So many movies, so little time (to blog): thus quick bites

OK. I’ve actually been watching movies like crazy, but haven’t had the time to write about them. I know I’ve tried to be a non-passive watcher, but at times I just can’t help myself. Movies help me escape… and sometimes I just… well… escape.

Anyway, I have seen many movies and rather than review them all in detail, I’ll list them and see if I can write impressions about them as and when I can.

This year, since January 2007, I think, I have seen…. (comments coming)

Apocalypto: This has been one of the best movies I’ve recently seen. One of those films that leaves you with images and even feelings. I must say that I feared I’d be grossed out by the blood and gore, but somehow I survived. It wasn’t as bad as I imagined… and thankfully, none of the violence on screen was dwelt upon too long to be extra-uncomfortable. The fact that most of the characters were unknown to the western movie watching world makes the movie all the more exciting because of the stand-out performances. An excellent movie, worth watching, though if you’re faint hearted like me… close your eyes when you fear.

Millions: A british film about a boy obsessed with Saints who finds a bag with lots and lots of pounds that have to be spent or exchange (or given away) by the EURO Christmas. It’s quite a sweet film really. I enjoyed it, and was sad that so many people hadn’t heard about it. Good film for those who don’t mind story (and ideas) in film.

300: OK… call me a fanboy, I don’t care. I really really liked 300. (I liked Kill Bill and Sin City too). It wasn’t as gruesome and actually I found it ‘artistic’ (I didn’t say art). What I especially liked about it though was the narrative within the narrative. Too many people have critiqued the movie for not being true to facts. However, we see in the movie that a narrator is telling the story right through… and in those days, narrators would exaggerate anyway. And so, the movie is a narrative of a narrative… we see only a (skewed, even politcal) perspective.

Stranger than Fiction: This movie is to what’s-his-name, what ‘The Truman Show’ was to Jim Carrey. A more serious venture that plays with the ‘typecaste’.

The Painted Veil: was not great. But it was nice. I don’t like such serious movies… but for a single watch, it was ok.

The Pursuit of Happyness: honestly, I didn’t really like The Pursuit of Happyness, except perhaps for the ending. And I guess the whole movie prolongs the struggle and makes us wait for its ending. It succeeded in its purpose, but the more I think about it, Happyness is not for people looking for a fun film.

Lucky Number Slevin: I know this movie is old, but I just saw it yesterday and I must say that I was surprised about what kind of movie it was. I thought it was a ‘comedy’ or even a ‘black-comedy’ it turned out to be neither.

Dreamgirls: a fun film with a great soundtrack… but then I guess that’s the problem. For people who don’t like that kind of music, I’m sure it would just put them off.

Just my luck: Yes, there are days I want to watch chick flicks… and I was happy to have watched it on that day… and I was happy to have forgotten it on the next.

Night at the Museum: yes this movie is fun-and sometimes funny.

Open Season: is a terrible animation movie. Too loud, derivative and shallow. Enough said.

Rocky Balboa: when I first heard they were doing this movie, I thought they and Stallone was crazy. But then I imagined what kind of movie it would logically be… and that’s sort of how the movie turned out. So for me, the movie met my expectations. Didn’t embarrass Stallone or the Rocky franchise.

The Guardian: This movie was like a ‘chick-flick’ for boys. Had the usual cliches… action etc… and yet, tried to have some depth (pun unintended). I enjoyed this movie while watching it… but I just didn’t like the ending.

We are Marshall: I was looking forward to this movie for a while… and I wasn’t disappointed. I can see however, that those who don’t know about the history, nor are prepared for the premise, might find is slow and boring.

Venus: if you’re into another ‘British’ movie, that is dialogue and character driven, then this is for you. I quite liked it, but would hesitate to recommend it to people looking for a Hollywood style comedy.

Click: I actually watched this movie to see the usual Sandler support cast. Sadly, they weren’t that many there this time, or did I miss them? Anyway, this movie was better than I expected. But really, watching it once is enough.

Constantine: what’s with Keanu and his tryst with the forces of hell?

Meet the Robinsons: really disappointing animation effort. Looked so good in parts, but was so noisy and hazy in others.

Nacho Libre: a very “nice” movie. Aspects of it jar (like the song, where Jack Black sings to the camera!), but still it’s a watchable and memorable movie.

Music and Lyrics: Hugh Grant should have a genre named after him by now. Anyway… let me call this a Hugh Grant genre movie. Enjoyed it, music isn’t that great, but it works. On the whole, just about feel good.

Freedom Writers: As reviewers have suggested, this movie is gutsy, and not like (though not unlike either) other teacher-student movies.

