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Ted Lasso (2020)
Brilliant, heartfelt series with Sudeikis and Goldstein leading the way
Ted Lasso, well what more I can say that hasn't been said? It is a brilliant heartfelt series with delightful characters and arcs that stays true to its positive tone. The comedy is hilarious, but the dramatic moments are poignant. It teaches life lessons but never gets preachy. And the world wide inclusion it promotes is well done; there is no national bias or anything like that.
Just when you think it is another Major League, Ted Lasso becomes more than that as the series continues and we see the characters and their story arcs develop. The writing is not only smart and witty, but contains depth and meaning which can be a balm for the lowering attention spans we seem to have nowadays. We can understand that a lot of love and attention has been paid to these characters and they are not caricatures, but flawed and fully fleshed human beings like us.
Season 1 starts off strong, Season 2 maintains it well, especially with the addition of Dr. Sharon and while Season 3 isn't quite up to the mark, the heartfulness keeps it going and finishes it to its solid conclusion.
The direction, cinematography and music are apt and keeps us engaged.
Jason Sudeikis is wonderful as the eponymous character whose positivity and folksy attitude keeps him and the team going, despite his mental trauma. It was a genius move for him to take this character he created on NBC Sports to AppleTV where he, Brendan Hunt, Bill Lawrence and Joe Kelly developed in a character who we can all relate to.
However like his character, it is all about the team, and the supporting cast pounce their claws into their characters and make them memorable. Hannah Waddingham is marvelous as Rebecca who starts out as a vengeful owner, but changes into a charming, caring woman who finally appreciates what Ted is doing and develops a mind of her own. Brendan Hunt is wonderful as Beard, the brains and voice of reason. Jeremy Swift is great as Leslie, Juno Temple is sassy as Keeley, Phil Dunster settles very well into Jamie Tartt, James Lance's deadpan sarcastic wit is a perfect fit for Trent Krimm, Toheeb Jimoh is great as Sam, Cristo Fernandez is funny as Dani Rojas, Kola Bokinni brings in both toughness and vulnerability as Isaac, Billy Harris is very good as the closeted Colin, Nick Mohammed finally gets his breakthrough as Nate Shelley and the rest of the team contribute memorable moments. But it is Brett Goldstein who is the true star of the show. Literally coming out of nowhere, he towers over the supporting cast by giving the most memorable character ever created, Roy Kent. Within that acerbic, icy foul mouthed persona is a wholehearted lover of football and Richmond who can't leave. And we root for him throughout.
Overall, a fantastic, heartfelt series which will be remembered as time goes on.
Thiruchitrambalam (2022)
Enjoyable, feel-good movie with Nithya Menen stealing the show once more
Thiruchitrambalam is an enjoyable feel-good movie from Dhanush, who floundered in Tamil after the duds of Jagame Thanthiram and Maaran, but gave a fantastic performance in the charming, but problematic Bollywood movie Atrangi Re. Mithran Jawahar delivers a simple, lifelike entertaining yarn of a movie which keeps you invested in the middle-class life of Thiruchitrambalam Jr aka Jr Pazham (Dhanush) and his relationships with his grandfather Thiruchitrambalam Sr aka Sr Pazham (Bharathiraja), estranged police inspector father Neelakandan (Prakash Raj) and his childhood best friend Shobana (Nithya Menen).
The plot is predictable, but its heart is in the right place. The director keeps the charming mood going throughout and there aren't any dull moments. The music fits in well, especially the tracks "Megham Karukkatha" which has a nice 50s music and dance style to it and Kanneer Sindha sung by Vijay Yesudas.
While Raashi Khanna and Priya Bhavani Shankar get the typical generic heroine roles as the failed love interests of Jr Pazham and don't have much to do, it is the chemistry between the lead 4 that makes this movie special. It's a cakewalk for Dhanush as he effortlessly plays the boy next door with a traumatic past. Bharathiraja is hilarious and amazing as the grandfather and Prakash Raj brings another dimension to his acting prowess as the guilt-ridden father. Stealing the show from all 3 male leads is an effervescent Nithya Menen who just lights up the screen whenever she's there. Her range of expressions are excellent throughout and you can't look away. As I mentioned in my earlier reviews of her movies, she is an original natural talent who will be remembered as one of the best actresses of her generation.
Please do watch this movie!
7.5/10.
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022)
Interesting, but flawed biopic
Madhavan makes his directorial debut in Rocketry, a biopic based on the life of Nambi Narayanan. I don't need to write anything about the plot as it's already been covered by most of the reviewers.
We need to understand that most if not all biopics have to take creative liberty with their subjects so that it engages us as a movie goer. Otherwise, we would be better off watching a documentary. In recent times, we have seen Indian movie biopics take major creative liberties to make their subject larger than life. Sometimes the makers have to change the characterization of their subject; for example, instead of portraying GR Gopinath as his original Brahmin identity in Sudha Kongara's Soorarai Pottru, it became a story about a downtrodden Non-Brahmin named Maara who rose up and became one of the most powerful Indian airline leaders because it needed to fit Tamil sensibilities and appease Suriya fans. On the other hand, you have hagiographies like NTR Kathanayakudu/Mahanayakudu where the protagonist is basically God and that can never go well.
Here Madhavan veers between biopic and hagiography. We see Nambi Narayanan from his early days in ISRO to his elder days. His dedication towards science, space and to his country is commendable. He is so totally dedicated to his job that he will not stop until he's fully satisfied. But he is made to become as this all-knowing superhero genius who can solve everything. Nobody else has anything to contribute around him; they just surround him and applaud his ideas as brilliant. Despite a couple of scenes where his dedication and determination does cost him a slight bit of his human soul, he barely has any flaws. Maybe the real-life Nambi was like this, but the over glorification of the character is hammered hard in our skulls without any nuance.
And that's the main reason why Rocketry fails to explore the human side of Nambi. We don't get to know more about him as a person, what made him tick, why he was like this, etc. We get some interesting James Bond espionage type scenes, but because the screenplay glorifies him so much, we don't feel the struggle and humiliation he went through; it just feels hollow. Nor do we get to know his family, his mentors or his friends. They are just satellites surrounding him.
A lot of technical jargon is thrown at us and while I'll say that while it is indeed educative and important, you can't bore the audience with it. The pacing makes the movie feel longer than it is and there are a lot of emotional manipulation where the BGM just tries to overpower you with these loud moments that just don't stick, plus the editing is not slick enough to make you care.
