THE SOCIAL NETWORK movie review

English (U/A)
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake
Director: David Fincher

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg dubbed Ben Ben Mezrich’s non-fictional novel, “The Accidental Billionaries” a “fiction”. “The Social Network” based on the novel, dwells on the price of success.

An angry undergrad and computer geek Mark Zuckerberg (Eisenberg) works on a new website with best friend Eduardo Saverin (Garfield). Zuckerberg’s website that ranks female classmates’ hotness at Harvard soon catches the eyes of the rich Winklevoss twins (both characters played by Armie Hammer) and their business partner Divya
Narendra.

They hire Zuckerberg to create a social networking site for Harvard students. However, Zuckerberg “has a better idea” and goes for a bigger pie. Saverin agrees to fund what the duo called “thefacebook” project.

The popular website soon spreads to other universities and when it opens at Stanford University, Zuckerberg and Saverin strike a deal with Napster co-founder Sean Parker (Timberlake) to expand their horizon. But Parker works behind Saverin and helps Zuckerberg get the funds to transform “thefacebook” into Facebook! However, as Zuckerberg stands at the gate of success, lawsuits come flying in from his Harvard rivals and his former best friend...

For a success story that is well known all over, it was expected that “The Social Network” would be a dumb biographic. Yet, this true life story based on the Facebook founders, of course with some factual errors, has the audience’s rapt attention.

Director David Fincher has created a praiseworthy film, where he ensures that Zuckerberg and all the others get their fair share, at least on the screen. There’s something to look forward to in Eisenberg who plays Zuckerberg, proving that Eisenberg is not just another actor good at slapstick comedies. Garfield is a perfect co-star. And yes! Another reason to look forward to this film is Justin Timberlake, who’s fine-tuned his acting skills well.

On the other hand, this film is not interested in telling you what is correct and what is not true. The makers know that Facebook’s “history” and “status” will always be “online” for truth seekers. All they care is giving you an engrossing story. And they succeed.

Reviewed by Robert L Sungte, Deccan Herald

The Best Western Movies

Here are some of the best western movies I’ve seen in years. Enjoy!  

• The Good, Bad and Ugly
• The Big Country
• Broken Trail (this is a mini-series)
• Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
• The Claim
• Dances With Wolves
• The Grey Fox
• Into the West (also a mini-series)
• Heartland
• Hidalgo
• High Noon
• Jeremiah Johnson
• Lonesome Dove (mini-series)
• McCabe and Mrs. Miller
• Open Range
• Shane
• She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
• Silverado
• The Three Burials of Malquiades Estrada
• Tom Horn
• The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
• Unforgiven

DESPICABLE ME film review

English (U/A)
Cast: Jason Segel, Kristen Wigg, Miranda Cosgrove, Steve Carell
Director: Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin

There’s a new villain Vector (voiced by Jason Segel) in town and self-proclaimed ‘king of villains’ Gru (Steve Carell), who has already stolen the Statue of Liberty and others, feels that he must outdo the new arrival. Gru seeks Bank of Evil’s funding to steal the moon.
But, when Vector manages to steal the shrinking ray machine vital for the moon mission Gru adopts three orphans – Margo, Edith and Agnes – to get back the device.

However, with time a strange bond develops between him and the girls and he must decide whether to forgo his moon mission or be the father the girls never had.

The movie is perfect for all members of a family. Everybody can learn something while enjoying the adventure. From an overtly critical mother to responsible kids, this film has the right formula to present a sense of realistic issues.

It is also perhaps the first animated film solely focusing on a villain star — Gru. More refreshing is the voice of Carell. Gru’s voice is villainously accented and rough but it still sounds adorable.

Besides, the three young girls’ voice-acting render a clear sense of joy, sorrow and disappointment.

The most striking feature of this film is having good villain and bad villain. Vector is a total nerd and arrogant brat and in front of him, Gru looks like a heavenly angel. So, kids instantly love Gru and root for him despite his evil design to steal the moon.

“Despicable Me” is a family treat with the right music and fantastic graphic creation which must be seen on a 3-D screen to get the right
intensity.

Robert L Sungte

PREDATORS film review

English (A)
Cast: Sadrien Brody, Alice Braga, Laurence Fishburne
Director: Nimrod Antal

The “Predator” series that began in 1987 has come a long way after several glitches with the sequels. Now in “Predators” Adrien Brody takes over Arnold Schwarzenegger’s role and finds himself in a new land along with seven others.

Despite their killer’s instincts these mercenaries must fight together against deadly ‘aliens’ who have the power to hide themselves and read heat signals to spot their enemies.

The film is comparatively a simpler form of other “Predator” films. The jungle setting remains a vital part of the show and the pace of the story is given a push up.
However, the script includes many unnecessary scenes which only add to the already humdrum franchise. New characters have also been introduced to add interesting turns in the plot but they never really generate enough pressure to please the audience.

Despite several shortcomings one can still enjoy the far-fetched action scenes where there are large guns and gadgets.

“Predators” is not twice the fun watching “Predator”, yet if you shut your sense of reality you can be pretty satisfied.

Robert L Sungte

CATS & DOGS: THE REVENGE OF KATTY GALORE

The 2001 hit sequel of “Cats & Dogs” features live action animal talking and involving in hi-tech action adventure. The inter-species battle flick brings out all the silly side jokes that will get kids giggling and bored parents rolling their eyes.

