Monsters Inc.
Monsters Inc. – A 2001 Animated film from the Pixar. The film is about two monsters Sulley and Mike who work for a company Monsters Inc. The job of the monsters is to scare children at night by using their closet doors as portal. The scream generated from children produces electricity in the Monster city. But they have a weak point, they can cannot come in contact with the children or their belongings as they are toxic for them. The company is not doing great as the children no longer are frightened as they used to be. When they are devising up a plan to overcome this crisis, a child enters the monster world by mistake. Sulley and Mike try to hide the child and return it back to the human world without knowledge of anyone.
The movie plot, although written for children makes it a interesting watch for adults as well. Pixar raised the bar of computer graphics to the next level in this movie. The fur on the monster Sulley was a notable achievement then. The adventures of Mike and Sulley are hilarious and you wish you could take them back home with you. It is a Must Watch and do watch it with your kids, nephews, nieces or the kid in you!
Must Watch
After 12 years Disney Pixar is releasing “Monsters University” a prequel to this movie. The plot is again the adventures of Mike and Sulley when they went to college. With the success of the first movie there is a high expectation surrounding its prequel. Hope Disney Pixar is able to recreate the magic.
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The Departed
The Departed – This is 2006 movie directed by Martin Scorsese. It is a crime thriller where a police superintendent makes one of the new recruit to infiltrate the drug trafficking gang. While the boss of the gang simultaneously makes one of the gangster infiltrate the police department. With moles in each group the plot gets interesting when both the boss and the police superintendent figure out the existence of moles in each of their groups. The rest of the movie is a race between them to uncover the moles faster than the other so that their own person in the other group is protected. What happens in the end is the rest of the plot. This movie is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong movie Infernal Affairs.
The movie has a very close resemblance to the original, including many of the camera angles. For a director like Martin Scorsese to do this, you know how well the original has been made. Like the original this also follows the 3 Act Play to the book as mentioned in my recent Friday Fact section. The movie has some brilliant casting with Matt Damon, Leornado DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Martin Sheen and Mark Wahlberg. The movie just gets much bigger due to its cast ensemble. Kudos to Martin Scorsese to bring such a movie again back to the screen with strong casting a true tribute to the original. The Departed went on to win the Academy Award for the best picture. For the brilliant casting and narration this is a must watch.
Must Watch
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Infernal Affairs
Infernal Affairs – This is a Hong Kong movie directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. It is a 2002 crime thriller where a police superintendent makes one of the new recruit to infiltrate the drug trafficking gang. While the boss of the gang simultaneously makes one of the gangster infiltrate the police department. With moles in each group the plot gets interesting when both the boss and the police superintendent figure out the existence of moles in each of their groups. The rest of the movie is a race between them to uncover the moles faster than the other so that their own person in the other group is protected. What happens in the end is the rest of the plot.
I had promised you that I will write about a movie which has followed the 3 Act Play to the book as mentioned in my recent Friday Fact section. This is the one. It keeps you at the edge of the seat throughout. Its a well written screenplay and the complications build up very nicely leading to a phenomenal end to the story. The characters who has infiltrated the other group for more than a decade undergo identity crisis, which I thought was very brilliant thought by the director and it also helps in making the scheme of things very interesting. This movie is treated as a rebirth of Hong Kong cinema and went to win many awards in the Hong Kong Film Awards Ceremony. The movie had been remade in multiple languages including The Departed in English and Homam in Telugu. Post the success of the movie Andrew Lau made a prequel Infernal Affairs II and a sequel Infernal Affairs III to the original which also had very good reception with the audience. For an engaging and thrilling script this movie is a must watch.
Must Watch
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Man of Steel
Man of Steel – The most expected superhero movie of the year brings the rebooted Superman to the silver screen. As it is a reboot the movie is all about the origin of Superman and establishing his identity as Superman. As a boy Clark Kent is worried about the superhuman abilities he has and is confused if he would be accepted by the society and live a normal life as a human. He goes on a long journey covering his path and identity. But the circumstances and his super human abilities would not let him be in the dark for too long. Soon he is faced with the challenge to save the earth and the only way he could do is by revealing his identity. Did he reveal his identity? Did the human race accept him? forms the rest of the plot.
