Classic Revisited in 3D: Titanic (1997)

The 3D version of this true magnum opus was just an excuse to check it out at the theaters. Of course, the prospect of seeing some intense romantic scenes and a tastefully done nude scene on the big screen, also played a part in my decision to check out James Cameroon's 1997 epic. I wasn't taken to the theater when Titanic released first, as I was not even 11 then.

Today, the movie made me emotional with its absolutely magical BG score by James Horner, which haunts and gives you an indisputable high. Goose bumps whenever the main theme played in the background. Actually sat till the end credits rolled out completely. Such was the charm that the two 'James' wielded with this classic.

The greatest ship made by man, the ship of dreams sets sail from Southampton to New York city on her maiden voyage. Due to an iceberg, the lower floors are first flooded and as time progresses, the entire ship is flooded and finally the entire ship breaks into two and crashes into the ocean floor. A diamond necklace called the "Heart of the Ocean" plays a main role in the state of affairs.

LDC and Kate Winslet weren't big stars then. But now they are stratospheric. Leo is so naive, raw and he fits the bill perfectly as the low-society Jack who floors Rose with his absolute love and honesty. Kate as Rose bowls you over with her passionate love particularly in the final scene when she screams at a dying Jack "Come back, Come back" and the scene when she jumps back into the ship from the life boat, just to be with her man. The scenes when Jack and Rose run around in a drowning ship show their magical true-to-life romantic chemistry. Among the best romances in cinema history though it is a typical poor guy meets suppressed rich girl story. The villain in the story is the typical rich man who is engaged to Rose and he loathes Jack to the core. This rich man's moves and characterization are stereotypical.

The 3D effects are subtle and there are no gimmicks. Titanic was magnificent without the added dimension, itself. The production of the movie is mammoth with gallons of water being used. The number of actors used and the way they have been managed is a lesson for any production crew. The way the Titanic has been recreated and the VFX scenes during the final collapsing of the ship are mind-blowing. That said, the ice berg was pretty lame.

James Cameroon makes sure that the human element and emotions connect big time with the audience unlike say the disaster movie specialist Roland Emmerich whose films just make you clap hands but, never move you to tears. Samples - the musicians on the ship who play till the ship is about to collapse, the guards who operate the life boats and their dilemma whether to send more people into the life boat, the ship's captain and the maker's emotional connect with the ship etc. etc.

Made at a budget of 200million USD, the box-office collections are fast approaching 2billion USD. Only Avatar is ahead but by sheer number of tickets sold, Titanic is the biggest blockbuster of all time. 14 Oscar nominations and 11 Oscars are the mere icing on the cake.

VERDICT: Magnum opus in every sense of the word. Experience the magic again in a nearby theater to commemorate the centenary of the tragedy.   

Classic Revisited: A Beautiful Mind (2001)

The film chronicles the life and times of John Nash, a Nobel laureate in Economics. He is a brilliant mathematician but has troubles with the mind. He has schizophrenia and suffers from delusions - 3 in particular, an imaginary room mate Charles Herman and his niece Marcee and one William Parcher assumed to be working for the US Army in finding a nuke device.  

He is helped by his wife in overcoming all the trauma of medications and hospital treatment. He learns to ignore the delusions beyond a point of time. But, his journey to the Nobel prize takes him through the physical, metaphysical and delusional limits of human possibility. A fascinating true life story

Review

• Russell Crowe delivers one of the most complex roles with myriad emotions, with an ease of the pro that he is. Shame that he missed the Oscar for this. 
• Jenifer Connelly deservingly won the Oscar for her role of the supporting wife who goes through emotional hell. 
• Paul Bettany as Charles, a delusion is so emotive. It is a pity that he is unreal. The actors who come as Sol, Bender and Hanson also have small yet solid roles. 
• James Horner's musical pieces are mesmerizing and give goose bumps. The title track in particular. Another deserving Oscar.
• The prosthetic makeup as the lead pair and other characters age, is very authentic. 
• The screenplay is so gripping that it draws you in from the start. When John gets his delusions and starts messing it up, it is pretty sad and chaotic. That moment when we realize that the 3 characters are delusions, is scary

VERDICT

A psychological classic. All the elements of film making work magic.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)

The Plot

A German soldier's family comprising of the man, the wife and 2 kids move out of their Berlin home to a countryside as the soldier gets a promotion in the army ranks. His new job is regarding terminating Jews at the concentration camp that is located right behind their home. A chimney that spews out the ugly smoke from burning the Jews alive, is a shocking indicator of the job that he does. 

