Moving, swifty, on from one bizarre concept to another. From tinkering one's mind to tweak the memory (The Manchurian Candidate) to manipulating with dreams, wow, Hollywood sure conjures up bizarre concept movies. Sometimes its a bit too much to comprehend, but when you have the oh-so-delicious Leonardo, well, then anything goes!
Inception is a movie about dreams, the very private, subconscious mind, which springs into action when we sleep. There are no boundries in the dream world, everything is possible nothing too outlandish, there are no limits, no inhibitions and certainly no pretensions, that plague us, when we are awake. Now, imagine a possibility that this world is not private anymore, that dreams are not just fantasies locked up in an impregnable world. That someone can very well invade this sacred oasis and steal your deepest, darkest secrets. This is the premise of the movie.
Dom Cobb (Leonardo) plays a skilled thief, who specialises in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets, by entering the subconscious mind during the dream state. So the subject and the thief are in a dream state together, sharing a dream! No, he does not do it for fun, this is the new avtaar of corporate espionage. And Cobb is a specialist. The movie takes this bizarre concept and spins it on its head (yes its possible, it's Hollywood after all, not Bollywood, where dreams are elaborate song & dance sequences!!). Hence the next logical step, not to steal a secret, but to implant an idea! This would require a sequence of dreams, all planned to perfection, and dreams within a dream and the very real threat of being stuck in a dream; danger of being stuck in a limbo and never waking up! Imagine that!!!!
The movie makes for very interesting viewing. Leonardo is ably supported by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ellen Page (nice to see her after Juno), wonderful cinematography and attention to detail. Christopher Nolan delivers again. Must watch. Sweet dreams!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
The Manchurian Candidate
The US government does a lot of things, apparently for a reason, although not many comprehend it, let alone agree. Nevertheless this small fact doesn't deter them from trying their many stunts. The Manchurian Candidate, for example, is supposedly based on true incidents. Obviously there is no one to corroborate it, but what a helluva movie this turns out to be. Must see for sure.
The human mind is one amazing apparatus. It can take us to dizzying heights of euphoria and in a flip second it can plunge into despair and depression. It would not be wrong to say, that our mind, indeed, does have a mind of its own! and it does one helluva job storing, memories, information and the sundry tid-bits. It's all there somewhere in its dark crevices, to be accessed at the appropriate time. But, imagine, what if someone tinkered with your mind? you know, tweaks your memory a little bit...for their own sinister needs? How does the idea of brain manipulation sound?
The movie begins with a group of soldiers in Iraq during operation desert storm. The party is ambushed; Captain Ben Marco (Denzel Washington), the platoon's commanding officer, is knocked unconscious. Seargent Raymond Prentiss Shaw (Liev Schreiber) emerges as the hero, who saves the platoon. For his heroics, he is awarded the medal of honor and eventually emerges as a popular vice-presidential nominee. All is well until, (now) Major Marco is haunted by incessant dreams of the ambush. Is all what it seems? did Raymond Shaw deserve the adulation and honor, so generously heaped on him? What if the reality is not what it is?
The pursuit of truth reveals more than what Major Marco, could have ever imagined. As he tries to put semblance to his sanity, he uncovers a plot of bizarre ramifications,if revealed, it could destroy the present career of Raymond. The murky web of deception and lies that exposes the personal agenda of the power brokers who have become hungry beyond reason or reality. The powerful consortium of the US government & the rich corporate world, which together profits from the war and resultant chaos. Anything and everything is justified in their pursuit of power & control. In this mission of exposing the truth, one can trust no one and believe no one. Just imagine if the people you trust the most are the ones you need to be distrustful of. Paranoia rules.
The Manchurian Candidate is a remake of the 1962 thriller of the same name. The movie has been updated from the Korean war to Iraq war. With stellar performances by Denzel Washington, Liev Schreiber, Meryl Streep, this political thriller is a must watch.
It will make you question...what if...?
The human mind is one amazing apparatus. It can take us to dizzying heights of euphoria and in a flip second it can plunge into despair and depression. It would not be wrong to say, that our mind, indeed, does have a mind of its own! and it does one helluva job storing, memories, information and the sundry tid-bits. It's all there somewhere in its dark crevices, to be accessed at the appropriate time. But, imagine, what if someone tinkered with your mind? you know, tweaks your memory a little bit...for their own sinister needs? How does the idea of brain manipulation sound?
