Movie Review: Captain Phillips..charts out a glorious expedition

When I went all ga-ga about Gravity 2 weeks back, I didn’t really expect to write such rave reviews of anything else in 2013. Hollywood sure has a way of proving me wrong. With the third definite hit of the season, Captain Phillips is right up there in Hollywood’s offerings of 2013 – this one too, is unmissable, albeit for completely different reasons

Captain Phillips is aptly named not so much for the captain of the ship this real life event movie is based on, but more the captain of this particular ship (the movie) – Paul Greengrass. Much more well known for his epic presentation of the Bourne Trilogy, Greengrass proves that his expertise doesn’t necessarily require a canvas like the Bourne series to paint on. In his expert hands, a vessel more focused on drama than action, more tight build up than explosions and effects, is steered along on perfectly smooth waters. Scenes that would have seemed ordinary when served up by other directors, get a sense of underlying tension with background score to match and you marvel at the director’s skill at captivating your attention.

The camerawork is just apt, balance between wide and close range shots – just right. Captain Phillips is less about the story (though that would stand for itself too) and more about the presentation. There’s no attempt to glamorize in order to impress. Yet the timing and the sheer smartness of the action that unfolds will hold your attention for long.

Practically all through the movie, you may be wondering why a veteran like Tom Hanks was required to deliver what seemed like a fairly uncomplicated role – till you reach towards the climax. In those moments, Tom Hanks proves just why he is the force to reckon with and in a matter of a mere 10 minutes, he steals the show. It may not all be an Oscar worthy performance but those final moments sure will get you thinking (relax, am not about to give anything away)

However, there’s no doubt that Captain Phillips is ultimately a director’s movie. A veteran who clearly has a vision for action, Greengrass demonstrates his repetoire, deftly navigating through the rough, less familiar seas of emotions and builds connect to the characters and situation. While you might start off wondering why Greengrass chose such an unfamiliar arena, by the end you are well convinced that you have witnessed the work of a master

Watch Captain Phillips only in the hall and watch it for Greengrass’ wizardry despite the unfamiliar territory. Also, you’d better catch it quick. This movie is already two weeks old since it released alongwith Gravity, so it won’t be long before Captain Phillips disappears into the horizon

Movie Review: Shahid…deserved better direction

Shahid’s is a compelling story. Once you’ve entered the hall, whether you would like to or not, you are going to get drawn to the unique context in which his story is built and follow with great interest, the story of his life. It is truly one of the stories that deserve to be told. But is it deservingly told? Well, not entirely.

Shahid starts with striking all the right notes. The unique point to start off the story itself is a smart ploy. Background score is cleverly used. It is absent most of the time and in some sequences the silence can be deafening. The first half sets up things quite well. You understand why Shahid does what he does and the connect with the protagonist is well established. There are some niggling questions, but you let that go – maybe the second half will deliver better.

However, its the second half when things become much more aimless than before. After the tense note on which the movie intermissions, you expect it to pick up the thread where it left off, but instead the movie chooses to slows down. It takes you to a point where you make your peace with the fact that is a biographical account of this young man and his unique story before it again changes gears and suddenly starts running through event after event. Editing would be chiefly responsible for this mess-up in my opinion.

The camerawork is good for the most part but towards the end it becomes one trick too many. I almost put it down to malfunctioning equipment rather than an effect that the director purposely wanted to achieve in a particular scene because he over-did it so much. Speaking of over-doing things, Shahid talks a lot of sense, but then the same sentences keep getting repeated, in the same form and it becomes a forced rather than subtle message.

What is invigorating though, is the performance of Raj Kumar. He breathes life into the script and slips into the shoes of Shahid with ease. In Kai Po Che, Sushant Singh Rajput may have stolen the show, but Raj Kumar made his presence felt. With Shahid though, he makes it amply clear that he has the ability to carry a film on his shoulders alone. He is possibly the best reason to watch this movie. He is also ably supported by Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub, Baljinder Kaur and others who play cameos around Shahid’s story – though the kind of actors they are, they could have easily been utilized more.

In summary, Shahid’s is a story that people must know about. It was the right thing to make this movie. Only, I am pretty sure it could’ve been made better.

Movie Review: Gravity..deserves universal applause!!

Making a 3D in movie in space is a smart idea.Those of us who have been to a good planetarium will know that watching the stars and the blue planet from space is thrilling in itself. However, to make a movie like Alphonso Cuaron has made Gravity is a mark of a genius.

