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nisha_jetley
Reviews
Helen of Troy (2003)
Seeing once is enough, twice is too much (has some spoilers)
Anybody who had done an average study of Greek Mythology or Homer's Iliad would know how the story of Helen of Troy goes. No spoilers needed. People who have no idea whatsoever need read no further as it might spoil your suspense.
The first time the camera spanned on Sienna Guillory who plays the famed beauty of the old world - Helen, I was expecting the moviemakers to launch a stunning beautiful girl to play the part. Alas! I was disappointed. Guillory looks drab and her acting is nothing home to write about.
Helen was a mere child when Theseus kidnapped her. The least the director could have done is put some younger girl to play that part. Putting a 28years old to play an innocent 10-12 years old Helen does not jell with me. The movie primarily focuses on the love affair of Paris and Helen and neglects to show other important historical, social, economical aspects of that time. Even as a mere love story it fails. After Helen is rescued from Theseus (again incorrectly depicted) Tyndareus, Helen's foster father, is shown asking the kings 'who will take this wretched woman?' That is incorrect as Helen was a mere child at that time. Many asked for her hand in marriage when she reached marriageable age.
It does not show that after Helen and Menelaus were married they had a daughter Hermione. In the absence of Helen, Clytemnestra brought her up. It does not show that Clytemnestra had not one but three children. It does not show how Cassandra got her powers. She could not have been the one to foresee misfortune on Paris's birth as she got her powers from Apollo when she was 'going out' with him. Why Achilles dies of an arrow hitting his heel is not mentioned. Achilles is shown as an arrogant brutal moron. Historically though he was a much better fellow. John Rhys-Davies who plays Priam, the king of Troy looks very old, thin and tired. But being a seasoned actor his acting is good and dialogues are well delivered. They could have done better to put an older woman to play Priam's queen. The makeup on her is so bad. The center of the whole movie is Agamemnon played by Rufus Sewell. But why does he look so stiff and stares so much? He acts better than all the other actors around him. Don't be surprised if you would find yourself hating him and cheering Clytemnestra by the end of the movie. I don't understand why they show him raping Helen in front of her husband after the war. I don't remember reading about any such incident in history books. The director to show how bad the Spartans were could very well have thrown it in. He could have taken advantage of her anytime when they were all in Sparta. Why wait 10 years outside Troy gates? Sic!
Overall it is a passable mythological TV movie. I wouldn't like to watch it again. I don't know why anybody would. It need not have been another big budget elaborate set movie like Ben-Hur or Gladiator, the least the director could have done is, instead spending time on showing different degrees of nudeness of Helen, improved the storyline and cast better actors.
Antwone Fisher (2002)
Simple dialogues, gripping performance, in all a very good film
Denzel's directorial debut, Derek Luke's first movie ever... but after watching the movie, it doesn't feel that way. Derek plays the title character so well that one leaves the theatre with the feeling that one has just met the real Antwone Fisher. He can act and emote well. He has done good job as a Navy seaman with lot of emotional problems. Denzel Washington plays the Navy psychiatrist. I don't think I need to write anything on that. Denzel is DENZEL. The dialogues are simple but delivered with a punch. Direction is very good. There is smooth flow from one scene to another. It is a pleasure to watch a new actor displaying confidence and poise in front of a seasoned actor and oscar winner Denzel Washington. The chemistry is good. In the beginning of the movie I thought 'Ah! another Good Will Hunting type movie'. But soon I realized how wrong I was. There is not too much of any emotion displayed in this movie. There are no unnecessary dialogues, violence, car chases, bad cops, drugs, dirty words, smooches and hugs... It is the kind movie that one likes to watch and cherish. Joy Bryant looks pleasant and has done justice to her role as cute and perky Cheryl Smolley. She and Derek have good chemistry. Salli Richardson as Denzel's wife has very short role. Everybody else has even shorter role. I wouldn't be surprised Derek Luke goes places. As for direction is concerned, WELL DONE DENZEL. More please.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
Lucas Strikes Back With Ep-II But Still...
Ep-II opens with Anakin Skywalker as a young man. We don't know much about his life since Ep-I except that he is the padawan (pupil) of Obi-Wan Kenobi. They care about each other but have frequent mentor-pupil arguments even in the presence of others. Queen Amidala is now a senator representing her people. Nothing much is told about her life either. The plastic painted face of the Queen is thankfully missing.
