The Invention of Lying

The Invention of Lying is a great concept, but poorly executed. Both in its idea of ‘lying’ in itself, or the birth of religion, in itself, it is interesting, yet it fails to adequately deal with either issue… and oscillates between melodrama and comedy and romance. Ultimately, the movie is too slow-paced to be interesting… and not worthy of a slow-paced movie’s attention. Wait to see it on TV.

10 reasons why ‘Wolverine: X-Men Origins’ is boring

(spoiler alert)

1. Many scenes feels forced and unnecessary. For instance, what’s the point of having a father not be your real father. What’s the real problem/dilemma in that?Also, the fight scene with that card guy is totally unnecessary. In fact that card-guy is totally unnecessary.

2. The action scenes are few and far between. There is neither adequate plot development nor is there an overdose of action… just a sort of inbetween phase.

3. It is too sanitized. Wolverine rarely gets dirty… looks well-trimmed and proper… even in all action scenes.

4. The love interest comes too late… and then concludes extremely abruptly.Also, the ‘wolverine’ name story is really cheesy and out of place.

5. The memory loss scene in the end leaves the audience hanging in the wrong way… nothing like a fitting climax or catch phrase or memorable event that would make us connect to the future movies or understand the past.

6. The x-men mutants are poorly developed… not enough time is spent on seeing mutants and their powers. Especially the children mutants are left too vague. Couldn’t even tell them apart.

7. The final battle is against a miniature version of Frankenstein. If it was intentional… it’s all the more pathetic. They messed up that mutant entirely.

8. The brother-brother scenes are not moving in conflict or resolve. We don’t feel the connection between the two… it’s more of a cliche.

9. The idea of ‘choice’ (for Wolverine) is not fully or even interestingly explored.

10. The best liners only generate a smirk or a chuckle. (“do something for your country” “No, I’m canadian” etc.).

A personal response to Slumdog Millionare

(this post is adapted from a facebook comment that I wrote in a friend’s note. So it may feel a little disjointed)

Sitting currently in a western world (Montreal) and lapping up any Hindi movie that is released in the only theatre that shows Hindi movies, I realise that the “image” of India being portrayed is already gross/uncreative/garish/insensitive/poverty-hating/celebrity(glamour)-striken/pseudo-religious/womanising/violence-glorifying/non-sensical and insensible.

This is true even for our CURRENT hits like Rab ne bana di jodi, or Gajini, or even Luck by chance, (considered good/positive examples of recent Hindi films).

I invited a ‘western’ (Indian-exposed – he’s lived in Nepal for a while) friend to watch Billu Barbar with me, and he said that he didn’t want to watch without reading the review because he’s been “burned” by Hindi films too often. In contrast, I watched Luck by chance, by another western friend of mine (he was french) and he said that it was the best movie he’s seen in recent times…

Both reactions, are understandable.

Personally, I found that compared to these two friends, I looked a Hindi movie completely differently, identified with different things, and found completely different things enjoyable… or different things critique-worthy. I did not look for sense, but I did look for sensibility.

I was not too enamoured by the colour and dance, but I noted the way it moved or did not move me.

…now all this to say… and yes, I am getting to Slumdog… I entered the screening of Slumdog Millionare… foolishly expecting (because I hadn’t read any review)… that it was a comedy!!! And in a sense I entered the theatre thinking I was going to have a Hindi movie experience.

How rudely my pre-concieved notions were shaken! And I suddenly became an outsider… seeing India (my India… because Mumbai is very close to my heart and context)… being represented by an outsider… in a medium (western cinema) that was also alien.

While watching I suddenly had to shift gears… and watch differently, and suddenly I felt I was watching a poor movie… because it seemed so FAKE because they missed so much of the real-sensibility of India (I mean who the heck can get close to Bachchan in real life!!! Do these film-makers even know who Bachchan really is??? and what’s with Anil Kapoor ‘english’ accent!!! or even Police interrogation using electricity for television “fraud”… please!!!… such a pseudo attempt at unique narrative)

And at the same time I was reminded of the terrible REALITY that I had/have witnessed in real India. Despite the medium and presentation I was emotionally struck by the plight of the children/context, I felt I had left behind… (Salaam Bombay is another movie that comes to mind, that achieves a similar remembrance)… I was reminded of the pain of India that I cared deeply about but felt so incapable of doing anything about it…

In each scene, whether communal riots, or forced poverty… I had a real story to remember, a real experience to share (within)… and a real-connection.

