Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen June 29, 2009
Posted by Shujath in English, Movies, Reviews.Tags: Hollywood, English, Movie, Film, Review, DVD, blockbuster, Michael Bay, Steven Spielberg, Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Optimus Prime, Megatron, Josh Duhamel, Sam Witwicky, Visual Effects, CGI, 2009, Destiny, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Transformers 2, Transformers II, Bad Reviews, Autobots, Decepticons, Bumblebee, Fallen, Fate, Isabel Lucas, John Turturro, Alex Kurtzman, Mikaela, Leo, Ramon Rodriguez, Hugo Weaving, Nigger Robots, Robot humping Megan Fox's leg, Decepticon testicles, All-Spark, Symbols, Egypt, Pyramid Fight, Forest Fight, Explosions, IMAX
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Guys….what’s with all the Bay-bashing!!! I seriously fail to understand why Michael Bay is assumed to be the edifice on which American Cinema stands. Poor guy just makes his own brand of porn which not surprisingly has a large number of takers – what’s the big deal!
Coming to the movie itself, I must admit I didn’t really enjoy the previous installment as much I as might I have wanted to – the main reason (pretty much the same for everyone else) being the incomprehensible action sequences between the Bots. Revenge of the Fallen doesn’t improve much on that count but paradoxically was more enjoyable since I knew what to expect. To put it very simply, the sequel literally provides “more bang for your buck” when compared to the first one – and nothing else. In recent days, there was a lot written about the scenes shot in the native IMAX format. Most of it is hyperbole – first of all there are just about 6-7 minutes of such footage but since most of the film comprises of similar mayhem, there isn’t anything memorable here. I also felt that the regular IMAX up-conversion work was a little patchy. So, there is nothing you’d lose if you don’t check this one out on an IMAX screen.
Most folks from the previous film are back – John Turturro was a nice surprise though. Michael Bay can never be faulted for the amazing visual effects he employs – even if they don’t have the intended impact on the viewer. After watching the first Transformers movie, I neither had the idea that a sequel was coming nor did I want one to transpire. Though I enjoyed this film too, I would prefer to see Bay stick to making more traditional action explosion flicks.
Unless you are an inveterate member of the Michael Bay Hate Club you would want to watch this one. If it interests you (and as you might know if you have been following stuff about this movie) you do get to see “Nigger robots who can’t read”, “Decepticon testicles” and a “robot humping Megan Fox’s leg”.
Gran Torino June 24, 2009
Posted by Shujath in English, Movies, Reviews.Tags: Movie, Film, Review, DVD, blockbuster, 2008, Redemption, Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino, 1972, Hmong People, Racist, Dirty Harry, Get off my lawn, Street Gangs, Initiation, Ahney Her, Bee vang, Christopher Carley, John Carroll Lynch, Confession, Kyle Eastwood, Scott Eastwood, Clint Eastwood's biggest hit
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Whether this was Clint Eastwood’s final appearance on screen or not is still not clear; either ways Gran Torino marks a grand culmination of what Eastwood has represented through his characters all these years. There was wild speculation much before its release that Gran Torino might be the final “Dirty Harry” flick. The initial promos didn’t do much to suggest otherwise. It doesn’t really matter because Walt Kowalski preserves Eastwood’s legacy as good as a “Dirty Harry” or a “Man with No Name”.
Now, if you aren’t a fan of the legend called Clint Eastwood there is really nothing to look forward to from this movie. Walt Kowalski is a Korean War Vet – the bitter experience (it is suggested) of which turns him into a guy who is pretty cynical and angry with the entire world around him – in other words – Vintage Eastwood! Circumstances lead to the blossoming of an unexpected relationship with his Hmong (immigrants/refugees from war-torn Laos) neighbors which culminates finally in a good ol’ cinematic redemption for Kowalski.
I absolutely loved this one purely because of Eastwoods towering presence in a role which so well celebrates his on-screen persona – that he is behind the camera as well is an added bonus. The supporting cast of Ahney Her, Bee vang, Christopher Carley and John Carroll Lynch also do quite well. Gran Torino is a simple yet remarkably strong film built around the aura of its protagonist. It is no doubt one of Clint Eastwoods’s greatest outings as an actor and that’s what makes it a classic of sorts.
