Review - Captain Phillips

'Captain Phillips' sails on turbulent waters

Paul Greengrass's 'Captain Phillips', based on real events that took in 2009 in Indian ocean, is an edge-of-seat thriller, however, emotionally distant, even though the film showcases some flawless acting by Tom Hanks near the last 10 minutes. This docudrama keeps the viewer restless and tense throughout its first half, but it does looses the steam later on. By the end of its super tense climax which reminded me of Argo (in a good way), I felt a little exhausted, a little lost and a little disappointed.

Captain Rich Phillips is a US mariner, whose most recent task is the shipment of support material like food and medicines to Mombasa, Kenya. On voyage, the ship is hijacked by four Somali pirates (their leader is Abduwali Muse, played by Barkhad Abdi). The first attempt for hijack fails, but on the second attempt, the pirates succeed. The captain and the crew, despite their best efforts, loose the control of the ship. Things turn ugly when the captain himself is kept hostage on the life-boat for 5 days. Muse demands 10 million dollars, Captain ain't got it. Mayday. Enter US navy seals and other American maritime forces to save Captain Phillips. And no, I won't spoil it further.

But what follows are some exciting, gripping moments, which showcases some immense talents of wide range - direction, editing, sound design, visual effects and acting. Tom Hanks' performance rises like a steep mountain - he is apt in the beginning, very good in the middle and exceptional in the last minutes. His transformation as a character from an emotionally strong, rigid man to a wounded, shocked soul is a marvelous. He has lost an Oscar nomination though, but its no denying, Hanks is at top of his game in this film.

Barkhad Abdi walks like a pirate, talks like a pirate and yes, looks like one too. It is a great casting choice, and Abdi complemented Hanks very well. 'No problem "Irish", everything gonna be OK. Nobody's gonna be hurt", Abdi says it with a great competence.

Greengrass, without any second thoughts, was perhaps the best suited director for this film. He has proved that he is the master of fast paced action thrillers (see Bourne series).  In this one, however, he somehow gets lost in action and the emotions. Film's tone shifts from emotional one to an action one a lot, specially in the end. It may have worked, but for me it didn't. Also, Bill Ray (screenwriter) at the same time wants us to sympathize with the pirates but also wants us to feel proud and all happy when three of them are shot (one of them is adolescent). Its all thematic hotch potch. But yes, you can't portray your own country in a grey shade, can you?

'Captain Phillips', at the very end, is a very well made film with some great talents all around. You should give it a chance, definitely. You may love it, or maybe not so much, like in my case.

3.5/5

Review - The Game

Even with a foolish twist, The Game an engaging, edge of seat thriller which keep you guessing.

  Spoilers ahead -
 Its 1997, and its David Fincher's second consecutive attempt at Thriller genre - his first attempt - as you all know, is a mind-blowing nerve wrecking Se7en. He got the bulls eye at that time. Does his next project, The Game, with a very intriguing premise holds up the fort?

Well, then my dear friends, The Game is what Se7en was not - it is fast-paced, full of action, stylish and unfortunately absurd. We have our protagonist,  Nicholas Van Orton is a rehashed version of Gordon Gekko - snobbish, emotionally distant and  introvert. Apparently his shoes costs around a thousand dollars. Nicholas is a private banker, had a divorced from his wife (though they remain friendly) and has a estranged brother Conrad (Sean Penn, wasted). Nicholas had a troubled childhood, he apparently saw his father committing suicide by falling from a top of a building, at his 48th Birthday no less. So when his own 48th birthday arrives, his brother Conrad shows up out of the blue, gives him a voucher for a "game" - developed by a company called CRS (Consumer Recreation Services). Without giving him any details how exactly the "game" works, Conrad tantalizes Nicholas by promising it will change his life.

Intrigued by the Game, he reaches CRS, spends all his day for the test they require for him to participate which includes handwriting samples, Q&As and physicals. But he is rejected, told on the phone. After that, he learns that the game has just begun - it is no recreation but an assault to his privacy (a scene involving a dummy clown and TV is a highlight of the film), his wealth and his life. Through series of events he escapes from the clutches of CRS employees, often with the help of beautiful mystery girl played by Deborah Kara Unger. In all bizzare turn of events, he finds himself somewhere in Mexico, snatched of all his money, his accounts are drained. Near the end, he sets out for revenge near the end and sets his aim to unmask the man behind this.

