A Christmas Carol

True to the original Charles Dicken’s classic ‘A Christmas Carol’, this animation film follows the transformation of an old miser and money lender Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carey) into a kind and loving person.

After his closest friend and business partner Marley passes away, Scrooge always complains about life. He is also unpopular with the people around him. He not only burdens his clerk Bob (Gary Oldman) with his endless criticisms but refuses to have dinner with his nephew Fred (Colin Firth).  But, one night Marley’s ghost appears to give him a chance to change his life. Thereafter, Scrooge is visited by three spirits — the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come (all voiced by Carey). These ghosts take Scrooge to the different stages of life he has had, and also to the future. And, with Director Robert Zemeckis, has who always been a pathbreaker in animation film industry, in control, the film narrates the timeless classic like a flowing river unobstructed by silts and stones.

The 3D image looks fantastic with the each settings having unique aura of the time. Details like pimples, coins on a death man’s forehead, etc., are some of the minute details which the film can also boast about.

Facial movements and voices of the characters also resemble the actors in real life. Carey’s flexible face is clearly reflected in all the characters he lends his voice to. Carey brings back memories of him jiggling, singing, sliding down a railing in mega-hit ‘The Mask’. Oldman and Firth also lend good support.

However, it is important to remember that despite the ‘A Christmas Carol’  being a children’s classic, it basically is a ghost story. As such the film has some scary scenes which are well enacted to keep you on the edge of your seat. There are ghostly images which might haunt children for days.

Overall, the film is a big morale booster in this period of gloom in the markets. There are not many funny lines, but it will cheer you up with its faith on hope, redemption and love.

Reviewed by Robert L. Sungte, Deccan Herald

English (U) Cast: Jim Carrey, Colin Firth, Gary Oldman, Robin Wright Penn Director: Robert Zemeckis

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2012

By Robert L Sungte Src: Deccan Herald

English (U/A)

Cast: John Cusack , Amanda Peet, Chiwetel Ejiofor Director: Roland Emmerich

The year 2012 is doomsyear. With the sun heating up the Earth’s core there are sudden and massive earthquakes and tsunamis around the world. In the meantime, we have few people building the ‘ark’ somewhere in the Tibetan Himalayas to save mankind. As usual, there is the dark side to this project – the berths have been bought by the world’s richest and the VVIPs.

Prior to the catastrophe, somewhere in the United States, we have scientist Adrian Helmsley (Ejiofor) fighting against corruption. But the center of focus soon shifts to Los Angeles-based writer Jackson Curtis (Cusack) who tries to rescue his ex-wife (Peet) and their two kids – to get them to Tibet.

‘2012’ as a disaster film is huge and there are plenty of awesome scenes with refined special effects. When we look at it from the technical angle, there has never been such a splendid disaster movie since ‘Independence Day’.

Leaving aside the preachy dialogue and tons of routine remarks, this film certainly catches the eye with its equally mega-star cast. On the dark side, ‘2012’ lacks the punch to knock up your emotion and intelligence leaving you with no clear idea over the entire concept of doomsday.

However, the film’s strength lies in its massive explosion scenes. They make doomsday look like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which one should never miss

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