Movie Review: Life of Pi

So here's the recipe:

Combine author Yann Martel's simplistic yet though provoking tone, laced with well timed humour;

Ang Lee's ('Brokeback Mountain'; 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon') gift to tell the absurd in the most exquisite way;

Rhythm and Hues studio's ('X-Men: First Class')gift of presenting the marvel in the marvellous;

Claduio Miranda's skill of the camera, identifying the points that make all the difference to story-telling

And the Tiger.... the tiger, with all his glory, and ferocity, regality...

... and you'll get a wonderful cinematic experience.

For those who thought Martel's book by the same name was over-rated, this film might seem the same. But if you paid attention to how the story unfolds, the parallelism between the book and script was beautifully maintained by Ang Lee - unlike Harry Potter movies.

The movie belongs to the book. Ang Lee has just provided an imagination to the book. The best actor in the film is the Tiger, of course; closely followed by Suraj Sharma (some guys have all the luck; getting to shoot with such a magnificent creature [I'm referring to the Tiger, and yeah, Ang Lee, of course])

The film is well balanced on the 3-D front, though personally am not a big fan of the format. After James Cameron came out with Avatar in 3-D, everyone decided the format was a recipe to success regardless of the film content that actually warrants for it or not. This film's content does justice to the format. The cinematography is beautiful, the visual effects studio understood what Lee means when he's the story-teller, letting every frame flow. Some moments are captured really well and that's what a film is remembered for.

The film may remind you of 'The Perfect Storm' when the ocean's bosom rises with a warning, warranting nothing but a spectacle of helplessness. Perhaps Suraj Sharma was briefed that his outing in the ocean must be as sincere and convincing as Tom Hank's performance in 'Cast Away'. He tried. Tabu and Irrfan Khan are okay; but Adil Hussain remains noticeable yet again, after a successful performance in 'English Vinglish'.

It's a great story even for the kids as much as it is for adults. The perennial dilemma about god, and faith, doubt, and the pain of loss as it fully dawns, is something everyone identifies with. But that credit goes to Yann Martel for writing such a book. And to Ang Lee as well, for being so committed to the story.

Movie Review: Cloud Atlas

Watch this film for the first time, and you'll know that you'll want to watch it again. The film is elemental: touching from the core of the abstracts of a great story, concept, creativity, substance and message to the crude essentials of film-making - great direction, an engaging cinematography, meaty script (adapted from a book by the same name by David Mitchell, who is also credited as the writer on the film) and a haunting soundtrack. Yes, this film is intoxicating.

The film tests one's patience as the gravity of the stories unfold, making the film an experience in itself. As the connections become clearer, one cannot help but anticipate the climax that's justly rewarding. Some may find the preaching getting heavier, and uncalled for, towards the end. But then, cinema is all about drama. And this drama is captivating, to say the least.

The stories are complex, brilliantly intertwined and yes, they demand and deserve your complete attention. Seven lifetimes and stories keep interchanging across time, asking you the question what truly lasts forever. If you're excited by alternate realities and parallel universes, then this film will entertain you to no end. Even if you see it as a linear story-telling, the message will find a way right into you. It is that simple, too. 

The stories are intense, with a stellar soundtrack to accompany it. I think this movie will win an Oscar in the Best Make-Up category. You just have to see Tom Hank's avatars to believe their brilliance and creative bent. Visually stunning (that is a given, considering the fact that these guys gave us the Matrix!) and remarkably compelling, the tone of the film is set to move you.

This is an adventure of film-making itself, with directors Lana and Andy Wachowski (the illuminating 'Matrix' film series) and Tom Tykwer ('Run Lola, Run' and the amazing 'Perfume: Story of a Murderer') and actors like Tom Hanks and Halle Berry, who prove that they were born for stuff made up of celluloid.

This is an expensive film, made on a budget of around $102 million. It is also an ambitious film: attempting to connect everything, six lifetimes with an ensemble of a superb cast that is creatively and challengingly recycled. The film is a must-watch for the dedicated performances of seasoned actors like Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, Hugh Grant (surprise, surprise), Hugo Weaving and Jim Broadbent. Even the new generation of actors like Jim Sturgess and Ben Winshaw (the actor shows us he's more than just "cute" - one is reminded of a younger Leonardo DiCaprio when the latter started out as an eye-candy in Titanic to being one of the most dedicated actors of our time) bring a lot of energy on the screen.

