After more than four years, The Random Films is moving to a new home. The rebranded, restructured and refashioned blog will have new features such as First Peeks (trailers of upcoming movies) and TV Series (reviews of favorite television shows). Hope you support the new blog just the same. Please visit:MOVIEcracy
Everyone seeks justice. But when justice is viewed by
different eyes, conflict occurs. With this conflict come pain, fears, and
doubts. In this 2011 Iranian drama film, A
Separation takes us into the lives of an Iranian middle-class couple and
the complications that their separation and an impending case bring in.
When it comes to films about princesses and their
happily-ever-after lives, Walt Disney Pictures is just the authority. In this
2012 animated fantasy film, Disney once again offered a story about the strength
of a young princess and her will to shape her own destiny.
Respiro is a2002 award-winning Italian film. Writtenand directed by Emanuele Crialese, the movie stars Valeria Golino, Vincenzo Amato and Francesoc Casisa. Respire means a “breath” in Italian language.
Plot. The film is the story of a wild- and free-spirited mother and her redemption as a human and as a person.
Grazia is married to shy fisherman Pietro and a mother of three sons. The family lives on a small peaceful fishing village on the island of Lampedusa in the Mediterranean Sea. Behind her jovial personality, Grazia is suffering from manic depressive behavior. Her moods are swinging. Sometimes, she would swim naked on the beach; at times, she would be laughing hysterically; and at other times, she would sulk in bed. Her condition is not a secret to the whole village and to the adult members of her extended family. Occasionally, they think of sending her to a facility in Northern Italy.
Rudo y Cursi (or “Rude and Tacky”) is a 2008 Mexican drama/comedy film. It stars Diego Luna, Guillermo Francella, and Mexican contemporary superstar Gael Garcia Bernal. It is directed by Carlos Cuaron and incidentally the director’s first full-length movie. It was internationally released and distributed by Universal Studios and Sony Pictures Classics.
Water is a 2005 Canadian film directed and written by Deepa Mehta. The film is in Hindi and deals with the lives of Hindu widows in British colonial India of 1938. It is the third part of Mehta’s Elements trilogy – Fire (1996) and Earth (1998). In 2006, it was translated into a novel entitled Water: A Novel by Bapsi Sidhwa. The movie stars Seema Biswas, Lisa Ray, John Abraham, and Sarala Kariyawasam.
Plot.Water is set in 1938 in British India Empire. During this period, Hindus follow their tradition of marriage of young girls to older men. In the event that the man dies, his young widow would have to spend the rest of her life in an ashram, an institution for widows where they make amends for the sins from their previous life which have supposedly caused their husband’s death.
The movie begins with Chuyia, an eight-year old girl, who had lost her husband and then instantly left in the ashram for Hindu widows. The ashram is a dilapidated two-story building housing fourteen women. The place is ruled by Madhumati, a fat lady in her 70s who forces the widows to ask for alms to support the ashram. There, Chuyia befriends some widows, including the enigmatic Shakuntala and the beautiful Kalyani. Shakuntala is one of the few widows who can read, but is quiet and reserved, mainly because of her anger of being a widow. She is a devout Hindu who often seeks the counsel of an old priest. Meanwhile, Kalyani is valued in the ashram for her beauty and is the only one whose hair is not short. With Chuyia’s arrival, she now becomes the second youngest widow in the place. Unknown to the other widows, Kalyani is being traded by Madhumati as a prostitute. During some nights, she is secretly taken across the water to the customers by Madhumati and Gulabi, another widow. This has been going on since Kalyani’s childhood and has since become a good source of income for the ashram.
The complication happens when Chuyia meets a young and handsome follower of Mahatma Gandhi and of Gandhism named Narayan. Consequently, Chuyia introduces Narayan to Kalyani and both feel an instant attraction. In the beginning, both have hesitations as Kalyani fears the regulations regarding widows and as Narayan’s upper-class family is against his beliefs and his choices. However, during a romantic ride through the British section of the city, Narayan declares his love and the two decide on getting married. Thrilled, Kalyani shares the secrets of her wedding plans to Chuyia.
