My first
experience with Steve McQueen (the director not the actor) was with a movie
titled Shame that I saw nearly 2 years back during my trip down under. I was a novice at reviewing (marginally
better now) and didn’t quite take too kindly to the bold moves that McQueen confronted
us with (http://kartikr.blogspot.in/2012/02/shame.html)
and of course his favourite actor – Michael Fassbender.
Showing posts with label Paul Dano. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paul Dano. Show all posts
Thursday, 30 January 2014
Thursday, 26 September 2013
Prisoners
Apparently
Canada is looking forward to that annual ceremony held by AMPAS (Academy of
Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) more than anyone else. The person responsible for this is one Denis
Villeneuve. His attempts to date haven’t
been under a banner as big as that for Prisoners. However, he has been much lauded over the
years both within and outside Canada.
Saturday, 13 October 2012
Looper
Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a twenty something young man in Kansas in the year 2044. At this point in time, the concept of “Time Travel” has not been invented. However, it will be in about 30 years. And there are some not so good people who are using it illegally to ensure that there are no loose ends lying around the place. This is when you get introduced to a slightly complex concept called Loopers.
Joe is a Looper. His job is to kill people. People who the not so good guys send back from 2074 to ensure that there is absolutely no trace of them found. Thanks to the not so easy ways to dispose bodies 30 years hence. So Joe positions himself at a pre-defined spot where a human being appears out of nowhere and all he has to do is shoot. Not ask any questions or say anything. Just shoot. Using what is called a blunderbuss – a gun that can shoot only upto 15 yards but is lethal at that distance.
But then, there is a concept of “Closing the Loop”. Since the bad boys don’t like any loose ends, they send you back to be killed by – no points for guessing – yourself. Cool right? Very clinically done. Since you cannot see who you are killing (the victim is masked), you check the body for gold (as against silver which is the normal payment). If it is gold, you have closed the loop and your services are not required any more. If you don’t kill your future self – for some reason if s/he escapes – you have “let your loop loose” and both of you are in big trouble.
Director Rian Johnson (wonder whats with the I instead of the Y in Ryan), makes a barely average effort in this attempt. The movie drags on a bit too much for my comfort. And you are left waiting and wanting for more than what the trailer has shown you. There is nothing new that comes up other than a random sex scene with Emily Blunt which is thrown in as garnish – probably because Johnson realized that there was very little that was exciting about the movie till then.
In a little over an hour and a half, you are put through a heavily made up face of Joseph Gordon-Levitt just to ensure that he looks as close to the contorted expression that we are used to seeing on Bruce Willis’ face – if you know what I mean. With good reason – since Bruce Willis is the 30 year older self of Joe. But it seemed a bit too plastic. There is very little that anyone else has to do or say in the movie that is worth mentioning. So it would suffice to say that Looper was a tad disappointing and really really slow. Nothing you will miss if you watch on DVD or better still, wait for it to air on TV. 5 on 10.
Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3368395801/
Joe is a Looper. His job is to kill people. People who the not so good guys send back from 2074 to ensure that there is absolutely no trace of them found. Thanks to the not so easy ways to dispose bodies 30 years hence. So Joe positions himself at a pre-defined spot where a human being appears out of nowhere and all he has to do is shoot. Not ask any questions or say anything. Just shoot. Using what is called a blunderbuss – a gun that can shoot only upto 15 yards but is lethal at that distance.
But then, there is a concept of “Closing the Loop”. Since the bad boys don’t like any loose ends, they send you back to be killed by – no points for guessing – yourself. Cool right? Very clinically done. Since you cannot see who you are killing (the victim is masked), you check the body for gold (as against silver which is the normal payment). If it is gold, you have closed the loop and your services are not required any more. If you don’t kill your future self – for some reason if s/he escapes – you have “let your loop loose” and both of you are in big trouble.
Director Rian Johnson (wonder whats with the I instead of the Y in Ryan), makes a barely average effort in this attempt. The movie drags on a bit too much for my comfort. And you are left waiting and wanting for more than what the trailer has shown you. There is nothing new that comes up other than a random sex scene with Emily Blunt which is thrown in as garnish – probably because Johnson realized that there was very little that was exciting about the movie till then.
In a little over an hour and a half, you are put through a heavily made up face of Joseph Gordon-Levitt just to ensure that he looks as close to the contorted expression that we are used to seeing on Bruce Willis’ face – if you know what I mean. With good reason – since Bruce Willis is the 30 year older self of Joe. But it seemed a bit too plastic. There is very little that anyone else has to do or say in the movie that is worth mentioning. So it would suffice to say that Looper was a tad disappointing and really really slow. Nothing you will miss if you watch on DVD or better still, wait for it to air on TV. 5 on 10.
Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3368395801/
Monday, 1 August 2011
Cowboys & Aliens
It may seem like ages that we have seen Harrison Ford on screen but when you look at his filmography, there are 10 movies starring what Hollywood has described as, “The Most Bankable Star” which have released including What Lies Beneath in 2000. And there have been only 3 years where a movie has not been released. Now lets look at this gentleman called Daniel Craig for whom it has definitely been the first release since Defiance since 2008. But, he has 4 movies already signed up, 3 of which are in post production and due to release this year – Dream House, Adventures of Tintin and Girl with a Dragon Tatoo – all of which are supposedly solid movies. And if they were not sufficient, Bond 23 is due to release next year. Lastly there is Jon Favreau who is not really the best director in the world but did quite a good job with Iron Man 1 and 2. More importantly, he also has his acting to fall back on. Why then would three people who are reasonably well off sign up for a movie called “Cowboys and Aliens” which has absolutely nothing different to offer in their lives. We are talking about Indiana Jones, James Bond and Iron Man who I am certain can offer and have offered enough and more thrills to Ford, Craig and Favreau respectively – so doing something different is crossed out. And then there is the question of money which the world is quite certain these 3 do not have any less of. So the only conspiracy theory which would hold good are the existence of some photographs in certain compromising positions which involve our 3 stars. I cannot find any other explanation for their presence in this movie.
I am actually struggling a lot to complete this review because I really don’t have much to say. And it is definitely not because of writers block. There is definitely nothing new in Cowboys and Aliens that you have not seen in any other Alien movie. In fact most other movies offer much more. The movie is littered with really bad screenplay and very average direction at best – probably the makers really did not pay Favreau enough. Ford and Craig keep the movie at a reasonable level and full credit to their acting talent. Without them the entire experience would have been really crappy to say the least.
One would see a few “flying machines” in 19th Century USA (when flying was unheard of) whose only business is to run sorties over the topography picking up unsuspecting villagers for research. You would also be privy to some well done special effects which are the only high points of this movie. And yes, the aliens look a bit different. They continue to be ugly and have retractable hands around their hearts – I mean other than 4 appendages that they are normally provided with. Net Net, nothing you haven’t seen before or would miss if you don’t see this one. 4 on 10 is what I would give this at best.
Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi161586201/
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Knight & Day
A really old looking Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz come together for an out and out action thriller in Knight & Day. I think the last time these 2 acted together would have been Vanilla Sky (correct me if I am wrong) when they were probably looking half their age. I haven’t seen Vanilla Sky yet but have heard that it was a disaster. Will keep u guys posted about the same when I get around to seeing it.
June Havens (Diaz) specializes in refurbishing used old cars. She bumps into Roy Miller (Cruise) on her way to Boston for her sister’s wedding. Roy, the smooth operator that he is, uses June as a mule to carry a certain something for him. Of course this is done without her knowing about it. However, she cannot board her flight coz it is called full.
But a set of secret agents (don’t know which organization at this stage of the movie) ensure that she manages to make it on board. Funnily she is the only civilian on board. Everyone else, the pilot included in a matter of a few minutes has been changed to be an agent who is out to kill Roy. A superb fight sequence and a plane crash later, Roy escapes but ensures that June is safely returned to her home.
The agents who now pose as the FBI pick up June for questioning but obviously realize they have hit a dead end. They are about to dispose her off when Roy reappears to save her. A fabulous car chase sequence ensues.
The cool agent that Roy is, he explains the situation to June about how he is carrying with him a perpetual energy source called the Zephyr, a battery that lasts for ever, and that the people who are after him and June are really the bad guys – not him. This battery was made by a geek called Simon Feck (Paul Dano) who is also being protected by Roy.
Turns out that there is not 1 but 2 organisations after him – The CIA (not FBI) and a Spanish arms dealer, Antonio (Jordi Molla).
James Mangold’s previous efforts have probably superseded this one. Somehow difficult to believe that this is the same guy who directed Kate & Leopold, Walk the Line and Girl, Interupted. Quite mushy movies right as compared to the one in question right. But I guess 3:10 to Yuma was more action oriented. However, something tells me that if someone like Jerry Bruckhiemer OR John Woo would have done so much of a better job with it. Some of the car chases are executed quite patchily. It clearly shows the use of a blue screen. Seen much older movies and for that matter some locally made movies as well executed in a much better manner.