The film explores your heart, filling you with myriad emotions without a warning. To me, the film is a brilliant synergy-- a connection with sincere performances, adept storytelling and a scintillating soundtrack, that accompanies every emotion with élan and depth. It is truly a timeless masterpiece. Strange that mortal men, with all their faults and shortcomings, can come up with something so compellingly pure and inspiring.

Movie Review - X-Men First Class

The moment I came out of the theatre, I bought the tickets to the next show.

Few things in life - and mostly movies - turn out to be better than expectations, and their trailers. 

Apart from the amazing visual effects and substance of the script, the one thing to look out for is the rich, exquisite soundtrack of the film. This kind of extensive format, array of violins, the gripping tension filled with a lot of emotion can be achieved by the evergreen Hans Zimmer. But the compositions seemed little more radical, though. 

As it turned out, the apple didn’t fall far away from the tree and it was Zimmer’s protégé after all, Henry Jackman. He assisted Zimmer on films like ‘The Da Vinci Code’, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ series, 'The Holiday', ‘Kung Fu Panda’ and ‘The Dark Knight’.

Listen to ‘X-Men First Class: First Class’ here and you’ll know what am talking about. It's like a hundred violins charging up... so Inception-esque. 

Professor Charles Xavier’s dialogues constituted the philosophical soul of the film: “The true focus lies somewhere between rage and serenity.” They will be in the top dialogues of all time list, for sure. James McAvoy plays the part to the tee, as a beacon of wisdom, and brings the right amount of likability to his character. Like his older version (which reflects a seasoned sobriety – and now we know where it comes from) he displays a Gandhian sense of thinking the lesser evolved mortals (human species in general) have a chance. 

So much so, when Magneto/ Eric Lensherr, played by Micheal Fassbender, diverts all the missles towards the Russian and American fleet, and we hear respective Army Chiefs saying what an honour it was to have served with the Officers who're staring at their inevitable death, Professor Xavier says, “That’s enough, Magneto. There are hundreds of people on those ships… They’re just men following orders!”

He actually believes that a truce can be served; and we certainly don’t mistake his compassion for naïveté. McAvoy convincingly portrays his character, as a person who has had the gift of understanding phenomena, nature and accepting reasons and facts, adding it with a great deal of humanity and faith. He was the only reason besides Aslan, of course, that I watched Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe a couple of times.

Magneto or Eric Lensherr, on the other hand, has seen the darker side of human nature up close at the hands of one mutant named Shaw, portrayed by Kevin Bacon, straight from one of the darkest times on Earth: the Holocaust. 

And so, when the wise Professor tells him that there are men on the ships and that they were only following orders, Magneto replies, “I’ve been at the mercy of men just following orders before… Never again!”

Okay I need to stop.... else I might just write the entire movie here…

Oscar winning visual effects supervisor John Dykstra gave the film those super-cool moments. Only two words and you will know what a magician this guy really is: Battlestar Galactica. He’s also worked with George Lucas on Star Wars series.  

Based upon the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1960s (with a pre-cursory 1942 Nazi occupied Poland) the film deals with the inevitable process for all mutants – taking sides. Now this is the second most favourite and the most important dilemma for any mutant: whether or not to trust humans. The first being their having to come to terms to their gifts, and worse, their looks. The theme is really getting a bit monotonous, am afraid. 

I love the humour in the film. Professor X and Magneto go about recruiting new mutants in their army-to-be, they also approach Wolverine, a cameo (and what a cameo it was!) by Hugh Jackman. So Jackman is at the bar, with his back towards the approaching Professor and Magneto, and - 

Eric Lensherr: "Excuse me. I'm Eric Lensherr."

Charles Xavier: "And I am Professor Charles Xavier-"

Wolverine: "Go fuck yourself."

...... And both of them just take a sudden U-turn.