Until now, you have already guessed that it makes no point having a star like Sean Penn in the film for just 2 scenes. So yes, he is behind this dreadful game. And guess what, is he up for his brother's money? Tada! Wrong answer - he just played out all this as a prank, so that his brother can face the reallity and enjoy his life. What!

The climatic twist at the end is as absurd as absurdity goes. It matches 'The Village' for the most impossible plot. I wonder what Fincher was thinking when he made it. Or what the screenwriters thought when they wrote it.

But still, there are very few movies in which even the so-called twist is hard to digest, engulfs you and captivates you into its atmosphere. David Fincher is a master when it comes to creating atmosphere on silver screen. The mood, the thrills and the creeps you get, is all worth your time even with an illogical finale. Aptly shot by Harris Savides, The Game hardly has any dull moments. It is an engaging, edge of seat thriller which keep you guessing. Remove that last 5 minutes from it, you've got pure Fincher cinema.

3.5/5

 

Review - The Wolf of the Wall Street

The Wolf of the Wall Street is non stop adrenaline rush.

F**K THE WORLD!!!

 Imagine Martin Scorsese directing a Michael Bay-esque movie, replacing all the steel and iron banging with drugs, parties, strippers, however keeping the hot bombshells intact. All of this with some depth though. This is 'The Wolf of the Wall Street' for you.

Scorsese's got a huge U-turn from his PG-rated biopic-cum-adventure flick Hugo (read boring). Hugo had no f-words, no nudity and drugs in light years distance and no sex at all. Seems like Marty was really depressed after Hugo, so he went out with a bang (literally and physically). Here's a film with a record breaking F-words count, nudity in every third scene, drugs of all kind and decent amount of sex. So much that it could have been a NC-17. But like Requiem for a Dream or The Perfume, the film walks the thin line.

Our hero (read antihero) is Jordan Belfort is a long island stock broker who turns obscenely rich by selling stocks of pink-sheet, worthless companies and getting 50% commission each time. He and his team (comprising of very funny Jonah Hill),  sells it firstly to poor, working class people and then to rich. He soon starts his own company, his dirty business grows and he becomes the king of the Wall Street within months. 

So when you have such an outrageous amount of money, you spend it or waste it in very possible way - so does Jordan, he moves to a palatial home, divorces to his wife for an ultra-sexy lingerie designer Naomi (the super hot Margot Robbie), takes every possible drug, bangs hookers, buys yacht and chopper and what not. But its all saddening since the money he is spending is not really his, but of the poor (but desperate) people, who want to get rich very quickly.

It showcases a bravura performance by Leonardo diCaprio, that would probably be his second best  (after the brilliant Revolutionary Road). He gives all his flesh and bone to the character. He acts with jolts of energy that it shakes you up inside out. And the best thing is, he maintains a very difficult balance between a good performance and a hammy one.

The film is unnecessarily long, with all its partying, doping and f'cking scenes become repetitive. These scenes firstly are a bit of surprise (or shock if you don't see much of hard R's), then fun and finally boring. But thankfully there are some ingenious sequences scattered throughout the film - McConaughey's brilliant cameo, the whole 'marrying your cousin' conversation between Leo and Jonah, the little sexy fights between Leo and Margot, the whole climatic road crawling scene which may lead Leonardo to the Oscar statuette - are to name some few.

The Wolf of the Wall Streets does comes out as a bold, brave movie which is not shy of anything at all. It is a rare of a kind film which treats the movie goers as adults, who have brains and can make whatever (good or bad) they want to make out of this film's horrible selfish characters. Even at 71 years, Scorsese has made a film so dynamic and energetic that it appears to be made by someone in his 20's. We can only say, keep the good work up and the Hugo's down, Marty!

3.5/5

Review - Blue Jasmine

 Blue Jasmine is all about Cate Blanchett.

