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La La Land (2016)
This is Cinema!
"Jazz - Let it die, it had its time. Well, not on my watch!" For the majority of the movie buffs in India, who barely know anything about Jazz music (which includes me too) that line wouldn't make much impact. But embark on the 2-hour musical voyage of 'La La Land', feel the time freezing around you while Sebastian presses the keys to his piano one by one in the end, and you would seriously reconsider your stand on it. Jazz would barge into your playlists and hearts with ease!
Like the bits and pieces that we carry from movies like 'Titanic', 'Casablanca', 'A Beautiful Mind', 'The 'Pulp Fiction', 'Dark Knight Rises', or take any other all-time classics for an instance, there are a whole lot of elements in 'La La Land' too that would win an eternal life in your memories.
It's a magical blend of the following concepts – success that comes with a price, the beauty and liberty in Jazz that the musicians are trying to rescue from extinction, love that's governed by the universal laws, drama that isn't so dramatic but sweet and unbelievably beautiful with insanely vivid shots, the art of dreaming and the life through a musical kaleidoscope, and so many! It's pure magic. Mia and Sebastian will make you stoned with their dreams, music and love. You might cry like a baby at the end of it – not because of the story, but for the perfect blend of something that the world of cinemas has long forgotten.
Two parallel, but very different streams of realizing the dreams that starts at a common point, but having no confluence and only a hard-hitting end, which is hard to digest!
About the two streams: One reminds us of a line from the book The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho, "The miner was about to give it all up, right at the point when, if he were to examine just one more stone – just one more – he would find his emerald."
And the second is a story of success through sacrifice that's part and parcel of certain decisions; they are the game-changers, but you can't actually judge if it's good and bad. It's life - the art and beauty of pain that makes for a melancholy.
Mia – I never knew Emma Stone was so talented. If Jennifer Lawrence won an Oscar, I think 'Mia' in 'La La Land' shouldn't even be challenged this time. Hollywood has the firepower, I have realized and I have madly fallen in love with 'Mia'! (Futile, I know)
Sebastian, a gift from God that fell into Ryan Gosling's laps. With his nonchalant yet musical expressions, he will show you that this is the role he was born to do!
Well, every shot is beautiful, and even if it is irritatingly pink and candy at times, you wouldn't care! This is CINEMA without the privilege of RETAKES, depending only on sheer talent, and perfection through hard-work and practice!
I don't think I have done justice to this write-up, and I seriously think 'language' should give writers unprecedented liberty to come up with new words and phrases to expresses themselves when it comes to movies like this! No other go!
I repeat – this is Cinema!
Peruchazhi (2014)
Watchable - But at own risk
Well, for the movie 'Peruchazhi', I am choosing the lesser of the two evils and conclude saying, "It is a below-average no-brainer type movie with a fair bit of comedy in every nook and corner of the plot" thanks to Baburaj and Aju Vargheese.
The movie starts out in an enticing fashion, throwing at us the golden dialogs from the classics of the great actor Mohanlal. But nevertheless, disappointingly, the movie continues to hide behind the shadow of the great man's great performances of the past - nothing to call as being creative or a revival of the man's splendid flair to deliver 'all time best' comedies.
But Of course, you get a reason to laugh every now and then for sure, as the massive Baburaj, the villain turned comedian, pulls off some hilarious dialogs with Aju Vargeese in company. And for the ardent Mohanlal fans, there might be something in the movie as well, as he is seen rolling in full style all throughout the movie. He looks stylish and fresh to be honest. And don't worry. He hasn't really made fun out of himself, in an attempt to create fun.
I don't want to reveal the easily guessable plot. But I can say this much: Any American would be irked watching this movie as it makes fun out of their ass. It is like America is a no-man's-land where you can do anything you want, wherever and whenever you want to. But I call that part fair for the exotic mockery 'Hollywood' has been making out us since quite a long time. Like in Anchorman, "Smells like Indian food in diapers" WHAT THE HELL!
For those who have already made up their mind to go watch the film, I really don't want to spoil the mood and expectations. So I am wrapping it up. As I have said before, it is a total no-brainer with some cheap gimmicks used and good comedy. That's all. I won't be really calling them 'comical' if I had something else to talk about on the movie.
So, guys, it comes to this: Watchable – but at own risk.
2 States (2014)
Entertainer - Beautifully done.
