3:10 to Yuma (2007)

This is the 2007 remake of the 1957 film of the same name starring 2 Academy Award winners Christian Bale and Russell Crowe as Dan Evans and Ben Wade respectively.

Ben Wade is the ruthless leader of a band of outlaws. He is captured in Bisbee by the railroad guards after an ambush by Wade and gang.

Evans is a miserable rancher with one good leg and a family to support, comprising 2 sons. He wants to prove his worth to his sons and prove that he is a courageous dad. The elder son William in particular is very spunky, brave and doesn't respect his dad due to his physicality.

Evans volunteers to put Wade on the 3:10 train to Yuma prison at the Contention station. Wade's loyal band are always in pursuit, trying to free Wade. The other railroad and Pinkerton agents are eliminated or back-out one after the other. In the end, it is Evans who singlehandedly braves Wade's gang and takes him to the train.

What happens to Evans, his reputation with his son and whether Wade gets into the train is the finale.

The film is beautifully shot. The western style is perfectly depicted. Burly Russell Crowe works his charm while Bale as the sincere Evans fits in well too. Logan Lerman as William is another showstealer along with Ben Foster as Charlie, Wade's fierce loyalist. The climatic gun stunts as Evans singlehandedly takes on the enemy, are typically cinematic.

VERDICT: Beautifully shot with 2 stars adding to the charismatic value of the film. As a whole the film is watchable once. 

The Fighter (2010)

This is a true story of Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund, 2 step brothers. They live in Lowell. Their's is a big family comprising many sisters, their mother Alice and Micky's father George. Dicky is Micky's boxing coach and dear brother. Dicky's ticket to fame and popularity in Lowell, is his fight with Sugar Ray Leonard around 14 yrs earlier. Alice manages Micky's career. The family as a whole, is very possessive about their 2 sons.

Dicky is a drug junkie and his is a case of wasted talent. HBO makes a movie on him to show the effects of drug addiction (crack). Micky's career is also jeopardized by Dicky's eccentric and crazy ways. Finally Micky meets his soul mate Charlene and better sense prevails. Slowly, Micky gets the right connections, leaves the distractions and emerges as a boxing champion. Reformed brother Dicky is also by Micky's side during his crowning moment of glory - the welterweight championship

Hits

• Christian Bale's makeover is a big surprise. He looks so lean, his teeth are dirty, his hair is crazy and his entire mannerisms border on the eccentric and crazy. The way he jumps from the building's window to escape his mom is hilarious. The way he gets his act together after he realizes that he was used by HBO as a case study, is a major turning point of the movie. Class act. 
• The huge possessive family comprising so many sisters is something new to Hollywood. Melissa Leo must rank among the most glamorous moms. She looks sexier than most of her daughters. 
• Mark Wahlberg's aggression is suited to this boxer role. He looks solid and his boxing fights are quite authentic. Amy Adams looks smoking hot as Charlene. Jack McGee as George and Mickey O'Keefe are 2 more middle aged men who are a vital part of the movie 

VERDICT

An uplifting, true sports story that has equal importance on family ties. Christian Bale leads the way

Classic Revisited: Batman Begins (2005)

The Plot
Gotham City is filled with petty criminals and other anti social elements who are all under the purview of Falcone. Falcone is the kingpin of all shady activities in Gotham. There are a few officials in Gotham like the DA Rachel and Sergeant Gordon who still believe in Gotham and want the city back in order.

Bruce Wayne is the only son of Thomas Wayne who is the biggest hot shot in Gotham. Thomas is murdered on the streets by a petty thief. Bruce witnesses this incident as a young boy, and he is frequently haunted by this incident. He also has a fear for bats.

After growing up and shooting his father's murderer named Chill, Bruce travels the world to understand the psychology of criminals. He is trained by Ducard (Ra's Al Ghul) to overcome his fears and become a part of the "League of Shadows".

Bruce doesn't believe their philosophy and leaves that place after his training. He develops a mysterious superhuman alter-ego called the Batman and he begins cleaning the scum off Gotham's streets. Batman takes the services of Gordon whenever needed. Bruce's guardian and well-wisher Alfred and Lucius Fox from Wayne Enterprises provide Bruce with the technology and support to become Batman.

The "League of Shadows" wants to destroy Gotham because they believe Gotham has become too rotten. They plan to vaporize Gotham's water supply through the main train line and to spread a poisonous toxin that would drive the citizens of Gotham mad and ultimately to death.  Dr. Crane is used as a pawn for this purpose.

In the end Batman saves Gotham City from the League of Shadows. He prevents the toxin from spreading across the entire city. He kills Ducard and salvages the hope in Gotham. The movie ends with Batman coming to know of his next notorious target, The Joker. The premise for "The Dark Knight" is hence set

Hits

• Awe-inspiring film making by Christopher Nolan. So intriguing and engaging. Never a dull moment
• Christian Bale is beefed up for his Batman avatar. His hoarse voice for the Batman is also quite apt
• The technology that goes into the making of the Batman suit is well brought out. The Batman's suit, symbol and his tank are all iconic
• The dramatic BG score by Hans Zimmer that reaches a crescendo, is another turn-on
• The cinematography by Wally Pfister particularly the aerial shots of Batman hanging onto the city's skyscrapers is truly awesome. 
• Good support roles for Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman. The way these veterans speak their dialogues with punch and in typical style is very entertaining. 
• Katie Holmes as Rachel is a cute addition to the movie. Gary Oldman as Gordon impresses with his sincerity and awkwardness at using the Batman's tank in the climax. Liam Neeson as Ducard impresses in the initial scenes when he trains Bruce. 
• The climax train sequence is executed in a terrific manner. Great concept. 

VERDICT

One of the very best superhero blockbusters.