Jay Lagare

I don’t know why I held off watching Pan’s Labyrinth for so long because now that I’ve seen it, I totally regret my procrastination. From the title you would guess that it is a fantasy or fairy tale. Like most fairy tales, it is enchanting. But this is no children’s fairy tale. It is about the quest of a little girl to return to the fairy world. Her story takes place against the backdrop of the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War when guerrillas were still continuing their resistance against the government. The main story and the backdrop are both compelling by themselves. Both are also quite dark, bloody, visceral, even disturbing. Even the ending, though partly happy, is also tragic. The whole is a well-made masterpiece. I love it.

Rating: 5/5

This morning, there was this woman in front of me while waiting for the lift. I couldn’t help but notice the diamond on her ring. It reminded me of my long overdue review of Blood Diamond.

At first, I didn’t want to watch this movie. I have developed this allergy to anything starring Leonardo DiCaprio since that cheesy one about a sinking ship. But I didn’t have anything else to do last Holy Week so I finally did.

This is the third in the continuing series of movies about Africa that I’ve been watching. Before this there was Hotel Rwanda and The Last King of Scotland. This one is set in Sierra Leone. Yes, that’s in Africa.

Djimon Hounsou was a fisherman whose village was raided by rebels and was separated from his family. He was pressed into service panning for diamonds. He found a particularly big one which he stashed before he was imprisoned by government troops who raided the rebel mining camp.

Leonardo DiCaprio is a Rhodesian ex-soldier, ex-mercenary, diamond smuggler whose package was confiscated when he was caught and imprisoned. He knew he had to pay up for it. He learned about the big diamond and saw it as his salvation: his payment for the lost package as well as his ticket out of Africa.

As they journeyed to recover the diamond with Sierra Leone exploding around them, you are given a glimpse of the diamond trade and the realities of Africa: From the demand– women who want their fairy tale weddings; To the middlemen who manipulate the market to keep prices up; and finally to the source including that of so called “conflict diamonds”– diamonds from strife-torn areas whose proceeds are used to finance war, including the use of child soldiers and drugs.

A surprisingly interesting, if a bit gloomy, movie.

Rating: 3/5

Just found out that Pathfinder is still about to show in the US. I fear this is too late but I must warn you: Don’t watch it! You’re just going to regret it. In a moment of poor judgement, I watched it and did. My impression was it’s trying to be so many things all at once. It tried to be like Apocalypto by setting up in pre-Columbian America and by using Nordic for Vikings. But it fell short because it didn’t do the same for the Native Americans speakers. Like, 300, it traces its roots to graphic novels. It tried offering the same adrenaline-pumping action. Unlike 300, it failed miserably. The action scenes were absolutely lame. Another indication it tried to be like 300 is what seems to be an attempt at approximating the look and feel of a graphic novel. It failed in that, too. So what’s good about this movie? NOTHING.

Rating: 1/5

300 is the story of the Battle of Thermopylae where the Spartan King Leonidas and 300 Spartans warriors fought a last stand against the invading hordes of the Persian Empire. It is based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel 300 which in turn was inspired by the movie The 300 Spartans.

The movie is a frenetic, chest-thumping, testosterone-laden, adrenaline-pumping action fest of a legendary, even mythical scale. The computer enhanced contrast and minimalist CG background makes sure you focus on one thing: the action (and the muscle-tone of the unbelievably buff Spartan warriors). This is further enforced by a rousing, high-energy sound track that make you want to stand up and have a go at the Persians yourself.

The almost non-stop action is punctuated only by short breaks of relative peace as if to ensure you don’t get a heart attack. Or perhaps it’s for moving the story onwards. Whatever it is, you sit back, listen, perhaps understand, and wait eagerly for the next action sequence because that is the reason you watch this movie.

Rating: 5/5

The Last King of Scotland is not a Braveheart sequel :P It is the story of a Scot doctor’s experience as the personal physician and adviser of the infamous Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.

The movie claims it is based on true story. Actually, it is loosely based on a book which in turn is loosely based of the life of Bob Astles. So to me, claiming it’s based on a true story is a little bit of a stretch. But that doesn’t really matter, it’s still a good story.

James McAvoy as the doctor did a great job of playing the doctor trapped in a surreal, inescapable descent into an orgy of horror and madness. But this movie is more of a tour de force of the thespian skills of Forest Whitaker as Idi Amin. Before seeing the movie, I was incredulous about him being Idi Amin. But he pulled it off brilliantly!!! He effortlessly transforms from warm to terrifying, from friendly to paranoid in the blink of an eye. He is just plain awesome!

Rating: 4/5