Change Your Image
arunspurs
Reviews
Game of Thrones: Mother's Mercy (2015)
Elation to Despair in one episode - thats Game of thrones
If Elation was the word for Episode 9, its despair the word for Episode 10. Having already read the books prior, I was ready for what was to come. In spite of that, this episode was like a punch in my stomach. While many will talk about what happened at wall, I would look at the events at Dorne & Kings Landing. For the first time in 5 seasons, we had a episode that emotionally affected the Lannisters. They have been the hated characters of Game of Thrones - but am sure Episode 10 gave a different perspective to their characters. Lannisters - always pays their debt & the 2 events at Dorne & Kings Landing could have huge repercussions in next coming season.
At the wall...its anyone's guess. Problem with guess work is it doesn't always work in Game of Thrones. All in all, a gripping season finale. Shame we have to wait for another 10 months to start all over...
The Pillars of the Earth (2010)
One of the greatest historical fiction novels EVER...Character building at its best
What makes Pillars of the Earth click is its impeccable character building; Tom the Builder, Prior Phillip, Bishop Waleron, Aliena, Jack,William, Regan, Ellen- Every character competes for the other;Every character has a purpose;
Story itself tries to draw parallel with certain Biblical aspects; One of the key is of course characters who represent the 7 DEADLY SINS;
Some of the following could be up for debate;
1) Wrath - William Hamleigh 2) Sloth - Percy Hamleigh 3) Lust - Regan Hamleigh 4) Envy - Alfred 5) Gluttony - Prior James 6) Greed - Bishop Waleron Bigod 7) Pride - King Stephen
Pride & Gluttony are debatable, but in general,I believe this is a story of Good v Evil, depicted nicely;
Casting is brilliant; Screen chemistry of actors portraying Jack & Aliena is unbelievable & probably one of the finest on-screen pairing ever
Had the production be on a far larger scale, like Game of Thrones, Pillars of Earth would have beaten it by a country mile by its sheer story line & characterizations; There are certain flaws in the making but I think it can be ignored because this book needed to be told in a TV screen and in fact, done well;
10/10 for Pillars of the Earth (the novel) 8.5/10 for Pillars of the Earth (the TV series)
The Hunger Games (2012)
Hunger Games- There is NO Hunger, There is NO games - Utter Nonsense and Complete Wast of Money & Time
First of, there is no option here to give ZERO rating, so I am going with 1/10. I generally have a look at the rating at IMDb and go to the movie. Seeing a rating of 9/10, I was convinced that this will be a movie to remember forever - likes of Harry Potter & LOTR franchises. I got what I expected for all the wrong the reason.
I am a avid reader of books, but I didn't read the Hunger Games by Suzzanne Collins. May be the book is something else.
The movie title is Hunger Games, but there is no hunger shown nor there is any games shown. 24 kids are picked for 12 districts in festival of 'games' where the contestants kill each other.
Then the contestants go through a ritual of showing off their skills to get 'sponsorship'. Sponsorship means they could get help in the games.
After nearly one hour of going nowhere with the story, the games starts. A bunch of contestants get killed in first 10 seconds. Every 10 minutes, another contestant gets killed. But this is a PG-13 movie isn't it, so the director is sensitive enough to not show any killings, instead indicating the contestant is dead by a loud bang and a holograph projector shows their picture in the sky. Dumb you think ?, read on...And by the evening, all the bad bullies of the remaining districts form a 'Alliance' and start hunting one particular girl-the heroin of this movie - WHY? I am sorry, I do not know. Read on...They find the girl quickly. The girl climbs a tree, but the bullies can neither climb the tree nor shoot a arrow or throw a knife. What do they do ?. they wait for the girl to climb down. Why don't they simply make a fire and burn the tree ? Well, I a not the writer nor the director....
Point I am making is, this movie is SO DUMB, SO BORING. This is a 'B- GRADE' movie taken at huge expense, turning a R rated story into cheesy Teenage flick - but failing miserably in the attempt.
By the time the movie ended, after 2hours 20 min, I was the first one out of the cinema hall, hoping for peace of mind.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Oscars for a Ape character- Andy Serkis deserves it - A Truly exceptional Film
Two months before, I saw the first official trailer of 'Rise of the planet of Apes'. I was not convinced by the first look and I thought , here we go, another old franchise reboot. But then, I saw the second theatrical trailer of the film 2 weeks ago. It was a better version, giving ideas to the plot of the film. It intrigued me and especially the eye of the chief ape character captivated me. I decided then, I have to see this movie.
I saw the movie yesterday, it was a incredible movie. Like Avatar, performance capture techniques are used in this film. The actors wear a special suit to captures their facial movements & expression and CGI transforms it to the ape in the screens. While Avatar was exceptional in this, I feel this movie has truly hit home the possibilities of performance capture technology. Gone are the days were complete CGI morphed the characters minus the emotions. With this,a director can give life to anything that moves.
Andy Serkis, 'Ceasar' the ape is the main protagonist in the movie and carries the entire movie on its shoulders. Movie shows the transformation of Caesar from a human family chimp to a ape that understands his origin and leads the primates into a new beginning. Andy has done a extra ordinary job, a truly Oscar performance. Frieda Pinto's character does not get much scope in the film. It is Franco & Serkis show all the way.
The way the film ended, is a clear sign of sequels. There is a HUGE scope for the sequels and I am already excited about how well it could be. 10 on 10 for 'The Rise of the Planet of Apes' and most entertaining movie of the Year yet.