Pixar is one of the best animation film studio in the business. This company simply doesn’t know how to make anything less than excellence. Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Bug’s Life, Monsters Inc, Ratatouille, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, Cars… Man, all brilliant movies… So whenever a new Pixar film is in development, it instantly gets my attention, and Wall-E was no exception to that rule.

When i stepped into the cinema hall, my expectations were skyhigh and i’m happy to say that this movie lived up to its hype and my expectations.

The new short “Presto” that precedes the movie is fantastic. I about an arrogant magician and his hungry rabbit. The entire audience was roaring with laughter by the end.

Wall-E opens with a what seems like Earth as it is now, only with lots of trash floating around the stratosphere. The year is 2700, and planet Earth has long been uninhabitable. On closer observation, the skyscrapers that we see, are actually towers of compact trash cubes stacked together by WALL-E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-class). This little robot was left behind along with plenty others of his kind but he seems to be the only one “alive” (along with his pet cockroach). All the people in the world (assuming) are up in a Noah’s Ark of sort, called the Axiom, roaming up in outer space awaiting the day that Earth is cleared of rubbish by WALL-Es.

The Hero of our Movie, the last Wall-E spends his lonely hours sifting through garbage to collect items of interest, compacting garbage, and storing it in cubes. He collects remnants of humanity to keep for his own amusement. Zippo lighters, Bubble Sheets, Rubik’s Cubes, Christmas lights: these are what Wall-E surrounds himself with. He watches Hello, Dolly! on an iPod that he somehow hooked up to a VCR, emulating the dancing and learning about love.  When you see Wall-E try to imitate the dancing using a hub cap he collected just for that purpose, you know that this is more than a piece of machinery. Proving Pixar’s raison d’etre, this little silent robot has more humanity in him than most movie characters played by actual humans. WALL-E is one of the cutest Pixar hero ever, despite the fact that he’s a trash compactor with eyes. A story centering on a wordless robot could be cold and uninviting, but not in Pixar’s capable hands. Never has a robot been this compassionate: WALL-E’s got heart. And that makes his so lovable!

Things change drastically for WALL-E the day EVE shows up. She is slick and futuristic and quite obviously a girl; WALL-E falls in love almost immediately. It turns out EVE has been sent from the Axiom to scan the earth for signs of habitable life. Their convincing courtship is done completely without dialogue, quite a feat for sound designer Ben Burtt who found a way to make ambient noise into recognizable words for WALL-E. Trying to impress the cooly modern EVE, WALL-E shows her the seedling he found, at which point EVE goes into a hibernation state and awaits the return of her spaceship. WALL-E, of course, cannot abide by his beloved EVE’s status and hitches a ride into space to save her. And, thus begins the story. At the end of which Wall-E saves the Earth and Humans!

A bit disturbingly, all the humans on the Axiom have regressed to babyhood (enormously fat, with little bone density) after 700 years of living up in space and drinking their meals through a straw. Though WALL-E’s only aim on the Axiom is to find his beloved EVE, he finds himself wrapped up in a race to save the seedling he collected on earth from the treacherous tentacles of Auto.

When your two main characters (Wall-E and EVE) have about 90% of the screen time, and each basically only ever say “Wall-E” or “Eva”, the burden for storytelling falls onto the shoulders of the character performances (animation) and the art of visual storytelling. Wall-E communicates worlds of information to the audience without ever saying a word just by how perfectly and beautifully he’s animated. His movements, his expression and his very nature are the tools by which this story is told without the use of words (there is dialog in the film from some other characters… but the majority of the movie is told by just watching and experiencing Wall-E himself).

While on the surface it’s a movie about robots and spaceships set centuries in the future, deep down it’s about humanity and its place on Earth and in the universe. It uses its out-of-this-world settings and characters as a lens to reflect our own world back at us, showing us both the beauty and the ugliness of our existence through the eyes of a guileless, trash-compacting robot. Wall-E is worth your every rupee. It is funny in ways that are actually bittersweet, reminding us of our sad fate in time to come if we stop doing anything about pollution, global warming and all that nonsense that will eventually turn Earth into an uninhabitable sphere of trash.

Andrew Stanton, who won an Oscar in 2004 for Finding Nemo, with WALL-E, he has taken not only the art of animation, but the art of storytelling to new, unimaginable heights.

