HOME (2009)

Home (2009)

Genre: Documentary

Director: Yann Arthus-Bertrand

My rating: 4/5

I think I was late. I should have watched ‘Home’ the year it came out in 2009. But after nearly 2 years gone the documentary starts to make more and more sense. After so many natural disasters occurring around the world in more frequently than before and in most areas where ‘Home’ hovers above, I think we are yet to experience the worst.

Don’t get me wrong. ‘Home’ is not totally a pessimistic look at nature’s destruction by human hands. It’s quite more than that.

‘Home’ addresses the world’s critical issues which as nations we all turns a blind eye to or give a lesser priority. Nothing in this planet comes for free and nothing is limitless. ‘Home’ is the story about nature and its interdependence. It speaks of how this wonderful planet we live in was a blissful arena for the human kind and how we have become so unkind and ungrateful towards it. ‘Home’ speaks of water, air and resources which bounds all living things as one and the crucial cycles which were active for billions of years which now having a threat of breaking.  

While revealing some heart shattering facts ‘Home’ shows few of the most unforgettable cinematography that I have ever seeing on a documentary. While covering 56 countries from air, there is not a single shot made from eye level of a human which vastly gives the gods view of what’s truly the planet earth looks like. Scene by scene ‘Home’ is a visual extravaganza and a treat to the brains furthest of corners. And the mesmerizingly wonderful sound track by Armand Amar just purely satisfy the senses and speaks to the minds in deep.

There is a very strong message embedded throughout the whole 95 minutes of ‘Home’. And it’s a message which none of us can dare to forget. I sure will cherish it and do whatever I may do to keep the balance of nature and be grateful towards it. 

(If you enjoy ‘Home’ then there is a strong chance that you will also like powaqqatsi  and Baraka which is one of my favorites. And then you can try Blue Planet and Planet Earth from BBC)

CATFISH (2010)

Catfish (2010)

Genre: Documentary

Directors: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman

Stars: Melody C. Roscher, Ariel Schulman and Yaniv Schulman

 

My rating 3/5

Especially when it comes to documentaries it has to be an exceptional job to move the viewer. Documentaries are vastly based on natural and real life events. And Catfish is one of those documentaries which actually gives you goose bumps at one point and makes sure that you will remember it for a very long time. And when it’s all about social networking and internet in this Facebook age the toll seems to be higher. 

Yaniv Schulmen (Aka Nev) is a New York based photographer who shoots dancers and dance events. Over Facebook he gets to know one of his 8 year old fan named Abby (From Michigan) and eventually introduces himself online to her whole family including her hot step sister. Nev’s brother (Ariel Schulman) sensing that there is some interesting aspect in this online relationship, decides to make a documentary and they starts to keep a visual diary and tracks of the events which takes place within the next 8 months.

Nev eventually starts to like Abbys step sister and so they start sharing more intimate information, views and the rest over the phone, internet and Post. The documentary is all about how their relationship evolves and the events which takes place after Nev decides to really go and see this girl in person. 

There are several twists to the story and knowing it was true events you may starts to wonder how fragile we all can be in the online community. But it’s severely hard for me to give you any further insight without giving out any possible spoilers so I have to keep this short. 

We all know what internet is and we all are contributors to it. With the vast popularity of sharing more information via social networking we have become slaves of our own online addictions which sometimes may not be the best for us. 

Keeping that in mind will make us more aware of the abyss and ‘Catfish’ is a wonderful contribution towards knowing life a little bit better. 

Trailer

LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS : OWLS OF GA'HOOLE (2010)

Legend of the Guardians - The Owls of Ga'Hoole (2010)

Genre:  Animation, Fantasy, Adventure

Director:  Zack Snyder

Writers:  John Orloff, Emil Stern  

Stars: Jim Sturgess, Hugo Weaving and David Wenham

My rating 3/5

There is only one way to describe ‘Legend of the Guardians’. It’s just by saying “A Majestic animation experience”

I have seeing a fare deal of animation in the recent years yet when it comes to attention to details and out of the box character development ‘Legend of the Guardians’ take a front row seat. Certainly looks like a pain the butt to render such significant and minute details (Especially when it comes to slow motion action) the animator have done a mighty task. 

The story on the other hand is not that refreshing or out of the box. It’s a fantasy which takes plot in between good owls and the evil ones. The good ones go through a quest to defeat the evil ones. More like the same story line which may seems mundane is big fantasy movies like ‘Lord or the Rings’ or ‘Chronicles of Narnia’.  And coming from a 3 books in to 1 movie it’s somewhat seems like the story is a little crumpled. Therefore I don’t find the luxury or over praising the story.

However due the extraordinary work which is put in to the animation, cast and music ‘Legend of the Guardians’ is a very watchable and enjoyable movie. There is mild humor, very touchy and heartwarming moments and heroic portrayal of courage.

 

Jack Snyder is a well talented director. Specially 300 and watchmen scream of his extraordinary ability of creating movie magic. But I wonder if he is the total animation type. Sure he should have chosen a much novel story line to start with.

Even though this cannot be placed on the top 5 animations in the year 2010 it certainly is a wonderful experience and a memorable one. 

Trailer

The Ghost Writer (2010)

Genre: Drama/Thriller/Mystery

Director: Roman Polanski

Writers: Robert Harris , Roman Polanski  

Stars: Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan and Olivia Williams

 

My Rating: 4.5/5

Movies are all about story telling. You can have all the fancy looking casts and jaw dropping action or animation or sex, but the final thing what a viewer would ponder upon once he leaves the theater is the story. When there is a story which matter above all then that movie will remain in the hearts and minds for a very long time. ‘The Ghost Writer’ is such magnificent and thought provoking piece of movie making. 

