Movie Review: Lockout

In the year 2079, Snow(Guy Pearce) is taken into custody for killing a government agent. His behavior irritates his interrogators and he gets sentenced to prison. Just before transporting him to the maximum security prison in the outer space, he gets a chance for freedom if he agrees to rescue the President's daughter Emilie Warnock(Maggie Grace) who is held hostage in the same maximum security prison.

Directed by James Mather and Stephen St. Leger, this action movie is based on the story developed by the director duo and Luc Besson. Like most of the action movies from Luc Besson's association, this one also have a wafer thin plot line which takes inspiration from action flicks all around the world. So the basic premise of a rescue mission is given a dash of drama and comedy by placing two diametrically opposite main leads who is chased by psychopaths. If that is not enough, setting the stage in the future and space gives the directors a chance to get inspired by the original Starwars climax for an aerial action scene.

On the whole, the film fails to impress because of a male lead who is not known for action but for acting capabilities. Even though Guy Pearce has buffed up for the role, he is miscast in this role. Maggie Grace has nothing much to offer other than a pretty face. To make matters worse, the CGI is very crude especially the ones during the bike chase in the initial part of the movie.

Stay away from this movie. Believe me, you are not missing anything!

Language: English

Genre: Action

Rating: *

Movie Review: Battleship

Humans find a planet which is similar to the earth. They set up a communication base in Hawaii and start sending signals to this distant planet using satellite links. But very soon, the aliens from Planet G descend on the earth to colonize it. So, the fate of the earth depends on a highly unlikely hero, currently engaged in peace operations with Japanese Navy, elevated to a leadership role . This is the premise of movie adapted from the board game with the same name and directed by Peter Berg.

The movie suffers because of the script. The script tries to infuse as many cliches as witnessed in the movie history into one movie. They also try advertising or product placement for the US armed forces namely rehabilitation of the wounded veterans. If this is not enough, the setting is Pearl Harbor and joint exercises are with Japanese. With the film releasing during Memorial Day weekend in US, we already know where they are aiming. Then you have the customary sidekicks who mouth one liners intended to make everyone laugh during the action. To add to the crowded scenario, they bring back the World War II veterans for the climax to demonstrate old (technology) is gold and comes in handy when everything else fails. The WW II veterans have done their part. Why don't you guys leave them alone during their retirement? In sum total, the movie tries to say a lot of things but unable to focus on anything. 

You have Alex Hopper(Taylor Kitsch) with a lot of potential who is always helped by his big brother Stone Hopper(Alexander Skarsgard) Commanding Officer of a destroyer and always eyed suspiciously by Vice Admiral Shane(Liam Neeson) for being his daughter Sam(Brooklyn Decker)'s boyfriend. We don't see any potential in Alex other than breaking into a convenience store to get a chicken burrito for Sam! But Alex can quote Homer and also The Art of War at opportune moments! After the initial long minutes of tension building between Alex and everyone on Hawaii, the action kicks in. That is when the movie becomes watchable at places primarily due to the graphics and also the sound design.The scene in which the battleship performs a half-doughnut is remarkable because it is perfect example of an otherwise impossible shot implemented with the help of CGI. The scene works because the half-doughnut maneuver is shown with an aerial shot too. Performance wise, there is nothing much to write about. If you are wondering about Rihanna, I am also wondering about her; about why she agreed to feature in a silly role.

There are two circumstances in which I will recommend this movie to you. The first, you are ready to suspend every ounce of disbelief from your system. The second, you love sound of action. Otherwise, skip it.

Language: English

Genre: Action

Rating: *

Movie Review: My Week with Marilyn

My Week with Marilyn directed by Simon Curtis is based on the diary accounts of Colin Clark on the sets of the 1957 movie The Prince and the Showgirl. In the screen version, Colin Clark(Eddie Redmayne) becomes a third assistant to Lawrence Olivier(Kenneth Branagh) on Vivien Leigh(Julia Ormond)'s recommendation. There he impresses both Lawrence and also the leading lady from America, Marilyn Monroe(Michelle Williams).

The movie tells the story of the talented and remarkable actress who is unsure of many things. She is looking constantly for feedback of her performance. Because of her fragile nature and mental instability, she rubs the lead actor the wrong way. Simon Curtis succeeds in bringing out the drama, the conflict and the pathos of different characters during the shooting of the movie. The theme of 1957 Olivier-Monroe movie is comedy. But the making was definitely not a pleasant experience, at least initially. This is the part which engages the viewer. On the whole, Simon manages to give the viewer a movie which is worth watching. The cast is mostly British. So you can see Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi and Emma Watson among other major ones.

Performance wise, Michelle Williams dominates with her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe. Because of her acting, the viewer is not just able to label Marilyn. She still remains an enigma. You can glimpse all shades in her performance - purity, innocence, frivolity and even cunning - without any particular characteristic dominating the performance. It is a walk on a tight rope and Michelle does a wonderful job. Kenneth Branagh is clearly overshadowed as Lawrence Olivier. If there is someone standing up to Michelle, it is Judi Dench as Sybil Thorndike.

I wouldn't recommend this movie for the big screen. But this is definitely worth a watch.

Language: English

Genre: Drama

Rating: ***