A perfect murder (1998)

I was told this was based on the Hitchcockian 'Dial M for murder'; basically a retelling of the story. 15 minutes into the movie I knew exactly what was gonna happen. Every scene played out into the next one & there was no thrill at all in this thriller. For a moment I did imagine a slightly more cheerful ending, but the director stole that from me.

Ok, the wife knows several languages... so what? Why have an interesting detective character when you have no use for him? The wife's emotions are a joke. & lover seemed very confused about his own intentions; is he conning her or not? The title of the movie was completely misleading. I wish I had seen 'Dial M for murder' instead. I guess I'll end up avoiding a much better movie because of this one.

Favourite scenes include: There wasn't a single moment in the movie which is worth a mention.

Alternate Ending: A 3-way confrontation would have been better; atleast would have kept some thrill going. That ending was colder than frostbitten toes falling off.

First Viewed: Alone at Harborne in Parramatta.

Rating-1*

Jackie Brown (1997)

It's very hard to forget this is a QT movie. I like the familiar disjointedness in all his flicks. The guy's built up the expectations sky-high & it makes it difficult to rate any movie of his independently without referencing his other skilled masterpieces. But I'll try. The gun commercials at the start of the movie; they mock so well. As always, there is never any hurry to get anywhere.

I knew what I was getting into. I was ready for a convoluted story which will string together bit by bit. But that's not what unfolded. I was scratching my head after the dressing-room exchange, wondering what was happening. Why was everything so plain !! It felt like I was watching the super-extended Director's cut version of this story. The chewing gum was soon losing its flavour & my jaws were beginning to hurt. I couldn't understand why QT let the story overspill over 140 mins.

Favourite scenes include: "Serious as a heart-attack"; Mel & Louis in the car-park; "your ass used to be beautiful... "; "My ass maybe dumb; but I ain't no dumbass"; Jackie practicing with the revolver;

Alternate Ending: I felt saddened to see Max watch Jackie walk out of his office; & I even half-expected Ray (from ATF) to swoop in on Jackie as she flew to Madrid. I'd like to change that; give either one of the guys a chance.

First Viewed: Alone at Harborne in Parramatta.

Rating-2.5*

JCVD (2008)

I've winghed watching some of his movies . But I began watching JCVD with some hope. I liked the trailer. JVCD playing JCVD, or a poorer version of himself. The movie begins off with JCVD single-handedly destroying a battalion of soldiers in a long uncut sequence. & huffing and complaining about his age. & then, we get to see him taking hostages & robbing a postoffice. Or so it seems...

The movie is a very clever take on the impression JCVD has imprinted on the minds of people who loathe his adrenaline-pumped cinema. My sister hates him even without having watched any of his movies! Some very clever person saw that there was a good story to tell; involving JCVD's personal ghosts. & his name Jean-Claude Van Varenberg. Damme!!
There's six minute 4th wall scene, in which JCVV talks directly to the audience crying his heart out & lays out his story.
There not much action in this movie & it solely relies on JCVD's acting skills to carry it to the end. Infact there's no other plotline other than the pitch of the movie.

Favourite scenes include: The starting scene; the candid-camera scene; the joke about Steven Seagal's ponytail; the outer-body monolgue; the dream-sequence with the flying kick

Alternate Ending: It was a very sober ending; & kudos to the director for choosing it. But it left the feeling that something was amiss. It defeated the heroics...& I would change it to a more rewarding end.

First Viewed: Alone at Harborne in Parramatta.

Rating-2

3-Iron [Bin Jip] (2004)

The first thing I noticed was the BMW motorbike (& then the BMW car). Then I understood the neat trick involving the fastfood flyers. I liked how he fixed things. I liked the way the movie progressed; & I loved the last tagline of the movie. I loved that the hero/heroine don't speak at all; & the only words she says in the end made it special. The last bit of him haunting the other homes was unnecessary; but logical. There is so much metaphorical stuff in this movie that it's awesome. The photographs embodied stagnancy & chains; while the invisibility of the house-breakers depicted free-spiritedness.

It is a very slow movie; but brilliant.

Favourite scenes include: Golf in the park; When she joins the photoshoot; when the boxer returns home; the first kiss; the total weight being zero.

Alternate Ending: The golf-ball car-accident seemed sour; but it showcased his remorse. & her being a glamour-model didn't make any sense. I'd redo those bits.

First Viewed: Alone at Harborne in Parramatta.

Rating-3.5

Winter's bone (2010)

Never ask for what you ought to be offered. The movie has some very touching emotions about family ties and the dreadfulness of life. Jennifer Lawrence puts on such a wonderful performance that she overshadows everything in this movie. It felt like a one-person-show. There was a good amount of suspense, but it was a drama all along. The Missouri wilderness had a chilling effect in the movie. There were several moments where I felt the movie dragged, and stories like this don't have much repeat value.

Favourite scenes include: Squirrel hunting; the pond scene;

Alternate Ending: I don't know how the book ended, but when Teardrop said 'I know who', I got a sinking feeling that there was more pain coming this girl's way. I'd have dropped that bit.

First Viewed: Alone at Harborne in Parramatta.

Rating-2.5*

Moon (2009)

The movie starts off as a normal thriller; i.e. the audience is provided with some questions that keep them engrossed in the story. However the tale unravels quite quick & soon I'm wondering if all thats said in 45mins; whats left in the other 45mins?? There were scenes which reminded me of 'The 13th floor'. Then the film turns into a psychological drama of conscienceness. The point where Sam sets the new coordinates had me scratching my noggin. But it was the only thing to be done. All in all, I felt the writing was good & Rockwell did a fine job. But it could have been much much shorter.

I grade it higher than 2* just to appreciate the psychosis involved.

Favourite scenes include: The pingpong scene; the log-review realization;

Alternate Ending: Why was Sam hallucinating (the girl in the chair)? Was it part of the 3 year shelf-life? How could LI Control speak to Gerty if the jammers were in place? How did Gerty know when to activate a new Sam? unanswered questions galore. I knew what was gonna happen from halfway thru the movie. But I wouldn't include Gerty's disobedience in my version.

First Viewed: Alone at Harborne in Parramatta.

Rating-2.5*

Zombieland (2009)

Columbus, Tallahassey, Wichita & Little Rock fight Zombies !! A set of well-researched rules gave them the survival edge over the mutilated cannibals. It could have been wounded up as a short film; but they explored the human side to things. & it turned out to be a decent flick. The makers kept the content light & made it a point to 'enjoy the little things'.

Favourite scenes include: Opening credits; Neighbour from 406; the con-girls; Indian shop destruction; bad-boy-type; Garfield maybe?; the final showdown at Pacific playground.

Alternate Ending: It's good that they left an open ending; but I'd leave it as is & not try for a sequel.

First Viewed: Alone at Harborne in Parramatta.

Rating-2.5

Weekend at Bernie's (1989)

The movie starts off with a peppy Jamaican tune to a hot summer, with 2 over-worked insurance employees, Richard & Larry skiving off to the beach (on a NY rooftop with the tar melting off). & Bernie, their boss, calls them over to his beach-house in Hampton Island over the weekend with the intent to knock them off. Cath Stewert is Gwen, the hot summer intern at the office. I liked the dialogues; & there wasn't a dull moment.

Favourite scenes include: 'I don't even have an aunt'; 'you have a butler!?'; I loved Bernie's beach-house; the suicide note; the boat scenes; possibility open for a sequel

Alternate Ending: I liked the ending... but didn't like the part that the police knew Bernie was dead; that would mess up the sequel.

First Viewed: Alone at Harborne in Parramatta.

Rating-2.5*