One of the biggest conundrums I have had in recent times. Should I classify The Ghost And The Darkness as an Action movie or a thriller or a horror movie. In the end, I went with Thriller and Horror both. You would not have much or a debate with the rating once you have seen it. I have probably seen it over 10 times to date and each one of those has been an experience that was as scary as the other. Without any exception.
I first saw the story of the worst place on earth - yes that's what Samuel (John Kani) calls Tsavo - way back in 1997 if I remember correctly. The impact that it left on me has been identical ever since for some eerie reason. The fascination that Col. James Patterson (Val Kilmer) has with Africa is a huge driver in his decision to leave a pregnant wife Helena Patterson (Emily Mortimer)
The commitment is that he will build the bridge across the river Tsavo within 6 months. He wants to be back before his first born comes into the world. His wife is supportive of his decision. But the acidic Robert Beaumont (Tom Wilkinson) doesn't really care much about his family or anyone else. Just the bridge. Patterson doesn't really know that there are aspects about Africa that are far more scary than some cheap heartless people like Beaumont. His worst nightmares are about to come true with The Ghost And The Darkness.
Stephen Hopkins is very good to say the least. The use of music during the hunts for the 2 man eaters gives me goose bumps even thinking about it. One can imagine the fear you will feel while watching it. The editing and cinematography is perfect to create and even more intense fear of the unknown. Look closely into the grasslands and u will see silhouettes of the feared beasts walking through. Some sequences such as the one where Patterson's wife comes to see him with his first born only to be mauled @ the railway station are horrific and scary. And the use of enhanced sound for the petrified baboon is just stunning.
4 of the finest actors that I have known in my lifetime come together for one of my favourite movies of all time. Val Kilmer, Tom Wilkinson, Om Puri and the evergreen Michael Douglas. I have taken it upon myself to get everyone that I know to see it. I loved it. I am sure most of you will. 8 on 10.
Watch the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCb6-Nz0Nkg
Showing posts with label Emily Mortimer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Emily Mortimer. Show all posts
Sunday, 11 March 2012
Friday, 1 July 2011
Cars 2
It was Pixar’s 20th Anniversary in 2006 when they made Cars. And while there may have been several other movies that Pixar could have chosen to make a sequel to, Cars 2 would have been as good a tribute as any other to Pixar’s existence. Yes Toy Story 3 could have been released a year later to commemorate the silver jubilee of Pixar (coz that’s what started it all) but then the magic of Cars is still up there. And Cars 2 doesn’t disappoint you one bit. Through the two hours that you would spend in the movie hall for this one, you would be reminded about the older characters which were so clearly sketched in the first edition of this superb franchise (buy it on DVD if you haven’t seen it yet) and you would also add a few more beautiful and memorable characters to a list that you would remember ever so fondly for the rest of your life. Kids, teenagers, tweenagers, or the older ones would all love Cars 2 in the same way.
One had to wait for a long time to see Cars 2 – something that I wasn’t too sure about after Cars 1 because they hadn’t really left it open ended enough to have one – but John Lasseter (who also gave us Cars) continues to spin the magic that he started off 5 years back. This time around the story revolves around a magic green fuel called Allinoil invented by the great Sir Miles Axelrod (Eddy Izzard) who is not only an adventurer but also one of the richest men – oops cars – in the world. To promote Allinoil, Sir Axelrod, organizes the race of all races – across 3 race tracks which would test the best race cars from all across the world. With race tracks that combine the best conditions for a variety of cars, Formula 1, Rally Cars and of course Indi Cars. Our hero Lightning decides to opt out but with the right instigation from the famous F1 Car Francesco Bernoulli (John Turturro) he decides to take the challenge on. However, there is something fishy going on which gets 2 characters into the fray – Finn McMissile (Michael Caine) and Holley Shiftwell (Emily Mortimer) – 2 secret agents who are onto something here. And when cars start blowing up they know that something is not right about this race.
Lasseter continues with what he is great at – character detailing. He leaves very little to imagination and covers as many traits of the characters as possible in the short time available. He continues to be aided by great casting – Caine is slick as McMissile and Mortimer is equally good as Shiftwell. The other voice overs continue to be the same as the first part with Larry the Cable Guy as Mator is outstanding!!! While the message in the previous edition was mainly about humility, this one is mainly about valuing friendships – a trait in Pixar animation that I truly admire. It is essential for movies to carry a message – even more so with animation cause we influence the younger ones even more. Although Cars 2 is for young and old alike. I give this an 8.5 on 10 yet again. Loved it completely!!!! This years academy awards line up is ready – Cars 2, Kung Fu Panda and Rango. No one else comes close.
Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1822465049/
One had to wait for a long time to see Cars 2 – something that I wasn’t too sure about after Cars 1 because they hadn’t really left it open ended enough to have one – but John Lasseter (who also gave us Cars) continues to spin the magic that he started off 5 years back. This time around the story revolves around a magic green fuel called Allinoil invented by the great Sir Miles Axelrod (Eddy Izzard) who is not only an adventurer but also one of the richest men – oops cars – in the world. To promote Allinoil, Sir Axelrod, organizes the race of all races – across 3 race tracks which would test the best race cars from all across the world. With race tracks that combine the best conditions for a variety of cars, Formula 1, Rally Cars and of course Indi Cars. Our hero Lightning decides to opt out but with the right instigation from the famous F1 Car Francesco Bernoulli (John Turturro) he decides to take the challenge on. However, there is something fishy going on which gets 2 characters into the fray – Finn McMissile (Michael Caine) and Holley Shiftwell (Emily Mortimer) – 2 secret agents who are onto something here. And when cars start blowing up they know that something is not right about this race.
Lasseter continues with what he is great at – character detailing. He leaves very little to imagination and covers as many traits of the characters as possible in the short time available. He continues to be aided by great casting – Caine is slick as McMissile and Mortimer is equally good as Shiftwell. The other voice overs continue to be the same as the first part with Larry the Cable Guy as Mator is outstanding!!! While the message in the previous edition was mainly about humility, this one is mainly about valuing friendships – a trait in Pixar animation that I truly admire. It is essential for movies to carry a message – even more so with animation cause we influence the younger ones even more. Although Cars 2 is for young and old alike. I give this an 8.5 on 10 yet again. Loved it completely!!!! This years academy awards line up is ready – Cars 2, Kung Fu Panda and Rango. No one else comes close.
Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1822465049/
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