Aliens 3 (1992) - Science Fiction

When you start seeing a franchisee again – I believe you have to see from the very start till the very end. This fortunately happens to be the third movie of the series that too a debut for one of my favorite Director David Fincher. First two parts as written earlier Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986) were Directed by legendary Ridley Scott and James Cameron respectively, hence this one as per me was the weakest and least interesting of the three yet. If I see it as an individual movie – I will rate it as an average action movie and nothing great but if I have it to rate it as per the franchisee this was a big letdown, as not for one moment I had that urgency or rush of blood feeling like in the other parts. It wasn’t one bit scary for me or thrilling to say the least. Even the Alien as they have shown in this one isn’t that killer scary or chilling; at times it appeared total fake to me. At best it can be called an average fair with some good action moments and a great climax which makes you wonder where they will take the story to in “Aliens Resurrection”.

The Movie: It starts from where the second part ends where we saw Ripley on a journey back home with the little girl on board their ship “Sulaco” and the damaged Android Bishop (My favorite Lance Henriksen). Since the ship catches fire they are launched in an escape pod and they land at “Fury 161” which was inhabited by male inmates – it was like a prison with no escape. Here we are introduced to all kinds of new characters and we already know what they are going to go through once the pod is opened and the Alien hidden in there is gonna go havoc in here too. Rest of the movie is out n out action showing how all the prisoners and their caretakers unite to make a team under the leadership of Ripley to kill the Alien. As an action movie it scores big time as it has some damn good sequences of chases and explosions. Since this was a prison facility – they do not have any weapons hence they make their own weapons and explosive devices to kill the beast. By the end they realize that there is one Alien hidden inside Ripley too hence she is never attacked by the beast and killed. How they end it is good to see and you have to see this to believe it. This leaves a big question mark for the upcoming part though. What I did not like about this part as I said earlier was the missing thrilling and terror element. Like in the earlier parts which score big time on horror and background score – this one had hardly anything to offer in that department. I guess it was a debut movie of David Fincher – may be – he wasn’t in his form yet. But still it makes up for a nice action movie at least.


I guess its time for me to pick up Alien Resurrection (1997) the last from the franchisee and finish it all. 

Blood Simple (1984) - Neo-Noir Crime

If that’s what you get as a Debut Movie – you exactly know what you are going to get in future. As I got a Director’s Cut Digitally Enhanced DVD of this one - that too with a short Introduction from a film historian Mortimer Young, I need to confess – I didn’t know who that guy was, till I get hooked to the movie big time, almost loved everything including the background score, sweet simple cast, amazing cinematography, a damn good real time Texas of 80’s feel, fantastic thrilling moments and superb action. As the movie ended and I see the end credits – I almost kicked myself to read it was “Coen Brothers” behind this fantastic movie and this was their debut and they had finally arrived. Unfortunately, this was the only movie from them that I didn’t see yet and as I read – it was their first one. Right before this movie was made, one of them was working as a clerk – that’s some trivia. If you like thrillers – this will definitely show up in your top 10 favorites. One hell of a movie, regret seeing it so late but glad that I finally saw it.

The Movie: Starts off on a very simple note with a couple driving down on a rainy night and you realize with their discussion that the girl Abby (Frances Mcdormand) has left her husband Marty (Dan Hedaya) to be with Ray (John Getzz). Unfortunately Ray works for Marty in his bar somewhere in Houston, Texas. They realize that they are being followed by someone and that’s a private detective Loren (M Emmet Walsh) a damn good character. With those four characters introduced – you exactly know where this is going to go but how it goes – makes it one hell of a watch. One his doubts get cleared that his wife is actually sleeping with one of his own employees, Marty plots with Loren to kill them both and get over with it. But Loren has some other plans in mind, how he plays with their situation and plans to kill em all and make way with their money is typical Coen Brothers thrilling drama. What I loved about this one was its background score and the way they had handled the suspense. It goes damn slow yet you can’t take your eyes off the screen and get hooked to it big time to see what comes next. It’s highly unpredictable at times and sometimes you can actually predict the next scene too. There are so many moments that the Directors want the audience to be intelligent and notice the things that you actually smile on your smartness to notice the same as the characters come back to clear their mistakes. That’s a fantastic way for them to get the audiences involved.

