Baby Driver (2017)

If scars could only speak and share their story of how they came to be, then Baby's would have a few to say. Young and innocent-looking, Miles (Ansel Elgort) a.k.a 'Baby', could pass off for just another college going, earphone donning student. But don't let looks fool you! Baby, though a man of few words, is a Maverick behind the wheel! He makes a living as a driver, but not just any driver mind you. He is the one to call if you want to make a clean and quick get-away. Baby isn't too happy doing what he does but for the debt that he can't wait to repay. And soon he has additional motivation to walk away when he finds love with Debora (Lily James), someone who shares his dream of taking off on the highway, with nothing but music for company. However, when you mix in tough circles the situation turns sticky and is a little like chewing gum, becoming hard to shake off.
The great musical with excellent soundtrack and some crazy driving sequences is the perfect cocktail in this action thriller. So if you are an adrenaline junkie, this movie is just for you.

Oh yeah! Move over Transporter, Baby Driver is in town. 

Something to listen to ...

The Jungle Book (2016)

As the story goes, Mowgli's father is killed by Shere Khan, the ferocious tiger. But this was not before Shere Khan is burnt by the Red Flower, known to attract and entice with its warmth but is notorious for the destruction and havoc it can leave in it's path when unrestrained. A wounded and embittered Shere Khan hightails it, unaware of the little human left in hiding. Bagheera - the panther, a total disciplinarian, finds the orphaned toddler and takes him over to the wolf-pack. Mowgli, the man cub, is brought up by the wolf-pack as one of their own and he grows up firmly believing it - he plays and races with his cub brothers and even howls like one. However once Shere Khan, who has been harboring a deep hatred for the human species sniffs him out, Mowgli is forced to flee. So begins an arduous search of his true identity. With Bagheera by his side Mowgli makes his way to the man village but his path is wrought with danger. He meets the majestic elephants, the creators of the forest. Kaa, the bone-crushing seductress, offers to take him "under her coils". Mowgli befriends Baloo, the friendly and carefree sloth bear. He is kidnapped by the Bandar log and taken to the monkey temple to meet Louie, the gigantic and paw-paw loving monkey-king. But all this is inconsequential until he faces the dreaded Shere Khan.
There have been a few onscreen adaptations of Rudyard Kipling's book but my absolute favorite is the 1967 animated version. It's wonderful how all the animals in this movie have been given such human characters. The story line has not veered too far from the original and with the help of 3D technology this movie though a tad bit scary for the children is a good one for the adults. 👌

What is this movie without the song that spells the very essence of this film.

The Last Samurai (2003)

Based on past experiences and having faced the atrocities of war, Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) has been scarred and left with an indelible mark, seeking solace from a bottle. Nearly penniless, he embarks on a mission to sell U.S. arms to Japan in their bid to suppress a rising rebellion from the Samurai against the Japanese Emperor, Emperor Meiji.
Yoshino Province, Japan, Circa 1876. In a camp setup for the sole purpose of training local peasants in modern warfare, Captain Algren leads an inept army against the Samurai. The clash of the samurai swords and guns leaves casualties in its wake but the silent, swift-footed warriors, revered and highly feared, soon strike terror into the hearts of their opponents. The army flees leaving behind their wounded Captain who is soon taken prisoner.
Secluded high up in the mountains in the village of the Samurai, Nathan is held captive at the house of Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe), the Samurai leader. Delirious and ravaged by a fever and recurring nightmares Nathan is nursed backed to health by the beautiful Taka (Koyuki), Katsumoto's sister and the widow of Hirotara, a warrior slain by Algren himself. In an even trade-off, Katsumoto learns more about the enemy through his prisoner and Nathan is soon learning the art of wielding a sword. Nathan begins to truly appreciate the lives, ideologies and the culture of a dying Samurai class.
Will Japan ably embrace modernization without putting to risk losing a rich and deep culture? Who's to tell!

 

I don't know how it took me this long to write about a movie that I love dearly! A beautifully shot Japan, engaging war scenes, a subtle and yet erotic showcase of romance ... Do watch if you haven't already! 

The Magnificent Seven (2016)

The past few weeks have been brutally busy and so a movie sounded like a good idea this weekend and "The Magnificent Seven" won the coin toss amongst the other releases.