Yet another movie which surpasses the mother book in terms of quality. The direction of the movie is mind blowing and Chetan Bhagat is once again blessed with a movie which can thunder the Box Office. You will wonder at one stage if the story of the movie you watch is the same of the book you read few years ago- the book is very entertaining of course. Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor have done exceptionally well in the screen. I never knew Alia was this beautiful. Arjun Kapoor has done the role of a lethargic Punjabi perfectly. The movie, from the start, gives the spectator good entertainment and a smiling face. The Script is very gentle. In the final parts of the movie, at variance with the feelings that the book creates for a reader, a spectator gets very much emotional. The emotions, portrayed in the movie, between the hero and his dad, have been so picturesquely put into screen that it can wet your eyes. Ronit Roy who plays the role of the hero's father has contributed a major share by giving a new aura to the movie's story-line. His outstanding acting and attitude would be the main things that you will be talking about after getting out of the theater. The cast for the movie is very beautifully selected. It need not be mentioned here about the class of acting that Revathi and Amritha Singh can deliver. They are all always at their best; be it for any role. As we all know from the book itself, the story line isn't that classy or touching. Maybe none of the jokes or scenes will linger in your heart after you get out of the theater; only the entertainment and happiness that the movie provided will be thought about. And by prudence, the director has omitted certain parts of the book from the movie; only a few scenes, such as the scene where 'Ananya' screws the 'Duke' are a bit boring and unoriginal. Apart from that, there is nothing to be seriously criticized in the movie, or to exclaim and shout, 'Highly impossible things'. Words by the hero, that he wishes to write normal and simple stories which have the ability to become the 'HERO' in people's heart will ring in your mind like a chant, and will give hope to all the authors who are striving hard to come up; for we all know how successful Chetan Bhagat is. He is the man who made India read. I will say that it's a good movie to watch and I can assure that none will be disappointed. The spectators would very surely be coming out of the theater with happy and smiling faces.
Lucia (2013)
Lucia - Kinship of Life and Dream !
I had an intransigent negative view as regards the Kannada movies and its standards. I had firmly believed that the movie industry hadn't still broken the aura of 80's. Someone had suggested me to watch the movie 'Lucia'. To be frank, I was not at all interested. Movies which doesn't have the class and quality used to ruin my mood in the initial stages of the play itself. We can compromise on the storyline provided the movie is an entertainer or if the movie delivers at least peace of mind and happiness. Also if it delivers a good message and theme, we can adjust as well. But some movies which show crap phenomenon can kill your mood and day as well. Here I was afraid of that. And as a Bengalurian I had a bad feeling on Kannada movies as a result of seeing old-style movie posters on the road sides, and after watching some absurd and ludicrous dance performances and movie - scenes in television; spare not the costumes as well. When I was apprised of the fact that the movie 'Lucia' comes in genres 'Sci-fi' and 'Thriller', I was doubtful and had a predisposed mentality in my mind that I would not be watching the movie for not more than half an hour, which also happens to be the maximum limit that I had set in my mind. The information from my 'adviser' that the movie went to some film festivals on international basis prompted me to watch the movie. So I sat and gave a try. And boy was I not flabbergasted. The way the movie started promised me that the director is good. And the way the movie ended proved me on not just the script but on the quality of the movie and its merit to have gone to standard Film festivals. The movie is all about a drug 'Lucia' which has the ability to create vivid pictures in perfect juxtaposition through dreaming. And not just dreams rather dreams which can be controlled. Once the movie made its quarter way through I doubted whether it was just psychedelics and drug addiction which was all that the movie had in it. But it's not! The movie revolves around a person who had some unsatisfactory meaning for his life. The person ends up laying his hands on the drug 'Lucia' and suddenly finds himself in an avenue of a dream which he had fantasized since childhood. The drug 'Lucia' has a symptom – the dreams will be your life and your life will be just like your dream but once you stop consuming it then life would get mixed with the dream and the dream would end up as a nightmare. The movie is a kinship of these two that is the dream and life – a wee bit comparable with 'Fight Club'. If the story line is to be just given in concrete the viewer would lose the momentum and Thrill in watching it for which reason I prefer not to reveal anything on it. But for the sake of satisfaction for my heart I will put it as this – two personalities are involved, one who is a dreamer and one who is the protagonist in the dream, who is but the same person ending up winded up over the unavailability of' Lucia', which mandates the need for both to get killed or lost. One can never understand that the movie runs in retrograde. Only after the movie ends the viewer gets to discern as to what portrayed as reality was and which one the dream was. Adding to that one has to put in his full concentration and interest in order to understand the movie. If not the viewer has to just clap hands alongside the people who were successful in imbibing the life and meaning of the movie. The direction is awe-inspiring and one would never be able to accept that the movie was taken from a 5D camera. The mixing is so perfect. People have a tendency. When they hear it's a Sci-Fi, they spurn the very need to watch the movie no matter how good it is as it might not provide them the entertainment of their own taste they look for. And some people who come to know that drugs and dreaming is involved they would abstain themselves from watching movie for the fear of getting affected by it or maybe due to the protective mind of not letting to know their wards or beloved ones on the negative concepts involved in drug-addiction. Likewise all the people have separate interests towards choosing a movie to watch. Be it Scary ones, romance, Crime or anything. But here the beauty is that the movie isn't coming in any of these categories. That means any person can watch. No negative atmosphere or no negative message is involved. The movie in fact provides a happy ending but in a very different and new way. So all are welcome. The movie is a pleasure to the eyes and an informative guide for a lot who have shunned themselves out of some intricate and negative realities involved in this generation. The movie all together is beautiful and genuine and has some down to earth realities of life clubbed in the best way possible. Had it been furbished a little bit more after scrutinizing and omitting minor flaws, it would have won World-reputation like the movies 'Inception' and 'Fight Club'. And trust me flaws can't be spotted as it's only in the end that the eyes open. It's a must watch movie.