And instead of allowing me to dwell on any of this reality… I was taken from scene to scene towards a fake (aka Mahesh Bhatt) climax and happy ending.

The final song at the station was the bitter-icing on a terrible cake. I was left with a feeling that a westerner had made a fake movie about reality (and perhaps that’s what outsiders think about hindi movies).

Anyway… I realised that the portrayal of India… as poor… was a natural (western) vision… I mean what else can they see here expect gods, dirt, crowds, and poverty?

But I was left offended by how poverty, violence, were used for a forced narrative that I never could accept as authentic. The ending was not happy, and the movie left me feeling angry and sad.

While I do regret the portrayal of India as negative, I think our own movies do a pretty good job in portraying India negatively (especially when seen outside the context of regular Hindi movie culture). So I don’t begrudge Danny Boyle for making a poverty-movie of India. Because our stereotypes (in popular cinema) are not much better.

But I am surprised by how people are affected by the movie in a limited sense. They are able to feel the pain, and yet move on quite quickly, to become insensitive to the pain.

It is perhaps not surprising in view of the movie’s episodic engagement with the suffering of people, that people are able to TALK about the issues, and give the movie that encourages such talk ACCOLADES and even LOCALISE the problem of how 3 children are treated (after the movie)… while missing the entire pathos that merits the situation at all.

Conclusion? The movie is not so bad, but I hated watching it.

Quick reviews… Ghajini, Seven Pounds

Just saw Ghajini and Seven Pounds…

And both were good. Ghajini was too violent though. And had many many weak points. Especially some of the support cast. But on the whole, the effect of the movie was good.

Seven Pounds was good too… and good of Will Smith to take on a less traditional project… though I have a feeling that the filmmakers wanted to make a lot of money with the movie and were disappointed that it didn’t. Still… the multi-narrative vantage point is not that confusing as it seems… and actually the story is quite straight-forward… if not a little creepy!

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi: Review

I must first of all admit that I am NOT a Shah Rukh fan, and I get irritated seeing him on screen. With that out of the way, I must say this “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi” is a surprisingly good movie. Yes, it’s filmy. And yes, it’s got a few make-you-cringe moments (especially some of the songs), but it really is a good movie. A very mature take of a filmy relationship.

Why I say “filmy relationship” is that the characters portrayed are somewhat stereotypical… we’ve seen them before (and yes, Shah Rukh Khan plays it down, but he can’t escape being Shah Rukh Khan). And yet, we’re still in for a movie-treat. Director Aditya Chopra does a good job in transcending expectations and literally does “something different”. I must say that I was surprised at certain times and also cared about the way the movie would end. And yes, I was happy with how it ended.

I best liked the fact that most of the movie was earthy and simple. Of course the Haveli in which Shah Rukh can lives is so obviously a film set, (it even resembles the out-of-character house in Swades). But regardless, the streets, the mood, are pretty level-headed (and not too glossy). Of course the dance class scenes have their loud and over-done nature, but what to do… the film is not perfect.

I also liked the new girl… what’shername?… (off to wikipedia… ah yes, Anushka Sharma)… who was portrayed realistically… and not too ‘beautifully’ (ie. there were not too many closeups and slowmotions). Again, very nicely portrayed. For instance, she has a very clear “Indian” accent while speaking English. Refreshing!

It was also nice to see that there were not too many characters. Ie. no kiron kher, anupam kher… no parents, no crazy aunt/uncle, no relatives, no cute yet irritating children (except in a song) this is really a biggie for Indian cinema… a big step up.

And finally the plot is really there. While there are moments (like the unnecessary Dhoom scene) where the plot is given less importance to the visual effect… still the overall story is told with determination. Not too much here or there. I even liked the final “message” of the film (the moral, if you will). Though the idea of loving a person more than God is a theme that doesn’t really fit my “theology” (but who cares, right?)