Here is a film with a character so narcissist, snobbish and self-centered -  and yet you feel for the character. You care for Blanchett's Jasmine, not because the character is written in such a way. In fact, the character is wretched, a complete disaster. But you care. You care because there is something usual about Cate's portrayal. Her eyes, her face, her expressions - are just unforgettable. This is a great piece of acting.

Woody's first US based production after many years, Blue Jasmine is about a high fashion, ultra-rich Manhattan socialite - she is all that not because of herself - she is not even a graduate, but because of her husband Hal (Alec Baldwin, in a very apt casting). "He swept me off the feet" says Jasmine, not once but many times, after the things turn dreadfully wrong. Hal goes to jail in a Bernie Madoff-way, all the money, goods and property are taken by the State; and Jasmine is all left alone to face reallity. - She doesn't even have enough money to pay rent for the apartment.

So she moves to her sister's apartment in San Francisco.  Ginger (amazing Sally Hawkings, very natural) is a working class and hasn't heard from her rich sister in years. What follows is a sequence of comic situations in a very dark way and a detailed character study of our herione, Jasmine.

Writing his best, even at 80's, Woody Allen has a gift for quirky narrative. It is amazing the way he crafts his script, altering between dark comedy and neurotic drama. And also, the way he lets her lead to shine - Blanchett has apparently the best film ever which a heroine can dream of. It is a film which allows Blanchett to throw all her emotions. She is angry, frustrated, flirtatious, happy, jealous, amazed and finally, mad - all this in just an hour and a half of runtime. In any other hands, the character would have turned into a caricature. But Blanchett plays it with such a vulnerability and conviction that she turns Jasmine into a full flesh and bone character. She is the actor of the year undoubtedly.

Blue Jasmine is an amazing film. It shows how a great artist like Woody Allen never loses his luster and command in his craftmanship. And it shows how a great actress like Cate Blanchett can turn a repellent character into a empathetic one.

Jasmine doesn't plays in Indian cinemas, but you should definitely catch it on home video.

4/5

Review - Argo

"Ar-GO F**K YOURSELF"

After a very long time, I was on the edge of my seat in the climax of a film. The last time was in perhaps, "Dog Day Afternoon", Sidney Lumet's unmatched masterpiece. This time, was for Ben Affleck's Argo, a movie about a fake movie, based on Iran Hostage Crisis of early 1980s. And what exactly does Argo means? Yes, you read the post's title.

So we are in a time when diplomatic relations of United States and Iran were very bad (they are no good still today, whatever). Over 60 people in US embassy in Tehran were kept hostage as an reaction to political asylum given to infamous Shah of Iran. This hostage situation went over one year. Some few lucky embassy staff went into hiding in Canadian Embassy. Now people at CIA and White House all plan and plot to evade these poor souls. Our hero, Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) comes into picture suggesting an idea of making a fake movie and eventually performing a charade at the International Airport. 

Ben Affleck is heart and soul of the film. He directed it with pitch perfection - the tension he creates during the last 30 minutes or so proves that he is no less than Clint Eastwood when it comes to actor directing a film. Alan Arkin's turn as a Hollywood producer is a treat as well. Credit should also be given to casting director who casted various Middle Eastern actors. Editing by William Goldenberg and music by Alexandre Desplat is worth a mention too.

Argo is a rare kind of a film which hardly as any apparent flaws. With a tight script, whose accuracy might cause a debate, director Affleck has made a film which not only entertains you but also provides a fine outlook at the history. It might not be as intellectual as "Lincoln", but surely hundreds times more entertaining and engaging. Argo is certainly worth many watches over and over again.

4/5

Review - Amelie

Amelie is like a cool breeze. It is refreshingly original, charming and funny at the same time.

Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet's 2001 film "Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain" is a wonderful piece of cinema. It is a perfect feel-good film, leaves you with a smile at the end credits. The film portrays a whimsical yet fairly realistic facet of Paris - the people, the landscape, the atmosphere - its all quintessentially français.

The film is about a young naive girl, Amelie Poulain, who helps all the people around her and finds love along the way.

