Oscar Special: Hugo (2011)

Hugo Cabret is a young boy who lives at the train station in Paris. He knows to fix things thanks to his late father, who was a clock maker. Following his death, Hugo moves in with his uncle and the clock at the station is his abode. One automaton that can write, is his favorite possession and it is not in perfect working condition now.

He steals things and eatables at the station and a toy shop owner Georges is particularly incensed by young Hugo. Georges takes away the book that Hugo so dearly treasures, one that his father gave him. Isabelle is Georges' god daughter and she befriends Hugo. Isabelle loves adventures and she is always behind Hugo in his endeavors.

There is a big suspense behind the identity of Georges and Hugo figures this out through the automaton. This suspense is truly special and is of epic proportions. Georges rediscovers his purpose and he credits young Hugo for this.

Review

• The initial scenes and the characters at the station have been beautifully portrayed
• The art work, the cinematography are surreal and magical. Paris, seen through the clock is exceptional.  
• Asa Butterfield as Hugo is the new boy wonder. He is so realistic and endearing. Chloe Grace Moretz as Isabelle acts too cutesy. She is pleasing, though. Ben Kingsley has the best role in the movie. His ease at histrionics during his flashback, is surprising given his age. Helen McCrory is beautiful and graceful as Mama Jeanne, Georges' wife. Jude Law has a small, impressive cameo. Sacha Baron Cohen as the inspector who is constantly looking out to nab the young thieves at the station provides some funny moments. His romance with a flower seller at the station is a welcome distraction.
• The music by Howard Shore is dreamy and takes us to 'wonder' land. If not for 'The Artist', this was Oscar worthy music for sure.  
• That particular scene between the kids facing the Eiffel Tower, where Hugo compares the world to a big machine with each person having some reason in it, is dreamy.
• The significance given to film history in this movie closely on the heels of 'The Artist' is a nice coincidence. These scenes are nostalgic. 
• Finally, the automaton is the biggest draw in the movie. So serene and haunting. 

VERDICT

A fantastic genre bender by Martin Scorsese. An adventure movie but, not only for the kids. MUST WATCH 

Analyze This (1999)

The Plot
Paul Vitti is a dreaded gangster who starts getting some panic attacks due to his troubled past. The exact reason is the death of his father when he was a young kid. Paul doesn't know the exact reason for his panic and hence he approaches a psychiatrist with a lot of hesitation.

The psychiatrist is Dr.Sobel who is about to get married for the 2nd time. Paul and his side-kick Jelly repeatedly barge into Dr.Sobel's space for Paul's consultation. There are a lot of funny moments as Sobel botches his marriage ceremonies on some occasions.

Finally, Paul fixes his issues thanks to Sobel's expertise and Paul decides to quit the mob business for good. He is sent to jail and continues to have sessions with Sobel who visits him. Sobel also gets married. The climax scene where all the mob bosses meet up and Sobel as Paul's acting lawyer gives one helluva funny speech, is a riot.

Hits

• Robert De Niro as the gangster who struggles with his emotions in private while putting up a brave face in public, is a charmer. The way he cries is particularly funny.
• Billy Crystal as the psychiatrist impresses in the scenes where he is caught up between Paul and his wedding commitments. His speech in the climax is THE moment of the film
• Paul's side-kick Jelly looks so funny and chubby. 
• The scenes showing the gangsters with all their crazy names and their plans, are quite funny. For a funny movie, even such serious scenes look spoofed and entertaining. 

VERDICT

Some light hearted fun.

Classic: Se7en (1995)

The Plot
It is the travails that 2 investigative cops, David Mills and William Somerset experience while trying to uncover the mystery behind serial killings based on the deadly sins - gluttony, greed, wrath, sloth, pride, lust and envy.

John Doe is the killer and the 2 detectives nab him after he has completed 6 murders. Detective Mills is forced to complete Doe's masterpiece of the 7 deadly sins due to tragic circumstances in the climax.

Doe has reasons behind each of the murders and comes across as a real thinking psycho and Mills' condition in the climax is highly pitiable.

                                                                     
Hits

• A totally script driven movie. Terrific grip, thrill and intensity
• Kevin Spacey as the psychic killer is terrifying and cold blooded. Brilliant
• Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as the 2 detectives support the script with their solid shows. Pitt is remarkable in the climax. 
• Gripping and haunting BG score by Howard Shore. 
• Gwyneth Paltrow as the wife of Brad Pitt is so cute, adorable and pretty. 
• Royal salute to director David Fincher for showing gory deaths and murders in such unflinching and painstaking details 

VERDICT

Master-stroke by David Fincher. The best investigative thriller.

