September 2006 Archives

Children of Men' - UK Rated: 15
Runtime: 109min 01sec
Tagline: No children. No future. No hope.

Plot Outline
Set in 2027, "Children of Men" is PD James's future-nightmare novel as a film adaptation, It envisages a world one generation from now that has fallen into anarchy on the heels of an infertility defect in the population. The world's youngest citizen has just died at 18, and humankind is facing the likelihood of its own extinction. Set against a backdrop of London torn apart by violence and warring nationalistic sects, "Children of Men" follows an unlikely champion of Earth's survival: Theo (Clive Owen), a disillusioned ex-activist turned bureaucrat, who is forced to face his own demons and protect the planet's last remaining hope.

Overall Impressions:
Definitiely not your escapist entertainer. This one's for those wanting something deeper. I understand its doing well world-wide at the film festivals & rightly so. It certainly sets into motion the cain of thought which we should all have with regards to appreciating what we do have. A lot of films cover the "What If?" factor positively, "What if I had superhuman powers?", "What if robots took over the world?" ..etc etc This one does the same but in a more believable fashion, it tells the viewer what a future may hold if the smallest of things that we take for granted got taken away - & it conveys it well!

Novel at the conceptual level. Executed respectfully. (7 out of 10)

Aaaaah! .. how'd this one slip by me?? --- RainDance Film Festival on NOW!!

Clerks II' - UK Rated: 15
Runtime: 100min 58secs
Taglines: Always Open.
No Experience Necessary
Leading the War Against "Counter" Terrorism
Standing For Truth. Standing For Justice. Standing Around.
With no power comes no responsibility.

Plot Outline
The sequel picks up 10 years later. "It's about what happens when that lazy, 20-something malaise lasts into your 30s. Those dudes are kind of still mired, not in that same exact situation, but in a place where it's time to actually grow up and do something more than just sit around and dissect pop culture and talk about sex" Director Kevin Smith said during an interview at his Hollywood office. "It's: What happened to these dudes?" .. & that is exactly what this is:

A calamity at Dante and Randall's shop sends them looking for new horizons - but they ultimately settle at Mooby's, a fast-food restaurant. Free from his dead-end job (and lodged in a new one), Dante begins to break free of his rut, planning to move away with his clingy fiancé. Dante is ready to leave the horrors of minimum-wage New Jersey behind, but Randal - he has other plans. A film about, love, peace, friendship & all that crap ..

Overall Impressions:
What stood out to me was that the movie is more realistic than some of the other View Askew flicks, (its more like his first: "Clerks" obviously. None of the comic book type stunts like in "Mallrats" (Silent Bob's batman utility belt and flying around with a cape) or "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" (with the lightsaber scenes and flying on the bicycle through a wall and not getting hurt) or all the special effects,mythology and divine interventions of "Dogma". There are no scenes to groan at and think "yeah, right, like that could happen .. tuh". These characters are real, and real things happen to them, no special abilities, no creatures from a world far far away, just real people that many of us can relate to & thats exactly where it scores for those who aren't fans of the prior flicks. As for those that are, there is still ample joking of that Kevin Smith nature & ofcourse Jay & Silent Bob play their part to keep the fans from feeling betrayed (though thats probably a strong word.)

In closing...don't take your grandmother to this movie. It is full of obscene language, profane concepts, drug references, "unnatural" sexual references, etc. Unless you know your girlfriend is hip and not easily offended, I'd probably skip this one, even if in doubt - skip this one, that being said, make sure you take time to ditch the girl & go see it with your mates!

Overall, with a little romance in the mix this great conclusion has a barrel of chuckles, yet also an appeal for the more humane, realist people (in hope that they have a sense of humour), whatever the f*ck that means :). (7 out of 10)

I've had a peek & a couple of things stand out but I haven't compiled a list of must views yet.
Booking is meant to be a bit crazy however I have a colleague who's a member of the bfi crew & gets priority booking: Official Website | The important part: Timetable

Let me know what is of interest & if you plan on coming along a.s.a.p so that I can work out what days to book off work. Most of my holiday has been saved for this .. finally the time has come! :)

At a guess I'll be hearing from Demon .. & that'll be about it.

Black Dahlia, The' - UK Rated: 15
Runtime: 120min 37secs
Tagline: An Investigation into Obsession

Plot Outline
adaptation of James Ellroy's novel about two 1940s L.A. cops who head up the hunt for the killer of starlet Elizabeth Short. Based on a true unsolved murder. In the 1940s, young and beautiful Elizabeth Short came to Hollywood, intending to become a famous actress. However, it would not be her career but her her brutal murder in 1947 that would bring her fame, as "The Black Dahlia". The investigation of her death became an obsession to millions and revealed a vast conspiracy throughout the police department.