Up [3-D] June 11, 2009
Posted by Sai in English, Movies, Reviews.Tags: 2009, 3-D, Angel Falls, animated, badge, balloons, blockbuster, Bob Peterson, Carl Fredricksen, Charles Muntz, Christopher Plummer, Disney, DVD, Ed Asner, Ellie, explorer, Film, floating house, John Ratzenberg, Kevin, Michael Giacchino, Movie, no talking animals, Paradise Falls, Partly Cloudy, Pete Docter, Peter Sohn, Pixar, Review, Russell, south america, stork, Summer, Up, Venezuela, Wilderness Explorer
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Pixar have a winner on their hands yet again. Up is a magical film that appeals to both kids and adults, moreso the latter category.
Up is the story of Carl Fredricksen, a 78 year old balloon seller who has dreamt of taking part in a great adventure all his life, along with his wife Ellie. Following her death he becomes a recluse. When a situation threatens to leave him without his house, he decides to float away in it using an array of balloons. In the process, he inadvertently takes aboard a stowaway. Together, the odd couple embark on an unforgettable adventure to Paradise Falls.
As is usually the case with Pixar, this is a tale that might not sound very enticing when you look at a trailer or read a plot synopsis. However, director Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc.) and screenwriter Bob Peterson (Finding Nemo) ensure that the experience is enchanting.
There are so many beautiful moments in this film. The best of them being the montage featuring the life of Carl and Ellie. Such a beautiful piece told in a simple but elegant manner and set to a wonderful theme composed by Michael Giacchino (Ratatouille, Star Trek, Speed Racer). It makes you wonder how most romcoms and family films fail to capture us in this manner. Are these genres that the best filmmakers avoid? Is there a bankruptcy of ideas? Are studios settling for formula fare even when there is scope to do better?
The beautiful landscapes in the film are unlike anything that I’ve encountered before in an animated film and the 3-D version enhances the viewing pleasure. The fact that I haven’t seen too many 3-D films also makes it more fun to watch it in that format but the experience of the film should be just as good in 2-D.
Interestingly, there are no shock-for-amusement in-your-face gimmicks just because this is a 3-D film. The makers ensure that you are not distracted by such gimmicks, which by now have become boring, and manage to keep you absorbed in the film. This is a welcome change.
As is the case with Pixar’s previous work, this is a must watch film even for those who are not particularly enticed by the thought of watching an animated film or a family film. This film will appeal to all categories of viewers, especially those who are tired of talking animals. Highly recommended!
P.S. Partly Cloudy, directed by Peter Sohn, is the short film preceding Up. It has a novel plot and is executed well but doesn’t measure up to its recent predecessors.
Prayanam June 1, 2009
Posted by Shujath in Movies, Reviews, Telugu.Tags: 2009, Airport, Aryaki Arts, blockbuster, Bomb, Brahmanandam, Chandrasekhar Yeleti, comedy, Daniel, DVD, Film, Harika, Janardhan, Kalpika, KLIA, Love story, Mahesh Khankar, Malaysia, Man with Muscle, Manoj Manchu, Movie, Payal Ghosh, Prayanam, Review, Tamim, Telugu, Tollywood, Two hours, Ugra Naram
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You fall in love with a girl you see at an airport and make up your mind to make her fall in love with you before she catches a plane to go and get married to her fiance. Would such a thing work in real life? Well, in all probability not but the bigger question – Does Chandrasekhar Yeleti’s Prayanam work? Hmm…intermittently.
After trying his hand not so successfully at making a regular Tollywood actioner, Yeleti does a U-turn to make a full fledged comic romance with quite an interesting premise. But apart from the basic plot there is hardly anything in the screenplay that holds your attention. The onus here is more on the individual performers to get their act right and this is where the film scores much better. Manoj has always been considered a fine actor despite not having a single hit till date; and here he succeeds once again in a completely different role from his previous ventures. He is quite charming as the smitten loverboy especially because this is a part you generally do not expect a regular hero to play (with the exception of Siddharth I think – but even his films manage to slip in a fight scene or two).
The female lead Harika is absolutely bland bearing a single facial expression throughout. No matter what the situation, her reaction (which is complete non-reaction) is always the same. The pick of the lot is Kalpika who arguably steals every scene she is featured in. To quote Anupam Kher from a forgettable film – She is just “too qweet”. Going by the scenes in the first half, I was actually expecting a parallel romantic thread to brew between her and Tamim (another great find), but nothing exciting like that happens and disappointingly both their screen times are largely reduced in the second half. Janardhan also shines especially in the “Ugra Naram – man with muscle” story narration episode with Brahmanandam. The latter has ample footage but isn’t given a well etched role like the others.
