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Spartacus: Blood and Sand: Victory (2013)
A Four Year Victory.
Having started off loosely, with several loose threads at the beginning of the season; the finale is a multi-sided mirror to the sheer brilliance that is Spartacus.
This is one episode that summarizes several finales rolled into one. Having completed a few series such as House MD, Lost and 24 among others had the feeling most of them are forced after the shows have been milked dry. But not this one.
This one traverses history as is; with a few minor alterations armed with cinematic/TV-show-astic license. But the sheer nonchalance of bringing together everything, including the red serpent, that bodes the first victory of Spartacus is but, a gentle nod to the journey we have had for the last four years.
Liam McIntyre, take a bow; stepping into Andy's shoes was no joke. But let us not mar his acting and emoting with any form of comparison. The creator along with the other actors and crew, have stepped it up for future shows.
A great and a fitting finale. And do catch the credits; the music and the final scene is a shot to the arm.
I am still reeling from it.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
Four words : The Game is never over. That would be 5 words.
I saw Scott Pilgrim vs the World in the most inappropriate way possible. But there is no way I am going to mince words, reviewing it. It is one of the most brilliant way a movie can be made; something which makes you want more. More than you will ever want.
To start off with, there are multiple, subtle underplayed one-liners. "It is Scott"; "What has he done"; "No. It is Scott". "Oh. What have you done". These are teasers. The scenes which don't have awesome kicking-ass scenes; there are rip-roaring dialogues. Over and above this, there is the screenplay that is so convoluted that would make want to tear your hair out in sheer happiness.
Secondly, the fights. All the fights are reminiscent of typical game scenes which nobody who has not had a chance to even see, don't deserve to see. But those who have, will enjoy them to the hilt; with pleasure. It is worth it, trust me.
Thirdly, the acting. Michael Cera has done justice to the not-so-suave looking but yet cool guy. Kim has you in splits with her sarcasm and of course Ramona Flowers is too cool for her own good.
Fourthly, the music which is an inevitable spoiler is replete. To the core and reflective of the recent culture. It is way beyond what an average movie-goer can imagine.
Last but not the real least, to one of the most visionary directors - Edgar Wright. The story and the screenplay is slick with an s-l-ick. It is too awesome with the visuals and the screenplay. Editing is typical of an EW movie with everything choppy thrown in for good measure that started off with 'Spaced'. He is brilliant, no doubt.
In summary, beg; borrow; steal - watch this movie. It is way beyond any art piece that you have ever seen simply because it is contemporary to the extent of being blasphemed!
Inception (2010)
Intelligentsia!
Trying to post a review of this movie is almost impossible; something akin to remaking Godfather all over again. It would be an insult to the genius that is Christopher Nolan. I was bewitched from start to finish, from all possible perspectives be it story, screenplay, camera, music, acting - everything under the sun that is put into making a movie of this brilliance.
Dom Cobb is an extractor, a person who owns the ability to penetrate dreams and steal ideas. Hired by a Japanese tycoon, Saito, he assembles a crew with individual capabilities to aid him in the ultimate deception - inception. Inception is planting an idea as opposed to stealing an idea.
The first half sets the speed and the concept. In fact the whole of the first part of the movie did what Matrix tried to do in three versions. It was complex, almost utter nonsense but believable and direct.
It is in the second half that the complications start and the director explores all possibilities of the ground rules of the concept that he had just lain foundation to. The movie peaks and falls at the right times, with the climax bringing the ultimate reasoning behind it all - which is even more convoluted and has lead to multiple discussions.
The one thing that struck me was that, all the actors are stellar ones, starting off with Leonardo Di Caprio, Joseph Gordon Lewitt, Ellen Page, Michael Caine and Marion Cotillard. But the fact remains, the director managed to outshine them all, easily, as if he was doing it in his dream.'Memento', 'Insomnia', 'The Dark Knight' and 'The Following' all seem to be leading up to this movie which has the traditional Nolan checklist of a non-linear narrative, intertwined plots, intelligent dialogues and enough action.
A movie that balances entertainment and intelligence with heavy doses of either. I promise you, if you are watching it the first time, it definitely is not going to be your last.
House M.D.: Help Me (2010)
Enough but just not enough
With all the hype building towards a season finale on a show that is teetering on the brink of a cancellation, the finale was a pleasant surprise.
Until now, all season finales have been intricate psychological puzzles with something the viewer would be engrossed in unraveling or stunned by the revelation. But this one tends to differ. With a crashed remains of a building as the backdrop House once more goes back to what he is used to doing best - diagnosing on the go. But with a difference - he is shown to be emotional for each diagnosis that he makes. The offhandedness that is characteristic of every action of his is missing, probably deliberately. It could have been a major clue for viewers to deduce the ending which was nowhere near what anybody could have been thinking.
In fact it is so nowhere near, that its reasoning can run to multiple discussions. But since news is around that the show is being renewed for another season, something close to a rational answer can be expected.
Other than the emotional puzzles, Hugh Laurie and Lisa Edelstein have surpassed themselves in the acting department along with the almost insane combinations of lighting and sets. Direction/Writing is once again splendid with symbolic references thrown throughout the episode.(look out for the walking stick analogy)
Hope the premiere of the next season brings the season finale to a better conclusion.