Overall Impressions:
Unfortunately the negatives outweigh the positives with ths one. My expectations were pretty average, so I don't feel its that. Brian De Palma has a certain style he brings about onscreen that is unmatchable & that still holds in this film. The performances are top-notch. (Not having read it I can't really comment on whether it is the novel or the adaption of it, but I'd say if it was considered worthy of adaption, I assume the novel was pretty damned good & so) its the screenplay that seems to get it all wrong, Okay perhaps thats a bit harsh. It starts off pretty well, but manages to lose steam by the end. When the climax is reached, the novelty has worn off & you've gona past caring for the outcome. Some snipping would certainly do it some good (even though its not all that long) though its a rewrite that's needed to actually get this fixed.

The positives: Glamour, Style, Performances.
The negatives: Not long, but certainly lags (5.5 out of 10)

Pulse' - UK Rated: 15
Runtime: 88min 30secs
Tagline: There are some frequencies we were never meant to find.

Plot Outline
When their computer hacker friend accidentally channels a mysterious wireless signal, a group of co-eds rally to stop a terrifying evil from taking over the world - Imagine our wireless technologies made a connection to a world beyond our own. Imagine that world used that technology as a doorway into ours. Now, imagine the connection we made can't be shut down. When you turn on your cell phone or log on to your e-mail, they'll get in, you'll be infected and they'll be able to take from you what they don't have anymore -- life itself.

Overall Impressions:
I'd probably sum it up as What if the Matrix was a horror? I went to watch this knowing nothing about it whatsoever, now seeing that this has a mere 3.8 out of 10 on iMDB with over a 1000 voters, you would imagine my expectations would have been nil. In this instance I'm thankful I knew nothing. Had I known anything about this I probably would have given it a miss, having said this, I quite enjoyed it. Nothing superb about it, nothing original about it as such, but it wasn't bad at all. Can't complain, the effects were decent, performances were pretty good. The main star (Kristen Bell) seemed to have an uncanny resemblence to Jennifer Garner, I'd go to the extent and say she was even better looking, as I was thinking this, it did seem more than a freaky to find Ron Rifkin (Sloane who was obsessed with Sydney from Alias) was not far behind,

Not bad for an interesting take on what the Matrix could have been (5.5 out of 10)

So I found myself in a game of Basketball on Wednesday, it was quite an experience, I haven't ached so bad since vietnam (translating P.E lessons back in 1995). Didn't realise at the time how much energy goes into a simple game of throw-za-ball in to za-hoop-type-t'ing. Its Friday already & I still can't feel my legs. I can really, but only if I prod hard, which I'm refraining from doing currently. The plan for the weekend involves the usual - swimming, cinema, coffee, dvd, interweb & possibly sleep some, but we all know how plans can turn. *flashback* .. fade to pensiveness .. & CUT!

As hopping on a train back from Chav-Island towards my actual residence, myself & the Vamp Lestat decided to sit in the 1st Class Cabin, no prior plan as such, it was just the nearest one when we hopped on the train & we couldn't be bothered to walk down through it to the more crowded economy class. Naturally we didn't have tickets for 1st class - we were rebels, there is some joy in doing things you shouldn't it must be admitted.

During the 18 minute journey we admired the slightly larger seats, the fact that we had power sockets, the Vamp even decided to charge his phone, he was thrilled by the blinds/curtain things & flapped about with them for a bit - & then it happened, the ticket conductor became visible in the economy class checking the tickets of the generic non-rebels who obliged when asked to display their tickets.

It was a race against the clock - what would happen first? Would our destination be reached, or would we encounter the 'ticket conductor' ? .. It was just like one of those showdowns in a classic Western, the twitchy fingers, the close-ups, the tense music, and then the conductor opened the train doors & we went home. The End.

Sentinel, The'
Runtime: 107min 54secs
UK Rated: 12A
Tagline: In 141 years, there's never been a traitor in the Secret Service.... Until Now.

Plot Outline
Special Agent Pete Garrison (Micheal Douglas) is convinced that a Neo-Nazi Aryan Disciple has managed to infiltrate the White House. When a White House Agent is murdered, Garrison is framed and blackmailed over an affair with the First Lady Sarah Ballentine (Kim Basinger). He is relieved of his duties, but Garrison won't stop in trying to prove his innocence, and save the life of the President. While attempting to uncover the person behind it all, he comes into confrontation with his protege, Agent Jack Bauer Breckinridge (Keifer Sutherland).