Having said the above, it is still a story that needed to be told and Madhavan is the sole reason you should watch it. Though he does not fit the role of a 27-year-old student in the beginning portions due to his age (despite still maintaining his good looks), he embodies Nambi Narayanan very well from his 30s all the way until his elderly days. He has put in a lot of hard work and love into this portrayal and despite the hagiographic nature as I earlier mentioned, he does make the character watchable. The real Nambi Narayanan makes an appearance towards the end, and it was good to see him speak in his own voice.
On the other hand, the rest of the cast don't have any role to play and it's sad to see Simran, Misha Ghoshal (a talented actress), Karthik Kumar (who reminded me of Atul Kulkarni), Rajiv Kapur/Ravi Raghavendra and Sriram Parthasarathy wasted in underdeveloped roles. While there is some dignity given to the non-Indian actors where they speak their own languages instead of being dubbed in Tamil or Hindi, the less said about them the better. Neither Suriya (Tamil) or Shah Rukh Khan (Hindi) impress in their cameo.
Sirsha Ray also deserves credit for the cinematography which helps engage the viewer somewhat and the CGI isn't so bad.
Overall, while the majority of people may be inspired and wholly satisfied by this labor of love by Madhavan to Nambi Narayanan, others will feel disappointed that the making did not do justice to the human element of the man. Despite my problems with the movie, I'm glad it was told and it's strictly a one-time watch movie thanks to Madhavan. He is one of the rare actors who cares about his audience and wants to give them good concept and content-based movies. He doesn't fully succeed here, but he did at least engage me somewhat. Hope he improves in his next directorial feature and continues to give appealing content with better form throughout his career.
6/10.
Skylab (2021)
Nice feel good cinema
Vishvak Khanderao makes a good debut with Skylab produced and starring Nithya Menen, Satyadev and Rahul Ramakrishna. The film is about the life and times of a poor village near Hyderabad called Bandilingampalli and the quirky inhabitants who live there. The village is basically ordinary and has a certain code. There are many villagers with many desires and dreams but have been crushed by life. And this is where the 3 leads come in.
Anand (Satya) is a doctor from Hyderabad without a license staying with his grandfather (Tanikella Bharani). He wants to make money right away and will not hesitate to cheat the villagers. Ramarao (Rahul Ramakrishna) is a scion of a former rich and respected subeidar family now reduced to penury due to lavish spending. He is desperate to pay off his debts to the villagers and will do anything to save his family. Seeing that they're both in the same boat, Anand and Rama join hands to create a clinic in a forbidden part of the village so that they can earn quick money. Meanwhile Gouri (Nithya Menen) is a conceited unmarried daughter of the richest man in the village who desires to be a writer but is rejected because her writing is the worst thing anyone has seen. She is determined to find her own voice and with the help of her servant Seenu tries to find ideas and stories but is unsuccessful.
Suddenly, shocking news comes along that a NASA space station named Skylab has suffered a malfunction and is crashing down to India and Bandilingampalli is the village will be the most affected. Since the majority of the villagers are uneducated and will believe anything, all hell breaks loose. The 3 leads decide to take advantage of the situation to benefit themselves. But it doesn't turn out the way they want it.
The first half has a lot of comedy, the majority of the characters speak comic lines in a deadpan manner; similar to Wes Anderson movies. But you can't do this all the time, because the majority of the Telugu audience can never understand it and will lose interest. And after some point, the plot and scenes become boring and you wonder, when will they get to the point?
It's after the interval and during the second half where the film really begins to shine. I will not spoil it for you, but the scenes become emotional and real and then you see why this film is special to Telugu cinema and most importantly teaches you about life.
The plot isn't very new and is very predictable throughout. We know exactly what will happen and how it's going to happen. Had they decided to change more of a drama from beginning to end, maybe it would become an art film that would never be seen. The BGM felt really loud and the music while good is not that memorable.
And yet the story and screenplay have the ability to touch your heart and brain without mind numbing scenes. And perhaps this is what matters to audience goers. We just want feel-good cinema which entertains and enlightens us.
I believe the majority of the people in the film are actual villagers, so it is a great hat tip to the parallel cinema of the 70s and 80s led by Shyam Benegal where real villagers acted in them. The actors in the minor roles whether they are Gouri's parents, the little kids, the dumb man, the two elderly men and Ram's sister, mother and grandmother provide good support. Tanikella Bharani still has it and gets a great role and the guy who played Seenu was fantastic. It's another feather in the cap of Rahul as he gets a role with comedy and pathos and Satya shines as the doctor.
However as always, the film belongs to Nithya Menen. She is one of my favorite actors who is an absolute natural on camera. When she gets films like these, she sinks her teeth into them. I can go on about her acting talents for days, months and years together, but it is a great debut for her as a producer. With this film and other films like Awe, Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju, Ala Modalaindi and others, we are seeing an unconventional actress who is completely sure of her choices and has always focused on giving quality cinema and fantastic natural acting to the audiences.
Overall, this predictable but feel-good film will touch your heart and realize that cinema should not just entertain but enlighten. I would advise Vishvak to not succumb to commercial diktats and not overdo the Wes Andersonisms. He should also experiment with OTT, because he would have more freedom to tell his own stories the way he wants without sacrificing quality.
Hats off once more to Nithya Menen for supporting high quality and meaningful cinema! She will be remembered as one of the best actors of her generation.
7.5/10.
Amaidhi Padai (1994)
An exceptional political satire by Manivannan featuring Sathyaraj at his finest.
Before Sathyaraj became immortalized as Kattappa in Baahubali, he was a major star in Tamil cinema known for his own patented style of acting which was mostly filled with satire and sarcasm. He started his career as a bit player and villain's henchman and rose to the main villain spot for a couple of years against the likes of Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan before transitioning to the hero role where he finally gained the stardom he craved. It was his collegemate and best friend, director/comedian Manivannan who knew Sathyaraj's true potential and maximized it in the films they did together. And Amaidhi Padai is the peak of their combo.
The main story is old as the hills as Sathyaraj plays a double role of father and son where the righteous police officer son seeks revenge on his father, a corrupt and unscrupulous minister in Tamil Nadu who abandoned him and his mother. But it is the masterly handling by Manivannan which makes it extraordinary. He does not spare anyone in this political satire hidden in a masala film by making pointed jabs at politicians of the past and today. Anybody can become a politician nowadays and those who do never serve the public; they are only there is to gain and remain in power for themselves. To quote the great Pete Townshend of the Who, "We don't get fooled again," but unfortunately the status quo remains the same no matter what.
