Two Line Reviews - #427

Movie: Platoon (1986)

Plot: The Charlie Regiment in Vietnam War has more than the NVA opponents to handle. The film traces the travails of the Nam Soldiers and how a difference and division in opinion can cause havoc even within a regiment supposed to be united to save each others' lives!

What Works?

• There have been many films on Nam. Every one of them deals with different aspects of the war! In terms of showing the torn inner psyche of warriors, this Oliver Stone venture pips others in style.
• The casting is fine. Seeing Charlie Sheen, Whitaker and Depp in their youth is a pleasure.
• The character of Elias is heroic and earns respect. If not for the polar opposite characterisation of Barnes, Elias would never have looked that way. Beauty of creating superb contrasting characters!
• The massacre at the village is one terrific scene for the decade!
• The background score and camera work are of grand quality. Dialogues arouse at certain important moments!

Soldier's psyche - Intensely captured!

Two Line Reviews - #172

Movie: Ed Wood (1994)

Plot: Edward D Wood Jr. is one director who makes films with whatever footages and characters he has with him & no shot he films goes to a second take! This makes him the one of the most awful directors of Hollywood. This film goes through his film-making ways and his association with an one time popular actor of 'Dracula' fame.

Highlights:

• The heart and soul of this film is Johnny Depp. As the insane transvestite filmmaker, he is a riot with his hyperactive & urgent ways of making films. Some of the points he makes to justify his ways are quite acceptable too.
• The dialogs are humourous and members of his crew are enjoyable - The Dracula actor, the wrestler, his producers at various times, his cameramen etc..

Lowlights:
The insults he faces are funny till a point. But, beyond that, his continuation of clownish acts are irritating.

A not-so-worse film on 'the worst director of all time'!