The movie had a load of expectations on itself with names like Christopher Nolan, Zack Snyder, Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner in the credits. DC delivering a phenomenal reboot for the Batman just raised the expectation of this movie much higher. In comparison with the expectations the movie works in parts. There is a newer side of Superman’s childhood and the emotional turmoil he goes through which is taken very well. However once he takes the superhuman form it just becomes an average film. There is overdose of visual effects, which makes you bit exhausted in the end of it. Henry Cavill looks good as a superman however he has just limited expressions which becomes a bit monotonous through the movie. The movie does promise a good beginning for some promising sequels to come. If we were to take off the overloaded expectations of the movie it is a good watch.
Its a Bird, Its a Plane, Its Superman go for the red cape hero you had been inspired for decades.
Watchable – for Superman fans
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Friday Fundas: Three Act Play
3 Act Play – Popularly known as 3 Act Structure is a technique used in writing and story telling. The entire story or the screenplay is divided into 3 parts, the first part involves introducing the main characters of the movie and their situation. Usually in this portion a unusual situation or challenge occurs in the life of the protagonist and his/her life will not be same for ever. This marks the end of the first act. In films usually this ranges between the first 20 min to 40 min (in case of Indian movies which are long) of the movie. The second act is the build up phase during which the protagonist is on the quest to solve the problem and the situation gets only worsen with no hopes for a solution. This is the lengthier portion of the movie which lasts about 45 min – 60 min at the end of this act usually the protagonist takes a significant step that no one would easily imagine. The last portion is the climax (usually very slick 10 – 15 min) which leads to the final solution to the original problem and ends with the protagonist solving the problem. An anti-climax happens if the problem is not solved in the expected way…
One of the popular Indian movie Don (1978 Hindi film) and Billa (1980 Tamil film) this structure is followed very clearly. The first act ends when the original Don is killed and the street side singer takes up the challenge of posing as Don. The second acts is all about how he infiltrates into the enemy camp and establishes himself and overcomes challenges one after another. The problem gets worsen when the only police officer who knew his original identity is killed and the protagonist takes a extreme step to bring out the truth. The climax is how he solves it and emerges victorious. It keeps the audience guessing till the end. In the 2006 remake of Hindi Don, Farhan Akthar made changes to the climax portion converting it to an anticlimax which worked brilliantly as the audience were taken by surprise. The success of the screen play involves how well the writer engages the audience in all the 3 phases. If it is not written well or if you see random situations just thrown in you do not get connected and end up disliking it. Three act play is not the only structure for writing scripts… there are other formats as well and many of the modern film makers like Tarantino, Guy Ritchie use various improvisations over this to treat the audience differently. In the coming week I will write review on a movie which follows 3 Act structure to the book.
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Dum Maaro Dum
Dum Maaro Dum – A suspense thriller that revolves around drug trafficking and associated crime. ACP Vishnu Kamath a previously corrupt cop looses his family in a road accident. He transforms and he is posted to Goa to clean up the drug gangsters. Lorry a footballer and aspiring student to go to abroad for studies is forced to smuggle drugs to fulfill his ambition. Kamath finds and arrests him. Lorry’s friend DJ Joki tries getting him out of Jail. All the source of drug trafficking leads to a mystery man Michael Barbosa. The story gets engaging as the plot moves towards the search of Michael Barbosa. Did Kamath succeed in cleaning up the drug gangster mob? Did Joki succeed in saving Lorry? Did Michael Barbosa meet the end? – is the rest of the story.
Rohan Sippy is one of the brilliant film makers of recent times. His movies are stylish and does not have any frills attached. They are also noted for new plots and unique way of story telling. Unfortunately his movies do not make a box office blockbuster. Dum Maaro Dum is no exception. It is a brilliant movie but unfortunately did not make a bang in the box office. Probably he doesn’t need so much star value in the flick which is just a distraction. The hero of the script is the story and not any of the characters. For the enthralling suspense, slick editing and engaging screenplay Dum Maaro Dum is a Must Watch. If you have missed watching this movie when it was released then grab a DVD and watch it…
Must Watch
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Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, Or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes
Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, Or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes – is a 1965 British comedy movie. The story is set in the 1910 when air crafts were evolving. A British newspaper magnate organizes a flying competition from London to Paris with an award sum of 10,000 pounds to prove Britain is number one in the air.
The movie is well made considering it was done in the 1965. It is hilarious and interesting to see all those various kinds of flying machines and their flying crew ensemble which in sort is a representation of the culture of the nation they are representing. British comedy has its own charm, flavor and places its intellectual demands on cherishing the humor. As the title the movie is crazy and is a fun ride through out from start to the finish line.
