I was sold with
the Godzilla trailer – much as I tried to avoid watching it. But if member serves me right I saw it before
Noah @ IMAX Wadala. The trailer was so
brilliantly made that I sent a shiver up my already weak spine. My only apprehension after the trailer was –
like in many cases before – whether the trailer was the movie. Godzilla, I am thrilled to say, had much more
to offer.
Showing posts with label Bryan Cranston. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bryan Cranston. Show all posts
Saturday, 17 May 2014
Thursday, 22 November 2012
Drive
This one is a very tricky one to review. Because once you have seen Drive you will know that there can be only two kinds of people. Those who loved Drive OR those who hated Drive. There can be no in-betweeners. Now one can argue for the sake of arguing that s/he found it OK but that would probably a giveaway for the seasoned movie watcher that actually, you have probably not seen the movie.
And if you find it difficult to believe what I am saying, you need to put yourself upto watching Drive. And don’t worry. It will not be too much of a risk that you will take. Because if you come from the latter group of people, you would just walk out of the hall without batting an eyelid. The first few minutes have very little spoken word – in fact that’s how the rest of the movie is as well.
I am going to go out on a limb and question why Drive was not nominated for a screenplay Oscar this year. You had the likes of Ides of March which I thought was one of THE most over rated movies last year. But the striking effort of Hossein Amini (screenplay) to convert James Sallis’ 2005 novel to the screen has been overlooked by many. It is an art to just say what is required and leave the rest to imagination and Amini (Shanghai) does just that. I thought this was the best aspect.
And then there is the courage that Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn gets to the table in terms of going ahead with the screenplay. The courage to make the right cuts. The courage to leave a lot unsaid and give the audience credit for its intelligence – much as the world is moving towards spoon feeding. I thought Refn did a fabuous job and would have been in the running for a nomination. BAFTA acknowledged it, the Academy didn’t. Tough luck for Refn.
And why the academy thought that Drive was not good enough to make the top 10 for last year can make it to Reader’s Digest’s “Mysteries of the Unexplained” easily. Firstly, they had only 9 nominations and Drive could easily have been the 10th. More importantly, they had Terence Malik’s Tree of Life that made it to the top 9 and Drive didn’t. Weird I tell. But then, I am no one to comment on why Tree of Life made it. Maybe there was a subtle, higher than life message that I missed.
Closing off with remarks on how Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan who were amazing in the lead. Gosling has definitely come of age over the past year of two. And Mulligan could have easily pipped Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) for a nomination. You may or may not like Drive as I pointed out earlier but my verdict would still stand @ 8 on 10.
Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2772212761/
And if you find it difficult to believe what I am saying, you need to put yourself upto watching Drive. And don’t worry. It will not be too much of a risk that you will take. Because if you come from the latter group of people, you would just walk out of the hall without batting an eyelid. The first few minutes have very little spoken word – in fact that’s how the rest of the movie is as well.
I am going to go out on a limb and question why Drive was not nominated for a screenplay Oscar this year. You had the likes of Ides of March which I thought was one of THE most over rated movies last year. But the striking effort of Hossein Amini (screenplay) to convert James Sallis’ 2005 novel to the screen has been overlooked by many. It is an art to just say what is required and leave the rest to imagination and Amini (Shanghai) does just that. I thought this was the best aspect.
And then there is the courage that Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn gets to the table in terms of going ahead with the screenplay. The courage to make the right cuts. The courage to leave a lot unsaid and give the audience credit for its intelligence – much as the world is moving towards spoon feeding. I thought Refn did a fabuous job and would have been in the running for a nomination. BAFTA acknowledged it, the Academy didn’t. Tough luck for Refn.
And why the academy thought that Drive was not good enough to make the top 10 for last year can make it to Reader’s Digest’s “Mysteries of the Unexplained” easily. Firstly, they had only 9 nominations and Drive could easily have been the 10th. More importantly, they had Terence Malik’s Tree of Life that made it to the top 9 and Drive didn’t. Weird I tell. But then, I am no one to comment on why Tree of Life made it. Maybe there was a subtle, higher than life message that I missed.
Closing off with remarks on how Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan who were amazing in the lead. Gosling has definitely come of age over the past year of two. And Mulligan could have easily pipped Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) for a nomination. You may or may not like Drive as I pointed out earlier but my verdict would still stand @ 8 on 10.
Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2772212761/
Sunday, 21 October 2012
Argo
I have always respected Ben Affleck as a director in comparison to Ben Affleck the actor. Most movies where Affleck has been in the lead role have exposed his weakness. I can think of probably one movie where his performance as an actor was quite controlled and well executed – Valentines Day (if I remember correctly).
But the minute our man dons the director’s hat, he seems to be much better placed. I thought The Town was slow but it was quite well made. There was an effort to paint a picture with each character and the overall story. Ditto with Gone Baby Gone. Both were very intense movies.
I have heard that both Affleck and Matt Damon – the young guard of Hollywood about 20 years back are great thinkers when it comes upto cinema. Screenplay and direction. With Argo, Affleck has definitely taken himself to the next level – both as a director as well as an actor.
Cora Lijek (Clea DuVall), Mark Lijek (Christopher Denham), Kathy Stafford (Kerry Bishé), Joe Stafford (Scooty McNairy), Bob Anders (Tate Donovan) and Lee Schatz (Rory Cochrane) owe their lives to one Antonio Joseph Mendez (Ben Affleck). Tony was or should I say is an exfiltration expert of sorts – someone who specializes in getting people out a particular troubled country and take them back home.
Why does he need to do that because the 6 of them are holed up @ the house of the Canadian Ambassador to Iran – Ken Taylor (Victor Garber). This is after the revolutionary Iranians take the US Embassy Hostage on the 4th November 1979. Our 6 diplomats escape just in the nick of time and find their way to Ambassador Taylor’s house after being rejected by a couple of other embassies.
Along with Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin) and Academy award winner John Chambers (John Goodman), Tony hatches a plot to make a sci-fi movie – Argo. It would be set in a middle eastern location. To ensure that there are doubts which creep up, the team does everything that a movie maker would have been expected to do from the script to the director to press releases to posters – the works.
Argo differs from most other espionage movies on two major counts. Firstly there is a distinct addition of humour that makes it easy to watch. There are almost no action sequences but enough and more of edge of the seat drama. Other than these 2 aspects there is a stunning start with a background of the revolution which grabs you by the scruff of your neck and pushes you down to your seat.
Great use of fade in and fade outs at the appropriate moments. Some really good camera work there. The use of 2 audio tracks overlapping like when the Iranians are proclaiming that severe action will be taken on the hostages and the Argo screenplay reading is being done for the press – superb!!! The screenplay is fantastic.
My prediction – Argo should get nominated in the top 10 of the year. It would get a nomination for screenplay and just maybe (an outside chance based on the Hollywood movies that I have seen this year) a nomination for direction for Affleck. If none of these work out… Argo Fuck Yourself (watch to understand). 8 on 10.
Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1537319449/
And read the article on the Canadian Caper http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Caper
But the minute our man dons the director’s hat, he seems to be much better placed. I thought The Town was slow but it was quite well made. There was an effort to paint a picture with each character and the overall story. Ditto with Gone Baby Gone. Both were very intense movies.
I have heard that both Affleck and Matt Damon – the young guard of Hollywood about 20 years back are great thinkers when it comes upto cinema. Screenplay and direction. With Argo, Affleck has definitely taken himself to the next level – both as a director as well as an actor.
Cora Lijek (Clea DuVall), Mark Lijek (Christopher Denham), Kathy Stafford (Kerry Bishé), Joe Stafford (Scooty McNairy), Bob Anders (Tate Donovan) and Lee Schatz (Rory Cochrane) owe their lives to one Antonio Joseph Mendez (Ben Affleck). Tony was or should I say is an exfiltration expert of sorts – someone who specializes in getting people out a particular troubled country and take them back home.
Why does he need to do that because the 6 of them are holed up @ the house of the Canadian Ambassador to Iran – Ken Taylor (Victor Garber). This is after the revolutionary Iranians take the US Embassy Hostage on the 4th November 1979. Our 6 diplomats escape just in the nick of time and find their way to Ambassador Taylor’s house after being rejected by a couple of other embassies.
Along with Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin) and Academy award winner John Chambers (John Goodman), Tony hatches a plot to make a sci-fi movie – Argo. It would be set in a middle eastern location. To ensure that there are doubts which creep up, the team does everything that a movie maker would have been expected to do from the script to the director to press releases to posters – the works.
Argo differs from most other espionage movies on two major counts. Firstly there is a distinct addition of humour that makes it easy to watch. There are almost no action sequences but enough and more of edge of the seat drama. Other than these 2 aspects there is a stunning start with a background of the revolution which grabs you by the scruff of your neck and pushes you down to your seat.
