The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Director: Marc Webb

Cast: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone

Genre: Superhero

Plot: Your friendly neighborhood super hero is back. Again!

First things first, 3d is best ever you might have seen thus far, even the dim lightning scenes rendered perfectly which isn’t usually the case with most 3d films.

Amazing Spider-Man starts with a young Parker playing with his father. From there onwards, back story of Spider-Man has been told well and explains a lot why Spidey is the way he is. He is usually considered a geek who is perplexed with his love-life and saddened by the death of his Uncle. But this films shows, even before he was a superhero he was a boy of solid beliefs—beliefs that were instilled in him during his upbringing. His disappointments that he always curled inside had more to do than just girls. Untimely death of his parents and the hole they left in Peter Parker’s life has all been brought to us, explicitly, from behind the curtains.

Be it film or comicbook, Spider-Man of late took a back seat to X-Men and Avengers franchise. The reboot didn’t make much sense to many but it did to Marc Webb and the crew, and I am very happy for that!

Spider-Man, like many other superheroes, is driven by love for his family and friends and they, along with his beliefs, are his actual strength. Marc Webb does a good job in making sure action and special effects don’t overshadow these basic human tendencies.     

The chemistry between Andrew Garfield (Peter Parker) and Emma Stone (Gwen Stacy) is the USP of the film—even though they lack the ‘famous kiss.’ They look adorable as a couple, seem made for each and emit some sort of instant freshness—something that was missing in earlier Spidey films. The scene where both are clearly eager to go out but none can say it out is simply too good!

Andrew Garfield with his antics does light up the screen. Emma Stone (unlike Kristen Dunst) complements him equally. She does so with her prettiness, trademark Gwen Stacy looks and a neat performance—surely an up and coming actress. For female protagonists, she is a breath of fresh air for Spider Man films.

Amazing Spider-Man remains right on track when it comes to character development and some of the most influential scenes from previous Spidey flicks have been executed alright—Uncle Ben’s death has been rightly toned down a bit, to be in line with this slightly different Peter Parker who has already experienced the suffering of losing loved ones, so he doesn’t blow his cork as frantically this time.    

However, Tobey Maguire is one tough act to follow and as a superhero film Amazing Spider-Man lags behind its predecessor. A superhero flick must guarantee, never-before like, brilliant action sequences and even though it has some good action scenes, like the one where Spidey is saving people on bridge or the one where crane workers are helping him out, these are no match to the intensity of awe-inspiring sequences from Sam Raimi’s versions. E.g., Spider Man’s efforts to stop the train headed toward a certain death of all the passengers.        

A few things, perhaps in an attempt to be a distinct, seemed hasty and awkward. The scene where Spider man simply tells the boy’s father that he is ‘Spider-man’ lacked glitz. Are Parker and Gwen already getting together again? You are definitely going to miss the words "Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man"!

Webb has given us a decent first reboot film but he needs to take it all to level-next in upcoming sequel—action being an uncharted territory, he has his task cut out.

A real good theater watch.

7.5/10

   

P.S., going in with zero expectations did help and free popcorn plus cold-drink was an additional perk!

The Flowers of War (2011, Chinese)

Director: Yimou Zhang

Set in 1937 during hte 2nd Sino-Japanese war--with the 'rape of Nanking' at its full intensity--Flowers of War focuses on a group of young girls, some prostitutes, last few surviving Chinese soldiers resisting the Japanese invasion, an adopted orphaned boy, and an American Mortician disguised as a priest. All sheltering in and around a Convent declared as protected. 

It is another good film by Yimou Zhang but not in the same league as 'Hero' or 'House of Flying Daggers' and seemed a little over stretched. For its length, it could have thrown some light on the circumstance of war-weary, frustrated Japanese soldier as well, instead of just showcasing them as an army from hell--a war film covering both the opposing sides automatically becomes that more special.

Feats of valor aren't uncommon in face of adversity, be it the prostitutes, Major Li or young George they all look like some actual Chinese who stood tall in the gruesome war and made sacrifices for their home. But, an American priest didn't make much sense--not that Christian Bale didn't do justice to his role. This would have still been alright had the director been some American, however, coming from an A-list Chinese director/writer/author, this is bizarre. All the other characters in the film are very believable and it actually seems an account of some real event, except the American priest character messes it a bit.       

The trademark Yimou Zhang cinematography is on display again, he indeed is a very special director. The way he plays with colors and camera is simply exemplary--breaking of glass, shattering of window, the resulting sounds, the reflection of light; he combines such miniscule things in a well-knit detailed sequence, like only he can, and presents it on-screen as some masterpiece of art. You, as an audience, are only left gaping over his marvel. What more, the man makes a bomb blast look like some celebration of sorts and yet highlight the pain and trauma within (more specifically, Major’s death scene). 

A good watch.

7.2/10

Delicatessen (1991, French)

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro

Genre: Black Comedy

Plot: A dystopian future where people aren’t evil as such, instead, they are what circumstances make them. The good still prevails, though.