Cruise and Diaz as mentioned, have started looking their age. Somehow cannot relate to Cruise doing this Mission Impossible / Miority Report kind of roles. However, he seems to be able to just about pull it off. Diaz on the other hand manages to execute her role of a not so bright blonde to near perfection. The support cast does not give much to crow about. Not too many dialogues or one liners worth writing home about. Also, the fun aspect is limited to June fainting over and over again over the same drug.
The background score is actually a stand out in the movie. Very different from what a typical action movie would use. Not the usual heavy metal, thrash metal types. some reggae, some hip hop, some lounge and many other genres all baked in. But all of it blend beautifully. Must get a copy of soundtrack if possible.
It is also a whirlwind trip of sorts through some of the most exotic locations in the world. Begins with Boston but moves into Andalucia, Spain, Jamaica, LA, Salzburg.
Knight & Day takes you through a series of fabulous car chases, Plane Crashes, island bombings and great fun indeed. An all out man movie positively. Not too many women would enjoy the show but guys… you are in for a fabulous ride I am sure!!!! Not the best movie made for sure. I would give it 5 on 10. Which coincidentally is better than what I expected it to be. I was quite sure that K&D would not get more than 1.5 or 2 in my books. Pleasantly surprised. What kind of upsets you is that the movie had the potential to move to the 7 on 10 level if executed correctly.
June Havens (Diaz) specializes in refurbishing used old cars. She bumps into Roy Miller (Cruise) on her way to Boston for her sister’s wedding. Roy, the smooth operator that he is, uses June as a mule to carry a certain something for him. Of course this is done without her knowing about it. However, she cannot board her flight coz it is called full.
But a set of secret agents (don’t know which organization at this stage of the movie) ensure that she manages to make it on board. Funnily she is the only civilian on board. Everyone else, the pilot included in a matter of a few minutes has been changed to be an agent who is out to kill Roy. A superb fight sequence and a plane crash later, Roy escapes but ensures that June is safely returned to her home.
The agents who now pose as the FBI pick up June for questioning but obviously realize they have hit a dead end. They are about to dispose her off when Roy reappears to save her. A fabulous car chase sequence ensues.
The cool agent that Roy is, he explains the situation to June about how he is carrying with him a perpetual energy source called the Zephyr, a battery that lasts for ever, and that the people who are after him and June are really the bad guys – not him. This battery was made by a geek called Simon Feck (Paul Dano) who is also being protected by Roy.
Turns out that there is not 1 but 2 organisations after him – The CIA (not FBI) and a Spanish arms dealer, Antonio (Jordi Molla).
James Mangold’s previous efforts have probably superseded this one. Somehow difficult to believe that this is the same guy who directed Kate & Leopold, Walk the Line and Girl, Interupted. Quite mushy movies right as compared to the one in question right. But I guess 3:10 to Yuma was more action oriented. However, something tells me that if someone like Jerry Bruckhiemer OR John Woo would have done so much of a better job with it. Some of the car chases are executed quite patchily. It clearly shows the use of a blue screen. Seen much older movies and for that matter some locally made movies as well executed in a much better manner.
Cruise and Diaz as mentioned, have started looking their age. Somehow cannot relate to Cruise doing this Mission Impossible / Miority Report kind of roles. However, he seems to be able to just about pull it off. Diaz on the other hand manages to execute her role of a not so bright blonde to near perfection. The support cast does not give much to crow about. Not too many dialogues or one liners worth writing home about. Also, the fun aspect is limited to June fainting over and over again over the same drug.
The background score is actually a stand out in the movie. Very different from what a typical action movie would use. Not the usual heavy metal, thrash metal types. some reggae, some hip hop, some lounge and many other genres all baked in. But all of it blend beautifully. Must get a copy of soundtrack if possible.
It is also a whirlwind trip of sorts through some of the most exotic locations in the world. Begins with Boston but moves into Andalucia, Spain, Jamaica, LA, Salzburg.
Knight & Day takes you through a series of fabulous car chases, Plane Crashes, island bombings and great fun indeed. An all out man movie positively. Not too many women would enjoy the show but guys… you are in for a fabulous ride I am sure!!!! Not the best movie made for sure. I would give it 5 on 10. Which coincidentally is better than what I expected it to be. I was quite sure that K&D would not get more than 1.5 or 2 in my books. Pleasantly surprised. What kind of upsets you is that the movie had the potential to move to the 7 on 10 level if executed correctly.
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