Here Manivannan focuses on one such person, a poor, yet egotistical man named Ammavasai (Sathyaraj) who dreams of owning a palace of his own. He will not hesitate to kill anyone or anything that gets in his way. He gets recruited by a corrupt politician named Manimaran (Manivannan himself) and rises up the ranks to become the latter's right-hand man. Ammavasai might be poor, but he is shrewd and calculating. He might show humility on the outside, but he is corrupt on the inside. He imitates politicians and later makes speeches to attract people (mainly for his boss). He lusts after a pretty young woman named Thayamma (Kasthuri), gets her to fall for his charms and later drugs and rapes her. Soon, he is asked by Mani to stand for elections as the latter is denied a ticket. What follows is a marvelous scene where Ammavasai declares his name to be "Nagaraja Cholan MA. Son of Rajendra Cholan. Grandson of Raja Raja Cholan, Thanjavur" and Mani's reaction to this is priceless.
Through Mani's crafty machinations, Ammavasai aka Nagaraja Cholan wins the election and becomes an MLA. During that stretch, when Ammavasai hears his name, he becomes blinded to the people's reaction and starts reveling in his victory. As the votes are counted in his victory, he sits down by parking his butt at the front part of his chair. With the help of Ilaiyaraaja's background music, he starts becoming more comfortable by slowly sliding down the chair until he is firmly on the back of the chair, smoking his cigarette with arrogance and pride.
And it's all just the beginning of his consolidation of power for the next 20+ years as he rebuffs Mani and makes him his crony and later marries Sivagami (Sujatha) to grab the palace from her father, a zamindar. And he doesn't stop there. He disowns a pregnant Thayamma and goes on his merry way. He does not hesitate to kill all his opposition, to destroy people due to their caste and to cause chaos through his henchmen in order to remain in power. His ultimate goal is to become a powerful minister maybe chief or even prime minister where he can never be touched.
And who does he remind you of? Well, nearly every politician/dictator in real life! We see it every day! And those who know their true role as public servants are always trampled by these power-hungry individuals and nothing is ever done for the public. Real life in reel life!
Looking back on the movie, the technical production design and costumes and soundtrack may take you back to the 90s and may not have aged very well, but Manivannan's excellent story, screenplay and direction keep you engrossed thoroughly. Though he is not effective at all as the law-abiding son due to the bland nature of the role, it is the abnormal, arrogant villainous father role where Sathyaraj gives his best performance. It is pretty much a one man show. Here is a miscreant who is detestable due to his evil deeds and yet he is so delicious in terms of character and depth that you can't look away. It's refreshing to see an unrighteousness man who is frank and forthwith about who he is and what he aims to be that you just want to see what he's up to next. The Sathyaraj swagger and style is at its peak as every word he utters out of his mouth is sharp, stinging and side-splitting.
Manivannan is in fantastic form as the corrupt Mani and his superb cutting political lines still remain relevant. Ranjitha and Kasthuri are decent in underdeveloped roles whereas Sujatha is great as always as the suffering, yet strong willed Sivagami. SS Chandran and Ganthimathi stand out as Thayamma's parents. Malaysia Vasudevan makes a cameo as Ranjitha's father and Baby Aarthi is cute as Ranjitha's younger sister.
Though Ilaiyaraaja's music isn't up to his high standards though Enakku Unnai Ninaicha is catchy, it is his background score that makes the film even more memorable.
I highly recommend Amaidhi Padai as an exceptional political satire which is still applicable today. It is entertaining and truthful and hopefully we can all learn not to fully trust our politicians all around the world. Most importantly, it's Sathyaraj's finest hour and you'll truly understand why he's a legend in Indian cinema, especially Tamil Cinema!
8.5/10.
PS. Please do not watch the Telugu and Hindi remakes! They do not come an iota close!
No Time to Die (2021)
Unmemorable, but a fitting send off for Daniel Craig
The 25th Bond film has Daniel Craig in his final outing as Bond coming out of retirement to track down a megalomaniac who stole one of MI-6's biological weapons and plans to destroy the world. Simultaneously, Bond is dealing with his emotional wellbeing and does not trust anyone until somebody from his past returns and provides him a surprise he never expected, leading to the climax which I will not reveal.
The Modern Day Bond is a very polarizing figure. Modern audiences will love him, whereas long time Bond lovers will hate him. He is more of a tragic figure here without the fun and games. And it's very hard to truly understand him. We have to realize that Craig's Bond is in its own film universe.
The action scenes are great, but doesn't open new ground. The production values are high, but with a Bond film, it's more of the same we have seen in the Craig movies. Secondly, Rami Malek (fresh off his Oscar win in Bohemian Rhaspody) is wasted as the villain. He comes out as one note and his motives are laughable. While watching, I couldn't understand what he was saying. Thirdly, the film's length can be taxing.
And yet with this film, we can say Craig has come full circle. He does well in his action scenes and slightly better emotionally. I believe after all he went through in all 5 films, this would be the way he would sign off.
There is a great cameo from Ana De Armas as the asskicking Bond girl in the Cuba scenes. Lashana Lynch is pretty decent as Nomi, while Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw and Rory Kinnear are good in their roles. Christoph Waltz also makes a cameo as Blofeld.
I would say to viewers and imdb members who have yet to watch the movie, please ignore both extremes (the lovers and the haters) and watch it with a blank slate. I would say you should watch it even if you're not a Bond fan. If you want to see Craig in his final outing as Bond, please remind yourself not to be swayed by extreme reviewers on both sides or the critics. It's up to the viewer to decide whether this film is terrible and "woke" or fascinating and a fitting send off.
In conclusion, I doubt this film will be a memorable Bond movie (I hope I'm wrong), however I do consider it as a farewell for Daniel Craig.
7/10.
Mugam (1999)
Nassar's finest acheivement
Nassar gives a National Award, heartbreaking performance in Gnana Rajasekaran's Mugam as a poor man who is ostracized by society due to his physically deformed face. One day he visits his make up artist friend (Manivannan) and discovers a mask which could hide his disfigured features. From that point on when he puts on the mask, he becomes a famous and successful movie star with loads of money and prestige and marries his biggest fan Malini (Roja). He is called Thalaiva by the public.
Yet, he is crumbling in the inside. Even though he has achieved everything he's ever dreamed of, he feels he is living a life of mockery on the outside. Every time he is alone, he wants to take off the mask and reveal his true self as an ugly man with a good heart. One day, he does take it off and feels free and joyous like he's never felt before. However when the public and his wife discover his self, they don't recognize him and throw him out of his mansion despite his pleas that he is the same person they love. He then realizes that ugliness will never be accepted by society, only beauty can and he puts the mask back on and becomes Thalaiva forever. The last scene shows his face turned towards the camera slowly becoming a smile knowing this is who he is now and this is how society will respect him.
