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Showing posts from 2010

The Lincoln Lawyer Quietly Became One of the Most Consistent Shows on Television

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The Lincoln Lawyer Seasons 1-4 Review Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers for Seasons 1 through 4 of The Lincoln Lawyer. In an era where television series either collapse under their own ambition or disappear after one good season, The Lincoln Lawyer has quietly done something impressive. It stayed consistently engaging across multiple seasons while maintaining the spirit of the original novels better than most modern adaptations. The series never tries to reinvent itself into prestige television. Instead, it understands exactly what it is supposed to be: intelligent legal drama with strong character chemistry, layered cases, and season long tension that keeps moving forward naturally. Across four seasons, that formula has worked remarkably well. One of the Better Book Adaptations in Recent Television One of the strongest aspects of The Lincoln Lawyer is its fidelity to the books by Michael Connelly....
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Fountain ::: Brilliant Movie

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Fountain staring Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz is an interesting story about three ages, love and death while the tag line says it all "Death frees every soul". The movie is nicely written and done well. However it could not get a lot of good response on box office because of the topic it deals with. Most importantly it takes the tree of life idea and moves onto attack on inquisition and subsequently dealing with such subjects as Mayan Religions and Buddhist ideas. Therefore the movie has very little appeal to people belonging to Abrahamic religions rather on the contrary they can find faults in it. The story's depth arises from the inability to discern what happened at the end of the story. One is left to wonder whether it was all fiction or it was reality? The three time lines are wonderfully wound up. On the whole the movie is good but to a very limited audience.
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Seven Pounds :: Retrieval of lost spirit

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Seven Pounds (2008) movie staring Will Smith is a captivating movie. For most part one keeps on thinking what is going on but as the movie proceeds the plot thickens so much so that at one stage its all very very murky.  Excellent acting by Smith and Dawson make the movie watchable. The title of the movie is reference to Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare where each debt is to be paid in pounds [reference IMDB]. Will Smith plays the tax man who hunts people in need and helps them recover from their problems. One keeps doubting the intentions of tax man and as the movie proceeds each doubt is justified but not in the manner one thinks. The portrayal of an engineer in the movie is typical of Hollywood movies (all knowing smart ass).  The retrieval of lost spirit is the ordeal and odyssey of a cast down man. The best thing about the movie is that it appeals to the emotional, philanthropic and humane feelings. One is engrossed at the sufferings of all members of the cast.
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Aisha :: Jane Austen's Emma comes to India

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Aisha's screen play is based on the story by Jane Austen so no problems there at all. The indianization of script was not only necessary but also increases the appeal. The only problem with the movie is its depiction of the new Indian elite. The movie seems largely influenced by TV series and in the process the shopping scenes look more like in a Hollywood movie than Bollywood. The songs are good and ring in the mind long time after the movie. Most of the actors in the movie were at ease with their characters. The reasons probably were that not much was demanded in terms of portraying the character except that of Abhay Deol. Deol did a wonderful job and seems destined to be a good actor if not greatness. Sonaam Kapoor's character was not very much demanding but she does well slipping into the character. The character's late scenes where the need to show acting prowess sonaam does an ok job. It wont be a character to remember nor would the movie. If one has not read the no...
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Pink Panther 2 :: Hilarious all the way

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Right from the first scene the movie grabs the attention of the viewers and keeps throwing in the regular dosage of humor and comedy. Steve Martin is all over the place and is ably assisted by the rest of the cast. My favorite scenes in the movie are the hamburger/ " We were being recorded scene " and " Deductions " scene. The movie possesses gripping storyline even though it kinda slips near the end. Aishwariya's role in the movie makes it more attractive not on account of her exceptional acting but mere presence. Her acting in the movie is OK and she although has a profound role but is overshadowed by much brilliant actors around her. Andy Garcia is at his usual best although the role is limited but still Andy places the part really really well. The movie's climax is very much unusual and seems a touch too much in the end.  Overall the movie is a good Sunday evening watch on TV.
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The Prestige :: Probably the prestige of Christian Bale

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Christian Bale's 2006 movie The Prestige brought back people's interest in magic (Harry Potter's magic was more childish I would say). This movie has it all. Thrill, Mystery, Fight, Science and top it all Magic. The Prestige being the third of the steps in performing a magical trick. The Pledge is the first part where the magicians shows something ordinary to the people, The Turn is making the ordinary thing do something extraordinary e.g., making it disappear and The Prestige part is where the extraordinary part has to be undone. The name is appropriate for the movie because in this we see all three stages being enacted in the real life of the magicians. Bale's performance is excellent although at times Hugh Jackmann upstages him on a number of occasions. The movie revolves around the life and times of two magicians Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Robert Angier (Hugh Jackmann). Their friendship turns into rivalry where they go as far as sabotaging the other magici...
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Raavan : A hollywood movie made in bollywood

