguing. Factually, the United States sent a chimp to space before men. There must been some incredulity and frustration for those pilots dreaming to be the first American in space. This movie starts with a fiction behind the incident, based on some history.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM65XyYOUOv608-oGPxQAtwO5tMhykl0DGKvAK2WwhQzBhCoWMB6cz96Kno2Y0Ve-rwdsBHPneeA1tXiBxlHj7o5Z7O2pxDj2jAQtD6q2i6y1J1P-gr2nsNMo3Kpk6uqsa-tkNYHhUjd56/s1600/Space_Cowboys__2000_427416s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM65XyYOUOv608-oGPxQAtwO5tMhykl0DGKvAK2WwhQzBhCoWMB6cz96Kno2Y0Ve-rwdsBHPneeA1tXiBxlHj7o5Z7O2pxDj2jAQtD6q2i6y1J1P-gr2nsNMo3Kpk6uqsa-tkNYHhUjd56/s400/Space_Cowboys__2000_427416s.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feelin' lucky punk?</td></tr>
</tbody></table> The fiction is that the boss, Bob Gerson (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000342/" target="_blank">James Cromwell</a>) doesn't like the attitude and bravura of the pilots, Hawk Hawkins (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000169/" target="_blank">Tommy Lee Jones</a>) and Frank Corvin (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000142/" target="_blank">Clint Eastwood</a>). He heads a team Daedalus, which has these two and a couple more, Tank Sullivan (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001258/" target="_blank">James Garner</a>) and Jerry O'Neill (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000661/" target="_blank">Donald Sutherland</a>). He upstages their space-career by ending all military/air-force involvement with space-race and closing the Daedalus. In reality, this was handed over to a 'civilian' agency - NASA, and many military personnel, esp. pilots, went on to work there as engineers, administrators and astronauts. We later see Bob in an administrative capacity. No such luck for these guys as they finish their career entirely in the corps (think Chuck Yeager).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsn1dLgdW2y_oi9n40CfYK7O7pdfm_Zg2s7P4uB373TdxaqZ-86QI1txHsu-7wS6oegN4egpY15yUapsgmGJqhyphenhyphenN59oGwR-Vj-t8YpG9mf0fHe4gyPqUiaYFYiji8JSX9UOas71VdVpoMc/s1600/00.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsn1dLgdW2y_oi9n40CfYK7O7pdfm_Zg2s7P4uB373TdxaqZ-86QI1txHsu-7wS6oegN4egpY15yUapsgmGJqhyphenhyphenN59oGwR-Vj-t8YpG9mf0fHe4gyPqUiaYFYiji8JSX9UOas71VdVpoMc/s400/00.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toby ~ the young Clint</td></tr>
</tbody></table> This lays the setup for another one. Now, we find these cow-boys have become cow-grandads and Clint is wanted by NASA to help them fix a satellite, a Russian one to boot. There's a logical macguffin as to why only he can do that job. Conveniently for him, it requires space-walk and astronaut-ing. He demands from his ex-boss Bob, who is now managing this affair, that the good ol' Daedalus must be brought in. Ofcourse, he agrees or else the setup for the setup would have no purpose in the movie. The good ol' team is back in place and training at NASA to be astronauts, which leads to some humorous situations and then some. Launched into space they find more details about the weird nature of the macguffin job and the Russian satellite. It's a sinister twist and, well, anyone who loved Bond's Golden Eye could have made quite a good guess here, I suppose.<br />
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I want to specially mention <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827170/" target="_blank">Toby Stephens</a> (Die Another Day, Mangal Pandey) as the young Clint Eastwood, who not only looks uncannily like his younger version but gets his mannerisms and expressions to a T. Would have loved to see a bit more of him. Ingeniously, for his voice, Clint dubs as his younger self, and so do the other three, which completes the illusion.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEd5RR1Hb0uMaKQQ842Xq4gm5Ebz-LFByTFSdwO5wJ67_HVEeBWBpo99WUA5FpjMNxT7Z21rzq2ybOv7iPHjLccu5BwW5o3k1chTobi4y05fNvxdPFM0gR39_NoWFYI3KxwaUDff2SjDRb/s1600/HD81_SpaceCowboys_spacewalkLarge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEd5RR1Hb0uMaKQQ842Xq4gm5Ebz-LFByTFSdwO5wJ67_HVEeBWBpo99WUA5FpjMNxT7Z21rzq2ybOv7iPHjLccu5BwW5o3k1chTobi4y05fNvxdPFM0gR39_NoWFYI3KxwaUDff2SjDRb/s640/HD81_SpaceCowboys_spacewalkLarge.jpg" width="640" /></a> Coming back to the problem I have with the film - the spacewalking and shuttle sequences, esp. the latter. There is a beautiful sequence whence, whilst space-walking, the astronauts 'fall' over the continents in orbit and the shot captures them to be seemingly hovering over the earth. Otherwise, the magic of the space journey is destroyed for anyone who's even a little familiar with how they work, esp. after viewing a landmark movie like the Apollo 13.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_IUGC9CnmTqeX0fxxomM1bLj7SoPpfq45u7qV4wf12xA0chx5sM_r_Ue9LdYFm7CAjLjVcSx9JSaxZQPC3uHF1yRsQtYUQI0o3Uhs0M3MxbRUCRXBEmWLcELkxNIcqDq5J9DQndlhwvF/s1600/image60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_IUGC9CnmTqeX0fxxomM1bLj7SoPpfq45u7qV4wf12xA0chx5sM_r_Ue9LdYFm7CAjLjVcSx9JSaxZQPC3uHF1yRsQtYUQI0o3Uhs0M3MxbRUCRXBEmWLcELkxNIcqDq5J9DQndlhwvF/s400/image60.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imagine me up there..</td></tr>
</tbody></table> There is an especially painful scene wherein we see the old geezers extinguishing a fire inside the shuttle with a good ol' extinguisher as if in a barbecue. Fire is at it's worst in a zero-gravity space environment. It spreads over all surfaces, as a 360 degree spherical burst, since it cannot burn 'up' when there's no 'down' in space. The geriatric subjects also potter about as if in a barn with apparently no regard to a zero-gravity environment. The only way I, personally, was able to sit through them all were due to the good and expected performances by these seasoned actors. A high school student can tear those space sequences to pieces with the science he learns. There are some NASA consultants mentioned in the credits at the end and I wonder if they cringed seeing these. They have sinned by omission. Nevertheless, it's not all a lost cause, and I can only wonder what a beaut this movie could have turned out to be if they got those effects or science right considering the good acting and plot, which is usually the casualty in most movies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1gpq3czDOWUmBu5QcJAzfc5vKvCKWTYoocPVGMvcLtBYqNSGmOBL_xq1lmankias4J2Zt9Vt6f0cXsyZqkI1_AMmmkbPZ_dcDvWnSsHacfwaDqvu2LCXa6CM57dkGfNAFB212Gi9BuV_/s1600/spaceco2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1gpq3czDOWUmBu5QcJAzfc5vKvCKWTYoocPVGMvcLtBYqNSGmOBL_xq1lmankias4J2Zt9Vt6f0cXsyZqkI1_AMmmkbPZ_dcDvWnSsHacfwaDqvu2LCXa6CM57dkGfNAFB212Gi9BuV_/s400/spaceco2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We can hardly run and dammit if you strap us on rocket.. </td></tr>
</tbody></table> I researched a bit after the movie and found that Clint didn't want to use the '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vomit_Comet" target="_blank">vomit comet</a>' that was offered by NASA to shoot zero-gravity sequences. He, thoughtfully, feared the ol' cowboys kicking the bucket before he could film a bucket full of rolls. Nevertheless, it shows in those scenes and it disappointed me greatly. When I saw as a young kid, I imagined the 'Apollo 13' crew to either have gone to a space station to film those amazing scenes inside the spacecraft or perhaps all brilliantly computer-generated. It was an immense surprise, although logical, that these were filmed inside an airplane that free-falls towards the earth from a high altitude. Clint could have tried the vfx route at the least. This was well before his now Spielberg-ian days and the Dreamworks backing, and maybe there were some budgetary constraints. One only has to see the beginning of '<a href="http://vjnt.blogspot.com/2011/05/hereafter-45-5.html" target="_blank">Hereafter</a>' and fully understand the technical quality Steven brings to Clint's films.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrEPId_9fxhR6k0Qze3AH2-Vg9mXpBb-QGs6jYhm2-qyfS4o3Nz3YN29gYA4mULndqZTdeQpWxL8LWzdGvow1Fs71JQXVF-uC-82a31O4lcbtlbpMswf0kBmYQY58bZKTAcB2b36EFB24/s1600/Optoma_HD70_SpaceCowboys_shuttleLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrEPId_9fxhR6k0Qze3AH2-Vg9mXpBb-QGs6jYhm2-qyfS4o3Nz3YN29gYA4mULndqZTdeQpWxL8LWzdGvow1Fs71JQXVF-uC-82a31O4lcbtlbpMswf0kBmYQY58bZKTAcB2b36EFB24/s640/Optoma_HD70_SpaceCowboys_shuttleLarge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<b>Sara Holland</b>: I have never met a kid who didn't dream of being an astronaut when he grew up. <br />
<b>Col. William 'Hawk' Hawkins</b>: Did you ever meet a kid who didn't grow up? </td></tr>
</tbody></table> Anyhow, this movie isn't about the vfx or the brilliant space journeys but all about the heart. It's a salute to the magnificent 'The Right Stuff'. We see a paper headline in the mid of the film teasing the team Daedalus as the 'Ripe stuff'. Being ripe as it may be, it's strength lies in the fact that this is a Clint's creation and it's his team. They get the job done and in style. The script doesn't turn manipulative despite it's contrived and feel-good ending. The whole film reaches out with kindness and humor as only our grandpas can provide. It's a compliment, which this endeavor deserves fairly. Maybe this would've been better on the big screen than catching it on the dvd. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPSjBz_NZPTJqHWlqwrIKa9PknsrGfrp7HWjJdhZob7qW5wB71DUFvEHE6dSGZO-rkNOnzIzZqrq3PPGX_vX5H7gR5Z4drGgcvuY2JlRhbCHExaxGWCPMU2RnGc-yam0t3mfONBzKK-EF/s1600/12147547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="507" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPSjBz_NZPTJqHWlqwrIKa9PknsrGfrp7HWjJdhZob7qW5wB71DUFvEHE6dSGZO-rkNOnzIzZqrq3PPGX_vX5H7gR5Z4drGgcvuY2JlRhbCHExaxGWCPMU2RnGc-yam0t3mfONBzKK-EF/s640/12147547.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cowboyz Forever (|| -|</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>VJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5391306941022321026.post-81942571037650568202011-05-24T15:36:00.000-07:002011-05-28T23:39:22.919-07:00ID4 : The Ultimate Popcorn Fest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXNvoC1BcRFyybS79-etpUV05RXknJEj3JSn88TTe_z5g30FljCfV_SEEtGBmy2BhtZGWU50ABKCv6FqLpU6KkmoIE4yKXKNUtPB6PR3vOFkuiIeCWEpST5HLwHZ7N_hGsdcZqerf1Whn/s1600/independence-day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXNvoC1BcRFyybS79-etpUV05RXknJEj3JSn88TTe_z5g30FljCfV_SEEtGBmy2BhtZGWU50ABKCv6FqLpU6KkmoIE4yKXKNUtPB6PR3vOFkuiIeCWEpST5HLwHZ7N_hGsdcZqerf1Whn/s640/independence-day.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Independence Day (aka. ID4) 1996 ► 4 / 5</td></tr>
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</script>[your rating for the movie] <br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Popcorn Fest. definition: A Movie (usually a blockbuster) that aims to find the middle ground between audiences of various tastes and generally caters to the popular opinions and imaginative will.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"> equiv. terms: A similar concept in Indian films are termed 'Masala'. Hindi Cinema(bollywood) ~ bollywood masala/masala fillim & Tamil Cinema(kollywood) ~ masala padam. differences: unlike popcorn, masala isn't served to the audience per se, but denotes the one seen in the story/film on screen. Also, Hollywood prefers to make the genre</span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"> an art</span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"> and not compromise on the overall quality. eg., Jaws, Star Wars, The Fugitive, Die Hard, E.T., Indiana Jones etc.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">[The above definitions are entirely my own and I hold full responsibility for the same.. ;)]</span></i><br />
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You are alone/with friends and want to spend a mindless evening consuming popcorn/chicken bucket/soda watching a flick that is a visual feast, which doesn't require much focus or intelligent thought. In the event you missed this Roland Emmerich's blockbuster offering, then do rent it/buy it/steal it, and have a roller-coaster ride with antagonistic aliens, marvelous explosions, and some wonderful performances. There's a reason why I believe ID4 (as in Independence Day-July 4) is the ultimate popcorn fest. That's the reason for the review now. Moreover, I managed to spend such a time as I've described, last weekend, which brought back nostalgic memories for the zillionth moment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJblYu6L6kkz9RETLBk83CRbeHEm81kL2AWZr7jPFj8qCLlGhklCxRiMK6HHP4FTHrQ49Yfv597cJhDurzIQ7Mmdb7udpjT4C1oagIACHSSOd7n6Pe3iIldhHNNAMSLj-uJicYGUWu2w5/s1600/photo_verybig_2022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJblYu6L6kkz9RETLBk83CRbeHEm81kL2AWZr7jPFj8qCLlGhklCxRiMK6HHP4FTHrQ49Yfv597cJhDurzIQ7Mmdb7udpjT4C1oagIACHSSOd7n6Pe3iIldhHNNAMSLj-uJicYGUWu2w5/s320/photo_verybig_2022.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roland with his 'E.T' inside it's 'bio-mechanical suit'</td></tr>