So, should you take this Prayanam? My answer would be a resounding yes if I have to compare this with some other recent “blockbusters”. However, as a film coming from Chandrasekhar Yeleti this isn’t quite up to the mark but then again everday I encounter life size hoardings of upcoming potential blockbusters like Pista, Ride, Current, Aa Okkadu, Naa Style Veru and what not – which makes me feel I was extremely lucky to watch Prayanam.
Terminator Salvation May 30, 2009
Posted by Sai in English, Movies, Reviews.Tags: 2009, 2018, action, Anton Yelchin, Arnold Schwarzenegger, artificial intelligence, Bryce Dallace Howard, Christian Bale, Common, DVD, English, Film, Future, Helena Bonham Carter, Hollywood, Jadagrace, John Brancato, John Connor, Kyle Reese, machines versus humans, Marcus Wright, McG, Michael Ferris, Michael Ironside, Moon Bloodgood, Movie, post-apocalyptic, Review, robots, Sam Worthington, Science Fiction, sequel, series, Skynet, Summer, T4, Terminator, Terminator 4, Terminator Salvation, The End Begins
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The wait has been long but the payoff isn’t exactly what I hoped for.
Unlike the previous films where John Connor is being chased by robots, this time he is doing the chasing. His mission is to save Kyle Reese (his would be or had been dad) while also trying to destroy Skynet. Somewhere in all this, a new character called Marcus Wright also plays an important role.
Despite all the similarities in structure (almost felt like a remake of its predecessor) and flaws, I still enjoyed Terminator 3 because it still played like a Terminator film. The tension, the excitement, characters that you wanted to care for and a little bit of humor – the elements were all there.
But Terminator Salvation is a different film (written by T3 scribes John Brancato and Michael Ferris). It moves away from the formula and tries to tell a different story, though the goal is to still save a human being from the machines. While the tale is fine, the film does not engage us on an emotional level. You don’t really feel connected to the characters or root for them. You sit there and wait to figure out what its all about and thats it.
The visual effects are quite remarkable and that is the real USP of this film but the action, though exciting, isn’t comparable to previous films because you don’t really care much for the protagonists and therefore, there is no real tension.
Christian Bale (The Dark Knight) is fine but doesn’t impress. Anton Yelchin (Star Trek) is the only actor in the film who seems human enough to relate to (as is the little girl). Helena Bonham Carter (Fight Club) and Bryce Dallace Howard (The Village) are wasted. Sam Worthington gets the biggest and most interesting part in the film.
Director McG (Charlie’s Angels) succeeds in creating some great visuals but this film lacks soul. If you love the series for the action and visual effects, you might like this a bit. But if you were expecting more from this one, you will be disappointed.
Angels & Demons May 23, 2009
Posted by Sai in English, Movies, Reviews.Tags: 2009, Angels & Demons, Angels and Demons, Dan Brown, DVD, English, Film, Hollywood, Large Hadron Collider, Movie, Pope, Review, Robert Langdon, Rome, Ron Howard, sequel, series, Sistine Chapel, Summer, The Da Vinci Code, Tom Hanks, Vatican
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The follow-up to The Da Vinci Code is another thriller involving the Church, riddles and a symbologist – a middle aged male version of Nancy Drew who happens to solve crimes better than the cops.
The main constituents of the team are the same. Director Ron Howard returns and writers David Koepp and Akiva Goldsman adapt Dan Brown’s novel for the screen. The results are also relatively similar. A middling attempt that delivers in some aspects and disappoints in others.
Except for the setting, this film is a thriller with all the familiar elements. Compared to its predecessor, it is less confusing. However, it doesn’t really matter because the plot is simple enough to figure out without the details. And that is where this is a lesser film than The Da Vinci Code (which had its own flaws), in which the details and the mystery were more important than figuring out who the bad guy was (as is the case here). Tom Hanks isn’t any better this time around but Evan McGregor and Stellan Skarsgård provide good support.
If you are looking for a conventional thriller in an unlikely setting, this is a good match. If you are looking for something more, this may not be it.