The movie begins with a group of soldiers in Iraq during operation desert storm. The party is ambushed; Captain Ben Marco (Denzel Washington), the platoon's commanding officer, is knocked unconscious. Seargent Raymond Prentiss Shaw (Liev Schreiber) emerges as the hero, who saves the platoon. For his heroics, he is awarded the medal of honor and eventually emerges as a popular vice-presidential nominee. All is well until, (now) Major Marco is haunted by incessant dreams of the ambush. Is all what it seems? did Raymond Shaw deserve the adulation and honor, so generously heaped on him? What if the reality is not what it is?
The pursuit of truth reveals more than what Major Marco, could have ever imagined. As he tries to put semblance to his sanity, he uncovers a plot of bizarre ramifications,if revealed, it could destroy the present career of Raymond. The murky web of deception and lies that exposes the personal agenda of the power brokers who have become hungry beyond reason or reality. The powerful consortium of the US government & the rich corporate world, which together profits from the war and resultant chaos. Anything and everything is justified in their pursuit of power & control. In this mission of exposing the truth, one can trust no one and believe no one. Just imagine if the people you trust the most are the ones you need to be distrustful of. Paranoia rules.
The Manchurian Candidate is a remake of the 1962 thriller of the same name. The movie has been updated from the Korean war to Iraq war. With stellar performances by Denzel Washington, Liev Schreiber, Meryl Streep, this political thriller is a must watch.
It will make you question...what if...?
The invention of lying
If weren't for lies, truth won't be truth! Imagine living in a world, where no one lies. All everyone says is the truth, and by that I don't mean "honesty is the best policy" kind of truth, I mean really the truth, like a Pepsi Ad with a tag line that says: Pepsi: when they don't have coke! or imagine going out on a first date and the middle of dinner, the girl says, in a very of fact manner: so i dont think I will be going out with you again, because we will never marry, with your gene pool, we will end up with little fat kids with snub noses, I dont want that!!!!
This is the honest world that Mark (Ricky Gervais) inhibits, he is fat, no girl-friend, an unsuccessful writer...a loser, in short. By chance he discovers that a little fibbing did not hurt anyone. When his mother's on her deathbed, scared at what lies in the after-world, Mark conjures up a fiction. The hospital staff overhear his description of a happy after life, with all the loved ones waiting on the other side, and the heaven. They belive every word of this story and tell others. This sets a hilarious set of events, that change Mark's life!
Do watch the movie for the fantastic deadpan acting talent of Ricky Gravis (of the, The Office fame), ably supported by Jennifer Garner. It's a radical comedy which does not fail to deliver.
More honest truth from the movie? here goes
...I'm just too far out of your league...
...your baby is so ugly, it's like a little rat...
...yes, that dress makes you look fat...
Watch the movie for more, but then again there are some matters, where honesty is really the best policy, what are those? well, there is only one way to find out...
This is the honest world that Mark (Ricky Gervais) inhibits, he is fat, no girl-friend, an unsuccessful writer...a loser, in short. By chance he discovers that a little fibbing did not hurt anyone. When his mother's on her deathbed, scared at what lies in the after-world, Mark conjures up a fiction. The hospital staff overhear his description of a happy after life, with all the loved ones waiting on the other side, and the heaven. They belive every word of this story and tell others. This sets a hilarious set of events, that change Mark's life!
Do watch the movie for the fantastic deadpan acting talent of Ricky Gravis (of the, The Office fame), ably supported by Jennifer Garner. It's a radical comedy which does not fail to deliver.
More honest truth from the movie? here goes
...I'm just too far out of your league...
...your baby is so ugly, it's like a little rat...
...yes, that dress makes you look fat...
Watch the movie for more, but then again there are some matters, where honesty is really the best policy, what are those? well, there is only one way to find out...