</tbody></table> "What if you woke up tomorrow and found a huge saucer looming in the skies?", was Roland's retort to the reporter who was pestering him if he believed in Alien intelligence or not, after the release and success of Stargate. Wondering about his own question, he found an answer in this movie, along with his producer friend Dean Devlin. Ever since then, Roland has never looked back in his spew of blockbusting, popcorn-toting, disaster-fests (except his one-odd project 'The Patriot'). It seems he may have run out of disaster plots after finally having got to destroy the Earth in 2012, and is now directing an Elizabethan political thriller 'Anonymous'. I am quite curious to see if he will manage to make it without a single explosion. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8po3FDHwthYpGT6E0vYFguVjJhUgZGV3N-L8hyphenhyphenLFvw0D27RMl0TVNzD0kJ7uzCOcZMF5AMOn_x2jFjFfaCV-AuLeSxSbsdSmmsi5XCzbGbpYrs-mqHX2riV9TX7tTRi37FUV_vqxhC7C7/s1600/Independence_day_5520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZomDTAq6LMj64qFCEfV5TGjhb3ENMIkF6AwOGonM51DWzM8OUO0sy9GqQFIoGdLz7vtnfTusClRvckictct_5UXCrHM_q6RQ_ndFXbJKL-CTy8ce8YF7vagOS2XC40Or9yx6_Xz9PNfOY/s1600/id4.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZomDTAq6LMj64qFCEfV5TGjhb3ENMIkF6AwOGonM51DWzM8OUO0sy9GqQFIoGdLz7vtnfTusClRvckictct_5UXCrHM_q6RQ_ndFXbJKL-CTy8ce8YF7vagOS2XC40Or9yx6_Xz9PNfOY/s640/id4.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One fine Manhattan morning..</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table> What I love about the screenplay is that it divides the film distinctly into three clear acts.<br />
Act 1. July 2 > U.f.o enters the earth's atmosphere. Blasts all major cities by nightfall.<br />
Act 2.July 3 > Survivors on the run. Area 51 exists. Various sub-plots converge.<br />
Act 3.July 4 > American/World Independence day as the world unites in it's fight for survival.<br />
Somewhere in all of this, you've got a career making role for Will Smith, an awesome & a cool one for Jeff Goldblum (a favorite actor of mine), a revelation of Bill Pullman as the President (one of the best in movies), Judd Hirsch as a quirky but dignified dad, and several other able supporting casts.<br />
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There's no way I can <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZE6ovZzNOgBCLbZLvrIIlz7Plx8NXuwhRMOC49KCJnRTVVFwKZkH73-AqGmgB0nKayIESF-ma214dcRvgjxtNahO-4eytwVZWDTCEXgkme0CrZgncC7uqf_cbnVtaF0PKZNBWyIhOrsq/s1600/%2528250209114144%2529independence_day_1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZE6ovZzNOgBCLbZLvrIIlz7Plx8NXuwhRMOC49KCJnRTVVFwKZkH73-AqGmgB0nKayIESF-ma214dcRvgjxtNahO-4eytwVZWDTCEXgkme0CrZgncC7uqf_cbnVtaF0PKZNBWyIhOrsq/s320/%2528250209114144%2529independence_day_1.jpg" width="320" /></a>spoil this movie for you - it's all about the experience. You know the humans/protagonists will survive at the end (fundamental rule of all popcorn fests). Conversely, aliens will get their butt-kicked. Capt. Steven Hiller (Will) actually has a line in the movie where he tells he can't wait to whoop E.T.'s ass. Another Spielberg classic is poked at when he punches 'E.T.' square on the face and remarks, a cigar clenched, "Now, that's what I'll call a Close Encounter..".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpPN-fg1uKyFurLPc-au-zBTe8x_QA7GB2w83NIaYGeqzJF2ZGQzK6b1E2Mb-ixbiycSksEertyrooPGcgtImcMQh-gJGtd9fGUG9lITuTUWmFbZL0lYKCCiXSgckt9W2ItijHYgtPd9A/s1600/alien_id4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpPN-fg1uKyFurLPc-au-zBTe8x_QA7GB2w83NIaYGeqzJF2ZGQzK6b1E2Mb-ixbiycSksEertyrooPGcgtImcMQh-gJGtd9fGUG9lITuTUWmFbZL0lYKCCiXSgckt9W2ItijHYgtPd9A/s640/alien_id4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Liberty at stake ..</td></tr>
</tbody></table> One is a fool if one tries to bring Boolean/Newtonian logic to bear upon such a construct as the 'Popcorn fest'. Armed with that axiom, I find countless fools on and off line, debating the merits of the devices and ideas used in the movie, esp. that which helps mankind conquer the alienkind. I use, what I call as, 'popcorn logic'. It implies the artistic license that works within the movie's framework, and within a reasonable degree, in the real world.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvapl2fQEPlD-PrDpkHpLVLXaNPempO4tJg8ZgzfxgsT2WqAtFKBU318Wkz5xqHyfqWsRjBXW5rdQZp0nN39cB4aNI9dqVXKV_wKNRkDVXOi3K2kLoS3p7Hqsq5GsWwvZ7BICa5sQpvch/s1600/10.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvapl2fQEPlD-PrDpkHpLVLXaNPempO4tJg8ZgzfxgsT2WqAtFKBU318Wkz5xqHyfqWsRjBXW5rdQZp0nN39cB4aNI9dqVXKV_wKNRkDVXOi3K2kLoS3p7Hqsq5GsWwvZ7BICa5sQpvch/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a>Take for instance, people running away from the wall of fire, blazing towards the camera. Yes, the fire has been filmed in super-slow motion. People on the other hand run in real time. It is evidently a conscious choice on the part of film-makers, and it works. Firstly, the fire that engulfs the cities, almost consistently, spread at the same speed as a jet-plane taking off from the run way (lol). It is definitely fun to watch. Also, the explosion from the ray of death or whatever, is alien in nature. Maybe it isn't as effective as our Nuclear bomb. A point further enforced in the movie's final moments. So do you now see how the popcorn logic works? Hence, the contrivances of the film-makers clearly dished out for fun, serves it's purpose to the story without annoying one or make one laugh to death (see Indy escape a nuclear blast in his latest movie venture.. sic. That's poop-corn logic!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyk0pV3U_9DNPQRpNQ90CusLpgWoTA3IWTJwJDRsaSoPghaNFIyxoaPFkRL39duoqV60L7xoHzVWMAJMsCaSMHQts3bHkVNyLmjMHYSaw9J0sw7XXxdO5ck54CPBvPo9n7Dpb8vXIskwtB/s1600/tumblr_l36yri090A1qc7ow9o1_500.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyk0pV3U_9DNPQRpNQ90CusLpgWoTA3IWTJwJDRsaSoPghaNFIyxoaPFkRL39duoqV60L7xoHzVWMAJMsCaSMHQts3bHkVNyLmjMHYSaw9J0sw7XXxdO5ck54CPBvPo9n7Dpb8vXIskwtB/s400/tumblr_l36yri090A1qc7ow9o1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a>If Will drives the action part of the film (mostly), then Jeff as David Levinson commands the performance bit. There are several unique and beautiful moments, as much as can be provided, between his dad (Judd Hirsch) and himself. Fondness for his dad comes off effortlessly, from Jeff's eyes, as much as his love for his estranged wife. Jeff, as an actor, commands an intelligent aura about him and makes his characters immune to any bad plots. He first commanded my attention as the 'Chaotician' in Jurassic Park. Spielberg, infact, rewrote the Lost World around his character. Sadly though, it didn't do him nor the story any justice. It is sadder realizing that, until now, only this blockbuster has come close to giving him the kind of opportunity and role that enables him to be more. His David is etched with a finesse and subtlety that instantly elevates the human drama of the film, the moment we encounter him. Notice how deftly he plays the pivotal scene of the movie - demonstrating his plan to defeat the space goons.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnlgdLw7oLBr2sAIeP1S3iAnYKSqTjYFXH9eJm2AZRIOIWu4IWBtLDzsDp_NfIAtTyTdt_BLF8v-MN6YL6Vx0Nd-VPYgnnXF5jzYYy1dXemlPnq8JH5bWhMK8GGQaAowLWb8g621we1TZ/s1600/shot1s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnlgdLw7oLBr2sAIeP1S3iAnYKSqTjYFXH9eJm2AZRIOIWu4IWBtLDzsDp_NfIAtTyTdt_BLF8v-MN6YL6Vx0Nd-VPYgnnXF5jzYYy1dXemlPnq8JH5bWhMK8GGQaAowLWb8g621we1TZ/s1600/shot1s.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empire State - a wonder of destruction</td></tr>
</tbody></table> This is a movie made for the 'Big Screen' (another requisite of a popcorn fest). One doesn't experience the same on a dvd. The action, explosions and cinematography come alive in a cinema and I was fortunate as a kid to have had this seminal experience of a good popcorn fest. This is a movie, seeing which, Spielberg decided to stop making any further alien flicks (broke the oath though with 'war of the world', and no, the latest Indy with crystal skulls doesn't have aliens - they're supposedly inter-dimensional beings). This is the mother of all disaster movies and the father of alien invasion plots. Yes, there are several plots seen before and many cliches in the film, but in no other, does it come together that effectively and make a popcorn hoggin' audience root for more. Honestly, one of those few sci-fi blockbusters, that I wished for a sequel and the film-makers have wisely not made one.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFzovkZgQOSDH19KUWmhk5cvYrDS_lK-GgGKZAN2RMHzvQG2kkaLyM992OUG72xzWMtPSosy6iX_rjqekzz2rHY7ORhTThO4d6a1MOXO7Wbsy2RlOzGpSsbusKeMvcmDScp-nlzs_JT4X/s1600/IndependenceDay1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFzovkZgQOSDH19KUWmhk5cvYrDS_lK-GgGKZAN2RMHzvQG2kkaLyM992OUG72xzWMtPSosy6iX_rjqekzz2rHY7ORhTThO4d6a1MOXO7Wbsy2RlOzGpSsbusKeMvcmDScp-nlzs_JT4X/s640/IndependenceDay1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Levinson: A toast, to the end of the world. </td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>VJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5391306941022321026.post-41290881229628314952011-05-22T00:03:00.000-07:002011-05-28T23:44:40.952-07:00The Right Stuff (1983) 4.6 / 5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptKFjXGErMVpzRKHdEzAjizQcJoWUZTCnetmmyAwWVvFPhwHrYeKQLAKOOUWkK5atqE1UZpzwqmSsO8Hm9veHCE34Wv9gBUbeJdxIkPS-u_79Z0P_xUhG-kvdg7nzyfChh6N5peJnVG-r/s1600/RS6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptKFjXGErMVpzRKHdEzAjizQcJoWUZTCnetmmyAwWVvFPhwHrYeKQLAKOOUWkK5atqE1UZpzwqmSsO8Hm9veHCE34Wv9gBUbeJdxIkPS-u_79Z0P_xUhG-kvdg7nzyfChh6N5peJnVG-r/s640/RS6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'The Stuff of the Right Spirit'</td></tr>
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</script>[your rating for the movie] <br />
<i>There was a demon that lived in the air. They said whoever challenged him would die. Their controls would freeze up, their planes would buffet wildly, and they would disintegrate..<br />
The demon lived at Mach 1 on the meter, seven hundred and fifty miles an hour, where the air could no longer move out of the way. He lived behind a barrier through which they said no man could ever pass. They called it the sound barrier..</i><br />
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One of the very first lines heard in the film, that set the tone for the odyssey ahead. The film essays the real lives, joys and heroism of the men who braved death, to break the 'sound barrier' at the Andrews air force base, and then, the beginnings of the American Space program in the Mercury missions (the precursor to the Apollo). This movie is right there with all those classics of the 80's such as the Raging Bull, E.T., Platoon, Mississippi Burning etc., and possible inspiration for equally good space tales such as the Apollo 13. Viewing this movie on DVD, I crave to see this on a bigger screen. Nevertheless, the film doesn't indulge in grand moments or glamorous shots as often as such stories tend to. It does the more difficult task of showing the poignant, personal stories of the bravura pilots and the eager astronauts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8PdurQ3RkFmTep6fWYgWUos49p1KNmx8pUb5eMSv6bTtoxmc67cxFNM45q-bWoYfEbgNOJV-J2zuOEIH3zeyCZJYCCiES0e9MbMHDc413os-klfL0A8uRe4cd7O-dJ7v0_NyDT_VQZiI/s1600/l_etoffe_des_heros_the_right_stuff_1983_reference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8PdurQ3RkFmTep6fWYgWUos49p1KNmx8pUb5eMSv6bTtoxmc67cxFNM45q-bWoYfEbgNOJV-J2zuOEIH3zeyCZJYCCiES0e9MbMHDc413os-klfL0A8uRe4cd7O-dJ7v0_NyDT_VQZiI/s400/l_etoffe_des_heros_the_right_stuff_1983_reference.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The astro-nuts (actors) before the mercury capsule</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Directed by Philip Kaufman (The unbearable lightness of Being, Henry & June), the movie has the career-making performances of the then several new-comers and present stars. <br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001731/" target="_blank">Sam Shepard</a> as Chuck Yeager,<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001277/" target="_blank">Scott Glenn</a> as Alan Shepherd,<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000438/" target="_blank">Ed Harris</a> as John Glenn,<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000598/" target="_blank">Dennis Quaid</a> as Gordon Cooper,<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0911542/" target="_blank">Fred Ward</a> as Gus Grissom,<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0667182/" target="_blank">Scott Paulin</a> as Deke Slayton, <br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0290869/" target="_blank">Charles Frank</a> as Scott Carpenter,<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000448/" target="_blank">Lance Henriksen</a> as Wally Schirra - the astronauts / pilots;<br />
