20 August 2007

Mars Attacks

I want the people to know that they still have 2 out of 3 branches of the government working for them, and that ain't bad.

Can you imagine what would happen if Martians incinerated our congress and presidential family? I'll let you think that one over…

Tim Burton is a genius (ok, Planet of the Apes was embarrassingly horrible, but everyone is entitled to a mistake) and the casting of Mars Attacks couldn’t be more perfect. Adam Short channels George Stephanopoulos with super smarmy perfection, Glenn Close and Jack Nicholson make a nice Ron and Nancy Reagan, and the Martians have something vaguely familiar about them – could it be Beavis and Butthead?

Bring on the Martians!

18 August 2007

Melinda and Melinda

Greg: What do you do for exercise?
Hobie: Tiddly winks. And an occasional anxiety attack.

If you’re a die-hard fan Woody Allen fan, Melinda and Melinda probably rates somewhere in the middle of his filmography in term of captivating storyline and interesting characters. While I typically prefer Allen’s films which feature his acting, Will Ferrell does a pretty funny impersonation of the master of neuroticism and he’s a bit more believable as a romantic partner to Amanda Peet’s character. Radha Mitchell does nice work playing the two Melindas – dysfunctionally depressed and positively perky. The Melinda tragedy brings to mind Purple Rose of Cairo in its sharp pain and betrayal and the Melinda comedy is reminiscent of Allen’s other films featuring husband and wives in various stages of decline and rebuilding. A glance at IMDB shows that Woody is now 72, hopefully he’ll continue working his silver screen genius for several years to come. La-di-da, la-di-da, la la.

10 August 2007

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

by J. K. Rowling and Mary GrandPré

Yes, I dare. I know things that you don't know...I know lots of important things that you don't. Want to hear some before you make another big mistake?

Oh good lord, what can I even say about this final Harry Potter book that hasn’t already been said a hundred times already? If you haven’t read the books, chances are you don’t really care, and if you have read the books, then chances are that you do care and you’re going to read this regardless of what anyone says. I will admit that Deathly Hallows did make me a bit sad, a bit wistful –this has nothing to do with the plot itself, just the fact that these characters, which we have grown to know so well, are now departing. Just as high school graduation is a terminus for many friendships in the real world, so it is to in the world of Hogwarts. The only difference is that in Rowling’s world (or in this case, Harry’s) all secrets are revealed and the questions that have plagued readers for the last 10+ years are finally answered. I just wish I could get my hands on some of that magic…

Of course it is happening inside your head… but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?

06 August 2007

Rang De Basanti: A Generation Awakens

Rang De Basanti is my first foray into the world of Bollywood films. I’ll admit that I was unwillingly dragged into this as singing and dancing in films gives me the heebee-geebees (terrifying flashbacks of Oklahoma! Brigadoon! Fiddler on the Roof! ) but this film has changed my mind – somewhat.

The musical numbers are less like Broadway and more like MTV – albeit in a slightly cheesy, 1980s way. Surprisingly, I really liked the music – a nice blend of Asian-Euro pop and dance – so I suffered through the dancing and affiliated theatrics.

However, the plot of this movie has left me questioning the intent of the director. The story centers on a young Brit (Alice Patten) who travels to India to shoot a film about a group of young Indian revolutionaries from the 1920s. The young students who are brought on to play the parts are a fairly apathetic lot – looking only for fun, fast cars, and drinking beer. However, as they begin to internalize the lives and motives of their assigned characters, their attitudes and beliefs are affected, and when a close friend in the Indian Air Force is killed due to government negligence and corruption, the group makes some very violent and irrevocable decisions.

My hope is that director Rakesh Omprakash Mehra wanted this film to spark a discussion about violent versus non-violent approaches when faced with oppressive and immoral governments. However, a more literal interpretation of Rang De Basanti could result in the glamorization of violent means to wake the population from its lethargy. While some would argue that drastic measures are the only method that captures attention, I’m of the opinion that “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” leaves us all blind and toothless. Regardless of where your revolutionary tendencies lie, this is certainly a thought-provoking film and with a cast of capable and authentic actors.