So yes, I liked the movie. Really liked it. And would recommend it. Even if you’re not a Shah Rukh Khan fan!

Best sports movies of all time (well, in my time!)

I had heard someone say that Field of Dreams is the best sports film ever. I just finished seeing it (yes today), and I must say that it was not as I expected, and quite a good movie. But no, not the best sports movie ever. So, what is the best? The following is my quick compilation of my personal favourite sports movies. Obviously, my list will betray my age… as I haven’t seen some of the older sports movies… but from the recent to not-so-recent crop, here’s the list in the order according to sports.

CRICKET

Lagaan
Now I know it is in Hindi and I know that it’s not perfect (the “foreign” love element eeks), but as a sports film I must say that this is by far the most enjoyable sports film I have ever watched. Plus, it deals with my favourite sport… so all the better.

ATHLETICS

Chariots of Fire
A heart-warmer and more… this classic redefines athletics and makes you want to run… and believe!

Cool Runnings
OK, call me shallow, but this comedy is sensational. Does it make me think? No. But laugh, yes, oh yes!

BASKETBALL

Coach Carter
Recent favourite… love the school-teacher sports genre mix.

The Air Up There
Old, campy, and memorable

White Men Can’t Jump
Where is Wesley Snipes these days?

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

Remember the Titans
Denzel Washington, in racial times

Jerry McGuire
Tom Cruise in not so racial times… actually this movie was quite slow and yet engaging as well… I love the (spoiler) positive ending though (end of spoiler)

HOCKEY

Miracle
Ice Hockey, actually

Chak De India
Unlike Lagaan, this movie about not-ice-hockey is supposedly more high-tech and yet features terrible sporting action. Nevertheless, it keeps the emotions running high, till the last shot.

BOXING

Rocky 5
I would say that Rocky 5 is the best of the Rocky’s; it’s the one the real pathos is captured.

Rocky
Well, this is a classic.

Rocky 4
I must say that this is like Return of the Jedi… plain old bash-em-up fun.

BASEBALL

For the Love of the Game
What’s with Kevin Costner and sports movies. He’s probably done the most of them (not counting Stallone’s Rocky’s). But I think this movie was better than Field of Dreams… in terms of being more fun. I enjoyed the narrative technique, too.

The Rookie
A little slow, but still engaging (it’s pace feels like Field of Dreams). Yet I liked this better than Field of Dreams because Field of Dreams glorifies baseball, while this movie focuses on the person.  I don’t particularly care for Baseball, but I can sure identify with the themes in the Rookie.

SOCCER

Shaolin Soccer
In comparison to Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Hustle, Shaolin Soccer is pedestrian and even cheap. Yet, as a sports movie, what better combination than Kung Fu with Soccer!!!

Goal!
It’s low budget, but it’s not that bad. (at least the first one. The second one is not that great, hopefully the third will be ok).

The Cup
A simple story about Buddhist monks who want to watch the Soccer World Cup

MISCELLANEOUS

Seabiscuit
Horse Racing

Tin Cup/Happy Gilmore
Two different genres, yet both on Golf

Wimbeldon
On… well… yes… The Wimbeldon

Nacho Libre
Wrestling… with Jack Black… enough said.

Back to the cinemas with Wall-e: and a review of the Namur Dollar Cinema (Montreal)

This post comes after a long time since my previous post. Basically I haven’t been to the movie theatres for a while; and because of my desperation to see the latest Pixar movie Wall-e (I know it’s not the latest anymore), I allowed myself to watch a bootleg CD of the movie. It was a bad copy; but enough to make sense of the whole thing. I must say that I enjoyed the movie, even as a bad print, but I never recommended the CD to anyone and waited/hoped for chance to see the movie in a movie theatre one day.

My chance came when I had the opportunity to go to Montreal for a while; and learned about the ‘cheap’ dollar cinema at Namur. I was delighted considering the huge cost of movie tickets here. I was more thrilled when I learned the Wall-e was running and I took to chance to watch Wall-e as soon as I could.

(How to get to Namur Dollar Cinema): The Namur Dollar Cinema (Theatre) is close to the Namur Metro station. And basically one needs to walk towards Wallmart, but not ‘to’ wallmart. Instead, take the Decarie underpass, which is basically the big highway and after crossing to the WallMart side, walk down along the highway. The next ‘right’ is a Mall which has a Winners etc. And that’s where the Dollar Cinema is (first floor).