The film is a writing marvel. Some of the instances in the film are strikingly original and innovative at the same time. Let it be the scene where Amelie guides Nino with various signs along the road, or the scene in which Amelie reproduces the letter of her neighbour with cutting/pasting and photocopying. Or be it be the small plot regarding garden gnome travelling across the world - the film has excellent screenplay. Director Jean and

Guillaume Laurant should be congratulated for such a high grade of witty writing.

Audrey Tautou is the main attraction here - her Amelie is cute and lovable - yet wicked, but in a sweet way. Audrey has a charming smile, her innocent face may remind you of some 8-year old school-girl. She has played Amelie with such dynamism that you know that she is Amelie and no one else would have played that role instead of her.

Shot extensively with yellow-golden hues by Bruno Delbonnel, the film showcases some beautifully composed shots ever put on screen. Music by Yann Tiersen is lovely - showcasing use of accordion at its best.

The film is not without flaws, specially in the middle, the film somewhat drags. But overall, if you miss Amelie, you will probably miss 2 hours of joy and happiness.

3.5/5

 

Review - Moonrise Kingdom

This young love is indeed sweet and delightful

Someone's missing, chief?

 Moonrise Kingdom is a typical Wes Anderson film (The Royal Tenenbaums, The Darjeeling Limited, Fantastic Mr. Fox) - quirky, charming and extremely funny.. It is about a 12-year old couple, Sam and Suzy, who run away to an isolated island somewhere off the coast of New England, causing an absolute chaos in the respective families.

Sam and Suzy met first time during a church performance by Benjamin Britten, causing love at first sight for both of them. They become pen pals, sharing their secrets and day to day incidents. Both of them had their problems - Sam was an orphan and least popular among his fellow boy scouts and his foster parents; while Suzy felt neglected by her parents and often thought that she was a 'troubled child'. Hence, both of them made a plan to run away. Khaki Scout leader Randy Ward (Edward Norton) creates a search party of boy scouts to find them, while Captain Sharp (Bruce Willis) also engages in search.

Both the leads, Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward gave a very natural and unforced performance which is rather rare to find in the age group of pre-teens. Edward Norton and Bill Murray (playing father of Suzy) are absolute delight to watch - specially Norton, whose comic timing is impeccable. We also have Tilda Swinton in a short role of Social Services official - she is just amazing.

Strength of Moonrise Kingdom, however, is its writing - the whole story evokes nostalgia - bed-time story feel,  much to the credit of Wes Anderson,  he treated this film as a part-fantasy. If there is anything such as 'visual comic timing', then Wes Anderson is a master of it. The dialogs are witty and clever and there is never a dull moment in the 96-minutes run time. Music by Alexandre Desplat is whimsical and as always, fits perfectly to the film.

Moonrise Kingdom is an amazing film - it feels that you have seen the landscapes, the characters in your childhood - which is the best thing about the film. However, a word to parents of small kids - there is a scene involving both the leads where they explore their sexuality - which might be too bold for some of the audiences' taste. Rest is highly entertaining, joyful and funny ride. Don't miss it.

3.5/5

Short Review - Snatch

Guy Ritchie's 2001 crime/comedy 'Snatch' is pretty similar to his 1998 film Lost, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, but it is hardly as funny or engaging as the later. Weird and exaggerated characters (which includes a wonderful turn by Brad Pitt as indecipherable gypsy) along with "fabricated from top to bottom" plot, Snatch offers some good laughs. The story is somehow needlessly complex, and the various subplots do not churn out very nicely together. 
Ritchie is always known for his style, and Snatch never falls short in that department - swift cuts, rocking music and some innovative narrative devices. But style cannot lead substance, can it?
Unfortunately at the very end, the film hardly delivers excitement and sheer fun which it promises. In short, Snatch is above average stuff. If you pass this one, you'll hardly miss anything special.

2.5/5

Review : The Village (2004)

Despite of logical plot holes, The Village works mainly because of its basic concept, eerie atmosphere and wonderful performances

The review may contain possible spoilers.

M. Night Shyamalan is known for his twist endings - Some of them worked wonderfully (The Sixth Sense) and some others were universally panned (Lady in the Water). The Village, however, is a borderline case - its twist works and it doesn't. Set in a brooding isolated town, The Village tells a story about people believing that their "pact" with mysterious creatures larking in the nearby woods has ended.

