Cast: Ryan Phillippe, Barry Pepper and Joseph Cross
Movie Release Date: 20 October, 2006
Review:
Directed by Clint Eastwood and written by William Broyles Jr. et al, Flags of Our Fathers is a drama, action and adventurous film where in a very ferocious battle, Marines aggress over twelve thousand Japanese over the sacred Iwo Jima Island. The film goes on to show how the government rescues the three survivors to America to increase more funds bringing about hope and peace among the people.
Critics believe that Clint Eastwood’s movie has been a movie one could look up to and relate to with respect to reality and the true meaning of battle. The movie is considered to be a success. The film was more of an emotional epic with a lot of history which could be acknowledged as being worthy. This film reminds us of the damage and destruction that could be done to the most susceptible ones in society. Overall the film has been appreciated by critics and is recommended.
Audiences believe that the movie has been a good attempt and that Clint Eastwood did well along with Ryan Phillips, Barry Pepper and Joseph Cross. Everybody did their part in the film, making it a great success. If you haven’t watched the film, you might want to check it out!
Cast: Harrison Ford, Sam Spruell and Peter Stebbings
Genre: Drama|History|Thriller
Running Time: 138 min
Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow
Written By: Louis Nowra, Christopher Kyle
Movie Release Date: 19 July 2002
Review:
The movie is based on the real life episodes that were faced by the nuclear submarine of Russia with the same name. The submarine was also called the Widowmaker as a lot of people had lost their lives while constructing it. It includes a lot of drama, wherein a more human approach of command conquers bureaucracy.
The K-19 under the captaincy of Alexei Vostrikov (Harrison Ford), is ordered to start sailing. However the submarine does suffer a few drawbacks and needs a few tests before hitting the North Atlantic. This is when the nuclear reactor’s coolant pipe bursts and causes spilling. If this is not fixed, it would lead to an outbreak of radiation causing severe damage. After a lot of motivation, the team finally decides to fix the pipe by filling drinking water as coolant in it. After hours of attempts to fix the problem and suffering from exposure to poisonous radiation, the crew has to give up and is rescued by another Russian submarine. Liam Neeson also plays an important role of Executive officer Mikhail Polenin who brings the much needed change in the bureaucratic leader Vostrikov.
K-19 The Widowmaker has received a 6.6 out of 10 rating on a movie review site named IMDB. Though the movie had elements of suspense, adventure, thrill and a few special effects too, it was unable to conquer the box office.
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush and Christopher Eccleston
Movie Release Date: 22 November, 1998
Review:
Written by Michael Hirst and directed by ShekharKapur, Elizabeth (1998) is a biography of Queen Elizabeth I. Kate Blanchet of Australian origin, played the lead and came to international limelight owing much to her incredible screen presence and elegance. The movie shows the turmoil of a woman amongst strong men to regain her independence and authority. Being a protestant she is imprisoned by her half-sister who was and queen of England Mary I. The director beautifullycapturesthe transformation of a princess to a queen. She is opposed and considered to be a hereticby most, especially Earl of Norflock played by Christopher Eccleston who plots against her. Robert Dudley played by Joseph Fiennes, her lover who is banished from the court once she finds out that he is already married. She imposes on herself, the restrictions of having any relations with a man- thus leading a celibate life. Elizabeth assuming the stance of a Virgin Queen marks the end of the movie.
The movie won the Oscar for best make up and had 7 nominations to its credit, including best actress. The movie also won the Golden globe in different categories. Elizabeth was received the BAFTA for best movie that year.
Storyline / Description: A Chronicle set during nineteenth century China and centralized on the long time friendship between girls who formulate their own confidential way of communication to make do with the inflexible cultural standards enforced on women.
Synopsis: Snow Flower and Lily are childhood best friends in 19th century China and were dubbed as laotong or “old sames”, which are bound to be together forever. But when their families had them isolated and separated from each other, they still found a way to communicate and devised a secret form of communication, the nu shu. They write to each other by writing on the folds of a fan. In present day China however, in the middle of Shanghai, a same friendship is born between their descendants. Now the current generation must understand what their ancestors went through to be able to keep their own friendship alive.
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Directed By: Wayne Wang
Cast: Bingbing Li, Gianna Jun and Vivian Wu
Review:
A Chinese career girl named Nina (Li Bingbing) forgets moving to New York when she finds out that her best friend Sophie (Gianna Jun), is in a state of coma. Apparently Nina discovers the draft of Sophie’s novel which she had been writing for some time now, which eventually makes their lifelong friendship to the story of an amazing pact between two 19th century women– Snow Flower and Lily (in the story they are also played by Jun and Li).
Here the story explains what 19th century Chinese women go through, like how they are trained via foot binding and eventually go through arranged marriage when they are already old enough to marry. But these did not stop the two women from keeping their friendship and sisterhood. Director Wayne Wang is to be commended for an outstanding portrayal of the old times and contrasted in the present Shanghai. The director was able to show so vividly the difference between the two periods of time, but was able to retain the significant idea of the story that friendship does not change over centuries.