These words aren’t easily written by me either – since to this date I hold Cuaron responsible for practically destroying the 3rd movie in the Harry Potter series (Prisoner of Azkaban, for the uninitiated) through his direction alone. With Gravity though –he more than redeems himself and brings 4.5 years of hard work (that’s time it took to make this movie, I am told) to epic fruition. This one’s a must watch – all the way and it is to be seen in 3D in IMAX and IMAX only

Gravity is set in space and runs for only 90 minutes. Within those 90 minutes though, Cuaron manages a smart script that keeps you interested despite the slow nature of movement in space due to the absence of gravity itself – and delivers an enthralling spectacle.

The attention to detail is astounding and if the hall became a little more deprived of oxygen there’s a good chance you would consider yourself as part of the movie. In a sublime blend of technology and special effects with 3D, Gravity becomes an immersive and realistic experience. Long after you leave the hall, don’t be surprised to find yourself wondering – how in the world this kind of visual imagery was made possible in the first place.

To make matters better, Cuaron even manages to lend some gravity to what could have been completely acceptable fare as a cut and dried script - which is probably the moment Gravity becomes a great movie from a good movie. To say more would be unfair

To further bolster Gravity – Cuaron entrusts the movie to two highly capable leads – George Clooney and Sandra Bullock. Bullock should probably heading for an Oscar nomination with this one and George Clooney plays his familiar, self-assured character with demonstrated ease.

To put it in a nutshell, Gravity doesn’t take one step wrong. (Houston, we ‘don’t’ have a problem with this one). It is comfortably my Movie of the Year thus far and I don’t expect that to change either. Just go watch!!

Movie Review: Prisoners..keeps you in captivity for too long

 
Its rare that I get to say that Hollywood made a movie that could’ve been much shorter and snappier. But this time, I can certainly say it. I missed some 10-15 minutes of the start of the movie and yet I found it too long to endure. Clocking at a rather long 2 hours 33 minutes, Prisoners takes its name a little too seriously and ends up making the audience feel like prisoners as well

This is especially sad since Prisoners is not a bad movie per se. Its got great acting, good direction for the most part and a decent script – but the length of the movie simply deals a deadly blow on all the other stuff. You reach a point wherein you don’t really care whether the movie succeeds in pulling a rabbit out of a hat at the ending, as long as you can exit the hall – the earlier the better. This has such an effect, that even when the film does throw in a dramatic twist that would’ve otherwise captivated you, you’re just too tired and exhausted to take notice

Prisoners does some things really well. It starts off (at least from the point I joined it) tense and excited with an investigation in full swing. Then you meet the two families, defeated and lost and that sets you on the downhill path. The increasing desperation and hopelessness of the situation is well shown till it starts feeling over done. At first one feels that maybe there isn’t much more to the script for them to show but by the end of it all – you are only left wondering why in the world did they delay it so much. In fact, what is most puzzling is that when it all comes to light – there are still plenty of seemingly unanswered questions – you wonder why the movie didn’t spend more time focusing on those

The cast does try its best to lift things up, with Hugh Jackman putting in a particularly strong performance – displaying the raw emotion of the helpless yet desperate father very convincingly. A big change from his Wolverine avatar but he is completely up to the task. Jake Gyllenhaal is also very good as the determined cop.

Watch Prisoners if you have enough time to kill and are willing to show a lot of patience in the hall while the director indulgently takes his time to tell his tale. Then and then alone, would this movie be worth your while and the ransom paid for the ticket money, feel justified

Movie Review: Rush..powers forward with panache

Two very different but nonetheless great movies in two days..now that’s more like it, Year 2013. Supremely directed by Ron Howard, Rush is a spectacle that deserves the biggest of screens – IMAX beckons..don’t miss it

Whether you are an F1 fan or not, whether you understand track dynamics or racing jargon is all immaterial. Based on a true story that can only be the stuff of immortals, Rush is a beautifully balanced act on and off the race track. The screeching of tyres, rustling of grass and roar of the engines is all there – but it just feel natural and in line with the story being told. Never is there an attempt to over-emphasize the racing bit; clever editing takes care of that

Normally such movies would have one protagonist, whose life you would follow, feel the highs and lows with and would ultimate emerge triumphant. However, when the same act is to be pulled off with almost two protagonists, neither of whom are really white knights – it’s a tough ask to build connect and empathy amongst the audience. Rush does this wonderfully well and Ron Howard can take a bow. With this movie, he has further stamped his credentials on credibly making realistic drama movies based on true stories (his others being A Beautiful Mind, Frost Nixon, Cinderalla Man etc.) and are further proof that he steer off fictional stuff like Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons

