Shakespearean - that's what I would like to call this movie. A story about lust, jealousy, greed, naivety and ambition. I had often heard about James Dean and always wondered why he was so critically applauded; now I know why. He was a child in this movie (metaphor) and he played that character to perfection. The movie revolved around relationships within the family, flaws of human society and customs and James's search for himself.
What makes it special? The character is not loud or in your face; rather, one can see the confusion on the child's face and every drop of emotion comes out so strongly. There is an elan coupled with confusion and aggression. There were moments when I simply gaped in awe at James's face; partly because he seemed flawless, and partly because he was a gorgeous guy.
Physical struggles are difficult to perform convincingly, but emotional struggles are near impossible to portray well; I do not know how James managed to do so, but he did it very well.
I saw in this movie what I see everyday - flaws in human society and the idiosyncrasies of each individual, and I saw in this movie an actor that could have been cherished.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
This Boy's Life
One of those that gets lost in the plethora of movies that rush by year on year... A great story that every child can relate to, even though it may be in the smallest of ways. I wonder if people knew that Leonardo DiCaprio would one day be as big an actor as he is today... I have seen a lot of his movies and his performance in this one stands out; he was a natural.
The new father (De Niro) seems paternal at times and turns to his wicked side all of a sudden; a fabulous actor in his own right but is overshadowed by DiCaprio in this flick.
I believe that most great movies are made great through the cast, its ability to convince an audience and the director's ability to mould everything together - all of which have been achieved. One can't help but believe that this is Tobias Wolff (DiCaprio) himself, as this movie is based on his childhood.
One notices the mother's helplessness, the new father's own dark background and resentment, Tobias's friends, Tobias's different sides and the raw emotion in almost each scene. There was nothing over the top, given that De Niro's performances are, at times, too 'in your face'. Every part of the movie blended perfectly with the other and a reason for this could be the fact that this was Tobias's real story - writers are often overlooked, but it is they who plant the seed for what can be a great on-screen story.
The new father (De Niro) seems paternal at times and turns to his wicked side all of a sudden; a fabulous actor in his own right but is overshadowed by DiCaprio in this flick.
I believe that most great movies are made great through the cast, its ability to convince an audience and the director's ability to mould everything together - all of which have been achieved. One can't help but believe that this is Tobias Wolff (DiCaprio) himself, as this movie is based on his childhood.
One notices the mother's helplessness, the new father's own dark background and resentment, Tobias's friends, Tobias's different sides and the raw emotion in almost each scene. There was nothing over the top, given that De Niro's performances are, at times, too 'in your face'. Every part of the movie blended perfectly with the other and a reason for this could be the fact that this was Tobias's real story - writers are often overlooked, but it is they who plant the seed for what can be a great on-screen story.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Big Fish
Our lives are too boring; exaggerate. One of very few true fantasies intertwined with reality. One never knew (nor did the Son) where reality waned and imagination erupted. But somehow, as one watches the movie, one cannot help but believe in every nugget of information even though it may well be absurd.
"She said that the biggest fish in the river gets that way by never being caught." Is this statement a positive or a negative? Figure it out :)
For me, this movie signified story-telling in its rawest form; such that it would generate a buzz long after the storyteller was dead and gone. Could this be how many of the folk stories and mythologies came into being?
Edward Bloom was pure, free-spirited, gutsy, dumb and a child - till he died. One of those movies where most of the actors were replaceable, but the story and the screenplay were exquisite - and nothing could have changed that. Only later did I come to know that this movie was directed by Tim Burton, which draws a perfect parallel with Alice in Wonderland :)
"She said that the biggest fish in the river gets that way by never being caught." Is this statement a positive or a negative? Figure it out :)
For me, this movie signified story-telling in its rawest form; such that it would generate a buzz long after the storyteller was dead and gone. Could this be how many of the folk stories and mythologies came into being?
Edward Bloom was pure, free-spirited, gutsy, dumb and a child - till he died. One of those movies where most of the actors were replaceable, but the story and the screenplay were exquisite - and nothing could have changed that. Only later did I come to know that this movie was directed by Tim Burton, which draws a perfect parallel with Alice in Wonderland :)
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Cape Fear
Revenge is what makes us human, may be. Directed by Martin Scorsese and even though I believe that it would have been more refined had it been created today, he did an excellent job of giving Robert De Niro his identity - fantastic acting; Martin played with gore and nudged at us with hints of brutality. The movie definitely lives up to its name.
When we watch older movies (this one was released in 1991 - and was in fact a remake of a movie by the same name from 1962) we notice how difficult it would have been for a creator to paint his/ her movie, and therefore we notice the flaws.
The end of the movie was very well chalked out (although it was poorly pictured, relative to current standards) and that is when Max Cady (De Niro) surprises the audience, with his brutality, grit and sheer insanity; when he turns back to talk to the camera as an attorney talking to a judge, how he is able to weather physical pain and when he sinks down to the river bed while uttering incoherent 'sounds?'
When we watch older movies (this one was released in 1991 - and was in fact a remake of a movie by the same name from 1962) we notice how difficult it would have been for a creator to paint his/ her movie, and therefore we notice the flaws.
The end of the movie was very well chalked out (although it was poorly pictured, relative to current standards) and that is when Max Cady (De Niro) surprises the audience, with his brutality, grit and sheer insanity; when he turns back to talk to the camera as an attorney talking to a judge, how he is able to weather physical pain and when he sinks down to the river bed while uttering incoherent 'sounds?'
