WalkThatTalk Reviews

Barefoot (I) (2014)

Piece of garbage

[1/10 · 22 February 2015]

Some original works of art should be better left alone but if one were so inclined to try a reboot, it should more than this what tasteless feeble attempt can offer.

I saw the original German Barfuss which is a classic from star to finish. The original plot is coherent with great acting from the entire cast especially the leading actress (she's phenomenal) and the lead actor is great too. This remake has been made out to be a Hollywood rom-com version without any regard for plot and the lead actors are terrible.

It's pointless to compare the two but I will highlight just one thing. For a movie titled Barefoot, the original movie starts with the leading actress walking to corridors of a mental hospital while the Hollywood remake starts in the promiscuous leading actor's bedroom. You can be the judge.

Serenity (2005)

Science fiction rarely gets any better than this!

[9/10 · 10 October 2010]

I have spent time hunting through for movies worth watching, and although it seems rather wasteful at times but it's when a gem like this falls in your lap that makes it all worth IT.

This is a thoroughly entertaining movie that is rather unknown and unappreciated. It has all the elements of a classic science fiction. Please read on a bit of spoilers/appetizers if u wish..

A world of several galaxies ruled by ruthless and unreasonable federation and outnumbered liberal groups fighting for independence. The federation is out to force their ways on people and subdues free will regardless of the costs. They have a powerful psychic who becomes a threat as she might know a secret so grave that it threatens the very foundation of federation and their methods. Her brother frees her and escapes on a ship with an interesting crew.

This ship becomes the unwilling guardian of the girl and the secret first. In their course they discover how remarkably gifted/cursed that girl and she leads them to the secret. "The secret: Federation tried to control a planet by experimenting on it that killed 90% of the population and turned 10% into cannibalistic monsters. The whole universe is oblivious of this and federations wants to keep it that way." Knowing the secret they are morally bound to transmit it to the entire universe. How's that for a good script?

And yes in the midst of all this is good special effects, action sequences, suspense, clever dialogues and tinge of humor. The entire cast has done a terrific job but Nathan Fillion (Captain of ship) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (soldier of the federation) are exceptional.

To be fair, like any other movie it has it's flaws but if we look past it we can see a thoroughly entertaining 2 hour action packed movie. I was shocked to see that it did so poorly at the box office but then again so did Shawshank Redemption. Anyhow to all the movie buffs i would say give it a shot. And to the director of Serenity i would say could we have a sequel please? There sure is a room for one.

The Kite Runner (2007)

I have to tell you a story!

[10/10 · 7 February 2010]

Just to tell all the readers that this movie is based on the bestselling novel by the same name. I read the novel a few years back and was touched by it's simplicity and authenticity.

The movie is an excellent adaptation of the book and has cleverly picked up all the significant parts. It's one of the very few movies that kept me thinking long after it was over. I would say that the cast is superb, from all the child artists to the rest, everyone fits in very well and does a fantastic job. It's just perfect.

Trait of any good movie is to involve the viewer in a way as if he feels part of the story. The movie does just that. It brings you to the streets of Kabul as it was back in the days, you can feel the cold breeze, touch the sand. In the midst you see the bond between two boys. Their friendship, their devotion and childlike innocence almost reminds you of your own childhood. Then story delves into all the hardships faced by Afghan people after Russian invasion followed by Taliban rule. The story ends on a positive note with a hope of freedom and new life born in the heart of a young boy who had lost his faith.

This is one of the masterpiece of 2007! A must see!

Fast & Furious (2009)

All you need from an action movie.. engines, explosions and Vin Diesel

[8/10 · 5 April 2009]

This movie picks up from where the first movie left off. Dominic(Vin Diesel) and Letty(Michelle Rodriguez) are hiding pulling jobs just for the fun of it but Dom knows that none's safe around him and decides to leave Letty. In the city FBI is trying to get their hands on the Drug-lord (Campos) and Brian (Paul Walker) is on the hunt. Letty makes a deal with Brian to cleanse Dom of all charges and in turn go in undercover as an informant. A job goes bad and she gets killed by the bad guy (Fenix) who works for Campos. Dom goes hungry for revenge and is back on the streets looking for the killer. Brian and Dom team up in catching these bad guys and of course Dom kills Felix. In between all this plot is extreme street racing with big engines and loads of action.

The movie is well directed and fully satiates your hunger for action adventure and speeding cars. I just loved the first movie so i always wanted the same cast appearing again and thankfully this one didn't disappoint.

Vin Diesel is as good as ever.. his screen presence is phenomenal and rest of the cast is great too. I quite liked the opening car race sequence and the rest of the movie was good enough to keep me glued to the chair.

Well in the end Dom gets a trial and Brian as an FBI officer testifies and pleads for dropping of all charges but court finds him guilty and sentences 25 years. Brian and Dom's sister get furious with all this and try to get Dom out and thats where it ends. Another open ending for a possible sequel which makes everyone happy i guess.

He's Just Not That Into You (2009)

Yet another movie about make up and breakups

[7/10 · 15 February 2009]

I must say that this isn't exactly a complete time waste.. but i won't even say that it's worth your money. Its like zillions of the other movies professing about the intricacies of attraction b/w the opposite sex. Director pulls a new way of describing how mind plays tricks on us when we start to quantize relationships and end up screwing them up irreparably instead.

