John Carter (2012)

Director: Andrew Stanton

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Cast: Taylor Kitsch, Willam Dafoe, Mark Strong

Plot: John Carter is "telegraphed" from Earth to Mars.

With so many larger-than-life movies slated for release in coming months, John Carter commences 2012 in a grand style! It is worth all your money and is entertaining enough.

Stanton, the storyteller, has ensured John Carter (the character) will stay with us for long and we will want more of him soon.

The special effects are state of the art. Alien landscapes filmed at Big Water, Utah are brilliantly captured--take you to the heady days of original 'Planet of the Apes'.

Film also moves at a good pace, at the same time there is a definite feel of stability in the script. It is a larger-than-life, action-adventure epic that not necessarily needs to make room for display of emotions, yet these have been subtly interwoven amongst all the chaos. 

There is nothing new in the movie itself, however, it does give you the feel of "Star Wars" and some fight sequences (especially the chase outside Goddess's abode) and their settings also remind you of old west scenes from "Back to the Future".

I haven't read much work of Edgar Rice Burroughs but was aware of the character John Carter as it has appeared a few times in both Marvel and DC. If you are not familiar with the Burroughs' writings then initially it could be little troubling to decipher what is going on much of the time but that is also something which keeps you glued-on and by the time movie ends everything is crystal clear.

There are a few things I feel should have been included and some scenes should have been cut short as it is a 2 hours+ movie:

• Display of excessive emotions by Princess of Mars 'Dejah' was unnecessary and seemed bogus, instead, some overall character development would have fared better for the movie. 
• 3D was decent but again unnecessary, would have done equally well--or probably better--in 2D.
• Action sequences (apart from Carter's legendary high jump) are good but nothing outstanding. 
• Stanton looked more focused in creating a fantastic world with state of the art sets and lags behind a bit in direction part. 
• You expect much and more from the storyteller who gave us the likes of Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Wall-E. Clearly, directing a live action for the first time has slightly affected Stanton's actual strength.

At last, no spoilers ahead, what an ending! Perfect climax makes up for anything that was lacking and makes you crave for a sequel.

7.5/10

P.S., you'll fall in love with Wulla (Calot): a 'frog-dog'-like creature!

Joyeux Noel (2005, French)

Director: Christian Carion

Cast: Diane Kruger, Benno Fürmann

Genre: History, War

Christmas ceases the fire!

Based on some real events/stories of WWI, Joyeux Noel simply leaves you speechless with its in-depth and immaculate screenplay. Music plays a vital role all through the movie, especially the heartwarming Scottish bagpiper and soul-stirring German opera.

Film starts with an appalling scene of French, German, and Scottish youngsters being made to recite their anti-enemy lines in cold blood. You witness this horrendous murder of innocence (nothing graphic, it is all sheer vibes) and tone is set for the remaining movie.

The next scene features the dreaded WWI Trenches and starts-off bloodily somewhat like “Paths of Glory” but from there onwards the film takes a completely different turn.

Now, the film revolves around the German, French, and Scottish standoff at no man’s land and this standoff remains in the back drop throughout the movie. Christmas is around the corner and the soldiers on all sides—at the Western Front—want this cursed war to end.

A posse of beautifully etched-from-reality characters move the film forward. There is a French Lieutenant who left behind his pregnant wife in occupied France to attend the war-call, Lieutenant’s helper/assistant who misses his mother and her coffee, a Scottish priest who—untouched by politics of faith—actually preaches about humanity, two Scottish brothers, and two deeply in love German opera singers separated by war—Anna, Sprink.  These and few others form the core of the movie. Their stories are interwoven—not literally—at an emotional level and by Christmas Eve combined feelings of all three sides reach the threshold of something spectacular. What happens now completely defies the purpose/need of war and, to this day, remains a lesson in morality for us all.

All three warring sides call a truce and make merry together. This merry making isn’t just about having fun, you get to feel some of the most complex human emotions captured elaborately on-screen.

Some sequences leave you spell-bound, e.g., Sprink coming out singing from German trenches—ignoring orders and a probable enemy bullets—and being chorused by the bagpipe, Father Palmer sermon delivered in a  language (Latin) not understood by most, Anna’s soul full song that leaves everyone too moved to applause, Jonathan writing to his mother on-behalf of his dead brother, etc.

There are some genuine fun moments too, like, the football match, the exchange of chocolates and wines, the alarm clock that mysteriously rings at a particular time, and to top them all there is a cat (Felix/Nestor) who is addressed by different names among all the sides.

A piece from movie:

“General Audebert: You and your men will rejoin the Verdun sector. You're right about one thing. I don't understand this war. My corps was the cavalry. You should have made a career of it, like I said. Today, I'm asked to fight a way where the shovel outweighs the rifle. In which people swap addresses with the enemy to meet when it's all over. Plus the cat we found with a note from the Germans, "Good luck, comrades!" I was ordered to arrest the cat for high treason... until further notice.”

  

Of course, the personnel involved in this fraternization were ultimately punished--perhaps glorified too!

And if all this wasn’t enough—Diane Kruger, beautiful as ever, emits Donna Reedesque charm! 

Indeed a must watch.