Great use of fade in and fade outs at the appropriate moments. Some really good camera work there. The use of 2 audio tracks overlapping like when the Iranians are proclaiming that severe action will be taken on the hostages and the Argo screenplay reading is being done for the press – superb!!! The screenplay is fantastic.
My prediction – Argo should get nominated in the top 10 of the year. It would get a nomination for screenplay and just maybe (an outside chance based on the Hollywood movies that I have seen this year) a nomination for direction for Affleck. If none of these work out… Argo Fuck Yourself (watch to understand). 8 on 10.
Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1537319449/
And read the article on the Canadian Caper http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Caper
Friday, 10 August 2012
Total Recall (2012)
When was the last time you saw Kate Beckinsale in a negative role? The word you would be looking for maybe “Never”. And I would love to be informed about an instance if it ever happened in the past. Just another piece of useless info that I may find useful sometime . Having said that, even if this is a first of its kind, I strongly believe that she should not stop picking up such roles. In the nearly 2 hours that you will stay in the hall, she is probably the only reason you will have to actually stay in your seat.
Scenes without Beckinsale, pale in comparison to the rest of the movie. Especially because you have 2 of THE most over rated actors in Hollywood hogging a big chunk of the screen time. An Irish man called Colin Farrell and a Latina looking hottie called Jessica Biel. Both of them are fine human specimens and worth ogling at. But unfortunately, that’s where it ends.
Very rarely has Colin Farrell shown signs of being a good actor. Maybe in The Recruit and Phone Booth. Total Recall doesn’t do much to change it. Most scenes are splattered with the registered Trade Mark constipated, weight of the world on my shoulders look. And the lesser said of Ms. Biel, the better – only in the acting department. Actually, in this one she slips to an all time low I think. Unfortunately, with only 3 key characters hogging the screen time, it gets really difficult.
Total Recall (2012) is almost identical to the 1990 movie of the same name which starred the Austrian born, ex-governor of the great state of California (USA). It is based on the book by famed SciFi writer, Philip Dick. The book is titled “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale”. Credit to the makers of this version that they actually call it out as “Based on the movie – Total Recall (1990)”.
While a lot of the paraphernalia and the breaks in the story line have been removed in this version, the overall concept continues to remain the same. Chemical warfare has got the world to almost an end. There are 2 places left to stay in – The United Federation of Britain (UFB) which is erstwhile Europe & The Colony which is esrstwhile Australia. Both are connected by a mode of transportation called “The Fall” which is a high velocity automobile that goes straight through Mother Earth passing the core on the way.
Douglas Quaid (Farrell), a citizen of The Colony, is a man who is bored of his job that doesn’t seem to be making a difference to anyone’s life. In an attempt to add spice to his life, he goes to a local agency called “Rekall” (yes it is with a K and not C) which promises great memories without changing your life in general. Quaid is married to Lori (Beckinsale) and is troubled with some dreams which shows him trying to escape soldiers of the UFB and saving a girl (Biel) whose name he doesn’t know. At Rekall, he signs up for a memory of a “spy” and as they would say – the roller coaster begins.
Total Recall – this version – is again not upto the mark that it could have reached. Len Wiseman is a strong SciFi director and makes up for the lack of intensity with SFX that are quite good. But after all of that, he only had his Underworld star to bank on and doesn’t really come up with a block buster. Not a must watch. 5 on 10.
Watch the trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi297444633/
Scenes without Beckinsale, pale in comparison to the rest of the movie. Especially because you have 2 of THE most over rated actors in Hollywood hogging a big chunk of the screen time. An Irish man called Colin Farrell and a Latina looking hottie called Jessica Biel. Both of them are fine human specimens and worth ogling at. But unfortunately, that’s where it ends.
Very rarely has Colin Farrell shown signs of being a good actor. Maybe in The Recruit and Phone Booth. Total Recall doesn’t do much to change it. Most scenes are splattered with the registered Trade Mark constipated, weight of the world on my shoulders look. And the lesser said of Ms. Biel, the better – only in the acting department. Actually, in this one she slips to an all time low I think. Unfortunately, with only 3 key characters hogging the screen time, it gets really difficult.
Total Recall (2012) is almost identical to the 1990 movie of the same name which starred the Austrian born, ex-governor of the great state of California (USA). It is based on the book by famed SciFi writer, Philip Dick. The book is titled “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale”. Credit to the makers of this version that they actually call it out as “Based on the movie – Total Recall (1990)”.