While there is a going back and forth between the old times and the present, the editing was not as superb as we hoped it would be. There are some inconsistencies and points to improve on. But it is with no doubt that Asians are some of the world’s best storytellers, and this film proves that. Even if some women speak incomprehensible English, the moving pictures in front of you are enough to tell and identify the point of the sequence. The story of the friendship though, as it develops in time, both friendships, past and present, struggle between plain friendship and intimacy– and the storyline should be applauded that it did not set a definite line or boundary that love between the same sexes should only be either platonic or romantic.
Cast: Ben Kingsley, John Gielgud and Candice Bergen
Movie Release Date: 8 December, 1982
Review:
The eternal dream of director Richard Attenborough to portray the life and struggles of the Indian leader Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was finally realized in the year 1982. It got its well deserved share of Oscars but most importantly Ben Kingsley’s work as the lead was heart melting and convincing. It is the biopic of Gandhi who abandoned his worldly degree of a lawyer and dedicates his life to solving problems of the people in South Africa. He faced the resistance of the British colonial power with nonviolence and passive resistance. His belief in the ability to achieve freedom without bloodshed, and the turmoil among the Indian leaders regarding his views is noteworthy. The scenes are aesthetically shot with some of the scenes, still considered to be technical masterpiece which cannot be replicated. The movie won 8 Oscars. The supporting cast included Candice Bergen, Athol Fugard, John Gielgud ,who were praised for their performances in the movie. This 3 hours and 15 minutes movie is a must watch for everyone who love classics and drama. The simplicity and the intention of this work of art took many critics by surprise and is still considered to be a landmark in the world of cinema.
Cast: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen and Kevin Bacon
Movie Release Date: 23 January, 2009
Review:
Frost/ Nixon is a political drama that revolves around the Interview that finally brought to light the controversy that was the Watergate scandal. The interview that finally led to derailing Nixon from his presidency and him breaking silence about his role in the Watergate scandal.The movie stars- Frank Langella as President Richard Nixon and Michael Sheen as David Frost.
Nixon who had kept mum finally agreed to have the interview with Frost, an upcoming British broad caster.The movie brilliantly portrays the tension in the interview, and highlights the characters’ tense and vulnerable moments whether it be Nixon or Frost. The director does a great job showcases the power struggle onset of the interview as well as back stage where each characters’ turmoil is brought to life.
Frost / Nixon received positive reviews from its audience as well as critics. Gaining a whopping 92% positive remarks on the review site, rotten tomatoes Frost / Nixon is a must watch.The movie is also an adaptation of the play written by Peter Morgan. The movie is directed by the award winning director – Ron Harward.With brilliant performances, captivating direction and controversial story, Frost Nixon manages to enthrall and awe the audience.
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz and Daniel Day-Lewis
Movie Release Date: 20 December, 2002
Review:
Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York is a revisit into the pages of history linking the birth of American Democracy and American crime.
Scorsese shows the darker side of the rise of modern America which is deeply seeded in the bloody clashes between immigrant groups on the streets of America. Magnificent sets, extraordinary acting by the entire casts which boasts of mostly top rated Hollywood actors, Gangs of New York gives the viewer an insight into that past of American history which we often try to overlook.
Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo De Caprio) returns sixteen years later to Five Point, a New York slum, to avenge the brutal death of his father Priest Vallon (Liam Neeson). Who was killed by the undisputed boss of the place, Butcher (Daniel Day Lewis). Cameron Diaz plays the love interest of Vallon. There is a Hamlet style revenge plot on one end and war on the other.
Though the movie has its flaws, you cannot ignore the brilliant story line and the great performances by the actors. Scorsese may not have touched our hearts with his Gangs of New York, but he surely pounds on our guts, showing the darker moments of America.
Cast: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Rex Harrison
Review:
Cleopatra released in the year 1963 was based on the book Carlo Maria Franzero. The movie revolves around how the queen of Egypt, Cleopatra VII, struggled against the Romans. This was an historical epic movie which was unexpectedly costly and almost led the production house, 20th Century Fox, to bankruptcy. The credit for the high costs goes to the heavy sets, costumes and props. Thefilm was first shot in London and then the location was shifted to Rome where the movie was re-shot.The props were therefore constructed twice. Thus, the 2 million budget of the movie went up to 44 millions. But when the movie was released, despite of being criticised by many people it was able to generate revenue of more than 57 million dollars, won four Academy Awards and was nominated for another five.
The movie has very realistic picturization. While watching the movie, one can feel the era when the events took place. Even the costumes are very well designed. They give the characters a real look. It is not only a movie of interest for historical lovers but also has the potential to attract other audiences with its impressive screenplay. One might feel that there is some over acting from the cast but good music, costumes and impressive sets of the movie cover for such flaws.
Genre: Drama|History|War
