Two Line Reviews - #455

Movie: Les Misérables (2012)

Plot: In tumultuous times in France, a man sentenced for stealing a loaf of bread chooses to escape from parole and leads a better life under a new identity. When an opportunity presents itself in the form of taking care of the daughter of one of his workers, an officer from his past comes back to hunt him and after years, the stage is set for them to meet during the historical June Rebellion!

What Works?

• 'Bravo' to the gutsy efforts of Tom Hooper and team in trying to bring a Victor Hugo story & a Schönberg Boublil musical based on the same story together and bringing together, they have done it handsomely!
• The power-packed star caste is an added bonus - Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and others ensure that Jean Valjean, Javert, Fantine etc. will stay in our minds for a long time to come!
• The kids Cosette & Gavroche steal the limelight in their limited roles.
• For the roles of Samantha Barks & Carter-Cohen, the tracks play a vital role in making them memorable!
• The long shots involving crane camera movements and graphics add to the grandeur the songs like 'Look Down' provide.

Colossal & a definite Classic!

Two Line Reviews - #418

Movie: Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Plot: Two Cowboy youngsters take up to rearing sheep in the uninhabited Brokeback Hill. The isolation and monotony of their work make them beat their sexual preferences. When they part ways, the memories haunt them. They battle through their years between their married lives and the secret relationship they share!

What Works?

• For Ang Lee, this is an unusual territory. With a more-than-deft handling of such a delicate subject, he scores gloriously!
• The lover boys Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal need to be praised as much for their efforts as for their guts. Ledger, with an even deeper role, outshines Jake by a thin margin.
• Gustavo Santaolalla's score and the picturesque mountains offer strength to the narration!
• Michele Williams as Del Mar's wife plays a nice little role to pip Anne Hathaway's routine.

A delicate tale, Masterfully crafted!

Two Line Reviews - #416

Movie: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Plot: Eight years after Harvey Dent's death, search is On for the Batman. Bruce Wayne comes out of his self-imposed exile to take on Bane, a forceful opponent who operates from underground who has an eye on the Nuclear energy project of the Wayne Enterprise and a hand on the 'truth' behind Batman.

What Works?

• After the superhero films that came this year, Christopher Nolan's efforts to idolise the Batman for a third time comes as a relief and offers what superhero films are expected to offer - sensible and intense entertainment!
• Tom Hardy, as Bane, has a brilliant role and his rugged portrayal with his one-liners and ruthless vengeance is terrific! He comes quite close to Joker and that is a big enough compliment!
• Christian Bale carries off the Wayne and Batman parts as expected, Gordon Levitt promises to keep the saga going, and both the lead ladies in the film have neatly fitting roles.
• Bringing in Ra's Al Ghul from part I and tying it up with a gripping portion in this part has worked superbly.
• Hans Zimmer's prolific background score is pulsating!

What Doesn't?

• A particular casting decision makes a thing or two predictable.
• The police going into the dungeon are made to look like fools!

Entertainment Guaranteed; Honestly, not any less & not much more!