A secret cannot be kept hidden forever and soon Madhumati learns about it. Enraged, she rushes to Kalyani’s room and cuts off her long black hair and locks her. Over the protests of the other widows and as a sign of rebellion, Shakuntala unlocks the door to Kalyani’s room. Kalyani walks out of the ashram and bathes in the ghats. She then proceeds to a small deserted temple where Narayan is waiting for her, and despite her worn appearance, Narayan asks her in a whisper if she will marry him. Narayan takes Kalyani across the water to his parents’ house but upon recognizing the gates of the house, Kalyani asks him for his father’s full name. After his reply, Kalyani demands that they turn around and she be taken back. She gives no reason for her change of mind and suddenly departs. Later, Narayan learns from his father that he has used Kalyani as a prostitute, as Brahmins or men in upper class can take any woman they want and such women would be blessed. Disgusted with this belief, Narayan leaves his father’s house and decides to join Mahatma Gandhi. He goes to the ashram, only to find out that Kalyani has drowned herself in grief.
Meanwhile, that previous night has also been eventful for Chuyia. With Kalyani gone, Madhumati sends Chuyia away with Gulabi to a client waiting for her across the water. Shakuntala learns about it and runs out to protect Chuyia. She rushes to the shore, just in time for Chuyia’s return. The child is deeply traumatized and barely able to respond. After spending the night with Chuyia reflecting on the shore, she walks with her through town and delivers the child at the train station where a train that carries Gandhi’s followers is ready to leave. Instinctively, she follows the crowd to receive Gandhi’s blessing and then ask people to take Chuyia with them and put her under Gandhi’s care. She spots Narayan and gives Chuyia to her. The train then departs to a much better world and future.
Commentary. Water deals with a sensitive cultural and political issue. It portrays the lives of women during the time when India is under caste system and widows are suffering from too much discrimination. Here, widows are condemned for the death of their husband and are sent into a lifetime of penitence and loneliness. They are not allowed to talk, touch or interact with anyone as it makes that person sin to do so. If they remarry, they would be reborn seven times as a jackal. With these details, Water is informative and historical. Yet, the movie is not preachy and judgmental at all for it simply gives us a picture of what widow’s life is like during that time. It gives us a harrowing and deeply moving picture, evoking in us a feeling of hatred and disgust in such a cruel society. It can make anyone stand up for justice, equality and freedom. The movie is deeply harrowing and its message crosses several culture and generation. There may not be such practices in today’s society but discrimination still exists in some other forms and means. There are gender discriminations, bias capitalism, societal classes, and many others.
Water is a silent killer. It is a lengthy movie and slow-paced. However, it has a clear storyline that can excite viewers. No matter how sleepy some scenes are, you can still find yourself eagerly anticipating the next events. In the end, anyone would be moved to tears as the realization that the road to change requires painful sacrifices dawns on him or her.
The movie is a real classic and its excellence must be credited to both the production team and the actors. Despite its subject matter, Water is not an Indian film but a Canadian production. Director Mehta has given us an insightful look at India’s life before. Some factual details must have been left out, but the twists and turns were rightfully infused. The lead actors deserve a standing ovation for their believable and heartfelt performances, too.
Water has many wonderful passages. This is one of the best:
“Learn to live like a lotus, untouched by the filthy water it grows in.”
Reception. Water was nominated for several awards including Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2007, and won some including the 2006 Bangkok International Film Festival for Best Film. It premiered at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival where it was honored with the opening Gala.
Rating.Water is one of the best Indian films I have ever seen. It has great social and moral significance. For this, I will give the film five stars out of five.
Alice in Wonderland is a 2010 animated film directed by Tim Burton and released by Walt Disney. It has a powerhouse cast, mainly composing of Mia Wasikowska as Alice, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Anne Hathaway. The film is inspired by Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its 1871 sequel Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There. In the movie, the now nineteen-year-old Alice, 13 years after her last visit, returns to Wonderland as a young woman and with a new mission.
