The Wonderful Grace Kelly Blogathon is being hosted by The Wonderful World of Cinema, and the film that I have reviewed for the blogathon is Mogambo.
Directed by: John Ford
Released: 1953
Country: United States
Genre: Adventure, Romantic drama
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
Victor Marswell (played by Clark Gable) is a hunter working in Kenya. When a false promise by an Indian maharajah lands the lively Eloise Kelly (played by Ava Gardner) in Kenya, Victor initially doesn't take her seriously but over the course of time he comes to appreciate her. Donald Nordley (played by Donald Sinden), an anthropologist and his wife Linda (played by Grace Kelly) arrive (they are there for Donald's work, he hopes to study certain traits of gorillas there). Linda is sophisticated, simple and sensitive, completely different from Kelly. While it is evident that Victor loves Kelly, he finds himself falling in love with Linda as well. Thus starts a love triangle in the middle of wildness and jungles, wild animals and dangers. Over the course of the film we get to know more about the three main characters and realize that they are, in one way or another, looking for fulfillment.
''Mogambo'' is a really good film. I really liked the way the characters were gradually developed, the way their emotions and feelings for each other was portrayed. Clark Gable, Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly are brilliant in their roles, and the setting (that includes exotic jungles and wild animals) is simply great.
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Released: 1991
Country: United States
Genre: Adventure, Crime, Drama
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
''Thelma & Louise'' is such a great movie! I loved every minute of it.
Louise Sawyer (played by Susan Sarandon) is a waitress and her friend Thelma Dickinson (played by Geena Davis) is a homemaker who isn't exactly close to her husband. They go on a road trip, wanting to take a break from their everyday lives. On the way, they stop at a bar, where a man attempts to rape Thelma. Louise rushes to her rescue, but when the man refuses to apologize and rather insults Thelma, Louise shoots him. Refusing to go to the police, Louise decides to drive to Mexico. On their way, however, they come across more and more hurdles and face them with heroism.
The titular characters, Thelma and Louise are such great protagonists! I loved their heroism. I grew to care for these two characters over the course of the film! Both Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis are amazing in their roles. I loved their bond, their friendship! I loved the way they learn to stand up against the injustices committed towards them. Their friendship and the experience and ordeals they share over the course of the film culminate in an iconic ending.
Besides Sarandon and Davis, memorable supporting characters are played by Harvey Keitel (who plays Louise's boyfriend) and a young Brad Pitt (who plays a cowboy Thelma and Louise come across on their way). Keitel and Pitt are great in their roles as well.
''Thelma & Louise'' is an excellently written and acted film. I loved it. I loved the titular characters, their friendship and their depth. I loved the screenplay. The ending left me speechless.
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Released: 2015
Country: United States
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Review
Due to natural calamity, astronaut Mark Whatney (played by Matt Damon) is stranded on Mars. The other members of the mission, believing him to be dead, leave Mars. Mark is, in fact, alive and survives in Mars by managing to grow food and make water there. When scientists come to know that Mark is still alive, they must find a way to bring him back to the earth.
''The Martian'' is in many ways very innovative and interesting. Matt Damon's performance is great and the film is in many ways a really good survival film. I loved the way Mark manages to find ways to grow food and make water. I would definitely recommend the film to those who like sci-fi and even adventure and survival films.
There is one thing, though, that I really disapproved of. There is a scene in which Mark is treating a wound and this is shown pretty graphically. It could have simply been implied instead of being portrayed so explicitly. The film is supposed to be watched by both teenagers and adults and not everybody can endure such graphic scenes.
Directed by: John Ford
Released: 1939
Country: United States
Genre: Western, Drama, Adventure
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
I started watching ''Stagecoach'' without knowing what to expect from it as I have only watched a few western movies. This film, however, left me impressed and deeply moved.