The movie is full of big names like Ben Affleck, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Aniston & Connelly, yet its hard to pick a favorite as everyone has done a terrific job. I liked the relatively young artists Justin Long and Morgan Lily for some very fine performances. However, my personal favorite being a guy is Scarlett.. damn she looks absolutely gorgeous.. i refer to her as the woman in the red dress (from Matrix).. when one sees's the movie then one would know what i mean.

The lives of all the characters are intertwined and effect their lives in mysterious ways(i don't want give away the plot here...). But the whole idea of girls chasing guys is a little hard to buy. However, the movie does its job of bringing the same old subject with hint of freshness and keeps us guessing till the end.

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Darshan do ghanshyam - India at the centre stage

[10/10 · 18 January 2009]

This movie is the best film of 2008 and is destined to sweep many awards , deservingly a couple of Oscars as well. It was a true cinematic treat from Danny Boyle (from Trainspotting), who has been able to bring out wide array of human emotions draped in Indian style but with a taste for universal audience.

Firstly the script is every bit as interesting as a murder mystery and keeps one on his toes, a true genius from Vikas Swarup (debut novelist from India- novel "Q&A"). Boyle doesn't go wrong anywhere from start till the end, be it the choice of the cast, the locations, the music (A.R. Rahman). The cast with small kids (espically Shyam) is truly exceptional, and so is the main lead(Dev Patel) and Irfan Khan. The movies reaches to every nook and corner of Dharavi (biggest slum in Mumbai) and tells the story of all the thousands orphans, and the tormenting life they go through.Story of a kid from slum, survives and fights his way to the top with nothing but hope.

Being an Indian, i am rather sad to admit that most of it is not far from reality but i do hope that movies such as this one can help bring the wider attention to such problems and help the cause. I would certainly say that movies such as this one are rare and should be treasured.

Tropic Thunder (2008)

Hilarious!! A good comedy in years.

[8/10 · 6 October 2008]

I went to see this movie with huge expectations and fortunately i wasn't disappointed. It is loaded with a great star cast and everyone has done their job very well. I was laughing from the moment the three main characters are introduced till the end. I am not a big fan of Ben Stiller and he doesn't do anything different from his usual style here as well, but is well overshadowed by the performances given by Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr.

The opening scene of Downey and Toby Maguire is hilarious and there are no dull moments from there on. Downey plays an actor playing a part of a black soldier in a movie and is living his character. He does this weird ascent and his subtle style of comedy is fantastic. I haven't seen many of Downey's comic roles so far but i bet after this performance there are a lot more on their way.

To make the experience all the more pleasurable was Tom Cruise's performance as a shrewd, hairy and a cranky old businessman. Though his part is quite small but he's done something very different here which is not a typical Tom Cruise style. Certainly a good comedy after a long time.

Taken (I) (2008)

A fast paced action flick but nothing extraordinary.

[6/10 · 5 October 2008]

I don't really agree with most of the comments posted for this movie and i may be an outcast for this but i must be clear on what i felt. Firstly the movie is way over hyped, the billboards comparing it to bourne series, but in reality it doesn't even touch the class of bourne.

The theme sadly brings no surprises (similar to punisher/commando etc.) with a well trained x-military man trying to rescue his daughter being kidnapped. The main character Liam Nesson doesn't look very convincing as a slick killer with wrinkly face and dimensions of a man more fit to be working in a garden with his grandchildren rather than taking on trained militants.

What i did like about the movie was its fast pace and good direction which makes up for a feeble script and cast. The movie has been intelligently grilled with no fancy stunts or hard to believe action sequences but with smart moves. Worth a one time watch.

RocknRolla (2008)

Incredibly funny and yet very powerful.. Guy Ritchie has done it again!!

[8/10 · 7 September 2008]

This is a typical Guy Ritchie film. With a wide range of characters and some very powerful performances to random shots making you wonder where the story is headed but just in time to converge in one final showdown leaving you with just word.. WOW!! I can't help but compare it to SNATCH..as they are similar in so many ways...but SNATCH was much more intense, funny and a better script.

Some very fine performances from Gerard Butler from 300, Tom Wilkinson from Michael Clayton but what really surprised me was outstanding performance by Toby Kebbell. His subtle dialogue and crazy laughter really spells horror and magic at the same time. The story takes you through the world of mafia and spins all dramatic sequences with blood, deceit and loads of humor. The scene where Gerard and his gang escape from the two Russian militants... that scene made me laugh like crazy.

I just loved this movie and i can't wait to see the sequel.

WALL·E (2008)

Animated movies can be more Real than the real ones!!

[10/10 · 6 September 2008]

I saw wall-e just when it was about to be taken off the theatre's in London, and i am so glad i did. It is by far the best animated movie of its generation. Pixar have been able to give a new dimension to the animation with vibrant colours and world class effects but what stole my heart was the emotions fused in that make it a memorable experience. There aren't much dialogues in the movie but still it grips you till the end. Andrew Stanton must really love theatre as he is able to create such spellbinding sequences with movements and not sounds, expressions and not words. Unlike many other movies, there's extensive detailing in the movie. From the rainbow of human emotions, to various heartwarming characters, special effects and a powerful message to top it all. It just leaves you craving for more. Go buy/rent a DVD and see it.