Life of Pi

Release Date: Nov 21, 2012  
Runtime: 2 hr. 5 min. 
Director: Ang Lee 
Cast: Suraj Sharma, Irfan Khan, Tabu, Rafe Spall, Gérard Depardieu.

This year in cinema has been full of ocular exuberance, from the superhero-laden "The Avengers" to the multi-periodic "Cloud Atlas." But none has ignited the screen quite like Ang Lee's "Life of Pi," an incredible journey that brims with heart and imagination. Based on the best-selling novel about a boy lost at sea, the film explores the ulterior lining between faith and reasoning. As much a spiritual tale as it is one of bravery, it recounts the events from his fledgling childhood to his enlightened adulthood. And it is there that the story begins, eventually culminating in the life-altering tragedy that ultimately becomes an awakening. Ang Lee takes us on a vivid ride through the colorful landscapes of India and to the depths of the majestic Pacific. By way of dazzling effects and intelligent use of 3D, he captures an ethereal world in a place that's as vacant as the sea. The sheer scope of it is enough to create a sense of wonder, similar to watching an episode of Discovery's "Planet Earth" but at a far superior scale. Be that as it may, the theme of the film is prone to speculation, as some may find it more preaching than others. The topic of faith, while an overarching aspect, is not the sole purpose of the film however, and it takes one with an open mind to see past that. Suraj Sharma as the titular Pi projects an inexperienced youth on the brink of self-discovery. As he had no prior acting experience to the role, he plays to the best of his aptitude, albeit neither above or below expectations. In any case, "Life of Pi" will surely amass a great deal of accolades in the upcoming months. Whether you choose to believe or not is entirely up to you.

Rating: 4½ stars

Skyfall

Release Date: Nov 09, 2012 
Runtime: 2 hr. 23 min. 
Director: Sam Mendes 
Cast: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Judi Dench, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw.

50 years ago, audiences everywhere were first introduced to the greatest spy in British history. Suave, intelligent, and lethal with a weapon, he was iconically personified by three distinct numbers: 007. Now half a century later, James Bond returns in impeccable fashion, tallying in his 23rd outing which may befittingly be his best. Sam Mendes takes over directing duties for the lucrative franchise that has withstood the test of time — six different Bonds to be exact. Favorably for him, one thing that remains intact is its previous star Daniel Craig who reprises his role for the third time. Since making his debut in "Casino Royale," Craig has built a distinguishable reputation amongst fans with his unconventional looks and aggressive manner. It's in "Skyfall" that his concerted efforts finally pay off in full, solidifying him in a role he seemed destined to play. Opposing but equally proficient is Javier Bardem as Bond's maniacal foe, Raoul Silva. Not a stranger to villainy, ie. "No Country for Old Men," Bardem delivers another spectacular performance that leaves a lingering uneasiness, and whose objective hits close to home. His albino features and muted wickedness are subject to praise, and reasons to ascertain that he'll be remembered as one of the best villains ever. Concordantly, "Skyfall" is also the most alluring of the Bond films, with sweeping views of Shanghai and Macau just to name a few. The beauty of locales adds grandness to the celebration of 50 years in the making, and sets the bar even higher for years to come. It's a testament to filmmaking that quality prevails over redundancy at a time when sequels are a dime a dozen. While Craig's time as Bond is reluctantly limited, the same can't be said for the on-going series. It's just a matter of who does it better in the immediate future. For now, Mendes can proudly hold that title.

Rating: 4½ stars

Flight

Release Date: Nov 02, 2012 

Runtime: 2 hr. 18 min. 

Director: Robert Zemeckis 

Cast: Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Kelly Reilly, John Goodman, Bruce Greenwood.

He's traveled back to the future, and taught us life is like a box of chocolates. Now Robert Zemeckis takes to the skies in his latest venture, "Flight." Denzel Washington stars as Whip Whitaker, an airline captain with a taste for bad habits. Boozed up and high on cocaine, he maneuvers a miraculous landing that is deemed ergonomically impossible. But what starts out as a heroic tale of death-defying feats, quickly down-spirals into a dissection of behavioral destruction, providing a hard look into substance abuse and all that it entails. It's a grim subject matter that only gets grimmer over the course of the two-hour film, and Zemeckis thoroughly divulges the details. For the most part, the story is far from uplifting as Whitaker is hardly likeable in his states of misdeeds and intoxication. Just when you think his life will turn around, he quarrels with temptations that hinder any development. Washington, in a semi-new kind of role, gives a dynamic performance as the alcohol-abusing pilot. Ambling between the lines of good and bad, he makes his actions believable to the point of diluted sympathy. On his side are Don Cheadle and Bruce Greenwood who both deliver favorable support as his attorney and former colleague, respectively. Their plead for intervention adds a heightened reality, whereas the inclusion of Kelly Reilly as druggie-turned-girlfriend feels forced by convention. Apart from the nail-biting opening with the aforementioned landing, the rest of the film moves rather languidly much like its inebriated core. A good character study, be that as it may, "Flight" is in no way a thrilling ride.

Rating: 3 stars

Cloud Atlas

Release Date: Oct 26, 2012 

Runtime: 2 hr. 52 min. 

Director: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer 

Cast: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, James D'Arcy, Zhou Xun, Keith David, David Gyasi, Susan Sarandon, Hugh Grant.

Some say our actions are what defines us. Every decision, every choice, casting a ripple in a sea with infinite repercussions. It's what characterizes and unifies us in human nature, and effectively draws the basis for this year's most profound vision in filmmaking. Daunting, prolific, and transcendent...these are but a few of the words that could aptly describe "Cloud Atlas." Directed by the Wachowski siblings in conjunction with Tom Tykwer, and based on the novel of the same name, the film is ambitiously divided into a study of six narratives. In one instance, it's a harrowing tale of neglected slavery, while in another, it's a retribution for hidden truth. Each individual story has a purpose or undertone, but it's how they connect that resonates with some viewers, or becomes too cumbersome for others. With no exact structure in storytelling, scenes jump sporadically in multiple sessions, while actors diversify in various roles. It gets to be a game of who's who in racial-bending transformations, but in the long run a feeble attempt at breaking any barriers. While a select few are successful in being relatively unrecognizable, the facial-alterations for 'Neo Seoul' are shockingly disconcerting, if not befuddling. Already having gained controversial allegations, it's questionable as to why additional casting wasn't made to avoid such eccentric modifications. Nonetheless, there are some positives to be enumerated, the score being one of them. Tykwer, along with his longtime collaborators Reinhold Heil and Johnny Klimek, have created a musical masterpiece that envelops the auditory senses. From a multi-piece orchestra to a simple stroke of the piano, the music reverberates a wide range of emotion — particularly the "Cloud Atlas Sextet" that is the magnus opus for one of the characters. Powerful and moving, the score is a likely contender for the upcoming award season, alongside the cinematography which is simply breathtaking. But as trying as it seems, the film is a toss-up when it comes to overall impression. Being grandiose and heavily layered, it bites off more than it can chew, not fully coming to fruition immediately after viewing. Though utterly unique, "Cloud Atlas" is open to discussion: you either like it or you don't. As for me, it falls somewhere in between.

Rating: 2½ stars