Anyway, I reached in time for the 12:00pm show, only to realise to my horror that Wall-e had shifted to the 1:30pm show (and I didn’t know about it). So rather than head back, I decided to walk Igor, just before the Wall-e screening, and then watch Wall-e.

I paid two dollars per movie, ie. 2 dollars for Igor and 2 dollars for Wall-e (that’s the cost for the movie). I don’t know if it is allowed to watch back-to-back movies in the same theatre for the price of one movie ticket (I know it’s done), but I didn’t feel it was ethical so I paid for both. I also bought the one dollar popcorn, which was not bad.

One thing, they only take cash, and I forgot to withdraw cash from the ATM earlier. And so I was trading with my last coins. Later I had to go to the nearby ATM and shell out two dollars withdrawal charge for the ATM!!! So much for cheap cinema.

Anyway, back to the movie.

The Igor screening was terrible. The projection quality and sound quality was so poor that even though I was in the first few rows (out of choice) I couldn’t make out clearly what was being said. The seats were comfortable enough, but the quality of screening seemed pathetic. Then, the screen was really dirty. I could see patches of stains on it… that disturbed vision, especially when seeing from so close. Plus, the movie Igor was poor enough to be seen directly on DVD or TV. Didn’t seem worth watching it on big-screen. I already started regretting coming here… but secretly hoped that the Wall-e experience would be better.

Interestingly, after the movie, the projectionist cut off the credits and turned on the lights. I hate it when they do that… isn’t it illegal??? Is should be.

Anyway… soon enough it was time for the Wall-e screening… and the projection and sound quality improved. Perhaps they were using a better print. But I was relieved. The patch on the screen bothered me more now because it was disturbing me from seeing clearly the spectacular animation of Wall-e… which brings me to Wall-e.

Wow, it is an amazing movie. when I saw the bootleg copy, I liked it… but didn’t think it was thaaaat great. But seeing it in the big screen made me change my mind. I still don’t think it is the best thing Pixar has produced. I’m still a big fan of the Incredibles, and I think that while the animation of Finding Nemo was not as spectacular, it was a better story. And Monsters Inc was just so much fun… so I put Wall-e as the fourth best animation of Pixar (and it will be reflected in my best of 3D animation list).

The movie is truly a delight for the eyes… a beautifully crafted masterpiece. The scenes are wonderful, and the emotions expressed are great. But the entry of the humans and the Axiom was just too ‘noisy’ and jarring… while fun for a while, I certainly couldn’t handle too many repeat screenings of that. In that sense, even Finding Nemo had the irritating Fish Tank scenes, but they were not continuous. The Wall-e Axiom scenes, are loud and surprisingly shallow… too many stereotypes being introduced in a world that was earlier defined without stereotypes. So the movie jars… but still works as an amazing visual treat.

It is the best movie of the year? Apart from the traditional art-house movies that are screened to limited audiences and usually attract the Oscar crowd… I thought out of the entire range of popular movies Wall-e was the best. Except… when I saw Batman and Wall-e… I was a little confused and feel that Batman is a much better movie than Wall-e. Wall-e must win the best animation movie of the year, hands down. But can it win best picture? I doubt it. Should it be nominated? Definitely.

So, back to the Namur movie theatre… I reconciled myself to the Namur theatre and decided that I would only see the good movies again in the theatre… but what it did remind me was of the joy of seeing a movie in the theatre and I will find more budget screenings (like Tuesdays) to see some big movies on screen. It’s back to the cinemas for me.

Speed Racer is a surprisingly fun movie

I must admit that I didn’t want to watch Speed Racer. Worse, when I saw some promotional footage I found the manic pace and presentation mind-numbing. In fact, when the opportunity came to watch Speed Racer, I preferred to stay home and I literally took out a Matrix Revolutions DVD and watched it late into the night!!! (that’s nostalgia for you)

Anyway, so just today I got to see Speed Racer and struggled for the first few minutes getting exactly what I expected… manic presentation. I shuddered to think that I would have to subject myself through this for another hour. But then, the story slowed down a little and suddenly it made sense. I was able to follow the plot… and basically it turned out to be a simpler more palatable story.

