Watched Inception the other day at PVR Cinemas, Chennai :P
The most impressive thing about the movie is that it’s one of those films, which respects your intelligence n doesnt go explaining every bit. At the same time it challenges you too. You can’t just recline and wait for this movie to happen. You have to focus n solve the jigsaw piece by piece. So if u watch this movie chatting with your friend nearby or texting, you will feel that a lot went over your head in the end. It’s 2-n-a-half-hours long, but never had one dull moment n keeps us on the edge of the seat.
I have seen sci-fi movies, heist films n psychological thrillers, but this one was all 3 combined. Well, not that I expected any less from the visionary who gave us the delicately poised Memento, my favourite superhero movie Batman Begins and its jaw-dropping sequel The Dark Knight.
Inception doesn’t need multiple viewings for us to fathom; same was the case with Memento. I feel Chris Nolan movies do not require us to see it 3-4 times to understand it, unlike David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive (a mind-blowing movie that left me devastated; had to watch it twice to even make head or tail of it.
The casting deserves some applause, with Ken Watanabe as the Tourist- the selfish and ambitious businessman; the highly talented Marion Cotillard as the Shade- the hero’s dead wife- who keeps on bugging us by always showing up at the right place at the wrong time; one of my favourite actors Cillian Murphy as the Mark- the team’s target for inception; the young genius Ellen Page, as the Architect- who constructs the inception mazes; Tom Hardy as the Forger- a person with the ability to take the others’ form in dreams & Dileep Rao as the Chemist (what a time he is having! Avatar n now Inception). Then there are cameos by the good old Pete Postlethwaite n Nolan’s mascot, the legendary Michael Caine.
Leo DiCaprio, one of the finest actors of this generation, fits in perfectly as the Extractor. He provides true emotion to the tender scenes n is also marvellous as the action hero avatar in the dream sequences. But what put me off was the fact that DiCaprio has already played as similar role in Marty Scorsese’s psychological puzzle Shutter Island, another 2010 movie. Similar in the sense that there also he is a widower at the disposal of his shady illusions. May be he should have avoided two alike roles from two great filmmakers in the same year.
Anyway to me, it was Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who stole the show by playing the Point Man- the calm and smart friend of DiCaprio, who is the researcher in the Extractor’s team.
However, I don’t think Inception is the perfect movie. I did find flaws here n there. For example, after enlightening us about the dangers of layering elaborate dreams within dreams and the limbo concept, Murphy dies in the 3rd layer of the dream and is brought back easily by DiCaprio and Page by travelling to a 4th layer or in this case- the limbo. And Watanabe, who dies in the 1st layer, also gets his life back, when he shoots himself in the limbo. DiCaprio, who never made it back before the kick, also comes back to reality, instead getting lost in the limbo. We were earlier informed that none of it was possible. And if all this was possible, then what was the risk involved?
Plus, many explanations in the last parts of the plot, which twists n turns to create the dramatic effect, didn’t sound that convincing to me, compared to the beginning stages, where even the smallest detail was given due attention.
As far as the idea is concerned, I didn’t find it spanking new as well. This whole concept of dreams/memories, planting/extracting ideas or thoughts in dreams n many of the dream/memory sequences reminded me of a few movies, especially the beautiful Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, starring Jim Carrey, Tom Wilkinson and two of my favourite actors Kate Winslet and Mark Ruffalo.
And personally, when I came out of the hall my heart went out more to Cillian Murphy, who suffers heavily without doing anything than to DiCaprio, who appears as nothing more than a messed up thief with selfish motives. Murphy was wrongly made to believe that he should to break up his father's multibillion-dollar empire n his godfather is the bad guy. So my feelings took a U-turn n Murphy became the tragic hero n DiCaprio, the villain.