In a movie season that’s overpopulated with superhero movies, remakes and sequels, it’s incredibly refreshing to see a movie that stands on its own as a completely new and unique creation. You wud’ve never seen anything like Wall-E, and you might not see anything like it again. Go. Go see it as soon as you can.

Yea… I went to the Movie SAROJA Yesterday… I had actually decided to go to the Movie WALL-E along with Naveen. But, Naveen cancelled the plan coz he had some other work. And as soon as i got this information from Naveen, I got a Call from Kanthi calling me for the Movie SAROJA. His Colleagues had 5 tickets with them and 3 of the guys in their gang backed out, so he asked me whether we(Kanthi, Me and Hari) could go the Movie?

I agreed… coz i heard the Movie was kinda interesting and funny and its been a long time since i met Kanthi and Hari. We went to the 3.15pm show. I didnt go to Office(which i decided the day before itself, enna aanaalum Office porathu illenu!) I gave a story to Sripadharajan and asked him to exaggerate a bit and tell that to our TL Deepak. He’s really good at that and moreover he has a good name and anyone will believe whatever he says! (Nalla paiyan maathiriye effect kuduthu vachuirukan!)

And then i went to Sathyam Cinemas, where Kanthi and Hari were waiting for me. We had a Gala Time. Its really very funny to watch any Movie with ma college friends… It doesnt matter whether its really a damn boring Movie or Good One… Mainly due to the funny comments and actions that we together make at a time when everyone in the Cinema Hall is Silent! The had a lot of Timing Comedy. A Good Movie, after a long time in Tamil. I’d surely recommend U Guys to watch the Movie!

And after show, i booked two tickets for the Movie Wall-E, today’s show for Myself and Naveen… And this was the first time i used my card to buy movie tickets!

Then, i took the bike from the parking lot and came out of the theatre and was standing infront of Sathyam Cinemas and talking to my friends, when a Traffic Police came and asked me to move. We moved a little and then we were deeply involved in a conversation when that Policeman came back and took the bike key. Though i got back the bike without paying any money this time, he wasted my precious precious time! I’ll tell abt this incident in a different post. Intha Mamas pathi neriya sollanum!

I’m going to watch Wall-E today. Have to leave home after finishing this post! I had been eager to watch this movie for the past few weeks… But, either Me or Naveen kept on postponing the plan for some reason or the other. Finally we’re going to watch it today… Will write a Review of both SAROJA and WALL-E soon. Keep checking this blog for the Review! PS: Spoilers will be there, coz i cant resist giving that away!

This Saturday(27th July 2008), I got to see the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight, with Naveen, my childhood buddy. We wanted to watch Kung-Fu Panda and/or The Dark Knight. Since, the show timings of Kung-Fu Panda didnt suit us, we settled for this movie.

My personal favorite Super-Heroes are Wolverine n Spiderman! I must admit, I am not a Batman Movie fan. In fact, I even used to avoid them because it was always too dark and you couldn’t see anything properly and hence not understand it. But, All the Rave Reviews abt the Movie in the Papers/TV made me go watch this movie

My opinion abt the Movie? - The movie is grimly dark, vicious, egregiously violent and nasty - and totally engrossing! Outside of this being one of the best action/comic book movies I’ve ever seen, this is simply a great movie. The entire movie was perfect. The acting, the story, the music score, the writing, etc. The cinematography is stunning, having been shot in IMAX. All of the other rave reviews you may have been reading are not gushing for no reason either.

“The Dark Knight” isn’t simply another superhero movie. In fact, it’s really not a superhero movie at all; It’s a super villain movie! This is how a Batman movie should have been made at the first place. Complex, dark and believable. A brilliant one from Christoper Nolan. Memento (the inspiration for Ghajini) was also a very interesting movie.
For as much action as there is in this movie, it’s the acting that makes it a great piece of work. Between all the punches, explosions and stunt-work is some great dialog work. All the actors have their moments.

The performances by the actors are stellar. And Heath Ledger, in particular, steals the show. I was mesmerized by Heath Ledger portrayals of the Joker. Destroying an entire hospital without flinching nor remorse. Killing without a thought. Dark and pyschotic. You will really hate this guy. Heath Ledger’s performance is so spine-chilling and complete, I would not be surprised if he were to get the Oscar nod for Best Actor/Supporting Actor. Unless somebody comes out with something better. In which case, I certainly am gonna go to theatre to watch it.