Several people start a journey to Lordsburgh on a stagecoach. They continue their journey even after they come to know that there is trouble ahead, that Apaches might attack them on their way. The people on the stagecoach are Dallas (played by Claire Trevor)- who happens to be a prostitute, Lucy Mallory (played by Louise Platt)- who is expecting to meet her husband on the way (her husband is in the army), Doctor Boone (played by Thomas Mitchell)- a doctor who often drinks, Mr Hatfield (played by John Carradine)- a gambler, Mr Peacock (played by Donald Meek)- a whiskey salesman, and Mr. Gatewood (played by Berton Churchill)- a banker. The stagecoach is being driven by Buck (played by Andy Devine), who is accompanied by Marshal Curly Wilcox (played by George Bancroft). Curly is accompanying the stagecoach because a fugitive, Ringo Kid (played by John Wayne), has escaped from penitentiary and is traveling to Lordsburgh to have his revenge on the person who killed his family members. Curly is searching for Ringo. They come across Ringo on the way and Curly arrests him. They continue their journey, knowing that there is danger ahead, that Apaches can attack any time, and on their way they slowly get to know more about each other and learn to leave their prejudices behind and accept one another.
''Stagecoach'' is a deeply moving film with great character development. My favorite characters were Dallas and Ringo. I felt so sad and infuriated when I saw the other passengers of the stagecoach initially treating Dallas with prejudice and hatred. Although she is extremely goodhearted, her fellow passengers initially neglect and ignore her just because of her occupation. Nobody bothers to ask her opinion. When Dallas sees that Mrs. Mallory (who happens to be pregnant) is feeling unwell, she offers to sit beside her so that she (Mrs Mallory) can put her head on her (Dallas') shoulder. Mrs. Mallory, influenced by her social prejudice, refuses. I felt so overwhelmed when I saw Ringo caring for Dallas. ''What about the other lady?''- he demands when nobody bothers to ask Dallas' opinion. Eventually, a deep bond develops between the two of them. The other passengers of the stagecoach eventually manage to leave their prejudices behind as well.
The performances were great, the characters were deeply developed, and the most special thing about the film was the presence of Ringo and Dallas. Such wonderful characters they were! Dallas, particularly, was the most beautifully developed character. I loved this film.
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Released: 1974
Country: United States
Genre: Thriller, Adventure
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
''Jaws'' is a genuinely terrifying film. Like, really. It is so very suspenseful, tense and thrilling.
When a woman dies when swimming in the ocean on Amity Island, it is immediately assumed that the death was caused by a shark attack. While police chief Martin Brody (played by Roy Scheider) wants to close the beaches, the authorities of the island are reluctant: it is the tourism season and tourism has a great impact in the economy of the island. The shark is lurking in the ocean and a few more devastating attacks follow. Wanting to rid the island of this vicious predator, Brody, oceanographer Matt Hooper (played by Richard Dreyfuss) and seafarer Quint (played by Robert Shaw) decide to catch the deadly shark, embarking on a dangerous and unpredictable mission.
''Jaws'' really scared me. From the very first scenes. The presence of the shark casts a sinister atmosphere throughout the film: it is so very suspenseful when we are fearing that the shark might appear anytime and that suspense is intense. Whenever the shark appears (and whenever we see its fin) it is terrifying, extremely terrifying. I found myself whispering 'get to the shore' over and over again to the vacationers when the shark was about to attack them.
''Jaws'' is suspenseful and intense, excellently-directed and acted. If you want a good scare then ''Jaws'' is definitely one of the films I would recommend the most!
Directed by: Pete Docter
Released: 2015
Country: United States
Genre: Comedy-drama, Adventure
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
The film ''Inside Out'' personifies the five basic emotions of a girl named Riley- the emotions being Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust and Anger. They all live inside Riley's mind. Riley's mind is a world in its own right. The five emotions live and work in the headquarters. The five emotions influence the way Riley feels about things. Joy- the most optimistic emotion- works to keep Riley happy and optimistic. When Riley's parents move to a different city- and Riley has to leave behind the city she was born and brought up in and her school and her hockey team- she finds it hard to be happy but tries her best. However, an accident lands Joy and Sadness out of the headquarters and, in the absence of Joy, Riley cannot find anything to be happy about. While Joy and Sadness try their best to make their way back to the headquarters- coming across different obstacles and adventures on their way- while Anger, Disgust and Fear try their best to keep Riley happy, but it has no consequences, as Riley cannot be truly happy in the absence of Joy, while Joy- always optimistic- keeps tackling the obstacles to find her way back to the headquarters.