But let’s face it. All these trivial faults can be neglected when you evaluate the movie as a whole. It’s a spectacular film which introduces us to a world of virtual reality in which dream time competes with real time n there r dreams within dreams within dreams. Inception is a visual marvel n so you might wanna watch it at least a second time. Watch out for that scene in which Ellen Page makes Paris city fold on to itself like a newspaper or that zero-gravity fight in the hotel corridor. The best part is they have only used minimal CGI to make these amazing scenes.
A line for the ones who still haven’t watched this film: It's for watching films like these that reclining seats and monster screens were built. Watch Inception from the cinemas itself ;)
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
World Cup 2010
Finally, the FIFA World Cup 2010 is here :)
Let's quickly look at this year's top contenders.
Spain are red hot favourites, no doubt. Casillas at goal. Ramos, Pique, Puyol n Capdevilla at the back. 4 names from the mouthwatering team of Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso, Busquets, Silva n Fab will be in the midfield. Then there are Villa & Torres to find the net. wow! Even their bench is stronger than most teams with Reina, Marchena, Albiol, Pedro n Navas. They have 8 players from Barca, which is the best club/team in the world by a huge margin and 5 from Real Madrid. So they have unity and they know their fellows. So Spain are in it with a huge shout. It will be surprising or even shocking if we don't see them in the final.
Brazil is Brazil. They were/are/will always be the favourites. They have Julio Cesar, who is the best keeper in the world right now. Maicon, Lucio, Alves n Bastos are high quality defenders. Kaka, Elano, Gilby and Ramires in midfield n Robinho & Fabiano as strikers. The bench is not super strong. The defence can get exposed as there is no good name to partner Lucio at Centre Back. Still, they are a team to watch out for because they are ...... Brazil
Germany is the most consistent 'big match' team...2nd in 2002, 3rd in 2006 n 2nd in 2008 Euro. They are a team that I've been supporting for the past 10 years. Neuer is young, but is a good shot-stopper. Lahm is an inspiring captain n one of the best full-backs playing in South Africa. But with the exception of him, Mertesacker n Friedrich; the defence is very young n inexperienced n may get caught up. Schweinsteiger is the only big name in midfield. I guess Khedira n Ozil are gonna play a big role this time. But it is the 'Strikers department' that is hopeless. Klose, Gomez, Podolski are all in terrible form. Only Cacau has found something going his way. And there will be too much pressure on the young Muller. But the team always perform and produce some good football and I look forward to it.
Argentina has Messi, Carlitos (Tevez), Milito, n Kun Kun (Aguero) as forwards n Di Maria & Maxi as wingers. But that is it. Their captain Mascherano is an effective DM, but is used to getting a red card, every two games. The defence is utterly hopeless n only Demichelis is an exception. W Samuel, Heinze, Veron are all ancient. They don't have speed or agility and miss-pass a lot. And even the 3 goalkeepers combined don't look strong enough. Plus there are many unproven youngsters. Messi will have to work his magic if Argentina is to go much further.
Portugal has Ronaldo. Plus they have some good players in Deco, Simao,Raul Meireles, Danny, Bruno Alves, Carvalho n Pepe. They play well as a team, but has been placed in a tough group that includes Brazil and Ivory Coast. Anway they will progress to the inital knockout phase. But Ronaldo can't win a world cup on his own. We have to wait n watch to find out if they go a long way.
England has Rooney, Gerrad, Lampard, Crouch, J Cole, Lennon, Milner, Defoe n Wright-Phillips for offence n Terry, A Cole, Upson, Johnson, Carragher n the unpredictable Ledley King for defence. Only the 3rd choice keeper Hart can be called as a reliable shot-stopper, but I don't think he will ever be used. Much depends on how Rooney plays. England are a team that I never loved watching. Personally I feel, they are good only on the paper n not on the field. I don't think they have it in them to win something big.
