My take on Toy story 3

Directed by: Lee Unkrich

First time I took my both kids to theater. Over all of it is interesting experience. Little one was crying after first hour or so. Elder one very emotional. (We watch many movies ,weekly once, at home but for some reason, may be first time theater experience.) At the end, we decided to watch more movies often, in particular forthcoming Kung Fu Panda 2/ Cars 2.

Now coming to my take, Toy Story 3 is a simply brilliant adventure where Andy is about to go to college & he was asked to rather donate/trash all his old toys. However Andi packs his toys up in a trash bag and tries to put them in the attic. In between, Andy helps his sister to get her toys in the car & in between his mom comes tohis room and thinks the bag of toys Andy left on the floor was trash so she puts it on the curb. This is perfect setup rest of the adventure i.e. all today’s goes to a day care center, where toys meet some evil characters bear etc then woody and the gang escape from the day care center & finally they end up a new owner. Opening train robbery sequences it simply amazing. I have seen of part1 & part 2 but this one is too good & I suspect more costly one also. may be all because of technology. Whatever it is a must. Also I asked my kids to write a summary. I will post their verion too. Basically my goal is to understand their ability to digest the movie.

The other films I've seen this year

As usual. Not finding time ( may be right answer is not setting right priorities)

a) Inception
b) The Fast Runner
c) The book of Eli
d) Shutter Island (2ed)
e) Slumdog Millionaire
f) The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

The World's fastest Indian movie; A Wonderful journey

Movie all about a guy’s (Burt Munro) journey to achieve his dream, basically leaving his mark for next generations to challenge or inspire. What is so special about this one is it is it is based on a true story. I watched many movies in the same theme. (Rocky, Ali tops my head now) When I saw the title, I thought it was about Indians! But i am wrong.

Movie is all about Munro journey from Invercargill (NZ) to Bonneville (US),
And you will witness all the difficulties & the people he meats & cities he visits on the way & his strong determination to the final goal. Anthony Hopkins is absolutely brilliant in his role.

My small review of Avatar movie

Long awaited & more than a decade in making “Avatar” is supposed to be the film of this decade & if you looking for totally different experience & Avatar fits the bill however if you looking for gripping story or character development etc, this will disappoint a lot. Coming to story it is the same old Good vs. Bad formula. In brief it is destruction of Pandora (a planet which is very much identical to Earth) for some rich metals by planet earth people. Like many forecasting future conflicts for rich commodities on planet earth, James Cameron goes a step head i.e. we go to other planets for the same & will do anything to acquire the same. Whatever may be the story, the special effects in 3D makes the experience of the Avatar worth watching. At the end of the day, James Cameron knows how to entertain the audience with mediocre story.

My most anticipated movies of 2010

So many best-of lists! So I'll keep it to a minimum.

• Edge of Darkness
• Shutter Island
• Green Zone(Bourne team)
• The Expendables
• Toy Story 3
• Inception(Nolan film)
• Ironn Man II
• The Book of Eli
• Robin Hood

Why I'm Interested? The only one reason i.e. Director/writer

The other films I've seen this year

Watchmen
Avatar
Up
Inglorious bastards
A Serious Man
Two lovers
District 9
Death race
Bank Job
War
Live Free or Die
Waitress
Reservation Road
Iron man
Planet Earth DVD set
Super Man Returns

2009 wrap-up

Let me start with nice quote

By working faithfully eight hours a day, you may eventually get to be a boss and work twelve hours a day. --ROBERT FORST, winner of 4 Pulitzer awards

Above is true for my case with exception i.e instead of 12 hours I am spending 14 hours.
In this globalized economy with teams spreading three contenents, this is what I am now. This is the basic reason; I am not finding time to update this blog frequently.
I think I future also I will do the same until I know how to manage my new role right. Having said that, whenever I am finding any free time, I am watching movies (mostly limited to DVDs & few on big screen.)
Following are my top three movies for year 2009.
Not in any particular order

Up: Pixar does it again. Simply Inspiring tale & brilliant in all aspects
Inglorious Bastards: Either you like or dislike Tarantino but this is one of his best works since pulp fiction.
Avatar: It all about Cinematic Experience. If possible watch it on IMAX. Every penny worth it.

December 08 & January 09 movies

The Forbidden Kingdom (7.5/10)
Awesome Cinematography & good combo& nice action. At the end it is another Kung Fu movie.

The planet Earth (BBC DVD set) 9.5/10
Worth the every minute & The camera work is truly breathtaking & too good series & both educational & entertains a lot.

Flicka (2006) 7.5/10
Fell good film with fine locations & nice action. Few one lines are good in particular
When are you going to look at your daughter... and realize that she's you?"


The Dark Night (3ed time. This time on DVD) : Just to follow Joker character closely.

Most anticipated movies of 2009

Watchmen Director by Zack Snyde
Cell by Eli Roth
Shutter Island by Martin Scorsese
The lovely Bones by Peter Jackson
(2008 pick also. But it got delayed)
Public Enemies by Micheal mann
Inglorious bastards by Quentin Tarantino
The Road by John Hillcoat
Avatar by James Cameron
The Brothers Bloom by Rian Johnson
State of Play by Kevin Macdonald
The Soloist by Joe Wright

Some great lineup in particular Snyde, Tarantino, Jackson, Scorsese, Cameron movies
The lovely Bones is carrying forward my older 2008 list.

New additions to my DVD collection

The Bourne Trilogy {watched all them on big screen but I like this Trilogy a lot.
Now it is in my personal collection.

The Bourne Identity
The Bourne Supremacy
The Bourne Ultimatum

Also added Kill Bill vol I & II too.