other such as<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001347/" target="_blank">Barbara Hershey</a> as Glennis Yeager,<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0822535/" target="_blank">Kim Stanley</a> as Pancho Barnes, etc. make up other wonderful supporting roles. <br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000156/" target="_blank">Jeff Goldblum</a> leaves his mark in the few scenes he appears and ofcourse, is quite a young chap here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5C_4B807SkAm5_41WqrsoPscK4U7icKDFvt_GvnDH4A-gBhIfy4q_cEI98qS9ZAz43trI1zgB3ef15GKKAy_YKgnLJoZkyq5eGt-KtxGNQXE0MaAiamGRnlMumrVO47_-GhAB1aEVSb1/s1600/0312004_3.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5C_4B807SkAm5_41WqrsoPscK4U7icKDFvt_GvnDH4A-gBhIfy4q_cEI98qS9ZAz43trI1zgB3ef15GKKAy_YKgnLJoZkyq5eGt-KtxGNQXE0MaAiamGRnlMumrVO47_-GhAB1aEVSb1/s320/0312004_3.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam Shepard & Chuck Yeager</td></tr>
</tbody> </table> The unique tell of the movie is the 'spirit' in which the tale unfolds. There is the unusual undercurrent of the humorous along with the macho manner in which these good fellows tackle the embarrassment of challenges. You read right, embarrassments. These pilots do not have a personality to see events as failures. Only embarrassed to have met it. They know only one way to live - to win. <br />
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It is an engrossing experience to see people who are essentially farm-hands and cowboys take the mantle of the Space Program. One of the pivotal scenes occur at the beginning when Chuck Yeager sees the test of the X1 Bell series experimental airplane, riding on his horse about the base. The shot contrasts the earthiness of the man who will tame the beast that will soar the sky to be the first in history to <a href="http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/jet%20age/top%20speed.htm" target="_blank">break the sound barrier</a>. <br />
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These fellows are all charmers and heroes in their own right but I would single out a couple who come across best. Sam Shepard has the screen persona like the inimitable Blondie played by Clint Eastwood. Chuck in his interview, I read, while speaking about Sam's performance, said that he (Sam) acts like he(Chuck) flies. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOD8qesG0MxuIkkvBizt6s32eTNNwDuJUab2AxCedyQ_fTDpVL8NsMUEwdqncYi6onMdt7tyaeE8sjrqnFzWso4SjUWOyM55sQfvcsyLnPpgZzK0Pv6qyDadNyiUCPfrYSxsgb6J72TUgs/s1600/denisquadi460.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOD8qesG0MxuIkkvBizt6s32eTNNwDuJUab2AxCedyQ_fTDpVL8NsMUEwdqncYi6onMdt7tyaeE8sjrqnFzWso4SjUWOyM55sQfvcsyLnPpgZzK0Pv6qyDadNyiUCPfrYSxsgb6J72TUgs/s320/denisquadi460.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dennis Quaid as Gordon Cooper</td></tr>
</tbody> </table>My favorite of the lot though is Gordon Cooper played by Dennis. The first man to have slept soundly in the vastness of the space alone in his Mercury capsule, exhibits a rustic charm with unassuming brashness. Think Johnny Bravo meets G.I. Joe. Easily, the best role of Dennis' career I've come across yet. He admires Chuck and infact many pilots, then and now, considered him the best. Strangely, he(Chuck) never got chosen by NASA, for stupid, bureaucratic reasons. Hence, his story runs parallel to the lucky ones who get chosen to be blown up sky high on a rocket. <br />
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Kaufman in this movie creates a unique genre that could be termed 'Experimental Epic',<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdo6bwJW2Vd4QTOrMWXuihmfaZSIHMzSEiKFteyzcPA-9JzrJGQG8o2tnvBTgB2xiXhW4lqJdAPtoxWKOZdwSRSbHSpfehywloyd6Yo-sXimEelyJIRfajcn780dNUoo4AurGBelRD1yz/s1600/mercury.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdo6bwJW2Vd4QTOrMWXuihmfaZSIHMzSEiKFteyzcPA-9JzrJGQG8o2tnvBTgB2xiXhW4lqJdAPtoxWKOZdwSRSbHSpfehywloyd6Yo-sXimEelyJIRfajcn780dNUoo4AurGBelRD1yz/s320/mercury.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Real Nuts</td></tr>
</tbody> </table>as suggested by Ebert. It is engrossing yet laid back. Wholesome yet has several characters jostling in the screen to give you their story. An epic yet a personal tale of human lives and a heroic dedication of a group, that borders on the naiveté. No doubt a unique and refreshing film, I had no qualms with the some little contrivances such as the semi-comical German scientists of the Space program (I wonder if the chief scientist who has a comic interlude with Sen. Lyndon Johnson about Spe-ci-men/Spa-ce-men, represents <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wernher_von_Braun" target="_blank">Von Braun</a>, creator of Saturn V and other gigantor rocket engines). <br />
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Evidently, a movie I highly recommend to all film buffs and is the only one so far to have equaled the rating received by The Dark Knight in this blog.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'No Bucks, No Buck Rogers'</td></tr>
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</div>VJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5391306941022321026.post-37130354453872456912011-05-20T03:51:00.000-07:002011-05-20T04:00:50.809-07:00Pi Paroxysm ~ an Aronofsky assimilation..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcfpcG3BJoOBb-a6LFDiKkWTRmg59poUdlFLFOJj3DcaINKtsxkCYLKwQECwYfdDu7-JtpOkpGSLOZr6HC36qcbMO5JXVVi5MMlybQbRf15yp6Ynq6vslpRt1R12ThWL_FnQmDlIgi6Y6/s1600/pi_movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcfpcG3BJoOBb-a6LFDiKkWTRmg59poUdlFLFOJj3DcaINKtsxkCYLKwQECwYfdDu7-JtpOkpGSLOZr6HC36qcbMO5JXVVi5MMlybQbRf15yp6Ynq6vslpRt1R12ThWL_FnQmDlIgi6Y6/s640/pi_movie.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pi (1998) 3.5 / 5</td></tr>
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I am most tempted to rate this film 3.14 / 5 .. 3.14 can be considered close to 3.5, can it not? However, the film isn't that bad. I cannot in my good conscience, skew my rating meter for a number-play with the title. I am most tempted though! :) Pi, notably, has nothing to do with the almighty Pi. That numerical constant which either bugged or baited our minds when we first learnt about dividing the circumference and diameter of a circle, exists as just a title. It's a novelty. So, let's get over it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIXtBZN_Ntj5-oWA7BbqV_l6-nho2PZ9cIQfzHyoDuRS7KZjgywWC43_JM2QTKFFaVl42RWiO5UeSM6Qg0yJ_sgteBZz2SSygG4vCHaliKNP8iqH9mLODlK18GRoZVKzaNXb96lQXEwX_/s1600/pi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIXtBZN_Ntj5-oWA7BbqV_l6-nho2PZ9cIQfzHyoDuRS7KZjgywWC43_JM2QTKFFaVl42RWiO5UeSM6Qg0yJ_sgteBZz2SSygG4vCHaliKNP8iqH9mLODlK18GRoZVKzaNXb96lQXEwX_/s400/pi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darren-right; Sean(Max)-left; Matthew-with cam.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Made by Darren Aronofsky, with most of his friends and family supporting this, his first feature film endeavor, it does reek of an amateur indie movie. It isn't bad, per se, as such movies are the cornerstone and fountain of original talent and creativity in the movie industry. Yet, the problems I find in the movie have nothing to do with the budget or expensive resources. We'll get to them in a minute.The story is simple. Max (Sean Guilette) is an obsessed Math whiz, who also seems to tune and integrate computer circuitry on his own, and is working to create a model for the stock market. He has a mentor and a sounding-board in Sol (Mark Margolis), who was once such an obsessed Math whiz himself. He now passes his time playing Go, feeding his fish, and dishing philosophy and unsolicited advice to Max whenever he visits.<br />
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All is well as much as it can be in this cloistered and cluttered world of Max. We notice that he suffers from some form of mental illness and related migraines, at regular intervals. He is currently on medication for it and has tried every possible alternative in the past, from grass to needles. One day, his calculation using a weird setup of computers (more for visual imagery than utilitarian, I suppose) spits out a set of numbers 216 digits long. I know what you're thinking - no, it isn't any part of the infinite decimal sequence of the Pi constant. Infact, there's no Pi involved in any of his calculations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauNOabG_b3EjP0m6UzPjMJLRLwb9BuWIeuy1w-Q-cJmcmZpIrK39Pi2nypFXUrnVn2RyBv-5A0geqTg2h_MznaxjvBs-kLr1_whIjUrOhYq25FY9Jsc3rI_-iIcoFfrgW3QEN4EfFDTTp/s1600/Pi07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauNOabG_b3EjP0m6UzPjMJLRLwb9BuWIeuy1w-Q-cJmcmZpIrK39Pi2nypFXUrnVn2RyBv-5A0geqTg2h_MznaxjvBs-kLr1_whIjUrOhYq25FY9Jsc3rI_-iIcoFfrgW3QEN4EfFDTTp/s400/Pi07.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max making some spiral(golden?) on stock firm listing (bemused!)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table> He does do a lot of doodles that are supposed to come across as the brilliant rough work of a genius. Maybe it works for the layman. I found many laughable. Somehow, his work starts to involve golden spirals, golden ratios (look them up if you aren't aware), and he has some interested parties interested in his theories and results. There is a Jewish cult who believe the name of God is 216 digits and hence the numerical display on his computers may be that name!<br />
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Then there is a stock broking firm who wants to invest in his work as he seems to have correctly predicted certain trends. Inevitably, he is caught between these two and most oppressively, his own mind. This conflict and the resolution, which seems weird but in line with the story, make up the rest.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnG3Bp20mqnumfN8oSIR0ZBcnoarrG9ZmGokpyWekKQCsHnjXDufYWWThhb4WbJWO-j17A9eI95-lKEbnL8OtRBIwGo9tw5VzztT-NJ6GkZgtdUmPAgC55H-191zkfacbIoCiczSxLpz1/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnG3Bp20mqnumfN8oSIR0ZBcnoarrG9ZmGokpyWekKQCsHnjXDufYWWThhb4WbJWO-j17A9eI95-lKEbnL8OtRBIwGo9tw5VzztT-NJ6GkZgtdUmPAgC55H-191zkfacbIoCiczSxLpz1/s400/Untitled.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> The image on the left conveys the kind of texture that envelops every frame of the film (incidentally has a spiral on it, which I thought went well with the illustration). So the grainy black and white frames in high contrast shots, make you rub your eyes aplenty. The impression Darren wanted to convey was to see through the mad genius' mind, which I felt was a bit overdone. The cinematographer, Matthew Libatique, has made a career in the tinsel town on the strength of this film as much as Darren.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBvX9JyqiM5aaFTnN_nIYdeKWYJFNETIRGKQ7Pm4ZJsiZVXcDrMWo9zNNy37P-9IgYpJHLa_74nZdMKhUof2ixmLAo50fSL8sY3suhx2mdkcuGWyJ-zaIHxRUtOqYnkbRDLl_pFw9t6el/s1600/pi03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBvX9JyqiM5aaFTnN_nIYdeKWYJFNETIRGKQ7Pm4ZJsiZVXcDrMWo9zNNy37P-9IgYpJHLa_74nZdMKhUof2ixmLAo50fSL8sY3suhx2mdkcuGWyJ-zaIHxRUtOqYnkbRDLl_pFw9t6el/s400/pi03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> The primary reason I intended to review this movie now is due to the glowing tributes I find aplenty on the web concerning the math and the genii of the movie. Darren is simply using the math and it's genius as a blank canvas to portray the mind's irrationality and obsession - which seem to be his favorite theme. Taking a look at his brief career, all his movies are punctuated with dramatic dark protagonists, culminating in Natalie Portman winning the Oscar for 'Black Swan'. This movie launched him and was awarded the best in Sundance film fest.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKGRe_nLs2DMtz0PIctRVhN7OiA35941vjBJwAo1xJ-puM8cn4Lnr5951u74r6wNNFbVKve51GpsepLJwgtoU7bVPDBEeqYveFjfScre8OQuJrbRzipcVwvCYjZDIEnUs5ym3c9YrSbhG/s1600/pi02.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKGRe_nLs2DMtz0PIctRVhN7OiA35941vjBJwAo1xJ-puM8cn4Lnr5951u74r6wNNFbVKve51GpsepLJwgtoU7bVPDBEeqYveFjfScre8OQuJrbRzipcVwvCYjZDIEnUs5ym3c9YrSbhG/s320/pi02.jpg" width="320" /></a>What the movie may succeed in giving us though, is the feel for Max's dark world. His visions and delusions are aplenty. It's further fueled when a rabbi from the cult passes on his number theories from the Torah (illustrated well in the diagrams above and to the left). The stock firm gives him a classified chip which would provide his computing system some electronic steroids. He ingests the illusions of grandeur and attempting to find all pattern in the universe with his 216 random digits, that 'somehow' appear from his calculations on the computer.<br />