Plot. In a garden party, nineteen-year-old Alice Kingsleigh is suddenly confronted with a marriage proposal. Confused, she runs away and encounters a rabbit in a blue waistcoat. She chases after it and then accidentally falls into a large rabbit hole. Alice is transported to a world called Underland. There, she meets the White Rabbit, the Dormouse, the Dodo, and Tweedledum and Tweedledee. The strangers argue whether she is “the right Alice” who is bound to slay the Red Queen’s monster called Jabberwocky and restore the White Queen to power. The group is found and then chased by a group of playing-card soldiers led by the Knaves of Hearts. However, Alice escapes into the woods.
The Knaves of Heart tells the Red Queen about Alice, and immediately, she orders the soldiers to find Alice. Meanwhile, Alice finds Mad Hatter who is consequently seized by the enemies when protecting her. Instead of going to the White Queen, she proceeds to the Red Queen’s castle and pretends to be a servant named “Um”. She learns that the only weapon that can kill the Jabberwocky is the Vorpal Sword which is locked away inside the Bandersnatch’s den. After befriending the monster, Alice escapes the castle and delivers the sword to the White Queen. Yet, the Queen gives her the sword for only “Alice” can fulfill the destiny. To clarify her confusions, Alice meets with Absolem the Catterpillar and is reminded of her past visit to Underland, which she mistakenly called “Wonderland” at the time. With her memories returned, Alice finally takes courage. Also, the Hatter is saved by the Cheshire Cat from execution and then calls for a rebellion against the Red Queen.
When the Frabjous Day arrives, both the White and Red Queens meet on a chessboard-like battlefield and from their armies, they send forth their chosen champions – Alice and the Jabberwocky. After a difficult battle, Alice wins the battle. As a punishment, the Red Queen and the Knaves of Heart are banished to the Outlands. The White Queen gives Alive a vial of the Jabberwocky’s blood which can take her home. Alice bids farewell to Underland with a promise to return.
Alice goes home. She then stands up for her family and vows to live her own life.
Commentary.Alice in Wonderland is a unique and refreshing version of a favorite children’s tale. Here, Alice has grown up and returns to a dull, chaotic, and dark Wonderland. Compared with the tale, the movie has less adventures but more drama. The young woman Alice finds her true self in the Wonderland, while fulfilling a great prophecy. Despite the dark atmosphere of the setting, the characters are very delightful, humorous, witty, and engaging. It is really feels great to see the familiar characters, yet now in Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). It is nostalgic and dramatic at the same time. Though the images are really plausible, the movie is not very different from other such films which have better visuals than plot.
Actors. The actors in the film have done well, especially Johnny Depp (though the design and look of his character here is reminiscent of his other roles) and Anne Hathaway. I guess they all fit perfectly well into CGI.
Reception. Alice in Wonderland is a huge commercial success, becoming the second highest-grossing film of 2010 worldwide (behind Toy Story), and the sixth highest-grossing film of all time worldwide. It is also director Tim Burton’s highest-grossing film, as well as the highest-grossing children’s book adaptation.
Critically, the film received mixed reviews. Rotten Tomatoes gave it an average score of 5.7 out of 10. In Metacritic, it received a rating score of 53 out of 100.
Rating.Alice in Wonderland is visually excellent but the whole movie itself rests on ordinariness. So I would have to give it two and a half stars out of five.
How to Train Your Dragon is a computer-animated fantasy film released by DreamWorks Animation and Paramount Pictures in 2010. It is loosely based on a 2003 book of the same name. The movie features the voices of Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.
Plot. The film follows the adventures of a boy named Hiccup as he struggles to befriend and trains a dragon. It is set in a mythical Viking world on an island called Berk. Over time, the Vikings have been frequently attacked by dragons which raid their livestocks and destroy their homes. They have attempted to find the dragons’ lair but are unsuccessful.
Hiccup is the talkative, bright son of Stoick, chief of a Viking clan. Being small compared to the other Viking kids, Hiccup makes up for his size by building contraptions to kill dragons, especially the Night fury, the most dangerous dragon known. He does this to gain the admiration of his father and of the girl he has eyes for – the competent and aggressive Astrid.