December 08 movies

Rambo (2008) [On DVD] This is my 2008 guilty pleasure
Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull (2ed) [On DVD] A disappointment
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) A surprise & pure delight.
I will write my take later.

Oct & Nov 08 movies

Gone Baby Gone (8/10)
The ending was quite strong, deep and meaningful.

The House of Sand - USA(DVD box title) 7/10
Awesome Cinematography

The Last King of Scotland 8/10:
A good film with some fine actors.
This film might not be perfectly accurate, historically but
offers a glimpse of reality.


Mystery Train by Jim Jarmush (2ed time) 8.5/10

Another good film by Jarmush

August 08 & September 08 movies

On Screen:
a)The Dark Night (2ed time) : Just to follow Joker character closely.
b)Hell boy II (2ed time0 Just for Amazing cinema & for creativity in troll designs/costumes

DVDs:
The Seven Year Itch: Pure fun.
Outsourced: Realistic comedy with painful truth.
Rocky Balboa: 2d best movie after first part. I will write my take.
Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman: Another good Zatoichi films. Loved the sword work.
Real Women Have Curves :Interesting latino film.

July 08 movies

HellBoy II : Simply amazing & absolutely gorgeous
The Dark Night: No wonder it is breaking all the records. Best acting &performance I've seen in years
X files: For fans only else better to wait for DVD

On DVD
The fearless jet Li's finest
The Legend of Drunken Master II
The Legend of Drunken Master I {both 2e time} After 10 years watched 2ed time & enjoyed a lot. Young Jackie was so energetic.

My small review of Jet Li's Fearless movie

Starring: Jet Li
Directed by: Ronny Yu
---Spoilers included-------

It's a memorable story of Huo Yuanjia, Played by JET LI'S, who's one of the best martial artists in the world after seeing his dad get embarrassed with a loss in a match and wants revenge thus forcing him to become the best arrogant Wushu master. After killing a senior rival master, his family wife & girl, is killed by his rival's grandson sending him in a sad emotional state and leaves Tianjin to find himself. He meets a woman who is blind but he learns from her that respecting others, having discipline etc. e. After his slow transformation, he goes back to his homeland and learns everything has changed and has to fight again for not only winning but respect of others and leading China against Westerners who bully Asia a lot. Scenes leading to climax fight were stunning & done well. Inner message is conveyed very well i.e. it is not all about winning but honor of other opponents, being a disciplined moral person within yourself. Two thumbs up & worthwhile movie. The cinematography, directing, editing, all top notch. Special thanks to the modern cinema technology and special effects, Fearless employed several unique and over-the-edged angles on Jet's phenomenal martial arts ability.

The Dark Knight movie review

Starring : Christian Bale,Heath Ledger
Directed by: Christopher Nolan

---Spoilers included-------

In one sentence simply brilliant, best movie of the year. Coming to the story, after emergence of Batman has forced all of Gotham's mafia to meet during the day and stay off the streets at night so as to not fall victim to Batman's courage. This has led to the emergence of a new villain to take the streets: one who calls himself the Joker. The Joker tries to strike a deal with the mafia and he promises that he can kill Batman. Now we will see Batman vs. Joker on the big screen. So many plot twists & turns aided by brilliant action with superb one liner dialogs mesmerize the audience. The story was just so flawlessly crafted & The direction is fabulous. Nolan has given his finest performance ever. Heath Ledger's acting is a huge highlight of this movie & it is hype the worth. He puts on the best acting performance I've seen in years. The visuals were good.

Strictly not for kids

Hellboy II (The Golden Army) movie review

Starring: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair etc
Directed by:Guillermo del Toro

---Spoilers included-------
Honestly, after lot of letdowns (The happening/Indy4/Funny games) I am quiet doubtful of this movie. But it matched my expectations the visuals were fantastic and I loved the creativity that was put into the creature/troll designs/costumes. Action/fight scenes were all nicely done. Coming to story in the mythical world, led by Prince Nuada, has begun a rebellion against the human race. There are three parts to a crown, one held by Nuada, one by his father, and one by his sister, Princess Nuala, which can open the doors to, and command the ancient golden army. Nuala does not want for Nuada to have control of the army, and sets off away from her home. She then runs into Hellboy teams and they must team up against Nuada and the rebellious creatures the stop them from unlocking the golden army. Story is just ok overall. The quality/originality of the script suffered compared to the first original film. The acting is solid. Ron Perlman, as always, good & body language was awesome & dialogs were good. If you enjoyed the Hellboy I then you will enjoy this one too. Another huge hit for the Hellboy franchise and Kudos to Del Toro.

Following are many absolutely gorgeous scenes.

•After Hellboy kills that octopus-type creature & little meadow appears. This scene alone the worth the ticket price.
•Very interesting creature that pulls the metal thing out of Hellboy. Simply brilliant. Lot of thought went in to troll creation.
•Troll market scene, "tooth" fairies attack etc.

Minor odd scene:

•Youth Hellboy looked very odd. Total misfit.

June 08 movies

The Happening: From my favorite director & it was a disappointment.
Diary of a Country Priest Simply a classic. Period.
Drunken Master (1978) Good martial arts movie if you got your expectations right.
Tokyo Olympiad (1965) Stunning documentary about1964 Summer Olympics.

May 08 movies

Master of the Flying Guillotine { a must for all Kung Fu movie fans}
King of Beggars {Stephen Chow's first movies. Funny but not solid}
Inside Man(2ed Time){Spike Lee's solid heist flick.}
Trade{Another excellent movie on human trafficking}
Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull {Barely pass.}

New additions to my DVD collection

Weeds season one from bn.com