The Shawshank Redemption
A well-said story that went about at its own pace just to surprise us with a smile in the end - but highly overrated. For me, it was a story about a man who tried to keep his peace, work his way through pain; he lived with complete knowledge of his innocence; he knew that he had to find a way out, and was determined. Perseverance, Focus and Humility.
I couldn't help but think of all that we take for granted; particularly, freedom. This movie brings out a different perspective to life - Get busy living or get busy dying.
Quotes:
"What the fuck do you care, new fish? Doesn't fuckin' matter what his name was; he's dead."
"You know what the Mexicans say about the Pacific?"
"No."
"They say it has no memory; that's where I want to live the rest of my life... One place with no memory."
"Get busy living or get busy dying."
I couldn't help but think of all that we take for granted; particularly, freedom. This movie brings out a different perspective to life - Get busy living or get busy dying.
Quotes:
"What the fuck do you care, new fish? Doesn't fuckin' matter what his name was; he's dead."
"You know what the Mexicans say about the Pacific?"
"No."
"They say it has no memory; that's where I want to live the rest of my life... One place with no memory."
"Get busy living or get busy dying."
Friday, March 5, 2010
M
Fritz Lang's M is a movie in German that was released in 1931. The story is about a psychotic child murderer and potentially, a rapist. It's an old movie, one which could well be set in today's time sans some of today's technology; very similar to how 12 Angry Men could be an everlasting classic. The insanity is well portrayed by Peter Lorre and even though the movie seems to be going towards an expected end, it doesn't. The last 30 minutes or so of the movie are very powerful, powerful to such an extent that it can glue a viewer to his / her seat, think, question and sympathise. Peter Lorre was beautiful and his eyes were perfect - one who watches the movie will know what I am referring to. He was theatrical and he was the psychotic killer whom he portrayed. Be afraid of people who whistle a tune.
When one watches old movies, one notices how there was so much emphasis on the story and on the direction. The actors had to work harder, and one can see it in their performances (at times). One can see how movies have changed; they are more colourful now (pun intended) and the movies are louder. One also notices how times have changed and how society has changed. This is one of the beautiful aspects of movie-making - preservation of the people as they used to be.
When one watches old movies, one notices how there was so much emphasis on the story and on the direction. The actors had to work harder, and one can see it in their performances (at times). One can see how movies have changed; they are more colourful now (pun intended) and the movies are louder. One also notices how times have changed and how society has changed. This is one of the beautiful aspects of movie-making - preservation of the people as they used to be.
Once
Glen is an emotional, care-free singer who writes meaningfully and the Irish charm pours from his face while he sings.
Marketa has the cutest innocence and a unique accent; she is confused and stuck and sad.
This movie was made whole through the music and creations by Glen Hansard, etc. A sweet movie with a twisted romance that has, what most would believe to be, a sad ending. For me, it signified joy; it was an uncanny, short-lived, memorable and meaningful relationship between Glen and Marketa. Both of them were broken and torn and they saved each other - a fact that is easily overlooked. It seemed a true story and the ease with which Marketa and Glen played their characters made one believe wholly in their stories.
A part that stuck with me:
Marketa playing the piano towards the end of the movie and the look on Glen's face with his eyes shining and his mouth open, as though in horror. She sings well and she looks great and then she breaks down before completing the song. He says nothing, rubs her back and says, "Did you write that for your husband?"
What ensues, can make a viewer so confused and sad and hopeful. The viewer can see how much they fit and how much they care for each other, but Marketa is attached to her child and mother and still longs for her husband. Till the very end, the viewer hopes that they find a way to be together...
Marketa has the cutest innocence and a unique accent; she is confused and stuck and sad.
This movie was made whole through the music and creations by Glen Hansard, etc. A sweet movie with a twisted romance that has, what most would believe to be, a sad ending. For me, it signified joy; it was an uncanny, short-lived, memorable and meaningful relationship between Glen and Marketa. Both of them were broken and torn and they saved each other - a fact that is easily overlooked. It seemed a true story and the ease with which Marketa and Glen played their characters made one believe wholly in their stories.
A part that stuck with me:
Marketa playing the piano towards the end of the movie and the look on Glen's face with his eyes shining and his mouth open, as though in horror. She sings well and she looks great and then she breaks down before completing the song. He says nothing, rubs her back and says, "Did you write that for your husband?"
What ensues, can make a viewer so confused and sad and hopeful. The viewer can see how much they fit and how much they care for each other, but Marketa is attached to her child and mother and still longs for her husband. Till the very end, the viewer hopes that they find a way to be together...
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Taxi Driver
The character was so flawed, from the very beginning, and everything went astray from the first half of the movie onwards. The end seemed rather poor but served its purpose well. Robert De Niro was fabulous without a doubt; but the real gem lay in the character that was created by the writer and shape given to it by Martin Scorsese. A particular part of the movie stood out:
This is when Robert meets the secret service agent and Robert acts like, or is, a complete moron, similar to a village idiot; he was very convincing - It reminded me of real idiots who mouth inane sentences and people at the receiving end tend to have monologues running through their minds. Also, the length of that encounter did not seem to serve a real purpose, which stuck out for me.
This is when Robert meets the secret service agent and Robert acts like, or is, a complete moron, similar to a village idiot; he was very convincing - It reminded me of real idiots who mouth inane sentences and people at the receiving end tend to have monologues running through their minds. Also, the length of that encounter did not seem to serve a real purpose, which stuck out for me.
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