Life Of Pi: A Review

Based on Yann Martel's book of the same name, Life Of Pi was almost trapped forever in development hell, with many directors signed on and signed off on it. But no, it was released gloriously into theatres around the world last year (the start of this year in Australia) and has been hailed as one of the best films of 2012, and has been nominated for Best Picture at the 85th Academy Awards.

Like the book, the story focuses on Piscine Molitor Patel's ("Pi") entrapment in the middle of the pacific in a lifeboat (after the freighter transporting his family and his family's zoo sank), if that's not bad enough, there is a hungry Bengal Tiger sharing the boat.

Ang Lee seemed to have emphasise the book's religious overtones. In the book and the film, Pi is shown as a person of multi faith, holding down three religions at once with his father being opposed to them all.  Lee also added scenes of Adult Pi telling the story of his entrapment to a young writer (a minor character in the book), who becomes the audience's avatar.  The writer, being led to believe that Pi has a story that would "make him believe in God" abandoned his Novel in favour of Pi's story (not a very religious man then). Their whole conversations consists mainly of discussing Pi's story and faith.

The Film kept the book's resolution to Pi's entrapment (SPOILER ALERT!) In both medium, Pi survived and is visited by Investigators who are investigating the sinking of the Freighter. They rejected his story of surviving almost a year, floating in the middle of the pacific in a lifeboat with a Tiger, since they all found it hard to believe. Like the book, Pi tells them another story, a darker, bleaker, but far more realistic story, exchanging the animals for people. This second story has no wonder in it, only blood, though it ends in the same way, despite casting Pi in a different light. At the end of both stories, Pi ask the people he's been telling the story to, which stories they prefer.

If we take into account the theme of Faith that has been floating alongside the main story for the course of the 150 minutes runtime, Pi's two stories pretty much sums up the point that you couldn't force someone to believe in something (in this case Faith), they need to choose for themselves if they want to truly believe. The stories also, in a way paint pictures of a world with God, where miracles could happen and a Godless World, where there is no wonder to be found. Pretty strong stuff for a family film.

The 3D of the Film is one of the best I've experienced in recent times and the CGI Tiger is really, really good, you could almost think they trained a real Tiger to act. Mychael Danna's score to the film is also really good, very subtle instead of symphonically melodramatic. David Magee's script is also very well done, especially the writing in of the scenes with adult Pi and The Writer.

Suraj Sharma performance as  Pi  is in the same level as Tom Hanks  in 2001's Cast Away. I found the rest of the cast, despite giving good performances to be merely functional. But then again, they aren't being given as much screen-time as Suraj.

4.5/5

Been Away

I should be posting more stuff soon, reality kept me occupied.

The Master: A Review

This is it, the film I've been waiting for all year, the film everybody's been raving about. I just have to say, having seen it twice, I am not sure what to say.

The story follows Freddie Queyle, a WWII veteran, a drunk with sex obsession. Having returned from the War, with a severe psychological condition, Freddie attempts to adjusts to the Post-War World (Working as a Dept. Store's Photographer & at a farm, both ends up with him leaving due to drinks related issues). Lost, Freddie stows away onboard a Yacht (The Alethia) where he met Lancaster Dodd, founder of a movement called The Cause. Despite warnings from people around him, Dodd takes Freddie under his wing, somehow attracted to him. Together they travel to spread the Cause's teaching, and Dodd attempts to "cure" Freddie.

People have been making connections between Scientology and The Cause. Having no knowledge whatsoever of the former (apart from the publicised stuff in the media), I simply could not see what they see.

Thinking this film is about a certain movement is the first mistake I made when I saw the film for the first time.  After second viewing, I am still no closer to an answer. The film has such rich materials and each is dealt with very subtly, making the film's intention ambiguous.

The cinematography had to be one of the most beautiful I've seen in films this year. Shot on 65mm film (the first film that did so in years), the wide shots really made my jaw drop, such wide scope! (And I saw the film in a cinema with a rather small screen).

Much like his previous collaboration (There Will Be Blood) with Director Paul Thomas Anderson, Jonny Greenwood composed a minimalist, unconventional, atmospheric, and haunting score.

But the biggest win in this film, is in the acting department. Joaquin Phoenix (in his first performance after his "retirement") gives a very convincing and disturbing performance as Freddie. From the way he talks, moves, the glint in his eyes, you could see and feel the madness radiating from within. Phillip Seymour Hoffman on the other hand, is a complete opposite of Phoenix. Dodd (or "Master") is a very controlled, intelligent, sophisticated man. Having these two together in the same scene is always a wonder to behold. Amy Adams as Peggy, Dodd's (3rd?) wife is gentle, kind, but also creepy, fierce, and at times domineering.