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Raavan (The evil) movie, started off watching just out of curiosity, without any hopes or expectations. At times it good to be shocked by watching a movie without reading its review or trailer or songs. The first thing that impressed was the excellent cinematography, beautiful locations and extremely well done makeup.  The cast is impressive with both Abhishek and Govinda doing their roles to the best of their abilities. Ashwirya Rai's acting matures with each movie she does, here it seems that she has reached her nirvana. She portrays the wife of a police officer in captivity of criminals. The movies not only touches the base with good acting but also shows why it is unnecessary to have irrelevant songs. Not a single song in the movie was irrelevant. The music score is fantastic and each song fits into the situation. One aspect that needs mentioning is that most of the songs were shot in the situation where the actors were instead of taking them to imaginary worlds (in most cases...
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Empire of the Sun :: Christian Bale's Baptism

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Christian Bale's 1987 baptism was one worth dying for a lead role in Steven Spielberg's world war movie. How can one have a better start to a career? Bale's acting throughout frankly was more mature than some of his later movies :). At age around 12-13 years he did his role with courage and determination of a veteran. The movie set in the WWII China where the westerners are thinking that time goes on and on and that rich are rich and poor are poor. Sudden change of situation brings the rich on the streets and begging and in the words of Bale  " people will do anything for a potato". Jim "Jamie" Graham (Christian Bale) goes through the period of war in camps learning on the fly living out his dictum that "The best teacher's the university of life". His transition from a elitist pampered child to one who could steal at will was staggering but at the same time maintains his dignity, honor and integrity. He is famous for his social work, w...
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Ocean's Eleven

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Never before have I seen a movie with so many stars and still holding its spine. Ocean Eleven did this and not only was able to carve a space for dominant actors like George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Andy Garcia, Matt Damon and Bernie Mac but at the same time ensure that they participate in the plot and still keep the limelight. Most commendable role is that of Danny Ocean and Rusty. They as a pair inspire not only confidence in their eleven but also reach out to the audience. The audience are made to believe that they are really the best and capable of pulling out any con job. The recruitment drive is my favorite part in the movie and I believe that's where the excitement lies. Andy Garcia has a negative role in the movie but he also manages to impress the user by fitting into the role as well as he fit into the gangster / policemen roles in the past. Julia Robert's role is limited (in comparison to others) but she does it gracefully. She portrays her internal strif...
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Aeon Flux :: Another movie (money) down the drain

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Aeon Flux staring Charlize Theron is in the same vein as Equilibrium and Minority Report. A set of people bent upon correcting the mankind without its consent and in doing so breaking / bending a few rules to achieve what was set out as a way of ensuring mankind's survival as well as well being. This like in the aforementioned movies results in dictatorship and suffocation for mankind. The movie is good on theme, bad on story development, good on cinematography and fight sequences and fails to leave a mark on the viewers.
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Zeitgeist the movie :: wonderful but lacking

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Zeitgeist the movie is a three part movie series about  the following topics Part 1: The greatest story ever told Part 2: All the world's a stage Part 3: Don't mind the men behind the curtain Part 1: The greatest story ever told This part deals with the history of  Christianity and world religions only in context. The story starts with the Egyptian religion and how it managed to survive and appear in modern religions (especially Christianity). Even if this story is fake or half truth but the way the movie presents the links between Egyptian religion and astrological facts and Christianity is really mind blowing.  Part 2: All the world's a stage The story of 9/11 and conspiracy theory behind it being an insider job is analyzed. The analysis seems objective and hits the bull's eye as far as the analysis is concerned. The screening is a bit of over-dosage of "pancake effect". The idea could have been briliant had zeitgeist been launched before Fahrenheit 9...
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Equilibrium over Minority Report :: Still Open Questions

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As the war against terrorism goes on and on, one is reminded of two movies that lit up the year 2002, Equilibrium and Minority Report. Both the movies showcase humanity's attempt to achieve "equilibrium" by using methods that go a bit further than usual to ensure that human society comes to terms with itself instead of pursuing self-destruct. Minority Report Minority report sets out to achieve the goal of a crime-less society by employing psychics who can foresee the future, using their minority report the pre-crime control police goes about stopping the crime before it happens and punishing the misdeed before it has actually happened. Equilibrium The pre-crime of the minority report is replaced by another methodology here by Grammaton Clerics. This is the law enforcement agency which uses a chemical to control the emotions of people. Every one is supposed to administer the drug otherwise its considered a sense-offense to feel something and to appreciate art, music or...
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Sajna hai mujhe : : How not to remix a song