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This movie is about paranoia, delusions, metal instability, and irrationality (ironic, considering Math is a rational endeavor.. or is it?). I would love to see Darren's take on Dr. Nash of the famous, 'A Beautiful Mind'. It is a strange thing that historically, mathematicians seem more prone than most physicists, scientists or inventors/engineers to have a splintered mind or a delusional tendency.Perhaps it's a pursuit that is divorced from the world of the outside to that of the inside. The more 'pure' a mathematician's work is, the more he dwells within his mind's framework and constructs. Maybe that is it's greatest asset and liability. As the Joker would love to harp,"All it takes, is a little.. Push!".<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5NsDRbhgrDjtn8GqX119ZMMZ5DZzPbqWWkkAG5mtLUXhIx2S7FCcbnI08g3LRa6fUb0nKGBn5WS3rnOvM04BpX4Y4-Aqeyl423oEmHl1GlsJ0BnuHm68h57HXbZsD2GoahgJZYCtbKC8/s1600/value-of-pi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5NsDRbhgrDjtn8GqX119ZMMZ5DZzPbqWWkkAG5mtLUXhIx2S7FCcbnI08g3LRa6fUb0nKGBn5WS3rnOvM04BpX4Y4-Aqeyl423oEmHl1GlsJ0BnuHm68h57HXbZsD2GoahgJZYCtbKC8/s320/value-of-pi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBUCyDSIdC1uTPR-7cvvp6bm94XXWOS8SoAO2jG02GBoTpq_v1A7eFABKbskYMH4SdsJnzYxeCHQfeZ0nnb8x8RRZhWH3yEKJ5pkyhPuwBAGqn2sTGDRJx1he4qqPbIjtn9OvbcJQsVdR/s1600/pi_poster.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBUCyDSIdC1uTPR-7cvvp6bm94XXWOS8SoAO2jG02GBoTpq_v1A7eFABKbskYMH4SdsJnzYxeCHQfeZ0nnb8x8RRZhWH3yEKJ5pkyhPuwBAGqn2sTGDRJx1he4qqPbIjtn9OvbcJQsVdR/s400/pi_poster.jpg" width="290" /></a><br />
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<i>3.5 is a neutral verdict. If you wish to have a challenging experience of diving into the mind of an obsessed whiz-kid, go for it. Do not though, for it's science or math. You may at best get numerology. Good for Darren - it was bought for a million by the Artisan.</i> <i>Good work for a first </i><i>feature length psycho-thriller.</i><br />
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</div>VJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5391306941022321026.post-31666530513779391582011-05-19T04:57:00.000-07:002011-05-29T14:13:00.479-07:00Hereafter ► 4.5 / 5 (Eastwood's Hollywood)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyesI6A3nEvDk2jS55rB7RvD1GONtAGbbuu9bTtgpFtuuy26Od_wfcEqmFhCdQUt-Y0QQEOahoXycIf0Oa575n4r4t5R-YVK8HonNrLB8yo4GQgsdU86wzOHbcJFoVv7KP_LU7S626840q/s1600/Matt_Damon_in_Hereafter-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyesI6A3nEvDk2jS55rB7RvD1GONtAGbbuu9bTtgpFtuuy26Od_wfcEqmFhCdQUt-Y0QQEOahoXycIf0Oa575n4r4t5R-YVK8HonNrLB8yo4GQgsdU86wzOHbcJFoVv7KP_LU7S626840q/s640/Matt_Damon_in_Hereafter-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="float: left; margin-right: 3px;"></div><div class="js-kit-rating" expr:path="data:post.url" expr:permalink="data:post.url" expr:title="data:post.title"></div><script src="http://js-kit.com/ratings.js">
</script>[your rating for the movie] <br />
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A light at the end of a tunnel.. or a tunnel /staircase into the light.. people dressed in white.. being weightless, a sense of the omniscient or omnipotence, sensing the purpose of life.. or more dramatically, seeing your life in flashbacks.. are some of the common metaphors, idioms or beliefs about death that exist in our culture and they are as old as humanity itself. It is quite cliché to delve into those questions again, esp. through a film. However, Clint Eastwood, knowing all the tricks of the game, changes only the rules.<br />
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I hate myself for having missed it on the big screen and chose to see the wretched 'Drive Angry (3D sic!)' last month. I was in mood for an action-entertainer while purchasing the tickets for it, despite the guilty feeling for missing the latest offering by Eastwood and Matt Damon to boot! Their previous venture being the insurmountable 'Invictus', I surely must have lost my senses to have done what I did. I now pay for it. There are many glorious scenes and beautiful shots that would have held me enthralled on a big screen. I know because I savored them on the simple DVD, and only kept kicking myself for how much more could they have been.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfdadf4sHtWgVszR-vhIDl2sDHqvqVgldPD10wiAEf1Qpa4uYXZi9qGwv-DhMl2IDQp6UEm92kEXBn2vVNobhjF7OdCqgcb_aR0rbay5CxvVah20NaSY1EJj4zbe_5sQZVa_5MbKVhBZ4/s1600/Hereafter-Movie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfdadf4sHtWgVszR-vhIDl2sDHqvqVgldPD10wiAEf1Qpa4uYXZi9qGwv-DhMl2IDQp6UEm92kEXBn2vVNobhjF7OdCqgcb_aR0rbay5CxvVah20NaSY1EJj4zbe_5sQZVa_5MbKVhBZ4/s320/Hereafter-Movie1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> I have to tip-toe around this movie plot because every moment and scene unfolds gently, but unexpectedly. 'Hereafter' starts wonderfully and devastatingly, with a french couple, Didier (Thierry Neuvic) and Marie Lelay (Cécile De France) in a vacation at an island resort. It moves onto the central character of the plot, George Lonegan (Matt Damon), in his simple life as a blue-collar worker and his brother Billy (Jay Mohr).<br />
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Billy believes George is gifted. He can connect telepathically or so it seems, with people's beloved but dead ones. George respectfully disagrees and feels himself a freak, and the gift a curse. In his quest for a normal life and relationships, George does things as normally as he could. He doesn't do "readings" to anyone anymore. He shuts down his psychic website and other paraphernalia associated with his psychic ability - we come to know all this through conversations he has with the few people around him. Notably, one wonderful beauty enters his life in Melanie, played as ethereally and wonderfully as always by Bryce Dallas Howard.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfutmiojgNuMdRw7oNFwn-woJJsgew39Xn57HUb0zSu2Uym9f29Bch3IAusor5VeodJohpo_go7X0IrUrRk-ZBT7Ml1CXlT1OdFrZ61VbSMUCsiSCuHE0tQvUbYBp0xGGzs4rZ6p5WgDli/s1600/Hereafter-005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfutmiojgNuMdRw7oNFwn-woJJsgew39Xn57HUb0zSu2Uym9f29Bch3IAusor5VeodJohpo_go7X0IrUrRk-ZBT7Ml1CXlT1OdFrZ61VbSMUCsiSCuHE0tQvUbYBp0xGGzs4rZ6p5WgDli/s320/Hereafter-005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> They cook some Italian cuisine and romance as partners in the cooking class. All of it is, ofcourse, handled in Eastwood style, so you get neither an overdose of sentimentality nor the flightiness of a chick-flick. He adds just the right ingredients. Simultaneously, there runs a story of two wonderful and spunky little twins in London. Jason, the older one by 12 mins (he tells anyone who cares to know), and Marcus the younger. These kids (Frankie & George McLaren) are fatherless, with a mother who is addicted to opiates and other stuff.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQC8uC8qx-Wnwo1tt3g5ZdmDlczeAdWLv1ghS7jAnXISFbYBcWqf5ldNRu9K8IMYzVj8alyj0LibnbqxaRjYg3Wqxeu55a0hDjmCmfuqYGq4HXghtA_hbFo_jTaf_OQhakxMCp3p3Mjdp/s1600/hereafter-trailer-italiano-6673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQC8uC8qx-Wnwo1tt3g5ZdmDlczeAdWLv1ghS7jAnXISFbYBcWqf5ldNRu9K8IMYzVj8alyj0LibnbqxaRjYg3Wqxeu55a0hDjmCmfuqYGq4HXghtA_hbFo_jTaf_OQhakxMCp3p3Mjdp/s320/hereafter-trailer-italiano-6673.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> They keep order at home and the wolf, among other things the child-services, literally, at the door. An awful incident occurs in this semi-dysfunctional home which sustains the thread and the idea of what this film is about. George despite his reservations, succumbs to pressures from his loved ones to "read" or connect with the loved ones of a few people. Melanie from his cooking class among them.<br />
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The plot steadily evolves and weaves, these three relationships and people involved, into a space-time event. Along the way, the movie raises questions about George's ability. Is it super-natural or a medical illness (encephalomyelitis)? Is he able to read the sub-conscious signals off a person sub-consciously? What is the true nature of death or the near-death experience NDE? Do not expect this movie to answer them, and that is the wonder of it. Eastwood knows he is telling the story of people encountering the super-natural and the undefinable. To try defining it would belittle the experiences these people undergo in their lives. When a movie gives us a satisfactory answer, it entertains us. When it gives us an unsatisfactory question, it enthralls. Roger Ebert, a critic I admire most, says he envies Eastwood as he ages and would wish to be him as he gets older. Concurred Mr.Ebert. Clint is a fine wine indeed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvOu9ZkK3KrxNwJl8RDCPUId9BlTdX29KbImtfxnU0D0eUo4z-eHXA4CfNzxsbvGPUNCflPOeeiSUAydmXlTocJpKlwTbT1LiVAX1Ro_aFkJDVusINu6msU4ZrO2b70nJN97KwzQvQIwl/s1600/hereafter-movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvOu9ZkK3KrxNwJl8RDCPUId9BlTdX29KbImtfxnU0D0eUo4z-eHXA4CfNzxsbvGPUNCflPOeeiSUAydmXlTocJpKlwTbT1LiVAX1Ro_aFkJDVusINu6msU4ZrO2b70nJN97KwzQvQIwl/s1600/hereafter-movie.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Death : a transition or a shut-down?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>** Spoilers ahead ** (strictly for those who've seen the movie)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i> Written by Peter Morgan ( story/screenplay for Frost/Nixon, The Queen, Last King of Scotland etc. ), the movie is a brilliant story-telling on a simple premise. Unlike Crash, the film doesn't weave a sophisticated web to weave the characters into each other. Things occur as a matter of fact. Everyone suits and does their role well. What is common to all of them is the loss, as they all encounter death. For George- his loss of normalcy, Melanie- her loss of pretense, Marie- her loss of cynicism, Marcus- loss of an indecision and a guardian. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i> The reason I would like to discuss the finalé of the film is due to the various opinions about, that the movie doesn't have any view-point. Although, it doesn't provide answers, it stays pretty clear on what happens to these characters. There can be no doubt as to what George does lies outside the purview of today's Science. Marie begins to doubt her doubtfulness after encountering the 'Hereafter' . Her belief, fueled by her research into NDE, she even demands others to begin believing the phenomenon. I was slightly dissatisfied with how she gets away with that. There could have been a deeper conflict shown, she being the cynical and famous journalist et al. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i> The strength of the movie lies with George's portrayal and Marcus' search for a way to connect with his guardian brother. The climactic moment of George getting a psychic vision of the Life with Marie, in contrast to only the dead ones he'd connected with thus far, is the Genius of the film. She is the one, meant for him, and they could sense it the moment they lie eyes on each other. What had been a curse so far, turns into a gift with her. That is the perfect ending to a beautiful story. It doesn't matter to either Marie or George that they'd had NDE or psychic experiences in the past but the present and the future holds a wonderful promise. If there's any message, it is this : death may trouble and haunt, but love of the living is what this life is all about and makes it bearable.</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniLzycU9DBFuAlxRnCkbRORUMmLc5RIKkIM-6cpQKGs1cGUJgRjScJGOKwmxIXkq5Y4gbaUBLNZ3AgAbqGuNHQUKFf7aforan2HpGwer8ROukC7YC2mYbCHxgBvpFx0UbkriOpQWEhc7s/s1600/Hereafter-Movie0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniLzycU9DBFuAlxRnCkbRORUMmLc5RIKkIM-6cpQKGs1cGUJgRjScJGOKwmxIXkq5Y4gbaUBLNZ3AgAbqGuNHQUKFf7aforan2HpGwer8ROukC7YC2mYbCHxgBvpFx0UbkriOpQWEhc7s/s640/Hereafter-Movie0.jpg" width="539" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highly Recommended 4.5 / 5 (catch it on a big screen if you're lucky to have one playing nearby)</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>VJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5391306941022321026.post-66234486978582288842011-05-17T06:10:00.000-07:002011-05-20T16:33:36.645-07:00a down to earth superman ( pun intended )<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #999999;">from the imdb archivez ..</span> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348150/usercomments-1580">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348150/usercomments-1580</a></span></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3.5 / 5</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</script>[your rating for the movie] <br />