If only
How many times in life, while we are busy with the business of making a career and sundry stuff like that, do we start losing touch with reality. You know, take people for granted, parents, friends, your significant other and even yourself. There is always something important to attend to before we can set our affairs in order, and once we are done, something else pops up and then yet another something else. This vicious cycle continues, and before we know it, we are sucked so deep into the whirlpool that all things become secondary. When do we realise that the elusive perfect day, that we have been waiting for, when all will be in order, is just a myth, a figment of wishful thinking? When do we pause, take a moment to consider and stop taking people in our life for granted? Do we really need to be jolted by tragedy? Something to ponder, huh? Isn't "someday" a code for never?
If only, is a beautiful movie about a much in love couple, Samantha (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Ian (Paul Nicholls...sexy british accent BTW!). Sam is a gifted musician and Ian a successful business man, who is so busy with work, that he hasn't a minute to spare for his girlfriend. Untill a fateful accident takes Sam away from him. But then, this is reel life and not real life. Hence Ian get to relive the day once more. Which, he thankfully, spends with Sam, listening to her, talking to her and basically sharing his life with her. Now if you think I have given away the plot, let me assure you I have not. Do watch the movie...promise you'd love it.
So the moral of the story: love, appreciate and cherish the people in your life, for a split second can take them away, and you would be filled with regrets which are hard to get over. For in life there are hardly second chances. For, how can you be in love somebody and not know how to love them?
Its a beautiful movie, with wonderful English country-side and fanstic chemistry between Jennifer and Paul. Its a movie that would certainly find a place in your DVD rack.
Let me leave you with a line from Sam's diary: there is always one in a relationship, who loves more. I hope it isn't me...
Do watch the movie and hope it is not "someday"
If only, is a beautiful movie about a much in love couple, Samantha (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Ian (Paul Nicholls...sexy british accent BTW!). Sam is a gifted musician and Ian a successful business man, who is so busy with work, that he hasn't a minute to spare for his girlfriend. Untill a fateful accident takes Sam away from him. But then, this is reel life and not real life. Hence Ian get to relive the day once more. Which, he thankfully, spends with Sam, listening to her, talking to her and basically sharing his life with her. Now if you think I have given away the plot, let me assure you I have not. Do watch the movie...promise you'd love it.
So the moral of the story: love, appreciate and cherish the people in your life, for a split second can take them away, and you would be filled with regrets which are hard to get over. For in life there are hardly second chances. For, how can you be in love somebody and not know how to love them?
Its a beautiful movie, with wonderful English country-side and fanstic chemistry between Jennifer and Paul. Its a movie that would certainly find a place in your DVD rack.
Let me leave you with a line from Sam's diary: there is always one in a relationship, who loves more. I hope it isn't me...
Do watch the movie and hope it is not "someday"
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Rajneeti
Once in a while something comes along that makes us see a long existing thing in a new light. Rajneeti is just that something. For all you who thought the Mahabharata was a historical, moral epic that along with Ramayana form the base scriptures of Hinduism, this movie will make you alter that perception. It will force you to think of this as a political saga, a blockbuster of sorts when you see the modern day rendition of the so-called religious epic. You will once again question dharma. Not only that you will also question the god himself – Krishna.
The Mahabharat is the greatest lesson in politics. And it also forms the basic premise of the latest offering by Prakash Jha…Rajneeti. Many characters from the Mahabharat find their way into the modern day tale of the epic. Karna, the eldest brother of the Pandavas, a prisoner of birth, spends his whole life carrying the burden of one moment of insanity and passion of his mother. His fate is sealed at conception itself. And then there is Duryodhana, what do we say about him? Born into royalty, the rightful owner of the throne, but a cruel twist of fate robs him of his destiny, the quest for which means self-destruction. But, in the modern day Mahabharat of politics, there is no place for the Dharmaraj Yudhisthir, the eldest of the Pandavas, and his modern day counter-part has principles and equal no. of flaws and short-comings to make him believable and human. Yet, plenty of place for the deceiving, conniving and the wily Krishna…the master manipulator, the king-maker and the ace strategist. Ditto for Arjun, who only focuses on the target; the eye of the fish; the seat of the supreme power, and the he will not rest unless he attains it, no matter what the means and the price. All is fair in the treacherous game of politics. Indeed what a game it is, where there are no permanent friends or enemies, where friendships of convenience are forged just as easily as enmity is forgotten and pride is swallowed for the bigger reward. Even the dead have a role to play, who come back to haunt from the grave. In politics it is self first, self above all and indeed it is imperative to save ones own rear rather than dwelling on petty and insignificant issues of loyalty and kinship…and why not, with only one seat of power and many players. Kings are pawns themselves too. The lust for power is all consuming.