Overall Impressions:
If you like this genre of film, you'll find it gripping to begin with, at least. However as the plot unravelled I found myself not caring all that much who the mole was. When its all finally revealed - no impact. Even the sudden acceptance of Garrison after the First Lady confesses of the affair to Breckinridge seems a little far from feasible, as there were other issues between the two that still seemed unresolved. Putting this minor flaw aside, it was a genereic-fare thriller and good fun while it lasted, but nothing that takes you aback as "Wow, that kicked ass!" ... & the question you may be thinking 'does Kiefer pretty much play Jack Bauer??' .. and the answer is No, he plays a more boring by the book type agent :)

'Fugitive' style espionage thriller of generic magnitude. (6 out of 10)

Crank'
Runtime: 87min 52secs
UK Rated: 18
Tagline: Poison in his veins. Vengeance in his heart.

Plot Outline
Chev Chelios, a hit man (Jason Statham) learns that a poison injected into his body will kill him. With some luck & resources he finds that if his heart rate doesn't drop below a certain point, he seems to manage to carry on. Now he must exact his revenge on the people who injected him before he takes his last breath.

Overall Impressions:
I think the above says it all really. In addition, we also have Amy Smart as his innocent girlfriend unaware of his profession upto now, suddenly on the run with him. This crazy speed driven films rests firmly on Statham's performance alone. Quite a lot of people could have been perfect for the part, but he adds a certain wackiness to the mix, reminding you a little of his small bit-part as the goal-keeper (The Monk) in Mean Machine. He seems like quite a cool dude, Watch the interview he did for the movie blog below (you'll have to read the extended entry to see it). Also worth mention is the editing & sound, for the haze that becomes Chev Chelios's ending life, they've done a good job of showing you how that might feel.

A very silly, funny as hell, highly entertaining, full of Testosterone, very much a typical guy film (7 out of 10)

Just the other say, I found myself in a shop around lunchtime, perhaps a little later (half 2ish at a guess), most the sandwiches I would have picked considering my limited diet of No meat, No Fish, No Eggs had gone, in fact there was very little choice so I picked up a sandwich I normally wouldn't have & took it to the cashier. I pulled out two notes of 10 quid ou of my back pocket and straigthened them out, I handed one over to the chap requesting funds for this last choice sustaince I had acquired. He smiled, took the note & returned to me the change. I noted straight away that he was returning me change for the 10 quid + a 20 pound note. I took it & did what any self-centred honest to themself person would do. I walked away & spent that money yesterday .. on a Pizza that I enjoyed far more than that sandwich.

moral of the story: give me all your money & let me walk away with it, for i promise i will put it to good use.

now for those of you that perhaps think what i did was 'just wrong' (in a posible screechy voice) .. i probably don't care what you think but i'll give you my limited morals justification anyway, because as you may have gathered, i like talking about 'me' .. so moving straight to it .. the sandwich shop is not owned by some single parent struggling to earn a living for their hungry child who doesn't like falafel, in fact its one of those huge corporation chains that charge a good 3.50 for a sandwich, and me and many ponces like me pay this kind of money. so in my opinion, knowing that the dude who overpaid me won't be losing a dime but the corporation will, its all good.

Lage Raho Munna Bhai' - Runtime: 144 mins 37 secs - UK Rated: PG Produced by: Vidhu Vinod Chopra - Written & Directed by: Rajkumar Hirani *ing - Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Vidya Balan, Boman Irani, Jimmy Shergill, Dilip Prabhavalkar Guest Appearances: Abhishek Bachchan & Diya Mirza

Synopsis:
Munnabhai (Sanjay Dutt) our local Bombay goon, and his reliable buddy Circuit (Arshad Warsi) are back!
Munna is in love... with the voice of popular Radio Jockey Jhanvi (Vidya Balan). Her effervescent greeting of "Good Morrrning Mumbai" on her daily radio show makes Munna's heart skip a beat each time he listens to her. Life is beautiful for Munna - his "dadagiri" (debt collecting, stealing stones, breaking bones, all that) business is flourishing, he listens besottedly to the radio for hours every day, he dreams of marrying Jhanvi...

There is just one minor problem. Jhanvi thinks Munna is a 'Professor of History' and in all her innocence she even invites him to give a history lecture to her family (She looks after some sweet old pensioners, who have vowed to live their 2nd Innings in smiles rather than regretting all the time wasted in the 1st with their careers and families that have deserted them).