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<b>*** This review may contain spoilers *** </b>(it's been 5 yrs since the movie.. guess you should go ahead & just read it :))<br />
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well guys ... i hear all this stuff about superman being BOOOORING , SLOOOOOOOW, and zzzzzzzzzz.. it's pure crap. Even a 6 yr old , by now , knows the plot : that our hero has not given attendance to planet earth for 5 yrs... humanity has learned to live without one. Pulitzer prizes are given to such ideas.. but, ONLY A 6 yr old would expect the movie to take off as soon as the man of steel returns. <br />
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The film-makers have really tried to put things in perspective. Superman comes down to earth after a long, long time, and so does the story. The pace is casual, drama-like, witty at times and makes us sit back and relish each frame at a time - something not many movies allow us these days.<br />
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If there is a black-mark, it's with the plot. At the end, when the U.S of A realises that a new land mass is growin near them they just stand and stare at it? Singer loses the reality he'd so far had... won't the coast guard/pentagon/nsa at least make any moves. Is it all upto the superman to do the whole part?? <br />
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Maybe Singer is trying to tell - with superman around, the not so super men fail to do their duties... maybe Lois is right about why the world doesn't need a superman. Apart from that glaring and monstrous plot hole the movie is worth watchin once. Vfx rocks! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRDZP1l9dSu3JGcqqJ3zlZkFKR7zbnh77XXXaNqpks1Cc-YmX-qlIwzgeMSAZXlG3f0nF-HQ_1OeXRMizFShG7DwPBfpY9GOGjzUgH13giibAf9FXJd4UUbfCn8oaUwsbz3P96QekHcHB/s1600/superman-returns-20060622005527839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><small>18 July 2006<br />
</small><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRDZP1l9dSu3JGcqqJ3zlZkFKR7zbnh77XXXaNqpks1Cc-YmX-qlIwzgeMSAZXlG3f0nF-HQ_1OeXRMizFShG7DwPBfpY9GOGjzUgH13giibAf9FXJd4UUbfCn8oaUwsbz3P96QekHcHB/s1600/superman-returns-20060622005527839.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRDZP1l9dSu3JGcqqJ3zlZkFKR7zbnh77XXXaNqpks1Cc-YmX-qlIwzgeMSAZXlG3f0nF-HQ_1OeXRMizFShG7DwPBfpY9GOGjzUgH13giibAf9FXJd4UUbfCn8oaUwsbz3P96QekHcHB/s640/superman-returns-20060622005527839.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>VJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5391306941022321026.post-74872489136254608802011-05-15T15:47:00.000-07:002011-05-16T03:24:49.854-07:00Limiting Limitless ..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5kxhiZ6EtjTsZdHf36tU5iAYEITc4ALAvr5MmxxvkTt7svzj6LuuaRXyvRe5iOiiIt1CNTh37Bhi9MaKFnY1ipqev9yIb9KgDPF2W38K4DojYlsQqukvEqqG-e8ONA2nMzKLmPACD3MI/s1600/limitless1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5kxhiZ6EtjTsZdHf36tU5iAYEITc4ALAvr5MmxxvkTt7svzj6LuuaRXyvRe5iOiiIt1CNTh37Bhi9MaKFnY1ipqev9yIb9KgDPF2W38K4DojYlsQqukvEqqG-e8ONA2nMzKLmPACD3MI/s400/limitless1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Limitless 3.2 / 5</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> 'Limiting' in the titular phrase is adverbial and not a verb. The movie seems to be self-limiting, not in the sense of a course correction but that of a restriction. The movie shows you a delicious dessert but will let you take only 20% of it. Call me obsessed but Nolan would have had a field day with this plot and kept us at the edge of our seats, breathless. It's just his kind of a story.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1sO6lHhyphenhyphen0pjkyI83FKnUXP-DSlwb99LppFGLjoyG-9rRtPZv_n4MGNvaWTRzb4V1f8eOIaF20ID0Pe9tKBu9PZLwhOTcpvdw_jzh4XUFjtWpbppYZ9uHJpZHt163BMuDyR-9soT1FXx-/s1600/limitless-movie-photo-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1sO6lHhyphenhyphen0pjkyI83FKnUXP-DSlwb99LppFGLjoyG-9rRtPZv_n4MGNvaWTRzb4V1f8eOIaF20ID0Pe9tKBu9PZLwhOTcpvdw_jzh4XUFjtWpbppYZ9uHJpZHt163BMuDyR-9soT1FXx-/s320/limitless-movie-photo-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burger (left) & Bradley (the other left) </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Maybe I'm not too far off the mark. Neil Burger is evidently a good film-maker and he seems to have often chosen Nolan-ish stories in his very brief career yet. Illusionist (which was beautiful) was released the same year as 'The Prestige' in 2006, directed by him. Both are about magicians and the relation of science/logic to it and the love of a woman. I'm over-simplifying ofcourse, but it's just like a Hollywood conspiracy of releasing competing films in every genre; eg. Dante's Peak & Volcano, Deep Impact & Armageddon, Knowing & 2012 etc., etc. Thankfully both (Prestige and Illusionist) were excellent. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Anywhoo.. Limitless opens 'scintillatingly'. It's not often that I get to use such a word speaking of either a movie or a shot. Burger (let's call him that - more fun that way) takes us on a brilliantly composed and yes, 'scintillating' roller-coaster of a shot that starts from the edge of a ledge of a high-rise that Eddie Morra (our hero Brad Cooper) is teetering upon. It has to be seen to be believed. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFs0lQ6_OY2n1wWq7gHfwYWz4ixgGopGDaxqID2wPJVe6Q6LTq8vm7bQTXbk7UmXCo8C7S0CNR3d1RV6V4S0mhSaF7YvvIMUu-kiCWM0apsP00Bc1STjgYSpyO1B4WBHyG5tGyf-RvvTd/s1600/limitless-trailer-bradley-cooper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFs0lQ6_OY2n1wWq7gHfwYWz4ixgGopGDaxqID2wPJVe6Q6LTq8vm7bQTXbk7UmXCo8C7S0CNR3d1RV6V4S0mhSaF7YvvIMUu-kiCWM0apsP00Bc1STjgYSpyO1B4WBHyG5tGyf-RvvTd/s200/limitless-trailer-bradley-cooper.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I am an immense fan of innovative camera techniques or visual effects that either serve the story or simply immerse us in an experience. The telescoping, zooming, virtual-tracking wonder of a shot dropping us from the high rise, through NY streets, cabs, people, human brain, the edge of atmosphere looking down upon the Manhattan, ending with an incredible finish, does both. I know what you're thinking - it's just an extended shot of a 'virtual motion control thing' that we've seen in various films since The Matrix or Panic Room. Oh no, it's so much more. It's the equivalent of the Hitchcockian 'Vertigo effect' or the contra-zoom. Burger calls it the 'Fractal Zoom'. Love the name! He conceived and termed it. <br />
( curious like me? go > <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/223108/infinite_zoom_lens_how_the_opening_scene_of_limitless_was_created.html"target="_blank">http://www.pcworld.com/article/223108/infinite_zoom_lens_how_the_opening_scene_of_limitless_was_created.html</a> )</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeHgERom7915B1z6NoHM9b3QU_sNCOgAkrg1rYmuWUraW683J0BXluCFlv7ohTz86x9bKRV9HJXmsHlvE5IuWDRECSndo87rmOXFExzJWXXwQRrt7v0XjPAQUsTgyWXuY6LYx7Jq_7oQR/s1600/limitless-movie-image-bradley-cooper-01-600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeHgERom7915B1z6NoHM9b3QU_sNCOgAkrg1rYmuWUraW683J0BXluCFlv7ohTz86x9bKRV9HJXmsHlvE5IuWDRECSndo87rmOXFExzJWXXwQRrt7v0XjPAQUsTgyWXuY6LYx7Jq_7oQR/s320/limitless-movie-image-bradley-cooper-01-600x400.jpg" width="320" /></a> From thereon, the movie goes at a steady pace. Morra is a witless writer. His only achievements in life thus far are a successful divorce and a very sexy, cute, current girlfriend (who's breaking up with him even as she's being introduced). Sic! He bumps into his ex's younger brother (the guy can catch no breaks) and is pulled into a conversation at a bar in the middle of the day. He gets a Macguffin(google it) drug that will unlock the 80% of the brain that he or any other homosapien doesn't use yet. Seems to me Morra isn't using his available 20%.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj7uI4uyf2bsEHtdf_-PkWne2VocYonrMXvNwtJ_40JlanIckzWYVgx6_tHCCdhvuEnfABjlnpGCMY2OThsqTdmziHx_f8OBmi28LIHc2Rvery1jSxa17CjHZXHTef8hUSWhUE9ZZSWGv/s1600/limitless1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj7uI4uyf2bsEHtdf_-PkWne2VocYonrMXvNwtJ_40JlanIckzWYVgx6_tHCCdhvuEnfABjlnpGCMY2OThsqTdmziHx_f8OBmi28LIHc2Rvery1jSxa17CjHZXHTef8hUSWhUE9ZZSWGv/s320/limitless1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Against his better judgment, if any, he takes it. Else no movie. The story then moves like 'A Beautiful Mind' immersed in 'Wall Street', with the intensity of neither. His current-ex-girlfriend (Abbie Cornish) becomes current. Robert De Niro as 'The' venture capitalist, isn't developed much. An annoying mafia-loan-shark who's only purpose in the movie seems to be to show us why Morra ends up at the edge of the ledge in the opening shot. Something interesting develops in the transition between first and second acts. First - our hero on brain-steroids meets his ex and finds she's prematurely aged and brain damaged due to the usage of this Macguffin tablet. Now you know why Morra didn't even use 0.01% percent of his brain before accepting an untested, 'enhancement' drug from his ex-brother-in-law. There's a definite rich conflict here but the script-er Leslie Dixon makes poor use of this and takes the ex-bro-in-law out! Nor do we find out who took him out or why.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpeVY4EZuXoz2BOds84srT74CUbqgNEK4yYRapfGSgYALDa9Bq18Ka0CKi3ZosI51fI9Z-1u6kTH408ehIKcxwfagV0YW0ltjj23beNIsXTbWLSGOielR2cmWbU8apMEsTYUfykxebclZ/s1600/image.php.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpeVY4EZuXoz2BOds84srT74CUbqgNEK4yYRapfGSgYALDa9Bq18Ka0CKi3ZosI51fI9Z-1u6kTH408ehIKcxwfagV0YW0ltjj23beNIsXTbWLSGOielR2cmWbU8apMEsTYUfykxebclZ/s320/image.php.jpg" width="320" /></a>Second - Brad Cooper gets on Hangover part-1.5 from the heavy usage of the drug and can't account for 18 hours. He may have committed a murder at a hotel. Something is cooking in the plot.. but no! The movie-makers totally skate around it. We never find out enough. Maybe Burger and co., were on the same brain-drug and forgot developing these two key conflicts in the script! </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpeVY4EZuXoz2BOds84srT74CUbqgNEK4yYRapfGSgYALDa9Bq18Ka0CKi3ZosI51fI9Z-1u6kTH408ehIKcxwfagV0YW0ltjj23beNIsXTbWLSGOielR2cmWbU8apMEsTYUfykxebclZ/s1600/image.php.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> From then on, the movie scoots purely on Burger's good visual style, Jo Willems' cool photography and that's it. The eagerly anticipated De Niro's role is just a glorified cameo. Hmpf! Imagine the possibilities of the premise! If only Burger had 'dared' to go with the idea and the story's consequences and implications. I was doubly disappointed, later learning that Burger directed Illusionist. At the end, the story doesn't arrive at a logical point nor an intuitive one. Although, given the poor journey of the script it ends as well as it could.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> The performances are the second thing after good photography that make viewing bearable. Bradley is a handsome versatile actor, an upcoming star and does quite well with this 20%-plotted script. Abbie Cornish as the girlfriend, is a dream and the kind you want to let your parents meet (figuratively :P). In a word, does one take the effort to watch it in a Cinema? Yes, if you are a fan of photography or want to pass your time with an okay flick. To me, the two 'fractal zoom' sequences were worth the 120 Rs. I paid (parking extra). They burst upon my conscious like Micheal's first two moonwalks at Motown Record's Anniversary celebration. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Limitless, is sadly less.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </div></div>VJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5391306941022321026.post-58901152466328664952011-05-14T08:41:00.001-07:002011-05-16T11:23:53.800-07:00The Batman Rises : A Nolan Chronicle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Batman Begins (2005) 4.2/5<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sa6AjKresdfXZhj_C1wtA1V3raMVmVDXohNxsB3MC9L_whOsf_Un-TsA2RT8YuCqwGZzANKWlhrcphu1fxf11fPtW_-44F-nUg7ids-nMMte6iA2d5JzOHvV8yZ1mkw15UF_r9QeRHlS/s1600/batman_begins_big_051018100848275_wideweb__300x371%252C1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606598932943199842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sa6AjKresdfXZhj_C1wtA1V3raMVmVDXohNxsB3MC9L_whOsf_Un-TsA2RT8YuCqwGZzANKWlhrcphu1fxf11fPtW_-44F-nUg7ids-nMMte6iA2d5JzOHvV8yZ1mkw15UF_r9QeRHlS/s320/batman_begins_big_051018100848275_wideweb__300x371%252C1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 259px;" /></a><br />