To Angel, when she displays her unique wings in a strip-tease booth:

Charles Xavier: "How would you like to have a job where you get to keep your clothes on?"

The challenge for director Mathew Vaughn (Director of the immensely delightful 'Stardust') was to incorporate every character’s detailing, weaknesses and strengths into one story line that justified every moment up on the silver screen. Both the journey as the plots unfold, and give way to the climax provide for a fulfillment of the senses and sensibilities. He's made this edge-of-the-seat entertaining film, complete with deep psychological brooding about compassion, survival and human nature, and a delectable sense of humour. The film reminds you just how powerful cinema can be.

And I just have one litmus test for the greatness of any movie. My Mum is the most stringent woman on this planet, and if she tells you the movie was worth odd 400 bucks (arrived at after calculating the cost of fuel, coffee and pop-corn) then it definitely is a good movie.

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Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - Movie Review

Sorry, it took me a long time to write this review... but I had been travelling and now that am back in my turf, my fingers feel comfortable. Well, I didn't miss the movie even in my travels-- saw it First Day Second Show (2D) and caught the show in my own city as well (3D) -- all in a span of 4 days from the day of its release. Yes, am bragging.

So, well, yes, it's definitely worth a watch, as expected.


Jack Sparrow at his disgusting, deviously charming self, as expected.
Penelope Cruz looking splendid and acting the part, too, as expected.
Geoffrey Rush, tantalising as a seasoned actor, as expected.
The beauty-meets-beast aura of the lovely mermaids is entertaining, as expected.
Hans Zimmer's score, engrosses your mood all the way till your soul, as expected.


What was different is this is the first time the movie was directed by Rob Marshall, taking the heavyweight crown of expectations from Gore Verbinski (Director, Pirates: Parts 1-3). Marshall's incredibly talented: his last claim to fame was the magnificent Chicago. He does a fine job, if not perfect, and brings out a different shade to Captain Jack Sparrow altogether. Perhaps this is the first of the Pirates film that showcases Sparrow's philosophical take on life, death, eternal life - and even love. You actually see his sensitive side. 


From the moment go, the film is a continuous series of events, packed with action, laughter and thought provoking matters like compassion, "sterlings" (Sparrow's equivalent for "feelings"). But make no mistake, despite the mushy interventions, there's lot of action and adventure. 


Penelope Cruz displays a character that's gritty, realist despite being vulnerable. Her natural stunning yet vulnerable looks do justice to the role. Johnny Depp walks the walk and in some scenes you are treated to see him genuinely brooding. Ian McShane, as Black Beard, looks his part of voo-doo villain, and Cruz's father. They actually look related. There are talented actors like Judi Dench and Roger Allam in a blink-and-miss roles. Everybody knows five seconds of act in Pirates movie is never a bad move. 


The first scene of a chaotic London embracing the paranoia of Captain Jack Sparrow's trial is awesome, as is the light-house explosion combating the beautiful and deadly mermaids. The cinematography is one of a kind. The treatment in the form of colours - turquoise, yellow and light blue is simply enriching.

It's intriguing to note Sparrow's fascination slash obsession in finding the fabled Fountain of Youth, racing with the Spanish and the English, yet he doesn't want the prize for himself. Ultimate sacrifice for a love that he refuses to acknowledge, or just the carefree nature of a pirate, taking every fascination as nothing but a journey for pure caper? 


Mermaids, Zombies, Penelope Cruz, blue, green, yellow, Hector, Fountain of Youth and Captain Jack Sparrow -- you feel like a kid in a candy store.. with ample of things to do for adults, too ;) if you know what I mean...


The script dwells into various factors of good and evil, magic sword of Blackbeard, Sparrow's descent into the manipulative and sensitive zones and whole load of adventure. It does justice to your time. And imagination.


Stepping out tonight to watch Kung Fu Panda -2 :) Review, coming up :)

The Social Network - Movie Review

I have to be honest... The first look of 'THE SOCIAL NETWORK' didn't excite me. I saw the trailer and the curly hair, chocolate face of Jesse Eisenberg, and Justin Timerlake (all of him, actually) put me off. Of course, I had no clue it was directed by David Fincher.