While a lot of the paraphernalia and the breaks in the story line have been removed in this version, the overall concept continues to remain the same. Chemical warfare has got the world to almost an end. There are 2 places left to stay in – The United Federation of Britain (UFB) which is erstwhile Europe & The Colony which is esrstwhile Australia. Both are connected by a mode of transportation called “The Fall” which is a high velocity automobile that goes straight through Mother Earth passing the core on the way.
Douglas Quaid (Farrell), a citizen of The Colony, is a man who is bored of his job that doesn’t seem to be making a difference to anyone’s life. In an attempt to add spice to his life, he goes to a local agency called “Rekall” (yes it is with a K and not C) which promises great memories without changing your life in general. Quaid is married to Lori (Beckinsale) and is troubled with some dreams which shows him trying to escape soldiers of the UFB and saving a girl (Biel) whose name he doesn’t know. At Rekall, he signs up for a memory of a “spy” and as they would say – the roller coaster begins.
Total Recall – this version – is again not upto the mark that it could have reached. Len Wiseman is a strong SciFi director and makes up for the lack of intensity with SFX that are quite good. But after all of that, he only had his Underworld star to bank on and doesn’t really come up with a block buster. Not a must watch. 5 on 10.
Watch the trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi297444633/
Saturday, 16 June 2012
Rock of Ages
It has been a really long time since we have got the opportunity to watch a musical in the purest sense of the word. And whats more, I cannot reemeber the last time I saw a musical which was based solely on Rock!!! School of Rock technically was a Rock movie but not really a musical all the way. Rock of Ages addresses that gap – and does it quite well I must say.
Drew Boley (Diego Boneta) is an aspiring musician who has found his way to the most sought after night spot on the famous or should we say infamous “strip” @ Los Angeles. Its called The Bourbon. A place that has been the launch pad for many an artist of the past few years. Chief amongst them being the lead singer of a band called “Arsenal” – Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise). A rock star par excellence. A star whose fame precedes him like nothing else. A fame that makes women throw themselves at him and give up every single piece of their honour and self respect like no one else can. But even Jaxx has his nuances and is going through a really rough patch.
Coming into the scene early on is Sherrie Christian who comes to LA to make a name for herself in the music world and of course the Bourbon is the place she would ideally like to start off with. However, the small town girl gets robbed of all her records on the strip. And guess what – as luck would have it – right in front of the Bourbon. And right when Drew is on the other side of the road. Drew finds her a job @ the Bourbon despite the resistance from Bourbon’s owner – Dennis Dupree (Alec Baldwin).
On the other side, there is the recently elected mayor Mike Whitmore (Bryan Cranston) whose campaign mantra has been cleaning the city of everything that can be harmful to their kids. And chief among the clean up targets is the strip. He is not only supported but also leading the charge is his wife Patricia (Catherine Zeta Jones) who seems to be obsessed with shutting The Bourbon down.
One of the better musicals in recent times and definitely one worth watching, Rock of Ages show cases some really good talent in mixing new age lyrics with some totally classic rock. Don’t look much at direction or acting talent per se. Although there is sufficient amounts of the latter. Nothing much that Adam Shankman could have got to the table per se. But he is definitely saved with some solid performances from the entire cast. I particularly liked Baldwin and Russel Brand. I give it 6.5 on 10. Watch it.
Trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi956080153/
Drew Boley (Diego Boneta) is an aspiring musician who has found his way to the most sought after night spot on the famous or should we say infamous “strip” @ Los Angeles. Its called The Bourbon. A place that has been the launch pad for many an artist of the past few years. Chief amongst them being the lead singer of a band called “Arsenal” – Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise). A rock star par excellence. A star whose fame precedes him like nothing else. A fame that makes women throw themselves at him and give up every single piece of their honour and self respect like no one else can. But even Jaxx has his nuances and is going through a really rough patch.
Coming into the scene early on is Sherrie Christian who comes to LA to make a name for herself in the music world and of course the Bourbon is the place she would ideally like to start off with. However, the small town girl gets robbed of all her records on the strip. And guess what – as luck would have it – right in front of the Bourbon. And right when Drew is on the other side of the road. Drew finds her a job @ the Bourbon despite the resistance from Bourbon’s owner – Dennis Dupree (Alec Baldwin).
On the other side, there is the recently elected mayor Mike Whitmore (Bryan Cranston) whose campaign mantra has been cleaning the city of everything that can be harmful to their kids. And chief among the clean up targets is the strip. He is not only supported but also leading the charge is his wife Patricia (Catherine Zeta Jones) who seems to be obsessed with shutting The Bourbon down.