Bette Midler voices the evil-minded cat Katty Galore whose latest plan is to drive all dogs insane and then take control over mankind. To foil this nefarious plan former police dog Diggs (James Marsden) and DOGS agent Butch (Nick Nolte) must work together with Catherine (Christina Applegate), a spy from MEOWS to maintain the balance of nature. Along the way they find themselves becoming friends despite their initial hard feelings against one another.

The animals do find themselves in scary situations. With explosions, a couple of near disasters and 3-D intensifying the effects, the film has everything for kids. There are silly gags and stereotypes as well. What ultimately wins in the end is the spirit of friendship. However, this film is too childish for young teens and adults because of the the stale one-liners and the not-so-new CGI effects.

By Robert L Sungte

English (U/A)

Cast: Bette Midler, Chris O’ Donnel, James Marsden, Nick Nolte

Director: Brad Peyton

RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE (3D) film review

English (U/A) 
Cast: Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Kim Coates, Shawn Roberts, Sienna Guillory, Spencer Locke
Director: Paul WS Anderson

The fourth edition of ‘Resident Evil’ series is literally an extension of the tired effort to keep the computer-game woman-hero’s character alive. The story continues from where the third part ends in a virus-infected world and with Alice (Milla Jovovich) attempting to get back her freedom.

The film makes a visual impression. However, director Paul Anderson is left with few things to experiment as the script lacks imagination and originality. Most of the action sequences are mixture of popular action stunts, notably that of ‘The Matrix’. The only difference being the 3D effects.

Despite the striking visual interplay, ‘Resident Evil: After Life’ has little to offer except zombies and Ali Larter who look like they really need some medicines to get their acts together. And most of all, there are no surprises.

Milla Jovovich can still breathe easy as the film ends somewhat inconclusively. But how long the threadbare adventure will last is hard to say if film makers continue to fall ill due to the technology bug — 3D.

Robert, Deccan Herald

THE LAST AIRBENDER film review

“The Last Airbender” is the story of airbender Aang (Noah Ringer), the avatar who helps maintain the balance of life among Fire, Water, Earth and Air nations. When Aang disappears for a 100 years, all the other Airbenders are killed by Fire Lord Ozai (Curtis). To make sure that no airbender is left, he sends his son Prince Zuko (Patel) to track down Aang. Meanwhile, a frozen Aang is found by the last Waterbender, Katara (Peltz), and her brother, Sokka (Rathbone). Now, they must find a way to bring back order.

Shyamalan’s adventure with “The Last Airbender” falls short of just being a big flop. It is not clear as to which audience he is catering to. There are in fact no thrilling or humourous moments which are essential in making kids laugh and awestruck. The film also lacks strong characters to please adult movie goers.

The dialogue is one of the worst in any of Shyamalan’s films. It makes even those supposed to be funny moments rigid and still. The only saving grace is little Noah Ringer as the Avatar. Otherwise, “The Last Airbender” is dull.

By Robert L. Sungte, Deccan Herald

THE OTHER GUYS film review

English (A)
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell
Director: Adam McKay

Allen (Will), a NYPD forensic accountant contented with paperwork, is persuaded by his frustrated partner Terry (Mark) to fill in the shoes of deceased NYPD supercops (played by Samuel L Jackson and Dwayne Johnson). But they soon find themselves in a thick financial scam which seems way out of their reach to crack the case.

“The Other Guys” plot is minimalistic and crumbles even as the script has funny gags about women and cops. However, the cast is good enough to pull out the funny stuffs in all seriousness. Overall, there is action, comedy, hilarity and attractive women in the lives of ‘the other guys’. The presentation may not be amazing, yet Mark and Will make a good pair.

By Robert L Sungte, Decccan Herald

The American film review

English (A) 
Cast: George Clooney, Violante Placido, Thekla Reuten, Paolo Bonacelli
Director: Anton Corbijn

George Clooney plays “The American”, involved in supplying guns to assassins and sometimes taking part in the action as well.

The promos focussed on action but in reality this is a big disappointment for Clooney fans as he is reduced to a man who is really not comfortable doing what is given to him. Even thou-gh he tries hard to look artistic, Clooney’s looks make him unrealistic, which, incidentally may be a big relief for his fans.

This film is one of the most confusing thrillers. Despite a killer beginning, it slumps into hollow and painfully slow pace till the end. The script and scre-enplay never lift up the suspe-nse. If you are one who expected hot action flick, you are in for big disappointment.

By Robert L Sungte, Deccan Herald

DEVIL film review

English (A) 
Cast: Bojana Novakovic, Bokeem Woodbine, Chris Messina, Logan Marshall-Green
Director: John Erick Dowdle, Drew Dowdle

Promoted as M Night Shyamalan’s baby, Devil is a film where you get to see toned-down version of a horror flick. It tells a story of an event during a normal day in Philadelphia when five people with dark pasts are trapped in an elevator with a possible devil among them.

The devil turns them against one another with an ultimate aim of killing them one by one. Can they solve the mystery before they all die?

Co-written and produced by Shyamalan, Devil does not live up to expectations though tightly packaged in terms of ideas and screenplays. The directors also employ rarely-seen screen angles to build up enough tension. Devil also has its share of gore. Though actual killing scenes are not visible, one gets a clear idea of what the killer would look like.

So, there’s a creepy feeling all the time at the thought of who would be the next target. It does get a bit out of focus towards the end but by then Shyamalan’s mind seems to have controlled everything. The injection of human values like team work and forgiveness make this Devil worth watching.

By Robert L Sungte, Deccan Herald