Frozen (2013)
Oscars for Animation landing finally on something worthy.
Frozen – Magic in white all over the screen freezing the audience with exquisite beauty and winsomeness. The story is somewhat similar to the same 'First love's kiss + king and queen' concept just as in all the other animated movies where love and fantasy is involved. Although there is only a little difference to the story-line, it appeals to be somewhat different and beautiful given the sheer brilliance in animation with 'Elsa', the elder sister and queen drizzling the power and magnificence of an ice queen into the screen. Since last four years when Rango, Up and Brave were awarded the Oscars it seemed like some biasing or rather prior booking was involved in the process. This time, it seemed a wee bit more satiable. 'The Croods' was the only contender for 'Frozen'. And definitely in terms of animation 'Frozen' had the capacity to outshine 'The Croods'; and it has to be added that its bad luck for 'The Croods' to have gotten released in the same year along with 'Frozen'. The song 'Let it go' will just freeze your mind and body while 'Elsa' the Ice Queen unleashes and let go of her power unconstrained and without fear. There is beauty and elegance in each swishing moves Elsa does with her wonderful magic in the song. Music should also be given the credit as it is of the highest standards. Though there are over a dozen songs in the movie one would never get frustrated over it. In fact with the starting of the movie itself where the track 'Vuelie' is played, our hearts get fascinated and magnetized towards the movie and we expect something really big - The first impression is the best impression. It's definitely 'true love' in terms of the script which is the base concept of the movie and definitely not Bestiality or Homosexuality like some critiques have put it. The movie is a treat for the eyes. Story-wise don't expect a miracle. But all together there is all the requisite mixing done in the movie enough to say 'It's a Beautiful ride'. Walt Disney has finally after a long time pulled one Oscar for itself and surely it has earned it. The animation, the beauty of the magical ice, the fabulous music and the beautiful faces and gestures of Elsa and Anna will stick to your heart for quite a long time after you finish watching the movie. It's a good pick if you want some relaxation and happiness with honey in your eyes & ears. Way to go Disney – Like shown in the starting of the movie, Mickey's spirit steered you towards this well deserving win. It's all love.
300: Rise of an Empire (2014)
300 Rise of an empire - Trial for the rise of a sequel.
300 Rise of an Empire - A screen blotted in duskiness and gore with full 1 and half hours action. The movie presents double the barbarian ways of slaughter and kills weighing against the First part in the series. Series, for the label, can be termed as a shear piece of intelligence rather than seeing it as a pre-planned plot. The movie has been twined with the first part very intelligently sparing the final scene where the spectator leaves the theatre confused whether David Wenham playing the role of 'Dillios' is in the battle field with 10000 Spartans ready to face the Persion Army or in the Naval fleet standing alongside Lena Headey, Queen Gorgo. Apart from that the plot is perfect with small flaws of course here and there.
The story unveils the flash from the past how Xerxes became the God King, cleansed and furbished with Voodoo, wearing only little dress for either a God or a King though. The movie also introduces Artemisia, the naval commander and mother of evil plots. Eva Green who plays the role of Artemisia has played an exceptional part in the movie providing an exquisite style for the movie. Her negative looks and attitude are perfect for her role and adds to the impression on her character in the movie. The Movie Director with the support of a brilliant script has made sure that people who go to watch the movie in-order to see the Spartan ways of killing and fighting will never be missing anything. Themistocles who plays the role of the King and Supreme commander of the Greek army has been portrayed as a brilliant commander in the fleet and land. To be frank he does nothing else rather than some two three tricks to try to tumble the Persian ships. Other than that Athenisia does the trick by repeatedly saying that Themistocles is intelligent. I really wonder why. He also is seen trying to sacrifice, part of his brilliance I suppose, his fellow mates and army to stir up the Spartans into a war forging alliance with them.
The movie, as regards the graphics and cinematography, is too good. And it has certainly succeeded in turning out to be a spine-chiller in many ways. The story is about the Greeks trying to forge an alliance with the Spartans. Spartans are sparse in the movie. But the waiting and longing for 300 part three will definitely be on the rise as the ending of the second movie is in such a fashion where the spectators are left bereft of the hi-fi flair and fighting skills of the Spartans and that too even after they see them launching an attack after a long wait– the attack is to come in the next part. The movie is not advisable for those who hate seeing beheading and fresh body parts getting lacerated and ripped. But for others who wish to see hundred percent action and style in the best graphical way possible, the movie is worth buying ticket for.
The movie in a nut shell is an attempt to elongate the history of 300 Spartans to multiple sequential movie parts. The plot and cinematography is excellent provided you watch it in 3D. It's definitely the best movie in English language running in theaters at present. Just go for watching people getting killed, nonstop action and finally to increase your yearning for the next part to get released. And as for Themistocles, though a bit less strongly built than the Spartan Leonidas but better compared with Dillios, he can be expected to give a cracker in the next part leading the united Greece with Spartans alongside them. Flaws are there, but in terms of entertainment and dialogues, none will be disappointed.