To some viewers, the whole idea of some group of people creating their own isolated community, cut off from the whole world in a wildlife preserve may seem illogical, but you can give credit to the basic idea - how better the world will be without all the crimes. Mr. Shyamalan had good intentions, although the script was a bit faulty.

The film features stellar cast like Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, Sigourney Weaver and William Hurt, but among them all, Bryce Dallas Howard, playing the lead Ivy Walker, steals the show. Her character is blind and yet Bryce played it with such a strength and power that Ivy never looks weak or helpless. She has mesmerizing eyes which gives you a tinge of innocent. The scene in the end where Ivy reaches the "town" for the medicines and not knowing that she has stepped into 21st century is brilliantly acted.

James Newton Howard's music is eerie and yet very soothing. The movie is gorgeously shot by Roger Deakins. The Village has downright chilling atmosphere - the village is very quite, silent, like calm before storm.In the very end, Shyamalan is a good director and no so good writer. The Village is worth a watch, only if you watch it with open mind and stop applying your logic for a bit.

3.5/5

Titanic 3D - Review

3D makes you relive those moments - those moments of passion, terror and tragedy. Titanic in every dimension, is spectacular...

 

"How extraordinary! And it looks the same as it did the last time I saw it.  The reflection has changed a bit."

These lines were told by Rose (played by wonderful Gloria Stuart) when she first sees an old mirror from Titanic, restored from the wreck. Same goes for this 1997 film, which created a history, a phenomenon - which is the fifth highest grossing film of all time (yes, ahead of Avatar, if you adjust for inflation) and is now presented in post-converted 3D by the director James Cameron. When it was released all those years ago, experts predicted it a box-office bomb. Cameron had to fight with studio executives for its budget and length. But against all odds, Titanic was perhaps most successful film of modern cinema. 

The film starts as a treasure hunting film, and then it goes to flashback - how Rose was unhappy - how she was trapped in the fake high class society - how Jack brought up Rose's carefree, full of life spirit - how the Ship met its tragic day and how ultimately the whole event altered Rose's life.

Leonardo Di Caprio played Jack with high spirit and vigor. "I am the king of the world", he screams at top of his lungs standing on the edge of the Titanic. But Kate Winslet steals the show - specially her last scene - the scene where she gathers all of the air from his lungs and blows the whistle - marvelous. Billy Zane's Cal is cartoonish, stereotypical and yet fun. Kathy Bates leaves quite an impression in her short but well performed role of Molly Brown.

But hero of the film is James Cameron - his direction, his vision and his presentation. Ranging from subtle transition shots of young Rose to 100 years Rose, to sweeping shots of the ship in early scenes and finally the splitting of the ship - Cameron uses his camera in a most effective manner and presents director of photography's (Russell Carpenter) work as the best he can. Visual effects are a milestone for modern cinema, even after 15 years they never feel outdated or imposed. Music by James Horner is remarkable - vocals by Sissel Kyrkjebø, amazing use of flute and bagpipe with Irish touch is outstanding. Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" is annoying - however it does complies with film's schmaltzy romance.

Script is flawed - specially the dialogues, they are too flawed. Cheesy, cringe worthy and unintentionally funny. Since James Cameron is no Aaron Sorkin, his script is mercilessly stuffed with typical Hollywood romance and conventional storyline. A poor boy meets rich girl, the girl falls for the boy, they fall in love; girl's family disapprove of the boy - I don't know how many Bollywood films will resemble this story. 

3D conversion for Titanic is pretty good - some standout scenes in 3D include a very early scene where Rose gets out of her car wearing an enormous hat, the departure of Titanic, "King of the World" scene, "I am flying" scene, Rose and Jack running through the steam in the engine compartment, and almost every scene of the last hour. 3D however, does decreases the brightness. If you take off the glasses and you can see how dark the footage becomes. But that's just nitpicking, the film is pretty bright with glasses as well.

It is hard to find someone who hasn't seen Titanic yet. Almost everyone has seen it. And yet, each time you see it, it brings something new, something resounding. Titanic is a homage to all those souls who died on that tragic night. It is a wonderful piece of cinema, and a certain classic.