The year is 1879 and in Rose Creek, a small community of farmers, people live simple and peaceful lives. However, corrupt industrialist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard) has his sights on the little town and he offers a pittance to buy the land from the locals. Bogue threatens and follows up to prove his intent and Emma Cullen's husband is one of the few shot in cold blood. Bogue leaves with the threat of returning after 3 weeks to claim what he deems is now his.
Emma seeks revenge and she leaves town in search of someone who can help. She meets warrant officer Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington) who initially declines to help but changes his mind when he hears about the gruesome murders. He begins a search for and gradually gathers a motley crew of talented gunslingers and fighters. Emma and the group return to Rose Creek  and begin to train the townsfolk and create a plan of attack.
The day arrives and the dreaded roar of approaching horse's hooves heralds Bogue's arrival with his army. What starts out as a victory for the people of Rose Creek soon turns into a massacre when Bogue brings out the heavy artillery. The simple revolvers, colts and shotguns are no match ... Will the people of Rose Creek stand to lose it all - after all? Will Emma get her revenge?
I haven't watched the original from 1960 but I did love this movie and what came to mind were old Western classics that we would hire from the local video store when we were little - "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" (1966), "Hang 'Em High" (1968), "Mackenna's Gold" (1969) ... and so comparitively I found this movie a little too pretty, so visually appealing, as compared to the above mentioned classics. But I can't complain -  Denzel dressed in black and donning a cowboy hat - has never looked more suave, Josh Faraday (Chris Pratt) the hustler looked debonair, Goodnight Robicheaux ( good ole Ethan Hawke) as the sniper, the religious Vincent D'Onofrio (Jack Horne) the tracker, Billy Rocks (Byung-hun Lee) the knife slinger, Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) and his beautiful accent is the Mexican outlaw and Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier), the loner is the ace archer. Eye-Candy for the girls.
And as the French would say - " Tout simplement magnifique"  ... And it's money well spent!

A all-time Oaters!

Word for the day :-
febrile - having or showing the symptoms of a fever

The Karate Kid (2010)

Haven't we watched at least one of "the Karate Kid" movies that have been made since 1984? But I want to particularly write about my favorite starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. I'm pretty biased, considering I can watch my favorite martial arts star - Jackie Chan and his famed moves and a beautiful China, of course.

As the story goes, which does nor veer too far from the original - give or take a few details to keep it new and interesting, Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) moves from Detroit, Michigan to Beijing, China owing to his mother's job. As exciting as the new place is he soon encounters bullies who are trained in kung-fu. He seeks the help of a maintenance man, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) from the apartment complex where he lives. Dre Parker who has an issue with keeping his jacket off the floor soon begins a journey of self-discovery, discipline and respect.

 All of 12 years Jaden shows off a six pack while he comfortably does his splits and he takes your breath away while he trains on the Wall of China and by the  splendid Wudang Mountains.

Truly the best, 1984

Who could forget Miyagi (Pat Morita) and him teaching Daniel kung-fu through what may seem mundane and menial tasks - like waxing the car, sanding down the patio, painting the fence, the house .....

Just a mention, while I was living in Vegas I was lucky to see the Mr. Noriyuki "Pat" Morita shopping on occasion, serene as ever, at the Smiths' on Rancho Dr. close to where he lived.
An image snapped, locked and stored in my memory.

The Revenant (2015)

When I began writing this piece, the Oscars were around the corner. I wanted to watch a few Oscar nominated films, and my picks "Joy" and "The Revenant" were no disappointments.
Ever since the Titanic, when I was crazy in love with Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio), I have waited for his Oscar win. Will 'The Revenant' cinch the deal for Leo?

Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio), the father of a half-native son, Hawk (Forrest Goodluck) and a frontiersman in the early 1800's is part of a crew of fur trappers. And like in any group there are friends and foes. John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy), a sadistic and greedy crew member, isn't too fussed with Glass. Out scouting alone one day, Glass is brutally mauled by a bear and a devoted crew refuses to abandon a fatally injured Glass. They decide to take him along on a makeshift stretcher but the unfavorable conditions gets the crew to realize that Hugh is only slowing them down. They reach a unanimous decision to pay John Fitzgerald and Jim Bridger (Will Poulter), a volunteer, to look after Glass to his last breath and thereupon in the event of his death to give him a respectable burial. John is determined to collect the sum promised to him on all account but has two obstacles to overcome - Jim and Hawk. In the harsh and bitter cold, Glass is left to die in a shallow grave. But the memories of his dead wife is his saving grace and gives him the strength to face brutal blizzards, outwit the Arikara, fight hunger and infection and seek the ultimate redemption.
The amazing cinematography will make you live, breathe and experience every moment of the film.
'The Revenant' was nominated  for and won numerous awards like the BAFTA, the Golden Globe and the Academy as well.
But the one sentence all acclaimed actors want to hear is ~ and the Oscar for 'Best Actor' goes to .... Need I say more. 👏

Word for the day :-
revenant - a person who has returned, especially supposedly from the dead

Behind Enemy Lines (2001)

US Naval flight officer, Chris Burnett (Owen Wilson) and his companion Jeremy Stackhouse make a great team behind their fighter jet. However, after 7 years in the navy, Chris is disillusioned with his role and he hands over his resignation to his commanding officer Admiral Reigart (Gene Hackman). Left with just two weeks on the aircraft carrier in Bosnia, Chris takes a test run with Jeremy during which time they come across some suspicious activity in a demilitarized zone and they decide to veer off their planned course and collect photographic evidence. En route, their plane is shot down by a couple of missiles. Chris takes off to radio in their position and Jeremy is captured and executed by the Serbs'. So begins Chris's ordeal as he  tries to escape from his ruthless Bosnian-Serb pursuers and survive.  

On the icy mountain slopes in war-torn Bosnia - dodging landmines, snipers and hoping to get across evidence of a possible genocide of the Bosnian population, this action packed war film is a nail-biter all the way through.

Word for the day :-

egregious - outstandingly bad; shocking