One of the better musicals in recent times and definitely one worth watching, Rock of Ages show cases some really good talent in mixing new age lyrics with some totally classic rock. Don’t look much at direction or acting talent per se. Although there is sufficient amounts of the latter. Nothing much that Adam Shankman could have got to the table per se. But he is definitely saved with some solid performances from the entire cast. I particularly liked Baldwin and Russel Brand. I give it 6.5 on 10. Watch it.
Trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi956080153/
Monday, 11 July 2011
Larry Crowne
A good solid Romantic Comedy after quite a while is what one would feel after watching Larry Crowne – released last weekend. Not only does Larry Crowne give us an opportunity to watch 2 of the best actors of our time together on screen once again (Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts share screen space after Charlie Wilson’s War) but also treats us to some really acidic and extremely enjoyable humour with just that little bit of romance thrown in as garnish. Tom Hanks takes his position behind the camera for the 2nd time (the first time was with “That Thing you Do” – my question on twitter answered with a bit of research). The 15 year hiatus doesn’t seem to have done much for him from a perspective of direction that it. He was as good or as bad with Larry Crowne as he was with That Thing You Do. Now I am sure all of us have immense respect to Tom Hanks as a director but his presence behind the camera may not have as much of a fan following. He does make the cut comfortably though as in his work is quite decent but nowhere close to people who direct movies for a living. Unlike a Clint Eastwood who is able to translate his experiences in front of the camera to behind it as well – a very rare breed indeed.
Despite all of this, the consummate ease with which Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts essay their characters in Larry Crowne would have been an absolute joy for the tweenagers who shared screen space with them in the movie. Effortless is the word that comes to mind when one looks at their performances and what is commendable is the way they carry the support cast with them. Gugu Mbatha-Raw – an amazing tongue twister of a name – who plays the character of Talia is fluent and seems unfazed in the face of the two behemoths of Hollywood. Wilmer Valderrama (remember Fez from That 70s Show) seems to have come of age and left slapstick behind him (although I am a fan of That 70s). The script is funny for certain and the sarcastic humour helps a lot. When Larry is being inducted to the Scooter Group he is asked to raise his right hand and say something patriotic. He does exactly that – raises his right hand and says, “We will be back after these short messages” – hilarious I say!!!!
Larry Crowne could have done with some more pace but the dialogues and the acting more than make up for the speed of the movie. One has to be patient to keep looking out for the moments that make it a fun movie to watch. I cannot say that it would appeal to all generations alike. But if u give it a chance then you will come out quite pleased about the way you have spent a little over 90 minutes. And yes, interesting bit of trivia. The movie has been written by Tom Hanks and one Nia Vardalos (remember My Big Fat Greek Wedding). That would probably explain where the humour came from. A lovely way to spend your Sunday afternoon with that really special someone. 6 on 10 is definitely on. Maybe more if u are a real sucker for RomComs.
Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1973459993/
Despite all of this, the consummate ease with which Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts essay their characters in Larry Crowne would have been an absolute joy for the tweenagers who shared screen space with them in the movie. Effortless is the word that comes to mind when one looks at their performances and what is commendable is the way they carry the support cast with them. Gugu Mbatha-Raw – an amazing tongue twister of a name – who plays the character of Talia is fluent and seems unfazed in the face of the two behemoths of Hollywood. Wilmer Valderrama (remember Fez from That 70s Show) seems to have come of age and left slapstick behind him (although I am a fan of That 70s). The script is funny for certain and the sarcastic humour helps a lot. When Larry is being inducted to the Scooter Group he is asked to raise his right hand and say something patriotic. He does exactly that – raises his right hand and says, “We will be back after these short messages” – hilarious I say!!!!
Larry Crowne could have done with some more pace but the dialogues and the acting more than make up for the speed of the movie. One has to be patient to keep looking out for the moments that make it a fun movie to watch. I cannot say that it would appeal to all generations alike. But if u give it a chance then you will come out quite pleased about the way you have spent a little over 90 minutes. And yes, interesting bit of trivia. The movie has been written by Tom Hanks and one Nia Vardalos (remember My Big Fat Greek Wedding). That would probably explain where the humour came from. A lovely way to spend your Sunday afternoon with that really special someone. 6 on 10 is definitely on. Maybe more if u are a real sucker for RomComs.
Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1973459993/
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