ngtake has been dead for sometime- it is back thanks to super strong provocation from QoS.
While Craig is a good Bond. Classic Bond lovers who hated the Craig decision had forgiven after a wonderful Casino Royale. I even bought the CR Bond compete set of 21 DVDs. Just as we started liking Bond, QoS happens.
Craig is a good bond, but there is just more to the Bond equity than being Craig. The cold killer, Q's gadgets, the gizmos, the technology, the so called 'use and throw' attitude towards women. I will not get righteous here to say whether those are right or wrong. I will only submit that those add to Bond's equity. These are the core elements that make Bond who he is.
Marc Foster has done the best he can, given the storyline.Craig has done his best. I would blame the Haggis, Purvis, Wade for this.
The Bourne-ish man-in-love-with- a-broken-heart, truly did not cut ice with me.
A finally a lesson from marketing- Your brand equity will stay high, if you have delivered consistently for years. People forgive your mistakes and even reward you. Why do I say this? QoS is not a bond flick. It is not an action movie. It is nothing. But it is topping Box office charts. Getting high (well not so high) ratings on IMDB.
Waiting for the next Bond flick to help erase this one from my head.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Sunday, August 12, 2007
The Thrilling Mr.Brooks
Never judge a movie by its name. The title of the movie does not do justice to all that lies within.
I thought Fight Club was the ultimate alter-ego movie. Mr. Brooks surely is a close second. Very very close. Probably the best in its genre. I did not expect much from the quasi-retired Mr. Costner.
Kevin is still in shape. Body and spirit. His screen presence is fantastic. He carries the movie through. He is the quintessential good man in the neighbourhood & killer by night character. He has the money, resources and drive to kill and he does.
The story begins as his love for killing resurfaces. He is blackmailed by Dane Cook, an amateur photographer. Except that our blackmailer has a different ransom. A ransom that you know will turn into disaster, right from the beginning.
The casting is fantastic. William Hurt has played one of the best supporting roles I have seen. At the least, he should be nominated.
The only thing is seem to miss is Demi Moore’s role. What was she doing there? It could have been any cop. The idea of a celeb cop is great. It balances the equation. Smart criminal-smart cop equation. But the swimming scenes are absolutely unnecessary. In the middle of a gripping movie, I am not interested in knowing how fit Demi still is and that she has no cellulite. The director ensures that their lives merge at some point. But that’s all there is. Kevin could have killed her ex-husband, or the fugitive who is chasing her. It would have made no difference.
When you think that it could not have gotten any better, the twist at the end makes everyone sit up. Many people even gasp.
Great editing, great cast and good treatment. Makes you feel that there is someone still making quality movies.
4 stars out of five. I would given more, if they had made Demi’s role a little more worthwhile.
I thought Fight Club was the ultimate alter-ego movie. Mr. Brooks surely is a close second. Very very close. Probably the best in its genre. I did not expect much from the quasi-retired Mr. Costner.
Kevin is still in shape. Body and spirit. His screen presence is fantastic. He carries the movie through. He is the quintessential good man in the neighbourhood & killer by night character. He has the money, resources and drive to kill and he does.
The story begins as his love for killing resurfaces. He is blackmailed by Dane Cook, an amateur photographer. Except that our blackmailer has a different ransom. A ransom that you know will turn into disaster, right from the beginning.
The casting is fantastic. William Hurt has played one of the best supporting roles I have seen. At the least, he should be nominated.
The only thing is seem to miss is Demi Moore’s role. What was she doing there? It could have been any cop. The idea of a celeb cop is great. It balances the equation. Smart criminal-smart cop equation. But the swimming scenes are absolutely unnecessary. In the middle of a gripping movie, I am not interested in knowing how fit Demi still is and that she has no cellulite. The director ensures that their lives merge at some point. But that’s all there is. Kevin could have killed her ex-husband, or the fugitive who is chasing her. It would have made no difference.
When you think that it could not have gotten any better, the twist at the end makes everyone sit up. Many people even gasp.
Great editing, great cast and good treatment. Makes you feel that there is someone still making quality movies.
4 stars out of five. I would given more, if they had made Demi’s role a little more worthwhile.
Bourne to Run
As always, Bourne is born to run. Sometimes chases. At times, he is chased.
In Bourne Ultimatum, the penultimate part 3 of the Bourne series, Bourne had to find out who he really was. He had to lose his amnesia. His had to avenge the death of his girlfriend. If you had seen parts one and two, you would pretty much fill in the pages of part 3. Now, if you were the producer and the director of the movie, you have a big problem at hand. The audience already knows what you are gonna tell them. The one thing you can change is how you are going to tell them. That is exactly what director Greengrass has focused on.
He has ensured that the plot remains flawless, though seemingly predictable. The action racy to keep your adrenalin flowing. Camera angles are fantastic.
Matt Damon is the invincible Bourne. Bourne’s killing machine successors do not stand a chance when it comes to brains and brawn. He simply ‘whoops’ their rear. He is the incredible killing machine. But not as unbelievable as Bruce Willis escaping unhurt in Diehard4.0 after his truck versus fighter aircraft stunt.
No points for bringing in a dummy female lead. No role for her here. And I don’t know what is the director’s obsession with hair coloring. He ensured that Franka Potenta colors her hair when she is on the run and now Julia Siles does it too. I do not remember seeing any L’oreal product placement.
The movie starts with action and the movie ends with action. It almost leaves you wishing for more. It is a great treat for Bourne fans. It will surely drive the Bourne Equity higher. Probably affect the book sales in a positive way. Bourne will run well at the cinemas.
4 stars on 5
In Bourne Ultimatum, the penultimate part 3 of the Bourne series, Bourne had to find out who he really was. He had to lose his amnesia. His had to avenge the death of his girlfriend. If you had seen parts one and two, you would pretty much fill in the pages of part 3. Now, if you were the producer and the director of the movie, you have a big problem at hand. The audience already knows what you are gonna tell them. The one thing you can change is how you are going to tell them. That is exactly what director Greengrass has focused on.
He has ensured that the plot remains flawless, though seemingly predictable. The action racy to keep your adrenalin flowing. Camera angles are fantastic.
Matt Damon is the invincible Bourne. Bourne’s killing machine successors do not stand a chance when it comes to brains and brawn. He simply ‘whoops’ their rear. He is the incredible killing machine. But not as unbelievable as Bruce Willis escaping unhurt in Diehard4.0 after his truck versus fighter aircraft stunt.
No points for bringing in a dummy female lead. No role for her here. And I don’t know what is the director’s obsession with hair coloring. He ensured that Franka Potenta colors her hair when she is on the run and now Julia Siles does it too. I do not remember seeing any L’oreal product placement.
The movie starts with action and the movie ends with action. It almost leaves you wishing for more. It is a great treat for Bourne fans. It will surely drive the Bourne Equity higher. Probably affect the book sales in a positive way. Bourne will run well at the cinemas.
4 stars on 5
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)