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A beautiful song was part of the movie Saudagar (1973). Sajna hai mujhe sajna kai liye. That song was filmed in a very straightforward yet elegant manner .  While the same song's remix was released pretty late and included with a video . The latest video was given all the shades of modern parlor and included a lot of psychedelic stuff. However that was not the original intention (or even if written by a later day poet) of the poet. The song is supposed to be by a girl who is getting ready all by herself as indicated by the following lyrics. Phool Si Mahek Uthoon Main Khilke Titali Se Pankh Udhaar Loon Har Ang Ka Rang Nikhaar Loon, Sajna Hai Mujhe  Then showing smoking girl totally spoils the whole show and renders the video totally worthless.The total makeup being a tattoo makes it sound absurd and totally out of sync with the lyrics of the song.
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Spartacus : Road to Freedom

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The movie Spartacus released in 1960. The historical account of Spartacus is so amazing that converting it to a movie seems to be easy and in the hands of the great Stanley Kubrick the movie exceeded expectations. Kirk Douglas does a wonderful job portraying the character. The journey of the free slaves from North to South Italy to achieve freedom from exploitation. Spartacus and his colleagues were way ahead of their time (and so was Stanley Kubrick proof 2001:Space Odyssey). Slavery was and is totally condemnable. One needs to stand up against slavery of all kinds. In the words of Karl Popper. "The decision, for instance, to oppose slavery does not depend upon the fact that all men are born free and equal, and that no man is born in chains. For even if all were born free, some men might perhaps try to put others in chains, and they may even believe that they ought to put them in chain. " The fact that not only slavery was / is present in the world and that it flourished ...
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Agora :: Movie Science & Religion

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A wonderful story of how the co-existence of religions in the Alexandria of Roman Empire was simply an intervening period before complete domination of Christianity. The ways and means adopted by the Bishop Cyril seem so very similar to those adopted by modern fanatics. The convincing arguments presented by the religious elite to incite feeling of superiority and a complete disdain for human life is very well portrayed by the author. The story of Hypatia, Astronomer and Mathematician, highlights the life of a scientist in the dark-ages as well as the story of a woman, who by virtue of hard work became enlightened. This very reason ("fault") led her to immense problems and cost her life. Another interesting scenario develops when the prefect claims that he is a Christian but nobody listens to him. He reiterates that he is as Christian as any of them but this does not stop the mob from hurling stones at him. Such is the power of the mob. The movie also portrays the destruct...
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"My Name is Khan" movie with a difference trying to alleviate the differences

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My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist. A movie that not only touches all the possible emotions of viewers. Muslims of all shades of opinion have something to relate to in this movie. The film tries to muster sympathies by a two-fold act. Firstly by showing that Muslims are by no means terrorists rather they are at times identifying terrorists and secondly by the acts of Rizvan Khan during hurricane in Georgia (targeting a black-dominated village). The movie carries with it messages of peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance and goodwill towards other people, regardless of faith. The pivotal message that Mr. Shah Rukh Khan wishes to set forth is that "The people are divided into two categories: good people and bad people, otherwise there is no difference at all". Hence there should be no discrimination at all. Another profound contribution of the movie is that the movie's hero suffers from a little-known disease. Such efforts spread awareness and in doing so peop...
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Nokia 6300 Mobile Phone

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A trendy mobile bought extremely late (September 2009) after its release (1st Quarter 2007). The best part is that its very slim (compared to other N-series mobiles) and gets things done for the average user. Sound quality is good while giving nice performance as the Camera-phone. The Nokia's trademark tones + availability of numerous themes helps turn the set upside down. The best part is the opera mini + gmail application. Two of the most used applications while on the move. Facebook is also catching up in this application list. Google Maps stands distant third in terms of applications used. The mobile is no good for someone with taste for games but the little entertainment it provides is good enough for "serious" users. Another interesting aspect is the to-do notes as well as the organizer section where one can write notes and later use them. For sometime the mobile served as a scrap book for ideas. The music player although might not compete with walkmens on the go bu...
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compaq mini 110c-1105 Notebook

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Bought compaq mini 110c-1105 from First Shop and was extremely pleased with it. Enjoyed its light weight and although the smallish keyboard and screen were annoying (specially to a person using Inspiron/ Vostro 1500 all along). Overall it was a delightful experience. The lack of a CD/ DVD Drive was compensated for by buying an 8GB USB Flash disk. Until the time the LCD started flickering on the right side. It started ruining my experience and even now its flickering so heavily that its become impossible to write anything further.
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