Must Watch
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Good Will Hunting
Good Will Hunting – Will Hunting is a 20 year old unrecognized genius who works at the MIT University as a janitor and anonymously solves difficult mathematical problems posted by Professor Lambeau. Will gets into a fight with a police officer and the Professor comes to his rescue with an agreement that Will would undergo therapy sessions with Sean Maguire a friend of Lambeau while working with him for advanced mathematics. Will has a rough personality due to the hardships he has faced in the past. He is hard to get through and Sean is the right man who could do so. The rest of the movie is about how Sean Maguire helps Will discover his fears, love, friendship and eventually the biggest decision of his life that would change his destiny.
Matt Damon (Will Hunting) and Robin Williams (Sean Maguire) are heart and soul of the movie. Their interactions sparkle the screen. The script written by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon is the strength of the movie. The movie is straight and simple. As Will discovers his future it touches upon many of footprints of Will’s personality the viewers have within themselves. If you are in mood for a soul searching movie that is truly inspirational … This is a must watch!
Must Watch
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Udhayam NH4
Udhayam NH4 – Out and out action thriller movies are bit scarce in Tamil Cinema. Udhayam NH4 is one such action thriller. The new comer Manimaran should be appreciated for taking up an action thriller subject for his first movie. The movie starts with Prabhu played by Siddarth abducting politician’s daughter Rithika played by Ashrita Shetty. There is a deadline for saving Rithika in the next 12 hours. A successful encounter specialist Inspector Manoj menon played by Kay Kay Menon is out to get Rithika back to her father. The rest of the movie is all about if he succeeds in his mission, why has Prabhu abducted Rithika? The answers are known as the movie unfolds.
The chase sequences and events have been well thought. As the movie revolves around 3 states the director has used the local languages with caption in Tamil and also lot of work has gone in getting the proper slang in the accent of the actors when they talk different languages. However the director hasn’t spent much time one other aspects in building up a strong motive, the characterization of the characters other than Prabhu which leaves the movie a forgettable one. If you are in mood for a different subject in Tamil Cinema you might not feel bad for watching this. Udhayam NH4 promises to give a enjoyable ride… it is indeed one if you ignore the occasional pot holes.
Watchable
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Friday Fundas: First ever South Indian movie
Friday Fundas
We know Raja Harishchandra was the first ever Indian movie… Do you know which was the first ever South Indian movie and who made it?
The first ever South Indian movie “Keechaka Vadham” (the slaying of Keechaka) was made in 1917 by Nataraja Mudaliar. Nataraja Mudaliar, an automobile dealer then had taken a Willamson 35mm Camera from a wealthy landlord in Tanjavur to make the first movie. The movie featured the episode from Mahabharata when the Pandavas were in exile. Keechaka, the queen’s brother tried to misbehave with Draupadi and since they were in incognito Bhima goes in disguise and kills Keechaka. The movie was made with a production cost of Rs. 35,000 and it made a collection of Rs. 50,000 which was quite good at that time. A milestone event that gave birth to Tamil Cinema occurred. Nataraja Mudaliar considered as Father of Tamil Cinema was the inspiration for many other film makers to come including JC Daniel (Father of Malayalam Cinema). A malayalam movie Celluloid had been released which is a biopic of JC Daniel.
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Kumki
Kumki – In villages adjacent to forest areas the threat of wild elephants are a growing concern. During the harvest season they rampage the fields for food causing the whole year of hard work by the farmers go in vain. In order to circumvent such issues they hire trained elephants which are called “Kumki elephants” to guard the crops and chase the wild elephant away. The movie revolves around the story of one such village wanting to protect their people and crops from a dreadful wild elephant. They are in search of a mahout and a trained Kumki elephant. In a scheme of things the protagonist Bomman who owns a pet elephant ends up taking his elephant to do the job. However his elephant is domesticated and has no skill what so ever to guard the village against the wild elephant. Bomman falls in love with the daughter of the village head and decides to extend his stay there. Life is happy till the wild elephant comes into the village and starts attacking… What happens is the rest of the plot.
The plot is unique and new. Prabhu Solomon should be appreciated for taking up such a plot and to make a movie. The way the incidents build up to the climax is very well done. The biggest positive of the movie is the cinematography. They have captured the beautiful forests of Shimoga and Kerala very well. However the movie falls just short of what could have been a fairy tale in the climax. Not many audience would have been happy with how the director had ended it… But still you could watch it for the excellent plot, beautiful locations and its visuals.
Watchable