Characters are all lovable, have seen Frances in so many movies off late – it’s too good to see her so young and beautiful. Dan Hedaya must have played the negative character in like good 200+ movies, if not more, he is such a familiar face. One fantastic thing about this one is its apt background score, the noise of fan’s blades moving slowly, heavy foot steps behind the wall, a couple of songs played in the juke box, hustle bustle at the bar, at times almost no background score and eerie silence too plays damn well with the mood of the movie. If you like thrillers with damn good suspense and unexpected endings – you are going to love this. I have almost seen all of their movies – somehow this one I skipped – now since I am done with this one – I plan to give their other works a re-view. Go ahead pick up The Director’s Cut DVD and enjoy the thrill.

Aliens (1986) - Science Fiction

Last time I saw this movie was about a decade back and what amazed me today was – that I remembered the whole movie scene by scene – still engraved in my memory big time. James Cameron had some impression in the minds of our generation that this will remain too close to my heart always. Just needed to refresh my mind after a disastrous spell of “Amazing Spiderman” that too in 3D and what a movie this turned out to be again. Every character is superbly written, right from Sigourney to the other chick with big bad guns shooting aliens left right and center. Even after 25 years of its making – this still holds damn well and has shocking / thrilling / chilling moments aplenty. No wonder, it got 8 Academy Nominations of which it end up winning two. Two characters other than Sigourney I could never forget were Lt Gorman (William Hope) – who we last saw was in Terminator and Android Bishop (Lance Henrikson) – I never knew this guys name but his image refuses to go off my mind even today, that last shot of half of his body trying to save the little girl is one hell of a shot. Last time when I saw this movie I was scared to hell but today it thrilled me big time and I totally loved it.

The Movie: If you have seen the first of the series – Alien (1979), you know where this starts from. Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is the sole survivor in the returning flight and the shocking thing is – it takes her 57 years to return to earth, as per her it was just a flash but that was too long as per earth years. Her employer won’t believe her part of story associated with Alien encounter and death of all the crew members. Her license is revoked and they have already sent a good number of humans to the same planet for research and development. Once they get no communication from the colony they try to send a team of marines in guidance of Ripley again to investigate as what’s happening up there. Although, initially reluctant with her last encounter, Ripley agrees to go again as her license will be active again provided she goes as a consultant with the team of marines. She and we as audience already know what she is going to face in the planet of Aliens but how they have shown the whole thing is unbelievable and amazing to say the least. When I saw the first Alien movie directed by Ridley Scott, somehow I thought that would be the best of the series but this one changed my view and I guess James Cameron took it one step ahead and bettered the masterpiece made by Ridley Scott. I am sure – I will be watching the third part pretty soon to relive the memory. Although I have a very faint memory of the third from the series as this one surely became my all-time favorite Alien movie.

Some Outstanding Scenes: Which refuse to go out of my memory is the first scene where we see Sigourney’s dream sequence of an Alien present in her body and it’s about to rip her breast to come out of it and she wakes up – even today it was damn good and indeed gave me chills. Ariel shots of the ship they go in and that zero gravity shot of a small space craft coming out of a bigger one, landing on the planet. Outstanding background score with no music and nothing at times, all you hear are some beeps and sounds made by those machines that they carry. First encounter with the Aliens by marines and Sigourney’s confidence. Captured crew members from the last team cocooned in Alien’s nest is one sight I could never forget with one of them opening her eyes as if she was still alive. Alien eggs and the mother Alien laying eggs. The little girl somehow survives the ordeal and how the marines save her from the Aliens. Sigourney Weaver’s preparation to take on the Alien’s alone, those big bad guns, bombs, while the Android Robot lands the aircraft for them to go back to earth and then the final scene in which she wears that robotic suit having a fist fight with the Alien mother before she is finally dropped in the outer space. All in all – every scene is unique in its own form. One hell of an experience and when you think that all this was made in mid 80’s – is totally amazing stuff. It’s a must watch for all thriller lovers – I hardly know of someone who hasn’t seen these movies multiple times.


Now, its time to get Aliens 3 (1992).