France has a good keeper in Lloris. Gallas, Sagna n Evra makes a good defence. The weak link, however, is Abidal, who is poor when used as a CB. Even the bench CBs are not the best ones around. Ribery n Malouda on the wings offer pace. The effectiveness of Ribery is crucial in France's progress in the tournament. Toulalan is a strong holding midfielder. Gourcuff @ centre midfield is gonna be the key. Anelka n Govou as the forwards is not a bad prospect. Henry will come on after 70 minutes in every game and can be a game-changer. Anyway, to me, they don't look like a team threatening to win crown, due reasons unexplainable.
Italy is gonna struggle big time. Their squad still has veteran players, who are good enough for one last fight. Last year's heroes Buffon , Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Chiellini, Pirlo, Gattuso, Cameronesi, De Rossi Gilardino n Iaquinta are there. The young Criscito at Left Back is one of my favourite players. But I don't think the team is gonna click this time. Anyway, their football is not the most attractive or interesting and so the neutrals won't miss anything, if they go out cheaply.
We can expect some good football from some of the underdogs, such as Ivory Coast, Korean Republic, Ghana, Slovenia and South Africa. One or two of them will surely go through to the knockout phases, by upsetting the so-called 'group favourites'.
That leaves us with The Netherlands/Holland/The Dutch/The Orange.
Their keeper Skelenburg 2nd choice Vorm and defenders Heintinga, Mathijsen, Bronkhorst, Ooijer, Van der Wiel n Boulahrouz are pretty much decent, though they are not exactly the best around. But it is the midfield n the attack that is gonna tear apart any thing that comes their away. Van Bommel n de Jong will be the ball-winners. And just see that offence: Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Robben, Kuyt n Van Persie. Simply awesome! All of them had superb seasons for their clubs. They are smokin'. They have always done well for Holland and are ready to fire on all cylinders. The bench has Babel, Huntelaar, Elia n Afellay to offer cover.
My gut feeling points to them. I say Netherlands will win hearts as usual and, this time, the cup too for a change.
The Rainbow Nation in The Dark Continent is gonna get painted ORANGE this summer.
Go Holland Go!
Let's quickly look at this year's top contenders.
Spain are red hot favourites, no doubt. Casillas at goal. Ramos, Pique, Puyol n Capdevilla at the back. 4 names from the mouthwatering team of Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso, Busquets, Silva n Fab will be in the midfield. Then there are Villa & Torres to find the net. wow! Even their bench is stronger than most teams with Reina, Marchena, Albiol, Pedro n Navas. They have 8 players from Barca, which is the best club/team in the world by a huge margin and 5 from Real Madrid. So they have unity and they know their fellows. So Spain are in it with a huge shout. It will be surprising or even shocking if we don't see them in the final.
Brazil is Brazil. They were/are/will always be the favourites. They have Julio Cesar, who is the best keeper in the world right now. Maicon, Lucio, Alves n Bastos are high quality defenders. Kaka, Elano, Gilby and Ramires in midfield n Robinho & Fabiano as strikers. The bench is not super strong. The defence can get exposed as there is no good name to partner Lucio at Centre Back. Still, they are a team to watch out for because they are ...... Brazil
Germany is the most consistent 'big match' team...2nd in 2002, 3rd in 2006 n 2nd in 2008 Euro. They are a team that I've been supporting for the past 10 years. Neuer is young, but is a good shot-stopper. Lahm is an inspiring captain n one of the best full-backs playing in South Africa. But with the exception of him, Mertesacker n Friedrich; the defence is very young n inexperienced n may get caught up. Schweinsteiger is the only big name in midfield. I guess Khedira n Ozil are gonna play a big role this time. But it is the 'Strikers department' that is hopeless. Klose, Gomez, Podolski are all in terrible form. Only Cacau has found something going his way. And there will be too much pressure on the young Muller. But the team always perform and produce some good football and I look forward to it.
