Twelve Monkeys (1995)

The plot

The world has been devastated by a deadly virus that has killed about 5 billion people, starting from the US passing to many other countries, in 1996. James Cole is sent on time travel to the past, first 1990 and then 1996. The purpose of this time travel is to find the source of the virus in its purest form so that scientists in the present can find a cure for this virus and help humans regain control over the planet. Animals have taken over the planet in the present day world.

In 1990, he is sent to a mental hospital where he meets Jeffrey Goines a lunatic whose father is a famous virologist. He also meets a psychiatrist Kathryn Railly who is intrigued by his prepositions that the world has already seen the loss of 5 billion people. She doesn’t believe what he says at first but later accepts as events unfold according to what he says because he has already seen everything happen before.

In 1996, he meets the psychiatrist again and they both are on a mad race to find the source of this man made virus and the mystery surrounding the army of the twelve monkeys

An intriguing sci-fi movie which is complex at the same time highly understandable thanks to a brilliant screenplay.  

                                                                           

Hits

• Brad Pitt as the lunatic Jeffrey Goines brings out the most flamboyant crazy act seen in movies. The accent, the gestures, the crazy smiles and the hyperactive expressions are all worth watching again and again.
• Bruce Willis is overshadowed by Pitt when they are in the same frame. But, his performance is also very good as the disturbed James Cole, who is confused whether he is really lunatic or whether what he visualizes and believes are true.
• Madeleine Stowe as the psychiatrist Railly looks so cute and adorable. One of the prettiest women around for sure and a highly competent performance as the frustrated and desperate Kathryn Railly.  
• Brilliant concept aided by a very fast screenplay. Never a dull moment. Seat edge moments galore. 

Misses

• Some confusing moments. I assume that the most competent among the dead 5 billion, are in the time machine and volunteers are sent on a time travel to gather information on the virus. 

VERDICT

The brilliant concept, Brad Pitt's natural talent showcase, Madeleine Stowe's super pretty face and a typically brooding Bruce Willis make this movie a must watch. 

The Expendables (2010)

What’s it about:

A team of 5 mercenaries who call themselves “Expendable” are hired by people to free hostages, eliminate targets etc etc. Each of these 5 men have their own specialties. The common link being they are all extremely macho and proud men.

          The CIA hires them to go to an island called Vilena and eliminate General Garza and James Munroe, 2 men who control a big drug empire in the island. 2 of the expendables, Barney and Christmas go there and survey the place, return and decide that it is too dangerous to take up this mission. But a young woman Sandra, the daughter of Garza stays in Barney’s mind. So, the Expendables go back to the island, finish off all their innumerable enemy targets, ensure Sandra’s safety, come back unscathed and sign off in style with their bikes.

                                                                         

Hits

• Absolutely terrific action from a male audience’s point of view. Fast paced entertainment.
• Among all the expendables, it is Jason Statham who makes the best mark. His stunts from atop the plane are mind-blowing. His knife wielding style is awesome too. Jet Li has his funny moments too.
• Mickey Rourke has the best among the many cameos

Misses

• Sadly an over weight Arnold makes a “blink you miss” kinda cameo appearance. Bruce Willis also makes up the cameo numbers.

• All this slam bang gunning might not appeal to all of them.

VERDICT

Sylvester Stallone says in the end that “I promise I’ll always be around”. I would love to see my hero hang around forever even if he is obviously old and jaded. Nice to see such pure adrenaline pumping stuff.  

Sin City (2005)

Whats it about:
This film is a graphical depiction of Frank Miller's comic series of the same name. There are 4 tracks that are shown. But the primary focus is on three episodes
      The film opens and ends with The Salesman stalking and killing 2 separate women.
      In the second track which continues at a later time in the movie too, ageing police officer John Hartigan who is also having a medical condition, is in pursuit of a psycho killer Roark Junior who rapes and murders young girls. Hartigan is on a mission to save Nancy a 11 yr old girl. In the ensuing shoot out, Hartigan shoots Junior's ears, hand and genitals. Hartigan is also shot
      8 yrs later, after serving a jail sentence and recovering in the hospital, Hartigan is again out to nab Junior who has become an ugly looking Yellow Bastard due to many medications to grow his organs back. Nancy writes to Hartigan every week during his jail sentence and Nancy is really grateful to Hartigan for saving her life and is also in love with him. Nancy is now an erotic dancer. Haritgan eliminates Roark junior and also sacrifices his life knowing very well that Junior's father Senator Roark wouldn't spare him.
     In the third track of the film the macho, animal-like Marv is out to nab the killer who eliminated Goldie, his one night sweetheart. He comes to know that a young silent stalker Kevin and the cardinal Patrick Roark are behind all these killings. Marv avenges them brutally for Goldie and her twin sister Wendy's sake. But Marv is captured and is made to confess that he is behind the murders of the girls too and is electrocuted.
    In the fourth track, Dwight is after Jackie Boy, his girl friend Shellie's abusive ex boyfriend, for harassing her. After a terrific chase, he kills Jackie not knowing that Jackie is a cop.  The prostitutes of old town are also involved in this murder of the 'hero cop'. To prevent the mob and the cops from waging a war in Old Town due to this murder, Dwight and the prostitutes lead by Gail and the superhero like Miho, kill all the Irish mercenaries and salvage themselves.
      All the 4 tracks are interconnected.

                                                                            
Hits

• The making style is terrific. Such surreal visuals thanks to the film's unique color processing, which rendered most of the film in black and white but retained or added coloring for select objects. 
• Unique depiction of the violence and all the blood and gore thanks to the unique color processing.
• Some terrific macho stuff from the old warhorses Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis and Clive Owen, as Marv, Hartigan and Dwight respectively.
• Seriously sexy babes. Such dangerous exposure of skin. Just WOW. Particularly Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson and many many more. 
• A real celebration of revenge. We do get the kick seeing all the glorious retribution being panned out on screen by some really macho characters.

Misses

• The track involving The Salesman (Josh Hartnett) though having a small connection with the rest of the tracks, isn't exciting and thrilling as the other 3 tracks. 

VERDICT

The most stylish way to show normal revenge stories. Surreal visuals make it a real dream like experience even while witnessing so much blood and gore.