While the acting is good from both the leads (Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl) and Alexandra Maria Lara looks particularly lovely and expressive, most of the kudos for this one would go to the director, camerawork and crisp editing. The shots of the Japan Grand Prix and perfect use of the slow motion camera with the rain splashing in, is stuff that you would want to watch over and over again. Initially you might feel that there is very little context build up around the two leads – but that you realize is deliberate since the real story lies somewhere else. Clocking at a comfortable 2 hours and 2 minutes, there is never a dull moment in Rush

To sum up then, Rush powers through and reaches the chequered flag in style, much like the heroes it celebrates. Rush to the theaters and book your seats to watch this enthralling spectacle

Movie Review: The Lunchbox..is highly satiating

If you, like me, feel starved of having watched a really good movie lately, The Lunchbox couldn't have come at a better time. Critically acclaimed and highly lauded, Lunchbox deserves every bit of appreciation that comes its way and more. The recipe is simple, the ingredients pure and the result couldn't have been more pleasing to the eye. This one truly takes the cake

The movie itself is sheer poetry in motion, each scene having its own significance, each lingering moment with its own story to tell. Despite having a predictable plot-line, the director holds your attention for all through the comfortable 104 minutes it runs for. The writing is high quality – some of it almost seeming as if you are actually reading a book by an acclaimed author rather than watching a movie.

Taking an all too familiar setting and giving it its own desi twist allowing such focus on Mumbai and its daily life is only one feather in the pretty cap of debutante film-maker Ritesh Batra. From the songs that play in the background to the slight instances which might miss you the first time round every frame serves a purpose. If you watch it with a keen eye, there’s many a scene you would want to look back on and discuss with your  friends as to how brilliantly it was executed and the direction that achieved that result

What makes The Lunchbox even more of a treat is the superb cast that delivers it. Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur, the two main leads in the story, make it their own and its hard not to get connected. There aren’t any tight hugs and kisses, yet the bond is apparent and emotions are strong. Simple words convey far more meaning and the ending – wait..to reveal more would be unfair. Nawazuddin Siddiqui has impressed always and while he isn't at his best in this one, there’s no disappointment either

If you haven’t already placed your orders for this sumptuous meal go do it at once, a feast like this is always in high demand and you wouldn't want (DVD) leftovers with this one.

Bon apetit

Movie Review: Shuddh Desi Romance..is shuddh desi fun

Shuddh Desi Romance is not for the purists. Those who would get offended by a movie that light heartedly pokes fun at sacred institutions, blanket bans and staunch beliefs, may not fully appreciate the fun that this well written and well presented, ‘hatke’ romantic comedy has to offer. As to the others, well, hasten to the silver screen – plenty of fun awaits you

Shuddh Desi Romance fits the day and age it is written in perfectly. It captures today’s confused youth and a bewildered older generation wonderfully well, without taking itself too seriously. Between guffaws you might even pause to take a moment to wonder if there’s a deeper message that the movie wants to give but the movie purposefully gives you no time for such reflections. Its only towards the end, that it gives its subtle message without getting preachy about it. Nailed it

While the storyline and plot development of Shuddh Desi Romance can get extremely weird, its still good fun to watch and that tends to make one a lot less critical. If the plot itself is difficult to connect with, its the background chatter and support sequences that make it seem much more realistic. Society’s observations at the goings-on, random sequences and one line punches that have little to do with the main storyline demonstrate the smart writing of Shuddh Desi Romance. While the 22 kisses in Yeh Saali Zindagi seemed forced and unnecessary, the umpteen kisses in this one fit the context perfectly (okay, so it may be one or two too many)

As for the performances – its all in place. Some of the dialogues and exchanges would have otherwise sounded silly or cheesy but the sparkling chemistry between Parineeti and Sushant make them seem perfectly apt. Parineeti looks striking throughout in a role that one would now describe as her ‘comfort space’ but it is Sushant’s performance that stands out. A far cry from his role of Kai Po Che, he demonstrates the range he possesses as an actor and pulls of his character really well. Rishi Kapoor is a re-invented performer given his recent appearances and he plays the bewildered elder to perfection. Vaani also does a good job with her role for a debutante.

There you have it then, good writing, good acting and a refreshing presentation – what’s not to like. Unless you are the aforementioned purist, go book your tickets at the earliest