Troll Hunter (2010, Norwegian - Trolljegeren)

Director: André Øvredal

Genre: Fantasy, Mockumentary

Scottish had their mystic Loch Ness Monster 'Nessie' so why can't Norwegians have their very own Trolls!

Please don't judge by the name, it's surprisingly well made and mostly gripping!

Ever since "Blair Witch Project" started the trend for horror mockumentaries we have seen plenty similar ones: Paranormal Activity, Rec, The Fourth Kind (one of the best in my opinion), and now, Troll Hunter is one more addition to the list.

Those into the genre have always enjoyed the antics of mythical Nessie. So many stories and movies have come out based on this character. Somehow, people have moved on from mythical film—Bigfoot never quite captured the imagination on big-screen as Nessie did, and "Bermuda Triangle" has been decoded. So, "Troll Hunter" is what you watch when you crave for something similar and peculiar! 

It is a low budget movie but the camera work simply astonishes you, and the CGI is commendable too—the trolls look very convincing!

The story revolves around a group of students trying to figure out the depths of a governmental cover-up. These students assume they are only after some bear poachers, however, they didn’t bargain for a Troll hunter! The movie maintains a good pace all through and there are exciting /comic incidents every now and then. The explanation given for the high altitude Norwegian power grids is very amusing :)

In the climax they do go a bit over the top for a mockumentary but it’s something you want and enjoy—a guilty pleasure!

7.5/10

Going My Way (1944)

Director: Leo McCarey

Cast: Bing Crosby

Genre: Musical Comedy

A lovely and adorable Musical, perhaps an inspiration for "West Side Story" and other classic musicals. This movie somewhat reminds of good ol', short & sweet "Marty" as well!

Plot: Father Chuck (Bing Crosby) is a face of progressive Church. He is young, flamboyant, caring person who has left behind a life of fun and frolic to join the Parish. He wins the heart of young and old alike without exercising any harsh discipline or preaching, rather playfully and musically. 

Bing Crosby's act is like a soothing symphony. He is very rhythmic and it is topnotch cinematic art to see how he deals with the aging father whom he is supposed to replace, eventually.

I don't know who that young blond was but she was hot!!

A complete joyride.

8.2/10

Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Director: Marc Forster

Cast: Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah

Genre: Drama-Comedy

Writer: Zach Helm

Plot: Stranger than fiction—indeed!

A delightful movie that exemplifies top notch direction and a perfect script. Zach Helm's writing is the real showstopper; he conceived a brilliantly writing film. "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" would be the obvious next choice for me where he directs too—it’s already tempting with Portman in it!

Marc Forster is another young director to look out for. He already boasts of successful films like Monster's Ball, Finding Neverland, The Kite Runner (need to watch this beauty asap!), Quantum of Solace and none of them are similar. Even his latest “Machine Gun Preacher” has a very strong plot. 

What can be said of Ferrell? Not surprisingly, he wasn’t even nominated for any major awards. It’s is high time these Awards recognize comedians—in addition to perfect timing, maintaining the same intensity with multiple retakes is more difficult in a comic act—and give them their dues. Actors like Ferrell, Jim Carrey, etc have been branded as comedian and anything they are associated with, is branded as comedy—doesn’t matter how meaningful and deep it is. Almost same is the case with negative roles.I just hope awards grow up soon and stupendous acts like “Joker/Ledger”—arguably the best ever—don’t have to settle down with “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role”!!

As for the movie, I’ll just quote Forster: “It's not the exact accurate story, but for me the film really isn't about reality. It's about the transformation of imagination, about creativity, about belief. That basically, if you believe, you can make anything happen.” 

This was his take on “Finding Neverland” which, for me, holds true for Stranger than Fiction!

 8.3/10

P.S., loved Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium too! 

Fast 5 (2011)

Director: Yipin Lin

Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Dwayne Johnson

Genre: Action

Plot: Fast cars are back on the road once more—only this time they have a Vault trailing them!

First things first, I am not a die-hard fan of Fast and Furious franchise and wasn’t too excited about Fast 5 either. The movie starts out in somewhat dullish manner as the initial daylight breakout scene or the Train robbery scene weren’t as awe-inspiring as a sequel number ‘5’ must boast of. 

 Eventually, the film moves to Rio and continues with regular gun fights, escapes, chases, hideouts etc. In the meantime, we are introduced to the man who succeeds where all others fail—Dwayne Johnson ‘Rock.’ Dom (Diesel) also gathers his team to take on the Rio Crime boss. There are confrontations between all three groups and now the movie seems to gain rhythm. With some more body counts, explosions, car chases and a ‘Rock-Diesel’ slugfest movie definitely gets bigger—somehow not better. This changes when movie climaxes to an over the top final car chase scene. This is the scene that makes it up for entire movie and justifies Lin’s deliberate docility in first-half action - he does a commendable job in building up Fast 5.

This is not all; it ends even more fantastically! Spoilers ahead—back in D.C (between the credits roll-out with some catchy soundtracks) you find out ‘Rock’ being assigned to another mission and it’s Big. A military convoy has been high-jacked! And this is the work of a—won’t give that away, however, you might guess it as I did!—‘Ghost’.

The end really makes me look forward to Fast 6 (2013)!

The only thing I would hope Lin incorporates in his next installment is a real Villian—of equal magnitude to the ‘heroes’. Even if he ropes in someone with 20% ‘Joker's’ credibility, it’ll balance out the sequel beautifully and get rid of any clichés.   

7.3/10

Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986, Japanese)

Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Genre: Animation

   
Inspired by "The Gulliver's Travel" this is another anime masterpiece from the master of hand drawn animation. Miyazaki once again takes you to a dreamworld with flying machine, pirates, a young hero, and a damsel in distress!
 
The way Miyazaki captures the beauty of nature is better than anything you find onscreen. The creative efforts, thought-process are distinctly visible as always.

A must watch.
 
8/10