Elizabeth (1998)

Director: Shekhar Kapur

Cast: Cate Blanchett

ELIZABETH is the life story of England’s renowned 'Virgin Queen' and a well crafted out piece of English history. Set in 1500s, it entails how a Protestant queen ascended the throne of England, stood up against the patriarchy of Rome/society, fought off various Spanish, French assassination attempts and successfully ruled the empire for 40 odd years through its golden age.

More than the storyline it is the strong performance--especially of Blanchett's, steady direction and the overall feel/texture of the film that makes it an immaculate work of art. Nearing the climax, there is a top notch, bewitching scene of Elizabeth’s transformation that literally gives you goosebumps.

For history buffs, as per Wikipedia, makers do take some freedom in its onscreen conception but core substance remains intact.

Due to Shekhar Kapur connection, it did make a lot of ripples in India at time of release. Had missed it then, but still remains a good watch.

A sequel did come out recently (yet to watch), but for bit of a back story 'The Other Boleyn Girl' would be a good follow up film--for digging deep, Elizabeth’s Mother Anne Boleyn is the connect. This film received mixed review, but I loved it. Of course, it featured Natalie Portman! Here's my review of  The Other Boleyn Girl too.

7.5/10

Barfi (2012)

Director: Anurag Basu

Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Ileana D’cruz, Priyanka Chopra

Cinematography is the clear winner in Barfi—each and every frame is soothingly mesmerizing. Be it the fireflies in soap bubble, Jhilmil trailing Barfi mimicking his moves or the simple motion of lilliputian Darjeeling train, it is all sheer perfection—work of pure art. Music compliments the camera work equally, though, slight influence of 'Amelie' in it can’t be denied. Through some of the scenes, director seem to be paying homage to some great works of cinema, e.g., 'City Lights'.  

Ileana couldn't have wished for a better launch pad in Bollywood (I believe it is her first). Priyanka Chopra's research/effort for portraying the character of an autistic is quite evident in her body language. And, best of them all is indeed Ranbir Kapoor with his Chaplinesque antics!

First half is fantastic imparting loads of vitality and energy, but second half seemed a bit dragging with slight overdose of music and abstract shots. The length of the film and little too much melodrama, for my liking, will keep me from a re-watch. All in all, a must watch experience.

7.5/10

Vlad Tepes (1979/80, Romanian)

Director: Doru Nastase

Cast: Stefan Sileanu

Genre: History, War

Born in 1431, Vlad the Impaler is one of the most intriguing figures in medieval history—more so for his title of ‘Count Dracula’ on which Bram Stoker based his famous novel.

Known for his unmatched tyranny and stories that cropped up around it, Vlad turned into a legend for the world. Yet, no accurate account of Vlad the Impaler exists. If some brand him a downright sadist tyrant, then others respect him as a hero/leader who brought together a warring nation (Wallachia of old, merged into modern Romania now) against the mighty Turkish forces.

This film shows the heroic/patriotic/eccentric side of Vlad who ultimately, like a dark knight, took the fall for his country. He did all the dirty work—used the cruelest of methods to reform the nation that was being eaten away from the inside by power hungry Boyars (a Romanian rank of aristocracy), defied the Church, and rid the country of thieves, beggars, smugglers, and money launders. 

In six years of his reign, he made his country so free of corruption that it is said a gold cup openly kept in the middle of town won’t be touched by anyone. He has been shown as a devout Christian too and his ultimate goal was same as of the Church. However, their methods to achieve the eventual goal were poles apart—Church insisted on using ‘love’ whereas Vlad used ‘fear’ highhandedly. 

He used his same fear tactics in defeating an overwhelmingly large army of Ottoman Empire’s Sultan. For a win/country, he was someone who would set aside morality and ethics. This is exactly what he did to the immense Turkish army—poisoned all water wells in outskirt villages, hit the depleted enemies with surprise attacks at night, instilled more fear in them by festering their path with impaled dead carcasses of murdered enemy soldiers—and got the psychological edge. The thirsty/hungry army couldn’t take this anymore, Sultan realized this man’s horrors know no limit and he, eventually, decided to cut short his campaign.  

‘Vlad Tepes’ (tepes means spikes and his nick name came from the fact that Vlad use to impale the criminals on spikes as punishment) shows the first half of Vlad’s life, rather a part of it as his childhood hasn’t been shown but only referenced once, briefly. The second half of his life, his recapturing of throne, and ultimate death haven’t been dealt with in the film.      

I am not a qualified historian to judge the authenticity of the film but it seems like a very honest effort—one that shatters many previously held false beliefs.

And finally some trivia! Vlad’s father was Count Dracul and in Romanian added ‘a’ meant ‘son of’. Hence, he came to be known as Count Dracula.

This film had been in my watch list for a while and what I saw really enhanced my experience of world cinema. Highly recommended, specifically to history buffs. Do watch out for Stefan Sileanu, he gives a powerful performance as the Count.  