Let’s briefly hover upon the plot. Adam Lang (played by Pierce Brosnan- the Matador, Taylor of Panama) is a former British prime minister who now lives in a remote island in USA. The author who was assigned to do his auto biography is one day found dead on the beach. So the publishing company seeks a ghost writer in order to complete the memoir and ‘Ghost’ (Evan McGregor-Deception, Miss Potter) is assigned for the task. Mean while Adam Lang is accused of crimes related to human rights in international scale and the Ghost starts to get familiarized with Adams life, secrets and more deep and dark conspiracies which soon will put his life in danger. The story is about how the Ghost and Adam not collectively but in different means try to get over the challenges they face in the tough times. The deeper the Ghost investigates the harder it seems for him to return. 

Adams character which clearly is related to Tony Blair and the recent events which took place put Brosnan in a tight spot. Yet he proves that his performance is Prime Minister material and so do the acting by the young Jedi Evan McGregor. When it comes to acting, it’s not right to forget Olivia Williams who plays Adams desperate wife who brings a crucial touch to the plot and the script. There are few loose ends in the script but the mere thrill and the mood which the movie runs you will completely forget them by the time the titles roll. 

The sets are dramatic and perfect with modern architecture and interior which sometimes gives the creeps and most of the time shows a vast emptiness and uncertainty throughout. Especially the house by the sea where Adam Lang resides is a mere portrait of his life after the fame and challenges he must have faced in the office. Even thought the walls are perfectly garnished with expensive paintings there is somewhat a dull and mystery to each corner of the house. The climate, the people and even the roads of the small town looks like they have some mystery in them. Here you may find a little Hitchcock or a familiar raise of heartbeat once in a while.

Hats off to the remarkable direction of Roman Polanski who someone I seriously have great gratitude after ‘The Pianist’ and it’s heartrending to know that I have missed so much of his great works already. 

‘The Ghost Writer’ is Golden Globe or Oscar material, but I find it a little disappointing to see that this didn’t appear in any nominations this year. But no regrets as it already won 8 other awards and 10 nominations.

There should be more movies like ‘The Ghost Writer’. 

Trailer

BURIED (2010)

 Buried (2010)

Genre  : Drama/Thriller

Director: Rodrigo Cortés

Writer: Chris Sparling

Stars: Ryan Reynolds, José Luis García Pérez and Robert Paterson

My rating: 3.5/5

Honestly this movie looks like it was made with a budget of $1000! And most probably the director have used a wooden box with Ryan Reynolds in it and few cameras in the whole 135 minutes.

But despite all that, seriously ‘Buried’ is not a bad movie at all. It’s just purely new and tense to look at and more enjoyable than many other high budgeted, cast crowded flicks.

Paul Conroy (Ryan Reynolds-The Proposal, Just Friends) is a truck driver who works in Iraq. After getting ambushed and attached by insurgents he gets buried alive in a wooden coffin under the desert sand. Its rather a box which is a little spacious than a usual coffin which immediately comes to our minds but not spacious enough to be comfortable. He discover a lighter, torch and a cellphone and some other small stuff which makes sense when the plot start to reveal its true colors. Later its  exposed that rebels expects to demand a ransom and so the story goes. 

 

What purely fascinates me is that the movie never, I repeat never leaves the wooden coffin. There are lot happens in the box and lot of interaction with the outside world but all other people involved  are limited to voice acting. This gives an immense opportunity for the viewer to be practically get stuck in the box with the main character and just feel how he must be feeling. On top of that the fear mixed up rage and frustration which builds up is wonderfully crafted throughout the movie. I'm not gonna give out any spoilers about the ending or what really happens in the box coz I really enjoyed the movie coz I never knew much about it.

Ryan Reynolds does a wonderful job with his character. The roll is very tough with limited moving space and lot of overflowing emotions. Very good work done there for sure. And hats off to the sounds crew including the dramatic score which play and huge part all the time. More than any other movie the sounds really becomes so important in this as visuals are not the key player for your imagination.

Overall ‘Buried’ is a very nice and scary experience. If you ask anyone about their most deepest fears are, buried alive would be in the list. Coz I know as it remain on a top position of my list.  

Dinner for Schmucks (2010)

Genre: Comedy

Director:Jay Roach

Writers:David Guion, Michael Handelman

Stars: Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Stephanie Szostak

My rank : 3/5

 

If you expect to look at something and then laugh then you have come to the right place. “Dinner for Schmucks” has comedy written all over its face and there is a good load of it.

Bit of a tricky plot to write about in one line but let me try. Tim is a rising corporate executive who is looking for his next big break and he bumps in to  Barry who is an idiot (With a good heart) and lucky for Tim as he was already in the process of looking for an idiot to be presented in their big corporate dinner which is all about ridiculing an idiot!  Got confused? Damn I’m good.

 Tim is played by Paul Rudd (I love you Man, Role Models) and Barry is played by Steve Carrel ( 40 year old virgin, Dan in real life). No need to mention they both are pretty good at what they do. Specially Steve Carrel pulls off the character very well.(Love the scene where he imitates the Swiss accent)

This movie is not a masterpiece in comedies but it will make you laugh. And maybe make you a little sad too in several scenes. And make you a dreamer and give you some inspirational advice before it ends.

Most of the critic seems to be really disliking this movie. But for me I’m not a pro critic but I'm happy. Didn’t expect Shakespeare out it. 

 And oh yes there are some really creative and sweet miniatures all over the movie from start to end as Barry is a miniature creator. You may like those as well. Bonus!

  
Trailer