The Dark Knight (2008) 4.6/5<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHA5P6j5ZBCDC_lZR_6aitRZGGBCZtDzdrPt0pR6hZj9b5RpY7YgMQuWHmzfUkSSpVmkS3qIkbkE0ilko6GW7275__WmzZ1Y3rFy_1zpcN3v-6ujSjZIQOkbZgE3ifbys7PJPqKEPMX-pn/s1600/dark-knight-bale-ledger.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606598936923880354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHA5P6j5ZBCDC_lZR_6aitRZGGBCZtDzdrPt0pR6hZj9b5RpY7YgMQuWHmzfUkSSpVmkS3qIkbkE0ilko6GW7275__WmzZ1Y3rFy_1zpcN3v-6ujSjZIQOkbZgE3ifbys7PJPqKEPMX-pn/s320/dark-knight-bale-ledger.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg00ziz9ZF7bE3ifBuOiJc6yCq_dxyGFl-qAIduia3Mfnp6mzXCIcYgl0iVydjGqgikRrZsVwr0O5F27t9FjTYLfskgHJEeGb0cUZthHJnEgvmWRALK4iWc_q0qo13pmEn15H03RFVSICs/s1600/batman-04.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606674129048315330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg00ziz9ZF7bE3ifBuOiJc6yCq_dxyGFl-qAIduia3Mfnp6mzXCIcYgl0iVydjGqgikRrZsVwr0O5F27t9FjTYLfskgHJEeGb0cUZthHJnEgvmWRALK4iWc_q0qo13pmEn15H03RFVSICs/s200/batman-04.png" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>Growing up in India during the late 80s & 90s, the exposure to American comic books like DC and Marvel were limited. These were expensive. The popular exposure however, came through the cartoons and the animations on the national television. It ever so captured our imaginations. The darkest and the most intriguing however, were the Batman series. Square-jawed and dark caped, a utility unlike Superman's, the Batman was fearsome and quite real. As real as could be to an 8 year old with some imagination.<br />
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Fast forward to Batman Begins (2005). It's my great regret that I missed it on the big screen. The same year however I had the fortune of coming across Memento. Once I had learnt later that it was Nolan who has done the reboot of Batman I took out a DVD. I re-entered that dark and pulsing world of Batman again.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">BATMAN BEGINS 4.2/5</span><br />
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[your rating of the film]<br />
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The first words of a conscious Wayne (Bale, Christian) is, "Nightmare". The basis and the motive of Wayne to don a cape, a mask, an array of gadgets, fists of fury and a nocturnal habit is developed steadily, relentlessly and nowhere does it seem surreal or comic-ish. I hadn't yet seen The Prestige, Inception and ofcourse, the darker sequel, then. I was learning the craft and work of the elder Nolan and the virtuosity of plotting and scripting by the younger. A brilliant experience that has been consistently ramped with their consequent films.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZa5NtZA5d6dS7hk9yaDsalLBvhRPyYO3w0sgNmxVIky0Utdes0lOpaP1HuUXZZzTqGpUdUbw-jvkvNSTS0PKVd-NZIm__aI6YirD3ZfjS_eANdKi8CuogJzeRdoNI-UfO9P1NfXb0TkZF/s1600/Batman-Begins-Birth-of-a-bat-350w.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606651219173953634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZa5NtZA5d6dS7hk9yaDsalLBvhRPyYO3w0sgNmxVIky0Utdes0lOpaP1HuUXZZzTqGpUdUbw-jvkvNSTS0PKVd-NZIm__aI6YirD3ZfjS_eANdKi8CuogJzeRdoNI-UfO9P1NfXb0TkZF/s200/Batman-Begins-Birth-of-a-bat-350w.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 139px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>Bruce Wayne is tangible, real, gritty and tortured. He is a seeker. He wants to understand the unfair fate that he encountered so young. He immerses himself into the society's darkness and it's sinister crime-scape. He begins to learn to use his worst fear - bats, to conquer a morbid one - criminals. "You're not the devil. You're practice!", says Bruce to a bully prison-mate early on in the film. When we learn later how he came to be there, we realize some of his actions in the past were of a coward. A man scared and lost.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiMny43MdrCx_1LVcjhP1YCqkFUOctm18Xhhayr-PJoNLoaSYjxQ0onqTK4bGHLNioXnxKrV6GSheVz-MJbeDyDC1i34vj6S43JyhCZULD8_t9776otAmiLaJxHMmawq2pHmD-591kmRN/s1600/LiamNeeson_BatmanBegins.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606651925027113842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiMny43MdrCx_1LVcjhP1YCqkFUOctm18Xhhayr-PJoNLoaSYjxQ0onqTK4bGHLNioXnxKrV6GSheVz-MJbeDyDC1i34vj6S43JyhCZULD8_t9776otAmiLaJxHMmawq2pHmD-591kmRN/s200/LiamNeeson_BatmanBegins.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 166px;" /></a> *SPOILER* { The greatness of the plot lies in how Ra's Al-Ghul, the conspirator and nemesis, helps create Batman the legend. Later in the movie he dismisses Batman's volatile presence and threat simply saying, " Well well.. you took my advice about theatricality a bit literally." }<br />
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Ra's Al-Ghul instructs and mentors Bruce initially on Ninja philosophies and arts, to embrace his worst fear and turn it on his enemies etc. The scenes are simple, effective, and help us understand that Batman is like a tormented wealthy caucasian Bruce Lee with gadgets.<br />
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The film simply does what it sets out to do and some more. I always love beginnings of any story more than the payoff or resolutions. We understand the source of a story, the origins of the character, and the hope and imaginations of the journey ahead. This is why The Matrix was immensely more exciting than it's sequels. Nolan on the other hand is an auteur. He knows how to construct a trilogy. The Wachowskis are exciting story-tellers but they have steadily refused to dare where their stories take them. What the Wachowskis failed to seize with their Matrix sequels, Nolan accomplished immensely through his Inception.<br />
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Surely, the movie isn't perfect. Initial action sequences lack some gravitas. Later they evolve and are more fun. Was that a conscious Nolan choice, I wonder. A few more shots like the one where Batman stands high atop the Gotham on a skyscraper as the silent guardian would have satiated my 'heroic' thirst. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91XUzwXoO1sai74ZC_74ZxqbAUomh9ePAnjWTns2mgjWHqqyjxsU2ESZhsKjgreQlbobeH50d-SctlB_JLhmVHSUqIUay3djiXPeYj_QC5rlryR9XDi95I7q0kDnQiNIAlvSH4H8a9qk0/s1600/pictures_batmanbegins.second.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606694155708961474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91XUzwXoO1sai74ZC_74ZxqbAUomh9ePAnjWTns2mgjWHqqyjxsU2ESZhsKjgreQlbobeH50d-SctlB_JLhmVHSUqIUay3djiXPeYj_QC5rlryR9XDi95I7q0kDnQiNIAlvSH4H8a9qk0/s320/pictures_batmanbegins.second.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 238px;" /></a>After all, the ultimate reason we love super-heroes is because we inhabit them a while, while we can. This again seems to be a deliberate choice to ground the vigilante in reality. An artistic license, I believe, used to show the origin of Bat-signal is when Falcone is strung on the Gotham Police searchlight. Such lights usually heat the air in the near vicinity upto a 1000 degree celcius. Falcone would have been deep-fry by the time Gordon gets to him. By now we are sincerely rooting for Batman and love the emotional satisfaction of the mafia head strung on the lights, logical or not. The truly magical performance of the whole movie is Gary Oldman's Jim Gordon. Jim Gordon seems to be a real cop, honest and wise to understand his limitations but quick to seize opportunities. This character was simply a part of the scenery in all the Batman stories, adaptations etc., until now. Gary Oldman is as scintillating and refreshing as Heath Ledger will be in the upcoming one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GY9Spik7muVfYq0eSFJoZKU4DPaDTikk5JI8vDaoZ1YSwgSomzZyXdSOujxWvmB13FILZRFJ1E4VBWTuoiEH_ILrOmv1C5NE-5yFfkmZ3vtp3lpB7wOl3YUoaq-pkj9FyPtirvpasq_L/s1600/Batman-Begins-Batcar.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606654108174996962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GY9Spik7muVfYq0eSFJoZKU4DPaDTikk5JI8vDaoZ1YSwgSomzZyXdSOujxWvmB13FILZRFJ1E4VBWTuoiEH_ILrOmv1C5NE-5yFfkmZ3vtp3lpB7wOl3YUoaq-pkj9FyPtirvpasq_L/s200/Batman-Begins-Batcar.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 125px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a> The research wing of Wayne enterprises has a delicious secret in the person of Lucius Fox played well by Morgan. He offers Bruce his devices for "spelunking". <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9UoBwUoU-0mLeIx2d-fT4nLGIlkGczZoQfdMLFlPfLP1HqN0wXuwxPzFUQDz_xWUBBgaDpd9YlrKEaXJDlGB2uVdrzyEIM-wHjU6O5X7AZflqEsKRoynqcwhPIgXqkh5kdvQ0m-X-Sqj/s1600/review_htbatpod_2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606654266020284946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9UoBwUoU-0mLeIx2d-fT4nLGIlkGczZoQfdMLFlPfLP1HqN0wXuwxPzFUQDz_xWUBBgaDpd9YlrKEaXJDlGB2uVdrzyEIM-wHjU6O5X7AZflqEsKRoynqcwhPIgXqkh5kdvQ0m-X-Sqj/s200/review_htbatpod_2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 74px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
A bridging vehicle (batmobile), nick-named tumbler by the film-makers, and a batpod that will gestate from it in the sequel are brilliant and original.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"> THE DARK KNIGHT 4.6/5</span><br />
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[your rating of the film]<br />
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"What about Escalation?", queries Lt. Jim Gordon ('escalated' from Sergeant) at the end of Batman Begins. That escalation is The Dark Knight. Escalation of action, of performances, of crimes, of sins, of insanity, ending with the notoriety of Batman's legend, and the untimely death of beloved Ledger, H. in the real world.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Y51sH7ug1ietJB8iCbZIaEe8YhoUQkpxReD_BEYVIcUIE4Q7vKmI_wKRKWUCXd0-A56nhD706AheliwjvhT0wNKp6AGIgHqm3D0mxVggak1IGugzS4rhMIVjgHM5ad6u3zZqr7cn2env/s1600/actors-directors-0903-pp09.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606682318072247058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Y51sH7ug1ietJB8iCbZIaEe8YhoUQkpxReD_BEYVIcUIE4Q7vKmI_wKRKWUCXd0-A56nhD706AheliwjvhT0wNKp6AGIgHqm3D0mxVggak1IGugzS4rhMIVjgHM5ad6u3zZqr7cn2env/s320/actors-directors-0903-pp09.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 222px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
Firstly, there is a definite shift of the visual tone and photography. The images are sharp, throwing immense clarity into the depravity and ambiguity of the characters. As a reference, check the two stills at the top from each movie. The narrows of the Gotham in the first were suffused with a slight golden hue, as if from the sodium lamps of poorly lit street-lights. There is no mention, as much as I recall, of the Narrows in the sequel. There isn't a distinction of upper and lower Gotham. The dark and clear nights belong to the entire city. Perhaps a visual cue that the crime and madness from the Narrows in the first has seeped through Gotham entirely.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCxRr6Q_Fv3Aw7apVV4rPSaA3PP-7pw3I8ehwXNK2BlbQh0mWEJQwGdCW2FdN13P9WB51FwwL-ltIWWQsli-gwOIl-n3wuTHv0dxzN96aOUf2mbTDsLAh_2kF4gfM-fWY75g9n_14giIv/s1600/dark_knight_ver4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606698427664187762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCxRr6Q_Fv3Aw7apVV4rPSaA3PP-7pw3I8ehwXNK2BlbQh0mWEJQwGdCW2FdN13P9WB51FwwL-ltIWWQsli-gwOIl-n3wuTHv0dxzN96aOUf2mbTDsLAh_2kF4gfM-fWY75g9n_14giIv/s200/dark_knight_ver4.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 135px;" /></a>This movie could be scary and disturbing even for teens. It isn't fear per se, but the chaos and insanity that the Joker brings to the tables here. It's a very good thing. Nolan dared to venture where his plot took him. An epic noir that tests our intelligence, mores, ethos, judgment and sanity as much as it does the Batman. What is missing here again is more of Batman's 'heroic' shots that one thirsts for in such a plot. Especially a lingering shot, with opera-ic trumpets of the now famous Zimmer/Howard score, when Batman outwits Joker with his batpod stopping with a 180 degree flip against a wall. It seems to be a deliberate choice and we do not stop to think about it much, as we are occupied completely by the Joker's machinations. The makers more than compensate for it at the end of the film with a highly original and adrenaline thumping shot of Batman vroom-ing into the Gotham streets, voiced over by my favorite character of Nolan's Batman, Jim Gordon.<br />