The movie is very slow, but effective. The cinematography of PC Sreeram begins as claustrophobic because the protagonist is confined within small spaces and as he grows, the canvas becomes larger. But when he is by himself, the scene shrinks down to small, showing his own world. The mirror plays a great part in showing his identity to himself; that he knows who he truly is. Since this is set in the early 1980s, Ilaiyaraaja's BG score brings back some nostalgia of his 80s oeuvre and the camera lens, lighting and angles remind one of Nayakan and Agni Natchathiram.
However, most of the film deals with the protagonist's disability and his rise to riches is hurriedly rushed and not organic. Some of the characters aren't very fleshed out well. The director should have made the film over 2 hours and we would have seen how this man became a star. What were the films that he chose that made him a star? Was he a mass star like MGR/Rajini or was he a class actor/star like Sivaji/Kamal? His rise to fame reminds me of Jayan, but it is not very clear and organic.
But, Nassar gives his finest performance in his long varied career and we forget about those flaws when he is on screen. He commands the scene and screen effectively and simply becomes the character. You feel for him in the beginning being ostracized. You cheer for him when he becomes famous. When you see him scratching his face, wanting to take off his mask, you can't help but feel sorry for him for hiding his true identity. When you see him with his disfigured face, experiencing the joy and freedom he's always craved, free from the suffocation of being someone he is not, you are happy too. Simultaneously, you chide him for taking off the mask because you know he is ruining his reputation as a beloved movie star; that he is simply returning back to the gutter, the place he doesn't want to be. It is to his credit that he maintains a middle ground without becoming too theatrical nor too subtle. With a film like this, he can spread his wings out and display his powerful, naturalized acting to the world. The rest of the actors are decent with Manivannan standing out as the good friend in need, but it is Nassar's show all the way.
Overall, if one is tired of seeing nonsensical Tamil films and wants to see a film which engages the brain and the heart, this film is for you. However, the slow pace and depressing beginning scenes may put you off and the rise of the protagonist is not depicted well. Yet, Nassar's performance will keep you watching and will show what a great undervalued talent he is.
7.5/10
Awe! (2018)
an Awestauding debut by a brilliant, classy director
Prasanth Varma makes a smashing debut in Awe with an outstanding cast, wonderful visuals, marvelous BGM and gripping storyline. We see 6 different storylines all playing out in a restaurant: a young woman introducing her lover to her orthodox parents, a watchman/budding male scientist encountering his female future self, a new chef trying to impress his boss by creating meals with the help of a fish (voiced by Nani) and a Bonsai tree (voiced by Ravi Teja), an egotistical magician who has to deal with a better and mysterious magical force, a tattooed drug addict who with her lover is planning to steal money from the café she works at and a depressed, suicidal woman named Kali who is planning something drastic for her birthday. Each of these storylines explore different genres and themes like comedy, sci-fi, horror, lesbianism, child abuse and time travel to name few and how these 6 stories connect together into an exhilarating climax is what you need to watch.
Prasanth uses jump cuts to quickly transition from one storyline to the other, rapidly changing genres and themes to keep the audience on their toes seamlessly. He tries to make sure the audience gets it by his extensive visuals which begins with a brilliant animation and transitions into fantastic cinematography, wonderful production and art design and crisp editing. Not once did I feel bored and was engaged throughout. Kudos to Karthik Ghattamaneni, Gowtham Neresu and the art and production department.
The music by debutant Mark K Robin is well done. With only one song, the film easily establishes the theme and characters. His BGM combines many genres, yet sound fresh and delightful. The sound production is robust in its execution.
It is to the credit of Nani that he agreed to bankroll this venture and an outstanding cast led by the female quad of Kajal Aggarwal, Eesha Rebba, Regina Cassandra and Nithya Menen who fulfilled Prasanth's vision. And Kajal gives the best performance of her life as the main character Kali especially towards the end. Eesha is charming as the village belle Radha and Regina is badass and horrifying as the tattooed drug addict Mira. Nithya is no stranger to brilliant, dynamic and versatile performances and she being my favorite actress, elevates herself in the role as a lesbian psychiatrist Krish with intelligence, humor and pathos. I can proudly say that I can never get enough of Nithya.
Murali Sharma is hilarious as the egotistical magician Yogi. Srinivas Avarasala displays another facet of his acting prowess as Shiva the scientist. Priyadarshi provides great comic relief as the cook and Nani and Ravi Teja entertain with their playful yet deep banter. Devadarshini is well cast as the future Shiva named Parvathy. Pragathi and the kid who played Moksha do a good job. Rohini and the actor who played her husband make an impact as Eesha's orthodox parents. The guys who played the thief and investor were decent.
Finally, the film belongs to the director who brings everything together into a thrilling, yet dismal climax which addresses a serious issue which I will not reveal. The storyline and screenplay are presented devoid of commercial aspects and consist of out of the box thinking, impressive staging, brilliant technical values and a passion for creating good Telugu cinema which is what Tollywood desperately needs. Go and watch Awe and let's encourage more writers and directors who share the same mentality as Prasanth and want to create great Telugu works of arts which seek to enlighten and push the envelope.
Thank you, Nani and Prasanth Varma, for making me Awestruck by Awe! Keep up the wonderful work and keep encouraging quality cinema!
Vikram Vedha (2017)
Enjoyable and Engaging
Pushkar-Gayathri skillfully retell Vikram-Betaal into Vikram Vedha, an engaging and enjoyable movie. The plot isn't complicated, but doesn't insult the audience and makes them part of the journey. The movie displays more class and intelligence as the mass scenes don't jar the narrative.
Cinematography is great. However, the songs and BGM aren't very memorable. And some of the actions are not explained well in the movie.
However the presence and acting prowess of Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi more than make up for the flaws. When these two combine together, they create fireworks both for the masses and the classes. Madhavan's gruff voice and demeanor fits the bill for Vikram. He's still got his good looks and his histrionics and facial expressions are natural. Vijay Sethupathi is one of my favorite actors today and he doesn't act, but literally becomes Vedha. His line delivery, his swagger, his multitude of facial appearances and expressions captivate the audience thoroughly. He provides excellent comic relief and his flashback scenes are great.
Shraddha Srinath, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Kathir, Prem and Achyuth Kumar provide good support although most of the supporting players are relegated far into the background thanks to the thunderous combination of the two leads.
