Review: Death Proof (2007)

Title: Death Proof (2007)
Starring: Kurt Russel, Rose Mcgowan, Quentin Tarantino, Rosario Dawson, Zoe Bell,Sydney Tamia Poitier
Written and Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Director of Photography: Quentin Tarantino

Score: 6 out of 10

I was listening to NPR recently and I listened to Terry Gross's interview with Quentin Tarantino on Fresh Air. I was quite taken in by Tarantino's ideas, they way he conversed with Terry and his apparent passion for movies. He started out as an aspiring actor but at one point realized that he actually liked directing more and so started making the movies which have started a new genre. Terry Gross seemed very impressed with Tarantino's latest release 'The Inglorious Basterds" and listening to her description made me want to watch it. One of the impressive things I heard was that many lines from the movie 'The Reservoir Dogs' have become classics. I heard the one about naming different hit men in the movie with different colors. So before watching the latest movie I wanted to watch Tarantino's other movies and so I got Death Proof.

The movie starts off with three young women going off in a car to a lake side house. One of them is a radio show host who has made an announcement just that morning that her friend will give a lap dance to the guys who comes up to her and says the required lines. They go to a bar where Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russel) comes up to her and wins the lap dance. What starts off like a jolly conversation between girls ends up in a terror situation. Tarantino dishes out this Terror in his famous style including obscenities, blood and gore. What is quite enjoyable to watch is the breezy way Tarantino has captured the carefree life of the young women. We see a second part of the story where there are four other young women who encounter Stuntman Mike. I liked this second part more because the conversation between the women sounded more natural and fun. The stunt scenes on the rustic country side are very thrilling and quite believable.

Kurt Russel is quite menacing. The girls have a cheerful presence. Rosario Dawson's acting is a treat to watch. Tarantino himself has a cameo.

But what caught my attention most for the music. There are some spectacular and very unique tracks which remain in your mind for long. The theme song which is 'Chick Habit' by April May is really cool. The song 'Down In Mexico' by The Coasters is also very nostalgic and takes you to a music world which is starkly different from the music we hear everyday.

The movie was interesting to watch. I would not say there was anything that drew me in. It was like watching a video game. Dialogues and chase scenes and music stood out. But I did not get the same kick as I did when I watched Kill Bill Vol1 or Reservoir Dogs.

Score: 6 out of 10

Review: Last Chance Harvey

Title: Last Chance Harvey
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thomson, Josh Brolin
Written and Directed by: Joel Hopkins

Score: 7.5 out of 10.

I will start off with what comes to my mind when I want to write about this movie. Emma Thomson has a line in which she talks about what many people face but cannot say as succintly as her. "I am more comfortable with disappointments. In fact I wish for them". This says a lot about a person's spirits and the kind of treatment the young director Joel Hopkins gives his well crafted movie.

The movie is about Harvey who has one of most feared life situations - he is not making it big in his career, his family has left him, he is composing jingles for advertisements while all along wishes he was a Jazz Pianist and the worst thing is this - he thinks or perhaps knows that he is a mediocore composer. We find Harvey travelling to London to attend his daughter's wedding. We start liking Harvey early on during his flight to London. He tries to develop a conversation with a fellow passenger only to have that person politely shun it. We see Harvey is not offended but simply gives her the space. It seems like Harvey has a natural talent to make people hate him. It is this loveable character who goes to attend his daughter's wedding and learns that he will not be giving her away but instead her step father whom Harvey obviously hates will be giving her away. He does not want to stay for dinner. He decides to go back to NewYork. But it is here I will not reveal anything more except that Emma Thomson comes into his life. The way the relationship develops between Harvey and Kate (Thomson) is treated in a very natural and believable progression. It does not have flashy or in your face touches.

Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thomson give great performances. Emma Thomson an have a spring in her feat and dance away on the floor while immediately following it with a complex and dour performance. Hoffman is offcourse the experienced actor who is so controlled in his performance it reminded me of an acting tip I read recently about hand movement. A director is know to have said "You only get one hand movement in my drama. So be sure to use it at the right place". Dustin Hoffman does not do one extra muscle moment other than rekuired. Even at times when he has to show deep emotions he does it naturally and not in a way that says he is acting.

The director has done a good job of keeping the movie disciplined with out going for cliches and melodrama.

I give this movie a 7.5 out of 10.

Review: A Wednesday (Hindi)

2009 Sept 6th

Title: A Wednesday (Hindi)
Starring: Anupam Kher, Nasiruddin Shah,
Directed by: Neeraj Pande

Score: 7.5 out of 10

Here is yet another tightly spun movie with good police work, suspense and some excellent acting. Having Anupam Kher and Nasiruddin Shah in the lead leaves no doubt that the performance of these two veteran actors would be nothing but mature. The act of casting these two actors in the lead role itself shows that the director is doing something different. This is a movie which has conscisioslly shunned all the Bollywood Cliches and in the process bring along a freshness which the Hindi movie industry need in large doses. I cant help contrast this decent movie with that pathetic excuse for a crime thriller called "Gajini". While Gajini was utterly unbelievable, A Wednesday is very convincing. The realistic treatment given to it by the director ensure we take the movie, the roles and the director seriously.

The movie starts off with a phone call to the Mumbai Police headkuarters that bombs have been placed in a police station itself. The way the charceters are introduced sets up the story kuite well. The retired police chief Anupam Kher being brought a chair to sit on the beach side by a Police man shows how powerful he is. Similarly the director uses good tricks to play on the audience. What follows next is the negotiations between the Police chief and the terrorists about what is the give and take. This makes for an exciting movie.

It was nice to see that the Indian police atleast in Mumbai have at their disposal some sophisticated computers and other technology and they do use it to track down the terrorists. At the same time it is scary to see that Mumbai is such an attractive target for terrorists. The cops have to been always careful not to allow any slipups. It is reassuring to see that the Police department has excellent personnel who are ready to give their life for the sake of the country. They are decisive and responsible.

I liked this movie simply for its honesty and adherence to realistic portrayal. Anupam Kher and Nasiruddin Shah simple dominate the whole movie with their nuanced performance. Shah has some really juicy lines and he delivers them well.

The makers of this movie should be commended for their brave attempt. It is entertaining, fresh and well made.

I give it 7.5 out of 10.