Iron Man 3 (2013)

Director: Shane Black

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley

 

Iron Man 3 is a decent enough entertainer that mishmashes various story-lines from Marvel’s Iron Man universe.

Film is technically sound—showcases some state of art 3d/special effects. Director here clearly tries to match up to the genius of ‘Iron Man 1’ and even plots the film around ‘America hating’ terrorism, but film never really punch above its weight and is an action-comedy at best. Air rescue sequence was quite awesome; perhaps best action from film. Comedy is good wherever justified, though mostly it is your usual cliché—you might/might not like it.    

RDJ, with his charm, is indeed ‘The’ Iron Man but his antics here seemed a little superfluous and, at times, enforced. It should have either been a serious film with subtle humor and a message or an all-out action-comedy—it was somewhat irritating to see every serious scene end with some needless chaff.  

Strictly for Iron Man geeks (might contain spoilers):

From comics/cartoons point of view the film can be described in 3 simple words: “What a sham”. It wouldn’t have bothered me that much had they mucked up ‘Mandarin’ with either poor acting or some modification but what they did was criminal (I hope Marvel sues them and every geek bays for their blood).  Perhaps in light of real-world political tensions they tinkered with Mandarin’s mainland China origin and made him a British instead. Even that is fine, when you have a heavyweight actor like Kingsley portraying him as fabulously as he did (prior to the lamest twist of cinema history of course).

Now, I am little perplexed after the events of the film:

• Are they actually saying, Lex Luthor, Superman’s main nemesis, is just propaganda (Joker for Batman)? Trying hard to avoid any spoilers…hope you get the drift.   
• Is Aldrich Killian the real Mandarin now, who will come back to life with some silly retcon?    
  
• What is going to happen with the ‘Ten Rings’? Why did they even show it…

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As a film Iron Man works well; as an adaptation it is like a ‘Just for Laugh’ joke. Frankly, I could have done without Iron Man 3, however, as just a film (not a comic book adaptation) this is a decent watch; doesn’t matter how disappointed the comic geek in me sounds!

Go enjoy it for some high-octane showdown.

7.4/10 

   

Oblivion (2013)

Director: Joseph Kosinski 

Genre: Sci-Fi 

Cast: Tom Cruise, Morgan Freman, Olga Kurylenko

In pre-narration, Humans are attacked by Aliens, moon is destroyed; bringing about chaos to planet’s physiology. Nuclear warfare that follows helps Humans defeat the Aliens, but wrecks further havoc on planet and Earth is now mostly inhabitable; infested with outlasting Aliens known as ‘Scavs’. 

Human survivors move to a space abode The ‘Tet’, and continue using Earth’s remaining natural resources to support themselves. Tom Cruise, along with a partner, guards essential fuel and maintains energy/power producing units.

Visually enticing, mildly paced (goes well with the dystopian setting) film lead stoutly, as always, by bankable Tom Cruise. A simple plot—somewhat a mishmash of elements from many previous science fiction films—that unfolds to an okayish, non-complex revelation. Unlike most futuristic sci-fi films the dystopia is deliberately beautiful.

Not a sci-fi masterpiece or ground-breaking stuff but can be enjoyed once...moderately.

Trailers for ‘The Host’ and Will Smith & Son starring ‘After Earth’ seemed decent.

7.2/10

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