Like other kids, Hiccup is under training for “killing dragons” and in between lessons, he explores the nearby woods and checks on his inventions. One day, his contraption has caught a Night Fury whose tailwing is damaged. Hiccup tries to kill dragon, but cannot get himself to do it. Instead, he frees the dragon. Afterwards, he discovers that the dragon cannot fly due to its injury. Summoning all his courage, Hiccup befriends the dragon and successfully helps it fly again. The two establishes a bond and becomes friend, and Hiccup names the dragon “Toothless.”
Astrid soon finds out Hiccup’s secret. But Hiccup convinces her otherwise, and they both ride Toothless and explore the land. Incidentally, they reach a volcanic-like island where the dragons live. Inside, they find that the dragons do not eat the livestock itself but instead give it to a giant dragon (a Seadragonus Giganticus Maximus) which also feeds off the other dragons. Astrid assumes that the dragons are forced to serve the giant beast.
The next day, Hiccup’s secret is revealed to the community as he fails the final test. Consequently, Toothless is caught and made to lead the soldiers to the lair of the dragons. Left behind, Hiccup assembles the children in the island and teaches them to befriend the training dragons. Ultimately, the group sets off and helps the Viking fleet. It is a long and hard battle as Hiccup fights to prove to the Vikings that the dragons are friends. In the end, Hiccup and Toothless successfully defeat the giant beast.
Some time later, Hiccup wakes up in their island to find that he has lost his foot, replaced by an artificial limb. Despite this, Hiccup is celebrated as the hero of the village. Toothless and also all the other dragons are there, living in harmony with all the people.
Review. How to Train Your Dragon is a beautiful coming-of-age animated fantasy film. It is vibrant with colorful graphics and exciting fight scenes. It is full of wit as evident in its meaty dialogues and heart-warming storyline. It is very engaging, suspenseful, and lovable.
But more than the technical brilliance of the film is its underlying message. The movie teaches about change and the openness and willingness to embrace it. In the film, we see a boy trained to kill dragons, but when confronted with one, he turns soft and feels compassion for it that he befriends it. On the other hand, the community chooses to stay blind to the various potentials of having dragons around them. And even though faced with resistance, the boy redeems himself and shows the worth of the dragons. As in real life, we grow up with traditions and culture vested on us. When new possibilities come our way, we suddenly become afraid to take risks and choose to remain with where we are. We are contented with the security of status quo and let go the fruits and joys of taking chances, even it has been really a mistake in the end.
Reception.How to Train Your Dragon received both critical and commercial success. In Rotten Tomatoes, 98% of its critics gave a positive review with an overall rating of 8.0 out of 10. In Metacritic, the film received a rating score of 74 out of 100. In the box office, the movie is one of DreamWorks highest-grossing films, trailing behind the Shrek film series. Accordingly, part two of the film will be released by 2013.
Rating. I would willingly let kids watch this film. It is fun and not violent despite the fight scenes. It also has good moral lessons to teach. So five stars out of five for this movie.
Life is Beautiful, (Italian: La vita è bella), is a 1997 Italian language film. The lead role of the film was played by Roberto Benigni who also co-wrote and directed it. Nicoletta Braschi, Benigni’s actual wife, played the female protagonist in the movie.
Plot. The first half of the film deals with the comic and romantic development of the affair of Italian Jew Guido Orefice and aristocratic Dora, set before the Second World War. The second half is the family’s strife through the War as they struggle to keep the family together.
Before the War, Guido Orefice arrives in Arezzo where he takes a job as a waiter in his uncle’s hotel and plans to set up his own bookstore. Later, he romances a local school teacher named Dora who happens to come from a wealthy, aristocratic, non-Jewish Italian family. On the night of her engagement party from her arrogant fiancé, Guido comes and steals her away. They marry and have a son they named Giosuè.
Years pass and Giosuè has grown to be a good four-a-half-year-old kid. However, World War II has set out and Guido, his uncle, and Giosuè are forced to take a train going to a concentration camp on Giosuè’s birthday. Dora manages to board on the same train.
