Street Kings

‘Street Kings’ brings back memories of the early 90s cop-gone crazy thrillers most of which were escapists in nature.

Based on writer James Ellroy (of the Black Dahlia fame) this film takes on depressing life in the aftermath of an unsolved crime. Tom (Keanu Reeves) plays an alcoholic LAPD cop whose sense of instant justice invites internal affairs probe every now and then. With his boss Captain Jack Wander (Forest Whitaker) always there for him Tom keeps on his ways. But when his colleague with whom he had some tiff is killed in a Korean grocery store shootout all eyes turn on him.

Even then with cunning Captain Jack’s help, Toms dodges his own department to look for the murders.

What follows are hunt and chase for the bad guys with Tom becoming as cruel as his targets. Even then sexy Nurse Garcia (Martha Higareda) heals his wounds whenever he is hurt. The love angle is inserted simply to take care of your emotional cravings thereby actually serving you nothing.

The film also suffers from star struck performances. Big stars but each is a unit unto themselves. Both Keanu and Whitaker struggle confusingly.

The psychological plot, perhaps, is the only connecting threat that keeps this film rolling. To put it short and straight: The lack of balance in the cynical view of human nature is a bit complex.
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English (A)
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Jay Mohr, John Corbett, Cedric the Entertainer, Naomi Harris
Director: David Ayer
Street Kings

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

A third in the Underworld series- Rise of the Lycans is like a sinking ship with broken masts and boards. The 2003 Underworld franchise falls flat even as the werewolves rise up in rebellion against their masters- the vampires.

The two earlier editions were known for their aesthetic sense especially in the battle scenes. Another plus point was Kate Beckinsale in her skintight leather pants. Now with the Rise of the Lycans being devoid of both, besides the over simplification of the plot, the drama ends as soon as it began. This is simply another sequel trying to reap the fruits of the earlier flicks.

The brilliant anecdotes here and there but the film fails on all other front. Even the vampire lord Bill nigh who is against his daughter Rhone falling in love with werewolf Michael Sheen has little to contribute. The set is way below average with poor lighting and not so majestic medieval castles. Director Patric and the scriptwriter must have forgotten the famous dialogues from the earlier two. There are seamless repetitive dialogues and similar battle scenes.

Nothing really shines in this film except for Nighy’s fluorescent lenses. It appears that darkness is deliberately employed to hide the not so fine things in the film. The movie is a painful experience-in thematic presentation and at the theatre.
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English (A)
Cast: Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, Steven Mackintosh, Kevin Grevioux
Director: Patrick Tatopoulos.
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Fast and Furious 4

Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Brian O’ Conner (Paul Walker ) are back in yet another hit sequel of the ‘Fast and Furious’.

In ‘Fast and Furious 4’ the zeal for revenge and reconciliation seems to get faster than the fully-throttled cars as Dom seeks revenge and O’Conner tries to settle with his ‘real’ life.

From Panama City to Los Angeles and the US-Mexican border the wheels hiss and fine-tuned exotic cars roar but there is not much from the plot angle even as Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster from the earlier editions are back to add extra heat to the storyline.

Driven together by a common enemy fugitive Dom and FBI agent O’Conner drive along the weak script which tries to add a few witty one-liners here and there from their earlier days. An exception: Some unexpected twist towards the end.

One reason for the film attracting lots of viewerscan be due to the fact that earlier editions had involving storylines with a balanced display of the richly decorated cars.
This part, however, rests only on muscle pumping, sexy women and cars. Special effects and extreme car chase scenes remain the catchword of this film.

Justin Lin skillfully employs sound and the special effects to make ‘drag racing’ an enjoyable hobby, atleast on the reel.
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English (A)
Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster
Director: Justin Lin

The Reader

Adapted from Bernhard Schlink’s bestseller, ‘The Reader’ follows the trials and tribulations of a thirty-plus tram-conductor Hanna (Kate Winslet), who seduces a 15-year-old schoolboy.

Set in the post Warld War-II Germany, Hanna and Michael (David Kross) have a love affair during which he would read plays from his school book to her. However, when hard working Hanna gets a better career option she disappears suddenly from Michael’s life leaving him heart broken. A few years later Michael, now a law student, accidentally sees her again but this time in a courtroom where Hanna is facing trial for Nazi war crimes.

The film’s morally complex plot revolves around Germany’s guilt and its desire to meet international obligation in providing justice to the Holocaust victims. Director Stephen Daldry manages to create a balanced view of the issue with more emphasis being given to the lives of the people separated by fate. The screenplay and script were both Oscar-oriented so what you get is originally awesome.

Good performances from all the cast members and exceptionally the best so far from Kate Winslet thereby winning her the ‘Best Actress’ at the Oscars for her portrayal of a straightforward and innocent woman who just wanted to earn her livelihood. Ralph Fiennes is confident as an adult Michael who remains afraid of another face-to-face meeting with his ex-flame.

‘The Reader’ moves along slowly but it remains a heart-moving film on emotional attachment and the capability of books to humanise the hard realities.
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English (A)
Cast: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross
Director: Stephen Daldry

Watchmen

The film is based on the limited edition of DC Comics which was published during the late 80s. A re-written American history. Nixon is elected US President for the third term. Americans win in Vietnam. It’s the height of Cold War and there’s nuclear threat from the Soviets.

Enter the Watchmen – A disbanded team of superheroes. Members: Blue-giant Dr Manhattan (Billy Crudup), night owl Dan (Patrick Wilson), masked Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley), The Comedian (Jeffrey Morgan) and sexy Silk (Malin Akerman).

The film opens with the murder of The Comedian. Former teammate Rorschach sets out to solve the case and seeks the help of other ex-heroes. However, Silk and Dan are busy with their own problems. In the meantime, Ozymandias (Matthew Goode), the brainiest of the group, has gone into hiding, having made billions from merchandising himself, while Dr Manhattan, the most powerful too is on self exile to Mars.

Can they prevent a war between nations now and save the world? As Rorschach puts the pieces together in The Comedian’s death, the plot thickens with love, hate, memories of harassment, old secrets, and comradeship and human sacrifices.

Though the film somehow unravels the twist and turns quite well it fails to generate enough heat to catch a fire.

The soap-opera style tones down each segment into a kind of individual plot.

Despite the endless narration, flashbacks and dark look, the film has technical finesse. The special effects and reflected light effects on the nude (all time) Dr Manhattan’s appearance is a classic touch making him look majestic and non-provocative.

Some disappointments for fans of director Zack Snyder as well. This film no doubt has his expressionist action sequences in the form of raw violence and stylistic moves but there aren’t simply enough fights.

Considering the theme being saving humankind from total annihilation, it’s rather strange as to why there are too many graphic shots involving blood and flesh.

‘Watchmen’ is not for all, especially children. It contains heavy dose of blood, sex and nudity. Fit only for mature consumption.
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Watchmen
English (A)
Cast: Billy Crudup, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Morgan, Malin Akerman
Director: Zack Snyder