The Amazing SpiderMan (2012) - Action

WOW – what a disaster! Amazing Spiderman became one of those movies which I could seriously not take it anymore and almost walked out before being persuaded by my wife to sit through the last half an hour of action anyways as I sat thru the whole drama. Spiderman franchisee was and is close to my heart that not one month goes by without me and my kiddo watching one or the other part, 3^rd being the lousiest of the series, now that, in front of this sounds too good a movie guys. I couldn’t believe my eyes what were we served on the first hour of the movie? Same story again? Why Mr Webb why? Haven’t we seen it in the first part? They could have instead wrapped this whole up in flat 100 minutes without giving us that prologue which is like fresh in our memory scene to scene still. I always loved Peter Parker’s character (Read Toby) and yes I have no doubts in saying Andrew took it to next level and I surely loved him better than Toby, Never was a Kirsten fan so Emma is way too good than her and cute too. That said – where is the eye popping and jaw dropping action? Even my wife who is movie freak right like me wasn’t impressed at all, the moment we walked out of the auditorium – she was very clear that barring the first shot of Peter jumping from the building and that crane shot in the end – nothing impressed her either. She was like – “Even that lizard thing was stretched way too much”, Seriously guys – I will say, if you haven’t seen it yet – give it a miss as it’s a pain on big screen but yes it may be a good watch on TV as then you can forward the whole lesson in history and logic and watch it purely for unavailable action. Oh yes, one more thing – 80% of the movie is shot in 2D and it makes no difference if you wear ur glasses or not, barring some sequences in pure 3D – it’s a sheer waste of money and time. Seriously disappointing.

Cutiful Emma :)

The Movie: I have a habit of not reading the reviews of at least those movies which I plan to see on big screen before I see them for myself. Guess what – I did a mistake this time, a very close friend of mine told me yesterday that I will be highly disappointed as he actually knew that I had great expectations from this one but I paid no heed to his views as we had to see this anyways. I was wrong. First hour bored me to death as I could easily predict every scene, right from his making, getting powers, those little stunts here and there, getting to know of past, uncle Ben’s death etc is stretched far too long than required. Even if they have to start a new franchisee with new people – you can’t shoot the whole thing again and serve it back to us. I felt so sad for the same – dunno how so many people saw it and no one complained? I mean what was so unique? Nothing for me at least. With one hand doctor at the helm of research – even a lay man can predict where it is going and what’s going to happen next with that formula in place. Irfan Khan’s role was a pleasant surprise but can anyone tell me who he was talking about? As there was no mention of that guy till the very end – I guess the second part would be dedicated to him as we noticed he does takes a couple of samples of serum along. What the heck – I don’t care any more as sitting through two hours for 20 minutes of action is insane. Unfortunately it never worked on any of the levels for me. I would rather pick up the first two parts again and love my good old spidey than trying to see this one again. Seriously people, I am not too keen on writing anymore either. Trust me, it’s a big waste of time, let me know if you see it – how you feel about it.

Half Nelson (2006) - Drama

What an apt title and what an amazing movie this turned out to be. I’ve been following Ryan Gosling since this years Academy Awards and have almost seen all his movies back to back and am I impressed? I am totally bowled over by his choice of movies and in love with the characters he has played so far. This role got him an Academy Nomination too for best actor. Me and my wifey saw this today and debated it big time – what if this was made in India? It would have been named "Half Gandhi" I guess J - Its about a teacher who himself is an alcoholic and a druggy who wants to save one black girl from doing the same what they all end up doing in US of A. Would he be able to save her? How about saving him first. It’s an amazing movie guys – do not miss it at any cost – if you haven't seen it yet. 

The Movie: Is based on the life of a recluse school teacher who himself is a big time alcoholic and a druggy but who doesn’t endorse the idea of the same to his pupils. His own life is in shambles as has no family to fall back on and his own girl friend has left him to marry some one else. Ryan Gosling is such a damn good fit for the role that he actually lives the character in such a convincing way that you just can’t help but fall in love with him yet again. The whole narrative is quite slow and self explanatory that by the end it all boils up to a point where you feel its going to explode anytime and what would be the result? Is all there to see – unbelievable stuff. For a moment I thought this is going to be another movie showing us the same run of the mill stuff that every black girl or a buy end up screwing their life selling drugs and guns but no, this had to be different with a damn good take on the same situation. Some times even saviors need to be saved. It’s a heart warming story and quite close to reality take. Not to be missed by drama loving crowd. I totally loved it.

Amazing is the way they have shown Ryan screwing his own life over alcohol and drugs yet he wants to save others from the same. A 13 year old black girl comes to his rescue who herself is having a traumatic family life with no father, brother behind the bars, single mother working and too busy with her own schedule. It’s just a matter of time before she ends up doing the same and screwing her own life and Ryan have to save her. She is intelligent, brilliant and a good basketball player too. He is her History teacher in school cum coach. To her shock and surprise she finds out that he himself does drugs. How they both save each others life is movie all about.