Overall, I highly recommend this terrific Tamil flick if you are bored with the usual mass films and want a little intelligence and class. You won't be disappointed as Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi provide you more bang for your buck. Thank you Pushkar-Gayathri for making this a entertaining, enjoyable and engaging experience.
8 out of 10.
Rudhramadevi (2015)
Over-hyped and flawed, yet a good watch nonetheless.
Gunashekhar's Rudhramadevi is one such film that desperately tries to be revered as one of Indian cinema's finest and most memorable mythical movies like Maya Bazaar, Pataala Bhairavi (NTR version), Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha and the recently hyped up Baahubali part 1. It wants to entertain and amaze while providing an engaging story line. Yes, we can see the hard work put forth into this feature and we are intrigued by the main character that is forced to shed her feminine identity and assume a role of a man in a domain ruled by manly men.
However, the film does not nearly entertain us as much as we want, nor does the film provide us with spectacular moments of what Rudhramadevi was all about. Instead, it glosses over her conquests and her importance in history and focuses more on her conflicted identity as the female heir to the Kakitiya throne, her so-called rivalry with Gona Ganna Reddy (which may not be true from what I have read) and her love for Chalukya Veerabhadra (which is very weak). We are only given short glimpses narrated by Chiranjeevi of what she accomplished and nothing more, which is disappointing. Perhaps if Gunashekhar split it into 2 films: the first about Rudhramadevi and how she was able to conceal her feminine side from the public, and the second about her conquests, her rule and accomplishments, while stressing the main message that a woman can be equal to a man, this would be his magnum opus and he would be respected as one of the best storytellers in Indian Cinema.
Visually, the film is unimpressive. Like Baahubali, it suffers from an overdose of numerous commercial aspects such as high flying stunts, horrid villainy, ostentatious animation and odious VFX that mar the narrative. Its main goal is to culminate into an enormous mind blowing battle sequence towards the end and even that doesn't register. One would be better off reading a comic book as the special effects look no better than a children's animation show.
It pains me to say this, but Ilaiyaraja's music is a downer. Though some of his background score is nice, the Midas touch which produced such heartfelt and mind blowing melodies is not there. The songs are unnecessary and hinder the narrative.
The dialogues feel as if they have been written in the wrong century. They sound phony and exaggerated. Many scenes are drawn out too long including some of the feminine ones and battle ones. There are too many events happening at once in the climax and the editing makes it excruciatingly worse.
There are many worthless characters who do not contribute to the narrative. Most of the supporting characters are awful, especially the females who have nothing to do except look glamorous. The villains are ghastly especially Suman, a talented character actor who is given one of the worst roles of his career. Even a veteran like Krishnamraju is given a weak role as Ganapathydevaraya and cannot summon his acting abilities which were greatly evident during his stardom days. Rana is better in his quieter, love struck moments alongside his horse and convinces as the fierce, dependable Chalukya Veerabhadra, but the movie wastes his screen time by not showing his valor on the battlefield. His chemistry with Anushka is flimsy.
Yet, the story and screenplay kept me interested and gets better during the second half when the true identity of Rudramadevi is revealed. And Anushka is the only actress worthy enough to essay the character with a strong performance which will be remembered as one of her most memorable roles. She brilliantly alternates between the tough as nails, sword yielding prince and the vulnerable, but ravishing princess. She does not falter and lets her actions do the talking.
Allu Arjun pretty much lives the role of Gona Ganna Reddy. His Telangana accent, poker faced approach and captivating presence successfully shifts the attention from Anushka to himself and he does not let his hero image get in the way of some of the finest acting he has done in his career. Prakash Raj is wonderful as Minister Shivadevaiah and his dialogue delivery is delightful. Nithya Menon is irresistible as the happy go lucky Muktamba and provides great comic relief. Her enchanting eyes and charming character speak volumes and it's impossible not to pay attention to her.
History may not be kind to Rudhramadevi because of the many flaws mentioned and it is certainly over-hyped due to its comparison to Baahubali part 1 and its burning desire to be remembered as one of the best Indian mythological films of all time. Don't expect a major history lesson or first-class entertainment as it provides neither. But do watch it for the story line and the fine performances by Anushka, Allu, Prakash Raj and Nithya.
6.5 out of 10.
The Martian (2015)
Visually stunning with excellent acting
Ridley Scott's The Martian is a straight forward, yet visual alluring movie about a man stranded on Mars and the team effort from Earth to bring him home. From the beginning, it gets straight to the plot and beautifully illustrates Mark Whatney's long, arduous and painstaking tale of survival and the NASA/JPL's (with some help) persistent and tireless team effort to bring him home.
Ridley Scott directs the film with beautiful storytelling and stunning visuals. The plot does not meander and the scenery and visual effects are exemplary. Mars looks and feels real and the satellite imagery is used appropriately. The humor is intoxicating and keeps the audience entertained. Most importantly the human determination and strong spirit is the key to the film's success. We all aspire to be the best we want to be and when we run into trouble, we should always try to remain hopeful of the situation and never ever give up.
An excellent cast consisting of comedic actors like Kristen Wiig, reliable character actors like Jeff Daniels and Michael Peña (the former who doesn't let his character become a caricature and brings a bit of Gregg Popovich in him and the latter who is great as always), Marvel characters like Kate Mara and Sebastian Stan, new names that some of the audience may have never heard before like Aksel Hennie, Benedict Wong, McKenzie Davis and Donald Glover and those in the background elevate the film from being an ordinary film. Jessica Chastain is wonderful as the commanding officer, portraying her character's reactions with great naturalism. Sean Bean is a delight as the Flight Director who eschews PR distractions by using his practicality and common sense to bring the crew home.
But the film belongs to Matt Damon and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Damon is brilliant as the main character Whatney who tries to do the best he can to survive on Mars. Each aspect of his acting does not feel forced and his deadpan is hilarious. Most importantly his will to live drives the film and we feel as if we are with him and we want him to return home. He can add this performance to his personal top 5. In my opinion, Ejiofor is at the peak of his acting prowess and he is fantastic as Vincent Kapoor who is deeply involved about the fate of the crew and will do anything it takes to bring them home. He is to be lauded for making Kapoor a strong willed humanist who is compassionate to everyone and views them as equals and simultaneously as a no nonsense engineer who wants things done at the best of their capabilities in order to save life. To him like Ed Harris's portrayal of Gene Kranz in Apollo 13, failure is and will not be an option.
Background music is good, but the 70s soundtrack is even better much to the annoyance of Whatney.