George Lucas seems to be strongly influenced by criticism of Ep-I as we see very little of Jar Jar Binks and nothing of the kid Jake Lloyd. Looks like nobody told him that the pod race was way too long (not to be interpreted as bad). The chase sequences in Ep-II are long too and leaves you with a DEJA VU. First we have Obi-Wan and Anakin chasing the assassin (interesting only at the beginning). Then we have Obi-Wan chasing the Bounty Hunter. I cannot help comparing Ep-I and Ep-II every time I see a glimpse of similarity.
Hayden Christensen was a pleasant surprise. Frankly, I did not expect him to act well at all (haven't seen him in anything important, that is). He turns out to be an intense actor (a rarity nowadays). At times he is stiff. You gotta check yourself, Hayden. Natalie Portman, on the other hand, needs serious acting lessons. I didn't see much of it in Ep-I. I thought may be her inch deep make-up and ridiculous head-gear were making it difficult. I was proved wrong. She is just dull and CANNOT emote. There is absolutely NO CHEMISTRY between Christensen and Portman. The romantic scenes look deliberate. Queen Amidale should seriously consider change of wardrobe to match her figure.
However, it was a delight to watch Ewan McGregor as a more mature Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi. Do I hear a Alec Guinness accent in his voice? I look forward to seeing more of him in Ep-III. Samual Jackson, though an excellent actor, seemed a little uncomfortable handling the lightsaber. Christopher Lee is impressive as Count Dooku. But I missed Darth Maul terribly. The movie is not entirely lack luster. It does have its good moments (you will have to see it yourself)- Check out the confrontation between Obi-Wan and Bounty Hunter, the Jedi in action and above all Yoda. But overall the story lacks depth. It seems like a 12 year old's fantasy ride. Only a Star Wars fan, like me, would give it some credit and consider watching it for a second time!
A SUGGESTION to George Lucas for Ep-III: Try spending more time on the story line and character building than on special effects.
Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991)
Excellent remake of Chori Chori and It Happened One Night
This is indeed an excellent indian version of It Happened One Night, the classic with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert both of whom were about 6 inches (or nearly) taller than our Bollywood counterparts. The story has been indianized very well. The lead actors played by Aamir Khan and Pooja Bhatt provide a refreshing change from all the fatty and middle aged ones we have seen so many times in Indian movies of yester years. Aamir has done an excellent job as a smart mouthed reporter so much so the role looks tailor-made for him. Pooja Bhatt is always good in her dad's movies. Her hairstyle became a rave among teens of the nineties. Many twists and turns are provided in the story line to keep the indian audience seated for 3hrs. With good songs thrown in from time to time...it does the job. Check out 'Adhayen bhi hai', the fishermen song, the title song, 'Mainu ishq da lagiya rog', 'Dulhan tu dulha main ban jaonga', 'Tu pyar hai kisi aur ka' and above all 'O mere sapnon ke saudagar'. Deepak Tijori is good in cameo. Although the plot is already-seen, already-known many many times in many many movies (both Western and Indian), Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin is refreshing and is a must-watch for the whole family.
Ram Balram (1980)
Very Good Movie With Lot Of Action!
Another one of the Dharmendra-Amitabh hit movies with a lot of action packed with good dialogues and comedy. They play the role of orphaned brothers Ram and Balram brought up by a nasty fake Uncle Jaggu. One brother becomes a mechanic and another a police-inspector. They don't know the truth about Jaggu's relationship with them until Jaggu's old girlfriend returns to town. Thrown in-between are some catchy songs 'Ek rasta...do raahi', 'Yaar ki khabar mil gayi..gayi', 'Ladki pasand ki mushkil se milti hai' and 'Balram ne bahut samjaaya'. Amitabh has perform many stunts himself in this film esp. riding the motorbike in the dockyard. A must-see for all Amitabh & Dharmendra fans!
Mr. Natwarlal (1979)
Excellent Comedy and Action. A Must Watch!
It is one of the many Amitabh-Rekha starrers. Amitabh presents an excellent comedy and action as happy-go-lucky criminal Natwar. Dialogues between Natwar-Giridhari Lal, Natwar-Bhabhi Maa, Natwar-Shanno and above all Natwar-Lord Krishna statue/photo are particulary good. It has some good songs 'Pardesia' and 'Mere paas aao mere dosthon', the latter sung by Amitabh himself. Some other catchy ones are 'Thauba thauba' and 'Aere ye, oonchi oonchi bathon se'. Amjad Khan successfully does a more modern version his Ghabar Singh role. Satyen Kappu and Indrani Mukherjee are very good supporting casts. A truely watchable movie for the whole family.