Doubt (2008)

Intro : Experience







What happens when an extra-ordinary screenplay is coupled with some of the great actors of our time . Doubt happens…

The story revolves around a school that is caught in between ideologies of the conservative and strict principal and the liberal minded priest played by Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman respectively. After the stage is set showcasing the conflicting ideologies of both these characters, comes the main plot of the story in which Father Flynn, played by Hoffman is accused of having a sexual relationship with the only black student of the class.



The movie revolves around this theme, where Meryl Streep is convinced that the Father is involved in the Sexual abuse, while Hoffman tries to defend himself of the accusation. The beauty of the screenplay is that it never gets proved whether which of the two parties is correct.
Whether Father Flynn was actually involved in the abuse of the child, or is it just the contradictory ideologies of Sister Aloysius that brings her into confrontation with Father Flynn further substantiating the doubts that she has on Father is left to the viewer to decide.. As the title the movie leaves the viewer with Doubts at the end.

The screenplay is so well written, that even though the movie is filled with lengthy conversations, not even for one second does the viewer feels bored. The performances are extra-ordinary, no wonder all the actors got an Oscar nomination. But unfortunately, none of them won the coveted award.

John Patrick Shanley stands out in the screenplay of Doubt … No wonder he was also nominated for the Oscar, but unfortunately did not win the prized award.

Very simple characterization, with not more than 5-6 major characters in the movie where each of them having a substantial role to play adds to the simplicity and charm of the movie. Amy Adams is another name worth mentioning playing the character caught in between the conflicting ideologies and acrimonious accusations between Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius. Amsy Adams as Sister James essays the role with ease rubbing shoulders with the veteran actors. Also is Viola Davis, who also portrays her character with conviction earning herself an Oscar nomination on the way, for the short but neat portrayal.
Overall the movie proves once again that simplicity of characterization, a strong storyline, Class performances and a gripping screenplay together will make a great movie like "Doubt".

Review Summary
One Liner: This is a Classic without any Doubt.
What should I do: A Must Watch.
My Score : 8 / 10.

E.T. The Extraterrestrial

Intro : Maybe he's not that smart. Maybe he's like a worker bee who only knows how to push buttons or something.

They say it is a classic, an all time great and is also one among the Top 10 Sci-Fi movies ever made (AFI List). But having said all this, I never had a chance to watch ET; I would have been an infant when the movie hit the theatres. I wanted to watch this movie for a long time having heard so much about it.

The AVI of ET was not working with GoM, hence I downloaded VLC with Codec’s to watch this movie. And Finally I did manage to watch the movie 28 years from its original release date. But to my disappointment ET, the movie merely felt like a prequel to Koi Mil Gaya, with a squirmy little thing in the name of alien roaming around the house. Jadoo seems to be a better Alien when compared to ET after watching the movie.

Why should a Genius like Spielberg make the Aliens look so ghastly, ET will be able to win the Gold Medal for the ugliest thing to ever hit the screens, hands down. ET looked like a cross of the Vodafone Pug Doggy, a Chimpanzee and a frog. I cant imagine the mental character of the kids who would love such a thing even though it is an Alien. There should be a parental advice not to show this movie to the kids but that was missing in the movie.

The Movie doesn’t have any special storyline as such… An Alien comes from Mars or god knows where, makes buddy with kids and then leaves to its original place…

If we carefully see all the movies, made for kids, the Climax will always put all the characters back to their original places where they belong restoring order(Except for UP, which was a real classic movie). Following that logic even Drew Barrymore would have guessed that ET will anyway finally make it to Mars or for that matter even Pandora from where he could be from.

So the climax is guessable, now what about the narrative – ET comes – Learns English – Makes Friends – Drinks – Parties – Goes Sick – Dies – and is reborn again without any logic – Says goodbye and leaves…

So what’s the big deal then… Everey thing is back in its original position restoring order.

The Narrative clearly lacks strength and logic. I agree with the fact that we are watching something that created a whole genre of new age Sci-Fi movies, during its time of release. I too agree that Sci-Fi movies have a lesser shelf life when compared to the rest of the genres. But ET is clearly one such Sci-Fi movie which has passed its Expiry date.

Review Summary
One Liner: Who said ET is Sci-Fi, it is a kids fantasy movie.
What should I do: Watch it once at least for the hype.
My Score: 4 / 10.

Apocalypto

Intro : A Great Civilization. Conquered by Gibson.

To bring back a lost era in its originality is a tremendous task and that’s what Mel Gibson has taken on himself in the making of Apocalypto. The Mayan civilization, even though touted for its accomplishments is also well known for the Human sacrifices. The story depicts the struggle of a single tribesman, who has been selected for the sacrifice, to escape from the clutches of the Mayans.
Simplistic storyline, an artful narration, an eye to detail, realistic direction, flawless depiction, tremendous research coupled with a touch of mysticism are some of the plus points of Apocalypto. The story starts with the hunting of a Tapir by the Mesoamerican tribesmen which seems to be a very realistic hunting technique utilized by the meso-american tribes. Not only in the hunting sequence but right from the Mayan customs, tribal customs, the hunting technique of the Jaguar the movie seems to be a well researched one. Kudos to Mel Gibson for bringing out this Masterpiece!
The casting and makeup are awesome giving rise to a new genre of movie-making. Would love to see the making of Apocalypto as to how such wonders are being made into movies.
Review Summary
One Liner: A Work of Art
What should I do: A Must Watch
My Score: 8 / 10.

2012

2012

Intro : I have goosebumps, people.
No idea why 2012, was chosen as the year the world comes to an end. Some say Mayan’s said so, if you ask the Mayans they would definitely recommend you to watch this movie.

The movie starts in India with a scientist in Delhi making a path breaking discovery of the possible end of the world. And then the news spreads to all over the world and the rich start building a replica of the Noah’s ark. The other plot has our protagonist, and his family running to save their life, when the world is coming to an end.

The story is about whether the Jack Curtis, the protagonist, finally makes it to the Ark with his family. It does not require an Einstein to guess whether they finally make it.

It seems a very noble intention to run for one’s own life US when the world comes to an end. You can call it survival or fear of death. But every actor in the movie who runs to get a place in the ark have a very noble expression on their face as if they are running a charity and doing something good for humanity. Right from John Cusack to all the other actors, they portray either the expression of nobility or the expression which people have when watching Football or cricket and your team is winning.

The probability of the world coming to an end by 2012 seems more when compared to the probability of Jack Curtis and his Flintstone family fleeing all the way from the East coast of United States into China when the destruction happens in the background. Even if the infrastructure is perfect, it would take quiet some time to travel even one-fourth of this distance… one can only guess at this movie.
But the CG work is awesome…. With the destruction of the Eiffel Tower, Vatican and Christ the redeemer and of course the Grand Marino in Vegas almost made to look real. Great creativity in depicting the havoc and destruction… Especially the way in which Michelangelo’s genesis gets destroyed in the Vatican.
It would have been a good movie if at all there was no sub-plot which involved noble families, crazy scientists, cunning politicians and rich bad and powerful people.

Review Summary
One Liner: Greed always triumphs…
What should I do: Watch it once for the CG and forget this movie
My Score: 5 / 10.