Saturday, September 22, 2007

Bourne Ultimatum 2007

At the outset let me make it clear that i have a very short term memory. Movies kinda bleed away from my brain leaving only vague impressions. Now you may ask why im even writing about movies if i cant remember them well. I enjoy the two or three hours that i spend on them, followed by maybe an hour of thinking about them. furthermore good movies do not leech out of your brain, the entire length of the movie may not be imprinted on your hypothalamus or whatever, but a feeling of the movie remains. I do remember life is beautiful, Manichitrathazhu, Godfather, Schindlers List, Shawshank Redemption etc etc....... and certain episodes of wonder years and the Simpsons and Friends and that 70's show. i remember almost every episode of No Reservations and Ian wrights shows,may be because I not so secretly long, ache, would die for a life like that.
So coming back to Mr Bourne i loved the first two movies, they fast, well shot and pretty intelligent for an action movie (thanks to Robert Ludlum). The third part delivers all of this ....just taken to new heights. Matt Damon does what he has to do, but the films main draw is the well synchronised almost dance like scenes, from a rendezvous with the journalist that ends in a sniper killing to the bombing and chase scenes. The best car chase scene in a long time and sexy looking killers. 8/10

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

the lighthouse - pd james

As usual pd james delivers, a simple well used plot of a group of people stranded on an island with a murderer among them, but with a few modern twists thrown in including a sars epidemic. The story has enough twists and turns to make you seasick, but somehow the characters pull through. the little insights into the characters are well thought out and adam dagleish as usual is the epitome of everything a human can be. not exactly unputdownable but will help you pass a rainy afternoon or two.

5/10

Zodiac 2007

It was a night show and i wasnt particularly in the mood for any dark stories, but zodiac managed to hold me thinking from start to finish in a manner thats pretty rare nowadays. The characters are very well etched, never over the top and never overshadowing the story. The movie could have easily become the story in the book, but it is the story of the book. The frustration at not catching the killer and the effects on lives subtly creeps onto us, making us not just sympathise but empathise. it doesnt feel like a usual movie based on real events but more like a collage of moments captured perfectly from real life. it was a little too long for many people in the theatre, but Robert Downey and Jake Gyllenhaal prove yet again their histrionc capabilities and Mark Ruffalo was a pleasant surprise ( i havent seen much of him before) The evil lurking in the shadows is potrayed with a subtle but chilling clarity. 8/10

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Chak de - 2007

Finally a hindi movie I enjoyed from start to finish, except for some lengthy emotional dialogues by srk which was done in the usual drawn out, taery eyed srk style. The girls were stupendously, mindblowingly wonderful. Dont worry about the future of indian cinema......there are enough actors to carry us through, this movie amply shows it. The movie is about a disgraced hockey captain, played by srk who being a muslim is certified as a traitor for loosing blah blah. he comes back to coach the women team and thats when the magic begins. the problems faced by these women, pre conceived notions, the infights, the prejudices are shown beautifully. Special mention should be given to the punjabi, haryanvi and the naik girl. they carried the movie from start to finish. also srk's motivation for coaching a girls team should have been illustrated a little further.

i especially loved the little potshots at cricket, my cricket loving half was sitting next to me so that played an important role :)... an 8 / 10 from me