Another example of perfect casting, Aaron Eckhart shines as Harvey Dent aka Two-Face. Starting off the film as the white knight of Gotham City fighting crimes and injustice, his transformation into the dreaded Two-Face gives us much to empathize with.

Christian Bale once again captivates as the caped crusader who handles Bruce Wayne’s inner turmoil more convincingly than the last film. Though he might have his thunder stolen away from him by Ledger in The Dark Knight, Bale is still effective as the conflicted anti-hero who is destined to be portrayed as a vigilante in the eyes of the public.

Back to the cinematography, this is purportedly the first full-length feature film shot entirely in IMAX. And it shows. If you’re interested, take a look at the sheer complication that went into producing the visual effects for the Dark Knight in IMAX resolution. There was such detail shown by director Christopher Nolan, and it shows.

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Here are some(Yea… Jus’ some) Scene/Dialogues I loved in the Movie:

>>>Bank robbery scene. And in the robbery itself, all the robbers kill each other and only one is left standing. This is (rather predictably) the Joker. Then he makes away in a truck loaded with cash and merges into other truckers who appear from everywhere. Geth Scene!

>>>The joker crashes the party and sees Rachel n says “Hello Beautiful” and fixes his hair. rofl

The Joker: You look nervous. Is it the scars? You want to know how I got them? Come here. Hey, look at me. So I had a wife, beautiful; like you. Who tells me, I worry too much. Who tells me, I ought to smile more. Who gambles, and gets in deep with sharks. One day they carve her face. We have no money for surgeries. She can’t take it! I just want to see her smile again. I just want her to know that I don’t care about the scars. So I stick a razor in my mouth and do this… to myself. And you know what? She can’t stand the sight of me! She leaves. Now I see the funny side. Now I’m always smiling!

The Joker: [Rachel kicks the Joker away] A little fight in you. I like that.

Batman: Then you’re going to love me.

>>> The Joker: Wanna know how I got these scars? My father was…a drinker. And a fiend. And one night he goes off crazier than usual. Mommy gets the kitchen knife to defend herself. He doesn’t like that. Not. One. Bit. So, me watching, he takes the knife to her, laughing while he does it. Turns to me and he says “Why so serious?” Comes at me with the knife, “Why so serious?” He sticks the blade in my mouth. “Lets put a smile on that face!” And… Why so serious?

>>>The Joker: “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.” (Enna Thathuvam!)

>>>The Joker: I use a knife because guns are too quick. Otherwise, you can’t savor all the emotions. You know who people are in their last moments.

>>>The Joker: “I’m a dog chasing cars. I wouldn’t know what to Do with one if I caught it! I don’t have plans. I just do things.”

>>> The Scene where, Harvey is taken to the prison. On the way, the Joker tries to attack the van. And Batman comes to the rescue. Batman whizzing by in his batpod is supercool! The most notable aspect of the chase is a monster truck that flips over.

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The Joker:

What people don’t really understand about the Joker is that he doesn’t even understand himself. People keep asking, “Why did the Joker give two different stories about how he got those scars?”. The answer is the Joker Himself doesn’t even know. He’s so completely insane [or supersane...read the comics!], he makes himself every day. He doesn’t Have a personality. He just goes with the flow…! And this is why he’s my Favorite Super-Villain!
Whether it’s been Romero, Nicholson or Ledger behind the makeup, and whether he’s been a maniac or a prankster, a clown or a killer, one thing has always remained constant with the Joker: the laugh — a laugh that with each breath seems to say he’s the only sane man in an insane world.

The Joker was portrayed in the film as someone who’s likable, as someone who acts as a wish fulfillment part of us. It really is the idea that within us all is that notion that if you could get away with murder, you would murder someone. I find that message to be extremely disappointing in terms of human nature, but you can’t deny that that’s what makes film interesting.