All of 2010, I was waiting for Christopher Nolan's 'INCEPTION'. It got released, I saw and Nolan conquered. At this year's various international awards, I saw that curly haired guy, smiling and clapping (winner's smile and claps).. and then on the same table I spotted David Fincher.. and I felt like a fool. 


Direction, Film, Music category, this movie was... sweeping awards.. and had to, since it is a Fincher film. In technical categories for Art Direction, and other technical fronts, 'Inception' was winning. 


So, horrified, I decided to watch 'The Social Network'.


I am a big fan of Fincher. His FIGHTCLUB is my all-time favourite. So it is no surprise that since the first shot of 'The Social Network', I was hooked. What a tirade of conversation between Erica Albright and Mark Zuckerberg! It was a sarcastic rendition on the conversation of women, in general, that forces them to involve some intellectual subject matter. And how they struggle to do so.


On the same note, I thought the entire movie revolved around how women had to match up to Zuckerberg's wavelengths: he throws a beer bottle at his business associate, Sean Parker, and for the latter's girlfriend as well, and she misses to catch it - twice. If I hadn't read about Zuckerberg and his GF before, I'd have thought that he hates women. 


The treatment of women in this film is something you can't ignore. You see under-age interns "working" at FB's offices and having more usefulness in the rave parties later on. Fincher directed Helena Bonham Carter in all her character's audacity in 'FightClub', and god, what a woman! What a portrayal! And now, this. But it seems as a tribute to womanhood, in general, considering that Sean Parker and Mark Zuckerberg moved mountains because they were ditched by women - sensible women.


The editing is to die for, in the movie. The movie begins, when the movie begins. And after that, there is no moment to loose. It moves fast, just like the brain of the protagonist. This film races for your heartbeat. The story-telling is also top-notch, the case/ trial/ negotiation advances with ease, letting the flashback fill the details of the present. Very Memento-esque.


Eisenberg surprises with his dialogue delivery and certain nuances, scenes that are based on his silence and expression. Timberlake, ah... well... no comments.
Andrew Garfield is a delight, relatively speaking. Armie Hammer's portrayal of "Gentlemen of Harvard" is beautiful.


The background score is racy, prefectly complimenting the pace of Zuckerberg's brain and Fincher's direction. Trent Razor and Atticus Ross may be Golden Globe winners, slated for their first Oscar win, but I still feel Hans Zimmer's score for 'Inception' was mind blowing.


Also ended up watching the mock version of the film on ZStudio, where the opponent's lawyer undresses and sits on the table, asking Zuckerberg, "Do I have your attention now?" lol


All in all, an awesome film. One of Hollywood's best, Fincher's best and 2010's best.

Movie Review: 'ROBOT'

Finally. Special thanks to everyone who made the movie such a "must-watch". 
But here's a list of special thanks I'm compelled to convey:


Swanand Kirkire - Dialogues & Lyrics. The man translated "sperms" into Hindi. I can't just remember what it's called for the life of me. And I don't even want to google it. Paagal anukaran. Incidentally, that also sums up the gist of this entire review I am about to write: Mad Robot.


Manish Malhotra - Costume Designer. I think it's no ordinary feat to make any girl in the world look like Rakhi Sawant. He managed to make Aishwarya Rai look like her. Through the silk gowns, one could still see the "tyre" around her tummy as she monotonously gyrated in the deserts and some animals in South America. But your costumes successfully hid the huge paunch of Superstar Rajnikanth. Bravo. 


Jasmine. - Friend. Best Friend. Thank you, Jas Sparrow, for once again reminding me that PG Wodehouse and Shankar (Director of the film) are doing a service to depression prone maniacs like us: making us laugh continuously for over 3 hours is not a small thing. At any point you want to watch this film again, I want you to know, I am waiting for your call. Always.


Okay, going forward with the review I have decided to write come what may.


First of all, this is the second time it has happened with me that I retain the same look at the first scene of the film, and even at the last one. It first happened with 'DELHI 6'. My look that time was: "What's this? Where am I? What's happening?!" 