By the end of the movie, I was not only appreciating the pace of the film, but left feeling satisfied with another summer-fare.

So what’s the problem? Well, while I enjoyed the movie… I found myself wishing for a little more realism. The cartoony filming became tiresome quite quickly and I found myself wishing for a more realist race. OK, fine, the jumps and the effects were cool… even in the end… but the whole background, the graphics, were too overloaded for my taste… and ultimately… I found myself blanking them from my vision (and hopefully memory).

All in all… it’s a movie I DID enjoy… but one I won’t be rushing to see again, any time in the near future.

5 most wanted sequels

There are two kinds of people in the world; those who love sequels, and those who don’t. I love sequels (though not all sequels are good). Yes, I’m shallow, but still, I love the character/plot development possibilities that sequels brings.

The following is a personal compilation of the movies I really really really wanted a sequel for. Sometimes I got it, sometimes I didn’t. Sometimes the sequel was worth waiting for, sometimes not. But nevertheless, my memory of movies takes me to about 5 films that I looked forward to (will look forward to) to see the sequel.

1. “Back to the Future” series

When I first saw Back to the Future as a child, I was enamored by the story and shocked and excited when it ended with “To be continued…” I remember as a child wanting to immediately see the rest of the story, but I had to wait. Eventually Back to the Future II was released and I remember watching it with my friends… and yet again, it ended with “To be continued…” The “awwwww” in the room when we saw the sign were audible for miles, I think. We never anticipated (as children) that Back to the Future would be a trilogy, it took us completely by surprise. But we really enjoyed the experience of waiting for the story to enfold. Till today, while it is not the best trilogy ever, I think it still remains the most anticipated sequel of all time… in my mind.

2. Matrix 3 (Between Matrix 2 to Matrix 3)

I remember loving Matrix, and being a little surprised at the announcement that they were making a Matrix 2 and 3. It seemed like a sell-out (compromise kind) at the time. But when I saw the trailer of Matrix 2, I was in love with the movie already. And actually I loved “Reloaded“. When it ended… in the middle… I was drooling for more. Till today, I must add, the Matrix remains my favourite trilogy.

3. Incredibles

Super-hero movies are made to be remade. I realised the truth of that after seeing Pixar’s Incredibles. What an amazing story of an amazing family. But it ended just when we were getting into it. I want more, I don’t know if I’ll ever see more, but I certainly want more.

4. Lord of the Rings 2 (between 1 and 2)

Many people I know didn’t expect Lord of the Rings I to end where it did. I did, because I’d read the book (yes it is actually one book, not three). And I knew after seeing such an excellent part I that I wanted to see the rest… the whole story. I waited and waiting… and was shocked at the outcome (Part 2 was terrible, for LOTR-book fans, I think). But still, I really wanted part II and thankfully even though after part II I didn’t really want Part III, at least Part III saved the series a little.

5. Pirates of the Carribean 3 (between 2 and 3)

Oh I loved the Pirate movies, of course Part I, people will say, was the best. But somehow I like seeing films as they develop and now feel that all three actually work together quite well. Still, I loved the Part II ending, not just the (spoiler) Jack dying part, but the Captain Barbosa return (end of spoiler). What an ending! It certainly left a thirst for more, a lot more.

(not on the list)

Star Wars

I saw Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (now VI) first. And so the desire for sequels was already quenched. In a sense, going to Star Wars was an exploration of Prequels and I enjoyed IV-V-VI a LOT! But the other three, hmmm. The less said about them, the better. I wasn’t even looking forward to them.

Anyway, that’s my two bits. On to other things of life

“Mad Money” Musings

I just saw Mad Money. And the verdict?

Mad Money is funny. Mad Money is long (unnecessarily long for its genre). Mad Money has some good and some over-acting (by the whole crew, especially by Diane Keaton on both counts). Mad Money has little character development (ie. works largely with stereotypes). Mad Money has a decent plot (storyline… keeps you engaged). Mad Money makes a good light-hearted watch.

Does that sum it up? Yes!