On this treacherous and murky web of deceit and ambition is based Rajneeti, which, with its brilliant star cast, stellar performances and edge-of-the-seat pace seems to be a sure winner. Manoj Bajpayee, after having done some insignificant and almost ridiculous roles, is back with a bang. If you thought Arjun Rampal is just a clothes-horse, think again, as he comes up with an ace performace. Ajay Devgan is his usual intense, brooding self, and then there is Nana Patekar, in his most restrained performance ever…no loud dialogues and no exaggerated hand movement!! But the surprise package is Ranbir Kapoor, in his most intense performance till date. That of the son, who by twist of fate is pushed into the political arena and once on the battle ground he emerges as the modern day Arjun who will stop at absolutely nothing to avenge the family honor and to return the power to the rightful owner; he has enough mind that he almost does not need the wily Krishna and his scheming mind. Then there is the lovely Katrina Kaif, an unwilling participant in the dangerous game, a mere pawn used to further ones own greed for power and supremacy, who loses all to emerge as the prime candidate. A small yet significant role. A must watch movie; it is not for the faint at heart. The only short-coming…a complete waste of Naseeruddin Shah.
The Mahabharat is the greatest lesson in politics. And it also forms the basic premise of the latest offering by Prakash Jha…Rajneeti. Many characters from the Mahabharat find their way into the modern day tale of the epic. Karna, the eldest brother of the Pandavas, a prisoner of birth, spends his whole life carrying the burden of one moment of insanity and passion of his mother. His fate is sealed at conception itself. And then there is Duryodhana, what do we say about him? Born into royalty, the rightful owner of the throne, but a cruel twist of fate robs him of his destiny, the quest for which means self-destruction. But, in the modern day Mahabharat of politics, there is no place for the Dharmaraj Yudhisthir, the eldest of the Pandavas, and his modern day counter-part has principles and equal no. of flaws and short-comings to make him believable and human. Yet, plenty of place for the deceiving, conniving and the wily Krishna…the master manipulator, the king-maker and the ace strategist. Ditto for Arjun, who only focuses on the target; the eye of the fish; the seat of the supreme power, and the he will not rest unless he attains it, no matter what the means and the price. All is fair in the treacherous game of politics. Indeed what a game it is, where there are no permanent friends or enemies, where friendships of convenience are forged just as easily as enmity is forgotten and pride is swallowed for the bigger reward. Even the dead have a role to play, who come back to haunt from the grave. In politics it is self first, self above all and indeed it is imperative to save ones own rear rather than dwelling on petty and insignificant issues of loyalty and kinship…and why not, with only one seat of power and many players. Kings are pawns themselves too. The lust for power is all consuming.
On this treacherous and murky web of deceit and ambition is based Rajneeti, which, with its brilliant star cast, stellar performances and edge-of-the-seat pace seems to be a sure winner. Manoj Bajpayee, after having done some insignificant and almost ridiculous roles, is back with a bang. If you thought Arjun Rampal is just a clothes-horse, think again, as he comes up with an ace performace. Ajay Devgan is his usual intense, brooding self, and then there is Nana Patekar, in his most restrained performance ever…no loud dialogues and no exaggerated hand movement!! But the surprise package is Ranbir Kapoor, in his most intense performance till date. That of the son, who by twist of fate is pushed into the political arena and once on the battle ground he emerges as the modern day Arjun who will stop at absolutely nothing to avenge the family honor and to return the power to the rightful owner; he has enough mind that he almost does not need the wily Krishna and his scheming mind. Then there is the lovely Katrina Kaif, an unwilling participant in the dangerous game, a mere pawn used to further ones own greed for power and supremacy, who loses all to emerge as the prime candidate. A small yet significant role. A must watch movie; it is not for the faint at heart. The only short-coming…a complete waste of Naseeruddin Shah.
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