8/10

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Chris Nolan does it again, nails third Batman film in a row and every single person involved—cast and crew—chips in. Comparisons with previous films are bound to happen and TDKR, of course, hasn’t bettered the prequels but considering how sequels usually run out of steam, this is a pretty neat wrap up of the franchise.    

Tom Hardy’s Bane looked epic—a massive improvement from the mindless thug of earlier ‘Batman and Robin’ film. Here, he is rightly portrayed as a superior physical and intellectual match for Bats and takes him through a journey full of ‘pain’. However, the impact that ‘fear’ and ‘chaos’ left in the minds of audience in ‘Batman Begins’ and ‘The Dark Knight’, respectively, is not matched again. Bane starts off as a fearsome leader but seemed more like a puppet by the end. This should have been avoided; he is an intelligent fellow, a thinking person, and would have fared better if portrayed as an equal partner instead.   

  

Anne Hathway looked pretty damn hot as Catwoman. Looks apart, her role wasn’t as meaty as that of Michelle Pfeiffer though she does well in what little she had. Pfeiffer was her own Catwoman, crazy and wild, and still remains the act to beat. Michael Caine, as Alfred, is again a pillar of strength for Batman even in his leaving him, and he is the reason we get to see something completely unexpected in a restaurant in Florence! Caine delivers again in a significant short role. Morgan Freeman too has a short role but there isn’t same scope for him as in previous film though he had to be in it. Marion Cotillard has an eventful role as Miranda. As for Joseph Gordon-Levitt, we all know he is the guy to look out for.         

Overall, TDKR is a complete package with thoughtful references to previous films. But unlike ‘Batman Begins’ and ‘The Dark Knight’ there aren’t many dialogues or sequences that stand out and will remain with you forever. 

One thing that Nolan does in the film for Batman (and for the ardent fans who have been praying for it forever!) is give him the ending he fully deserves. In DC universe it is very hard, almost impossible, to accomplish but in a film you can just leave it at the happy ending. Take a bow Chris Nolan. Thank you from heart’s bottom :)

Chris Nolan is well known to leave subtle clues for the audience. The sequence where Blake and Batman rescue the trapped policemen is quite exciting; it drops the audience first hint toward the eventual ultimate! 

One sequence in the film left me a bit unsettled, perhaps, Nolan did it on purpose. In DC universe Batman restores himself—after Bane’s plundering—by supernatural means, and it still took him years. In the film, his healing process has been sped up dramatically. Once Batman breaks out of the holed-in jail (Jodhpur fort, where the shooting for film started) camera does steal a glance on some greenish, small pond quite close to the underground jail; most likely, Lazarus pit but nothing conclusive is shown. In comics, ‘Lazarus pit’ is a secret Batman has kept from most, so, probably that is the reason Nolan choose not to be explicit about it in the film either. Instead, he drops a few hints for the comic book purists instead of showing use of magic so late in the franchise. Unlike, say, Wolverine; Batman has no super-healing even though he possesses a will of steel, I am sill assuming, some essence of Lazarus pit use to seep into the water/food supply of the underground prison inmates.     

The film concludes as it should have. Clearly, Nolan didn’t ended the film in this manner to ensure a future safety-measure for himself but if ever—highly unlikely—he runs into a bad patch then you know where he can start up again, along with Gordon-Joseph Levitt!  

Finally the trailers! The Campaign trailer looked extremely promising, hilarious actually, with Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis locking horns—two of current generation’s comedy superheroes. Just hoping, trailer dialogues aren’t the only ones that tickle your funny bone.  

Man of Steel trailer didn’t showcase as much but we do get to see the Supes in air once more, in almost full glory! My favorite flying of Supes, till date, still remains the one where Superman turns the time backwards to save Lois, please jog my memory for any other!

I’ll definitely watch TDKR again on my laptop with headphones plugged in; helps me feel a film more intimately!

8.2/10

Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)

Directors: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Cast: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone

Plot: Midlife crisis for a longtime couple.

“Crazy, Stupid, Love.” is delightful film—like a breath of fresh air of late. Steve Carell has become one of the best of current actors when it comes to romantic comedies. He simply lights up the screen with his presence. 

The film won’t offer you anything new but there are humorous, little family-twists that keep it ‘fun’ all the way. Carell and Ryan Gosling form up a dashing wingman combo. Julianne Moore is well familiar with the genre and gives a neat performance along with all the other actors. She looked beautiful as ever, and even young and sensational Emma Stone doesn’t overshadow her on-screen. As always, Marisa Tomei is loud and cheerful and poses up nicely for the film’s poster! She seem to have come an altogether different route since ‘Untamed Heart’ with Christian Slater, looked so promising and pretty there; but now it seems she’ll only play the second leads. Kevin Bacon, after the intense villainy in X-Men First Class, enjoys the film in a short role as a punching bag!

Overall, "Crazy, Stupid, Love." is a kind of film that will brighten your day even when down in the dumps.

7.8/10