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The Meg (2018)
Wrong choice of aesthetics and genre make this film just okay.
The problem with The Meg is that it takes itself seriously. Had the director planned a more tongue in cheek approach maybe the film would have fared much better. This is an unremarkable monster movie with cardboard characters and better-than-average special effects. Director Jon Turteltaub (National Treasure) crafts a few impressive sequences- the one shown in the trailer with the little girl staring at the shark being the best but most of the film is a paint-by-numbers affair. The story is as disposable as the unromantic romance between Statham's Jonas and Li Bingbing's Suyin. (The Meg is loosely based on the first novel in a series by author Steve Alten. Not much of the book remains, however - the movie is an almost entirely separate entity.) Give it a one time watch at home.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
The master creates magic- One of the greatest WW2 films ever.
Most World War II movies fall into one of two categories: heroic tales of glory and valor or biopics but Saving Private Ryan is neither. Instead, it's a condemnation of war wrapped in a tale of human courage and sacrifice. There's nothing especially complex about the structure of Saving Private Ryan. The film, which runs nearly three hours, is bookended by two major battle scenes. In between, smaller fights alternate with quiet, character-building moments that flesh out the soldiers, allowing them to escape the threat of stereotyping. Spielberg, along with writer Robert Rodat and the actors, ensures that everyone in the movie is developed into a multi-dimensional individual for whom we can grieve if and when they die. The action sequences are some of the best ever captured in any genre and the opening Omaha landing sequence which runs almost half an hour is a tour de force of filmmaking. This film is simply unmissable.
Halloween (2007)
One time watch for horror fans.
This version of Halloween tells the same story as its 30-year-old predecessor but plays with the time line. The prologue (initially set in the early '60s and now in the early '90s) has been expanded from about 10 minutes to 45 minutes, thereby providing us with more backstory. However, the meat of the tale - Halloween night in Haddonfield today - has been condensed by about one-third. This has the unfortunate side-effect of rendering the characters as poorly realized copies of their original selves. Worse still, Zombie abandons the tense, atmospheric tone of the original for something more plodding and savage. Halloween ('78) was characterized by suspense and terror; there are few, if any, scares to be found this time around.
The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)
Surreal galore in this sci-fi.
Nicholas Roeg is a maverick filmmaker and The man who fell to Earth is one of the many reasons why. Bowie is an alien who lands on earth in search of water. This was the legendary singer's first starring role and he more than owns the role of a strange human trying to mix with humans. The surreal imagery by noted director Nicholas Roeg is a highlight and although the film wasn't a big hit either critically or commercially back when it was released, it has a huge following today. If you are a fan of science fiction you should check this out. 7/10 (Surreal galore in this sci-fi).
Blade Runner (1982)
Overhyped!
Blade Runner is considered a masterpiece of science fiction cinema and I can see why visually anyone would be foolish to disagree-the noir look is gorgeous, almost like a beautiful, tragic painting of a dying civilization. But the film is a misery to sit through partly because the characters are unrelatable. Harrison Ford's Deckard is dull and looks bored throughout the film and his chemistry with Sean Young is nonexistent. The plot is too high brow and all but the most ardent followers of hard thinking man's science fiction would be impressed. This is a classic example of overpraised piece of work.
Alien (1979)
Ridley Scott's masterpiece.
Alien is a great film though I personally feel that James Cameron's Aliens is a much better film. It starts with seven crew members aboard a towing hauler, who are suddenly awakened from their deep slumber in cryo because of a distress signal they've received. They land on a distant planet only to find a massive derelict ship which has probably crash landed. There they find an alien organism- one which has acid for blood and grows at a menacing pace. This film reeks of atmosphere and to this day many films and video games have been directly inspired by its production design and vibe. Alien also holds the distinction of having, what many people consider the greatest tagline and trailer.
Pacific Heights (1990)
Michael Keaton is neither funny nor a vigilante hero here.
Pacific Heights is an underrated movie and has Michael Keaton playing a sinister role as the tenant from hell. Melanie Griffith and Mathew Modine play a yuppie San Francisco couple who rent out their sublet to others. Unfortunately Michael Keaton- a rich but shady customer enters the fray and immediately convinces them to let him stay. It's a psychological thriller with a nice setting. I suggest you go in with an open mind.
The Truman Show (1998)
One of the most original big budget feature films.
The Truman Show is Jim Carrey as you have never seen him before. This is straight out of The Twilight Zone(in fact writer Andrew Nicchol based the screenplay on an episode of The Twilight Zone. Jim Carrey plays an insurance salesman who has no idea that his entire life is scripted and part of a television show. This is a departure of sorts for Peter Weir also and though I have forgotten much of this film I remember liking it a lot. There are many underlying themes and the entire presentation is something you don't see often. This is a healthy recommendation regardless of whether you are a fan of Carrey or not.
Body Double (1984)
Great De Palma noir, not to be missed.
Brian De Palma has mentioned his affinity towards Alfred Hitchcock and Body Double could be his most direct homage to the master of suspense. Body Double would easily be a Hitchcock movie set in the 80s- from femme fatales to whodunnits to the noir atmosphere this is a film without any pretense. An out of work actor comes to stay at a lofty place owned by a newly acquainted friend. He sees a woman on the other side of the road, in a room changing. He starts spying on her and one thing leads to another. Craig Wasson(who oddly resembles Bill Maher) plays the main lead and the house he stays in- which I learnt is called the Chemosphere(yes, an actual location) is out of this world.
Pandorum (2009)
Cool science fiction movie.
If you like science fiction than this is a good film- dare I say even a great one on occasions. Denis Quaid is great and the set pieces and production design shines through. However, predictability ruins it in the end. Regardless, you should check it out.
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
The Pursuit of Happyness is an alright movie
The Pursuit of Happyness is an alright movie which could have been a great movie if they had only managed to tone down the saccharine feel of the proceeding. The intentions aren't wrong, and Will Smith should be commended for his portrayal but at over two hours it is way too long and ineptly directed to be recommended. If you are a hardcore Will Smith fan you should have a look and maybe it will even appeal to you (the movie has sharply divided critics and audiences) but for what its worth The Pursuit of Happiness is a middling effort.