The Fighter

The Fighter English (A) Cast: Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Amy Adams Director: David O Russell

Based on a true story, Dicky Eklund (Bale), local boxing hero of Lowell in Massachusetts, after beating Sugar Ray Leonard is trying to make a “comeback”. But taken over by drugs he finds it difficult to meet responsibilities towards himself and his younger brother Mickey Ward (Wahlberg) who wants to become a champ himself. So, Mikey, as suggested by girlfriend Charlene (Adams), left his family and  strikes a deal with other trainers. Even as Mickey leaves his family to concentrate on his career a question lingers on as to whether he make it on his own, or does he need the help of his rather unreliable older brother? This action biopic has a number of surprises. It begins like a documentary which ultimately merges into main storyline partly to give an impression that this story is for real. Director Russell employs a standard action format. Mark Wahlberg  and Christian Bale showcase their acting prowess. Each of the characters from their parents to other family members are not just standbys. They all played their role in making a champion. Go, meet The Fighter.

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