Blood Diamond: difficult movie to watch.

Eragon: Quite a poor movie, and rumour has it they’ve even changed much of the book.

Invicibles: American Football… whoopidido!

Gridiron Gang: A better American Football movie than the above, and time-pass.

Fearless: A good action movie, enjoyed watching it… but I don’t think I’ll miss Jet Li in Martial Arts that much. He hasn’t captured my psyche.

Over The Hedge: I’m a pixar fan, but this film is quite funny and watchable. I’ll probably watch it again soon. Nowadays I look at squirrels and the first word comes to my mind is “hammy”

TMNT (teenage mutant ninja turtles): I liked the Turtles when I FIRST saw them, then I grew up. This helps the nostalgia, but I don’t think I can call myself a fan.

School for Scoundrels
Blades of Glory
Talladega Knights
Shooter
Eklavya (Hindi)
Salam-e-Ishq (Hindi)
Ta Ra Rum Pum
Hatrick
Say Salaam India
Charlottes Web
Wow, this is a long list. I didn’t realise I’d seen so many. It’s almost like two-three every week!

Grindhouse review (article watch)

The following is a quote from Rolling Stone’s review of Grindhouse,

“Movies are so rarely great art,” Kael wrote, “that if we cannot appreciate great trash, we have very little reason to be interested in them.” Grindhouse is great trash, and something more.

Read full review here.

I don’t intend to watch Grindhouse, not yet at least. I don’t think I can stomach it. But there’s something enticingly inviting in Tarantino-Rodriquez… and the above quote at least points to the idea that the movie-biz would be all the poorer without people who break the rules. Cinema needs directors who think out of the box. And even if it is “out of the box” for “out of the box” sake, at least it is another box.

So watch Grindhouse at your own risk; and be exposed to the basest of the base… which possibly lies not in a movie, but in ourselves.

Dreamgirls: excellent beginning, but…

One reviewer said that “Dreamgirls” was good, but not great. I would have to agree. When I saw the beginning of the movie I was thoroughly floored by its energy, it’s coolth, it’s pace… But then, what can be described as Act 2 (when the Effy ‘relationship’ develops), its starts becoming soppy. By the end of the movie, you wonder what movie you were watching in the beginning, hence Dreamgirls exchanges brass for ballad.

But all this is not that bad a thing. Dreamgirls tryes to be historical accurate in terms of music, and can perhaps epitomise the time that tried to find a “new sound” which meant the rejection of the old exciting times… (possible spoiler *as Eddi Murphy’s character epitomises so well*). So that’s good.

Personally, because I’m not a ‘westerner’ some of the music is too loud and screechy. Yes, the music has passion, like “I’m not going anywhere” or “listen”. But I found myself forgiving the tone by remembering Whitney Houston singing “And I’ll always love you”… and  remembered that I guess this kind of music WAS popular for sometime.

I liked the characterisation too… Eddie Murphy’s character, and his portrayal of it… were brilliant. In fact, other than Jamie Foxx who was utterly terrible in portrayal! the rest of the cast was excellent.

On the whole, I enjoyed watching the movie… and would recommend this film to myself more than Chicago which I can’t get myself to see.  But at the end, a musical will always draw some people and put some people off… personally, Dreamgirls was worth being drawn to.

Brief review of 300

 

I must confess. I just saw this movie and was NOT blown away. However, I really really liked it. I think there’s a difference. If I was to rate it amongst this genre of movies, I think I would rate:

1. Kill Bill 1-2
2. Pulp Fiction
3. 300
4. Sin City

As expected, I loved the adrenaline rush I got watching the whole movie.. it was not just the battles. I really liked the entire presentation, the narrator’s ‘over-drama’ which in the context of ‘live story telling’ works. I even liked the over-the-top visuals; the beasts, the extra-dark immortals etc. Which clearly give the impression that we are in a “biased” tale where some are heroes are some are dastardly villains.

What prevented me from getting blown away was surprisingly the battle scenes. They were good, I especially liked the scene when they meet a new challenge at every corner.

But somehow, Xerxes was presented as too dumb. Why couldn’t he break the wall? But more importantl, only the first battle scene where there is a huge “push of Xerxes’ army” against the Spartans. that’s probably more realistic… instead all the battle scenes look like there is enough room to jump and manouvre and so it doesn’t look like there are actually 200000 soldiers waiting. Instead it looks like xerxes sent a battalian of 50-100 soldiers each time. Didn’t it?

Anyway, that doesn’t distract from the fact that it’s worth a watch, and even makes you want to check up on your history. So check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Thermopylae