In the camp, Guido hides his son from the Nazi guards. To keep Giosuè from crying and wanting to go home, he continually humors him. He tells him that the camp is only a game, and the first person to reach 1000 points will get a reward – a tank. Crying and complaining will make them lose points while being a quite boy who successfully hides from the camp guide will earn them points. Meanwhile, Dora stays on the women’s camp but is assured by Guido that they are safe. Despite the loneliness, misery, sickness and death around them, Guido manages to keep his family’s spirits through his humor and optimism.
On their last night in the camp, the American forces advance and take over the camp. In the ensuing chaos, Guido tells his son to stay inside a sweatbox until everybody has left, this being the final test before the tank is rewarded to the winner. After trying to find Dora, Guido gets caught by a Nazi guard and is consequently shot dead. The following morning, Giosuè gets out of the sweatbox and find the camp deserted. An American tank soon arrives and is delighted with the idea that they have won the contest. The Americans take him and on their way, they see his mother and Giosuè gets reunited with her. Years later, Giosuè realizes the sacrifices his father has made for them and that he has died on that night.
Review. Life is Beautiful is personally one of my most favorite films. The movie is wonderfully written, the cinematography is brilliant, the storyline is new, and the message is very deep and inspiring.
The movie is a beautiful mix of comedy and drama. The comedy lies in the light disposition of the main character. His wife falls for him because of him great humor and sincerity, and his son survives the war through his imagination and wit. Throughout the film, he keeps on putting smiles on his family’s face despite the very trying situations. On the other hand, the drama lies in the family’s love for each other and their unselfish desire to keep themselves together. Dora, the wife, follows his family to the camp, unmindful of the dangers she would encounter, though she could avoid it all because she is not Jewish. Giosuè, the son, has faith in his father and is able to maintain his innocence and giggles amidst the gunfire. And of course, Guido, the loving father and husband, does any possible things to remind his family of their happy moments, and to be hopeful that they will all be reunited in the end. His effort to remain positive despite the War is overwhelmingly inspiring.
Life is Beautiful is about the War, family, and life. It is educational as it portrays the hardship that Jews suffered during World War II. Also, it motivates audience to value the bonds of family and to realize the sacrifices parents are willing to do for their children. And lastly, the movie teaches us great lessons about hope, happiness, and love.
Actor. I looked up to Roberto Benigni. He perfectly does comedy, yet also being dramatic at the same time. His character Guido is able to appear genuinely happy before his son, yet anyone can see the tears welling in his eyes and the misery in them. That was really heart-breaking and only a few, brilliant artists can do that. Plus, the language is Italian, yet non-Italians can feel right through the emotions. I take off my hat for him!
Unforgettable scene. The memorable parts of the film will be those heart-breaking scenes, and there lots of them. Even just imagining, my heart still aches for that scene on the fateful night when Guido dies. He is really on a grave danger that moment, but Guido is still able to make Giosuè laugh, even for the last time.
Reception. The film was both financial and critical success. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a “Fresh” rating of 79%. At the 71st Academy Awards in 1999, Benigni won the Academy Award for Best Actor and the film won both the Academy Award for Best Original Dramatic Score and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It also won the Grand Prize of the Jury at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.
Rating. Five stars for this movie! Life is Beautiful has instantly become a classic and would forever remain one of the most celebrated films of all time.
Avatar is a 2009 science fiction film written and directed by James Cameron. Its stars Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Joel David Moore, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, and many others. It is released and distributed by Lightstorm Entertainment, Dune Entertainment, Ingenious Film Partners, and 20th Century Fox.
Plot. The movie explores the world of Pandora, a lush habitable moon of a gas giant in the Alpha Centauri star system. This world is inhabited by 10-foot-tall blue-skinned, sapient humanoids called as the Na’vi. These creatures live in harmony with nature and worship a mother goddess named Eywa.
In 2154, the RDA Corporation is mining a valuable mineral called unobtanium on Pandora. The Hometree, dwelling of the Na’vi, sits on the richest deposit of unobtanium for hundreds of miles. The humans are challenged on how to acquire this great deposit from the aliens. To accomplish this, scientists use Na’vi-human hybrid called avatars that are operated through mental link by genetically matched humans.
