Category Archives: ET

1-By Laksh, ET, Movies

Sea Biscuit

There are some movies that become watchable not because of the cinematic elements alone, but the passion of the film makers….that intangible element that seems to seep through the screen into the audience hearts.
‘Sea biscuit’ is one just film.
The story is one of the most tried and tested in the Hollywood/Bollywood/Anywood…the underdogs perform and win. But it is the setting and the mileu, brilliantly captured by the passion of the crew, is what makes it worth watching. Let it be the excitement in the race track or the back-stable action…they are captured well, helped in generous measures by some excellent cinematagrophy and great music.
Jeff Bridges is as usual brilliant in a character that has many shades(some too predictable).
Chris Cooper is ok, and so is Tobey Maguire. All of them give creditable performances, but ultimately it is the spirit in which the film is made, that shines through, and the horse that plays ‘sea biscuit’ takes this spirit on its saddle.
1-By Laksh, ET, Movies

My Cousin Vinny

Forget the plot, overlook the holes in the scrpt, and bear the repetitive ‘f’ word…the film is worth watching anyday. You can safely put it in the league of  “A fish called Wanda”, or ” Ace Ventura: The Pet Detective”.

Joe Pesci is brilliant and so is Marisa Tomei with all her wise-cracks.

Film is great with a fast paced screenplay and the funny situations that are thrown up, and the controlled performances by the lead actors.

My picks: 1) Joe Pesci and his false-alarms
2) Nervous competition for Joe Pesci
3) ‘Finessing’ prosecution attorney by Gambini
4) The first two scenes…pretty original
5) The final encounter: Marisa and her automobile expertise.

1-By Laksh, ET, Movies

Citizen Kane

This movie was voted the movie of the century by AFI and lot of other organizations…and yet it lives up to its hype.

One  can write volumes on the movie making aspects…cinematography, music, editing, screenplay etc…may be a volume each on every aspect of this movie.

But what is striking is the is the power of an individual, a la Howard Roark reflecting in the genius of ‘Orson Welles’. To conceive, to execute and participate in such a classic, and that at too at an age of 26 is simply mind boggling. His endeavor always reminds us of what an individual can achieve, in any field…not just necessarily in arts. And every frame of ‘Citizen Kane’ is a tribute to that fiery entrepreneurial spirit..I call it entrepreneurism because, there is a certain sense of arrogance, a maverick, a risk taking..that is not just reflected in the ‘character’ of Charles Foster Kane…but it is written all over in the movie making. To achieve such an outrageous result…you need to be outrageous yourself. And that’s Orson Welles for you.

And when the movie was finally made and went thru series of problems, he stuck with it…he was destroyed, but he left a masterpiece and all the memories associated with it.

Orson Welles, is almost Mr.Howard Roark in flesh and blood.