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I always felt joker was an annoying or a ridiculous persona in either comics or the earlier films (no offense Jack). However, Chris and Heath seem to have grasped the motive of that guy and managed to forge a clown from the depths of hell. The crazy part is he entertains.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBNVDEECXVXllMXSwi-lNysNQD3PAGn7RgO4lpNE1zbdFw0L4oAFv3t4SukReQD13lOQFii9K-tAimDji9lS2kEBCIpjPbOrzb2PsnMlgtN-M0MhtujA1gAhhLl7l9bbCJzd0QOuVcaVo/s1600/the-dark-knight-opening-scene.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606670684627886466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBNVDEECXVXllMXSwi-lNysNQD3PAGn7RgO4lpNE1zbdFw0L4oAFv3t4SukReQD13lOQFii9K-tAimDji9lS2kEBCIpjPbOrzb2PsnMlgtN-M0MhtujA1gAhhLl7l9bbCJzd0QOuVcaVo/s320/the-dark-knight-opening-scene.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 187px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a> Looking at Heath, is like gaping at a live dinosaur wide-eyed. You may be eaten or trampled, but you are riveted at the sight. Minimal make-up, maximum devil. Lucifer has no dibs on this guy. As Caine's Alfred says, ".. some men just wanna watch the world burn". Alfred used to be just a solemn butler and inevitably, Batman's confidante. In Nolans' scripting he is more. A father figure, a gentle counselor and a wise friend. Not the sanctimonious 'great power and responsibility' catchphrases for Caine. When much is lost by the middle of the film, Alfred gently asks Bruce to 'endure'. We ofcourse saw him equally performed well in Batman Begins.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZJIghUFIzBeCvriI8UIZHod3UDdkMc1-2DZT_x6DQL5LNjtfpvTuDOGg7DOW0YbOOh_EMLObsBMNO26PBQwRTuE_JR_KC5j1GkCvgzp5ojeH2WEqzhy6NJQLdLF9SCVfvdSZeZUFogiV/s1600/2face02.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606670976646229730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZJIghUFIzBeCvriI8UIZHod3UDdkMc1-2DZT_x6DQL5LNjtfpvTuDOGg7DOW0YbOOh_EMLObsBMNO26PBQwRTuE_JR_KC5j1GkCvgzp5ojeH2WEqzhy6NJQLdLF9SCVfvdSZeZUFogiV/s200/2face02.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 115px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a>Two-face Harvey Dent is brilliantly brought to life by Aaron Eckhart (sorry Tommy). He is extremely brave and heroic in the first act. When the Joker diabolically gives Harvey 'a little push', the pendulum swings to the other extreme. The only performance that doesn't quite measure up is Maggie's. I find nothing charming or alluring in her Rachel that captivates two heroic men and infact, becomes the motive for one to give into Joker's insanity. It is not that Katie Holmes in the first pic left a big shoe to fill in either. Katie was atleast convincing as a sweet but justice craving attorney. She is insane to refuse this role in the sequel. Freeman's Fox does the role splendid as ever. The gravitas in action and effects that seemed a bit missing in the first, is here with a bang. There are several other supporting roles making up mostly the bad guys or ones giving in to them, that are wonderfully etched in the short screen time they have.<br />
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The Nolans have arrived and have risen in Hollywood with this daring artistry. Heath Ledger follows into those rare legends comprised of James Dean, Bruce Lee, River Phoenix etc. It is much like if Nolan had passed away before making Inception and many other wonders to come yet. I bet that, if Heath hadn't accidentally overdosed, he would have been our Cobb struggling with Mal in the limbo. The potential Brando. RIP oh great one! I have so far not written about Bale's Batman but only about the character. He is Bruce and Batman and there's no Bale. As a character-star he is generous, allowing his peers to elevate their performances and histrionics. He simply sinks into the guy he plays. What Gordon (Commissioner by now) says at the end, is subtly relevant to Bale as well..<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"> .. because he's the hero Gotham (Hollywood) deserves but not the one it needs right now<br />
.. so we'll hunt him, because he can take it.. because he's not a hero.. he's a silent guardian, a watchful protector..<br />
.. a Dark Knight!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfHmTeqAbiXJOhueGt3EjBFqWaKqC6zw9WMBJBkhsTYYQ-yOxVoIlfoHjuPID3RSZZiR0X2AuH0XyT5R25hoOU10zIDuBRcK38EKiu8vbs71J-x8X0124w_BRZoMoZwvvmkphv4RzMSZl/s1600/the-dark-knight-batpod1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="260" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606670111693427282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfHmTeqAbiXJOhueGt3EjBFqWaKqC6zw9WMBJBkhsTYYQ-yOxVoIlfoHjuPID3RSZZiR0X2AuH0XyT5R25hoOU10zIDuBRcK38EKiu8vbs71J-x8X0124w_BRZoMoZwvvmkphv4RzMSZl/s640/the-dark-knight-batpod1.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a></div>VJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5391306941022321026.post-71492317276183136962011-04-19T00:20:00.000-07:002011-05-16T03:45:53.741-07:00A Quick review of th latest spate of English movies running in Madras19/04/11<br />
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Drive Angry : 0.5 / 5 -- easily th worst film you could ever see in your life. Also 3D abuse!! (0.5 for trying Tarantino like in your face gore - doesn't work well with th non-existent story)<br />
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Sucker Punch : 2.0 / 5 -- Snyder creams us and punches us with superlative boredom only exceeded by some 'usual Snyder-ly' graphical quality. What was he thinking? A story about a girl abused and plagued by deaths of beloved ones & wrongfully committed is simply a PS3/xbox game? A sad evening at the cinema.<br />
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Adj. Bureau : 2.5 / 5 -- good artists n credibl performance - though th import of a bureau running this world n th human lives doesn't come across very well. Story needs many adjustments.<br />
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I am No.4 : 2.5 / 5 -- short in creativity & innovation. Think twilight & sub. th vamps wit aliens who look human. Th climax seems to b a sequenc 4m ghost busters!! Yet, this supposd 2 b a sci-fi thriller. Atleast dats th imprssion you get in th 1st half. Immense waste of talent n production.<br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWixwvU68NLBYT9J7PSSmmOHcRWdEB46oFAwHZmfPkz7snE_ez9kYmaiSaObZM_YUugr4Mwqett3SYs_KTEkvxYbLis7rXt84vAdCiKUCCzWUHS4utYe187CjZHgsOLsQ7TQn1I1U1-vM/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWixwvU68NLBYT9J7PSSmmOHcRWdEB46oFAwHZmfPkz7snE_ez9kYmaiSaObZM_YUugr4Mwqett3SYs_KTEkvxYbLis7rXt84vAdCiKUCCzWUHS4utYe187CjZHgsOLsQ7TQn1I1U1-vM/s320/3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597193050722561026" /></a><br />
Unknown : 3 / 5 -- it's a bit known. (spoiler) If you've seen Salt you'll figure this one out - except that it's th opposite. Throw in a bit of Bourne, a bit of Hitchcock's th man who knew too much. Liam does th role in his stride. Special mention: Bruno Ganz as ernst jurgen.<br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVjdkY_iPw-xpr0qWT03YeAWAocdafy1EDTTV_6QDs2wVYkXwUPyMdmiXBFaJBVuS2ZXycKrxLimNhsnslr2_U34jITHg5SV2YQKRJX2uBxbPxwgGWH_VmDX3uKWYvT71Aa0OtOzHtVX0/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVjdkY_iPw-xpr0qWT03YeAWAocdafy1EDTTV_6QDs2wVYkXwUPyMdmiXBFaJBVuS2ZXycKrxLimNhsnslr2_U34jITHg5SV2YQKRJX2uBxbPxwgGWH_VmDX3uKWYvT71Aa0OtOzHtVX0/s320/2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597193365877194738" /></a>Jus go with it : 3 / 5 -- th name says it. Typical Sandler comedy. Typical story line and ending. Yet, there a few genuinely hilarious moments & some very funny lines in th process. Special Mention: th 2 kids of Aniston - Bailee Madison & Griffin Gluck.<br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrue37YPp9SwN_kN6EikjcJ9VV_58u_xg2eA_DB6E1p0yI77VaImpYXc5rKgSnIhKRbnswoFo90PKdFfSyqqS5GaqTIekeRq2QtHoJMzt2R3gD4Qr8OI0sS33gemO8h6PpJkx3bj8DqPo_/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 184px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrue37YPp9SwN_kN6EikjcJ9VV_58u_xg2eA_DB6E1p0yI77VaImpYXc5rKgSnIhKRbnswoFo90PKdFfSyqqS5GaqTIekeRq2QtHoJMzt2R3gD4Qr8OI0sS33gemO8h6PpJkx3bj8DqPo_/s320/1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597193797730614786" /></a><br />
Rio : 3.2 / 5 -- a celebration. I was very reluctant to watch this one with birds(?). Th promos n posters looked very girly n too kiddish 4 my taste. Yet, th movie is a pleasant surprise & th 3D is seamless. As far as birds could be used in animation as protagonists, it's quite innovative & original . Th film's strength lies in th sweeping and majestic camera angles and breathtaking scenery all animated. Splendid music. Th city is brought well to life!!VJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5391306941022321026.post-20039330790974231782010-12-02T01:58:00.000-08:002011-05-16T03:49:48.024-07:00A L I E N S<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeNrvhbBaxm31v4ghw9WUe3oPSbIMfuUx8csBW1e3K4IZNrLL0RANX4mA5lZPbhVDoJGSD698C8DPXPDoab8-kOIQ0Z8arszSFLU3YrNpHG5zFI3QugO-7UxpArbrCabgcmmOpTAuhLmg/s1600/aliens.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546024504754611618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeNrvhbBaxm31v4ghw9WUe3oPSbIMfuUx8csBW1e3K4IZNrLL0RANX4mA5lZPbhVDoJGSD698C8DPXPDoab8-kOIQ0Z8arszSFLU3YrNpHG5zFI3QugO-7UxpArbrCabgcmmOpTAuhLmg/s320/aliens.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 220px;" /></a><br />
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I wish I could see this movie in its time. It's not often a sequel trumps the original. But seeing that it's Cameron at the director's chair, it's no surprise. He's always manage to up the stakes in his sequels and take it into a whole new level - recall Terminator the judgment day. Which is why it's safe to feel hyped about Avatar 2. Evidently, you realise I enjoyed this movie. Ridley Scott's masterpiece was ground breaking but this sequel is earth shattering. Enough said! Catch the film! .. and Sigourney well deserves the Oscar for her role here!<br />
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4.2 / 5</div>VJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5391306941022321026.post-12436942550630734832010-10-22T12:04:00.000-07:002010-10-22T12:05:33.976-07:00"What Movies Mean To Me"?"What Movies Mean To Me"? >>>> As shared in Tom Cruise's blog >> http://www.tomcruise.com/blog/<br /><br />It's the Silver screen with Golden dreams, etched either in poetic master-pieces of showmanship or the thunderous arrival of block-bust-ing epics. Having waxed eloquent about Movies - the gift that they are to the mankind, it also represents the best of us. Why? As every film under the sun or shade, is inevitably and ultimately the aggregate output of a team. The best brought out by Unity, in Variety!! " Cinema - thy name is wonderment! ~ v.vijai anto"VJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5391306941022321026.post-52716636733986893442010-10-18T15:52:00.000-07:002010-12-14T05:07:32.439-08:00kollywood spoofThere are only 842 Girls left for every 1000 Boyz in the world. Save Girls! We can save Tigers later. Puli kutti venuma? (Pulla)kutty Venuma? Yosinga pa !!!<br /><br /> That was a status message in my friend's fb page, which I and many others shared and it inspired in me a cool Kollywood story: <br /><br />*********************************************<br /><br />Vijai Anto V i hear they're even gonna make a movie on dis subject : puliya pillaiya! :P ;)<br />4 hours ago · LikeUnlike<br />#<br />Vijai Anto V latest update ::: actor ajith interested in dis touching n social reforming subject!! await further news!<br />4 hours ago · LikeUnlike<br />#<br />Vijai Anto V hah! done deal: ajith's next masala entertainer on dis subject wit a twist in d plot : Puliyin pillai !! .. no points for guessin d plot! :P :D<br />4 hours ago · LikeUnlike<br />#<br />Vijai Anto V omg!! dis is blowing up big time! now even actor Vijay wants a piece of d action! will ajith relent?? will we see the 1st vijay-ajith starrer ??<br />3 hours ago · LikeUnlike<br />#<br />Vijai Anto V<br />AAAAwesome breaking fantabulous news!! ajith relents! on his part, Vijay forgoes 3 idiots shootin, much 2 amir khan's relief! Shankar meanwhile hits d jackpot of shooting da 1st Ajith-Vijay starrer/thriller/drama/social message/masala enter...tainer !!!<br />official title : PULIYA PILLAIYA KUTTIYASee More<br />3 hours ago · LikeUnlike<br />#<br />Vijai Anto V<br />psssssssssstt: top secret breaking news 4m shankar's office:: plot sketch revealed !! " 20 yrs into da future no more tigers as mankind opts to save womankind. Ajith is a scientist who's created a robotic-tigers to reserve ecology but tiger...s start to think n attack civilization in huge nos. hence in a desperate attempt to recreate the lost tigers ajith embarks on an epic adventure to meet the Son of the last surviving tiger - Vijay, who's puliyin pillai!! but ajith's gf is attracted during the course to vijay. who'll get d girl ? scientist/tigerboy/another tiger ?"VJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5391306941022321026.post-79837826411083418222010-10-13T04:23:00.000-07:002011-05-16T05:32:32.187-07:0028 Days (2000)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQM1gdU2dh0OjPeTKrqmJ6VrYM6mjC_8IPN0EWKMl50hRsjE2Qhkfwzul-6L1E4ACBk5oJCY9RqwXlQqJ1PmNLoTdCiDppenN2vuMcdWcsYKOtYH1iHy80efDBHY8pcNlrv8pbOXZLjAh/s1600/MV5BMTY3MjU2OTY2Nl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTAyMjAzMQ@@._V1._SY314_CR3,0,214,314_.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527490130167239762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQM1gdU2dh0OjPeTKrqmJ6VrYM6mjC_8IPN0EWKMl50hRsjE2Qhkfwzul-6L1E4ACBk5oJCY9RqwXlQqJ1PmNLoTdCiDppenN2vuMcdWcsYKOtYH1iHy80efDBHY8pcNlrv8pbOXZLjAh/s400/MV5BMTY3MjU2OTY2Nl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTAyMjAzMQ@@._V1._SY314_CR3,0,214,314_.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">28 DAYS 4 / 5</td></tr>
