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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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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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The Man in the High Castle Did the Impossible and Surpassed the Book

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Spoiler Warning: This article contains major spoilers for The Man in the High Castle television series and elements of Philip K. Dick’s novel. There are very few adaptations that genuinely outgrow their source material. Usually, fans spend years arguing that the screen version missed nuance, simplified themes, or failed to capture the atmosphere of the original work. Yet The Man in the High Castle achieved something extraordinary. For me, it remains the only television series that clearly surpassed the book it was based on. The original novel by Philip K. Dick deserves enormous credit for creating one of the most terrifying alternate history concepts ever written. An Axis victory in World War II where Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan divide the United States is an idea that instantly unsettles you. But the television adaptation expanded that premise into something far richer, darker, and emotionally devastating. T...
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Peaky Blinders: Immortal Man ! Not so immortal

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The Peaky Blinders 'movie' should actually have been 2- Episode thriller in TV Series.  What went wrong? No amount of nostalgia could sell Cillian Murphy's persona again. For me the Series was the end of Thomas Shelby. The 'Duke' Shelby was not very well done. It could have done a better job if the actor were asked not to copy Thames Shelby. A precedence was available like Michael Corleone in God Father was able to play God Father without copying Vito Corleone. The characters retained were totally relatable but at the sametime looked like an extension of the series. The fascist actor was given very little screen time. He could have taken it forward in a hugely better manner. Ada's character could have played. the role of bringing back Thomas instead of relying on magic. What went well? Whatever made it resemble the Tv series was good... 
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Scifi enjoyed after a long time :: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

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Watched Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy . After a very long time enjoyed sci-fi movie. Not even Avatar could raise such emotions. The movie is a complete package especially with the variety of aliens on display.  A real master class and highly recommended for any sci-fi fan out there. 
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Puss in Boots :: From 3D to 1D

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Puss in boots, the first movie I watched in 3D. The initial experience was cool but it subsided as the movie progressed. In the most cases the movie featured things going into the screen. So it was never that something came at you so it was not very entertaining. Another thing the fight scenes were not very much well done. I am sure a lot of effort must have gone into making of the movie but the fight scenes were not completely covered. The villain(s)   Another thing that was not very good was the character of Jack and Jill turning out to be villains. Every child grows up learning and fondly reciting jack and jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water.  The same cute kids turning out to be ruffians was not very much pleasing. It would have been better if the Marquis of Carabas was used instead. The character of Humpty Dumpty was also contrived into a very strange character. Some how for reasons not known this did not turned out to spoil any images...
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21 :: Rounders meets Good Will Hunting

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Kevin Spacey, Jim Sturgess and Kate Bosworth star in 21, where students of MIT alongside professor join in an extraordinary and daring adventure to beat Las Vegas casinos at Black Jack. Rounders had poker and here we have Black Jack. Matt Damon of Rounders and Good Will Hunting combined make the persona of Ben in 21. Even though the story of 21 is based on real life, but if one has seen both the movies one cant stop making the comparison. The movie is worse off in terms of creating the kind of aura Matt Damon did in both the Rounders and Good Will Hunting. This can be attributed to the role played by Jim Sturgess. Kevin Spacey however is at his usual best in fitting into the role. Kate also did a nice job. The movie is worth watching just till interval. Rest is all predictable. Even though a surprise twist is made at the end but that is not worth the time spent. Another thing that keeps in the head till the end is why would a student with brilliant Maths skills would end up doing...
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Shutter Island :: A good movie along the lines of Usual suspects

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Probably its been a long time since Usual Suspects or the movie is amazing. I believe the later is true. Shutter Island's story line is extremely complicated and the viewer is confused most of the time. Even if the movie is making sense it turns out later that the movie WAS not making sense. The actors fit into the roles assigned specially Dr.Cawley by Ben Kingsley is outclass. He fits into the role just like Patrick Stewart fit into Jean Luc Picard's role. I am not saying this because of the physical appearances but because of amazing acting. Rain scenes make the movie scary and the use of lightning and thunder storm adds to the mystery. Overall the movie is worth watching twice (once to get over with the story and second to understand the story).
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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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