Unforgiven (1992)

William Munny is a dreaded killer who has gone sober due to the influence of his dead wife and two kids, and is now a pig farmer. He isn't exactly prospering and is forced to choose an assignment where he would get some money. He has to kill a couple of cowboys who had cut up a whore in Big Whiskey, Wyoming. This place is controlled by a dictator like guy called Little Bill who doesn't allow outsiders to come in with firearms. The other whores are ready to pay 1000$ for anyone who can kill those two cowboys.

William is accompanied by his old partner, Ned and a young and vulnerable man named 'The Schofield Kid', who actually brings the job to Will in the first place.

Do the trio manage to kill the couple of cowboys and get their share of the money? Do they return back home safe or is there loss of life? Watch the flick to find out.

The film is shot very well thanks to the scenic locations and the constant rain effects. The movie moves along slowly though the plot is setup very early.

Towards the end, old Clint lords over the movie with his brooding screen presence, punch lines and aggressive swagger. Morgan Freeman as Ned Logan makes a big mark as the loyal partner who will stay by Will at all times. Gene Hackman is terrific as the dreadful Little Bill. You just start hating this man due to his demonic ways. Jaimz Woolvett as the vulnerable disrespectful young brat who later realizes that the 'killing' life is not meant for him, is impressive too.

The movie has a simple revenge plot and it really picks up only in the end. The movie is a bit over-rated I believe. Anyway anything that is directed, acted and produced by the legendary Clint Eastwood automatically becomes special. The movie won 4 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Anything for Clint!

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. 

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.

Classic Revisited - The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Whats it about:
It traces the life of jail inmates at The Shawshank prison, New England.
        Andy is a banker who comes into the jail for a crime he hasn't committed. He starts developing the prison library and also is a tax expert for the warden and all the jailers. Red is a long timer at the jail who has the knack of getting things that jail inmates need. Red's parole keeps on getting rejected. Tommy comes in at a later point. He is a young punk. Brooks, the library in-charge is the longest surviving inmate with over 50 yrs of jail time.
        Many more such characters. Add to this, a cold blooded corrupt warden who keeps earning illegal money.
        Finally, after a terrific painstaking escape act by Andy and a successful parole for Red, Andy and Red get close to each other and form a life long bond. Andy has everything perfectly planned out, he exposes the dirty prison activities, gets his money and welcomes his friend with lot of hope ...
                                                                 
Hits

• Such beautiful dialogs which give so much hope
• Tim Robbins dazzles. Egs: his look at his prison friends enjoying beer, the scene where he plays out Mozart to the entire prison through the loudspeaker, when he talks with so much hope about Zihuatanejo to Red just before his escape, his relief at finally escaping .... Many many more
• Morgan Freeman proves his legacy again. His base voice, his walk, his grace and his expressions during his repeated parole rejections are pure class.
• The characterization of Brooks, the long timer. His bonding with the jail, his crow Jake, his struggles in the outer world and his final letter revealing his decision to end his life sure leave a lump in the throat.
• Tommy the young punk. His attempts to clear his high school exam in the jail and his sorry killing for supporting Andy, make a major impact.
• Sweet, simple BGM by Thomas Newman that haunts at places
• There hasn't been a more intricate and detailed portrayal of jail life in the movies. The way 'new fish' are ragged verbally by the old timers and how they struggle to get used to the first night at the jail, are brutally frankly portrayed. 

VERDICT

Deserves all the top places it has in all the ratings. A movie that emphasizes hope, the joy of living, belief, friendship and all other positive emotions ... A ROYAL SALUTE