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.

The Dark Knight is almost undoubtedly the most ambivalent of superhero movies. Because Nolan’s film eschews the supernatural elements that are a mainstay of the genre, there is no absolute good and evil here. Instead, there are defenders and there are murderers. There are men trying very hard to do the right thing, and others trying just as hard to do the wrong thing.

Even the film’s title is a double entendre — Gotham City has been plunged into a long, dark night. Remember that Batman is an ego-driven superhero — he wasn’t forced into existence by a radioactive spider bite or some science experiment gone awry, but instead made a conscious decision to become a highly trained, dark-masked vigilante. And he remains haunted by the idea that his presence may hurt as much as it helps. Certainly, it’s only Batman’s celebrity that made his beloved Rachel Dawes a target for the Joker, who uses her death as the punchline of a sadistic practical joke that tweaks the ostensible hero for doing the wrong thing.

As I observe from the film, when Joker kidnaps both Rachel and Harvey Dent — the crusading District Attorney that Batman believes may actually be the kind of real, law-abiding savior that would finally let Bruce Wayne hang up cloak and cowl — it’s to set up an elaborate test of Batman’s moral compass. Joker tells Batman Rachel is tied up at one address, and Harvey Dent at another, forcing him to choose which of them to save before timed explosives go off. If he saves Rachel, Gotham City loses a politician with courage and a moral backbone. But if he saves Harvey, he dooms the woman he loves. (Honest politicians are apparently rare enough on Gotham City that this is a real issue.) Helplessly in thrall to his heart, Batman heads out to save Rachel, but discovers on arrival that he’s been tricked — because Joker switched address on him, his relative selfishness has actually consigned poor Rachel to oblivion.

So Batman suffers not only from the guilt of having failed to rescue Rachel, but from the shame of having been manipulated by the Joker. Not only was he nailed for making the more self-serving of the choices available to him, but he was simultaneously punished by having the only possible justification for that choice — his love for Rachel, and his willingness to continue patrolling Gotham as the Batman in exchange for her safety — stripped from him as a result of his making it. This aspect of the story is surprisingly underplayed, even confusing, but it certainly explains Batman’s decision, after Harvey Dent’s death, to take credit for the murders committed by Dent’s bitter alter-ego, the vengeful Two-Face. And it sheds some light on the Joker’s insight into humanity. Later on, when he tells the passengers on two different ferries that are scheduled to be blown up at the stroke of midnight that the potential victims on either boat can save themselves by making the decision to kill each living soul on the other ferry, is there any doubt that the detonators he gives them are wired to blow up their own boats instead?

The Dark Knight argues that it’s fairly easy to manipulate people through fear — when the Joker threatens to blow up a hospital unless an arbitrary assassination is carried out, the presumption is that anyone from the average man on the street to a cop worried about a sick relative may suddenly turn into a killer — but there are some more specific ruminations on the ease with which people can be manipulated through lies. The Joker is a liar. So is Batman, who takes responsibility for Harvey Dent’s crimes, just as Harvey had falsely claimed to be the Batman earlier in the film. Trusted confidante Alfred (Michael Caine) lies to Bruce Wayne by failing to deliver his Dear John note from Rachel after her death. Gordon lied to his family when he faked his own death. And so on. Crucially, while the Joker lies to promote chaos, the lies told by Batman and his friends are meant to preserve order.

That’s the closest The Dark Knight comes to making explicit reference to the contemporary political landscape. The science-fictional eavesdropping initiative Bruce Wayne develops to get a visual image of the surroundings of any powered-up cell phone is similar to the USA’s Patriot Act, and is itself a form of deception, or at least a betrayal of the public trust. That’s why Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), clearly functioning as the conscience of Wayne Industries (as well as of The Dark Knight), insists on destroying the system as soon as Batman uses it to track down the Joker. Because Lucius betrays his own principles by agreeing to play along for even a moment, it invites the interpretation that Nolan’s film advocates the use of otherwise indefensible tactics under extraordinary circumstances. But it’s clear that Lucius has compromised in his pursuit of a worthy goal, and the film assigns a moral weight to that compromise. The Dark Knight is about how hard it is to do the right thing – not least because in Gotham, as in the rest of the world, moral certitude is more difficult to reach than either idealists or ideologues would have you believe.

A self-proclaimed agent of chaos, the Joker claims he was born out of the disturbance in the mundane cycle in which the mob and the cops fought for control of the city block by block. Before Batman, came on the scene, the Joker writes himself off as nothing more than a skilled pickpocket ripping off common men and mafia members alike. Bored with his life, it could be inferred that his self induced scars were an attempt to stop having to gaze upon a veneer of depression. Spewing various origins for his scars, he makes it clear that it was not one moment that made him this way but instead a prolonged state of boredom in which he wanted to do anything to gaze upon a smile. The Batman provided him a release, someone that would let him perform depraved acts of insanity that would not reach any conclusive goal. Like the Joker says, “I am like a dog chasing a car, I have no idea what I would do if I ever caught it”. The Joker does not want Batman dead, he wants the Batman to kill him so he can corrupt the Caped Crusader’s moral code. He knows this is out of reach, because then life gets boring again. As a result, the movie becomes a mosaic of this escalated realm of heroes and villains.

“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”

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.

Hey Guys… Heard that “Taare Zameen Par(TZP)” has been selected as India’s entry for the Oscar 2009 in the best foreign film category

‘Taare Zameen Par’ is the final choice because it has a universal appeal and it has all the elements that make a good film, in terms of its production value, script, concept and story… The film was Actor Aamir Khan’s directorial debut, jointly produced by Aamir Khan Productions and PVR Pictures and starred Darsheel Safary as the protagonist. It it the story of an eight-year-old dyslexic boy and a teacher, played by Aamir, bringing the kid out of his predicament.

The other Bollywood films in competition were “A Wednesday”, “Rock On”, “Mumbai Meri Jaan”, ‘Jodhaa Akbar”, “Black & White” - all of which had won critical acclaim. There were also two Marathi films “Tingya” and “Vaalu” and a Telegu film “Gamyam” in contention.

I think i saw the TZP at Ega Theatre along with my friend Suhag.

No amount of praise is sufficient for the first half. Please take a bow Mr Khan/ Mr Gupte for the in depth research into the mind of a kid. The film delves into the mind of Darsheel; the delightful distractions of a Car Tyre upsetting a puddled pot hole while class is going on, the cartoon while solving the maths question paper, the joys of digging your nose coolly, the pleasure in watching day to day life unfold in front of your eyes (a haunting Mera Jahaan by Adnan sami) etc. The film takes us into the life, mind and the environment of the ‘real hero’ of the film - the kid. I could relate to many of the incidents in the Movie.

The second half was also good but was kind of contrived, to make the audience cry! Aamir Khan’s sentimental arguments at the kid’s house seem so forced and in your face preachy. The dyslexia gets cured in one song, the kid becomes the hero again towards the end (defeating the very purpose of the film - to celebrate different-ableness). Well, the film is intended to reach a mainstream audiencr, they sure need that to make it a happy ending. In all, i liked the Movie very much.

Though the film is not a ‘masterpiece’ as it is claimed to be, it is a very important and a very good film and a must see for every kid & parent…

I believe TZP has a good chance of winning an Oscar and with good content and cinematic excellence. It has been made so perfectly. There is perfect direction, animation, screenplay, acting, script.

My Best wishes to the Team of TZP!