8/10

Oldboy (2003, Korean)

Director: Park Chan-wook

Genre: Drama, Thriller

Cast: Min-sik Choi

Fifteen years of hatred turns to guilt.

First few minutes (rather an hour!) of the movie don't make much sense—obviously scripted like that on purpose. We do realize director is planning a twist down the line but are fairly apprehensive as many movies fail to create that perfect ending—when it comes to a twist, not every movie is a 'Rebecca' or 'Perfume'. This movie though, is almost in league with the best.

A beautifully and thoughtfully written script unravels the mystery/purpose of whatever all that didn't made sense earlier.

Oh Dae-su is in captivity for past fifteen years. In this time-period, after getting over the initial depression, he maintains his fitness through shadow training. He is now out and seeking revenge and you too are rooting for him. Some way forward into the movie, you don’t know who to support!

Now, Park Chan-wook very artistically represents so-called villain’s aspect. The villainy in the movie isn’t exactly a criminal act as those involved don’t hurt anyone or even feel guilty until one of them cracks under societal pressure. This breakdown is partly due to an act of our protagonist and, in-a-way, makes him the bad-guy. But his act wasn’t villainous either; however, you do feel sympathy for the affected. By the end of movie, what eventually happens with our hero simply leaves you dumbstruck. This ‘what’ was an act of sheer villainy, still—testimony to class of director and script—you are muttering under your breadth, ‘revenge is sweet’!

In all, it is about a highly-improbable scenario that occurs in extremities of convoluted mind/heart/soul.

As for violence, movie isn't as graphic as; say, those 'Saw' or 'Hostel' movies but what it does to your mind (recall that tooth-pulling scene!) is way more disturbing than it is in movies specifically made for showing blood-gore. The emotions are running so high that you feel hatred and vengeance in your bones.

Subject/content of the movie is not much of a taboo (it simply is), more specifically 'incest', as much has been written and shown about it. Of course in today's modern world 'incest' isn't socially accepted but in the past there have been tribes, royalties, even civilizations where this was a common practice and not that big a deal. Director here doesn't dabble in moralities; he simply introduces you to the depths of a twisted human mind.

This is a very powerful film in terms of analysis of human psyche, and cleverly, Park Chan-wook steers clear of depicting/justifying good or evil. He leaves all that to viewers. Even the last scene shows Oh Dae-su (once the movie ends you realize how fabulous Min-sik Choi actually was) with a contorted smile and you simply wonder!  

And no surprise, a remake (Spike Lee) is in pipeline!

8.3/10

A Christmas Story (1983)

Director: Bob Clark

Genre: Comedy

Plot: "just like the one your Dad had!"

One of the best Christmas movies you'll see and it is nothing like Clark’s bummer ‘Baby Geniuses’!

‘Christmas Story’ is a hell of a joyride where you get to feel the ultimate high of revisiting your own childhood. It’s like...Clark turned into a kid himself to direct this movie. In every aspect this film is near perfect—immaculate cast, stupendous role-play by everyone (mother, father, kids, teacher, bully etc!), and a lighthearted, perfect for Christmas, script based on some short stories.

Few scenes are simply unmatchable examples of top notch direction that required Clark to not only have a good understanding of situation but also a connection from his own past at an emotional level.

• Case in point - the ‘soap-poisoning’ scene where the protagonist Ralphie fantasizes (like most kids do!) an entire sequence that shows how he makes his parents feel guilty for punishing him! He drifts-off into his little, routine fantasy in a sad mood with tears on face but by its end, he has a smile/satisfaction on face.

• Another scene, that is perfection personified in terms of acting too, is Ralphie’s fight with the big bully—watch out for Ralphie’s expressions while he turns from a near cry-baby to a ferocious, raging bull! Kind of reminded me of a 'young me' at some point of time ;)  

Each and every character emanate the vibes that make you believe as if you are watching a real-life family caught on hidden cameras. You feel yourself being a part of it and enjoy the day-to-day laughs with the family.           

To top it all, engrossing and hilarious narration by an adult Ralphie keeps you glued into the movie throughout!

What more! I want a Red Ryder BB gun right now ;)

8.2/10

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)

Director: Brad Bird

Cast: Tom Cruise

Genre: Action

 Plot: 'Top Gun' is back on the hunt!

A full-blown entertainer with some scenes/stunts you would love to repeat again.

The movie won't show you anything that hasn't been shown on-screen before apart from world's tallest building and some high-tech gadgetry that simply blow your mind away.

The gadgets are way cooler than all earlier movies and good enough to rival Bond flicks. Compared to the previous comparatively darker MI3, MI4 has some pretty good laughs in it.

The Indian audience is in for some disappointment. Anil Kapoor’s role was supposed to be of a billionaire Playboy but he looked more like nutjob and comedian--rather a sidekick of a comedian as Simon Pegg was already doing the job decently! He reminded me more Shakti Kapoor--the Indian comic actor!

MI4 features some daring stunts and by the interval your adrenaline is rushing very high. You want it to reach the level next and end the crescendo with a big-bang. That doesn't happen. The climax sequence in India, that had to be grand, leaves you in want for more action--it rather ends meekly.

The way it was publicized, most of us MI4 franchise fans, expected to see the best action movie of the year or even last decade! Don't go-in with too many expectations and you'll enjoy it more than I did!

7.2/10