Gangs of New York (2002)

What’s it about

It focuses on the gang wars between the Natives and the Irish ‘Dead Rabbits’ in erstwhile New York’s “Five Points” joint of the 19^th century. Bill the Butcher, the leader of the native gang kills Priest Vallon, the leader of the Irish Dead Rabbits in full public view. Bill is dead against the Irish immigrants and is a hard core patriot.

           Vallon’s son, Amsterdam returns to the Five Points joint with revenge on his mind. He slowly gains the confidence of Bill and becomes a part of his gang. Amsterdam's friend Johnny who knows the truth behind Amsterdam's New York visit, grows jealous of his proximity to Jenny, another Irish immigrant and rats on Amsterdam to Bill.

          Bill then nabs Amsterdam and surprisingly, doesn't kill him the first time around. Amsterdam is terribly injured. He recuperates and then unites all the Irish in New York and revives the ‘Dead Rabbits’ gang.

           In the meanwhile the poor American mob is against the government’s call for draft into the army for the war. There is a big riot that takes place in the end where many of the mobs are killed by the Union Army soldiers (New York Draft Riots). Many niggers are also killed by the local Americans who are against Lincoln’s anti slavery policy. Amsterdam also challenges Bill one final time at Paradise Square and eliminates him.

          The final shot shows how New York as a city grows, leaving behind its bloody past filled with gang wars and protest marches.

                                                                          

Hits

• Leonardo’s dashing looks with long locks. His screen presence is as usual arresting
• The period feel is very authentic
• The BGM score by Howard Shore is good. The end credits track “We are the hands that built America” is soul stirring.
• Daniel Day-Lewis as Bill the Butcher is terrific. In fact his is the performance of the film.

Misses

• Very slow moving. Tests the patience many a time. Was checking the timeline very often
• Lack of exposure to New York’s history may be one of the reasons for the non-involvement in the film during the many political scenes.

VERDICT

A dampener from the Martin Scorsese - Leo combo. Not exactly a must watch. Can watch it once at the most. 

Classic - The Aviator (2004)

Whats it about:
It's a bio-pic about Howard Hughes, the aviation mogul cum ambitious film maker. Howard is a dreamer, cleanliness freak, partially deaf, sort of a playboy and is uncomfortable with crowds. He makes a film called 'Hell's Angels' spread across 3 yrs. He manufactures great aircrafts for the US AF, through Howard Aircrafts funded by Howard Tools and co. He has his loyal team lead by Noah and Odie. He has flings with many ladies but isn't committed to a single woman. A real go getter.
        The boss of Pan Am, Juan Trippe is close with Senator Brewster. They are jealous of Howard Aircrafts' acquisition of TWA. They don't want TWA to expand across Europe and the Atlantic. They basically want Pan Am to be the monopoly in flying international aircrafts from the US. They file a law suit against Howard saying that he had parted with 56 million $ of the US money during war times, in the name of making planes. Unfortunately those planes never did fly.
        Howard also meets with a great personal disaster during one of his test flights. He is ambushed physically. But, he still keeps the fire burning and asks his team to continue building Hercules, the biggest ever plane in the world.
        Howard faces the law suit boldly, comes out clean with some very valid arguments against Senator Brewster and convinces the law that this suit was just a setup to stop his progress. In the end, Howard flies his Hercules successfully, and is even more determined to rule the future by investing in jets.
        An inspiring GEM indeed.

                                                                          
Hits

• LEONARDO DICAPRIO. As usual. What a screen presence. What a talent. I am an unabashed fanatic. Proud to be in the same era as him. This is one of his best shows. As the slightly psychic and driven young man, he is A class. Many scenes give goose bumps, particularly the scenes where he slightly looses his composure and is overcome by his inner thoughts.
• Nice jazzy classic BGM by Howard Shore,reminiscent of the old times. 
• Great effort by Martin Scorsese and co., to show a great legend's true life on-screen. 
• All the ladies have a decent part and they play it well. 

Misses

• Even after meeting with such a nasty accident, Howard isn't shown to be suffering that much. Just a little difficulty while walking is shown, while the doctors actually explain some real complications post the accident. 

VERDICT

Another killer punch from the Martin Scorsese - Leo combo. DON'T MISS IT ...