Monday, February 14, 2011

First 3D experience

I had this odd fixation towards 3D movies since ages, and recently I got an opportunity to embrace it. I, along with good friend Ikram, out of curiosity ventured to watch Vadodaras first 3D flick at our very own Inox multiplex. I had to control myself, as I was being hysterical and way too overboard with expectations. The movie I am talking about is Sanctum directed by Alister Grierson.


The film is set in Papua New Guinea, where five people set out on an underwater cave expedition get trapped as a result of flooding. The film is about their confounding journey through the unexplored water caves to reach safe land. The film lacks emotional connect. The father and son played by Richard Roxburgh (Frank) and Rhys Wakefield (Josh) appear to be stereotyped. By now one must have seen ample amount of films dealing with a ruthless father and a son who cannot come to terms with his emotionally crabbed father. As usual, their long lost affection and concern for each other is kindled through this survival journey. The actors, though never heard of them before, were sufficient.

About the 3D experience, although it looks catchy, I strongly felt that 3-D was not necessary in the film; however, it does heighten the claustrophobic effect in the film. For a first timer like me, I was happy, though I longed to see some more enthralling and breath-taking visuals. The cinematography of the underwater sequences is superb, though some of the scenes did appear over the top and phony.

 Regardless of the fact that the film comes with a James Cameron(who is one of the 9 producers of the film) tag, it is a damp squib, and it cannot be matched to Cameron’s previous movies. It’s worth a watch for the nausea-inducing cave experience…:P

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

127 Hours

 Just watched Danny Boyles much anticipated film, 127 Hours


“Brilliant” is the word. The visuals and sound effects are outstanding. Despite the initial reports suggesting that the makers have zeroed in on character actor Cillian Murphy to play the lead in 127 Hours, Boyle was wise enough to switch on to James Franco at the last moment. However, Boyle’s judgment proved right, and Franco did justice to his part playing the celluloid version of real-life mountain climber and public speaker Aron Ralston. The film moves back and forth in time, it deals with the predicament of the protagonist(Aron), who once takes on a hiking trip to Canyonlands National Park of Utah, where a boulder dislodges and crushes his right forearm, pinning it against the canyon wall. Aron is trapped with a smashed hand for 5 long days. His adverse state is elucidated with intricacy, which makes it compelling and also grotesque, especially the self amputation scene – kudos to the handiwork of the makeup effects artist. It was so real that it would make one skip a beat. Aron’s ordeal is superbly portrayed. Solitude is not all very endearing; Boyle has subtly treated the philosophical aspect of solitude. It is a survival film, and it is equally challenging to its viewers too, as it puts them in the same ensnared situation as Aron. Excellent photography, amazing landscapes and terrific background score by AR Rahman.


In the scene where he states that he gulped his urine that he saved in his Camelback, the music that is playing in the background is the same tune heard in the beginning of the song Behne De from Raavan.


Its a must watch.... 

Classrooms, notes, first love and Pratik Parmar’s Tuition

I watched a Gujarati web series and it  reignited  my love for nostalgia. Gujarat is a culturally rich land with distinct folk art and liter...