Movie Review: The Green Hornet (2011)

Appallingly Entertaining


* * * */ 5

It is not the most memorable film of 2011 but it is very entertaining nonetheless. I did not see it on IMAX 3D version but it is spectacular still. The film starts with the young son of a successful newspaper baron getting himself put down by his father for being a useless person - that he really is. The father dies and the boy is now a grown up useless man. All he can do is party, get drunk, get laid and wonder why his coffee tastes like shite.

Enter Kato. The man entrusted by the newspaper baron to maintain his expensive collection of cars. It seems the young man-boy-son is not really a jerk. The father was indeed a pain in the ass. But he was an upright man and still respected by society at large. The man-boy-son understands nothing of the responsibility to run an independent newspaper (The Daily Sentinel). He has a friend in Kato but their relationship is not as solid as you would expect out of seeing the talent that Kato is. Because after all he is paired up with an idiot - the man-boy-son.

In a public act of desecration the man-boy-son accidentally becomes a hero in his own eyes and a criminal in the eyes of the law. He decides to fight crime, but with a twist. He will not be known as a hero. He will fight crime from within by appearing to be a criminal. Kato who has already proved himself as a one man army develops the car Black Beauty and the gizmos. And the duo are ready to take the law in their own hands.

This movie is a gem in the hands of Seth Rogen (The Green Hornet) and Jay Chou (Kato). I didn't miss Bruce Lee. This is a very different take on the epic TV series. And fun too. Kato is Kato's real name and there is some good humour in trying to decide his alternate name. Seth Rogen co-wrote this movie and he is a good comedian. The humour brings alive the relationship between these two friends.

Enter Cameron Diaz. She is hot. When is she not? Anyways, she is put to good use and is not a useless prop in this movie. She is employed at The Daily Sentinel and covers the news on the crimes of The Green Hornet with the blessings of her boss, the man-boy-son who inherited the newspaper business.

The villain is played incredibly well by Cristoph Waltz. Only he could make a villainous name of "Chudnofsky" memorable and worthy of inducing fear.

This movie should have done better at the box office. There is good action, camerawork, script, acting, humour and an overall good plot. I guess fans were expecting more serious caper in line with the TV series and so this didn't go as big as it should have.

A fun movie to catch, even family entertainment.

Silly Cow found on Marilyn Monroe's lap

Web-exclusive! Read all about it. Marilyn Monroe sighted romancing my pet cow. Check out my Project365 Photoblog at: http://www.photoblog.com/2write/

Ah! Finally I printed out a bunch of posters that the idiots at allposters.com didn't want to deliver. Those idiots deliver poster prints to Iraq & Afghanistan but apparently India is not on their economic map. I asked an American friend MikeDo to take delivery of the posters in USA and then mail it to me. But allposters.com rejected my credit card because the billing address was in India. I have an international Visa credit card. God knows what kind of online business these idiots do.

Anyways, this pic is a thanks to MikeDo for his support and efforts.

I searched and trawled the internet and found not just the 3 images I was looking to buy but 5 more images that I love.

I have got these 8 photos printed on an A4 size metallic paper - waterproof and tearproof and can be printed glossy or matt finish. I will frame it locally here. The cost of all this only Rupees 250 per photo framed. That means for Rs. 2000, I will have 8 beautiful images framed in non-reflective glass which is still cheaper than the paper posters I was trying to order from allposters.com JEEZ!!! Only paper print of 3 posters costing more than 8 metallic photo print in non-reflective glass framed.

See, that's why India is so progressive, so well placed in world economy. I have half a mind to start a poster print business of my own to outdo the idiots at allposters.com who really need to relook their business methods.

The other 2 posters I was trying to buy there was the movie "Rocky" poster which says his whole life was a million to one shot and a painting by Chris Consani titled "Classic Interlude" starring James Dean, Elvis Presley, Humphrey Bogart with Marilyn Monroe at a movie theatre.

Movie Review: The Descendants

* * * * * / 5

Saw this on Thursday evening. My friend had to drag me to it. Basically, it can be safely assumed that if a movie is getting too many award nominations and especially up for an Oscar win - the movie is boring shite artsy crap. I want entertainment for the price of the ticket which is a ridiculous Rs 300/-.

So anyway, I went with an open mind and I like George Clooney. In this movie he shines. His age is no factor - he is perfect in this role - even though in real life he never wants to marry and never wants to make little Clooneys.

The movie beginning, middle and end - all are engaging. The first half is as involving as the second half.

My favourite scene was when Clooney tells his elder daughter about her mother's condition. That scene is imprinted in my head. The girl is in the pool and Clooney is trying to talk to this teenage girl who is clearly rebellious and has no respect for most elders. She is brilliant in that scene and this movie. Wish I knew those child actors names - they are the ones to keep an eye on - trust me they will be big - they are BIG. They will grow up to be shining Superstars of Hollywood.

Yes, both the child actors in this movie - Clooney's two daughters are brilliant actors.

There are various other emotionally engaging scenes and vivid cinematography. I loved the camerawork - the director and his cameraman surely deserve some recognition in the upcoming Oscars.

The script is average when it comes to dialogue but very real - very realistic. The other kid actor playing Clooney's elder daughter's boyfriend is also a good actor and provides great comic relief in this emotionally draining story of a family falling apart and the father trying to pull it together. He has great comic timing. Hope to see him in some college caper or road movie in future. Cool kid and philosophical too.

To admit it - yes I loved the movie. It is beautiful and shows a new side of Hawaii - makes it all REAL! You would enjoy it. It is indeed a mainstream movie. Not some artsy crap. It is a good storyline, interesting turns and a nice tight plot. The ending is open to interpretation. I thought all the lead actors and supporting cast did a great job.

A good movie to catch.

Thanks be to the Lord

My amateur translation of Pankaj Udhas' ghazal titled "Khuda ka Shukr Hai"

http://youtu.be/BnHb72Lx4Pg

Thanks be to the Lord
translated by Ujjwal Dey

Thank the Lord
there is wine and whiskey
Thank the Lord
how else would we spend the evening
Whoever invented wine and whiskey
my salutations to you Sir!

Thank you Lord
there is wine and whiskey

It takes us to Heaven
while we are still alive
Maybe that's why drinking they call a sin!
Whoever invented wine and whiskey
my salutations to you Sir!

Thank you Lord
there is wine and whiskey

This is a pub folks
the rules here are topsy-turvy
The one who couldn't stumble after a drink
is now infamous and shamed
Whoever invented wine and whiskey
my salutations to you Sir!

Thank you Lord
there is wine and whiskey
how else would we spend the evening
Thank you Lord
there is wine and whiskey
how else would we spend the evening

Wine and whiskey is so honorable a thing
that a drunk speaks only the truth morning to evening
Whoever invented wine and whiskey
my salutations to you Sir!

Thank the Lord
there is wine and whiskey
how else would we spend the evening


:-)