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A big thanks to Pix for playing this gem. Never thought this could be a great one but it's there! I can't be honestly objective in this movie as it did touch me personally. Having said it, I can't seem to place it : seems like a chick-flick but it ain't; seems like film-noir but it blossoms with spring and sunshine too; seems simplistic and light for the subject discussed yet manages to delve well into the psyche... honestly, it's an intersection of sea-biscuit and one flew over the cuckoo's nest - possessing none of the grandness of either.<br />
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Film's weaknesses are few and far between, that one thinks there might have been just a little more complexity, emotion, darkness, and just a little more grandness? Maybe it doesn't require it. Maybe it's just a good movie that doesn't pretend to be great and therein innately so. I am surprised to find the director Betty White's recent venture was the Alvin and chipmunks squeakquel! She's been doing the rounds of comedy, chick-flicks and rom-coms in regular fashion! This movie stands out as the odd one in her resume. The style does show in the shots and scenes, yet the comedy and romantic angles mesh well with the narrative.<br />
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Sandra Bullock was never my favorite actress except in Speed, and after this, I am taking a 180 degree turn. She carries the plot, almost solely in many places and does it so fittingly. Sandra's Gwen is insensitive yet with her heart on the sleeve, flaky yet intelligent, witty yet incredibly stupid. The 28 days of her growth in Rehab is well done when one considers the incredibly short running time for the movie on such a subject. Even without such considerations Gwen will stay in your thoughts. All supporting casts are well-etched! Unforgettable are Eddie the pitcher (Viggo Mortensen)and the overly sensitive homosexual. In fact, the latter is quite endearing after a time!<br />
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Like the movie, this blog-review will be short! Why a movie from 2000 A.D you ask? I say, some are timeless and are as new as tomorrow!<br />
" ... you can control the little things in you."<br />
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4/5</div>VJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5391306941022321026.post-25029522482762798552010-10-04T03:11:00.001-07:002011-05-16T05:00:46.192-07:00CHITTI DA ROBO &-|<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzELwGRuNpNSU9vddEtDvZf3h-KQdCyGv1sFBwhBoUwzx7Zf0A2UnkQJ_wKMVhlZArhDQxBGgiJJbHGIZFIkfFvo8dTLOqnQj32lxhMLlbQweuQI7UdaLtggUCePYM-wQi7HTrUH8_rco/s1600/B76FC7DAB322ECC5F2769D6E8CAC.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524134600501461938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzELwGRuNpNSU9vddEtDvZf3h-KQdCyGv1sFBwhBoUwzx7Zf0A2UnkQJ_wKMVhlZArhDQxBGgiJJbHGIZFIkfFvo8dTLOqnQj32lxhMLlbQweuQI7UdaLtggUCePYM-wQi7HTrUH8_rco/s320/B76FC7DAB322ECC5F2769D6E8CAC.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 224px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
I feel compelled to review Shankar's Magnum opus on two different perspectives.<br />
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<span style="color: #006600;">A. That of South Indian/Indian/Asian popular Cinema.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Summed up simply, the following comparative equation says it all, Endhiran : Kolly-wood = Avatar : Holly-wood<br />
Both were revolutionary Cinematic experiments and milestones in their respective Industries. Despite the implausibility and the 'already seen' plots, they carved their own niche creating a world where everyone were enthralled. Hereafter block-buster will have a new definition in Indian cinema.<br />
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Shankar and Rajni weave their magic abundantly. Frankly, with due respects to many tamilians, I'm not a big Rajni fan. I did love his occasional work in movies such as Thalapathi, Sivaji and so forth. What I did gather though from his previous works were - comedy and villainy are his forte. Shankar has so smartly spun his tale around his Star's strengths ( as evidenced in Sivaji too ) , that the final product is a showcase of the two's genius.<br />
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Tamil cinema is definitely feeling the bugle call of the standards set in this movie as much as Avatar is course-correcting Hollywood mainstream productions. I wouldn't liken Shankar to Jim Cameron though but rather a hybrid of Spielberg-Emmerich. Emotions are often at the forefront in his movies and he doesn't hesitate to play to the galley. Endhiran has its share of brilliance equaled only by its cheesy and pop-corny, chai and chat-masala mixed moments. The serving isn't inedible though and I do recommend a must watch. Though the ending is in the merit of the story, it does feel a bit hurried up (** spoiler alert **) esp. the court scene : which reminded me of a similar scene in Shankar's earlier bonanza "Anniyan" - hope this doesn't become formulaic. Shankar still has abundant creative power which would continue to entertain us decades to come.<br />
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Having compared Shankar, I sincerely believe I cannot do the same for Rajni. He stands unique in his performance and versatility (read style). The temperamental scientist is fine but is hugely overshadowed by his Chitti - sure to go down in the annals of sci-fi genre in cinema. He does what Arnold gave to his terminator.<br />
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3.5 / 5<br />
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<span style="color: #006600;">B. That of World Cinema/Hollywood.</span><br />
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As said earlier, I couldn't liken Shankar to Jim as Cameron is The Auteur of Sci-fi and his "uncompromisable" plots. Shankar will time and again, compromise on his serving, to appeal and satiate the so called "common man". Spielberg and Emmerich do this, yet they have a rule of thumb : a moment could be either cheesy or implausible but not both. Shankar doesn't cringe to display implausible-cheesy moments and they are a dime a dozen in Robot/Endhiran.<br />
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Aishwarya after a long lull, looks genuinely attractive and showcases here acting prowess. There's something about Ash in a Shankar 's film that makes her wonderfully attractive. In fact many actresses have had their best cinematic Marilyn-Monroe-Moments with Shankar - a talent that defies explanation. Her emotions seem misplaced here and there, ( probably editing for time constraint ) yet the overall work is good. Other artistes do their job but the biggest artist in the movie, in terms of quality and quantity is Rajni.<br />
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Let's not even bother about the Science in the movie ( maybe the untimely demise of Sujatha has let Shankar run amok with his comical extrapolation of a Robot's concept and abilities ). I did suspect this before from the trailers and hence went into the halls with anti-hype and drummed down expectations. Still there are moments that litter the movie which impedes it's potential. Why would a robot designed for military application know every aspect of Carnatic music is beyond me! Would any creator of a humanoid A.I treat his creation like a cell-phone ,beating the crap out of it and swearing at it when there's no reception or when it hangs!? Maybe the creator is too arrogant for his own good! Influences from The Matrix, I Robot, Bi-centennial Man, Terminator are amply evident.<br />
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Surprisingly, the Indian-isation and the addition of local flavour are the movie's strengths and it's original script-work. To his credit, the director has meshed well the metal and the human plot. A.R. does a good job with songs and B.G.M is just fine. Resul's sound work is just fine too. The heroes of the movie are the VFX guys. I'd have loved to see Stan work with Shankar in this movie through his Stan Winston studios (legacy effects now). It wouldn't have been mind-bending for the man who was present for the birth of Terminators and T-rexes but certainly Shankar and Srinivasan - vfx, would have got valuable pointers from the legend. May Sujatha and Stan's souls rest in peace!<br />
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What could have potentially been a Super-star Sci-fi cult movie becomes a sci-fi movie for the super-star! It would attain cult status in Indian cinema though and will almost carve a niche in the world of sci-fi.<br />
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2.5 / 5</div></div>VJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5391306941022321026.post-77687199733360743842007-04-13T02:15:00.000-07:002007-04-13T02:53:15.451-07:00The dilemma of creation !<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoBlU9O_wemoejbmNF1CmBX75MRxnM_RfF8ImBgXAi3hH8dWNQfEpMZ3J7BlIA1Xwa8_1lSL8QRey97M9Sr-t4lkp9Rr8DBeZ_V9Jkul6NBzPs2Tv1BBvMvxc9XP_vs9Ng5EpadAQiUyG/s1600-h/michelangelo.creation-of-sun-and-moon.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoBlU9O_wemoejbmNF1CmBX75MRxnM_RfF8ImBgXAi3hH8dWNQfEpMZ3J7BlIA1Xwa8_1lSL8QRey97M9Sr-t4lkp9Rr8DBeZ_V9Jkul6NBzPs2Tv1BBvMvxc9XP_vs9Ng5EpadAQiUyG/s400/michelangelo.creation-of-sun-and-moon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5052840481161891010" /></a><br /><br /> God knows what went through his mind whilst creating stuff! or did he?? Creation is a big problem everywhere.. Cos it challenges established notions and conventions. Now I am thinking about creation as I have 'created' my blog and am 'creating' my first blog post. There's the usual feeling of stunted imagination, judicious thoughts on words to be used etc when you realise that you are creating.<br /><br /> Creation is not something everyone's comfortable with.. Infact I believe it's against the grain. What I am saying is it isn't quite a natural thing as today's media would have us believe. There's way too much onus on it. If I do remember correctly, in the Bible, God created man as he was in need of a being to love and be loved in turn. Creation is, I believe, a product of necessity. I think the most unnatural man is one who creates for the sake of creating or to exhibit he can be creative all the time. Yet, I am not here to argue against creation but rather to accept it's real value. It's necessary and that's it. It's as necessary as death is. Though ofcourse, I'd personally would like to do away with death.<br /><br /> So the next time, you are nervous about improvising something on the spot or inventing or solving a puzzle or anxiously thinking of a way to defeat a challenge - don't worry. Cos you're doing something against the grain. Something that isn't natural but you're doing it cos you have to.VJ anto ..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12195551442735488379noreply@blogger.com4