Overall, this movie with its simple storyline, arresting visuals, and excellent ensemble led Damon and Ejiofor with honorable mentions to Chastain and Bean is something to experience. Most importantly, the human determination and spirit is the most memorable aspect of the movie and will linger with you as you leave the theater.
9/10
Bãhubali: The Beginning (2015)
A visually gratifying, yet flawed film
SS Rajamouli's Baahubali is a visually stunning, yet flawed movie. The plot does not need to be revealed as many posters have previously done so, but meanders between interesting and unsatisfactory. While it does a decent job of fleshing out the characters, there is too much Telugu hero bravado and not much credible acting from the leads. The scenes where Shivudu and Avantika meet and fall in love and then he takes over her mission did not make sense and was probably meant for the masses rather for those who want a credible storyline. They should have left out the romantic scenes as they constrict the narrative.
All the credit should and will go to Rajamouli and the VFX team for their three year hard and tireless work to make this a presentable picture. They will certainly reap the necessary awards. However some scenes looked fake (Avalanche, bull fight) and claiming that they were under budget constraints is not an excuse. There were too many high flying stunts that constrain the movie and as mentioned before are only there to show the heroism of the males and nothing more. The battle scenes do make up for some of the missteps though inspired from LOTR and 300. I hope the team fixes these problems mentioned here and by other posters either from their reviews or forum posts in the second film. It looks like they're moving on the right path in terms of visual effects, but they still have a long way to go.
Acting wise, it is the supporting cast of a powerful Ramya Krishna, Nassar (though made as a caricature in some scenes) and Satyaraj who perform the best with the latter stealing the show as a Bhishma type warrior conflicted by his duty to the kingdom and doing the right thing. Prabhas has definitely worked hard on his muscular look, but acts like any Tollywood hero would which is not so great, although he does a good job as the father. Rana is OK but made to be too evil and I would have liked to have seen more depth in his characterization. Tamannah has a decent role and like Prabhas gets to flex her muscles in some action scenes but the change in her character when she gets tempted to fall in love with his character is baffling. Rajamouli, please do not use her as eye candy only! Anushka has a smaller, yet unglamorous and better role though her lines are a bit tacky. I hope she has a stronger and more impactive part in the second film. The rest of the cast which include Rohini, Sudeep and Tanikella Bharani are passable.
Overall, it may be a step in the right direction and is definitely better than the nonsense produced today but it is simply a movie to watch only once. We all know many fans are eager for the conclusion, but may not be able to fathom the one year gap. But I hope this one year wait will give Rajamouli and his team the time to fix the flaws, tighten up the script, stop with the hero worshiping, improve the visuals where they don't look fake and finally present a final product that can stand the test of time like a Sholay. All the best to them.
Watch solely for the visuals and Satyaraj's performance.
6.5/10
PS. What on earth was that language by the Kalakeya tribe? Was it inspired by "The Gods must be Crazy"? Did they invent a new language? If so, it was childish and hilarious for the wrong reasons.
Casino Royale (2006)
The darker James Bond we knew before...
.....as Sean Connery is back in the form of Daniel Craig. In this performance he is more brutal, more dangerous but with a tender heart which becomes more evident towards the end. In his first mission ever, he is sent to foil the plans of Le Chiffre, an evil banker who has to deal with terrorists after his money. To win his money back, Le Chiffre organizes and participates in a poker game in Casino Royale in Montenegro. With the help of British accountant, Vesper Lynd, Bond decides to play the game as well, to defeat Le Chiffre and to get him to disclose the terrorists' name. But this is not an easy task in mind for Bond, for more dangerous acts including double crossing and murders come into the picture that could destroy his already dangerous profession....
As the new Bond, Daniel Craig provides brutality, dangerousness and great acting that will cement his career as the next Bond. Mads Mikkelsen plays a great villain living a double life as the evil banker and as the desperate human being staking his profession and life to save his money. Other performances include Eva Green as the sultry Vesper Lynd who may or may not be who she is, Judi Dench as M, Jeffrey Wright as Felix, and Giancarlo Giannini as Mathis who provides a different side of an agent that you will not perceive him to be.
The action scenes are fantastic and will keep you thrilled and waiting for more. The cinematography is also excellent as well as the music. Many people will not believe this to be the best Bond ever, but this is the most truest Bond you'll ever see.
9/10.
Easy Rider (1969)
Drugged Beyond Boredom
When my father and I watched this film, I expected just more than a drug film talking about the dangers of the drug use. Instead we received a film that was really drugged beyond boredom. It's just about two young druggies (Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper) searching for the American dream, except doing it the wrong way. Along the way, they meet with up Jack Nicholson's character, a alcoholic lawyer who does not really know the meaning of freedom. He is sort of a guide to them, telling them about the dangers of being free. Everyone will fear them and will become dangerous. This observation is noticed when they enter a restaurant that they realize that they are not being served, but being discriminated by the rednecks in the place, resulting with Nicholson's death. Then it rambles on into a LSD scene, which is very graphic, confusing and lost my interest towards the end when both are killed.
I will give credit to the cinematographer for his beautiful portrayal of the countryside and wired-out scenes of the LSD sexual rampage. The music is also fantastic and shows the decline of the hippies/LSD generation throughout the films. Unfortunately, the performances were not at par with the film. Only Jack Nicholson was good to watch. I am totally disgusted with the tone of this film. I guess I didn't really understand the theme of this film and I should have been in a different mood in order to view this film, but the search for paradise through this look is atrocious. I guess I can understand some of the meanings of what this film is trying to depict, but this is not a film that I would like to view again.
3/10.
Philadelphia (1993)
A movie that will never be forgotten.
When I watched this movie, I expected just the normal routine: guy getting fired because he's gay and has AIDS and he hires a lawyer to fight his cause and they win. But Philadelphia was more than that. It is a movie that makes us aware that gay people/people stricken with AIDS, HIV or any life-threatening disease are created equal as well. We are so frightened of gay people or people with AIDS that we alienate these people completely ignorant of the fact that they are part of the "all men created equal".
