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Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Amazing Movie
Slumdog Millionaire is the story of Jamal Malik, a slum dweller from Mumbai and his travails that culminates in him landing as the winner of 20 million rupees in a game show and eventually joining is true love.
As such, the movie is not a masterpiece or a piece of gem that has been conjured out of thin air. It is a Bollywood movie told Hollywood style.
What makes 'Slumdog Millionaire' stand apart is that it is not the run of the mill story that we have been used to over the years. Even in projection of the poverty and the way of life in slums, there is a celebration of the manner in which their conditions are portrayed rather than merely making an attempt to provoke and elicit sympathy of the viewers.
The big plus of the movie is its style of narration. Its racy, its engaging and it shifts from one frame to another so fast that your emotional curve will also keep hopping very quickly. Before you start to think of crying, you will be laughing, before you soak in the anguish of the pain or suffering of the characters, you will be intensely absorbed in what is about to unfold next.
The movie, as it is originally derived from Vikas Swarup's novel, is a kind of page turner. The editing, screenplay has been woven so well to suit the medium of cinema and keep the interest level of the audience very high without letting them droop even for one moment.
For all these reasons, Slumdog Millionaire is notable, yet it is these very reasons that don't make it a hardcore attempt at unraveling the layers of life of the Indian poor.
And for the argument of those who say it is a commercial potboiler that exploits the story of the slums to make moolah, they cannot be more wrong. Nowhere has there been an attempt made to glorify the life of its characters in a manner such that it would be deemed as exploitative.
Rahman's music is different and vibrant, but it is loud and glaring for the most part. Those who have been mesmerized by the dream music of Rahman will certainly feel it is not his best but who cares? Do the best works always fetch you awards? The awards are more of a recognition of Rahman's talent and it is high time the world took notice of the Mozart of Madras .
Cinematography is painstakingly beautiful and suits that vacillating pattern in which the story unfolds. There is one factor that has sat pretty well for the movie though no one will ever want to fathom that connection. Mumbai has been in the news after the 26/11 attacks and so a film with Mumbai as its soul is bound to grab everyone's attention and surely it has grabbed the eyeballs of the Oscar jury by its retina can I say? Everybody in the film has done their role neatly but the pick of the lot was the boy who played the youngest of Jamal, the protagonist of the movie. With his natural performance, abundance of energy and mischievous smile, he steals the show.
Go watch it, for it is path breaking in the sense that it will tell Bollywood film makers the way to tell enchanting stories minus the usual formula. Leave all your pretensions and see the film with an open mind and you are bound to enjoy it. After all who will not like to see the rise of an underdog?
The Dark Knight (2008)
8th Wonder
Where do I begin ? If the Dark Knight was edible it would be the most savored delicacy on the planet right now. For the connoisseurs of cinema who eat, sleep and breathe movies, it cannot get better. Dark Knight, the sequel to the 2005 movie batman Begins is a motley of action, adrenalin, intrigue, complexity, humor, wit, paradox, fun, fisticuffs, flying fins and a plethora of other ingredients in a deadly concoction none more perniciously supreme in their potency to absorb your mind, body and soul than the character of JOKER.
If you thought that the Dark Knight was a movie on Batman, yes you are right, but the definitive description of the the first movie on the comic hero that does not feature his name on the title, is as Heath ledger opines in one of the scenes "You Complete me", Batman is only a significant element of the large scheme of things that is primarily defined by the Joker.
Heath Ledger in one of the most menacing roles that will be etched in the history of cinema for years to come, is definitely the hero of the movie who is evidently seen by the audience, but the silent revolution that has sparked this sandstorm is the director Christopher Nolan. Christopher's brother Nolan joins him on board and the Nolan brothers partner to script and deliver the most incredible movie experience you will be treated to in your lifetime.
The fact that the movie was marketed with the tag line " Why so serious", exemplifies the point that it revolves around Joker and why not ? With a make up that belies the vicious undertones and the heinous flurry of catastrophe that mind his waiting to unleash on the city of Gotham, Heath Ledger as Joker epitomizes vile, villainy, vice, wickedness, and nefarious intentions in a manner that makes you secretly admire the role in stunned silence.
There is much more than just mesmerizing performance that marks this landmark film. There are pulsating moments of pulverizing action loaded with pot boiling stunts performed with hair raising perfection. Couple of moments are sure to haunt you for a long time after you have seen the movies. One is when the Batman leaps into the air to board an aircraft on the move and the other is when a truck demonstrates a somersault that will put Olympic gymnasts to shame.
Gadgetry is an essential part of the movie that shows how a sobbing millionaire becomes vivacious vigilante of his town and there is no dearth of them in this edition of the Batman experience. The Dark knight's preferred mode of travel, the all terrain tank tumbler paves way for a sleek Bat pod on which he rides the audience into the world of daredevil action.