French do know how to make engrossing films on a shoe string budget. Innovative set design and coloring—with a slight orangish tinge—does give it a very rare post apocalyptic look and feel. 

Delicatessen is indeed a cult film—actually, homage to Terry Gilliam! So, if you enjoyed Monty Python’s satire you’ll enjoy this too.  

7.4/10

Prometheus (2012)

Director: Ridley Scott
Genre: Sci-fi
Cast: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron

Toward Origin

Plot: It is not where and how Alien/Aliens began, it is where and how everything began.

Prometheus starts with a well thought out Earth seeding scene that is later on corroborated by another DNA matching scene. As is the case with a Ridley Scott film, it isn’t aliens dancing onscreen all the time but the slow-paced narrations builds it toward an expected epic climax and the haunting visual grandeur keeps you glued in. However, the climax never picks up and rather disappoints—from what we know universe started with a big-bang, so expecting a few little bangs while unraveling the mystery of the‘Origin’ isn’t being too farfetched.

The plot ‘engineered humans’ is something I used to think about a lot in my childhood and the film/plot raising the same questions excited me a lot. Prometheus does arouse interest and curiosity but choosing not to answer any questions leaves someone like me wanting for more and dissatisfied—we understand the plot; we know the plot and can relate to it being kind of unmanageable due to its sheer extraneousness but from someone like Ridley Scott we expect a few answers. Though he does try to uncover a few layers but leaves it at that…which is justified in case there’s a sequel in offing. 

Would have loved to see more of Guy Pearce in that TED talk and Michael Fassbander from the pre release viral videos—those were some things I was hoping to see more of! Noomi Rapace does a fine job, especially with her British accent, and some of the best scenes from the film cast her fighting for survival—automated surgery scene being one. Charlize Theron has hardly anything to do, her character seemed forced at times—that’s two forgettable roles in a row for someone as capable as her.

Ridley confirms Prometheus isn’t exactly a prequel to Alien/Aliens but you we do get to see a somewhat similar alien in the escape pod.

Sadly, a onetime watch from Ridley Scott, though you may watch it again for its visual brilliance, neat special effects and state of the art future gadgetry/equipments; plus, the effort in scoping out those Alien world-like locales is totally worthwhile.

Personally, I would enjoy a movie with Prometheus’s pace more on my laptop with headphones plugged in instead of a theatre watch. Primary reason for that: idiotic chatterboxes who either don’t understand a film or are not into a particular genre but instead of leaving the theater they carry on their with incessant gossips, mobile talks and mocking. Agreed, a film doesn’t always have to be intelligent and cinema is actually more about entertainment. So to such blockheads I request, go watch a ‘Dude Where’s My Car’ or a ‘Tashan’ and be happy about it.   
 

7/10

Kekexili: Mountain Patrol (2004, Chinese)

Director: Lu Chuan

Cast: Duobuji, Liang Qi, Xueying Zhao 

Genre: True Story

In early 90s 'Poaching' forced  the Tibetan antelope population to the brink of extinction. Concerned, some localites out of their own efforts, formed a group to protect this endangered species—Mountain Patrol.

The following dialogue beautifully sums-up the entire film: "In Kekexili, each step maybe the first human imprint ever made on that spot since the world began". These were the words of a Chinese geologist who later disappeared in the harsh vastness of Kekexili. Set in a location as exotic as it gets this film is also a true story--an irresistible combination for those into the genre.

First thing that strikes you about the movie is its genuine treatment; shot in somewhat a documentary style. It doesn't seem as if Chuan is directing a film rather he is a part of it, completely immersed in its conception--physically and as well as mentally. The actors are usually amateurs who have done a commendable job and are also very believable as the real patrol members--the group photo at the end of film reasserts this statement.

Here, you get to see the real physical effort that goes into low-budget film-making without stunt doubles or special effects. Traversing through the great Tibetan Plateau, running around for shots and thin oxygen definitely took its toll on the crew and the actors, and that has been captured onscreen too. Some scenes stand out for their authenticity, like the one where a patrol member chases after the poacher on foot. This is simply devoid of any acting--you see the scene and feel the exhaustion of both the characters.

This film is actually a part of National Geographic world films and has been critically acclaimed by the nature/animal lovers and cinema lovers alike.

National Geographic says, "Mountain Patrol: Kekexili is a film inspired by a people's remarkable mission surrounding the illegal Tibetan antelope poaching in the region of Kekexili, the largest animal reserve in China. The story is brought to the screen with great detail by director Lu Chuan. Set against the exquisite backdrop of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Chuan tells the tale of brave local Tibetans who face death and starvation to save the endangered antelope herds from a band of ruthless hunters."

In all, Mountain Patrol is a very accurate account of coming to existence of biggest Chinese animal reserve.

The film concludes telling us:

"Gayu, the journalist, returned to Beijing. His reports shook the nation. Four patrol members were arrested for selling antelope pelts but later released due to the public support-as patrol was helpless and unsupported in harsh conditions. Chinese government declared Kekexili a national nature reserve."

Indeed, a film that had to be made.

8/10