In 'ROBOT' it  was simpler: "Ha ha ha ha" -- as I saw a robot, apparently walking right out of that recent Panasonic commercial, that was the first scene... or may be it was from that IBM commercial where robots are serving tea-coffee in an IBM office. Jesus, it just proves that Indian Directors was being "inspired" even while surfing TV. 


I've never laughed so much before. Rohit Shetty and his Golmaal films have serious competition.


Anyway, here's the list of films Robot is accused of copying:
Matrix
Terminator
I, Robot
SpiderMan
Pirates of the Caribbean
some robot commercials
some "All-out" and other mosquito repellent commercials


Please note that the list is definitely not exhaustive.


Okay, cut to the chase. After the first 4 minutes, I decided to change my seat. The man sitting next to me was a South Indian. And as we all know, SuperStar Rajnikanth is a god down South. I didn't want him to beat me up, lest I offend him by breaking into a laughter in a "serious" scene. 


I wonder why SuperStar Scientist Rajnikanth was making the Robot. The robots were actually serving tea and coffee around him anyway. Could it be that he blotted reality for over 10 years and started disregarding the daily and obvious nuances around him? And can I get a job like him? A scientist who gets served tea and coffee by cute robots and is paid well enough to drive a Mercedes? His boss, the villain, drove an Audi, by the way.


So back to the story. SuperStar Scientist Rajnikanth makes a Robot intending to serve the nation and replace soldiers. Here's the technical specification of Robot:


1 Robot = 100 male species of human beings


But it is rejected by the Jealous Boss, whose approval is essential somehow for the army guys to have it. Jealous Boss says it is a mindless machine. A general can command the Robot to kill another general. He knew what it is to live in a country with Hindu-Muslim issues. So SuperStar Scientist Rajnikanth decides to inject feelings and human emotions inside the Robot. He also injects LOVE. Love has made a fool out of many a human beings, what the hell is a robot going to do about it... Anyway, the plot thickens.. 


If you look at it, the trouble started when Rai starts PDA - Public Display of Affection - by regularly hugging and kissing the Robot. So the Robot grows a .. [edited text] .. and gets [edited text]... Read, falls in love.


Somewhere down the line, the competition for Rai's affections is sparked between our SuperStar Scientist and Robot. It ends somewhere when the Robot asks Aishwarya why she prefers the Scientist. "Is it because of sex???" Can't believe he actually asked that. She replies, "Sheeeesh."


The Scientist takes the Robot for a display to the Army, finally. The Robot puts a rose on top of a grenade. Suggesting mankind to fall in love with Rai. 


The Scientist dismantles his creation, in fury, and dumps it in the dumping grounds of Chennai. Jealous Boss retrieves it out of there and lets all hell lose. 


By the way, in order to impress Aishwarya, the Robot actually promises to get the same mosquito to apologise to her, who'd bitten her. Believe it. My oh my, the Robot can also speak mosquitoish. The bold mosquito**** tells the Robot it would apologise on the fulfillment of three conditions (and am laughing while writing this).. two of them were, it wants to taste AB Negative Blood since it is very "yummy" and the second was that Robot had to stop companies manufacturing mosquito repellent stuff.


****Proof of Boldness of Mosquito:
Rajnikanth: "Who was it among you, who bit her?"
Bold Mosquito: "Yeah yeah, it was me, what will you do? I have even bitten the Chief Minister!"


But this was the sweet Robot, before being "polluted" by Rai. The cold Robot is the one who goes on a destruction rampage, thanks to the insertion of a chip that looked like a red simcard, by the Jealous Boss. Now, the evil Robot has one and only one purpose. I'll translate that in English: make love to Aishwarya and have pseudo robo-sapiens. God knows if that Jealous Boss was sadistic or what.


He clones, he fights, he manufactures robot sperms. He is all, all is him. And as he fires the entire Chennai city cops, he says one dialogue. Two words: "Happy Diwali". The background score breaks into a robotic/ robosonic, "two point oh... two point oh..." The SuperStar Scientist sure has lot's to do, before robo-sapiens are born and start calling Aishwarya, "Amma" in the same robotic/ robosonic tone.


Special thanks to A R Rahman for the noisy score which drowned my echoes of laughter and claps.