The movie is as pointed out earlier, set in a manner that makes the Batman question himself his actions at every stage and more of an introspective chapter in his quest to save Gotham. It is a dark movie in which the Batman digs deep to unravel his emotional facet.
The Dark Knight is truly revolutionary. It sets your senses on a spellbinding spree. Given its intrigue and complexity, it warrants multiple viewing to grasp the full depth of the range of ideas conveyed, to soak in the scintillating milieu of action and to relish the anarchy the Joker brings to the table.
The Water Horse (2007)
Very kind movie
Water horse was a wonderful experience. It is basically about human emotions, particularly the longing for loved ones and the solitude one has to endure in their absence. The movie could vaguely be split into two halves, the first one hour moves slowly and one gradually warms up to the visual treat that follows in the latter part. The feeling was more akin to reading a book than watching a movie.
The pivotal roles in the movie are shared by a little boy, Angus MacMorrow played by Alex Etel and a mythical creature aka water horse which the boy christens Crusoe. Although it may sound clichéd, the chemistry between them was amazing. The special effects were so good that you would not notice anything distinctive as graphics. The strength of the movie has to be said, is the story and wonderful screenplay, woven as I mentioned earlier, like an engaging book. All the performances in the movie were apt and each one plays their part to the T. The scenic beauty which is an inseparable part of the movie was soothing to the eyes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming fare. Though it may appear as a kid's movie, I guess, any ardent movie lover would be pleasantly surprised by the film. Heartwarming story, great acting, good to watch!
The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)
Treat for the fans of action/comedy genre
Forbidden Kingdom is a movie, fans of the action/comedy genre will enjoy. The story centers on some legend and so you could call it a fantasy movie in some sense. Fans of Jackie Chan and Jet Li will love it. The action sequences in the movie are power packed and full of stylish kicks and flips in the air that have come to be so popular since the premiere of 'Crouching tiger, hidden Dragon' . The protagonist is a teenage Kung-Fu fanatic, played by Michael Angarano and the bloke has done justice to the role.
I just enjoyed the whole movie, especially since I'm a great fan of Jackie. The movie strides on a paper thin plot, but it is more than sufficient to give an hour and half of enjoyable experience. If you are an avid fan of action sequences that Jackie Chan and Jet Li have come to epitomize, you will relish this treat.
It is strictly not recommended for the serious minded folks though. There is more form over substance but a refreshing new experience delivered by two veterans. If you are game for some harmless moments of adorable action, strongly punctuated with an undercurrent of humor, just go see it!
An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
The hot seat
Al gore - does that name ring a bell? Probably it reminds you about Bush, as the world witnessed intense battle between these two candidates for the world's most powerful post! Yes, the fortunate or the unfortunate runner up in the 2000 US Presidential elections that saw the tyranny called Bush take over the reigns at White House and the bloody gore the world has had to suffer as its aftermath. Inconvenient truth is about Al Gore or is it? Here he leaves behind the scars of not becoming the commander of Air force one and wears the cap of an environmental activist. From Iraq bombings he switches track to Global warming. In this 2006 Oscar winning documentary, the former deputy of Bill Clinton issues a Global warning about the impending quagmire that the world will force itself into if the Climate issue is not addressed.
The documentary shot in the form of a presentation that The 2007 Nobel Peace Prize winner makes to a select American audience is a blend of subtle expression and startling statistics that eases the audience gradually into the core subject matter. With visual aids adorning the otherwise dark backdrop, Al Gore painstakingly pitches in for the need to realize the gravity of the situation.
He leaves no stone unturned in his quest, as he forks in data from the days of his graduation to the recent samples that indicate a total unanimity among the scientific group about the existence and the concomitant ramifications of Global warming. Traveling from the North Pole to the South Pole, from Greenland to Antarctica, covering a host of areas around the globe from the US to Europe to China to India, the documentary is a testimony to the efforts that Al gore has committed to the cause of making people aware of Global Warming.
The documentary lends a personal touch to itself as Gore disembarks from the world at large to experiences in his own life, about how his father gave up tobacco farming after the death of his elder sister, the difficult times he had to face as his son was tethered in the hospital bed and displayed great courage in the face of death. He owes it to his professor at the college for throwing light about Global warming in formative days.
At times he stokes with sarcasm and satire about the American way of political thinking, the audacity of American commercial establishments to disrespect human life with utter impudence, about how the United States acts as the biggest polluter and contributor of Global warming to the tune of 30%. The photography in 'An inconvenient truth' is mesmerizing to say the least, it has enough awe to make the desired impact and leave a lasting impression about the perils of not taking any steps to purge the evils that shroud the earth. From the picture of the Blue rise taken from the Apollo mission, to the Muslims formed by molten water gushing through the crevices in ice capped land masses, there is a touch of class about it.