''Inside Out'' is such an imaginative, original film! I loved the concept very much, and I loved the characters- particularly Joy, Sadness and Bing-Bong (a part-cat, part-elephant imaginary friend of Riley's whom Joy and Sadness encounter). The concept is amazing, and the story is filled with many imaginative elements- inside Riley's mind, there is a maze where the long-term memories are stored, there is a place where memories go when they are forgotten, there is a place where the subconscious memories are stored. There are workers, cleaners, and even train stations inside her mind. There is a place called Imagination Land- where there are such things as a French Fry Forest! Every person, in this film, has personified emotions: the emotions of Riley's father all have mustaches, while the emotions of Riley's mother wear glasses just like the person does. Such a very imaginative film it is!
If you have already watched the film: The most memorable quote from this film is probably ''Forget it Jake, it's Cloudtown''. When I heard it for the first time, I was speechless for a second, and then I burst out laughing. Such an interesting reference to the 1974 film ''Chinatown'', where there is a quote that goes like this- ''Forget it, Jake, it is Chinatown.''
Directed by: David Yates
Released: 2016
Country: United Kingdom, United States
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo, Ezra Miller, Samantha Morton
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
Ah, what a wonderful treat for a Potterhead like me! Being someone who literally grew up with Harry Potter, it is always delightful for me to find anything- anything- that somehow relates to the Harry Potter universe. ''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'' is, in that sense, perfect. It is a prequel to the Harry Potter series and has a screenplay written by none other than the great J. K. Rowling herself. I loved the film and cannot wait for the subsequent sequels!
Set in the 1920s, film basically revolves around Newt Schamander (played by the great Eddie Redmayne) who is an English wizard who loves magical creatures and beasts, collecting and rescuing them and in doing so, he saves them from extinction. He comes to New York, bringing with him only a suitcase which is filled with magical creatures (in fact, with the use of magic, he has created a little world for his creatures inside the suitcase, a world that we eventually get to know about over the course of the film). He comes across a Muggle, Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) and is, for some inevitable reasons, compelled to perform magic in front of him. This is, however, witnessed by Porpentina 'Tina' (Katherine Waterston), who works for the ministry and is shocked to see magic being performed in front of Muggle (Muggles are called 'No-Maj' in America). Things get worse when it is discovered that Newt's suitcase has been exchanged with that of Jacob and Tina and Newt are compelled to track Jacob down.
On the other hand, havoc is being created throughout the city. The Ministry believes that it is being caused by none other than the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald. However, when word gets out that Newt has brought with him a suitcase where dangerous creatures reside, the Ministry start suspecting that it might be Newt who is responsible for the havoc- an accusation that is baseless. But what is actually happening in the city? Who is actually responsible for all the attacks? How are the troubles being caused?
There are many things in this film that remind us of the fact that it is the prequel to the Harry Potter series. The film starts with our beloved ''Hedwig's Theme''. Spells that we had encountered in the Harry Potter series (like 'Alohomora' and 'Petrificus Totalus') are here in the film. It was like being transported to those days again, when we would wait for the next Harry Potter film and all the familiar things, the familiar spells would charm us. The film made me really nostalgic, it really did.