Before Philadelphia was made, Tom Hanks was just a comedic actor. He appeared on sitcoms and SNL and performed in comedies like "Bachelor Party", "Splash", "Big". But all he wanted to do was to become a dramatic actor. Then this movie came and Hanks really pulled off the greatest performance of his life winning an well deserved Oscar. In the movie, Hanks portrays Andrew Beckett, a gay lawyer stricken with AIDS who is fired by his bosses. Sick and furious, he hires Joe Miller, a homophobic lawyer played by Denzel Washington to fight for his cause. But throughout the movie, audiences can see the pain and suffering Andrew Beckett is going through. In Joe Miller's office, when Miller says that he can't take the case, you can see the hurt in Beckett's face. During the courtroom scenes (particularly these scenes top A Few Good Men by a lot), Beckett is still in pain because of the sickness and angry. He looks at his bosses in loathing and Miller as hope. But the opera scene after the party is the real scene stealer as Beckett recalls his favorite opera. Audiences see the joy in his face that he had before he was fired. It didn't matter that he was gay, he was ecstatic, his life was fulfilled, HE HAD EVERYTHING. Upon his death scene, he is very happy to have won the case and passes away in peace.
As mentioned before, Tom Hanks was never taken seriously until this movie and he gives his greatest performance ever, even better than Forrest Gump. This was his first dramatic performance and he really pulled it off, winning a well-deserved Oscar. Denzel Washington has always been a great actor and he does a superb job as the lawyer who sheds his homophobia to defend his client who in his eyes is as equal as all men. Probably Washington's best scene is when he grabs the young black guy who doubts he can succeed in the case and exclaims, "I don't give a damn about what you think about me, I am a lawyer and I am going to win this case!" His determination and commitment for Beckett's case are the most vital aspects of this film. These two titans of Hollywood are the best dramatic duo ever. Their chemistry is so well done that they are indeed the best actors ever in Hollywood. Also supporting them are Jason Robards as his boss, Mary Steensburgen as the opposing lawyer who gives a great villainous performance, Joanne Woodward as Tom Hanks's mother, and Antonio Banderas as Tom Hanks's gay partner.
Director Jonathan Demme, coming off of a huge success in The Silence of the Lambs, does even more in Philadelphia. He does not try to show a true biopic, rather he is showing the portrait of a everyday man who happens to be gay and to have AIDS. The courtroom scenes are shot so beautifully that as mentioned, they surpass Kramer Vs. Kramer, A Few Good Men and many more courtroom dramas.
Overall, this film is the best human told story ever. This is a great film which inspires everyone to take action against any prejudice. I applaud this film as a landmark to discovering that we must take action against discrimination and homophobia. Even those who are homophobic should realize the fact that everyone is created equal. We must not judge anybody by their skin, sex, diseases and homosexuality for that is wrong and unjust.
This movie doesn't deserve a 10 out of 10. It deserves a 12 out of 10! A MUST SEE MOVIE!!!!
All the President's Men (1976)
A movie that made me realize what stupid mistakes a President can make.
Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford team up as Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, the two reporters who covered and leaked the White House's involvement in the Watergate scandal, which led to the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon. With support by Oscar Winner Jason Robards and a great cast led by Jack Warden, Martin Balsam and Hal Holbrook as Deep Throat, this movie convinced me that many presidents can be big liars as well. They commit mistakes that could ruin the country not only economically, but politically and socially and that is not what we expect of any president. Even if any important person is ordered by the government or any group not to speak about any scandals involving any government official or the President himself, the truth will eventually be leaked out. Lying and hiding anything scandalous are very atrocious to our country and to ourselves. Eventually the people will know what is going on. As citizens of the United States, we should keep an eye on our Presidents more to make sure they're not doing anything scandalous that could cause this country to fall into chaos.
As for this film, it does a splendid job of showing Woodstein's (Woodward and Bernstein) hard work, determination and commitment in getting the facts and exposing us to a certain imminent danger. Perhaps the film's greatest strength is grasping the viewer deep inside the facts and not letting go till the end. I rank this a 10/10 for the drama and intense thrilling moments shown.
The Truman Show (1998)
Surprise! No hysterical comedy anymore!
When my family and I watched the movie, we expected a hysterical comedy. Instead we got a drama about a man whose life is a TV show and how he slowly realizes that it's fake and tries to escape from the fantasy he's living in. This has got to be one of Jim Carrey's greatest performance. It was a chance for him to prove that he is an actor and not just a comic and he perfects it well. Ed Harris, a good actor gives one of his greatest performances ever as Christof, the creator, the "father" and the villain who obsesses with the Truman Show so much that he makes Truman a prisoner in his world.
There are some flaws though. Why did Christof have to obsess about Truman so much? What was so special about Truman that made everyone watch him on the TV? And what was Christof trying to prove in his show? That people's private lives must be watched by others? Though the flaws kind of drag the movie a little, it is nonetheless a masterpiece and one of Jim Carrey's greatest and I think he should play more dramatic roles that one day will get him a Oscar that he deserves.
9 out of 10.
Hoosiers (1986)
Greatest Sports Movie Ever!
I've been a huge fan of Sports movies, but Hoosiers tops them all! This is the greatest sports movie ever, with a spectacular performance by Gene Hackman who plays a coach with a troubled past that transforms an average looking high school basketball team from Indiana into state champions. And to do this, he makes them work really hard. At first they are all frustrated but once a kid named Jimmy Chitwood joins the team, they start winning games and reaches the state playoffs and defeat an all black- team to become Indiana State Champs! Other noteworthy performances are by Barbara Hershey as a teacher who can't stand basketball and won't let Jimmy play; but eventually Jimmy joins and she falls for Hackman, and Dennis Hopper as one of the players' drunken father who knows a lot about basketball and becomes an assistant coach. This is probably Hopper's best performance and I think he should have definitely won the Oscar for best supporting actor.
Let me say that this is definitely one great movie that families should watch. My advice to athletes whether in high school or college should believe in themselves. Good luck will never come your way unless you believe that you're good and you're willing to give it your all to win it all.
10 out of 10! Must see!
Stalin (1992)
Intriguing and Stunning. Duvall's Greatest.
Probably one of the TV movies I had never heard about until I watched it 3 years ago in history class. This movie details the life of Joseph Stalin, the notorious Communist leader, brought to life by a stunning Robert Duvall who brings out his greatest performance ever.
Narrated by Stalin's daughter Svetlana, this begins with Stalin joining Lenin and the Bolsheviks in their fight against the government, eventually setting up their own government themselves. Most of his biography is well known to us, however this movie brings out the character of Stalin as a psycho villain who did not trust a single person, not even his associates and took extreme measures to exterminate them all. His ego and paranoia alienated him from his friends and his family, even to the point where his wife (Julia Ormond) commits suicide and young Svetlana hating him. But in the end, he does not change and this leads to his downfall and death.
