Two Line Reviews - #489

Movie: Gravity (2013)

Plot: A first-time space mission specialist Dr.Ryan Stone & a veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski are the sole survivors of the faulty Space shuttle Explorer. Their attempt to reach an International space station with which they could make their way back to planet earth takes a beating when debris floating off a Russian destruction mission put their lives in danger. At one point, Matt decides to let himself go so that Ryan, at least,could possibly survive, he instructs her to reach a Chinese station 100 Km away and provides her the 'means for survival' leaving Ryan to ponder over the question on the 'need for survival'!

What Works?

• Alfonso Cuarón's creative imagination & execution needs tremendous appreciation, for it is mighty difficult to imagine an incident of such a scale & to bring such an imagination on screen and cause an impact on the viewers!
• The editor in Cuarón stamps his presence with one of the longest sequences in movie history, spanning about 20 minutes! Effort from Cinematographers, Writer, Performing actors & the VFX team are worth a mention in bringing this spectacular starting sequence to life.
• Sandra Bullock as Dr.Ryan emotes very well in the sequences involving psychological questions & George Clooney proves he can be as cool and comforting in outer space as he usually is on earth,in other films.
• Touching & metaphorical scenes are strong & sensibly shown - Ryan moving to a foetal position upon getting into the protection of the spacecraft, the cross-talk with the guy on Radio and the questions it raises in her are examples.
• It will be unfair not to mention the brilliant work of all involved in getting the Visual effects, miniatures & the strongly researched artwork to perfection. The music that runs in loop suits the mood of the dark outer space.

What Doesn't?

• There is quite a lot of technical jargon as Astronauts talk between themselves and one might lose interest if one doesn't concentrate well! The audio-effect to show they are talking from under their Oxygen masks doesn't help the cause too.
• If you are to go with expectations on the film to be fast-paced & extremely adventurous as it deals with a sci-fi survival mission, you might end up getting disappointed.

Path-breaking in terms of creativity, technical conception & presentation. Pun intended or not - This one is out-of-the-world stuff!

Two Line Reviews - #349

Movie: The Descendants (2011)

Plot: A Hawaiian lawyer is shook by the coma that his wife goes into. He realises how he had missed bonding with his two daughters over the years when his wife was around. A shocking revelation from his wife's recent past ironically helps him connect back with his daughters.

Pluses:

• It is mighty difficult to come up with a simply-told, positive, uncomplicated film that can delight the viewer and Alexander Payne succeeds in doing just that with this classy tale.
• George Clooney comes up with a casual portrayal and acts brilliant in an effortless manner in some scenes ( when he pours out angrily to his near-dead wife etc.)
• The roles of the daughters are likable and so are their performances; Even the initially irrelevant dodo of a guy who comes as the boyfriend of the elder daughter has a nice role.
• The Hawaiian landscape is captured marvelously and the sound tracks add to the beauty on screen.

Simple & Simply Classy!

Two Line Reviews - #339

Movie: The Ides of March (2011)

Plot: A governor running for President in the elections has to win a decisive battle at Ohio. A talented staffer in his clan is sought after by the opposition. A glimmer of coveting is enough to spoil the political career of the budding talent or does he get a second-chance to play a trump card?!

Positives:

• This film directed by George Clooney is high on political drama and an action of words, dialogues; The conversations are intense and attention-grabbing.
• Ryan Gosling has the meaty role which he plays well and Philipp Seymour Hoffman gets a good scope to show skills as well; Surprisingly, Clooney restricts his role to a smaller one.
• The twists on the tale around the offer made to Ryan are good and accompanied by a brisk background score,carries the film forward at a good pace.

Intense political drama.

Two Line Reviews - #260

Movie: O Brother! Where Art Thou! (2000)

Plot: Three men escape from prison in search of a treasure that one had looted and saved before going to jail. They meet unforeseen circumstances, play their way out with their smart ways, talent in music & finally end up single-handedly changing the tides of the state elections in Missisippi!

Highlights:

• A film based on a poem couldn't have been made better. The comedy in it is unmistakably good and the Coens prove their mettle.
• The three jail-breakers are the mainstay of this film and carry off the scenes with elan.
• George Clooney, the hairnet maniac, leads the pack with a terrific performance aided nicely by Joh Turturro and the other friend.
• The final scene on the stage is an apt end to this wonderful jolly movie which has its share of nonsensical characters too!
• The song tracks are a huge plus and most of the songs are superbly penned and tuned.

Unadulterated Fun all the way!

Two Line Reviews - #257

Movie: Burn After Reading (2008)

Plot: A CIA agent's confidential document reaches a gym locker due to his careless wife who has a relationship with a statesman. Two gym employees try for ransom at the documents' expense. In the process, all the above mentioned characters meet at several points and make for a riotous comedy of errors.


Highlights:

• Comedy seems to be an easy genre for the Coen Brothers. This film is ample proof for such a claim. The presentation is so lively.
• Among actors, it is the gym employee played by Brad Pitt that steals the show with a hyperactive show which brings riotous fun.
• Not far behind are George Clooney & the lypo-seeking Frances McDormand with their memorable roles.
• The theatrical scenes carry the brothers' stamp.

Throughly entertaining fun film!

Two line Reviews - #78

Movie: Michael Clayton (2007)



Claps:

• George Clooney's character with grey shades(?) - Literally & figuratively!
• The story of a merger between two conglomerates & a conspiracy shrouding it has been told wistfully.
• The way the first few scenes fall in place when the jigsaw in the screenplay is revealed at the end.

Blips:

• Too complex a narration for too simple a story.
• No strong characters apart from Clayton & Arthur.

Overall Score: 8.6/10