The film has a wonderful atmosphere, and the fantastic elements really impressed me (the safe haven that Newt has created for his creatures inside his suitcase is really impressive. It is so beautiful). Other than that, the story itself is really wonderful, full of twists and turns. The four major characters (Newt, Jacob, Tina and Queenie, Tina's sister) are really, really amazing and the roles are really well-acted. I hope we see more of them in the upcoming sequels! I really started caring for these four characters, they are well-written and fleshed out! J. K. Rowling's screenplay is excellent: she did it again, transporting us back to the amazing fictional universe that she created all those years ago and had made us fall in love with! And this time, too, she introduces such amazing characters that we cannot but admire them, care for them. I would recommend this film not just to Potterheads but also to those who love fantasy and adventure, to those who appreciate an excellent screenplay, to those who love characters with depth, and to those who love great, unpredictable stories!
Directed by: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Released: 2013
Country: United States
Genre: Musical, Fantasy, Adventure, Comedy
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
''Frozen'' was indeed a wonderful film! Beautiful visuals, amazing songs and score, a magical, sweet story, and an excellent screenplay- it is certainly one of best films of 2013.
Loosely based on ''The Snow Queen'' by Hans Christian Anderson, ''Frozen'' tells the story of Elsa, a princess who has got the power of creating ice and snow. Whatever she touches turns into ice. One day, while playing with her younger sister, Anna, she unintentionally freezes Anna's brain. However, Anna is revived, and her memories about Elsa's magical power is erased. The King and Queen are advised to keep Elsa away from people, because her power will become stronger with the passage of time. The main doors of the palace are closed in order to conceal Elsa's power from the people, and even Anna is not allowed to meet her. Anna misses playing with Elsa, and after their parent's death, Anna is left all alone, while Elsa remains alone in her closed room.
Years pass; Anna turns into a beautiful, but immature and lively, young woman, and Elsa comes of age, and is crowed as the queen. Anna meets Prince Hans, and falls in love with, and tells Elsa that she wants to marry him. Elsa, however, denies to give them her permission, saying that one can't possibly fall in love with someone he met that very day. Shocked and angry, Anna takes off Elsa's gloves, and the power from Elsa's hands creates ice in that very ballroom, exposing her power to the guests. She then runs away from the palace, knowing that her power will now be publicly known. She is accused of being a ''sorceress''. Elsa runs away, and as she runs, the whole kingdom gets covered by ice, and gets frozen.
Anna thinks that the whole kingdom has got frozen only because of her, because she had taken off Elsa's gloves. She decides to find Elsa and convince her unfreeze the kingdom, and embarks on a adventerous, dangerous journey. And soon she finds three quirky traveling partners: a mountain man who has a business of selling ice (his business isn't running well, as people don't need the ice anymore, as the whole kingdom is now icy), his reindeer, and a very cute, talkative little snowman.
On the other hand, Elsa has made up her mind to use her power for herself, for her life. She doesn't want to stay with constant fear anymore. She creates her own ice palace, on a remote mountaintop, and thinks that this is life that can suit her...
Will Anna be able to find Elsa? And what kind of dangers and adventures will she come across in her journey?
This film was amazing, so sweet, so beautiful, really funny, and really emotionally intense at times! The characters are wonderful. Elsa and Anna are both very strong characters, and Olouf, the snowman, is so cute and some of his lines were really funny! The score was really great, and some of the songs were really memorable (especially ''Let It Go'', which has won the Academy Award for Best Original Song).
It was a sweet, really memorable, funny and emotional film. I'd highly recommend it to those who like animated films, and also to those who want to watch a sweet and adorable film with a really great story and screenplay.
4.5 out of 5
Directed by: Francis Lawrence
Released: 2013
Country: United States
Genres: Adventure, Action, Thriller
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Stanley Tucci, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone, Lynn Cohen
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
Often, film adaptations don't have the charm of the original book. Film adaptations often leave out many elements from the book, elements that were quite essential for the development of the storyline and the characters. ''The Hunger Games: Catching Fire'' is not that kind of adaptation at all; not only is it as beautiful and deep as the original book, but it is also a better, much better film than the predecessor, ''The Hunger Games''. A word to sum it up: EXCELLENT film!