Although the film does suffer in pacing, it is the performance of Robert Duvall that makes it worth watching. In my opinion, Duvall is simply the best actor out of the Godfather series, better than Brando, Pacino, De Niro or Caan. His performances are real and endearing as he simply becomes Stalin by portraying the ruthlessness and paranoia of the mad Communist dictator; a man who could not be solved by his friends or family, and who could not be controlled by anyone even himself. The supporting cast headed by Julia Ormond as Stalin's wife, Maximillian Schell as Lenin and Roshan Seth as Berin do well, but it is Duvall's show all the way. This TV movie is what is not shown in history textbooks. It is engaging and real, but not a masterpiece. History buffs will enjoy watching this, trying to put the pieces together about the madman known as Joseph Stalin.
8 out of 10.
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Robin Williams at his best
Probably one of his best known films in the 90s, Robin Williams is at his comedic peak here as he protrays a divorced, out of work actor desperate to see his kids. So he disguises himself as a nanny for the kids, when his ex-wife (Sally Field) is at work. And how he is able to maintain this as well as his own life and career is the rest of the story. This brings full of laughter when Mrs. Doubtfire is trying to cook for the first, or when the housekeeper is with him and he has to alternate between the two. However, this is pretty much a heartfelt story about a man who can't bear being separated from his kids and doing everything in his power to see them. Sometimes the film overdoes itself, but Chris Columbus is able to maintain the film between its over-the-top comedy and its deep message to families.
Robin Williams is at his acting best, both comedic and dramatic wise. What can said that has already been said by others? He is a genius. Sally Field does well in a role tailor-made for her as a frustrated wife who can't stand her husband, but falls for the charms of Mrs. Doubtfire and begins to trust her as a friend. Everybody else gives great support. Good family film to watch when you're bored and need some light hearted humor. Williams in full form. 8 out of 10.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
Fantastic Original Film in its Own Way
Straying away from his usual teen comedies, John Hughes branches into adult comedy, with Planes Trains and Automobiles. Steve Martin plays Neal Page a hard working businessman who wants to get home in Chicago for Thanksgiving, but his plane's delayed and his money is stolen. What makes it even worse for him is that he has to travel with Del Griffith (John Candy), a fast talking salesman. And when both Neal and Del are going the same direction, chaos occurs in many ways that will make you ROFTL hysterically, continuing on until the thrilling climax. This is probably the second greatest duo comedy after the Blues Brothers, probably summoning the greatest performances of 2 lovable comedic actors and providing some warm heartful moments simultaneously. A must see for all fans of John Hughes, Steve Martin and John Candy. 10/10!
Just a word of advice. Please do not smoke when you're driving at night!
Ghostbusters II (1989)
well done sequel
After destroying Gozer and his minions, saving the world from imminent danger and paying thousands of dollars because of damages and huge lawsuits filed against them, five years later the Ghostbusters are out of business. Ray owns a occult store and he and Winston entertain at kids' parties which end up disastrous; Egon has become even brainier as a medical scientist and Peter hosts a paranormal show. When Dana Barrett starts experiencing problems again to herself and little infant son Oscar and a new villain named Vigo arriving, the Ghostbusters are back in town, if you don't count the barriers ahead of them and some are certainly not ghostlike......
It may be much similar to the original and a little dragged, but it still is a very good film in its own way. The cast still retains the same humor and entertainment and the script by Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd brings even more magic and thrills. With Bill Murray leading, what could go wrong? 8/10.
Forrest Gump (1994)
Through the running view of Forrest.
RUN FORREST RUN!! will always remain the catchphrase for this movie. We all know he ran like a maniac and when he went, he went and he did not stop at all. But the film is not only about the running scenes; it is the world according to Gump and it's a hell of a world out there.
Alabama born, low IQ, Jenny/mama loving and running man, young protagonist Forrest Gump just lives an ordinary life. He doesn't know what is going on; he lives his life to his fullest. But, along the way, he has some natural experiences that impact his life; you can see bullies tormenting him, him meeting Jenny, Bubba and Lt. Dan, his experiences in Vietnam, saving all his fellow soldiers including Lt. Dan, fulfilling Bubba's dream when he becomes shrimp captain of his boat, when he played ping-pong, when he met President Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon, when he got a Medal of Honor, his adventures with Lt. Dan, his mama's advice and of course his love for Jenny. This film will remain a masterpiece, not only for the running scenes, but for the true humanity Forrest has in himself.
Tom Hanks gives another fine performance (second to Philadelphia) as Forrest, showing us that even retards can have some value in the world and truly deserving his second Oscar. The supporting cast is excellent; Gary Sinise with his breakthrough Oscar-nominated role as Lt. Dan, 2 time Oscar winner Sally Field as his mother, Mykelti Williamson (also another breakthrough performance) as Bubba, and of course Robin Wright Penn as Jenny, Forrest Gump's love who eludes him for many years until the end. This film proves that care will help find one's destiny. And Forrest does exactly that; he cares for everybody; he has no enemies and he eventually achieves his destiny as just being himself.
As the usual fan I am of Tom Hanks, I recommend this movie to everyone and rank it a 10/10! MUST WATCH!
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
sometimes confusing but very good
What Ron Howard did to this movie is what no other director could. He portrays the story of man who is haunted by other dreams and people that don't exist, yet he still goes on and wins the Noble Peace Prize. The movie actually goes inside Nash's head and we can see how much suffering he is going through and how people don't understand him and the other way around. It was confusing at first, because I couldn't tell whether Ed Harris's character or the others were real or not and if the world that he was living in was a fake, just like the Truman show. However, it is a true story and the world that he lived in was real enough. Russell Crowe gives his best performance ever, even better than Gladiator. You can see his emotions and his fight to overcome those struggles. Ed Harris and everyone else do a great job with their roles. However, Jennifer Connelly stole the show with her performance as Alicia Nash. How she still cared and loved John really amazed me and she definitely deserved that Oscar. It is definitely one movie worth to be watching. 10 out of 10.
Independence Day (1996)
brainless entertainment
It's July 2nd, 1996. 2 more uninteresting, monotonous days until Independence Day, right? Not when aliens come and try to take over the world. And only 3 people have the guts to save humanity before it's wiped out: a pilot (Will Smith), an eccentric scientist (Jeff Goldblum) and the President of the United States (Bill Pullman).
After rereading my original comment which I wrote long time ago, I've decided to rewrite it as I see it now. This is pretty much brainless entertainment just for teens and sci-fi movie lovers. Don't except to see Oscar-Winning stuff, just turn off your brain and relax. It suffers from many flaws and most of the action and lines are cheesy, but those are only minor details. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the fun. 6 out of 10.