In the beginning, Jake Sully, a paraplegic former marine, replaces his twin brother, an avatar operator who was killed in a robbery. His avatar is assigned as a bodyguard of Dr. Grace Augustine, head of the Avatar Program, and scientist Norm Spellman on their expedition to collect biological sample and data in the forest. Unfortunately, Jake’s avatar is attacked by a jungle predator, strays from his team, and gets lost in the forest. Jake accidentally meets a female Na’vi named Neytiri who happens to be the daughter of the clan’s chief Eytukan, and since she sees omen from the Eywa, Neytiri takes Jake to the whole clan.
Jake gets included to the community and she is taught by Neytiri the way of life of the Na’vis. Just when Jake gains the trust of the whole clan, the forces of the RDA Corporation moves and attacks the Na’vis. The aliens then learn of Jake’s original mission. But Jake has fallen for Neytiri and for the whole clan. With his last ounce of courage, he successfully scuffles against a powerful predator and redeems himself. With the help of his human friends, Jake leads a massive war – humans against the Na’vis and all the Pandoran lives.
In a heart-warming ending, Jakes undergoes a ritual dedicated to Eywa to permanently transfer him into his avatar.
Film Background. The idea for the movie began in 1994 and filming is supposed to start after the completion of Cameron’s 1997 film Titanic. Due to the unavailability of appropriate technology, filming was forgone. Work began again by 2005.
The language of the Na’vi was created by Dr. Paul Frommer, a linguist from USC. It has a vocabulary of about 1000 words with some 30 added by Cameron. It is loosely based from some sounds found in the Amharic language of Ethiopia and from New Zealand Maori.
The humanoids Na’vi was inspired by a dream that Cameron’s mother had, long before the Avatar was started. In her dream, she saw a blue-skinned woman 12 feet tall. Cameron thought it was a good color, and it seemed to have a connection to the Hindu deities.
Review.Avatar is one of the best films ever created, both because of its mesmerizing production and the message behind the film.
Avatar is visually engaging. Films always portray aliens as scary humanoids or distorted monsters. The vision of blue-skinned creatures with a heart for nature and balance of life is very new and inspiring. The film has successfully blended animation with live action. The special effect behind the movie is very powerful with a great live sound to match that every character seems to pop out of the screen. The new world it created, Pandora, though based on many real sites on the planet, feels so unique, vivid and dynamic that audience would love “visiting” it again and again. The storyline may be reminiscent of other movies or popular books, but the creativity in every aspect – the alien world, the human technology, the battle scenes, and all, made it very unforgettable, lovable, and enjoyable.
Avatar also crosses both social and political themes. First, the love of nature is highlighted in the film and the struggle of many separate groups in protecting it from the few vicious minds. The opposing forces in film best represent militarism, capitalism, and imperialism in the real world. Avatar has profoundly put on film the struggle of nature against the erosive forces of capitalism. The movie has also touched in a very touching and unique way lessons of love, respect, appreciation, trust, and hope. The only bad criticism I can give to the film is that, once again, “a white guy becomes the hero of a non-white culture”. However, the ending compensates for this somewhat discriminating point. The “white guy” embraces the foreign culture, accepts them, and becomes part of them, an admission that “whites” may not always be superior and that they can succumb to other societies.
Unforgettable scenes. It is hard to pick the very best part of the movie for it is packed with beautiful and entertaining moments, scenes after scenes. I suppose the part near the end when Jake links to a pterodactyl-like predator really made me jumped off the chair. But the battle, all Pandoran lives against human, would be the most heart-pumping, triumphant moment of the movie.
Reception. Critics generally love Avatar. Rotten Tomatoes reported that 83% of its critics gave a positive review with an average rating of 7.4 out of 10. Metacritics gave a rating of 84% based on 35 reviews. Time ranked Avatar #10 in their list of “Best Movies of the Decade,” while IGN listed it as #22 on their list of the top 25 Sci-Fi movies of all time.
Avatar was a huge commercial success. It broke several box office records during its release and became the highest-grossing films of all time worldwide, surpassing Titanic which had held the box office records for the previous twelve years. It was also the first film to gross more than $2 billion.
Rating. Without a shadow of doubt, Avatar is an epic masterpiece. For that, five stars out of five for the film.
