Myriad thoughts on a million things
Posts tagged Movies
Hot Vampires and Cute Werewolves
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‘Hot’ Vampires and ‘Cute’ Werewolves sound like oxymorons, but that is exactly what Stephanie Meyer’s ‘Twilight’ series is about. The first book, ‘Twilight’ introduces the reader to the world of Vampires in the cloudy town of Forkes. It starts like a regular book on teenage issues…moving to a new town, the scariness of a new high school, blah… blah. But it quickly turns interesting with the entry of the intriguing ‘Cullen’ family.
Into the narrative steps the ‘Hot’ ‘Mr. Perfect as Adonis’ Edward Cullen. I was having difficulty imagining someone as good looking as the author describes Edward. So I picked up the movie ‘Twilight’ to give the characters in my imagination some shape. (To start with, I only saw the beginning of the movie…just up to the point I had read since I did not want the movie to spoil the fun of the book!)
Robert Pattinson (who btw was Cedric in Harry Porter movies) plays Edward. My first reaction to that was ‘uh huh…not that good looking’. But once you sit through the movie, he sort of grows on you. Interestingly, some info on the net says that the millions of ‘Twilight’ fans were initially disappointed with the casting of Robert as Edward. Stephanie Meyer’s official site says that Hayden Christensen (the actor who plays Aniken Skywalker in the newer Star Wars series) was the first choice for ‘Edward’. I am not sure if he might have been able to carry off the cool marble skinned hot vampire look.
Anyways, back to the book. The story line of a vampire who falls in love with a mortal girl and his internal conflict of wanting to drink her blood vs loving her and wanting her to live, keeps the story edgy and interesting. The book pulls the reader in with the slow unfolding of the mystery of the Vampires, the unraveling of Edward’s character, his unique family and his unique confusions with respect to Bella. To the author’s credit, she has managed to create an epic love story of sorts. Bella’s emotions of being in love for the first time, the breathlessness and euphoria of first physical contact, the indescribable feeling on a invisible connection are quite well portrayed. The anticipation of ‘what next’, kept me hooked. The book is fast paced and I found myself sitting through late nights to just read one more page.
What I wasn’t ecstatic about that the slight whiny edge that Bella has sometimes. Her continuous internal dialogue on how she is unworthy of the love and attention of ‘Adonis’ Edward can sometime get to your nerves. But I guess, having the plainness of the Bella reiterated so often, even the reader is left wondering the same. As the author says, she supposedly plain and as the reader can make out isn’t exceptional witty. The character as described in the book would have still been ok…but when one starts to visualize her as Kristen Stewart (the actress who plays Bella in the movie) is when the disappointment happens. She definitely needs acting lessons and her blinky, unsure, lack lusture portrayal of Bella was really a dampener.
I was quick to pick up the next book in the series -‘The New Moon’. But was as quickly disappointed. The lack of Edward, itself was a downer. The first half of the book is all about how Bella is dealing with the loss. Her whiny self effacing feelings really got to me after a bit. The books picks up with the introduction of the werewolf angle. The twists and turns toward the end are interesting but really not worth the wait. Even the Werewolf vs Vampire angle was not dealt with in an in-depth manner and with the re – entry of Edward in the narrative, Jacob was dropped like a hot potato. The whole first part that built up to the werewolf transformation falls flat ineffectively and it’s sad to see Jacob dismissed with a twist of the pen.
There are two more books in the series – ‘The Eclipse’ and ‘Break of Dawn’. I’m looking forward to laying my hands on them and finally seeing how Bella’s transformation happens.
The series really falls into the ‘Fantasy Chick Lit’ category. I don’t think men would find the detailed introspections into the emotions of a teenage girl all that engrossing… even with a little vampire and werewolf action thrown in. The series are actually hugely popular with the women. There is even a FB test on how much you know about Twilight. I got a 100% on it! J
The Best Super Heroes!
21148 days
by Anmol
in Random Thoughts
Writing my review on Watchmen got me thinking about all the other Super Heroes I’ve watched and loved. That gave me this idea of listing the Best Super Heroes according to me and why I like them.
Please feel free to contradict and fight for your hero (In the comments section) in case he/ she don’t make it to this first list. J So here goes…
1. Suuuuperrrrman! (* Drum Roll !!! *)
My front runner and ahead of others by the million miles…Superman has been my quintessential favorite for a long time. One of the first few super heroes to taste screen success, Superman is the ultimate Super Hero. He has super abilities in a multitude of areas. He can fly, has super strength and is the ultimate Man of steel. Ok, I know he could have done with a better costume designer, but hey this was the 1970s. Everyone dressed weird back then!