'An inconvenient Truth' may not be a bone chilling experience but it leaves your feet cold. It may not be a numbing experience but it has you thinking. It is a sincere attempt sans any glamor or grudge that everyone has to watch as responsible citizens of this world to get a glimpse of the current situation and develop an understanding of the need to look at the future with a certain perspective.
The documentary is a stunning glory for the Gore team in authentically brining out the gory consequences we have to face if we do not act quickly on the burning issue of 'Global warming'.
The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
Entertaining Fantasy movie
Spiderwick chronicles is one hell of a fantasy movie. There is the magic book or the field diary, hidden creatures that are invisible, there is the circle of protection to keep the enemy at shores, plenty of fast paced action and magnificent graphics that transport you to a whole new world. The only major difference seems to be that, the object of contention, which is the field diary in this movie is with the good people and they seek to protect it and have to travel nowhere to capture it from the wrong hands.
There is an eerie start at the beginning of the movie much akin to horror flicks and there seems to be vile in the air around you. It later unfolds into a mind boggling experience with sterling performance from Freddie Highmore. A thorough entertainer for all ages.
There is also the inevitable human touch to the movie that is primarily hallucinatory. The climax was brilliant and in general you will at the edge of your sets for most part of this film. Spiderwick chronicles is a terrific journey that you must not miss to experience.
21 (2008)
Another way to earn money
21 is as much a story of an intellectually bright kid wanting to break into Harvard Medical School with a scholarship that promises to take care of the entire course fee as it is about the game of Blackjack. I don't know anything about blackjack nor I understood its aspects by watching the movie, yet it was fun. With its protagonists and leading character being the brightest minds of the MIT, some of the conversations in the movie tend to make you look stupid. The scene when Ben Campbell explains how he will choose the door behind which the car will be present in a game show accounting for some hi funda factors like Variable change is a case in the point. I have to confess that I did not make out anything about it.
There are many such instances, but the movie is not about the technicalities. It is about the life changing experience that Ben undergoes through the steps that he undertakes to collect money to fund his Harvard ambitions. The turn of things are indeed bizarre and certainly he does dazzle and jump out to merit your attention.
This is a movie which students on the crossroads of moving abroad for pursuing higher studies will relate to more than others but having said that, it is a movie for all. Fun to watch. So catch 21 for some lighter moments even if your in the midst of a catch 22 situation.
Dasavatharam (2008)
A very average movie
Once again it was proved that the writers, directors and producers of other language films, are a step ahead in putting innovative ideas on the screen. Instead of going for routine, commercial, faction-related, or love backdrop films, a novel story on biological-war was molded on the screen in a different way. The gripping screenplay, the ebullient performance of Kamal Haasan in 10 different characters, which is in no way connected with each other and with a vast variation made 'Dasavatharam' a fantastic and marvelous piece on the celluloid.
A Telugu NRI scientist Govindu (Kamal Haasan) accidentally prepares a bacteria which has the capability of killing a living being in no time and at the same time, gets doubled immediately causing a vast danger not only to the entire mankind but also to all the living beings. In order to gain an upper hand among all, the US President, George Bush (Kamal Haasan), plans to use them for his wars and at the same time, an international mafia gang leader Fletcher (Kamal Haasan) wants to grab it. In this process, the mafia woos the leader of the scientists with huge money. Learning this, Govindu decides to destroy the vial containing the virus somehow. While taking it away, it accidentally slips and goes through a courier to India. Govindu reaches India in search of the parcel and finally able to get it. However, the packet goes into the hands of Kamakshi (Kamal Haasan), an old woman, who was mentally-retarded. She drops the vial containing the virus in an idol of Lord Vishnu. Fletcher attacks Govindu and both these come under the surveillance of a police officer called Balaram Nadar (Kamal Hassan). Somehow, to escape from Fletcher, Govindu takes away the idol and Lakshmi (Asin) follows him. After traversing several miles, both of them become friends. In the process, the come across a Sikh pop singer Avatar (Kamal Haasan), Punyakoti (Kamal Haasan) and Karimulla (Kamal Haasan). Did Govindu was able to save the mankind from the spread of deadly virus? Did the US President or the mafia leader Fletcher were able to grab it? Whether Balaram Nadar could help Govindu from Fletcher? What is the role of a Japanese martial art fighter in the episode? In the beginning, the NRI scientist reveals the story of a 13th century AD in which there is a fight between the Vaishnavites and Shivites? What is the relation between that story and the present generation story? Answers to all these questions form part of the climax.