It is the relationship between these three characters that is really the heart of the film.   Overall, the film is a triumph and without doubt special among the rest of this year's releases.

5/5

ARGO: A Review

Based on a declassified true story of a CIA operation in the late 70's and early 80's.  ARGO follows CIA Agent, Tony Mendes from the planning stage to the execution of the plan in the field.

The film starts with angry mobs filling the street outside the US Embassy in Tehran, demanding the return of a former Dictator that is harboured by the US. The Mob eventually gets in and takes the Embassy. Six people however, managed to escape to the safety of the Canadian's Ambassador Home.
Knowing that the Iranian militants will soon find out and attempt to capture the six people to be executed with the others. Racing with time to prevent it, CIA begins an operation to extract the six out of Iran without the militants' knowledge.

Argo is appropriately gritty, just like any film of its genre. The Hollywood scenes set a very nice contrasts between the worlds in Argo (Iran, CIA, Hollywood).  These scenes are also among the film's most humorous moments.

The Six Civilians actors play their part well, not only have they been made up as similar to their counterpart as possible (As shown by the end credits) the actors successfully made you care about these people which gives us the epic finale.

Without doubt, one of this year's best films.

4.5/5

Looper: A Review

Judging from people's reactions, Looper could very well be this year's INCEPTION. A high concept film loved by critics and audiences.

I must say, I was among one of the few who were not excited about the film. The marketing of the film never really did "get" me.

Therefore, I went into the cinema, expecting a standard chase thriller between Willis and Levitt. I was wrong.

The Film is brilliant, the idea is absolutely brilliant and (despite how weird it is) Levitt's make-up, made him a convincing "young Bruce Willis"

Set in the not too distant future, 30 years before time travel is invented. Crime organisations utilise the technology to dispose "Undesirables" from the future in the past, effectively erasing these people from existence. Doing the dirty jobs done are the "Loopers", who are paid by Silver attached to their target's back. However, Looper's life span are limited. Sooner or later, every Looper is required to dispose of their future selves, and spend the next 30 years living their life quietly, before they are sent back to the past ("Closing the loop") to die.  Levitt's future self (Willis) arrived in the past to die, only, he already concocted a plan to do something else. Something that set him and his younger selves at the barrel of each other's guns.

Levitt did a very good job portraying Joe the Looper and so is Willis as Old Joe. Both character's motivations perfectly made sense, it's  a bit hard to pick sides (until certain point).

The director did a very good job in capturing the grimness of both the present and the future world. There is a Blade Runner and Children of Men-esque vibe in these two worlds.

Overall one of the most refreshing film to have come out in recent years.

4/5

Beasts Of The Southern Wild: A Review

An indie film that's been getting a lot of good receptions in worldwide festivals. Finally, I get to see it, and it is as good as they say.

Based on a play, the film tells the story about a little girl named Hushpuppy who lives with her father on an island in the middle of Lousiana Swamp in an area called the Bathtub.

The Bathtub is separated not only by the swamp from the main civilisation, but also by a concrete wall that acted as a dam between the two worlds.

Hushpuppy's life is great, until one day, she discovers her father is dying, and a hurricane strikes and destroys the bathtub. The hurricane also unleashes ancient beasts who feasted on everything on earth from the ice where they lay dormant for thousands of years.

The beasts, made their way to the bathtub, and the closer they are, the more hushpuppy's view on the world is changing.

The ending is the point where Hushpuppy's imagination and reality collide and where she finally sees everything clearly, as a grown up.

Being independently produced, the special effects in the film looks really amazing, and the soundtrack has to be one of the best soundtrack of the year. Rousing, and instrumentally diverse, it is a very enjoyable soundtrack.

This is a really good story about growing up, that feels like a combination of Steven Spielberg and Terrence Malick. The conflict between hushpuppy and her father felt very much like E.T and the view on nature felt very Terrence Malick.

4/5

Moonrise Kingdom: A Review

I haven't been following Wes Anderson's films, in fact the first one I saw was Fantastic Mr. Fox. I have been hearing a lot of stuff about how weird Anderson is, but having seen his live-action film in Moonrise, I have to say I really, really enjoyed his style. It's just so...Film..and that's just great.

Set in the 60's the film follows the story of two young lovers who run away from their respective problems in the world into a secluded beach they nicknamed, "moonrise kingdom", a place where they could be themselves and have fun, without having the issues of being treated differently by the society, a place where they belong.

Told in a very quirky fashion, the story delivers a very good balance of laughs, hearts, and dangers (whilst keeping its quirkiness).

Our lovers deliver such a good performance, and so are our grown ups. It's interesting seeing Bruce Willis play such a dorky police.

The cinematography is just gorgeous, every shot is a visual treat.

Without doubt, one of the best films of the year, a gorgeous looking, well written, well acted, well designed, and well directed.

5/5