2. Batman
I’ve always thought of Batman as a Hero who does not really fit the bill of a Super Hero, but that of a Vigilante. In my books, to be a Super Hero you have to have non human abilities, like those of mutants or aliens. But the distinction none the less, Batman makes my cut because he does rise above the ordinary (and the human), albeit with the help of training and fancy gadgets. Dark and weighed down by demons of his own, Batman offers a complexity which gives his character depth. I also especially like that his movies always have villains that come in such great variety and wierdness. (The Joker, Penguin, Riddler, Poison ivy, Dr Freeze etc)
3. X Men
Shape shifting, Telekenesis, Telepathy, Self healing… you name it and X Men have it. Mutants with a range of super powers! With each new movie they unveiled new mutants with new and fascinating powers. The good vs evil aside, I liked them all. I wouldn’t say Wolverine makes my list as the Super Hero no 3, but rather the whole motley Crew of mutants, whether on Professor Xavier’s or Magnito’s side, definitely make my cut!
4. Spider Man
Super Hero he is, but in a Hamlet sort of way. Spider Man seems to battle with himself in a pitiable sort of way…wondering about ‘to be or not to be a hero’. Spider webbing, roof hopping aside, Spider Man is just another kid with girl issues. Yet, he makes my cut because he is still a hero and makes for some interesting movie watching (his various adversaries included!)
So those are the ones who made the first list! Though I can’t wind up the post without a special mention of the other Heroes who almost made the list.
· The Incredible Hulk: Not so much of a Hero, The Hulk is just a poor hunted mutant. What I like about him is the way he throws his arms around and stomps when he is angry! It always makes me smile.
· Iron Man: Love his Suit and the awesome things it’s capable of. Also like Robert Downing Junior J
· Transformers: Autobots rock! I wish my car was one of them.
· Dr Manhattan: My latest addition. Love his omniscient powers, though he’s a little high on the whole human philosophy piece.
Watching the ‘Watchmen’
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Ok, I know…corny title, but I couldn’t help it! I recently saw the movie ‘Watchmen’ (hmm… it’s definitely more fun to say watched the watchmen) and liked it.
And hey, I admit it….As far as super hero movies go, I’m a fan. Not a fan like some of the crazy people on ‘Who wants to be a Super Hero?’ (Where they go trapizing about in spandex going ‘ heeerrreee comes the Fat Momma!!)’, but a fan none the less. I mean there is something so inherently wondrous about having abilities beyond human constraints…it opens up the mind to possibilities and dimensions that one doesn’t usually think about.
Anyways… back to the review. For starters…don’t see it if you don’t like Super Heros. For its Looooong…and if you’re someone who can’t fathom how electrocuting someone can make them blue in colour and give them telekenetic powers, it’s going to be a really long 2 ½ hours for you. But if you’re someone like me… the length of the movie only adds to its appeal. I mean lay it on… I want to see people being teleported to Mars and all the Super Hero action!
Set in the 1980s, the movie chronicles the cold war and how close to nuclear destruction the world came to. After the swinging 60s, the Super Heros have been forced to go underground and when the world needs them, they rise from their ashes and save the world. Yeah… it’s a beaten path, but the execution of the plot with the interlacing stories of the different Super Heros and their pasts makes the movie interesting. Even the dark side of Super Heros is explored and exposed. How can one not hate the Comedian, or wonder about the real personality of masked Rorschach?
The one thing that didn’t satiate my appetite for super powers, was that many of the Super Heroes really didn’t have super powers or this was not adequately covered in the movie. Running about in Spandex and beating up some people doesn’t make the cut for Super Heros (maybe that’s why some people like to refer to them as costumed Vigilantes). But Dr Manhattan made up from everyone else’s inadequacies. Omni powerful, Dr Manhattan could be the ‘Baap’ of all Super Heros! Liked what a news anchor says in the movie, ‘We know that God exists (Ref Dr Manhattan) and that he is definitely American!’ J
Zack Synder’s treatment of the movie is mature. While one might think (being a Super Hero Movie) that it’s aimed at the kids (and the Super Hero Buffs), it’s definitely not suitable viewing for anybody under 18. Overall, I liked the movie and would give is a 3.75 on a scale of 5. For Super Hero buffs, it’s a must see.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
013 nominations at the Oscars and only two wins. The fact that the movie didn’t really get the awards didn’t stop us from checking it out. If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be………… ‘Curious’!
A story about a baby being born old and then growing younger with each passing day… it’s an interesting concept. But you know… a whole lifetime to project… it can be a little dull. So the movie was loooong and sometime frankly quite boring. But that said, the Oscar nominations are still well received.
The movie leaves an impression… makes one wonder about life and the transience of time and youth. The scene wherein both Daisy and Benjamin are almost the same age (as if meeting in the middle) and Benjamin wants hold on to the picture of them together, can make ones heart break. Or the scene of old Daisy and toddler Benjamin sharing an innocent kiss…. It’s bizarre, but it’s heartwarming.