This Joker is the most thoroughly principled and incorruptible character in modern movies. He doesn’t care about money - he contemptuously burns a pile of cash containing millions of dollars — and, unlike Mr. Nicholson’s Joker, he doesn’t even care about power. He consolidates the various mobs of Gotham City merely as a means to his end, which, contrary to numerous editorials we are seeing, isn’t terrorism. Terrorists, in their hearts, believe that they are really the good guys; Mr. Ledger’s Joker has no such illusions. He’s a nihilist whose avowed purpose is to disrupt society by corrupting and destroying its heroes — Batman and Aaron Eckhart’s straight-arrow D.A., Harvey Dent.

In the most unsettling scene ever presented in an action movie, Christian Bale’s Batman is left to interrogate the Joker in a police lock-down room while the police simply watch. Mr. Ledger snickers, leers and goads Batman into beating him up — thus violating his civil rights, which is precisely what the Joker wants Batman to do. It’s a stunning victory for the villain that makes Batman seem helpless.”The Dark Knight” seems to be telling us that, ultimately, we’re completely helpless against any characters as ruthless and ideologically pure as the Joker.

“Some men,” says Michael Caine’s Alfred the Butler to Bruce Wayne, “aren’t looking for anything logical, like money. Some just want to watch the world burn.” Is the only alternative to become as merciless as your opponent? It’s a dilemma that leaves Batman in the dark.

Anyway, it’s based on a comic book series, so we should not take any of it too seriously, but it should be seen for Heath Ledger’s last great performance. Oscar? I wish I had a vote.

With only its weaker point being the character development, The Dark Knight is without a doubt, the must-watch film of 2008. If you haven’t seen it yet, I strongly encourage you to take in this soon-to-be classic.

After finishing ma Final (ah… at last!) Semester Exams, i heaved a sigh of relief! At last… No more Subjects to Study, Exams to write, Results to worry about! Writing Exams, ah Not a Big Deal! Combined studies a few days before the exam… Listening out to all those ma frnds have studied(this is combined study!) And the Final Semester, it was very very easy, coz the exams were during the afternoons! It was only during the Mornings that we studied… Everyone will study 1 unit a day b4 the exam… And teach that unit to others next day… Thus all 5 Units are covered… We even did revision 2-3 times!

But, Every Semester, i dread one thing… Thats checking out the Results! Anna University Results… Eppa varum ne theriyathu… Exam Mudicha annai la irunthu itho varuthu atho varuthu nu bayamuruthite irupaanga! Thidirnu oru naal expect eh pannaama irukum botha Damaal nu vituduvaanga! Jolly ah engayaavathu suthikitu irukum both, Results Announced, Announced nu inbox nirambi valiyum… Its a sign of the impending bad/good news! Konja nerathula varusaya calls ah varum! Anna University Results eppvume ippadi thaan varum!

Website open panurathuku munnadi enaku therincha saami paatu ellam paaduven… And i pray to God(all the Gods that i can remember of at that time!) And lo, the Results r for me to see!!! This time around i was a bit relaxed, hoping to clear… Coz, it was said that No one will fail during last semester and i had done fairly well(thanks to the morning free time)!

So, after exams i roamed around with ma frnds… We went to a Bosch Interview… Thats a different Story, I’ll tell U about it later… And frm Coimbatore i had to leave to ma Native Place to attend a few weddings… But as you all know… Holidays are Enticing only for the First Week or so! After that, it is No Longer such a Novelty to Rise Late and have Little to Do…!

After getting back to Chennai, we shifted our place… It was here that i felt very bored… Sanjay and Naveen were gonna attend an interview at Allsec the next day… So, i thought… Enna da, ellarum velaiku poranga, naan mattum inga veetla vetti ah kuppa kottikitu iruken!!! Infosys la vera kanduka maatengraanga! I got placed in Infosys on March 2007, and they havent called me yet! It looked like they’ll call me after 1-2 months, maybe in August. So, instead of sitting at home and do nothing, i could work in a call centre and improve ma comm! Also, i cud make do with some money! While i was thinking that, i got a call frm Sutherland(i had attended one job fair, jus out of curiosity during my final year, there i got shortlisted in Sutherland… Frm then on they have been bugging me to come to Santhome… I had been saying some silly reasons for not able to come there… Like i have arrear exams, i am going on a world tour, i am sick!) This time around, since i had made up ma mind to join some call centre, i agreed to meet that HR the next day(18th June 2008)!