Argentina has Messi, Carlitos (Tevez), Milito, n Kun Kun (Aguero) as forwards n Di Maria & Maxi as wingers. But that is it. Their captain Mascherano is an effective DM, but is used to getting a red card, every two games. The defence is utterly hopeless n only Demichelis is an exception. W Samuel, Heinze, Veron are all ancient. They don't have speed or agility and miss-pass a lot. And even the 3 goalkeepers combined don't look strong enough. Plus there are many unproven youngsters. Messi will have to work his magic if Argentina is to go much further.
Portugal has Ronaldo. Plus they have some good players in Deco, Simao,Raul Meireles, Danny, Bruno Alves, Carvalho n Pepe. They play well as a team, but has been placed in a tough group that includes Brazil and Ivory Coast. Anway they will progress to the inital knockout phase. But Ronaldo can't win a world cup on his own. We have to wait n watch to find out if they go a long way.
England has Rooney, Gerrad, Lampard, Crouch, J Cole, Lennon, Milner, Defoe n Wright-Phillips for offence n Terry, A Cole, Upson, Johnson, Carragher n the unpredictable Ledley King for defence. Only the 3rd choice keeper Hart can be called as a reliable shot-stopper, but I don't think he will ever be used. Much depends on how Rooney plays. England are a team that I never loved watching. Personally I feel, they are good only on the paper n not on the field. I don't think they have it in them to win something big.
France has a good keeper in Lloris. Gallas, Sagna n Evra makes a good defence. The weak link, however, is Abidal, who is poor when used as a CB. Even the bench CBs are not the best ones around. Ribery n Malouda on the wings offer pace. The effectiveness of Ribery is crucial in France's progress in the tournament. Toulalan is a strong holding midfielder. Gourcuff @ centre midfield is gonna be the key. Anelka n Govou as the forwards is not a bad prospect. Henry will come on after 70 minutes in every game and can be a game-changer. Anyway, to me, they don't look like a team threatening to win crown, due reasons unexplainable.
Italy is gonna struggle big time. Their squad still has veteran players, who are good enough for one last fight. Last year's heroes Buffon , Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Chiellini, Pirlo, Gattuso, Cameronesi, De Rossi Gilardino n Iaquinta are there. The young Criscito at Left Back is one of my favourite players. But I don't think the team is gonna click this time. Anyway, their football is not the most attractive or interesting and so the neutrals won't miss anything, if they go out cheaply.
We can expect some good football from some of the underdogs, such as Ivory Coast, Korean Republic, Ghana, Slovenia and South Africa. One or two of them will surely go through to the knockout phases, by upsetting the so-called 'group favourites'.
That leaves us with The Netherlands/Holland/The Dutch/The Orange.
Their keeper Skelenburg 2nd choice Vorm and defenders Heintinga, Mathijsen, Bronkhorst, Ooijer, Van der Wiel n Boulahrouz are pretty much decent, though they are not exactly the best around. But it is the midfield n the attack that is gonna tear apart any thing that comes their away. Van Bommel n de Jong will be the ball-winners. And just see that offence: Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Robben, Kuyt n Van Persie. Simply awesome! All of them had superb seasons for their clubs. They are smokin'. They have always done well for Holland and are ready to fire on all cylinders. The bench has Babel, Huntelaar, Elia n Afellay to offer cover.
My gut feeling points to them. I say Netherlands will win hearts as usual and, this time, the cup too for a change.
The Rainbow Nation in The Dark Continent is gonna get painted ORANGE this summer.
Go Holland Go!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Welcome everybody ;P
Hi everyone,
Please understand that everything, mentioned in the posts you find here, is my personal reaction and opinion and nobody else's. There is/will be no harm or offence intended in any of them. If anybody's feelings or sentiments are hurt because of my words, I am awfully sorry.
The blog is informal and I won't stick to any stringent rules of writing. Everybody is welcome to share their thoughts and views. I will do my best to acknowledge anything (corrections, suggestions, opinions or any such contributions) that makes this place better.
Cheers
Vishnu
June 2010.
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