The one thing that one cannot help but notice is the amazing job the makeup artists have done in this movie. Depicting the different ages for Benjamin and Daisy left me in awe of their skill with the brush. One does miss the handsome Brad Pitt during most of the movie (I think he’s his current hot age only for about 20 mins of the movie), but he’s done a good job of his acting.
The movie is definitely worth one watch… but make sure you have the patience and some comfort food to get you through it.
Luck By Chance – A lucky break!
3Well I didn’t expect to eat my words so soon…After ranting about the inexplicable ability of Bollywood to churn out crappy movies and still make money, I wasn’t expecting to see a movie that would re- assert my faith in Indian movie makers.
Zoya Akhtar’s ‘Luck by Chance’ really took me by surprise. Funny, entertaining and insightful, the movie had me laughing and wondering about life at the same time. Zoya of course has had an insiders view on the machinations of the movie world for some time and she uses the movie to poke fun, albeit politely, at the A to Zs of Bollywood… Stars of yesteryears and their gullibility to flattery from yore, Star daughters and mamma hens who watch protectively over every little detail of their launch, poor ole’ producers running after stars the age of their sons to beg for dates, Stars and their excuses for dodging movies, struggling actors and their lives, people paying their dues and still not seeing stardom and others getting lucky through the weirdest twists of fate.
Farhan Akhtar and Konkana Sen have done a brilliant job of their acting and the script is well written (Even I couldn’t find a loop hole!). I especially loved the realistic ending. Not a stereo type bollywood ending of happily ever after. J
What’s with the Indian Movie Scene?
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Sometime I wonder that Indian movie makers must think that the Indian Audience are really dumb and that’s why they think that anything will go with them. And surprisingly, sometimes, the audience proves them right.
Take for example the case of Ghajini. This was from the stables of the great actor/director and the usually sensible movie maker – Aamir. So I had to give it a fair chance… but OMG! How can someone make a movie with so many loop holes? A 15 min short term memory loss problem or a complete loss of common sense problem? Given how the hero has to rip off his shirt every time he wakes up and how he yells and screams for his loss, one would guess that the whole movie would be just one series of ripping off shirt, trying to remember what the tattoos are supposed to remind him of, yelling and screaming in anger and poof… 15 mins are up! Time to start the whole process of remembering again. Jeez… they could have atleast given him memory span of ½ a day to make the story credible. And hey…this is not to miss… in this age of internet and superfast information flow, here is a Cell Phone Company Tycoon and no one knows what he looks like?? Rrrreeeaaalllyyy? You expect us to believe something that stupid? Or hows this for thinking the Audience are a bunch of Neanderthals… Mr. Cell phone company tycoon with memory loss is going crazy looking for a Mr. Ghajini. And he can figure out a solution to the complex problem of how to remember people, but no… he can’t sit on the net and google Mr. Ghajini? Come on…he’s the supposed CEO of a Pharma company… anyone should be able to find him… even memory loss suffering Psycho Cell Tycoon.
Ok… let’s try and let go of the obvious omissions in the story line of Ghaniji and focus on the much touted Rab ne bana di Jodi… Love story of the common man or story of a wife cheating on Husband with Husband’s atler ego? I mean it’s ok…you don’t explain to me why she forced to marry Mr. Simpleton in the first place or why she feels so indebted to him… atleast explain to me how she cannot know her husband from crazy color riot of a Mr. Hep alter ego? Or maybe how she can possibly stand being near the irritating Mr. Hep?
Fine… I accept, I am a difficult person to please in terms of movies. Everyone who bothered to hear my nit picking issues out, said one thing to me… ‘When you go see Hindi Movies, you need to leave your brains outside and just have fun’. Maybe the movie makers are cashin in on the trend and are therefore making dumber and dumber movies.
Letters from Iwo Jima
0I recently saw the movie ‘Letters from Iwo Jima’. It’s a movie about the US invasion of the Japanese Island Iwo Jima during the 2nd world war. The movie is in Japanese and shares the story from the Japanese view of events. The story of a small helpless section of the Japanese army fighting against all odds and keeping the enemy at bay is tragic, desolate, yet heartwarming.
The story shares how the Japanese fleet is destroyed and there are no back up ammo or resources that Japan can send to the troops on the island. Yet, the soldiers on the island, do all that they can to fight for their island, knowing fully well that they can do nothing much else except delay the inevitable invasion. It is interesting to see how soldiers sway between valour and self preservation at various points of time during the movie. Seeing a young baker, forcefully enlisted in the Imperial army, digging trenches and asking himself ‘are we digging our graves?’ makes one wonder about the futility of war. With a deep belief in honour, Japanese soldiers prefer to kill themselves than fall into enemy hands. The scenes of soldiers killing themselves with hand grenades and the reluctance of some overridden by collective pressure are quite the tear jerkers.
I think the movie is done brilliantly, in a simple, realistic manner while exhibiting a deep understanding of the Japanese psyche. Clint Eastwood has indeed done an outstanding job!