I first saw Jennifer Lawrence in the predecessor, ''The Hunger Games''. I had really liked the film, and the thing that perhaps remained most memorable to me was Lawrence's performance. She is such an extraordinarily talented actress, one of the most talented actresses today. In ''The Hunger Games'', Lawrence's performance in several scenes, for example, in Rue's death scene, was so extremely memorable, and in ''Catching Fire'', Lawrence perhaps delivers an even better performance. Her performance is one of the things that makes this an excellent film, that makes this such an emotional, intense film.
Katniss Everdeen has returned to District 12 after the 74th Hunger Games. She and Peeta now live in the Victor's Village. Katniss still has nightmares about those dreadful days of the Hunger Games.
One day, Katniss has an unexpected guest in her house: President Snow. Snow tells her that many people from the different districts thought that her poison-berry act was a sign of defiance against the Capitol, and there is a possibility of an uprising against the unjust Capitol. Snow tells Katniss that it is only she who can now prevent a possible uprising: she has to convince the people of the districts that she is madly in love with Peeta, and for this reason, she did that poisoned berry act in the last Hunger Games. And if Katniss doesn't convince the people, her family members would be harmed.
The victors of the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta, are on a tour in the 12 districts. Though they try their best to convince the people that they are madly in love, it's not convincing enough, and many people start preparing for an uprising, and look up to Katniss as a leader of their uprisings.
President Snow thinks that something needs to be done about this, and with this purpose, he makes a new rule for the 75th Hunger Games: the tributes will be chosen from the existing pool of victors from the districts, that is... Katniss and Peeta have to go back to the arena for the 75th Hunger Games...
This film astounded me! It was really so very good, so well-made, well-acted, well-written; it was even much better than it's excellent predecessor. This sequel touches a vast variety of things, like more emotions of the characters, and the injustice of the Capitol towards the districts and the hatred of the people towards the Capitol are well-portrayed.
Very few scenes had taken place in District 12 in the first film. In ''Catching Fire'', half of the story takes place in the District 12. The bleakness of the District is really well-portrayed.
All of the actors, be it in a major or a supporting role, give excellent performances. Jennifer Lawrence remains the most memorable, and her performance in many of the scenes, like her speech remembering Rue in District 11, really makes the audience emotional. The way in which she became emotional after seeing Rue's photo in District 11. Her scenes with Peeta, Gale, Prim, and Haymitch. Her performance remains really unforgettable.
Josh Hutcherson is excellent in his role as Peeta as well. Like many of the other characters present in the predecessor, his character also gets more emphasis in this film. Liam Hemsworth is present as Katniss's friend, Gale, in the scenes set in the District 12.
Others who remain memorable are Woody Harleson as Haymitch, Elizabeth Banks as Effie, Sam Claflin as Finnick, Jena Malone as Johanna, Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee, and Donald Sutherland as President Snow. Finnick is an important supporting character and Katniss and Peeta's major ally in the arena, and Claflin is excellent in this role. Jena Malone, as Johanna, is fascinating (her outburst, during her interview with Caeser Flickerman, was amazing!).
Elizabeth Banks's character, Effie, which remained a little irritating character in the first film, is so sympathetically portrayed in this film! She really gets sad when Katniss and Peeta are selected as the tributes; because she had started to love them. I really liked her ''We are a team'' parts. (She says that Katniss has a golden mockingjay pin as her token, she {Effie} has her golden hair, and Haymitch and Peeta also need something golden because they four are a team.) Was this part in the book? I can't recall, but I don't think so. Effie thus remains one of the most memorable characters in this film.
One of my most favorite scenes from the book was the 12 tributes holding hands. In the film, this film is powerfully portrayed as well. The scenes set in the District 12 are bleak, while those set in the arena are dark, and filled with revelations and dangers.
Overall, ''The Hunger Games: Catching Fire'' remains a memorable film, an extremely excellently-directed and acted film, and one of the few films that are not only as deep as the original book, but also better than it's predecessor.
4.5 out of 5
