|
|
| |
 |
Déjà
vu***
*ing Denzel Washington,
Paula Patton,
Val Kilmer
Directed by:
Tony Scott |
| |
Déjà
vu is an unsettling feeling that all of us have experienced at some
point or the other in our lives - the flash of memory when you've
met someone new you feel you've known all your life or recognizing
a place even though you've never been there before. If you've experienced
déjà vu then you will definitely enjoy this movie.
What if you found out that your feelings of déjà vu
are not just vague feelings for no rhyme or reason, but that they
actually signal something of importance in the past or future? Déjà
Vu is about an ATF agent Doug Carlin (Denzel Washington) who follows
a feeling of déjà vu through an investigation into a
shattering crime. |
 |
| |
| The
movie begins when agent Carlin is called in to recover evidence after
a bomb sets off an explosion on a New Orleans Ferry. He also uncovers
a dead body, suspiciously staged to look like a death from the ferry
bomb. During his investigation into the death of Claire Kuchever (Paula
Patton) and the ferry bomb, he discovers that the government has a
technology that enables them to see exactly four days and six hours
into the past. And thus begins the mind-bending race to save hundreds
of innocent people. |
| |
Denzel
Washington portrays, once again, a crime-solving figure, like many
of his previous movies, but this sci-fi thriller is alittle lighter
in terms of seriousness. It is not funny, but it has an undercurrent
of humour because the characters in the film are absolutely unaware
of how to cope with this technology. While at the beginning of the
movie the technology doesn't allow them to manipulate the viewing
of the past (they cannot rewind or forward through the past; it is
linear and in real time), Carlin discovers that he can in fact transport
himself to the past, and he tries to prevent the crimes from happening.
The
best thing about this movie is the fact that throughout the movie,
the viewer tries to find loopholes in the film, yet is unable to.
Our minds that are constantly looking for some sense of reality in
everything around us, have trouble grasping that something like this
is even possible. But the beauty of the movie is that the plot is
airtight. That is, until the last 15 minutes of the movie. The director,
Tony Scott started off with a brilliant concept, which by the end
lacked the realism needed to make it an award-winner.
|
 |
| |
|
Déjà Vu
has everything, action, suspense, drama, humour, and even romance.
The sci-fi factor also ensures that you stay riveted throughout,
until you reach the end at which point, your mind tells you that
there is a gap, which is what makes you continue thinking about
the movie, long after it is over. All in all, Déjà
Vu is a good movie to watch when you want to get away from the stark
reality of your everyday life, but it is not a movie that you would
watch over and over again!
--Annie Yousuf
*YUCK
**WHATEVER
***GOOD
****SUPER
*****AWESOME
|
| |
Shrek
3 ****
Voices by:
Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, Julie
Andrews, Larry King, Justin Timberlake
Directed by:
Chris Miller,
Raman Hui
Tagline:
He's in for the royal treatment |
| |
| Shrek
is not your typical film protagonist. He's big, green and akin to
Frankenstein in appearance. He forgoes the classical white steed for
a goofy looking donkey. He prefers to wallow in a muddy swamp than
be pampered in a tinsel palace. Shrek is thus quite the antithesis
to Prince Charming who has appropriately been cast as the rogue in
his films. |
| |
And
the magic of the endearing green ogre who defies the stereotypes of
fairytale folklore continues in the newest sequel. Shrek 3 is one
of the many much anticipated sequels released this summer and has
already justified the hype with its strong showing in the box office.
The latest installment of the series picks up seamlessly from its
predecessor with the disgraced Prince Charming plotting his revenge
while an oblivious Shrek is adapting to life in the castle of Far,
Far Away with the love of his life, fellow ogre Fiona, by his side.
But life is proving to be far from a bed of roses for Shrek even in
the opulents environs of the palace. A free soul like his is bound
to feel suffocated by the stuffy protocols of the regal world. Shrek
is already beginning to pine for his native swamp when he is summoned
by the wilting King who beseeches him to inherit the throne. The King
discloses the name of one alternative heir before croaking his last. |
 |
| |
Nostalgia for his native habitat and fear of the weight of regal responsibilities
on his broad shoulders coax Shrek into embarking on a search for the
other successor to the kingdom. Fiona's parting words share news of
her pregnancy and Shrek is overwhelmed with anxiety as to how he would
fare as a father figure given his troubled familial ties in the past.
Meanwhile, Prince Charming manages to recruit a legion of villains
dissatisfied with the roles meted out to them by the traditional fairy
tales. They converge upon Far, Far Away in an attempt to confront
those who they believe have usurped their rightful place in the world.
Upon the return of Shrek, we are treated to another spectacle of good
versus evil with enough twists in the tale to satisfy most followers
of the Shrek genre.
Film connoisseurs have dished out reviews that span the entire spectrum
of criticism, with some being unduly harsh. Shrek is unique as a film
in that it is an animated feature that does not singularly cater to
children and attempts to go beyond vacuous slapstick. A film with
many layers appearing in the guise of a children's cartoon is bound
to run some the wrong way, but overall there is no reason this cannot
be described as a worthy addition to the franchise.
The plot attempts to be somewhat more nuanced than its predecessors.
It is no longer just a tale of how an ogre too can be a hero. This
ogre has matured and life is throwing all kinds of curve balls at
him: the prospects of fatherhood, kingship and the need to win over
an army of enemies who have sworn allegiance to Prince Charming. Shrek
must also confront some of the specters of his past and communicate
to others the realizations that have made him a hero. Along with the
distinguishing brand of humour that can at times border on the risqué,
it really is a movie that the young and old alike can appreciate.
Like the other two films, this one too thrives on the diverse cast
of characters who all contribute their own idiosyncrasies to the plot.
Donkey and Puss in Boots are as hilarious as ever and engage in a
personality swap that is one of the highlights of the film. There
are also cameos from the usual suspects from the world of The Brothers
Grimm. The discerning viewer should be able to tease out plot devices
that pay homage to everything from Monty Python to Zorro to The Little
Mermaid. And the computer generated imagery is as easy on the eyes
as ever.
Word on the street is that there are several Shrek sequels in the
pipeline with one slated for release later this year and even a spin-off
starring the adorable Puss in Boots in the works. Looks like there
are plenty more treats in store for Shrek fans.
-- Jazib Zahir *YUCK
**WHATEVER
***GOOD
****SUPER
*****AWESOME
|
| |
|