The daughter doesn't have trouble in fitting in to the new scenario. But the wife is really disturbed by how heartless her husband has become. The young 8 yr old boy Bruno due to sheer boredom, decides to explore what is there behind his house and he befriends another 8 yr old Jewish boy Shmuel,who is on the other side of the barbed wire at the concentration camp.

In the end, when the mom and the 2 kids are about to be moved to Heidelberg due to the mom's sheer discomfort with this place and her husband's work, Bruno and Shmuel are busy in the camp looking for Shmuel's lost father. Bruno digs his way through to the other side to help his dear friend. What happens then is a shocking climax that is quite brutal

                                                                        

Hits

• The 2 kids are so natural and behave rather than act
• Vera Farmiga as the conscious and disturbed mom is very emotive and impressive. 
• Just the idea behind the friendship between a young German and a young Jew from across the barbed wires is very touching. The scene where they play chess is quite emotional. 
• James Horner dazzles with his use of strings, piano and the chorus.

Misses

• Though the movie is very touching, it is quite predictable from the outset

VERDICT

A different take on the atrocities committed by the Germans on the Jews, told through the eyes of two 8 yr old boys. MUST WATCH 

Classic: Braveheart (1995)

Whats it about:

           It traces Scotland’s war for freedom from the English, inspired by Sir William Wallace, a true warrior. William looses his father and brother to the English, at a very young age. He grows away from Scotland under his uncle’s eyes. He returns to Scotland to lead a trouble free life but as a well trained warrior. He courts his lady love, marries her secretly and makes love to her. But the English destroy his peace by killing Murron, his wife.

          William is instigated by this mindless violence by the English, lead by the greedy Edward the Longshanks. William inspires his fellow Scots & leads them to victories over the English at Stirling and at York. William is knighted by the Scots. 

          But, the Scottish king and the nobles don’t want to rub the English on the wrong side. The English have bribed all the Scottish nobles and the king with lands, gold and money. William isn’t convinced by the Scottish royalty. Only Robert the Bruce, the Scottish king in waiting, is behind William’s passion for freedom. The wife of the gay English prince, Princess Isabelle also has great respect for Sir William’s noble intentions.

          After a betrayal at the battle of Falkirk by the Scottish royalty, Sir William goes berserk and kills many people and his passion for freedom grows stronger. Then the nobles try to put an end to him and Sir William is betrayed one last time by the Scottish nobles in the name of freedom and this time he is brutally murdered by the English. Till the end, Sir William refuses to beg for mercy and maintains his passion for freedom.

         Inspired by Sir William, the Scots lead by Robert the Bruce, do take on the English at the battle of Bannockburn and win their freedom finally.

                                                                          

Hits

• Mel Gibson. Such passionate film making. The scenes ooze emotion. Particularly the battle scenes where Sir William’s face is all painted up in blue. He inspires us to tears with his war time speech. Goose bumps were all over me after the victory cries at the battle of Stirling.
• James Horner. Such a moving BGM score. Divine. Mesmerizing. Wordless.
• Breathtakingly real battle scenes. Such raw energy aided by some great cinematography.
• Two beautiful leading ladies with very striking characterization. Catherine McCormack as Murron moves us with her innocent beauty. Sophie Marceau as Princess Isabelle also comes across a beautiful strong minded woman.
• Angus McFadyen as Robert the Bruce impresses with his helplessness at the same time passion for Scottish freedom.
• Sir William’s trusted aides also make a mark with their loyalty and devotion to their leader. Particularly Hamish and the Irish guy.

VERDICT

A great tribute to Sir William Wallace, with one of the best war movies that man can ever make. Salutations to Mel Gibson.