random reviews

lot of reviews are pending for few of the movies released within past yr. Here's my random selection-

• The Namesake

I am not a Mira Nair fan, havent felt compelled enough to see her movies till now. So without being unduly biased, I would just say the movie is a good effort. Havent read the novel itself and cant compare which is better. I felt more connected to the movie since I am living here in US itself and could feel the genuineness behind many scenes. Casting is the main strength of the movie since almost every character stands out within its scope. Tabu and Kal Penn are the leading roles and are more than good. Others also do justice with the roles. You detest them when they are meant to be and you sympathise them when the situation demands. This is evident as Gogol's character unfolds and your disdain turns into compassion. So far so good, few scenes could have been picturised in a better manner and that's where I have complaints with Nair.

• 300

Has been called masterpiece and has received such rave reviews that one can't just think of not seeing it. But I am not that happy to have seen it either. Its certainly one of the most over-rated movies I have seen. Frank Miller might have written a good book but Zach Snyder has screwed up the movie. You feel no connection at all with the characters. Dialogues might be nice for reading, but when you picturize it in a movie, you need some intelligence to give them effect. This effect is totally lacking in whole movie. As a result, you just see magnificent visuals, heavy dialogues, stunning scenery but no underlying depth. You see and you forget. I felt more emotionally connected to a disney animation than this movie. If its just a stunt to popularise visual spectacle at the cost of story-telling then Snyder should get 10/10. Even the bloodshed was so overly dramatized that it lost the effect completely. Blood all around but you wouldn't feel a chill down your spine. And funniest of all, what the hell was that Oracle dance for?
Also, what was the deal about comparisons with LOTR, Gladiator?? I might be biased for LOTR since I have read the book beforehand, but no way is 300 even remotely comparable to these movies. It just has scenes inspired from these and that makes it worse coz in many main scenes you just feel reminded of something that you've already seen. I dont want to be overly-critical, the movie is good as it is but please, not as great as its being projected.

• The Departed

I saw it extremely late and what is the point of commenting now when it has already been awarded the best movie of 2006. Its indeed great and special because Scorsese finally gets his Oscar. However, not to undermine in the least, I preferred Aviator and that is just coz I would always think higher of an achiever's movie than a crime movie. But its a magnificent thriller and a story nicely told.

• Casino Royale

When I saw the trailers or movie posters, I said "who the hell took this guy in place of Pierce Brosnan". After seeing the movie, I can only say "why the hell was his guy not taken earlier".
Aston Martins + Poker + beautiful ladies = stylish Bond movie
Add to it, Daniel Craig and you get super stylish Casino Royale. The credit doesn't go solely to Mr. Craig since I felt the storyline was also more powerful than any Pierce Brosnan's bond thriller. For a change, there was more of story than hi-tech gadgets. And it doesn't disappoint. I would prefer Craig's raw ruthlessness anytime over X-Ray glasses or imitation fingerprints!
[Swati yaar, how can you not like Craig :)]

• Eklavya

Vidhu Vindo Chopra + Amitabh B + Saif Ali Khan + Sanjay Dutt + Jackie Shroff etc etc : your expectations are bound to rise enormously. The movie is a picturesque fable but falls short of these very high expectations. Not to take away any credit, the movie is good in itself but you just wish there was something more. A charm was missing.. But still a worth watch.