Poor Munna! What should he do?!
As Munna tries to sort out this minor entanglement in his otherwise perfect life, Circuit comes up with a bright solution, and then the most unusual thing occurs in Munna's life... What happens when the 'Present' meets the 'Past'? What happens when our 'Professor of History' encounters a 'Figure from History'?

Review:
Skimming over the first film the plot was such that Munna is a goon, his father believed that his son moved to Mumbai and is a successful and well respected doctor who even owns his own hospital for the service of the poor. Everybody knew his name and only had good things to say about him, little did he know this latter part was true, but not through respect, but by fear. When the father decides to visit him in Mumbai, Munna with his loyal friend Circuit uses his resources to emulate the life of a doctor. Eventually the inevitable happens and all truths are unleashed, consequently the film was about how he earns his father's forgiveness and shows him that though he may not be a doctor, he is a good human being at heart.

This sequel (or further adventures of) Munna Bhai M.B.B.S was initially titled 'Munnabhai meets Mahatma Gandhi', later renamed 'Munnabhai 2nd Innings' .. & finally the title settled as Lage Raho Munna Bhai.

The first thing I will say about this is it certainly is by far the most inspired, original and inspiring feel-good film I have seen in a very long time. As with its predecessor the lingo is the kind of slang you hear in the streets of the Indian cities and I thought this perhaps would not come across so well in the English subtitles but they have done a pretty good job with them.

The moments shared between Munna & Circuit in the 1st-half are witty, humorous and do total justice to the character we began to love in the first film. However its pretty clear the selling point of the film will most definitely be the chats between Mahatma Gandhi and Munna, which has been written carefully, concisely and shot with equal care and perfection. Without a doubt, the writer/director (Hirani) has invested a lot of thought and time on this script. 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' doesn't bear any similarity to any released film that I've seen and that's saying a lot.

The second half sees Munna take on Gandhi's approach (peace) to resolve the problems he's created for himself. They are inspiring and true to Gandhi's teachings historically. You do miss the banter between Circuit and Munna a little but it is compensated with the interactions with the radio audience, as the focus shifts more on Munna's love story and in essence the problems Munna helps with for the entire country through his Radio Jockeying. In the pre-climax when Gandhi refrains from speaking momentarily and you realise what is happening it is a little shocking but it is certainly compensated for in the very end. I'll avoid spoilers, but mention it has been handled with great honour for the Father of the Nation.

Music:
Title song - spot on, it reminds you a little of 'M Bole To' from M.B.B.S whether this was intentional or not it works a treat & works with the anticipation of meeting Jhanvi yet also showing us the strong brotherly love between Circuit & Munna.

Pal Pal Har Pal - a situational song timed perfectly, it strengthens the wait for the following morning as opposed to the generic sunrise scene you would expect to see in this kind of moment in a film.

Performances:
Sanjay Dutt got an award for Munna in M.B.B.S and this film certainly reminds you why. His performance is so natural, it simply can't be faulted - I can't picture anybody else pulling off this role with such strength with a child-like subtle charm. Arshad Warsi may be playing the character of a sidekick here but no way does he appear second fiddle, a top performance once again as Sarkeshwar (Circuit), his comic timing and dialogue delivery got loud laughs and much an applause from the crowd. Vidya Balan in her second film (after Parineeta) is proving a point, she's not merely eye-candy, this girl can act. You would not believe she's a relatively Junior artiste. Dilip Prabhavalkar as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is surprisingly convincing.

Boman Irani is almost too convincing as a quirky & sly old man trying to usurp the home of the pensioners, his punjabi look is refreshing & he also adds some light moments as he poses to the camera for a photo shoot ending in pictures of him with The Queen & Aishwarya Rai (Miss World 1994) amongst other celebrities. The rest of the pensioners play their small bit parts as well as required. Diya Mirza & Jimmy Shergill make their presence noticed in their tiny roles, Abhishek was a pleasure to see for a second but pointless.

Overall Impressions:
At no point was I looking at my watch in this film, I think it is wise that they kept the 2nd half only an hour or so long getting the longer half done before intermission, as a two and a half hour film its a perfect all-rounder, watch it with your mates, family or your hot date :-P you'll be delighted you did. It has a very cultural hindustani feel to it, but this is no criticism, it works for it. It'll hopefully show the future generation that westernising our thoughts and films isn't necessarily the only way to progress, like some may think. If you're considering going to see your first Bollywood film, this is a safe bet. It shows a whole new generation reliving the teachings of the Father of the Nation (Mahatma Gandhi).

Preaching a message of peace without being preachy, they don't make many good flicks like this anymore - Novel, funny, heart-warming & thoroughly entertaining. An absolute must watch! - (7.5 out of 10)